Football The 2010/2011 Season Thread

[cHodAX]

City looked alright today. Balotelli played well and i really like Silva. Still, it is difficult to tell what their team cohesion is like. Tevez plainly still cant speak English which has to be a huge negative as he is their club captain and talisman. Well done to United, the best team always wins the league. I sincerely hope Barca demolish you in the CL final though .

Thanks and we hope you bomb out of the Europa League next season too.

 

[Vladamir]

George Elokobi v Sunderland

Emotional times for Everz!

 

[cHodAX]

Ok then folks, time for a discussion methinks.

Now that all the domestic honours have been taken it is probably a good time to start looking towards the summer transfer market, next season and any predictions folks would like to make. I will start it off with a few points of personal interest.

Does anyone see Tevez staying at City? I know it has all gone quiet lately but it wasn't very long ago that he was trying to force a move abroad, now the season is all but over do you see him finally moving on or sticking around on those massive wages and playing a season of CL football there?

Berbatov. Staying at United? Moving to Germany or even back to Spuds? Every indication seems to be that Fergie has lost patience, it happened with Rudd and Fergie moved him on. Personally I will be sad to see him go, he has contributed a good amount this season and is a great player in certain types of games, that said he doesn't warrant a starting 11 postition on current form and he cannot be happy with that.

Scholes, looks done to me. Can anyone realistically see him carrying on?

Chelsea, alot of potential movement here including maybe a new manager? Lampard has looked plain slow lately, I am concerned that he has started to go backwards this season and his health might be starting to become a problem as well. Same applies to John Terry to a degree, he definately doesn't have the legs now but the brain is still there so I don't see him moving but his going to start being transitioned out as number 1 pick in the next year or so. Drogba, on his day totally unplayable but has his day passed? Is he even interested anymore? Anelka, cannot be happy with how the last 3 months have turned out, does anyone see him settling for a season of being a benchwarmer?

Spurs. Oh dear, they have screwed the pooch and I do not see how the can hang on to all thier best players now. Surely at least a couple from Modric, Bale and Van der Vaart will now be snapped up by big clubs with CL football?

Arsenal, will Wenger see the light and add the two or three top quality experienced players he needs to turn that side into champions?

It is going to be a intruiging summer, no doubt at all.

 

[Aoami]

Rooneys chest hair lololololololol

 

[Raven]

Lampard's legs have gone. There is still room for him at Chelsea though, maybe with a slightly different roll.

 

[Embattle]

Tevez - I think he is a great player myself but I don't see Man City keeping hold of him especially if they spend another load of money this summer.

Berbatov - I think he has got a rough deal out of Man U, yes his form is questionable at times but because of how well Rooney and Javier seem to play together at the moment I don't see him coming off the bench much. He will be looking for the exit door over the summer.

Scholes & Giggs - Probably both will remain bit players but Fergie needs to stop relying on both and really get others working in their place because after next year they won't be playing any more no matter what I reckon.

Lampard - At his time in his career I think it is the typical problem of regaining both form and confidence after a period off is somewhat hard, although it is some what tainted by the fact Chelsea haven't exactly provided the ideal circumstances for him to shine any way.

JT - He still hasn't got back to his old form since his life got splashed all over the newspapers and seems prone to the odd bad mistake, I tend to think he will survive at least another year.

Drogba - I think he also suffered badly from the malaria he got but in the last couple of months he really looks like he is gaining some momentum again, I still think he could be really good for Chelsea next season.

Anelka - Tough one since I still get a feeling of being trying to conform to the stereotypical French person too often, I suspect it might be either him or Kalou who will make their way to the exit door over summer.

Spurs - They will suffer for fumbling the ball towards the end of the season and not making the champions league, they do however need to replace Gomez because quite honestly he is making way too many howlers.

Arsenal - He needs some people along the spine of his team who can actually boss people to do what is required to win, as important but just as hard is to give the captains roll to someone who can boss the team rather than using it to massage a players ego.

 

[Corran]

Scholes will go out at the top. He needs to stop now. Against "lower" teams where there is no pace in the game, or where he got time on the ball he is great. Also as seen today, if you want to kill a game off then he can pass and move around all the defenders to keep the ball. Beyond that no. And I dont think he settle for being a bit part (more so then this year.)

Berbatov - tough one. He got goals in him BUT will he fit in a new look Utd team? Only if he settles for the bench as it clearly is Rooney and Hernandez that is favoured. But can I see him staying? Yes. He will win things at Utd, and get some gametime.

Tevez - stay or go. Tough. City going to bring in even more big players now they got CL and willing to spend big (though will it cost them being banned in couple years? possibly with finance rules). He wants to win everything, and if city can keep him happy whilst showing the money is being spent to get the best players he may not go.

Drogba - really doesnt care now. And tbh Chelsea wanted Torres all season and he knew it. Is it a surprise his heart is no longer with them?
Anelka, I like watching him miss the barn door. But he used to be a mercenary so he probably happily leave if he can get a payoff.
Lampard - Needs to move into the role Scholes has done in recent times. Deep playmaker.
Terry - Will get phased out.

