The Footie (UK) Thread: 2006/07

[Bud]

I can see Ashton wanting to move. He doesn't have a good habit of staying at one club for too long, but West Ham will never let him go.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

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.

Man Utd are the only other team looking at him from the Premiership. SO if they chose to bid we have no chance.

Klose wants to come to England, if Newcastle are the only bidders then WOOHOO!!!

[Two-Bob Peeters]

I like Ashton, but i'd prefer Klose.

they're both pretty much exact replicas of Alan Shearer (not visually, you know what i mean)

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Ashton being stronly linked with an £8m move to Newcastle.

Theo Walcott will be at WBA next season on loan as part of the Curtis Davies transfer.

Saviola is being linked with Bolton for £4m. Newcastle better hijack that transfer or I'm going to be fuming.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

I like Ashton, but i'd prefer Klose.

they're both pretty much exact replicas of Alan Shearer (not visually, you know what i mean)


Klose and Ashton don't have Shearer's out-of-the-box talant, they're both very much in-the-box players.

[Bud]

I agree. I think Newcastle will be strong this season, as long as they get a new striker and defender. Plus Luque has to sort himself out. The signing of Duff is a real positive, and I think they'll be a tough side to beat this year.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Ashton being stronly linked with an £8m move to Newcastle.

Theo Walcott will be at WBA next season on loan as part of the Curtis Davies transfer.

Saviola is being linked with Bolton for £4m. Newcastle better hijack that transfer or I'm going to be fuming.

Saviola would be good for them too.

Curtis davies, what a joke!

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

I agree. I think Newcastle will be strong this season, as long as they get a new striker and defender. Plus Luque has to sort himself out. The signing of Duff is a real positive, and I think they'll be a tough side to beat this year.

Think Duff, Luque and Klose as a front three...

*cums*

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Think Duff, Luque and Klose as a front three...

*cums*

You forgot about Ameobi!

*cumscums* :D

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Think Duff, Luque and Klose as a front three...

*cums*
I rate Albert Luque alot, and i really do hope for Newcastle's sake that he stays.

[Bud]

In all honesty, I've got high hopes for Arsenal this year. With Henry staying and the addition of Rosicky in the midfield things are starting to shape up. In all honesty, I'm pissed off at Ashely Cole enough for him to go to Chelsea and stop whinning. We need a new left back and central defender though.

This is what I can see our line-up being next year:

Lehman

Eboue - Toure - Senderous - Clichy/Cole

Ljunberg - Fabregas - Rosicky - Reyes

Henry - Adebayor/Van Persie

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

I rate Albert Luque alot, and i really do hope for Newcastle's sake that he stays.

Now that we have Duff I wouoldnt be surprised to see him leave to make way for a new striker.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

In all honesty, I've got high hopes for Arsenal this year. With Henry staying and the addition of Rosicky in the midfield things are starting to shape up. In all honesty, I'm pissed off at Ashely Cole enough for him to go to Chelsea and stop whinning. We need a new left back and central defender though.

This is what I can see our line-up being next year:

Lehman

Eboue Toure Senderous Clichy/Cole


Ljunberg Fabregas Rosicky Reyes

Henry Adebayor/Van Persie

your midfield will be Hleb, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

your midfield will be Hleb, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky.
I reckon so too. Ljungberg will alternate with Rosicky and Hleb depending on form, injuries, suspensions and how well Rosicky settles in.

[Bud]

your midfield will be Hleb, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky.

Shit, I forgot about Hleb. Can Rosicky play on the right? I thought he was more a sit behind the front player. Also, Freddie is due a decent season.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

In all honesty, I've got high hopes for Arsenal this year. With Henry staying and the addition of Rosicky in the midfield things are starting to shape up. In all honesty, I'm pissed off at Ashely Cole enough for him to go to Chelsea and stop whinning. We need a new left back and central defender though.

This is what I can see our line-up being next year:

Lehman

Eboue - Toure - Senderous - Clichy/Cole

Ljunberg - Fabregas - Rosicky - Reyes

Henry - Adebayor/Van Persie

definitely need to sure up the defence, especially seeing as Senderos is out for a few months.

Really not sure about Davies though...

[Bud]

definitely need to sure up the defence, especially seeing as Senderos is out for a few months.

Really not sure about Davies though...

Wenger has a history of buying some shit English players. Jeffers anyone? £8million wasn't it?

I've not seen enough of Davies to judge. There is baldy Cegan, Song and a few others waiting in the wings though.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Shit, I forgot about Hleb. Can Rosicky play on the right? I thought he was more a sit behind the front player. Also, Freddie is due a decent season.

Hleb on the right, Rosicky on the left.

[Bud]

Hleb on the right, Rosicky on the left.

I'd go for that. I'm really pleased with all the possible different combinations in the midfield.

[Marvin]

i thought Gilberto Silva was first choice at Arsenal? i'm looking forward to seeing Rosicky play, especially after that strike in the World Cup.

and no offence, but aren't Newcastle perrenial underachievers?

[Bud]

i thought Gilberto Silva was first choice at Arsenal? i'm looking forward to seeing Rosicky play, especially after that strike in the World Cup.


Gilberto is mainly used as a defensive midfielder, which is great with Cesc going forward so much. I'm sure he will be used alot this season

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

I'd go for that. I'm really pleased with all the possible different combinations in the midfield.

Quite simply, with the exception of Ballack, Gerrard, Makelele and Robben, you have the best midfielders in the league.

[Bexster]

Hleb will play more. He began to play fantastically well towards the end of last season, plus he's had a full summers rest. That'll be of huge benefit.

[Bud]

Hleb will play more. He began to play fantastically well towards the end of last season, plus he's had a full summers rest. That'll be of huge benefit.

Did you see him in Bergkamps testimonial? He was quick and sharp. I'm excited :D

[Marvin]

Gilberto is mainly used as a defensive midfielder, which is great with Cesc going forward so much. I'm sure he will be used alot this season

Arsenal could play a 4-5-1 with Fabregas and Rosicky supporting Henry up front...

and as for Chelski's midfield.... god help us all.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

i thought Gilberto Silva was first choice at Arsenal? i'm looking forward to seeing Rosicky play, especially after that strike in the World Cup.

and no offence, but aren't Newcastle perrenial underachievers?

1993-94 3rd
1994-95 6th
1995-96 2nd
1996-97 2nd
1997-98 13th
1998-99 13th
1999-00 11th
2000-01 11th
2001-02 4th
2002-03 3rd
2003-04 5th
2004-05 14th
2005-06 7th

[Marvin]

1993-94 3rd
1994-95 6th
1995-96 2nd
1996-97 2nd
1997-98 13th
1998-99 13th
1999-00 11th
2000-01 11th
2001-02 4th
2002-03 3rd
2003-04 5th
2004-05 14th
2005-06 7th

okay, i sort of take it back.

[Bexster]

Did you see him in Bergkamps testimonial? He was quick and sharp. I'm excited :D

Yeah. I'm excited about the whole team actually. We need 2 more players tops, and I think this year will be great. It'll take a bit to bed into the new stadium (which looked fantastic I thought), and we'll be good.

I laughed that the second half ended after 81 minutes. I think the ref realised that most of the players couldn't run anymore, especially Cryuff :D

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

okay, i sort of take it back.

13th 13th 11th 11th was with Kenny Dalglish and Ruud Gullit
the later bad finish was with Graeme Souness.

Without those awful defensive bosses we've been great.

[Bud]

Yeah. I'm excited about the whole team actually. We need 2 more players tops, and I think this year will be great. It'll take a bit to bed into the new stadium (which looked fantastic I thought), and we'll be good.

I laughed that the second half ended after 81 minutes. I think the ref realised that most of the players couldn't run anymore, especially Cryuff :D

Ha. What a line-up in the 2nd half though! What a stadium! From the first half I was really impressed with Tarore (sp?). Apparently he's a 100th of a second slower than Henry, and he's a left back! :D

[Edge]

I think hleb is top class.
great engine on him as well.
I still think Arsenal are the best team in the premiership.
They play by far the most flowing, pretty and technical football around.

[Bexster]

Ha. What a line-up in the 2nd half though! What a stadium! From the first half I was really impressed with Tarore (sp?). Apparently he's a 100th of a second slower than Henry, and he's a left back! :D

It was, I enjoyed watching. I think some of those youngsters are going to be great. I've been reading a lot about the stadium from the website. Things like the screens being the first screens in Europe to broadcast in HD, and that the stadium was built with the crowd, the acoustics, and pitch ventilation in mind. It's state of the art.

Shows Wembley up no end :D

[Bud]

It was, I enjoyed watching. I think some of those youngsters are going to be great. I've been reading a lot about the stadium from the website. Things like the screens being the first screens in Europe to broadcast in HD, and that the stadium was built with the crowd, the acoustics, and pitch ventilation in mind. It's state of the art.

Shows Wembley up no end :D

Wenger was mocking Wembly before. I don't blame him! They managed to get this done on time afterall. It looks amazing

[Edge]

Newcastle are no way underachievers.
No-one expects them to win anything.

[Marvin]

Newcastle are no way underachievers.
No-one expects them to win anything.

that's actually very true.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Newcastle are no way underachievers.
No-one expects them to win anything.

Even though we've reached the semis and finals of several cups over the last ten years? We've come incredibly close to winning things recently, even with Souness we made it to the semis of the UEFA cup. It's only a matter of time till we make that last step.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

It was, I enjoyed watching. I think some of those youngsters are going to be great. I've been reading a lot about the stadium from the website. Things like the screens being the first screens in Europe to broadcast in HD, and that the stadium was built with the crowd, the acoustics, and pitch ventilation in mind. It's state of the art.

Shows Wembley up no end :D

was it me or did the pitch look pretty small still?

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

was it me or did the pitch look pretty small still?

I'd be very surprised if it wasn't kept really narrow. A lot of Arsenal's home success comes from the fact that their narrow pitch benifits their style of play.

[Bud]

was it me or did the pitch look pretty small still?

That's the plan.:D

[Two-Bob Peeters]

That's the plan.:D

yeah, seems fair to me, it'd be difficult to adjust to a huge pitch.

rather Cunning of Arsenal

[Edge]

it's 6.234767565 metres wider.

[Renegades of funk 8]

Even though we've reached the semis and finals of several cups over the last ten years? We've come incredibly close to winning things recently, even with Souness we made it to the semis of the UEFA cup. It's only a matter of time till we make that last step.


give it another 50 years :p

[Renegades of funk 8]

and when did this thread become the arsenal and newcastle thread :confused: :D

[Captain Stu]

Arsenal's best midfield, for moi, this season would be:

Ljungberg - G. Silva - Fabregas - Rosicky

I don't rate Hleb at all, he seems pretty inept in front of goal whereas Ljungberg has the intelligent runs to support Henry, Rosicky is just a fucking demon, Silva has the holding role down and Fabregas is great (at times) at spraying the ball around.

