Football 2011-2012

[eFestivals]

So Lucas out for 6-9 months then. Poor bloke. Liverpool are going to miss him. They've called Shelvey back from loan at Blackpool.

can't find that story, only one that his scan is tomorrow. Where's that come from?

[strummer77]

can't find that story, only one that his scan is tomorrow. Where's that come from?

[The Nal]

Bruce has been sacked.

[kaosmark2]

Best result for all concerned.

[The Nal]

Looks like Sparky Hughes is replacing beachball.

[kaosmark2]

Looks like Sparky Hughes is replacing beachball.

[pink_triangle]

I want to see Stoke go, and Everton. I doubt they will, but those are definitely my first 2 choices of the ones that might. For the first time since they came up Stoke look like they might just be dragged into it. And I really want an end put to this 'Moyes is one of the greatest managers around' myth. Everton may not have spent this season, but they've bought expensively in the past, they're consistently shit for the first few months of the season, which over 1 or 2 seasons can be put down to injury luck, but over 7 has to be put down to a failure in pre-season.

[TheGayTent]

I forget: is he the Watford fan?

[Greeny_Musicchild]

Looks like Sparky Hughes is replacing beachball.

[TheGayTent]

Bubbles gave me a laugh today!

Seeing as the elephant man spunked a huge wad of Short's money, he'd be mad to employ another money waster like MON, surely?

[Wooderson]

Liverpool fans obsession with slagging off Torres, needs to stop. A little bit embarrassing to be honest.

[luckysalt]

Apparently Villa have agreed a deal to sign Yannick Djalo, 25, Portuguese international, can play either wing and up front

[strummer77]

City v Liverpool in the semi then. Fancy them more over two legs in a semi as they're more likely to play their second string than in the final. Gonna be tough but a big tie as whoever wins it are clear favourites for the cup.

Saying that, what a performance from Palace tonight. Well played.

[kaosmark2]

Disagree about Moyes whiles everton are certainly not wigan in the transfer market, they are not huge spenders either. Look at the teams consistently finishing above them in the league and they have far greater transfer budgets and wage bills than everton. Moyes over a season consistently gets everton to achieve the highest position they can realistically expect. To me it doesnt make a difference if a club gets all their points at the beginning or end of the season, they all get added up at the end.

[kaosmark2]

Loved the Palace result, I was busy watching Spurs get beaten. Very funny, although that disallowed goal was an absolutely ridiculous decision. The ref should have stopped play if he thought the injury was serious enough to warrant it, not wait for Spurs to score a goal then retrospectively do so.

[pink_triangle]

I think its a pity about the league cup draw, effectively makes the semi a 2 legged final.

[The Nal]

It's hilarious chief. This comment betrays your frustration if anything. He's the UK record signing. Big pressure. If he (or you) can't take that bit of stick then thats tough. Up to him to silence the boo boys in fairness - same as Owen with the Istanbul chants.

Edited December 1, 2011 by The Nal

[pinback]

I want to see Stoke go, and Everton. I doubt they will, but those are definitely my first 2 choices of the ones that might. For the first time since they came up Stoke look like they might just be dragged into it. And I really want an end put to this 'Moyes is one of the greatest managers around' myth. Everton may not have spent this season, but they've bought expensively in the past, they're consistently shit for the first few months of the season, which over 1 or 2 seasons can be put down to injury luck, but over 7 has to be put down to a failure in pre-season.

(It's too much fun beating Sunderland for me to want them to drop, funny as it would be)

I'd quite like to see Wolves go down as well. Dirty fuckers. Fouled us over twice as much as any other team in the league last season.

I think there will be a cull of NW teams though. I don't see how Wigan can get out of it this time though. If he continues his form from the weekend, Moses might be able to do what N'Zogbia did last season, and if Rodallega hits form again that could be just enough, but N'Zogbia's goals and assists in the 2nd half of last season earned an even greater % of their points than Van Persie's did for Arsenal January-May. Whether Blackburn stay up seems entirely dependent on when Kean gets sacked. If he gets sacked after the weekend, they've got enough talent to pull themselves out of it by May, if he gets sacked in the business end of the season, they won't have enough points on board for anyone to save them. I think Bolton will get out of it eventually. They're inconsistent, but they do really shine at times, and I reckon Coyle can bring in a bit more consistency. Holden comes back from injury sometime next year, add in a signing in January, and they should have more than enough. I reckon a promoted team or two will drop as the 2nd half of the season comes round. Swansea, despite their lower points total, look in the best shape to me, as they're not conceding many against anyone, and scoring just enough to beat the teams around them. I think the egos and sulkers in QPR could lead to a fallout, depends mainly on how well Colin keeps them in line.

[eFestivals]

People, including me (and the rest of the world), rightly go on about Carroll, because hes the most expensive player in the history of British football, the 13th most expensive player of all time, and hes absolute shit. People went on about Bebe for 7m. For months!. Imagine Utd signed Carroll for 35 million?! There would be parades throughout the world celebrating the utter foolishness of it.

For the record, Torres has been much, much better than Carroll and has played a few excellent games for Chelsea. Remember, hes playing in the worst Chelsea team for nearly 10 years. If Chelsea come good, so will he.

A few points:-

1. Carroll is not "the most expensive player in the history of British football". That's Torres.

2. Since their respective moves, Carroll has performed as well at Liverpool as Torres has at Chelsea. They're both strikers, and they're strikers with the same strike rate.

3. If Torres is good cos he's getting that strike rate at the worst Chelsea team for ten years, then Carroll is better with the same strike rate at a worse Liverpool team.

4. on the basis of the above, £15M in your hand for that player swap is the bargain of the century.

Having said all that, Carroll is still shit - but so must be Torres. It was foolish of Liverpool to spunk all that money on Carroll, but at the same time it's still a great deal on the basis of that player swap.

[strummer77]

Theres little talk about that.

Edited December 1, 2011 by strummer77

[thetime]

If they both got there form back Torres is worth 50m and Carroll is not worth 35m.

Would have torres at united any day of the week.

[The Nal]

A few points:-

1. Carroll is not "the most expensive player in the history of British football". That's Torres.

Edited December 1, 2011 by The Nal

[strummer77]

If they both got there form back Torres is worth 50m and Carroll is not worth 35m.

Would have torres at united any day of the week.

[strummer77]

Ah come on!! Even Mascherano is a proper accepted ex Red now after he dedicated the Champo League win to Liverpool fans. The fact he orchestrated one of the most aggressive and classless transfers away in the clubs history seems to be forgotten. Remember? Going on strike etc? But Torres is a crocked ladyboy now?!

[The Nal]

There's your massive if. We effectively got Suarez and Carroll for Torres. Not that bad of a deal really.