Football The 2013 / 2014 Season Thread

[Raven]

Do you go to the games of your team?

In fact how many of you actually go to the games of your team?

What's that got to do with anything? If only people who went to matches were allowed to support their team then Shitty would only have a couple of hundred fans. Ridiculous thing to say.

 

[caLLous]

Do you go to the games of your team?

In fact how many of you actually go to the games of your team?

I haven't yet this year. I try to catch a game when I'm in England but it's not always easy. I managed 3 games last year (2H 1A).

And it's not what we're talking about. We're talking about a glory seeker, one who latches onto a team who are currently doing well. Armchair supporters and glory seekers are not the same thing. Glory seeking armchair supporters are just the worst, though. When did you last go and see your favouritest ever team (whichever that might be this season) play?

Anyway, I think I might faint if we sign anybody else. According to a dodgy Russian journalist (he's not that dodgy by all accounts) we've agreed, in principal, a fee for Willian and he's popping over for a medical. And Lamela is apparently coming over to 'ave a natter about a transfer.

I will collapse, I swear. If all this happened I would drive Bale to the airport myself but apparently his move is looking less and less likely now too!

Best signing of the season? Baldini.

 

[soze]

I have read the reason for Bales "injury" is that he has been sold to Madrid already but you have told them they can not announce until you have spent the money. It makes a lot of sense and would explain why it has gone so quiet.

 

[Vae]

Anyway, I think I might faint if we sign anybody else. According to a dodgy Russian journalist (he's not that dodgy by all accounts) we've agreed, in principal, a fee for Willian and he's popping over for a medical. And Lamela is apparently coming over to 'ave a natter about a transfer.

I will collapse, I swear. If all this happened I would drive Bale to the airport myself but apparently his move is looking less and less likely now too!

Best signing of the season? Baldini.

The only thing that makes sense to me is that the deal for Bale is already done and the rest is misinformation to avoid the prices being driven up for Spurs by clubs knowing they have a war chest. Him being currently (vaguely) injured would tie in with this. I compare the information on this injury with that of some of his last year when we had much more information (e.g. of them using new techniques such as blood replacement I think) as they tried to get him back fit again. There's something not quite right about this whole situation.

 

[caLLous]

It would make sense, with all this investment, that we know we have a significant amount of money coming in. I've been as convinced as anybody that Bale is going solely because of all this money we've been throwing around.

But. We've not spent a lot for the past few seasons and I believe promises would've been made to AVB about spending to convince him not to go to PSG or RM. There's an interesting article here about our transfer business over the last decade or so, we've certainly been spending lower than average over the past couple of seasons. You're the financial expert round here Vae, make of it what you will.

I have read the reason for Bales "injury" is that he has been sold to Madrid already but you have told them they can not announce until you have spent the money. It makes a lot of sense and would explain why it has gone so quiet.

How do you know about it then?

 

[soze]

How do you know about it then?

I don't know obviously But it kinda explains why Madrid, Bale and Spuds have all gone so quiet.

 

[Raven]

I think if Bale has got a niggle then they wont play him anyway. A, nobody wants to buy an injured player and B, he is too important to risk a longer injury. Whether they sell him or keep him, resting him is better. It also gives them a chance to use some other players, there is only so much pre-season friendlies will tell you about a player.

Personally I don't think he will go to RM, I don't think they can afford him. Spurs would be nuts to give him to them on tick or partial future payments, what with the changes that will have to happen financially in Spanish football.

 

[caLLous]

That's just... unfortunate.

 

[eksdee]

Tomas Rosicky: 'We have to be ready from the start'.

huehuehue

 

[rynnor]

I don't know obviously But it kinda explains why Madrid, Bale and Spuds have all gone so quiet.

I agree - when Spurs started lavishly spending I figured the deal was done for Bale - will be amazed if it doesn't happen and the 'injury' is extremely suspicious in the circumstances

 

[caLLous]

Several sources now saying that Willian is in London for a medical at Spurs, including the legendary Gianluca Di Marzio. He is rarely wrong.

Oh jeez...

 

[soze]

Not sure if I agree with Pardew on this.

