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Official Football Thread 2006/2007 (Soccer)

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hadareud said:
There's been a few where he paid more that did work out quite nicely though. Henry, Pires, Hleb, Rosicky, Gallas come to mind.
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Good point. I was thinking more along the lines of Richard Wright, Reyes, and Jeffers, but perhaps it's easier to remember the price when they don't work out...
 
It's only £20m if he doesn't sell anyone, which is highly unlikely. Just depends if he seels anyone actually worth a good amount of money or not.

I wish we knew what position Wenger wants to strengthen, we could start working out who he's after then.
 
My guess is that he's after a winger that can play both left and right in midfield. It's a position where we'll definitely need one more, there's only Ljungberg, Rosicky, Hleb & Walcott. We all know Freddy's injury track record in the last few years, Hleb and Rosicky have both been out for quite a few games too.

Of course, there's a few players in the squad that can potentially play there, but ideally you'd like a natural.
 
I'd like to replace Senderos if at all possible. The problem is though, I am unsure that there's a world class centreback that would like to fight for his place in the side with Gallas and Toure. I wouldn't mind Woodgate though.

With the strikers it really depends if he wants Baptista to stay. If he does, it's the same problem.
 
hadareud said:
I'd like to replace Senderos if at all possible. The problem is though, I am unsure that there's a world class centreback that would like to fight for his place in the side with Gallas and Toure. I wouldn't mind Woodgate though.
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I'd like to give Senderos a bit more time, but in the interim a quality international to plug the gaps for a year or so would be nice. That'd leave us with Toure, Gallas, someone, Djourou, and Senderos.

With the strikers it really depends if he wants Baptista to stay. If he does, it's the same problem.
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I sort of figure that Aliadiere is gone (unless he catches fire before the end of the season), so the depth would be Henry, Van Persie, Adebayor, Baptista, and maybe Bendtner could sneak in there. I think the striker situation hinges on how Baptista and Aliadiere perform for the next three months.
 
Reds chase Spanish youngster

Reports in Spain claim Liverpool are lining up a summer move for Athletic Bilbao's teenage defender Mikel San Jose.

Newspaper AS suggests Reds officials have already spoken to the Spanish youngster, who is yet to break into the Bilbao first team, about a close season move to Anfield.

The 17-year-old has played in some friendlies for the La Liga outfit, but he has not signed a professional contract which enables him to speak to other interested parties.

It's understood that Rafa Benitez would put the defender in the reserve team set-up at first, but also allowing San Jose to train with the first team squad in order to aid his progress.
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http://www.eatsleepsport.com/news_details.aspx?story_id=531466&l_id=1&t_id=44

A Spanish player? This is a first
 
I've always been a bid hard on Senderos, but believe me, I would have liked nothing better than for him to impress. I just don't think he has the quality to play for Arsenal, his mistakes cost us dearly this year (I am not blaming anything on him though, it's not just one player). He's a central defender of the quality of Middlesbrough's Pogatetz, I'd maybe rate his potential slightly higher, but not by much. He's slow, and worst of all, he's not the quickest thinker on the pitch. I am sure his positioning will get better with more experience, but there will always be something missing. I'd like to be wrong, but I don't think I am.

I reckon Aliadiere will be gone, but Bendtner should be an adequate replacement. He's been doing really well at Birmingham this year. Now if Baptista goes, we definitely need a replacement for him. I have a feeling Wenger likes Robinho, maybe that's the one he's talking about.
 
I think Robinho is an excellent player and would shine in the Premiership despite some flack he's been getting. He'd be just right for Arsenal's style of play I think and they could snap him up for around £12 mill, but I'm not sure when his contract runs out.
 
:lol

I still made a spelling mistake.

