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Official Football Thread 2006/2007 (Soccer)

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Malouda and Saviola would be enough for me personally, I think that would definitely send out a signal.

Wenger will definitely sign a few youngsters, but I guess we need one big name signing, not quality wise, but to show the clubs ambition.
 
This would be my Arsenal squad, but bear in mind I'm not saying a player has to be in the position I'm sticking them, Rosicky could play across the entire midfield for example. Likewise, while I'll roughly put them in order of who I'd play, I'm not always sure between a couple of players (like Diaby and Denilson).

GK

Lehman
Fabianski
Almunia

RB

Sagna
Hoyte

LB

Clichy
Traore

CB

K Toure
Gallas
Djourou
Senderos

RW

Rosicky
Eboue

LW

Malouda
Hleb

DCM

Y Toure
Gilberto Silva
Denilson
Diaby

ACM

Fabregas
Merida

FW

Henry
Van Persie
Saviola
Walcott
Adebayor
Bendtner

I could switch that and make Hleb an attacking central midfielder and Walcott a left winger to make the numbers more even, but it doesn't really matter, Wenger would have them at his disposal in all their positions, I just can't be bothered writing the lot out.

Then next year, or maybe in January if the money's there, I'd work on better centre back and left back cover.
 
Shinobi said:
To be honest I'd rather see someone speak honestly then try to sell us a bill of goods with the usual media speak.

We finished what, 26 points behind Man United? After finishing some 24 points back of Chelsea the year before. The fact is, we're not good enough.

Henry wants to win. He might sound a little mopey, and he might talk a little too much about the Dein situation (though for me it does reveal just how important Dein was at the club), but I can't fault a guy for wearing his heart on his sleeve. To me it shows he gives a shit.
Click to expand...

I'd be surprised if our points differential would have been much more than 10 or 12 points would our team have stayed free of injury. He was out for most of the season himself. What about players like Gallas, Clichy, Henry, Van Persie, Rosicky, Walcott, Diaby all being out for substantial periods?

You have to ask yourself: which players would really push us forward substantially, which players would be really worth 20 million because they are so much better than what we currently got? And then we have to see which of them is actually available.

We probably can improve on the wings, sure. But I for one am glad that we didn't land Ribery, as I doubt he's much better than Hleb, if at all. For the money that's being asked for those guys, it's not worth it. I don't know what other right wingers of real quality are even available at the moment.

I'd like to see Malouda, but is he going to be a lot better than Rosicky? Doubtful, since I think Rosicky will probably be our biggest players next season if he can stay injury free.
Centrally we have the the best the premiership has to offer with Fabregas, Gilberto, Diaby and Denilson. Backup players like Rosicky and Hleb for the playmaker position don't hurt either.

Up front we have Henry and Van Persie, for me they are the strongest striker pair in the Premiership without a shadow of a doubt. Backup from Adebayor, Walcott and Bendtner is decent.

Our defence is potentially the most talented in the Premiership too, I'd have liked to see somebody come in for Eboue but that ship has probably sailed.

With Lehmann and his new backup we have a very good goalkeeping section too.

I'm not saying that there's no way to improve, but blindly throwing money at a problem that doesn't exist won't help. Wenger will buy the right players, not overpriced names that disappoint.

I have complete trust in Wenger and I have complete trust in a board that has promised funds and has never lied in the past. The club will make the right decisions, just like they did in the past.

There's no need for doom and gloom, we will challenge for the title next season if we stay injury free.
 
Falch said:
vandammecrazy.gif
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Beasley is a bargain at that price. PSV must have really wanted to get rid of him. He's playing well these days (I saw him play last Thursday), and I'm glad he's going somewhere he'll get some playing time.
 
hadareud said:
Centrally we have the the best the premiership has to offer with Fabregas, Gilberto, Diaby and Denilson.
Click to expand...
Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Sissoko is a better central midfield squad than that. Plus if Lucas turns out to be any good then even better. Maybe yours will be better in a few years if diaby and denilson develop as they should, but not at the moment.

Also I would argue that Essien, Makelele, Lampard and Mikel are at least as good as your lot.
 
Cornballer said:
Beasley is a bargain at that price. PSV must have really wanted to get rid of him. He's playing well these days (I saw him play last Thursday), and I'm glad he's going somewhere he'll get some playing time.
Click to expand...

With all due respect, but playing well for the US against teams like Guatemala and China is something different than playing the CL.

I'm just glad we're selling him since we've got better strikers: Farfan, Kone, Lazovic and (soon) Perez.

