The Footie (UK) Thread: 2006/07

[Edge]

er thanks :o
i am actually a bit embarassed.

[Captain Stu]

Show off, you'd better be shit at real football. :mad:

(Don't be embarrased homeslice, them's some mad skillzzzzzz and they should be shared)

[Foo Fighters, United Kingdom]

Maaaaaaad Skillzzzzzzzzz!

[Captain Stu]

Pennat set-up both of our goals against Kaislerslauten the other day, good lad!!

[Edge]

Pennat set-up both of our goals against Kaislerslauten the other day, good lad!!

do ya think pennant will cement a starting place pretty quick?
i was toying with the idea of putting him in my fantasy team
i was salivating at the thought of how many times crouchy will nod a pennant cross in.
pennant instead of cahill?

[EvilElvis]

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chelsea hope to sign Arsenal defender Ashley Cole for £25m this week. (The Sun)

Tottenham are set to make a new bid for Wigan defender Pascal Chimbonda - by offering a swap deal involving Danny Murphy and Andy Reid, plus cash. (Daily Mirror)

Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos, who had been linked to Chelsea, is on the verge of a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce. (Daily Express)

Real Madrid are preparing a £14m offer for Spain international Jose Antonio Reyes. (Daily Mail)

Defender Robbie Elliott has edged closer to a move to Sunderland following his release by Newcastle by turning in an impressive performance as the Black Cats beat Carlisle in a friendly. (Daily Express)

Portsmouth will make a fresh move to try to persuade former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell to join the south-coast club. (Daily Star)

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has admitted that he needs to strengthen his squad. (Daily Mail)

Bolton defender Radhi Jaidi is in talks with Birmingham after being told he can leave the Reebok Stadium. (The Times)

Wolves are in talks with ex-Birmingham defender Jamie Clapham, who has appeared as a trialist with Sheffield United, over a possible deal. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham have made a £2.5m offer to Belgian club Standard Liege for USA World Cup defender Oguchi Onyewu. (The Sun)

Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry has made it clear to representatives at the club that he wants to leave, though he has not made a formal transfer request. (The Guardian)

Aberdeen will decide on Monday if they want to sign Zambian winger Christopher Katongo. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP
Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo has warned his family to stay away from England because of safety fears following his World Cup row with Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney. (The Sun)

Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo, who sent off England's Wayne Rooney in this summer's World Cup quarter-final with Portugal, has hit out at the striker for being a whinger, saying that he was "complaining all the time". (Various)

Defender Jonathan Woodgate is desperate to stay injury-free at Real Madrid and put himself back in contention with England. (Various)

West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas, who has been fined three times for failing to return to pre-season training and who wants to join Cardiff, has been told by Baggies boss Bryan Robson he will continue to be fined until he returns. (Daily Star)

Chelsea and England defender John Terry believes that the new boss of his national team, Steve McClaren, is the perfect person for the job. (Various)

It is becoming increasingly doubtful that the new Wembley will be ready for the 2007 FA Cup final. (Daily Telegraph)


FUNNIES
Robbie Williams has been invited to get himself into shape for a string of concerts in Germany by training with Bayern Munich. The club's sporting director, Uli Hoeness, said: "Naturally we'll ask Robbie join us."

Scotland Under-19 coach Tommy Wilson has revealed that he was sent a text message on behalf of veteran rocker Rod Stewart after his side's 2-1 European Championship final defeat to Spain. (Daily Record)

[Two-Bob Peeters]

do ya think pennant will cement a starting place pretty quick?
i was toying with the idea of putting him in my fantasy team
i was salivating at the thought of how many times crouchy will nod a pennant cross in.
pennant instead of cahill?

it's tough, it depends on the scoring system. Cahill will pretty much guarantee you 8 goals as a minimum, and he'll play every game, so he'll get better ratings, possibly.

[Captain Stu]

Arsenal should take the £14M for Reyes and go buy a GOOD player.

Wigan have apparently rejected Spurs player-plus-cash offer for Chimbonda.

*

do ya think pennant will cement a starting place pretty quick?
i was toying with the idea of putting him in my fantasy team
i was salivating at the thought of how many times crouchy will nod a pennant cross in.
pennant instead of cahill?

I think he will, yeah, he's taken to the team pretty quickly by the looks of things. The way I see it - he doesn't need to settle in a new country, he doesn't need to learn a new language, it's not a gigantic move in terms of Geography and he's proven himself at Premiership level... all he's got to do is get used to playing with class players around him (Finnan overlapping, Gerrard and the Xabster inside, etc...) and he's off.

His first half dozen games may may sub appearances but, after that, I think he's right winger numero uno - that's what he's been bought for, the left winger is different because we have a few but we have no out and out right winger... we've always relied on centre mids (Gerrard, Sissoko) or forwards (Cisse, Garcia) to cover that shiz.

Pennants crosses + Crouch's head = AMAZING... but only if Crouch improves his heading, he needs to stop leaping so goddamn high and fucking up.

Cahill's good... but I think Pennant is ten times the player once he gets his head down and plays fusbol.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuWchh8qBgw

me posing with a football
blatant rip-off from dave.
clip is a bit dark, nevermind.

show off cunt!!!

bare jealousy down these endz bredder, innit.

i've always been shit at the mad skillz :(

[Two-Bob Peeters]

t is becoming increasingly doubtful that the new Wembley will be ready for the 2007 FA Cup final. (Daily Telegraph)

why does the media insist on putting wembley down. what are they on? have you seen the pictures? the stadium is practically complete

[Captain Stu]

Wembley is no longer relevant, it's not "the home of football", it's a total waste of money - the national stadium should have been moved to Birmingham or scrapped and kept it as they do now where England games move around the country and play cup finals at the magnificent Millllllllennnnnnnium stadium.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Cahill's good... but I think Pennant is ten times the player once he gets his head down and plays fusbol.

disagree with that completely, there are plenty of better or similar wingers around than pennant (£6.7m is a con). whereas cahill is probably one of the best in his field, of being a goal scoring, hard tackling, skillful box-to-box midfielder.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Wembley is no longer relevant, it's not "the home of football", it's a total waste of money - the national stadium should have been moved to Birmingham or scrapped and kept it as they do now where England games move around the country and play cup finals at the magnificent Millllllllennnnnnnium stadium.

it'll be the best stadium in the world. and it just has to be at wembley, because it's wembley.

Millenium stadium is in Wales, it's great and all that, but we need our own national stadium

[Captain Stu]

The fee went up because of the sell-on clause, Birmingham paid around £3.5M and Arsenal got something like 25% of his fee so that jacked it up quite a bit as Birmingham wanted to make sure they at least made a profit on the fee.

[Edge]

was it 2001 when we played out last game at wembley?
it's going to be at least 6 years without a national stadium.
has this ever happened anywhere else before?
olympics! ha! maybe we should put it back til 2024.

[rob3000]

was it 2001 when we played out last game at wembley?
it's going to be at least 6 years without a national stadium.
has this ever happened anywhere else before?
olympics! ha! maybe we should put it back til 2024.
2000. First Fa Cup at Cardiff was 2001, wasn't it? I wanted Liverpool to be the first and last team to win the Fa Cup at Cardiff, never mind.

[Edge]

7 fucking years!!!!!!!!! that's even worse. :(

[Captain Stu]

The Milllllllllllllllennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnium stadium is awesome.

You know what else is awesome? LIVERPOOL ON THE TELE!!! :)

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

What fantasy footy are we doing this season then?

I remember someone setting up a league but can't remember which one.

[Captain Stu]

What fantasy footy are we doing this season then?

I remember someone setting up a league but can't remember which one.

This one mate: http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

Hahahaha, we're 2-0 down to Grasshopper Zurich.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

we're doing yahoo too!

[Captain Stu]

we're doing yahoo too!

When they start it, yeah.

[JackTom 2.0]

i've been to the millenium stadium quite a few times and yeah it's awesome :D

if i remember correctly the millenium stadium went through problems in getting ready for the 1999 rugby world cup and they pulled through so hopefully wembley's just going through that (although it is getting ridicilous...)

[Captain Stu]

In the two years it's taken Wembley to be delayed, Arsenal built and played their first game in the Emirates Stadium.

It's all aboot organisation - Arsenal's bags full of it and the FA's distinct lack of it.

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

That was pretty difficult to pick actually, anyway here's my team:

GK - Robbo

DF - Nelsen
DF - Terry
DF - A. Ferdinand
DF - Assou Ekotto

MF - Rosicky
MF - Alonso
MF - Landzaat
MF - Nolan

ST - Shevchenko
ST - Berbatov

Subs:
Hahnemann
Distin
Sidwell
Lita

[Captain Stu]

That was pretty difficult to pick actually, anyway here's my team:

GK - Robbo

DF - Nelsen
DF - Terry
DF - A. Ferdinand
DF - Assou Ekotto

MF - Rosicky
MF - Alonso
MF - Landzaat
MF - Nolan

ST - Shevchenko
ST - Berbatov

Subs:
Hahnemann
Distin
Sidwell
Lita

Is that the new Spurs defender?

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Is that the new Spurs defender?

Yeah, plays left-back.

Been pretty impressive so far in pre-season.

[Captain Stu]

How much on the fantasy game?

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

How much on the fantasy game?

5.0

[Captain Stu]

Interesting, my team is quite unbalanced at the mo - high scoring yet not "big name" defenders, bit of a gash midfield apart from Gerrard... and then awesome strikers! :D

Reina
Warner

Chimbonda
Someill
Neill
Eboue
King

Gerrard
Arteta
P. Neville (reeeeeeeally wanna get rid)
Tugay
Ifill

Bellamy
Berbybabytov
Henry

(Bold denotes they're in my starting 11)

[Captain Stu]

Wait a second, Ed... NO KING?! I thought he'd have been first on your team sheet (after Bebry of course) even though he's injured.

How much of the season are Spurs expecting him to miss?

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Those strikers could win you the league by themselves!

Oh yeah, whats the league details so I can join?

[Captain Stu]

Those strikers could win you the league by themselves!

Oh yeah, whats the league details so I can join?

The code is: 168251-32032

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Wait a second, Ed... NO KING?! I thought he'd have been first on your team sheet (after Bebry of course) even though he's injured.

How much of the season are Spurs expecting him to miss?

Only 6-8 weeks or something.

I'd love Ledley in the team but I've already got 3 Spurs players. Robbo(Naturally), Assou Ekotto (Cheap), and Berby (Potentially awesome).

If he wasn't injured I prob would've put him in straight away.

[Captain Stu]

Aahhh right, the 3 players rule is harsh - I would've had most of our squad in mine if I could have... hopefully King won't miss too many games but I wondered - say, worst case scenario, he misses 8 weeks from now - that could well be be about 5-6 games plus he then has to get match fit.

[Wish_Master2100]

In the two years it's taken Wembley to be delayed, Arsenal built and played their first game in the Emirates Stadium.

It's all aboot organisation - Arsenal's bags full of it and the FA's distinct lack of it.

Arsenal's stadium took around 8 years (I think, maybe more) from start to finish.

The FA have nothing to do with the building of Wembley, and Arsenal have nothing to do with the building of The Emarites Bowl Dome. They pay the money, and the work is handed over.

[Captain Stu]

I wonder, drop King and replace with this Assou-Ekotto and then put King back in when he's fit. I dunno how this works - do players values drop and rise (they probably do) according to performances and points?