Incidentally, for some weird reason my girlfriend has developed a liking for Senderos.
 
hadareud said:
I've always been a bid hard on Senderos, but believe me, I would have liked nothing better than for him to impress. I just don't think he has the quality to play for Arsenal, his mistakes cost us dearly this year (I am not blaming anything on him though, it's not just one player). He's a central defender of the quality of Middlesbrough's Pogatetz, I'd maybe rate his potential slightly higher, but not by much. He's slow, and worst of all, he's not the quickest thinker on the pitch. I am sure his positioning will get better with more experience, but there will always be something missing. I'd like to be wrong, but I don't think I am.
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Senderos' lack of speed/quickness has been problematic. I'm not sure if some maturity and experience is going to help mitigate that issue. I thought that playing a faster, smaller back alongside him would work, but he's had trouble with faster strikers and wings. Maybe his longterm injuries and stop-start season have hurt his level of play. Where he's really useful is on set pieces particularly on offense. That's something that Arsenal sorely need.

I reckon Aliadiere will be gone, but Bendtner should be an adequate replacement. He's been doing really well at Birmingham this year. Now if Baptista goes, we definitely need a replacement for him. I have a feeling Wenger likes Robinho, maybe that's the one he's talking about.
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Robinho to join the Brazilian revolution at Arsenal? That'd be interesting. You'd think that he'd be better suited for Spain, but Real haven't figured him out yet. Perhaps they'll give us Robinho and Baptista for Reyes. ;)

I'm very interested in seeing Bendtner play. He was on the tear for Birmingham earlier in the season, and he provides a physical presence that would help us up front. It looks like his goalscoring has tapered off a bit, though.
 
My ex really, really fancied Paul Robinson. Now I'm not gay...except for that man crush on Totti...but I can normally at least tell whether a guy's ugly, average or good looking. But Paul Robinson?! At the same time she found Beckham and Lampard unattractive.

I guess she just doesn't like good looking guys. Wait....SHIT!
 
Lakitu said:
I'd hate to play against Senderos, all he'd need to do is stare at you and you'd be down on the floor on crying.
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Yeah, he's got a great stare down. Also the amount of blood that ends up on the pitch when he plays is intimidating. :lol
a_Suiza_ht.jpg

Ok, so it's usually his own blood, but you get my point.
 
Mama Smurf said:
My ex really, really fancied Paul Robinson. Now I'm not gay...except for that man crush on Totti...but I can normally at least tell whether a guy's ugly, average or good looking. But Paul Robinson?! At the same time she found Beckham and Lampard unattractive.

I guess she just doesn't like good looking guys. Wait....SHIT!
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If I ever need to distract you, I'll just post that picture of Totti prancing around in his canary yellow unitard.
 
Mama Smurf said:
My ex really, really fancied Paul Robinson. Now I'm not gay...except for that man crush on Totti...but I can normally at least tell whether a guy's ugly, average or good looking. But Paul Robinson?! At the same time she found Beckham and Lampard unattractive.

I guess she just doesn't like good looking guys. Wait....SHIT!
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A man crush on totti!? Whatever turns you on.......... Here are a few pictures you can enjoy :P

Totti.jpg

One with his luxurious curls

Totti.jpg

A nice black and white portrait


diadora%20totti.jpg

And a topless photots
 
Reuters said:
Platini proposes playoffs for Champions League berths
By Darren Ennis
LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) - Playoff matches at the end of the season to determine the final Champions League places could be a way of cutting the numbers of berths for the bigger countries, UEFA president Michel Platini said on Wednesday. As part of his election platform, Platini -- elected last month -- said he would like to see the likes of England, Spain and Italy with only three clubs in the money-spinning competition and give smaller nations a greater chance of qualification. At present the three leagues can have up to four of their teams involved.

Under Platini's proposal, floated on Wednesday, the fourth-placed teams in the bigger leagues could face each other in end of season playoffs and so free up places for smaller leagues to take up. Another option would be for high profile teams from England, Spain and Italy to play off against teams from the smaller nations giving them the chance of an upset or at least a match for their fans to remember. "It is a question of balance and not just cutting for the sake of cutting," Platini told a briefing in London. "It shouldn't have to be all about money and television. It should be about balancing between the rights of the fourth-placed teams in England or Italy and the top teams in the Czech Republic or Denmark."