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I cannae see Newcastle doing much unless they buy bigger, Luque does need to sort himself out... but he also needs a good strike partner too. Duff's best position will be a very attacking wide-left player... but who's covering the right? Klose, if that's even remotely true, would be a perfect player for Duff to play up to - cracking balls/crosses from the left + Klose's head = at least 20+ Premiership goals for Klose. Easy.

However, his performances for Germany over the past 4 years or so will mean Werder Bremen surely won't let him go on the cheap, he's Germany's top forward at the minute and I'd expect to pay in double figures for that.

Also, as mentioned in the rumour below... not being in the Champions League is gonna be a massive hinderance. That's one thing that confuses me about Duff, a player of his calibre should be playing in the Champions League.

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- Real Madrid will make an improved offer for Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. (The Sun)

- Bolton's £2.5m bid for Argentina skipper Juan Pablo Sorin has been accepted by Villareal, but Portsmouth, Stuttgart and Inter Milan have not given up hope of signing the full-back. (The Sun, Daily Mail)

- Barcelona and Inter Milan will fight it out for the right to sign Patrick Vieira from Juventus, ending Man Utd's hopes of bringing him to Old Trafford. (The Sun)

- Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder would like to buy Germany striker Miroslav Klose, but fears being out of the Champions League will hinder his chances. (The Sun)
- Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has told Real Madrid to forget about signing midfielder Xavi Alonso. (Daily Mail)

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ALSO how the fuck can Niall Quinn appoint himself Manager of Sunderland? Surely there's a conflict of interests there if he's also the head of the consortium that now owns the club? :confused:

[Renegades of funk 8]

ALSO how the fuck can Niall Quinn appoint himself Manager of Sunderland? Surely there's a conflict of interests there if he's also the head of the consortium that now owns the club? :confused:

i know i was thinking the same thing, sure is funny though - can't see them getting back in the premier league for a while

[Captain Stu]

No way, if his managerial skills are as impressive as his scoring skills (69 goals in over 220 games for Sunderland) then the Mackems should be shitting themselves. Seems a bit stupid, they've clearly appointed him for nostalgia more than anything else.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Klose would be perfect, not just with Duff, but withy Emre, N'Zogbia and Sloanbo all piling in crosses, Dyer when he's finally fit again. Klose is one of the Worlds best strikers at the minute, which is probably the only reason i would imagine that Newcastle wouldn't be able to get him.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Is Quinn actually gonna be the manager, that's a bit Dodgy to me, if he's the head of the Consortium then what if he does badly? is he goingt to stick around even if they fail miserably? The fans won't want him as the Chairman if he fucks up manager wise.

Same as Barry Fry with Peterborough, he got them relegated, they all hate him now, and he's still the chairman

[Tour Dispatcher Fearghal Lewis]

Leeds For The World Cup! :D:D get the greatest team back where the deserve to be! Stand Up!

[Captain Stu]

Is Quinn actually gonna be the manager, that's a bit Dodgy to me, if he's the head of the Consortium then what if he does badly? is he goingt to stick around even if they fail miserably? The fans won't want him as the Chairman if he fucks up manager wise.

Same as Barry Fry with Peterborough, he got them relegated, they all hate him now, and he's still the chairman

That's what SSN is saying - "Niall Quinn is to appoint himself as manager of Sunderland sometime this week."

Basically those exact words.

[Bexster]

Newcastle have informed the stock exchange that Duff cost then £5m :eek: But Spurs offered them more? What's going on there?

[Captain Stu]

Newcastle have informed the stock exchange that Duff cost then £5m :eek: But Spurs offered them more? What's going on there?

Now that's a fucking money move, you know that Newcastle will have offered about £20,000 p/w more than Spurs would've.

Fuck you, Duffman, you just went greatly down in my estimation. I could understand Chelsea rejecting an offer of £5M if one for £10M comes in - that's just good business sense - but fuck off if anyone in their right mind would choose to NOT go to Spurs.

[Bexster]

and when did this thread become the arsenal and newcastle thread :confused: :D

It's been a Villa thread too lately, and Liverpool have been pretty quiet lately :D

Yeah, the new pitch isn't huge, but it just seems a lot bigger because the crowd isn't right at the edge anymore. The stadium came in not only on time, but under budget. Take that Wembley. Emirates was built by Madejski, a british company. Surely, that was the hint there to the government.

EDIT: I'm waiting for him to come out and say why he joined Newcastle.

[Captain Stu]

The Emirates Stadium looked magnificent, let's be honest. It looks like a 21st century stadium as opposed to Highbury which was beginning to look more and more like the inside of a toilet.

What a game that was for anyone who was there... I got goosebumps when Van Basten came on after Cruyff, talk about damp seat time.

AND YEAH, BEX IS RIGHT, WHAT'S WITH THE NO LIVERPOOL NEWS?! :mad:

Simao was left out of Benfica's squad for their pre-season friendly on saturday and the manager said he was told to by the club president who was later quoted as saying "the reason will become clear over the next few days"... I now hope that means he's been busy discussing a move to Anfield. :)

If not him, I want Benitez to step up his move for Pennant... we CANNOT let the window close without signing a right-winger and another forward. CMON KUJYTY!!!

[Bexster]

The Emirates Stadium looked magnificent, let's be honest. It looks like a 21st century stadium as opposed to Highbury which was beginning to look more and more like the inside of a toilet.

What a game that was for anyone who was there... I got goosebumps when Van Basten came on after Cruyff, talk about damp seat time.

Yeah. I got very excited hoping he was going to stand in the middle of the pitch and juggle the ball with Bergkamp for half an hour :D And I cheered every time Cruyff made a run anywhere.

AND YEAH, BEX IS RIGHT, WHAT'S WITH THE NO LIVERPOOL NEWS?! :mad:

The only news I found this morning is that Madrid can't have Alonso. Which I think is fair. Maybe it's all going to blow up in a week or so...

[Captain Stu]

The only news I found this morning is that Madrid can't have Alonso. Which I think is fair. Maybe it's all going to blow up in a week or so...

Madrid couldn't afford Alonso. He's as priceless as Gerrard, I can only think of a small handful of players in the world who could replace him... and none of them are (A) for sale (B) affordable (C) interested in leaving their respective clubs.

He is, for me, easily the best passer in the league - one of the top few in the world without a doubt and the perfect foil for Gerrard.

[Bexster]

Madrid couldn't afford Alonso. He's as priceless as Gerrard, I can only think of a small handful of players in the world who could replace him... and none of them are (A) for sale (B) affordable (C) interested in leaving their respective clubs.

He is, for me, easily the best passer in the league - one of the top few in the world without a doubt and the perfect foil for Gerrard.

Yeah. I enjoy watching him a lot for Liverpool. Besides, Madrid are just pissed that they can't get Fabrigas.

[Bexster]

Do you realise the Conference season starts in 19 days???

Yaay!

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Newcastle have informed the stock exchange that Duff cost then £5m :eek: But Spurs offered them more? What's going on there?

could be more based on appearances?

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Do you realise the Conference season starts in 19 days???

Yaay!

League One season in 12! :D

[Bexster]

League One season in 12! :D

Yaay. That's not even two weeks! Fab. I can even get to a couple of games while I'm at home visiting my parents, sample the delights of the visiting teams that are Forest Green and Altringham :D

It may be based on appearences, and there's probly sell-on fees and the like. Otherwise it's be like Chelsea throwing money away on a quality player.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

i remember playing championship manager back in the day as Forest Green, i used the editor to put all my mates in the game :D and i got us up to the premiership!

[Bud]

£5million? What a joke. I can't believe more clubs didn't get in on that.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Either FFS is lying to the stockmarket in an Enron style share price fix, or there is plenty more to come based upon appearances and goals etc.

Also, is the Bergkamp Testimonial coming out on DVD? I missed and really want to see it.

[Bexster]

Either FFS is lying to the stockmarket in an Enron style share price fix, or there is plenty more to come based upon appearances and goals etc.

Also, is the Bergkamp Testimonial coming out on DVD? I missed and really want to see it.

I think it probably is. The Arsenal Store is rubbish at the moment - we're waiting for the new catalogue to come out, but I think seeing as all the money's going to charity, they may release it. Worth it to see Cruyff and Van Basten back in Ajax shirts kicking a football.

[rob3000]

£5million? What a joke. I can't believe more clubs didn't get in on that.
I bet they did, but their bids weren't accepted.

[rob3000]

I don;t think I live liverpool's new kit.

[EvilElvis]

Now that's a fucking money move, you know that Newcastle will have offered about £20,000 p/w more than Spurs would've.

Fuck you, Duffman, you just went greatly down in my estimation. I could understand Chelsea rejecting an offer of £5M if one for £10M comes in - that's just good business sense - but fuck off if anyone in their right mind would choose to NOT go to Spurs.

Maybe he wanted out of London...


It could also be Chelsea don't see Newcastle as big a rival (read: title threat) as Spurs or Liverpool

[EvilElvis]

League One season in 12! :D

SPL starts Saturday. :D

[JackTom 2.0]

League One season in 12! :D

come on the swans :D

got cheltenham first game

[EvilElvis]

Celtic released John Hartson as he's "too old" and announce that they are set to resign Dion Dubin - 3 years older than Hartson! :D

[Edge]

will swansea go up this year?

How is anyone going to stop Barcelona this year?
3 new signings pre season - Thuram, Zambrotta and Gudjohnsson.
my word.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Newcastle have the 3rd best midfield in the league (4th once Liverpool buy a winger).

If we get Klose or someone of that calibre then we'll also be seriously dangerous.

Hopefully the whole league will underestimate us as much you you idiots have and we cause some real damage this season.

[rob3000]

Newcastle have the 3rd best midfield in the league (4th once Liverpool buy a winger).

If we get Klose or someone of that calibre then we'll also be seriously dangerous.

Hopefully the whole league will underestimate us as much you you idiots have and we cause some real damage this season.
Am I reading that right? You think Newcastle have a better midfield than Liverpool? I normally agree with your comments, but that is crazy talk!

[Bud]

Parker is NOT better than Gerrard or Alonso. Liverpool have a great midfield!

[Edge]

zippy you seriously need to stop calling people names.
you seem like a very angry boy.
liverpool have a better midfield than newcastle.

[Bexster]

will swansea go up this year?

