Meanwhile, our club captain Ian Ashbee has also handed in a transfer request. One would assume he's looking to link up with Brown at Preston, unless he's Liverpool's back up should they fail to land Adam. 
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2010-2011 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
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Isn't he the guy that captained the Tigers as they rose through several divisions to the Premier League? Shame to see him go.
RE: the Torres deal...Anelka is a headcase and I question whether he's a good idea. As for Sturridge, he's shown some promise but if Chelsea are parting with him I suspect it means they don't really rate him.
RE: the Torres deal...Anelka is a headcase and I question whether he's a good idea. As for Sturridge, he's shown some promise but if Chelsea are parting with him I suspect it means they don't really rate him.
Aye, that's the chap. One of a handful of players to have played and scored for the same club in all four divisions, and he holds the distinction (we believe uniquely) of captaining the same side too.
Pearson (Nigel) is considering the request over the weekend apparently, but I reckon Ashbee will be gone shortly.
I think Arsenal were lucky in the end here, though you couldn't say that at least 1 goal wasn't coming after Fabregas came on. Not impressed with his attitude on the pitch today though - he seemed really hostile, which isn't great to watch. Huddersfield were very close to scoring again, though, so I felt like it could have gone either way.
Having been initially unlucky, we managed to seize some luck in the latter stages of the match. Did not like the prospect of another replay. Annoying.
Also, Dear Wenger, sell Squillaci and bring in Mertesacker. Thank you.
It seems Liverpool are now open to selling Torres for a mere £50m. Chicken change really.
Daylight robbery that, i personally think he's only worth half that. After his initial 30 goal debut season, he hasn't been all that.
Also, Dear Wenger, sell Squillaci and bring in Mertesacker. Thank you.
It seems Liverpool are now open to selling Torres for a mere £50m. Chicken change really.
Daylight robbery that, i personally think he's only worth half that. After his initial 30 goal debut season, he hasn't been all that.
I've read that £50m is the buy-out clause value in his contract, so technically Liverpool have already agreed to sell him to anyone at that price anyway by signing off on it ages ago so it's a bit of a misleading article saying they'll 'agree' to sell him now for that price. Probably not what the new owners would have preferred, but they're stuck with the existing contract so would have to make the best of it. With only one day left, getting £40m and a £10m striker would be a better option right now for the rest of the season than £50m and no striker.
It's hard to know with Torres - it just doesn't seem like he's firing on all cylinders with Liverpool - it might be better for everyone to see him off, but I don't quite know if I can see him at Chelsea.
and, incidently, Notts Co. have just scored against City.
and, incidently, Notts Co. have just scored against City.
He's been coming good again under Kenny, which makes me wonder why he suddenly wants to leave. He said before he wanted to unless Liverpool started signing better players, but the minute they do exactly that he puts in his transfer request, which makes it really odd. Odd like Rooney and Tevez.
I hope County can hold on for a replay.
Japan's always been stronger in terms of overall success and results. Even in the Asian Champions League their clubs are odds-on to beat any of ours. The gap's closing slowly though I think.
Japan's always been stronger in terms of overall success and results. Even in the Asian Champions League their clubs are odds-on to beat any of ours. The gap's closing slowly though I think.
Piss easy tie for Utd. Away London derby tie for us...should be fun.
Looks like Nasri will be out for three weeks. *sigh*. The good news is Arshavin played well today but Nasri is now all but certain to miss the Barca match.
Also, Keane has signed for West Ham and Tottenham look set to be knocked out by Fulham.
Looks like Nasri will be out for three weeks. *sigh*. The good news is Arshavin played well today but Nasri is now all but certain to miss the Barca match.
Also, Keane has signed for West Ham and Tottenham look set to be knocked out by Fulham.
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That's certainly a fairytail Rocky shot at the world champion scenario, isn't it? I'm in two minds about if this is the ideal option though. What would the players themselves prefer - the chance in a lifetime to play against the likes of Giggs and Rooney etc and likely lose, or maybe have a better chance against another club to take Crawley even further to the QFs?
Spurs handed that one over on a silver platter. Fancy giving away two penalties in as many minutes.
Edit - How's the draw work, is it divided into top and bottom halves as published? I seem to recall that's the way it worked last time I bothered checking. If so... Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd are all in the bottom half = Arsenal/Chelsea v Man Utd in the semi. Man City would be the strongest team in the top half but have to face their nemesis Villa next up anyway, so it could be another West Ham v Birmingham semi.
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Benitez did a terrible job of managing Torres' fitness. After his first hamstring injury, Benitez played him often when half-fit, resulting in morale-crushing suppar performances and constant re-injuries. Now that he's fit again, I am confident he can return to his previous scintillating form.
He wants to leave because hes reached an age where he has one or two big moves left in him and he is probably worth more now than he ever will be (his agent is a factor there). He wants to go to a top team currently in the running for championships and surrounded by top players. Liverpool is currently not such a team. I think he's been as loyal to Liverpool as one could expect, and for the most part I think he's put his heart and soul into it. The injuries I blame largely on Benitez and his staff.
Even though I continue to hope that Dalglish and the new owners will rebuild Liverpool, It's not going to happen overnight. And, frankly, while losing Torres will be a big blow, he's ultimately not a required part of our plans. We have Suarez now, let's see how he turns out.
Japan looked pretty solid in the WC. Australia have a good squad, but Japan have good technical ability and a few very speedy players.
