Football 2013-2014

[The Nal]

Been injured seriously since start of last season pretty much. Played against Oldham and a bit against Cardiff, shame for him as he was developing well.

[kaosmark2]

I'm still not sure what all the fuss is about? Its a context thing right? He should be fined for stupidity if anything but proving its anti-semitic is impossible.

[eFestivals]

I'm still not sure what all the fuss is about? Its a context thing right?

Not really. That's merely the excuse that racists give to wriggle out of the accusations of racism.

I read something yesterday, where a journo had twittered about it and got one or more replies from French people saying he "didn't understand, it was an anti-establishment/anti-elite gesture".

But when you dig deeper, you find that it's always tied to the idea that it's a Jewish elite who are taking the piss out of the 'natives'. That context is fully tied into it.

[kaosmark2]

Not really. That's merely the excuse that racists give to wriggle out of the accusations of racism.

I read something yesterday, where a journo had twittered about it and got one or more replies from French people saying he "didn't understand, it was an anti-establishment/anti-elite gesture".

But when you dig deeper, you find that it's always tied to the idea that it's a Jewish elite who are taking the piss out of the 'natives'. That context is fully tied into it.

[eFestivals]

I don't disagree with any of that, except that footballers can be completely stupid and not realise that deeper idea.

Oh, I know - I've mentioned that perhaps he's that stupid.

But probably not...

There's an interview with David baddiel where he says he'd never heard of the quennelle and had no opinion on it until he heard anelka's defence that it was in support of dieudonne cos apparently in France he's a well-known anti-Semite.

Case closed if that's true.

I saw Baddiel on TV about it the other night, and that's pretty much what he said.

I've also seen or read something (from a reputable source, tho I forget where now) which said there's videos of Dieudonne being indisputably anti-Semitic.

But I think there's also a grey area of sorts, because Dieudonne is a hero to many for being outspoken and anti-establishment rather than specifically for his racism. A sort-of liking the fact that someone is standing up and making the criticisms that the mainstream media often snuffle out, while not necessarily agreeing with everything that he says.

In some ways I guess that's not so different to how many people in the UK have reacted to both the likes of UKIP and (on the opposite side) Russell Brand - liking that someone is saying these things, but not necessarily agreeing with everything they say - tho of course the extremity of message is not the same.

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

The thing about Dieudonne was he started off as an almost ultra left, but became gradually convinced that all the economic problems in the world were the fault of the Jewish (sound familiar?). Hence why his support spreads quite a distance over the compass.

[5co77ie]

losing out on Traore may prove a godsend, this Torres Everton are now chasing reminds me of Cahill at his best

[pink_triangle]

I have some concerns that everton are running out of steam. I see this season as evertons big chance and if they fail to make top 4 this season, they could find rivals pulling away next season. I worry they havent done much business in.the transfer window, but.thought that in the summer and they came good in.the end.

[DomDom1984]

I wouldn't worry about that unless they get a load of injuries. The reason they're doing well is because they have a very solid side and a good manager, and it's not the most inspiring EPL ever. There's no reason they can't continue doing well other than the injury thing.

[strummer77]

losing out on Traore may prove a godsend, this Torres Everton are now chasing reminds me of Cahill at his best

[eFestivals]

What's the Mata? Still no deal.

it's now more than two days since a supposed agreed fee - a bid supposedly made following agreement on personal terms. A transfer that has every media outlet with all the 'facts', unlike any other transfer ever.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25849959

BBC have it as a done deal...

that story has been changed a little since last night, cos it did say the medical would be this morning.

And the story has now changed again It started off "arriving Thursday morning for a medical", changed to "arriving Thursday afternoon for a medical" and is now saying "arriving Friday morning for a medical". Guess what it'll say around lunchtime.

I'm getting more and more convinced that this whole story is bollocks.

[thetime]

Press conference Monday.

The rumour is they are signing another player and want the press conference to unveil both players.

Rumours of it being cabaye or vidal, then again it could be Rooney signing a new contract.

Other than that Mata has signed and should be announced today, it's just the formalities.

Edited January 24, 2014 by thetime

[eFestivals]

Press conference Monday.

Oh, you mean like the Press conference yesterday morning and the press conference yesterday afternoon?

There's fantastic detail about every aspect of this transfer, and yet not one stated 'fact' about it has proven to be true, while very many of those stated 'facts' have been proven not true.

The rumour is they are signing another player

Then let's start another rumour, one that's more fitting for the REAL facts.

It sounds like Mata isn't prepared to sign for such a shit team, so is demanding other players better than are there already.

Edited January 24, 2014 by eFestivals

[pink_triangle]

Rumours of it being cabaye or vidal, then again it could be Rooney signing a new contract.

Other than that Mata has signed and should be announced today, it's just the formalities.

[thetime]

Oh, you mean like the Press conference yesterday morning and the press conference yesterday afternoon?

There's fantastic detail about every aspect of this transfer, and yet not one stated 'fact' about it has proven to be true, while very many of those stated 'facts' have been proven not true.

Then let's start another rumour, one that's more fitting for the REAL facts.

It sounds like Mata isn't prepared to sign for such a shit team, so is demanding other players better than are there already.

[eFestivals]

then again it could be Rooney signing a new contract.

I see there's rumours today that talks have started or are about to start.

It seems very odd, as he's allowed his contract to run down and has made it pretty clear at times that he wants out.

The only things that seems to make sense for why he'd sign a new contract is that Utd have made it clear that they won't sell to a English club and if he's not prepared to go abroad (perhaps cos his missus doesn't want to?) or that he's desperate to play for Moaniho.

But it still doesn't make massive sense ... Rooney can get what he wants by waiting 16 months, unless all that he's wanting is an even bigger pay packet.

[eFestivals]

Time will tell sir..

It will ... and while i'm taking the piss and having doubts, I'm still more inclined to think it's going to happen.

But there are defo some oddities around this supposed transfer.

[thetime]

Why would Juventus sell one of their best players, they are a team who are growing not going the other way like the 2 Milan clubs. I think Mata would be happy to sign for Man Utd, however theres always the possibility someone will come in with a better offer.

[eFestivals]

Like I said all rumour, Mata deal is sorted.

it's not sorted till he's signed on the dotted line. He hasn't done that yet.

[thetime]

it's not sorted till he's signed on the dotted line. He hasn't done that yet.

[eFestivals]

It's sorted.

PMSL ... yeah, and the medical was yesterday.

But hey, I believe you'#ve you've got a better line into the Utd boardroom than every UK media outlet - you know those media outlets who have reported every minute detail, but haven't yet reported that it's sorted.

[thetime]

PMSL ... yeah, and the medical was yesterday.

But hey, I believe you'#ve you've got a better line into the Utd boardroom than every UK media outlet - you know those media outlets who have reported every minute detail, but haven't yet reported that it's sorted.

[eFestivals]

The deal is done

you're being as accurate as the media reports.

[thetime]

you're being as accurate as the media reports.

[zahidf]

Bah. Bit annoyed at Jose. Man U were almost dead for the season, now they might not be. I reckon a 50/50 chance of them getting to 4 now...