[Moobabe]

Go to United - play every week and develop into a top player. No disrespect to City, but the competition for places is so high when you can buy anyone and everyone.

[Clegg]

Even in a new formation, surely Rooney would be a better option in the areas Kagawa would play.

True, but Rooney can't be everywhere at once. United lack creativity through the centre and Kagawa can give them that little extra.

I think signing Kagawa brings another problem as one of Valencia or Nani would see reduced gametime to accommodate Kagawa. If we say that Cleverley/Carrick will be United midfield next season then we have 4 spots available in the starting 11 for attack minded players. Rooney obviously starts so then there are 3 places left up for grabs.

Thats leaves Nani/Valencia/Welbeck and possibly Kagawa(if he joins) playing for these places. Rooney doesn't really work well as a lone striker so you'd imagine that Welbeck or even Hernandez would play alongside him. So that leaves Nani/Valencia/Kagawa fighting over the 2 wide positions. And these lads are too good to be left on the bench. I can see at least one of them being left out in the cold.

I'm not mentioning Ashley Young coz fuck him.

[Salazar]

Go to United - play every week and develop into a top player. No disrespect to City, but the competition for places is so high when you can buy anyone and everyone.

Nu-uh, they are going to stop spending like Imelda Marcos and build academy talent.

lololololololololololololololol

[Meier]

lol, nice find Well played op:)

Fady created OT9 and added his name then. Seems like most folks missed it.

[Vivalaraza]

True, but Rooney can't be everywhere at once. United lack creativity through the centre and Kagawa can give them that little extra. I think signing Kagawa brings another problem as one of Valencia or Nani would see reduced gametime to accommodate Kagawa. If we say that Cleverley/Carrick will be United midfield next season then we have 4 spots available in the starting 11 for attack minded players. Rooney obviously starts so then there are 3 places left up for grabs. Thats leaves Nani/Valencia/Welbeck and possibly Kagawa(if he joins) playing for these places. Rooney doesn't really work well as a lone striker so you'd imagine that Welbeck or even Hernandez would play alongside him. So that leaves Nani/Valencia/Kagawa fighting over the 2 wide positions. And these lads are too good to be left on the bench. I can see at least one of them being left out in the cold. I'm not mentioning Ashley Young coz fuck him.

Tbh, I know this sounds silly and FM-esque, but you really can't have enough good players. Competition is healthy and when somebody like Kagawa is available for a cut price, you gotta go for it.

We used to have Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov, Rooney, Nani, Giggs and Park for those attacking positions.

Ronaldo and Tevez left. Berbatov is leaving. Giggs and Park won't be around for much longer. Of course we have signed players like Valencia, Hernandez and Young and promoted the likes of Welbeck. Nani has improved loads. But really I still think we have a lack of quality compared to what we used to have. Kagawa is a cut above most of our current players IMO (apart from Rooney and Nani).

PLUS HE'S SO FREAKIN' COOL!

[Awesome Animals]

Villol players fighting at their end of season awards (Youtube)

Wonderful :(

I can't watch the video. Who is fighting, and why?

[TheLucifer]

What happened with Robinho? I thought he was doing decently with Milan. In any case it's difficult to see many teams being interested for someone who would be as expensive; only the Oil Quartet and he has already played for City out of those 4.

This year he missed a lot of goals (mostly during this fall) and he's "blamed" for not scoring enough goals like last year. Plus Santos wants him back, so they could celebrate their 100th birthday (iirc) with every single one of their most important players.

The fact is that he's not like Inzaghi or Ibrahimovic, he usually tries to help other people score. He's the best of our team when it comes to dribbling, and I'm sure Allegri could somehow adapt him to a new role.

A few weeks ago some journalist said that Santos and Milan would find an agreement over Robinho, if Ganso would come to play with us. I'd keep Binho.

[HixxSAFC]

Wonderful :( I can't watch the video. Who is fighting, and why?

Chris Herd, Collins and Fabian Delph were the 3 names I heard in the video.