Hopefully yeah, if they can keep away from their traditional post-christmas slump. They've certainly got the players to do it. It's be great, and then I can go down to Morfa and watch some half decent teams this year.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Am I reading that right? You think Newcastle have a better midfield than Liverpool? I normally agree with your comments, but that is crazy talk!

Liverpool have Gerrard and Alonso, but that's it. That's half a midfield. With a quality winger signing (talk of Simao and Dani Alvez) then Liverpool will have the second best midfield behind Chelsea.

Chelsea have: Makelele, Robben, Ballack and Lampard (also Wright-Philips)
Arsenal have: Gilberto Silva, Rosicky, Hleb and Fabregas (also Ljunberg)
Newcastle have: Parker, Duff, Emre and Solano (also N'Zogbia and Milner)
Liverpool have: Gerrard, Alonso, Garcia and Kewell
Spurs have: Carrick and about 3 million others
Man Utd have: Giggs, Ronaldo, Park and no-one else of note.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

you seem like a very angry boy.


Coming from you that's incredibly funny. Nearly stabbed anyone lately?

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Add in sissoko and Zenden for Liverpool, but i can't see them being first choice...

also, add the possibilty of a revitalised Keiron Dyer for Newcastle perhaps?

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Add in sissoko and Zenden for Liverpool, but i can't see them being first choice...

also, add the possibilty of a revitalised Keiron Dyer for Newcastle perhaps?

Ooo, forgot about Sissoko - thats a seriously quality player there. Still doesn't make Liverpool's midfield better because he's just a replacement for Gerrard or Alonso. He doesn't offer anything different. Zenden is pfft.

Dyer will never be regular enough. Souness' biggest damage was signing Dyer on a 5 year £65,000 per week contract.

[Ian Mc]

Liverpool have Gerrard and Alonso, but that's it. That's half a midfield. With a quality winger signing (talk of Simao and Dani Alvez) then Liverpool will have the second best midfield behind Chelsea.

Chelsea have: Makelele, Robben, Ballack and Lampard (also Wright-Philips)
Arsenal have: Gilberto Silva, Rosicky, Hleb and Fabregas (also Ljunberg)
Newcastle have: Parker, Duff, Emre and Solano (also N'Zogbia and Milner)
Liverpool have: Gerrard, Alonso, Garcia and Kewell
Spurs have: Carrick and about 3 million others
Man Utd have: Giggs, Ronaldo, Park and no-one else of note.

Dyer isn't half bad when he's fit (ha!) or not flashing people from balconies too!
Although I'm partially biased (as are 90% of this thread to Liverpool) I totally agree with what you're saying! N'Zogbia was class last season, we seem to have some depth to our midfield now too...and apparently it's not the end of the signings too so you never know.
I expect Liverpool to buy one or two players of course but as it stands now, from left to right, I think Newcastle have a better midfield than L'pool...hopefully they'll prove it but I'm not holding my breath.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

The best thing is that Duff actually cost less than Emile Heskey's recent transfer.

I'm still finding it hard to stop laughing.

[Ian Mc]

Ha, that Heskey things bemused me so much!!

I was jotting down our team because I was bored and it isn't THAT bad:

Given

Carr (prefer Ramage) Taylor (he'll suprise you all!) *insert new defender* Babayaro (ugh!)


Solano Parker Emre Duff

Owen (WHEN fit) *insert new striker*

Ameobi will score now and then from the bench, then there's Luque who might decide that he'll want to play but will be kept out by Duff and N'Zogbia who as said, is class! And then there's Dyer who can have SOME moments of magic and of course James Milner.....and then there's erm, Nicky Butt. Hmmm.

On paper we should be challenging 4th spot ....but as we know, we're Newcastle.....so I say 6th if we're lucky!
I have to get all of this shit in whilst some of you are actually talking about Newcastle, I expect it to pass soon.

[Edge]

Coming from you that's incredibly funny. Nearly stabbed anyone lately?
what are you talking about?

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

My preferred formation:
4 3 2 1
Given in goal
flat back four: Carr*, Taylor, Bramble(Ramage)****, Babayaro**
three central midfielders, with Parker staying deep: N'Zogbia, Parker, Emre
two wide players: Duff, Luque*****
and one lone striker to knock the crosses in: Ameobi***

*Carr is 300 times better than Ramage. Ramage is a good centre back, but offers nothing going forward as a fullback.
**Babayaro needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Preferebly with £3.5m rated Julio Arca
***we're being linked strongly with Klose, who would obviously replace Ameobi
****Bramble was really strong towards the end of last season and deserves one final chance in defence. Ramage to take over when Bramble inevitably fucks it up.
***** our wide players would be a choice of Duff, Luque, Solano and Milner. All fantastic players with great crosses.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

what are you talking about?

You posted some thread a while back about wanting to kill someone or something. I didn't really pay much attention to be honest.

[Edge]

You posted some thread a while back about wanting to kill someone or something. I didn't really pay much attention to be honest.
obviously you did.

i wanted to kill some people up for beating me and a mate up.
you call people idiots, retards etc just for having a different opinion.
ronaldo boy.

[Captain Stu]

I don;t think I live liverpool's new kit.

Really? I think it looks fooking ace and I just pre-ordered mine (with "Stu 7" on the back :D) from the online store so it'll be here on the day of release. :D!!!!

[Captain Stu]

Our midfield, at times this season, is gonna be:

Bellamy Gerrard Alonso Gonzalez

That's fucking top drawer that is, wait until you cats see Gonzalez out the blocks, he (at times) is so quick he makes Henry look like a lardarse. :D

[Ian Mc]

I think Bellamy would be wasted out on the right, we played him there a few times, he either took a skeppy fit or he was poor, despite his pace.

Although I hate Crouch, I think he could really benefit Bellamy up front for you guys, kinda reminding me of Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn at Sunderland, they were awesome together.
Even playing him up front with Fowler could be a good move, Fowler could really benefit from Bellamys pace, Shearer did back in the day. Bellamy is going to be a really key signing for you guys.

[Captain Stu]

I predict good things for Bellamy... then again, I predicted Cisse would have a stormer of a season last year... maybe I should keep schtum. :-|

I think he's got something now that he's never had before - desire to play for the club, I was worried at first because of his record of hissy fits and stupid child-like behaviour but he's saying and doing all the right things at the minute.

Bellamy and Crouch is gonna be awesome, as is Bellamy and Fowler... but Benitez made it clear that at times he will be dropped back onto the wing and that was a pivotal part of his contact. If Bellamy had said he didn't want to, he'd still be at Blackburn most likely.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Crouch will score 20 goals this season

[JackTom 2.0]

bellamy has the talent he just has an awful attitude. need to tame that

[Edge]

bellamy has the talent he just has an awful attitude. need to tame that
yeah.
it was interesting reading an article written yb him regardin ghis mve to liverpool.
he was quite humbled by being surrounded by players such as gerrard, alonso etc in the changing room. he realised that he was no longer the big slick anymore. he was just another player.
this along with his older age and being handled by an excellent man manager in benitez should be enough.to channel that aggression into positive things on the pitch.
if it doesn't nothing will.
I think he will be a success at liverpool.

[JackTom 2.0]

Hopefully yeah, if they can keep away from their traditional post-christmas slump. They've certainly got the players to do it. It's be great, and then I can go down to Morfa and watch some half decent teams this year.


yeah i feel this season will be about putting in the performances consistently.


i worry about the lack of players coming in though...wish we'd kept martinez

[Edge]

how did you feel about selling sam ricketts to us?

[JackTom 2.0]

i'm not completly clued in on that deal. if we are indeed getting £300,000 then it's not a bad deal from our point of view except we haven't replaced him with anyone...yet. which is a worry

there's no denying he's a good defender, i always felt if we went up he'd still retain his place. he's also decent going forward, although he needs a player infront of him who can help him out for him to gain the confidence to move past the half way line

he got some harsh criticism at swansea after xmas, but i've always been a fan and feel he was one of our better players this year. i am sad to see him go, but he wanted to go so there wasn't alot we can do and £300k is a not a bad price for him

[EvilElvis]

Arsenal have rejected a £16.5m Chelsea bid for Ashley Cole - and want £25m for the England defender. (Times, Mirror)

The Gunners want Chelsea defender William Gallas in part-exchange for Cole but Blues boss Jose Mourinho will not let Gallas leave. (The Sun)

Portsmouth want Chelsea midfielder Geremi and are also willing to pay the £4m that Manchester City want for defender Sylvain Distin. (The Times)

Paul Ince is waiting to find out if he has a future at Wolves. (The Sun)

Portsmouth and Bolton are both interested in Villarreal defender Juan Pablo Sorin who would cost £2m. (Times)

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is also keen on Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson. (Daily Mirror)

Want-away Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque is a £4m target for Reading. (The Sun, Daily Mirror)

Middlesbrough are set to launch a £2.5m bid for Blackburn's Brett Emerton but Fulham and West Ham are also keen on the Australian winger. (Daily Express)

Sunderland defender Julio Arca is on the verge of a £2m move to Middlesbrough. (Daily Mail)

Boro have offered midfielder Adam Johnson on loan as part of the deal for Arca. (The Times)

Inter Milan are close to completing the signing of Juventus midfielder Patrick Vieira for £8.9m. (The Guardian)

OTHER GOSSIP
American tycoon Randy Lerner, who owns the Cleveland Browns American Football team, is preparing a takeover bid for Aston Villa. (Various)

Former Liverpool and England winger - and ex-Celtic coach - John Barnes is set to be appointed coach of Jamaica. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United's former Everton star Wayne Rooney has criticised Toffees manager David Moyes in his autobiography. (Daily Mail)

Everton defender Alan Stubbs has backed team-mates James Beattie and Andy Johnson to break into the England squad. (Daily Express)

[Captain Stu]

yeah.
it was interesting reading an article written yb him regardin ghis mve to liverpool.
he was quite humbled by being surrounded by players such as gerrard, alonso etc in the changing room. he realised that he was no longer the big slick anymore. he was just another player.
this along with his older age and being handled by an excellent man manager in benitez should be enough.to channel that aggression into positive things on the pitch.
if it doesn't nothing will.
I think he will be a success at liverpool.

That is EXACTLY how I see it, Phil, well done - the fact that he's no longer THE superstar anymore was a massive reality check for him and now he's just one of the team. :)

[EvilElvis]

According to press reports - Portsmouth are sset to sign Celtic's Stillian Petrov for £5m

[Captain Stu]

According to press reports - Portsmouth are sset to sign Celtic's Stillian Petrov for £5m

That would be an excellent signing, I could see Petrov doing good things down here.

*
*
*

Interesting little article and all-time league table here. :D

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2282835,00.html

[Renegades of funk 8]

According to press reports - Portsmouth are sset to sign Celtic's Stillian Petrov for £5m


they can fuck off, i want him at fulham

[Renegades of funk 8]

50 - FULHAM



yes!!!

