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TUESDAY FOOTBALL THREAD - those post-transfer deadline day blues

Jordan_229_2 [Edit] [Delete] 499 replies 09:33, 3 September '13

fuck off.

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  • Can't believe PSG signed Mata

    :(((

    DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 09:38 | X
    Smee, Verbal, and vamos this'd this
    • Huh?

      Smee @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 09:49 | X
    • What is the tactical thinking behind ditching Mata?

      I assume Chelsea didn't need to sell for any sort of financial reason.

      He'll be missed

      Jawstheshark @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 10:28 | X
      • er...

        Verbal @Jawstheshark | 3 Sep '13, 10:34 | X
      • doesn't fit into chelseas quick counter attacking style?

        great player obviously, but has a tendency to slow things up. DK will probably not agree

        Silkyskillz11 @Jawstheshark | 3 Sep '13, 10:42 | X
      • Looks like I got a bit confused. Maybe none of it happened.

        Jawstheshark @Jawstheshark | 3 Sep '13, 13:35 | X
    • they didnt

      TheKennedyCurse @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 10:46 | X
      DanielKelly this'd this
      • Wish you'd replied a bit earlier

        I spent a good 5 minutes this morning trying to find out more and figure out why no-one thought this was big enough news to put SOMEwhere on their sports page.

        splitterwill @TheKennedyCurse | 3 Sep '13, 13:22 | X
        thegoodmrbrodie this'd this
  • Still absolutely livid with the bungling incompetence of Woodward and Moyes

    the_dazzled | 3 Sep '13, 09:54 | X
    littlebirds this'd this
    • Its more irritating now that some of the more comedic rumours have been dispelled. at least the coentrao issue wasnt 100% utds fault i guess..

      Jordan_229_2 @the_dazzled | 3 Sep '13, 09:59 | X
      • The imposter stuff doesn't bother me so much

        We just look like clowns, totally out of our depth. We're in a vulnerable place with the end of the SAF /Gill dynasty, and we've done nothing to inspire confidence or show that we can compete in today's market.

        We're a laughing stock, and Moyes is now pretty exposed.

        the_dazzled @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 10:06 | X
    • Do you (and other United fans) think players going to Utd are put off by Moyes?

      Was reading an article which mentioned it this morning. When before, players would be drawn to United they knew they would be playing for the biggest team etc under one of the best managers ever, now it's still the biggest team but under Moyes?

      I doubt it probably makes little difference actually but I don't know if it was discussed before. Ozil had specifically talked about developing under Wenger but I suppose he's hardly going to say, 'They gave me 150 grand a week'.

      olegrich @the_dazzled | 3 Sep '13, 10:20 | X
      wrightylew this'd this
      • He won't have the same pull as fergie obv. I believe SAF was the reason RVP joined us and not city for example.

        the_dazzled @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 10:29 | X
        • It's hardly as if the United squad is poor

          and needs re-hauling, but I do think if it was SAF in charge during the window, and seeing how his rivals (and non rivals) were strengthening, he's have come up with a few more, bigger, signings, ie if he was still in charge when Ozil came on the market. (Which sounds disrespectful to Fellaini, but that isn't the intention as I think he'll do well. It's just Moyes has been in charge at United for a few months and has only brought in one of his old players)

          olegrich @the_dazzled | 3 Sep '13, 10:33 | X
          • SAF's networks were also much bigger

            If you're a player at a top flight club, you'll know other players, staff and football people who would probably know fergie from some part of their career who would probably speak highly about him.

            An address book built from years and years of networks in the game.

            Moyes doesn't have that.

            the_dazzled @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 10:38 | X
            • Good point

              But on the other hand, wouldn't going to the United in itself be a huge draw? Will it take Moyes winning a league for the bigger players to gravitate towards them?

              olegrich @the_dazzled | 3 Sep '13, 10:42 | X
            • maybe Fergie left his address book and a bottle of scotch in his desk draw

              Jordan_229_2 @the_dazzled | 3 Sep '13, 10:50 | X
              • and a gun

                the_dazzled @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 10:58 | X
        • the £300k a week helped.

          mala @the_dazzled | 3 Sep '13, 10:56 | X
          olegrich this'd this
      • you mean put off as in ''i won't play for Moyes''?

        I don't, no. But I don't think people would want to play under him particularly either; he obviously doesn't have the same pull as Fergie did. He's highly respected in the game but he doesn't have that gravitas that a world class manager does. I don't think Moyes would've got RVP to come to Utd, for example. If its Man Utd vs Man City now theres very little beyond wages to consider.

        Jordan_229_2 @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 10:32 | X
        • The club in itself

          should really be a big enough pull, especially with it's successes over the last 20 years up to and including last year. And it's not as if you're skint.

          olegrich @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 10:39 | X
          • OR IS IT?!

            Jordan_229_2 @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 10:44 | X
  • Pretty underwhelming deadline day really

    apart from Ozil. Nice to see an established genuine world class player at the top of this game actually decide to come to the bestest league in all of the world. Doesn't happen often.

    jacques_le_biscuit_ | 3 Sep '13, 10:57 | X
  • Odemwingie tweet:

    "Absolutely delighted to be joining Cardiff City FC! Can't wait to hear the famous Cardiff fans roar! I promise GOALS!!!"

    Bless him.

    nebbie | 3 Sep '13, 09:54 | X
  • grinning ear to ear still

    can't quite believe it

    streetflash | 3 Sep '13, 10:03 | X
    Vian and Antelope this'd this
  • Not very happy that we've sent Lukaku

    off to Everton. It's good for the player, but it seems a very stupid piece of business.

    Silentcommand | 3 Sep '13, 10:05 | X
    • Lukaku is a strange one.

      I've a passionate manlove for the guy and desperately want him to succeed at Chelsea (I'll bawl like a child should he ever score for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge), but people's opinions of him seem massively out of tune with where he currently is as a player.

      DanielKelly @Silentcommand | 3 Sep '13, 10:09 | X
      Kallgeese this'd this
      • Scored 17 goals for a struggling team last year?

        Which is more league goals than every one of your current strikers. Also fits in perfectly to the snooze ball that Jose likes to play.

        wilykit @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 10:12 | X
        • Struggling team?

          West Brom were safe by about January then sleepwalked into midtable.

          Steved @wilykit | 3 Sep '13, 10:16 | X
          • Look, pal. I'm trying to undermine Abs if you don't mind.

            wilykit @Steved | 3 Sep '13, 10:18 | X
        • He did excellently at West Brom.

          Can't knock him for that at all, but can knock people (mainly irate Chelsea forum users) who can't put it into perspective- he couldn't hold down a starting position and scored many of his goals in the sort of situations he'll rarely find himself in at Chelsea.

          I say it begrudgingly because I absolute WANT to be watching him at Chelsea this year, but there is clear sense in loaning him to anyone who has watched a lot of him rather than just looked at his stats.

          DanielKelly @wilykit | 3 Sep '13, 10:28 | X
          • I think he'll benefit from playing regularly.

            However I don't see why Chelsea don't want someone who scored more in the league coming off the bench than all their other strikers.

            wilykit @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 10:34 | X
      • Do people automatically expect him to be Drogba Mk.2?

        Due to his size and strength?

        olegrich @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 10:14 | X
  • Genuinely think Everton have done the best business of the window.

    wilykit | 3 Sep '13, 10:08 | X
    PickledOeuf, nebbie, and Antelope this'd this
    • McCarthy is never a £15m player

      film_maker @wilykit | 3 Sep '13, 10:26 | X
      • Yeah but to be in profit after getting Barry, Lukaku and McCarthy is great business.

        Add to that Deulofeu, Kone and keeping Baines and they've worked the market excellently.

        wilykit @film_maker | 3 Sep '13, 10:37 | X
        • as a long suffering Evertonian...

          ...i'm happy to say that i agree. aside from Kone. he looks a bit pants.

          sunstroke_house @wilykit | 3 Sep '13, 10:51 | X
    • they've done alright, yeah.

      but they did lose felllani.

      meths @wilykit | 3 Sep '13, 11:03 | X
      • but he wanted out...

        ...so i think it was for the best (a bit like vomit)

        sunstroke_house @meths | 3 Sep '13, 11:12 | X
  • Starting to think Paolo Di Canio is actual, proper, true blue mental

    Not Ian Holloway "ooh, I'm mad me" mental, but pillowcase full of human fingernails under his bed mental. He's going to rival Mark Hughes at QPR for the most damage done to a football club in less than a year award.

    On the bright side we get to see Andrea Dossena in the Premiership again, one of those players I've always kind of liked despite him being indisputably crap.

    Steved | 3 Sep '13, 10:09 | X
    • Think that's a bit over the top (like him lol)

      Sunderland have spent almost every season they've lasted in the top flight ridding themselves of their entire squad and getting in a new one, so really di Caniio is just carrying on a proud tradition. Also he's hardly spunking billions on 33 year old top four water carriers Hughesy style is he. Id give him a bit before declaring him the most destructive individual the premier league has ever known. Personally I think and hope he's only getting started.

      Parsefone @Steved | 3 Sep '13, 13:30 | X
  • Hard to be anything but excited

    as it's Arsenal's biggest name signing since probably Bergkamp (and even then he was coming off a rough spell at Inter), and they spent some of the WARCHEST as well (RIP WARCHEST). Didn't realise just how good Ozil's record was over the last few years, and the thought of him linking up with Carzola and Wilshere is very exciting.

    Obviously we can't have it all but a CB and another Striker would have been much needed (and argued more than Ozil), as if one of Koscielny and Mertesacker get injured/suspended, and with Vermaelen injured as well, playing Sagna at CB isn't the best option and should be nothing more than a stop gap at best. Up front, currently the options are Giroud (has started extremely well but can't be expected to play 50+ games), Sanogo (young and injury prone), Walcott (showed good form as a central striker before so could turn out well for him, but mostly played out wide), Podolski (injured) and Bendtner (Bendtner)

    But still, Arsenal sign a world class player for a record fee. This isn't just confined to FM anymore!

    olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 10:11 | X
    meths this'd this
    • i'm glad we've kept bentdner.

      meths @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 11:04 | X
  • Welcome home Carlton

    jacques_le_biscuit_ | 3 Sep '13, 10:13 | X
    umlaut_ampersand this'd this
  • we signed no one

    sold no one either. Looks like we are putting all of our chips in the loan window, which opens later this week.

    eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee i don't like not having money.

    Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 10:14 | X
  • In amidst the fervour generated by the Ozil transfer I didn’t even get a chance to get upset by Chelsea’s Ba trolling.

    Jawstheshark | 3 Sep '13, 10:26 | X
    • Fair play to them

      Levy could learn a thing or two about that sort of thing.

      olegrich @Jawstheshark | 3 Sep '13, 10:28 | X
  • After all this WINDOW DRAMA

    I had forgotten there is another one in January.

    olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 10:29 | X
    • arsenal saving some of their WARCHEST for a january spree

      srs tho, be weird if arsenal didn't back up the ozil signing with another 8-figure deal or two in the next window.

      Verbal @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 10:31 | X
      • Although it's said Wenger isn't a fan of a spend in January

        (there is decent enough evidence to suggest otherwise), before yesterday he wasn't a fan of spending huge money on a player.

        Expect Messi at London Colney on Jan 1st.

        olegrich @Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 10:36 | X
  • Hope Ozil can double up as a goalkeeper, centre half and striker as well.

    Magnificent player obviously. But new attacking midfielder would probably be about 5th on their list of priorities, surely? Wenger had said all they needed was numbers to add depth. Spending £43m on one player seems like the opposite of that.

    On Moyes, I think the window strengthened the suggestion that he's out of his depth. He was trying to sign world class playmakers all summer, and has settled for Fellaini. Their fans will rightly be furious this morning, and he's just mounted more pressure on himself. After they've got rid of Palace they have to go to City, then they've got us at OT to look forward to. I think if he doesn't win at least one of those games, it'll get ugly.

    wrightylew | 3 Sep '13, 10:36 | X
    film_maker this'd this
  • and can someone PLEASE explain why Dwight Gayle cost so much?

    Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 10:33 | X
  • Now the transfer window is shut

    I can unleash my fantasy WARCHEST. Wildcard activated!

    boothyfearssatan | 3 Sep '13, 10:34 | X
  • Couple of thoughts on yesterday's action ...

    - United's BUNGLING transfer window is being severely overplayed. It's pretty difficult to improve on a title-winning squad and it makes perfect sense to keep the playing squad largely as it is given other significant changes at the club. The only way they've been embarrassed is if you're silly enough to believe they've gone anywhere near the dozens of players they've apparently been rejected by.

    - Kinda want to be pleased for the beleaguered Arsenal fans I know because it is properly exciting to sign a big name player, but thanks to Facebook I just can't. What is it about football fans on Facebook that makes them such intolerable two-bobs? We're all perfectly pleasant by comparison.

    DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 10:35 | X
    • on Man Utd, its like I said yesterday

      Utd could have paid Fellaini's release clause in June, had a full pre-season with him and had him for two important games, and for £4.5m less. do that and its a very good deal all round. I can't see any reason for letting it go to the deadline and paying nearly £5m more, as with the Fabregas chase and Herrera chase it doesn't seem like we were after Fellaini OR another midfielder.

      The way the Herrera thing unfolded was undeniably messy. If we didn't want to pay his release clause we should've just walked away.

      Jordan_229_2 @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 10:42 | X
      • Admittedly it's difficult to keep up with the transfer deadline day guff

        but I thought walking away was exactly what United did with Herrera? Seen various reports that the suits trying to get the deal done had nowt to do with United.

        The Fellaini stuff doesn't look great if it all transpired as you described but the facts remain pretty hidden from us. £27.5m could be Fellaini's release clause plus the added tax that is added to any 'hostile' bid and as such the cheapest he was ever going to move for, for all we know.

        DanielKelly @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 10:50 | X
        • ^ this, essentially

          the herrera thing was bizarre but i'm not even sure the club can be blamed. don't forget moyes has only been there a few months. it's not the longest time to scout players and get them signed. he won't have wanted to rock up in july and just press go on fergie's scouts' recommendations.

          ultimately, the midfield is finally stronger. scraping around on deadline day is ugly but i almost feel it was inevitable this time around. hope it doesn't continue.

          84joe @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 11:13 | X
    • Re: United

      I think even their ardent fan would be able to admit that whilst it hardly needs a huge overhaul, the difference between United and the rest last season was Van Persie's goals and the other team's inability to put together a real title challenge. Whilst it's all change for the 3 main contenders in the manager seat, anyone at United (Moyes included) would or should have known that their main rivals would strengthen sufficiently enough to pose a real challenge or overhaul them. This will of course be proved when United win the league again.

      Re: football fans on FB - I've seen you sharing 'watch all 100 Frank Lampard penalties' youtube clips, so don't think you're not as bad.

      olegrich @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 10:52 | X
    • i've got a 'friend' on facebook who only ever posts about arsenal.

      he's really, REALLY annoying when he does. i can see why people dont like arsenal fans.

      last nights update claimed that we've signed a better player than real had brought.

      meths @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 11:06 | X
  • General Mesut Ozil excitement post

    Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 10:37 | X
    meths this'd this
    • great player

      but who's gonna put the ball away after his glorious reverse pass fools 3 defenders?
      thinking maybe Wenger is gonna give Walcott a sustained period up top. what you reckon, bro?

      Silkyskillz11 @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 10:48 | X
      • Most of Arsenal's goals last season were split between Giroud, Podolski and Walcott

        so they have scoring options (just not many). The fact that there's now an extra (top class) creative player in the team means that hopefully the goal scorers will have even more chances to put away/shank. And with Cazorla and Ozil in the team (and hopefully Wilshere will improve in this respect) it'll be harder for teams to shut Arsenal down. And I assume Ozil is used to playing against teams who are trying to shut up shop, which will be a bonus. And he'll chip in a few goals of his own. And just omg Ozil Ozil Ozil Ozil Ozil Ozil Ozil Ozil Ozil.

        Royter-Hatfood @Silkyskillz11 | 3 Sep '13, 11:17 | X
        • Don't forget the best Welsh player in the league Aaron Ramsey

          chipping in with a few as well.

          olegrich @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 11:23 | X
          Royter-Hatfood this'd this
  • wanna go to hartlepool tonight but i can't afford the train fare

    shrewbie | 3 Sep '13, 10:39 | X
  • pretty sure Everton did the best business in du window

    felli gone for 4 million more than necessary
    lukaku in - 10 league goals, no sweat
    anichebe OUT - is he out? went to bed at 11.30.
    Barry in - nice link between defence and attack. clever player
    mccarthey in - like this kid. gonna be a very good player
    happy days

    Silkyskillz11 | 3 Sep '13, 10:41 | X
    sunstroke_house and Antelope this'd this
    • apart from Barry i think you played a blinder

      McCarthy is a bit overpriced but at least Kenwright is spending for once.

      Keeping Baines was great work.

      wrightylew @Silkyskillz11 | 3 Sep '13, 10:48 | X
      • surely barry, even if you don't rate him

        is a pretty low risk loan?

        Verbal @wrightylew | 3 Sep '13, 10:50 | X
        Silkyskillz11 and meths this'd this
        • Older, experienced head in a youngish team as well

          olegrich @Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 10:53 | X
          Silkyskillz11 this'd this
          • yep

            step up from Gibbo. will be bustinga gut to get on the plane to Brazil. good business all round

            Silkyskillz11 @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 10:54 | X
            • jose bustinga

              Silkyskillz11 @Silkyskillz11 | 3 Sep '13, 10:55 | X
            • Gibson is better than Barry

              kid's got a shot to die for

              Jordan_229_2 @Silkyskillz11 | 3 Sep '13, 10:58 | X
              sunstroke_house this'd this
              • this is why english football is in the 40's

                booting the ball hard aint gonna get you far, man

                Silkyskillz11 @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 11:00 | X
              • hmmm.

                mala @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 11:01 | X
              • GTFO

                film_maker @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 11:30 | X
                • chill maaaaan

                  the cat has been running Everton's midfield since he switched.

                  Jordan_229_2 @film_maker | 3 Sep '13, 14:00 | X
    • Victor went to WBA

      nice chap but smart move on his behalf.

      sunstroke_house @Silkyskillz11 | 3 Sep '13, 10:53 | X
    • very interested...

      ...to see how our midfield will shape up. hopefully the competition for places will push Pienaar and Miralles into the form we know they're capable of. and Ossy onto the bench...

      sunstroke_house @Silkyskillz11 | 3 Sep '13, 10:56 | X
  • Going to my first football of the season this evening

    Off to the Golden Palace to see our huge Johnstone's Paint Tin (Northern Section) tie against Walsall.

    urbanfox | 3 Sep '13, 11:00 | X
  • also: Liverpool

    Throughout the window we've been bidding £20odd mil for attacking midfielders. Now we've settled on a loan deal for Victor Moses... How is the manager gonna be happy with that? Also, as only Borini left (my favourite moment of the entire day), we now have many many people who play centre back:

    Ilori
    Sakho
    Toure
    Agger
    Skrtel
    Coates

    Someone's gonna be a bit bored this season aren't they?

    wrightylew | 3 Sep '13, 10:42 | X
    • Coates is out for the foreseeable future

      I'd assume Skrtel is going to be off to Naples in January too, and Toure isn't a long term option. Signing Moses on the cheap is preferable to blowing £15m+ on a player whose value has been inflated by deadline day and who isn't as good as the other players we were targeting. Plus we're very close to having a Suarez/Sturridge/Coutinho front three available.

      Still a bit bewildered that we've signed Mamadou Sakho. Probably the most promising signing we've made since Xabi Alonso.

      Steved @wrightylew | 3 Sep '13, 10:53 | X
      • i hope you're right

        I never watch French football so I've no idea about him.

        I know Toure isn't long term but he's been soooo good for us, it'd be harsh to just drop him.

        He used to play defensive mid at arsenal didn't he? Be great if he still had the legs to fill in there instead of or even alongside Lucas.

        wrightylew @Steved | 3 Sep '13, 11:06 | X
        • ?

          Glad for Toure, but he's played three games. Against Stoke, at home, you just about salvaged a point due to having a good goalie (admitedly after a good first half performance). Then you beat Villa 1-0 after being dominated for the entire second half. Then the worst side in League One took you to extra time in the League Cup, at home, scoring twice.

          mala @wrightylew | 3 Sep '13, 11:10 | X
          • Erm, just about salvaged about against Stoke?

            Think we won that one pal.

            Steved @mala | 3 Sep '13, 11:15 | X
            • * just about salvaged the win.

              mala @Steved | 3 Sep '13, 11:19 | X
    • Coates is out for the season, champ.

      three of those other five can play in other positions.

      mala @wrightylew | 3 Sep '13, 10:53 | X
    • Kelly and Wisdom too

      they can play in central midfield too though i guess. for man utd.

      Jordan_229_2 @wrightylew | 3 Sep '13, 10:56 | X
      • Kelly's permabroken

        He's our Fletcher, only without all the pooing.

        Steved @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 10:58 | X
  • Quite a good day, tbh.

    - No doubt Ozil will prove a good buy, but if you listed every position in order of where Arsenal needed to strengthen, a playmaker would've been right at the bottom of the list. Seems more a case of a player being too good to turn down, rather than a manager wanting to strengthen his side per se. I'd be very excited if i was an Arsenal fan, no doubt, but that £90m-£100m total outlay could strengthened the whole spine of a side which has lacked leadership and physicality for years.

    - Very much enjoying the new United regime and their compelte amateurishness. I think we're seeing already that David Gill, not Ferguson was the most important person at the club. Spending two days in Spain negotiating the finer points of a player's contract then trying to save a few quid in the last hour is just baffling, tbh, but then so's signing a player for £28m when he was available for £23m til about three weeks ago.

    - Very sad to see Gareth Barry leave. Still one of our best XI, imho. Really disappointed at how quickly we tore up our title-winning setup after one apparently disappointing season (2nd, Cup Final). Doesn't really feel much like City without Mancini, Tevez, de Jong, with Kompany in and out of the side, etc.

    - Liverpool (signing twelve centre halves, finding a manager mad enough to take Borini), Everton (upgrading Fellaini, signing the best young striker in the league and getting SIX MILLION for Victor Anichebe) doing the best business for me.

    mala | 3 Sep '13, 10:50 | X
    • too many words, bro

      probably all bang-on, but jeeeeesus.

      Silkyskillz11 @mala | 3 Sep '13, 10:53 | X
      mala this'd this
      • grow up, you stupid cunt.

        mala @Silkyskillz11 | 3 Sep '13, 10:54 | X
        • wow!

          no stella and banana this morning?

          Silkyskillz11 @mala | 3 Sep '13, 10:56 | X
          mala this'd this
          • ;-D

            just a bit tired after spending all night rattling yer ma.

            mala @Silkyskillz11 | 3 Sep '13, 11:00 | X
            • there's an embargo on mum jokes in my direction, bro

              I'll let this one sliiiiiide

              Silkyskillz11 @mala | 3 Sep '13, 11:02 | X
    • Don't think that last point can be made strongly enough

      Six million pounds for Victor Anichebe. SIX MILLION! I mean he's not a dreadful player and maybe he can do the same sort of job as Lukaku last season, but fucking hell.

      benni @mala | 3 Sep '13, 11:00 | X
      meths and olegrich this'd this
      • West Brom spent more on Anichebe than they did on Sessegnon

        I'm not even sure where to begin picking that apart.

