EPL Thread - TRANSFERS AHOY!
9 months ago
LiamP
470 comments
5 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Hazard
With the caveat I don’t think it happens, here is a fun little rumor about Hazard (yeah I know, he and Lille say he isn’t going anywhere)…
According to Italian website Tutto Mercato Web (in Italian), Chelsea are ready to sell French midfielder Florent Malouda with Juventus and Arsenal both ready to make offers. With plenty of experience in the English Premier League, It seems that the Gunners are ready to offer €8m for the 31-year old and ready to meet his wage demands.
In other news, Metro believes that Joe Cole’s move from Liverpool to Lille could mean that Eden Hazard will join Arsenal for £26m. According to the article, the Gunners are yet to replace Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri with many believing that the Belgium International will be signed to fill the void although his club, Lille, keeps saying that the youngster is not for sale.
From here:
Linking from here:
I don’t know how reliable the Metro is, but that would sure be a nice pickup.
Booooo.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Nothing interesting has happened so far, unsurprisingly.
Well, Joe Cole on loan to Lille and Eljero Elia to Juventus are done…
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
fernando gago
from Madrid to AS Roma
I will be rather interested to see if AS Roma gets a number of loans from La Liga going forward…
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
They picked up Pjanic from Lyon as well.
God forbid, Serie A might be interesting this season.
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
Speaking of Serie A
Michael Bradley went to Chievo on loan. And Milan picked up Diarra from Real Madrid once they learned Flamini’s out for a long term with a knee or ankle injury
Oh also it’s been heard that Citeh were in for van Bommel. haha Could you imagine De Jong and van bommel in the same midfield? It’d be like early-90’s Wimbledon
What's the rumpus?
didnt know that about bradley
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Aug 31, 2011 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Speaking of Serie A
I’m giddy about Davide Santon.
by Robert L. Bishop on Aug 31, 2011 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Didn't understand that one.
He had a poor year but 5mm seems awfully cheap.
by LiamP on Aug 31, 2011 9:51 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah...
to lose Barton and Nolan, two very influential midfielders, is not too good but Pardew’s done really well in replacing them with Cabaye, Marveaux, Ba, Santon…and I suppose Obertan.
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
So if this guy is to be believed (bbc so fairly reliable) there has been no contact regarding M'Vila or Hazard
bbcsport_david
Lille tell me NO inquiries for Hazard – he’s NOT leaving. Talk of Liverpool having 1st refusal on him is nonsense #bbcfootball #afc #lfc
Some smoke around Chamakh leaving and Bendtner staying. That’s all I’m seeing this morning. Probably picks up by lunch.
That guy is an Arsenal fan, too, I believe
He’s been talking with M’Vila’s agent for the past week and getting the same response. Ugh.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Twitter is even sillier than usual right now.
Everyone is “seeing” players at airports/medical centers, getting into cars, at training grounds, etc.
by LiamP on Aug 31, 2011 10:22 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Twitter is even sillier than usual right now.
Everyone is “seeing” players at airports/medical centers, getting into cars, at training grounds, etc.
by LiamP on Aug 31, 2011 10:22 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
ha
RobDawsonMEN Rob Dawson
by StuBrennanMEN
Wonder how many times Wayne Bridge has phoned his mobile from his land line to check if it’s working #MCFC
Well
This isn’t as exciting as I expected today to be…
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 10:22 AM CDT reply actions
It doesn't heat up until 2-3 hours before the deadline
You know this. Most of the day is a slow burn before the powder keg explodes.
by LiamP on Aug 31, 2011 10:23 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I know how it usually goes
Was just kind of hoping that at least for my club the magnitude of the situation might change the dynamics a little.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
On Lansbury
that basically means he’s gone, I think, given his contract situation.
People jumping the gun on wiki:
Miralem Sulejmani (Serbian Cyrillic: Миралем Сулејмани, born 5 December 1988 in Belgrade, Serbia) is a Serbian football player who plays for English club Arsenal as a striker or winger.
Years Team Apps† (Gls)
2008–2011 Ajax 80 (21)
2011- Arsenal 0 (0)
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Is he worth 20m? Don't know much about him
I’m hoping for the Montolivo rumor at the rate it’s going.
Craig Bellamy
Hearing there’s a decent chance he rejoins Liverpool today. Cole’s gone on loan to Lille, Poulsen sold to Evian Thonon Gaillard, and N’gog in talks with Bolton.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Sturridge in talks with Liverpool supposedly.
Wouldn’t make much sense.
by LiamP on Aug 31, 2011 11:04 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Need a backup striker
Since N’gog is likely heading to Bolton.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Isn't that what Bellamy's for?
Sturridge isn’t a backup either. If he leaves Chelsea, it would be for a starting gig.
by LiamP on Aug 31, 2011 11:15 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I was thinking it would be either-or
Though Bellamy makes more sense.
US U-18 striker Villyan Bijev just signed for us, according to the LFC website, and has been loaned to a team in Germany.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
N'gog to Bolton official
That’s Cole, Poulsen, and N’gog out, and Coates (and likely Bellamy) in. I’m really impressed with Comolli’s ability to get rid of the deadwood this summer.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Debunked.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Being picked up everywhere
philmcnulty
Everton will attempt to take advantage of Arsenal desire for Arteta in coming hours – Arsenal will do same with Everton desire for cash. #fb
Arteta, Mertesacker, Santos, Young
= disaster. I can’t believe that’s all he would do about his MF, though they are clearly not in control of the situation.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I fucking knew it
Iandennisbbc Ian Dennis
by philmcnulty
I’m told Yossi Bennayoun is heading for Arsenal. #BBCfootball
No love for Arteta?
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
I guess 'starter'
as in you wouldn’t rely on him to start as many matches as less injury-prone players, but isn’t he an upgrade talent-wise?
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Sure he is
but so are about 2/3rds of the starting attacking midfielders in Spain, Italy, England, France and Germany. Maybe Holland.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I can't decide if I should laugh at your or hug you.
This is awkward.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm resigned to them being out of the Champions League this year and
having to do a bigger double-back/rebuild than they’ve done in the past few years. I just fear what the next three or so years hold and whether anyone in that organization has a vision post-Wenger.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Really?
You consider Arteta to be in the bottom third at his position among all of those countries?
Not mediocre. Right about average
That's not what he said.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions
He places them comfortably
in the 5-8 range of the standings with no upside for the future.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Meh signing but if you wanted him
DuncanCastles
According to Everton, #AFC offer for Arteta was £10m. Deal has fallen through over personal terms. Taking Benayoun on loan instead. #afc
What the hell is going on at this club?
In fairness, they could be depth signings at this point.
by LiamP on Aug 31, 2011 12:12 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Of course they're depth signings
As you know, they badly need something more than depth in MF.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 12:20 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Benayoun would be a guy who plays to the left or right of Van Persie.
They need more, but the more impactful signings (assuming they happen) will probably be last minute jobs.
