Re: The Football Thread - 10/11 (II)

by LeFromage Tue May 24, 2011 7:11 pm

To be fair, everyone launches their new kit at the end of the any given season.

I don't imagine Arsene Wenger took any time off from his footballing commitments to design and stitch together the new uniforms.

They probably have a separate department for that.

by DJ_Smerk Tue May 24, 2011 7:22 pm

Some 17 year old French designers.

by DJ_Smerk Tue May 24, 2011 7:27 pm

Rumour has it, Charlie Adam (£7m) and Brad Friedel (Free) have been signed by Liverpool.

by LeFromage Tue May 24, 2011 7:30 pm

Weird if true. Why would Friedel, at this stage in his long career, give up being number one in favour of sitting on someone else's bench?

Unless Pepe Reina's about to be sold.

Adam's a load of crap. He's a Marcus Stewart or a Michael Ricketts - a lower-league footballer who had one half-decent season in the top flight. He'll skulk off back to the depths in no time.

by DJ_Smerk Tue May 24, 2011 7:38 pm

Dello wrote:Weird if true. Why would Friedel, at this stage in his long career, give up being number one in favour of sitting on someone else's bench?

Maybe Kenny will rotate his keepers in the season to avoid burn out? Use Friedel for FA and Carling cup ties, Pepe for PL and other ties (i.e any finals or semi's they may make).

My guess is he's seen other sub keepers in action (that Manure keeper who flapped like a wingless chicken) and would like some sort of depth in his keeping stocks, even if it just for one season.

by DJ_Smerk Tue May 24, 2011 7:40 pm

Charlie Adam has been bought over one good season in the PL. Much like Andy Carroll in that respect. I worry for Liverpool when they play Carroll, the football turns from fluid pass and move football to complete hoofball at the chance Carroll will head it in.

by LeFromage Tue May 24, 2011 7:43 pm

DJ_Smerk wrote:
Dello wrote:Weird if true. Why would Friedel, at this stage in his long career, give up being number one in favour of sitting on someone else's bench?

Maybe Kenny will rotate his keepers in the season to avoid burn out? Use Friedel for FA and Carling cup ties, Pepe for PL and other ties (i.e any finals or semi's they may make).

My guess is he's seen other sub keepers in action (that Manure keeper who flapped like a wingless chicken) and would like some sort of depth in his keeping stocks, even if it just for one season.

Sure, I can understand why Liverpool would want a quality back-up - but what's in it for Friedel? He's first choice at Villa, would be first choice at almost any club he joined, and yet he's going to Liverpool to play five or six cup games per season?

Doubtful.

by taipan Tue May 24, 2011 7:44 pm

DJ_Smerk wrote:
Dello wrote:Weird if true. Why would Friedel, at this stage in his long career, give up being number one in favour of sitting on someone else's bench?

Maybe Kenny will rotate his keepers in the season to avoid burn out? Use Friedel for FA and Carling cup ties, Pepe for PL and other ties (i.e any finals or semi's they may make).

My guess is he's seen other sub keepers in action (that Manure keeper who flapped like a wingless chicken) and would like some sort of depth in his keeping stocks, even if it just for one season.

Why would a Liverpool keeper burn out? Its not like they are in Europe or anything.

by LeFromage Tue May 24, 2011 7:45 pm

taipan wrote:
DJ_Smerk wrote:
Dello wrote:Weird if true. Why would Friedel, at this stage in his long career, give up being number one in favour of sitting on someone else's bench?

Maybe Kenny will rotate his keepers in the season to avoid burn out? Use Friedel for FA and Carling cup ties, Pepe for PL and other ties (i.e any finals or semi's they may make).

My guess is he's seen other sub keepers in action (that Manure keeper who flapped like a wingless chicken) and would like some sort of depth in his keeping stocks, even if it just for one season.

Why would a Liverpool keeper burn out? Its not like they are in Europe or anything.

Don't know. I've never heard of a keeper burning out. Usually they're the only ever-present player over the course of a season for each squad.

by beamer Wed May 25, 2011 3:09 am

DJ_Smerk wrote:Arsenal have revealed their new kit for 2011/12.