He is expected to face stiff competition from both the leagues in question and Europe's most powerful clubs. Platini will put his final proposals for the Champions League, which would come into effect for the period 2009-2012, before UEFA's new strategy committee which is expected to take office in May. If he can gain the consensus of this new body, made up of representatives from the national associations, the leagues, the clubs and players, he will push for a ratification at a full UEFA meeting in September.
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Thoughts?
 
Another option would be for high profile teams from England, Spain and Italy to play off against teams from the smaller nations giving them the chance of an upset or at least a match for their fans to remember.
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That's not another option, that's what currently happens. I wouldn't mind the other play off idea, between the top 4th placed sides.

The Totti crush came from the WC, when he took that penalty against Australia. The camera zoomed in on his eyes as he was standing there waiting to take it, and I was like "Woah". David Baddiel (a comedian for those outside the UK) had the same thing happen and in his WC podcast described it pretty perfectly. It zoomed in on him and you could see the pressure and intensity of the situation, but also his concentration and resolve. It was like an old western shoot-out.

I think it's really a crush on his eyes.
 
Interesting point from Henry regarding his injuries this season:
France Football said:
Want proof that Thierry Henry was less than fully fit for most of the 32 matches he's played this season? "Just look at the number of goals I scored with my head - four!" exclaims the man himself in an interview with France Football. "That's a sure sign. Injuries meant I spent more time waiting in the box than doing the things I normally love doing, such as sprinting, peeling off, making piercing runs and so on ... basically I was being more passive."
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Arsenal lineup:

----------------------Lehman-------------------

Hoyte-----------Silva-------Djourou----Gallas

Ljungberg----Fabregas----Denilson----Diaby

----------------Baptista-----Aliadiere----------

Wenger really does seem to see Diaby as a winger, everytime I've seen him recently he's been out there.

Really Villa couldn't face Arsenal at a better time. Toure, Eboue, Clichy, Hleb, Rosicky, Henry, Van Persie, Adebayor...
 
it looked intentional from one angle, I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt anyway because he really deserved this goal after all the injuries.
 
Diaby was excellent in the first half, he's getting stronger and stronger. Aliadiere should have had 3, Villa could have had 2. Baptista and Aliadiere are both quite poor so far, as is our defence - but what can you expect if there's a different back 4 every game?
 
I think Newcastle have the worst injury luck I've ever seen, but Arsenal's is bad.

Villa have been quite good going forwards I thought, but Arsenal have sliced through them at the back. Can't believe Aliadiere missed that header, I know you're meant to head it down, but not down at your feet.
 
League considers scrapping draws
Football League
Football League chairmen meet on Thursday
The Football League board is to consider a proposal to scrap draws and decide matches by penalty shoot-outs, BBC Five Live understands.

The idea will be discussed by Football League chairmen and chief executives at a board meeting on Thursday.

No timescale has been given for implementing the change if the chairmen go ahead with the proposal.

"Why can't we just have a draw?" Bournemouth boss Kevin Bond told the Daily Echo newspaper.

The idea was originally put forward in the recent Football League Fans Survey.

There are currently two proposals to be considered - a traditional penalty shoot-out or where a player would have eight seconds to try and score after receiving the ball on the half-way line.

"I don't agree with it because I think it's too much of a radical change," Bond added.

"I'm very open-minded and I think certain laws of the game need to move with the times but that would be too much of a drastic measure."
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WHAT?! No, never. That's not the Premiership btw, but that is, without doubt, the stupidest proposal ever. And I can't believe it came from this country and not FIFA.
 
League considers scrapping rules
Football League
Football League chairmen meet on Thursday
The Football League board is to consider a proposal to scrap rules and decide matches by whatever, BBC Five Live understands.

The idea will be discussed by Football League chairmen and chief executives at a board meeting on Thursday.

No timescale has been given for implementing the change if the chairmen go ahead with the proposal.

"Why can't we just have rules?" Bournemouth boss Kevin Bond told the Daily Echo newspaper.

