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The 2013-2014 Football Thread

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The only bit of interesting news from the Netherlands, is that Wesley Sneijder has been recalled to the Dutch team. It's not because Louis van Gaal thinks he his the perfect fit, but because his first choice Georgino Wijnaldum is out injured.
It has never been a good relationship between Sneijder and van Gaal, but lets hope that they are both professional about it.:eek:
He will be in the matches for WC14 qualifying, on the 6 Sept against Estland, and if all goes well, again on the 10 Sept against Andorra.

There is very little pressure as the Netherlands are 99% sure to qualify.:)
 
daneoni said:
...and breathe.

Its official. Ozil is now a Gunner.

Well done Arsene.
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Great player but where do you see him fitting in with a Midfield already containing Walcott, Wilshere (when fit) Carzola, Ramsay, Ox, Rosicky, Podolski and Flamini?

I'm sure Rosicky and Flamini are squad players, but does that mean Podolski and Ox will now be benched more?
 
Fizzoid said:
Great player but where do you see him fitting in with a Midfield already containing Walcott, Wilshere (when fit) Carzola, Ramsay, Ox, Rosicky, Podolski and Flamini?

I'm sure Rosicky and Flamini are squad players, but does that mean Podolski and Ox will now be benched more?
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Guess something like this:

---------Giroud----------
Caz-------Özil---Walcott


with 2 from Arteta, Flamini and Ramsey behind. Podolski to sub for Caz or Giroud. Ox for Walcott (?) and Rosicky for Ozil.

Looks decent to me, although Giroud still has to convince me to be a real CL threat. Subs up front aren't the real deal, imho. Sanogo (?) and Bendtner (lol) don't cut the mustard so to say. :D


@CoxOrange, I'm oldschool, Ribery like a persona non grata in my eyes. Didn't really pop out in a masterclass of team Bayern represented last year, either imho. Didn't won them the CL title, too - that would've been Martinez or Robben imho. But yeah, stats probably speak in his favour. He's worse than Suarez (which I guess is kinda nice in private, lol, just made that up, but still :D)

Mainz & Hertha = sad face. I just had a quick look at a ticker early on, didn't Mainz even took the lead? I was like, wtf they about to win the league?! It's okay to lose (I guess) at times, what bugs me is this rubbish tabloit-affair disturbing Hertha and our injuries. Those hurt, especially Baumjohann who played a key role so far.
 
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twietee said:
Guess something like this:

---------Giroud----------
Caz-------Özil---Walcott


with 2 from Arteta, Flamini and Ramsey behind. Podolski to sub for Caz or Giroud. Ox for Walcott (?) and Rosicky for Ozil.

Looks decent to me, although Giroud still has to convince me to be a real CL threat. Subs up front aren't the real deal, imho. Sanogo (?) and Bendtner (lol) don't cut the mustard so to say. :D
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I'd forgotten about Arteta! I guess you see Wilshere as a long term injury too? ;)
 
Fizzoid said:
I'd forgotten about Arteta! I guess you see Wilshere as a long term injury too? ;)
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Nah, besides Arteta of course. But they're all a bit injury prone, isn't Arteta injured right now? I think I read that. How old is Flamini actually? I know he was the real deal some years back, but almost forgot about him. Since you Brits have a decent amount of games each year + upcoming WorldCup, they'll rotate a fair amount of games. But hey, you just fooled me. You know that better than I do.
 
daneoni said:
Seems United have landed Coentrao on loan...

£27.5m for Felaini is definitely inflated. You have to wonder why United didn't go in whilst his £23m clause was still active. Everton have played it shrewdly...or United have been careless...or both.
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Coentrao - off; Manchester United didn't give Real Madrid enough time to get a player in. Keeps the path clear for Evra re Fantasy Football. :)

Fellaini - thought they could get the deal done any time in the window at very close to the clause price, possibly lower. Woodward and his team have been arrogant and angered the clubs they approached.

