Football Talk 2005-2006 (Soccer)

[Mike the Metal Ed]

The 2005/6 Season build-up officially begins today. The fixtures are announced. :cool:

So yeah, feel free to talk or bitch about who your teams will be playing until next May or something.

[Wengerland]

Ah yes, may aswell move to a new thread now :cool:

As i said in the other one though, i'm fairly pleased with Leicester's, we need a good start because most of them are against what i'd consider bottom half opposition. Quite a tough last month though and Southampton on the last day should be good, could well be things riding on that game aswell.

[The Mackem]

With any luck Sunderland will stay in the Premiership on goal difernece or something.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

That is an extremely gay title

[Mike the Metal Ed]

That is an extremely gay title

That advert is the man. :mad:

Besides, some yank'll change it anyway.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

I know you're a Leicester fan and as such have no standards (:cool: ) but it's a woeful song.

[Cactus Sid]

Its a bit typical that Liverpool get the side who handed us our biggest defeat of the season, on the first day of the season.

Plus I miss the Arsenal game because of Reading :mad:

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho may have to re-structure his list of transfer targets if the club have to resolve their row over Frank Arnesen by selling Glen Johnson and Robert Huth to Tottenham.

Both England right-back Johnson and Germany centre-half Huth are now believed to be part of a cash-plus-player compensation package designed to end the feud before Friday's noon deadline.

Spurs, incensed by pictures of their suspended sporting director on Roman Abramovich's yacht this week, reacted by issuing a terse statement demanding that Chelsea reach a settlement by the deadline or face being the subject of another Premier League 'tapping-up' investigation.

----

Oh dear, Mantle will not be happy :'(

[Y2Ant]

That is an extremely gay title
Yes, delete everything after the word 2006, that advert is more homosexual than Owen Price in a gay bar. Although someone gay like Triple A will probably put (SOCCER) after it, because they are a huge american faggot.

ANYWAY *goes to look at the fixtures*

[Y2Ant]

What is it about us and getting Chelsea at home on the last day of the season, thats like 3 years in a row now :mad:

and Arsenal and United in the first 4 games :(

[Nervous Ferret]

wow ARSENAL IS looking good this year.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">what? No they don't. Pires is fucking off to Spain and van Persie is in jail on rape charges.</font>

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">also...

YOU'RE HERE, ITS COLD
THE DODGY PIES ARE THREE WEEKS OOOOOLD
BUT YOU'RE THE HEART OF IT ALL

THE REF IS BLIND, YOU'RE TWO-NIL BEHIND (c'mon!)
BUT YOU WON'T GO HOME AT HALF TIIIIME (you know you wont)
cos you're the cream of the crop...
YOU'RE THE CREAM OF THE CROOOOOOP

COS YOU'RE THE REAL FANS (you're the real fans)
YOU'RE THE BEST THING IN FOOTBALL (you're the BEST thing in football)
YOU'RE THE REAL FAAAANS (you're the REAL fans)
YOU'RE THE HEART OF IT AAAAALL
C'MON, SING ALONG WITH ME NOW
NANANA NANANA
NANANA NANANA
YOU'RE THE REAL FAAAAAAANS
</font>

:cool:

[The Mackem]

Man if we are fighting relegation;

15 April 2006
Barclays Premiership
Man Utd (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/default.stm) v Sunderland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/default.stm), 15:00
<HR class=greyline width="100%" noShade SIZE=1>17 April 2006
Barclays Premiership
Sunderland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/default.stm) v Newcastle (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/default.stm), 15:00
<HR class=greyline width="100%" noShade SIZE=1>22 April 2006
Barclays Premiership
Portsmouth (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/default.stm) v Sunderland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/default.stm), 15:00
<HR class=greyline width="100%" noShade SIZE=1>29 April 2006
Barclays Premiership
Sunderland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/default.stm) v Arsenal (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/default.stm), 15:00
<HR class=greyline width="100%" noShade SIZE=1>07 May 2006
Barclays Premiership
Aston Villa (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/default.stm) v Sunderland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/default.stm), 15:00
<HR class=greyline width="100%" noShade SIZE=1>


Going to be tough, although all the games look tough :'(

[Chavo Classic]

In true Frank Lebeouf style -

I don't care what happesn this season, because we won the European Cup.

:D

[Chavo Classic]

You can negative rep me now for being arrogant if you want... :shifty:

[packt up]

WOOOO opening day loss at arsenal.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

We've got Norwich away on the last day :mad:

[Wengerland]

Southampton away, our last month is horrible though, also have to play Palace and Norwich then.

[Nervous Ferret]

wow ARSENAL IS looking good this year.BELIEVE IT BABY

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Shut the fuck up

[toxic rooster]

lol Ferret acting like it's me in his account ehh

[toxic rooster]

http://www.sackfrank.com/templates/rhuk_planetfall/images/background.jpg

[toxic rooster]

way to make zero mention of the Argentina and Germany games there

[toxic rooster]

or the 1-0 against Uruguay in 2001

[Wengerland]

Was 3 seperate posts really necessary there?

And i'd guess it's because you wouldn't be expected to beat Germany and Argentina, and did quite well against both. It already mentions a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay, so the 1-0 loss wouldn't look so bad.

Anyway, quite a few links over the weekend:

Robert Green or Ian Walker to Pompey, Robinho to Arsenal for £14m and Real Madrid are meant to have offered £20m plus Owen and Solari for Lampard, which has been rejected.

[Cactus Sid]

In true Frank Lebeouf style -

I don't care what happesn this season, because we won the European Cup.

:D

Well, after the negativity I had last season, I am quietly optimistic that we can challenge.....with the right signings.

[toxic rooster]

Was 3 seperate posts really necessary there?

And i'd guess it's because you wouldn't be expected to beat Germany and Argentina, and did quite well against both. It already mentions a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay, so the 1-0 loss wouldn't look so bad.

Yes actually, they were :cool:

Anyway, the point you're missing is that it makes no mention the games against Germany and Argentina that we did very well in, also that we beat Uruguay 1-0

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">We wanted to bring John Aloisi back but he made wage demands of £30,000 after he scored the brace against Argentina so we fucked him off and he's going to play in Greece now :cool:</font>

[yianni]

John Aloisi is the fucking man...another reason Farina should be given the arse (good link to that site Gooner). That fucking useless idiot hasn't given Aloisi a chance to shine in the seniors for years even though the bloke ALWAYS turned up when asked to. He is a fucking legend and has shown why, yet I bet that useless tosser Farina will still not select him for the qualifiers and get rid of Dads Army (all the old cunts Vidmar, Muscat etc) up the back. And once more we will fail to qualify for the World Cup. At least then I guess he will finally get the arse.

RBF, I think Aloisi's move to Panathinaikos is a good one. Whilst playing in Spain was obviously excellent (one of the best leagues) Osasuna were hardly going to compete in Champions League, UEFA Cup etc. With Panathinaikos he should be playing Champions League football every year (UEFA Cup at the very least) and should be a key player for them. If that useless cunt Farina selects him for the November play-off, he will be playing Champions League football leading up to it, which will be excellent for Australia as he will be playing regularly and (hopefully) killing it. :y:

[Wengerland]

Yes actually, they were :cool:

Anyway, the point you're missing is that it makes no mention the games against Germany and Argentina that we did very well in, also that we beat Uruguay 1-0

Oh, i didn't know you'd beaten Uruguay. I thought you wanted him out, but they wouldn't put decent results on a banner for a website that's purpose is to get him out anyway.

Speaking of players going to Greece aswell, it looks like Theo could be going back to PAOK :'(

[toxic rooster]

:(

Farina is a bit useless, but he doesn't get near enough credit, really. He's made a few fuck-ups with selections, and he's very reluctant to change our aging defence but fuck, you wouldn't dream of the performances Australia had against Argentina and Germany even 4 years ago.

The point I was making was, the team has improved so much since Farina took over (I think from Blanco, about 5 years ago), and he's getting no credit for it.

[yianni]

Don't know if anyone mentioned it earlier, but Angelos Basinas looks to have signed with Birmingham City.

Also Wengerland, I think it's pretty much confirmed the Prince is going back to his old club to finish off his career. :love: Zagorakis is a champion

Gooner, didn't Farina take the gig after Venables and the 2-2 with Iran (:'()in 97? He's achieved some ok results but mate, in football if you fail to qualify for the World Cup once (or anything for that matter) as a manager/coach, then 99% of the time you would get the arse no questions asked. Why the fuck he is still there I have no idea. Time for someone new...a foreign coach who will select the right players and not just cos they're his mates :roll:

[toxic rooster]

Maybe the fact Australia hasn't qualified for the world cup in 32 years has something to do with it.