If you look at Arteta and Benayoun as direct replacements for Nasri and Cesc, it’s a disaster. If you look at them as deterrents to the possibility that last week’s squad could ever be fielded again, they makes sense
by LiamP on Aug 31, 2011 12:30 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I guess we'll see shortly
I think those guys are it, and though they obviously tried hard to bring someone more meaningful in, I think the idea at the moment is to just sort of survive as best they can and wait for future windows and more realistically developing players.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Can't really see how this would be bad news
Sky Sports says that Arsenal are now out on Arteta and are “channeling all their resources” on Benayoun.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions
STOP THE PRESSES
Belarrussian player Aliaksandr Hleb will play next season on loan with Wolfsburg
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
City hosts the weakened Brummies in the Carling Cup on Sept. 21st.
I could see OH getting some PT in that game if he doesn’t spontaneously combust over the next 3 weeks of training.
frimpong's twitter pic:
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
Heh
Just read a rumor on Soccernet that Anzhi have offered a truckload of money to Liverpool for Carroll.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Also
That they’ve offered 80-85 million euros to Porto for Hulk.
Opulence- they haz it.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Damn.
He’s got a 100M buyout clause. Do want. Just not at that price.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm waiting for that
“oh shit, we told you that they were done except for Benayoun and no one knew about this, but apparently Arsenal have been engaged in a last minute deal for __” on sky sports. It doesn’t seem to be coming.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
It all makes sense now. Trying to get Prince Nik done before making the splash.
Iandennisbbc
by philmcnulty
Niklas Bendtner to Sunderland on season long loan from Arsenal #safc #afc #bbcfootball
Any moment now
At this point I'm thinking Kroenke might be causing some problems behind the scenes
A loan deal makes no sense.
That just doesn't make sense to me
What would be his motivation? It’s not the way he’s operated his other clubs.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
I think
they took a swing at the big creative talents and fanned on all of them. Then the guys who run things for middle tier clubs, like Arteta, are really crucial to those teams, so they aren’t going to part with them on August 31 without being overcompensated. Overcompensating for an Arteta is bad business, so they chose to not do that kind of thing.
It obviously lands them in terrible territory, but, as Wenger kept saying, big clubs like United and City – without the frustrating limitations that Arsenal seems to have – came to swipe Nasri after looking around the world fruitlessly for their new playmaker.
At any rate, it looks like they’re in big trouble.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions
I bet Wenger really believed in Gibbs at LB which is why he didn't go after Enrique
and thought getting Vermaelen back would solve some of the problems. And in mid he was ready to roll with Wilshere/Ramsey. Then saw the injuries pile up and went into the market desperate for bodies to try and just make it through until the squad gets healthy.
Yeah
and add some pressure from the board probably to protect against debacles. It all felt like reluctant purchases.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions
x
YoungGunsBlog Jamie Sanderson
Arsenal can’t agree wages/contract with Mikel Arteta, hence Benayoun move. All seems a bit last ditch and desperate.
If that becomes public knowledge, English Arsenal fans are going to flip out.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Wha?
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Just funny because
Arsenal was reported to be pursuing it for a while.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions
x
JackWilshere Jack Wilshere
The funniest #DeadLineDay joke I got today was #Kaka to spurs haha #beserious
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions
x
EmmanuelF4 You Been Frimponged
@JackWilshere Shallap and stop Messing My TimeLine G
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions
x
JackWilshere
@EmmanuelF4 stop tweeting me so you get more followers! #FrimpongCanNotTackle haha
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
These guys are awesome
EmmanuelF4 You Been Frimponged
JACK MUST HAVE SOME SORT OF DEAL WITH SKY SPORTS NEWS READ EVERY TWEET
SSN said
Arteta’s agents buckled and that Wenger got involved as well after talks broke down. Why he likes Arteta so much I don’t understand.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Plus
you’re taking an important piece away from your rival in the battle for 6th place.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Muppetry time fully active with 90 minutes left
DuncanCastles
Arsenal telling me fee was not agreed with Everton, but personal terms were fine with Arteta. Deal still off. #AFC #EFC
Hah
complete opposite of the other reports. Meanwhile unreliable sources saying Arsenal is still going after M’Vila.
But according to Goal.com, M’Vila remains on the north London club’s radar, although Wenger has been told that he will need to make a bid of £25m to sign the France international, with around £20m of that being paid up front.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Yossi just tweeted
something that google translates as:
In London and Ototo … Atziitz second seal everything was closed
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmm. Here's his latest tweet
@YossiBenayoun15
staying in London…will sign soon … i will twitt when it happens
Handsome quotient in your squad just took a nosedive.
by LiamP on Aug 31, 2011 3:43 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Actual shroom quote from an old EPL thread ...
And, IMO, Benayoun is up there with players like Nasri as far as scary guys with sudden slice-and-dice potential is concerned.
You guys are screwed if Wenger’s soccer brain has become attuned to mine.
Four guys in their late 20's and one who's headed for military duty in two years
This has to be the most un-Wenger-like period ever. £30 on old players who aren’t particularly good and £40-£50 left unspent. If that’s not a dream deadline I don’t know what is.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions
x
DarrenArsenal1 Darren
20 players out minus arrivals probably has saved club circa £8m in wages.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions
x
johncrossmirror John Cross
Hearing Yossi done – now to complete Arteta… #afc
He also thinks getting Arteta salvages their summer. I couldn’t disagree more.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions
There's a poll on Soccernet
“Does Arsenal’s transfer window hinge on the capture of Mikel Arteta?”
70% say yes.
x
DuncanCastles Duncan Castles
…Arsenal telling me deal is still off. #Arteta
DuncanCastles
…Moyes doesn’t want to sell playmaker this late + Wenger would not go higher. Arteta angry he missed out again after #MCFC offer last year
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions
x
ashburton_grove Ashburton Grove
Moyes said: “Mikel informed me he wanted to join arsenal. I’m disappointed to lose him.”
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Something I would have never guessed
English press are impressed with purchases of established English players.
The number 4 is devastated, though
YoungGunsBlog Jamie Sanderson
Per Mertesacker has taken Cesc Fabregas’ number four shirt at Arsenal. Deal fully complete.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Most interesting news today, confirmed by Harry himself.
Spurs turned down 40mm for Modric.
by LiamP on Aug 31, 2011 4:07 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
'confirmed'
I still doubt it’s veracity. That’s a stupid sum.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Well
he said that’s what he “heard.” I’m not sure why he would be fuzzy on something like that, but that’s the way he said it on tv.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions
One last thing before I'm out
They haven’t even touched the Cesc/Nasri money with these signings. 52 minutes left.
Arteta
He’s been a very good player at times for Everton, though he is a bit old and definitely injury prone. I remember with humor the time he was anointed as the savior of the English national team’s midfield.
Not mediocre. Right about average
Another shocker
sneijder101010 Wesley Sneijder
Thanks for all the support, from all over the world!! I will stay with Inter next season. Have a good night everyone.