Cheers,
OW
 
oscillatewildly said:
Coentrao - off; Manchester United didn't give Real Madrid enough time to get a player in. Keeps the path clear for Evra re Fantasy Football. :)
Cheers,
OW
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Never really understood the need for Baines or Coentrao really. Evra is the best in their defence imho, probably alonside Vidic. Strange stuff.
 
twietee said:
Nah, besides Arteta of course. But they're all a bit injury prone, isn't Arteta injured right now? I think I read that. How old is Flamini actually? I know he was the real deal some years back, but almost forgot about him. Since you Brits have a decent amount of games each year + upcoming WorldCup, they'll rotate a fair amount of games. But hey, you just fooled me. You know that better than I do.
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Yes, Arteta is out injured, which is why I'd forgotten him. Flamini is 29 so not too old, but I see him more as an experienced squad player than a first team pick

Certainly Arsenal have depth in midfield, just that they now have more players who are going to want to play 1st team football than spaces in midfield, and certainly from an England perspective, we want to see Wilshere, Walcott and Ox playing as much first team football as possible.

You're right about Giroud, and as good a player as Ozil is, I think they'd have been better spending the cash on a striker
 
Fizzoid said:
Great player but where do you see him fitting in with a Midfield already containing Walcott, Wilshere (when fit) Carzola, Ramsay, Ox, Rosicky, Podolski and Flamini?

I'm sure Rosicky and Flamini are squad players, but does that mean Podolski and Ox will now be benched more?
Click to expand...

twietee said:
Guess something like this:

---------Giroud----------
Caz-------Özil---Walcott


with 2 from Arteta, Flamini and Ramsey behind. Podolski to sub for Caz or Giroud. Ox for Walcott (?) and Rosicky for Ozil.

Looks decent to me, although Giroud still has to convince me to be a real CL threat. Subs up front aren't the real deal, imho. Sanogo (?) and Bendtner (lol) don't cut the mustard so to say. :D
Click to expand...

What he said ;)

twietee said:
Nah, besides Arteta of course. But they're all a bit injury prone, isn't Arteta injured right now? I think I read that. How old is Flamini actually? I know he was the real deal some years back, but almost forgot about him. Since you Brits have a decent amount of games each year + upcoming WorldCup, they'll rotate a fair amount of games. But hey, you just fooled me. You know that better than I do.
Click to expand...

Flamini is 29

oscillatewildly said:
Coentrao - off; Manchester United didn't give Real Madrid enough time to get a player in. Keeps the path clear for Evra re Fantasy Football. :)

Fellaini - thought they could get the deal done any time in the window at very close to the clause price, possibly lower. Woodward and his team have been arrogant and angered the clubs they approached.

Cheers,
OW
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Yeah i just read. No real loss really. Evra is better as long as he is fit and injury free, the real problem is in CAM and RB. Jones and Rooney can't keep covering those forever.

Fizzoid said:
Yes, Arteta is out injured, which is why I'd forgotten him. Flamini is 29 so not too old, but I see him more as an experienced squad player than a first team pick

Certainly Arsenal have depth in midfield, just that they now have more players who are going to want to play 1st team football than spaces in midfield, and certainly from an England perspective, we want to see Wilshere, Walcott and Ox playing as much first team football as possible.

You're right about Giroud, and as good a player as Ozil is, I think they'd have been better spending the cash on a striker
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Wenger manages to make the rotation properly if you're fit. Theres' the FA, Capital and CL to play. So there'll be slots for everyone.

Wenger tried to get a striker but they either went to Monaco or clubs didn't want to sell to a rival or player didn't want to come. Thats one of the reasons i'm really glad Ozil came. Not only for what he does on the pitch but he gives us a lift and makes us much more marketable. Top strikers and midfielders will want to play with him thus making us attractive.

Would've liked us to get Gustavo, Sakho or Hummels too but oh well. Gustavo wanted a German passport and Hummels is in one of the best teams in the world.
 
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Wenger really pulled one out there yesterday. Yes they don't need Ozil but unless you have Ronaldo, Messi, Xavi or Iniesta in your team Ozil will be a massive addition.

The Arsenal midfield is now one of the top 2 in England. The other being Chelsea's. Imagine Ozil playing alongside Fabregas and RVP even i have shivers. Shame these people left.