[Captain Stu]

- I didn't get to read it properly, as I was zipping out the door when The Mirror came, but apparently Benitez has given up the chase for Daniel Alves - Sevilla are being too fucking greedy and won't budge on their ridiculous asking price - and so he's turning his attention to Jermaine Pennant again with a £6M bid which has supposedly already been successful as Birmingham stated that was their valuation of the player.

Pennant article here... (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=17441564%26method=full%26siteid=94762% 26headline=benitez%2dlands%2d%2d6m%2dpennant-name_page.html)

THIS NEWS EXCITES ME! RATHER A LOT! MY GUSSET IS DAMP!!!

- As expected, Alonso has confirmed he has absolutely no desire to leave Liverpool. *kisses Xabi* :)

- Dirk Kuyt has returned to training at Feyenoord, he insists that, although he does want to leave, he will give 100% for the club until he does move.

*
*
*

- I hear that Valencia are testing the resolve of Fake Plastic Ronaldo and Man United after they apparently went to United with an open cheque book and simply said "name your price!"

- Bayern Munich say they will sign Van Nistelrooy "in the next 24 hours".

[Bud]

I will laugh at Man U next year for having the shittest team they've had for 10 years.

[Captain Stu]

I will laugh at Man U next year for having the shittest team they've had for 10 years.

I will join you in laughing, possibly in a Dr. Evil type manner.

Rooney needs Van Nistelrooy, I can't think of anyone in the world who's available that they could replace him with. There are other forwards available from Italy (namely Ibrahimovic, Trezequet) but they aren't going to guarentee you 20+ goals a season like you get with Ruud. He's Mr. Consistency and that's what Rooney needs.

I like Saha, but his fitness has always been in question since he moved to United and he's no target man, not by a long shot.

I hope they sell the Winker and then Ferguson's last season will be a dire, baron one. :D

[Bud]

If they lose old Horsey then their 3rd choice striker is Rossi. He looked pretty shocking in South Africa. The only players to come out of that tour looking any decent were Giggs, Scholes and Solsgear (fuck it, I don't care I can't spell it) and they're hardly players for the future. Fletcher shouldn't be able to get into ANY Manchester team and Richardson hasn't developed how anyone expected.

If ol Red Nose makes no signings this summer then they're fucked. He's still pissed at Chelsea for stealing all the signings they used to steal from other people. This is really the worst squad they've had in ages. If Ronaldo goes as well they're pretty much a laughing stock.

[Captain Stu]

They have a Chinese player called Dong, that's worth at least 15 games a season for the penis-related gags:

"Dong is a flop."
"Dong just can't score."
"Dong doesn't get up well."
"That Dong's a bit slow."
"Dong coming up behind Rooney!!"

:cool:

[Two-Bob Peeters]

£2.5m for Arca and £2m for Emerton are two fucking steals

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2282835,00.html

i remember posting something like this in the old thread, it's a nice little touch, but hardly reliable, although there's no questioning the top three

[Two-Bob Peeters]

but apparently Benitez has given up the chase for Daniel Alves - Sevilla are being too fucking greedy and won't budge on their ridiculous asking price

are they really though?

to me, it's just telling Liverpool to fuck off, albeit politely, it just shows that they have no intention to sell unless Liverpool pay with Chelsea currency (there's ALWAYS a a price for ANY player at ANY club).

the big clubs can't always get who they want, good on Sevilla

[Captain Stu]

£2.5m for Arca and £2m for Emerton are two fucking steals

I love Emerton, cracking player... be a bad move for Blackburn to sell him though, that'd be a strange one.

are they really though?

to me, it's just telling Liverpool to fuck off, albeit politely, it just shows that they have no intention to sell unless Liverpool pay with Chelsea currency (there's ALWAYS a a price for ANY player at ANY club).

the big clubs can't always get who they want, good on Sevilla

Yeah, they are. If he's not for sale, they say that he's not for sale - but the player has said he wants to leave and wants to join Liverpool. Someone else was interested and they said they would do business for around £7M at first, Liverpool offered £6M (or thereabouts) and all of a sudden the price sky-rocketed to Chelsea proportions.

Fair enough, they don't wanna lose him, but to almost double the price as soon as a big European team comes in is just obscene.

[Captain Stu]

Apparently, West Ham are chasing Portugal international keeper, Ricardo, as a replacing for US-bound Shaka Hislop.

That'd be a great signing although it confuses me that nobody else would be interested, I've been a fan of his for years - bit up himself but a talented keeper nonetheless.

[Captain Stu]

New Liverpool home (Gerrard) and away (Alonso) kits. (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images4/kitlaunch_06_2503.jpg)

... and...

European away (Carragher), goalkeeper home (Reina), domestic home (Gerrard) and domestic away (Alonso) (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images4/kitlaunch_06_2502.jpg)

Oh, this is gonna cost me. :(

[Two-Bob Peeters]

New Liverpool home (Gerrard) and away (Alonso) kits. (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images4/kitlaunch_06_2503.jpg)

... and...

European away (Carragher), goalkeeper home (Reina), domestic home (Gerrard) and domestic away (Alonso) (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images4/kitlaunch_06_2502.jpg)

Oh, this is gonna cost me. :(

that yellow kit is putrid......

i like the european away though...

liking the keepers' shirt

[Bud]

That home shirts collar is...odd.

[Captain Stu]

That home shirts collar is...odd.

Is a bit intit? I don't they could decide if they wanted one or not... so they put a half collar on instead.

Ach well, I'll have mine in a fortnight. :)

I'll probably end up buying both the away shirts too... maybe the new European home kit if they do one but I don't think they are, I think last years was a special one-off to comemorate having won the trophy.

*

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=405450&CPID=8&clid=1&lid=4161&title=Roo+hits+out+at+ex-boss+Moyes

Rooney lifts the lid on his move from Everton.

Wayne Rooney has sensationally hit out at former Everton manager David Moyes claiming he is a 'control freak'.

Many felt Moyes was nurturing the Manchester United striker during his days at Goodison, but the Three Lions star has lifted the lid on their relationship.

Rooney is unhappy at how the Scottish tactician liked to impose himself, although the youngster had no problem standing his ground and fighting back.

"To me he appeared overbearing, just wanting to control people," explained Rooney in his autobiography, serialised in the Daily Mail.

"I suppose being young and confident and playing for England at 17, I wasn't bothered about upsetting him or answering back."

The Manchester United striker joined The Red Devils for £27 million two years ago, although he has stated would have joined Newcastle United.

The Magpies had a bid for the England international accepted before Sir Alex Ferguson came calling to get his man.

"If no-one else had come in, I would have gone to Newcastle," he concluded. "I would have gone almost anywhere just to get away from David Moyes."

Arrogant cunt, he's what... 20? Why the fuck does he need to right a book already, he's barely even fucking lived. :rolleyes:

Anyway, that said, I never imagined things were so bad between him and Moyes, I thought it was always a Father-Son type relationship... obviously not.

Just think, under different circumstances, England's first choice strike partnership (for now, give it time) could have been playing up front for Newcastle. :eek:

[Bud]

Anyone who writes a book BEFORE they retire/achieve something is a fucking idiot.

Add Ashley Cole into that too. I can't wait for us to sell him so he can fucking shut up. "Being left out to dry"? He went to the meeting in the first place!

[Captain Stu]

The fact that he had the nerve to deny the claims is laughable. It's like cmon, you were photographed having a meeting with him... why not just be a man, admit it and least try and have a shred of dignity in tact when Arsenal hoof you out.

Thing is, now that Zambrotta's gone, who would you want to replace him? Zambrotta would have been a class replacement for any left back pour mois.

I could maybe see Wenger moving for Lahm or Grosso and he'd probably still have plenty of change too from the Cole money.

[Bud]

Rumours are we'll only let him go to the blue scum if they send Gallas in the other direction. Wenger told the board that he's after "2 or 3 new players". I'm pretty sure both will be defenders, one central and one left sided. I doubt he'll go for a big name, as that's not his style. When Clichey is fit I can see him being a first choice, but we need some more experience, especially with Senderos being out for a few months.

We should get over £17 mill. Apparently we turned down a £16m bid and that will just go on to piss Cole even more. If anything, he owes the club for even standing by him and offering him a new contract after it.

[Captain Stu]

Some stories from SkySports "Planet Football" section of the website:

- Lyon are still intent on signing Franck Ribery and David Trezeguet despite a story last week that they had pulled out of a move for Trezeguet as Juventus were simply asking too much. They are also apparently keen on Italian midfielder, Mauro Camoranesi.

- Zlatan Ibrahimovic demands a pay RISE to stay with Juventus. Yeah, that's gonna happen you moral-less, self-serving scumbag. :rolleyes:

- Atletico Madrid have called a press conference today concerning the future of striker, Fernando Torres.

- Carlos Dunga has been confirmed as the new manager of the Brazil national team.

- Czech defender, Tomas Ujfalusi, has hinted that he may stay with Fiorentina in Serie B despite constant rumours about him leaving.

- Inter Milan could make a move for unwanted Chelsea striker, Hernan Crespo as well as edging closer to signing Patrick Viera.

[boxshapedheart]

That home shirts collar is...odd.
Is it the same as the chelsea one?

People are throwing a bit of a strop about our new home kit only being for a season. Commemorating the first game won by the Busby Babes. Must say, that is it bit gay really. They're just trying to recoup some of that debt eh.
I reckon our kit's fine, it's the big boring AIG bit that looks rubbish. Oh well.


Arrogant cunt, he's what... 20? Why the fuck does he need to right a book already, he's barely even fucking lived. :rolleyes:
So did they get a monkey to translate Rooney's ramblings into an "autobiography"?

[Captain Stu]

Rumours are we'll only let him go to the blue scum if they send Gallas in the other direction. Wenger told the board that he's after "2 or 3 new players". I'm pretty sure both will be defenders, one central and one left sided. I doubt he'll go for a big name, as that's not his style. When Clichey is fit I can see him being a first choice, but we need some more experience, especially with Senderos being out for a few months.

We should get over £17 mill. Apparently we turned down a £16m bid and that will just go on to piss Cole even more. If anything, he owes the club for even standing by him and offering him a new contract after it.

Gallas alongside Toure would be fierce, he's a fantastic defender but I really couldn't see Chelsea letting him go now that Cannavaro has already moved on.

£25M is hopeful, very hopeful, I think if an offer closer to £20M came in then Wenger would be "persuaded" to accept it by the board, that's a lot of money for a player who's getting ever closer to a Bosman. May as well take as much money as possible, lick the wounds and find a replacement.

