Football The 2010/2011 Season Thread

[Wonk]

Gerrard has a good sense of humor

Stevie on Joe, Messi and golf - Liverpool FC

Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better

 

[soze]

Team: Arsenal

Expected position: 3-5.

Where you expect them to finish: 3rd.

Where/what you need to strengthen: Defence. 2 Dodgey keepers and only 3 senior CB's.

Who would you like to realistically sign: Phil Jagielka.

Overall hopes/expectations: If we sort the defence and keep key players fit i want up to push for the title and win the FA Cup. If we have a bad injury year CL qualification and any Cup.

 

[Everz]

doubt we'll sell him since hes homegrown

Indeed, shame tbh, doubt he'll get any game time at chelsea, though we retrained him as a DM.. so maybe?

 

[georgie]

Team: Cardiff

Expected position: 3-6

Where you expect them to finish: Playoff would be nice, can see us just missing out though. A lot of internal problems at the club.

Where/what you need to strengthen: CentreBacks. Anthony Gerrard isn't too bad. Gypes and Hudson are just too slow though

Who would you like to realistically sign: Vidic? Failing that, who knows. We've just signed Drinkwater, Koumas, Olifijana (SP?) and Heaton on Loans. Having the money to actually sign someone would be nice. Maybe another big man up front to cover for Jay Bothroyd. When he's out we don't seem to know what to do.

Overall hopes/expectations: To still be in business come the end of the season.

 

[Achilles]

Team: Liverpool

Expected position: 3-7

Where you expect them to finish: 4th

Where/what you need to strengthen: lal. A second number 9. Left back, right back, left wing, right wing and probably defensive mid.

Who would you like to realistically sign: Carlton Cole. He's English and a typical number 9 - big, strong and reasonbly quick. Not for 12 million though as quoted in several gossip columns. Also Alexander Hleb; not wanted at Barca and can play wide or behind Torres. No decent fullbacks available at the moment. Luke Young who we have been linked with consistently is crap and his wage demands are a joke. Haven't seen a lot of Poulsen, who is apparently a done deal. He will probably lack Mascherano's athleticism but if he can pass better/ more comfortable bringing the ball forward, i dont really think losing Mash for 20-30 million and buying him for ~5 millions is that bad.

Overall hopes/expectations: Win the FA cup and finish in the top 4.

 

[Everz]

. Maybe another big man up front to cover for Jay Bothroyd. When he's out we don't seem to know what to do.

Relying on that lazyfucker.. I pity baaaahhdiff (<3).

 

[Ch3tan]

Achiles - LOL, got to love Lolerpool fans

 

[ST^]

Team: Arsenal

Expected position: 3-5.

Where you expect them to finish: 3rd.

Wow, really? If we don't finish at least 2nd I'll be very disappointed.

We had the same keeper problem last year and still pushed hard for the title, even though our best player was injured along with loads of other senior players.

 

[georgie]

Relying on that lazyfucker.. I pity baaaahhdiff (<3).

pfft, just cos you lot couldn't do anything with him. now he's got good players around him he's doing well. :wub:

 

[Ch3tan]

In addition, he is understood to have been told in no uncertain terms that owner Randy Lerner was not going to continue sustaining the losses he has endured since he acquired Villa in 2006. Since then the American has underwritten Villa to the tune of £179 million with the club making losses of £43.7 million last year.
Most damagingly, the club's wage bill has risen by 42 per cent to £71 million (£11 million more than Tottenham and £21 million more than Everton) giving an alarming wages-to-turnover figure of 85 per cent – with the likes of Richard Dunne believed to be earning £70,000 a week

If those figures are true, then you can fully understand Lerners position. You have to be getting into the champions league to justify spending like that, as it will allow the club to recoup loses.

edit:// more from the same article

Since then, Lerner has not been impressed that the clear-out of players that was proposed at the end of last season has not yet happened. Until Nicky Shorey was sold on Monday, none of the six senior players – whose collective wages are close to £250,000 a week with few featuring last season – had moved. Alarmingly, season ticket sales at Villa are down 40 per cent on last year.

Aston Villa spark tug of war for Mark Hughes as Martin O'Neill quits on eve of new season - Telegraph

 

[soze]

Wow, really? If we don't finish at least 2nd I'll be very disappointed.

We had the same keeper problem last year and still pushed hard for the title, even though our best player was injured along with loads of other senior players.

I know it was pre season but it was our senior defence and we let in some laughable goals without the defence improving i just do not see us catching Man U or Chel$ki And injuries we are about to start a season without our top 4 midfielder's having kicked a ball. We have not improved the midfield so we will cope better if Cesc or Song is injured so I am afraid i do not see it happening. But i would really love to be proven wrong

 

[Turamber]

If those figures are true, then you can fully understand Lerners position

Not really, all of the teams outside the "big four" are in the same position, but since the financial markets have collapsed he's lost his bottle. I don't think he was really aware of the size of the task in hand.

