Football 2013-2014

[zahidf]

Utd offered bang on the amount to trigger Fabregas' release clause and ended up looking like complete shitheads.

[ThomThomDrum]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27062091

Ii would be interesting if anything came of this. Pulis' recent shine could soon tarnish (I personally think nothing will come of it)

Edited April 17, 2014 by ThomThomDrum

[the_hedge]

Yep, but it's only now that everyone knows that. We knew he was good, but not how good.

As ever, it proves just how good an eye Wenger has for a player.

[eFestivals]

PMSL!!! Why didn't he buy him from Ajax at the time then?

that same question can be posed at every manager.

The point is, Wenger went in big for him - over double the amount of money he'd ever paid for a player.

It was an easier spot than most, but it was still a good spot. Better than the other 'big' managers managed by not trying at the release clause.

[The Nal]

Wenger going in for Suarez smacked of desperation more than anything. He went for a big name. And massively undervalued him too. Suarez was one of the best players in the world when he went for him. And hes better now.

There are plankton waving about in the current at the bottom of the Ionian Sea bed who know Suarez is a cracking player.

[Essex_George]

that same question can be posed at every manager.

The point is, Wenger went in big for him - over double the amount of money he'd ever paid for a player.

It was an easier spot than most, but it was still a good spot. Better than the other 'big' managers managed by not trying at the release clause.

[thetime]

Wenger going in for Suarez smacked of desperation more than anything. He went for a big name. And massively undervalued him too. Suarez was one of the best players in the world when he went for him. And hes better now.

There are plankton waving about in the current at the bottom of the Ionian Sea bed who know Suarez is a cracking player.

[thetime]

The only reason others didn't come in for him is that Suarez is a bit of a twat on the pitch (or was) nothing to do with only Wenger seeing how good he could be/is.

[The Nal]

Is he better than a year ago?

[eFestivals]

Wenger going in for Suarez smacked of desperation more than anything. He went for a big name. And massively undervalued him too.

Hmmmm ..... Fabregas.

Suarez was one of the best players in the world when he went for him. And hes better now.

It wasn't recognised as such. If it was, there'd have been none of that "Liverpool don't have a hope of 4th" that came from just about every direction.

There are plankton waving about in the current at the bottom of the Ionian Sea bed who know Suarez is a cracking player.

everyone knows it now, yes.

The fact that TGT posted those words in September gets to show how new that idea is.

People knew he was good, but not THAT good.

[eFestivals]

The only reason others didn't come in for him is that Suarez is a bit of a twat on the pitch (or was) nothing to do with only Wenger seeing how good he could be/is.

Yeah, so top managers would still knock him back now on the same basis, then?

He was massively under-appreciated. You can see it in words in this thread.

I didn't start watching Liverpool this season until after Suarez had destroyed Norwich again, because I preferred to watch Arsenal for the better footballing spectacle!

Absolutely no one thought he'd hit the level he has.

[ThomThomDrum]

The only reason others didn't come in for him is that Suarez is a bit of a twat on the pitch (or was) nothing to do with only Wenger seeing how good he could be/is.

[pink_triangle]

Wenger going in for Suarez smacked of desperation more than anything. He went for a big name. And massively undervalued him too. Suarez was one of the best players in the world when he went for him. And hes better now.

[eFestivals]

Is he better than a year ago? Seems to be just playing in a better side than a year ago.

Only difference is he seems to be channeling his energy to help his team, rather than the self destruct button.

I'd say his stats say much better - top Prem scorer (and a record from open play), and top Prem assists.

But he's playing in a better side, yeah. Sterling, Coutinho, Allen & Henderson have all grown loads as players, Flanagan is better at LB than anyone else they've used there recently, etc, etc.

They're just feckin' rampant, aren't they?

I can remember someone posting here at the end of the 'invincibles' season "are Arsenal really that special?" and me and some others saying 'yes'. If Liverpool win it this year that'll be the next best I've seen by a long chalk, I reckon.

[pink_triangle]

Yet Fergie took a gamble on a few talented twats with issues and it was very much to the benefit of Utd and won them many a title. Cantona being the most obvious example

Good managers see the talent, use it and try their best to control the "issues". Wenger obviously did not have the balls to spend big and gamble on Suarez as he has "baggage". He obviously is not confident in his man management skills with problem players, or the money men at Arsenal dont trust such skills in him.

[eFestivals]

Wenger obviously did not have the balls to spend big and gamble on Suarez as he has "baggage". He obviously is not confident in his man management skills with problem players, or the money men at Arsenal dont trust such skills in him.

I'd say it's just Wenger's general reluctance to spend.

But, he probably does feel more comfortable having spent that sort of money on Ozil, for the man management side. Wenger does German comfortably, so they're immediately in the same place.

[pink_triangle]

I'd say his stats say much better - top Prem scorer (and a record from open play), and top Prem assists.

But he's playing in a better side, yeah. Sterling, Coutinho, Allen & Henderson have all grown loads as players, Flanagan is better at LB than anyone else they've used there recently, etc, etc.

They're just feckin' rampant, aren't they?

I can remember someone posting here at the end of the 'invincibles' season "are Arsenal really that special?" and me and some others saying 'yes'. If Liverpool win it this year that'll be the next best I've seen by a long chalk, I reckon.

[eFestivals]

I guess it depends how your defining a special team. I would add the tevez/Ronaldo era man u team.

yep, it's all about what floats your boat - tho the record-breaking of Arsenal, and this Liverpool team (if they go 14 unbeaten to take the title), sets them apart from the merely great I'd say.

[eFestivals]

Anyway, if Wenger had got Suarez they'd have won by a country mile, I reckon.

[TheGayTent]

With hindsight TGT has some quality posts about LFC/Suarez from early on in this thread.

To his credit he doesnt couch opinion with "maybes" - just says it. Sure he'd be the first to say he's been surprised by LFC this year. Who hasnt.

[pink_triangle]

yep, it's all about what floats your boat - tho the record-breaking of Arsenal, and this Liverpool team (if they go 14 unbeaten to take the title), sets them apart from the merely great I'd say.

[pink_triangle]

Yep - I'm very surprised. But then I still think from what I've seen live that City are a much better side.

[thetime]

Time just makes us forget certain things and remember the headlines.

Man utd winning 16 out of the last 20 games with one defeat in 99/2000 pretty special.

Won the league by 18 points that year as well.

[pink_triangle]

I find the Cardiff/palace incident more funny than anything. It looks like palace have been a bit cheeky, but its not like palace need much help to beat Cardiff.

Interesting on the radio discussing the Hull v Arsenal game, Hull are more likely to qualify for Europe next year if they lose the game. Its not the biggest incentive!

Also has anyone come across bubble games? Wrexham are playing chester this weekend and away fans are only allowed in if they go via club transport from the ground. To me this is OTT, let fans chose how they want to get to a football match and if they break the law, then arrest them.

[Gucci Piggy]

I find the Cardiff/palace incident more funny than anything. It looks like palace have been a bit cheeky, but its not like palace need much help to beat Cardiff.

Interesting on the radio discussing the Hull v Arsenal game, Hull are more likely to qualify for Europe next year if they lose the game. Its not the biggest incentive!

Also has anyone come across bubble games? Wrexham are playing chester this weekend and away fans are only allowed in if they go via club transport from the ground. To me this is OTT, let fans chose how they want to get to a football match and if they break the law, then arrest them.