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[h0pper]

If you haven't checked ESPNsoccernet, check it now.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/?cc=5901

Apparently Barca are waiting for Henry to "show his hand" but Eto'o is not involved in any offer they are willing to consider. This would be bad for Arsenal. I've said this many times, losing Henry right now would not help the team, no matter how much money we get. Arsenal is very young and inexperienced right now. It's all up to Henry so I hope he decides to stay in England.

Going to Barca would seriously piss me off. They already have a few world class strikers competing for a starting position. I guess they have more money than God over there.

 

[Fowler]

UEFA report severely reprimands Liverpool fans
By Mike Collett
LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) - Liverpool supporters have been identified as the worst behaved at European matches in a report to be handed by UEFA to the British Government in Brussels on Tuesday.
The report, which has been compiled by undercover police agents from a neutral European force over the last four years, will be given by UEFA president Michel Platini to British sports minister Richard Caborn.
UEFA spokesman William Gaillard told Reuters: "The incidents involving Liverpool fans have been well known to us before the trouble at the Champions League final which involved Liverpool fans last week.
"That was just the latest example. What other set of fans steal tickets from their fellow supporters or out of the hands of children? We know what happened in Athens, and Liverpool fans were the cause of most of the trouble there.
"There have been 25 incidents involving Liverpool fans away from home since 2003 and these are in the report -- most teams' supporters do not cause any trouble at all."
Problems occurred at the Champions League final when fans with forged tickets and even without any ticket gained entry to the Olympic Stadium for the match against AC Milan, while dozens of fans with genuine tickets were refused entry.
When Liverpool fans did try to gain entry the situation threatened to escalate out of control and the Greek police fired tear gas and used batons.
Liverpool have submitted their own report to UEFA which criticises the security arrangements for the final.
Gaillard added: "You must ask yourself why at the same match, with the same conditions, there was no trouble with the Milan fans -- only the Liverpool fans."
Liverpool fans were held responsible for the disaster at the 1985 European Cup final at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels when 39 mainly Italian fans died after a wall collapsed following a charge by Liverpool fans before the match against Juventus.
The tragedy led to English clubs being banned from European competition for five years.

This is so upsetting.

 

[h0pper]

wow, that's gonna be bad. I never heard that wall collapsing thing in 1985. That is ridiculous.

 

[Lakitu]

This is so upsetting.

Just disgusting.

Read this letter published by a very popular Liverpool website to Rick Parry:

Hi Rick,

Firstly can we apologise for waking you. Thought it best to let you know that since the final in Athens the press has been slinging mud in the direction of fans, ably abetted by UEFA’s Official Gobshite William Gaillard.

Now no doubt you may think it’s enough to tell the Liverpool Echo that the club will “defend ourselves fiercely” in a comment a few days back, but even though Liverpool Football Club may still be run like a cottage shop, the world outside has changed.

We now live in a media-driven world of on-demand sports and news coverage; instant reporting and comment bounces it’s way five times around the world before Ian Cotton has changed the ribbon on his typewriter. Satellite broadcasting and the internet allows trenchant opinions to be instantly formed based on evasions, cover-ups and lies. It’s a painful lesson we learnt all too well following Hillsborough - and since those dark days the process has been sped up exponentially.

Lies don’t take holidays or weekends off, pop off home to see the missus or retire for some beauty sleep. They fester 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. And currently UEFA is being given a free reign to say what they want, when they want.

William Gaillard is a bullshitter of epic proportions - before the final he was praising Liverpool fans when questioned over the Athens security arrangements, stating there had been no specific problems in Istanbul. He even went on to say “The two groups of supporters have a tradition of good behaviour”. Weasel words from William, yet again. Post-final and we’re apparently the biggest rabble since Genghis Khan and his hoards invaded Europe for the medieval predecessor of the European Cup, and according to Gaillard the problems in Athens mirrored Istanbul.