After all Lerner is the one who decided to have Acorns on our shirts for two years and forgego sponsorship income. Lerner is the one who decided to have the smallest increase in season ticket prices.

Slashing transfer budgets and selling a team's best players whilst forcing the best manager we've had in ten years out the door whilst (apparently) eyeing up a Yank manager who has never managed a club is hardly the way to excite the fans or get into the CL.

 

[Ch3tan]

So you'd rather some short term glory and go the way of Leeds, Pompey?

 

[Aoami]

Team: Southampton

Expected position: 1st

Where you expect them to finish: 1st

Where/what you need to strengthen: A centre back to partner Jose Fonte, another top class lower league striker to partner Lambert, as we rely on him too much, maybe a bit of cover for the wing.

Who would you like to realistically sign: Bobby Convey, maybe Papa Waigo back on loan, Charlie Austin from Swindon, Beevers from Sheff Wed (maybe).

Overall hopes/expectations: Should win the league at a canter with the squad, financial resources and fan base we have. 22,000 people turned out to see the Plymouth game at the weekend, and average attendance should be around 18k. Was nice to see some silverware last year with the paint trophy, but would prefer an FA/League Cup run to 5th/6th round. Despite our decline, we still have good clout when it comes to players due to our well known manager, and world class training facilties and academy.

 

[Turamber]

So you'd rather some short term glory and go the way of Leeds, Pompey?

No. There is no reason we couldn't have sold big and re-invested like Spurs. More work has been needed on the commercial side of things and in uplifting ticket prices and getting bums on seats.

Slashing transfer budgets, selling the best players and fielding youth team/cheap imports is hardly the way to achieve the stated aims of the Champions League. Makes a mockery of all their claims and I think they should actively look to sell up.

 

[Genedril]

Team: Forest

Expected position: ?? (1st-4th I suppose looking at the odds)

Where you expect them to finish: 8th

Where/what you need to strengthen: Having a permanent lb would be a start, else we're going to have happen what happened when Shorey left last time. Another CB and maybe a replacement for the Moose wouldn't go amiss either.

Who would you like to realistically sign: Realistically I think we'll not get anyone else in before Jan. Even though 50% of the supporters seem to think we could sign half of the premiership as we're a 'big club'...

Overall hopes/expectations: Think last season was a blip and we'll sit mid-table this time around. Love to think we were playoff capable but I think last season was a fluke with what we've got and we'll not get the chance again.

 

[Shagrat]

Team: Newcastle
Expected position: 12-16
Where you expect them to finish: mid table would be nice

Where/what you need to strengthen: defence, and a decent striker

Who would you like to realistically sign: martin o'neil, ben arfa looks 90% on, which would be a good signing, robbie keane, dindane, mancienne

Overall hopes/expectations: for the love of god, above the mackems. id settle for a comfortable season without relegation worries and a nice cup run.

 

[cHodAX]

Team: Southampton

Expected position: 1st

Where you expect them to finish: 1st

Where/what you need to strengthen: A centre back to partner Jose Fonte, another top class lower league striker to partner Lambert, as we rely on him too much, maybe a bit of cover for the wing.

Who would you like to realistically sign: Bobby Convey, maybe Papa Waigo back on loan, Charlie Austin from Swindon, Beevers from Sheff Wed (maybe).

Overall hopes/expectations: Should win the league at a canter with the squad, financial resources and fan base we have. 22,000 people turned out to see the Plymouth game at the weekend, and average attendance should be around 18k. Was nice to see some silverware last year with the paint trophy, but would prefer an FA/League Cup run to 5th/6th round. Despite our decline, we still have good clout when it comes to players due to our well known manager, and world class training facilties and academy.

Relegation, administration, liquidation and ejaculation. In that order.

 

[Gray]

Team: Everton

Expected position: 5-8

Where you expect them to finish: 6th

Where/what you need to strengthen: Someone good up front. Saha can't play that often and Yakubu blows hot and cold on most matches. Beckford has promise but seems to be unproven at Premier League level...

Who would you like to realistically sign: Landon Donovan, obviously keep getting linked with him and he has made it clear he wants to come back to Everton...

Overall hopes/expectations: Should we have a full squad with limited injuries, i can definately see us pushing the top 6 again. Realistically we should be a lot fresher this season due to not being in Europe, which in turn could give us another ideal cup-run in something like the FA Cup.

 

[Ch3tan]

Who would you like to realistically sign: Landon Donovan, obviously keep getting linked with him and he has made it clear he wants to come back to Everton...

Hate to say this again, but he really hasn't. He's had some quotes taken out of context, what he has said is, is that he is happy at galaxy and will see out his contract. Coupled with the fact that MLS want a fortune to sell him + his high wages, I don't think you can call that a realistic signing.

