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[Blablurn]

700 posts already. this thread deserves a sticky imo.

 

[gollumsluvslave]

Great goal Damarcus Beasley for Rangers!

That's them 3 nil on aggregate - through to the next round.

 

[Osorio]

Hmmmm it turns out that Steve McClaren is coming to watch the LA vs. DC match at RFK soon. He says he wants to see the standard of play for himself.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=450825&cc=5901

 

[Osorio]

Great goal Damarcus Beasley for Rangers!

That's them 3 nil on aggregate - through to the next round.

 

[Cornballer]

Excellent. I'll have to track down some video on it. Sounds like he's doing a good job of locking down a starting role.

 

[Blablurn]

Mallorca vs. Bayern starts now!

 

[Mama Smurf]

Seems Sunderland have beaten Villa to Gordon, £9m. Damn overspending clubs, it's irresponsible.

 

[navanman]

Where you hearing this? Nothing on football365 yet or Sky Sports yet..

 

[hadareud]

GALLAS EXCITED BY NEW SEASON
By Mike McGrath, PA Sport

William Gallas has predicted the post-Thierry Henry era at Arsenal being just as exciting and more physical.

Gallas believes the club have shown a toughness in pre-season following the departure of their talisman to Barcelona and expects Arsene Wenger's new-look side to challenge in the top four of the Barclays Premier League again.

The Gunners were characterised as a team who passed their way to glory when Henry led their attack, but Gallas also feels there is a physical dimension to their game.

The 29-year-old said: "The squad has matured, we have changed, we know we have to fight and to be compact to defend very well.

"I don't think a team can beat us by being more physical than us this season. I think we can give a good answer.

"There are teams that just want to play the long ball and you have to be ready. You have to be physical and to fight and I think we will be physical enough to cope with that this time."

With Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie showing promise and Eduardo da Silva arriving at the Emirates Stadium, Gallas is certain that Arsenal will remain an attacking force without Henry.

"We know we can score at any time because we have the quality up front," he added.

"I am very confident that the players we have will fill the gap.

"I think this season will be different and it won't just be about Chelsea and Manchester United.

"There are other clubs like Arsenal who will also be challenging and no-one can say who is definitely going to win the title."

Gallas also feels Adebayor, Van Persie and Wenger's other youngsters have shown they are capable of competing at the top level after reaching the Carling Cup last season.

"They are not kids anymore, they are young players and they really want to win a trophy this season," he added. "They don't want to say they are still young kids, when I train with them I don't see young kids, I see players who are ready to fight."

On a personal level, Gallas is desperate to improve on his first season at Arsenal by helping them compete at the top of the Premier League.

"I think the Premier League will be very exciting," he said.

"Last season was a case of adaptation for me. It was not easy because a lot of things happened in my life. Now it is a new season."
http://www.sportinglife.com/footbal.../SOCCER_Arsenal_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer#

I am appalled that you called Gallas a cunt Cornballer. Appalled.

Oh, that was me. I take it back then.

 

[Cornballer]

I am appalled that you called Gallas a cunt Cornballer. Appalled.

Oh, that was me. I take it back then.

No, I said he was curt with me on the phone, that's all.

In all seriousness, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now, but I'm not optimistic about him.

 

[Cornballer]

"Beasley Silences Zeta Racists"

Abused Rangers star DaMarcus Beasley is calling for UEFA to come down hard on the racist fans of Zeta after eliminating the Montenegrins from the Champions League.

"It sickens to hear these chants but when you are on the pitch you have to try to blank it out. It degrades the game for everyone."

Ugh. It's awful that players still get racial abuse in Europe. Good that he scored against them, though. That'll help shut them up. The win puts Rangers through to the next stage of the Champions League where they will face either Red Star Belgrade or FC Tallinn from Estonia

Youtube of the goal.

 

[Mama Smurf]

Where you hearing this? Nothing on football365 yet or Sky Sports yet..

It was on the sky sports news channel, and it's on the site now. It's all gone through I think, they just haven't announced it.

 

[lochnesssnowman]

Ugh. It's awful that players still get racial abuse in Europe. Good that he scored against them, though. That'll help shut them up. The win puts Rangers through to the next stage of the Champions League where they will face either Red Star Belgrade or FC Tallinn from Estonia

Youtube of the goal.

He had a good game as well - held the ball up well on the wing and didn't give away possesion so good way to stick it to them. The Rangers fans seemed to be ok. We've been under a bit of pressure due to a bunch of numpties singing sectarian rubbish (which they have no idea the meaning of no doubt) at away matches. I hope the vast majority of good fans shop these pricks and we can start banning them from games.

Game was spot on tactically from Smith. Rangers played to hold their lead, looked comfortable throughout, and Zeta didn't seem to have any impetus to get back into the tie.

 

[h0pper]

Gallas has split personality and bi-polar disorder.

 

[h0pper]

P.S. Anyone have a place where I can host my avatar? My domain died...

 

[gollumsluvslave]

Damn overspending clubs, it's irresponsible.

I'll admit that £9 million is a lot for a keeper, but in the current climate it will be a steal for Sunderland.