Grosso would be class and not too pricey seeing as he's only at Atalanta... I think.

[Bud]

The Man U shirt is as terrible as their squad. That's pretty bad.

[Captain Stu]

Is it the same as the chelsea one?

Yeah, Adidas make both shirts so they're doing the old "same design, different colour" routine. Wankers. :(

In fact, upon closer inspection, the Chelsea one doesn't appear to have a collar but ours seems to have a bit of one.

[Bud]

Gallas alongside Toure would be fierce, he's a fantastic defender but I really couldn't see Chelsea letting him go now that Cannavaro has already moved on.

£25M is hopeful, very hopeful, I think if an offer closer to £20M came in then Wenger would be "persuaded" to accept it by the board, that's a lot of money for a player who's getting ever closer to a Bosman. May as well take as much money as possible, lick the wounds and find a replacement.

Grosso would be class and not too pricey seeing as he's only at Atalanta... I think.

I would have accepted £16m to be honest, he can't be a good person to have in a squad. I'm confused though as Cole came out and said all these things about making Henry stay, then he goes.

I haven't seen enough of Grosso, but we really need a replacement.

[Captain Stu]

Aye, Grosso and Lahm are a bit unknown outside this one World Cup aren't they?

Tell you who could be tempted with first team football and Champions League... Wayne Bridgeola.

[Bud]

With Del Horno going Bridge will probably get more game time at the blue scum though. That's if Gallas isn't stuck out on the left again.

What does make me laugh is when Jose took over at Chelski he said he wouldn't make them into a team of superstars. Look at them now, the new Real Madrid.

[boxshapedheart]

The Man U shirt is as terrible as their squad. That's pretty bad.

Hurrumph.

It's not bad... we just haven't gone out spending. yet. Alot depends on how the Ruud/Ronaldo saga works out. As long as we have Heinze and Scholes coming back, that's major improvement already. Don't always need new blood, just new ideas and better team play.

[Captain Stu]

With Del Horno going Bridge will probably get more game time at the blue scum though. That's if Gallas isn't stuck out on the left again.

What does make me laugh is when Jose took over at Chelski he said he wouldn't make them into a team of superstars. Look at them now, the new Real Madrid.

Aye, fantastic players but a team that's lacking each season.

Hurrumph.

It's not bad... we just haven't gone out spending. yet. Alot depends on how the Ruud/Ronaldo saga works out. As long as we have Heinze and Scholes coming back, that's major improvement already. Don't always need new blood, just new ideas and better team play.

Heinze, yeah... Scholes, I don't see it... I think he's on his way out with Solskjaer now. Maybe a season or two left for nostalgia.

[Bud]

If Ruud goes then I think you're in real trouble. He's so consistant it's scary. Saha, Alan Smith (lolz) and Rossi will never be as good/consistant as him. If Ronaldo goes it makes your midfield look weak and old too. No doubt Scholes and Giggs are world class, but they're getting on now. Where is the new blood? Fletcher and Richardson are pretty poor, and wouldn't get into the Man U side of a few years ago.

[Captain Stu]

NEWS JUST IN:

1. Niall Quinn confirmed as Sunderland manager.

2. Joey Barton signs a new contract at Manchester City.

[Bud]

Niall Quinn, haha. Have fun in the Championship for the next few years Sunderland. Who's going to fire him when he starts dropping points?

[Captain Stu]

Apparently the reason behind it is that they wanted to appoint someone else but there were no takers. Gee, I wonder why... could that be that the Chairman is a complete n00b and a rubbish footballer with zero experience in running a football club, they have little money and a completely wank squad left by Shit McCarthy?

It's supposed to be a short-term appointment until someone else comes along... frankly, I don't think anyone will or if they do, it'll be someone shite.

[Bud]

Duff joined Newcastle over Tottenham and Liverpool because it "felt right". Yeah, a few thousand a more a week "right" :rolleyes:

[Captain Stu]

Duff joined Newcastle over Tottenham and Liverpool because it "felt right". Yeah, a few thousand a more a week "right" :rolleyes:

Innit, it's amazing how "right" a nice fat wage packet feels compared to regular first team football at a fast developing young side with a good manager in Europe.

[Bud]

Innit, it's amazing how "right" a nice fat wage packet feels compared to regular first team football at a fast developing young side with a good manager in Europe.

I've lost alot of respect for him, in all honesty.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

As soon as Man Utd get spending they'll look better i reckon. Also, they need to make sure they can replace Ronaldo (with a few players considering the money they could get!) and Ruud (i reckon Klose, if the deal is done quickly)

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Loving the Duff Jealousy in this thread :D

[Bud]

I'm not jealous of Duff at all. I'm pleased with the left sided players we've got already thanks.

[Captain Stu]

I've lost alot of respect for him, in all honesty.

Snap, he's been one of my favourite players for as long as I can remember... that's well and truly down the shitter now, the scumbag.

As soon as Man Utd get spending they'll look better i reckon. Also, they need to make sure they can replace Ronaldo (with a few players considering the money they could get!) and Ruud (i reckon Klose, if the deal is done quickly)

Klose could easily end up at United.

Loving the Duff Jealousy in this thread :D

It's hardly jealousy, I would have been happy if he joined Spurs (a side I enjoy watching) but he's chosen the money move to a shit club rather than a players move to a good club. Sure, I would have prefered him to come to Liverpool but the main race really was Spurs or Newcastle and he took the chicken shit way out.

[rob3000]

I'm not jealous of Duff at all. I'm pleased with the left sided players we've got already thanks.
Yeah, same here. To be honest it would have been nice but we really don't need him.

As for Newcastle having a better midfield than Liverpool, I still says that's ridiculous. The midfield was the reason we won so many games, the other teams just can't get anywhere near the ball when Sissoko, Alonso and Gerrard are playing. Those three, combined with Kewell who had a blinding second half to the season confirms to me a better midfield than Newcastle. Maybe on paper Newcastles is better, but even that's questionable.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

I dunno, to me Newcastle is a more glamorous club than Spurs

[Captain Stu]

Plus Emre and Parker could do well to try and find fitness before concentrating on form. Solano is a good crosser and free-kick taker but he's not really got much else.

Kewell - Gerrard - Alonso - Gonzalez (or swap the wingers round)
or
Gerrard - Sissoko - Alonso - Gonzalez

Hell, we can even play a 3-man midfield of Alonso, Sissoko and Gonzalez and play Kewell and Gerrard in support of a lone striker.

Awesome. :cool:

[Bud]

Newcastles big draw is the fact they idolize good players. Their support is pretty much second to none in the premiership. Shame about some of the players though.

[Captain Stu]

I dunno, to me Newcastle is a more glamorous club than Spurs

Maybe on paper, good stadium, good loyal vocal fans but look at the vast improvement in Spurs since Jol arrived. The players he's bought, the dead weight he's got rid of, the big names he's attracted (I still think Berbtov is a massive signing for any English club, his strike record is fantastic) and they play an attractive style of football than yields results.

Newcastle need a new back-four so bad it makes me cry.

[JackTom 2.0]

i don't think you can blame duff for going to the place which pays more. it is his career after all. i don't think it's fair to judge him on a decision like that

[Bud]

Mind you, if Duff just wanted money he could've just stayed at Chelski.

[boxshapedheart]

If Ruud goes then I think you're in real trouble. He's so consistant it's scary. Saha, Alan Smith (lolz) and Rossi will never be as good/consistant as him. If Ronaldo goes it makes your midfield look weak and old too. No doubt Scholes and Giggs are world class, but they're getting on now. Where is the new blood? Fletcher and Richardson are pretty poor, and wouldn't get into the Man U side of a few years ago.
I don't want Ruud to leave as long as he has sorted out his head. No time for strops this season. I was foaming at the mouth when I thought we might get Torres in his place, but that's not gonna happen. He prolly will be off soon enough though.

Ronaldo... hmm. He's gonna have a tough season. Refs are gonna let him get hacked and he's gonna have to deal with a whole lot of hatred. I bloody hope he can. He doesn't look like a tough'n though, so we're gonna have to get him through it and protect him.. even if he is a prize cunt. He needs to grow up and we need him to be creative for us. He's shown he's not loyal though so I can't see him sticking around for years.

Richardson's looking better again, but you're damn right that he wouldn't get in a few years back. Him and Saha aren't players I'd trust to go out and win a game for us.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

i don't think you can blame duff for going to the place which pays more. it is his career after all. i don't think it's fair to judge him on a decision like that

yeah, if it was a massive difference in clubs like Sheffield Utd instead of Spurs cos they paid more! then that'd be a bit shitty, but i think we can let him off with Newcastle

[Captain Stu]

For reference, check out Berbtov's career goals record. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berbatov)

Sarah, you are NOT having Torres. :mad: My plan is that he stays at Madrid for another year and then, following a long conference call conversation with Benitez, Alonso and Reina (with Garcia serving the tea and biscuits), he decides to come to his new spiritual home of Liverpool to play for my team. That's my plan, kindly stop ruining it! :(

[Bud]

I don't think Man U are as "attractive" to players as they used to be. They've missed out on a fair few players to Chelski, and that can't be all put down to money. That whole Nigerian guy who left without playing once to go to Chelski is a good example.

I'd say Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are held in higher regard than Man U now to players.

[Captain Stu]

I don't think Man U are as "attractive" to players as they used to be. They've missed out on a fair few players to Chelski, and that can't be all put down to money. That whole Nigerian guy who left without playing once to go to Chelski is a good example.

I'd say Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are held in higher regard than Man U now to players.

Jon Obi Mikel, another self-serving money-grubbing scummer cunt.

I'd agree and I think it's all down to the managers too, those three clubs are managed by people who are well thought of across Europe and, while Ferguson was, his decisions are getting more and more... what's the best term for it... kooky?

[boxshapedheart]

Loving the Duff Jealousy in this thread :D
Hmm, I'm not a great fan of Duff for a while. I wanted him before Chelsea got hold of him and he started adapting his play to include dives and whatnot...

5 mil is a bargain basement price though.
Mind you, if Duff just wanted money he could've just stayed at Chelski.
True I suppose. I guess this way he moves, gets money and can get hero worshipped for a while. Maybe he couldn't fit in with Chelski and could go back to the old Duff I used to like. Then Newc can trade him in for 15 mil or so later on. :)

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Ronaldo... hmm. He's gonna have a tough season. Refs are gonna let him get hacked and he's gonna have to deal with a whole lot of hatred. I bloody hope he can. He doesn't look like a tough'n though, so we're gonna have to get him through it and protect him.. even if he is a prize cunt. He needs to grow up and we need him to be creative for us. He's shown he's not loyal though so I can't see him sticking around for years.