"The Arsenal crest is flanked by 15 laurel leaves on the left side, and 15 oak leaves on the right."

Looks like Arsenal have their priorities sorted for next season, bugger signing anyone, let's have a couple of oak leaves, that'll throw the opposition.

Should have had a Protea and a Silver Fern, given their record when the pressure is on...

by LeFromage Wed May 25, 2011 6:17 am

Or a picture of Michael Hutchence mid-asphyxi-wank.

by PeterCS Wed May 25, 2011 6:19 am

Or tutus

(not Desmonds)

by DJ_Smerk Wed May 25, 2011 4:10 pm

Arsene Wenger looking at Benzema from Real Madrid.

A Van Persie/Benzema strike partnership would be rampant if used in the correct manner.

by taipan Wed May 25, 2011 4:21 pm

DJ_Smerk wrote:Arsene Wenger looking at Benzema from Real Madrid.

A Van Persie/Benzema strike partnership would be rampant if used in the correct manner.

Yep, that should sort out the defence a treat.

by DJ_Smerk Wed May 25, 2011 4:22 pm

So you now agree that Arsene hasn't got his priorities sorted?

by DJ_Smerk Wed May 25, 2011 4:27 pm

An extra striker is always useful, but agreed, should be pursuing a couple of new defenders (centre back) and a keeper. They should be top of his list at the moment.

Meanwhile, United have signed De Gea from Atletico Madrid.

by LeFromage Wed May 25, 2011 7:24 pm

DJ_Smerk wrote:Arsene Wenger looking at Benzema from Real Madrid.

A Van Persie/Benzema strike partnership would be rampant if used in the correct manner.

taipan wrote:
DJ_Smerk wrote:Arsene Wenger looking at Benzema from Real Madrid.

A Van Persie/Benzema strike partnership would be rampant if used in the correct manner.

Yep, that should sort out the defence a treat.

Be fair - aside from VP, Arsenal don't have any other strikers worthy of the name. Bendtner? Chamakh? What a couple of donkeys.

Of course, they would have to change their tactics of the last three or so seasons (of playing one up) to accommodate Van Persie and Benzema.

What am I talking about - they're not going to sign Benzema. A) he'll cost too much B) his wages will be too high C) if he was really available, a bigger, better, richer club would snap him up.

by skully Wed May 25, 2011 7:52 pm

Did Arsenal avoid relegation? Cool

Did they avoid a CL spot?

by LeFromage Wed May 25, 2011 7:55 pm

Just. And almost.

by skully Wed May 25, 2011 7:56 pm

So forf then? Yes, yes, I could look it up, but I know you'd have these facts at the ready. Cool

by LeFromage Wed May 25, 2011 8:00 pm

Got to play a qualifying round in August in order to make the Champions League group stages.

Potential to completely f*ck up an entire season's hard work in one two-legged game.

The only team in the world who could fight for the title in a two horse race and come fourth.

by skully Wed May 25, 2011 8:02 pm

How long has Wenger got to go on his contract? Sounds like things are getting a little stale at Emirates. Or does taking a club through an undefeated season years ago entitle you to a job for life?

by beamer Thu May 26, 2011 5:38 am

The club is modelled on his philosophy, a change would be a massive upheaval. That's why he's got a job for life, along with the fact that the majority of their supporters still believe in his methods, and would rather finish fourth playing the style they do than win the old boring George Graham way! The recent ownership developments must mean there's a bit more pressure on him to deliver though. And even if they don't c*ck up the qualifying round (where they should be seeded to avoid the toughest possible opponents such as Bayern Munich, Lyon and Villarreal) next season a resurgent Liverpool could make it tough for them - five into four doesn't go. Or six, if you throw Spurs into the mix again.

by LeFromage Thu May 26, 2011 5:58 am

Suspect Spurs' wad is somewhat shot.

They're having to offload an awful lot of players to ease their massive wage bill, which is unsustainable for a non-billionaire-sugar-daddy owned club with average gates of 35,000 and no Champions League football.

by skully Thu May 26, 2011 7:24 am

Zoggy will be devoed.

by Sponsored content