Coming from an Everton fan
Arteta is probably a third of the player he was a few years back. He hasn’t been the same since the knee injury he had back then during Everton’s run to the FA Cup final and he probably going to be in Everton much longer. Hopefully he plays well for Arsenal, but the move is pretty meh
That confirms
my impression. He’d look like an Arsenal player, but, even future injury proneness aside, he wouldn’t be responsible for them holding off Liverpool or anything.
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Yup
Coming off the bench, I think he can still be pretty solid, but he definitely shouldn’t be starting on a regular basis.
In the end, I’m just happy we were able to get a decent amount for him. 10 million for a team thats in as a bad a financial situation as Everton is should be pretty nice.
So she's 5'3"?
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions
shorter
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Aug 31, 2011 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Umm, OK
LFC website reporting Meireles has submitted a transfer request. A bit late there, Raul…
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
AMIRIGHT
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Aug 31, 2011 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions
We'd take him off your hands...
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions
He's probably headed your way
Chelsea reportedly made a bid a couple days ago, and AVB’s worked with him before.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Yep.
I’d much rather have him for 12M than Modric for 40M.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions
So it's basically
Bellamy for Meireles?
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Bellamy's replacing N'gog
We needed a 3rd striker. Not happy about Meireles leaving (and apparently it’s done, for around 12M) but hopefully Adam, Henderson, and Gerrard can replace his production. We’re a bit light now on creative CM’s with Aqua and Meireles leaving.
Now what I’m really pissed about is Lyon selling Pjanic- who the fuck am I supposed to build my team around in Football Manager this year?
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Maxime Gonalons (even though he's a holding mid)
Only because I love the name.
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
Gueida Fofana
Just signed from Le Havre, per OL’s website. Another holding mid, and the France captain at the recent U-20 World Cup. He’s my man!
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
All it needs is a whistle?
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions
You know
I’m getting real tired of us being your damn feeder club. Third straight window you guys have signed someone from us- Benayoun, then Torres, now Meireles.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
OK, I take it back
Just saw this on Twitter:
TheKopMagazine
#CFC have given #LFC £62m in 2011, effectively paying for Suarez, Downing, Adam, Jose Enrique & Coates #cheersRoman
Also, with Meireles, Cole, and Poulsen leaving today, that means every player Hodgson signed last summer is now gone from the club, or out on loan. Guess I wasn’t the only one trying to forget he’d ever managed LFC…
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Yeah, I was about to say.
Plus, can you even count Yossi?
Ugh…Suarez. Fuck.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 31, 2011 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Per Soccernet
Bellamy to LFC and Dann to Blackburn also done.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Going to be
MUCH easier to dislike Liverpool now
by Brett Perryman on Aug 31, 2011 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Just keep him away from the golf clubs
He’s a nut, but he plays hard, and as 3rd choice striker, I’m OK with it.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Scott Dann to Blackburn complete.
Stunned that Arsenal didn’t get in on him – he doesn’t even seem like a hoof-the-ball-long sort.
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
Wow
From Rory Smith at the Telegram:
“As far as I can tell, #LFC have cut £30m off their wage bill and earned about £25m in transfer fees this summer. Net spend.”
And it looks like we have a better club in the bargain. Nice.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
x
Arteta then intervened, offering to reduce the length of his deal and his salary by around £10,000-a-week.
It is a bizarre scenario that Arsenal, a Champions League team, had to persuade a player from a side lower down the Premier League pecking order to take a pay cut to join them.
Woah. FOX is going to put EPL matches [replay] up against the NFL.
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom//binary/2011/08/31/Document11314829956781.pdf
Los Angeles, CA (August 31, 2011) – FOX Soccer, America’s premier soccer
destination, together with FOX Sports, announces another ground-breaking step for
soccer in the United States: packaging the Barclays Premier League with three Sunday
NFL singleheaders this fall and as a stand-alone LIVE match on Super Bowl Sunday next
February.
Four of the best clubs in the world headline the match-ups, including Manchester United,
Arsenal, Chelsea FC and Liverpool. The move marks the first time the Barclays Premier
League (BPL) airs on US broadcast television—both tape delay and live.
Programming Schedule:
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
2:00 – 4:00 PM ET (Pre-NFL) OR
4:30 – 6:30 PM ET (Post NFL)
SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 2011
Tottenham vs. Arsenal
2:00 – 4:00 PM ET (Pre-NFL) OR
4:30 – 6:30 PM ET (Post NFL)
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011
Chelsea vs. Liverpool
2:00 – 4:00 PM ET (Pre-NFL) OR
4:30 – 6:30 PM ET (Post NFL)
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2012
Teams TBD
10:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
I like their approach.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
Rovers Deadline Day
Surprisingly went over ok. Dann is a great pick-up for a position we were in dire need of not only cover but starter material. And we kept Samba!!! Although he’ll probably be out in January.
We didn’t get any loaned players which is surprising as we usually load up our quota of the Shabani Nondas and the Di Santo’s of the world. I was really wanting Onuohu from City, but that never seemed to be a realistic transfer.
Also says we were in for Bendtner as a sale, not a loan. As much as I dislike Bendtner’s personality, I’d have welcomed him in as a Rover. If Kean is stubbornly intent on playing a lone holding striker in the formation, I’d rather it be one who can actually finish once in awhile and who is good in the air…unlike Jason Roberts.
But yeah overall we strengthened our backline and didn’t lose any key parts of the team and for Rovers, that kind of deadline day is a success.
…you’ll notice I haven’t mentioned The Yak. I just don’t understand what benefit an overweight lazy once good striker is going to be for this club….
What's the rumpus?
The Yak
I guess they needed someone to fill the void left by Diouf.
Not mediocre. Right about average
Officially terminated his contract
It had all but been terminated, but now it’s official. He’s such an after thought for everyone concerned in and around Rovers it’s just good to see the back of him. Such a punk player and human being.
What's the rumpus?
Onuohu baffles me.
He’s this great guy and would be a good player for some team but he’s just dug himself this big career hole and climbed into it. The City beat writers seem to be hoping Mancini reintegrates him into the squad. Good luck with all that if Onuohu doesn’t grovel a bit more than he has.
There are a lot of players like Onuohu that I lust after for Rovers
Onouhu, Ji-Sung (when he was just bench fodder for ManU), Dickson Etuhu, Bullard (before he broke into millions of pieces), Bellamy (before and after his Rovers tenure) and Petrov even though he was always too expensive.
But as you can see, I’ve only gotten my wish once with bellamy and that was short-lived.
What's the rumpus?
Hey Liam
I only know the bare-bones facts about Hargreaves and his story, can’t even find any good youtube highlight clips of him, but after reading the articles and watching a few video interviews … he sets off my ‘creepy guy detector’ big time. Is it just me overreacting to his career desperation or is this guy kind of a nutjob? Worried about him bringing down the lockerroom vibe.
Nope
By all accounts he was tremendously popular in the United locker room. Seems quite normal in the interviews I’ve seen.
by LiamP on Sep 1, 2011 1:22 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
good to hear
Some BM’ers are saying he seems creepy because he’s a media-shy serious guy with a harsh Can/Ger/Eng accent who’s sorta been traumatized by the collapse of his health. I’ll get off his back then.
