2008-09 Football Thread

[xUKHCx]

If they have "first option" on him, they should buy him A.S.A.P. and then sell him on for a quick profit in the next transfer window.

Who say's capitalism's dead?

Zaki

If only Bruce could turn back the clock to the time when he insisted employing his new recruit on-loan rather than "risk" the reported £7.25m which the two parties had agreed.

Steve Bruce is a fool for not paying that. Anyone who watched the African Cup of Nations would say that was a reasonable if not slightly cheap price.

If he turned out to be a flop in the premiership you could easily sell him on for a similar price to another European league.

Benefit of hindsight, yes, but in my opionion at that time Bruce's decision was stupid.

On the topic of Steve Bruce I was at the Liverpool match with Wigan at the controversial sending off of Valencia. The free kick in question took 3 minutes to take due to the Wigan players in the wall. Then the subsequent challenge on Alonso was deserving of another yellow. Also Bruce said that every decision went to Liverpool that is simply not the case, yes I might be a tad bais but looking at the match objectively there were lots of decisions that weren't given for both sides.

In my opinion Bruce went too far in his post match commentary and said things that were simply not true. I think the FA should take action against Bruce, as he is constantly doing this.

Also Alan Shearer on Match of the Day what a plonker.

Woodgate admits Spurs drop fears

Despondent Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate admits they are "one million per cent" in a relegation battle after suffering another defeat on Thursday.

We all knew it really. Wonder what effect this will have on the squad because they could easily become downhearted from this. They still have plenty of time to pull themselves back out of this, a string of 3 wins would really help and get them back on track.


One for Jaffa

"All the players put on music and had a dance - apart from Ian Ashbee as he can't dance. At least we don't have to do a warm-down afterwards! My wife and I reckon I should go on Strictly Come Dancing."


Hull boss Phil Brown gets down on it after the victory over West Ham.

Also did anyone see Carlos Alberto got an 8 match ban for a little bum slap

Can watch it here.

In light of that Jimmy Bullard should get a 16 match ban for his antics with Pascal Chimbonda.

Is Bullard the premiership's most loved player?

 

[B&Wtoon]

Who else hates electronic advertising boards, especially on replays when they have that strobing effect.

Me, pet hate of mine too, looks like they are here to stay and will become more and more invasive as the technology is exploited.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Also Alan Shearer on Match of the Day what a plonker.

He's not alone in his plonkerness. The whole Match of the Day settee is noted for talking rubbish and stuff.

One for Jaffa

I wouldn't be surprised if it was Bernard Mendy leading the dancing. Crazy Horse was attempting to get some of his team mates jiving on the pitch after the win at Arsenal, with limited success.

Is Bullard the premiership's most loved player?

I'm not keen on him myself – there's something about him I find incredibly irritating.

Meanwhile – in other news – Sloth from the Goonies has been sacked by QPR after just fifteen games in charge.



At least he lasted longer than he did at Charlton...

 

[Fuzzy14]

When you come out and play there is always the chance of letting a goal or two in at the back. Rangers with 11 men behind the ball hoping for an own goal or something might have just scraped a draw.

I was trying to suggest that the game in Scotland isn't good enough at the moment rather than Rangers boring yet successful tactics in the UEFA cup last season, but point taken!

Taking of which, with the unlikely sounding Scotsman Chris Iwelumo making an appearance for Scotland last week (but at least he has a Scottish mother and was born in Scotland) the raging debate up here at the moment is if we should ask Ranger's striker Nacho Novo to turn out for Scotland.

Novo can now qualify for a UK passport because he has lived here for 8 years and hasn't played for the senior Spanish team. Now whether Novo actually wants to play for Scotland or if this is an invention by the newspapers is another matter.

Personally I don't like these rules which would allow 'foreigners' to play international football, however those are the rules that are in place and other countries use it so why don't we?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Taking of which, with the unlikely sounding Scotsman Chris Iwelumo making an appearance for Scotland last week (but at least he has a Scottish mother and was born in Scotland)

No question marks over Iwelumo then – a Scottish parent and being born there makes him eminently qualified to represent the nation. But you're right about the idea of players being able to represent a country simply because they've lived there playing football a few years – it's something that's been mentioned here about foreign-born players representing England after having spent a period of years playing in the Premier League. Carlo Cudicini was one possible name that was mentioned a year or two ago. It's a bit daft, really.

Anyway, an aside – our tickets for Old Trafford next Saturday arrived in the post today, so I suppose that means we're officially off. Ace.

 

[pachyderm]

BBC Radio Sheffield is reporting that there was a brawl after the Sunderland/Newcastle tilt. Did the "Geordies"(sp?) take exception to something?

Monitoring the Birmingham V Wednesday and the Hull tilt before my kids play...

Jaffa is there a free radio link for the Tigers?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Jaffa is there a free radio link for the Tigers?

Not ones that broadcast outside the UK, I'm afraid, due to licensing rules and the like. You're listening to BBC Radio Sheffield – I take it you can't get match commentary on that station in the States? If on the unlikely chance you can, try BBC Radio Humberside – it's our local station and provides commentary, hopefully if you can get it then City will be on and not Sc*nthorpe. Then you can listen to us and realise we're one nil up, thanks to the frankly fantastic Kamil Zayette.