I'm not sure, I seem to remember Blanco taking the Olyroos in 2000, maybe that was just a one tournament thing or something

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Last I saw Basinas' club told Birmingham to fuck off since they offered something like £250k for him (he's in the last year of his contract but still :| talk about trying to steal one on the cheap)

[Mike the Metal Ed]

Do, do , do, da, da, da...

Fucking football season...

START ALREADY. :mad:

[Ogen]

Man if we are fighting relegation;

15 April 2006
Barclays Premiership
Man Utd (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/default.stm) v Sunderland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/default.stm), 15:00
<hr class="greyline" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%">17 April 2006
Barclays Premiership
Sunderland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/default.stm) v Newcastle (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/default.stm), 15:00
<hr class="greyline" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%">22 April 2006
Barclays Premiership
Portsmouth (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/default.stm) v Sunderland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/default.stm), 15:00
<hr class="greyline" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%">29 April 2006
Barclays Premiership
Sunderland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/default.stm) v Arsenal (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/default.stm), 15:00
<hr class="greyline" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%">07 May 2006
Barclays Premiership
Aston Villa (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/default.stm) v Sunderland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/default.stm), 15:00
<hr class="greyline" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%">


Going to be tough, although all the games look tough :'(
we get to relegate you sohttp://tpww.net/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif

[toxic rooster]

naa they'll be relegated long before then :(

[yianni]

I'm not sure, I seem to remember Blanco taking the Olyroos in 2000, maybe that was just a one tournament thing or something
Can't even fucken remember. Ah well we'll still go and get shitfaced up in Sydney and light flares, win or lose. We'll lose though.

[yianni]

Stellios Giannakopoulos to Liverpool? Anyone heard anything about this?

[Danny Electric]

Yeah, supposedly we've made an offer of 1.7 million euros and a two year contract.

[Wengerland]

Basinas would be a top signing, though i'd keep Darren Carter personally. Basinas and Muzzy would be a good pairing though, both very creative, with Basinas sitting deeper and Muzzy making forward runs from deep.

Forgot to mention the confederations cup semi yesterday, it was a pretty good game and finished 3-2 to Brazil. Mexico/Argentina is on at the minute but no score as of yet.

[Danny Electric]

Damn i missed that game, just watching the Mexico game on channel 5.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<Font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">Huth is a fat, clumsy, over rated, dirty Nazi fuck.</font>

[Chavo Classic]

Stellios Giannakopoulos to Liverpool? Anyone heard anything about this?

I hope this is the only time I do hear that.

[Rob]

I've been hearing that since they won the European cup.

[yianni]

Mexico/Argentina is on at the minute but no score as of yet.
Shithouse game, lots of errors. 0-0 at end of normal time and 1-1 at the end of extra time (2 scrappy goals) but Argentina won 6-5 on penalties. So Brazil-Argentina final...

[Nervous Ferret]

Can't believe how tough Arsenal's opening schedule is

[Chavo Classic]

Who the fuck is Darren Carter?

[Dazz]

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho may have to re-structure his list of transfer targets if the club have to resolve their row over Frank Arnesen by selling Glen Johnson and Robert Huth to Tottenham.

Both England right-back Johnson and Germany centre-half Huth are now believed to be part of a cash-plus-player compensation package designed to end the feud before Friday's noon deadline.

Spurs, incensed by pictures of their suspended sporting director on Roman Abramovich's yacht this week, reacted by issuing a terse statement demanding that Chelsea reach a settlement by the deadline or face being the subject of another Premier League 'tapping-up' investigation.

----

Oh dear, Mantle will not be happy :'(

No, I am no fucking happy, they are both stars of the future, we need to keep them both.

Huth pushing Adriano over was great :cool:

[Wengerland]

Spurs accepted something like £8m in compensation for Arnesen, with no players involved.

That second confederations cup semi was pretty terrible, yeah :(

[Karlsberg]

Can someone please explain to me why we are going to sell Darren Carter to the baggies. He was looking good last season and was definetly our best player in the 2 derby games against Villa, I cant help but sense another Andy Johnson scenario here.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<Font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">Darren Carter is a 21 year old box to box midfielder who Birmingham have just sold to West Brom for like £1.75m. He spent time on loan at Sunderland last season.</font>

[Chavo Classic]

Sounds explosive... :meh:

[yianni]

AHAHAHAH Gooner...apparently later today (1:30am here now so later this morning) Football Federation Australia are gonna have a press conference saying they've given Farina the arse! :D

[Danny Electric]

I think that's a bad decision, with the world cup qualifier and all.

[toxic rooster]

Who the fuck would take over...Graham Arnold? :shudder: - fucking Johnny Warren had to go and die :mad:

[Rob]

Berti Vogts is available.

[Dazz]

As is Claudio Ranieri :cool:

Bobby Robson :cool:

[yianni]

AHAHAHAHAHAHA HE'S GONE! FUCK OFF WANKER!!!!!!!!!

Guys I don't give a fuck if it's 5 months off from the Play-off, ANYONE is better than that shit cunt. We had NO CHANCE whatsoever with him in charge, with the pathetic line-up he put out. I hope to god they replace him with someone decent ie no fucken Australian coach except Ron Smith, who apparently is an excellent coach AND pretty much trained every member of the team when they were young at some stage, so they have enormous respect for him.

Fuck off Frank, just fuck off idiot. Now we have half a chance of making the Cup...which is better than none at all :D

[yianni]

Oh yeah Gooner u do have a point, if Arnold is appointed I'll shoot the cunt myself.

[yianni]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/img/sport/2703_frank_farina_a.jpg
Farina steps down as Socceroos coach


18:21 AEST Wed Jun 29 2005
AAP
Frank Farina has stepped down as Australian soccer coach.

The decision ends Farina's six years as head coach of the Socceroos.

He will be replaced on an interim basis by national technical manager Ron Smith.

Farina said he did not want uncertainty about his role to impact on the team.

"Ever increasing speculation on my position is not something that I want to see affect the performance of the team and the potential for that happening has led to this announcement," he said in a statement.

"We have the players and the backing to get us to the World Cup and no single element of our approach should be allowed to undermine that."

<SCRIPT language=javascript type=text/javascript>spac_writeAd('/SITE=NEWS/AREA=SPORT/LOC=TOP/AAMSZ=MEDIUM')</SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://direct.ninemsn.com.au/jnserver/SITE=NEWS/AREA=SPORT/LOC=TOP/AAMSZ=MEDIUM/PAGEID=1120034923581/ACC_RANDOM=1120034925384?"></SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://ads.ninemsn.com.au/ads/rich/common/ad21.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#666666></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><NOSCRIPT>http://direct.ninemsn.com.au/scripts/accipiter/nserver/SITE=NEWS/AREA=SPORT/LOC=TOP/AAMSZ=MEDIUM (http://direct.ninemsn.com.au/scripts/accipiter/adclick/SITE=NEWS/AREA=SPORT/LOC=TOP/AAMSZ=MEDIUM)</NOSCRIPT>Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy paid tribute to Farina.

"Frank Farina has been a dedicated coach over the past six years who has given his all for Australian football and we wish him well with his future endeavours," Lowy said.

"However it is important to now move on and focus on the World Cup campaign.

"Our responsibility is to do everything possible to ensure that Australia will be competing in Germany in 2006.

"We have said that we would be leaving no stone unturned to qualify for the World Cup."

Calls for Farina to stand down escalated after the Socceroos left this month's Confederations Cup winless.

The team lost all three games and conceded 10 goals in the process, losing 4-3 to host Germany and 4-2 to Argentina before being humbled 2-0 by Tunisia.

FFA chief executive John O'Neill had made it clear he expected a good performance from Australia at the tournament.

"We are treating the tournament as a World Cup trial, we're not going there to make up the numbers," O'Neill said prior to the Confederations Cup.

"We'd certainly be keen to get past the first round, and Frank Farina shares our objective of making the semi-finals."

Farina has had an uneasy relationship with O'Neill since he joined the FFA in February 2004.

It reached a head in May when O'Neill called for Farina to seek anger management counselling following the coach's run-in with SBS television reporter Andrew Orsatti after a friendly match with Iraq in Sydney.

Farina's national coaching record included highs of beating England in a friendly 3-1 in 2003 and guiding the Socceroos to third in the Confederations Cup in 2001.

That tournament included victories over heavyweights Brazil, France and Mexico.

But Farina failed in the major task of getting the national team through to the 2002 World Cup.

Up 1-0 after the first leg play-off match against Uruguay at the MCG, the Australians faltered badly in the return match, going down to the South Americans 3-0 in Montevideo.

Many questioned Farina's tactics after the loss.

He also presided over the national team when it hit"rock bottom" in July 2002 after losing to New Zealand in the Oceania Nations Cup (ONC) final.

Last year the Socceroos also posted a shock 2-2 draw against the Solomon Islands in an ONC match.

Speaking on a video link-up from Frankfurt, Germany, Lowy said there was no debate in reaching agreement with Farina.

