The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread - Part 5

[spidey-dude]

Now... this is sick:

"Skysports.com understands Arsenal, Tottenham and Stoke have made enquiries about Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton."


Plus Liverpool's 'phenomenal' pre-season... I really believe this season will be a 3-horse race (City, UTD and Chelsea).

I dont think we will be challenging for the title either, but youre crazy if youre basing it off preseason games

I also dont think city will be challenging

 

[Dr Lee]

I signed up to the Fantasy League....

Here's my team

Never been good at keeping this going, but i'm gonna try

 

[Van Petrol]

Has anybody heard about the monumentous **** up we've made in regards to the Mata deal. EPIC FAIL!!!

Same ****! Different season..

 

[Dr Lee]

no.... whats happened?

 

[Jack O Lantern]

If someone signed Mata before August 1st, then he had a buy out clause for 35 euros, that has now increased to 60.

Apparently only Spurs put in a bid.

 

[Van Petrol]

The 30-35m euro rule was for Barca and Real, for other we'd only be required to pay £13-17m. We dithered for so long waiting for Cesc or Nasri to leave first, and then put in a low ball bid at the last minute only for it to be rejected. The clause has now become 60m euros.

To top it all off, we can't shift our dead-wood as they are on such high wages. The likes of Diaby and Denilson are on £50k a week, while players like Mata are on £30k a week.

Mata also said he would only consider moving to us or Barca and wouldn't consider Spurs.

The club is a complete and utter joke.


In other news.....

EXCLUSIVE: Inter accept United's offer for Sneijder

If this goes through, United are well on their way to getting sorted.

 

[B]

The thing was we wouldn't have sold O'Shea if we hadn't bought Jones. I know we bought him a year early because Fergie had him earmarked and had to make a move because Arsenal and Liverpool were making serious bids. It does appear Evans will not be used mostly as a LB, but his lack of pace may see him struggle in that role.

Regardless I personally feel this was good buisness on our part, O'Shea has a tendancy to be erratic with form & when playing as a right or left back he offers absolutely nothing other than panic enduced passes going forward to Nani or Valencia. I feel he has moved to a club that his progression as a footballer has settled around if that makes sense.

I think part of the Young buy is that he played a lot of last season in the #10 role for Villa, so he can cover the wings and Rooney, but that was why we were after Sanchez, so it feels like we got very much the second tier option as he's not in Sanchez class.

He was more than likely Ferguson's 2nd choice after Sanchez decided he wanted to go to Barca &/or Udinese began touting Sanchez & ridiculous figures like £40m for him.

I think £16m for him is a very good price, especally considering £5m of that is based upon success while at Manchester United.. however that being said, I feel the one area we needed to strengthen over the summer was in the middle. I'd have taken United signing Sanchez in a heartbeat.. however for me personally I feel we have enough cover in the areas Sanchez/Young would have been playing for us & we are considerably weaker in the middle of the park than pretty much all of the big teams in the Premiership.

Sahin plays very much like a latter day Scholes/Pirlo, a deep lying playmaker who uses the ball well, of course Sneijder and Modric would also have imprved our chances. Vidal would have gave us agression and mobility in there instead of the weak Carrick and 37 year old Giggs.

Oh I'm aware both are quality young talents, I feel we need someone though who has the experience of playing at the highest level & consistantly performing. Something only really Modric & Sneijder would give.

Cleverley has spent two seasons on loan and in both seasons he played on the wings. Now he played in CM on a couple of the US tour games but whether he can in the PL remains to be seen. Pogba has a lot of good buzz but probably needs a loan spell.

Cleverly may have played on the wing, however he didn't strictly operate on the wing if that makes sense. He was more playing inside than hugging the touchline whipping in crosses. Well to be fair, he played against Barcelona & did quite well in pre-season in the middle. This was against people like Iniesta, Thiago (who is another gem of a player from what I've seen/heard) & Busquets as well I believe. If he can play against these sorts of players & put in a performance that earns him some plaudits I can't see why he wouldn't be able to cope with Premiership football.

Pogba really looks like a good talent, the best way I can describe him is that he looks like a more creative Vieira. He is also prone to scoring the odd Essien like smasher. I'd really like to see us toss him in for a few games to get him up to first team level asap.

The thing is for most of last season Fletcher wasn't reliable and then was ill, and Carrick spent two seasons in a daze and still gets rattled too easily. Over the course of last season we struggled with teams like Villa, West Brom and Wolves in midfield, never mind Barcelona, I just can't believe Fergie will let another season go without addressing the situation.

