The Footie (UK) Thread: 2006/07

[EvilElvis]

This Villa thing is just going to keep dragging on for a while. It's not going to be good at all.

I know :(

[Captain Stu]

I know :(

Congratulations on the 500th reply (already!!) of this most awesome of threads. :)

And yeah, Villa are fucked. This may sound either harsh or like a joke... but I'm being serious... I see the ONLY way that Villa can progress is when Ellis dies. He's clearly got no idea how much the club is worth and this tag of £65M+ serves only to fatten his already bulging pockets.

What a cock.

[Wish_Master2100]

At the end of the day, chairmen are just businessmen. They give not a shit for the club they are in charge of, and are only interested in the money. Of course there are obvious exceptions, but that's only because they have more money that the Royal Mint.

[Captain Stu]

If you all chip in a fiver, I'll kill Ellis and make it look like he choked on his own, personal brick.

[EvilElvis]

At the end of the day, chairmen are just businessmen. They give not a shit for the club they are in charge of, and are only interested in the money. Of course there are obvious exceptions, but that's only because they have more money that the Royal Mint.


They did a feature on Villa on MOTD2 a couple of years ago and everyone was bemoaning Ellis for not spending any money on the team, to which Gordon Strachan replied

"Leeds are a big team who spent loads of money. Look at them now. Would the Villa fans want that to happen to them"

According to Sky Sports, Ellis has forked out roughly £140m and the record signing was john gregory's capture of Juan Pablo Angel for £9.5m, we're not that bad, but I deally I'd like a bit more money to be spent

[Bexster]

One of the problems is that a lot of the signings haven't delivered. There are a lot of players at Villa who should be playing better than they are.

[EvilElvis]

One of the problems is that a lot of the signings haven't delivered. There are a lot of players at Villa who should be playing better than they are.


Too many players have gone and still go by reputation alone (Collymore, Milosevic & Baros all being examples)

I can't believe we have to sell one player too buy 2 cheapish players - Milner and Bakke

[EvilElvis]

Police cancel Bolton-Rangers game (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/5192684.stm)

Bolton's pre-season friendly with Rangers at the Reebok Stadium on 25 July has been cancelled on the advice of Greater Manchester Police.
The official reason given by the local match commander was that not enough officers would be available on the day.

"It is with deep regret that, on the advice of Greater Manchester Police, it has been cancelled on the grounds of safety," said a Bolton statement.

Rangers said they were "astonished", having previously had police approval.

They said they had "exhausted the avenues of appeal open it and have now no alternative but to accept the decision," and the game would now be played behind closed doors at Ibrox on Thursday.

"The club apologises to the 2,362 fans who have already purchased tickets in Glasgow and made arrangements to travel," said a statement from the Scottish side.

"The circumstances, however, are totally outwith our control.

"A full ticket refund, including booking fees, will be made to all fans.

Greater Manchester Police refused to elaborate on their reasons for cancelling the fixture.

Bolton added: "We understand the disappointment felt by supporters of both clubs and Bolton Wanderers, along with Greater Manchester Police, would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd have thought that if a game was arranged, the police would have been notified about it before tickets went on sale.

[Bexster]

The date for the Italian clubs appeals is set for 22nd July, so it may not be over until after the deadline for Europe.

This was at the end of the report on the BBC website

At the same time as the appeals are heard, prosecutor Stefano Palazzi will press for even harsher punishments.

Palazzi wants Juventus relegated to Serie C, and AC Milan demoted to Serie B with Fiorentina and Lazio, with stiffer points reductions.

:eek:

[Captain Stu]

Fucking hell, this is getting insane!!

[Bexster]

Fucking hell, this is getting insane!!

I know. And I can't see them winning their appeals either. The authorities are gonna use them as the example - after all the years of corruption in Italian football, they've got to be seen to do something harsh, and this is it.

If Juve go down another level still with the points ban, they are fucked.

[Captain Stu]

Yeah, some TalkSport caller the other day hit the nail on the head when he said, quite rightly, "this is proof that Italian football is rotten to the core and has been for a number of years".

I don't see the appears working, it's probably gonna get worse, but, that's the risk you run when you try to appeal. Frankly I don't see how any of them, especially Juventus, can appeal. It's like... aawwww do you feel hard done to after CHEATING for so many years and finally being caught? :rolleyes:

Worst example of Italian cheating, bribery and corruption to me is still the European game (semi final I think, maybe 1965?) when we were 3-1 up from the first leg and then got beat 3-0 in the return leg... we were robbed clear decisions and one of their goals came when an attacker PUNCHED THE FUCKING BALL out of our keepers hands.

Cheating dirty Iti cunts.

[**dylan**]

my team:

GK - Reina (Liverpool)

DF - Carragher (Liverpool)
DF - Chimbonda (Wigan)
DF - Richards (please dont leave Man City)
DF - Ehiogu (Middlesborough)

MF - Hamann (Man City)
MF - Ljungberg (Arsenal)
MF - S Wright Phillips (Chelsea im hoping he moves, not necessarily back to city but thatd be nice)
MF - Riise (Liverpool)

SK - Dickov (Man City)
SK - Henry (Arsenal) (C)

SUBS:

GK - Lehmann (Arsenal)
DF - Knight (Fulham)
MF - Kavanagh (Wigan)
SK - Pedersen (Bolton)

[Captain Stu]

my team:

GK - Reina (Liverpool)

DF - Carragher (Liverpool)
DF - Chimbonda (Wigan)
DF - Richards (please dont leave Man City)
DF - Ehiogu (Middlesborough)

MF - Hamann (Man City)
MF - Ljungberg (Arsenal)
MF - S Wright Phillips (Chelsea im hoping he moves, not necessarily back to city but thatd be nice)
MF - Riise (Liverpool)

SK - Dickov (Man City)
SK - Henry (Arsenal) (C)

SUBS:

GK - Lehmann (Arsenal)
DF - Knight (Fulham)
MF - Kavanagh (Wigan)
SK - Pedersen (Bolton)

That's a very good, well-balanced team babe. :)

[EvilElvis]

MF - S Wright Phillips (Chelsea im hoping he moves, not necessarily back to city but thatd be nice)


His Brother joined Southampton! :eek:

[sunnydalehighdropout]

my team:

GK - Reina (Liverpool)

DF - Carragher (Liverpool)
DF - Chimbonda (Wigan)
DF - Richards (please dont leave Man City)
DF - Ehiogu (Middlesborough)

MF - Hamann (Man City)
MF - Ljungberg (Arsenal)
MF - S Wright Phillips (Chelsea im hoping he moves, not necessarily back to city but thatd be nice)
MF - Riise (Liverpool)

SK - Dickov (Man City)
SK - Henry (Arsenal) (C)

SUBS:

GK - Lehmann (Arsenal)
DF - Knight (Fulham)
MF - Kavanagh (Wigan)
SK - Pedersen (Bolton)

Good team, minus sappy comment.

Only concern is Dickov's disciplinary record but still, good team.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

really good team but agree with this:

Good team, minus sappy comment.

Only concern is Dickov's disciplinary record but still, good team.

considering the backup striker is pedersen, i actually really rate him, but Allah-Dyce is strange with him and i've seen him play at left back :confused:

[Captain Stu]

Yeah, Pedersen's a cracking forward - always there to bail Bolton out.

[Bud]

Looking at my team again, I'm really pleased with it.

I usually find the key is picking captains of their respective teams. More likely to start and not get subsituted

[**dylan**]

His Brother joined Southampton! :eek:

yeah about 2 weeks ago ollie :p im sad because bradley could have been a new shaun, he started well, he didnt score any goals though i dont think and he had quite a few chances. oh well, would have been nice if it was just a loan or something, cos he scored a goal on his first performance for southampton

[**dylan**]

Good team, minus sappy comment.

Only concern is Dickov's disciplinary record but still, good team.

i wanted vassell but didnt have enough points to balance my team out

[sunnydalehighdropout]

i wanted vassell but didnt have enough points to balance my team out
The more i look at my team the more i think i'ts really shit and even Ollie will beat me.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Man Utd have just refused a bid from Real Madrid for Ruud Van Nist.... says SSN

[EvilElvis]

The more i look at my team the more i think i'ts really shit and even Ollie will beat me.

Just like the World Cup one mate?! :cool:

I'm more worried about an American girl who picked players by the choice of their name (Djemba-Djemba I believe made her sqaud) is going to beat me!

[**dylan**]

The more i look at my team the more i think i'ts really shit and even Ollie will beat me.

haha im fine with mine, just got a bit desperate at the end when i had no points and had to get rid of vassell and a couple others.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

haha im fine with mine, just got a bit desperate at the end when i had no points and had to get rid of vassell and a couple others.

Yeah, i had to cheapen my midfield and got rid of a consistent back-4 just to fit Terry in :D

[Bud]

Just like the World Cup one mate?! :cool:

I'm more worried about an American girl who picked players by the choice of their name (Djemba-Djemba I believe made her sqaud) is going to beat me!

Ha, I'm worried about that too.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Ha, I'm worried about that too.
Same here. Her team wasn't actually that bad.

[Captain Stu]

Yeah, i had to cheapen my midfield and got rid of a consistent back-4 just to fit Terry in :D

I've gone for the "ALL OUT ATTACK" option with three top forwards and Gerrard.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

I've gone for the "ALL OUT ATTACK" option with three top forwards and Gerrard.
I'm starting to think i should redo my team and go for similar. I had no idea you could have 3 forwards on the pitch at one time.

[Captain Stu]

I'm starting to think i should redo my team and go for similar. I had no idea you could have 3 forwards on the pitch at one time.

Took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to change the formation - when you drop one person (using the little 'down' arrow underneath them), go to the bench and add someone else of a different position (using the little 'up' arrow) and it'll take a few seconds and then re-jig the formation.