But ideally, he would have liked Farina to have departed sooner.

"If the change, if any, would have happened 12 months ago I think we would have been better off. But given the history of football, things happen when they happen.

"It's happened now and it should not diminish our opportunity to go to Germany."

Lowy said there was no fixed deadline to appoint the new head coach.

[toxic rooster]

lol I couldn't read all that, I got distracted by the Jetstar ad

[yianni]

:roll:

Frank is gone, u cunt, GONE!

[toxic rooster]

that's all you needed to say

[yianni]

I've said it about 400000 times this past 2 months :p

Anyway Venables is definately not taking up the gig...fuck just throw a heap of cash to some South American cunt who can do something with our defence and make it hold out over 2 legs. Attack is fine it's just the fucken defence that needs shaking up. Once that's sorted we're a good chance.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">That stupid useless wanker Andy D'Arsehole has been dropped from the Premiership next season :love::love::love::love:!

Also, Stoney has gone to Leeds so he remains a legend :love:

Also Laurant Robert has been fined a total of £190,000 cos he keeps slagging off Newcastle :$</font>

[The Mackem]

Who the fuck is Darren Carter?
We had him on loan last season, good player. Birmingham are daft for not playing him.

[Dazz]

Zola has retired, by far the best player I have seen play live, fucking quality, so many memories.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Kezman for the Pachichi :'(

Unless I'm mistaken that leaves Chelski with 2 strikers. Oh, and Carlton Cole.

[Dazz]

One striker, Eidur Gudjohnsen plays centre midfield.

We are gunna get Gilardino most likely.

[Rob]

Get Andy Johnson. Man, I'd cry with tears of joy if that happened.

[Dazz]

We have enough money to get someone half decent thank you very much.

Also, the Sun linked us with RvN the other day.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Gilardino wants to go to AC Milan and AC Milan want him.

Top footballers still prefer going to the prestigious clubs over Chelsea.

[Dazz]

Yes, but top footballers also care too much about money, I bet he comes to us.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I'd be surprised, he said a while ago he would only go to AC Milan, and Milan have made him their top priority for the summer.

[Dazz]

Well, prepared to be suprised, if we give Milan Crespo on loan for another season as rumoured, then I bet we get Gilardino, we will pay more then Milan for him for starters and give him a bigger wage, he will come.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Yeah, like E'too left Barcelona, like Shevchenko and Adriano left the Milan clubs.

[Dazz]

Eto'o *, seriously ECG, you need to learn how to spell players names. They are all at really big clubs already, Parma are nothing comared to us, that is the obvious difference.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Milan are a bigger club though, and they're after Gilardino. So if it's between choosing more money or playing for a famous club, maybe Gilardino will be like the rest of them and go to Milan.

Fernando Torres too. Snubbed the Blues. Not having much luck getting a striker.

[Dazz]

Not sure if you are right about Torres. And I know Milan are a bigger club, but he isn't currently there so he won't know what he is missing out on really. The players you mentioned are already at big clubs, he isn't.

Saying that your boyfriend Carvalho didn't want to come to us, he wanted to go to Madrid and I honestly don't think he'd have come if we didn't have Jose but still tried to sign him.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Apparently Parma are getting new owners so he won't be going anywhere for the time being.

[Dazz]

I bet he is, new owners or not, it will be a few years before they are potential Champions of Europe. He will wanna win the big stuff and not want to wait round.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I dunno, these Italian lads are notoriously loyal to their teams. Guy's like Nesta, Cannavaro, Totti, Del Piero have hung around at their first clubs for season after season no matter what. Del Piero and Totti have been at their clubs their whole career, for instance, and Nesta only moved because Lazio had horrible financial problems. It still happens there that talented homegrown players stay at their clubs for as long as possible.

[Dazz]

Lots of Italians move between Italian clubs too though, you just picked out a few. And anyone at Milan or Juventus would be loyal to their team, they are the to biggest teams in Italy. Maldini and Baresi would have never played their whole career at one team if it wasn't one of the biggest in the world. I'd like to see those players stay at their clubs if they never won anything, even Roma were good for a couple of seasons, Le Tissier has proven his loyalty much better then any of the players you mentions

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I'm just saying I don't think it's automatic that Gilardino will want to leave Parma immediately. That's my point: Italian players don't seem in a hurry to leave their clubs, and they don't go abroad too often either, compared to other nationalities. Especially the top Italians.

I'd be surprised to see Gilardino at Chelsea next season.

[Dazz]

Fair enough, I am sure he will come though, we'll see.

But even if we didn't get him we will obviously get someone shit hot like Tevez or something, so in answer to what MMM said, we will obviously have enough strikers next season. Not to mention Robben can play there, if we got Wright-Phillips or Joaquin then we could mix it up a little :cool:

[El Capitano Gatisto]

If Lampard's deflected shots start going wide instead of in, you're fucked.

[Dazz]

As long as Duff, Cole, Robben and Drogba keep diving then he will notch up penalties, Huth can handle the free kicks (he scored for Germany yesterday but it weren't a free kick :cool: :cool: :cool: ) and Terry has corners covered.

Thing is people will now watch Lampard closer after the amount he notched up this season, I hope he starts shooting less and playing it out wide more. I swear he fucks up about 5 long shots for everyone he scores, not that I am complaining.

[The Mask]

also, glazer's sons were at old trafford tonight, and ended up barricaded in. Ended up having to get escorted out in a police van for their own safety.

[Dazz]

Wow, you little pussies, I bet none of them actually get harmed.

[packt up]

Robert :love:

Also Adriano is the best striker out there at the moment by a mile.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Reports today seem to indicate that Parma have priced Milan out of a bid for Gilardino. That plus Parma's crippling debts seem to indicate Chelsea might be more likely than seemed previously.

[Rob]

I'm just saying I don't think it's automatic that Gilardino will want to leave Parma immediately. That's my point: Italian players don't seem in a hurry to leave their clubs, and they don't go abroad too often either, compared to other nationalities. Especially the top Italians.

I'd be surprised to see Gilardino at Chelsea next season.

I wouldn't. He has been linked with moves from Parma for years now. It has to happen sometime.

[Rob]

also, glazer's sons were at old trafford tonight, and ended up barricaded in. Ended up having to get escorted out in a police van for their own safety.

Seriously, Man United supporters club "fans" are a bunch of wankers. The Glazers haven't even been in the door 5 minutes and these tosspots are doing eveything they can to ruin our legacy. Why the fuck would you want us kicked out of Europe. I'm not happy the Glazers bought us but the fact is that they did. Might as well see what their plans are before we all start moaning and bitching.

And I have already invested money into FC United so it's easy to back both.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

-Middlesbrough's new signing Emanuel Pogatetz could be ruled out of the club's UEFA Cup challenge after he was sent off playing for former club Spartak Moscow.

Pogatetz, on loan at Spartak from Bayer Leverkusen, was dismissed in his final game in Russia for a tackle on a Shikkin Yaroslavl player which resulted in his opponent suffering a double fracture of his leg.

The Russian Football Association on Thursday handed out a 24-week ban for Pogatetz as punishment.

The Premier League is not obliged to enforce the ban in England but UEFA may do so, ruling him out of Boro's European games. :rofl:

-Dwight Yorke revealed he is ready to end his career in Australia on the day he officially signed for new club Sydney FC.

The former Manchester United, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Birmingham striker is Sydney's marquee player, with rules for the inaugural A-League allowing the eight clubs to sign one star name above the salary cap of £600,000. :rofl:

-The rule where referees can move a freekick forward an extra 10 yards for dissent etc has been scrapped :'(

[El Capitano Gatisto]

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=287484&lid=8&cpid=21&title=Gilardino+deal+not+dead&channel=italy



Gilardino deal not dead



Alberto Gilardino could yet complete his move to Milan, with the Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani now playing down comments made by Silvio Berlusconi that appeared to signal the end of their pursuit of the Parma man.

Gilardino's exit from Gialloblu was anticipated after they avoided relegation to Serie B on the last day of the Italian season, with the club mired in financial troubles.

The 22-year-old is one of Italy's most feared strikers despite his tender age and, despite strong interest from Premiership champions Chelsea, had been widely expected to move to San Siro.

However the Italian prime minister, and Milan supremo, had insisted (http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=287356&plid=8516&clid=131&cpid=)that the prospective new owners of Parma would not be inclined to let the sensational striker depart, and in any case were demanding too high a transfer fee for their attacking talisman.

To muddy the waters further Rossoneri vice-president Galliani has now insisted that Berlusconi's comments were merely his interpretation of the situation, and that Parma's new owners may well be open to selling their star hit-man.

"I've spoken with Berlusconi, who cleared up the sense of Friday's declaration," Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Effectively Gilardino costs too much, but what the president said with reference to the next possible Parma owners keeping the striker, it's only his intuition and not an official position of which he knows.