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Aahhh right, the 3 players rule is harsh - I would've had most of our squad in mine if I could have... hopefully King won't miss too many games but I wondered - say, worst case scenario, he misses 8 weeks from now - that could well be be about 5-6 games plus he then has to get match fit.

Yeah its not good. He's our most important player for sure. Without him our defence looks noticeably weaker. I just hope that Dawson and Gardner/Davenport can make an effective pairing quickly.

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

I wonder, drop King and replace with this Assou-Ekotto and then put King back in when he's fit. I dunno how this works - do players values drop and rise (they probably do) according to performances and points?

I'm not sure but I don't think they do. I did another fantasy footy for the WC which is exactly the same format. In that one, the values stayed the same throughtout.

But this one may be different cos it lasts the whole season.

[Captain Stu]

Yeah its not good. He's our most important player for sure. Without him our defence looks noticeably weaker. I just hope that Dawson and Gardner/Davenport can make an effective pairing quickly.

I always liked Gardner alongside King, he seemed to do well but with Dawson, I dunno, they both seem to be the "submissive" defender and they lack King, the dominant one who keeps the back-four together and controls everything.

The game has that Huddlestone listed as a defender, I thought he was a central midfielder seeing as he was being mentioned as a possible replacement for Carrick? :confused: Where's he been playing pre-season (if at all)?

[O.B.gene]

come on Southend! :D

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

I always liked Gardner alongside King, he seemed to do well but with Dawson, I dunno, they both seem to be the "submissive" defender and they lack King, the dominant one who keeps the back-four together and controls everything.

The game has that Huddlestone listed as a defender, I thought he was a central midfielder seeing as he was being mentioned as a possible replacement for Carrick? :confused: Where's he been playing pre-season (if at all)?

He can play both. He started off as a defender and then Derby began to develop him as a defensive midfielder. He's played in both positions for us in the past but he's been playing centre-mid so far this pre-season.

[Captain Stu]

He can play both. He started off as a defender and then Derby began to develop him as a defensive midfielder. He's played in both positions for us in the past but he's been playing centre-mid so far this pre-season.

Very interesting... time to ponder!

[Captain Stu]

Here:

Player prices vary during the season dependent on the popularity of the player in the transfer market. Player values will not change until the season starts.

If you sell a player for a higher price than you paid, then a sell-on fee of 50% (rounded up to the nearest 0.1 million) will be applied on the profits. For example, if you buy a player for 4.2 million and when you transfer him his value is 4.5 million then you will only receive 4.3 million.

Hmmmm.

[rob3000]

The Milllllllllllllllennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnium stadium is awesome.

You know what else is awesome? LIVERPOOL ON THE TELE!!! :)
Not when we play like that it isn't!

[Captain Stu]

Not when we play like that it isn't!

True, but I'm not that bothered - there were major plus points:

- Bellamy looked sharp, quick as fuck and linked up well.
- Pennant covered the wing well.
- Crouch looked alright when he came on.
- Gerrard seems intent on starting this season how he finished the last one.

*thumbs up*

[rob3000]

True, Crouch did well when he came on, had a few good chances, Bellamy looked sharp and fucking fast! Pennant got involved and I reckon he's just lacking the sharpness at the moment.

Sissoko had a great game too.

[EvilElvis]

2000. First Fa Cup at Cardiff was 2001, wasn't it? I wanted Liverpool to be the first and last team to win the Fa Cup at Cardiff, never mind.

Last International at Wembely was when Germany beat England 1-0 and Keegan quit straight after the game

[rob3000]

Last International at Wembely was when Germany beat England 1-0 and Keegan quit straight after the game
Yupp..Hamann with his 40 yard goal.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Warner


Ifill


loving it!, if you made a team out of the ex millwall players in the premieshipi reckon it'd do pretty well!

If ifill stays fit for Sheffield Utd i reckon he could score a few goals, always good for some back up points

[Edge]

I have changed my fantasy team 5 or 6 times already. i'm so glad that there is unlimited transfers until the season starts.

the transer system is kinda like the stock exchange when it comes to fluctuating prices and selling on prices.

on another note
we have signed DAVID LIVERMORE!!
he only went to leeds on the 22nd july.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

hahaha, one for Danyul, you really couldn't make it up, two weeks after signing dave livermore from us, you've sold him to Hull City! apparantly you only signed livermore because Kevin Nicholls turned you down, but then a week later he changed his mind! so you've fucked Livers off!

excellent :D

[Two-Bob Peeters]

I have changed my fantasy team 5 or 6 times already. i'm so glad that there is unlimited transfers until the season starts.

the transer system is kinda like the stock exchange when it comes to fluctuating prices and selling on prices.

on another note
we have signed DAVID LIVERMORE!!
he only went to leeds on the 22nd july.

DAVE LIVERMORE IS FUCKING WANK!!!

[Edge]

i remember you saying when he went to leeds. :(

WHY THE FUCK ARE WE BUYING MORE MIDFIELDERS?!?!?!?!

[EvilElvis]

Is The Special One Losing His Touch? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/5233914.stm)

Gallas rift with Chelsea deepens

Chelsea have confirmed that defender William Gallas will not join the club on their pre-season tour of the USA.
Gallas was supposed to report back to their training camp in Los Angeles on Monday but failed to turn up.

"He did not report and further action will now be considered by the club as a consequence," read a Chelsea statement.

His agent, Pierre Frelot, told BBC Sport that Gallas, 28, was delayed for personal reasons and that talks over his future will be held with Chelsea.

Gallas told the Blues in May that he wanted to leave - amid reports that he was unhappy at playing at full-back instead of his preferred centre-back.

His current contract runs out in 2007 and he has yet to sign a new one.

The Chelsea statement added: "Gallas was due to join the team with the other Chelsea players who participated in the World Cup semi-finals and final.

"William requested extra time off following the World Cup but was informed he should still report to Los Angeles on the date previously agreed with him.

"Pre-season training and the tour is about building team spirit among our squad and extra leave is only granted for valid football-related reasons.


"Discussions between Chelsea and William about a new contract are already well documented and ongoing. He has one year left on his current contract."

Gallas, who has been linked with Italian side AC Milan, is expected to return to London on Friday from his holiday in Guadeloupe.

The France international has been offered a new four-year contract and Chelsea have said they are not willing to sell him.

Gallas, a £6m signing from Marseille, has made more than 200 appearances for Chelsea in five years.

[EvilElvis]

'Nando's back (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/5230772.stm)

Disgraced Ricksen back at Rangers


Defender Fernando Ricksen returned to training with Rangers on Tuesday.
The Dutchman worked one-on-one with a fitness coach and not with the rest of the Rangers first-team squad.

Ricksen was sent home from Rangers' South Africa tour following a drunken incident on a flight and checked into the Sporting Chance Clinic.

A club spokesman said: "There is nothing to read into the fact Fernando trained on his own. He needs to build up his fitness after being away."

Ricksen arrived back in Glasgow on Sunday after undergoing residential counselling for anger management at Sporting Chance.

Rangers chairman David Murray has insisted that the final decision on the future of Ricksen will be made by manager Paul Le Guen.

I've been training very hard, so mentally and physically I feel very good

Fernando Ricksen

Murray told the Evening Times newspaper: "Paul Le Guen is the manager of Rangers and is in charge of all matters relating to the team.

"Fernando has been a good player for Rangers over the years, and he's had his moments as well.

"What happens next will be down to Paul. No-one else."

When asked if he could rescue his Ibrox career, Ricksen told the Daily Record: "I hope so, I'm here aren't I?

"I've been working very hard, I've been training very hard, so mentally and physically I feel very good."

The 30-year-old expressed his regret at his behaviour on the plane which led to his being sent back home by Le Guen.

He said: "Yes, I definitely regret the incident but I can't say too much about it. I want to look forward.

"But it is good to be back home again. I do miss Glasgow very much when I'm away."

[Captain Stu]

I'm not at all surprised that Gallas is pissed off, he's one of the best centre-halves in the world yet Mourinho insists on playing him at left-back. His problem is that he's so good that he plays WELL at left-back.

Gallas > Carvalho > Ferreira

If he goes, it won't exactly "harm" Chelsea as such, but if I were a fan I'd be pissed off.

[Bexster]

Arsenal's stadium took around 8 years (I think, maybe more) from start to finish.

The FA have nothing to do with the building of Wembley, and Arsenal have nothing to do with the building of The Emarites Bowl Dome. They pay the money, and the work is handed over.

Yeah, but the Emirates was finished on time and under budget. We went British, the FA went Austrailian - wouldn't it have been the ideal opportunity to offer work and employment to our own country? Madejski construction showed them up totally.

Did you know, the Emirates is the first ground in Europe to have HD screens?

Did you care?

[Bexster]

I'm not at all surprised that Gallas is pissed off, he's one of the best centre-halves in the world yet Mourinho insists on playing him at left-back. His problem is that he's so good that he plays WELL at left-back.

Gallas > Carvalho > Ferreira

If he goes, it won't exactly "harm" Chelsea as such, but if I were a fan I'd be pissed off.

Would be happy to have him in a deal for Cole. We need a good solid centre back, and Gallas would be great.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

IS there a league to join for this?

1. Shay Given (Newcastle) G

2. Micah Richards (Man City) D
3. Anton Ferdinand (West Ham) D
4. Steven Taylor (Newcastle) D
5. Zat Knight (Fulham) D

6. Michael Arteta (Everton) M
7. Steve Gerrard (Liverpool) M (c)
8. Damien Duff (Newcastle) M

9. Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) F
10. Thierry Henry (Arsenal) F
11. Darren Bent (Charlton) F

12. Tony Warner (Fulham) G
13. Linvoy Primus (Portsmouth D
14. Hayden Mullins (West Ham) M
15. Philip Neville (Everton) M

[Wish_Master2100]

Yeah, but the Emirates was finished on time and under budget. We went British, the FA went Austrailian - wouldn't it have been the ideal opportunity to offer work and employment to our own country? Madejski construction showed them up totally.

Did you know, the Emirates is the first ground in Europe to have HD screens?

Did you care?

Interesting fact.

But, it has nothing to do with the FA. They probably didn't choose Multiplex themselves, people do that for them. Obviously they were going to be taken for a ride, new Wembley, unlimited lottery funds to spend... It was always going to happen.

[Bexster]

Interesting fact.

But, it has nothing to do with the FA. They probably didn't choose Multiplex themselves, people do that for them. Obviously they were going to be taken for a ride, new Wembley, unlimited lottery funds to spend... It was always going to happen.

So I spose it was the goverment's decision? I don't actually know.

[Captain Stu]

Yeah, but the Emirates was finished on time and under budget. We went British, the FA went Austrailian - wouldn't it have been the ideal opportunity to offer work and employment to our own country? Madejski construction showed them up totally.

Did you know, the Emirates is the first ground in Europe to have HD screens?

Totally, Arsenal pwn3d the FA.

HD screens at a footie ground seems a tad OTT. :p

Would be happy to have him in a deal for Cole. We need a good solid centre back, and Gallas would be great.

He definately would, he'd be a good replacement for Crapbell, a fantastic partner for Toure too.

15. Philip Neville (Everton) M

AHAHAHAHAHA! SNAP!! I take it you have 5M left over for a midfielder then same as me. :(

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

AHAHAHAHAHA! SNAP!! I take it you have 5M left over for a midfielder then same as me. :(

yeah, and all the cheaper midfielders are crap.