[Bud]

I'm starting to think i should redo my team and go for similar. I had no idea you could have 3 forwards on the pitch at one time.

me neither. Bye bye Bently!

[Captain Stu]

me neither. Bye bye Bently!

Haha, I did wonder... I thought it was just a tenuous former Arsenal link or something.

[EvilElvis]

Haha, I did wonder... I thought it was just a tenuous former Arsenal link or something.


Just changed my team a bit :)

[Bud]

how do you change to 4-3-3?

[EvilElvis]

how do you change to 4-3-3?

Took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to change the formation - when you drop one person (using the little 'down' arrow underneath them), go to the bench and add someone else of a different position (using the little 'up' arrow) and it'll take a few seconds and then re-jig the formation.



Just bench the players you don't want to start with that creates a 4-3-3

[sunnydalehighdropout]

how do you change to 4-3-3?

Or a 3-4-3, if possible?

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Infact, after re-jigging it to a 3-4-3, im happy with my squad.

[Bexster]

Yeah, i had to cheapen my midfield and got rid of a consistent back-4 just to fit Terry in :D

See, I went for the one really expensive player (Thierry), a couple of slightly cheaper players (Fabrigas, Nolan), and then the rest I could kit out quite easily from the 7m-5.5m range with players who'd scored highly last year, but were mainstays in their teams, and are quite consistent for their clubs.

I'm praying my scientific approach works this time. It never normally does.

[EvilElvis]

Cheap players to warm the bench!

Thats my tatic!

[Bud]

I'M STILL FUCKING STUCK.

(Ha! Not anymore)

[Bud]

That's why! I was on the wrong fucking page.

Ignore me.

Plus! Bye Bye Bently COMPLETELY. Hello Mr O'Shea.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Sweet. You are so getting subscribed to numerous Westlife email lists. :D

[Bud]

Sweet. You are so getting subscribed to numerous Westlife email lists. :D

Why do you think I started Airwaves?

Plus, it's gone now :D

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Why do you think I started Airwaves?

Plus, it's gone now :D
It's now in my head though
Oh, and free CD's. That's why. :D

[EvilElvis]

Why do you think I started Airwaves?

Plus, it's gone now :D


I added you - so I've got the address saved! :)


Mr Danyul - MSN?!

[sunnydalehighdropout]

I added you - so I've got the address saved! :)


Mr Danyul - MSN?!
It's being gay so i can't log on. You already have me on MSN. Im on it very little these days though.

[Bud]

It's now in my head though
Oh, and free CD's. That's why. :D

shhh :o

[sunnydalehighdropout]

shhh :o
No shame in that. I'd have done similar if i had the web savvy.

I did it a few years ago with an MSN Group and got shitloads of local stuff (when i was down in Oxford) but most of it was toss.

[Bud]

No shame in that. I'd have done similar if i had the web savvy.

I did it a few years ago with an MSN Group and got shitloads of local stuff (when i was down in Oxford) but most of it was toss.

Oxford probably has the best scene in the UK at the moment. Youthmovies and Foals are 2 amazing bands.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Oxford probably has the best scene in the UK at the moment. Youthmovies and Foals are 2 amazing bands.

Back in 01/02 it was full of Pop-Punk bands. Even the late 20/early 30 year olds were singing about hard ons and farts. It was embarrasing :D

[Captain Stu]

Ferguson confirms Spurs rejected an official bid for Michael Carrick.

[Captain Stu]

Wednesday's Transfer Goss:


- Ashley Cole is close to making a £16m move from Arsenal to Chelsea. (Various)

- Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque has rejected a move to Middlesbrough. (Daily Express)

- Chelsea's £50m bid for Brazil and AC Milan midfielder Kaka is turned down. (The Times)

- Newcastle are locked in a battle with Portsmouth for Sochaux stars Jaouad Zairi and Souleymane Diawara. (Daily Express)

- AC Milan head the hunt for Juventus star Gianluca Zambrotta. (The Daily Telegraph)

- Fulham boss Chris Coleman is set to sign Middlesbrough defender Franck Queudrue for £2m. (The Sun)

- Real Madrid want to sign Juventus trio Fabio Cannavaro, Emerson and Gianluca Zambrotta. (The Guardian)

- West Ham are making a move for Swiss international Tranquillo Barnetta. (The Guardian)

- Portsmouth are set to complete a £7.5m deal for Fenerbahce striker Nicolas Anelka. (Daily Mail)

- Bolton boss Sam Allardyce may try to sign Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin from Villarreal. (Daily Mail)

- Portsmouth are leading the chase for 6ft 8in Serbia striker Nikola Zigic. (Daily Mirror)

- Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is hoping to sign South Africa striker Benni McCarthy. (Daily Mirror)

- Manchester United's hopes of signing Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres have been dealt a blow following Inter Milan's £26m bid. (Daily Mirror)

- Arsenal are looking to sign Juventus star Lilian Thuram with Ashley Cole heading to Chelsea. (Daily Star)
Celtic may move for Real Madrid's Thomas Gravesen as doubts surround the future of Stilian Petrov and Alan Thompson. (Daily Record)

*

Apparently, Inter are planning to use their current status as the biggest team in Italy who aren't in the shit to sign Torres AND Pirlo. UH OH!! :eek:

[EvilElvis]

Wednesday's Transfer Goss:

Apparently, Inter are planning to use their current status as the biggest team in Italy who aren't in the shit to sign Torres AND Pirlo. UH OH!! :eek:

Just been thinking about this situation.


This could backfire horribly on the standard of players going to Seria A - the biggest teams aren't all going to be there, the current biggest club has won hee-haw for years, the players don't know if the results have beenpre-arranged.

Why would they go there?

[EvilElvis]

Never knew this but Zidane had been sent off 14* times in his career - more evidence the genius's are nutter's!



*According to Nuts magazine this week

[Scottyboyrocks]

Ferguson confirms Spurs rejected an official bid for Michael Carrick.

That makes me temporarily relieved, but still concerned.

[EvilElvis]

That makes me temporarily relieved, but still concerned.



If Carrick goes, it means you've a better chance of landing Duff.

[Captain Stu]

Never knew this but Zidane had been sent off 14* times in his career - more evidence the genius's are nutter's!



*According to Nuts magazine this week

I knew that, that's why I feel no sympathy for him at all. Lots of them have been for violent conduct.

That makes me temporarily relieved, but still concerned.

I don't think he's going anywhere, Jol's building a team around him. :)

[EvilElvis]

Rangers have been offered French defender Jeremie Brechet, who came through the ranks with Paul Le Guen at Lyon, by Real Sociedad (Daily Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
Aston Villa chief Doug Ellis has begun his search for a replacement for David O'Leary by approaching Charlton for permission to talk to their ex-manager Alan Curbishley. (Daily Express)

Meanwhile, the Villa players will tell Ellis that they have lost confidence in manager O'Leary. (Daily Star)

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes his players have not had enough time to rest between the World Cup and the start of the new season. (Various)


FUNNIES
Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has banned his squad from playing golf. (Various)

Dietmar Hamann's decision to move to Manchester City was influenced after an incident at a burger restaurant in Bolton. Apparently he couldn't understand a word the staff were saying. (The Sun)

Aston Villa cannot access David O'Leary's mobile phone because it is supplied by a company that guarantees complete confidentiality - a company co-owned by former Villa boss John Gregory. (The Guardian)

Celtic target Diego Tristan is refusing to consider a move from Deportivo La Coruna to Parkhead because he believes Scotland is too cold. (Daily Record)

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

If Carrick goes, it means you've a better chance of landing Duff.

Sounds like Duff may be signed by tomorrow. Chelsea are just being awkward in the negotiaitions apparently.

If we do sign him then kudos to Keano. No doubt he's been bending his ear about joining the last few weeks.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Newton banned for taking cocaine

Newton joined West Ham from Wolves in March 2005 for £1.25m
West Ham midfielder Shaun Newton has been suspended for seven months after testing positive for cocaine.
The 30-year-old provided the positive test following the FA Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough on 23 April.

The Football Association said he would now be subject to target testing throughout the suspension.

An FA statement said: "The ban applies to matches but not training and other football activities and started 20 May, the date he was suspended by his club."

Owing to the three-month summer break, Newton will miss just four months of competitive action and he is expected back in December.

A statement on the Hammers website said: "West Ham United regret to announce that midfielder Shaun Newton has been suspended for seven months by the Football Association after he failed a drugs test.

Players are told the rules every season and there are no mitigating circumstances

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor

"He was suspended by the club on 20 May pending the FA investigation and the ban will apply from that date.

"The suspension was announced today following an FA Disciplinary Commission hearing on Tuesday."

Newton was not among the West Ham party travelling to Sweden on Wednesday for their pre-season tour.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor told Sky Sports News: "He is an experienced professional but this is the price he is having to pay.

"Players are told the rules at the beginning of every season and there really are no mitigating circumstances."

Nine days ago Wolves striker Chris Cornes was handed a six-month ban after traces of cocaine were also found in a random test.

[Captain Stu]

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes his players have not had enough time to rest between the World Cup and the start of the new season. (Various)

And to think... Mourinho slagged Ferguson right off in 2004 when he mentioned that United wouldn't have a fully fit squad for the start of the season following the Euros.

[Bexster]

And to think... Mourinho slagged Ferguson right off in 2004 when he mentioned that United wouldn't have a fully fit squad for the start of the season following the Euros.

Yes well he's Jose Mourinho isn't he. The rules of the normal world don't apply to him do they...

[Renegades of funk 8]

sounds like cannavaro and emerson have joined real madrid, real could also be getting ruud van nistlenan - does anyone else think real might actually get back to being a good team instead of just a bunch of stars getting paid to run a round for a bit and underachieve

[Captain Stu]

sounds like cannavaro and emerson have joined real madrid, real could also be getting ruud van nistlenan - does anyone else think real might actually get back to being a good team instead of just a bunch of stars getting paid to run a round for a bit and underachieve

Fuck yeah... and they might finally replace Hierro! Emerson in the middle, oh shit - that's lethal.

