2010-2011 Football Thread

[Fizzoid]

United announced today that the Glazers are going to fully pay off the club's payment in-kind loan on November 22nd to the tune of £220 million, cutting the club's overall debt level by over one third. They say they're not taking money out of the club to pay off the loan.

Can't say their financial worries are over by any means but this is an encouraging step.

£220m? We're going into administration over a £600,000 tax bill!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_wed/9192325.stm

Here's a comment on the BBC's 606 board from a fellow Wednesdayite, who says it much better than I ever could

comment by presto_west_end (U7998568)

posted 11 Hours Ago

Its easy to forget that were one of the first established Premier League clubs to drop from the cosy protection of Murdoch's Money League, without any contract break clauses for expensive players, and without any idea of the damage relegation and the collapse of ITV digital might cause. Naive? Perhaps, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Since then we've struggled along, enduring three relegations and three thousand loan players, trying to pay not just our football creditors, but everyone (including the tax man). This has continued for over 10 years whilst, in the meantime, others have entered into administration quicker and in some cases twice.

Those posters who are quick to comment on this board should have a look at exactly who presided over the period that caused this club so much harm (1989 - 1999) (Dave Richards, current Preimer League chairman) and take note of where he is now. He is the one that should be stepping in here, not Nick Clegg and not the fans who have paid good money in good numbers to support a team with its hands behind its back.

The Premier League rewards clubs outrageous amounts of money simply for finishing 17th in the Premier League. It now even rewards those clubs that are relegated (NB we never received any parachute payments). Therefore, for clubs in the championship and lower divisions to try to compete on a level playing field, they have to gamble, which will inevitably exacerbate these sorts of problems.

The reason that Manchester United Plc is a going concern is that the Premier League and the Champions League will plough millions into that club each year because they will succeed in those competitions. Any why will they succeed? Is it because they are much better run, or is it because they are given much more money?

The rich get richer (or should that be Richards), the Poor get Adminstration and a 10 points deduction.

But screw that eh, we'll concentrate on a 39th game instead. Bah.

Nuff said

 

[Fuzzy14]

Bah! Supporting a club with liquidity and not on the verge of administration is so 2000!

I thought pyramid/Ponzi schemes were illegal, but that’s exactly how FA/EPL/SFA/UEFA are running the show!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

One wonders what, if any, effect the upcoming financial controls will have on this situation.

The big clubs don't seem to be freaking out about it, so I have to assume they've already found big loopholes.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

We're going into administration over a £600,000 tax bill!

Or, if you prefer, you're going into administration over the equivalent of a top Premier League player's monthly pay cheque...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

USA vs South Africa tomorrow. I know it's only a friendly, but I suspect I might have a slight cough that will force me to take the morning off - which, by a strange coincidence, will be just in time for the 9:30am (local time) kickoff.

I'm mostly interested in seeing all the younger players, particularly because (as per the US Soccer website)

The Columbus Crew sends the most players to Cape Town. Along with Rogers, Brian Carroll and Eddie Gaven form part of the Crew midfield triumvirate. Carroll last appeared for the U.S. in the 3-2 win against Sweden on Jan. 24, 2009, at The Home Depot Center, while Gaven played 45 in the 2-1 against El Salvador on Feb. 24 in Tampa earlier this year.

How do the Brits feel about "new look" England? Carroll is on a hot streak of form, I think he has a good chance at scoring during his first cap. I hope they give Bothroyd a run-out though.

Or, if you prefer, you're going into administration over the equivalent of a top Premier League player's monthly pay cheque...

Indeed. The difference in finances, not just between the top divisions, but also between the top few Premier League teams and everyone else, is staggering. Some pundits speak darkly about how little Liverpool have to spend, when the reality is we are awash with cash compared with 99% of the football teams in Europe. The "reality" at the top is so skewed it's difficult to comprehend sometimes.

EDIT: It's a tough end to the season for Columbus. After another early playoff exit, the face of the team has already changed bigtime: the suits have cut loose four veteran players: defenders Duncan Oughton and Gino Padula have both been let go, but the big news is that team captain Frankie Hejduk and Guillermo Barros Schelotto are on their way out as well. It's really hard to see the latter two go, they were absolutely critical players for us over the last several season and helped form the spine of our championship-winning side in 2008 and last season's Supporter's Shield. At 36 and 37 though, they are getting on and we are now in a full rebuilding stage. Hejduk played for us for over 7 years and even at 36 the man could run 90 minutes flat-out. He also made a great team captain, he would sprint over to the supporters' section and yell "Come the *** on!!!!" to get the crowd going. He was one of those players that gave 200% in every match, sacrificing his body and lifting the squad. Schelotto was a fantastic player to watch - not quite big, fast or powerful enough for the top European game but an absolute legend in Argentina and his touch and vision were the equal of any player in the game. I was lucky to watch him play. So long boys, and thanks for the memories. Schelotto has one year left on his contract and may get picked up by another MLS squad, since he's stated he wants to finish his playing career here. It will be a shame to see him another team's colors next season.