Fletcher & Carrick are similar midfielders, they are only as good as the person partnering them. Neither have the quality to really open up & win games, but if they've someone alongside them that is comfortable on the ball & spreads play well they are reliable.. usually.

We are undoubtably lacking in the middle of the park.

 

[B]

EXCLUSIVE: Inter accept United's offer for Sneijder

If this goes through, United are well on their way to getting sorted.

I don't know what sort of credibility this has however I've see this from several footballing websites claiming Inter have accepted a bid from Manchester United.. none of which quite the Daily Mirror.

That being said I doubt it's true just because it sounds too good, David Gill is quoted in saying he has to sit down with Ferguson & his coaching staff when they return from the tour of US to discuss any other transfer targets.

Also according to him we/Ferguson is still in the market for 1 more world class player.. which presumably would be someone like Sneijder.. I give the deal 20% chance of happening.

 

[spidey-dude]

ALRIGHT LADS FANTASY LEAGUE TIME

lets try and keep it going this time (although I have been very headstrong with my selections here)

http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

league code : 714862-181666

just so it doesnt get lost on the last page


oh and B i wouldnt put any stock in anything the daily fail says

edit: the mirror? could be true, they seem very hit and miss on their exclusives, I never know whether to believe them or not

 

[chamber-music]

I am not looking forward to this season. I have a feeling it may be Wengers last if he don't win something and looking at the squad we have now compared to others I don't think we will win something.

Premier League - Balotelli hit by team-mates' kipper prank

The controversial Italian striker has wound up just about everyone in Manchester with his antics ever since arriving at the club last summer, which have included throwing darts at youth team players (because he was "bored"), racking up £10,000 of parking fines, inciting manager Roberto Mancini to throw a suitcase at him, and winding up Yaya Toure on the training ground

But The Sun reports that his fellow City stars got their own back by putting a sports bag full of kippers behind his car's passenger seat just before they all headed off to the US for a two-week training tour.

The 20-year-old returned to his car after returning to England - and was almost knocked out by the overpowering stench when he opened the door of his £150,000 Maserati.

"Mario had his head in his hands," the paper's source said. "The smell nearly made him sick. It was revolting.

"There were flies in the car and the leather seats in the back had rotting fish all over them."

The fishy reek is apparently so bad that the car is expected to be a write-off - not that the superstar will struggle to buy a replacement on his £100,000-a-week wages.

The prank could yet backfire on Balotelli's team-mates, however: the Italian is apparently determined to get his own back.

"He has absolutely no idea who is responsible as he has wound up so many of his team-mates over the past year," the Sun's source continued.
"It won't put an end to the pranks, though. He's already formulating plans for revenge."
Eurosport

 

[chamber-music]

Now... this is sick:

"Skysports.com understands Arsenal, Tottenham and Stoke have made enquiries about Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton."


Plus Liverpool's 'phenomenal' pre-season... I really believe this season will be a 3-horse race (City, UTD and Chelsea).

lol yeah right Arsenal are after Barton. Wenger hates difficult players he got rid of Adebayor, Pennant, Jay Bothroyd and others because they were disruptive and not teamplayers

 

[Iceman]

The 30-35m euro rule was for Barca and Real, for other we'd only be required to pay £13-17m. We dithered for so long waiting for Cesc or Nasri to leave first, and then put in a low ball bid at the last minute only for it to be rejected. The clause has now become 60m euros.

To top it all off, we can't shift our dead-wood as they are on such high wages. The likes of Diaby and Denilson are on £50k a week, while players like Mata are on £30k a week.

Mata also said he would only consider moving to us or Barca and wouldn't consider Spurs.

The club is a complete and utter joke.


In other news.....

EXCLUSIVE: Inter accept United's offer for Sneijder

If this goes through, United are well on their way to getting sorted.

You called it!



Can't believe your squad could end up weaker for this season than last with all that cash burning a hole in your pocket. Noone pays any attention to warning signs at this place. Maybe something happens when Arsenal finish out of the top 4.

Would be good to see Sneijder in the Prem though. Hope that one eventually happens.

 

[Darthphere]

So the Klinnsman era begins with his roster for the "friendly" against Mexico. A mix of the old, the present and the future.

GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton)

DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Edgar Castillo (Club America), Timmy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), José Torres (Pachuca)

FORWARDS (5): Freddy Adu (Benfica), Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

 

[Poeman]

I like it

 

[chamber-music]

ALRIGHT LADS FANTASY LEAGUE TIME

lets try and keep it going this time (although I have been very headstrong with my selections here)

http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

league code : 714862-181666

I'm in

 

[Dr. Evil]

So the Klinnsman era begins with his roster for the "friendly" against Mexico. A mix of the old, the present and the future.

GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton)

DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Edgar Castillo (Club America), Timmy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), José Torres (Pachuca)

FORWARDS (5): Freddy Adu (Benfica), Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

A decent roster. About time Breck Shea makes the United States team. I would not be surprised if Shea ends up in Europe by the 2014 World Cup. In fact, for the MLS guys not named Landon Donovan, making the US Team will probably showcase these guys to Europe, especially if they do well.

 

[Poeman]

I am actually thrilled they picked up Beckerman

 

[Darthphere]

I like that he's going with some young guns in there with Agudelo, Shea and all the guys who play in Mexico. Also thrilled to finally see Timmy Chandler get a real shot.

 

[Poeman]

No love for Convey yet? And is Dempsey back at Fulham or something?

 

[Darthphere]

Yeah, he played in Europa League today.

About Convey, I just think there are better options at right back and in midfield where he can play.

 

[Dr. Evil]

USA Staff named for Mexico game:

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1679...n-names-assistant-coaches-for-mexico-friendly

 

[Hunter Rider]

Regardless I personally feel this was good buisness on our part, O'Shea has a tendancy to be erratic with form & when playing as a right or left back he offers absolutely nothing other than panic enduced passes going forward to Nani or Valencia. I feel he has moved to a club that his progression as a footballer has settled around if that makes sense.

Overall I agree it's just I felt this summer all funds both for fees and wages
should have benn directed towards the midfield.

He was more than likely Ferguson's 2nd choice after Sanchez decided he wanted to go to Barca &/or Udinese began touting Sanchez & ridiculous figures like £40m for him.

I think £16m for him is a very good price, especally considering £5m of that is based upon success while at Manchester United.. however that being said, I feel the one area we needed to strengthen over the summer was in the middle. I'd have taken United signing Sanchez in a heartbeat.. however for me personally I feel we have enough cover in the areas Sanchez/Young would have been playing for us & we are considerably weaker in the middle of the park than pretty much all of the big teams in the Premiership.

This is pretty much my feelings as well, Sanchez is special so even though we have good cover in the areas he plays it would be worth having the dynamism he'd bring, we could have also shipped out the ****ing Bulgarian to make a bit more space. To me Young isn't really any better than the options we had as back-ups to Nani and Valencia, so why bother?

Oh I'm aware both are quality young talents, I feel we need someone though who has the experience of playing at the highest level & consistantly performing. Something only really Modric & Sneijder would give.

We are usually good at identifying players on the cusp of going to the next level and bringing that out of them though. However I'd say at this point it's Sneijder or nobody, although Ganso's name keeps cropping up.

Cleverly may have played on the wing, however he didn't strictly operate on the wing if that makes sense. He was more playing inside than hugging the touchline whipping in crosses. Well to be fair, he played against Barcelona & did quite well in pre-season in the middle. This was against people like Iniesta, Thiago (who is another gem of a player from what I've seen/heard) & Busquets as well I believe. If he can play against these sorts of players & put in a performance that earns him some plaudits I can't see why he wouldn't be able to cope with Premiership football.

The difference is the physicality of playing in central midfield in the Prem, especially since we often play with just a 2 man CM system.

Pogba really looks like a good talent, the best way I can describe him is that he looks like a more creative Vieira. He is also prone to scoring the odd Essien like smasher. I'd really like to see us toss him in for a few games to get him up to first team level asap.

I haven't really seen enough to judge but the other youth team standout Tunnicliffe has gone on loan to a championship side.

Fletcher & Carrick are similar midfielders, they are only as good as the person partnering them. Neither have the quality to really open up & win games, but if they've someone alongside them that is comfortable on the ball & spreads play well they are reliable.. usually.

We are undoubtably lacking in the middle of the park.

I'd agree with that, it just pains me to see where we are in CM compared to the days of Robson, Keane, Ince, Scholes, Beckham andf even Butt.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Finally signed up to the fantasy league despite my apathy towards the coming season.

 

[Iceman]

I really can't be bothered at the moment. Won money by coming 3rd in our work one last year. Maybe having Aguero in my team can tempt me.

 

[chamber-music]

I got

Brad Friedel, Tim Howard, Huth, Cahill, Jagielka, John Terry, Shawcross, Whilsere, Arteta, Dyer, Maxi Rodrigez, Taarabt, Peter Odemwingie, Gervinho, Sturridge