If we leaked the bid then you have to ask why not wait till Tuesday. But his saying it had any impact on the result of the game is madness. He decided not to play Cabaye but that should not have ruined his whole team.

With that said if Cabaye is the kind of player that can't play just because of some paper talk then I want him even less now.

The fact that every Arsenal bid is seeming to go public is somewhat worrying too. Like the club want the excuse of look at all the deals we tried to make! But they need to realize that does not mean a thing other clubs don't just managed to have offers rejected they negotiate. I wonder what would happen if Newcastle accepted £10m would something else then stall the deal until another club came in like with Higuain.

I gave up my season ticket last year so I would be doing it but I know at least 5 people who will be send theirs back if there are no signings made by the end of the windows. This is largely symbolic as they will obviously still go this season as i doubt they can get a refund. They will just not buy one next year.

If the club hope that just saying they tried to make xyz number of deals happen with keep us happy they are shockingly out of date with the fans.

 

[Billargh]

Pardew with his excuse bingo bullshit showing again, even with Cabaye we'd have got a drubbing.

I wouldn't worry about him not playing because of 'paper talk', if anything we've not played him to avoid risking injury to an asset (probably our best one) we've pretty much resigned ourself to losing for decent money in the near future.

 

[rynnor]

Bale to RM for 93m according to Sky Italy.

 

[rynnor]

I think Pardew is looking for excuses - Arsenal have done nothing wrong - I do wonder why the window doesn't close on the eve of the first day of the season?

 

[caLLous]

I think he has a bit of a point but he is just having a moan. He's not exactly got a sqeaky clean record in the transfer market but I think it's considered bad form to make an offer on a player hours before their first game of the season...

 

[caLLous]

Liverpool are resigned to defeat in the pursuit of Willian, which is a good job having been out-bid by Tottenham and with the Brazilian reportedly undergoing a medical in London. The Anfield club were first to move for the midfielder following news of the budget-slashing at Anzhi Makhachkala and had made good progress on a £30m deal by the weekend, albeit without taking his signature for granted having missed out on Henrik Mkhitaryan and Diego Costa. That caution was well-placed when Spurs arrived with a better offer to both Anzhi and the player. Liverpool refused to go above their initial valuation and Willian is White Hart Lane bound as a result.

And, from a gooner (Hytner at the Guardian) no less:

Tottenham are trying to take Erik Lamela from Roma. Franco Baldini knows all about the £25m-rated attacker, having previously worked at Roma and Andre Villas-Boas is also an admirer. Tottenham are really pushing the boat out, with Willian close to joining for £30m.

 

[caLLous]

Arsenal revealed to be paying Southampton £10,000 every time Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays 20 minutes or more

 

[Raven]

Knowing how tight Wenger is, that would be more than enough reason to not play him for 20 minutes or more!

 

[caLLous]

 

[rynnor]

Arsenal to make another bid for Kabaye? They want 18-20m for him tho which is a serious premium...

 

[caLLous]

Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway faces FA charges

Welcome back, lol.

 

[caLLous]

 

[eksdee]

Daaaayyyyyum! Who was that?

 

[caLLous]

Antoine Griezmann, Real Sociedad vs Lyon. It's a peach.



Pity half of the cameramen missed it.

 

[rynnor]

Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway faces FA charges

Welcome back, lol.

Pretty stupid - he clearly handled in the box and as for favouring certain clubs lol - spurs didn't receive a single penalty last season - hows that for favour

 

[megadave]

Best signing of the season? Baldini.

The Technical/Sporting Director role that has been seeping into the English game lately has really begun to prove beneficial. You look at what Chelsea, Tottenham and Man City have done with Emanalo, Baldini and Begiristain respectively, then compare that to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United and you can see a huge disparity in how effective they've been in the transfer market this summer.

 

[Aoami]

I agree. Joe kinnear has been brilliant.

 

[Raven]

Since when have UTD needed one? Maybe if you are swapping your manager every other season it's necessary but they certainly don't need one. Fergie will still be involved with that side of things I imagine. UTD will be making more signings.

 

[soze]

I do not know if it would work at Arsenal. I don't ever think Wenger could ever just say "I want Cabaye" and let someone go an get him. He will have his idea of how much the player is worth and will not go over it. It is a shame but that seems to be how it is.