[Awesome Animals]

Chris Herd, Collins and Fabian Delph were the 3 names I heard in the video.

I guess Herd and Collins were fighting about something, and a sober Delph tried to break it up. I still haven't read why not, but I hope we ship Collins out this summer. He was one of the players who tried to undermine Houllier last year because he didn't want to put in an effort to change the style of play. Twat

Fucking embarrassing.

[Clegg]

Tbh, I know this sounds silly and FM-esque, but you really can't have enough good players. Competition is healthy and when somebody like Kagawa is available for a cut price, you gotta go for it. We used to have Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov, Rooney, Nani, Giggs and Park for those attacking positions. Ronaldo and Tevez left. Berbatov is leaving. Giggs and Park won't be around for much longer. Of course we have signed players like Valencia, Hernandez and Young and promoted the likes of Welbeck. Nani has improved loads. But really I still think we have a lack of quality compared to what we used to have. Kagawa is a cut above most of our current players IMO (apart from Rooney and Nani). PLUS HE'S SO FREAKIN' COOL!

I'd take Kagawa in a heartbeat but I'm still very much in the camp of trying to get all your best players on the pitch at the same time.

Of course, there have been times this season when we've had all our best players on the pitch and we still couldn't break a team down. Kagawa might be the answer to that.

As could Hazard but I think he's more likely to join City.

[PaulLFC]

Premier League televised football packages up for grabs

The Premier League has issued an invitation to tender for the domestic UK broadcast rights for the 2013-14 to 2015-16 football seasons. It says 154 matches will be shown live on TV each season from 2013-14 - 16 more than currently broadcast and more than 40% of all top-level matches The extra 16 live games comes as matches are moved away from Saturday 15:00 kick-off times, due to Europa League involvement or police advice. No 15:00 kick-offs can be shown live. The 154 games will be split into seven packages comprising five packages of 26 matches and two packages of 12 matches. No one buyer will be allowed to buy more than five packages or 116 matches. The current rights are held by Sky and ESPN, and a challenge from Al Jazeera is also expected this time round. "This creates a more attractive and compelling offering for both broadcasters and fans; whilst allowing the continued protection of the Saturday 3pm 'closed window' and minimising further displacement of Premier League fixtures," said the league. Another sales process will be conducted for two "near live" packages each containing 226 matches, and an internet-based clips package for all 380 matches.

Great, so now there's even more packages, and the possibility, although I'm guessing it's unlikely, of more than two broadcasters getting live rights - so even more money for us to pay out if we want all of the live matches. But no, it's "more attractive and compelling" for us. Honest!

[Awesome Animals]

Sounds like they were fighting with the bouncers, not with each other.

[Phantast2k]

This is Battersea Power Station right now. Can see this being transformed into an epic ground.

Omg, this looks epic. The authorities should turn this into a museum or a hall for some special purposes.
Like the Dortmund U, which was a "Union brewery" building and is now a museum:





Fun fact about Dortmund, we had over 80 breweries before WWI :O

[Clegg]

Premier League televised football packages up for grabs Great, so now there's even more packages, and the possibility, although I'm guessing it's unlikely, of more than two broadcasters getting live rights - so even more money for us to pay out if we want all of the live matches. But no, it's "more attractive and compelling" for us. Honest!

I've read that ESPN want to get the rights for more matches. I'm not too happy about that tbh. I have ESPN and their actual matchday coverage is shocking. Robbie Savage is a terrible pundit and Chris Waddle is the worst commentator on the face of the planet.

[steverulez]

I've read that ESPN want to get the rights for more matches. I'm not too happy about that tbh. I have ESPN and their actual matchday coverage is shocking. Robbie Savage is a terrible pundit and Chris Waddle is the worst commentator on the face of the planet.

Craig Burley is shocking as well.

[Awesome Animals]

I've read that ESPN want to get the rights for more matches. I'm not too happy about that tbh. I have ESPN and their actual matchday coverage is shocking. Robbie Savage is a terrible pundit and Chris Waddle is the worst commentator on the face of the planet.

