2008-09 Football Thread

[Jaffa Cake]

Apologies for the attitude of my local paper, that is no way to refer to the team sitting mid table in the mighty Premiership! But just goes to show you that Hull have got more pulling appeal than a Scottish club with a guaranteed European place every year!

Heh. If we keep up this progress, we're on course for a place in Europe.

That article misses one key point, though. Celtic can certainly match (and better) what we're paying in wages, but the sort of players we're signing would most likely be bit-part squad players for them. Here, they have a better chance of establishing themselves as a regular first team player – important for players like Mendy who harbour international ambitions and want to be seen playing regularly.

 

[Markleshark]

Rio's got a new clothing line it would seem. They come with a free toy and everything.

 

[R.Youden]

Rio's got a new clothing line it would seem. They come with a free toy and everything.


[snip]

Brilliant!

On another football related story I saw the Sky promotional trailer for the 2008-09 TV games.

They showed clips of:

Terry
Gerrard
Fabregas
Tevez
Owen

and

Windass....

Deano's gonna get you

 

[MOFS]

Heh. If we keep up this progress, we're on course for a place in Europe.

That article misses one key point, though. Celtic can certainly match (and better) what we're paying in wages, but the sort of players we're signing would most likely be bit-part squad players for them. Here, they have a better chance of establishing themselves as a regular first team player – important for players like Mendy who harbour international ambitions and want to be seen playing regularly.

I think the other reason is the lure of the EPL. Its a more prestigious league than the SPL and players want to play in it.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

The way things are going at the moment, it looks like Ronaldo is almost certainly headed to Spain and Berbatov is days from making the move to Old Trafford. Not a bad situation for United it must be said, since I don't think they need Ronaldo, especially if he's going to be sulky. Spurs want 30 million though, which is too much for someone of Berbatov's age. I'll bet he goes for something more like 22 million.

Tottenham, on the other hand, are maybe less well off - last season they could score plenty but leaked goals more, and now they are set to lose all of their starting forwards.

 

[aloofman]

Tottenham, on the other hand, are maybe less well off - last season they could score plenty but leaked goals more, and now they are set to lose all of their starting forwards.

As always, it would depend on what they do with that $22 million+ they got for Berbatov. Better defense would obviously keep them in more games, but it's not clear where that would come from. If they were to do something as drastic as sell both Berbatov and Keane at the same time, they better get at least $35 million out of it. And they better spend it on something useful.

It's possible inflicting some short-term pain is part of Ramos' long-term plan. But it could be pretty ugly in the meantime. If he doesn't turn things around quickly, then the back-to-back fifth-place finishes will seem like a fluke. Ramos has melded players into a successful system before, so it could happen.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

The more strikers Manchester United sign the better, in my book. The further down the pecking order young Fraizer is pushed the more likely a loan becomes.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

As always, it would depend on what they do with that $22 million+ they got for Berbatov. Better defense would obviously keep them in more games, but it's not clear where that would come from. If they were to do something as drastic as sell both Berbatov and Keane at the same time, they better get at least $35 million out of it. And they better spend it on something useful.

I know Liverpool want Keane but they can't splash money around the way Chelski and Man U can...I'd certainly like to see him at Anfield to partner El Nino. Either way it does seem that Spurs are willing to sell both Berbatov and Keane. Ramos is too good of a manager to do this without a plan to replace them, but whom does he have in mind? The money Berbatov and Keane bring in would be a significant amount, and with Spurs ambitions they need an A-list striker.

 

[aloofman]

I know Liverpool want Keane but they can't splash money around the way Chelski and Man U can...I'd certainly like to see him at Anfield to partner El Nino. Either way it does seem that Spurs are willing to sell both Berbatov and Keane. Ramos is too good of a manager to do this without a plan to replace them, but whom does he have in mind? The money Berbatov and Keane bring in would be a significant amount, and with Spurs ambitions they need an A-list striker.

I agree, except for the part about seeing Keane at Anfield.

 

[pachyderm]

spurs need more than an "A-Lister"... like someone mentioned earlier they play defense like a sieve... and i don't think that the defense was the only problem. Robbies play was very questionable from time to time. spurs. pfft. i love 'em, but really.

 

[és:]

Deano's gonna get you

Pies all over the country are shaking as we speak.

Rio's got a new clothing line it would seem. They come with a free toy and everything.

I can't wait to slam that back in your face

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Pies all over the country are shaking as we speak.

Indeed they are.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Indeed they are.

Some classic English longball there.

I have to say I'm genuinely excited at the prospect of watching Windass in the Premier League. he may be a million years old but he scored some great goals last season...hope to see some of that magic in the Premier League.

By the way, i was listening to a football podcast today and heard a rumor about Hull being in talks to sign Anelka...sounds mad but in the (unlikely) case it was to happen you heard it here first. I can't see him leaving Chelski unless he's seriously unsettled and nobody in the media bothered to notice...

Man. City won't be getting Ronaldinho, which is a good thing for them. I'm not sure he's suited to the English game, and I'm also not sure he's worth the money.

Liverpool's quest for Barry seems finished since Xabi Alonso is staying put (not that I want Alonso to leave). Shows how far behind the other big four clubs we are when we have to sell in order to buy. I don't know where we'd find the money to get Keane either.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

By the way, i was listening to a football podcast today and heard a rumor about Hull being in talks to sign Anelka...sounds mad but in the (unlikely) case it was to happen you heard it here first. I can't see him leaving Chelski unless he's seriously unsettled and nobody in the media bothered to notice...