He does seem to be media shy.
His accent is bizarre.
Aside from that, he’s probably a nice chap.
by LiamP on Sep 1, 2011 2:21 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Hargreaves
He was a beast for England in the ‘06 WC. It’s been basically all downhill since then (save one seriously wicked free kick for United). I’ve always heard he is mild mannered, unassuming, and generally a good guy.
Not mediocre. Right about average
Here come the swing and miss reports
France Football say Arsenal did indeed bid over €30m for Lille’s Eden Hazard. Lille were happy with deal but said it was too late to replace
Kicker say Arsenal did exactly the same with Mario Götze – bid over €35m – family, agent & club decided Mario too young to make switch
Also tried for a Gourcuff loan deal.
Reminds me of the Rangers before JD became the ninja
Always hearing about who we almost got
by Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge on Sep 1, 2011 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Hazard
That’s really fucking frustrating to miss out on Hazard because Arsene waited until the last second to try and grab him. He knew that Cesc and Nasri were gone months before the deadline and he waited around. Dumbass.
I think this was predicted by the Arsenal fans here.
Or something similar.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
If it makes you feel any better
apparently the Meireles swap was held up almost the point of not happening by the Arsene dragging his feet on the Yossi loan.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
I'm afraid that
one of Arsene’s long remembered legacies will be his transfer foot dragging.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2011 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Not sure about Smalling, but reports have Jones picking United.
Arsenal matched the buyout fee and reportedly offered a higher wage (if you can believe it).
Pretty sure he could've had both if he moved quicker
I know that he tried to get Jones in January. Offered 8 for Jones and Blackburn wanted 10. Then turned around and doubled the offer in the summer but we know how that ended up.
The same reason the US has 300+M people and isn't very good at soccer?
I guess China would be a better comp.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Sep 2, 2011 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
I read a theory
Which talked about how the countries which were part of the British empire generally either embraced the more “upper class” British sports like cricket (out of a desire to emulate British gentlemen) or rejected British sports entirely, upon gaining independence.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
That's definitely what happened
and I’d guess that the idea is that those upper class were the ones who most associated with the British since they were making money and had power because of them, while the downtrodden and middle class didn’t relate to them.
But I mean kicking a ball around as a primary sport goes back way past England codifying it. And, unlike in North America and Oceania, England didn’t overwhelm the population with Europeans who would have actively made the decision to reject a British sport. I would guess that it’s more likely in India’s case that they just weren’t as heavily engaged in ancient football sports as peoples in South America, Europe and even China.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 2, 2011 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Not really
The US has less than a third the population but has pretty consistently been one of the top 15-20 countries internationally. India has a massive population but it truly terrible at soccer.
Not mediocre. Right about average
Consistently top 15-20?
No.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
Why in the world
did they play so early and is US-CR playing so late? 11 pm on the east coast?
by Brett Perryman on Sep 2, 2011 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Ah. I would think that
late start in California is for cooler temps, but they’re playing pretty close to the coast.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 2, 2011 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Azerbaijan vs Belgium
Hazard reminds me of Alexis Sanchez more than Nasri or Cesc. In this game anyway … hey, he won Belgium a penalty kick. Lukaku did zilch – not much service tbf. The atmosphere in the rainy, dank Azerbaijan stadium is very Soylent Green.
Yeah
He’s not the same kind of player as Nasri or Cesc. Arsenal just so desperately needs some kind of creative influence now, and they have Wilshere as a pure CM, so I think it would work.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 2, 2011 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh yeah, forgot about that part
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
And
buying Hazard is about more than 2011-2012 anyway.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 2, 2011 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions
heh
like forlan and inter?
lolol
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
Still...
if he plays just in the league and maybe the FA Cup and gives them a better chance of getting 4th and winning that thing…he’s worth the 35 or so million euros Arsenal would have to shell out, right?
If Lille doesn’t make it past the group stages and Hazard doesn’t blow minds…surely Arsenal can get him for the right price, and below the 40 mil quote.
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
x
If Lille doesn’t make it past the group stages and Hazard doesn’t blow minds…surely Arsenal can get him for the right price
That wouldn’t change a thing with his valuation.
I'm pretty sure Hazard was going to cost 35 million euros no matter what happened
Just going with the assumption that if the “Arsenal actually bid high enough to satisfy Lille except it was too late in the window” story was true, then Arsenal would’ve been able to pick up Hazard for about the same amount of money if they went back in January, and as I guessed that the only way his valuation would’ve possibly gone up between now and January is if he pretty much kills everything and Lille does well in Europe.
Now of course if he keeps playing well and carries it through to the Euros and other clubs (ahem, Madrid) really key in next summer…well, I don’t fancy Arsenal’s chances.
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
I agree
If Lille get off to a bad start in the UCL and are open to selling, January is Arsenal’s only remaining chance. It’s possible that the big boys, outside of Liverpool, won’t be desperate enough to pay out the nose with him not CL eligible for them.
Also, there’s every chance that Arsenal are basically toast in UCL by the end of January anyway.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 2, 2011 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
a repeat of 2008 is pretty much they only way they’re going to make the top four anyway. Too bad it’s a solid Liverpool team and not Aston Villa they’re chasing.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 2, 2011 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Leander Schaerlaeckens on Belgium:
<a href=“http:// ”http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news//id/6930682/belgium-talented-young-team-face-hurdles-growth-soccer" target="blank">http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6930682/belgium-talented-young-team-face-hurdles-growth-soccer" target="new">Can Belgium become a world-beater?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
link fail
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
Meh. Smalling's played well at RB for United
Richards was dropped for Zabaleta against Spurs. Plus, it’s Bulgaria…does it really matter?
by LiamP on Sep 2, 2011 2:11 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
watched the first half - Smalling was a little jittery in defense
and going forward he had no help whatsoever from the front six
so holland is up 3-0 after 18 minutes
i guess thats what you expect in a home match against san marino
Hup Holland Hup
Good lord
How many games did you have on today?
Reading around and it’s been a good couple of days for Arsenal. Oxlade and Lansbury looked good for the U21 team yesterday, Young scored a hat trick for South Korea and RVP scored 4.
How did Belgium look? Can’t wait to see them against Amurica next week but drawing against Azerbaijan is worrisome.
Belgium has a great core up the middle -
Verthongen/Kompany-Witsel/Fellaini-Hazard/Lukaku … but it doesn’t link up very well. And the peripheral guys ain’t so hot. The conditions were pretty crap tho’ – maybe it’ll be easier sledding at the venue they play the US in.
Lukaku stood around up front ...and Hazard buzzed all around him and behind him.
