The Football Thread - Season 2013/2014

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TriggerHappy said:
Thanks for the kind offer but you can hang on to them ;) Remy has gone to Newcastle on loan for the season anyway I'd thought? He'd have been the only player to tempt me. Having said that actually Cesar wouldn't go amiss but I always thought that depended on Fabianski leaving at the end of his contract which was rumoured to be at the end of last season. Seemingly now that's not the case as he's one of the few players still with us!

I've just seen Marca reporting that Falcao is already transfer listed due to tax issues :lol: I'm sure somewhere there are already rumours building of where he's off to instead!
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My use of commas was not excellent...yes Remy is gone, but genuinely surprised no-one has gone for Cesar - his wages with us must be astronomical, Fernandes has had a very tough lesson (or we have dependent on what happens and how this is actually being financed).

If Remy is fit, and doesn't get jailed, he could be excellent. Seeing as he is already injured, and hears on September I think whether the court case will proceed, you may have done well to hold off- can always go for him next season with a season under his belt.

I actually hoped you would get Suarez as I think it might of got you a couple more decent players, and really opened up the title race. As it stands, it looks like one of 3, but who knows with all the new managers.
 
Yes it was the late fitness test of Matta that I wasn't sure about.

I'm tempted by Lukaku but I may wait and see how the newbies do and stick with what I know for starters.
 
The Greek said:
Can I say it before Cambsno please. Running out of time as the season starts ob Saturday.



WENGER OUT!
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I just don't get people with this attitude. He won't pay over the odds for a player, he won't deal with clubs that change the price after a figure has been agreed, and seriously, as a life long Gooner and season ticket holder, we owe this man a lot. He gave us titles when we were also-rans, helped plan one of the best training facilities in Europe, and was greatly involved in our stadium, probably the best club stadium in the Country.

He will deliver players this window. We haven't lost anybody of any standing this year, we have Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla all starting their 2nd season in the EPL. Jack is looking fitter, Walcott is looking even better this year. Everybody was complaining that we were carrying too much dead wood - so he gets rid of it and those "fans" still complain. That's the problem with armchair Gooners, never satisfied...

Add a couple of decent players and we'll have a strong squad.

I'll be there tomorrow win, lose or draw.
 
Jelster said:
I just don't get people with this attitude. He won't pay over the odds for a player, he won't deal with clubs that change the price after a figure has been agreed, and seriously, as a life long Gooner and season ticket holder, we owe this man a lot. He gave us titles when we were also-rans, helped plan one of the best training facilities in Europe, and was greatly involved in our stadium, probably the best club stadium in the Country.

He will deliver players this window. We haven't lost anybody of any standing this year, we have Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla all starting their 2nd season in the EPL. Jack is looking fitter, Walcott is looking even better this year. Everybody was complaining that we were carrying too much dead wood - so he gets rid of it and those "fans" still complain. That's the problem with armchair Gooners, never satisfied...

Add a couple of decent players and we'll have a strong squad.

I'll be there tomorrow win, lose or draw.
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Good post.

The jokes about winning the 4th place cup are a bit harsh, Arsenal cut their cloth and consolidated a healthy position throughout the whole Emirates project.

It must be very frustrating to have come through it and rather than reap the benefits - find Chelsea and City have just fallen from the sky and taken everything to yet another level.
 
dinners said:
Good post.

The jokes about winning the 4th place cup are a bit harsh, Arsenal cut their cloth and consolidated a healthy position throughout the whole Emirates project.

It must be very frustrating to have come through it and rather than reap the benefits - find Chelsea and City have just fallen from the sky and taken everything to yet another level.
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Even better post.
 
The names of the teams mean less every year. It's all about who spends most and brings in the higher end players. It's not so much about dedication to clubs now, it's all a money game. I gave up supporting teams years ago, seen this coming. Now I just do my few bets, and get my fun from it that way. As it's a money game for the clubs, it's one for me too.
 
Cagey75 said:
The names of the teams mean less every year. It's all about who spends most and brings in the higher end players. It's not so much about dedication to clubs now, it's all a money game. I gave up supporting teams years ago, seen this coming. Now I just do my few bets, and get my fun from it that way. As it's a money game for the clubs, it's one for me too.
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I don't mean this in a disrespectful way, but that's really sad to hear.

