Re: New EPL/Football thread 2008 (II)

by Makaveli Mon 04 May 2009, 00:55

Dello wrote:
Lara Lara Laughs wrote:
And as Dello says, their midfield is great. Xavi and Iniesta are artists and Keita, Busquets or Toure provide bite.

I'm impressed at how hard they work to win the ball back. Not sure there was the same desire in the Ronaldinho/Deco days.

That team that won the double with Ronaldinho was better than the current one imo.

by embee Mon 04 May 2009, 06:29

Fulham and Wolverhampton to play friendlies in Perth in July
Article from: Agence France-Presse

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Michael Washbourne

May 04, 2009 11:30am

WA soccer has received a massive boost with the announcement that two English Premier League teams will play friendlies in Perth in July.
Wolverhampton and Fulham will play separate matches against Perth Glory at Member’s Equity Stadium as part of each team’s pre-season training schedules.

It is understood Perth Glory owner and chairman Tony Sage has used about $1 million of his own money to lure the two clubs to Perth.

To top off the major announcement, WA have also secured two matches featuring new A-League club North Queensland Fury and their star recruit, former England International and Liverpool star Robbie Fowler.

“It’s a big day for football in this state,” Sage said. “We’ve managed to get a coup that a lot of other A-League clubs are very envious of.”

Newly promoted Premier League Wolverhampton will play a friendly against Perth at Member’s Equity Stadium on Friday, July 10.

They are expected to be based in Perth for two weeks as they finalise their squad.

A double header on July 15 is set to be WA soccer’s biggest day since the Glory’s NSL Grand Final in 2000.

Wolverhampton will play North Queensland in a curtain-raiser to the friendly between the Glory and Fulham.

Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has been confirmed as a starter for Fulham.

“To get two clubs on the same night has just been a huge coup for us,” Sage said.

“No one else has managed to do that in Australia before.”

Schwarzer is also expected to conduct a number of coaching clinics with junior soccer players during his stay in Perth.

The Glory will also play a friendly against North Queensland on July 18 at a regional centre that is yet to be confirmed.

Fowler is not expected to play in that match.

Sage said he expected both matches at Member’s Equity Stadium to be a sellout, but ruled out shifting them to Subiaco Oval.

“We want to have it on a rectangular pitch, even if we get 30,000 or 40,000 people that want tickets,” he said.

“I think the fans deserve to have a rectangular stadium. We hope the fans see that we are very serious about football in this state.

“We’ve had 400 emails from Wolves fans in England that want to come out. It’s going to be a big drawcard.

“I didn’t realise how big Wolves’ fans base is in Australia. I think you’ll see a lot of Wolves fans coming out, especially with two games.”

Sage said he hoped the friendlies against top-line Premier League clubs would become an annual event.

Glory coach Dave Mitchell said it was an exciting time for the club.

“To get such prestigious teams to come over and play against us in the pre-season is great and we certainly look forward to it,” he said.

The Glory also confirmed fringe Socceroos player Jacob Burns had agreed to terms with the club.

Burns is awaiting the final paperwork to be processed and is due to arrive in Perth within the next few weeks.

“I’ve know Jacob for many years and he’s a bit of a character,” Mitchell said.

“He’s a good player and I think he’s a great signing for the club.

“He’s on the fringes of the Socceroos, but I know (coach) Pim (Verbeek) is very fond of him and he doesn’t think it’s a disadvantage coming back to the A-League.”

Burns has been playing with Romanian club Unirea Voluntari Urziceni and is expected to play in the two friendlies against Wolves and Fulham.

Sage also announced the Glory had secured a new sponsorship deal with Sydney-based Financial and Energy Exchange.

The deal is expected to pour more than $500,000 into the club over the next two years.

by ten years after Mon 04 May 2009, 10:01

Reading succeeded in their quest to avoid promotion. Had they beaten Birmingham yesterday they would have been back in the premiership next season.

In their first 15 home games they won 12 (the last of which was a win over Wolves) and drew 2 conceding only 8 goals.

In their last 8 they won 0, drew 3 and lost 5 scoring only 3 goals but remained unbeaten in 9 away games during the same period.

If they were a horse the stewards would be taking a close look.

Anyway, there's always next year.

by Basil Mon 04 May 2009, 10:02

ten years after wrote:Reading succeeded in their quest to avoid promotion. Had they beaten Birmingham yesterday they would have been back in the premiership next season.

In their first 15 home games they won 12 (the last of which was a win over Wolves) and drew 2 conceding only 8 goals.

In their last 8 they won 0, drew 3 and lost 5 scoring only 3 goals but remained unbeaten in 9 away games during the same period.

If they were a horse the stewards would be taking a close look.

Anyway, there's always next year.