[Bexster]

I would rather have shopped off my leg than picked a Neville. Most of my money went on my midfield - the cheapest was McCulloch at 5.5m.

I swapped out King for Chimbonda.

[EvilElvis]

I'm sure I read that they started demolishing and rebuilding the new wembeley, they started working on the new stadium in Munich at the same time. It was ready for the World Cup.

[Bexster]

Totally, Arsenal pwn3d the FA.

HD screens at a footie ground seems a tad OTT. :p

It's all the height of technology there apparently. Why not though - it's got to last us a while :D

He definately would, he'd be a good replacement for Crapbell, a fantastic partner for Toure too.

I remember it being mentioned before, but Mourwhineho said Gallas couldn't leave. I'm hoping he's changed his mind now.

[Captain Stu]

yeah, and all the cheaper midfielders are crap.

Totally, it made my skin crawl to do it but I had do, damnit. :(

[EvilElvis]

The greatest goal in Champions League history! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb9sj_wp3qM)


:D

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Totally, it made my skin crawl to do it but I had do, damnit. :(

At the very least he will get lot of appearances and tackles, so should get us a good few points.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

I have changed my fantasy team 5 or 6 times already. i'm so glad that there is unlimited transfers until the season starts.

the transer system is kinda like the stock exchange when it comes to fluctuating prices and selling on prices.

on another note
we have signed DAVID LIVERMORE!!
he only went to leeds on the 22nd july.

Thank fuck for that.

[EvilElvis]

Rangers best Champions League performance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM_tKPwMsTg)

[Captain Stu]

The greatest goal in Champions League history! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb9sj_wp3qM)

:D

Double-ewe tee eff!!!???

(The vid works... but fuck me, that goal was hellaweird!!)

[Captain Stu]

Fucking cunting Sky Sports News moving to 405 instead of 408. IT CONFUSES ME! :mad:

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Fucking cunting Sky Sports News moving to 405 instead of 408. IT CONFUSES ME! :mad:
Awwwshit. The one channel that is watchable that hasn't moved in the past 5 years and BAM, it's moved. GAY.

[Mikey]

Fulham's German defender Moritz Volz is a massive fan of David Hasselhoff, describing the former Baywatch star as "like some higher spirit". He added: "In times of trouble I ask myself 'How would the Hoff deal with this situation?'"

:D

[EvilElvis]

Ashley Cole has told Arsenal he will never play for them again. (Various)

Chelsea have leapt to the front of the queue to sign Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres. (Mirror)

Manchester United are considering a bid for £12m-rated Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt, who is a long-time target of Liverpool. (Independent)

Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd is preparing to table a club record £3m bid for Preston striker David Nugent. (Star)

Former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira has hinted he could be keen on a move to Manchester United. (Star)

Tottenham want Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge and are ready to meet the Blues' £4m valuation. (Sun)

Newcastle have turned down the opportunity to sign former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell. (Guardian)

Martin O'Neill will take over as Aston Villa boss and is even prepared to work alongside chairman 'Deadly' Doug Ellis. (Telegraph)

Tottenham have offered Danny Murphy and Andy Reid in part exchange for Wigan defender Pascal Chimbonda. (Times)

Wigan are demanding £5.5m in cash for Chimbonda, who was late for his first training session after handing in a transfer request in May. (Guardian)

Shaktar Donetsk have placed a £6.8m price tag on Anitoliy Timoschuk but admit the midfielder wants to join Celtic. (Record)

Rangers expect to complete the signing of striker Filip Sebo after putting in a final bid of £1.6m. (Various)

Charlie Mulgrew's Celtic career is over after a blazing row with manager Gordon Strachan. (Record)

Hearts are set to offload record signing Mirsad Beslija eight months after the midfielder arrived for £850,000 from Racing Club Genk (Scotsman)

Christos Karapidis will become a Hearts player this week after they agreed a £200,000 fee with PAOK Salonika for the defender. (Sun)

Falkirk have given a trial to trial for Togo midfileder Didier Paas and are negotiating red tape as they progress interest in Nigerian midfielder Udo Nwoko, presently in Malta with Hibernians. (Express)

Dundee United have signed Norwegian defender Christian Kalvenes on a two-year deal from Brann Bergen. (Sun)

Messina midfielder Carmine Coppola is being considered as a target by Celtic. (Herald)

Motherwell are considering taking Celtic midfielder Paul Lawson on loan. (Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
New England boss Steve McClaren wants Teddy Sheringham, Paul Ince or Tony Adams to take up the role of 'conduit' between the players and the coaching staff - a role rejected by Alan Shearer. (Express)

A massive anti-riot operation is planned if Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Manchester United in a friendly at Oxford United next Tuesday. (Sun)


FUNNIES
Fulham's German defender Moritz Volz is a massive fan of David Hasselhoff, describing the former Baywatch star as "like some higher spirit". He added: "In times of trouble I ask myself 'How would the Hoff deal with this situation?'"

Andriy Shechenko and Michael Ballack will be forced to take part in a traditional Chelsea initiation ceremony later this week, where they will be asked to sing a number of their choice in front of their new team-mates.

Blues midfielder Joe Cole said: "Absolutely no-one escapes. It's horrible - I was more worried about the singing than making my debut! And when the lads have had enough, they let you know by throwing bread rolls and stuff." (The Sun)

[Captain Stu]

1. Ashley Cole's a fucking cock, as if it wasn't abundantly clear before. I hope Chelsea and Arsenal don't come to some arrangement and he can just sit and fucking rot, the scumbag.

2. I don't see why the Torres rumours are still around, he already said he's not leaving Atletico Madrid for at least one more year as he wants to give the new manager and new players some time to show what they can do before he thinks about leaving the club he's supported his whole life and played for since he was about 12.

3. Fucking hell, another name in the hat for Kuyt? Come on, Rafa, if he's that good then just find an extra million or two and buy him or we risk losing out to the scum!!

4. What Viera actually said was that a move to United would be very difficult after spending so long at Arsenal and it would be strange but "you never know what can happen in football". He's still odds-on favourite to join Inter Milan this week as he has said he would prefer to stay in Italy.

5. Bridge would be a goooooood signing for Spurs - if he can stay fit, he's a corker of a player.

[EvilElvis]

5. Bridge would be a goooooood signing for Spurs - if he can stay fit, he's a corker of a player.

He's in my fantasy football team.

Would be a bonus! :D

[Renegades of funk 8]

shit i can't believe everyones catching on to volzys love of the hoff

http://www.volzy.com/hoff.html

volzy.com, probably the best website for a footballer

[Two-Bob Peeters]

shit i can't believe everyones catching on to volzys love of the hoff

http://www.volzy.com/hoff.html

volzy.com, probably the best website for a footballer

that's an excellent webiste!! :D

[Two-Bob Peeters]

oh, and if Liverpool wanted Kujit, they'd have bought him by now

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Millwalls chairman just on the radio saying 4 more players in the next 48 hours!! that would make 16 signings this summer!! :eek: and not just shitty signings either!

he also mentioned good wages! which must be from the sales of Hayles and Livermore. i'm wetting my pants at next season, we should absolutely piss the division :D

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Do you get yours from the BBC website Ollie?

Manchester United will bid to seal a £4m deal for Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna after unveiling their new £18.6m signing from Tottenham Michael Carrick. (Daily Telegraph)

Blackburn midfielder Brett Emerton looks set to join Middlesbrough. (The Guardian)

Sunderland manager Niall Quinn has been told he must be patient if he is to lure Aston Villa striker Kevin Phillips back to the Black Cats fold. (Daily Express)

Crystal Palace boss Peter Taylor expects to make several signings before the transfer window closes on 31 August. (Daily Telegraph)

Sheffield United have rejected a £600,000 bid from Leeds for striker Geoff Horsfield. (The Sun)

Dundee defender Lee Wilkie is poised for a switch to Dundee United on a month's trial - once he agrees a pay-off settlement from his current club. (Daily Record)

Newcastle are ready to splash out £15m on three new signings - Thomas Gravesen and Jonathan Woodgate from Real Madrid as well as a new striker. (Daily Express)

Hibernian could make Marvin Andrews an offer if the Trinidad & Tobago defender can negotiate a pay-off from Rangers. (Daily Record)

Birmingham will make a final £1.2m offer for Fulham striker Brian McBride. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham will not receive a penny from Michael Carrick's £18.6m move from Tottenham to Manchester United because Spurs refused to include a sell-on clause when they signed him from the Hammers. (The Sun)

Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy is being lined up for a £2m switch to Bolton. (The Sun)

Nigeria international Kanu is poised to join Portsmouth after rejecting reduced terms with West Brom. (The Sun)

Sheffield United are poised to move for out-of-favour Rangers defender Olivier Bernard after ex-Birmingham defender Jamie Clapham failed to impress on trial. (The Sun)

Celtic have targeted Schalke 04 striker Soren Larsen after being told the Dane is available for £2.5m. (The Herald)

Filip Sebo is expected to fly into Glasgow today to complete a £1.8m transfer to Rangers from Austria Vienna. (The Herald)

Jose-Karl Pierre-Fanfan is interesting Fenerbahce and Gimnastic de Tarragona. (The Herald, Daily Mail)

Martin O'Neill will make wantaway Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov his first target should he accept the manager's job at Aston Villa. (Daily Express)

Dunfermline have targeted Leicester's Mark De Vries, Stoke's Kevin Harper and Hearts' Calum Elliot as possible loan signings as they search for a striker. (Daily Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
Arsenal defender Ashley Cole, who is expected to join Chelsea, has been banned from using official Gunners photos for his controversial new book. (The Sun)

Aston Villa are confident of unveiling Martin O'Neill as their new manager within 48 hours. (Daily Mirror)

England defender Gary Neville gave Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo the cold shoulder on his return to training with Manchester United. (The Sun)

Ex-Everton star Thomas Gravesen was thrown out of a Real Madrid pre-season training session in Austria after brawling with Brazilian winger Robinho. (Daily Star)

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch says Liverpool's players do not want to set foot in Israel to play their Champions League qualifier with Maccabi Haifa because of the crisis in the Middle East. (Various)

Ex-England coach Terry Venables has agreed in principle to join new national boss Steve McClaren's staff and talks have started over his salary and title. (The Independent)

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has written off Liverpool Premiership title chances. (Various)

Celtic chairman Brian Quinn wants the fans to banish sectarian chants at games - or risk Uefa punishment. (Daily Record)

Wigan goalkeeper Mike Pollitt needed stitches to a head wound after crashing into the post when warming up for the friendly with Barnsley. (Various)


FUNNIES
England midfielder Frank Lampard topped a Yahoo! poll of sports flops following his country's disappointing World Cup campaign, despite having more shots than anyone else. Ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson and striker Wayne Rooney were second and third. (Daily Express)

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

My bro told me an interesting story about the Emirates Stadium yesterday, dunno whether its true or not, he seemed to think it was.

Basically its got 3 changing rooms - a really shitty grotty one, a fairly normal one and an ultra luxury one. Their gonna make teams like United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs change in the shit one, all other prem clubs change in the normal one and allow any small clubs that they play in the cups change in the luxury one.