They get more coverage and they'll improve their pundits. As much as I hate ESPN, they have more money than god and will throw that money at worthwhile investments. They probably feel that currently that investment isn't worth more than Robbie Savage. They're taking over the world through sports telecasting.

[PaulLFC]

They get more coverage and they'll improve their pundits. As much as I hate ESPN, they have more money than god and will throw that money at worthwhile investments. They probably feel that currently that investment isn't worth more than Robbie Savage. They're taking over the world through sports telecasting.

This is true - the more coverage they have, the more money they'll be willing to spend on it. If another broadcaster comes in and gets just 12 games, it's probably going to be some pretty bad coverage, because why throw a ton of money at it when you've probably got one game every couple of weeks or so?

I think ESPN were happy to take the packages they had up until now after they acquired them when Setanta went bust, but I can't see them being happy to give Sky all the coverage forever. I think they'll make a much more serious bid for more games this time around.

Do ESPN still employ James Richardson? He should be kept on to present their PL coverage.

[Clegg]

This is true - the more coverage they have, the more money they'll be willing to spend on it. If another broadcaster comes in and gets just 12 games, it's probably going to be some pretty bad coverage, because why throw a ton of money at it when you've probably got one game every couple of weeks or so? I think ESPN were happy to take the packages they had up until now after they acquired them when Setanta went bust, but I can't see them being happy to give Sky all the coverage forever. I think they'll make a much more serious bid for more games this time around. Do ESPN still employ James Richardson? He should be kept on to present their PL coverage.

James Richardson should host everything.

[Salazar]

Craig Burley is shocking as well.

Commentary low point of the season was Dean Sturridge saying Nani was "disrespecting" Norwich by beating them with a piece of skill, after Nani had been clattered into by some angry clogger.

[Blablurn]

Chelsea might be interested in buying Schürrle. Kenka, are u okay?

[Jeff Albertson]

ESPN can fuck off i want to pay my £80 sky bill and that be enough

[Vivalaraza]

ESPN can fuck off i want to pay my £80 sky bill and that be enough

ESPN don't show Championship football do they?

sorry Jeff

[Clegg]

Her's a clip of Heskey doing what he does best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erqDO...eature=related

[dc89]

City have announced that starting 2013/2014 Nike will be the chosen kit supplier and sponsor. It's a deal which will run until 2019.

Nicely done, just in time for what I imagine will be a monster amount of money to be counted towards FFP!

[odd_morsel]

Chelsea might be interested in buying Schürrle. Kenka, are u okay?

Man, I want him at Liverpool so badly. He's great. There's another young Leverkusen striker who my German friend is convinced is going to be much better than Schurrle. Can't remember the name though.

[Meier]

City have announced that starting 2013/2014 Nike will be the chosen kit supplier and sponsor. It's a deal which will run until 2019. Nicely done, just in time for what I imagine will be a monster amount of money to be counted towards FFP!

That's kind of a shame really, I like Umbro with their chest measurements rather than just "Medium" "Large" etc. :( Plus, I thought it was kinda neat that Umbro actually manufactured the shirts in England as opposed to some sweatshop in Malysia.

The rumor mill says Hazard favors City to United due to the fact that City has promised more opportunity for first team football. I don't really see where he'd fit in right away.. obviously I'd rather him over Milner or Johnson but that still leaves him on the bench. You don't usually spend 30-40 million on a bench player though so would we try and move Nasri? Silva only has 2 years left on his deal and has that nagging issue with his ankle but he's most definitely better than Nasri so it'll be interesting to see how it all pans out.

[Kyoufu]

ESPN can fuck off i want to pay my £80 sky bill and that be enough

80 is ridiculous. Is that the complete package? Movies, Sports etc?