Laughably easy tie for Utd. Why bother playing it? Shame about Nasri. He and Bae have both been standout players this season and their loss hurts not only their respective teams, but also the standard of play in the league and my fantasy points totals.
Spurs were simply crushed by Fulham.
EDIT: Just watched Udinese convincingly defeat Juventus 2-1, though Udinese could have had 4 or 5. Aquilani looked better for Juventus than he ever did for the 'Pool.
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If they manage to keep him. I think the deal with go through.
This. I think he wants a Premier league or Champions League medal or even the FA Cup. He was probably influenced by Liverpool's Champions League record and the fact that they won the FA cup the previous season when deciding to sign for them. However, they haven't won anything since then and the clock is ticking.
Tottenham like Arsenal now only have two centre backs available with Dawson being sent off today. Apparently the defending in todays match was 'hilarious' and 'shambolic'. Speaking of centre backs i wonder if Wenger still plans to bring one in or if as per usual, it was all talk. Because we're no better off, we still only have two defenders...and a lot of matches to come.
On another note, Real lost to Osasuna and are now 7pts behind Barca. Ronaldo, Benzema and Adebayor all failed to find the net. Is that it then for the title race? on the flip side Barca won their 15th consecutive game on saturday and have a +26 goal difference on Real. Incredible.
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I meant that statement in a general sense - in other words, now that he's fit (whether he stays or goes), I think he'll be much improved over the last couple season when Benitez was overplaying him while he was injured. I want to see him go back to top form, regardless what club he's playing for.
Put in Torres' shoes, most of us would probably feel the same. He only has so many years left at peak fitness, and he has to make the most of it. like any competitor, he wants to win championships.
It looks as though the league is beginning to slip out if reach. Still I would never count a Mourinho team out of the Champions League, so they still could win the European trophy.
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Agreed.
That would huge for both Real and The Special One.
WITHOUT TORRES:
2001 - Charity Shield, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup
2002 - nothing
2003 - League Cup
2004 - nothing
2005 - Champions League, UEFA Super Cup
2006 - Charity Shield, FA Cup
2007 - Runners Up Champions League
= 10 trophies and 1 Runners Up medal
WITH TORRES:
2008 - nothing
2009 - nothing
2010 - nothing
2011 - only the UEFA Cup to play for now, but having the worst results of all groups
= nada, zilch, squat
Torres wants to go to a club that wins trophies? He already did - Liverpool were that club. But stopped winning things the day he arrived. So what if he's the problem? A jinx. If so, sell him to Chelsea. Sell him to Chelsea!
Seriously good finals record though 10/11, winning every one they contested bar the 2007 CL (which they probably lost because they heard Torres was coming, haha). Basically the bet is if Liverpool ever make it into a trophy match, they will win it.
Indeed, he's such a jinx, Spain were only able to win the measly European Championship and World Cup (though he admittedly was not the star contributor).
Torres has carried Liverpool on his back at times in the recent past. I cannot blame him for our poor form.
Indeed, he's such a jinx, Spain were only able to win the measly European Championship and World Cup (though he admittedly was not the star contributor).
Torres has carried Liverpool on his back at times in the recent past. I cannot blame him for our poor form.
You never know, he may be like Adebayor at Arsenal. They won the title in 2004 then the FA Cup the followng year, but once Adebayor came in 2006, they won squat from then on. Doesn't matter if he was top scorer. Now he's gone, Arsenal are coming good to win something again.
Benitez only briefly assembled a team of the highest caliber when we had both Xabi Alonso and Torres in the squad. But we lost too many good players after that, and Benitez failed to replace them. I know he said he was interfered with by the upper management, but then fact is, other teams spent the same or less money on much better players...
Also, look at Torres' goals-to-games ratio: better than one in two. His job has been to put the ball in the back of the net. And despite his injuries and recent loss of form, he's done that better than we could possibly have expected. In addition, he'll make us a big pile of cash when we sell him - at least 10 million, probably closer to 20, and that ain't exactly chickenfeed.
Finally, looking back on Liverpool's silverware since 2001, really the only trophy that matters is the Champions League. The rest of the stuff, for a team with Liverpool's ambitions, is largely fluff (especially when you look at Chelsea and United's haul over the same period).
A couple of early comments on the BBC transfer page:
Liverpool: Done deals so far - loan Konchesky to Forest, sign 21 year old Korean midfielder Koo Ja-Cheol. Rumours - a cab driver says he drove Adam to Anfield this morning, someone says Ibrahimovic has come in for a medical, a BBC source says no bids have been placed for Villa's Ashley Young.
And the day's just started!
Prediction of the day - West Ham to sign Roberto Carlos.
Liverpool: Done deals so far - loan Konchesky to Forest, sign 21 year old Korean midfielder Koo Ja-Cheol. Rumours - a cab driver says he drove Adam to Anfield this morning, someone says Ibrahimovic has come in for a medical, a BBC source says no bids have been placed for Villa's Ashley Young.
And the day's just started!
Prediction of the day - West Ham to sign Roberto Carlos.
Depends on how Manchester United are set up. Silencio and others have noticed strange goings-on; maybe Ferguson received '101 Formations To Try Before You Die' for his birthday. The match is more than a cup tie, it is a battle for the right to be known as The Red Devils - such a tussle hasn't been seen since Victoria Beckham took on Peterborough United.
Is Suarez Liverpool's new El Hadji Diouf?
Cheers,
OW
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