Isn’t it time that Liverpool Football Club came out and defended the fans? They could start by pro-actively collating accounts of what went on from the fans as Manchester United did post-Lille and Roma. As it is the vacuum left by the club has had to be filled by the Football Supporters Federation:

http://www.fsf.org.uk/news/news0040-eventsinathens.html

We don’t want another measly statement to the local press, or a cosy chat with your favourite interviewer Garry Richardson on Five Live. We want you to take head on Platini’s corrupt organisation and counter everything they say, when they say it, where they say it. Point out the absolute shambles that most of the organisation of European away games and Finals stlll is: the crumbling stadiums where the steps are falling away from the ground underneath; the absence of basic toilet facilities; the lack of ticket checks; the bloody airports and their refugee camps; the overly aggressive stewarding and policing; the complete disregard for UEFA's own stadium and safety regulations.

Then there’s the officially sanctioned black market that sees so many of the tickets awarded to UEFA’s “football family” and sponsors sold far above face value. And the UEFA employees themselves, who were dumping spare tickets in Athens into the hands of cocktail waitresses and hotel porters who performed above and beyond the call of duty.

It’s not your reputation being ruined Rick, it’s ours. And the UEFA shysters are being given a free reign at present.

 

[Mama Smurf]

I'd like to see this report. UEFA do have to share the blame for not providing enough tickets in the first place and being unable to spot forgeries/create tickets harder to forge, but that doesn't mean Liverpool fans are faultless. If it was just based on one match I'd say this is ridiculous, but apparently it's a 4 year report in clubs around Europe, so I wanna see it.

I mean, are UEFA going to own up to any of the blame? Seems like both sides are trying to force it all onto the other at the moment.

 

[Lakitu]

I'd like to see this report. UEFA do have to share the blame for not providing enough tickets in the first place and being unable to spot forgeries/create tickets harder to forge, but that doesn't mean Liverpool fans are faultless. If it was just based on one match I'd say this is ridiculous, but apparently it's a 4 year report in clubs around Europe, so I wanna see it.

I mean, are UEFA going to own up to any of the blame? Seems like both sides are trying to force it all onto the other at the moment.

I'm not sticking up for some of the Liverpool fans actions. Some of them were awful, but the same could be said for many teams around Europe. Look at the derby matches in Italy where both sets of fans were at war, that was by far worse. There were several similar incidents, Sevilla - Spurs and Lille - Man Utd and both times, UEFA condemned both English teams when they were clearly at fault.

They've disgraced our name by releasing this statement and acting like all Liverpool fans are a bunch of killers.

Furthermore, Gailliard, prior to the final he said that Liverpool fans were great, and they have hardly done anything wrong. Yet after the final, he pulls the number of 25 incidents from up his arse.

This is ridiculous belittling from a now scandelous organisation with people such as Platini and Gailliard.

 

[Fowler]

I quite simply cannot fathom how UEFA can blame anyone but themselves (or the local organising committee) for admitting fans with forged tickets.

And UEFA members were dumping tickets left-right-and-centre. My friend got his from a guy that went with a European tour group... he went with his wife, but his wife didn't want to go to the match so they sold the ticket to us. The whole block of tickets the tour group acquired say "UEFA" on them. He sat a few rows away from Paolo Maldini's dad and brother. They were prime seats for the "UEFA Football Family", and they got sold to a tour group!

 

[Mama Smurf]

Well that's why I want to see the reports. I haven't noticed any particular fan trouble from Liverpool inside stadiums in the last 4 years, so I assume it must all be outside. I mean, is it 25 incidents of Liverpool fans getting drunk and shouting abuse at the police? 'Cos that wouldn't be as bad as a single incident of fans fighting in the stadium, in my view. 25 incidents doesn't really mean anything until we see how serious they were.

 

[Lakitu]

Well that's why I want to see the reports. I haven't noticed any particular fan trouble from Liverpool inside stadiums in the last 4 years, so I assume it must all be outside. I mean, is it 25 incidents of Liverpool fans getting drunk and shouting abuse at the police? 'Cos that wouldn't be as bad as a single incident of fans fighting in the stadium, in my view. 25 incidents doesn't really mean anything until we see how serious they were.

Yes probably but it still doesn't make it any less suspicious. Even if the incidents were small, its still apparently enough to deem us the worst in Europe. Why did he decline to mention these incidents before the final and claiming we were great fans? He's now just making excuses for their **** up (one of many). They've done this way too much in the past, they won't acknowledge their (part) responsibility of the incidents. They have become a shambolic organization over the years and have failed to take any initiative in providing security and proper ticket allocations. They could have avoided this mess at the final.