[Captain Stu]

* Portsmouth look to sign Portugal and Benfica midfielder, Manuel Fernandes, for a club record fee of £10M!

* According to his agent, Liverpool are leading the race to sign Dutch forward, Dirk Kuyjt.

[Renegades of funk 8]

i think o'leary has been sacked, thats what my mum just told me anyway

[JackTom 2.0]

If Carrick goes, it means you've a better chance of landing Duff.

i think i'd rather have carrick than duff if i was spurs

[Captain Stu]

i think o'leary has been sacked, thats what my mum just told me anyway

Yeah, my Dad said he'd heard the same thing.

Not surprised, I really don't rate him - he's an under-performing excuse merchant.

[EvilElvis]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/5196872.stm

O'Leary parts company with Villa

Aston Villa have announced that manager David O'Leary has left the club by mutual consent.
O'Leary is stepping down after an inquiry was set up by the board into a statement allegedly from the squad criticising chairman Doug Ellis.

"Although no misconduct by O'Leary was uncovered it has been agreed that an amicable parting was in the best interests," said a Villa statement.

"A compensation package reflecting the situation has been established."

The statement concluded: "It has been mutually agreed to terminate the contract of David O'Leary, with immediate effect."

[Bexster]

I was surprised he lasted this long to be honest. Trouble is, Ellis is still the problem.

[EvilElvis]

I was surprised he lasted this long to be honest. Trouble is, Ellis is still the problem.

Surprisingly, given the "Deadly" Doug tag he has.

He's only sacked one manager since the Premiership came into being.


But there was a poll in a Birmingham paper:

80% wanted both Ellis and O'Leary out.

[Captain Stu]

"Mutual consent" my arse, that means "sacked with a nice golden handshake".

And yeah, the problem with Villa is partially managers, partially under-performing players... but Ellis is just bad for the club.

[rob3000]

i think i'd rather have carrick than duff if i was spurs
Same here. Spurs are fine for wingers. And Duff can come to Liverpool.

[Captain Stu]

Huuzahray! :D

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Same here. Spurs are fine for wingers. And Duff can come to Liverpool.

spurs are alright for midfielders in general, they have been for about 6 years now

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Linfield got knocked out of the champions league...

[JackTom 2.0]

well spurs do like their midfielders

[Captain Stu]

well spurs do like their midfielders

... like fat kids like their cakes... and biscuits... and friend chicken... and butter.

[EvilElvis]

Somethings have been bothering me:

When David Beckham made his anti-racism speech before the England Portugal game, did the camera deliberatley intened to get Cheryl Tweedy in view?

Did Posh Spice sing or mime the National Anthem? If she sang, has anyone sued for compensation?

Did Big Ron make a comment about "Those stupid WAGS costing England?!"


:D

[JackTom 2.0]

i think someone should tell cheryl tweedy it's okay we don't think she's a racist anymore, she doesn't have to prove it by marrying ashley cole

[Captain Stu]

i think someone should tell cheryl tweedy it's okay we don't think she's a racist anymore, she doesn't have to prove it by marrying ashley cole

Just imagine if they get divorced...

[EvilElvis]

Just imagine if they get divorced...

They won't get divorced! It's true love :p

Cheryl the racist has no real reason to marry a footballer whose trying to prove he ain't gay.

Nothing to do with manipulating the media!

[Captain Stu]

Some points from The Mirror today:

- Liverpool make a £6M bid for Jermaine Pennant and Benitez wants it all sorted out as soon as possible, possibly by the end of the week, after coming a lot closer to Birmingham's valuation of the player.

- Van Nistelrooy looks set to return to Manchester United training after Real Madrid had a £12M bid rejected, United are (rather foolishly I think) holding out for £15M.

- Alex Ferguson reveals that, when fit, Alan Smith is to revert back to his original role as a striker.

- Chelsea look set to sign both Ashley Cole AND Roberto Carlos next wednesday... with the latter being signed partly because he is Abramovich's son's favourite player. :rolleyes:

*
*
*

And now, the goss from BBC Footie:


- Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon still wants to sign Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Chelsea's Arjen Robben. (The Sun)

- Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has made a £6m bid for Birmingham winger Jermaine Pennant. (Daily Mirror)

- Marseille claim that they will find the money to buy Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong. (The Times)

- Tottenham will find out in the next 48 hours if they will get Juventus star Pavel Nedved. (The Sun)

- Celtic are weighing up a £1m move for Everton's Gary Naysmith. (The Daily Telegraph)

- Chelsea will sign Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole for £16m and Real Madrid's Roberto Carlos for £4m. (Daily Mirror)

- Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca is in talks with Middlesbrough over a £1.2m move. (Daily Mail)

- Everton boss David Moyes wants Thomas Gravesen back at the club. (Daily Star)

- Reading have moved closer to signing Ghana international John Mensah and Sunderland's Dean Whitehead. (Daily Express)

- Middlesbrough are set to make a sensational U-turn to ressurect their £5m bid for Chelsea defender Robert Huth. (Daily Star)

- Manchester United will hold out on a £15m cash-on-delivery for striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. (Daily Express)
- Teddy Sheringham's 18-year-old son has landed a two-year deal with Crystal Palace. (The Sun)

[Captain Stu]

Oh, and apparently - regarding David O'Leary - he has been implied in some part in the public criticism of Doug Ellis... BY THE PLAYERS... and therefore hos lost three quarters of his payout for the remaining two years of his contract. He could have scooped a cool £2M but instead only took £500,000.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

I'd hold out for Van Nistelrooy, his record speaks for itself, he's worth way more than £12m


also, Charlie Sheringham signed for palace about 6 months ago

[Captain Stu]

True, his record does... but £15M for a 30 year old with an attitude problem who cost £19M 5-6 years ago? That's the sort of retarded price that Chelsea pay.

Personally I think United are just being fucking greedy, £12M is a fair price.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

True, his record does... but £15M for a 30 year old with an attitude problem who cost £19M 5-6 years ago? That's the sort of retarded price that Chelsea pay.

Personally I think United are just being fucking greedy, £12M is a fair price.

shit, is he 30?

...so he is, i just saw fergies quote about Ruud having the same record in europe as shevchenko, same age etc. so he has a fair point, although i see what you mean about Chelsea prices

[Captain Stu]

I think, as good as Shevvy is, I'd sooner have Van Nistelrooy for the simple fact that he's proven he's a 30+ goals a season and he's up to the pace of the Premiership. I hope 'chenko falls flat on his mush.

[Scottyboyrocks]

- Tottenham will find out in the next 48 hours if they will get Juventus star Pavel Nedved. (The Sun)

Not holding my breath on that one...would be fuckin' awesome if true however

[EvilElvis]

I hope 'chenko falls flat on his mush.


Do a Cespo or a Mutu?!



That'd be ace!

[Captain Stu]

Not holding my breath on that one...would be fuckin' awesome if true however

Well, I heard yesterday that he'd decided to stay with Juve...

Do a Cespo or a Mutu?!



That'd be ace!

Oohhh, a Mutu! :D

[EvilElvis]

Oohhh, a Mutu! :D



That'd be sweet!


You'd wonder if Muriniho knew and decided to set 'em up deliberatley!

[EvilElvis]

My feeling's on the O'Leary situation

When he arrived, his opening season was a success, finishing just outside the top 6 by 2 points.

O'Leary admitted that Villa were "punching above their weight" and when you take into account that the previous season, under Graham Taylor, Villa just avoided relegation, you can see his point.

The next season was somewhat dissapointing given the previous season, but (iirc) Villa finished in the top half of the league, I was hoping with a few signings that the team would improve again.

the season just finished - thank god For Sunderland & Wes brom's incompentence and the fact Birmingham City thought they could use Emile Heskey as a striker.

We'd have gone down - and the fact that Milner and Bakke weren't signed after we had our best spell of the season with them in midfeild says enough.

O'Leary has had a couple of good seasons at Villa, but by last season he'd fallen out with the fans and some of the players, by whcih point there is no return.

I don't know if Roy Aitken has gone aswell - this must be his worst summer ever.


I want Martin O'Neil in as new manager to get us a bit of stability.

[Captain Stu]

I want Martin O'Neil in as new manager to get us a bit of stability.

Chances of that happening? No decent manager wants to work under Ellis.

[EvilElvis]

Chances of that happening? No decent manager wants to work under Ellis.

What else is O'Neil doing?!

It give O'Neil a fresh challenge - get Villa back up the table.


He may not play the most attractive football, but he gets the best out of his players.



Thats why I'm surprised England went for McLaren rather than O'Neil.

[EvilElvis]

Aitken at helm after O'Leary exit (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/5197898.stm)

Aston Villa began the search for a new manager on Thursday as caretaker-boss Roy Aitken took training for the first time since David O'Leary's exit.
O'Leary, 48, left Villa by mutual consent on Wednesday and Aitken has been named as temporary manager.

Defender Liam Ridgewell told the club's website: "There's nothing to be gained by looking back, we've got to look forward and start the season off well."

Gordon Cowans and Alan Curbishley are early favourites to succeed O'Leary.

Villa's first pre-season game is at Walsall's Bescot Stadium on Friday.

Aitken will be in charge of the side until chairman Doug Ellis appoints a permanent successor to Irishman O'Leary.

Ridgewell added: "We have not got the easiest of starts to the season away at Arsenal, but we have to go there looking to cause a big upset.

"The thing with football is you can have a nightmare season and then a great one. Look at Everton, they went from just staying up to Champions League qualifiers.

"Last season is in the past and we have to make sure we do better this time around."

Much of the focus on Villa remains on Ellis, the 82-year-old who has run the Midlands club since 1982, with calls for him to step down.

Ellis has a 39% stake in Villa and he had said previously he is prepared to sell if the conditions are right for himself and the club.