They will get at least 10 points from Gordon over the course of the season. Fantastic keeper.

 

[lochnesssnowman]

I'll admit that £9 million is a lot for a keeper, but in the current climate it will be a steal for Sunderland.

They will get at least 10 points from Gordon over the course of the season. Fantastic keeper.

Quoted for truth.

Gordon is very very good.

 

[Cornballer]

They will get at least 10 points from Gordon over the course of the season. Fantastic keeper.

10?!? Who is he replacing?

 

[hadareud]

No, I said he was curt with me on the phone, that's all.

In all seriousness, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now, but I'm not optimistic about him.

:lol

yeah, who knows. I have a feeling he's gonna be our new skipper though. Which incidentally has become Wenger's secret weapon of forcing loud mouthed players out of the club these days.

P.S. Anyone have a place where I can host my avatar? My domain died...

photobucket is good

 

[h0pper]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=451119&cc=%

Gordon to Sunderland. ESPNsoccernet confirms it.

 

[Cornballer]

yeah, who knows. I have a feeling he's gonna be our new skipper though. Which incidentally has become Wenger's secret weapon of forcing loud mouthed players out of the club these days.

Kind of like using the No. 9 shirt to prevent players from scoring. (Please don't be cursed like the others, Dudu.)

 

[hadareud]

I think we should be fine on this one this once.

He's looked a very good player so far

 

[Mama Smurf]

I'll admit that £9 million is a lot for a keeper, but in the current climate it will be a steal for Sunderland.

They will get at least 10 points from Gordon over the course of the season. Fantastic keeper.

I was having a go at Niall Quinn for saying that about other clubs recently.

 

[Falch]

P.S. Anyone have a place where I can host my avatar? My domain died...

http://xs.to/

 

[Wes]

........

Sunderland a more promising prospect than Villa for an up and coming 'Keeper with a bright future.

........

I feel ill.

 

[MrPing1000]

Roy Keane > Martin O'Neill in the sexiness competition.

Anyhoo Villa have Sorensen

 

[Osorio]

Roy Keane has an amazing effect on many people's minds.

 

[MrPing1000]

Roy Keane has an amazing effect on many people's minds.

Their legs too.

 

[Wes]

Anyhoo Villa have Sorensen

Not for a while. He's out injured

 

[MrPing1000]

Not for a while. He's out injured

True and hes in the last year of his contract. Taylor is good enough to cover for a few weeks anyhoo.

 

[Wes]

True and hes in the last year of his contract. Taylor is good enough to cover for a few weeks anyhoo.

And what if he gets injured? We have no 3rd string 'keeper (think we got rid of the Austrian reserves guy we had). I don't want us to end up having to get Crystal Palace to loan us their 'keeper again

 

[Cornballer]

So Villa get Sorenson from cash-strapped/relegated Sunderland in 2003, then promoted Sunderland beat Villa to Gordon, who would have replaced Sorenson. Wacky.

 

[Mama Smurf]

O'Neill is obsessed with British players. Yes he's brought in Carew and Petrov, but Young, Maloney, Reo-Coker and Harewood cost a combined £21.5m, and you don't spend that sort of money on those 4 players unless you really want home talent. Throw in attempts to buy Gordon and Curtis Davies for a combined £17m (at least) and O'Neill's strategy becomes clear.

I mean I admire it in this day and age, and I'm sure he's doing it for reasons other than just principle, but not only are good British players generally fought for quite fiercely, they cost like twice as much as buying from elsewhere.

 

[Mama Smurf]

The Daily Mail reckon Everton are joining in the transfer scramble and, having missed out on Gonzalez (apparently), will bid £10m for Yakubu and £6m for Fernandes (who they had on loan last year). The Sun has the same rumour, only they have the more realistic prices of £12m and £7m to secure those players.

Now Yakubu would be a good buy, Everton need another goalscorer to play besides Johnson...but Fernandes? Good player, but just how many central midfielders do Everton need?

 

[hadareud]

rumours:

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Everton manager David Moyes is set to capture Middlesbrough striker Yakubu and Portuguese playmaker Manuel Fernandes for up to £19m. (various)

West Ham will make another bid for Derby youngster Giles barnes after having an offer of £2.5m rejected. (The Sun)

Manchester City have slapped a £4m price tag on want-away striker Giorgios Samaras, which appears to have ended Middlesbrough's interest. (The Sun)

And City's squad is likely to be further swollen by the arrival of Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano in a £3m deal. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy is wanted by Leicester. (The Sun)

Manchester United are considering making a move for Lens goalkeeper Charles Itandje, who is also being tracked by Real Betis, Lyon and Aston Villa. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes wants to sign Liverpool's FA Youth cup double winner Charlie Barnett. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool's Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Anthony Le Tallec are set to end their spells at the club by joining Spain's Recreativo Huelva. (Mirror)

Chelsea's Arjen Robben could finally be on his way to Real Madrid after his father and agent, Hans, said a deal may be sealed on Wednesday. (various)

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez has failed with a £2m approach for Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty. (Daily Express)