 

[Mama Smurf]

I doubt anything serious will come of it, these incidents are nothing compared to what got us banned from Europe last time.

I don't think UEFA would dare do it anyway, not to Premiership clubs, we're too powerful nowadays. UEFA (or even FIFA) don't have any actual god-given authority, they're only in charge because someone has to organise things and we let them. There's no legal reason a breakaway organisation (the European Football Association) couldn't come to the fore, and if the Premiership teams and the G14 (who hate UEFA) clubs were behind it, I'm sure the rest would follow. And that would be the end of UEFA.

 

[Lakitu]

Yeah you're right. But I don't think UEFA have the stones to admit they were partly responsible for the stuff going on at the final.

 

[Wes]

So I just played a friendly on FM....

 

[Mama Smurf]

Blackburn are interested in Kristofer Hæstad, the young Norwegian international. I haven't actually seen him play much, but my understanding is that he's a central midfielder in the Fabregas role. We have good central midfielder (Savage, Reid, Dunn, Tugay, Mokoena), but Savage is 32 coming up 33 and Tugay is 36 coming up 37, so we do need to look at young blood when the opportunity arises.

We almost got him last year, but Wigan got him on a year's loan instead. It didn't go well, I think he only played 2 games, but apparently he's regained his from since he returned to Norway. He's definitely a talent, United scouted him at one point, just need to see if he can make it in the Premiership. It could just have been a Mascherano situation, seemed useless at West Ham, went to Liverpool and turned out awesome.

 

[Mama Smurf]

I could be wrong on him being like Fabregas by the way, I haven't really seen him play, it's just the impression I got. I just read an article that had a throwaway line calling him a "terrier" though, which might suggest he's more in the Savage/Sissoko role.

 

[hadareud]

Reading all this transfer talk makes me want to sum up the Arsenal rumours:

Arsenal are apparently selling half their squad, manager is gone too. We're not getting in anyone.

 

[psycho_snake]

Anelka is holding talks with bolton to discuss his future after united showed interest in him. He said that he would like to stay at bolton, but he also said that turning down manchester united would be too difficult to do.

I really dont know if anelka would be a good buy. When he first joined arsenal, he looked like he would become the best player in the premiership. He was at a good club and he was with the right man to make him develop. Now you cant blame arsenal for selling him because it was a huge offer, but its probably the worst thing that could have happened to him. Analka's one of those players who needs a manager that can put his head right and keep him focused. Had he stayed at arsenal then i think he would have properly matured and turned into a class act, but ever since he left arsenal there hasnt been a manager thats cared for him, or atleast given him the same kind of treatment wenger surely did.

The problem with signing anelka is that you dont really know whats going on inside his head,but at the same time i think that if someone can get his head right, then he's an excellent asset. Make him happy and keep him focused and then you'll have an excellent player. If anyone can get the best from a player, its fergie. I think anelka would be happy if he got to play with a big club again and I think we'll see a different man on and off the pitch. he'll be happy to be playing for a big club and I think he will know that he;s been given a big chance, so he wont **** up. fergie would also make sure that he keeps on track. If he's happy, anelka could be a huge asset.

 

[Mama Smurf]

If Saviola wants to come, just get him. He's free, younger, at least as talented...the only reason I'd go for Anelka instead is if Saviola chooses another side, Valencia or something.

We won't find out about Saviola for a couple of weeks though, when the Spanish season ends.

Why is it finishing so much later in Spain btw? Everyone else finished ages ago, I'd have thought Spain would want to finish as early as possible, it's much hotter there than it is Germany or England, and even we don't want to play into mid-June.

 

[Cornballer]

So 'Le Sulk' is looking for his 9th club since 1996. Anelka has played at a lot of different places, and sooner or later something always comes up and he wants to leave. IIRC, Arsenal didn't want to let him go, but he kept on bitching about it until the Real transfer went through. Plus it was probably too much money to turn down, as well.

 

[psycho_snake]

I believe that anelka just needs a good manager to keep his head level. Wenger was perfect, but it was too much money to turn down and I think there was external influences like his agent who kept pushing for the transfer.