[EvilElvis]

One of the most sweetest struck free kicks...Ever. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flMYK14xnMs)

[sunnydalehighdropout]

One of the most sweetest struck free kicks...Ever. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flMYK14xnMs)
Jorg Albertz is easily in the Top 5 Free Kick takers that has ever lived. He had a really high conversion ratio too.

[EvilElvis]

Gravesen's on way out of Madrid (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5237950.stm)

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Gravesen's on way out of Madrid (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5237950.stm)

The Express claims that Gravesen is part of a triple swoop being lined up by the Magpies, along with Jonathan Woodgate and an unnamed striker.

Hmmm. It will not be Raul, it will not be Robinho and it will not be Nistelrooy. Who else plays up front for them as a striker other than Ronaldo? That would be qiote a scoop for them.

[EvilElvis]

Jorg Albertz is easily in the Top 5 Free Kick takers that has ever lived. He had a really high conversion ratio too.


Jorg Albertz's free kicks > Beckham's free kicks.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Jorg Albertz's free kicks > Beckham's free kicks.
Without doubt.

[Bexster]

Michael Ballack given Gallas' shirt number (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/5240410.stm)

William Gallas' future at Chelsea seems increasingly uncertain after his number 13 shirt was given to Michael Ballack.


"It is not possible for them to give Ballack the number 13 shirt without talking to William first," said Gallas' agent Pierre Frelot.

Gallas, 28, was told not to join the club on their pre-season tour of the USA after failing to report to training in Los Angeles on Monday.
Ballack was originally told that he would be given the number 19 shirt.
And Frelot added: "William has been wearing that shirt for five years and it is the shirt he expects to be in.

"As far as we are concerned William's absence (from training) is still a misunderstanding.
"I am surprised they haven't waited to hear the explanation of the player in person first before releasing a statement and taking action against him."
Gallas joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2001 - and has been in the number 13 shirt since then.

But the club are clearly unhappy with Gallas' failure to turn up as scheduled on Monday.
"He did not report and further action will now be considered by the club as a consequence," read a Chelsea statement on Tuesday.

His agent, Pierre Frelot, told BBC Sport that Gallas, 28, was delayed for personal reasons and that talks over his future will be held with Chelsea.
Gallas told the Blues in May that he wanted to leave - amid reports that he was unhappy at playing at full-back instead of his preferred centre-back.

His current contract runs out in 2007 and he has yet to sign a new one.
The Chelsea statement added: "Gallas was due to join the team with the other Chelsea players who participated in the World Cup semi-finals and final.
"William requested extra time off following the World Cup but was informed he should still report to Los Angeles on the date previously agreed with him.

"Pre-season training and the tour is about building team spirit among our squad and extra leave is only granted for valid football-related reasons.

"Discussions between Chelsea and William about a new contract are already well documented and ongoing. He has one year left on his current contract."

Gallas, who has been linked with Italian side AC Milan, is expected to return to London on Friday from his holiday in Guadeloupe.
The France international has been offered a new four-year contract and Chelsea had preciously maintained that they are not willing to sell him. Gallas has made more than 200 appearances for Chelsea in five years.

[EvilElvis]

Ken Bates wants Chelsea barred from transfer dealing and banned from Europe after he claimed that they poached 3 youth prospects from Leeds Utd.

AC Milan's European ban has been uplifted - they'll be in Champion's League. Never saw that coming... :rolleyes:

[Bexster]

AC Milan's European ban has been uplifted - they'll be in Champion's League. never saw that coming... :rolleyes:

Once again, Italian football has shown itself gutless. I know it was UEFA that let AC back into Europe, but if they hadn't chickened out of their own punishment, they Italian FA might have gained some respect from the rest of us.

[friartuck]

Right so I'm back after a month in the middle of nowhere. Here are my thoughts:

- England were having a laugh at the world cup just as I always said :D
- Go on Italy, you fully deserved it.
- Juve had it coming.
- All the other dirtbag Eye-ties had it coming.
- Liverpool signing Mark Gonzales - astute purchase. Not sure about Bellamy and Pennant. Well done Rafa for signing the two biggest shit heads in English football. The jury's out.

- Utd bought an overrated midfielder. But at least they bought SOMEONE.
- Fergie needs another midfielder and forward but I doubt he'll bother his arse.
- Real Madrid won't do it next season despite bringing in more big names. They're all old and won't be at the top of their game this time next year.

That's off the top of my head anyway. I hope everyone is enjoying their Summer!

[Foo Fighters, United Kingdom]

There's a top notch Panorama on at the moment about football hooligans. ING-UR-LUUUUUNNNND etc.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

There's a top notch Panorama on at the moment about football hooligans. ING-UR-LUUUUUNNNND etc.

i wonder how much old footage they dig up. i'm betting they show the luton rriot at some point, possibly the birmingham riot. and obviously the infamous water cannon scene from Holland and Belgium

[Foo Fighters, United Kingdom]

Nah it's all from Germany this year.

[EvilElvis]

I mentioned this documentary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8B9hNbFjdg) in last seasons thread

It's a 30 min long programme.

Some of the stories about the team bonding sessions are ace!

[Captain Stu]

Hmmm. It will not be Raul, it will not be Robinho and it will not be Nistelrooy. Who else plays up front for them as a striker other than Ronaldo? That would be qiote a scoop for them.

If it's not Raul, Ruud, Robby or Rons... that only leaves Baptista.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

If it's not Raul, Ruud, Robby or Rons... that only leaves Baptista.
Not bad, i guess.

[Captain Stu]

S'alright but he's been playing mainly on the left side of midfield I think. Hrm.

[Bexster]

Apparently Liverpool are stepping up their bid for Kuyt.

[Cal2319]

Nah it's all from Germany this year.I watched that, pretty check baseball caps and collar's up galore!

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Woodgate and Gravesen would be good. unsure about Baptista, if that's true...

[Two-Bob Peeters]

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Portsmouth are planning a £2m swoop for Manchester City goalkeeper David James. (The Sun)

Newcastle may attempt to hijack Middlesbrough's £3m move for Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen. (Daily Star)

Wigan are set to try to sign Nathan Ellington from West Brom - a year after selling him for £3m. (The Sun)

West Brom's rebel midfielder, Jason Koumas, is confident of sealing a £2m switch to Cardiff before the start of the Championship season at the weekend. (Daily Mirror)

Derby are preparing a £1m bid for Nottingham Forest striker Nathan Tyson. (The Sun)

Wolves striker Carl Cort has turned down a move to Crystal Palace, where he had the chance to link up with his brother Leon. (Various)

Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque has refused to discuss a move to Middlesbrough, despite a £4m fee being agreed. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle are targeting a £7m move for Empoli striker Francesco Tavano. (The Sun)

Liverpool are preparing to make a renewed bid for Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt. (The Sun)

Dunfermline have failed in a bid to sign Mark de Vries from Leicester on loan because of the striker's wage demands. (Daily Express)

Hearts have told Dunfermline and Motherwell they will not allow Calum Elliot to go on loan until they themselves sign another striker. (Daily Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
Arsenal will name Ashley Cole in their squad for next week's Champions League qualifier, and if he plays he would be Cup-tied should any move to Chelsea materialise. (Various)

American billionaire Randy Lerner is on the brink of a takeover of Aston Villa. (Various)

Newcastle midfielder Scott Parker looks set to be recalled to the England squad by new national boss Steve McClaren. (Various)

McClaren wants to recruit a full-time manager for the England Under-21 side but it won't be Peter Taylor. (Guardian)

The publishers of Chelsea target Ashley Cole's autobiography are ready to delay its release in order to include the Arsenal defender's final bust-ups with the Gunners. (Daily Star)

Everton defender Tony Hibbert will miss the start of the season after being struck down by a mystery illness. (Daily Mirror)

Midfielder Luis Garcia has warned Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho that he will regret writing off the Anfield club's title chances. (The Sun)

Manchester United team-mates Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are photographed together for the first time since their World Cup bust-up in the match between England and Portugal but spent much of the training session apart. (The Sun)

Celtic forward Shaun Maloney faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the Champions League campaign in September because he will have a double hernia operation on Friday. (Daily Record)

Southampton boss George Burley will not allow technical director Clive Woodward to take any first-team coaching sessions this season. (Daily Express)



FUNNIES
Overheard in a Liverpool betting shop: "Ken Bates wants penalties at Chelsea." Response: "No chance, Frank Lampard will take them again this season." (Daily Mirror)

Almost a month after the World Cup final and Zinedine Zidane is still in the head(butt)lines. Zhao Xiaokai has trademarked a silhouette of the infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi and is inviting bids of £65,000 (1m RMB) for the rights to the image. Reports in China say two beer brands are interested.

And back in France, Zizou is ranked number one again - in the charts at least. A song - "Coup de Boule" - parodying the former national captain's antics against Italy has gone down better than Materazzi. Spanish and Italian versions already exist, an English one is in the pipeline and mobile phone ringtones of the "Headbutt" have been downloaded 110,000 times, proving particularly popular in Japan.

good on macca to pick Parker.

Also, Tavano gets good on Pro Evo 5 master league! dunno how he is in real life though

[Two-Bob Peeters]

"Valencia have reportedly offered £17million plus veteran defender Roberto Ayala for wantaway Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo" according to teamtalk...

i can't see Utd wanting Ayala...

[tom65]

"Valencia have reportedly offered £17million plus veteran defender Roberto Ayala for wantaway Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo" according to teamtalk...

i can't see Utd wanting Ayala...

He's a decent defender, though he must be getting on in years now. He'd probably work well with Heinze, too. United don't really have a world class defender (aside from Heinze, perhaps).

[EvilElvis]

Celtic lose 3-0 in a their controversial friendly in Japan


Rangers complete the signing of Fillip Serbo

[EvilElvis]

David's stays at Spurs (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/5243442.stm)

[Captain Stu]

Apparently Liverpool are stepping up their bid for Kuyt.

HURRY UP!!

David's stays at Spurs (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/5243442.stm)

Good for Spurs!!

*

The reason that Gravesen appears to be on the way out of Real Madrid is after a training ground bustup with Robinho - Gravesen crunched him with a tackle, Robinho reacted angrily and Gravesen went for him. They had to be separated and both were sent off the training pitch.

[Bexster]

The reason that Gravesen appears to be on the way out of Real Madrid is after a training ground bustup with Robinho - Gravesen crunched him with a tackle, Robinho reacted angrily and Gravesen went for him. They had to be separated and both were sent off the training pitch.

I don't know how these poncy forwards expect to be able to train properly if they don't have to deal with proper tackles in training. Pfft :D

Celtic lose 3-0 in a their controversial friendly in Japan
Why was it controversial?

[EvilElvis]

Why was it controversial?


SPL season has already started and Celtic have a game this weekend, flying them across to Japan is not ideal preperation. They're playing Chelski in midweek as well.

Then you add the fact that Gordon Strachan refused to let 3 of his players fly to Japan for a end of season/pre World Cup Tournament with Scotland, as Celtic had to play testimonial games against Newcastle and Man Utd

[Captain Stu]

So, Mourinho has said that he fears Arsenal and United more than Liverpool.

Am I the only one who can read between the lines and see that means that he is petrified of Liverpool catching Chelsea and he's trying to be the first with the mind games?

[Bexster]

SPL season has already started and Celtic have a game this weekend, flying them across to Japan is not ideal preperation. They're playing Chelski in midweek as well.