Spurs - No reason to sell. Harry will keep all he can, depends on the players and chairmen. Modric to Utd will do the rounds again no doubt.

Arsenal - HAVE to buy a keeper and a CB. Think he about to cave in on that front

 

[Embattle]

I forgot one important one, who will replace Edwin Van der Sar.

 

[Vladamir]

I'm amazed at how Drogba is being written off, he has absolutely bulldozed teams in the last few games (United ones aside ). That said, I feel our longer term partnership is likely to like in Sturridge and Torres, should our manager next season (hopefully Carlo) try playing 2 strikers.

 

[soze]

What i would like to see.

A clear out of all the players who have had too many chances. Almunia, Diaby, Rosický, Denílson, Squillaci ect then bring in two or three players with Big Game experience, I still want to see Parke at Arsenal. The we need to change our formation the 4-3-3 has been found out teams just pack the middle and keep us between the half way line and the penalty area. Then we bring on a big striker like Bendtner or Chamakh and have them play on the wing crossing the ball to RVP which seems backwards.

What I think I will see.

Nasri and Clichy draw out the contracts so we have to sell them. Arshavin moves on. So we bring Vela back and promote some kids before buying more kids

I am feeling negative this week as renewals for tickets next year are open and two of my mates are not renewing so it has left me wondering. Ivan Gazidis has stated that the price increase is so we can compete with top clubs with wages and transfers yet recent season suggest Wenger does not try to compete.

 

[Ch3tan]

I am feeling negative this week as renewals for tickets next year are open and two of my mates are not renewing so it has left me wondering. Ivan Gazidis has stated that the price increase is so we can compete with top clubs with wages and transfers yet recent season suggest Wenger does not try to compete.

Because every year Arsenal fans buy the boards bullshit, and Wenger makes him self a willing scapegoat. You simply have not had the money. This season will be the first, so wait and see. There was a great article a few months ago from an arsenal insider revealing all the deals that fell through because of a lack of funds for wages and transfers last season.

 

[soze]

Because every year Arsenal fans buy the boards bullshit, and Wenger makes him self a willing scapegoat. You simply have not had the money. This season will be the first, so wait and see. There was a great article a few months ago from an arsenal insider revealing all the deals that fell through because of a lack of funds for wages and transfers last season.

The thing is we have "had" the money. Last year the board decided to pay off £125mil of the stadium debt that we did not have to pay yet. And now we can't pay any more off the loan it will sit there. That is what i have read from lots of reliable sources what no one can agree on is if Wenger said he wanted a £50mil player if the board would of still paid off £125mil. The accounts back up the fact that we paid £125mil in cash off our stadium loan so I really don't know if its Wenger or the board any more.

 

[Ch3tan]

It's the board, Wenger is not one to moan, if he was it would be different. HIs relationship with the board and his spending power both died when Dien left.

 

[megadave]

I'm amazed at how Drogba is being written off, he has absolutely bulldozed teams in the last few games (United ones aside ). That said, I feel our longer term partnership is likely to like in Sturridge and Torres, should our manager next season (hopefully Carlo) try playing 2 strikers.

i reckon he'll stay, he said recently he's happier than ever at Chelsea and wants to stick around. Also he's got all his charities offices set up in London and his kids are settled in school.

 

[Lethul]

Tevez - I think he is a great player myself but I don't see Man City keeping hold of him especially if they spend another load of money this summer.

Berbatov - I think he has got a rough deal out of Man U, yes his form is questionable at times but because of how well Rooney and Javier seem to play together at the moment I don't see him coming off the bench much. He will be looking for the exit door over the summer.

Scholes & Giggs - Probably both will remain bit players but Fergie needs to stop relying on both and really get others working in their place because after next year they won't be playing any more no matter what I reckon.

Lampard - At his time in his career I think it is the typical problem of regaining both form and confidence after a period off is somewhat hard, although it is some what tainted by the fact Chelsea haven't exactly provided the ideal circumstances for him to shine any way.

JT - He still hasn't got back to his old form since his life got splashed all over the newspapers and seems prone to the odd bad mistake, I tend to think he will survive at least another year.

Drogba - I think he also suffered badly from the malaria he got but in the last couple of months he really looks like he is gaining some momentum again, I still think he could be really good for Chelsea next season.

Anelka - Tough one since I still get a feeling of being trying to conform to the stereotypical French person too often, I suspect it might be either him or Kalou who will make their way to the exit door over summer.

Spurs - They will suffer for fumbling the ball towards the end of the season and not making the champions league, they do however need to replace Gomez because quite honestly he is making way too many howlers.

Arsenal - He needs some people along the spine of his team who can actually boss people to do what is required to win, as important but just as hard is to give the captains roll to someone who can boss the team rather than using it to massage a players ego.

Maxi - Will continue his goalscoring form over entire next season averaging 2 goals per game. He will break records and be sold to city the season after for 300 million.

Have a feeling most teams could possible end up taking a step backwards next season. Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes/Giggs aren't getting any younger (although Giggs is questionable). Spurs might end up a couple of players and I can see them having problems drawing new players. Arsenal never seems to evolve.

