2010-2011 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

In Liverpool news, Rafa has launched a Cantona-esque attack attack on Tom Hicks. Not the karate-kick type of Cantona attack, but the "When seagulls follow a trawler..." type. It is weird. A lot of Liverpool supporters are still singing Benitez's praises, but while he was undoubtedly a skilled manager, he made plenty of costly mistakes at Liverpool and I can't help but feel that a Mourinho, Wenger or Ferguson would have won more silverware with the team Benitez had to work with. In any case, we should let the past lie and move on.

We've also been rather negative about Scottish football recently about lack of talent and depth, but at the game v Spain nine of the squad were players based in the English Premier League (apparently quite a decent league, according to self publicity) so maybe we're not that bad after all.

I agree that the talk about McBoro is media drivel. From my outsider's perspective, Scotland has some very good international players, but the league is financially smallish and unbalanced (Old Firm). Also, the growth of the EU means that Scotland are going to be less competitive now then they once were. On the international stage Scotland seem to be a tough team to break down but not much of a threat going forward recently.

Some good skills there, rather than the normal net bulging blast you see keepers do.

The Toronto defenders are all ballwatching save one, but credit to Hesmer for using the time they gave him to set the ball, make a move and slot it in rather than toe-balling it out of the stadium like you usually see.

I think it will be Man City or Real. Rooney isnt the type of person to be bothered in the slightest about what the fans think if he went to Man City. He shows disdain towards the fans so its not as if he is bothered about them.

I agree with you on Rooney's attitude. Call it arrogance, or whatever, but he is the type of person that could make the move accross Manchester.

Is Mancini the kind of manager who could handle Rooney? Maybe he should consider adding Colleen to the staff?

Ferguson will want to leave on a high/team in good shape. As for principles, if Manchester City offer GBP 20 million more, it will be taken.

There are really no "principles" in sports management when sufficient amounts of money are involved. Every player is for sale for the right price, regardless how much they kiss the badge ect ect.

The interesting twist is, Rooney could go to Man City if they offer a huge fee, and by a lucky coincidence Man City is just rich enough to do it...I would have thought that Real would be the obvious destination, and they will surely try to get him, but if Rooney's wife wants him to stay in England, then who besides Man City could afford him?

 

[AmTechFox]

I feel betrayed by it all.

I also believe SAF & Gill have played a poker hand by giving this statement out putting the ball firmly in Rooney's court.

Therefore shielding themselves of any wrong doing so no fans backlash them, and concentrate their anger towards Rooney, and to think I was at Old Trafford on Saturday and cheered him when he warmed up down the side of the pitch.

It was noted though, the 3 players who warmed up 2 of them clapped towards the fans and Rooney did not?



**has a little cry**

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Fabregas starts vs Shaktar, with Arshavin on the bench.

After reading the news sites this morning it belatedly dawned on me that the Rooney saga is going to drag on until at least January. Ugh. I don't think I can stand that much media chatter.

 

[The.316]

In Liverpool news, Rafa has launched a Cantona-esque attack attack on Tom Hicks. Not the karate-kick type of Cantona attack, but the "When seagulls follow a trawler..." type. It is weird. A lot of Liverpool supporters are still singing Benitez's praises, but while he was undoubtedly a skilled manager, he made plenty of costly mistakes at Liverpool and I can't help but feel that a Mourinho, Wenger or Ferguson would have won more silverware with the team Benitez had to work with. In any case, we should let the past lie and move on.



I agree that the talk about McBoro is media drivel. From my outsider's perspective, Scotland has some very good international players, but the league is financially smallish and unbalanced (Old Firm). Also, the growth of the EU means that Scotland are going to be less competitive now then they once were. On the international stage Scotland seem to be a tough team to break down but not much of a threat going forward recently.



The Toronto defenders are all ballwatching save one, but credit to Hesmer for using the time they gave him to set the ball, make a move and slot it in rather than toe-balling it out of the stadium like you usually see.



I agree with you on Rooney's attitude. Call it arrogance, or whatever, but he is the type of person that could make the move accross Manchester.

Is Mancini the kind of manager who could handle Rooney? Maybe he should consider adding Colleen to the staff?