"So Berlusconi doesn't know that Parma's next officials are against Gilardino's sale."

Galliani's comments appear to indicate that Milan are not content to drop their interest in the Italian international, particularly given Chelsea's ability to match any asking price. The Rossoneri remain in pole position for his signature given that Gilardino has previously indicated that his preference is to remain in Italy with Carlo Ancelotti's side.

[The Mackem]

-The rule where referees can move a freekick forward an extra 10 yards for dissent etc has been scrapped :'(
thank God.

[Mike the Metal Ed]

thank God.

[packt up]

Seriously, Man United supporters club "fans" are a bunch of wankers. The Glazers haven't even been in the door 5 minutes and these tosspots are doing eveything they can to ruin our legacy. Why the fuck would you want us kicked out of Europe. I'm not happy the Glazers bought us but the fact is that they did. Might as well see what their plans are before we all start moaning and bitching.

And I have already invested money into FC United so it's easy to back both.

I couldn't agree more :y:

And LOL at their plans to buy the club off Glazer in the future. Yeah I'm sure thats going to happen.

[Wengerland]

reply 100 :o

Brazil were pretty awesome yesterday.

[The Mask]

it's not that hard to guess at their plans, cause it's not easy to see how you can repay £500m of debt with profits of 19m a year.

[Rob]

Other clubs are in constant debt and still work well. Maybe they will boost profits through ways people haven't even though of. Maybe they don't care about making back the £500 million as quick as people seem to think. It's all ifs and buts right now.

[Rob]

In other news, Inter gave Christian Vieri a free transfer.

[Cactus Sid]

Apparently Spurs and Newcastle have both made enquiries for him

We're supposed to be signing Zenden and Mark Gonzalez, I have no problems with either, but it does make me fear for Luis Garcia's future :(

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Zenden is overrated, IMO. Problem is Liverpool can't really afford someone like SWP either, and for a freebie he is pretty good value. If Benitez had Chelsea or Man U's money, Liverpool would be unstoppable.

[Cactus Sid]

He might be overrated but he's versatile, which is something we really need

[Y2Ant]

I havent seen Vieri play in a few years, but fuck me we need a big name striker like that

[Y2Ant]

unless they end up being shit like Kluivert

[Scarface]

http://www.putfile.com/media.php?n=fussball

[Cactus Sid]

Well, looks like Gerrard is off

Its his fucking agents (SFX....who else?) they've clearly got into his head.

On Wednesday Gerrard's agents held talks with Rick Parry, and told him that Gerrard wanted some ridiculous amount of money to stay, Parry, foolishly, didn't say no, he just listened and said they'd continue talks in a few days

The Next Day, SFX turned up and told Parry that Liverpool basically had to accept the terms, because they knew they had offers from other clubs, and that Gerrard himself wanted away from the club, unless they gave him exactly what he wanted, Gerrard then started to claim that Liverpool wanted him out of the club, when in actual fact, they had prepared a contract which would've given him a 2-3 year extension for an extra 20 grand a week, basically giving him 100,000 a week.

The bust-up with Benitez came because Benitez wasn't prepared to play ball with agents like Houllier used to. Gerrard and Houllier were pretty much best friends, while Rafa has gone for the "I'm the boss, your the players" approach. Which is exactly the reason that Owen left last year. SFX (Owen's representatives.....are you seeing a pattern) came to Parry and said "He's got a year left on his contract..... WE WANT THIS, WE WANT THAT" etc..... so Rafa told Rick Parry that he didn't want agents getting in the way of building a team, and that if Owen really wanted to leave, then that was his choice.

Rafa and Gerrard had a discussion on Saturday about the talks. Gerrard told Benitez that he felt the club was trying to force him out, while Benitez told Gerrard that the club had prepared a contract for him, and it was down to him to sign it.

The story gets leaked to the press...... I'll give you one guess who the most likely people to have leaked this information were.

SFX told Liverpool on Sunday that Gerrard wanted to leave..... despite Gerrard claiming he wanted to sign a new contract.

Now, this is pretty much where we are at.

It seems that SFX have a vendetta against Rick Parry because he talked Gerrard into staying last year. They realise that they could make far more money if Gerrard left, and are trying to stick it to Parry, like the money grabbing bastards they are.

The problem lies at the moment in the fact that while SFX are tipping off the British media, Rafa is doing the exact same thing in the Spanish media, to try and warn off Real Madrid, and he's hoping that Gerrard wont be a backstabbing twat and sign for Chelsea or Man Utd.....basically leading to Gerrard staying.

Its a complicated saga at the moment, because I'm sure that Gerrard wants to stay at Liverpool. A player who is supposed to love his club as much as Gerrard does, does not want to leave "because contract talks aren't progressing" that is an utter bullshit excuse for someone who is Liverpool through and through. The only answer is that SFX have got in his ear somehow and are trying to force him out....basically for their own benefit. I don't think Liverpool want to sell him, I know for a fact that Rafa has stated on numerous occasions he wants to build the team around him, but at the end of the day, Liverpool are bigger than one player, and they wont be held to ransom by agents who are trying to make Liverpool out to be the bad guys, when its they who are the money grabbing jewish rip off merchants.

[Rob]

Gerrard told a reporter to his face apparently that he wasn't looking for anything close to £100,000.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Liverpool are better off rid of Gerrard if he doesn't fit in with Benitez' ethos. Benitez is more important to Liverpool, and the ridiculous fee Gerrard could command would probably better serve the side than his inconsistent performances and the constant circus over where he will be playing.

[Cactus Sid]

Just to point out, to prove 100% that its all the agents doing, every paper has the EXACT same story AGAIN. Gerrard, £32 million, Chelsea.

Its a fucking joke, and to think they represent Carragher as well.

We will be better off without Gerrard, I just think its an utter disgrace that a player who supposedly loves the club is leaving in such a way

[Danny Electric]

Yeah, he's kinda pissed me off with that. He's making it apparent that he wants to leave and then he says that the club is forcing him out. If he wants to leave then leave now because we need to build the team up soon because our season starts soon.
He's been offered £100,000. 2 year contract extension which will give him a four year contract.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">Southampton have turned down a £6m bid for Peter Crouch :|</font>

[The Mackem]

Pompey tried to sell us a disabled person. Shame on you Owen.

[Wengerland]

Gerrard's told BBC Sport that he wants to leave Liverpool. Unless it is a bust-up with Benitez then i don't see the point, he's won everything that you can win in England apart from the premiership, and Benitez is building towards achieving that.

Also, Vieri has gone to Milan.

[Rob]

Liverpool are going to be fighting for 4th again this season. Gerrard has done all he can at Liverpool.

Time to move to Manchester ;)

[Danny Electric]

Gerrard issued a statement saying how at first he wanted to stay at the club but now wants to leave because he doesn't want to go through a slanging match with his 'beloved' club.

[Wengerland]

He still loves the club and always will, Steve McManaman was treated like shit by the Liverpool fans after he signed a pre-contract with Real Madrid, but i bet he still loves the club. He's turned down £100,000 a week, which suggests he's not going for the money, he'd get more at Chelsea obviously but he'd take £100k a week if he was happy. I don't know whether these training ground stories are true or not, or maybe he just feels he's gone as far as he can with them.

If Real Madrid can afford him then i'd be surprised if he went anywhere else. I'd prefer him to go to Barcelona but Xavi's just as good and i doubt they can afford him. Real said they'd only make a move if he hands in a transfer request, and the next day he's as good as done that. As bad as it's been handled by Gerrard, i personally feel some Liverpool fans are going over the top in the criticisms, considering all he did at the club.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

He'd make £90k at most at Chelsea, Mourinho won't sign anyone to a contract larger than for the players he already has (or so I've read at least)

[Danny Electric]

I was talking earlier on MSN to Owen and I said that I love the guy to bits, he has done so much for us and I love him for all that he has done, it's just the way the situation's been handled.
To me it seems as if he decided on leaving a while back and he's using this now, I want him to stay but if his heart isn't in playing for the club then he should play somewhere else.

[Cactus Sid]

Gerrard really owes the fans an explanation

All he has said is "the events over the last 6 weeks".......

What events over the last 6 weeks?

We win the Champions League, the biggest trophy in world club football, he tells the fans he can't possibly leave.....and now he's leaving. He has won EVERYTHING with Liverpool, except for the Premiership. We have the best manager in the league, who is getting rid of the deadwood and bringing in a young, exciting squad, that was going to be built around Gerrard, and that's not good enough for him....why?

So the line from Gerrard and his agents are "it took too long for discussions to start"

Steven Gerrard only a few weeks ago said "Nothing has started yet, but we're looking into negotiations soon"..... negotiations started last week. Why does a couple of weeks matter so much? Not to mention the fact that the club was on holiday after a long season, and knowing that they'd be back for pre-season earlier than usual, the time to rest was neccessary for the club. We return to pre-season...talks begin. At this point Gerrard is staying with the club.

