The New Football Thread

Aeribian IV · #1 (**permalink**) 11-08-08, 10:31 PM

Right, here we go then!

I'll go first

Been a great close season for Spurs, we got rid of a lot of mediocre Squad players and signed a lot of good players. Obviously a bit worried that they wont setlle in quickly, but we signed them all fairly early and they all have a few games under thier belts already (as opposed to signing them right on deadline day)

Of the players that went, I'll miss Keane, he was a Spurs Legend, and Malbranque always gave it his all. But now Bent has really been knocking in the goals...he clearly loves playing the lone striker role with 12 goals in about 5 games!

I am scarily optimistic, again, but I personally think a good season in Europe is our main aim, I cant see us finishing higher than 6th.

Main Contenders:
Everton: In serous trouble, nobody bought, lots sold, lots of injuries, problems with the board
Man City: Going into Meltdown
Newcastle: With King Kev at the helm? Hahaha
Blackburn: Not really fussed, we nicked thier best midfielder.
Which leaves Villa, who I reckon are going to be in the 5th spot this year, a lot of quality players now, if they can last the season.

Champions: Man Utd. Theres a reason Ferguson hasnt bought anybody, he doesnt need too, just needs that one more striker

Relegated:
Hull
Stoke
Bolton/Wigan

Bumhug360 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-08, 05:18 PM

You missed Pompey, I think they will be up there with Spurs and Villa knocking on Liverpools door. Man City could do well early on in the season but as it drags on the trouble with the owner could spell doom. Everton really should be pushing for 4th but they seem happy with midtable by the looks of it. Blackburn are going to struggle, think Ince could be a good manager he is just at the right club at the wrong time. Newcastle havent got a chance, new manager by Christmas.

Spurs have spent a lot of money which could go either way, if the players settle then should do well.

As for Villa, was optimistic at the start of the transfer window then started to get a bit nervous. But thats all changed again now, Brad Friedel is solid at the back, Shorey and Young may not be huge names but they do the job well and consistent and Carlos Cuellar is just quality even if he did spend last year in the SPL. We should do well with or without Barry who will be spending a lot of time on the bench next season even if he doesnt go to Liverpool

Van Cocidius · #3 (**permalink**) 12-08-08, 07:54 PM

I'm an Evertonian *evades the bricks*

All season we've been linked with big names, and quality ones at that.. Yet we've got bugger all. Saying that, we have got Pienaar, who is a good player but I don't think it's enough. I still think we have some good players that'll keep us in the top half of the table considering we don't lose the likes of Arteta, Cahill, Yakubu or Howard to injury.

That leads me on to saying what Everton DO need! Another striker would be nice. Yakubu is a good striker, but I feel he does better with someone playing off him. Another two midfeilders, one attacking, one defensive. In defence, I can't see where we can improve, another right back maybe? And another goalkeeper to play number 2 to Howard. Turner and Ruddy are still to inexperienced to be relied on.

Oh, on top of that, we need to sell Andy van der Meyde, biggest waste of space ever. We're not paying him to go get smacked up and hump is twenty seven dogs or whatever.

Rolo · #4 (**permalink**) 12-08-08, 09:11 PM

Lets be honest here Stoke and Hull are going right back down, Albion could stay up, no reason they can't imo. Champs League Spots: Man Utd Chelsea Spurs Liverpool. Arsenal weren't impressive end of last season, I definately can't see them competing for the top 4 without Flamini and Hleb who I think were pretty key, their youngsters are really really good, but with no signings its gonna be a year or so before they're ready to win anything Eduardo coming back will hugely strengthen their team tho.

City with Hughes, could do anything, I suspect they'll do a spurs of last season tho.
Pompey, Everton, Villa, all top 10 for sure.

United, yeh agree didn't need to buy anything urgently, we do need a striker, or a work permit for Manucho (Who I really rate, team of the tournament for African Nations). Just looked on BBC news apparently we've had a bid for Silva rejected, I really don't understand this, we don't need another Attacking midfielder or Secondry Striker, or a "flair player" we've got enough of them Nani Cronaldo Tevez Rooney Scholes (for another 6-12 months atleast) can all create things.

3 players I'm looking out for this season from United. Rafael da Silva, right back 18, looks really tasty. Possebon comes from the same youth team that produced Alexandre Pato, the awesome prospect AC Milan have, long term inheritor of Carricks position and even another midfielder for a 4-3-3. Frazier Campbell, I'm optimistic mainly because I want him to do well, haven't had a striker come out of our youth system since Mark Hughes, looked sharp against Pompey at the weekend in the 15 minutes he got, looked pleased to get his hands on the Charity Shield, clearly driven to remain at the club.

Aeribian IV · #5 (**permalink**) 12-08-08, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumhug360

Spurs have spent a lot of money which could go either way, if the players settle then should do well.

Thats the good thing though, we have only actually spwent about 4 million, the rest was made up in sales by offloading Keane and a load of no more needed squad players.

Your right, I did forget about Pompey, I always do, they always do better than they should, but not quite as well as they should either. Be interested to see how the Defoe - Crouch partnership, hopefully well for England!

Aeribian IV · #6 (**permalink**) 12-08-08, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolo

Lets be honest here Stoke and Hull are going right back down, Albion could stay up, no reason they can't imo. Champs League Spots: Man Utd Chelsea Spurs Liverpool. Arsenal weren't impressive end of last season, I definately can't see them competing for the top 4 without Flamini and Hleb who I think were pretty key, their youngsters are really really good, but with no signings its gonna be a year or so before they're ready to win anything Eduardo coming back will hugely strengthen their team tho.