Stevie Gerrard said:
Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Sissoko is a better central midfield squad than that. Plus if Lucas turns out to be any good then even better. Maybe yours will be better in a few years if diaby and denilson develop as they should, but not at the moment.

Also I would argue that Essien, Makelele, Lampard and Mikel are at least as good as your lot.
Click to expand...

I agree, both Liverpool and Chelsea's midfields are at least as good as Arsenal's. And believe me, that Lucas guy will not disappoint. He's one of Brazil brightest prospects.
 
You guys are talking about Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, but if I was import a central midfield to Blackburn to replace our guys, I'd take United's over anyone else's. Scholes, Hargreaves, Anderson, Carrick.
 
Falch said:
With all due respect, but playing well for the US against teams like Guatemala and China is something different than playing the CL.
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I agree completely, but he also played well against a few Premiership teams (including Arsenal) before he finished his loan to Man City. The confidence is back, and that makes him a dangerous player. (Not a world-beater, but he'll be useful to Rangers.)
 
Cornballer said:
I agree completely, but he also played well against a few Premiership teams (including Arsenal) before he finished his loan to Man City. The confidence is back, and that makes him a dangerous player. (Not a world-beater, but he'll be useful to Rangers.)
Click to expand...

Definitely agree with you there. The spark just wasn't there for Beasley anymore, at PSV. Not a big deal, just time to move on. I'm sure he'll be useful for Rangers.
 
Falch said:
Definitely agree with you there. The spark just wasn't there for Beasley anymore, at PSV. Not a big deal, just time to move on. I'm sure he'll be useful for Rangers.
Click to expand...
In any case, it's a move that we're all happy about, so I'm glad it worked out that way. :)

Conspiracy theorists unite! Check this out, courtesy of Arseblog:

The old picture of the Arsenal players at the tube station
The new picture of the Arsenal players at the tube station

So Arsenal.com removed the "Way Out" sign? What the hell?
 
Mama Smurf said:
You guys are talking about Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, but if I was import a central midfield to Blackburn to replace our guys, I'd take United's over anyone else's. Scholes, Hargreaves, Anderson, Carrick.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't. Scholes is getting to a certain age now, although he was outstanding last season.

I would take nearly everyone of the top 4 over Carrick.

Cornballer said:
In any case, it's a move that we're all happy about, so I'm glad it worked out that way. :)

Conspiracy theorists unite! Check this out, courtesy of Arseblog:

The old picture of the Arsenal players at the tube station
The new picture of the Arsenal players at the tube station

So Arsenal.com removed the "Way Out" sign? What the hell?
Click to expand...
:lol
 
The potential for our central midfield is off the charts. Fabregas is already one of the best central midfielders on the planet, Diaby looks like Vieria reborn, and Denilson might have the most raw talent of the three. And we've still got Fran Merida waiting in the wings...sheesh.

As far as Malouda goes, I think he would just give us more width on the left, along with more fluency on left-sided attacks.

Something I said for a while is that when Rosicky runs the baldown the left, he invariably has to cut back or inside to get it on his left foot, giving the defense more time to set up in the penalty box. With a left footer like Malouda, that wouldn't be neccessary...he could run it down and cross it in instantly. And since Malouda can use his right foot (apparantely most of his goals have been scored with his right), he still presents the threat of cutting in and either shooting or making a far post cross.

As it currently stands I think Arsenal plays a little too narrow. I think Malouda could help open up the field and just give us some more options...give a bit more space for Fabregas to operate in.

The one thing I've never worried about is another striker...we've got enough quality already. We can't buy someone like say, Torres and expect either him, Persie or Adebayor to sit on the bench for weeks at a time.
 
I certainly think on our day our midfield is as good as anyone else's...Cesc pulling the strings and Gil being the invisible wall. But when Silva starts giving the ball away, you start to notice him more...negatively so.

Essien however, has to be the best central midfielder in England in terms of work rate...he's a monster, and i'd have liked to see him go up against Viera in his prime.

As for signings, i still say Babel over Malouda.Yonger,faster and cheaper too apparently...his pace should suite our system very well.
 
Shinobi said:
As it currently stands I think Arsenal plays a little too narrow. I think Malouda could help open up the field and just give us some more options...give a bit more space for Fabregas to operate in.
Click to expand...
Definitely. There are too many players that Wenger slots out 'wide' but are probably better suited to playing down the middle (Rosicky and Hleb come to mind.) It'd be nice to have someone that can really work the sideline, put in crosses, etc....
 
hadareud said:
I wouldn't. Scholes is getting to a certain age now, although he was outstanding last season.
Click to expand...

