Soccer - Transfer Season/EPL

[CTIDANDREW]

It also sucks that a club with such history and prestige as Arsenal now seems to lead the EPL in stud player exoduses. They need to get it figured out - they have the money. Spend to keep your players or forever be fighting for 3rd and 4th place simply to make the Champions.

Its unfortunate that the board at Arsenal seems to be more worried about paying off their very expensive stadium over going for titles. The fan base is dying for things to change and it seems it wont until the stadium is payed off.

 

[Cackalacky]

It also sucks that a club with such history and prestige as Arsenal now seems to lead the EPL in stud player exoduses. They need to get it figured out - they have the money. Spend to keep your players or forever be fighting for 3rd and 4th place simply to make the Champions.

If there is one team I can never figure out, is Arsenal. Thye play great football and at the same time are their own worst enemy....

 

[CTIDANDREW]

I dont get that one. RVP, Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck.....They gonna ago 4-4-1-1?
This was out of left field. Last I heard Juventus was making a push. ManU was noteven a player. WOW.

Its going to be interesting what they do with Nani, Valencia, and Ashley Young. With the players SAF has bought this summer and the way they got hanlded in Europe last campaign...it seems they might change their system to more of a 4-3-1-2
Jones--Vidic--Rio.F--Evra

Carrick---Scholes--Cleverly/Giggs

Kawaga

RVP--- Rooney

 

[ACamp1900]

Good to see Sir Alex isn't going the road of those dirty peps from City and 'buying titles"

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Good to see Sir Alex isn't going the road of those dirty peps from City and 'buying titles"

I think depending on Manchester United starting line-up. Their starting 11 is more expensive(in transfer fees) then City's most likely starting 11. But, with all their injuries last year and their new signings its impossible to call what Manchester Uniteds starng 11 is.

Manchester City Ruining Football since 2008. LOL

Ferguson May 2012: "We are not like other clubs who can spend fortunes on proven goods". Aug 2012: signs 29 yr old Robin van Persie for £24m.. Hypocrite

 

[Cackalacky]

Well they did get a veteran player at his peak for 24 mil. Liverpool on the otherhand, well.... I don't wanwt to go there.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Well they did get a veteran player at his peak for 24 mil. Liverpool on the otherhand, well.... I don't wanwt to go there.

Im not saying it wasn't the right move. I think anyone that has seen Welbeck play and start big games for United would say they need someone better to win the big games. RVP could very well be that man.

I just wish their fans would stop with the act. United buys titles and success just like all the others.

 

[Cackalacky]

Im not saying it wasn't the right move. I think anyone that has seen Welbeck play and start big games for United would say they need someone better to win the big games. RVP could very well be that man.

I just wish their fans would stop with the act. United buys titles and success just like all the others.

What about this public stock market trading crap.... ? Again, surprised. That is a whole new level. I cant find any good coverage of it here in the states.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

What about this public stock market trading crap.... ? Again, surprised. That is a whole new level. I cant find any good coverage of it here in the states.

I just get snipets of the news through Twitter by the European Football people I follow. It is sad to watch..American Businessmen buy control of the biggest sports team in the world and use it for a cash cow. But City get taken over by a Arab Billionaire that spends crazy amounts of money to improve the squad and the Manchester area(providing jobs for the community) but city's owners are the ones ruining football.

 

[notredomer23]

I don't think this makes Manchester United so much better, but rather it makes Arsenal pretty bad. I can see them falling out of the top half this season.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

I don't think this makes Manchester United so much better, but rather it makes Arsenal pretty bad. I can see them falling out of the top half this season.

Hold on a minute man. Arsenal finished 23 points above West Brom(10th place) last year. They added Podolski, Giroud, and Santi Cazorla this transfer window. Also, Wilshire will be returning this season for them. If Alex Song leaves for Barca maybe they drop out of the top 4. But they are still a very strong team imo.

Also, RVP is a much better player than Welbeck and Hernandez are. Manchester United didn't have one shot on goal when the two Manchester sides met at the Etihad last season. I dont ever see that happening with RVP and Rooney both in the lineup. 71 goals between them last year that is crazy. This just made MANU a lot better imo along with Kawaga. If City dont buy some reinforcements ManU will be favorites.

 

[ChiRish]

Yeah I don't understand Arsenal either. It's frustrating to deal with as a fan. Last season was agonizing, and without RVP we wouldn't have even been top half.

I hate the way the EPL has gone with money, but Arsenal needs to get it together and realize that they can play this game too.

 

[GowerND11]

Hold on a minute man. Arsenal finished 23 points above West Brom(10th place) last year. They added Podolski, Giroud, and Santi Cazorla this transfer window. Also, Wilshire will be returning this season for them. If Alex Song leaves for Barca maybe they drop out of the top 4. But they are still a very strong team imo.