        Steved @benni | 3 Sep '13, 11:02 | X
      • According to Wikipedia he's already scored 18 goals for West Brom:

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Anichebe

        Bargain!

        umlaut_ampersand @benni | 3 Sep '13, 11:12 | X
    • Are you saying they could have strengthened the whole spine

      Ie gk, dc, dm and striker, for £94.573157842m all in? All pay as you play contracts presumably

      Smee @mala | 3 Sep '13, 11:04 | X
      • i think Arsenal could've signed and paid three quality players for what Ozil cost, yeah.

        a goalie, central midfielder, striker.

        mala @Smee | 3 Sep '13, 11:07 | X
        • So £15m each OR on dirt cheap wages and upgrades on Sczes, mert/kosc, and giroud respectively?

          Who are these players and why did no one else sign them?

          Smee @mala | 3 Sep '13, 11:11 | X
          Royter-Hatfood this'd this
          • said a defensive midfielder, champ.

            but as a general point, United didn't pay a fortune for Vidic, Evra or Hernandez. City didn't pay that much for Kompany, Zabaleta, Clichy, etc. Chelsea paid low fees for Azpilicueta, Cahill, Cole, Ba, etc.

            mala @Smee | 3 Sep '13, 11:14 | X
            • no, you're right again

              Smee @mala | 3 Sep '13, 11:18 | X
              mala this'd this
            • Leaving aside the point that the Ozil deal is worth about £77m, not £95m, I agree with the general point

              I'm incredibly excited about the signing, but really it's a fucking lovely cherry on the shitty cake that is our transfer window.

              Not sure how Gary Cahill helps anything, but if we'd been a bit bolder and smarter then there's no reason we couldn't have strengthened the positions which badly need it earlier in the window and still been in a position to do something like this.

              benni @mala | 3 Sep '13, 11:24 | X
              olegrich this'd this
              • i was just using an average.

                of the lowest quoted wage (£150k a week) and the highest (£200k) a week.

                it's actually bang on £90m, so we were both wrong.

                mala @benni | 3 Sep '13, 11:27 | X
                • Fair do's

                  Seen normally pretty reliable people saying £7m pa, which is about £135k per week, but this is pretty much the most boring aspect of the whole thing and we were agreeing on the main point, so really I'm not even sure why I'm still writing this

                  benni @mala | 3 Sep '13, 11:37 | X
            • Cole to Chelsea is a complete anomaly though

              What with the tapping up, Gallas' threatened own goal etc.

              Steved @mala | 3 Sep '13, 11:26 | X
  • i find Man Utd fans spoiled child overreactions immeasurably more entertaining than watching a David Moyes team play

    brusma | 3 Sep '13, 10:44 | X
    tea_segall this'd this
    • there really haven't been any, have there?

      most of the comments i've read have just been distate at how the deals went through or didn't.

      Jordan_229_2 @brusma | 3 Sep '13, 10:47 | X
      • really whiny though

        kind of hard to take seriously

        shrewbie @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 10:50 | X
        • it's not their fault though i guess

          shrewbie @shrewbie | 3 Sep '13, 10:54 | X
      • nah there was a lot of embarrassing whinging

        deadline day makes everyone look bad

        84joe @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 11:21 | X
    • We should just be happy to even be able to buy a player like Fellaini right?

      When there are nurses dying and soldiers saving people's lives.

      the_dazzled @brusma | 3 Sep '13, 10:49 | X
    • Facebook was fucking hilarious after the game on Sunday

      All wingeing and moaning. Hilarious.

      tea_segall @brusma | 3 Sep '13, 15:32 | X
  • this Herrera business

    does it mean Man U never bid?

    TheKennedyCurse | 3 Sep '13, 10:47 | X
    • the talk of imposters was quickly disproved.

      the people at the Spanish FA offices were lawyers acting on behalf of both clubs.

      mala @TheKennedyCurse | 3 Sep '13, 10:52 | X
      • I thought United confirmed they were imposters

        TheKennedyCurse @mala | 3 Sep '13, 10:56 | X
        • nope

          they were the same lawyers that put through the Martinez to Bayern deal apparently. dodgy 'fixer' types.

          Jordan_229_2 @TheKennedyCurse | 3 Sep '13, 10:57 | X
          PickledOeuf this'd this
  • Given it's the season shall we talk about international football?

    England have Moldova at home on Friday night, which should be a routine win all things considered. Assuming Ukraine get the customary three points against San Marino it'll be interesting to see how Montenegro do away at Poland - can see that being a draw.

    Then the biggie on tuesday - away at Ukraine. Montenegro aren't playing so would be good to get a win and the group initiative. It'll be tough, but I'd like to think we can do Ukraine (sorry nestor) and have a 2-3 point cushion at the top.

    Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 10:47 | X
    • We've still got actual football to talk about

      Let's save international football for the barren wilderness of next week.

      Steved @Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 10:57 | X
    • Even in Ligue 1 we can't escape a fucking international break

      urbanfox @Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 11:01 | X
  • rebuild Sir David Moyes'ys tattered reputation.

    Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 10:48 | X
  • Evra must be feeling great this morning

    Knowing his club were trying until the last possible second to get a new LB.

    olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 10:57 | X
    sunstroke_house this'd this
    • I wonder how much that sort of stuff actually affects a player

      I mean maybe if you're a younger player or less sure of your own place it might upset you, but I can't imagine someone as senior and established as Evra is at United probably wouldn't be too fazed.

      If anything you'd probably welcome a bit of depth, meaning you didn't feel the need to play in every single game just to keep Buttner away from the pitch

      benni @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 11:08 | X
    • well Coentrao can play other positions too

      i think Evra needs to sit out more games this season. if anything its a vote of no confidence for Buttner and Fabio.

      Jordan_229_2 @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 11:11 | X
    • In reality...

      i think Coentrao was probably targeted because of his flexibility. He's better than Ashley Young on the wing, about the same level defensively as Evra at left-back, better than, say, Giggs, or Jones, or Anderson in central midfield, and can fill in at right-back.

      mala @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 11:12 | X
  • so this is how it feels to buy a big player for big bucks.

    meths | 3 Sep '13, 11:10 | X
  • norwich have done the best business this window imo

    sunderland the weirdest. are all the players they've signed definitely crap? that giaccherini seems alright

    shrewbie | 3 Sep '13, 11:11 | X
    • Palace got 15 new bod in!

      Crazy

      Silkyskillz11 @shrewbie | 3 Sep '13, 11:12 | X
    • Altidore has a good scoring record in Holland, which is an almost meaningless quality

      Beyond that it reminds me of when Portsmouth were managed by that Perrin bloke and seemed to be trying to sign a player from every league in Europe. Aside from Steven Fletcher their striking options look very, very thin.

      Steved @shrewbie | 3 Sep '13, 11:19 | X
  • Fao mala

    Is it really necessary to refer to wages and bonuses when talking about outlay on players. I know it's an attempt to be more accurate...but surely salary is usually covered by revenue across a season, as opposed to how much total cash in reserve a club has at that time. Lumping it all together just comes off a bit sensationalist, is all.

    wonton | 3 Sep '13, 11:16 | X
    mala this'd this
    • no shit.

      mala @wonton | 3 Sep '13, 11:18 | X
    • I'll be upset if he's leaving out employer's NI costs.

      SenorDingDong @wonton | 3 Sep '13, 11:18 | X
      umlaut_ampersand this'd this
      • not to mention the HR overheads

        Smee @SenorDingDong | 3 Sep '13, 11:29 | X
    • :D

      Jordan_229_2 @wonton | 3 Sep '13, 11:21 | X
      mala, olegrich, Royter-Hatfood, and Antelope this'd this
    • Plus, he hasn't factored in additional shirt sales.

      lurchy2 @wonton | 3 Sep '13, 11:47 | X
      • Or many potential earnings

        e.g. Ozil is good enough to get Arsenal one stage further in the CL per season. That's quite a lot extra in prize money/gate receipts/tv revenue...

        wonton @lurchy2 | 3 Sep '13, 12:43 | X
    • I think that since Bosman and the age of the free transfer, you have to really.

      Clubs make an assessment of a player's worth over the entirety of their contract, and then make a purchase and wage offer to the holding club and player, respectively.

      marckee @wonton | 3 Sep '13, 11:49 | X
  • OK, so with all your new deadline day signings included, whats your teams first XI gonna look like?

    ---------seseznee----------
    sagna-mertesacker-koseilney-vermaelan
    ----wilshere---ramsey----
    walcott---ozil---corzola
    ------podolski------

    although i know it wont be anything like that cos wenger likes giroud too much. and arteta will probably be in the team. and most of them will be injured all the time.

    meths | 3 Sep '13, 11:19 | X
    • i always forget Monreal went to Arsenal.

      think you have to discount Wilshere as well, tbh.

      Giroud's better than Polodolski.

      still not sure 7 of that 11 are good enough for a title-challenging side, but wouldn't really mind being proved wrong on that.

      mala @meths | 3 Sep '13, 11:22 | X
      • never said we'd win the league.

        but ozils signing has given me some false hope that something semi interesting might happen this year.

        meths @mala | 3 Sep '13, 11:29 | X
        Royter-Hatfood this'd this
        • the carling cup is ours for the taking.

          no-class @meths | 3 Sep '13, 11:56 | X
          • dont forget a step up from losing in champions league quarter finals:

            losing on penalties in the quarter finals.

            meths @no-class | 3 Sep '13, 12:04 | X
    • Liverpool

      Mign the Merciless
      Johnson, Agger, Sakho, Enrique
      Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson
      Coutinho, Sturridge, Bitey

      Basing Sakho's inclusion on the fact he cost quite a lot, but realistically our centre backs will be two from him, Agger, Squirtle and Toure.

      Steved @meths | 3 Sep '13, 11:22 | X
    • hope:

      ---------DDG
      Rafael-Evans-Vidic-Evra
      ----Carrick-Fellani
      -Nani--Rooney--Kagawa-
      ---------RVP

      Predict:

      ------------DDG
      Rafael--Rio--Vidic--Evra
      Valencia-Carrick-Cleverley-Young
      ----------Fellaini
      ------------RVP

      Jordan_229_2 @meths | 3 Sep '13, 11:27 | X
      • ah predict, good one:

        ---------seseznee----------
        jenkinson-mertesacker-koseilney-gibbs
        ----arteta---ramsey----
        ozil---wihshere---corzola
        ------giroud------

        meths @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 11:32 | X
    • still loads of unhappy French people being played out of position

      Smee @meths | 3 Sep '13, 11:30 | X
    • ...

      --------Sczesney------
      Sagna----Koscielney----Mertesacker----Gibbs
      ------Ramsey--------Arteta
      Carzola-----Ozil----Wilshere
      -----Giroud-----

      Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal/Jenkinson, Rosicky, Flamini, Walcott, Podolski

      Pretty happy with the first XI with a few options for MF/FW. One or two injuries and it's curtains.

      olegrich @meths | 3 Sep '13, 11:34 | X
      • Is that hoped or predicted?

        Can't see any way Wenger doesn't start Walcott, especially now we've decided we're a counter attacking team. Think we're looking at Wilshere/Ramsey/Arteta for the 2 deeper positions with Walcott, Ozil and Cazorla behind Giroud.

        Pleasing thing for me is that we've actually got some depth now IF we can get everyone fit. Which makes it more annoying that we didn't sort out a striker and a centre-half, even if you just added Williams and Ba (neither of whom I think are anything special) to that list of squad players then we'd be looking really good.

        benni @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 11:55 | X
        Royter-Hatfood and no-class this'd this
        • Sorry, should have been clearer - that's hoped

          I like Theo and he's improving every season, but if we were to play tomorrow with everyone fit I'd like that team out. TBH I'd probably be pushing for a fully fit Flamini in for Arteta (even though he does set the pace and is quietly underrated) after his all action cameo on Sunday. I think I'm one of the minority who think Theo would be a better striker than he is a winger as he runs in straight lines too much, as well as being a decent finisher.

          Squad definitely looks good when you right it out, but yep, those in two positions really needed a new player. In among all this let's not forget the deadwood which went as well (even though I'd be happy to have kept Djorou as back up)

          olegrich @benni | 3 Sep '13, 12:12 | X
          • There's the option to play with either 2 direct wingers (Podolski and Walcott)

            or 1 direct winger and 1 cutty insidey tippy tappy wide man. Ozil gives another tactical variation on that, which hopefully should make Arsenal harder to set up against.