@shagrat - Hughton has done a quality job for you, would you swap him for O'neil so easily?

 

[ileks]

Team: Leyton Orient

Expected position: 15-20th

Where you expect them to finish: god knows

Where/what you need to strengthen: A wide right midfielder would be nice or a left footed left winger.

Who would you like to realistically sign: Nicky Adams from Leicester or maybe Andros Townsend on a season long loan from the Tottenham.

Overall hopes/expectations: Making 6th place would be fantastic but so unlikely. You never know tho... our squad is completely different to last season so anything could happen.

 

[Marc]

Team: Barcelona

Expected position: 1-2

Where you expect them to finish: 1st

Where/what you need to strengthen: No area majorly important atm. At a push, left back

Who would you like to realistically sign: Obv Fabregas, but that boat has passed. Talk of Ozil signing but I dont think we need him.

Overall hopes/expectations: Champions league win would do nicely and I think we will win the league again. Teams such as ourself, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Man United should realisticly be looking for a champions league victory.

 

[cHodAX]

Team: Manchester United Football Club

Expected position: 1st to 3rd

Where you expect them to finish: 1st

Where/what you need to strengthen: Defensive central midfielder and good number 2 goalkeeper to take over as number 1 next season

Who would you like to realistically sign: Bastian Schweinsteiger and Manuel Neuer

Overall hopes/expectations: Alot depends on how well our older players hold up but also if the likes of Berbatov finally live up to thier billing. Also rotating in our young contingent of Fabio, Rafael, Cleverly, Macheda, Smalling, Obertan and Gibson could have a very beneficial effect on our chance of winning silverware on multiple fronts. If most of those boys perform to thier potential then we have a fantastic chance of regaining the league whilst having another run at the Champions League. I have high hopes, would have liked to see a couple more long term signings but the be fair the market is very poor value at the moment and so I am happy to take the risk on youth as it has served us so very well in the past.

 

[cHodAX]

Team: Barcelona

Expected position: 1-2

Where you expect them to finish: 1st

Where/what you need to strengthen: No area majorly important atm. At a push, left back

Who would you like to realistically sign: Obv Fabregas, but that boat has passed. Talk of Ozil signing but I dont think we need him.

Overall hopes/expectations: Champions league win would do nicely and I think we will win the league again. Teams such as ourself, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Man United should realisticly be looking for a champions league victory.

2 months ago I would have bet the house on Real Madrid but the be honest they have not improved the squad in the areas they badly needed to. La Liga could be very very close this year but Barcelona still have the better balanced squad and imo better team spirit. If Real don't grab 3-4 vital players soon then they cannot expect much more than last year, Mourinho or no Mourinho.

 

[megadave]

Cesc Fabregas could join Barcelona in January when Arsenal a - IMScouting

Barcelona midfielder Xavi expressed his disappointment with the club's failure to land Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas , but, echoing remarks made by the Catalan club's vice president, stressed that the transfer was not dead.


"We've given up on the idea of him arriving now, but maybe he'll come in January when Arsenal are out of the Premier League title race," he was quoted as saying by Tuttomercato. "Their team are just not competitive."
"Arsenal are wrong to have forced him to remain there, they can't just hold him against his will," added the Barcelona vice captain.
Fabregas accepted at the weekend that he wouldn't be moving to Barcelona after Arsenal rejected a final 40-million-euro bid for the midfielder from the Nou Camp outfit.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted that Fabregas was torn between staying at the Gunners and moving to Barcelona, but hailed the player for his "respect."

A complete moron and a fucking prick, i'd laugh if he gets a long term injury tbh

 

[Ch3tan]

Yeah I read that the other day, what a stupid thing to say from a player I respected before reading that.

 

[megadave]

undeniable proof that Gerrard is thick as shit

GERRARD: JOE COLE BETTER THAN MESSI | Football Transfer News, Football News, Fixtures, Results, Match Reports, Stats

Gerrard said: "Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better.

Also Spanish press (AS+Marca) are reporting Carvalho has joined Real Madrid. One of my favourite ever Chelea players but i'm happy if it's true.

 

[Olgaline]

Team: FC Copenhagen

Expected position: 1-2.

Stats say that Superliga attendance stats are down 30%
Oh! i wonder why ? it coundt be the lack of AGF now could it ?
naah!

anywho!
I not only expect, I damn well demand! AGF finish numero uno this season :/

 

[Achilles]

Achiles - LOL, got to love Lolerpool fans

Its optimistic, but not unreasonable dont you think?

 

[Marc]

"We've given up on the idea of him arriving now, but maybe he'll come in January when Arsenal are out of the Premier League title race"

Thats just petty. Funny, but petty. Its time for the Barcelona team to just get on with it and forget about it. They have a league to defend. Nothing they can do if Arsenal dont want to sell.