2009-10 Football Thread

[Jaffa Cake]

...but who wants to come to Wednesday knowing there's no money for transfers and if you don't make an instant impact you'll probably be gone after 10 games?

The radio chaps were discussing that they'd expect a lot of interest in the Wednesday job, what with it being at a big club who were looking towards reviving their fortunes, and that there could be a lot of investment imminently.

I wasn't particularly convinced myself, and there seem to be a lot of ifs and buts about money and investment – a lot of noises but very little seems to be materialising on that front.

How about you – out of the out-of-work gaffers available, who would you like to see given the job?

 

[8nApple]

Hmm, I don't know if I overlooked this now in the discussions but I was wondering what you guys make of the actual world cup draw? I'm not really sure what to make of it. Some of it is same old, same old (like the Greece group) and some rather low quality groups (the England and Italy group) but some matches are definitely interesting. England vs USA haha....or Holland vs Denmark. The whole Brazil group is killer of course...Ivory coast, North Korea and Portugal (funny that the latter two already clashed in the final stage in 1966, with Eusebio). I still can't get over the fact that both Slovenia and Slovakia made it....maybe an omen for more surprises to come during the cup?

 

[XIII]

What a brilliant weekend of results for the Arsenal

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I predicted a scored draw, and it really should have been but for a piece of rotten luck.

I thought neither team played very well but Arsenal shaded it even though Liverpool had the upper hand in the first half. Good strike from Arshavin, Torres and Gerrard seem shadows of their former selves.

The big worry for me is that I just do not see this squad going anywhere at present. Until Rafa buys a couple big names there is no hope for big improvement. And once again the pundits went on and on about the departure of that Spanish midfielder as the cause of all our woes.

 

[Fizzoid]

The radio chaps were discussing that they'd expect a lot of interest in the Wednesday job, what with it being at a big club who were looking towards reviving their fortunes, and that there could be a lot of investment imminently.

I wasn't particularly convinced myself, and there seem to be a lot of ifs and buts about money and investment – a lot of noises but very little seems to be materialising on that front.

How about you – out of the out-of-work gaffers available, who would you like to see given the job?

Yeah, we've been hearing about possible investment for 2 years now, and nothing has materialised. I think most Wedesday fans have given up on the idea of anything being 'imminent' that's for sure. While our not so illustrious neighbours may not agree, Wednesday ARE a big club, and have a large fan base. With a decent investor they could become a Premiership club again in a few seasons, so why we've not found any investment I really don't know.

For me, I'd like to see Steve Coppell manage Wednesday. I think he's the sort of manager players want to play for, and will attract players for the same reason, which is what we need to make any decent signings

 

[Fuzzy14]

Hmm, I don't know if I overlooked this now in the discussions but I was wondering what you guys make of the actual world cup draw?

The World Cup is being talked about in another thread, but I'm boycotting it due to my Scottishness.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

For me, I'd like to see Steve Coppell manage Wednesday. I think he's the sort of manager players want to play for, and will attract players for the same reason, which is what we need to make any decent signings

Not a bad choice – he's certainly got experience of the Championship. Nigel Worthington has thrown his hat into the ring, however.

The World Cup is being talked about in another thread, but I'm boycotting it due to my Scottishness.

Come now – there are several teams at the World Cup you can throw your support behind. The US, Algeria and Slovenia to name but three.

What a brilliant weekend of results for the Arsenal

It certainly went well for you.

The rest of December now presents Arsenal with a splendid opportunity to really push the teams above them. Burnley, Portsmouth and the Mighty Tigers are matches you should really to be looking to gain three points from, and while the match against Aston Villa will provide a sterner test I'd say it's winnable. So, out of a possible twelve points from your remaining fixtures up until the New Year I'd say you'll want to be gaining ten.

Christmas and into January presents us with a tough set of fixtures, with matches against Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United (twice) and Spurs before the start of February – and although we're at a time of year associated with giving I don't think we'll be seeing much in the way of generosity from those opponents.

I don't think we'll be seeing a repeat of last year's Emirates exploits this Saturday – Arsenal will want to exorcise that particular ghost I reckon, and the silliness surrounding the Cup tie earlier this year will also mean that they'll be wanting to get a result, so there'll be no complacency this time I reckon. From our point of view, I think our main threat will be from set pieces and – given that Arsenal aren't a particularly big team – I'd like us to really test their defenders from dead ball situations.