Well if we're talking about potential I'd have to think about it again, but just on who I'd want next season it'd be...United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal.
 
Some of Arsenal's best LM in recent memory were right footed...Pires and Overmars anyone?

But i see your point.As far as strikers go, that's why i hope Wenger won't splash out on players like Torres, but go for someone like Huntelaar, who doesn't quite have that super star billing, but is just as promising IMO.
 
velvet_nitemare said:
I certainly think on our day our midfield is as good as anyone else's...Cesc pulling the strings and Gil being the invisible wall. But when Silva starts giving the ball away, you start to notice him more...negatively so.

Essien however, has to be the best central midfielder in England in terms of work rate...he's a monster, and i'd have liked to see him go up against Viera in his prime.

As for signings, i still say Babel over Malouda.Yonger,faster and cheaper too apparently...his pace should suite our system very well.
Click to expand...

You'd take Babel over Malouda? Are you crazy? ;) No really, Babel is crap, he's barely good enough for Ajax. But I've talked about that in this thread a lot already. I'm probably seen as some Babel hater. :lol
 
I don't want to send h0pper into another pit of despair though...well, not right now...so I'll just add that I'd take Arsenal's forwards over any of the other top 4.
 
Falch said:
You'd take Babel over Malouda? Are you crazy? ;) No really, Babel is crap, he's barely good enough for Ajax. But I've talked about that in this thread a lot already. I'm probably seen as some Babel hater. :lol
Click to expand...
You just don't like anyone who's name starts with a "B". :D
 
Arsenal's central midfield doesn't have the goal scoring record of the other three...I think that's where we lose out. Though again, if Arsenal can get a natural winger to open up the field a bit, I think that would help the midfield get a few more goals.


velvet_nitemare said:
Some of Arsenal's best LM in recent memory were right footed...Pires and Overmars anyone?
Click to expand...

Yeah, but back then we were playing 4-4-2, had Henry drifing out wide, Cole galloping on the left and an in prime Ljunberg and Lauren out on the right. We had width for days. That simply hasn't been the case the last couple of years. Rosicky just isn't suited to playing out wide on the left, and I can't see Hleb doing that job for us either.
 
Falch said:
You'd take Babel over Malouda? Are you crazy? ;) No really, Babel is crap, he's barely good enough for Ajax. But I've talked about that in this thread a lot already. I'm probably seen as some Babel hater. :lol
Click to expand...

Maybe i've seen too many highlight reels then...i see ur a PSV fan,so you'd know more about Eredivisie players than me.
 
Cornballer said:
You just don't like anyone who's name starts with a "B". :D
Click to expand...


Haha, seems that way. Didn't like Michael Ball either. :lol

velvet_nightmare said:
Maybe i've seen too many highlight reels then...i see ur a PSV fan,so you'd know more about Eredivisie players than me.
Click to expand...

Yeah, those compilations can make Beasley look like a good player. I mean...Bramble.:lol

EDIT: and ofcourse Babel. =)
 
Here are a couple pics from my trip down to LA for the Gold Cup. These are at the Home Depot Center where the LA Galaxy play. It's also the location of the US National Training center. I'll just post some pics of the stadium and spare you the endless drunken photos of my friends and me.

541703624_c2cac0dc25.jpg

The view from our seats just before the US kicked off against Guatemala. We were very happy with the location - two rows up near the midfield. The only problem was that tactically it was a little tough viewing the action on the far side of the field, but it was nice and close. The Gold Cup tickets were very reasonably priced, as well. We paid $70 for both days, and each day was a doubleheader featuring two games. 4 matches for $70 - not so bad!

541704430_bb1c382dee.jpg

Another view from our seats during the T&T game. This is Frankie Simek (Sheffield Wednesday right back) over the ball for the US.

541807241_2ad1ac7e5d.jpg

Here's a view from a little higher up after we went to get some tacos. This is a cross played in to Twellman in the T&T penalty area.

The stadium is very well put together - sightlines are great from just about everywhere.
 
seems like a nice little stadium
Mama Smurf said:
Have we played the "pick your squad from the top 4" game? I can't remember.
Click to expand...

nobody reponded :(

start it up again Mama, people trust you more than me.

Actually, 4 people responded. But that's not enough, statistically.
 
hadareud said:
nobody reponded :(

start it up again Mama, people trust you more than me.

Actually, 4 people responded. But that's not enough, statistically.
Click to expand...

I think it was just a bit restrictive. I'm thinking these rules instead: 24 man squad, 2 players for each position (so 2 left backs, 4 centre backs etc) except goalkeeper when it's 3 and then an extra man for that position where you just can't decide. Or even just an extra all rounder if you like. No limits to the number of players from each team, you could do an entire Arsenal squad if you like (but don't).