            Royter-Hatfood @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 12:34 | X
            • I love the idea of the Ozil/Wilshere/Cazorla

              trio just playing a completely free game and moving all over the place. Don't think it will happen, but it could be like Chelsea when they had Mata/Oscar/Hazard in a similar role, and Wilshere was expected to move into a no.10 role (to match the shirt).

              Definitely offers a lot more options than we had previously, and with the range of MFs we have they can move to a 4-5-1 in tight games etc etc.

              olegrich @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 12:39 | X
              • I think you have to throw in Walcott or Podolski if you're playing Giroud

                Giroud is good at holding the ball up and tap ins, but he's pants at getting behind the defence. The three No 10s route is almost *too* dreamy.

                Royter-Hatfood @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 13:13 | X
                • actually fuck it, let's go No 10 mad

                  -----szcvbmm----
                  jenks - mert - kos - gibbs
                  --- flamini -- --
                  cazorla - wilshere - ozil - rosicky - the ox

                  Royter-Hatfood @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 13:15 | X
                  • I knew I had forgotten a player out

                    Poor Ox :(

                    olegrich @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 13:26 | X
                    • ah fuck.

                      we're going to have play 3 at the back to fit all the good guys in. at least we can stop playing gibbs on the left wing now.

                      meths @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 13:36 | X
                      • Forgot to mention that in my formation Jenkinson and Gibbs are playing as wingers

                        Royter-Hatfood @meths | 3 Sep '13, 13:52 | X
                        • I've finally come around to meths approach to formations

                          olegrich @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 13:58 | X
        • Should have made a last minute bid for Chelsea's blood doctor as well

          olegrich @benni | 3 Sep '13, 12:30 | X
      • Arsenal's midfield is going to be pretty fucking great obviously

        But wouldn't that leave you pretty dramatically short of width? Can't ping it about in front of the centre backs forever...

        gecko @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 12:17 | X
        • au contraire.

          meths @gecko | 3 Sep '13, 12:23 | X
        • Carzola/Ozil/Wilshere

          given free roles to move around wherever (I can but dream) and Gibbs and Sagna offering width from the flanks is my full of holes defence.

          olegrich @gecko | 3 Sep '13, 12:24 | X
          • a team of number 10s.

            my favourite. can't wait.

            meths @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 12:26 | X
    • hmmm.

      Would've liked to see...

      Hart
      Zabaleta Kompany Nastasic Clichy
      Fernandinho Barry
      Navas Toure Silva
      Negredo

      PREDICTION: 2nd

      Think we'll probably get...

      Hart
      Zabaleta Demichelis Lescott Kolarov
      Fernandinho Toure
      Navas Aguero Silva
      Negredo

      PREDICTION: 5th.

      mala @meths | 3 Sep '13, 11:42 | X
    • Hart

      Zaba Kompany Nastasic Clichy
      Fernandinho Yaya
      Navas Aguero Silva
      Negredo

      wilykit @meths | 3 Sep '13, 12:07 | X
      • bored of Aguero now, tbh.

        doesn't look particularly motivated. struggles to control a football. think we'll probably bin him off at the end of the season. should've sold him to Madrid and got Suarez, probably.

        mala @wilykit | 3 Sep '13, 12:08 | X
        • Quoted for when he ends up our top scorer, again.

          wilykit @mala | 3 Sep '13, 12:19 | X
        • Also it sounds like you're taking this Gaz Baz stuff a bit rough.

          wilykit @mala | 3 Sep '13, 12:20 | X
          mala this'd this
        • Toally agree

          Looks a shade of the player he was at Atletico, I imagine his game is more suited to getting change out of la liga defenders tbh. However, Tevez adapted his game perfectly to influence EPL games...someone with Aguero's ability should be able to as well. He could be useful in the CL latter stages though, where his movement could unpick teams. But I'd flog him off to Atleti/Juve/Real/wherever next summer too.

          wonton @mala | 3 Sep '13, 12:30 | X
          • Totally

            wonton @wonton | 3 Sep '13, 12:30 | X
  • hope fellaini gets the number 7 shirt

    or 9
    can't decide

    shrewbie | 3 Sep '13, 12:30 | X
    • he's a teens shirt number if ever there was one.

      meths @shrewbie | 3 Sep '13, 12:31 | X
  • guys did we all miss that Harry Redknapp had signed Krancjar again?

    Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 11:20 | X
    mala this'd this
    • Wouldn't bet against him picking up Chimbonda again either.

      Steved @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 11:26 | X
      • Gonna have to through some serious money his way to lure him from

        Market Drayton Town

        urbanfox @Steved | 3 Sep '13, 13:03 | X
    • That's got to be the best team ever assembled in the championship

      Lucien @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 11:37 | X
      Raanraals this'd this
    • Ozil is one of those players that transcends club rivalries.

      Even as a Spurs fan I know I'm going to love watching him, as I did Bergkamp & Henry. Having said that, I'd echo what's been said above. Delighted that they've ignored strengthening the weakest elements of their team.

      Und_Gorgeous_Cars @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 11:40 | X
      Jordan_229_2 and Antelope this'd this
  • wildcard bitches!!

    *jumps out of moving van*

    douchebag | 3 Sep '13, 11:26 | X
    benni, no-class, Jordan_229_2, 84joe, Verbal, Antelope, Stacy_B, and ithica this'd this
  • A very happy Brighton fan.

    Boring day, we held onto our players in demand (Bridcutt & Ulloa) and after fearing the worst post-Poyet we've had a pretty decent window overall.

    Still need a striker on loan but there's plenty of time to sort that now.

    tea_segall | 3 Sep '13, 11:30 | X
  • being a Spurs fan this season

    must be like that bit in Shining Force II where you suddenly pick up loads of new members for your party and the rubbish tortoise man gets a new hat

    ohgood | 3 Sep '13, 11:32 | X
  • Christ, going to have to start defending Carlton again - thought that burden was lifted

    Got my hands full already having to give off the impression that I'm comfortable with Allardyce being in the hot seat.

    Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 11:36 | X
  • Would be funny if Wenger used Ozil as a utility man all season

    bit of left back, bit of defensive midfield, bit of playing on his own up top for the final 30 mins of matches, and then used him as proof that you should never, ever pay more than 11 million for any player.

    Smee | 3 Sep '13, 11:38 | X
    meths, no-class, Antelope, and Lo-Pan this'd this
  • Well done on the transfer deadline day threads lads

    HERREROFF, FELLINON, Classic Woody, Cool Germarns and everything else that made it very entertaining reading.

    So Utd then... Not to fussd that we've missed out on Ander but the pursuit and fall out seems a right omnishmbles.

    Adding Fellaini has no doubt strengthened the XI and expect us to line up thus against City in a couple weeks.

    --------------De Gea--------
    Rafael-----Vidic------Rio/Evans-------------Evra
    --------Carrick------------Fellaini------------
    Nani-------Rooney--------------Kagawa
    -------------Van Persie

    Regardless of how this window has gone, badly but not a disaster. it's a strong deep squad with quality through out.

    NikMak | 3 Sep '13, 11:38 | X
    • man utd should play rooney out wide like they used to when you had tevez.

      meths @NikMak | 3 Sep '13, 11:41 | X
    • Giggs and Young will 100% be in the line up to play us.

      wilykit @NikMak | 3 Sep '13, 12:09 | X
  • Ajax remain a selling club

    Out, generating £21 million: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Christian Eriksen (Spurs), Derk Boerrigter (Celtic) and Dico Koppers (FC Twente)

    In, spending £5.5 million: Lerin Duarte (Heracles) and Mike Van Der Hoorn (FC Utrecht)

    A last minute attempt to bring in Eljero Elia from Werder Bremen failed, with the Germans wanting the move to be permanent, while Ajax only wanted a loan, with an option to buy.

    aboynamedgoo | 3 Sep '13, 11:48 | X
    • remember the mid-nineties when Ajax were real fucking good?

      course you do. I like Ajax. You're OK too, Ady

      Silkyskillz11 @aboynamedgoo | 3 Sep '13, 11:50 | X
    • Mike Van Der Horn sounds like he'd show up to fix the fridge in an 80s porn film.

      Steved @aboynamedgoo | 3 Sep '13, 11:56 | X
  • Garth Crooks: Spurs have sold Elvis and bought The Beatles

    Smee | 3 Sep '13, 11:50 | X
    • christ.

      meths @Smee | 3 Sep '13, 11:52 | X
    • bet he spent all night thinking of that

      oh garth

      Verbal @Smee | 3 Sep '13, 11:56 | X
    • :''''D

      OvertakenByTractors @Smee | 3 Sep '13, 20:40 | X
  • Mesut Ozil tweets as if he was writing a letter each time

    https://twitter.com/MesutOzil1088

    Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 11:53 | X
    • not important, but how's his name actually pronounced?

      i've noticed that English people tend to just say "O-zil", Germans say "Ooo-zil", and the Turks say "Eurt-sul" or sutin, idrk. the internet says the English ponounciation's actually correct, but not so sure. can imagine Motson going for the latter with extra "eeeuuuuuuuuuurrt".

      mala @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 12:07 | X
      • Think it's supposed to be Uh-zil

        maybe?

        SenorDingDong @mala | 3 Sep '13, 12:11 | X
      • you have to kind of quickly slide the vowels, like this:

        ouwerzil. but not really pronounce the w very much. its all about the accent over the o.

        meths @mala | 3 Sep '13, 12:20 | X
      • The O sound

        has no exact equivalent in English. The closest is the "er" sound in e.g. "fern". So "ER-zil" is probably the closest approximation in English phonology. (The German would be more like "ER-zeel" though).

        Smileadelic @mala | 3 Sep '13, 13:06 | X
        • he's turkish though

          dunno if that makes a difference to the pronunciation, mind

          ideserve2 @Smileadelic | 3 Sep '13, 13:15 | X
          • he's german.

            meths @ideserve2 | 3 Sep '13, 13:28 | X
            • *third-generation turkish-german

              ideserve2 @meths | 3 Sep '13, 13:30 | X
              • german.

                meths @ideserve2 | 3 Sep '13, 13:33 | X
                • takes one to know one

                  ideserve2 @meths | 3 Sep '13, 13:35 | X
                  • Come on, he's definitely German.

                    His name might be Turkish. Mine's Greek.

                    TheoGB @ideserve2 | 3 Sep '13, 13:37 | X
                    • it's an argument about pronunciation you lunatic

                      his name is turkish, theo grapoupoulos-brongalpagidis.

                      ideserve2 @TheoGB | 3 Sep '13, 13:40 | X
                      • Sure but in that case you meant to write 'his name is Turkish' not 'he's Turkish'.

                        Moreover, it doesn't mean he pronounces it the Turkish way. Plenty of third-gen 'immigrant' Brits who'd pronounce things the same way as other 'native' Brits would.

                        TheoGB @ideserve2 | 3 Sep '13, 14:05 | X
                        • yeah i suppose

                          i concede

                          ideserve2 @TheoGB | 3 Sep '13, 14:08 | X
      • I'm hoping Motson combines the name into his customary wordless bleats

        Oooooohhhhhhhzil! And well- yes. Just over the bar I think.

        Parsefone @mala | 3 Sep '13, 13:42 | X
    • i get the feeling us arsenal fans are going to get pretty boring about ozil.

      meths @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 11:56 | X
      • Just wait till he does his cruciate playing for Germany this week...

        benni @meths | 3 Sep '13, 12:04 | X
        meths, olegrich, and Royter-Hatfood this'd this
    • that's pretty cool.

      in love with this guy already.

      no-class @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 12:01 | X
      • its the eyes

        always the eyes

        Silkyskillz11 @no-class | 3 Sep '13, 12:03 | X
        • http://girlswithmesutozileyes.tumblr.com/

          Verbal @Silkyskillz11 | 3 Sep '13, 12:07 | X
  • wtf?