 

[Mama Smurf]

Anelka's goalscoring record isn't that brillaint anyway. I mean, it's fine, but nothign special. He's scored exactly 1 in 3 goals (normally I round it up or down, but nope, he's dead on 1 in 3) in his career, which means if he played all 38 Premiership matches he'd get 12 or 13 goals on average, and I think United already have the strikers who could do that.

He's kind of living off a pretty good start at Arsenal (although even then he was only on 1 in 2.8) and one really good year at Man City where he got 17 Premiership goals. We can't even really say he'd do better at a big club with better supply, he barely did better than his average at Arsenal, he scored 2 in 19 at Madrid and 4 in 20 at Liverpool.

In conclusion...don't buy Anelka even if Saviola picks elsewhere.

 

[Ronok]

I really dont know if anelka would be a good buy. When he first joined arsenal, he looked like he would become the best player in the premiership. He was at a good club and he was with the right man to make him develop. Now you cant blame arsenal for selling him because it was a huge offer, but its probably the worst thing that could have happened to him. Analka's one of those players who needs a manager that can put his head right and keep him focused. Had he stayed at arsenal then i think he would have properly matured and turned into a class act, but ever since he left arsenal there hasnt been a manager thats cared for him, or atleast given him the same kind of treatment wenger surely did.

You make it sound like Arsenal really wanted to sell him. He wanted to leave Arsenal as far as I'm aware. :-/

 

[Mama Smurf]

Viduka's probably gonna end up at Newcastle or Portsmouth on a free, but United should go for him over Anelka.

I know he's 31 now, but in every other way he's better than Anelka. He scored 14 Premiership goals last season (no penalties), Anelka got 11 (again, no penalties), despite playing for a worse club. He's free, rather than £8m, his wage demands are likely to be lower, he doesn't have an attitude problem or the imability to sit still for 5 minutes, and his career average is 1 goal every 2 games, much better than Anelka's 1 in 3.

Man, Anelka sucks.

 

[MrPing1000]

We don't need a striker. Rossi is back.

 

[Hooker]

Viduka better? Come on now!


Viduka can't play for 90 minutes, and won't win you a game with his brilliance.

 

[Shinobi]

3 is really not great either, that's quite poor actually. Our entire English squad has signed up though!

:lol After the sour puss English players of previous years, we only deal with classy English stock now. Good to see my boy Theo is on that list, despite only getting this level of money for like 16 months. And of course Henry is on the list (guess the Arsenal list will be down to two since he's going to Barca/Inter/****ing Napoli). Shame so many others turned it down, but most if not all players have their own causes they contribute to, many of which go unseen and unheard.

I mean, are UEFA going to own up to any of the blame?

Have they ever?

English teams have always been the easy scapegoat in such matters, and it's really gotten hold. I imagine if the Liverpool/Nottingham Forest FA Cup tie in '89 that saw 96 fans crushed to death had been run by UEFA, they would've blamed the scousers. It's just pathetic.

And UEFA members were dumping tickets left-right-and-centre. My friend got his from a guy that went with a European tour group... he went with his wife, but his wife didn't want to go to the match so they sold the ticket to us. The whole block of tickets the tour group acquired say "UEFA" on them. He sat a few rows away from Paolo Maldini's dad and brother. They were prime seats for the "UEFA Football Family", and they got sold to a tour group!

Perfect example...happened at the World Cup as well with the FIFA knob heads, and I think they only reason they nailed that one sacrificial lamb for it was because the media found out about it. **** 'em both.

I don't think UEFA would dare do it anyway, not to Premiership clubs, we're too powerful nowadays. UEFA (or even FIFA) don't have any actual god-given authority, they're only in charge because someone has to organise things and we let them. There's no legal reason a breakaway organisation (the European Football Association) couldn't come to the fore, and if the Premiership teams and the G14 (who hate UEFA) clubs were behind it, I'm sure the rest would follow. And that would be the end of UEFA.

The one reason why I secretly wish for a G14 league to start up, is to see UEFA get ****ed right up the ass. Because it's what they deserve.

Reading all this transfer talk makes me want to sum up the Arsenal rumours:

Arsenal are apparently selling half their squad, manager is gone too. We're not getting in anyone.

We're selling our stadium too...we're gonna move in with Charlton, since they'll need the income boost.

Viduka's probably gonna end up at Newcastle or Portsmouth on a free, but United should go for him over Anelka.