Hopefully Wenger lands a top ST and CB soon. And the loan GK does well for them and signs on permanently. Flamini already seems to be doing a job at DM for them.
 
twietee said:
Never really understood the need for Baines or Coentrao really. Evra is the best in their defence imho, probably alonside Vidic. Strange stuff.
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Age, 32, and who knows what is going on with Fabio; he was supposed to be better than Rafael - hopefully he will be played in the cup competitions and some league games. Buttner isn't up to it, so there is a need for a good middle aged - football - understudy with experience; unlikely second choice is acceptable to Evra, Baines, or Coentrao.

Cheers,
OW
 
I'm so utterly hyped for Özil, going to Fantasy WC just because of him. :D

Here's a nice nutmeg compilation



reminds me on.....me :eek:
Fast feet = no need to fool dribble around + the direct way is always the best way. :D partly joking here, of course
 
^ is that really the first smiley daneoni used? Ever? Just sayin' though: No need for inflationary use *ahem* you're doing quite right in saving them for the really important things in life!

Also, apparently Real turned down a 40m bid from United for Khedira. Maybe that's the reason Fellaini got finally signed / signed that late.
 
^
It is quite puzzling how many midfielders said No to United. Maybe looked at the Kagawa situation and became wary. Either that or no SAF = No Deal.
 
^^ 8 years - must be like birthday, Christmas, and lottery all at once.

The Khedira thing has the whiff of BS - Real pretending to fans angry about Ozil.

By the way twietee, you only have to pay GBP 10m for Ozil.;)

Cheers,
OW
 
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SAF and David Gill also failed to land quite a few of their chosen targets lately. Right now, based on the shambles of a transfer window we just witnessed, it clearly looks like Gill is a far bigger loss than SAF.

Still, despite the embarrassing bumbles, they got the business done that they needed to do: Fellaini will tighten up the central midfield quite a bit. He'll be a much more suitable partner for Carrick. It seems like England's system is better suited for Cleverley than United's is.

Kagawa looks like a wasted purchase right now. Remember that he was bought before RVP came, with the thought that Rooney would play up top and Kagawa behind him. Now RVP plays up top, with Rooney behind him. Don't know if Moyes has the creativity or the nerve to accommodate those three and, say, Nani in an attacking top four — his lineups have been very, very conservative thus far.

I hope Coentrao still moves over in the winter. He's the perfect long-term replacement for Evra.
 
Meanwhile, further fallout from our failure to land Shane Long.

You may remember that the deal apparently collapsed due to West Brom failing to land a replacement player before the close of the transfer window - indeed, our Managing Director came out earlier and publicly accused West Brom of scuppering the deal. However, the Baggies have responded with a proper official statement....


“Hull unexpectedly contacted us on Monday and tabled an acceptable offer for Shane. Given that every player has his price, we discussed it as a club.

“We accepted Hull’s offer in principle and gave them permission to speak to Shane, but the deal depended on many other factors – including a real reluctance to sell.

“In a phone conversation with Shane’s representative, I informed him that Shane was under no pressure to leave. We were definitely not trying to force him out.

“Hull then informed us they could not finance the deal they had tabled and wanted to reduce it to a level that the club would never have accepted in the first place.

“Given that Shane was not a player we were looking to sell, we ended all negotiations with Hull there and then.

“Contrary to media reports, the decision to keep Shane had absolutely nothing to do with Romelu Lukaku opting to join Everton.

“Shane remains a West Bromwich Albion player and we’re delighted he’s still here.

“He’s played an important role in the club’s recent progress and we are sure he will make another big contribution this term.”


So, who are we to believe? I'll say this much, Hull City fans haven't had a West Brom Director publicly lie to us over the past month or so... :rolleyes:
 
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Silencio said:
Kagawa looks like a wasted purchase right now. Remember that he was bought before RVP came, with the thought that Rooney would play up top and Kagawa behind him. Now RVP plays up top, with Rooney behind him. Don't know if Moyes has the creativity or the nerve to accommodate those three and, say, Nani in an attacking top four — his lineups have been very, very conservative thus far.
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So with Rooney injured, how come he didn't replace him with Kagawa I wonder, or even have him on the bench?
 
Said to be quite exhausted after his trip to the far east. If that's just a PRexplanation or not, we can't know. Hope Moyes ain't no ignorant bum.
 
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