Then you add the fact that Gordon Strachan refused to let 3 of his players fly to Japan for a end of season/pre World Cup Tournament with Scotland, as Celtic had to play testimonial games against Newcastle and Man Utd

Ah, of course. That was bad planning...

So, Mourinho has said that he fears Arsenal and United more than Liverpool.

Am I the only one who can read between the lines and see that means that he is petrified of Liverpool catching Chelsea and he's trying to be the first with the mind games?

He never was good a these mind game things, on account of him being such a cunt.

I think Arsenal and Liverpool do have a real chance at catching them this season - I don't think Chelsea are strong enough. I mean what was so vastly wrong with winning the title by that margin last year, that he had to go out and get all these new players? It won't work for them, I'm convinced of it.

[Captain Stu]

I think Arsenal and Liverpool do have a real chance at catching them this season - I don't think Chelsea are strong enough. I mean what was so vastly wrong with winning the title by that margin last year, that he had to go out and get all these new players? It won't work for them, I'm convinced of it.

I agree.

The chinks are already starting to show in Chelsea's armour - they had such an organised midfield last year... so he buys Ballack and Mikel to completely fuck it up, sells Duffman and is generally a gay.

[Bexster]

And a handful of the players that are left are obviously not happy. I can't understand why players actually want to go to Chelsea. Have they not been paying attention.

It's all going to fall apart. And then Abramovich will get fed up and go, and Chelski will have no money, just lots of debts, and everyone else will nod and point in a knowing, I told you so way.

[EvilElvis]

Ah, of course. That was bad planning...

They'd known about it for months - I thought they'd have postponed it till end of the season - but it was organised by the directors.

And football directors know dick all about football, they just care about ca$h.


The fact Nakamura plays for Celtic was a major factor in the Celts being lured to Japan.

[Captain Stu]

I heard an interview with Mikel today and he said he was "so happy" to finally be at Chelsea.

Yeah... because you're getting paid a fucking ton to sit on the bench for half the season, prick.

[EvilElvis]

And a handful of the players that are left are obviously not happy. I can't understand why players actually want to go to Chelsea. Have they not been paying attention.


I was watching Wayne Bridge and SWP being interviewed the other night "We're just going to plug away and maybe get a few first team games and hopefully impress the manager so he keeps us in the side.."


Better keep plugging boys!

[Bexster]

They need to get away from Chelsea. Anywhere else, and they'd be getting first team football without doubt. Staying at Chelski is emotionally crippling.

And is Mikel actually any good or is it all just hype.

[EvilElvis]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/5242500.stm

Steele steps in to run Villa tour

Goalkeeping coach Eric Steele will take charge of Aston Villa for their pre-season tour of Germany and Holland.
Steele replaces caretaker boss Roy Aitken, who has withdrawn from the trip to continue his recovery from surgery.

"It's a step too far at this stage," said Aitken. "It's probably best that I leave it to people who are fully fit and able to work to full capacity."

Martin O'Neill has been strongly linked to the managerial post, vacant since David O'Leary left the club on 19 July.

Aitken, 47, is still recovering from surgery to remove a tumour following a routine medical check-up earlier in the summer.

Although the operation was a complete success, he has been advised to continue his rehabilitation under the guidance of his surgeon.

"When the manager left a couple of weeks ago, I was asked to take temporary charge and I came back to work earlier than I should have," added Aitken.

"The chairman Doug Ellis has been very fair and backs my decision to take a back seat for a few weeks and put my own health first."

Aitken joined Villa as O'Leary's assistant manager in 2003 and the club have won their three pre-season games under his stewardship, without conceding a goal.

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



Get well soon Roy!

[Two-Bob Peeters]

So, Mourinho has said that he fears Arsenal and United more than Liverpool.

Am I the only one who can read between the lines and see that means that he is petrified of Liverpool catching Chelsea and he's trying to be the first with the mind games?

quite a lot of people have said this. i don't think he's petrified at all, i think he's so arrogant and confident in his sides ability. let's be fair people. Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal aren't getting anywhere near

[EvilElvis]

Mourinho claims "Gallas shows no respect to Chelsea" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/ukfs_sport/hi/av/bb_rm_fs.stm?news=1&bbram=1&bbwm=1&nbram=1&nbwm=1&nol_storyid=5241206)

[Bexster]

So slagging your player off in public and giving his shirt number away to a new player while he's still at your club is a sign of respect then, eh? I hate Mourinho.

[Captain Stu]

quite a lot of people have said this. i don't think he's petrified at all, i think he's so arrogant and confident in his sides ability. let's be fair people. Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal aren't getting anywhere near

2004/2005 Season

1. Chelsea - 95 points
2. Arsenal - 83 points
3. Man Utd - 77 points
4. Everton - 61 points
5. Liverpool - 58 points

*

2005/2006 Season

1. Chelsea - 91 points
2. Man Utd - 83 points
3. Liverpool - 82 points
4. Arsenal - 67 points

The gap's getting smaller, throw into that an ever-growing squad who are going to keep getting unhappy.

Also, I really hope the FA has the bollocks to punish Chelsea for their proven tapping up. Doubt it though, they've never punished United for all the times they've done it and been caught.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Gaps getting smaller. but it just isnt going to happen

[EvilElvis]

Gaps getting smaller. but it just isnt going to happen

I can see Mourinho leaving Chelsea by the end of the season.


It was great there when he first arrived, but now there is way too much unrest.

[tom65]

I can see Mourinho leaving Chelsea by the end of the season.


It was great there when he first arrived, but now there is way too much unrest.


I'd rather he didn't. I don't like Chelski, but he's a lot of fun.

[Captain Stu]

If Chelsea don't win the Champions League this season, he's off.

[Renegades of funk 8]

If Chelsea don't win the Champions League this season, he's off.


hope so

[EvilElvis]

If Chelsea don't win the Champions League this season, he's off.

Question is

Will he jump ship or will Roman and his associates remove him?

[Renegades of funk 8]

Question is

Will he jump ship or will Roman and his associates remove him?

i reckon he'll jump ship

[Captain Stu]

Heh, I hope so too.

i reckon he'll jump ship

Snap, he was already showing strain last season.

[EvilElvis]

Apparently Romanov was furious with Hearts after their performance in the 0-0 draw which saw them qualify for the Champions league 3rd round qualifiers.

He had a arguement with the manager who was pleased as they got the result they wanted.

Romanov axed George Burley after 10 games without Burley losing a match.



Rangers are apparently after Man Utd's Lee Martin (Not the one who scored in 1990 FA Cup Final!)

[Captain Stu]

Valencia have launched a £12m bid for Manchester United's want-away winger Cristiano Ronaldo. (Daily Star)

Michael Owen has contacted Thomas Gravesen to try and make sure the Real Madrid midfielder joins Newcastle in a £3m deal. (Various)

Derby boss Billy Davies is making a £1m move for Portsmouth defender Andy O'Brien. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is hopweful of signing Chelsea'a Robert Huth because Middlesbrough want to pay a lower fee. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham outcast Andy Reid could be set for a £2m move to Championship side Leeds. (Daily Express)

But Reid's former Nottingham Forest team-mate David Prutton, now at Southampton, has failed a medical at Elland Road. (Daily Telegraph)

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is still interested in Ghana captain Stephen Appiah. (The Times)

Reading's £3.5m bid for Rennes defender John Mensah has been rejected by the French club. (The Times)

St Mirren have failed in an ambitious attempt to sign former Scotland international striker Duncan Ferguson. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
Martin O'Neill is set to be unveiled as the new manager of Aston Villa at a news conference on Friday. (Various)

Though the former Celtic boss must talk it over with his family before finally accepting. (The Sun and Daily Express)

Chelsea defender William Gallas has given up on his battle to quit the Blues. (The Sun)

But Gallas will be forced to make a humbling apology to his team-mates after missing the pre-season tour of America. (Daily Mirror)

Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Steve McClaren to be a successful England manager after his former assistant popped in to see United train on Thursday. (The Sun)

Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to take legal action in order to leave the Serie B side. (The Independent)

Goalkeeper Steve Harper is likely to remain at Newcastle despite interest from West Ham. (The Times)

Theo Walcott is set to make his Arsenal debut in next Tuesday's Champions League qualifier. (The Sun)

Peter Taylor says Steve McClaren would be right to axe him as England Under-21 boss. (Daily Star)

Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas is on the brink of the sack after being involved in a furious bust-up with owner Vladimir Romanov. (Daily Record)


FUNNIES
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce says he was forced to sell son Alex to save him from the "daddy's boy" jibes. (Daily Star)

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Millwall sign 16th player of the season, great stuff on the pitch. but we're still a shambles off it.

i (and many others) haven't got my season ticket yet, and the season starts..... oh.... tomorrow!

[Wish_Master2100]

2004/2005 Season

1. Chelsea - 95 points
2. Arsenal - 83 points
3. Man Utd - 77 points
4. Everton - 61 points
5. Liverpool - 58 points

*

2005/2006 Season

1. Chelsea - 91 points
2. Man Utd - 83 points
3. Liverpool - 82 points
4. Arsenal - 67 points



You couldn't have just left it as both top fours. You had to put Liverpool in didn't you?

[Two-Bob Peeters]

You couldn't have just left it as both top fours. You had to put Liverpool in didn't you?
there is no top 4 without liverpool, silly

[Edge]

can i just say.

season starts tomorrow :D woooooooooooooooooooo

[Two-Bob Peeters]

can i just say.

season starts tomorrow :D woooooooooooooooooooo

Liiiiiverrrmooooorrre

Liiiverrrmooorrrre :D

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Valencia have launched a £12m bid for Manchester United's want-away winger Cristiano Ronaldo. (Daily Star)

http://blip.tv/uploadedFiles/Motherlondon-DivingWinker894.mpg

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Anyone going to the Charity Shield this year? I think I have tickets.

[Wish_Master2100]

Anyone going to the Charity Shield this year? I think I have tickets.

I'm going.

[tom65]

Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa? That guy must fucking love a challenge.

[Captain Stu]

You couldn't have just left it as both top fours. You had to put Liverpool in didn't you?

Yes, yes I did - don't cry - it was to illustrate that in the space of one season Liverpool improved and acquired an extra 24 points and so teams are catching Chelsea.

[Captain Stu]

Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa? That guy must fucking love a challenge.

I think he'll do good at first - motivate the players, stop the rot and stabilise the ship... but then what? I doubt he has the ability to really lead a team when he has solid financial backing.

[tom65]

I think he'll do good at first - motivate the players, stop the rot and stabilise the ship... but then what? I doubt he has the ability to really lead a team when he has solid financial backing.

I think he'll do really well. He always does. I'm not necessarily saying Champions League or anything, but perhaps that top 6 finish they've been meant to make for about 50 years now :p I'd give him two or three years before he moves on to Man Utd/Liverpool.

[Captain Stu]

He's definately gonna be United's next manager.

[tom65]

He's definately gonna be United's next manager.

I can't see him going anywhere other than United or Liverpool. Or Newcastle, but why go there from Aston Villa?


I think he'd do very, very well at United.

[Captain Stu]

Hopefully not Liverpool, I'm not overly keen on him... plus I want Benitez here for a long long time, at least the next 10 years. :)

[mystery white boy]

rafa is a cunt. :D

[Captain Stu]

rafa is a cunt. :D

Ahem, European Cup winning cunt thankyouverymuch... and I genuinely believe a better manager.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

I can't see him going anywhere other than United or Liverpool. Or Newcastle, but why go there from Aston Villa?