Thing is i'd sooner see Ronaldo go if i was a Man Utd fan, especially after the blank cheque offer from Valencia! there are plenty of "tricky wingers" about like him, and plenty more with a more successful crossing output! You've also gotta wonder if his heart will be in it, i mean, he did pubicly say he want's out.



also, i gotta say cos it made me laugh, i really can't imagine you saying the word cunt! :)

[Bud]

his decisions are getting more and more... what's the best term for it... kooky?

Djemba Djemba :D

[Captain Stu]

If the Valencia thing is true, United (if they're smart) should use the opportunity to take in some money, keep it the fuck away from the Glazers and also get rid of a talentless, diving cockpouch too.

£20M.

[Captain Stu]

Djemba Djemba :D

Urgh, the African replacement for Roy Keane... yes, quite.

What about that Brazilian no-mark they signed, I can't even remember his name... Sarah, lil help?

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Djemba Djemba :D

He's always made bad singings! Erik Nevland anyone!? :D

but then again everyone makes a booboo every now and then. Fergusons successes have been really good, kinda makes up for it i think!

[Bud]

They need to realise they'll never get a Kean replacement, however much they try and force Alan Smith.

Who was the last player to come out and say he wants to play for United before joining? Rooney?

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Urgh, the African replacement for Roy Keane... yes, quite.

What about that Brazilian no-mark they signed, I can't even remember his name... Sarah, lil help?

Kleberson!!!

what a....


.....wait for it....


"Kleber" signing! :D

[boxshapedheart]

Urgh, the African replacement for Roy Keane... yes, quite.

What about that Brazilian no-mark they signed, I can't even remember his name... Sarah, lil help?
Kleberson. <3


Indeed.

[Captain Stu]

They need to realise they'll never get a Kean replacement, however much they try and force Alan Smith.

Who was the last player to come out and say he wants to play for United before joining? Rooney?

Probably yeah but, according to that article, Rooney would have joined anyone so I don't think that counts.

Also, losing Fake Plastic Ron wouldn't be that big a deal anyway, I'd sooner (if I was a United fan) see Park playing more anyway, that little lad got skillz.

[Captain Stu]

Kleberson!!!

what a....


.....wait for it....


"Kleber" signing! :D

*pushes you out a window*

That was terrible, just terrible, you awful person.

[boxshapedheart]

Sarah, you are NOT having Torres. :mad: My plan is that he stays at Madrid for another year and then, following a long conference call conversation with Benitez, Alonso and Reina (with Garcia serving the tea and biscuits), he decides to come to his new spiritual home of Liverpool to play for my team. That's my plan, kindly stop ruining it! :(
*ruins plan* :)

Thing is i'd sooner see Ronaldo go if i was a Man Utd fan, especially after the blank cheque offer from Valencia! there are plenty of "tricky wingers" about like him, and plenty more with a more successful crossing output! You've also gotta wonder if his heart will be in it, i mean, he did pubicly say he want's out.

also, i gotta say cos it made me laugh, i really can't imagine you saying the word cunt! :)
I know. He obv is gonna jump at a chance to leave.

and haha. I shall have to call someone a cunt the next time i see you.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

and haha. I shall have to call someone a cunt the next time i see you.

as long as it isn't me that's fine!

[Captain Stu]

*ruins plan* :)

You right royal shithead. :(

[boxshapedheart]

as long as it isn't me that's fine!
heh. Then you will need to ensure you do nothing cuntish. :)

You right royal shithead. :(
*adjusts crown* Quite. :D

You can't have EVERY Spanish player in the world you know?

[Captain Stu]

*adjusts crown* Quite. :D

You can't have EVERY Spanish player in the world you know?

Can too!! :( *kick in the shin*

[boxshapedheart]

*dives theatrically clutching face*

Fnar.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

heh. Then you will need to ensure you do nothing cuntish. :)



bollocks, a recent survey suggests that it's 91.8% likely that i will =/ i'm a Millwall fan, you know :)

[Two-Bob Peeters]

heh. Then you will need to ensure you do nothing cuntish. :)


*adjusts crown* Quite. :D

You can't have EVERY Spanish player in the world you know?

they can and they will! i think it's a secret attempt from the spanish to invade britain, that Benitez looks right dodgy he does, rather 'sneaky spanish general' like

[Captain Stu]

NEWS JUST IN: Torres confirms he is to stay at Atletico Madrid. :p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/5187184.stm

Also, as well as Barton staying with Man City, Micah Richards has signed a new deal too - both 4 years.

[boxshapedheart]

bollocks, a recent survey suggests that it's 91.8% likely that i will =/ i'm a Millwall fan, you know :)
There's still an 8.2% chance!

Survey says: X


NEWS JUST IN: Torres confirms he is to stay at Atletico Madrid. :p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/5187184.stm

Barsteward. :(

"I want to stay. If I had wanted to leave Atletico Madrid I would have done it years ago."

Haha, he's only 22! Is he saying he's gonna stay there forever then?

[Captain Stu]

Barsteward. :(

"I want to stay. If I had wanted to leave Atletico Madrid I would have done it years ago."

Haha, he's only 22! Is he saying he's gonna stay there forever then?

I can sort of see his logic for staying to be honest, new manager and new signings - he has to at least give another year or two, see how it pans out and then, if he decides to move, he'll be 24 and every club in the world would dream of having him... and then Benitez can work his magic. :D :o

[Two-Bob Peeters]

There's still an 8.2% chance!

Survey says: X



Random ookie footy related FACT.

my mums family made the auditions for Family Fortunes and beat Paul mersons family (obv. without Paul...) but still didn't qualify for the series

[Captain Stu]

Apparently the "£6M" that we bid for Pennant was actually closer to £3.5M. This bugs me, if Benitez wants the guy and Birmingham value him at £5M, just bid the £5M or we're gonna miss out on a winger again.

Benitez has confirmed that he hopes to sign "one or two" new players this week. :D

[Wish_Master2100]

Blah blah blah Liverpool this Liverpool that.

I'm going to the Community Sheild. HAH.

[Captain Stu]

Blah blah blah Liverpool this Liverpool that.

I'm going to the Community Sheild. HAH.

The Charity Shield is gash, it's just a big plate. :D

[Wish_Master2100]

The Charity Shield is gash, it's just a big plate. :D

Am I bothered?

Chelsea vs Liverpool?

Alright then.

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

I respect Torres alot. He's been at Athletico Madrid for so much longer than people expected him to be. Obviously he supported them as a kid but it's nice to see someone in football be loyal for a change and not demand the big money transfer as soon as it comes along.

He will go eventually, prob next year, but I admire the loyalty in then lad.

[sianihailz]

ooooo liverpool have got some well fit people!

[rob3000]

Torres is over-rated, I don't think he'd be as good as everyone thinks in the prem.

[rob3000]

Blah blah blah Liverpool this Liverpool that.

I'm going to the Community Sheild. HAH.
Cool.

[Captain Stu]

I respect Torres alot. He's been at Athletico Madrid for so much longer than people expected him to be. Obviously he supported them as a kid but it's nice to see someone in football be loyal for a change and not demand the big money transfer as soon as it comes along.

He will go eventually, prob next year, but I admire the loyalty in then lad.

Snap, rather an admirable move although I checked and he has said "I'll be here another year" which, let's face it, basically means "win the league in the next 12 months or I'm off, homie."

[Wish_Master2100]

Cool.

It is isn't it?

Do you go to many games?

[rob3000]

It is isn't it?

Do you go to many games?
Err, yeah I go to as many a season as I can get to - I work on saturdays. Usually about 5 or so. I don't see what you're trying to get at though.

[Wish_Master2100]

Err, yeah I go to as many a season as I can get to - I work on saturdays. Usually about 5 or so. I don't see what you're trying to get at though.

I'm just asking, I know Stu goes to a few games with his Dad's season ticket sometimes? Just wondered how many you went to.

You're always trying to start arguments. :(

[rob3000]

I apologize, it wasn't meant to sound that way.

[Captain Stu]

Yeah, I go when I can :) I'm gonna try to get tickets for our first home game of the season (West Ham) as Jan (Foofan janski) is over here and he really wants to go to a game. Plus it'd be cool to go early in the season and see all the new faces.

[Wish_Master2100]

Planning on more away games than homes ones this season, and hopefully going to more England games.

[Bud]

I'm hoping to at least make 4 Arsenal games this year. Home and away.

[Wish_Master2100]

I'm hoping to at least make 4 Arsenal games this year. Home and away.

There'll be plenty of spare seats at the new Super Emarites Bowl Dome.

[rob3000]

Liverpool set to seal Pennant move, bbc reports.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

I'm getting fed up of all this "they only go to Newcastle for the money" bollocks, I'm getting even more fed up with everyone treating us like we're a bunch of third division fucking lepers. Have some respect.

[rob3000]

I'm getting fed up of all this "they only go to Newcastle for the money" bollocks, I'm getting even more fed up with everyone treating us like we're a bunch of third division fucking lepers. Have some respect.
What do they go for? The big stadium or the love the fans they show them?

[Wish_Master2100]

I'm getting fed up of all this "they only go to Newcastle for the money" bollocks, I'm getting even more fed up with everyone treating us like we're a bunch of third division fucking lepers. Have some respect.

I agree with you there.

Newcastle are a massive club, with a huge following. All they lack is that little bit extra to make them great.

[Captain Stu]

There'll be plenty of spare seats at the new Super Emarites Bowl Dome.

I don't reckon there will ya know, I can see it being close to sell-out most of the time, so many more people are gonna get the chance to go than at Highbury... can only be a good thing.

Liverpool set to seal Pennant move, bbc reports.

You're not wrong there, pal.

Liverpool to seal Pennant signing

Birmingham must give Arsenal a quarter of any fee received for Pennant
Liverpool are close to sealing a £6.2m swoop for Birmingham winger Jermaine Pennant, according to a report.

Birmingham revealed earlier on Tuesday that they turned down a £3.5m offer for the 23-year-old from Liverpool.

Now the Press Association has been told by a source close to Blues that an improved bid has been accepted with Pennant now set for talks at Anfield.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said on Monday there "could be another two players in by the weekend".

One of those now seems certain to be Pennant, and it is claimed that Holland international Dirk Kuyt will be the other - if the Reds can negotiate Feyenoord down from their £12m asking price.

The Press Association's report says Liverpool have already failed with a player-plus-cash offer which would have seen Jan Kromkamp and Jerzy Dudek going to Feyenoord.

Pennant's arrival would solve Benitez's search for a right-sided midfielder, with his first choice, Sevilla's Daniel Alves, proving too pricy at £12m.