I know he's 31 now, but in every other way he's better than Anelka. He scored 14 Premiership goals last season (no penalties), Anelka got 11 (again, no penalties), despite playing for a worse club. He's free, rather than £8m, his wage demands are likely to be lower, he doesn't have an attitude problem or the imability to sit still for 5 minutes, and his career average is 1 goal every 2 games, much better than Anelka's 1 in 3.

Man, Anelka sucks.

:lol To be fair to him, he did score a fantastic goal for France yesterday. Ribery got on the scoresheet as well, a player who could join Arsenal just in time to see half the ****ing squad bolting the other way.

Was able to get into the Toronto FC game yesterday (20 minutes late, which meant I missed the best goal they've scored to date), and they were able to beat Arsenal America (aka Colorado Rapids) 2-1, which (I believe) gives them a 3-1-1 home record. The fans were as boisterous as ever, though they cleared the language up a bit since some people in the supporters groups on various forums thought it had gotten a little too saucy with all the kids and families in attendance. Didn't prevent the classic "bullshit" chant when a red card was handed out though. :lol

 

[Shinobi]

On a somewhat related subject, ickets for David Beckham's MLS debut in Toronto are apparantely selling anywhere for $500 to a grand in Canadian dollars (so roughly 250 to 500 pounds). But there's been some recent insinuation that Beckham might stay in Europe for one more year on a loan, which would make those scalper buyers some of the biggest suckers of the year. Fortunately for those people, Beckham has ruled out such a move.

David Beckham Claims He Wont Be Returning To European Football - MLS Last Stop For Becks
Submitted by Angel Fernandes on Sun, 2007-06-03 14:01.

Former England skipper David Beckham slashed out at rumours that he could switch back again to Europe and has declared that his move from Spanish giants Real Madrid to LA Galaxy will in no way cause any undesirable conditions to his international career.

The 32-year old former Three Lions skipper has forced his way back into England’s squad after being in excellent form for the Spanish giants Real Madrid.

England boss McClaren, who had axed him from the squad earlier after taking over the England teams reins from Sven-Goran Eriksson, recalled him after noticing his much improved performance.

However many feel that his move to the MLS will leave the talismatic mid fielder less competent to fight his place in the top level and believe that he will return to European football during winter when the MLS season ends.

Newcastle are believed to have shown keen interest in getting hold of the former Manchester United star but Beckham says that there’s no chance of his comeback to European football.

"Will I be coming back somewhere on loan? No," he said. "That is never going to happen."
He stays adamant that his switch over to LA Galaxy will have no effects on his international career.

"Will playing in America have an adverse effect on my England chances? I hope not.

"Physically, I will be fine. I will still be as good as I am today. That is not going to be a problem.

"Travelling is not going to be a problem, because I will travel from anywhere to play for my country, so we will see.

"I haven't worked out schedules, but I am sure it can be done nearer the time.

"Everyone at LA Galaxy knows that I want to play for my country and I am sure they will do everything possible to make it possible for me to play for my country."

http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/david-beckham-claims-he-wont-be-returnin-553035.html

I imagine Beckham has an idea of what the average MLS crowd is like. But he's gonna be stunned when he visits our place. We'll probably give him the biggest cheer of the season, then boo his ass the rest of the way. :l

 

[hadareud]

I'm sure that Anelka, while not the most likeable character, would do fine at a big club.

We're selling our stadium too...we're gonna move in with Charlton, since they'll need the income boost.

times aren't easy for us. The round up of daily rumours cheered me up a bit though: http://arsenal-mania.com/?page=articles&article=3104143&from=rss&title=

 

[Mama Smurf]

Viduka can't play for 90 minutes, and won't win you a game with his brilliance.

I actually have seen Viduka win games with his brilliance, but it's not really what United need. They have the brilliant players, they need a striker who will regularly put the ball in the back of the net. And Viduka does it more than Anelka does, and won't cost anything.

 

[Shinobi]

times aren't easy for us. The round up of daily rumours cheered me up a bit though: http://arsenal-mania.com/?page=articles&article=3104143&from=rss&title=

:lol

 

[hadareud]

"I am never certain of being number one keeper at Arsenal, but provided I am fit and have no distractions in my private life, the other keepers cannot hold a candle to me in terms of my experience and ability," Lehmann is quoted as saying in the Sunday Mirror.