I think he'd do very, very well at United.

Because Newcastle have a far higher potential than Villa.

[tom65]

Because Newcastle have a far higher potential than Villa.


True, but they wouldn't be high enough in comparison to Villa (he's not even been announced yet :p ) to warrant leaving.

[mystery white boy]

Ahem, European Cup winning cunt thankyouverymuch... and I genuinely believe a better manager.

i disagree (not about the champs league bit, that would be silly.) plus, he whines too much. at least mourinho complains, rafa just whines like a little bitch. :D

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

True, but they wouldn't be high enough in comparison to Villa (he's not even been announced yet :p ) to warrant leaving.

Hey, with Glen Roeder in charge we're clearly going to be champions this year.

erm...

[tom65]

Hey, with Glen Roeder in charge we're clearly going to be champions this year.

erm...


Definately. Perhaps throw a UEFA Cup in there, too.

[Captain Stu]

i disagree (not about the champs league bit, that would be silly.) plus, he whines too much. at least mourinho complains, rafa just whines like a little bitch. :D

He doesn't bloody whine, you've been drinking again!

Hahaha, Rooney got sent off in a friendly... what a peen.

[mystery white boy]

he does whine, his face goes bright red and it's hilarious. :D

[EvilElvis]

Farewell Fernando? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/5230772.stm)

Ricksen advised to leave Rangers

Rangers manager Paul Le Guen believes defender Fernando Ricksen should try to find a new club.
"I told him (Ricksen) that perhaps it would be better to leave and discover another context and asked him to think about it," said Le Guen.

Ricksen was sent home from Rangers' pre-season tour of South Africa following an incident on a flight.

He returned to Glasgow this week but was not permitted to train with the rest of the first team squad.

Ricksen checked into the Sporting Chance Clinic following his premature return from South Africa and underwent residential counselling for anger management.

However, it appears he has no future at Rangers, with Le Guen saying: "Perhaps it would be best for everybody", when asked if he thought Ricksen should find another club.

The 30-year-old Dutchman, who arrived at Rangers in 2000, has one year of his contract at Ibrox to run.

[Bexster]

Hahaha, Rooney got sent off in a friendly... what a peen.

I just heard that one. What a knob :D You can imagine his little fat face getting all red and angry. Bless... Hopefully that's a sign for the season to come :D

[EvilElvis]

I have an excuse to post this (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/EvilElvis/OJMON.jpg)

Happily! :D


John Robertson is assistant and Steve Walford is coach.


*Places money on Stillian Petrov going to Villa*

[tom65]

Hearts boss plays down rift rumours

Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas has rejected suggestions his job is on the line after an alleged row with club owner Vladimir Romanov.

The two were said to have been involved in a 'furious bust-up' in the wake of Wednesday's goalless draw with Bosnians Siroki Brijeg, which allowed the Tynecastle outfit to progress to next week's Champions League third qualifying round clash with Greeks AEK Athens after a 3-0 aggregate win.

Romanov, who last season sacked George Burley and Graham Rix during a turbulent campaign, has since voiced his concerns at what he saw as an unsatisfactory performance in Bosnia and the team's preparations for the season ahead.

However, speaking before a vital period which sees Hearts take on champions Celtic on Sunday and AEK at Murrayfield on Wednesday, Ivanauskas has denied claims of an argument with Romanov.

And, even though he has acknowledged his side put in a below-par performance in midweek, he has insisted the main thing was to progress to the final qualifying round.

He said: 'I don't know what has been in the newspapers. After the game we went direct for our flight back. I didn't speak to Mr Romanov.

'Okay, the performance was not the best but the result very important and we got the result.'


A rift being manager and chairman at Hearts? Why, that's unheard of!

[EvilElvis]

A rift being manager and chairman at Hearts? Why, that's unheard of!


Romanov is possibly the scariest chairman/manager ever.


Puts "Deadly" Doug to shame

[tom65]

Romanov is possibly the scariest chairman/manager/tyrant ever.


Puts "Deadly" Doug to shame


You left one out.

[EvilElvis]

You left one out.


I knew something was missing!


He sacked Rix because Rix said he was pleased to have got a draw with the current champions...


Burley left after Romanov heard a rumour about him having a drink problem

[rob3000]

You couldn't have just left it as both top fours. You had to put Liverpool in didn't you?
Strange comment. If Liverpool had finished say 7th last season, then you'd have a point but they didn't...they finished 3rd, which shows how much they've progressed.

Anything for an argument though, hey.

[EvilElvis]

Just a quiet Old Firm game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fiM7kwKhFE)



Lovenkrands in an embarrasment

[Bexster]

I have an excuse to post this (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/EvilElvis/OJMON.jpg)

Happily! :D

Wow Ollie! You've met everyone *bows in worship* :D

So Scholes was sent off too, and Man U still beat Porto 3-1. Apparently, the refs are picking on Wayne.

[EvilElvis]

Wow Ollie! You've met everyone *bows in worship* :D

He was watching QOTSA at the time. I was utterly arseholed! :D

Foos and Chilli's were also on the bill that day :)

[Bexster]

He was watching QOTSA at the time. I was utterly arseholed! :D

Foos and Chilli's were also on the bill that day :)

That man is a legend AND has good taste in music???? Wow. I love him :D

On a serious note - he'll be good for Villa IF he can get around Ellis. If he can, then Villa will finally sort themselves out.

[EvilElvis]

That man is a legend AND has good taste in music???? Wow. I love him :D

On a serious note - he'll be good for Villa IF he can get around Ellis. If he can, then Villa will finally sort themselves out.

Think he was looking after his daughters - I also saw him arrive at a Franz Ferdinand gig and the reception he got when U2 played Glasgow was amazing. The entire crowd turned around and started cheering him as he went to sit down! U2 hadn't gone onstage yet - And that was the biggest cheer of the night!

All Doug Ellis has said is that talks regarding a take over are "On going" - thats all that was said regarding takeover situation.

[Bexster]

Think he was looking after his daughters - I also saw him arrive at a Franz Ferdinand gig and the reception he got when U2 played Glasgow was amazing. The entire crowd turned around and started cheering him as he went to sit down! U2 hadn't gone onstage yet - And that was the biggest cheer of the night!

All Doug Ellis has said is that talks regarding a take over are "On going" - thats all that was said regarding takeover situation.

Heh. It was like that when we were at Coldplay in Barcalona. Frank Rijkaard turned up after Barca had just beaten Real 3-0 that day, and the crowd went absolutely nuts when we spotted him :D

Are there odds on whether a Villa takeover is actually going to happen at all this season. I mean there's going to be so much procrastination, I get the feeling it's going to be quite drawn out.

[EvilElvis]

Are there odds on whether a Villa takeover is actually going to happen at all this season. I mean there's going to be so much procrastination, I get the feeling it's going to be quite drawn out.


I want it done and done swiftly.


And I don't want loan sharks (I.e the Glaziers and the likes) going anywhere near Villa Park

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Strange comment. If Liverpool had finished say 7th last season, then you'd have a point but they didn't...they finished 3rd, which shows how much they've progressed.

Anything for an argument though, hey.

well no, he clearly has a point, why not show who came fifth last season too? or just the top 4 from both?

[Two-Bob Peeters]

He doesn't bloody whine, you've been drinking again!

Hahaha, Rooney got sent off in a friendly... what a peen.

did you even see the sending off?

never a red

[EvilElvis]

did you even see the sending off?

never a red


Did he go to head the ball and have his hands on the opposing players shoulders?!

Scholes was sent off too

[EvilElvis]

Chelsea are unwilling to spend more than £20m on England and Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole. (Daily Star)

Shaun Wright-Phillips can leave Chelsea for £12m - a £9m loss on the player signed last summer. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle are closing in on Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt with AZ Alkmaar's Joris Mathijsen and Inter Milan's Obafemi Martins also targets. (Mirror)

Magpies boss Glenn Roeder will not sign Empoli sriker Francesco Tavana. "I don't even know him," he said. (Star)

Although Roeder has confirmed Newcastle are interested in signing Thomas Gravesen from Real Madrid. (Guardian)

Martin Jol remains adamant Wigan's Pascal Chimbonda will be playing for Tottenham in the coming season. (Sun)

But Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has told the Latics any deal is off as the London club have turned their sights to Blackburn's Lucas Neill. (Mail)

And Spurs are set to make a shock swoop for Roma striker Mido, who was on loan at White Hart Lane last season. (Star)

Manchester City are set to complete the capture of Ajax and Tunisia right-back Hatem Trabelsi next week. (Mirror)

Charlton will bring in Djimi Traore from Liverpool for £2m and Portsmouth's Amdy Faye for £2.5m. (Mirror)

Portsmouth will stop in their efforts to sign Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen if a £4.7m bid is rejecetd. (Mirror)

Watford are close to hijacking West Brom's move for QPR defender Danny Shittu, despite the Baggies agreeing a £1.5m deal with Rangers. (Star)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has no intention of letting Jose Antonio Reyes move to Real Madrid. (Daily Mail)

France winger Franck Ribery wants to quit Marseille after seemingly pledging his future to the club. (Guardian)

Chelsea have told William Gallas to forget about leaving the club as they have not received a single bid for the defender. (Telegraph)

OTHER GOSSIP
Gallas will be fined two weeks' wages - Chelsea's maximum club fine - for his no show in LA. (Sun)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is unimpressed by Chelsea's summer signings and the manner in which the Londoners splash cash on ageing stars. "I'm producing a team that will last years," he said. "When you have an old team then maybe all the challenges have gone for them. Youngsters have hunger." (Sun)

Managers at every club have been sent monitors to check for early signs of heart attacks. (Mail)

Tesco boss Terry Leahy - an Everton fan - is hoping to head up a deal that will see the club move from Goodison Park to the outskirts of Liverpool. (Independent)

England head coach Steve McClaren has already decided on the new national captain but is staying tight-lipped on the subject.


FUNNIES
Millwall are getting infuriated because referees keep pocketing the Molton Brown bubble bath and shower gel they put in the officials' changing room. (Sun)

Shaun Derry has said no to sex so he can focus all his energies on the start of the season. The Leeds midfielder kicked his wife out of the matrimonial bedroom and feels in tip-top condition ahead of the new campaign. "I told her to go into another room," he revealed. "Fair play, she's been fantastic and it's really helped." (Star)

[Two-Bob Peeters]

hahaha, we treat our referees well, we do! :cool:

[rob3000]

well no, he clearly has a point, why not show who came fifth last season too? or just the top 4 from both?
Because Liverpool closed the gap by a lot in the space of a season, why show Spurs when they're hardly title contenders?:confused:

[Foo Fighters, United Kingdom]

Nicky Butt - the new Alan Shearer. Discuss.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Nicky Butt - the new Alan Shearer. Discuss.

Does "Fuck right off" encapsulate what I'm thinking?

One good performance in a friendly means fuck all.

[EvilElvis]

2-2 with Dundee United.

Dissapointed with the result, but given the disaster of last season, when we went 2-0 down, We'd have just given up, today we should have won it.


If this is down to Le Guen's attitude, then I'm liking it already.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

2-2 with Dundee United.

Dissapointed with the result, but given the disaster of last season, when we went 2-0 down, We'd have just given up, today we should have won it.


If this is down to Le Guen's attitude, then I'm liking it already.

Same here.