The idea was originally put forward in the recent Football League Fans Survey.

There are currently two proposals to be considered - a mass brawl with the team with the last man standing winning or where players may pick the ball up and throw it into the net.

"I don't agree with it because I think it's too much of a radical change," Bond added.

"I'm very open-minded and I think certain laws of the game need to move with the times but that would be too much of a drastic measure."

The proposal follows the successful implementation of a no draws policy two years ago, in the Football League's ongoing bid to remove any enjoyment from the game.
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Shit, it's all gone wrong.
 
psycho_snake said:
Torres could be a possible signing. There has been so much talk about him leaving athletico. We could probably get him for 25-30 million, but Im not too happy about spending that much money on him. Ive barely seen him play, so Im not sure if he's good as the hype suggests. If he is as good as the press makes him sound, then he could be worth buying. And do you really think that United have a chance of signing kaka. If we put in a bid of 20 million Milan will just laugh at us. Milan would consider selling him if we put in a big opf 50 million, but there is a good chance that they would reject a bid even that big.
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I think Torres and Hargreaves are two players who are practically off in summer and both would jump at the chance to join us. Both quite similar situations actually with the main difference being Munich dont want to sell but are resigned to it anyway and Madrid kind of know he's off and will wish him well. He would have left in the summer had we bid imo, but we didnt, maybe cos of hargreaves or maybe cos we knew the asking price. so he stayed another year but bagged his lower release clause. Sounds like a compromise from both parties. I think both parties have their heart set on Utd.

Problem is can we afford one or two of them? 2nd, does Fergie even rateTorres? Reports suggest yes but we have Rossi and 4-5 strikers already. We may also get tired of chasing Hargreaves and try to find another option considering we coped ok without him. Fergie can be ruthless like that - but the two are there for the taking should we have the cash.

Torres is probably my most wanted player, he's probably faster than Ronaldo, scores amazing goals, can beat defenders with the ball and has good movement off it. Can challenge in the air and pass well too. Great striker, as close to the new Van Basten I have seen. Did you not see him at the world cup? I thought he was one of the best strikers on show.

Torres, Rooney, Ronaldo, Rossi would probably be the most exciting line up of young players in Europe. All about 20-23.

as for Kaka, I think he is on the move this summer, with all bets lying on Madrid, though I hope Barca look at him and not Cristiano. Ronaldinho will possibly take Kaka's place - so where will Kaka be going? He apparently told our Guiseppe Rossi (who is a Milan fan) that he would love to play for Man Utd - and Rossi told someone that Kaka will be leaving in summer to join a bigger and more important club.

wow. doesnt sound like something our Rossi would say, but thats the story, Kaka to Utd :D
 
Cornballer said:
Robinho to join the Brazilian revolution at Arsenal? That'd be interesting. You'd think that he'd be better suited for Spain, but Real haven't figured him out yet.
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Real hasn't figured anything out in the last four and a half years, other than squeezing two corporate logos on the front of the jersey and dumping managers on an annual basis.


Mama Smurf said:
I guess she just doesn't like good looking guys. Wait....SHIT!
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:lol

It's kinda funny that she finds Lampard unattractive but likes Paul Robinson, considering "ENGLAND'S NUMBER 1!!" is even fatter than Fat Frank (who scored in the first half against Man City BTW).


Mama Smurf said:
Shit, it's all gone wrong.
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:lol

Arsenal with a fortunate goal line clearance...Lehmann hasn't been nearly as steady on set pieces this season as he was last, though as mentioned before it's probably related to playing with a different back four every game. Whatever the case, our defense is just getting shredded...it's only a matter of time before Villa finds the net.

And the tiny Tots tied up er...whoever they're playing.

Or taken the lead...whatever.
 
Flamini on for Baptista.

We are going to lose this game.

edit:

BBC said:
2116: Meanwhile, at the City of Manchester Stadium, Chelsea skipper John Terry is limping about with what looks like an ankle injury.
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.
 
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