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BTMHtvqIgAEyfXd.jpg:large

    http://i.imgur.com/hJ4kzCD.jpg

    mala | 3 Sep '13, 12:16 | X
    • great skillz

      bout 60 bucks for a new shirt now, innit?

      Silkyskillz11 @mala | 3 Sep '13, 12:17 | X
  • Podolski's got a new photo buddy.

    https://twitter.com/BenAFC/status/374840414521397248/photo/1

    no-class | 3 Sep '13, 12:32 | X
    • lovely stuff.

      meths @no-class | 3 Sep '13, 12:35 | X
      Royter-Hatfood this'd this
      • p.s.

        http://drownedinsound.com/community/boards/social/4435775#r7690327

        meths @meths | 3 Sep '13, 12:35 | X
    • they look like beavis and butthead

      Smee @no-class | 3 Sep '13, 12:51 | X
      • *beaviß and bütthead

        benni @Smee | 3 Sep '13, 12:56 | X
  • Can I start a sub thread about 'biggest ever foreign transfer flops'? I think I'm gonna

    In honour of Ozil's move: Players from foreign leagues who everyone got excited about but didn't quite make the grade. Not necessarily related to transfer fees, just the hype they generated.

    I'll start with: Veron, Brolin (if memory serves), Arshavin, and possibly Crespo and Jo, but I can't remember whether they were really hyped up or just really expensive. I've probably forgotten someone obvious.

    sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 12:43 | X
    • Crespo ended up being quite good iirc

      Shevchenko, not so much. Also Aquilani, Afonso Alves, Bosko Balaban (remember him? Of course not) and Bebe.

      Steved @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 12:44 | X
      • Bosko Balaban :D

        £6 million for about 90 minutes worth of appearances :D

        urbanfox @Steved | 3 Sep '13, 12:52 | X
      • I reckon Aquilani could've done ok if given a proper chance

        he's a good player who's played for good teams since leaving Liverpool. Juve, Meeelan and Fiorentina don't just play any old mug

        film_maker @Steved | 3 Sep '13, 13:15 | X
        Royter-Hatfood this'd this
    • Shevchenko maybe, but the warning signs where there before he signed

      Afonso Alves

      wonton @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 12:44 | X
      • Was just gonna mentiuon Alves

        Especially having seen the post up there a bit about having a good record in the Dutch league.

        Was talking about him in the pub the other day.

        urbanfox @wonton | 3 Sep '13, 12:47 | X
    • When Berkovic signed for Celtic :(

      When Gravesen signed for Celtic :((
      When Juninho signed for Celtic :(((

      SenorDingDong @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 12:46 | X
      • i think you're forgetting

        Rafael Scheidt

        fitzcarraldo @SenorDingDong | 3 Sep '13, 14:40 | X
    • Crespo was decent wasn't he?

      He didn't like London, went off to Milan, came back and scored a decent amount and was allowed to go home.

      olegrich @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 12:47 | X
      • I think I was probably thinking of Shevchenko

        Chelsea's signings from those first few years kind of blend together in my memory.

        sideshowraheem @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 12:51 | X
      • Was there not something about Crespo's wife getting held at knife point in

        their home for her jewelery and so she went back to Italy and Crespo kind of staggered on a bit?

        wilykit @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 12:55 | X
        • She apparently suffered a miscarriage shortly after moving to England.

          Crespo was excellent at Chelsea, things just didn't work out for him or his family in London.

          DanielKelly @wilykit | 3 Sep '13, 13:41 | X
    • i remember when everyone was creaming over arshavin at euro 2008

      tbf he was ace, alongside pavlyuchenko (remember him!) and zhirkov

      Verbal @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 12:49 | X
      • arshavin had a very good first season didn't he?

        the_dazzled @Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 12:51 | X
        badmanreturns this'd this
        • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLV-65aenrM

          badmanreturns @the_dazzled | 3 Sep '13, 13:03 | X
          • I like how he scored two identical goals in that game

            Smee @badmanreturns | 3 Sep '13, 13:07 | X
            meths this'd this
            • some lovely editing there.

              and some great captions.

              meths @Smee | 3 Sep '13, 13:16 | X
      • pavlyuchenko was always terrible.

        meths @Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 12:54 | X
        sharp_yet_blunt this'd this
        • nah maan

          http://www.soccerclips.net/videos/bolton-3-2-tottenham-pavlyuchenko

          Verbal @meths | 3 Sep '13, 12:56 | X
          • good goal.

            but that clip doesn't show how many sitters he'd probably missed up until that point.

            meths @Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 13:00 | X
    • On a Wolves note - Glenn Hoddle signed us a Polish goal machine by the name of Tomasz Frankowski

      He was rampant in the Polish leagues and Spanish Segunda

      Turned out he couldn't score to save his life.

      urbanfox @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 12:50 | X
    • Adrian Mutu

      £15.8 million

      aboynamedgoo @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 12:53 | X
      • They managed to recoup most of that though

        From his nose.

        Steved @aboynamedgoo | 3 Sep '13, 13:23 | X
    • Massimo Maccarone

      Smee @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 12:55 | X
      mala this'd this
    • Vicente Matias Vouso.

      Exactly.

      Signed for £4m under Kevin Keegan. Reminded him a lot of Kenny Dalglish, apparently. We assumed he meant when Dalglish was in his prime, or even active. Games played - 0.

      mala @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 13:02 | X
      • legend

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnk_rfFuslU

        ideserve2 @mala | 3 Sep '13, 13:05 | X
    • Davor Suker

      not a complete failure, but

      no-class @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 13:10 | X
      • nah,

        i was thinking about what a good signing he was. back when we actually had some decent back-up options.

        meths @no-class | 3 Sep '13, 13:13 | X
      • Suker was one of my favourite players in the world

        so I'm glad he had a spell at Arsenal. Never set the world on fire and was clearly 4th in the Henry/Bergkamp/Kanu/Suker strikeforce (options eh?) but he scored that lob against Sunderland and that drag back shuffle roe poke off the post against Coventry which made it worthwhile enough.

        olegrich @no-class | 3 Sep '13, 13:39 | X
        meths this'd this
    • Poborski wasn't the player Man U thought they'd bought.

      Some say Veron too, but that's bullshit.

      dawale @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 13:25 | X
    • Marco Boogers

      tea_segall @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 15:29 | X
    • Veron was a huge transfer that completely flopped

      not sure whether Im misremembering because Im from the E.Midlands, but Andrea Silenzi seemed like a massive transfer at the time to Notts Forest and he was an utter shite of a player

      Songs_about_ducking @sideshowraheem | 3 Sep '13, 17:00 | X
  • Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 12:48 | X
    urbanfox, the_dazzled, and no-class this'd this
  • really don't understand the Ozil signing.

    According to every Arsenal fan i've spoken to recently, what the team really needed was a Vieira'esque mercurial midfielder (Fellaini would have been perfect) a centre back, and a goal scorer. Instead, they've spunked millions on a talented, but massively overpriced forward they absolutely didn't need.

    He's a good player, don't get me wrong. But 42 million? Put into perspective, Barca signed Fabregas for 25 million and Chelsea got Mata for even less than that. Meanwhile, Real will be laughing themselves to the bank, having effectively signed Bale for 50 million euros (which will decrease with shirt sale revenue etc).

    prof-kitsch | 3 Sep '13, 12:55 | X
    • nah, he'll do

      the team still needs a 4th centre back and a decent striker, but having another creative player takes a burden off cazorla and this also hopefully means THEO WALCOTT WILL NEVER TAKE ANOTHER CORNER/FREE-KICK which is the biggest positive.

      arsenal haven't played a Vieira-style tough midfielder since flamini, and he's back now anyway. and got booked for a crunching foul on a spurs player straight away like old times. i'm happy enough with that.

      ideserve2 @prof-kitsch | 3 Sep '13, 13:03 | X
    • Some really odd maths in that second paragraph.

      Steved @prof-kitsch | 3 Sep '13, 12:56 | X
      bowiecokemirror this'd this
      • I stopped reading at the Vieira/Fellaini comparison

        benni @Steved | 3 Sep '13, 12:57 | X
        Royter-Hatfood this'd this
      • ??

        prof-kitsch @Steved | 3 Sep '13, 12:58 | X
    • ozil is one of the best players in the world.

      i'd rather have him than what would have been no one. sure, we need other players, but if you could have him or not have him, i'd have him.

      meths @prof-kitsch | 3 Sep '13, 12:57 | X
      Royter-Hatfood this'd this
      • Comes down to this, really

        Arsenal signing a world class player for big money is a big statement of intent, which will hopefully lead to other players of high quality in positions we need coming in later. I don't think any arsenal fan would say our squad is complete, but it's better than sitting here and bemoaning a summer of no spend.

        olegrich @meths | 3 Sep '13, 13:01 | X
        no-class this'd this
        • piece on the Guardian comparing it to Bergkamp's arrival and that being the first brick in the wall of a completely new Arsenal

          Smee @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 13:11 | X
          • not sure about that.

            meths @Smee | 3 Sep '13, 13:16 | X
          • Like I said above (which was 200 posts ago/boring)

            It's our first real World Class signing since Bergkamp, which was at the time a real sign of intent, even with him being somewhat damaged by two mediocre years at Inter.

            Hopefully it leads to a similar lift at the club (and not David Platt becoming a coach)

            olegrich @Smee | 3 Sep '13, 13:21 | X
            • nearly forgot we had david platt back then.

              wasnt he a 'marquee' signing at the time?

              meths @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 13:27 | X
              • Big time

                He was still England Captain (I think, before Adams got it off him) and one of the more better known players in the world. Glass knee did him in.

                olegrich @meths | 3 Sep '13, 13:41 | X
                • didn't we used to play him at right back or something?

                  maybe i'm just thinking about england.

                  meths @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 13:48 | X
                • can't find footage

                  but think he scored an absolute blooter in one of his first games.

                  no-class @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 14:46 | X
    • Fellaini may be a lot of things

      but he's not a player in the style of Vieira. His only similarities is that he is big and plays in the centre of the pitch.

      olegrich @prof-kitsch | 3 Sep '13, 12:59 | X
      • he's a physical central midfielder.

        who passes well and sets up goals, can tackle, and can play a box to box role. I know he's not Vieira, but he could perform a similar role, and do a good job.

        prof-kitsch @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 13:17 | X
        • Maybe there's another Fellaini

          Royter-Hatfood @prof-kitsch | 3 Sep '13, 13:26 | X
          olegrich this'd this
        • Vieira was completely different to that though

          he dominated games, took them by the scruff of the neck. Don't know if it's more about character than ability but Vieira was a huge presence who inspired his team mates as well as being a fantastic footballer. He wasn't merely a box to box midfielder who could tackle and create, much like Keane wasn't.

          Fellaini is obviously very talented but we're talking a completely different type of player.

          Now I've got to clear up this mess I've made talking about Vieria in such a passionate manner.

          olegrich @prof-kitsch | 3 Sep '13, 13:49 | X
    • at the very least

      it's going to inject a feeling of excitement, whether to the rest of the players or the fans. signing like that lifts the atmosphere, which has been pretty fraught

      no-class @prof-kitsch | 3 Sep '13, 13:08 | X
      • Looking forward to hearing the cheer for him on his home debut

        (through my kitchen window, obvs)

        Royter-Hatfood @no-class | 3 Sep '13, 13:21 | X
    • Well they got Flamini, which is exactly what they needed.

      It could well prove that he's the bigger signing than Ozil, as exciting as the prospect of having Ozil in the league will be.

      dawale @prof-kitsch | 3 Sep '13, 13:26 | X
    • people said similar when RVP signed for Utd - that they should've focused in other areas

      he ended up winning them the title pretty much single-handedly.

      (if you're asking if i think ozil will win the title single-handedly for Arsenal then yes. yes i do).

      Jordan_229_2 @prof-kitsch | 3 Sep '13, 13:30 | X
  • With all of the Ozil excitement

    I think that Sakho signing is being underestimated a bit. If his head is right (and he isn't fat) he might well be the best defender in the league

    Christophales | 3 Sep '13, 13:26 | X
  • For Chelsea

    (and showing my age a bit) Chris Sutton or Robert Fleck.