Birmingham, Middlesbrough and Reading are all chasing Monaco's veteran Czech striker Jan Koller. (The Times)

Fulham hope they can finalise a £3.5m deal for Watford winger Hameur Bouazza in the next 24 hours. (The Times)

Tottenham and Aston Villa both want West Brom defender Curtis Davies but are not prepared to enter into a bidding war to get him. (The Times)

Wigan remain optimistic they can complete a deal for West Brom left-back Paul Robinson. (The Times)

Blackburn striker Francis Jeffers is thought to be a target for Sheffield United. (The Independent)

OTHER GOSSIP

David Beckham says he has no regrets about taking the controversial painkillers which may have cost him his England place. (various)

AND FINALLY

Sir Alex Ferguson will send two Manchester United teams to play against Glentoran and Dunfermline on Wednesday night but has been banned from watching either of them by his wife, who has insisted he helps her move house. "I told her I had a match but she wasn't having any of it," said Ferguson. "She said it was a friendly and I had to help her." (Various)

Reading striker Leroy Lita looks set to miss the start of the season after pulling a leg muscle while in bed. (various)

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/6936232.stm

Published: 2007/08/08 05:44:40 GMT

© BBC MMVII

 

[hadareud]

just ordered BT Vision including the sports package with Setanta, I can't be arsed anymore to wait until I finally get to have sky back.

Of course it's too late for the games this weekend, but I will have it in time for next week. you can also cancel with a months notice, which is ok in case I am actually able to have sky again.

 

[psycho_snake]

that sucks. Online should be fine though, I'm sure you'll find a stream somewhere.

however:

That would make a good avatar, but i refuse to use it. My last avatar had henry in it, this one has henry and cesc and the one that I was going to use next is the bergkamp goal against newcastle. Ive got to stop using avatars with ex-arsenal and current arsenal players in them

 

[hadareud]

we all know that your a closet gooner, no need to hide any longer.

 

[Ghost]

Lucas Neill is out for a month with a knee injury now.

Looks like we're in for a cursed season.

 

[psycho_snake]

we all know that your a closet gooner, no need to hide any longer.

I'd support anyone else but arsenal, even bloody wigan. Its not like this thread needs any more arsenal supporters anyway. However I do envy you for buying cesc for less than a million poundswhilst we had to spend more than 18 million quid for carrick. Oh well, atleast we won the league

 

[hadareud]

there can never be too many gooners really.

most of us are very well behaved too you know.

 

[psycho_snake]

Thats like saying vinnie jones wasn't a rough player

 

[hadareud]

That's a good comparison. I'd like to see myself as the Vinnie Jones of the football thread. The Vinnie Jones of Snatch that is.

 

[psycho_snake]

had, you wish you could be vinnie jones. You're more like dickov.

 

[psycho_snake]

Today we find out if the tevez deal can go trhough. The premierleague had to wait until kia paid west ham the agreed 2 million pounds. Man United can now offer tevez the contract, but before he can sign the premierleague just need to go over everything and fgive the go ahead. Hopefully all this gets done before the reading game. If it is I doubt tevez will start, but fergie might be able to bring him on some time during the second half. the earlier he starts playing the better.

 

[hadareud]

I know

 

[psycho_snake]

:lol Dont worry had, we still like you.

Scholes recovery from a knee operation has been quicker than expected. He is on the bench for today's friendly and he could be used as a sub gainst reading.

I'm not sure who will play against reading on our opening premiership fixture. Hargreaves and anderson played in friendlies before the community shield, but neither of the,m played a full game. They might play against Dumferline today, but I dont know if they'll have the match fitness to play reading. Anderson probably wont be used even if he is fit, but it would be good to have hargreaves. I'd rather see him play alongside carrick instead of o'seha and flethcer.

We've still got quite a few injuries. Park, saha and neville are still out. We could really do with having neville back. Brown isnt bad at right back, but its a lot more comforting to have neville playing again.

 

[hadareud]

never been a big fan of Brown myself. He has an aura of indecision surrounding him

 

[psycho_snake]

I think he's improved over the last couple of years, but he's still got his faults. He does make careless mistakes from time to time, but its certainly not as bad as before. He's decent cover, but he isnt good enough to be in the first team. Its actually embarassing hearing fergie say that brown is the best natural centre back in the country.

Next year we need to start looking for a replacement to neville. I dont think there is anyone in the reserves or the youth thats good enough to replace him, so we need to start looking elsewhere. Micah richards would be the ideal replacement, but the problem is that he will cost a lot. However, next summer we probably dont need to buy anyone else because fergie has already started to replace the old players like scholes and giggs with the signings this summer, so the only major signing of next summer would be micah richards. in fact that might be the only signing we need to make because with the signings we've done this summer, our squad is big enough to last us for a few seasons without having to make any purchases.

 

[hadareud]

Richards would be an excellent replacement, but I am not sure Man City will be overly thrilled to sell him to Man Utd - especially now that they don't actually need the money.

I would have liked to see him at Arsenal, but now that we have Hoyte, Sagna and Eboue that's not gonna happen in the next 5 years.