The Birmingham player is much cheaper, even after the Championship club negotiated the fee upwards because they knew they had to give Pennant's old club Arsenal a quarter of any cash receieved for him.

Blues boss Steve Bruce said earlier: "There has only been one bid of around £3.5m but we don't want to sell him for that."

They reportedly wanted £8m, but have settled for £6.2m, even though St Andrews managing director Karren Brady had said the player would not be sold at all.

Pennant's agent declined to comment on Tuesday evening.

The England Under-21 international, who joined Birmingham from Arsenal for £3m in April 2005, would join Wales striker Craig Bellamy at Anfield as Benitez looks to invest in young British talent.

But in Pennant, the Liverpool coach would be purchasing one of football's most notorious players.

In 2005 the midfielder become the first footballer to play in the Premiership while wearing an electronic tag. He had served 21 days in jail after being found guilty of drink driving while banned and having no insurance.

Originally Pennant had been banned from driving for 16 months in 2004 after being seen travelling in the wrong lane in Paddington, west London.

Also in 2005 it was reported that Birmingham sent the player home from training after he turned up under the influence of alcohol. And in a seperate incident that year, Pennant was alleged to have become involved in an argument with a man outside a restaurant on the Greek island of Zante, which led to the man punching him.

In 2003 Pennant was sent home from an England Under-21 training camp for breaking a curfew.

Maybe a tad over-priced but I think Arsenal's sell-on clause helped bump it up a bit. Oh well, hopefully it's true and we will FINALLY have two winger!! :cool:

Now, hopefully we can either wrap up a deal for Kuyt or move our attention/money elsewhere. Exciting times these. :D

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

What do they go for? The big stadium or the love the fans they show them?

If Duff was after money he'd have stayed at Chelsea.

He moved to Newcastle because he wants to play for a well supported team who have a lot of promise. Put Newcastle's performances right up against Spurs and what do you get?

Newcastle way in the lead.

Spurs

05/06 - 4th
04/05 - 9th
03/04 - 14th
02/03 - 10th
01/02 - 9th

Newcastle


05/06 - 7th
04/05 - 14th
03/04 - 5th
02/03 - 3rd
01/02 - 4th

Then when you look at cup progress Newcastle are again ahead.

Who's qualified for more finals? Newcastle.

Basically, Spurs have had one good season. That's it.

[Captain Stu]

But, look at Spurs the past 3 years - getting constantly better, a well-balanced team and a class manager... Newcastle have blipped to fuck.

Surely nobody in the world can say that Bramble and Boumsong are the solid base for any team? They're shocking.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

But, look at Spurs the past 3 years - getting constantly better, a well-balanced team and a class manager... Newcastle have blipped to fuck.

Surely nobody in the world can say that Bramble and Boumsong are the solid base for any team? They're shocking.

and if you look at Spurs you'll notice a high turn-over of players. Martin Jol has no restraint - he just buys buys buys then ignores those he doesn't play anymore. He's not a nice man to work under.

Our past history is the blame of Sheppard and Souness. Souness in particular destroyed our club. We're in a transitional period at the moment but we will be good again.

And when we are good again, we'll have the support to take us far further than Spurs. We could double their weekly attendances if we had a big enough stadium. Spurs have trouble selling out what they have.

[Captain Stu]

What would you say is gonna be Newcastle's starting line-up this year, based on current fitness and what not? Assume a 4-4-2 formation is possible.

[Captain Stu]

THIS JUST IN:

Following the appeals in the Italian match-fixing scandal, Fiorentina and Lazio have ESCAPED relegation but Juventus are still sent packing to Serie B with a 17 point handicap instead of the original 30 point one. Lazio lose 11 points and Fiorentina 17.

Milan lose 8 points and are sensationally allowed to compete in the Champions League.

* * *

I think allowing Milan into the Champions League is an absolute fucking joke. :mad:

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

What would you say is gonna be Newcastle's starting line-up this year, based on current fitness and what not? Assume a 4-4-2 formation is possible.


Given
Babayaro, Taylor, Moore, Carr
N'Zogbia, Emre, Parker, Solano
Duff, Ameobi

with Harper, Bramble, Milner, Pattison and Luque on the bench.

That back four (with Bramble instead of Taylor) conceded very few goals in the last ten games of last season. Taylor is far better than Bramble is.

The real weak link there is Babayaro, who's useless. Ameobi has actually been scoring regularly (one goal every other game in recent form). Plus we should be replacing Ameobi (probably selling Luque to aid it) with someone like Klose or Kuyt before the season starts proper. Moore is good for one more season, but we have David Edgar, Paul Huntington and Peter Ramage all coming through the youth and all looking really good.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

THIS JUST IN:

Following the appeals in the Italian match-fixing scandal, Fiorentina and Lazio have ESCAPED relegation but Juventus are still sent packing to Serie B with a 17 point handicap instead of the original 30 point one. Lazio lose 11 points and Fiorentina 17.

Milan lose 8 points and are sensationally allowed to compete in the Champions League.

* * *

I think allowing Milan into the Champions League is an absolute fucking joke. :mad:

Hah, everything I predicted has happened.

[Captain Stu]

That ruling is an absolute joke - one bent Italian act covers another, fucking typical.

So Milan have basically got off? So what they're penalised some league points, they got the big one by being back in the Champions League - that's a nice £30M jackpot for cheating. Bravo, fucking dickholes.

[Edge]

I wonder how many appeal members were bribed?
maybe they were AC milan fans.
It makes a mockery of the first judgement.
So it's ok to match fix now kids. all you will get is a slap on the wrist but think of all the money it's secured in the past.

argh!
football is run by dickheads.
why dont we just let match fixing go on. whoever comes up witht the best bribes win.

[Captain Stu]

Juve have been rightly punished and quite heavily... but the others, like Phil says, have just had the back of their legs smacked and been told to play nice with the other boys in the park.

Utter joke, imagine if that had been 4 English clubs! You'd be talking 5 year bans from all European competition, demotion to the conference and mandatory castration for all concerned.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Utter joke, imagine if that had been 4 English clubs! You'd be talking 5 year bans from all European competition, demotion to the conference and mandatory castration for all concerned.

Because they'd bribe the wrong people. The English can't do anything right.

[EvilElvis]

Juve have been rightly punished and quite heavily... but the others, like Phil says, have just had the back of their legs smacked and been told to play nice with the other boys in the park.

Utter joke, imagine if that had been 4 English clubs! You'd be talking 5 year bans from all European competition, demotion to the conference and mandatory castration for all concerned.


Fucking hell! When Marseilles (Read: Bernard Tapie) bribed CSKA Moscow (Now co owned by a certain Russian Billionaire...) to throw champiosn league games, they were releagted to French 2nd Div and Banned from European competitions for 5 years (I think)

I wonder how many "want away" players may now stay at Juventus as they'll be back within a year.

Wonder how much of an influence Berlusiconi had on this one.

What a fucking joke.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

That ruling is a fucking joke. The message i've got from that is that you can bung and throw games, get a bad punishment and then have it reduced to a slap on the wrists.

Wankers, the lot of them.

[Captain Stu]

Wonder how much of an influence Berlusiconi had on this one.

Let's be honest... a fucking lot.

[Vailent]

Question to you guys: What is your opinion about Sami Hyypiä
Cause in Finland people praise him. It happens if someone is knowed for something outside of Finland :D

[Captain Stu]

Question to you guys: What is your opinion about Sami Hyypiä
Cause in Finland people praise him. It happens if someone is knowed for something outside of Finland :D

He's a legend. He is easily one of the best players we ever signed and one of the best bargains ever, £2.7M for a talented, consistent player like that is phenomenal.

He'll go down in Liverpool history as he was the closest thing we ever got to Alan Hansen II.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Excellent defender. Old fashioned tough, no nonsense centre-half. He's started to wane (wain?) slightly in recent seasons with his age and is losing the speed that he never had anyway, but still. Top player.

[EvilElvis]

He'll go down in Liverpool history as he was the closest thing we ever got to Alan Hansen II.


Hypia better not become a shite pundit!

[Captain Stu]

Yeah, he's lost his pace over the past 2 years but that's forced him to become more like Tony Adams towards the end of his career - focus more on his positioning but, still, he does get caught out by pacy forwards but that's why we've bought Agger and now Paletta too, two young centre halfs to learn from Sami.

When he's retired, I'd like to see him take his coaching courses and then return to Liverpool as a defensive coach, he'd be a brilliant role model for youngsters - proof that you can do just as much with a carefully placed toe-poke as you can with a 15-yard leg-snaping slide.

[Captain Stu]

Hypia better not become a shite pundit!

Hansen's ace, heathen! Especially when he calls things "diabolical"... it's Lawro, the closet Manc, you wanna be careful with.

[EvilElvis]

Hansen's ace, heathen! Especially when he calls things "diabolical"... it's Lawro, the closet Manc, you wanna be careful with.


I remember a time when Hansen was Scottish and Lawro was Irish...

[sunnydalehighdropout]

I remember a time when Hansen was Scottish and Lawro was Irish...
I remember a time when Gordon Brown was Scottish [/unrelated sold-his-soul-to-the-devil quip]

[Captain Stu]

I remember a time when Hansen was Scottish and Lawro was Irish...

Nah, Big Al is English and Lawro is German.

[Vailent]

He's a legend. He is easily one of the best players we ever signed and one of the best bargains ever, £2.7M for a talented, consistent player like that is phenomenal.

He'll go down in Liverpool history as he was the closest thing we ever got to Alan Hansen II.
Thats good to hear... Well we love him too. Only star player in our national team :D

[Captain Stu]

Thats good to hear... Well we love him too. Only star player in our national team :D

Isn't he considered like a God over there?

[Vailent]

Isn't he considered like a God over there?
Well I was so young and i didnt watch football when Hyypiä was in best shape.
But yeah, people who follow football are showing respect for him.
Finland and football= Sad :D

[Ian Mc]

Hyppia is awesome, one of the best defenders in the Premiership...ever!!
Newcastle turned down the chance to sign him after we had him on trial...oh that turned out to be a dark day on tyne side :(

This Italian thing is an outrage, especially with AC Milan...how do you get into the champions league? Work your ass of an win games (buy your domestc leauge in Chelsea's case) that's how.....or just fix some games, that should work!!
Pathetic!!

[weeniebeenie]

Hyppia is awesome, one of the best defenders in the Premiership...ever!!
Newcastle turned down the chance to sign him after we had him on trial...oh that turned out to be a dark day on tyne side :(

Lucky you had Boumsong and Bramble lined up.

[Captain Stu]

This Italian thing is an outrage, especially with AC Milan...

Yeah, that's the biggest kicker for me - allow a team who's just been heavily involved in a match fixing scandal which could go back years and years back into the premier European competition just because the club President has a hissy fit about it.