 

[Fuzzy14]

Friendlies don't mean anything unless you win them.
Scotland had 11 call-offs tonight (out of a squad of 20 - go figure!) and still won the game 3-0. That wouldn't happen if we were playing for something!

Liverpool's Danny Wilson scored on his debut too, he's a cracking prospect.

Sunderland's Craig Gordon in goal tonight - for all our failings we do have two world class keepers at the moment. Expect MacGregor to sign for Man U next year, they are watching him.

How do the Brits feel about "new look" England?

Speaking as a Brit, I don't give a *******!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Craig Gordon is a very solid keeper, probably one of Scotland's best players currently. I think most nations' international squads would be more than happy to have a player of his quality in goal.

Speaking as a Brit, I don't give a *******!

The English football fan seems programmed to denigrate England unless they win, in which case they are set to win the next World Cup/Euros.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Come on, Fuzzy – after all the time you've spent living in England of late, you're practically one of us now!

I'm probably going to be too busy with work tomorrow evening to give a full appraisal of England's performance, so I'll save a bit of time and say now that after that defeat Capello should be sacked and replaced with an Englishman! / after that win we're surely favourites for Euro 2012! (delete as applicable depending on result)

 

[Silencio]

Friendlies don't mean anything unless you win them.
Scotland had 11 call-offs tonight (out of a squad of 20 - go figure!) and still won the game 3-0. That wouldn't happen if we were playing for something!

I suspect scheduling the mighty Faroe Islands as one's friendly opponent didn't hurt, either.

Liverpool's Danny Wilson scored on his debut too, he's a cracking prospect.

Barry Bannan also looked impressive. He did well against United last weekend and I watched him in a couple of Villa Reserve matches, looks like a good player in the making.

Sunderland's Craig Gordon in goal tonight - for all our failings we do have two world class keepers at the moment. Expect MacGregor to sign for Man U next year, they are watching him.

Gigi Buffon will be greatly disappointed.

 

[Fuzzy14]

Sorry JC, yes I'm gradually becoming one of them (Teessider). I had a parmo the other night.

Scotland have been humbled by the Faroes before! I'll take anything I can get.

I didn't realise Barry Bannan was Scottish until last night!

Is Buffon tipped for Man U?

 

[fivenotrump]

Is this about soccer then?

 

[pivo6]

Rafael Van der Vaart tells us why Harry is better than Jose. via the Sun.

Those coaching badges come in handy.

 

[OllyW]

Is this about soccer then?

A Englishman calling it soccer.

Blasphemy!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Wonderful goal by Messi to see off Brazil 1-0 after a pretty low-key match.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Heh – the Wembley turf is still faintly marked with the graphics from the recent NFL match staged there. I reckon fivenotrump is to blame.

 

[daneoni]

Well that didn't work. Back to the drawing board then Fabio.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

An interesting match for USA fans as we beat South Africa 1-0 with a totally experimental side featuring 5 new caps and a bunch of fringe players.

Columbian-born striker Juan Agudelo, in his first senior cap at 17, rammed a shot home late on after some excellent work from Norwegian-American Mikkel Diskerud (also a debutante) to secure the win. The early stages of the match were pretty disorganized, but both teams settled down after a half hour, though this match was all about watching new players and not really about team performances. Nevertheless, I was pleased to see USA looked pretty organized, especially in defense. Columbus midfielders Brian Carroll, Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven all had decent matches as well.

It's great to see a teenager in his senior debut get a goal, and another debutante with the assist.

And there were vuvuzelas too...

Heh – the Wembley turf is still faintly marked with the graphics from the recent NFL match staged there. I reckon fivenotrump is to blame.

Indeed. perhaps England were confused as to which game they were playing? I flipped over to the match a couple times and it looked to me like France were clearly the better side, and they Arsenal'ed the ball into the net with aplomb.

I thought both Carroll and Bothroyd looked decent though, and Gerrard had a good match (I hope he hasn't done his hammy). Milner looked a bit lumbering to me, though he was involved a lot. The defense was not so good. France seemed to keep posession well, and England were chasing the match far too often. Crouchy continues his excellent scoring record for England. He is so comical to watch on the pitch, but he is effective.

EDIT: What the? Portugal 4-0 Spain? Did I read that right?