They really didn’t have much of a QB type guy – Witsel and Fellaini kinda took turns trying their luck. It was pretty hoof-tacular.
watched almost the whole France game, too
they are stacked … and they SUCK
The back four deserve calliope music as a unit. The back six needed Nasri to come all the way back across halfline repeatedly to hold their hand moving the ball forward. Malouda did jack – srsly, just stood out on the right side doing nothing all game long. Evra/Ribery/Nasri got some nice combos moving up the left touchline occasionally. Benzema did okay but was on an island. Marvin came on late and promptly disappeared. M’Vila scored a nice goal but didn’t show much beyond that. I wanted to climb up Diarra’s long legs and punch him in the taint by the end of the game he was so bad. Their goalie saved their bacon a coupla times – and the crossbar once. How can that much talent look that bad?
x
I wanted to climb up Diarra’s long legs and punch him in the taint by the end of the game he was so bad.
Bahahahahahah.
How can that much talent look that bad?
Obvious answer, but no transcendent player like Zizou who can pull it together.
No, I mean that dressing room was property of fucking Zizou too.
Dude was the absolute center of that team on and off the pitch.
Shea in the starting 11
Wasn’t expecting that
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
Inconsistent so far.
Had some heavy touches and poor deliveries into the box (although he’s hardly alone in terms of shite crosses this game).
Altidore’s been offside like 8 times in half an hour.
You say that
like he’s not offside 8 times every half hour.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 2, 2011 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Got a problem with dentures?
They had him in the booth for part of the Mexico friendly and I could barely understand him, even if he had been making insightful comments. I think I can understand spanish better than I can someone trying to speak english with a heavy, heavy spanish accent.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 2, 2011 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Bolton has to sell Cahill in January, don't they?
The better he plays, the more necessary I’d think it would become, even at the discounted rate. I guess there’s still a small chance of signing him to an extension.
This guy is pretty reliable but he was a mess on deadline day with the Arteta deal so.,..
DuncanCastles
Am told that Gary Cahill will NOT be available on a free next summer. Bolton have option to extend for 1 more season. #bwfc #eng
He’d probably decline though. Realistically aren’t his only suitors Arsenal, Tottenham and maybe City?
Why would they have to sell?
If Bolton’s season is in the toilet by then they need him to stay up. If they’re flirting with UEFA placement they need to keep him there.
It’s like the whole Charlie Adam with Blackpool situation last year. All the pundits were blasting ‘Pool for keeping hold of him when they should “obviously” sell to a big club, not caring a jot about Blackpool. Adam didn’t save them from relegation but relegation would’ve been a foregone conclusion if they’d sold him, instead of the fight that it was in keeping him.
It’s the same mentality that we as Rangers fans used to, and still do to some degree, put up with by the media decrying why on earth we wouldn’t trade a 2005 Teixeira to the Yankees for a bag of peanuts and Melky Cabrera. There is more at stake with teams like Bolton than ROI
What's the rumpus?
Adam's contract wasn't up at the end of the season.
Cahill’s is, although if the option thing is true it gives them some time.
My guess is
that they won’t be on the edge of relegation or Europe, but you’re still right, I’m sure that’s the way they’ll feel. It seems like so much money to lose, but it’s dwarfed by the possibility of relegation in particular.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 3, 2011 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Lotsa replays from yesterday available at ESPN3's archive
I need to catch ENG’s 2nd half and watch Balotelli’s 10 mins for Italy – LINK
Just in case you all wonder about my obsession with passing midfielders...
This pretty much explains everything
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
I can't remember who it was ...
but I saw/read an interview recently with some current hotshot MFer who cited Laudrup as his main influence.
Pretty much guarantees
that they won’t make it past the group stage or contend for fourth place. Arsenal really needs to fire their medical staff.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 4, 2011 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
/ARSENAL
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
in case
anyone’s not clear on why Arsenal supporters shouldn’t be cool with Fabregas these days…
by Brett Perryman on Sep 4, 2011 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm sorta torn on this ...
hope Cesc is constantly reminded by interviewers and articles about why Arsenal is struggling to get their mojo back after his departure. On the other hand, the guy’s talent made the club a ton of money by keeping them in the CL year after year. In the long run Arsenal netted out far more than the 25M they were shorted in his transfer. But then, if you give any weight to the latter attitude, it turns the spotlight back toward Wenger and why the club isn’t healthier after rolling in dough the last few seasons.
I unfollowed him after this
cesc4official
I dnt undrstand fans telling me we need a replacement after my departure when weve 1 of the best 3 young players in the world @JackWilshere
And you have a point about Wenger not replenishing the last few years. The signings he made this year would have been fine last season or the year before. It’s maddening because they’ve been a player or two short the last few seasons and he decided to stand pat. When players see United, City and Chelsea continually replenish and bring in top talent while Arsene twiddles his thumbs, they’re going to consider their options. They’d be stupid not to.
x
On the other hand, the guy’s talent made the club a ton of money by keeping them in the CL year after year.
I suppose this is a discussion with no possible conclusive outcome, but I don’t think Cesc kept Arsenal in the CL spots. I think Cesc kept Arsenal competitive as far as the title was concerned, but even without him I think his teams had enough ability to finish top 4.
Plus
he averaged 23 PL games per season the last three seasons. That’s obviously still worth a lot, but there were so many key games where he (and Van Persie, for that matter) was missing. Building your team around a guy who misses 40% of your games has some negative value compared with a team built around more reliable stars. That can also speak toward shroom’s point, but it reduces the amount that he contributed to keep them buoyant.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 5, 2011 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions
regarding the barca comment on cesc value:"
please, PLEASE stop being so cunt-ish about things barca.
please?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
x
It’s unclear what mode of transport was used in the chase – but we’d like to think officials rode pillion on the back of small scooters at high speed…
heh
how do you think everton fans feel?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
I have no clue why
they make these charts without subtracting sales.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 5, 2011 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Sucks to be an Everton fan right now.
Not mediocre. Right about average
.
YoungGunsBlog
The injuries starting to flow again. Thomas Vermaelen out for around 2 months after surgery on his Achilles. Big blow.
/ARSENAL
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
he's wearing Ronald McDonald's boots
ARG is playing 5 D-men with Masch in front of them. I blame Mancini.
Bobby Rhine
Just heard on the Ticket that he died last night of an apparent heart attack. Wow.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
I was absolutely shocked when I heard yesterday
such a young age. I loved reading his soccer commentary and listening to him broadcast
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
DVR'ing England, watching USA I suppose.
Really interested to watch Belgium.
From an ESPN write-up on Klinsmann:
Much has been made of who Klinsmann will hire to assist him. He is credited with being a visionary and an innovator, but day-to-day tasks, such as formulating training sessions and plotting out tactics, were handled by his assistant Joachim Loew while Klinsmann coached Germany successfully from 2004 to 2006. In his disastrous spell as manager of Bayern Munich, he had no such savvy second-in-command by his side.
On the latest Guardian podcast Rafael Honigstein really scoffed at Klinsmann’s chances for these reasons. He said at Bayern his 2nd in command was Martín Vásquez and he’s brought the same guy with him to help him run team USA.
Honigstein
Echoing Philip Lahm, who in his book basically credited Loew with Germany’s success at the WC and was dismissive of Klinsmann’s contributions.