I've never had an issue with the big spenders wining the big prizes but the ability to spend big was the reward for being a well run club off the pitch and doing well on it.

Rewards are no longer relative to the club's running - just how rich the bloke is that owns you.

I can't complain - God knows how but United have somehow been able to keep on top of City and Chelsea for most of the time but you sometimes wonder what's the point anymore.

Whatever the future - I'll always support my team even if it means adjusting my expectations but I guess it's easy for me as I supported United before the good times.
 
Jelster said:
I just don't get people with this attitude. He won't pay over the odds for a player, he won't deal with clubs that change the price after a figure has been agreed, and seriously, as a life long Gooner and season ticket holder, we owe this man a lot. He gave us titles when we were also-rans, helped plan one of the best training facilities in Europe, and was greatly involved in our stadium, probably the best club stadium in the Country.

He will deliver players this window. We haven't lost anybody of any standing this year, we have Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla all starting their 2nd season in the EPL. Jack is looking fitter, Walcott is looking even better this year. Everybody was complaining that we were carrying too much dead wood - so he gets rid of it and those "fans" still complain. That's the problem with armchair Gooners, never satisfied...

Add a couple of decent players and we'll have a strong squad.

I'll be there tomorrow win, lose or draw.
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43 years a fan and a season ticket holder for 22 of those years, half a season ticket last year, also traveling away to support my team, I think I'm entitled to my opinion.

We are becoming a laughing stock when it comes to transfers, we have unknowns and unproven players on the bench tomorrow, one of which is just 16! Wenger has no excuses if we lose or draw tomorrow, his had plenty of time and money available to strengthen the team after JUST scrapping into 4th AGAIN.

For me, George Graham was the man who gave us the title when we were also-rans, and the best back 4 ever! Which Wenger has never come close to replacing.


As I say, just my opinion. :)
 
dinners said:
Opinion seems very divided about his quality. 40 goals in 300 games in an average league, 25 years of age and 2 caps. £30m seems a bit nuts.
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My thoughts exactly. I looked at his stats last night and can't work out why he's valued so highly. :shrug: :thinking:

I think I'll see how the first lot of games go before I try and predict how they will finish. ;)

Whilst I admire Wenger for trying to buy only better players, and not paying over the odds, but he's also to blame for their squad being so thin. :shrug:
 
1.United
2.City
3.Spurs
4.Arsenal
5.Liverpool
6.Chelsea
7.Everton
8.West Brom
9.West Ham
10.Villa
11.Swansea
12.Sunderland
13.Fulham
14.Newcastle
15.Stoke
16.Southampton
17.Hull
18.Cardiff
19.Norwich
20.Palace

Wishful thinking:)

Not been on for a while where's Joe:eek:

Well spotted Fabs although you have just relegated Norwich
 
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Jjm said:
1.United
2.City
3.Spurs
4.Arsenal
5.Liverpool
6.Chelsea
Wishful thinking:)

Not been on for a while where's Joe:eek:
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I note your prediction was done at 4am and has Liverpool finishing above Chelsea - was alcohol involved :-)

If you want to be added to the prediction list I'll need your 7-20 predictions as well.

Am off to my first match this season later today. Two teams who were in the evil Premier League when it was first formed, QPR V IPSWICH. Have been up all night practising my one Joey Barton songs so I think I'm all set - looking forward to seeing Charlie Austin play.
 
No drink i'd just got in from work.that was the reason for the wishful thinking
 
Jjm said:
1.United
2.City
3.Spurs
4.Arsenal
5.Liverpool
6.Chelsea
7.Everton
8.West Brom
9.West Ham
10.Villa
11.Swansea
12.Sunderland
13.Fulham
14.Newcastle
15.Stoke
16.Southampton
17.Norwich
18.Cardiff
19.Palace
20.Watford

Wishful thinking:)

Not been on for a while where's Joe:eek:
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20th place intrigues me. ;)
 
akr said:
I note your prediction was done at 4am and has Liverpool finishing above Chelsea - was alcohol involved :-)

If you want to be added to the prediction list I'll need your 7-20 predictions as well.