Villa issued a statement to the Stock Exchange on Thursday to clarify the situation about the club's ownership.

"Shareholders and supporters will be aware that Aston Villa has been in an official offer period since 19 September 2005, when the AVIL consortium made an initial approach to the company.

"As previously announced, the board appointed [investment bank] Rothschild as an adviser to examine the AVIL proposal and can confirm that there have since been a number of other approaches from various parties, both from the UK and overseas.

"Extensive discussions involving Rothschild, the chairman, Doug Ellis, and credible parties are ongoing and will be fully explored to determine whether a formal offer for the issued share capital of Aston Villa will be forthcoming.

"However, there is no certainty that any of these discussions will lead to an offer being made. Shareholders and supporters will be updated in due course."

[Two-Bob Peeters]

It's such a shame about Crespo, as he's clearly one of the best strikers the world has ever seen. i still think he did pretty well, better than Drogba anyway. i think they needed to sign him about 2 years before they did...

[Two-Bob Peeters]

curbishley is the hot favourite isn't he? i wouldn't be suprised to see o'neill there or thereabouts, the bookies have probably made loads from him with all the jobs he's been rumoured for!

[EvilElvis]

curbishley is the hot favourite isn't he? i wouldn't be suprised to see o'neill there or thereabouts, the bookies have probably made loads from him with all the jobs he's been rumoured for!

I'd rather O'Neil than Curbishley.

I think Curbishley is in need of a break from Football management - think this is his first summer off in about 20 years.

O'Neil has been out of football action for a good year and decent managers shouldn't be out for that length of time!

[Captain Stu]

Curbishley is alright, nothing special.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Curbishley is alright, nothing special.

he took Charlton as far as he was capable, unfortunately that was about 3 years ago. he should have left then.

[Captain Stu]

he took Charlton as far as he was capable, unfortunately that was about 3 years ago. he should have left then.

Definately, last season was a massive splodge on his record. If he'd left Charlton a few years ago, he could've done so much better. I'd be interesting to see how he'd do at a club with more money.

[Captain Stu]

Apparently, Buffon has said he's staying at Juve...that's pathetic!

[Bexster]

Zinedine Zidane has been banned for three games and fined £3,260 for head-butting Italy's Marco Materazzi during the World Cup final.

Materazzi was banned for two matches and fined £2,170 for his part in the incident which occurred in extra-time before Italy's penalty victory.

More to follow.

[Marvin]

Apparently, Buffon has said he's staying at Juve...that's pathetic!

Same for Del Piero i think... what a pair of idiots.

I don't see why anyone would actually want to play in Italy anymore.

[Marvin]

More to follow.

Banned for 3 games... but he's never playing again anyway?

[Captain Stu]

Del Piero I can understand, he's well into his 30's now, his pace is shot, his appeal is all but gone and he's had a good few serious injuries which have sapped his awesomeness. I can get him staying at Juve for the nostalgia... but Buffon? The best keeper in the world? Aged 28? Playing in the second division? That's pitiful!

[Marvin]

i think some players are assuming their club will be able to bounce back straight away...

[Captain Stu]

i think some players are assuming their club will be able to bounce back straight away...

Aye... when it's gonna take Juve at least two season, maybe more depending on how many top players they lose... and they've already lost their top defender and defensive midfielder, so part of the spine has gone... with Thuram and Zambrotta close behind.

FUCKED!!

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Zinedine Zidane has been banned for three games and fined £3,260 for head-butting Italy's Marco Materazzi during the World Cup final.

WHAT ABSOLUTE BOLLOCKS, what a corrupt bunch of bastards fifa are. how much was rooney fined? £2800?? can you imagine if this was Big Dunc, Robbie Savage or any English bloke?

what a joke

[Captain Stu]

WHAT ABSOLUTE BOLLOCKS, what a corrupt bunch of bastards fifa are. how much was rooney fined? £2800?? can you imagine if this was Big Dunc, Robbie Savage or any English bloke?

what a joke

Well, compare that to Ferguson's three months in jail.

That's utter bollocks that, why bother giving him a ban when he's never playing again?

[Bud]

Banned for 3 games? Hardly much punishment for someone who just retired.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Well, compare that to Ferguson's three months in jail.

That's utter bollocks that, why bother giving him a ban when he's never playing again?

not just that, it gives a license for players to headbutt... unless you're english of course, where a slight nudge is practically a criminal offence

[Bexster]

It's basically giving anyone license to do it. It's not like an hours wages is actually a deterrant.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Millwall are the 99th best team in europe (http://www.xs4all.nl/~kassiesa/bert/uefa/data/method3/trank2007.html)

2 above hearts, 4 behind everton

[Wish_Master2100]

Millwall are the 99th best team in europe (http://www.xs4all.nl/~kassiesa/bert/uefa/data/method3/trank2007.html)

2 above hearts, 4 behind everton

That is, fantastic.

[Captain Stu]

Millwall are the 99th best team in europe (http://www.xs4all.nl/~kassiesa/bert/uefa/data/method3/trank2007.html)

HA! Fuck you, Man United. :D

[Epic Failure]

christ we're the 6th best side in Europe:eek:

[Captain Stu]

christ we're the 6th best side in Europe:eek:

Now that's confusing.

[Epic Failure]

Now that's confusing.

though not as mad as Newcastle being the 13th best:D

[Captain Stu]

though not as mad as Newcastle being the 13th best:D

True.

[Epic Failure]

Barca sign Thuram and Zambrotta (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5201744.stm)

so that means Cole is almost certainly off to chelsea now Zambrotta is out of the question. will be interesting to see where Buffon and Ibrahimovic end up.

[Bud]

Barca sign Thuram and Zambrotta (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5201744.stm)

so that means Cole is almost certainly off to chelsea now Zambrotta is out of the question. will be interesting to see where Buffon and Ibrahimovic end up.

But looking at it the other way round, we were connected with Thuram as a replacement for Cole.

Cole should learn to shut his mouth

[Captain Stu]

I don't see the point in signing Thuram, he's only good for 12 months and he's too old.

Zambrotta, however, is a corking player, would've liked to see him come over here - easily one of the best fullbacks (and most useful utility players) in the world.

[Bud]

It's really interesting that no big name has demanded to come to the Premiership yet. I was really looking forward to the Italian influx.

[Epic Failure]

But looking at it the other way round, we were connected with Thuram as a replacement for Cole.

Cole should learn to shut his mouth

Indeed he should but i think he has burnt his bridges with us to be frank. Where Zambrotta ended up was always going to play a big factor in determining where Cole would be next year.

so fair AC seem to be looking good for keeping their players - i wonder whether they'll pick up what is left from Juve

[Two-Bob Peeters]

this just made me piss myself for some reason.

Ronaldo the mong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxUMmNOGW30&mode=related&search=)

[Edge]

the spanish are getting all the good italian players.

[Captain Stu]

It's really interesting that no big name has demanded to come to the Premiership yet. I was really looking forward to the Italian influx.

Same here, I think I said last week or something - I expected a good half dozen of the Italian-based stars to come this way.

But that's most likely because Spain pays more... apart from Chelsea... but fuck Chelsea.

[Captain Stu]

Apparently Newcastle are set to, within the next 24 hours, clinch a £10M for Damien Duff.

I don't understand that... apparently he's said he would prefer a move to the North-East instead of across London... I imagine that's because he's worried about getting flack for joining a rival... but it's not like he was given a fair crack at Chelsea really. Mourinho is so far up Cole's arse that Duff's been playing 3rd string (that position will no, you would imagine, go to Shaun).

Why Newcastle? What the fuck are they gonna do this season? No Shearer. No Owen. An absolutely pathetic defense. Their main goal threat is Shola Ameobi?! LOLZ! The only thing I can see is that Roeder might want Duff to play as a forward... but that seems daft because what if he takes a dozen games to settle in?

*


- Newcastle have snatched Chelsea winger Damian Duff from the clutches of Tottenham with a bid of £10m. (Daily Mirror)

- Manchester United will offer centre-back Mikael Silvestre in part-exchange for Spurs midfielder Michael Carrick. (Daily Mirror)

- Bayern Munich look to snatch Ruud Van Nistelrooy from under the noses of Real Madrid with a late bid of around £14.5M, much closer to Man United's valuation.

- Blackburn are attempting an audacious bid for Argentina star Roberto Ayala. (Daily Mirror)

- West Ham want to replace the banned Shaun Newton in their squad with former Spain international Victor. (Daily Mirror)

- Portsmouth striker Lomana Lualua us threatening to walk out after talks on an improved deal broke down. (Daily Express, The Sun)

- Aston Villa have rejected a £4.5m Pompey bid for Gareth Barry. (The Times)

- Middlesbrough are trying to bring Sunderland full-back Julio Arca to the Riverside, although Espanyol are also interested in signing the player. (The Guardian)
- Birmingham are preparing a £3.5m offer for Coventry striker Gary McSheffrey - their third attempt to buy the 23-year-old. (Daily Mail)

[Renegades of funk 8]

haha fulham are 82nd, well i guess theres room for improvement then :D

[EvilElvis]

- Aston Villa have rejected a £4.5m Pompey bid for Gareth Barry. (The Times)




FUCK OFF! :mad:


£6.5m at the least.

[Captain Stu]

FUCK OFF! :mad:

£6.5m at the least.

If he goes, Villa are more boned than at present.

Tell you what, Harry's certainly ambitious this summer with his bidding.

[EvilElvis]

If he goes, Villa are more boned than at present.

Tell you what, Harry's certainly ambitious this summer with his bidding.

We just need Deadly Doug to open his wallet. And get rid of Baros.

[Captain Stu]

We just need Deadly Doug to open his wallet. And get rid of Baros.

We fuckin' mugged you with Baros. :D Sorry 'bout that.

Apparently, the rumours are that a new Owner will be found before a new manager... Ellis has said he is definately ready to sell... allegedly.