Klinsmann
I think he’ll be OK for the US, but I’ve never gotten all the hype that surrounds him. Dipshit and Dumbfuck apparently considered him as a replacement for Rafa a few years back. I think it was just the fact he lived in the US, and so they’d actually heard of him, rather than any actual qualifications. Considering the choice they eventually made, I don’t have a lot of faith that Klinsmann would have worked out any better.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
x
Dipshit and Dumbfuck apparently considered him as a replacement for Rafa a few years back. I think it was just the fact he lived in the US, and so they’d actually heard of him, rather than any actual qualifications.
I think that’s almost certainly the case. Hicks’ pattern was to either promote a cheap assistant or, when he wanted to spend money or make a splash, pick an obvious icon type to run his teams. And when the icon was completely unqualified (Hull), he hired both.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 6, 2011 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Vasquez
hasn’t exactly lit it up when he’s been the lead mean either, has he? I don’t know what kind of talent Chivas USA had, but his record was terrible.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 6, 2011 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions
i can't watch the game
i’ve got u-verse
they have nascar on ESPN and a bunch of fucking bars on the Deuce
by oc on Sep 6, 2011 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions
terrible midfield play by the US...
they’re slow and unimaginative. Even if the US had legit goal scorers, they wouldn’t get any service.
Hup Holland Hup
To be fair
Bradley, Donovan, and Holden were all out this game. That’s probalby 3/4 of your starting 11 at the next World Cup.
Not mediocre. Right about average
Er
meant to say 3/4 of the starting midfield.
Not mediocre. Right about average
agreed, I hope Holden comes back soon.
I’m on the fence on Bradley but he deserves another shot at the very least.
Hup Holland Hup
really?
at many times bradley has looked like one of the better players on the field for the US, has he not?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
I've never been that impressed with michael bradley
He has his moments of brilliance but a majority of the time seems lost in the midfield. I think he needs to prove he has the consistency to be a play maker in the midfield. Plus, I think the US really needs to focus on wing-play and not try to feed every last ball through the middle. With Torres looking decent and Holden coming back Bradley is really going to have to prove himself to earn that spot.
Hup Holland Hup
Bradley
He’s not really a playmaker, though. He’s more of a box-to-box, ball-winning, closing down passing lanes type. He’s said that his idol is Roy Keane. I think the fact he gets forward, scores goals and is capable of making a nice through ball leads people to mistake him for an attacking/playmaking midfielder, but that’s not really his game.
Not mediocre. Right about average
but his job isnt to BE a playmaker
he isnt the american xavi
what he IS is a very solid, box to box player
he isnt an attacking MF
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
x
terrible midfield play bythe USEngland…
Story of both matches.
Lampard done?
Saw some talk on twitter about how disappointing he’s been for them and that today was no different.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 6, 2011 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I certainly don't think he can play in a 2 man midfield.
Especially when his partner is Barry.
by LiamP on Sep 6, 2011 7:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Surely England will go forward with the "fluid front four" thing, with Rooney/Young/Downing/Walcott?
Where does Wilshere slot in that theoretical formation once he comes back? Does he become one of the distributing midfielders along a Barry/Parker/Milner? Or does he replace one of those four above as the link between midfield and the front three?
For some reason I’d really like to see England do well – not as well as, say, Belgium or even Germany/Holland, but…
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
Y'know, if the Vicente signing works out for Brighton...
they’re almost certainly going to do the back-to-back promotions thing.
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
So I got some fleeting glimpses at the USA-Belgium match...
Why the fuck doesn’t Francisco Torres play more often?
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
He looks to be
a focal point for Klinsmann.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 7, 2011 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions
It seems like Bradley-Holden-Torres
is a pretty salty midfield for the US, with Torres being the main creative outlet, and Holden/Bradley providing energy and good distribution for the front four.
Not sure what Torres’ best position is supposed to be…I always remember people on here and occasionally elsewhere saying that he’s a deep-lying playmaker, but he seemed to play a little further forward.
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
I agree with all this.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Sep 7, 2011 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
How did he look?
He’s never really lived up to the hype in the USMNT matches that I’ve seen him play.
Not mediocre. Right about average
Busy, from what I saw.
Looked decent in the tackle, looked good on the ball, distributed well. Did pretty much everything you’d want out of a central midfielder.
The only other time I’ve seen of him was during the World Cup, where he was pretty anonymous, but c’mon, his skillset looks good.
i tell the truth; i lie a lot
FWIW, saw this in the Manc newspaper ...
However, England star Gary Cahill, for the immediate future, and Zat Knight look likely to be Coyle’s first-choice pairing. Cahill returns to club duties today when his future will be up for discussion.
Contrary to some reports, Wanderers don’t have an option in the player’s contract of keeping him for an extra year. So a player valued by Bolton at £17m could leave for nothing.
And that's not to mention the hundreds of millions to billions in FIFA payoff money
The cost of air-conditioning 12 stadia will be around £30 billion
Wut.
Are you sure they don’t mean ‘the cost of 12 air conditioned stadia’ ?
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
It is soccernet afterall.
They aren’t the most diligent when it comes to accuracy.
Not mediocre. Right about average
That can't be right.
Not mediocre. Right about average
Lotsa Arsenal talk on the Guardian podcast today.
had a french dude on there – lotsa Ligue 1 scoop, too
some guy watched City train today and said Nasri played with his hand in a "contraption"
He also noted …
Owen Hargreaves just blended in and much to the disappointment of all the cameras didn’t fall down injured. He looked fit and well and a good footballer.
Wow, he really does look miserable.
For a dude like Bendtner, trading London for the Northeast must be brutal.
Wow - Garry Cook is gonzo
As a result, the Club can confirm that there is foundation to Dr Onuoha’s allegations and the Chairman has written to apologise to Dr Onuoha for any distress caused.
.
Following the findings of the review, Chief Executive Officer Garry Cook has offered his resignation, which has been accepted with regret by the Board.
oh wow i just noticed the tags
sneijder fap, modric fap, hazard fap, m’vila fap, cahill fap, samba fap
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
Dang it, all the games are on at the same time this morning ... grrr ...
#MCFC : Hart, Richards, Kompany ©, Lescott, Clichy, Yaya, Milner, A. Johnson, Silva, Aguero, Tevez
#afc: Szczesny; Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs; Frimpong Ramsey; Walcott Arteta Arshavin; Van Persie.
Chelsea XI: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Meireles, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Anelka, Sturridge
Confirmed: Reina Skrtel Carra Agger Enrique Lucas Adam Henderson Downing Suarez Kuyt #LFC
yeah
typical City during the first half – an avalanche of scoring chances results in 1 measly goal
multiple woodwork strikes, horribly flubbed PK, and tbh we could be down in the game if Wigan had gotten luckier a few times – sheesh
btw, I'd say right now there are at least 5 City guys I'd rather take a PK than Tevez
let’s see if Mancini ends his PK privileges
Is the Aguero/Tevez line working? I guess you wouldn't really know until Tevez is on form again though.