Oh and put them in order, so the better player in that position (in your view) is above the second choice.
 
velvet_nitemare said:
I've been in LA 3 years now, and i've never been to the Home Depot center...maybe if Barca come down this summer....hopefully they play Milan here, not Chelsea.
Click to expand...
You should check it out sometime - it's a nice setup. Oh, and Chelsea are playing up here this summer (in Palo Alto) and I'm not going - they charge waaaaaay too much for the summer tour matches.
 
Mama Smurf said:
I don't like any stadiums with sponsored names, though I understand why they exist...but without a doubt, that is the worst stadium name I've ever heard.
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it is bad. But what about "Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadion"?
 
Mama Smurf said:
I don't like any stadiums with sponsored names, though I understand why they exist...but without a doubt, that is the worst stadium name I've ever heard.
Click to expand...
I hate it, too - but it's a concession that we have to make in order to get them built. Honestly, take your pick as to which one in MLS is the worst: :lol

The Home Depot Center, Pizza Hut Park, Toyota Park, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, BMO Field, Red Bull Park...
 
Cornballer said:
You should check it out sometime - it's a nice setup. Oh, and Chelsea are playing up here this summer (in Palo Alto) and I'm not going - they charge waaaaaay too much for the summer tour matches.
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Will do.Wish the Arsenal would come down tho.
 
So my top 4 squad would be:

CK

Cech
Lehmann
Reina

RB

Finnan
Neville

LB

Evra
A Cole

CB

Vidic
Carvalho
Terry
Ferdinand

RW

Ronaldo
J Cole

LW

Giggs
Robben

DCM

Essien
Mascherano
Hargreaves*

ACM

Fabregas
Scholes

FW

Henry
Rooney
Van Persie
Drogba

It breaks down as:

Man Utd 9
Chelsea 8
Arsenal 4
Liverpool 3

But the first team would break down as:

Man Utd 5
Chelsea 3
Arsenal 2
Liverpool 1

-----------------Cech------------------

Finnan----Vidic----Carvalho----Evra

Ronaldo--Essien---Fabregas---Giggs

-----------Rooney---Henry------------

You don't have to bother with the extra stuff if you just want to do your squad.
 
Tuncay really setting the bar high here. I thought Milan were sniffing around, but I guess he wants to go somewhere he'll get some playing time instead?!?

Sky Sports News said:
Boro & Blues in Tuncay battle
By Graeme Bailey - Created on 11 Jun 2007

Skysports.com understands that Turkish star Tuncay Sanli is ready to move to England, and Middlesbrough are battling Birmingham for his signature.

A host of clubs from around Europe have made offers to the Fenerbahce forward - who is out of contract at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

Olympiakos, Hertha Berlin and Villarreal are believed to be amongst those who have made a move, but a transfer to England is believed to be Tuncay's priority.

Manchester City had shown an interest, but Birmingham looked on course to win the race to land him, with Fener looking set to accept defeat.

Fener are believed to have put one final deal to Tuncay, who is their prized asset, but Turkish sources say he will depart.

Birmingham have been in talks for a number of weeks, but skysports.com understands that Boro have made a dramatic last-gasp bid to snatch him from their grasp.

A delegation from the Teesside club is believed to have flown to Istanbul in a bid to persuade him to move to the North East.

Reports suggest that Tuncay's close friend Emre recommended to him that he quit Fener for the Premiership whilst they were on international duty last week - and the chance to be close to the Newcastle man could win the day for Boro.

Despite Tuncay's excellent reputation, he has failed to attract any of Europe's big hitters.

He really came to prominence in 2004 when he became the first Turk to grab a UEFA Champions League hat-trick when he scored all the goals in Fener's 3-0 win over Manchester United.

He is also a major part of Turkey's national set-up and has an impressive record with 12 goals from his 38 caps.

Boro will hope that Tuncay could be a ready-made replacement for Mark Viduka, who opted for Newcastle last week, whilst Steve Bruce will see him as the big name to lead Birmingham's assault following their promotion back to the top-flight.

Last week Tuncay admitted he was looking to seal a move to a club where he would be first choice.

"All players aspire to play in big clubs such as Chelsea or Manchester as well as other big clubs in Spain or Italy," he told NTV.

"I am of the opinion that it is very tough for a player to be part of the starting line-up in those clubs and I would rather play for a team that I know will give me the chance to start."
Click to expand...
 
Mama Smurf said:
I don't like any stadiums with sponsored names, though I understand why they exist...but without a doubt, that is the worst stadium name I've ever heard.
Click to expand...