[Bexster]

It's true, if Barry goes, then Villa are just gonna crumble. Which would make him priceless I think.

[EvilElvis]

We fuckin' mugged you with Baros. :D Sorry 'bout that.

Apparently, the rumours are that a new Owner will be found before a new manager... Ellis has said he is definately ready to sell... allegedly.

He's been ready to sell for the best part of two years

[EvilElvis]

Wolves appoint Mick McCarthy as their new manager.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Wolves appoint Mick McCarthy as their new manager.

LOLZ!:D

[Captain Stu]

Wolves appoint Mick McCarthy as their new manager.

Why... why... why do people keep giving Mick McCarthy management jobs? HE'S FUCKING CACK!!

[EvilElvis]

Why... why... why do people keep giving Mick McCarthy management jobs? HE'S FUCKING CACK!!

I think rivsal fans join their boards, convince them rest of the board he can do a good job, then they resign.


:D

[Captain Stu]

I think rivsal fans join their boards, convince them rest of the board he can do a good job, then they resign.


:D

It has to be something like that, it sure as shit can't be because of his "skills"... simply because he doesn't have any... well, other than the ability to sound like a completely braindead twat with no knowledge of football when he commentates.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Why... why... why do people keep giving Mick McCarthy management jobs? HE'S FUCKING CACK!!

so he can get you on the verge of promotion to the premiership, lose a few games, take the Ireland job and deny it for a few months, lose some more games and give up on the club and sod off to ireland to let your club sell all their best players and win two games since decmeber and go down to division 2 and hire Billy Bonds as manager and then take 5 years to get back up...... :mad:


CUNT

[Captain Stu]

Apparently Jermaine Pennant has NOT been contacted by Liverpool, it all seems to be papertalk...























... but apparently we're in for DUFFMAN now! :D This news makes me damp because Duff is fucking awesome. I'd sooner we moved for him than someone like Simao. Duff is Premiership quality through-and-through.

[rob3000]

Source? That's fantastic news if true.

[Captain Stu]

Source? That's fantastic news if true.

SkySports.com.

[Bud]

Duff going to Liverpool would solve their winger issue. I can't believe more clubs haven't gone in for him. He's quality

[rob3000]

Duff going to Liverpool would solve their winger issue. I can't believe more clubs haven't gone in for him. He's quality
I dunno, he likes to play on the left where we have Gonzalez, Kewell, Zenden and even Riise. Does he play on the right for Chelsea?

[Bud]

I dunno, he likes to play on the left where we have Gonzalez, Kewell, Zenden and even Riise. Does he play on the right for Chelsea?

Good point. I'm sure Chelski used him more on the left. But then, he did swap alot with Cole/Robben for that position. I'm sure he could, and has, played on the right.

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Duff has signed for Newcastle?!?!?

:confused:

[Bexster]

Apparently he's passed a medical there, and is agreeing terms.

Spurs must be pissed right now.

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Apparently he's passed a medical there, and is agreeing terms.

Spurs must be pissed right now.

Why has he chosen Newcastle over Spurs though? I don't understand.

It's probably cos they can afford his wages and signing on fees etc. and we can't.

A couple of years ago I may have understood him choosing Newcastle but not at the moment. They may not even have European football this year if they don't win the intertoto.

[Bud]

Spurs wouldn't meet the asking price, that's why.

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Spurs wouldn't meet the asking price, that's why.

I'd be pissed if that was true, Duff at £10m is a snip and I find it hard to believe that we wouldn't offer that.

I reckon it's got alot to do with his astronomical wages and agents demanding a sign on fee. Newcastle are always happy to pay well over the odds to get the players they want, e.g. Owen

[Bud]

I'd be pissed if that was true, Duff at £10m is a snip and I find it hard to believe that we wouldn't offer that.


From what I've heard they wouldn't bump their offer above £6mill

[Bexster]

Depends, doesn't it. Spurs have already paid out a bit for Berbatov, so I don't know whether they were willing to pay out more for another player, even if it is Duff. Bad for Spurs though. He'd have worked really well in that team for sure. I suppose he's assured first team football at Newc next year.

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Yeah we have spent quite abit this transfer window but if we were serious about getting Duff, we should've realised that an offer of £6m was never going to be enough. I'm just really dissapointed. A couple of days ago I thought we had finally replaced Ginola on the left with a player of genuine class. He would have definately been first choice since we don't actually have a natual left winger.

I'm almost certain the problem was his wages. Read on some Newcastle site that he's getting around 80,000 p/w, which I'm not sure is true or not. If it is, I'm dissapointed that he's chosen money ahead of joining the revolution at the lane.

In the end, I blame all this on Chelsea. Their endless pit of money is dragging wages & signing on fees up and ruining any chance that clubs like Spurs have of signing big players.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Excellent signing for Newcastle, they need a target man or a shearer now and they're set

[EvilElvis]

Curbishley not keen on Villa post (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/5205608.stm)


Alan Curbishley has ruled himself out of the race to succeed David O'Leary as Aston Villa manager.
Curbishley, who resigned as Charlton boss in May, has been strongly tipped for the post vacated by O'Leary.

But the 48-year-old told The Daily Mail: "Obviously I'd have come back early if I'd been given the chance to manage England.

"But I didn't get that chance so I've decided it's best to wait until October and take my time over a return."

He added: "I did 15 years without a break at Charlton and feel I have to recharge my batteries fully."

Martin O'Neill is another one of the front-runners for the post and he is likely to now become the favourite.

O'Leary left the club on Wednesday following the controversy of an inquiry into a players' statement criticising chairman Doug Eillis and the running of the club.

The Irishman was absolved of blame after allegations that he had played a part in instigating the players' statement but both parties decided to go their separate ways in the wake of recent events.

[Captain Stu]

Why would anyone want to sign for Newcastle? *utterly bemused*

Jol should be kicking himself, right squaa up the pooper.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Im seriously baffled at how Newcastle have bagged the best Left Winger in the world. Fucking Newcastle, for fucks sake.

[Captain Stu]

Im seriously baffled at how Newcastle have bagged the best Left Winger in the world. Fucking Newcastle, for fucks sake.

Innit, I could understand him wanting to go to Spurs - a fast improving team with a good, attacking, youong squad and an ambitious manager... but what have Newcastle got? Shola fucking Ameobi.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Innit, I could understand him wanting to go to Spurs - a fast improving team with a good, attacking, youong squad and an ambitious manager... but what have Newcastle got? Shola fucking Ameobi.
And easily the ugliest fanbase of any football team that plays outside of Belgium.

[Bexster]

I too am completely confused by that one. It can only be due to money. That and the fact that going to Newcastle will definintely be a challenge of some sorts.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

i don't think newcastle are that bad... all they really need is a decent defender to bring he other's standard up. and another centre forward and they're looking for a euro spot. easy

[EvilElvis]

i don't think newcastle are that bad... all they really need is a decent defender to bring he other's standard up. and another centre forward and they're looking for a euro spot. easy

2 or 3 central defenders and get shot of the one's they've already got.

[Wish_Master2100]

Innit, I could understand him wanting to go to Spurs - a fast improving team with a good, attacking, youong squad and an ambitious manager... but what have Newcastle got? Shola fucking Ameobi.

Definate first team football was probably the main reason.

[Marvin]

Newcastle are average, they're not gonna challenge for CL places like Spurs will. I think Duff would've been a regular in the Spurs side.

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

I'm not buying this first team football at Newcastle thing. He would have definately got first team football at Spurs. Davids spent the majority of last season playing on the left and when he wasn't fit we'd stick a different central midfielder in that position.

Spurs may have shitloads of midfielders but the only natual left sided player we've got is Andy Reid and lets face it he's absolute gash.

Oh yeah, not only do Newcastle need a new defence but they also need some new strikers with sicknote Owen in the team.

[Captain Stu]

Aye, Duff would walk into the Spurs lienup - same as he would basically every team in the country except Chelsea.

I think he would have played on the right though with Lennon on the left.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Aye, Duff would walk into the Spurs lienup - same as he would basically every team in the country except Chelsea.

I think he would have played on the right though with Lennon on the left.
he'd have got into the spurs team, but i don't think spurs needed him. Tainio is good on the left, andy reid as back-up Lennon, spurs acn cope i would have thought.

incidentally Newcastle are 2-0 against Lillestrom, Shola Ameobi with both goals

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

he'd have got into the spurs team, but i don't think spurs needed him. Tainio is good on the left, andy reid as back-up Lennon, spurs acn cope i would have thought.

incidentally Newcastle are 2-0 against Lillestrom, Shola Ameobi with both goals

Tainio is a central midfielder, he can play on the left, but when he does we lack width and rely on Lennon to make things happen.

Andy Reid is just gash, not PL quality for sure. With Duff we would've finished in the top 4, no doubt about it.

[rob3000]

According to some papers, Duff rejected Liverpool to go to Newcastle. If that's true, he needs his head testing.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

According to some papers, Duff rejected Liverpool to go to Newcastle. If that's true, he needs his head testing.

i think as it turns out, Liverpools or Spurs' bids wasn't actually accepted. If this is true newcastle must have simply bid more

[Captain Stu]

Spurs would DEFINATELY have finished top 4 with Duff.

According to some papers, Duff rejected Liverpool to go to Newcastle. If that's true, he needs his head testing.

Liverpool may have been too late in their pursuit of Chelsea's Damian Duff with Newcastle poised to clinch the signing. (The Guardian)

If that's true, he's a fucking plank and a half, most players would give their right nut to be part of Rafa's Revolution. :) I would still like to think that he would at least listen to what Liverpool have to say and not just do a Michael Owen and go waste his talent at Newcastle. :(

*

Watching this Arsenal game, some fantastic players on show :) anyone else notice that basically the entire 1998 team is there? Great stuff... shame there's no Tony Adams though.