Arteta and Mertesacker have looked decent. Clown ball for the first goal but we’ll take it. And according to twitter Mata has absolutely bossed the Chelsea game. Boo-urns.
Aguero isn't up to speed in the field, but is solid in front of the goal, if that makes sense.
I just KNEW Mata would rock.
Whatever the Spanish word for "pearings" is ...
it should be trending on twitter in honor of David Silva’s 2nd half.
go find the highlights of City’s last 2 goals because they were sick
from 45'-60' Wigan carried play and almost equalized a coupla times
Nasri replaced Tevez at 60’ and it was 3-0 by 69’. Wigan hardly touched the ball after that.
Geez
“When I go to hell one day, it will be less painful for me, because I’m used to suffering.” -Arsene Wenger
Underwhelming
What an underwhelming victory by Arsenal.
So
It’s going to be
1. City
2. United
3. Chelsea
right?
Of course I thought that Chelsea might run away with things at this time last year.
As ridiculous as Arsenal’s win today was, after everything that’s happened they’re only three points back of Liverpool. They’re going to be chasing that fourth spot all season, I just hope they’re in range later in the season.
By the way, Dortmund lost again today. They’re 1-1-2 in their last four, losing to Hoffenheim and Hertha. That game Dortmund-Arsenal game Tuesday is going to be a lot wonkier than people picture.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 10, 2011 11:35 AM CDT reply actions
Think so?
United is looking rather insanely good right now.
Not mediocre. Right about average
Yeah, I don't get that.
Flip 1 and 2 and that seems possible. Who knows what happens in the January window though…
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Sep 10, 2011 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions
United haven't played a team with talent in midfield like City's.
I don’t think that ranking is necessarily wrong. You could probably flip flop the 2 Manchester clubs and not get much of an argument either way.
by LiamP on Sep 10, 2011 6:06 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Certainly could be United
I posted that before they were utterly dominant again today. No telling who gets hurt, etc.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 10, 2011 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Think Chelsea has an outsider's shot?
I guess next week will tell the tale.
Not mediocre. Right about average
Pretty tough to
get City, Liverpool and United in your first four. Chelsea and Arsenal are in their first seven, too. They get it tough in the early part of the second half as well, so they’ll need to make hay down the stretch:
Bolton Wanderers v Queens Park Rangers
Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers v Fulham
Newcastle United v Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur
Bolton Wanderers v Swansea City
Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion
Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers
by Brett Perryman on Sep 10, 2011 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions
No telling how long it will take him to find his form
but Holden is supposedly close to returning.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 10, 2011 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
The ref in the RM game has already given both teams a yellow for simulation.
And STILL the players are falling over left and right. Have to quit watching this game. Thx, La Liga – you suck.
so I see the score is 1-1 and I go back to catch the 2nd half ...
Ronaldo hooks a defender’s leg just outside the penalty box, crumples down and wins the PK. sheesh
ouch
DiscoMirror David McDonnell
by henrywinter
Cleverley has protective plastic boot on his left foot. Fergie: “Looks like a broken bone. We’ll have to wait and see.” #MUFC
Here's where not buying a CM starts to hurt.
Carrick’s not particularly well suited to the style they’re currently playing, and you figure Anderson will eventually start tiring.
I think you could see Paul Pogba being thrust into the limelight sooner than SAF would want.
by LiamP on Sep 10, 2011 2:48 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Absolutely.
Still very raw though. He’s a physical beast with incredible technique, passing range and the fiercest shot in the entire squad, but he fades in and out of games, even at reserve level.
by LiamP on Sep 10, 2011 6:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Here are a couple of youtube vids.
Tools wise, he and Ravel Morrison are right up there with the first teamers. It’s just a matter of #want with both of them.
Arteta
Arsenal were not great today, but I thought Arteta had a good match. I understand Wenger’s decision to sign him. They really needed an experience center mid to set the tempo and run the show, and I don’t know who it would have been without Nasri and Fabregas.
Not mediocre. Right about average
He looked good in the first half
Didn’t watch the second but it looks like he tired there. With Gervinho and Song back next week maybe they can make it through this stretch. As an aside, I can’t wait until Oxlade takes Arshavin’s spot in the lineup. I hate him so much.
He was tired and a little tight late
He passed back on goal from nearly midfield and Szczesny had to scramble back to keep it out of the net and carefully play it with his feet. Frimpong ran out of gas before Coquelin came on for him at about 70 minutes, and both Ramsey and Arteta had to track back quite a bit to help out.
Ramsey was also out of gas late. He basically had to boot it anywhere but one exact spot and they would have been free literally on a 4-on-1 late. He had no one around him, and he kicked it straight to the one defender. The analyst blamed it on dead legs, and I’m going with that because it was an impossibly bad play. Because Wenger subbed Benayoun for Arshavin and wanted to get Van Persie off, he had no subs left to relieve Arteta or Ramsey, but they looked pretty tired.
Song hasn’t been very good this year, but Arteta helped Ramsey a good deal today I thought, so maybe he’ll take some pressure off of Song as well. Might want to just go with Song and Frimpong against Dortmund with Arteta in front of them and hope for a tight game with a counter. I would also lean toward starting Walcott on the bench and bringing him on late. Gotze will be back for them.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 10, 2011 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Ramsey's out for Dortmund with an ankle
Rosicky is also not in the squad. Wilshere and Diaby are out long term. I have to think that Arteta will play in front of song and either Frimpong or Coquelin. That will be interesting. Something like:
Van Persie
Gervinho-Arteta-Walcott
Song-Frimpong
Santos-Koscielny-Mertesacker-Sagna
Szczesny
Bench: Chamakh, Benayoun/Park, Arshavin, Coquelin, Gibbs, Djourou, Fabianski
He could put Benayoun in midfield as some are projecting, but Arteta & Benayoun inside is pretty soft, particularly on the road. That’s still pretty ugly for a game like this, but at least it’s not filled with 19-year-olds with zero experience at top levels.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 12, 2011 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions
That squad should be enough to get a result. We'll see.
Also, I’m ready to experiment with RVP behind Walcott. Use Oxlade/Arshavin out wide, even though Oxlade is raw.
I agree on RVP and Walcott
Wholeheartedly.
Not so sure about that squad. It’s very unimpressive to me. This group has not played one game together, and the midfield is flat out dicey. I suspect that Dortmund will be much better tomorrow than they’ve been in the league, much like Arsenal often is in UCL after facing PL teams that park the buss. I guess it’s possible that this is what Dortmund are now, but I don’ think so. I don’t think that they were that reliant on Sahin.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 12, 2011 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions
NDJ is still out. Barry and Milner are both gimpy, missing training.
City might have to play Zabba with Yaya behind the front four. Not horrible but not quite as bodacious offensively.
Yeah, doesn't sound ideal
Have to think they still have way too much quality for Hamsik and the gang at home, though.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 12, 2011 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Barry trained today, Milner half-trained ... just scrimmaged.
