Re: The Football Thread - 2012/13 (II)

[LeFromage]

No, apparently they want Stevan Jovetic as their big summer signing. Another striker who will get you 10 - 14 goals, to add to their collection of nearly good strikers.

They've really had the horn for Jovetic for 18 months now. I've seen him a few times and I think he's pretty meh. Doesn't score too heavily. Technically decent. Not electric pace. Good movement and aweness. He's a slightly more well fed Alexander Hleb, but a striker.

If I could take a young player from Serie A it'd be Erik Lamela. He's a bit Bale-y, a left sided attacker who likes to attack from the right with great pace, cutting in and letting fly with his sweet left peg.

Although, having just googled him to double-check the spelling of his name, it seems Man City are all over that one like a rash.

[Chivalry Augustus]

Spurs couldn't block Campbell's move as he was out of contract. But they sure as shit won't accept any price from Arsenal for Bale.

If they're really serious about competing for the title, they need a keeper, a right back, a centre back, a GENUINE defensive midfielder (Arteta just "doing a job" isn't the stuff of champions), and a centre forward.

At least.

Wenger won't spend big, though, He's allergic to it. He's already lined up a young French striker, Yaya Sanogo (Football Manager legend), who is out of contract, and it would be no surprise if he declared his search for a striker over, with one cheap as chips, unproven French kid.

Chelsea are the team to beat next season, with a proper manager installed. Three of the best young players in Europe, Courtois, De Bruyne and Lukaku (four if you include Thorgan Hazard, Eden's kid brother) have been out on loan, tearing up the leagues - add them to the quality young-ish players already there (Oscar, Hazard, Mata, Luiz, Azpilla-whatever, Moses) and you've got one hell of an exciting core to build for the future upon.

Get in a decent CB to place alongside Ivanovic and a CM with some tactical discipline to replace headless chicken Ramires, and there's not a whole lot wrong the personnel.

And the new manager will be allowed to buy a lot more than just that.

Kevin De Bruyne has already agreed a contract with Borussia Dortmund. It's just a case of Chelsea haggling because they're keen to send him to Bayer Leverkusen in exchange for Andre Schurrle (an inferior player - a second-rate German, in fact, in the mould of Lukas Podolski). De Bruyne understandably wants to go to Dortmund and probably will, eventually. Courtois is also heavily rumoured to be moving on. He's probably the best young goalkeeper in Europe. F*ck. Where are all these good Belgian players coming from?

[LeFromage]

Spurs couldn't block Campbell's move as he was out of contract. But they sure as shit won't accept any price from Arsenal for Bale.

If they're really serious about competing for the title, they need a keeper, a right back, a centre back, a GENUINE defensive midfielder (Arteta just "doing a job" isn't the stuff of champions), and a centre forward.

At least.

Wenger won't spend big, though, He's allergic to it. He's already lined up a young French striker, Yaya Sanogo (Football Manager legend), who is out of contract, and it would be no surprise if he declared his search for a striker over, with one cheap as chips, unproven French kid.

Chelsea are the team to beat next season, with a proper manager installed. Three of the best young players in Europe, Courtois, De Bruyne and Lukaku (four if you include Thorgan Hazard, Eden's kid brother) have been out on loan, tearing up the leagues - add them to the quality young-ish players already there (Oscar, Hazard, Mata, Luiz, Azpilla-whatever, Moses) and you've got one hell of an exciting core to build for the future upon.

Get in a decent CB to place alongside Ivanovic and a CM with some tactical discipline to replace headless chicken Ramires, and there's not a whole lot wrong the personnel.

And the new manager will be allowed to buy a lot more than just that.

Kevin De Bruyne has already agreed a contract with Borussia Dortmund. It's just a case of Chelsea haggling because they're keen to send him to Bayer Leverkusen in exchange for Andre Schurrle (an inferior player - a second-rate German, in fact, in the mould of Lukas Podolski). De Bruyne understandably wants to go to Dortmund and probably will, eventually. Courtois is also heavily rumoured to be moving on. He's probably the best young goalkeeper in Europe. F*ck. Where are all these good Belgian players coming from?

They're mental to get rid of De Bruyne whilst retaining Benayoun and Marin (although I think he's a better player than he's shown so far in his brief cameos). Likewise Courtois, if they do. Cech has been a brilliant keeper for them, but everyone knows he hasn't been at the same level that he was before his terrible head injury, they're just too polite to say.

The ruthless thing would be to move him on, and bring the young Belgian through (who'd also be on smaller wages, which might tip the balance if this financial fair play bollocks ever kicks in meaningfully).

Perhaps the English FA should steal some Belgian coaches - they're obviously doing something right over there.

[beamer]

Regarding Cech, he was that young when he had the injury that it's hard to say how it affected his development. He's always had the odd howler in him, the inexplicable piece of decision making, but I think is the most imposing keeper there's been since Schmeichel, if anything the headguard adds to that! Hasn't had that much attention this season which suggests he's done little wrong, and still only early 30s.

That said, if they have an outstanding young keeper then the older one is the one to cash in on (not sure how long Cech has on his contract) - but I suppose if Mourinho is coming back then he will be likely to stick with those remaining from his first spell.

[taipan]

Let the game of thrones begin.

[G.Wood]

So Fergie's legacy is to leave United with a rubbish defence

[beamer]

Pulis leaves Stoke. So that's next year's third relegation place settled, alongside Hull and Palace/Watford...

Alan Pardew is now the second longest serving manager in the Premier League. At two and a half years!