ESPN don't show Championship football do they? sorry Jeff

Post of the week

[HixxSAFC]

ESPN don't show Championship football do they? sorry Jeff

sick burn bro

[Blablurn]

Man, I want him at Liverpool so badly. He's great. There's another young Leverkusen striker who my German friend is convinced is going to be much better than Schurrle. Can't remember the name though.

Kießling?

[Blablurn]

[odd_morsel]

Kießling?

Yeah, I cant remember the conversation I had. He did mention Kiesling, though. Can't remember. Whats your opinion on those two?

[pappe]

The rumor mill says Hazard favors City to United due to the fact that City has promised more opportunity for first team football. I don't really see where he'd fit in right away.. obviously I'd rather him over Milner or Johnson but that still leaves him on the bench. You don't usually spend 30-40 million on a bench player though so would we try and move Nasri? Silva only has 2 years left on his deal and has that nagging issue with his ankle but he's most definitely better than Nasri so it'll be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Silva on left , Hazard down the middle, Nasri on right , Aguero up top .

[Awesome Animals]

City have announced that starting 2013/2014 Nike will be the chosen kit supplier and sponsor. It's a deal which will run until 2019. Nicely done, just in time for what I imagine will be a monster amount of money to be counted towards FFP!

dc, do you work for the Manchester City PR Department?

[Jeff Albertson]

Dammit put Chelsea in my accumalator by accident

Bugger

Edit yes I have the full package plus hd and multi room

[Blablurn]

Yeah, I cant remember the conversation I had. He did mention Kiesling, though. Can't remember. Whats your opinion on those two?

i dont like them but they seem alright. schürrle could play in the PL. but kießling? not so much. at least thats my opinion.

[Spanish Wrath]

wat

[Jeff Albertson]

Oh and fuck you viva!

[Meier]

Silva on left , Hazard down the middle, Nasri on right , Aguero up top .

Even if we move a few strikers, I'd be surprised to see us going with only Aguero up front. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out to say the least. 4-1-1-3-1 would definitely be preferred to 4-2-3-1. I always prefer it when Yaya is allowed to attack a bit more freely rather than getting stuck on defense... you can tell he prefers to have that freedom. He looks a little bit lax to me when he's stuck with a defensive focus.

[Milchmonster]

I'm not sure if it's likely that Kagawa will even join United. He can play out wide but he likes to roam around the pitch and to get the best out of him SAF will have to change the way United play.

lol no, he can't play that at all. Klopp said he's terrible there.

And that possible Chelsea stadium looks incredible. I read they want to keep those 4 towers? Put an epic arena under/inside of there and it looks like some top secret Adidas ad shit. Pretty awesome, hope it works out.

[pappe]

Even if we move a few strikers, I'd be surprised to see us going with only Aguero up front. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out to say the least. 4-1-1-3-1 would definitely be preferred to 4-2-3-1. I always prefer it when Yaya is allowed to attack a bit more freely rather than getting stuck on defense... you can tell he prefers to have that freedom. He looks a little bit lax to me when he's stuck with a defensive focus.

Maybe Mancini is planning to rotate Nasri , silva and hazard and give them equal amount of games. Silva has been tired for the past month or so and he doesnt want a repeat of that.

But City can do with a bit of width. They play too narrow.

[odd_morsel]

Even if we move a few strikers, I'd be surprised to see us going with only Aguero up front. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out to say the least. 4-1-1-3-1 would definitely be preferred to 4-2-3-1. I always prefer it when Yaya is allowed to attack a bit more freely rather than getting stuck on defense... you can tell he prefers to have that freedom. He looks a little bit lax to me when he's stuck with a defensive focus.

With Nasri, Hazard and Silva you have three very serious goal threats all along the front line. With Aguero up front I can't see you needing another dedicated striker there.

[rififi]

Apparently the plans include a single tiered stand which can seat 15k people. Impressive. Edit - Also they say the original features of the site would be retained. Sounds damn cool. Plus a tube station for the ground and the related developments will be built. Really great plans, good news for Chelsea if they can win the site and then gain planning permission (which I assume they are confident of).