So, I’m guessing Barry starts tomz. Milner’s stitches look boss.
BTW, on the uniform-lust front … there is something ultra-sexy about these City UCL training tops that I was just drooling over but couldn’t quite put my finger on why I liked them so much, then somebody pointed it out … no sponsor on them yet. Man, kits look way better without the billboard effect.
I haven't seen a starting lineup
but Coquelin is not in the squad since he’s playing in a reserves game today. Djourou can play DCM in a pinch, but I’d guess Benayoun is going to have to be involved centrally (Frimpong hasn’t lasted an entire game yet, I don’t think)?
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
RPL
Anybody here follow the Russian league? I’ve been thinking about what team/league to play on the next version of Football Manager, and as a former Eastern European history major, I’d love to try one of the EE leagues. From what I’ve read, the RPL seems to be the best of the EE leagues, and it looks fairly competitive, with 4-6 teams having a legitimate shot at the title.
I’m considering one of the smaller clubs, like FC Krasnodar or Terek Grozny; thought after dominating Europe with Lyon, it might be an interesting challenge.
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Tom Tomsk
1. Awesome name
2. A good young American striker (Eugene Starikov) is on loan there from Zenit
Tom Tomsk
That’s actually the other team I was considering. Located in Siberia, perennial bottom-half club, and the team name looks like “TOMB” in Cyrillic. Very foreboding!
"A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks."
Also sounds like
a Russian knockoff GPS system, so that’s cool.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
So the keeper of a team making its PL debut, who blew the game with a gaffe, feels pity for Arsenal
Meanwhile, Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm said he thinks Arsenal are still suffering because of their lack of confidence.
“I think the stadium was scary,” he said in the Daily Mirror. "You come inside and think, ‘Okay, 60,000 people’ and the atmosphere was great, but they play with no confidence and with new players it’s hard for them to fill in the places.
“I think Arteta did well, but although I think they have the quality they don’t have the confidence. I loved to watch Arsenal and the way they played a couple of years ago. I hope it is going to get better and I think it will come.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 12, 2011 11:10 PM CDT reply actions
One of these days, Lois....
Wenger cautioned that even Europe’s richest clubs will soon feel the pinch, though, predicting a “financial crisis” to grip the continent, impacting upon the expenditure of all clubs.
“I believe that Europe overall, as a unit, is going towards a massive crisis, which nobody really expects now. I am convinced that Europe will go into a huge financial crisis within the next three weeks or three months and maybe that will put everything into perspective again.
I was just listening to Sid Lowe on the Guardian podcast
… and he said Barca went into coast mode and got bit – thought they had it in the bag.
The only non-coincidence
is the shape of their central defense.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions
christ
yes, let in a goal at the VERY end of the game. ugh
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Sep 14, 2011 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions
yes
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Sep 14, 2011 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Yossi starts
Arsenal: SZCZ – Sagna – Mertesacker – Koscielny – Gibbs – Song – Benayoun – Arteta – Gervinho – van Persie – Walcott
QPR
Watched them play yesterday – might become my B-team this season – root for them to miss relegation – that kinda thing.
Kenny’s this old skool UK keeper. They added Ferdinand and Traore – who are decent D-men for bottom-table feeders. Midfield – they added Barton [rusty and heavy-looking] to Faurlin [poor man’s Arteta] and Derry [greying gritty CDM]. Up front they added SWP [looked fantastic], DJ Campbell and Bothroyd. And they have Taarabt doing his Stephen Ireland-like Hollywood-ball routine. Might be a fun follow.
I never understood that post when you put it up.
Is that what you meant? That my City-DNA would attract me to the QPR situation or something?
I think it’s these deadline day additions that are interesting. And SWP is just fun to watch I think – that’s the only Cityfried vibe I get from them. Doubt I woulda been into them had they not added all these guys late – especially SWP.
You also get the bonus
of getting to keep up with Ecclestone’s wheels-off daughters.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I love this picture, btw
Bernie with one of the girls and his ex.
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/zH4DOMv4-hk/Form+Menswear+Launch/i0_RuNfiKwp/Slavica+Ecclestone
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions
The other thing is ...
because the UCL sked clumps up the EPL sked, you need a bottom-table team to be interested in or else you’re SOL some weekend mornings – for instance.
They usually do a good job of balancing the schedule
between Sat/Sun. And when they don’t, it’s time to put a Wigan cap on. Roberto Martinez is fun to root for at least.
withstood the first 15 mins somehow
found their feet and captitalized on the TO
Szzzz is already looking imposing to them BVB boys, I bet
50-50 ball possession for Arsenal - nice bounce back after the way it started
80-20 for Barca, btw – geez
They're only completing 69% of their passes at the half
Gross. Frimpong is probably coming on soon. And Torres still looks like shit for Chelsea per twitter.
From bbc
“Chelsea look promising up front and while Fernando Torres could, arguably, have had a hat-trick, it is Daniel Sturridge who increasingly appears their most likely goal source.”
Dang.
Dortmund
are going to score in the second half. It’s just a question of whether they score twice or Arsenal manages to counter.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Frimpong for Benayoun is scary in this scenario
Not sure what I’d do there.
Walcott might as well not have been on the field for the past half hour, but if he’s got any legs left he gives them their counter threat. Maybe Park for Gervinho?
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Interesting
Frimpong to Walcott, Benayoun shifts up.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions
DAVID LUIZ
- Rangers finish 85-77 - Josey Wales
- I picture GoET with a reptilian dong anyway - RIver Fenix
by Mr. Abe Froman on Sep 13, 2011 3:10 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Apparently some BVB players were talking smack to him after the United game
“They’ve been taking the mickey out of the 8-2 defeat but they can’t get into my head. I will be focused. I hope after the game I will be the one who comes out on top with the banter.”
I was wondering
what taking the mickey out means
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Gunners are gassed
and Pat Rice is all in for defense. Frimpong and Santos in for attackers
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Well it's a shame
to lose an amazing result to such a play, but it’s basically a miracle to come out of that game with a point. Arsenal needs Wilshere so badly. Their midfield is a mess.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
Arteta is showing DAT GRIT in midfield but they’re lacking so much. Unfortunately, there’s not much they can do. Did see that Lansbury extended his contract today. That’s a good.
It probably is good
He didn’t do much for me in the preseason. He played pretty well for the U21’s a couple of weeks ago, showed some skill on the goal he scored. They can’t keep paying a slew of guys who aren’t good enough, though, unless they do something about their wage structure.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Marsaille winning in Greece
means you’re going to have to put up quite a few points to advance in this group. Arsene needs to get his final revenge on Marsaille by beating them twice.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 13, 2011 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions
muscle tear evidently
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Sep 14, 2011 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Marvin the Martin
has some kind of out after this year. If he’s awesome, he’ll go to a big, big club. If he disappoints, he’ll probably go to Arsenal for not much.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Get a grip: Reds’ Todd Frazier loses bat, still connects for home run (Video)
- Eric Hosmer redefines the Baltimore chop with infield double (Video)
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