Can be an interesting transfer window, however I' not totally familiar with the new rules so don't wanna guess transfers

ps. Has Torres become any better? Or is he still crap?

 

[Keitanz]

I reckon this summer will be huge for transfers, should smash the 300/400m barrier.

 

[Embattle]

I'm sticking to what I said originally about Torres, I'll wait until next year to make my judgement.

Who do Man U have to replace Rio?

 

[soze]

So I have decided to let the team decide the fate of my season ticket. Liverpool have just put 5 past Fulham at the Cottage and we are there next weekend. So if we score 3 or more I will renew

And I am not thinking about dropping it because of form or price it is mainly because I have missed 11 games this season because I have been stuck on call. Just like I will be sat at home in front of a PC tomorrow.

 

[Aph3x]

I'm sticking to what I said originally about Torres, I'll wait until next year to make my judgement.

Who do Man U have to replace Rio?

Smalling will come through and do that job, Rio will also go on for a few years yet.

I have always thought Man Utd have lacked a real driving force in midfield, well untill Giggs knocked ten years off his age whilst retraining as a central midfielder! They need a Kaka, or a Gorcouff to step in there and play with the grafters, last few games Ive seen of them Anderson shows the potential to finally make the step up and start playing like a match winner but he needs to do it week in week out.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Sorry but Arsenal don't need a GK, Szczesny is a fine keeper and hasn't done anything worthy of not being dropped. Has a very high save percentage, and before his injury Fabianski was playing very well after a slow start to the season.

We need an extra quality striker, some real DM/MC cover, and maybe one more effective winger, after a great DC. Djourou and Vermaelen are quality, so would be good to have another of the same standard and allow Koscielny to grow a little.

Squid needs to go, as do Diaby and Denilson. Wouldn't be too much of an issue if Bendtner left, as long as we signed a quality striker to compete and give us another option. Wouldn't be too dishearted if Arshavin left as long as we had someone quality in.

 

[Embattle]

I asked about Rio not due to age alone but more the combination of injuries he has seemed to suffer.

 

[Ch3tan]

Smalling, he has improved massively every game he plays. He will get a much larger roll next season if Rio has the same injury worries.

 

[Lethul]

It's always fun to see how neighboring countries always gets good points (especially the soviet countries)

A good tip for drinking games, always go for an eastern europe country

 

[soze]

Wouldn't be too much of an issue if Bendtner left, as long as we signed a quality striker to compete and give us another option.

Look at his goals per game before they started playing him as a winger. I still think he could be a good squad striker if when they bough him on he played though the middle. Also our chance of getting a great striker are limited by our formation as realistically they would only play when RVP is injured, that is all the time I know but no top draw striker will come to us to be number two.

 

[Lethul]

Look at his goals per game before they started playing him as a winger. I still think he could be a good squad striker if when they bough him on he played though the middle. Also our chance of getting a great striker are limited by our formation as realistically they would only play when RVP is injured, that is all the time I know but no top draw striker will come to us to be number two.

He will never be a good striker, a donkey can score goals in CF Position in a ball playing team (imho). Only things he got going for him is confidence and length

Doesn't N'gog have a better scoring record?

 

[soze]

He will never be a good striker, a donkey can score goals in CF Position in a ball playing team (imho). Only things he got going for him is confidence and length

Doesn't N'gog have a better scoring record?

He will never be our top striker, my point is more we will never get a great striker to come to us to play second fiddle to RVP. So if we are going to have to settle for a player happy to be a bench warmer then Nick can do a job still.

Unless of course we plan on going 4 4 2 next year.

 

[Lethul]

He will never be our top striker, my point is more we will never get a great striker to come to us to play second fiddle to RVP. So if we are going to have to settle for a player happy to be a bench warmer then Nick can do a job still.

Unless of course we plan on going 4 4 2 next year.

I think being a bench player (which is all he can become at a good club imho) is conflicting with his ego.

ps. N'gog doesnt only have a better scoring record lately but he also have a massive dong

 

[Lethul]

It's always fun to see how neighboring countries always gets good points (especially the soviet countries)

A good tip for drinking games, always go for an eastern europe country

Georgian presenter. hawt hawt hawt!

We are writing in the wrong thread!

 

[Keitanz]

With a quality new DC and DL and a player like Juan Manuel Mata, Liverpool could easily get back in the top four.

Man Utd need to make a big statement of intent this summer, with a big signing, otherwise they will be screwed before long! Schweinsteiger would be ideal for them but would no doubt cost 20-30m.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Look at his goals per game before they started playing him as a winger. I still think he could be a good squad striker if when they bough him on he played though the middle. Also our chance of getting a great striker are limited by our formation as realistically they would only play when RVP is injured, that is all the time I know but no top draw striker will come to us to be number two.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of the anti-Bendtner brigade at all, I quite rate him as a player. But I wouldn't be surprised if he left, or too disappointed - and I think it would be nice to get someone better in. If we did that then there'd be no room for him.