    Silentcommand | 3 Sep '13, 13:11 | X
  • posted this way too late last night (not that anyone cares)

    but I got some money in my leaving card at the GFT and used to buy a ticket for our game at spurs in a couple weeks time. For some reason I was only allowed to buy one because they need to pay for losing Bale or something.
    We're going to get walloped but I'm quite into the current spurs team so aye, will be a nice LDN introduction.

    Severed799 | 3 Sep '13, 13:15 | X
    • that's the sort of home game Spurs draw 1-1/lose 0-1 every now and then.

      mala @Severed799 | 3 Sep '13, 13:25 | X
      • aye we drew with them 1-1 last year at WHL

        but I dunno, this team is scary. They got Eriksen ffs!

        Severed799 @mala | 3 Sep '13, 13:51 | X
  • Pretty boring window for W*ham

    Carroll was already there last season and Adrian is a back-up, so it's basically the same team as last season with Downing added and (probably) Rat at LB, although he's yet to play and the defence is pretty strong already and might be hard for him to break into. Good to sign a person called Rat though, probably the highlight actually.

    Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 13:25 | X
    • i hope rat scores a goal so that the sun can have the headline

      RAT BAGS

      ideserve2 @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 13:31 | X
    • Problem being last season

      we had Cole, Chamakh and Paulista and we haven't replaced any of them.

      Pegfeet @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 13:58 | X
      • Paulista is irreplaceable - players of that quality don't come along often -

        but certainly the other two. Chamakh is probably a stronger option than Maiga right now. Terrifying.

        Lucien @Pegfeet | 3 Sep '13, 14:07 | X
        • Having a professional footballer

          who could in theory score a goal or stand in the right place is better than having literally nobody.

          Should all be sorted now if Carlton comes back.

          Pegfeet @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 16:47 | X
  • Still to be confirmed

    We still have one to be confirmed, Adlene Guedioura from Forest that will take it up to 15. Choosing our final 25 will be interesting.

    ynot | 3 Sep '13, 13:34 | X
  • is there a possibility of any signings having happened that we dont know about yet?

    meths | 3 Sep '13, 13:36 | X
    • you're our man on the ground

      if you don't know about it then I doubt it

      Lucien @meths | 3 Sep '13, 13:41 | X
      • good point.

        meths @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 13:44 | X
  • Newcastle had a properly shit window, eh

    DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 13:43 | X
    • Gonna get worse when they loan Remy to Athletico Wormwood

      benni @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 13:45 | X
    • click here to rebuild.

      meths @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 13:48 | X
    • what exactly does kinnear get paid to do?

      Lucien @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 13:49 | X
      • Cultural attaché

        Verbal @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 13:52 | X
      • Talk about his friendship with Arsene Wenger

        olegrich @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 13:55 | X
    • i still think if they got rid of pardew

      their squad would/could be good enough to finish in the top half.

      ideserve2 @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 13:55 | X
      • except if they got rid of Pardew, it might be Kinnear in charge.

        svenrokk @ideserve2 | 3 Sep '13, 13:56 | X
        • ben arfa as player manager please

          ideserve2 @svenrokk | 3 Sep '13, 13:59 | X
    • I still think that's a perfectly fine starting XI

      with some decent squad players - I don't think investment was even really necessary.

      No europa league, getting the best out of the forward players and that's honestly not a bad squad at all.

      Adding one good striker and keeping hold of the best players wasn't really that bad.

      Nestor @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 14:00 | X
  • guys its spelt 'cazorla'

    still_here | 3 Sep '13, 13:54 | X
  • Arsenal fells:

    Turns out a friend of mine with an affinity if not out-right support of Arsenal is unexpectedly emigrating at the end of September. He's never been to the Emirates and I'd like to take him before he goes if at all possible. Just looked at the September fixtures though. Give it to me straight- I've no hope of getting a pair of tickets to any of those home games, do I?

    DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 13:58 | X
    • course you do.

      there are least 10,000 empty seats every game there.

      mala @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 14:02 | X
      • That was before the Ozil factor

        100% guaranteed sellouts now

        kiyonemakibi @mala | 3 Sep '13, 14:04 | X
    • Fuck it, this website layout and ticketing system is too alien to me

      He can just come to Chelsea-Basel and squint a bit

      DanielKelly @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 14:04 | X
    • No need mate, I used to have a season ticket. Been plenty of times

      olegrich @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 14:08 | X
    • Serious answer - drop me a FB message

      and I'll discuss it with you there.

      olegrich @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 14:08 | X
  • ??

    There is only one home game and that's against Stoke. Even with fans clamouring to see Ozil play, I'd be surprised if there weren't at least a few general sale tickets for it, as its Stoke.

    dan_thw | 3 Sep '13, 14:05 | X
    • What the fuck is 'red' membership?

      Is that just an email sign up? The link to further details is broken.

      DanielKelly @dan_thw | 3 Sep '13, 14:07 | X
      • i think you need to buy red membership just to be in with a shout of a ticket after all the other

        more expensive memberships. and then if there's still tickets left after the red membership plebs they go on general sale.

        ideserve2 @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 14:11 | X
    • Pressed the wrong button this is a reply to DanielKelly

      Alternatively you could take him to the U21 game against West Brom?

      dan_thw @dan_thw | 3 Sep '13, 14:08 | X
      • Might resort to that but I'd feel a bit of a fraud.

        SURPRISE, WE'RE GOING TO A RESERVE GAME NO-ONE CARES ABOUT!

        DanielKelly @dan_thw | 3 Sep '13, 14:10 | X
        • And I'll be at a sodding christening I can't get out for the Stoke game ffs

          DanielKelly @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 14:11 | X
        • Don't think that will give the full Emirates experience

          They probably don't even boo the players off in a reserve game

          Lucien @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 14:12 | X
          DanielKelly, Royter-Hatfood, and gecko this'd this
          • there is a woman who makes up her own songs though

            A-R-S-E-N-A-L! Arsenal! Arsenal!

            Sanchez Watt Watt Watt!

            etc.

            ideserve2 @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 14:15 | X
  • top six then:

    Chelsea
    Man City
    Man Utd
    Liverpool
    Arsenal
    Spurs

    (not in order)

    Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 14:06 | X
    LOLpop this'd this
    • ..

      chelsea
      city
      arsenal
      united
      spurs
      pool

      in order. about to go buy my ozil shirt so might go all out stupid and whack a bit on arsenal to win the league.

      streetflash @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 14:12 | X
    • Think there's a very real chance City could be caught by at least one of the also-rans this season...

      1) Chelsea (by an absolute street)
      2) United
      3) City, Arsenal or Liverpool
      4) City, Arsenal or Liverpool
      5) City, Arsenal or Liverpool
      6) Spurs

      mala @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 14:13 | X
    • Chelsea

      City
      Utd
      Tottenham
      Arsenal
      Liverpool

      wilykit @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 14:21 | X
    • City

      Chelsea (striking options will cost them)
      Arsenal (if two of Koscielny, Mertesacker and Vermaelen keep fit til January)
      Liverpool
      Spurs
      Man Utd

      Nestor @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 14:29 | X
      • have you seen much of City since Mancini's left?

        we're not as good as last year, nevermind the year before.

        mala @Nestor | 3 Sep '13, 14:33 | X
        • Yeah but you've spent £290m this summer (all in) (excl VAT)

          Don't think there can be any excuses for not winning the treble

          benni @mala | 3 Sep '13, 14:37 | X
          mala, aboynamedgoo, no-class, meths, and Royter-Hatfood this'd this
          • i agree that the title has to be par now for City, Chelsea, United, Spurs and Arsenal.

            mala @benni | 3 Sep '13, 14:42 | X
            • it's going to end up like A levels under new labour

              with basically everyone getting top marks.

              Smee @mala | 3 Sep '13, 15:14 | X
    • This:

      Arsenal
      Chelsea
      Man City
      Man Utd
      Liverpool
      Everton

      (in order)

      aboynamedgoo @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 14:34 | X
      Miikka this'd this
    • 1 Chelsea, 2 City, 3 United, 4 Arsenal, 5 Spurs, 6 Liverpool

      Very tight between the top 3 and I really rate Moyes, but think Chelsea and City both have better squads. Ozil's a great signing, but not enough on his own to overtake those 3 (unless someone has a mare), hopefully he'll help get us a lot closer though and think we've got enough to stay ahead of Spurs.

      benni @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 14:46 | X
  • this just ain't right.

    http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/03/article-0-1B98C364000005DC-619_634x480.jpg

    mala | 3 Sep '13, 14:21 | X
    • Like seeing a FB profile picture of an ex with her new bloke

      olegrich @mala | 3 Sep '13, 14:22 | X
    • http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view1/3854495/ralph-heart-broken-o.gif

      wilykit @mala | 3 Sep '13, 14:22 | X
      mala this'd this
    • it suits him. looks younger.

      Jordan_229_2 @mala | 3 Sep '13, 14:23 | X
    • I am a bit worried that we've got rid of two of our most consistent players.

      While the likes of Kolarov, Nasri, Garcia and Dzeko are still on the books.

      wilykit @mala | 3 Sep '13, 14:25 | X
  • Sunderland signed 13 players

    And people say DiCanio isn't respecting their traditions

    Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 14:23 | X
    • ....I don't think anyone's actually said that.

      But the joke doesn't work without that strawman so fuck you

      Lucien @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 14:25 | X
  • now that that's all done and dusted I can say the first positive things

    about the premier league in god knows how many years. For the first time in ages, as a whole, it's much, much stronger.

    Of the top 6, Bale and Tevez are the only players of real quality and importance to be leaving, whilst a ton of deadwood has been shifted from most teams.

    As much as the Fellaini situation was a farce, adding him as a £25m-quality player to a squad that finished 11 points clear last season - in the 1 position they really needed a signing - whilst keeping everyone else, is obviously an improvement in terms of personnel. They're clearly in a worse position by replacing a great manager with a mediocre one but the squad is no worse.

    Liverpool have strengthened massively and not lost anybody good - genuinely in their best shape since finishing 2nd. / Ozil's not what Arsenal need but should improve them going forward, plus they've cleared deadwood. Mainly though for the first time in forever haven't actually lost anyone good. / Spurs will probably have some of their signings turn out to be totally average but that's still a much more solid, balanced squad than last year. / City have obviously improved. / Even disregarding Mourinho, that Chelsea squad with their signings and De Bruyne back is an improvement.

    Further down the league; Everton kept Baines and have made some great business with Lukaku, Deulofeu etc.

    Swansea, Norwich, Southampton, Fulham, West Ham, Villa - all have made decent signings for their level.

    Newcastle did nothing but should do better without trips to Ukraine and Russia etc, and one striker - plus some of the january signings looking more settled. Ben Arfa looking properly fit and likely to feature way more. Sorted out the Colocinni and Cabaye situations. They'll be fine.

    Likewise Hughes will surprise people with Stoke just boringly finishing about 11th as opposed to ever being in trouble - exactly his level as a manager.

    If you compare the relegated teams with promoted ones - Cardiff just look like a good, sensible QPR. Hull and Palace don't exactly look special but have made a couple of astute signings and have held their own in matches so far - I can't see them being any worse than Reading or Wigan.

    Honestly, out of 20 teams, Sunderland and West Brom are the only clubs that look in a worse position. Should be a much more competitive league from top to bottom.

    tl;dr

    Nestor | 3 Sep '13, 14:26 | X
    • can't really disagree with any of that. good posting.

      are fulham in a worse position too though? i think so.

      Jordan_229_2 @Nestor | 3 Sep '13, 14:33 | X
      • nah. off the top of my head:

        In: Stekelenburg, Parker, Bent, Taarabt. Some old guys
        Out: Schwarzer, Baird, ??

        Nestor @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 14:40 | X
        • Going to be easily the most stationary team in the division

          Likewise suspect Newcastle will struggle. Unhappy looking club with a shite manager who haven!t improved much over a torrid last season, whilst the rest of the bottom half look distinctly more competitive.