Also, RVP is a much better player than Welbeck and Hernandez are. Manchester United didn't have one shot on goal when the two Manchester sides met at the Etihad last season. I dont ever see that happening with RVP and Rooney both in the lineup. 71 goals between them last year that is crazy. This just made MANU a lot better imo along with Kawaga. If City dont buy some reinforcements ManU will be favorites.

I agree Arsenal is not going to drop that far. I have hope that the transfer signings work out in our benefit. As long as the team can stay healthy they can compete with anyone. RVP leaving hurts, but I am still very much excited for the season to start.

 

[notredomer23]

Hold on a minute man. Arsenal finished 23 points above West Brom(10th place) last year. They added Podolski, Giroud, and Santi Cazorla this transfer window. Also, Wilshire will be returning this season for them. If Alex Song leaves for Barca maybe they drop out of the top 4. But they are still a very strong team imo.

Also, RVP is a much better player than Welbeck and Hernandez are. Manchester United didn't have one shot on goal when the two Manchester sides met at the Etihad last season. I dont ever see that happening with RVP and Rooney both in the lineup. 71 goals between them last year that is crazy. This just made MANU a lot better imo along with Kawaga. If City dont buy some reinforcements ManU will be favorites.

Ok I was exaggerating about Arsenal falling out of the top half, but they definitely won't be the top 4.

Edit: To touch a little more on Arsenal, Podolski is the only great addition to the team there. Giroud and Carzola are both good players, but its not like they're even in the same hemisphere of talent as RVP. Losing Song would kill any hopes Arsenal has IMO.

In regards to ManU, my comment was more along the lines of how much more can they do? In a normal year, ManU wins the league title last year easily. I think even if City gets a huge player like Danielle de Rossi, ManU will still be the favorite. Just gotta hope we dethrone them again

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Ok I was exaggerating about Arsenal falling out of the top half, but they definitely won't be the top 4.

In regards to ManU, my comment was more along the lines of how much more can they do? In a normal year, ManU wins the league title last year easily. I think even if City gets a huge player like Danielle de Rossi, ManU will still be the favorite. Just gotta hope we dethrone them again

If we get Danielle De Rossi, there is no way no how United are the favorites.

Attack>City slight Favorites Still rather have Tevez, Aguero, Nasri, and Silva over Ronney--RVP--and Kawaga.

Midfeild> Huge Advantage I mean Yaya toure and De Rossi & bench including Gareth Barry compared to any combination of Carrick Cleverly Scholes Anderson and Giggs I mean come on.

Defense> I'll give United a little advantage. City has given up the least amount of goals both of the last two seasons. But Vidic is a Beast and United very much missed him last year.

I still would take City's top 11 over United's top 11 every day of the week including twice on Sunday. Like last year it will come down to the smallest of margins probably (see injuries and goal differential.)

Im very much looking forward to it.

 

[ChiRish]

The question is whether Wilshere will ever stay healthy, and when he will finally suit up again. Podolski, Cazorla, Giroud... they will be solid additions. I love how Podolski has played thus far. Remember, we have the Ox. Kid has all the talent in the world.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I like the RVP move as a United fan. However, it kind of throws a wrench in things. I wouldn't mind seeing a 4 4 2 with Hernandez and RVP at the top and Rooney at attacking mid. I always thought Hernandez has a nose for the goal when it mattered.

If City get de rossi... I would be scared. He is good. I hope he goes elsewhere. lol

 

[ACamp1900]

I like the RVP move as a United fan. However, it kind of throws a wrench in things. I wouldn't mind seeing a 4 4 2 with Hernandez and RVP at the top and Rooney at attacking mid. I always thought Hernandez has a nose for the goal when it mattered.

If City get de rossi... I would be scared. He is good. I hope he goes elsewhere. lol

Celtic will take him...

 

[Cackalacky]

As a Liverpool fan, I like our first two signings and our youngsters are playing well, but I don't think we make the top 4 this year. Maybe the new style will help, but financially we will have about 100 mil in contracts on the bench most games. I can't wait for this weekend.

 

[STLDomer]

Alex Song to Barcelona.

 

[ChiRish]

Annnnnd the Arsenal hemorrhaging talent era continues. What a disgrace.

 

[ChiRish]

I just don't get this modern era for Arsenal. I know I hate the overspending BS more than anything... but this is out of hand. What is Arsene doing? Did anyone else watch the game today? No spark, no fire. Podolski and Giroud both missed goals that RVP would have nailed home.

This is going to be a rough season. WHY DOES ALL THE TALENT LEAVE ARSENE!?!?!

 

[NDinMich]

I just don't get this modern era for Arsenal. I know I hate the overspending BS more than anything... but this is out of hand. What is Arsene doing? Did anyone else watch the game today? No spark, no fire. Podolski and Giroud both missed goals that RVP would have nailed home.