Against PSV we went 3-0 and finished 3-2. Tonight we went 3-1 down and finished 3-3. The fighting spirit shown in both matches has been very encouraging. Now if only we could sort the defence out in the early matches we'll be fine.

[EvilElvis]

Nicky Butt - the new Alan Shearer. Discuss.

Butt has no personality either?! :P

What happened Dave?

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Butt has no personality either?! :P

What happened Dave?

Two headers in the last 15 minutes to save the result 3-3.

[Foo Fighters, United Kingdom]

But he's got the same haircut!

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

But he's got the same haircut!

Except he's ginger.

And what the hell did Pattison have on his head? A dead poodle?

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson was taken to hospital after falling ill 10 minutes into a game at his former club Ipswich Town on Saturday.

The 73-year-old became Ipswich's honorary club president this summer and was paraded in front of the supporters at Portman Road before the match.

But then he complained of feeling unwell and, after seeing the club doctor, was sent to Ipswich hospital.

In May Robson had a cancerous tumour removed from his lung.

The tumour, which the hospital said was bigger than a golf ball, was only spotted when he had an X-ray following a skiing accident.

That was the third time he has had a cancer scare - having beaten the illess twice before, in 1992 and 1995.

No details have been released about Robson's current state of health. He was accompanied to the hospital by Dr Hugh Davies, his cancer specialist, although he had been Robson's guest at the match.

A statement released by Ipswich Town: "He was attended by the club doctor and, as a precaution, was transferred to Ipswich hospital.

"The club has no further comment to make."

Robson's cancer specialist, Dr Hugh Davies, was Robson's guest at the match and accompanied him to the hospital.

:( :( :(

[boxshapedheart]

Carrick hath injured himself! :mad:

edit: ok it's a sprained left ankle.

Still, bastard pre-seasons! With Roon and Scholesey's troubles too.

[boxshapedheart]

:( :( :(
:(

Poor Robbo.

[boxshapedheart]

Cool, pretty good performance. Giggsy had cracking free kicks, one of which went in. :) Nae bad, nae bad.

What was up with Liverpool losing 5-0 to FSV Mainz? I know there was a lot of subbing but still a bit worrying before the Champions League game eh?

[Bexster]

Cool, pretty good performance. Giggsy had cracking free kicks, one of which went in. :) Nae bad, nae bad.

What was up with Liverpool losing 5-0 to FSV Mainz? I know there was a lot of subbing but still a bit worrying before the Champions League game eh?

5-0?? Seriously. Did they play their under 16 squad out there?

I don't think Liverpool will have problems come qualifying next week.

[EvilElvis]

Villa drew 0-0 against Hannover

Positives - we've not lost a goal in 4 matches and that was the first time the players have been watched closely by Martin O'Neil and the new management team.

Negatives - only 2 more pre season friendlies left before we go to the Emirates.

[EvilElvis]

William Gallas will snub Chelsea's £80,000-a-week deal and move across London to Arsenal. (News of the World)

The Gunners will add to their attacking options with the £16m capture of Marseille's wantaway international winger Franck Ribery. (The People)

Arsene Wenger will raise the necessary funds by off-loading Jose Antonio Reyes. The winger will join Real Madrid for £16m this week. (The People)

Lens' £4m-rated midfielder Alou Diarra has also caught Arsenal's eye. (NotW)

Arsenal have made enquiries about Luca Toni, who has also interested Newcastle and Manchester United. (Sunday Express)

Manchester United are in secret talks - make that were - for Argentina striker Carlos Tevez. Brazilian club Corinthians want £15m. (Sunday Express)

Marcos Senna has secured his £4m move from Villarreal to Manchester United, which will go through this week. (NotW)

Sir Alex Ferguson will then turn his attention to prising striker Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid. (People)

Sol Campbell has agreed to join Portsmouth on £40,000-a-week. (NotW)

And Newcastle. (The People)

Pompey are also set to swoop for Danny Murphy, offering Tottenham £2m for the midfielder. (NotW)

Harry Redknapp has made a £2m offer for Bolton's Tal Ben Haim. (The People)

Are Portsmouth the poor man's Chelsea? They will also throw cash at Manchester City to sign Sylvain Distin for £4m and David James for £2m. (NotW)

Manchester City will sign Hatem Trabelsi if Ajax's Tunisian full-back drops his wage demands. (NotW)

Liverpool are also monitoring the Trabelsi situation - along with Monaco and Paris St Germain. (The People)

Stuart Pearce is also tracking Rennes goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson. The Sweden international will cost £2.5m and is also interesting Charlton. (NotW)

Wigan will let Pascal Chimbonda join Tottenham for a cut-price compromise deal - £6m down to £5.25m. (The People)


OTHER GOSSIP
New England head coach Steve McClaren will call up West Ham striker Dean Ashton for the friendly against Greece. (Various)

And McClaren is determined to persuade Paul Scholes to resurrect his international career, although he knows he has his work cut out with the Manchester United man. (The People)

The AV06 consortium looking to take over Aston Villa have pledged new boss Martin O'Neill a £50 transfer kitty - £30m now and £20m in January. (NotW)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is fuming at Fifa for not changing international dates at the start of the season after the World Cup was pushed back a month. It could jeopardise the club's Champions League camapign, Thierry Henry will play a friendly for France before donning Arsenal red this term and Wenger says it is "beyond ridiculous". (NotW)

Emile Heskey has criticised out-spoken Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan following his move from the Blues to Wigan. "I think he'd do better to keep his mouth shut," the striker said. (NotW)

Didier Drogba will sign a new four-year deal at Chelsea before the start of the season. (NotW)

[Bexster]

Oooo, oooo. Can we have Luca Toni? Please, please :D

I'd be happy with all four of those rumours (well not Diarra, but I admit I don't know all that much about him)

I'm a little worried about Villa coming to us all pumped up with new manager and all. It's shaping up to be a very interesting game.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

:(

Poor Robbo.

gutted :(

[Two-Bob Peeters]

first game of the season yesterday.


shit.

[EvilElvis]

first game of the season yesterday.


shit.

You got your season ticket yet?

[EvilElvis]

I'm a little worried about Villa coming to us all pumped up with new manager and all. It's shaping up to be a very interesting game.

So long as the game is more like the first game between Arsenal and Villa last season and not the 2nd game, I'll be happy.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

You got your season ticket yet?

came through saturday morning. but hundreds wasn't sent out. so the kick off was delayed by 15 mins 'cos of the queues. they had about 2 kiosks open 3 ticket windows and they sold out of programmes. our crowd was only 10,000.

we've had more than that so many times. and yesterday we folded, Millwall couldn't run a bath, and never have been able to.

[EvilElvis]

A few teams in Scotland (Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen from memory) have got season tickets which are basically credit cards.

Every time they had teir first home game with the cards as the season ticket, there was a malfunction

Rangers happened a few years back (2002 I think)
Aberdeen's happened yesterday
and Celtic's happened on the opening game of the seasaon - when they unfurled the championship flag, the chairman was saying "We have the best and most loyal fans". There was 15,000 were locked outside!

[Two-Bob Peeters]

yeah ours are credit cards too, apparantly the system fucked up.

and we had to turn away 2000 fans yesterday, total disgrace

[EvilElvis]

yeah ours are credit cards too, apparantly the system fucked up.

and we had to turn away 2000 fans yesterday, total disgrace

Any other teams have a similar problem?

Strange how it's always happened on the first time they've been used. By every club.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Any other teams have a similar problem?

Strange how it's always happened on the first time they've been used. By every club.

our club are just incapable of doing anything correctly

we're not in the position where we can turn away that many fans

[tom65]

Heh. It was like that when we were at Coldplay in Barcalona. Frank Rijkaard turned up after Barca had just beaten Real 3-0 that day, and the crowd went absolutely nuts when we spotted him :D

Are there odds on whether a Villa takeover is actually going to happen at all this season. I mean there's going to be so much procrastination, I get the feeling it's going to be quite drawn out.


Bono turned up at a Bob Dylan concert in Dublin and I heard so, so many mutterings of "fucking twat". It was good.




Bobby Robson can't be ill! He's helping Ireland! :(

[EvilElvis]

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/08/06/SOCCER_Rangers_Ricksen.html&TEAMHD=soccer

Fernando Ricksen has revealed how he was forced to seek help for his personal problems in a bid to save his life, as well as his Rangers career.

The 30-year-old defender spent two weeks at the Sporting Chance Clinic receiving counselling for anger and behavioural issues after being sent home in disgrace from a pre-season tour of South Africa.

He later admitted to an altercation with an air stewardess, after drinking alcohol, on the flight to Johannesburg with the rest of the team.

And, after six years of flashpoints both on and off the park as a Rangers player, he says he knew he needed help.

"What I thought was that I had ruined my life, not just my career," he said.

"It started to dawn on me that I had ruined everything that was important to me - my relationship with my wife, my relationship with my stepson, and, yes, my career.

"If I didn't face my problems now, I never would.

"I would have just continued with this life and I think it would have killed me.

"It would have cost me everything because I was on the verge of losing it."

Ricksen admits finally facing his demons was difficult.

"I didn't know what to expect going into the clinic but it was the most emotionally and physically draining thing I've ever done," he told the Sunday Herald.

"And the hardest thing is being honest with yourself and accepting who you are and then being willing to make it better."

However, a question mark remains over his Rangers career after manager Paul Le Guen revealed on Friday that he has advised Ricksen to find a new club.


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

:(

Get well soon 'Nando.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Leeds 1 - 0 Norwich.

Robert Earnshaw missed a hat-tricks worth of simple chances for Norwich underlining his credentials as Shit. Well taken penatly from David Healy to seal the win. Keep it going, boys.

[EvilElvis]

Japanese Trip Backfires...Again (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/5250704.stm)


Hearts 2-1 Celtic


Roman Bednar scored twice as Hearts beat defending champions Celtic at Tynecastle to go joint top of the SPL.
Bednar struck shortly after the break with a great drive past Artur Boruc and then had a valid finish ruled offside.

Stilian Petrov replied for the visitors with a brilliant strike but near the end Bednar pounced on a Neil Lennon error to deliver victory for Hearts.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan and Hearts coach John McGlynn were sent to the stand by referee Stuart Dougal.

Celtic captain Lennon was free from suspension but Strachan had opted to leave him out of the starting line-up.

Robbie Neilson and Takis Fyssas were notable Hearts absentees, replaced by Ibrahim Tall and Lee Wallace.

There was even a last-minute change of referee, Stuart Dougal taking over from Kenny Clark who suffered a back injury.

After a high-energy start, with few clear chances, Bruno Aguiar's flighted free-kick from the left was headed past the post by Bednar.

Just before the half-hour, Tall was replaced by Neilson, after the Senegalese seemed to catch his studs in the turf.

Three minutes before the break Celtic had their first direct attempt on the Hearts goal, Kenny Miller shooting low from 20 yards, but Craig Gordon saving well.

Then Strachan and McGlynn became embroiled in a heated touchline debate after the game was halted for Hearts midfielder Julien Brellier to receive treatment.

After consulting his fourth official, referee Dougal decided to send both Strachan and McGlynn to the stand.

The second-half was thankfully a vast improvement on the first.

When Bednar spurned an easy header he soon atoned, outstripping the Celtic defence and lashing an angled left-foot shot past Artur Boruc in off the post.

The Czech marksman then had a legitimate finish ruled offside, before Celtic themselves pounced in the 65th minute for the equaliser.