So what happened in the last week....not the last 6 weeks, the last week, to change his mind.

If it is right that he had made up his mind a long time ago, why was he talking about a new contract at all. He could've kept quiet. But no, he told the fans he was staying.

So Rafa and Rick Parry refused to play ball with his agents, and now he's off. They offer him a huge raise, and he still fucks off. Something else has happened in all of this, and its the fault of either Liverpool or his agents.

Liverpool have either told Gerrard that he has a choice, sign on their terms or look for a new club (which I don't believe for a minute) or Rafa has told Gerrard something that Gerrard has taken great offence to (possible)

On the other hand, Gerrard's agents know they could get a HUGE payday if he leaves to Chelsea or Real Madrid. They know Liverpool will sell for £30 million +, and they know they can make a couple of million at least out of it. So they've got in his ear that Liverpool don't want him, they've stopped negotiating, they wont do this, they wont do that, and he's believed them.

Whatever has happened, I just have to say.

I love Steven Gerrard and I love Liverpool Football Club, that is why this hurts so much. Gerrard has been a terrific servant for Liverpool, and he stayed on last season when he could've left. He has been loyal, and at times, single-handedly dragged our asses through games. Gerrard will always be seen as a Liverpool man.

However, this whole incident is leaving a sour taste in my, and many other Liverpool fans mouths. It is very difficult to believe that a player is prepared to stay when things are bad, but go when things are good, and for reasons which appeared to be bullshit, especially when you tell the people who see you as a god, that your gonna stay. I don't want this to taint everything he has done for the club, but if he is leaving purely out of greed....then it will taint everything.

[Cactus Sid]

Well, I'm a little confused by everything, but it looks like Gerrard is staying after all.

Obviously I'm happy by that, but it just throws up even more questions. In my honest opinion, it looks like when Liverpool tried to talk to Gerrard, they ended up getting a load of crap from his agents about money and other things. Liverpool refused to play ball, and the agents told Gerrard he wasn't wanted, everything over the last 2 days happened, Gerrard asked to leave, and then last night, Rick Parry was finally able to talk to Gerrard 1 to 1, properly, no agents, and everything was sorted out.

The whole situation is a complete mess, but at the end of the day, I'm glad Gerrard has seen sense.

Shame Carragher won't be captain now though :(

[Wengerland]

Weird, mind you it's very similiar to last summer then. To be fair to Gerrard he did say that he was ready for contract talks on 3 seperate occasions but the club moved them back each time.

The big news of the day though is, of course, that Nils-Eric Johansson has signed for Leicester :D cracking signing for this level.

[Danny Electric]

Yeah I'm confused too.

[yianni]

Fuck, the other day was a 1 year anniversary of the Euro win for Greece last year. Fuck a year has flown by so quick :eek:

[Cactus Sid]

To be fair to Gerrard he did say that he was ready for contract talks on 3 seperate occasions but the club moved them back each time.

Of course when Liverpool were prepared to talk, he told them to wait so....

[Rob]

I'm more pissed about how Gerrard can get a deal sorted by the end of the week and yet Rio Ferdinand still hasn't signed a contract with Man United.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Because United aren't stupid enough to bow down to a player's ridiculous demands?

[The Mask]

Come on though, Rio is a bit of a cock.

[Rob]

Rio has an excuse for everything. I like the guy but he needs to pay back the fans and sign the deal. He got paid while he was suspended and the club and fans stuck with him.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Bellamy looks set to sign for Blackburn, no fee disclosed as of yet.

Figo looks set for Liverpool, £2m transfer fee and a huge wage cut.

[toxic rooster]

:eek: 2 mil for Figo

[Cactus Sid]

Move looks like its in doubt because Rafa doesn't want to pay for him

I was wondering why they'd given Zenden the number 30 and not 11.....and now we know.

I would like us to sign him, provided he is bothered and is coming here to play football, rather than have a payday.

Guess we're after a defender as well, we've got that number 2 shirt to fill.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Spanish papers are reporting Liverpool agreed the fee with Real. Figo is worth a small outlay for a couple of seasons, at least. In fact, I think he's got another few in him. He has never been about pace.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Liverpool have signed Mohammed Sissoko from Valencia even though he was strongly rumoured to be going to Everton :o Attacking midfielder/2nd striker, 20 years old, former Auxerre youth. I haven't seen Valencia play in a long while but he sounds promising, and presumably Benitez knows all about him.

[Cactus Sid]

Apparently we're considering a move for Gallas

[toxic rooster]

There's been rumours flying around everywhere here that Guus Hiddink is the frontrunner to take over the Australian team coaching position.

[yianni]

Yeah but he'd have to do it part-time as he's coaching a club...there's a clause in his contract allowing him to coach a national team for World Cup purposes. Still, I'd him the job part-time, if he fails to get us there then give him the arse, if he gets us there then keep him til after the World Cup Finals then tell him to do the job full-time or piss off.

[Mike the Metal Ed]

Gothic]Anyone watching Liverpool v TNS tonight? :D[/FONT]

[yianni]

http://www3.sbs.com.au/home/index.php3?id=60416

Hiddink: 'I'm thinking about it'
AAP

The first-choice for the Socceroos coaching job, Guus Hiddink, says he is considering the offer and is expected to make a final decision within days.

Hiddink has arrived in South Korea with his Dutch club PSV Eindhoven for the Peace Cup pre-season tournament - returning to the nation he guided to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals.

"I'm thinking about it," Hiddink told reporters about the Socceroos job.

"I know that Australia have some very good players and they took the Confederations Cup seriously and tried hard.

"I'm very satisfied with the job I'm doing here, but what will happen in the near future, you will see.

"I am happy with my current job at PSV Eindhoven, but since the World Cup is the crown in the world of football, it makes coaching a national team a very exciting challenge."

Football Federation Australia wants 58-year-old Hiddink to take on the role - initially until November when the Socceroos play against the fifth-placed South American side for a spot at the 2006 World Cup finals.

He tops a three-man shortlist, which includes fellow Dutchman Dick Advocaat and a South American candidate.

Hiddink has admitted to a Dutch sports magazine he has been offered coaching jobs in four countries, but is keenest on the challenge of guiding Australia to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1974.

If the FFA gets its man, Hiddink could be brought to Australia as soon as PSV completes its Peace Cup commitments on July 24 to be paraded as the Socceroos' new coach.

The sticking point could be the time he can devote to the role while keeping his current job with PSV.

As well as defending its Dutch championship title, PSV is also involved in the Champions League and the club will be loath to have its season interrupted by the Socceroos' push towards the World Cup finals.

But it is believed Hiddink has a clause in his contract allowing him to coach a national team for World Cup purposes.

As well as his heroics with South Korea, Hiddink also led Holland to the 1998 World Cup semi-finals and has coached Spanish giants Real Madrid, Valencia and Real Betis.

Hiddink will guide PSV in the second Peace Cup starting on Friday - an eight-team competition which pits it against some of the world's best club sides including Argentina's Boca Juniors and England's Tottenham Hotspur.

[Rob]

Bye Bye Vieira. Next seasons matches against Arsenal just won't be the same now.

[toxic rooster]

Has he had his photo taken with the shirt yet?

Till then, I don't buy it

[toxic rooster]

Yep, he's gone.

Enter Cesc and Gilberto in central midfield

[yianni]

LOL quick turnaround there Gooner.

[Rob]

LOL all of 3 minutes.

[Cactus Sid]

Gives Cesc a chance to shine :cool:

[Ogen]

ahaha Stupuid fuckign fognneers without Viera you'll be shite

[yianni]

VIERA WOOOAHHHH
VIERA WOOOAHHHH
HE GIFTED GIGGS THE BALL
AND ARSENAL WON FUCK ALL

:lol:

[yianni]

http://www.tshirtsunited.com/images/designs/giggssemigoal_mousemat.jpg

Cmon Gooner u cunt, respond.

[toxic rooster]

VIERA WOOOAHHHH
VIERA WOOOAHHHH
HE GIFTED GIGGS THE BALL
AND ARSENAL WON FUCK ALL

:lol:
RYAN GIGGS, RYAN GIGGS
MISSED AN OPEN GOAL
RYAN GIGGS, RYAN GIGGS
MISSED AN OPEN GOAL
HOW DID HE MISS
ARSENAL TAKE THE PISS
RYAN GIGGS, RYAN GIGGS
MISSED AN OPEN GOAL

[toxic rooster]

LOL all of 3 minutes.
yeah, I sort of opened bbc.co.uk/football within those 3 minutes

[Wengerland]

Vieira was generally poor last season anyway, Arsenal had a great start to the season with Gilberto and Fabregas in midfield aswell. They'll miss his prescence in midfield but £14m or whatever for a 29 year old isn't too bad.