Worse than Cleveland's 'Quicken Loans Arena'?
 
Nice!
Some guy's blog said:
Rolling right along with my whinging ways, here’s my next list of the ten worst-of-something in sports, this time stadium names. This one is actually kind of hard, given how the majority of stadiums/arenas these days are named after corporations (and therefore all bad). I’ve tried to narrow it down to the absolutely horrendous:

Pizza Hut Park (MLS’s FC Dallas) — Doesn’t have quite the same inspiring ring to it as ‘Highbury’ or ‘White Hart Lane’ does it?

Canad Inns Stadium (CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers) — I think it’s having the word ‘inns’ actually in the name that makes this dumb. It’s not like the new opera house in Toronto is called the ‘Four Seasons Hotel Chain Centre For The Performing Arts.’ Canad Stadium would be fine.

Gaylord Entertainment Center (NHL’s Nashville Predators) — Even in this enlightened day and age, you have to admit this name still makes you giggle a little bit. “Hey, do you want to go down to the Gaylord for a game?” “Where’s the game tonight? At the Gaylord.” Apparently the contract is up really soon and this place will be changing names, so it won’t be an issue any more. Giggle while you can.

Gay Meadow (Football League Two’s Shrewsbury Town FC) — See above.

Heinz Field (NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers) — To me this name invokes a giant meadow slathered in ketchup (or catsup, I suppose it would be).

EasyCredit-Stadion (Bundesliga’s FC Nuremberg) — The Stadium of Easy Credit; come watch the game and refinance your mortgage. Come on down. Javol.

Minute Maid Park/Tropicana Field (MLB’s Houston Astros & Tampa Bay Devil Rays) — Two stadiums in the same league, both named after orange juice. Well, at least it’s healthy.

Jobing.com Arena (NHL’s Pheonix Coyotes) — Web-based business are the worst to name a building after because their name is usually the same as their URL, as we see in this case. This is the worst one though because ‘Jobing’ is not a real word and it just sounds really stupid. What’s the nickname for this place going to be? ‘The Job?’ Dumb.

Monster Park (NFL’s San Francisco 49ers) — Named after a cable company, sounds like a cheesy Hallowe’en amusement park. What makes it even worse is that this used to be Candlestick Park, a place with a lot of tradition and history associated with it. Now all that is stripped away and we’re left with this stupid name. Boo.

U.S. Cellular Field (MLB’s Chicago White Sox) — As bad as this name is, the nickname is ‘The Cell.’ ‘Nuff said.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (MLS’s Colorado Rapids) — This one should be obvious. Rapids fans will, starting next year, be able to cheer on their team at The Dick. Lucky them.

Hmm. That was actually eleven. Looks like I gave you an extra one. You’re welcome.
Click to expand...
I think Shinobi's entry still wins, though.
 
Monster Park
Click to expand...

What!? That's a brilliant name! Seriously, I think that's great. It might really be a cable company, but luckily they have a name which has come up with a name as good as Monster Park.

I can see the fans getting into it and putting on monster masks and things, it'd be great.
 
Mama Smurf said:
So my top 4 squad would be:
Click to expand...

well if we do it this way:

CK

Cech
Van der Saar
Lehmann

RB

Neville
Eboue

LB

Cole
Evra

CB

Terry
Toure
Gallas
Vidic

RW

Ronaldo
J Cole

LW

Giggs
Rosicky

DCM

Essien
Gilberto

ACM

Fabregas
Scholes

FW

Henry
Drogba
Van Persie
Rooney

It breaks down as:

Man Utd 8
Chelsea 6
Arsenal 9
Liverpool 0

First team:

Man Utd 3
Chelsea 5
Arsenal 2
Liverpool 0

-----------------Cech------------------

Neville-----Terry----Toure------Cole

Ronaldo--Essien---Fabregas---Giggs

-----------Drogba---Henry------------
 
Ouch, poor Liverpool.

It's your opinion of course, but Liverpool have had such a solid defence for so long it's kind of hard to believe none of them can make it! Especially with Eboue in there...
 
Sorry to ask,but why isn't this thread stickied? Would certainly make it easier to find.

I know we're on an American forum,but i saw a Hockey thread stickied, and i think going by number of replies alone, this thread deserves it.
 
Mama Smurf said:
Ouch, poor Liverpool.

It's your opinion of course, but Liverpool have had such a solid defence for so long it's kind of hard to believe none of them can make it! Especially with Eboue in there...
Click to expand...

You can't seriously think Finnan is better than Eboue.
 
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