There are really no "principles" in sports management when sufficient amounts of money are involved. Every player is for sale for the right price, regardless how much they kiss the badge ect ect.

The interesting twist is, Rooney could go to Man City if they offer a huge fee, and by a lucky coincidence Man City is just rich enough to do it...I would have thought that Real would be the obvious destination, and they will surely try to get him, but if Rooney's wife wants him to stay in England, then who besides Man City could afford him?

I think he ends up in City or Chelsea. I dont think he leaves the EPL. I would be surprised if its any team other than City, since that is where most of the reports have him going.

 

[daneoni]

6-0 win for the Gunners and Eduardo was on the score sheet. Brilliant.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Makes you realize just how good the Gunners would be if they had a proper defense and keeper.

Arsene's gamble to start Fabregas appears to have paid off, since Cesc got a solid 60 minutes under his belt, which should build match fitness but hopefully leave him with enough juice for the weekend.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Two fantastic (Arsenal related, sorry...) quotes from today.

Firstly Vito Mannone, 3rd/4th choice goalkeeper at Arsenal...

Well, M. Wenger has decided to punish him for his outburst.

 

[oscillatewildly]

In Liverpool news, Rafa has launched a Cantona-esque attack attack on Tom Hicks. Not the karate-kick type of Cantona attack, but the "When seagulls follow a trawler..." type. It is weird. A lot of Liverpool supporters are still singing Benitez's praises, but while he was undoubtedly a skilled manager, he made plenty of costly mistakes at Liverpool and I can't help but feel that a Mourinho, Wenger or Ferguson would have won more silverware with the team Benitez had to work with. In any case, we should let the past lie and move on.

A spokesman for Tom and George replied, "Watch out, there's a Humphrey about."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOeL18BFc0o

 

[Fuzzy14]

I feel betrayed by it all.

Welcome to the thread. Unusual to have a ManU fan about here, or at least one who lives in Manchester.

I also believe SAF & Gill have played a poker hand by giving this statement out putting the ball firmly in Rooney's court.

He's a sly dog, that Sir A. Played this game before. Very much from the Jock Stein school of management, doesn't matter what your surname is the manager is not to be ****ed with.

How big a deal is it to cross from Utd to City? Has it been done before? Is this on a scale of Mo Johnston signing for Rangers? And would he actually be welcomed by City fans?

My own opinion is ManU wouldn't sell him to their competitors, they'd rather off load him to another league, i.e. Real Madrid. I'm also rather keen to see an English player move away from the Premier League and be a success elsewhere (not really been done before), I think it would aid your national team.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

So – to recap – Rooney apparently wants out and is playing it stubborn, exercising a spot of player power and refusing to sign a new contract and potentially prompting a bidding war from rival clubs. Hmm, not to dissimilar to the circumstances in which he left Everton...

Manchester City would seem to be a good fit, they have the finances to lavish on signing Rooney and on paying him a handsome wage (and that's possibly the first and only time 'Rooney' and 'handsome' have been used in the same sentence). From a personal perspective, staying in that part of the world would probably suit him too – although from a footballing point of view I think a move abroad would help him develop as a player.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Ferguson is Manchester United. Who else is there? The fans hate the Glazers, and Rooney is leaving. This is probably why Liverpool has had such a tumultuous time - once Rafa left there was no rally point for the fans, which is why so many people are giddy over Dalglish and actually cheered Martin Broughton, a stuffed suit who at any other time would probably recieving death threats from the same fans.

United have many of the same problems as Liverpool, but they have held it together up to the present because they had a better squad, more money and (critically) the colossal personality of Sir Alex.

I am curious to see just how much truth there is in the Man City rumors. I think that Man City will certainly make a sizeable offer, and I'd be willing to bet most Man City fans would be accepting of the deal, even excited, so long as Rooney shows the same effort as Tevez.

My own opinion is ManU wouldn't sell him to their competitors, they'd rather off load him to another league, i.e. Real Madrid. I'm also rather keen to see an English player move away from the Premier League and be a success elsewhere (not really been done before), I think it would aid your national team.