 

[Fizzoid]

Well that didn't work. Back to the drawing board then Fabio.

To be fair, France are a good footballing side when they can be bothered, and aren't on strike. We had very little experience in the side and it certainly showed. We got into the game much more in the second half with the introduction of Young and Johnson, and it was a shame we let the second goal in because the game at that time was becoming quite even. Carroll certainly showed he can cause defences problems. If he'd gotten better service he could have proved a real handful. Gibbs didn't do too badly, unfortunately when he did get forward his final ball was a bit lacking, buy hey, he's young and only and Arsenal reserve, so he's still got plenty of time to learn. First half aside, I think there are a few positives we can take from the game, depite loosing to the French, friendly or not

 

[oscillatewildly]

Or, if you prefer, you're going into administration over the equivalent of a top Premier League player's monthly pay cheque...

Or a few bob for Wednesday's celebrity supporters.

Fuzzy14:

Scotland injuries; sorry to find you didn't get the call.

Buffon; Manchester United are supposed to be close to signing David de Gea and Anders Lindegaard.

Craig Gordon; it is likely he will be appearing for another team in one or two weeks.

Lord Blackadder -

Wonderful goal by Messi to see off Brazil 1-0 after a pretty low-key match.

As you say, poor game - matched by England - but good goal; thankfully the attacker nearest the goal didn't put the ball in - Ronaldo is looking at you Nani.

http://www.sportinglife.com/footbal...ORY_NAME=soccer/10/11/18/SOCCER_Portugal.html

Cheers,
OW

 

[Lord Blackadder]

First half aside, I think there are a few positives we can take from the game, depite loosing to the French, friendly or not

The French massively underperformed at the World Cup. When they actually try hard, there are few teams that can expect to get a result against them. In retrospect, England was very much the underdog, and Capello was clearly more worried about trying out new players than winning. I suppose you can't have it both ways - people who whine about meaningless friendlies can't be angry if the manager experiments and loses the match.

As you say, poor game - matched by England - but good goal; thankfully the attacker nearest the goal didn't put the ball in - Ronaldo is looking at you Nani.

http://www.sportinglife.com/footbal...ORY_NAME=soccer/10/11/18/SOCCER_Portugal.html

Lolz, indeed. Still in shock that the Spanish were beaten so badly.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Since the World Cup the press have been clamouring for Capello to bring in the next generation of players, the promising youngsters who will be the mainstay of the side over the next few tournaments.

The press then lay in to Capello for blooding these new players in a meaningless friendly which we go on to lose.

Same old, same old.

 

[Fuzzy14]

See my comment above, re: meaningless friendlies!

It looks like Rangers have a buyer. Or not.
The press are convinced a previously unheard of "millionaire" is about to take them over along with Andrew Ellis, however although the guy may be a paper millionaire, it would appear that it's not made out of the money kind of paper.

Rangers Director Dave King:

As for a deal being done, this is the golfing equivalent of looking for a hole in one on a 650-yard par five dog leg - with a water hazard 400 yards down the fairway. He's also standing with a seven iron in his hand.

If I were skeptical, I'd be saying he might be against the deal because he'd like to put in an offer himself but can't due to certain tax irregularities in South Africa. To be honest I'd rather he saved Dundee.

 

[fivenotrump]

A Englishman calling it soccer.

Blasphemy!

Just to distinguish it from rugger don't y'know

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I don't think the press should be kicking up too much of a fuss about England's loss. I also think that the real England fan would prefer to see experimental and young sides for most of the friendlies - especially given the age of the current senior squad. The youngsters need playing time.

It looks like Rangers have a buyer. Or not.
The press are convinced a previously unheard of "millionaire" is about to take them over along with Andrew Ellis, however although the guy may be a paper millionaire, it would appear that it's not made out of the money kind of paper.

Can millionaires still afford clubs like Rangers? I would think you'd need a billionaire for the job.

 

[XIII]

The French massively underperformed at the World Cup. When they actually try hard, there are few teams that can expect to get a result against them. In retrospect, England was very much the underdog, and Capello was clearly more worried about trying out new players than winning. I suppose you can't have it both ways - people who whine about meaningless friendlies can't be angry if the manager experiments and loses the match.

France did underperform given their squad, but I don't think it was unexpected. Everyone knew Domenech was a liability, and they struggled to qualify. I made a fair bit of money from betting against France in every game! It's a different story now though, new manager (who I rate highly) and a shake up of the FFF. Problem makers (Anelka) rightly punished for their actions during the World Cup, and some very very talented players (Nasri, Benzema..) who bizarrely didn't make the WC squad, back in and playing well. I don't see why anyone was shocked by a France win!