As for the Sunderland-Newcastle game, I believe that some of the Sunderland contingent spilled onto the pitch at the final whistle and there were a few inter fan scuffles that were quickly contained. Mind, I didn't see it myself and that's just what I've read so don't take that as gospel.

 

[pachyderm]

Well done lad. Thanks.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Well done lad. Thanks.

Is that working for you then? If so ace, and I must admit to being pleasantly surprised.

Ashbee's picked up a booking, which means our captain will be suspended for the visit of Chelsea in mid-week – and as I type Geo's made it two. Woo – and might I add – hoo!

 

[Blue Velvet]

Woo – and might I add – hoo!

They're really on form at the mo. I'm half-fearing Wednesday night's game in front of the massed might of the Tiger Nation. I take it that the Jaffas will be in attendance?

 

[pachyderm]

Well, I'm still listening to the Wednesday match. I was thanking you for the info.

I am monitoring the Tigers via espn/soccernet.com

Hull

 

[BoyBach]

Ashbee's picked up a booking, which means our captain will be suspended for the visit of Chelsea in mid-week – and as I type Geo's made it two. Woo – and might I add – hoo!

With a quarter of the season played, who honestly would have guessed that Hull vs. Chelsea would be a Top of the Table Clash™?

 

[OllyW]

If you can get another 13 goals in the last 20 minutes, you'll go top.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

They're really on form at the mo. I'm half-fearing Wednesday night's game in front of the massed might of the Tiger Nation. I take it that the Jaffas will be in attendance?

Of course – although Miss Jaffa Cake doesn't attend evening games now we have a little one, so Pa Cake is using her season pass. As he's a Chelsea fan, I'm hoping we do rather well – and needless to say, I'll be wearing teh shirt™ so victory is all but guaranteed.

I'm also hoping the Chelsea-Liverpool match tomorrow ends up a draw – that way, two more of our title rivals will end up dropping points this weekend after Manchester United's draw earlier today.

 

[Blue Velvet]

I'm also hoping the Chelsea-Liverpool match tomorrow ends up a draw – that way, two more of our title rivals will end up dropping points this weekend after Manchester United's draw earlier today.

Now now. Don't push your luck. <finger hovers over ban button>

In all honesty, Hull are definitely my second team now. Newcastle lost that minor hold on my affections a long time ago and so, jilted and let down, how can I not be swayed by the combined power of Teh Shirt™ and Roaring Meg?

Just don't win on Weds, OK? Please?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Now now. Don't push your luck. <finger hovers over ban button>

Cripes – best behaviour from me from now on!



All joking aside, I said to Miss Jaffa Cake earlier that I'd be delighted with four points from the next three games – West Brom (A), Chelsea (H) and Manchester United (A). Despite the frankly ace start to the season and our good run of form, it's games like West Brom that we really have to get good results in, and anything we can get against the heavyweights of the league like Chelsea are very much bonus points. It'll be interesting to see Brown's line ups and formations for the next two fixtures.

...how can I not be swayed by the combined power of Teh Shirt™ and Roaring Meg?

My scouts tell me that there's a good chance one of the guest ales on at the pub where we're having our pre-match tea on Wednesday will be Roaring Meg, so it's looking like it could be quite an exciting evening...

 

[Blue Velvet]

...it's looking like it could be quite an exciting evening...

Excellent. Have a fab time on Weds, and I see it's now 0-3.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Hats of for this bunch:



20 points. That's more than someevilpeople expected them to get all season.

Brilliant!

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I know... this season is getting increasingly surreal with each passing week.

It's not that long ago I was there looking on in despair as we were hopelessly defeated by the likes of Mansfield Town and Macclesfield. Indeed, only ten years ago we were rock bottom in the Football League, 92nd out of 92 clubs and staring non-league football squarely in the face.

That's why our current placing – smack bang in the middle of the 'big four' – is al the more remarkable, and we're naturally enjoying life at the moment.

 

[scotthayes]

Well, I'm still listening to the Wednesday match. I was thanking you for the info.

I am monitoring the Tigers via espn/soccernet.com

Hull

I'll try and not be to smug about Birmingham beating Sheff. Wednesday

But I am pretty happy, I felt 30 points after 14 games would be good going and we are there after 13 games.

 

[pachyderm]

I'll try and not be to smug about Birmingham beating Sheff. Wednesday

But I am pretty happy, I felt 30 points after 14 games would be good going and we are there after 13 games.

oh, go be smug. enjoy.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

scotthayes might be in a good mood tonight, but in contrast I'd wager Jaunde Ramos isn't feeling too chuffed – he's been sacked as Spurs manager.

 

[Queso]

Redknapp is in talks apparently. If he moves to Spurs our Jim goes one place up the "longest serving manager" table

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Redknapp is in talks apparently. If he moves to Spurs our Jim goes one place up the "longest serving manager" table

Indeed, Big Jim Gannon would move up into a nosebleed-inducing 18th place – unless the Spurs board are looking to approach him, of course.

 

[smwatson]

Redknapp has joined Spurs. Portsmouth only get 5m compensation - they're screwed and will be back where they belong before long.

Deal was obviously agreed a few days ago.

Who cares, another 3 points for Leeds and some pennies won on the Juventus & Barca games