From a pure football perspective, I don't think the Man City move would be the best move for Rooney. I agree that if he goes, he should go abroad, and Real would be an interesting move. He's already proven to play well with Ronaldo, and Real could easily afford to unload Benzema to make space in their roster.

However, the Man City move would be sensational from a tabloid perspective, and if he ultimately chooses to stay in England, the list of realistic suitors is very small. Certainly not Liverpool (right?), so where besides City? Chelsea or Arsenal?

United might hate the idea of selling their top striker to Man City, but economics rule the day, and if Man City dangle a huge wad of cash in front of the club they may very well take it.

EDIT: Since nobody has brought it up yet, I think it bears mentioning that Mourinho's Real look a proper club. AC Milan have a lot of attacking talent but Real exposed the fact that they remain a very unbalanced side by shutting them out 2-0. This is probably the year Real finally go deep in the CL. They don't call him the Special One for nothing.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

...if [Rooney] ultimately chooses to stay in England, the list of realistic suitors is very small. Certainly not Liverpool (right?), so where besides City? Chelsea or Arsenal?

You can't really see him going anywhere in England other that those three clubs, and neither Arsenal or even Chelsea can match Manchester City's financial power at the present time – be it in terms of transfer fees or wages.

If a huge offer came in for him from the bluer side of the City, I can't see the Glazers refusing due to what the supporters would think.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I want to hear what Roy Keane has to say about the Rooney affair, he's always great for a quote.

If a huge offer came in for him from the bluer side of the City, I can't see the Glazers refusing due to what the supporters would think.

I agree. I don't think the Glazers give a fig what the supporters think in this matter. If they stand to make a pile off Rooney, they will do it. To be fair, just about any other club in a similar position would do the same. I honestly don't see what the Glazers stand to lose by selling Rooney, even to City, since the fans already hate them passionately.

 

[XIII]

Well, M. Wenger has decided to punish him for his outburst.

Read this this morning and thought of you! Here are his latest antics for the Italian u21's!

 

[Fizzoid]

Ok, so he's not a very good left back

 

[pknz]

Ferguson is Manchester United. Who else is there? The fans hate the Glazers, and Rooney is leaving. This is probably why Liverpool has had such a tumultuous time - once Rafa left there was no rally point for the fans, which is why so many people are giddy over Dalglish and actually cheered Martin Broughton, a stuffed suit who at any other time would probably recieving death threats from the same fans.

I think you need to be aware he played a large part in the recent removal of Hicks, hence why fans have softened their views on him.

I don't remember many fans cheering for Broughton or Purslow after Benitez was removed.

 

[awmazz]

You can't really see him going anywhere in England other that those three clubs, and neither Arsenal or even Chelsea can match Manchester City's financial power at the present time – be it in terms of transfer fees or wages.

If a huge offer came in for him from the bluer side of the City, I can't see the Glazers refusing due to what the supporters would think.

I can see one other club he would go to. One club whose manager has been quite vocal about actively buying top talent in the January transfer window. One club whose owners may have £30-40 million allocated already.

One club which announces new ownership one day, and the next day Rooney's agent tells Man Utd that he won't be signing a new contract. The timing and 'unknown reasons' is too coincidental.

Rooney's going home to Liverpool is my bet. Home town if not home club. Man Utd will sell him to Liverpool for 40 million rather than take a 50 million offer from Man City I reckon. From a business point of view, Man City finishing above Utd will be a bigger long term financial loss than £10 million from a quick sale. And I don't think he will rate the 70 million Ronaldo got, not for a one year contract.

 

[fcortese]

I can see one other club he would go to. One club whose manager has been quite vocal about actively buying top talent in the January transfer window. One club whose owners may have £30-40 million allocated already.

One club which announces new ownership one day, and the next day Rooney's agent tells Man Utd that he won't be signing a new contract. The timing and 'unknown reasons' is too coincidental.

Rooney's going home to Liverpool is my bet. Home town if not home club. Man Utd will sell him to Liverpool for 40 million rather than take a 50 million offer from Man City I reckon. From a business point of view, Man City finishing above Utd will be a bigger long term financial loss than £10 million from a quick sale. And I don't think he will rate the 70 million Ronaldo got, not for a one year contract.