I bet a replacement will come in anyway, so i doubt Fabregas will be first choice :( or Hleb can play there.

[The Mask]

Vieiraaaaaaa Woaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

Vieiraaaaaaa Woaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

He Fingers Freddys Hole

Whilst Blowing Big Gay Sol


Vieira Woaaaaaaaaaaah

[Oxstar]

I didn't think Viera would go to Juventus, i thought he would have went to Real Madrid considering the poor state of Italian football.

[The Mackem]

Quite a big reduction on the price that he almost went to Real Madrid at last season. Was he almost out of contract or something?

[The Mackem]

lol Newcastle want £20m for Jenas. He's defintely worth more than Vieira :D

[toxic rooster]

I think he'd just signed a 3 year deal or something last year when he nearly went to Madrid - although at the price we sold him to Juventus for, let's hope he gets a career-ending knee injury within 10 minutes his Juve debut

[Oxstar]

You should respect Vieira he gave Arsenal 9 years of his carear. He must like racial abuse, he's gonna abused in Italy.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Hmm. Camara has said sorry and is prepared to play for us if nobody comes in for him.

Be *very* interested to see what kind of response he gets if he is still around at the start of the season.

[toxic rooster]

You should respect Vieira he gave Arsenal 9 years of his carear. He must like racial abuse, he's gonna abused in Italy.Check custom title/avatar :)

He did give his best years to Arsenal, and Wenger is has rarely regretted selling a player past 30, only for them to go onto bigger things elsewhere

[Doink]

Check custom title/avatar :)

He did give his best years to Arsenal, and Wenger is has rarely regretted selling a player past 30, only for them to go onto bigger things elsewhere


Are you suggesting that Ray Parlour hasnt moved on to better things ?

How Dare you !!! :lol:

:rofl: at newcastle's interest in Anelka, why sell Bellamy & Robert to bring in someone nicknamed 'The Incrediable Sulk' ?

[toxic rooster]

Wait, isn't Vieira 29?

My point stands anwyay

[Londoner]

Are you suggesting that Ray Parlour hasnt moved on to better things ?

How Dare you !!! :lol:

:rofl: at newcastle's interest in Anelka, why sell Bellamy & Robert to bring in someone nicknamed 'The Incrediable Sulk' ?


I assume souness is looking for a short-term replacement for shearer, though i'm not a big fan of anelka, he can't stay at a club for more than two seasons.

[yianni]

Biscan signs for Panathinaikos.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Wright-Phillips has asked Citeh to work out a deal with Chelsea, even though they rejected a £20m bid already.

Gonna be interesting to see if he does sign, you'd assume he and Joe Cole would alternate, but Mourinho doesn't really go for squad rotation that much, so you'll have SWP, Cole, Duff and Robben fighting for 2 places (assuming he keeps the same formation as last year)

[Danny Electric]

Chelsea don't need to buy him, they should focus on other areas to improve, I guess at the end of the day their just buying him so no one else does.

[Doink]

city should take advantage and try and get some players in aswell, gudjonson (spelt wrong) and geremi would cusion the blow of losing SWP slightly!

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Chelsea aren't going to let Gudjohnson go when they've only got 2 other senior strikers in the squad. Geremi I wouldn't be too sure about either since they've sold Parker and let Smertin go out on loan, Geremi will probably get some playing time this year.

[Londoner]

Chelsea don't need to buy him, they should focus on other areas to improve, I guess at the end of the day their just buying him so no one else does.

They do need him though because they don't have a proper right winger do they?Robben is better on the left, but man city are stupid for accepting an offer that is only £1m higher than the last.

[The Mackem]

Cisse looked good yesterday, I wonder how he will fair this season, he could bag quite a few goals.

[packt up]

Anelka wtf he's shit.

ZTS Dubnica 1-3 Newcastle HAVE IT DUBNICA....

[Cactus Sid]

Cisse looked good yesterday, I wonder how he will fair this season, he could bag quite a few goals.

He looked fucking awesome. Against TNS he looked as fast as he's supposed to be, and yesterday his finishing was tops. If we can get Morientes in the right frame of mind, we've got the best strike partnership in the league.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

ahahaha wise you up.

Cisse is crap.

[Nervous Ferret]

So when does the season start

[Danny Electric]

Morientes will get better with a bit more match practice.
Cisse is not crap.

[Cactus Sid]

ahahaha wise you up.

Cisse is crap.

We'll see.

Its always great to nay-say about people who haven't even had a chance yet.

He's fast and he can put the ball in the net. Christ, I don't care if he has the footballing abilities of Mikkel Beck, just as long as he scores.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Henry & Bergkamp are pretty much untouchable when they're on form as far as a strike pairing.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

We'll see.

Its always great to nay-say about people who haven't even had a chance yet.

He's fast and he can put the ball in the net. Christ, I don't care if he has the footballing abilities of Mikkel Beck, just as long as he scores.
I've seen plenty of him at this stage, and nothing to suggest he can finish for shit. Breaking his leg was the best thing that happened to his Liverpool career in a way, because if he hadn't I guarantee he'd already be out on loan to some midtable side or French team. He was dismal before that.

El-Hadji Diouf is a much better player. Liverpool should have kept him.

[Cactus Sid]

I've seen plenty of him at this stage, and nothing to suggest he can finish for shit. Breaking his leg was the best thing that happened to his Liverpool career in a way, because if he hadn't I guarantee he'd already be out on loan to some midtable side or French team. He was dismal before that.

El-Hadji Diouf is a much better player. Liverpool should have kept him.

I think he played 14 games before he broke his leg, and fair enough, he wasn't sensational. But he has got lightning pace, and that could go a long way, his finish for the first goal against Leverkusen was superb. He's powerful and pacey, and I personally think he could go a long way, especially in a side with Gerrard and Alonso.

As for Diouf. He is a good player, but why would you want to keep someone with a supect temperament who brings down the name of club, who was fucking useless when we had him, no matter how many chances he was given. We played him up front....he didn't score. We played him on the wing....he did fuck all (although I remember him destroying Blackburn in the cup one game). If he plays well for Bolton and keeps his nose clean, fair play to him, but there's no point keeping a player who clearly didn't want to play for the club.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

SWP -> Chelski, £21m

[El Capitano Gatisto]

El Hadji Diouf was brilliant for Liverpool the season before last. He's never a goalscorer, but he's a torment.

Cisse is just a big fast nig nog. Nothing else.

[Nervous Ferret]

So when does the season start

[El Capitano Gatisto]

3-4 weeks.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">The Premiership kicks off on August 13th</font>

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Gilardino has signed for Milan for £17m, which when you consider Southampton want £8m for Peter fucking Crouch is unbelievable good business for Milan.

While I'm thinking about it, even though there's been absolutely no hint of it I wouldn't be surprised if Arsenal tried to gazump Chelsea on the Essien deal.

[Rob]

If anything, doesn't that tell you just how massively overpriced Premiership players are?

And there's no way Arsenal can come up with £25 million plus for Essien. If Man United can't (and they won't because it's too much and the rumour is Michael Ballack is the experienced player Ferguson wants), it's all Chelsea.

[Doink]

. Christ, I don't care if he has the footballing abilities of Mikkel Beck, just as long as he scores.

Dont be knocking the beckster, he fucking destroyed liverpool in that '97 coca cola cup semi final for the first 4 minutes !

[Rob]

Crouch is on his way to Liverpool now to sign a deal for £7 million. :lol:

[Danny Electric]

Makes me sad :(

[Londoner]

I just knew Crouch would go, however much Harry denied it.Everytime Harry Redknapp says something you can be sure that the opposite will happen.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

And there's no way Arsenal can come up with £25 million plus for Essien. If Man United can't (and they won't because it's too much and the rumour is Michael Ballack is the experienced player Ferguson wants), it's all Chelsea.

Unless my memory is really going to pot then they just received the better part of £13.75m for Vieira (having said that supposedly they'll only see half that amount).

Wenger isn't afraid to blow a ton on one player (i.e. Reyes) but like I said, I'm just making stuff up.

Of course if it comes to pass I expect all due praise :shifty:

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Oh yeah, Kewell's in for more surgery :lol:

[Y2Ant]

lol crouch

Oh well, at least he ain't gonna end up at Newcastle now. :cool:

Anelka can fuck off aswell, Boa Morte is the guy we should sign.

[Londoner]

Boa morte is shit.He'll just be another lua-lua for us.Crouch is much better i reckon, i personally think we should've tried to get Yakabu.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Henri Camara is available :shifty:

[packt up]

Crouch is terrible. Y2Ant knows where its at with Boa Morte.

[Londoner]

Crouch is terrible. Y2Ant knows where its at with Boa Morte.


Oh yes, always the person with the higher rep 'knows best' right?Ok sure.