City with Hughes, could do anything, I suspect they'll do a spurs of last season tho.
Pompey, Everton, Villa, all top 10 for sure.

United, yeh agree didn't need to buy anything urgently, we do need a striker, or a work permit for Manucho (Who I really rate, team of the tournament for African Nations). Just looked on BBC news apparently we've had a bid for Silva rejected, I really don't understand this, we don't need another Attacking midfielder or Secondry Striker, or a "flair player" we've got enough of them Nani Cronaldo Tevez Rooney Scholes (for another 6-12 months atleast) can all create things.

3 players I'm looking out for this season from United. Rafael da Silva, right back 18, looks really tasty. Possebon comes from the same youth team that produced Alexandre Pato, the awesome prospect AC Milan have, long term inheritor of Carricks position and even another midfielder for a 4-3-3. Frazier Campbell, I'm optimistic mainly because I want him to do well, haven't had a striker come out of our youth system since Mark Hughes, looked sharp against Pompey at the weekend in the 15 minutes he got, looked pleased to get his hands on the Charity Shield, clearly driven to remain at the club.

At least United are looking elsewhere than Berbatov!

I saw Frazer Campbell play a few games for Hull last season (No idea why( and he looked good, although scoring 15 goals in the championship is a lot different to the prem *cough Bent *cough*

Could be a bit of a shake up this season all round, im sort of hoping at least 2 of the big four get pushed down to 5 and 6, cant see it happening though, while other clubs are improving, those 4 have such depth that come the end of the season thier teams are just as good, whereas the others struggle

Rolo · #7 (**permalink**) 12-08-08, 10:30 PM

haha yeh one of my best mates is also a spurs fan, he ain't happy. According to the Manchester evening news tho Fergie wants Silva + Berba

elrocco · #8 (**permalink**) 14-08-08, 12:49 AM

Oh dear, after watching the Liverpool game they are certainly showing their need for a certain midfield now that 3 of their main players are also out playing at the olympics. Liverpool looked innefectual against a team that on paper should not pose much threat to them, but Liege simply wanted it more and it showed, funny to see De Camargo playing well heh (he was one of my strikers on FML) it was also good to see the big guy Fellaini (the one with the afro) only 20 and playing so well, nearly scoring after being sent off for absolutely fuck all in the Olympics against Brazil by an over zealous referee. Back to the Liverpool midfield, apparently the owners have said no to buying Barry because his resale value would be too low and have told Benitez to look elsewhere. That's ridiculous considering he is easily one of the best central left midfielders in the premier league, not to mention a regular international and the captian of another team. Considering the price of any other midfielder of his ability and I would say it is about the price any club would ask for, let alone if he was their captain - you get what you pay for, yet still to be convinced by Keane. I guess for Liverpool the only good thing was that they play at home next time and that they did not concede.
Also on the greek side, nice to see Olympiakos getting their asses handed to them by a Cypriot club no less heh, though I guess Panathinaikos should still qualify to hold up some kind of pride. Hoping Slaven take a notes from the the Liverpool game and turn up with the pre season blues in the euro cup against Aris tomorrow and they make it to the first round at least. Ah damn it's late now I'm off ot bed, hope at least some of it makes sense!

Aeribian IV · #9 (**permalink**) 14-08-08, 08:40 AM

"to the Liverpool midfield, apparently the owners have said no to buying Barry because his resale value would be too low and have told Benitez to look elsewhere. That's ridiculous considering he is easily one of the best central left midfielders in the premier league, not to mention a regular international and the captian of another team"

Its funny how football has got, a few years back paying 20 million plus for a player that you would never make back would be unheard off.

Just like Chelsea paying 5 years on Lampards contract when he was already 30, he clearly only has a couple of years at best left in him. So they are going to be paying that 100k a week or whatever for 3 years just to keep his services for 2.
Everybody seems to think thats a good deal!

Your right I think Liege wanted it more last night, but luckily the Liverpool defence was playing a lot better than the attack.

Give Keane time, he will come good

Cambylobacter · #10 (**permalink**) 14-08-08, 09:29 AM

As a Liverpool supporter, this is the time of the year when it is the law for me to say, "I think we can do it this season and win the league".

Right, that's that over with then.

This may come as a huge shock, but we're going to finish 4th.

elrocco · #11 (**permalink**) 14-08-08, 09:37 AM

Yes it is a shame they are still such an unbalanced team, with even more unbalanced owners.

But surely this year will be the year!

Aeribian IV · #12 (**permalink**) 14-08-08, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cambylobacter

As a Liverpool supporter, this is the time of the year when it is the law for me to say, "I think we can do it this season and win the league".

Right, that's that over with then.

This may come as a huge shock, but we're going to finish 4th.

Haha, and on that note as a Spurs fan can I get the 'This could be the year we break into the top 4' out of the way.

But really i think we will be in the region of 6th

Bumhug360 · #13 (**permalink**) 14-08-08, 10:31 PM

Well Man City are off to a good start. Villa looking good up front as normal, and very dodgy at the back

Aeribian IV · #14 (**permalink**) 14-08-08, 10:54 PM

Haha, 1-0 at home loss!

Not surprised though, are not all thier strikers injured?

Van Cocidius · #15 (**permalink**) 15-08-08, 12:14 AM

If anybody's interested in abit of fantasy football, I'm trying the premier leagues official website this time around, no cash prizes though I don't think. £100M to make a team which isn't bad, so if anybody's taking part, feel free to join my private league.

League pin is 941950-175087 and that's all you need to join. Feel free to invite others, as it's only really fun with a big group.

They also have a "Know the score" league, where you predict the weekends scores, so it's all fun!

http://www.premierleague.com/page/Home/0,,12306,00.html