I've not heard that one – I suspect the Phil Brown/Bolton link is being played up a bit, along with the fact that we're looking for a striker still...

Today though, expect to see Middlesbrough's George Boateng and Hungarian international winger Peter Halmosi awkwardly holding up black and amber shirts and scarves as they're unveiled as our latest signings –both passed their medicals yesterday.

 

[R.Youden]

I've not heard that one – I suspect the Phil Brown/Bolton link is being played up a bit, along with the fact that we're looking for a striker still...

Today though, expect to see Middlesbrough's George Boateng and Hungarian international winger Peter Halmosi awkwardly holding up black and amber shirts and scarves as they're unveiled as our latest signings –both passed their medicals yesterday.

The most amusing aspect of the transfers is the medical examinations where carried out in a Leeds hospital. If you did them in the Hull Royal infirmary they would go in fine and come out with all manner of diseases!

Apparently we are also strongly linked with Sorin and Traore from PSG...

 

[Jaykay]

Liverpool's quest for Barry seems finished since Xabi Alonso is staying put (not that I want Alonso to leave). Shows how far behind the other big four clubs we are when we have to sell in order to buy. I don't know where we'd find the money to get Keane either.

Ya seems to be a bit of a problem for you guys. At the same time it seems strange to me that Benitez is willing to pay so much for Barry. I know he's shown he can play with Gerrard, it's just that it doesn't look good for Liverpool if they're buying a player of Barry's (somewhat) limited talent and getting rid of Alonso just to pay for him. Not to mention the fact that Martin O'Neill is holdin em over a barrel in terms of a price.

There seems to be a lot of problems at anfield these days.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

The saddest thing about the Gareth Barry saga is that if Cheslki, Man U or even Arsenal wanted him they could afford to just fork over the money. They wouldn't even blink an eye. Liverpool can't, and Benitez overvalues his own players so much that they can't be sold.

With that said, Martin O'Neill is playing a similar game with Barry's valuation.

 

[MacBoobsPro]

Hleb is in Barcelona for a medical today. As a Barça fan all I can say is... 'why?'

What do you guys think of Hleb? I don't really rate him. He is definitely not a Barça type player. Much like Gudjohnsen isnt and he struggles to get in the team also.

 

[Jaykay]

Hleb is in Barcelona for a medical today. As a Barça fan all I can say is... 'why?'

What do you guys think of Hleb? I don't really rate him. He is definitely not a Barça type player. Much like Gudjohnsen isnt and he struggles to get in the team also.

He's actually a really good player, didn't do too great at arsenal though. I think thats more down to the living in london and not settling into the PL. He might actually surprise you playing in the spanish primera.

 

[B&Wtoon]

He's actually a really good player, didn't do too great at arsenal though. I think thats more down to the living in london and not settling into the PL. He might actually surprise you playing in the spanish primera.

yep, he will shine at Barca, top player who didn’t suit the EPL.

and JC that Boateng is a dam good holding midfielder highly underrated.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

...and JC that Boateng is a dam good holding midfielder highly underrated.

He's a pretty tidy player, that's for sure.

I've got to say I've been pleasantly surprised by the calibre of our signings his summer. I'd expected us to maybe raid the Championship a bit more, but the likes of Giovanni, Mendy and now Boateng are all quality acquisitions. Splendid stuff.

 

[BoyBach]

...Liverpool can't, and Benitez overvalues his own players so much that they can't be sold.

With that said, Martin O'Neill is playing a similar game with Barry's valuation.

Au contraire! Mr. Benitez began this silly saga with his ridiculous valuation of £15 million for his reserve striker, so if Mr. O'Neill was to respond in kind, the valuation of his captain, and now England regular, would be something like £28 million...


As for the Hleb transfer to Barcalona, I'll miss him. Yes, he was apparently allergic to attempting a shot on goal, but he is supremely skilful and a delight to watch.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Au contraire! Mr. Benitez began this silly saga with his ridiculous valuation of £15 million for his reserve striker, so if Mr. O'Neill was to respond in kind, the valuation of his captain, and now England regular, would be something like £28 million...

Well, they are asking £17 million plus Steve Finnan, who has to be worth a couple million anyway. Crouchy, as much as I like him, is not worth 15 million, maybe not even the 11 million Portsmouth paid for him. We'll have to see how well he does at Pompey.

I agree that Benitez has been asking far to much in terms of valuation though. Liverpool should just cough up the money and get their man - but they can't afford him.

I'm guessing Hleb will do well in Spain. He's clearly a top player but never quite adjusted to the Premier League.

 

[MOFS]

yep, he will shine at Barca, top player who didn’t suit the EPL.

and JC that Boateng is a dam good holding midfielder highly underrated.

Its a decent bit of business for both sides. TBH not many tears will be shed for him leaving - he's been on the decline since the UEFA Cup final 2 years ago. A bit slow a clumsy now IMHO, but should do ok for you guys. At least Hull are being proactive in overcoming their shortfallings, unlike Stoke, who don't seem to have grasped that buying Scott Carson will keep you in the Premiership. Look at what happened to Charlton.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

That's the thing, Brown looks like he's being very sensible in the transfer market and not going bonkers as some newly promoted managers do. Another plus point is that quite a few of these players are free transfers and all the others aren't exactly mega-money purchases, so if reinforcements are needed in January then we should have the funs for a new face or two.

I'm awaiting squad number release day with great anticipation.