:lol

it's getting better. I <3 Mad Jens

 

[Steroyd]

Oh yeah I meant to make a post about this this morning 10 hours ago but for some reason i forgot until now.

I nearly spit my cereal this morning when i read this.

LAY OFF LAMPS
EURO 2008: MAKE OR BREAK FOR MAC: ESTONIA v ENGLAND PREVIEW I thought he answered the critics with his performance Says STEVE McCLAREN

Steve Stammers 03/06/2007

STEVE McCLAREN has insisted that Frank Lampard can handle his unwanted status as the hate figure for the England fans.

And Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp described the abuse the Chelsea midfielder suffered at Wembley on Friday as "a joke".

England coach McClaren is certain Lampard will play a key role in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifying clash in Estonia on Wednesday.
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!

Lampard was jeered by large sections of the Wembley crowd on Friday even before a ball was kicked against Brazil. And when he was substituted in the second half there was more abuse.

McClaren was at a loss to explain why Lampard has been victimised. "Why he got that reception, I do not know," he said. "But I thought he answered a lot with his performance.

"And that is typical Frank. It is what you do on the pitch that counts."

McClaren made it clear that he will stick by the central midfield axis of Lampard and Liverpool's Steve Gerrard in Tallinn.

Defeat by the unrated team from the shores of the Baltic Sea would make Mc-Claren's position close to untenable. And for the game that could decide his future, he will keep faith with Gerrard and Lampard.

McClaren said: "I said before the game that the key jobs were those of the two of them. If they did what they had to do and did it well we would have a very good platform. I thought they were exceptional in doing that. Many people have questioned whether they can play together but they have only lost one game when they have been in the same side.

"They showed great discipline against Brazil. That for me was the platform. They protected the back four, they fed further forward and it was a good performance from both of them."

Redknapp, who gave Lampard his league debut at West Ham, was appalled to hear about his nephew's experience.

"I can only think it is jealousy," said Redknapp. "What other reason can there be? But Frank is a strong character.

"He has had to put up with stick before and it hasn't affected him and I am sure that will be the same this time.

"Can someone tell me why he was picked on like that ? For me, he is the perfect role model.

"He is not a hooligan, he doesn't go around stamping on people, he works hard in training - just ask Jose Mourinho - and he scored, what was it, 22 goals from midfield.

"I would settle for a centre forward who could do that for me, never mind a midfield player!

"I just cannot understand why he has been singled out. It is beyond me. He is the type of person that any parent would be proud to call his son.

"He is a proper, proper good lad. He is never in any trouble and for me sets the perfect example. It is a joke."

'For all the hullabaloo about Beckham and the new Wembley, the Brazil game exposed England's weaknesses'

This is what i REALLY don't like about MacLaren he seems to be completely oblivious to what goes on, on the pitch i think it was the match against Andorra or that time we lost to Croatia(?) where he thought England played really well where everyone and their mother's dog who watched the frikken match on the TV saw England play crap.

I find this a real concern.

 

[h0pper]

All of this speculation is sickening. Why don't we just wait it out and see what happens instead of jumping to conclusions and bashing each other's clubs?

 

[hadareud]

All of this speculation is sickening. Why don't we just wait it out and see what happens instead of jumping to conclusions and bashing each other's clubs?

noble thoughts, but I do like bashing other clubs ...

 

[Lakitu]

noble thoughts, but I do like bashing other clubs ...

You and Arsenal lick cajones.

Edit: It is fun!

 

[Mama Smurf]

Have we been bashing each other's teams particularly?

 

[hadareud]

Have we been bashing each other's teams particularly?

not yet. but there's no reason to not start now

You and Arsenal lick cajones.

Edit: It is fun!

Yesterday, when I saw all these potential Liverpool lineups for next year I thought to myself:

which of these lineups will it be that doesn't win the league next year?

edit: you're right, it is fun!

 

[h0pper]

lol, maybe I should have just kept quiet.

 

[Mama Smurf]

Apparently Joey Barton will sign for Newcastle tomorrow, so long as Parker's move to West Ham goes through.