We'll see.

 

[OllyW]

Wolves have made an incredible 10 changes to the side which beat Spurs at the weekend for tonight's visit to Old Trafford.

Man Utd's reserves beat us in the League Cup earlier in the season and I think Mick McCarthy has gone for the reverse psychology approach tonight.

It's either that or he's resting all our best players for the weekend's six pointer against Burnley.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

supporting tottenham will be the death of me! so bloody inconsistant

It's okay, it's not like there are any Wolves fans around to mock you...

 

[OllyW]

It's okay, it's not like there are any Wolves fans around to mock you...

I don't think tonight is the right time to mock anyone. It could get a bit embarrassing over the next ninety minutes.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I don't think tonight is the right time to mock anyone. It could get a bit embarrassing over the next ninety minutes.

You won't win anything with kids.

 

[pachyderm]

Indeed. Pity he's gone, he hasn't done a 'bad' job, but I do have to question some of his signings (Jeffers, Varney, Feeney). No idea who we'll get, but who wants to come to Wednesday knowing there's no money for transfers and if you don't make an instant impact you'll probably be gone after 10 games?

FEH!

Agreed.

Here are my top two:
1. Steve Nicol
2. Sean McAuley

 

[Fuzzy14]

Things going well up here, Rangers seem to have found some form now that Europe is out of the way, certainly no cries of 'league all over by Christmas'.
Lord Blackadder will be pleased to know that DaMarcus Beasley is back from injury and currently playing a blinder, scored last night.

However our former best player Majid Bougherra isn't really trying any more, arrived back late (again) from international duty, I'm sure he's expecting to be sold in January.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Bougherra is certainly a funny one with his lateness in returning from international duty, even when his fellow Algerians are back in the country.

The rest of December now presents Arsenal with a splendid opportunity to really push the teams above them. Burnley, Portsmouth and the Mighty Tigers are matches you should really to be looking to gain three points from...

Hmm. Not a good start – and there I was hoping Burnley would get a thrashing tonight.

Fabregas hobbled off too – if he's missing on Saturday then that's to our advantage, although I'm sure he'll be there in his big puffa jacket to lend his support as only he can...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Burnley avoid scoring any own goals and hold Arsenal to a draw...

Fuzzy, just curious - do you think that playing in Europe stretches the Old Firm clubs a bit thin, making it a little easier for other clubs to challenge for the SPL title, or is that factor more than compensated for by the extra money, so that European football keeps them firmly ensconced at the top of Scottish football?

Lord Blackadder will be pleased to know that DaMarcus Beasley is back from injury and currently playing a blinder, scored last night.

Beasley's ticket to South Africa is far from assured - Bradley will only take him if he plays regularly and shows good form, and there a re a few younger players like Robbie Rogers and Stuart Holden waiting in the wings... So Beasley will be highly motivated to get games. In other Yanks abroad news, I see that Jay DeMerit is back after recovering from that freak eye infection, good to hear that.

Jurgen Klinsmann is heading stateside as well for family reasons, it will be interesting to see if he gets involved in something over here - as long as he stays far, far away from our national team.

 

[Fuzzy14]

Come now – there are several teams at the World Cup you can throw your support behind. The US, Algeria and Slovenia to name but three.

Ha! Yes, we are but months away in the Scottish press arguing about which team we should follow. The Sun is particularly two-faced up here, running anti-English headlines while in your edition backing you to the hilt. They must think we don't look at websites or something.

I don't particularly mind England, the only thing I don't like is the assumption that I should be supporting them because we are part of the same political union. That, and Motty talking about 1966 five minutes into a match between two other teams.

At the risk of sounding like I'm sucking up to our American cousins on this site, I'll probably keep a close eye on them if certain Rangers players are in their squad.

Fuzzy, just curious - do you think that playing in Europe stretches the Old Firm clubs a bit thin, making it a little easier for other clubs to challenge for the SPL title, or is that factor more than compensated for by the extra money, so that European football keeps them firmly ensconced at the top of Scottish football?