          Parsefone @Nestor | 3 Sep '13, 14:54 | X
    • good post, exactly what i was thinking about united

      and why some of the fans' whinging was a bit over the top

      no-class @Nestor | 3 Sep '13, 14:44 | X
      • no-ones really been whinging about just signing Fellaini, more the way the club have gone about their business

        he should've been there knocking down all Rio's hoofballs vs liverpool dammit

        Jordan_229_2 @no-class | 3 Sep '13, 14:47 | X
    • lovely stuff.

      can't wait for a few moths to pass, so we can all discover that most of the new signings made turned out to be absolutely pony, the shit teams still can't defend or score and that man utd are going to walk away with the title again.

      meths @Nestor | 3 Sep '13, 14:46 | X
      Royter-Hatfood this'd this
      • moths

        TheoGB @meths | 3 Sep '13, 14:47 | X
  • dear fans

    has anyone mentioned that Ozil will be really good for Wilshere? Should help keep him at the club (especially if this type of signing isn't a one off) and playing with seriously world class players is only going to help his development. Yay, Ozil!

    Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 14:51 | X
    • have we signed ozil?

      meths @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 14:52 | X
    • you guys have another 10 hours of permitted post-coital Ozil chatter with the football thread's blessing

      but then you are going to have to shut the fuck up

      Lucien @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 14:55 | X
      no-class, umlaut_ampersand, badmanreturns, Parsefone, and meths this'd this
      • 12,000 assists in his last 3 games apparently

        Royter-Hatfood @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 15:06 | X
  • I think I forgot how good Old Ronaldo was:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVueW6X7TM0

    Such a rare mix of great technique with incredible pace and power. Until he got fat obviously.

    umlaut_ampersand | 3 Sep '13, 14:55 | X
    • Yeah he was unbelievable (though not as good as Ozil, obvs)

      Think how much he achieved in a career that still feels like it was cut short, at the highest level anyway, by injuries/cakes, ridiculous.

      Genuinely believe he'd be up there with Pele, Maradona & Messi (yeah?) if he'd had better knees.

      benni @umlaut_ampersand | 3 Sep '13, 15:17 | X
      • Football history might have been very different

        without that seizure (or whatever it was) he had before the 1998 World Cup final too.

        umlaut_ampersand @benni | 3 Sep '13, 15:25 | X
      • I was watching clips of him recently too

        I'd say he's definitely up there. His goal records across different leagues is amazing. What a player.

        jacques_le_biscuit_ @benni | 3 Sep '13, 15:28 | X
        • i remember not liking him as much as rivaldo or zidane.

          i've always been a fan of the no. 10 though.

          great goalscorer and smasher none the less.

          meths @jacques_le_biscuit_ | 3 Sep '13, 15:35 | X
          • Same here re. Rivaldo and Zidane

            I think Ronaldo in his prime was just so direct, athletic and damn effective as a striker that it's obscured, relatively speaking, how skilful he was too (see video for further information).

            umlaut_ampersand @meths | 3 Sep '13, 15:48 | X
  • this is a bit sad-looking:

    Napoli’s capture of Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid was the most expensive Serie A signing this summer, but who else made up the top 10?

    1] Gonzalo Higuain – Real Madrid to Napoli – €37m+€3m bonus

    2] Mario Gomez – Bayern Munich to Fiorentina – €15.5m+€5.5m bonus

    3] Kevin Strootman – PSV to Roma – €16.5m+€3.5m bonus

    4] Angelo Ogbonna – Torino to Juventus – €13m+€2m bonus

    5] Carlos Tevez – Manchester City to Juventus – €9m+€6m bonus

    6] Adem Ljajic – Fiorentina to Roma – €11m+€4m bonus

    7] Mehdi Benatia – Udinese to Roma – €13.5m

    8] Raul Albiol – Real Madrid to Napoli – €10m+€2m bonus

    9] Alessandro Matri – Juventus to Milan – €11m

    10] Dries Mertens – PSV to Napoli – €9.7m

    ideserve2 | 3 Sep '13, 14:56 | X
    • what does the spanish, english and german versions of this look like.

      and france while you're at it.

      meths @ideserve2 | 3 Sep '13, 15:07 | X
      • you can cut and paste those ones yourself

        ideserve2 @meths | 3 Sep '13, 15:10 | X
      • I want the total transfer spend for each PL club

        and make it snappy ideserve you tit

        Lucien @meths | 3 Sep '13, 15:11 | X
        • There's an eyemeltingly bad pie chart type affair on the guardian website

          fyi

          Royter-Hatfood @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 15:36 | X
          meths this'd this
    • Alessandro Matri looks exactly how all continental footballers should look

      http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alessandro_Matricflintsmartdotcom.jpg

      Steved @ideserve2 | 3 Sep '13, 15:14 | X
      • *italian

        Verbal @Steved | 3 Sep '13, 15:29 | X
    • ...

      meaningless unless you include wages.

      sharp_yet_blunt @ideserve2 | 3 Sep '13, 15:14 | X
      meths, OvertakenByTractors, and bowiecokemirror this'd this
  • Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 14:58 | X
    no-class this'd this
  • So Sheffield United are the latest oilball team

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23944355

    when the feck did that happen?!

    Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 15:10 | X
    • has there ever been a gamechanging Championship (or lower) takeover?

      genuine question. there might've been, idk.

      mala @Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 15:17 | X
      • Dunno

        When did City get promoted?

        Royter-Hatfood @mala | 3 Sep '13, 15:22 | X
        • 2001/02

          I know this because Wolves were in 2nd place behind City for the majority of the season.

          Until we had a catastrophic ending and West Brom went instead of us :/

          urbanfox @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 15:25 | X
        • big clubs don't stay out of the top league for long, mate.

          mala @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 15:27 | X
          Royter-Hatfood this'd this
      • That Notts County one with Sven and Sol Campbell was quite odd

        Crawley maybe?

        Steved @mala | 3 Sep '13, 15:24 | X
        urbanfox this'd this
      • southampton mebbs?

        didn't they have some investment before they were promoted?

        Verbal @mala | 3 Sep '13, 15:25 | X
      • Fleetwood?

        film_maker @mala | 3 Sep '13, 15:26 | X
        • good point, yeah.

          they happen in the non-leagues all the time. some local businessman comes along and wants an ego-boost, etc. almost always seems to end in tears after they pay higher wages, breeze through two or three leagues then realise they can no longer afford it as the revenues are so slim.

          Fleetwood seem to have actually done it well, so far as i can see. got a new ground, haven't they?

          mala @film_maker | 3 Sep '13, 15:32 | X
      • i was thinking recently actually...

        that Chelsea or City could have only really gone on to win things with oilball money because they were from major cities with football heritage and they were geared up for such a thing to happen in other ways.

        some people might think that had Abramovich taken over, say, Sunderland, or Mansour bought, idk, Southampton, then they'd have had similar success by just throwing money at it, but i don't think so.

        there's no logic to this argument is there, so just gonna come to the conclusion that, yeah, Everton, Leeds, Spurs, etc, would've probably worked, but say, Birmingham, Norwich, Hull, probably wouldn't.

        glad to help.

        mala @mala | 3 Sep '13, 15:26 | X
        • Weird anti-Brum trolling

          but yeah, you'd be mad to spend your petrodollars on say, Anzi Makalele or whatevs.

          Royter-Hatfood @mala | 3 Sep '13, 15:35 | X
          • Not at all.

            Villa and Birmingham between them have won 1 title, 1 European Cup & 1 FA Cup post-war. They're from the country's second city population wise, but have never really been targeted by the billioballers.

            mala @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 15:40 | X
            • Oh right 'football heritage'

              Think Villa arguably have a massive football heritage, but arguing about football heritage is a bit needy and smalltime. Think a megacash money takeover in Brum could easily be successful.

              Royter-Hatfood @mala | 3 Sep '13, 15:48 | X
              • You seem to have completely missed the point i was making.

                mala @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 15:50 | X
                mala and Royter-Hatfood this'd this
                • not like royter to do that

                  Lucien @mala | 3 Sep '13, 16:05 | X
                • You were making a point?

                  Royter-Hatfood @mala | 3 Sep '13, 16:14 | X
                  mala this'd this
              • Villa fans were expecting a big things when Lerner first came in

                Have perhaps been left a bit disappointed/frustrated that he hasn't spend megamillions since he arrived. But at the same time glad he has kept it sensible and hasn't turned out to be like the American owners in the North West.

                Blues are basically just a front for Carson Yeung's money laundering as far as I'm aware.

                urbanfox @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 16:10 | X
                • There's also West Brom, of course

                  Who are about the only team in the Prem at the moment not to have a monstrously wealthy owner

                  urbanfox @urbanfox | 3 Sep '13, 16:15 | X
        • Was going to cite Malaga as an example but that all went a bit pear-shaped

          Be interesting to see how Monaco works out.

          Steved @mala | 3 Sep '13, 15:36 | X
      • Southampton

        we were in League 1, on our knees, administration etc (cheers 'Arry). The money we have backing us never really comes into these kind of conversations, but it is huge. Not middle eastern/oil money though, all based on the construction industry. Constructionball doesn't quite have the same ring to it though I guess

        Christophales @mala | 3 Sep '13, 16:25 | X
        • #buildingball

          Verbal @Christophales | 3 Sep '13, 16:28 | X
  • Carlton Cole (Free agent, formerly West Ham) to West Ham

    FINALLY

    jacques_le_biscuit_ | 3 Sep '13, 15:23 | X
    • christ alive.

      both parties should feel mildly embarrassed about how this turned out

      at the same time, there is an inexplicable pleasure in the back of my cranium about having him back

      Lucien @jacques_le_biscuit_ | 3 Sep '13, 15:44 | X
      • It's laughable and embarrassing

        but I can't help but love the clog-footed oaf

        jacques_le_biscuit_ @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 15:47 | X
        umlaut_ampersand this'd this
        • Fully expect to hear he's actually been training at Chadwell Heath all summer

          And this was just a way of saving three months' wages.

          umlaut_ampersand @jacques_le_biscuit_ | 3 Sep '13, 15:56 | X
          • probably helped decorate the portacabins

            count the cones, fix the nets, that kind of thing.

            jacques_le_biscuit_ @umlaut_ampersand | 3 Sep '13, 16:01 | X
            • The dildo bros were either spinning a load of cobblers about not being able to afford anyone else

              or Carlton is going to be earning less than me.

              Both are equally plausible tbh

              Lucien @jacques_le_biscuit_ | 3 Sep '13, 16:04 | X
              • The most likely thing is that he fails his medical

                That would be the most Carlton Cole thing in the world

                Lucien @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 16:10 | X
                umlaut_ampersand this'd this
                • Overpuffed

                  umlaut_ampersand @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 16:12 | X
              • Overchuffed about Carlton coming back

                He never really got a send off.

                CHAIRMAN_LMAO @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 16:10 | X
              • the spunk twins have been talking cobblers the whole summer

                jacques_le_biscuit_ @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 16:15 | X
            • He's been picking all the lint off Sullivan's claret velvet blazer all summer

              umlaut_ampersand @jacques_le_biscuit_ | 3 Sep '13, 16:10 | X
    • ***Carlton Cole sub-thread***

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ-OLSHUF3w

      Welcome back big guy!

      umlaut_ampersand @jacques_le_biscuit_ | 3 Sep '13, 16:33 | X
      • My favourite ever Carlton Cole moment...

        ...was his post match interview at home to Derby in the Championship season. Nolan had scored a peach - i think it was a half volley from outside the area – and Carlton wanders over mid interview and says "He done it in training. Practice what you preach, innit?"

        CHAIRMAN_LMAO @umlaut_ampersand | 3 Sep '13, 16:38 | X
        • That's classic Carlton

          http://s8.postimg.org/429syj3mt/598565_517061544993733_854925701_n.jpg

          umlaut_ampersand @CHAIRMAN_LMAO | 3 Sep '13, 16:42 | X
  • re: Ozil

    this is a bit like when a kid with rich parents finally splashes out on an expensive prezzie for the kid. Every other kid has been getting ipads and shit, whilst this kid was getting investment presents. It's almost adorable watching the Arsenal fans get excited over this. Bless em.