This is going to be a rough season. WHY DOES ALL THE TALENT LEAVE ARSENE!?!?!

The best talent gets sold and little is gotten in return (15M pounds for your best defensive midfielder...wtf?). All the while, players like Bendtner, Arshavin, Chamakh, Squillaci, etc are all still with the club! Get rid of the low hanging fruit and maybe you could keep your best players (or...and this is really crazy...throw the ridiculous Arsenal pay structure out the window and adapt to the new football world around you). Or at the very least, invest the money made from Song and RVP for quality defender and/or a quality center forward.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Song was a cancer and a piece of crap. Just get rid of him & get Sahin and another D-mid.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I just don't get this modern era for Arsenal. I know I hate the overspending BS more than anything... but this is out of hand. What is Arsene doing? Did anyone else watch the game today? No spark, no fire. Podolski and Giroud both missed goals that RVP would have nailed home.

This is going to be a rough season. WHY DOES ALL THE TALENT LEAVE ARSENE!?!?!

Crazy that their best player (by far IMHO) was Santi Cazorla. Obviously I'm a Spanish homer, but man, he looked like a mini Xavi (actually, Xavi is already so damn 'mini' I dont think it can get more mini than him LOL) out there for the Gunners today. That last pass to the Frenchman was insanely bright (and a GREAT run by the Frenchman who then butchered the shot). He was the only player for Arsenal outside of Junihno (butchering the name, I know) who showed any imagination. Disappointing game for them.

On a side note, crazy how Mata and Cazorla can basically run their traditionally rich EPL teams and can barely sniff playing time for their Spanish national team. Insane run of talent right now for Spain...it's gonna really suck when it inevitably comes to an end...

 

[mgriff]

Liverpool...

I didn't expect top four this year, but this was about as bad a start as possible. Euros/Olympics and late transfers are clearly having their effect. The squad is simply not good enough.

Suarez is pure class, but he is not a striker. We need someone in to score some goals. I'd push Suarez to LW and buy a striker to finish. Downing started bright and faded as usual. Borini just found out why the Prem is the best league from top to bottom in the world; he barely registered as a body out there.

Stevie had a mare today, and Lucas is still not 100%. Allen was very very good, and probably the only bright spot outside of Pepe. Sahin in would be tremendous and shifting Cole/Adam/Spearing is necessary, in that order. Joe Cole is ****ing horrible, and if BR has illusions of keeping him that match should have been a slap in the face. He's ****ing terrible and he's on tremendous wages to go to the injury table. When he's in he's a waste of a body. Ship him the **** out now.

We need foil at LB for when Enrique is out, because Glen is uncomfortable and wasted there unless he gets a run of games. Skrtel and Agger don't have great pace to play such a high line, and it was a nice kick in the face to the both of them with contract negotiations on the table. They are capable of being a great partnership, but if they thought they were the finished product they were just given a rude awakening by Long.

Well played to Steve Clarke and Brom fully deserved the win, even if Dowd called the match horribly. Unkind scoreline, but the lack of finishing once again plagued Liverpool. That was a sublime strike from Gera. Brom fully deserved the three points. Both penalties were harsh, as was the red card, but that's football.

I wouldn't get my hopes up for Sahin at Arsenal if I were you. Mourinho and Arsene have a horrible relationship, whereas Brendan Rodgers was his reserve team coach at Chelsea and they still keep in contact. Also, why would Real want to strengthen a Champions League rival? He may go to Arsenal yet but I think signs point to him going to Liverpool. A lot of rumblings about it being resolved tomorrow, so I hope he ends up in a Liverpool shirt.

You'll probably get M'Vila to play DM for you, with Arteta/Wilshere alongside and Cazorla as CAM.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

It's okay guys, the real season starts Monday when United plays. lol

 

[mgriff]

It's okay guys, the real season starts Monday when United plays. lol

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZhemKHwKgLM" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>

<table border="0"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#808080">Rank</td> <td align="left" bgcolor="#808080"> Club
</td> <td bgcolor="#808080">Points</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20</td> <td align="left">Liverpool
Manchester United
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Everton
Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United
Sunderland
Manchester City
Blackburn Rovers
Shefield Wednesday
Wolverhampton Wanderers
West Bromwich Albion
Nottingham Forest
Derby County
Bolton Wanderers
Sheffield United
Leeds United
Birmingham City</td> <td>557
529
420
361
353
287
285
282
277
276
251
242
241
235
234
212
206
200
199
180</td></tr></tbody></table>

**** off you ****in' Manc!

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Hey, how did Liverpool do today again?

 

[mgriff]

Hey, how did Liverpool do today again?

Pretty bad, doesn't change my post.