Allardyce is being linked to a crapload of cheap defenders, suggesting that he wants to spend more on Newcastle's forward players. That's not really a problem so long as he gets the right guys at the back, it's perfectly possible. For example, he could get both Sol Campbell and Ben Haim on free transfers and that's a really good centre back pairing for nothing.

He's also been linked to Viduka up front on a free though, which I would think would complete their strikers so long as Owen stays (Owen, Martins, Viduka, Ameobi). So I'm thinking maybe he wants to spend the majority of his budget on a defensive midfielder (as they'll pretty much have Butt left if Parker goes) and possibly a right winger...maybe left.

This is all assuming he doesn't get a massive cash injection from that potential takeover.

 

[hadareud]

will be interesting who he goes for in defensive midfield actually - Butt is a nice backup to have, but not somebody to rely on if you want to go up in the league.

They need absolute quality there

 

[Shinobi]

McClaren was at a loss to explain why Lampard has been victimised. "Why he got that reception, I do not know," he said. "But I thought he answered a lot with his performance.

"And that is typical Frank. It is what you do on the pitch that counts."

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

 

[Mama Smurf]

Even as a supporter of Lampard, I thought he had a crap game.

 

[jamesinclair]

Went to watch Parana-Sao Paulo today.

Rogerio Ceni, the Sao Paulo goalie scored on a penalty kick. He has the record for goalie with most goals. He was with Brazil in the past world cups, in Germany he only played against Japan.

Final result 0-1, Parana will be issuing an official complaint because of the penalty given (wrongly) and goal annuled (wrongly).

Were still in 2nd though, so thats cool.

My first time in this stadium, which was home to 1950 world cup games, and I didnt like it much. Capacity 20,000, 10,000 at this game. Tiocket price 10USD for where I was, 3USD being the cheapest.

Oh well, now Ive been to 3/5 stadiums in the city.

Pregame

Rogerio Ceni

 

[Ronok]

After finding out that I hadn't noticed tickets for the emirates cup had gone on general sale I quickly purchased two tickets in the best block still available to purchase 2 tickets in...... If I wanted to sit alone I could have got better seats but these will do me just fine. It will unfortunately be my first trip to the Emirates and I'm actually really excited.

Arsenal vs Inter here I come!

Oh and PSG vs Hamburg........... ^^;

 

[Shinobi]

20,000 is the capacity of Toronto's digs. Some feel they should've added another 5000 seats, but I reckon it's at the perfect number. You wanna have demand outstripping supply, instead of the other way round. And 3000 empty seats wouldn't look nearly as good then a full 20,000. Anyway, I doubt TFC sells out for all eternity, but 15,000 plus (minimum) for the next five to ten years looks like a pretty good bet, depending on how well the team does.

I was reading the Wikipedia entry for the Hillsborough disaster, and man is it ever tough to read. I only remember flashes of the video I saw back in April of '89 (two and a half months before I moved here), and it was one of the most gut wrenching things I'd ever seen.

Anyway, I found this part interesting...

There was considerable debate over some aspects of the disaster; in particular, attention was focused on the decision to open the secondary gates. It was suggested that it would have been better to delay the start of the match as had often been done at other venues and matches. In defence the police claimed that they were concerned that the crush outside the stadium was getting out of control and accusations were made that some Liverpool fans did not have tickets and were trying to force the turnstiles. Other accusations of misbehaviour were made in relation to the crowd. However, no substantial evidence was presented to support any of these claims, with Lord Justice Taylor making particular effort to refute them in his final report. At the enquiry, prosecutor Alun Jones QC told the court that Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield gave the order to open gates that allowed hundreds of fans to flood on to the already crowded terraces at the Sheffield Wednesday stadium. But minutes after the disaster, in which 89 fans were crushed to death, he "deceitfully and dishonestly" told senior FA officials that the supporters had forced the gate open themselves, Mr Jones said.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillsborough_disaster

It'll be interesting to see if this UEFA report has any real proof, or if it's just a bunch of bullshit thrown onto some paper.

I can barely look at the pics on that page BTW. They're not graphic by any means, but seeing the long shot of that mass of humanity getting crushed and the ridiculous aftermath shot of the Leppings Lane end gives my body a psychological feeling of getting crushed, something that I remember taking place way back in April of '89.