While a run in Europe does tend to stretch the team, I think there are more benefits than disadvantages. Scottish squads these days are a lot smaller than EPL squads so unlike ManU we can't put out an entire team of juveniles out against a lesser league team, however we can still rest key players.

If you look at the Old Firms last two good European runs (both to UEFA cup final) neither of those team won the league that year so it does take it's toll. Fans would rather win the league with a good run in Europe. Chief Finance dudes would prefer the run in Europe for increased gate receipts and TV money.

 

[MacBoobsPro]

Anyone know if the Club World Cup Final is on UK TV?

 

[aloofman]

That, and Motty talking about 1966 five minutes into a match between two other teams.

I heard somewhere that other teams have won the World Cup since '66. True?

 

[Fizzoid]

True, but no one of any significance

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I see that Phil Brown and Tony Pulis have spoken up in defense of Mick McCarthy resting players for the loss to United after Wenger criticized the move...a case of the "little guys" sticking together. It just sounds like sour grapes from Wenger, besides he's the LAST person who should complain when a team fields a reserve squad.

 

[CarlisleUnited]

Anybody watch the Ajax Anderlecht game? Lukaka looks amazing, I can hardly believe he's only 16, if he keeps developing the way he has been then there is now doubt that he will be one of, if not the, best player in the world. I can see why Chelsea and Arsenal want him so bad.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

This season is just completely eff'ed up:

Rodwell Injury Blow

David Moyes is waiting for news on Everton's latest injury victim Jack Rodwell.

The teenage midfielder limped off after less than eight minutes of Thursday's Europa League clash with BATE Borisov with a hamstring strain.

Rodwell will now undergo a scan to undergo the extent of the problem.

"It looks like a hamstring injury," Moyes confirmed after the game.

"We will scan it tomorrow and see, but like I said before, injuries happen. We have to take it on the chin and get on with it."

Rodwell joins the likes of Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka, Victor Anichebe, Joseph Yobo, Phil Neville, Dan Gosling and Sylvain Distin on the sidelines as Everton prepare to face Birmingham on Sunday.

[Link] *** Insert repeated swear words of your choosing here ***

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I see that Phil Brown and Tony Pulis have spoken up in defense of Mick McCarthy resting players for the loss to United after Wenger criticized the move...a case of the "little guys" sticking together.

Indeed, Professor Yaffle isn't happy because we haven't had a match this midweek, while his poor little darlings have.

Nyuk nyuk nyuk, it's a witch hunt!​

We should have been playing Everton this week, however due to their Europa League exploits this match was moved forwards, and we played it a couple of weeks ago. This meant that we had an extra fixture to complete that week while most of our rivals didn't, but we got on with it without complaint. Because, you see, there's nothing to complain about.

Brown is quite right with his point about squad sizes. Teams like Arsenal have amassed huge squads of players and – although they might not all be of the standard of players like, say, Fabregas or Eduardo – Wenger has more than enough players to call upon at times of fixture congestion. If you aren't going to shuffle your squad during the busy times of the year, what's the point in having so many players on the books?

It just sounds like sour grapes from Wenger...

While to a degree his comments are the result of frustration at another two points dropped against opponents he's expect to beat comfortably, make no mistake about it – what he's doing is diverting media attention and criticism onto himself, and away from his team.

Anyway, another reason not to like Wenger – he's gone and made me agree with Tony Pulis. The git.

 

[OllyW]

While Phil Brown, Tony Pulis and Colin Wanker have been giving their backing to Mick McCarthy's team selection, it hasn't gone down very well with the Wolves supporters, especially the ones who forked out a lot of money for the trip to Old Trafford on Tuesday.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

My point about Arsenal's squad size and player rotation was aimed at Wenger's complaints about having a midweek fixture while we didn't, rather than his mutterings about Wolves. I can certainly imagine the supporters of the West Midland's finest aren't happy about the team selected to play against Manchester United, and I understand that – they have reason to be, after forking out for pricey tickets and travelling up to Manchester.

However, as far as I'm aware Wenger didn't buy a ticket for Old Trafford and I'm sure he wasn't on one of the many coaches that'll have travelled up from London for the game. As a manager who happily selects 'weakened' sides when it suits him, I think his complaints on this matter and his bleatings about how it disadvantages his team smack of hypocrisy.