Even I got goosebumps when Wrighty came on, love that guy. :o

FUCKING HELL!! CRUYFF JUST CAME ON!!! OH MY GOD, NOW VAN BASTEN'S COMING ON!!! *faints*

*

SIDENOTE: Liverpool announced squad numbers today and Fowler's back in the Number 9, never underestimate the marketing power of "Fowler 9".

[Epic Failure]

just watched DB's testimonial...what a frickin awesome line-up of players...Glenn Helder, Oleg Luzhny, Gilles Grimandi...some blokes called Van Basten and Cruyff played as well apparently but never come across them myself:D

I wonder if the fans thought if they were especially nice to Paddy then he might decide to come back - sign him for 3/4 million on the cheap and we'd make a tidy profit:p

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Viera's off to Inter.

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Also nice to see Berbatov scoring a couple today for Spurs, his second is supposed to be a cracker.

Can't wait to see him in the Prem.

[Epic Failure]

Viera's off to Inter.

is he? fair enough.

was good to see grimandi bringing Edgar down - can't have a spurs player scoring on such an important day:D

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

is he? fair enough.

was good to see grimandi bringing Edgar down - can't have a spurs player scoring on such an important day:D

I don't think I saw that bit.

I saw him get booed everytime he touched the ball though, no surprise really.

[Epic Failure]

I don't think I saw that bit.

I saw him get booed everytime he touched the ball though, no surprise really.

grimandi bought him down which was what the penalty was given for though R De Boer clearly wasn't too bothered about missing as he walked away with a smile on his face.

not surprised Davids was boo-ed - Rijkaard was booed when they announced him.

best thing was John 'i'm stoopid' Barnes. when they were announcing the arsenal players he thought they were booing Edu instead of the EDDDDDUUUUUUUUUU(similar to KAANNNUUUUUUUU). Barnes - "it's surprising he's not got too good a reception'. TAXI FOR BARNES!! :rolleyes:

[Ian Mc]

Why would anyone want to sign for Newcastle? *utterly bemused*

Because of the wads of money we throw at them of course!! :S

[Captain Stu]

Because of the wads of money we throw at them of course!! :S

At least Freddy can do something right, eh?

[EvilElvis]

At least Freddy can do something right, eh?



Just wait till Freddie goes...


He'll still be paid for 2 years after he leaves

[Ian Mc]

At least Freddy can do something right, eh?

Well, let's see, I'm just awaiting Duff to break his leg or something in training, he's almost as injury prone as Owen is.
I've never liked the way we throw money around, it reminds me too much of Leeds and trying to be another Chelsea which is dumb!
I've never forgiven Freddy for sacking Bobby!

[EvilElvis]

I've never forgiven Freddy for sacking Bobby!

But Bobby put Shearer on the bench for his last game.

Thats why he was sacked. Thats also why Gullit was sacked

You don't drop Shearer

[Ian Mc]

But Bobby put Shearer on the bench for his last game.

Thats why he was sacked. Thats also why Gullit was sacked

You don't drop Shearer

Ah but so did Souness against West Brom last season...although we won and Shearer came on a played really well. At the time Freddy was backing Souness.
I still miss Bobby :'(

[EvilElvis]

I still miss Bobby :'(

His last game was when we beat you 4-2 at Villa Park.


There is a pic in the look-A-Like section of Nuts or Zoo this week

Steve Staunton and Sir Bobby/Father Ted and Dougal.

:D

[Ian Mc]

:O Uncle Bobby deserves more respect!!!

I suppose anyone who loses by more than one goal to Villa should be sacked.

[EvilElvis]

:O Uncle Bobby deserves more respect!!!

I suppose anyone who loses by more than one goal to Villa should be sacked.

We beat you 4-2 at Villa and 3-0 at St James's :D


Mind you the 3-0 game was when you had the Dyer/Bowyer handbags.

[Ian Mc]

And not forgetting Stephen Taylors "Ouch god damn it my face hurts" ...whilst his hand is almost hanging off after he clearly stuck it in the way of the ball.
That was an embarrasing game...although losing to Villa is always embarassing. Although two of my favourite games ever saw us hammering them...5-1 in 1994 and 3-0 in 2001 (I think...I just remember Shearers genius!)

[EvilElvis]

although losing to Villa is always embarassing.


Depending on who we get in as a manager, I think losing to Villa next season could be embarrasing :(

[Ian Mc]

I used to love Villa back in their Big Ron days with Dean Saunders up front! Awesome!! You even beat Man Utd for the then Coca Cola Cup...it was one of the highlights of my year, Bosnich was a hero! (Then!)

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Duff man is gesticulating in the driection of the problem

[EvilElvis]

I used to love Villa back in their Big Ron days with Dean Saunders up front! Awesome!! You even beat Man Utd for the then Coca Cola Cup...it was one of the highlights of my year, Bosnich was a hero! (Then!)


Saunders got 2 (1 penalty) Dalian Atkinson got the other. We won 3-1! :D

Barney from Napalm Death is a big Villa fan, at the next Napalam Death gig in Manchester, he put a banner up "We beat the scum 3-1"

Big Ron is the only manager Villa have "sacked" since the Premiership started

[Ian Mc]

Ah Dalien Atkinson...Man City said he was too fat, it made laugh :D
Yes I remember the game well, Kanchelskis got sent off if I remember right!

O'Leary hasn't been sacked? I keep reading that he quit yet why are they paying him off??
I hear Brian Little wants to be manager again, that would be awesome, I've always been a big admirer of him since he was at Leiscter (I always have trouble spelling that), Villa played well under him for the best part, I remember the game where Yorke scored a hat trick against us although we still won.

[EvilElvis]

Ah Dalien Atkinson...Man City said he was too fat, it made laugh :D
Yes I remember the game well, Kanchelskis got sent off if I remember right!

O'Leary hasn't been sacked? I keep reading that he quit yet why are they paying him off??
I hear Brian Little wants to be manager again, that would be awesome, I've always been a big admirer of him since he was at Leiscter (I always have trouble spelling that), Villa played well under him for the best part, I remember the game where Yorke scored a hat trick against us although we still won.


"Mutual consent" was the reason for his departure. Apparently all the players have turned on him.

We did really well under Little - even though he got us Savo and Sasa Curcic.

I reckon we need someone who hasn't worked with the board (Read: Deadly Doug) before.

I'd like O'Neil to come in - even if it's just for a season.

[Ian Mc]

We did really well under Little - even though he got us Savo and Sasa Curcic.

And not forgetting Stan Collymore ;)

I don't know, I think you need someone who knows how to work with the board/Ellis, O'Leary obviouslly doesn't work well with boards as all he wants to do is spend their money, he also couldn't motivate the players...I don't know if I can see O'Neil succeeding at that either although tactically he is a good manager.
You need someone like Souness....ha!! ...I'm all for Brian Little, he knows how to work with Ellis and I think it would be great to give smaller bosses a chance to show what they can do with the top clubs, there are some fantastic lower league managers but they aren't noticed as they don't have the players like some of the big name managers have.

[EvilElvis]

And not forgetting Stan Collymore ;)

I don't know, I think you need someone who knows how to work with the board/Ellis, O'Leary obviouslly doesn't work well with boards as all he wants to do is spend their money, he also couldn't motivate the players...I don't know if I can see O'Neil succeeding at that either although tactically he is a good manager.
You need someone like Souness....ha!! ...I'm all for Brian Little, he knows how to work with Ellis and I think it would be great to give smaller bosses a chance to show what they can do with the top clubs, there are some fantastic lower league managers but they aren't noticed as they don't have the players like some of the big name managers have.


I'd go for O'Neil - I hear on a daily basis how difficult the Celtic board are!

He did very well at Norwich City

He made Leicster difficult to beat - look whats happened to the since he left.

He took a struggling Celtic team and transformed them and got them to the UEFA Cup Final.

Souness is a decent manager - so long as he has the right people with him to support him.

[EvilElvis]

The Duffman Signs (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/5204958.stm)

Winger Duff seals Newcastle move


Winger Damien Duff has completed his transfer from Chelsea to Newcastle after passing a medical on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international has signed a five-year contract, with the fee undisclosed but understood to be in the region of £10m.

Duff was also wanted by Premiership rivals Tottenham, who made an unsuccessful £7m bid for the player.

Chelsea, who paid £17m for Duff from Blackburn in 2003, are thought to have received around £10m from Newcastle.

Duff will be unveiled as a Newcastle player on Monday, but manager Glenn Roeder is already salivating at the prospect of playing him in his team.

"I can't tell you how pleased I am about getting a player of that quality," he told Setanta Sports 2 prior to his side's Intertoto win over Lillestrom.

"I would think it will excite our fans as well."

Roeder hopes the capture of Duff will be the start of a busy summer of transfer activity at St James' Park.

[Teenageriot]

!
crazy. why did he go there? massive change for him. oppsite end of the country and opposite end of the league. newcastle should be buying some fucking strikers.