Look at it this way, what exactly has boa morte done in the prem?Nothing. Crouch showed what he can do last season for southampton, if he done that last season for a bigger club then people would be recognising how good and useful he can be.I bet you Liverpool end the season with scoring the most headers.Boa Morte is just fast, that's it.

[Cactus Sid]

Cisse is just a big fast nig nog. Nothing else.

After yesterday, I'm beginning to believe you. He's fast as fuck, but his control and passing is lacking. His finishing is a little suspect.

I reckon he's lost his bottle.

[Cactus Sid]

So 2 things, Crouch and Kewell.

I have no sympathy for Harry Kewell. He hasn't looked interested since his start to the club wasn't as great as he suspected, and he just drags the team down when he is on the pitch. I think he's right down Rafa's list now anyway.

As for Crouch. I hate being negative of players before they've had the chance, but what the fuck is Rafa playing at.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Morientes is better than Crouch in the air. Considering his size he's pretty average really.

[Cactus Sid]

Also LOL @ Everton, losing to Thailand U23's

[Wengerland]

Liverpool would have been better off getting Ashton - younger, probably cheaper and a better allround striker than Crouch. When you've got Morientes you don't need Crouch and £7m is a lot for someone who's only really established himself as a premiership class striker over the past 6 months, and could well be backup.

I reckon he could end up being viewed by Liverpool fans in the same manner as Heskey, which is unfortunate for him.

[Danny Electric]

I agree with Ashton.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

After yesterday, I'm beginning to believe you. He's fast as fuck, but his control and passing is lacking. His finishing is a little suspect.

I reckon he's lost his bottle.
I've honestly never been impressed by Cisse, be it for Auxerre, Liverpool or France. Poor attitude and a woeful finisher. I've never seen him play particularly well.

He bagged a few goals in the French league, right enough, but I think players need more than that to justify a £14 million fee. Kapo of that Auxerre side looked a better player, and already Juventus are trying to get rid of him. Mexes hasn't looked the business at Roma, either, nor has Boumsong looked particularly special in the short time he has played in England.

An overrated heap of players, that Auxerre side was.

[Doink]

Give Crouch his chance, he did well when he was at QPR, Pompey and the Saints! He wasnt given a chance at Villa but when he played he did ok. He hasnt got the best goal scoring record but he is no where near by far the worst front man out there. Anyway Liverpool have only signed him as he's the only man tall enough to get on the end of Zenden's crosses!

lmao at Harry Redknapp:

'people say there is something special about the kid, the only thing I can see thats special is he's 6'8 !!'

[packt up]

Oh yes, always the person with the higher rep 'knows best' right?Ok sure.

Look at it this way, what exactly has boa morte done in the prem?Nothing. Crouch showed what he can do last season for southampton, if he done that last season for a bigger club then people would be recognising how good and useful he can be.I bet you Liverpool end the season with scoring the most headers.Boa Morte is just fast, that's it.

Yeah thats right its got nothing to do with the fact that Crouch was absolutely everytime he played in the top flight bar last season? Seriously if ever there was a player having a one season wonder I believe its him. The next Michael Ricketts? Probably not now because he's moved to Liverpool and will score some goals but a good striker he ain't.

-----

Anyway Emre is going to be great I can feel it.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Yeah Crouch is shite.

Emre is a great player, but odds are he'll get 3 red cards before Christmas and be out on loan to Galatasary or Fenebache before the season's out.

[Doink]

Career of Peter CROUCH
Club Championship European Competitions Caps
99-00 Tottenham (-)
00-01 Queen's Park 10 Goals, 38 Games (-)
01-02(mar) Portsmouth 18 Goals, 37 Games (-)
01-02 Aston Villa 2 Goals, 12 Games (-)
02-03 Aston Villa 14 Games (-)
03-04 Aston Villa 4 Goals, 16 Games (-)
04-05 Southampton 12 Goals, 27 Games (-)
05-06 Liverpool (Champions League Cup Winners Cup + UEFA Cup)


Career of Belozoglu EMRE
Club Championship European Competitions Caps
97-98 Galatasaray 2 Goals, 24 Games (-)
98-99 Galatasaray 2 Goals, 27 Games (-)
99-00 Galatasaray 5 Goals, 24 Games (-)
00-01 Galatasaray 4 Goals, 27 Games 8 Games (Champions League) 2 Games
01-02 Inter Milan 13 Games 6 Games (UEFA Cup) 1 Goals, 7 Games
02-03 Inter Milan 3 Goals, 25 Games 1 Goals, 12 Games (Champions League)
03-04 Inter Milan 21 Games 4 + 2 Games (Champions League + UEFA Cup)
04-05 Inter Milan 19 Games 6 Games (Champions League)
05-06 Newcastle United (Champions League Cup Winners Cup + UEFA Cup)


Career of Luis BOA MORTE
Club Championship European Competitions Caps
97-98 Arsenal 15 Games (-)
98-99 Arsenal 8 Games 1 Goals, 3 Games (Champions League)
99-00(déc) Arsenal 2 Games (-)
99-00 Southampton 1 Goals, 14 Games (-)
00-01 Fulham 18 Goals, 39 Games (-) 2 Games
01-02 Fulham 1 Goals, 22 Games (-)
02-03 Fulham 2 Goals, 29 Games 2 Goals, 5 Games (UEFA Cup)
03-04 Fulham 10 Goals, 33 Games (-)
04-05 Fulham 8 Goals, 31 Games (-) 1 Goals, 3 Games

[packt up]

Whats that supposed to prove.

[Doink]

Career of Dean ASHTON
Club Championship European Competitions Caps
00-01 Crewe 8 Goals, 21 Games (-)
01-02 Crewe 7 Goals, 31 Games (-)
02-03 Crewe 9 Goals, 39 Games (-)
03-04 Crewe 19 Goals, 44 Games (-)
04-05(jan) Crewe 17 Goals, 24 Games (-)
04-05 Norwich City 7 Goals, 16 Games (-)

Career of Djibril CISSE
Club Championship European Competitions Caps
98-99 Auxerre 1 Games (-)
99-00 Auxerre 2 Games (-)
00-01 Auxerre 8 Goals, 25 Games (-)
01-02 Auxerre 22 Goals, 29 Games (-) 5 Games
02-03 Auxerre 14 Goals, 33 Games 1 + 0 Goals, 3 + 3 Games (Champions League + UEFA Cup) 3 Goals, 9 Games
03-04 Auxerre 26 Goals, 38 Games 2 Goals, 7 Games (UEFA Cup) 2 Games
04-05 Liverpool 4 Goals, 15 Games 1 Goals, 9 Games (Champions League)
05-06 Liverpool (Champions League Cup Winners Cup + UEFA Cup)


Career of Yakubu AYEGBENI
Club Championship European Competitions Caps
03-04 Portsmouth 16 Goals, 37 Games (-)
04-05 Portsmouth 13 Goals, 30 Games (-)
05-06 Middlesbrough (Champions League Cup Winners Cup + UEFA Cup)

Micheal Ricketts -
95-96 Walsall 1 Goals, 1 Games (-)
96-97 Walsall 1 Goals, 11 Games (-)
97-98 Walsall 1 Goals, 24 Games (-)
98-99 Walsall 8 Games (-)
99-00 Walsall 11 Goals, 32 Games (-)
00-01 Bolton 19 Goals, 39 Games (-)
01-02 Bolton 12 Goals, 36 Games (-)
02-03(jan) Bolton 6 Goals, 22 Games (-)
02-03 Middlesbrough 1 Goals, 9 Games (-)
03-04 Middlesbrough 2 Goals, 22 Games (-)
04 - present - who knows, the fat piece of turd is probably retired on the mega wages he took boro for a ride for!

[Doink]

Whats that supposed to prove.


nothing, I am just putting the stats on so that people can see the actual figures of goals to games of the players mentioned above!

[packt up]

Well those stats are worthless when Emre and Boa Morte aren't even strikers.

[Doink]

Peter Crouch - 145 games - 46 goals. ave=1 goal every 3.15 games
Dean Ashton - 175 games - 67 goals. ave=1 goal every 2.61 games
Cisse - 181 games - 80 goals. ave=1 goal every 2.26 games
Yakubu - 67 games - 29 goals. ave=1 goal every 2.31 games
Ricketts - 196 games - 54 goals. ave=1 goal every 3.62 games


Emre - 227 games - 29 goals. ave=1 goal every 7.82 games
Boa Morte - 206 games - 41 goals. ave=1 goal every 5.02 games

Boa Morte has been used as a forward on more than one occasion! I put Emre's stats on here out of curiosity as you think he is going to be great so i was letting you see his history! Personally I will reserve judgement as am wondering where you will play him and alongside who?

[Ogen]

Oh yes, always the person with the higher rep 'knows best' right?Ok sure.