Am off to my first match this season later today. Two teams who were in the evil Premier League when it was first formed, QPR V IPSWICH. Have been up all night practising my one Joey Barton songs so I think I'm all set - looking forward to seeing Charlie Austin play.
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With Johnson out injured (who'd have predicted that! :nuts:), we might be relying heavily on Austin today. Hoping Hoilett can work some magic as well.

Enjoy the game Al.
 
specialman said:
Winterburn, Keown, Adams, Dixon?
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How many of them were in the team that went a whole season undefeated ?

What if [bear with me on this one] Gazidis wants Wenger out for some reason ? Why would you come out and say you have a £70M war chest ? All that will do is put up the price of transfer targets.

Now, I'm not saying this is fact, but what if Wenger went back to Gazidis and said RM want another £12M, I'm happy to pay that (for Higuain) if that's what it takes... And Gazidia says "No" ?

I just think the man is better than the anti Wenger people would have you believe. He has far too much passion for the game, and the job, to let his so called stubbornness get in the way.
 
Jelster said:
How many of them were in the team that went a whole season undefeated ?
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None.

I think the reason people remember that Adams-era defence is because it's all-English, and it's remembered by people outside of the Arsenal fan circle. People harp on about 'british bulldog spirit' and all that guff but the fact was Adams (et al) were good players. They just happened to be English. Fast-forward to the 2000s and you have English players like Campbell and Cole in with the like of Toure and Lauren and the achievement of the 'invincibles' was immense... but more people will probably just remember the team (and probably Henry and Viera as individuals) because it was a very foreign-oriented team.

I've always had a soft spot for the Gunners and Wenger - I'm not a gooner, I'm a part-time LFC supporter and Hull City fan - and I've no axe to grind with Arsenal; it's an awesome club. I think when Wenger got the right formula he wins things. I don't think he can wing-it as well as Fergie did and the lack of silverware in recent years is probably down to having too many 'work-in-progresses' being in the team, players who've taken a while to mature and realise their potential. All the while MC, CFC and Man U have been out spending money on ready-made players. I don't think there's anything wrong with Wenger's approach but aside from patience running thin very quickly from the media (which drives many fans' opinions), when you're waiting it out for players to reach their peak you're playing catch up.
 
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So Wenger has admitted Arsenal are unlikely to land a big name player. :lol:
 
specialman said:
All the while MC, CFC and Man U have been out spending money on ready-made players.
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You really cannot lump United in with those two :D
 
The23rdman said:
So Wenger has admitted Arsenal are unlikely to land a big name player. :lol:
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Where? That's the type of thing that would light up my twitter and I've not seen a peep. There is lots on there pointing out the mistakes Alan Shearer has already made though :lol:
 
specialman said:
All the while MC, CFC and Man U have been out spending money on ready-made players.
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specialman said:
In hindsight, Man U are probably the least guilty of those three. I still don't like them though ;)
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People do tend to lump United in with City and Chelsea in terms of spending but a few other clubs have also consistently spent more than United over the years.

As for buying established players - I sometimes wish we would go out and splash the cash on world class established players. Arguably, RVP was the first signing of that ilk since Ferdinand 11 years ago.

The reality is United have been good at promoting youth and / or buying and developing players with potential.
 
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My giddy aunt, what a game to get us going! I can't take 9 months of that!
 
Liverpool should have stomped Stoke about 6-0 at least. So many missed chances. better teams will punish them
 
The23rdman said:
My giddy aunt, what a game to get us going! I can't take 9 months of that!
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Yep, that was a good game. Only one goal, put bars hit, and a penalty saved. :D

Lucky for Stoke that Begovic had such a good game today I think. ;)

Mignolet looked a bit shaky at times, but the penalty save will have give him a boost. Liverpool were nice and lively throughout and played a nice pressing, passing game.

Sturridge got my FF team off to a good start too. :D
 
It was nothing to do with us not being good enough and everything to do with Begovic playing out of his skin.
 
:lol:

one game in and the first cry of "sack the manager"............:lol:
 
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