I said to Phil, all the teams who have been affected by the non-releagation of Lazio and Fiorentina and the re-jig of European places should be financially compensated and it should come out of the pockets of AC MIlan, Fior and Lazio.

[EvilElvis]

Loads of corruption in the beautiful game (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5172576.stm) :(

[Captain Stu]

Loads of corruption in the beautiful game (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5172576.stm) :(

So much dodginess...

[Ian Mc]

I'm getting fed up of all this "they only go to Newcastle for the money" bollocks, I'm getting even more fed up with everyone treating us like we're a bunch of third division fucking lepers. Have some respect.

Thank you!!
I don't understand the new found love for Spurs, even if they keep up their form, they'll end up like a joke too!
Duff didn't come to Newcastle for the money, Chelsea gave him the option of staying and he didn't, he would have been there, won things and had a life in the big ol London...but he had a belief in us. We beat Chelsea on the last game of last season and our crowd was on such a high after finishing so high up considering our start, St James Park fans are unbeatable when they're happy...I have a feeling that had an impact on him.

We're still a big club, and we have not gotten worse, last season we finished with more points than we did when we finished 5th the other year and definitely more than the year before, we only won one less game than Spurs last season too, not bad considering we only really started things in Feb.

Yes, we're not the team that was once 12 points clear at the top of the table, but that is mainly because Freddie came in and had no idea what he was doing at first and Kenny Dalglish was totally inept in every department, we'd probably have a league winners medal or two behind us if wasn't for him...he has to take a lot more blame than Souness and even Ruud Gullit, who to his credit was working with Dalglish's mess for the best part.
The only thing that has knocked us since is Souness but mostly egotistical, arsehole players such as Craig Bellamy, Patrick Kluivert and Laurent Robert, just to name a few...how can you perform as a team when you have guys tearing you apart from inside? And then there's players like Jermaine Jenas and Hugo Viana who just wanted to pick up a pay cheque.
It's hard to be successful with players like that, but work is being done, I'm gettng over optimistic, there's still way too much to do before getting it right, but I'm liking how things are taking shape, we just need player who want to do their best and sadly there's not too many of those in the premiership now.
We've had one bad season in 5 and a half years and we rarely miss out on Europe so come on! Can Spurs say that?

And our 4-4-2 at the moment would be

Given
Carr Taylor Bramble Babyaro
Solano Emre Parker N'Zogbia
Ameobi Duff

Not too great, but hopefully there will be singings to come....but it's pretty much the same team who out played the majority of teams we played at the end of last season (including Spurs...and Chelsea's C team)...Bramble is very flawed but he was a rock at the end of the season, against Wigan he was class and so was N'Zogbia, he was probably our best player! And Ameobi was more often than not on the score sheet or setting people up.....it was just belief, something that hasn't been seen in a Newcastle team for a while, if we keep it then we're better than Spurs and a top 6 team for sure...it's progress!

[Two-Bob Peeters]

I'm just asking, I know Stu goes to a few games with his Dad's season ticket sometimes? Just wondered how many you went to.

You're always trying to start arguments. :(

Lolz at Rob, the one man argument.

Membership forms out on the website by the way, first away game is Orient away. not sure i i'll go that though

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Lolz at Rob, the one man argument.

Membership forms out on the website by the way, first away game is Orient away. not sure i i'll go that though

Do you need special membership to purchase tickets for away matches?

At Leeds you have to have apply and have an Away Card.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Do you need special membership to purchase tickets for away matches?

At Leeds you have to have apply and have an Away Card.

yeah you need to be a member of the Millwall Supporters Club, and 'cos of the Brum riots you have to have a clean past, pretty much. they don't give them out to any old sod. although some unrulys still get hold of tickets by turning up at away matches on the day w/out a ticket!

[EvilElvis]

Arsenal have upped their asking price for Chelsea target Ashley Cole to £30m. (Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror)

Or, £20m will be enough to take the England left-back to Stamford Bridge next week. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal will use £10m of the eventual fee for Cole to sign Yossi Benayoun from West Ham, but he is also a target for Liverpool. (Independent).

West Ham are hoping to sign Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips on a season-long loan. (The Sun)

Chelsea have offered a new five-year contract to William Gallas, who has one year left on his current deal. (Times)

Frank Lampard is staying at Stamford Bridge after Barcelona dropped their interest in signing him because of his poor World Cup (Times)

But Didier Drogba says he could still leave Chelsea. (The Sun)

Sol Campbell could sign for Italian side Fiorentina following their reinstatement to Serie A for next season. (Mirror)

Tottenham are resigned to seeing midfielder Michael Carrick join Manchester United after he rejected their latest contract offer. (Guardian)

Spurs will turn to veteran Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved as a replacement for Carrick. (Guardian)

United are to offer £12m for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe after being snubbed by Fernando Torres. (Star)

Manchester City keeper David James and Rennes shotstopper Andreas Isaksson are both targets for Portsmouth. (Various)

Bolton are set to make a surprise bid for veteran Manchester City striker Andy Cole. (Independent)

Wigan Athletic are confident of beating Charlton to the £1.75m signing of Crystal Palace defender Enmerson Boyce. (Various)

Another Palace player, winger Jobi McAnuff has handed in a transfer request and is in wanted by Watford and Sheffield United. (Times, Guardian)

Wolves want to sign Everton midfielder Lee Carsley. (The Sun)

Blackburn are close to completing a £3m deal for Porto's South African striker Benni McCarthy. (Daily Star)

Tottenham boss Martin Jol is considering a £6m bid for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing. (The Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is close to agreeing a deal to club management and could combine his new job with coaching Jamaica. (Independent)

Ex-Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen says Blues players are scared of Stamford Bridge boss Jose Mourinho. (Various)

Manchester United forward Alan Smith has returned to training five months after suffering a horrific broken leg. (The Sun)

[Captain Stu]

Arsenal's price for Cole is getting ridiculous now, they're clearly trying to bleed Chelsea... which is fair enough I suppose, they deserve it, but £30M? Nah way.

Arsenal will use £10m of the eventual fee for Cole to sign Yossi Benayoun from West Ham, but he is also a target for Liverpool. (Independent).

Strange, I thought the Benayoun talk had all died down - I couldn't see us buying Pennant and him.

- A loan move for Shaun would be great, help him cement his England place... as I think that, if he does move to Liverpool, Pennant come find himself back in the setup if he keeps out of trouble.

- LOLZ @ Fatpard, denied the chance to join the best team in the world who just got a lot better!

- If Carrick leaves Spurs for United now, he's a fool, Spurs is a better environment for him to learn his trade and he's still only very young in footballing terms. I think he'll crash and/or burn if he goes to United this year. United want him to replace Keane and he showed during the World Cup that as good a ball playeras he is, he's not a great ball winner.

[Renegades of funk 8]

got my season ticket, yay! it's a nice modern credit card type one (to hell with those rip out the paper slip ones) and it fits nicely into my wallet


oh and how cool is this, if i want to, i can have my name on my season ticket seat!

[Captain Stu]

got my season ticket, yay! it's a nice modern credit card type one (to hell with those rip out the paper slip ones) and it fits nicely into my wallet


oh and how cool is this, if i want to, i can have my name on my season ticket seat!

Do they have the swipe card thing at Fulham now? If it's the same as at Anfield and they tell you you HAVE to use the gate that's printed on the card, it's a load of bollocks. You can use any gate.

[Captain Stu]

Oohhh also, Scott Carson has signed a new 5-year contract with us, that signals the absolute end of Jerzy Dudek's Liverpool career really.

Shouold sign Pennant either today or tomorrow. :)

[Renegades of funk 8]

Do they have the swipe card thing at Fulham now? If it's the same as at Anfield and they tell you you HAVE to use the gate that's printed on the card, it's a load of bollocks. You can use any gate.

yes i think it is, i remember man citeh used to have it, and a few other grounds have too but for some reason last season at citeh we had the paper/card tickets :confused:

i hope i can use any gate, superstition and all that

[Captain Stu]

Superstition is great.

[Captain Stu]

Anyone know how Spurs have been lining up their forwards? I think they've been playing with all three up front (Keane, Defoe and Berbatov) but I wondered if they were playing a straight 4-3-3 (probably Keane on the left, Berbatov on the right with Defoe through this middle) or is Berbatov being played out wide-right... as I heard before they signed him that he may play there sometimes.

Tar. :)

[Bud]

£30m? haha

Also, this Benayoun news is interesting. Wenger said we didn't need anymore attacking players, although I was impressed with him last year at West Ham. I still think we need defenders more.

[Captain Stu]

It'd certainly be interesting... but I dunno where he'd fit in, he plays wide-right for West Ham, where Ljungberg's been playing, right?

The only way I could see if would be Ljungberg on the left, Bennayoun on the right, Fabregas and Rosicky in the middle... but then what about Gilberto Silva? He had a good season last year so it'd be a tad harsh to drop him.

Plus it's gonna be enough to bed one new midfielder in, let alone two.

[Bud]

Freddie has been playing increasingly on the left. Even more so than Pires did during his last season. I quite like what I saw of Benayoun last year, and his passing style would certainly fit in well with us.

I think the fact is Wenger is looking for more "squad" players. With having to qualify fo the CL we're going to have to look after our players, especially after the WC too. There may well be some squad rotation next year, making sure that everyone stays fit. Wenger couldn't afford to do it last year.

We STILL need defenders though :(

[Captain Stu]

Aye, very true - Arsenal could do with more squad players... shouldn't be too hard to replace some defenders, depending on how much you get for Cole.

Say it was £20M, you definately need a replacement left back, a new centre half and I think a utility defender who can play anywhere across the back is always handy to have, a young one who can be picked up on the cheap and gradually grow into the role.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Lolz @ Bolton re: "andyandyandyandy cooooooooooole" what a load of pony!

[rob3000]

30m for Cole? Has the world gone mad?

[Captain Stu]

30m for Cole? Has the world gone mad?

I think it would be classed as "due compensation" or something like that.

[Captain Stu]

ROB!! UPDATE:

1. Jermaine Pennant is current at Anfield undergoing a medical!! :D His move could be completed by the end of the day.

2. We've given a new, 4-year contract to 18 year old winger, Paul Anderson, who impressed during the Youth Cup Final against Man City.

3. We've signed a young Greek forward by the name of Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (hahahaha) after he was spotted by our new chief scout, Eduardo Macia, playing for PAOK Salonika.

[rob3000]

Interesting news. I'm quite please by the arrival of Pennant, and that Anderson guy really impressed me last season for the Youth team. Obviously, I have no idea who the other guy is.

Cheers.