The Premier League Thread!

[Jaffa Cake]

£400m is correct and I saw the interview that Hicks said about it. The BBC comment is more a long term thing in regards to my growing hatred but £150m is utter crap and is a completely bogus figure.

If you're not happy with stuff the BBC's saying in general that's one thing, but I think that singling them out for criticism on this particular story is a little unfair. In the interests of balance, it should be pointed out that it's not just the BBC who is quoting these figures, so if they are as inaccurate as you are saying then quite a few others have also got them wrong.

Several other sources – such as Sky and several newspapers, including the Liverpool Echo – repeat the sum of £150m. Mind, if as you say the projected £400m is for the stadium project (ie redevelopment of the surrounding area too and not just the cost of the new ground itself) then in comparison the Emirates stadium project is said to have cost in the region of £430m, so the scouse version compares well in terms of cost. Mind, those are London prices we're talking about.

...a large amount to be recouped via naming rights.

Hmm... interesting. I suppose it's very early days of course but is there any talk about who might potentially be coming on board as sponsors?

...an architectural masterpeice... the detail and thought behind it is stunning... [it's] going to be amazing in person

Pah! Never mind your fancy new stadium – apparently they're looking into fixing the faulty lighting outside ours. Ace.

 

[és:]

If you're not happy with stuff the BBC's saying in general that's one thing

Honestly, if it was just this one thing, then I wouldn't have bothered mentioning it. They are so often wrong on things, time and again they come out with garbage.

My original comment was meant as a flippant 'oh, the BBC are at it again'. It's not just regarding Liverpool either, on many things.

As for the Echo, I speak to the new sports writer quite often, a real nice guy and I'll drop him a line later to ask his take on it.

I liked this interpretation thought

"I'd guess it's something to do with trading up from the BMW we were building to a Lamborghini."

The original figure of 300 was only a ballpark, early, non inclusive figure anyway, but it was mentioned by Hicks, so why the echo has said 250, I've no idea. Unless they are quoting the old design again.

Hmm... interesting. I suppose it's very early days of course but is there any talk about who might potentially be coming on board as sponsors?

Not that I know of, I did hear something about the redbull owner being interested but nothing at all concrete that I would rely on. I'd say that it will be a shirt_naming rights deal. It wouldn't shock me if it was Carlsberg again, to be honest.

As for Arsenal's 430m, their stadium isn't a one off (far less architectural work), isn't being built below ground (massive cost increase) or being built in a listed park... those london ground prices must have killed them to make up the difference).

I think our new owners really deserve a pat on the back. It took two americans that didn't know too much about the sport to stick up for our football clubs heritage... They have done that and much more.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Indeed... and to think he started the season off so nicely too.

Played havoc with my fantasy football selection this week, so it has...

Crap! I didn't know that! He was my starting keeper, and was doing very well.

 

[Markleshark]

Crap! I didn't know that! He was my starting keeper, and was doing very well.

David James FTW!

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Crap! I didn't know that! He was my starting keeper, and was doing very well.

Bah! I should have kept my mouth shut and hampered your chances...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I can't believe Man City got spanked so badly - a Derby-quality performance form a team in the top third of the table?

David James FTW!

He's my other keeper...now he becomes the starter.

Bah! I should have kept my mouth shut and hampered your chances...

13 points this week so far and only one of my players plays tomorrow, so I don't need help going to crap this week.

 

[XIII]

****ing nervous now. COME ON THE ARSENAL.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

****ing nervous now.

But not as nervous as Paul Robinson, I'll wager. Several of the Sunday papers are reporting that Ramos is looking to sign 'keeper Andrés Palop from his old club Sevilla once the transfer window reopens.

 

[és:]

There isn't that much space between them in that picture. That is Neville's shadow on Kuyt's leg.
.

I just wanted to show you how far they actually were apart.

 

[pknz]

Nice shot ^^

Ah just been listening to Liverpool chants... (mainly Steve Gerrard Gerrard), so pumped for the game now...to bad I have to go sleep for the next 6 or so hours till the game.

C'mon Liverpool!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Didn't get to see the Liverpool-Arsenal match (******* Setanta Sports )

Sounds like it was a good match that could easily have gone either way. I hear that Gerrard really got up for this one, which is good. Torres was not quite match fit. Fabregas is an incredibly dangerous player...

Still unbeaten, but Liverpool really need to get down to business if they want to challenge for the title...

I wonder how different the game would have been if both Torres and Van Persie were 100% fit and played 90 minutes...