[Renegades of funk 8]

duff must be looking forward to the night life in newcastle

[EvilElvis]

Fresh from signing Damian Duff, Newcastle are lining up more transfer deals with bids in for West Ham's Dean Ashton and Werder Bremen's Miroslav Klose. (News of the World, The People)

Arsenal's Ashley Cole will join Chelsea for £16m when he returns from his honeymoon. (The People)

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is Real Madrid's top transfer target after they gave up on signing Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas. (Sunday Mirror)

Gunners striker Theo Walcott could go to West Brom on loan to help sweeten the deal to bring centre-back Curtis Davies to the Emirates Stadium. (The People)

Liverpool are to make a £5m bid for Birmingham's Jermaine Pennant after failing to convince Damian Duff to go to Anfield. (News of the World)

Atletico Madrid star Fernando Torres is a target for Manchester United, but could be sacrificed as the Red Devils concentrate on strengthening their midfield. (News of the World)

If Torres does stay in Spain, Man Utd may look to Spurs striker Jermain Defoe instead. (Daily Star Sunday)

Sol Campbell says he is interested in a move abroad, because he has "nothing left to prove in England". (News of the World)

Bolton are hoping to bring Argentina and Barcelona star Javier Saviola to the Reebok Stadium. (Daily Star Sunday)

Blackburn are pondering a £3m move for Ecuador winger Luis Antonio Valencia. (The People)

West Ham are ready to spend £9m on 18-year-old Manchester City full-back Micah Richards. (The People)

Patrick Vieira will leave Juventus following their relegation, but is unlikely to return to the Premiership with Inter Milan favourites to sign him. (The Sunday Times)

Portsmouth are in the box seat to sign Ghana captain Stephen Appiah from Fenerbahce, but will have to fight off Arsenal. (News of the World)

Pompey are also in line to capture Man City defender Sylvain Distin for £3.75m. (The People)

Fulham are prepared to let Steed Malbranque stay in the reserves all season if he refuses to sign a new deal. (News of the World, Daily Star Sunday)

Charlton boss Iain Dowie has gone back to his former club Crystal Palace to sign defender Emmerson Boyce for £1.75m. (Daily Star Sunday)

Man Utd midfielder Paul Scholes is considering reversing his decision to retire from international football. (Various)

Aston Villa are considering appointing former Newcastle boss Graeme Souness, who is friendly with chairman Doug Ellis through a shared love of fishing. (Sunday Express, Daily Star Sunday)

Martin O'Neill has made it clear he is only interested in taking over at Villa if Ellis leaves the club. (News of the World)

O'Neill is actually ready to take the job and will meet Ellis on Monday. (The Mail on Sunday)

He is also the favoured candidate of the two consortia trying to take over from Ellis. (The Sunday Times)

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock is a surprise candidate for the Villa vacancy. (The People)

Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson says the club is resigned to letting Ruud van Nistelrooy leave after the striker submitted a written transfer request. (News of the World)

Ferguson has questioned whether Arsenal will be able to sell out their new 60,000 Emirates Stadium every week. (Daily Star Sunday)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was the only Premiership manager to refuse to take part in an MUTV programme to mark Ferguson's 20-year anniversary as United boss. (The People)

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has turned down the chance to take over at Sunderland. (Sunday Mirror)

[EvilElvis]

Live footy this week -

Today: Everton vs Celtic channel 5 13:45
Wednesday: Man Utd vs Celtic - Channel 5
Thursday: Rangers vs Bolton - Setanta

[Renegades of funk 8]

Live footy this week -

Today: Everton vs Celtic channel 5 13:45
Wednesday: Man Utd vs Celtic - Channel 5


testimonials? :D

[EvilElvis]

testimonials? :D

Nah!

Just pre-season friendlies.

Better than nothing.



Could give Chris Coleman a look at Stillian Petrov...

[Captain Stu]

Alonso to Real? HA! You wish, not for all the money in your transfer kitty. :)

As for Duffman, big coup for Newcastle... but I don't see much success in his future now. :confused:

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Ah see, i was right about Spurs not actually having their bid accepted. i think it was probably the same with 'Pool. but still, good on Newcastle, i like Roeder i hope he does well

[Captain Stu]

I fucking hate Roeder, he was so boring he makes Shearer and Owen look interesting and full to the brim of personality. :(

Definately a good signing for Newcastle, no mistake in that, ookie's probably right - Spurs and Liverpool both probably didn't have the money to offer... well, Spurs probably don't, we do but Benitez wants two players with his remaining £15M.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

at the end of the day it was Newcastle that NEEDS the players, and are prepared to offer more. i would imagine that they're going to splash out a bit more on some others though.

Both Liverpool and Tottenham have been linked with everyone under the sun, so i would think they have plenty of other irons in the fire, whether they'd be as high profile or as good as Duff remains to be seen.


another one for ollie re: millwalls scottish invasion.

Chris Hackett from Hearts? i heard he's a very fast Winger

[EvilElvis]

another one for ollie re: millwalls scottish invasion.

Chris Hackett from Hearts? i heard he's a very fast Winger

I've not heard of him before, but found this out (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=6493&cc=5739)


Also got this from an Oxford United web page

Chris's Profile:

A former county sprint champion, Hackett is one of the quickest footballers around, and has never let United down when he has come into the team.
He is probably disappointed that he has not made the breakthrough into regular first-team action but that is partly because manager Ian Atkins is not a fan of wingers, tending to prefer a narrow midfield.
It is for this reason that Hackett has been tried several times up front, where he can use his pace to telling effect.
In the 2002-3 season he made 12 league appearances for the U's, making around 50 in total, many of them as a substitute.

[EvilElvis]

Hmmmm! Interesting (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/5207620.stm)

Neville still keen to buy Villa

Michael Neville has revealed that he is renewing his bid to buy Aston Villa.
Lifelong Villa fan Neville was part of a consortium interested in taking over at the club last season after chairman Doug Ellis put the club up for sale.

That bid collapsed, but he is convinced he has new unnamed parties willing to support any takeover bid.

"I have accelerated my efforts to make a bid for Aston Villa. I believe I have backers but cannot reveal any more," Neville told the Sunday Mercury.

"The timescale is short. If anything is going to happen, it would have to happen soon."

Chairman Ellis is due to return from holiday next week with Villa fans calling for him to quit after more than two decades in charge.

Neville added: "Villa fans must be fed up with hearing my name associated with a takeover - but if I can't make it work this time, then I can't make it work at all.

"This is an exciting prospect, the result of a year's work for me, and I say that I have the best interests of Aston Villa at heart."

Neville also threw his support behind Martin O'Neill in replacing David O'Leary as manager.

O'Neill has been linked with a move to Villa Park since O'Leary and Villa parted company last week.

And Neville said: "As for Martin O'Neill, it would be fantastic to have him. Any club that has him on board would be very fortunate. He is top of the tree."

[EvilElvis]

All the best Big Marv (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/5207890.stm)

Andrews' Rangers career at an end

Rangers manager Paul Le Guen has told defender Marvin Andrews he can leave the club for nothing.
The Frenchman says Andrews does not feature in his plans for the coming season, leaving the Trinidad and Tobago international to look for a new club.

The 30-year-old has been at Ibrox for the last two years.

But with Julien Rodriguez, Karl Svensson and Jose Karl Pierre Fanfan ahead of him in the pecking order, his Rangers career is at an end.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's a shame, I really liked big Marv, not the classiest defender, but always gave everything he had.

I think his decision not to have an operation when he damaged ligaments in his leg has cost him in the end.

In other unrelated news, I met the Rangers Goalie - Stefan Klos - while doing my shopping today. Which was nice. :)

[JackTom 2.0]

Lets actually talk about football. As in playing football.

Anyone play football properly?

i'm currently back training with my old club, i play in uni and gone back to the team i played for before leaving just to keep it going over the summer.

i'm a midfielder, played centre midfield for under 16s then moved up to adult where i couldn't quite hack it as i got pushed around alot. now i'm much bigger and find i'm alot stronger than most people i play so i'm back in the centre :D

i always fancy trying the makalele holding role as i feel it would suit me perfectly, i'd probaly find myself pushing forward too often though

[Captain Stu]

Nope, don't have any time for it anymore since I have band practise on sundays and I spend the entire rest of my weekend with Kat. :)

I play attacking centre midfield but I originally started out as a centre half (forced on me because I was tall in school) and then I moved to the right wing in college where I played on the college team.

Played for about 6-7 different sunday league teams before having to pack in 11-a-side and moved to indoor 5-a-side at our local JJB Soccerdome. I fucking loved that, wish I could do it again but there's just nae time anymore. :(

My main thing was/is my pace because i used to spring in school, that helped a lot, my height helped me at defending set pieces and I have a cracking cross/pass/set-piece on me. My main weakness is crippling fear of dribbling but I grew the fuck up and realised how awesome it is during 5-a-side because you just plain have to.

[JackTom 2.0]

5aside is awesome.

i use to play in a league (my team got chucked out for fighting a few months after i left for uni) and i really did love it. i love how quick it is. you never stop. the hardest part was defending, because everyone HAD to stick to their man. one weak link and that was it.

5aside suited me aswell. i think ive always been better at it then 11aside.

[Captain Stu]

5aside suited me aswell. i think ive always been better at it then 11aside.

Snap, I think 5-a-side (particularly indoor) is a harder, more technical game - no overhead balls, no slide tackles at all, very little contact permitted, walls to contend with... i know it made me a much better player.

[JackTom 2.0]

plus my shooting and crossing were never as good as the rest of my game...and well you don't need to do that in 5aside. you can practically pass the ball into the net if your accurate enough

[Captain Stu]

Totally, my shooting was always a bit... ahem... lacking... but even I was managing to rack up a decent number of goals. I think the most was 11/12 in 18 games but our top scorer was my best mate (forward) with 30+... but he's ace, got scouted by Liverpool when we were in school don't ya know!

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

!
crazy. why did he go there? massive change for him. oppsite end of the country and opposite end of the league. newcastle should be buying some fucking strikers.

yes, 7th is the opposite end of the league.

Fucking retard.

[Ian Mc]

I fucking hate Roeder, he was so boring he makes Shearer and Owen look interesting and full to the brim of personality. :(

Definately a good signing for Newcastle, no mistake in that, ookie's probably right - Spurs and Liverpool both probably didn't have the money to offer... well, Spurs probably don't, we do but Benitez wants two players with his remaining £15M.

I can understand that, but where the hell are we getting the money from?? Especially with a half decent striker obviouslly needed...there's obviouslly some behind doors deals going on for some of our players to get some money in as I read not long ago we didn't have much money to throw around after Souness reign...I mean we're paying Michael Owen £120,000 a week to appear in Asda adverts!