They have no chance of building a stadium there without maintaining the majority of the station. It is a heritage site, so there will be a lot of work in the way before anything would get approved. But imagine having to play in the inside of this:

I actually think it could work fairly well - don't think it will happen though.

[Arnie]

ESPN can fuck off i want to pay my £80 sky bill and that be enough

We pay £60 for Sky Sports HD+ between a house of 8, so the price works out really well considering how much we use it. We're going to get ESPN next year too, if just for the Serie A and Bundesliga stuff.

City have announced that starting 2013/2014 Nike will be the chosen kit supplier and sponsor. It's a deal which will run until 2019. Nicely done, just in time for what I imagine will be a monster amount of money to be counted towards FFP!

Well look forward to some shit kits then. It's a shame because the Umbro kits look really simple, and the quality is superb. Now you're just another egg in the basket so you'll receive a shoddy design that feels pretty poor at replica level.

[Clegg]

lol no, he can't play that at all. Klopp said he's terrible there. And that possible Chelsea stadium looks incredible. I read they want to keep those 4 towers? Put an epic arena under/inside of there and it looks like some top secret Adidas ad shit. Pretty awesome, hope it works out.

Really? I'm sure I've seen him play on the left once or twice. If you say he's not good there then I suppose that means there is even less chance on him coming to United.

Unless SAF decides to play Nani on the left, Valencia on the right, Kagawa in the middle and Rooney up front. That might work.

[RibbedHero]

I've got a Virgin Media bundle:100MB internet, minimal TV, all the Sky Sports channels (only SS1 and SS2 in HD though) and ESPN in HD. Costs me £65. The bulk of that is sports, fuckin £36 a month which is absolutely obscene.

[Salazar]

Unless SAF decides to play Nani on the left, Valencia on the right, Kagawa in the middle and Rooney up front. That might work.

HNNGGGGG

I mainly want to see Clev, though. Transfer muppetry aside, he can speed up that midfield quite a goddamn lot.

[Vivalaraza]

Interesting graph (courtesy of @andersred) of Wage/Turnover for a few of the PL's top teams. Liverpool have had a sudden increase despite their performances getting worse. I'd like to see United maybe push the budget a bit, there's a bit of room to manoeuvre there. Maybe Rooney's mega-contract is a sign of that.

BTW, dc, in respect of your point about United buying the league etc yesterday, this is a good demonstration of the difference in terms of prudence and sustainability between United's admittedly big spending and that of other clubs.

[Milchmonster]

Really? I'm sure I've seen him play on the left once or twice. If you say he's not good there then I suppose that means there is even less chance on him coming to United. Unless SAF decides to play Nani on the left, Valencia on the right, Kagawa in the middle and Rooney up front. That might work.

He plays on the wing for Japan but I must admit I haven't seen him play for Japan once. However, when Klopp says that Kagawa can't put in a single good cross, then I trust him there. You never see Shinji taking any free kicks for us, either, so it's more than likely true. Don't know how much a player like he is worth on the wing, I'd say not much.

[Choc]

Maybe Mancini is planning to rotate Nasri , silva and hazard and give them equal amount of games. Silva has been tired for the past month or so and he doesnt want a repeat of that. But City can do with a bit of width. They play too narrow.

remembering city is in the UCL next year and probably expecting to go far

fatigue is going to get nuts

[Baconsaurus Rex]

Interesting graph (courtesy of @andersred) of Wage/Turnover for a few of the PL's top teams. Liverpool have had a sudden increase despite their performances getting worse. I'd like to see United maybe push the budget a bit, there's a bit of room to manoeuvre there. Maybe Rooney's mega-contract is a sign of that. BTW, dc, in respect of your point about United buying the league etc yesterday, this is a good demonstration of the difference in terms of prudence and sustainability between United's admittedly big spending and that of other clubs.

Damn you colourblindness! Which team belongs to the one that has reached the 110%, City or Everton (I'm guessing City)