A sweeping move - involving Shunsuke Nakamara, Kenny Miller and Aiden McGeady - was ended superbly by Petrov whose first-time drive rendered Gordon powerless.

But with three minutes remaining substitute Lennon's dreadful back pass was intercepted by Bednar who rounded Boruc before calmly sidefooting the winner into the Celtic net.

[Ian Mc]

Apparently Bobby Robson is 'comfortable' in hospital...good news I think. If anything happened to him I'd cry for days :(

I missed the games on Channel 5 yesterday so I was shocked to hear Butt score twice!! If Newcastle get Gravesen, we'll have as many midfielders as Spurs (Parker, Solano, Duff, Dyer, Pattison, Milner, N'Zogbia, Emre, Faye, Butt), that fact that Butt scored one never mind two yesterday shows that we need strikers and badly...and also a defence!

I have a theory that Strachan is trying to do a Dalglish on Celtic and run them into the ground....it could make the SPL a little more entertaining if he does!

[Two-Bob Peeters]

this could be the most comptetitive scottish leaguein a long while

[Renegades of funk 8]

Any other teams have a similar problem?

Strange how it's always happened on the first time they've been used. By every club.


this sounds worrying - fulham have got this card system thing now - and it hasn't been used yet

but anyways hooray for me - i've seen fulham win in germany, my first away game in another country :D (well apart from wales)

germany was nice and hot :)

[EvilElvis]

this could be the most comptetitive scottish leaguein a long while

The first half today was utterly shite. I spent more time reading a paper than watching the game.

The highlight of it was the touchline bust up.

Strachan shouldn't have gone, but his assistant should've been sent to the stand.

Hearts could have won 4-1 - Goal wrongly ruled out and they hit the bar with the last kick of the game.

I reckon Rangers are going to walk it. Le Guen just needs to get his squad sorted and wait for them to gel as a team.

Romanov fucks about with Hearts too much and I can see O'Neil nabbing a few Celtic players (Petrov and Agathe already rumoured to be heading to Villa Park)

[Captain Stu]

did you even see the sending off?

never a red

Yes... and you can't jump like that with your elbows out. Retards who do that get sent off and deserve it.

[Aimee]

Just waiting for someone to make an interesting thread and thought I'd stop by.

*waves to Stu*

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Just waiting for someone to make an interesting thread and thought I'd stop by.

*waves to Stu*

boo

[Captain Stu]

Just waiting for someone to make an interesting thread and thought I'd stop by.

*waves to Stu*

*waves*

Bonsoir, Aimee.

[EvilElvis]

I missed the games on Channel 5 yesterday so I was shocked to hear Butt score twice!! If Newcastle get Gravesen, we'll have as many midfielders as Spurs (Parker, Solano, Duff, Dyer, Pattison, Milner, N'Zogbia, Emre, Faye, Butt), that fact that Butt scored one never mind two yesterday shows that we need strikers and badly...and also a defence!



Can you sell James Milner to Aston Villa please?

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Also, can millwall have Parker, we'll do a swap deal for Jody Morris

[Two-Bob Peeters]

as nobody has done it yet...

Middlesbrough will step up their search for new faces on Monday after being snubbed by Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt. (Various)

Manchester United will hold talks with West Brom on Monday to try and agree a deal for goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak. (Daily Mirror)

Stuart Pearce is considering a £2m bid from Portsmouth for England goalkeeper David James. (Various)

West Brom boss Bryan Robson is to make a surprise attempt to sign Togo World Cup striker Adekambi Oluufade on a season-long loan from Lille. (Daily Mirror)

Sol Campbell will complete his move from Arsenal to Portsmouth on Monday after agreeing terms with Harry Redknapp's side. (Daily Express)

Middlesbrough will complete a £1m deal for Blackburn defender Brett Emerton on Tuesday. (Daily Mail)

Crystal Palace are closing in on a £200,000 deal for Ghana star Dan Quaye. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp will complete the £1.6m signing of Peru defender Juan Vargas on Monday. (Daily Mirror)


Back to top

OTHER GOSSIP
Defender Ashley Cole, who is expected to join Chelsea, will be left behind by Arsenal as they head for Tuesday's Champions League qualifier with Dinamo Zagreb. (Various)

Tottenham new boy Didier Zokora says he can become the Patrick Vieira of White Hart Lane. (Various)

Charlton new boy Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says he is not sure whether Andriy Shevchenko has what it takes to succeed in the Premiership. (Daily Mirror)

Former Scotland boss Tommy Docherty has criticised Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson, saying that most of the deals he has struck in the past few years have been 'crazy'. (Daily Record)

Joe Cole's damaged knee could rule him out of action until Christmas. (Various)

Terry Venables will be unveiled as England's number two on Monday after signing a contract with the FA on Sunday. (The Sun)

Chelsea's players want William Gallas to say sorry after the French defender missed the Blues' pre-season trip to the USA. (Various)

American billionaire is still hoping to takeover Aston Villa - and wants to build a Las Vegas-style super casino on land owned by the club. (Various)


Back to top

FUNNIES
Porto boss Co Adriaanse says Man Utd are 'crazy' to spend £18.6m on Michael Carrick - and claims that sort of money should only be spent on a 'painting or a work of art'. (Daily Mirror)

Martin O'Neill got frugal Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis to open his wallet within hours of taking over as boss - but only to pay for a Chinese meal. (Daily Mirror)

[Bexster]

I'm wishing Cole would just hurry up and go so we can get on with the rest of the season. I'm fed up with it now.

And with all this business with Kuyt. That's been going on for near on a month now.

[Renegades of funk 8]

alot of teams seem to have there fair share of midfielders, fulham - diop,elliot,pembridge,legwinski,brown,bullard,c jensen,boa morte,malbranque,radzinski - there not all too great but they all played quite alot last season

[Two-Bob Peeters]

I'm wishing Cole would just hurry up and go so we can get on with the rest of the season. I'm fed up with it now.

And with all this business with Kuyt. That's been going on for near on a month now.

how boring is this Kuyt stuff? unreal

[Bexster]

how boring is this Kuyt stuff? unreal

I got slightly excited when I heard his name mentioned with Boro, but it just made me laugh. I bet he's not actually going to move anywhere at all.

[Bexster]

Crespo's just signed a 2 year deal with Inter.

[Renegades of funk 8]

Crespo's just signed a 2 year deal with Inter.

now lets hope shev turns out to be a flop and drogba breaks his leg (sorry thats mean)

[tom65]

Didn't Cisse break his leg just about the day before the World Cup? How far from recovering is he?


Or am I thinking of someone else?

[Bexster]

Didn't Cisse break his leg just about the day before the World Cup? How far from recovering is he?


Or am I thinking of someone else?

It was him. I don't know how far along he is. I wouldn't think we'll see him much before the beginning of october.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Crespo's just signed a 2 year deal with Inter.

damn, i like crespo

[Teenageriot]

damn, i like crespo

yeah crespo is awesome. it's a shame when the prem loses a class player.

[Captain Stu]

I texted Dan-san so inform him of the depressing Crespo news.

Crespo > Death > Dogba

Poor decision.

Also, yes, the Kuyt stuff is getting boring - he still refuses to comment on whether he even wants to leave Feyenoord, I just reckon he's not formally saying he wants to leave so he gets his 5-10% of the transfer fee.

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Mido may be back soon.:cool:

[Captain Stu]

Mido may be back soon.:cool:

Do you want him after the way he fucked Sperms around? If he could be forgiven, he'd be a cracking asset to go on the front line with Berby, Defoe and Keaneybaby.

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

From what I understand, he wanted to sign for us at the end of last season but we declined because of his general attitide and fitness after he returned from the African Nations Cup. Roma also bumped up the price after the fairly good season he had.

Now that everyone seems un-interested in him, Roma have lowered the price the again. Jol reckons he can keep him on a leash and get the best out of him.

If he can be kept under control, he could be an awesome player.

[Captain Stu]

How much are Roma asking?

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Not sure what they're asking now but they were asking for around £6-7m.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Not sure what they're asking now but they were asking for around £6-7m.

not worth it

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Think I read somewhere that Blackburn were close to agreeing a deal around £3/4m, so that may be close to the current asking price.

[Captain Stu]

Not sure what they're asking now but they were asking for around £6-7m.

If he's got it, I think that's worth it (and he probably has from the £14M from Carrick) because the aerial threat completes the full pack of strikers really:

Berbatov (we believe) will provide the predatory goals.
Defoe is the sheer blind pace.
Keane has the intelligence and footballing brain, probably more a creator this season.
Mido for his aerial prowess.

That's a hot foursome that is, goals guarenteed.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

If he's got it, I think that's worth it (and he probably has from the £14M from Carrick) because the aerial threat completes the full pack of strikers really:

Berbatov (we believe) will provide the predatory goals.
Defoe is the sheer blind pace.
Keane has the intelligence and footballing brain, probably more a creator this season.
Mido for his aerial prowess.

That's a hot foursome that is, goals guarenteed.

But, the only thing being, i cant see Berbatov wanting to be on the bench, nor Mido. and there's always an interest in Keane and Defoe, so he's gotta keep 'em all happy, which may be difficult

[Captain Stu]

But, the only thing being, i cant see Berbatov wanting to be on the bench, nor Mido. and there's always an interest in Keane and Defoe, so he's gotta keep 'em all happy, which may be difficult

Apparently during the pre-season they've been experimenting with a 3-man attack: Defoe and Berbatov playing up front with Keane behind them.

I could see Berbatov and Defoe taking it in turns to be swapped with Mido as really they all have something to offer.

The little experiment seems to have worked too, they've been playing pretty well - but only the start of the season will show how it really works.

[Captain Stu]

Apparently Liverpool are set to let Pongo go. :( I reeeeeeeally want him to stay - he has the pace and skills to do a real job for us, at least give him a chance! Whenever he's had a chance, he plays well, works hard for the team and chips in with some goals... I don't see why Benitez won't give him a better run out, especially last season when we couldn't score for shite.

[rob3000]

I liked Pongolle, he's so good and so young. Whoever gets him can be happy with a good, cheap (I'm asuming) purchase.

[Captain Stu]

I liked Pongolle, he's so good and so young. Whoever gets him can be happy with a good, cheap (I'm asuming) purchase.

Yup, apparently Osasuna are the favourites to get him.

Le Tallec's also off too... but nobody gives a shit about him, the big tit.

[earth_girls_are_easy]

its like your speaking a different language :(

[rob3000]

Yup, apparently Osasuna are the favourites to get him.

Le Tallec's also off too... but nobody gives a shit about him, the big tit.
I really don't rate Le Tallec at all, he's absolutely shit.

[Captain Stu]

I really don't rate Le Tallec at all, he's absolutely shit.

Totally, and a fucking fat-head too. He even admitted a few months back that he acted like a prick when Rafa first came to the club and wished he'd given him a chance before demanding to leave.

[rob3000]

Oh yeah, didn't he say something like he expects to be played or he's leaving and Rafa just told him to fuck off?

[Captain Stu]

Oh yeah, didn't he say something like he expects to be played or he's leaving and Rafa just told him to fuck off?

Yup, exactly that. He thought Houllier had treated him badly and that he HAD to be in the first team... Benitez responded by transfer listing him and shipping him off to Sunderland on loan.

Rafa - 1
Some French cunt - 0

:D