[PeterCS]

Why doesn't Abramovich sign up three managers for Chelski?

It must be a damn nuisance having to think about replacing the useless lazy bastards all the time.

That way, he could put off that particular recurrent pain in the arse for a few months, and buy a bit of time for his other ventures.

[PeterCS]

Apparently Moyes has just been presented with his official shoes (for matchdays only)

[beamer]

Why doesn't Abramovich sign up three managers for Chelski?

It must be a damn nuisance having to think about replacing the useless lazy bastards all the time.

That way, he could put off that particular recurrent pain in the arse for a few months, and buy a bit of time for his other ventures.

How about "guest managers" on a weekly basis, in a "Have I Got News For You" style?

[LeFromage]

Pulis leaves Stoke. So that's next year's third relegation place settled, alongside Hull and Palace/Watford...

Alan Pardew is now the second longest serving manager in the Premier League. At two and a half years!

Saints' new manager is currently the 13th longest: four and a half months!

Not only is Arsene Wenger now the longest serving manager in English football, but in the eight years since Arsenal last won a trophy, the other 91 league clubs have all changed manager at least once.

Fact of the mother f*cking day.

[LeFromage]

re: Pulis leaving. In theory, football just got a little bit more watchable.

Of course, Everton fans are probably putting 2 and 2 together and shitting themselves...

[beamer]

While we want mostly "footballing" sides, and the likes of Swansea have proved you can go up and stay up passing the ball, I think the top flight always needs one "Crazy Gang" team. If only to wind up Arsenal.

There's only really Big Sam left as an old school British manager, and in his case I think people somewhat overplay his reliance on the ugly game.

[LeFromage]

No - I saw Saints vs West Ham a few weeks back and they really are as awful as advertised.

If they can't sign Carroll permanently, I don't know what they'll do, because their entire game was built around 70 yard punts in his vague direction (which, incidentally, he mostly pussied out of challenging for, instead diving and throwing himself on the ground, playing for free kicks while Kevin Nolan gave the referee a running commentary on all the decisions he was getting wrong).

Just grim to watch. Imagine paying a grand or so for a season ticket to endure that crap week in - especially for a club with a proud "footballing" tradition.

I predict as soon as they hit a rough patch, the fans will do a Stoke and declare that they can't stomach any more caveman football.

[Brass Monkey]

You speak truths. Let me stand next to your fire.

[G.Wood]

Hope gussie didn't do himself a mischief

[horace]

watched Lazio defeat the evil Roma in their cup final....really enjoyed that evil diver Totti hanging around stony faced at the end...pretty poor standard match but the sight of Totti esp after being yellow carded made watching worthwhile

[skully]

Congrats to Crystal Palace on going up. Worth $180 M to them. Yowsers!! So straight back down, then?

[LeFromage]

They're going to have to spend incredibly well. From what I saw of them, they were about ten and half players short of Premier League standard, and the "half" has already been transferred out of there.

But, hey, if they do go straight back down, the £100+ million payday will soften the blow and help them to build some foundations for a proper shot at it in the near future.

[beamer]

They're going to have to spend incredibly well. From what I saw of them, they were about ten and half players short of Premier League standard, and the "half" has already been transferred out of there.

But, hey, if they do go straight back down, the £100+ million payday will soften the blow and help them to build some foundations for a proper shot at it in the near future.

Their last four attempts at top flight football have ended in relegation. Doesn't look too hopeful for them, especially if the nearly 40 year old Kevin Phillips starts the season as main striker! Holloway's enthusiasm will probably prevent a Derby-like season though.

[Brass Monkey]

No-one on about Eng v Ire? Gosh I laughed when Long scored that cracking header. England? Narrow balls up front to midgets, devoid of any clue when pressed in the middle of the park and the cliché 'lacked the final ball' would be a humongous understatement. The defending was very shaky and the positioning was pretty naive. Old Shane's header was top drawer, but once again Hart was slightly out of position.

It was like a Championship side versus a middle of the road Premiership side, with the Championship team having all the pluck, industry and will.

[LeFromage]

It wasn't like a Championship side - all Ireland's players are lower-league cloggers.

England's, on the other hand, are a higher class of clogger. In the sense that they get more money for their risible clogging.

Who gives a shit.

[LeFromage]

Gareth Bale linked with £80 million moves all over Europe.

Fun fact: if any of those deals come off, Tommy Forecast will become both Southampton's all time record transfer and all time biggest flop, as then-chairman Rupert Lowe ingeniously went back to Spurs and renegotiated away a 25% sell on clause that the Saints had in place for Bale in exchange for Tottenham's number three goalkeeper - who was so poor he quickly became named Tommy Four-past and was last seen on loan at Gillingham and has been released this summer.

Can't think how such a shrewd businessman as Lowe led Southampton into administration...

[beamer]

After being battered 0-0 in the first half England threaten to sneak a win in the Maracana before it ends up 2-2. Great strike from The Ox, a.k.a. Alexander Mark David Oxlade-Chamberlain... football's answer to "just call me Joe" Vaas?

[LeFromage]

If he'd stayed at Saints he would've played every week and have about 60 more first team starts under his belt by now - and been a Premier League player.

But he wouldn't have been picked for England.

He went to Arsenal and has sat on their bench for two years. And, of course, is an England regular. How odd.

Like Walcott, though, his profile, fame and wealth has advanced greatly, but his development has regressed badly.

His daddy is already making Theo-like noises about little Alex not being played in his preferred position...

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