Look at it this way, what exactly has boa morte done in the prem?Nothing. Crouch showed what he can do last season for southampton, if he done that last season for a bigger club then people would be recognising how good and useful he can be.I bet you Liverpool end the season with scoring the most headers.Boa Morte is just fast, that's it.
Have you never watched Crouch play never mind the fact hes a fucking giant hes terrible in the air.

[packt up]

Apparently centre attacking mid probably alongside Parker. Again leaves Jenas out :( but oh well. I'd like to see him out wide to accomadate Jenas but he ain't much of a winger like Robert or anything.

[Ogen]

Villa are being linked with Baros again I hope we don't bother. I'm interested in all the talk about Saviola coming our way but again I'm not 100% he'll be a Premiership success. Still another striker is needed since Vassell doesn't look like he'll ever be a 20 goal striker.

We're stilling crying out for another midfielder though. Been a allright summer though, Berger will do a allright job for a bit I'd say. O'Leary has wanted Philips forever so I'm hoping he can do something if we supply him and Angel. I love the signing of Taylor think he'll be great be good to see him and Sorenson push each other.

Hughes will be handy to have for cover. If we could add one more central midfielder to challenge Hendrie for a spot along McCann I'd be happy. Be happier if we managed to sell off Vassell and got in one more striker to go with Angel, Philips, Moore and another.

[Ogen]

Be good to see how Davis does too and get Mellburg and Laurson togethere for a good run

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">Crouch is good if you play to his strengths.

With us he had Robert Prosinecki to put balls on his head and all he had to do was let them bounce into the goal. For Southampton last season he flicked it on for Phillips and Camara and got on the end of crosses from Prutton and Le Saux. Against us in the cup game all they did was launch long balls for him to flick on. All this stuff about "he has good touch for a big man!!!!!" is bollocks, his height is the only useful thing about him. But the problem is, he isn't particularly strong with his height.</font>

[Cactus Sid]

Hilariously, a load of papers gave Cisse the man of the match award for yesterdays game (according to my mate at least)

[Y2Ant]

Oh yes, always the person with the higher rep 'knows best' right?Ok sure.
:wtf:

But yeah anyway, I dunno who Souness is gonna pick in midfield, I mean Parker and Emre should be in the starting lineup IMO (I have higher rep so obviously I know what i'm talking about :cool: ) and i'm thinking he's gonna put Dyer on the right, Jenas on the left, or maybe give N'Zogbia a first team place, and put Dyer playing just off Shearer.

I suppose not having enough strikers aint too bad when you think about what Chelsea have done with just Drogba and Gudjohnsen :o

[Nervous Ferret]

nah I have a higher rep than you and I'm willing to bet you know more about soccer than me.

[Nervous Ferret]

wtf why do I keep coming in this thread

[yianni]

http://www1.sbs.com.au/home/index.php3?id=60760


Guus Hiddink has confirmed he will become the new coach of the Socceroos.

Hiddink has told reporters in South Korea he and Football Federation Australia (FFA) had reached an agreement for him to coach the Socceroos while keeping his current job with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.

The Dutchman said he would juggle both jobs until the World Cup play-offs against the fifth-placed South American side in November.

If Australia qualified for the World Cup finals he would continue on as Australian boss and then re-evaluate his position with PSV.

"We (FFA and I) have to work out some details which I proposed to them," Hiddink said after PSV drew 1-1 with French club Lyon to bow out of the Peace Cup pre-season tournament in Suwon, South Korea.

"In case that we do so, then it's both jobs until November. And afterwards we have to see if they qualify for the World Cup."

"But in any case, I will keep my job with Eindhoven. For the moment, we agreed that my job with Eindhoven will be kept."

While Hiddink will combine both jobs until November, it is understood he has committed to being present every time the Socceroos are together, including the two matches against the Solomon Islands in September.

"If Australia qualify for the 2006 World Cup, then I will take over (by) November," he said.

The FFA refused to officially confirm Hiddink's appointment but it is believed Hiddink will be officially unveiled as Socceroos coach at a press conference in Sydney on Friday afternoon.

He will replace Frank Farina, who was sacked after Australia's elimination from the Confederations Cup last month.

Hiddink's appointment as Socceroos coach had already been considered a fait accompli, with FFA officials waiting for PSV to bow out of the Peace Cup tournament before making any official announcement.

The Dutchman is regarded as one of the world's best coaches, leading Holland and South Korea to the World Cup semi-finals and winning the 1988 European Cup with PSV.

He took PSV to the Champions League semi-finals last season and has also coached Real Madrid, Valencia and Real Betis.

Hiddink's first official duty as Socceroos coach will be a training camp next month in the Netherlands.

Australia then plays its Oceania World Cup qualifiers against the Solomon Islands on September 3 and 7.

If, as expected, the Socceroos beat the Solomon Islands, Australian officials hope to line up two friendly matches in Europe in October before the South American World Cup showdown matches in mid-November.

[Wengerland]

Good news for the Aussies, Hiddink is one of the best coaches around.

Bobo Balde is a cunt.

[The Mackem]

Breaking somebody's leg in a friendly is a bit extreme.

[Wengerland]

You can see the tackle here (http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=video&file=weso.wmv). It's not great footage but you can still see it's a horrible challenge.

[toxic rooster]

lol that's nothing, someone at my club (in under 17s no less) did a 2-footed tackle at training, on his own team mate.

[Wengerland]

Yes, it's nothing and it broke his leg. He's only 17 too.

[toxic rooster]

In fairness, it's hard to do worse than a 2 footed tackle on your team mate

[yianni]

You can see the tackle here (http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=video&file=weso.wmv).
:nono:

[Cactus Sid]

Who was that young Birmingham lad against Brann Bergen who broke one of their players legs. That was fucking horrific, they were taking him off with his leg pointing in 2 different directions.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

You can see the tackle here (http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=video&file=weso.wmv). It's not great footage but you can still see it's a horrible challenge.
They both went for the ball, it was nicked away. 50-50 challenge. Broken legs happen.

[Wengerland]

No, Weso knicked the ball and then Balde goes intentionally for his leg. Broken legs happen but with malicious challenges like that in a friendly game is just plain stupid.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Balde went for the ball and it was nicked away. Don't be stupid about this, like Levein. It was a strong challenge. Those types where the ball goes loose between two players are called "hospital balls" for a reason. There's no way you can stall your momentum when the ball is nicked away, life doesn't play out in slow motion. You can't pull out once you've committed yourself to the ball. Usually pulling out is what gets your leg broken.

[toxic rooster]

He never made a play for the ball once the defender came in though

[Wengerland]

You can see on the slow-mo one that he could have taken the ball, but he misses it and raises his foot, even though the ball is on the ground. The thing that really annoys me is that Balde or Celtic haven't apologised, and it was in a friendly, i'd be more understanding if it was a competitive game, but it wasn't.

Call me stupid all you like but if it happened to an Irishman in an international, friendly or not, then i can't see you reacting in the same way and being calm about it.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Yes, I would. If it happened to me, I would be calm about it. That's the way those tackles go. Looking at it in slow motion and saying he had time to adjust is just stupid. Look at it in real time to see how quickly it happens.

Every tackle looks worse in slow motion.

[Wengerland]

You're a better man than i am if you'd be calm about it then. Someone broke my ankle, i think it was deliberate, back when i played junior football and i wanted to 'do some damage' to him.

Anyway, i take your point about the normal speed, to be fair it doesn't look like much is wrong at that speed, but an aplogy from the club would be nice, or they could give their best wishes or whatever.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Injuries happen in football. If someone set out to hurt me, I'd probably smack them whether they succeeded or not. Just a two-footed challenge that didn't even connect would set me off. Tackle like that, 50-50 challenge, injuries can happen.

[Nervous Ferret]

Stop calling little slides "tackles" okay? okay.

[Wengerland]

No.

If you don't want to hear them referred to as tackles then stick to American football threads.

[Rob]

Who in their right mind really sets out to break their opponents legs?

[Wengerland]

When i said "intentional" i meant as in intention to hurt, the only time anyone would have wanted to break someone's leg was probably Roy Keane on Alfe Haaland. Balde, if it was intentional (admittedly i probably over reacted at first) would have done it in frustration as both Dublin and de Vries were dominating him and Varga in all aspects, Mdv even outpaced Balde when Bobo had a headstart :$

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Roy Keane

-edit- :mad:

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Who in their right mind really sets out to break their opponents legs?
If you fly in shin or knee high, over the top of the ball, you're aiming to hurt someone. It doesn't happen that often, but Steve Gerrard used to be notorious for it. Luckily he never did break anyone's leg, but it was more by luck than design. He's grown up a bit since.

I've seen people do it, two-footed, in amateur games. It's a shitty thing to do, and like I said if anyone even tried it on me I'd probably chin them.

[Rob]

People are wankers then. I have never known anyone personally that went out to hurt someone on the other team. Well, unless it was with a punch in the mouth.

[Rob]

Roy Keane

-edit- :mad:

Again, who in their right mind