There's still the play-offs

by taipan Mon 04 May 2009, 10:12

ten years after wrote:

If they were ~~a horse~~ the IPL the stewards would be taking a close look.

Fixed

by ten years after Mon 04 May 2009, 10:18

Nah, this is Reading. Promotion has to be automatic or they may as well not bother.

In fact, even finishing second is not always good enough. In 94/95 they finished second but missed out on promotion 'cos the premier league was reducing its numbers that year. They did get to Wembley in the play-offs, were 2-0 up with less than 20 minutes to go and won a penalty kick. They still managed to lose.

by G.Wood Mon 04 May 2009, 23:30

I can't believe how bad Newcastle have become. They are just inept.
Liverpool could/should have beaten them 8-0.

by LeFromage Tue 05 May 2009, 19:06

Arse 1-2 United tonight. Reckon it'll be a walk in the park (Ji Sung).

by Chivalry Augustus Tue 05 May 2009, 19:23

Man Utd to go through on away goals is my bet.

by LeFromage Tue 05 May 2009, 19:25

I think they'll score early and the game as a contest will probably cease to be.

There is just no way on earth that that Arsenal defence will keep a clean sheet.

by Chivalry Augustus Tue 05 May 2009, 19:53

Game over.

by Chivalry Augustus Tue 05 May 2009, 19:56

Game doubly over - 0-2 and the Scum in the final again.

by WideWally Tue 05 May 2009, 19:56

TAYPOC

by Eric Air Emu Tue 05 May 2009, 20:17

That's a shame- was hoping for a decent night of footy. Man Utd don't always play sides off the park but they've got sheer quality where it matters.

by LeFromage Tue 05 May 2009, 20:42

I refuse to believe any side featuring John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher can play anyone off the park.

Another season of pretty passing and f*ck all else to show for it from the Arse...

by LeFromage Tue 05 May 2009, 21:38

Darren Fletcher.... BBBBBBWWWWWWWAAARRGGHH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

by taipan Tue 05 May 2009, 21:45

One thing to say:

Arsenal are shite. They have always been shite and will remain shite.

by taipan Tue 05 May 2009, 21:54

So where are all these qunts who support the arse?

Four years without a trophy by my counting.

Qunts

by Makaveli Tue 05 May 2009, 22:03

Dello wrote:I refuse to believe any side featuring John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher can play anyone off the park.

O' Shea yeah you got a point, but Fletcher? the guy has been immense this season, runs his socks off, is a great tackler and not too shabby on the ball either, he's def one of the best holding midfielders in the PL. The wankest of decisions by the ref really dissapointing for him.

Guess Merlin won't be posting here anytime soon.

and i'm still waiting for Arsenal to expose our backline.

by taipan Tue 05 May 2009, 22:11

Merlin knows fark all about soccy.

Ditto cricket.

by taipan Tue 05 May 2009, 22:23

Ah well. None of the arsewankers showing their cheeks.

by eowyn Tue 05 May 2009, 22:28

Lots of Manure supporters who've never been to Manchester about though.

by Guest Tue 05 May 2009, 22:35

taipan wrote:One thing to say:

Arsenal are shite. They have always been shite and will remain shite.

Short memory or new to football? Only team in the last century to go unbeaten in the league for an entire season.

I'm not an Arsenal fan by the way, but anyone who knows anything about football knows that what you just said was incredibly ignorant.

Edit: Oh and ditto to what Eowyn said. I've been to Old Trafford more times than you and I support Forest!

by Chivalry Augustus Tue 05 May 2009, 23:14

Double ditto to what Eowyn said - WGAF about a bunch of plastic Mancs sharing their hollow gloating points with a bunch of plastic Gooners?

I know where I'd be if it were Forest away from home in a Euro Semi-Final...

...asleep.

As for the Arse, get that cheque book out. If Arshavin's a hint at what Wenger can get with some millions, imagine what you might end up with if you let him buy four or five more. 'Tis a shame Arse Shaver couldn't play tonight, might have been a bit different.

Difference tonight was it took 100 passes for Arsenal to do what Man Utd could with two or three.

by G.Wood Wed 06 May 2009, 00:28

vilkrang wrote:
taipan wrote:One thing to say:

Arsenal are shite. They have always been shite and will remain shite.
Short memory or new to football? Only team in the last century to go unbeaten in the league for an entire season.

I'm not an Arsenal fan by the way, but anyone who knows anything about football knows that what you just said was incredibly ignorant.

Edit: Oh and ditto to what Eowyn said. I've been to Old Trafford more times than you and I support Forest!

That's a bit of wank. People from all over the would support English football sides - most of whom have never been to England. It doesn't make them any less worthy as fans though.

However, taips did provide clear evidence why everyone hates manure and their supporters.

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