I also remember the Bradford City fire in 1985 that took 56 lives. And then the Heysel disaster followed two weeks later, where 39 people died (another situation that UEFA completely ****ed up). Christ...those were some dark, dark days in English football.

 

[h0pper]

Arsenal vs. Inter, two clubs I love. Can't wait to see that one.

 

[DCharlie]

"Why he got that reception, I do not know," he said. "But I thought he answered a lot with his performance.

Quality analysis from a quality manager.

Jesus, he maybe nearly dead, but lets just bring back Bobby Robson to get us out of this shit.

 

[Blablurn]

BILD.de is reporting that Ribery is coming to Bayern. For 25 Million €.

 

[psycho_snake]

You make it sound like Arsenal really wanted to sell him. He wanted to leave Arsenal as far as I'm aware. :-/

I couldnt remember what hapened properly, so I looked on wikipedia to refresh my memory it sounds like you are right, he wanted to leave.

Anelka would be worth getting if we cant get saviola and if we can get anelka for relatively cheap, around £5 million pounds or so. I think he would do just fine. I dont think anyone is expecting him to show world class quality, but I think he'd do a good enough job.

 

[hadareud]

rumours:

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Joey Barton will seal his £5.5m move to Newcastle as soon as Magpies skipper Scott Parker completes his £8m switch to West Ham. (Various)

Barton will speak with Newcastle and West Ham this week after both clubs made £5.5m bids for the fiery star. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle have insisted on a contract clause in Barton's contract to protect the club if he is jailed over the incident with Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo. (The Sun)

David Beckham has no intention of trying to escape from his £125m LA Galaxy deal in order to prolong his England career. (Daily Star)

West Ham are looking to tempt Everton striker Andy Johnson away from Goodison in an £13m deal plus the promise of £90,000-a-week wages. (Daily Mail)

Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka said he would not be able to turn down a potential move to Manchester United. (Various)

Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between Real Madrid and Barcelona. (The Sun)

Arsenal are close to signing Auxerre right-back Bakari Sagna for £6m. (The Sun)

West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas has revealed that Aston Villa have joined the race to sign him. (Daily Mail)

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has been told he will have to pay £9m for Jason Koumas and West Brom team-mate Diomansy Kamara. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield Wednesday are poised to cash in on Chris Brunt by selling him to Wigan for £2m. (Daily Express)

Wigan are understood to have agreed a deal to sign Titus Bramble on a free transfer. (The Times)

West Ham are looking for a reserve keeper after releasing Roy Carroll. (The Times)

Bolton boss Sammy Lee opened talks with Antoine Sibierski in a bid to pinch him from under the noses of Wigan. (Daily Mirror)

Coventry boss Iain Dowie is set to snap up left-back Gary Borrowdale from Crystal Palace. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane wants to make a £2m bid for West Brom skipper Paul Robinson. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce spent the weekend in Cardiff trying to tie up a deal for Czech Republic centre-half David Rozehnal. (Daily Mirror)

Leicester boss Martin Allen has joined the £1m chase for Marek Saganowski. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are turning to Portugal defender Jose Bosingwa as they prepare for life without Pascal Chimbonda. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

If England fail to make it to the finals of Euro 2008 it will cost the Football Association £40m. (The Sun)

It gets even worse, with estimates of lost revenue and renegotiating TV deals meaning it could mean missing out on £60m. (Daily Star)

The FA has launched an investigation into major security lapses which could have threatened the safety of England players at Wembley. (Daily Star)

Micky Adams wants to take over as manager of MK Dons. (Daily Mail, Daily Mirror)

AND FINALLY

Keith Hackett, the head of referees, says the outstanding form of Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba is largely because they have stopped diving. (The Guardian)

Alcoholic sponsors will be taken off the front of children's replica shirts in a bid to help combat underage drinking. (Daily Star)

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/6717771.stm

Published: 2007/06/04 05:57:21 GMT

 

[hadareud]

Arsenal winger José Antonio Reyes will most likely return to his former club Sevilla, despite a number of offers from other clubs.

Reyes made his name at Sevilla, scoring 22 goals in 86 games.

His agent Jesus Rodriguez de Moya said: "It's clear that Sevilla is an excellent option, but I do not know what is going to happen.

"He has several offers from Spanish clubs and one from abroad, but it's clear that he would like to return to Sevilla."