Interesting conjecture. Rooney may just be wearing his welcome out what with all of the off-the-pitch antics. The drama will be drawn out regardless.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Inter are crushing Spurs as we speak - 'Arry for England?

EDIT: Spurs still lost, but only just...quite a collapse from Inter - Bale is a goal-machine tonight!

I think you need to be aware he played a large part in the recent removal of Hicks, hence why fans have softened their views on him.

Make no mistake - I was cheering for Broughton myself, we had a common enemy in Hicks and Gillett. Now that the ownership battle is over, I suspect that most fans won't have much time for Broughton since he's accomplished his purpose. Purslow is still around, he's changed positions at the club but I doubt he's going to get too many christmas cards from fans any time soon.

What is your opinion of Benitez, pknz? Did you think he was the right manager for us going forward? Do you place any blame on him for the club's recent decline? Are you in the "sack Hodgson" camp? I don't get to discuss Liverpool matters much here in Alaska...curious to hear your take on things.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

He's a decent larker, that Bale.

 

[awmazz]

Interesting conjecture. Rooney may just be wearing his welcome out what with all of the off-the-pitch antics. The drama will be drawn out regardless.

I was probably being overly idealistic. The hard reality has made me change my mind after reading Yaya Toure is on £200,000 a week (the mind boggles), twice Rooney's wage. Despite his press talk today about 'strengthening the squad', he left Everton purely for money, so why any different now with Man Utd. He'll take £250,000 a week at Man City.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

He's a decent larker, that Bale.

So, has any one else scored a hat trick (and a real one at that) for the losing team, in CL before...?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Wikipedia says the great Ferenc Puskás (look at his scoring record!!!!!) scored a hatrick for Real Madrid in 1962 against Benfica but Real came out the loser 5-3.

523 career appearances, 509 goals scored. Now THAT is what I call a striker.

David Gill and I have a meeting at 10 tomorrow morning. David has spoken to the owners tonight which is important. What is really important is for us to put it to bed, we don't want it to become a saga.

How does he propose to do that? Shut down the media?

Meanwhile, in Glasgow - Well done to Maurice Edu, with the USA midfielder bagging a brace for Rangers- oh, wait, he scored one for each team...

Still a good point for Rangers against a quality Spanish club. Should have won it though. Now they have to go to Spain and get a result...

EDIT: Contradicting reports from a few months back, Landon Donovan has mentioned the possibility of another January loan move to Everton...I wonder if he might consider stepping over to the red half of Liverpool?

EDIT2: Columbus are taking the field tomorrow against T&T club Joe Public...it's a dead rubber, as Columbus are set finish second in our CL group and progress to the knockout stages, while Joe Public are already out with just one point in the group. We will probably be sending out a reserve squad. Still, I'm going to watch the match because it's only the second Crew match that has made it on to Fox Soccer Channel since I got a TV, so I'll take what I can get.

 

[Fuzzy14]

Meanwhile, in Glasgow - Well done to Maurice Edu, with the USA midfielder bagging a brace for Rangers- oh, wait, he scored one for each team...

Still a good point for Rangers against a quality Spanish club. Should have won it though. Now they have to go to Spain and get a result...

Yes, a bitter-sweet result for both Edu and Rangers. We would have taken the point before the match, but in the event we should have put several past them. Looking quite good for at least 3rd spot, and if we can beat ManU at Ibrox who knows.

I failed in my search for a screen showing the Rangers game, but at least the Spurs game in the pub was entertaining enough.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

My match report for Liverpool's 0-0 draw away at Napoli: 22 players, 92 minutes and not one good shot on goal out of it. I'll take the point, although I'm not sure Liverpool's European adventure this season has much of a point to it, besides givinig the reserves playing time.

Without Torres, Liverpool just have no attacking threat up front. N'Gog is a decent squad player but he's not the answer to our needs. Cole was largely invisible.

EDIT: I hate to bring up the Rooney "saga" again but it is interesting to note that most of the fans' anger seems to be directed at Rooney himself rather than his agent, Ferguson or the Glazers. If that's the case, the latter three have gotten off very cheaply.