I love Roeder, I was happy to see him appointed, I'm a little tired of seeing foreign managers in the premiership.
Also if we can get a striker in and keep up the form we had at the second half of last season then we'll do well...look at the table...there isn't that many points from 4th to 7th (9 points! 7 behind Spurs!) which is where we finished, imagine if we played like that all season, we would have been better than Spurs had been, it's almost a fact...just Souness is a cock!!

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

I can understand that, but where the hell are we getting the money from?? Especially with a half decent striker obviouslly needed...there's obviouslly some behind doors deals going on for some of our players to get some money in as I read not long ago we didn't have much money to throw around after Souness reign...I mean we're paying Michael Owen £120,000 a week to appear in Asda adverts!

I love Roeder, I was happy to see him appointed, I'm a little tired of seeing foreign managers in the premiership.
Also if we can get a striker in and keep up the form we had at the second half of last season then we'll do well...look at the table...there isn't that many points from 4th to 7th (9 points! 7 behind Spurs!) which is where we finished, imagine if we played like that all season, we would have been better than Spurs had been, it's almost a fact...just Souness is a cock!!

if we'd have had our end-of-season form all the way through the season we would have finished 3rd behind Chelsea and Man U (based on their end-of-season form as well.)

Wouldnt have happened though.

[Ian Mc]

Shush!! Quiet you! I'm trying my best to be positive, it's hard to do that whilst being a Newcastle fan!

[sunnydalehighdropout]

I used to play football religiously for 2 hours a day as a minimum. Our secondary school football was undefeated from the end of Year 7 (mid 1997) to the end of school (mid 2001 - Cooper School, Bicester if any you you ever played, and lost, to us in any county/national matches) We were the only decent year-group in the school until most of the team ended up becoming heavy drug users by the end of Year 11.

I used to play for a few amateu Midweek and Sunday league teams whilst i was at college, and the occasional 5-a-side game whenever my uncles team needed to fob me off as someone else for an hour but i got bored of not having a steady playing schedule and this coincided with the time i was drinking heabily and taking lots of Acid...

By then my right knee, shin and ankle were destroying themselves anyway (i had shin splints that were also affecting tendons on the instep of my ankle and locking the muscles in place - not good when you want to walk without the front/tops of your toes dragging on the ground :mad:) and i stopped playing in my 2nd year at college and only just started again about 6 months ago. Doctor insisted it was growing pains back when i was 15...im 21 now and haven't grown for over 2 years and after a 20 minute kick about with Ollie the other day, it felt worse than ever. Cunts.

Still, now that im doing alot of cardio training, i hope to be playing in the Police league when that all sorts itself out, or maybe something else depending on where i choose to go in a few months.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Shush!! Quiet you! I'm trying my best to be positive, it's hard to do that whilst being a Newcastle fan!

I can't be positive with Roeder in charge and Fat Freddy Sheppard at the helm.

Roeder's career goes like this:

Takes over a club, goes on a big winning spree, does really well.
Relegates club.

We're in real trouble this season.

[Captain Stu]

In all fairness, I completely forgot where Newcastle finished in the table... a lot of the blame for that has to fall on Souness' shoulders. Well, basically all of it really... him and Tightarse Bramble.

[rob3000]

It's amazing remebering Newcastle finished so high when everyone goes on about how bad they are.

[Captain Stu]

It's amazing remebering Newcastle finished so high when everyone goes on about how bad they are.

Would you expect a team with Titus Bramble as their defensive linchpin to finish anywhere other than 18th to 20th?

I wouldn't...

[Teenageriot]

yes, 7th is the opposite end of the league.

Fucking retard.
go fuck yourself. do you really think newcastle will finish 7th with no new strikers? It's a suprising transfer. newcastle are not considered to gain champions league places. Going from a title winning team who play champions league football to a team who has to secure uefa cup football through interoto is bit of a change. Ok it might not be opposite ends of the spectrum as such but it's not far off. did it really warrant the abuse? you little piece of shit.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

In all fairness, I completely forgot where Newcastle finished in the table... a lot of the blame for that has to fall on Souness' shoulders. Well, basically all of it really... him and Tightarse Bramble.


Bramble played really well once Moore took over from Boumsong. He made far less mistakes, and also made that úber cool rhino-like run straight down the middle of the pitch.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

go fuck yourself. do you really think newcastle will finish 7th with no new strikers? It's a suprising transfer. newcastle are not considered to gain champions league places. Going from a title winning team who play champions league football to a team who has to secure uefa cup football through interoto is bit of a change. Ok it might not be opposite ends of the spectrum as such but it's not far off. did it really warrant the abuse? you little piece of shit.

ahahah, you're a fucking retard child mate. use your brain a little and you may actually understand a little of real life.

[rob3000]

No new strikers? Give them a chance like. Duff and potentially Klose will turn them in to a better side than last season if they sort their defence out.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

No new strikers? Give them a chance like. Duff and potentially Klose will turn them in to a better side than last season if they sort their defence out.

We should be trying to hijack Middlesbruff's £3.5m bid for Julio Arca.

[Teenageriot]

ahahah, you're a fucking retard child mate. use your brain a little and you may actually understand a little of real life.
I understand that you are a prick. A presumptious prick at that. Is that the way to make yourself feel better? to try and belittle people who may or may not be younger than you? just for being younger. you don't know the first thing about me and you come in and hurl abuse for no reason other than me saying that i thought duff to newcastle was a strange move. Big tough guy. pathetic really. go grow up a little.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

I understand that you are a prick. A presumptious prick at that. Is that the way to make yourself feel better? to try and belittle people who may or may not be younger than you? just for being younger. you don't know the first thing about me and you come in and hurl abuse for no reason other than me saying that i thought duff to newcastle was a strange move. Big tough guy. pathetic really. go grow up a little.

Nah, I'm belittling you because you're clearly a large tool.

[Teenageriot]

Nah, I'm belittling you because you're clearly a large tool.
the only way you can redeem yourself is to apologise for being a prick and get on with things. Otherwise im the bigger man. your choice, this is your chance to come up onto my level.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

the only way you can redeem yourself is to apologise for being a prick and get on with things. Otherwise im the bigger man. your choice, this is your chance to come up onto my level.

I would, but it's hard to be effectively sarcastic on an internet forum.

[EvilElvis]

Rooney's house was burgeled - Lost all his medals.


Do you reckon he's been running up bills at his massage parlours? :D

[rob3000]

Rooney's house was burgeled - Lost all his medals.


Do you reckon he's been running up bills at his massage parlours? :D
He doesn't have any medals, does he?

His PFA trophy and England caps were nicked though.

[EvilElvis]

He doesn't have any medals, does he?

His PFA trophy and England caps were nicked though.


You fogot the sacred Carling Cup medal! :p

[Ian Mc]

I can't be positive with Roeder in charge and Fat Freddy Sheppard at the helm.

Roeder's career goes like this:

Takes over a club, goes on a big winning spree, does really well.
Relegates club.

We're in real trouble this season.

That's something that has me worried actually, I'm willing to give Roeder a chance as he seems like a genuine nice guy but obviouslly because of the mircale he performed last season, I'm not expecting anything to really improve this year but I like how he has the players trust, I can't remember the last Newcastle manager that seemed to be liked by the players.
But yeah, I'm worried due to his track records at Watford and West Ham...though don't forget he almost died the year West Ham were relegated and he didn't manage them for half the season. I like him because he was a Toon hero as a player!!

Ha, Bramble...I was watching the premiership years the other day on sky and it showed the goals of ipswich's final game of the season when they were relegated, they were hammered off either Man Utd or Liverpool (I forget) and about 3 of the goals were caused by Bramble, one being a back pass...I laughed, and then realised that a month later we paid around £5m for him...it made me vomit in my mouth! He plays well with Taylor and Moore usually because they cover up his mistakes.
Speaking of Stephen Taylor, he was tremendous last season before he was injured I hope he continues the form this season, he'd be in for an England shout for sure, just watch!!

[Two-Bob Peeters]

No new strikers? Give them a chance like. Duff and potentially Klose will turn them in to a better side than last season if they sort their defence out.

If Newcastle got Klose i'd officially cream my pants. he's fit for any premiership team.

Newcastle are my premiership team at the moment. it used to be Southampton, Then Everton for Cahill, but i've always wanted Newcastle to do well.

[Bexster]

If Newcastle got Klose i'd officially cream my pants. he's fit for any premiership team.

Newcastle are my premiership team at the moment. it used to be Southampton, Then Everton for Cahill, but i've always wanted Newcastle to do well.

If Newcastle get Klose, then no offence, but something's going on there that we don't know about.

[EvilElvis]

If Newcastle get Klose, then no offence, but something's going on there that we don't know about.

Yeah - I still think there was something funny about Real Madrid offering £15m for Jonathon Woodgate aswell.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

I've never been good at football until i was about 16, when, in my opinion i really improved after i chose myself a position to play in and worked on it. unfortunately it was a bit too late to play for my school or a team ( i played for the school B team once, we lost 6-1 against a main team of kids who were 2 years above us.)

it's gutting that i'll never be able to play in a proper match of 11-a-side, i'd really like to see how well i'd do... :(

[Two-Bob Peeters]

If Newcastle get Klose, then no offence, but something's going on there that we don't know about.

are they actually linked with him? i only took this from robs post?

[Marvin]

are they actually linked with him? i only took this from robs post?

yeah, i've heard Arsenal mentioned too in the past...

[Bud]

I think Newcastle are the only Prem club after him. Wenger said we didn't need anymore attacking options, so he won't be coming to Arsenal.

[Bexster]

It's a rumour according to the News of The World and the People. Take it as you will. It says they're also after Dean Ashton.

I think Newcastle are the only Prem club after him. Wenger said we didn't need anymore attacking options, so he won't be coming to Arsenal.

We don't. I'd have liked to get in Saviola maybe to replace Reyes, but if we buy more strikers, then poor old Theo will never get a game.