I just wanted to show you how far they actually were apart.

Good angle!

 

[xUKHCx]

I just wanted to show you how far they actually were apart.

What happens if you scroll forward to where they are actually closer, because Neville hasn't gotten rid of the ball yet.

Crouch needs more games he looked really threatening, shame Alonso had to go off, after that we lost any real venom. I would've put Babel on instead of Arbeloa.

Can't believe both VP and Bendtner missed open goals.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Crouch needs more games he looked really threatening, shame Alonso had to go off, after that we lost any real venom. I would've put Babel on instead of Arbeloa.

Can't believe both VP and Bendtner missed open goals.

I like Crouch, but I doubt he'll ever get enough playing time to show his full potential due to the rotation.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

It was quite an entertaining game as it happens, and I think that the draw was probably a fair result. Gerrard looked good and scored with a very well executed free kick, but I really thought Reina could have done better with Arsenal's equaliser though.

 

[XIII]

What happens if you scroll forward to where they are actually closer, because Neville hasn't gotten rid of the ball yet.

Crouch needs more games he looked really threatening, shame Alonso had to go off, after that we lost any real venom. I would've put Babel on instead of Arbeloa.

Can't believe both VP and Bendtner missed open goals.

Impressive how RvP managed to miss an open goal despite not being in the squad.

Two poor open goal misses after two hits of the post make me feel we could have taken all 3 points here, but before the game, and in reflection, I am pleased with a point away at Anfield. I am convinced this team has grown up, without being near their best, and missing arguably the best striker in the team, they nearly won at Anfield. Supposedly much better Arsenal sides have struggled much worse at Anfield than the side did today.

Fabregas did miss an open goal, but I love him.. you could see how much the equalizer meant to him.

Well worked opening goal.. or a **** wall. Depends which way you look at it. Disappointed to concede a goal like that.

We're still top of the league, we have United at home in 6 days - a point would be an ok result there, and 3 points would set us up superbly.

Pleased overall I think.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Well worked opening goal.. or a **** wall. Depends which way you look at it.

A bit of both I think – the Liverpool players lining up with the wall did well to disrupt it and create an opening for Gerrard to exploit. Maybe it was a little bit of inexperience in the Arsenal team that Liverpool were able to take advantage of, but the youngsters will learn from stuff like this.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

We're still top of the league, we have United at home in 6 days - a point would be an ok result there, and 3 points would set us up superbly.

Pleased overall I think.

You should be - considering how close this season is shaping up to be, it might all come down to the big games between the top teams - today's draw is better for Arsenal than Liverpool, since they are top of the table currently.

 

[XIII]

I love it when I find higher res. shots from football.. does anyone know where you can usually find these? I'd like to use them as a desktop, but they are never good enough res. - this is about the best I can ever find.

 

[Markleshark]

I don't think I've ever wanted a draw as much in my life. Hehe.

Wasn't a bad game though, I do agree Renia could have tried a little harder when Cesc was through, but, never mind.

No idea about Hi Res stuff XIII, but if we're having a 'stupid faces after scoring' competition I've got that one in the bag.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I'm sure the originals of those photos are very hi-res, but they are also probably copyrighted by the company the photographer works for and only available for $$$$

 

[Markleshark]

I'm sure the originals of those photos are very hi-res, but they are also probably copyrighted by the company the photographer works for and only available for $$$$

Mine we're from the BBC, so it'll be bucket loads of cash.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Just as an aside, they've just mentioned on the radio that it's been confirmed that Great Britain will be entering a team in the 2012 Olympic football tournament, the first time we've done so in donkey's years.

If we're wanting to uphold the traditions that the Olympics were first founded on, they really we should enter a team of amateurs. We all ought to get practising on the off-chance.

 

[xUKHCx]

We all ought to get practising on the off-chance.

Perhaps not everyone

However, possibly the greatest own goal in the history of the game was by Jaffa Cake (New Pasture Lane Primary School vs Martongate Primary School), circa 1987...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I know that stock image companies have photographers who take shots at sporting events with the specific intention of selling them to news outlets, sports memorabilia companies etc. etc., so the prices are of corporate dimensions, to be sure.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Perhaps not everyone

Hey, if a spectacular own-goal is good enough for Mr Cruyff it's good enough for me. And as a red I'm sure you'll remember Sami Hyypia hasn't been averse to finding the back of his own net of late.

If you're going to be like that, I might have to play the 'grandparent rule' and check out if I'll eligible to play for any other participating countries...