    Bombtrack | 3 Sep '13, 15:31 | X
  • what a team

    https://twitter.com/MCFC/status/374881031972614144

    svenrokk | 3 Sep '13, 15:47 | X
    • Christ

      Benjani and Robinho were the same window? What an age we live in

      DanielKelly @svenrokk | 3 Sep '13, 15:48 | X
      Smee this'd this
      • Benjani was January 2008

        Robinho was September 2008

        film_maker @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 15:57 | X
    • peter beagrie :D

      why is benjani in that team?

      meths @svenrokk | 3 Sep '13, 15:48 | X
    • ;-D

      Bants.

      mala @svenrokk | 3 Sep '13, 15:49 | X
    • did we even have "deadline day" in 1994? i thought you could just make transfers any time back then?

      Smee @svenrokk | 3 Sep '13, 15:52 | X
      • used to be mid-march, didn't it?

        mala @Smee | 3 Sep '13, 15:54 | X
        Royter-Hatfood this'd this
        • oh yeah, something like that. no transfers for the last couple of months of the season

          Smee @mala | 3 Sep '13, 15:59 | X
    • ''down the years''

      OvertakenByTractors @svenrokk | 3 Sep '13, 16:00 | X
    • Owen Hargreaves didn't make the cut :(

      svenrokk @svenrokk | 3 Sep '13, 16:13 | X
  • Interesting piece about what the hell is going on at Newcastle

    http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/summer-discontent-newcastle-united-st-5831553

    vamos | 3 Sep '13, 15:48 | X
  • the early season is such a pain in the arse

    step 1. weeks and weeks of no-one signing for anyone
    step 2. community boreshield
    step 3. international friendly break, yawn
    step 4. opening of the premier league, one round of games
    step 5. "big games" which the early season atmosphere takes the sting out of
    step 6. Deadline day - finally some football?
    step 7. international break

    all a bit annoying innit

    Smee | 3 Sep '13, 15:49 | X
    Verbal this'd this
  • :'(

    http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Gareth-Barry-Everton.jpg

    Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 15:53 | X
    mala this'd this
    • evertons kit is so bad.

      meths @Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 15:56 | X
      urbanfox, svenrokk, and stanstubbs this'd this
  • ...

    'What to make of Arsenal's transfer business? In Mesut Ozil, they have signed the best player to move in any league anywhere in the world this summer'

    ffs, c'mon now

    DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 15:54 | X
    • He's no Willian.

      mala @DanielKelly | 3 Sep '13, 15:56 | X
      • (serious answer)

        He's no Neymar, Gotze, Bale, Cavani or Tevez either.

        mala @mala | 3 Sep '13, 15:57 | X
        DanielKelly this'd this
        • Already seems like a billion years ago that Neymar moved.

          Steved @mala | 3 Sep '13, 16:07 | X
        • Falcao.

          wilykit @mala | 3 Sep '13, 16:08 | X
        • not so sure.

          meths @mala | 3 Sep '13, 16:09 | X
          Royter-Hatfood and Jordan_229_2 this'd this
  • Important Man Utd transfer window update

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23941584

    Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 15:58 | X
    • he looks like Pat Sharpe

      Christophales @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 16:28 | X
      • Rod Stewart*

        urbanfox @Christophales | 3 Sep '13, 16:29 | X
    • I'm a generous 28

      but no way is he 25.

      olegrich @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 16:36 | X
    • Also

      http://www.havearsenalspentanymoneyyet.com/

      olegrich @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 16:50 | X
  • rebuild

    Verbal | 3 Sep '13, 16:06 | X
  • Ozil is a monster signing but it's a shame Arsenal's squad is so unbalanced in terms of depth in certain areas.

    We (Southampton) showed our class by not doing any last minute panicking.

    Wish we'd not given Puncheon to Palace though.

    kostenurky | 3 Sep '13, 16:35 | X
    • Puncheon would never have got in the side

      How he's below Guly in the pecking order I have no idea though

      Christophales @kostenurky | 3 Sep '13, 17:53 | X
  • Bendtner has released a statement through his agent in regards to his future

    It’s no secret that Arsenal and myself had agreed that I could leave the club during the 2013 summer transfer window subject to an agreement between all parties.

    “An agreement had been reached with more than one club this week but as Arsenal were unable to secure the services of another striker, they reserved their right to not sanction any deal to be concluded…

    “Naturally, I was very disappointed as I was looking forward to a new challenge, with a new club and a fresh start in English football.

    “Many things have been said about my where my future lies after many years at Arsenal; the truth is I just want to play football which is when I’m happiest and Arsenal is a fantsstic environment for any professional to apply their trade.

    “I still feel very strongly about Arsenal Football Club and following positive talks with the Manager, I am looking forward to working hard to regain full fitness and doing my very best to help to the team and the Manager fulfil our objectives and ambitions this season.

    “I’ve learnt a lot from my loan experiences at Sunderland and Juventus and I want to assure all Arsenal fans that I will give everything I have to contribute to what I believe will be a successful season for the club.”

    Fair play to the lad, he's shown some self awareness for once and if he gets his head down and get fit he can go in January with some good wishes rather than those that would have followed if he left last night.

    olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 16:36 | X
    no-class this'd this
    • Didn't realise how long that statement was - tl;dr and all that

      olegrich @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 16:39 | X
    • leave in january?

      this new, humble bendtner combined with MESUT OZIL has me literally salivating.

      ideserve2 @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 16:55 | X
    • He's not a good player

      but he's not as bad as people think. 22 goals in 55 appearances at international level testifies to the fact that if you stick a few crosses on his head, he'll get you a few goals. It's done him no favours that 1) Arsenal's much too big a club for him, 2) their style doesn't suit him, and 3) he's a stupid arsehole who will never ever learn to behave like an adult.

      OvertakenByTractors @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 16:57 | X
      • think Arsenal have to take the blame for a portion of it

        by giving him such a huge contract at such a young age as well.

        It's a shame because when he started out we had high hopes for him, and he had one really good spell when he was played through the middle and scored regularly, but a combination of better players in his role (Adebayor and RVP mostly), him having to play out wide and him being over-confident to the point of ungodly arrogance meant it wasn't to be.

        olegrich @OvertakenByTractors | 3 Sep '13, 17:01 | X
    • The way that started I thought it was gonna be a proper toys out of the pram rant

      Fair play for how he went on. If he really is gonna give 100% then, like I said in the thread last night, he isn't a terrible backup to have - he's a similar build and type of player to Giroud so we wouldn't have to change our play much if he did have to come in.

      dan_thw @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 16:58 | X
      Royter-Hatfood this'd this
      • Yeah

        you wouldn't want him to be starting, but if worst came to worst he's can be good, especially if fit and motivated (for a move).

        Personally, I wanted him gone as he was the last of the real deadwood to ship out (Diaby is actually part of a 10 year long research project for University Hospital London) along with the denilsons etc. He'll be a decent signing for someone.

        olegrich @dan_thw | 3 Sep '13, 17:05 | X
        • Amazing how a World Cup year and the prospect of a lucrative free transfer focus the mind isn't it?

          Shame the prick didn't have this epiphany 2 years ago. Might have made something(other than £15m) out of his Arsenal career or been first choice somewhere else by now if he hadn't spent the time eating and forgetting how belts work.

          benni @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 17:27 | X
          • :D

            Great vitriol on show here. Come on benni, feel the rage!

            olegrich @benni | 3 Sep '13, 17:28 | X
            • It's fine, I looked at some pictures of Ozil and Podolski being mates and it calmed me down

              I've defended Bendtner in the past as I think he has (or had) the potential to be pretty good and I agree that Arsenal have to wear some of the blame for showering him in cash and indulging his ego from an early age. But having spent 18 months saying he never wants to play for us again, I'm just bored of him now.

              benni @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 17:50 | X
    • i guess they have to respect his seniority now.

      given that he's won a title.

      mala @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 17:03 | X
      benni and littlebirds this'd this
    • great stuff nic.

      love the guy.

      meths @olegrich | 3 Sep '13, 17:27 | X
  • A few people getting the Ozil indie points already.

    Not as good as Tevez, Neymar or Goetze (who is behind him at national level somehow) apparently.

    The guy is one of the top 5 players the world.

    wonton | 3 Sep '13, 18:07 | X
    olegrich this'd this
    • ^ a lot of this.

      he's probably my third favourite player after iniesta and ozil.

      ronaldos probably better than him but i dont like ronaldo.

      meths @wonton | 3 Sep '13, 18:09 | X
      • You've got him twice in your top three favourite players?

        you must really like him.

        OvertakenByTractors @meths | 3 Sep '13, 18:11 | X
        umlaut_ampersand this'd this
        • i do.

          meths @OvertakenByTractors | 3 Sep '13, 18:17 | X
      • swap the order around

        I would definitely have ozil ahead of ozil

        Lucien @meths | 3 Sep '13, 18:23 | X
        • an ozil is an ozil

          meths @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 18:27 | X
        • an ozil is an ozil

          meths @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 18:31 | X
          • shut up.

            Lucien @meths | 3 Sep '13, 18:31 | X
    • erm.

      no he isn't.

      Real Madrid wouldn't have sold him if that was the case, and certainly not for £45m.

      mala @wonton | 3 Sep '13, 18:16 | X
      • they're mugs mate, mugs.

        meths @mala | 3 Sep '13, 18:17 | X
        Jordan_229_2 and bowiecokemirror this'd this
        • agreed

          i'll happily eat my words, but i'm pretty sure Real have just downgraded players and paid 50m euros for the privilege.

          I also think Bale-o will buckle under the pressure, but that's another matter.

          littlebirds @meths | 3 Sep '13, 18:23 | X
  • ha

    http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/the-madness-of-the-transfer-window

    douchebag | 3 Sep '13, 18:12 | X
    • Clive Martin is a good people.

      His 'Big Night Out' series also on Vice always bings the laughs.

      NikMak @douchebag | 3 Sep '13, 18:19 | X
    • wonderful

      Jordan_229_2 @douchebag | 3 Sep '13, 18:27 | X
      pichaelmarker and crumbs this'd this
    • great stuff.

      'Although one man had brought along a potato – or "spud" – with which to taunt the losers of the previous day's local derby: Spurs.

      I guess that's what's so good about football really, that it carries enough emotional heft to convince a man to spend the bulk of his Monday evening trying to get a potato on television, purely to wind up some Tottenham fans he will never meet.'

      meths @douchebag | 3 Sep '13, 18:31 | X
      no-class this'd this
  • Just to re-iterate an earlier point

    QPR have an OUTRAGEOUS squad for the championship. If Harry doesn't win the league in a canter he should have his head forcibly inserted into a bottle bank and bummed by random passersby.

    Robert Green
    Danny Simpson
    Armand Traoré
    Richard Dunne
    Clint Hill
    Matt Phillips
    Andrew Johnson
    Charlie Austin
    Shaun Wright-Phillips
    Yun Suk-Young
    Benoît Assou-Ekotto
    Nedum Onuoha
    Jermaine Jenas
    Joey Barton
    Tom Carroll
    Niko Kranj?ar
    Karl Henry
    Luke Young
    Hogan Ephraim
    Junior Hoilett
    Samba Diakité
    Bobby Zamora
    Brian Murphy
    Max Ehmer
    Alejandro Faurlín
    Júlio César
    Mo Shariff
    Gary O'Neil

    Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 18:30 | X
    • Poor old Julio Cesar

      Steved @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 18:33 | X
      meths this'd this
      • I'll say.

        Just looking at that list, you could probably cleave that squad into 2 and come first and second if you entered them separately.

        Lucien @Steved | 3 Sep '13, 18:38 | X
        • that's disgusting!

          the_dazzled @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 20:31 | X
    • ----------Cesar
      Simpson-Onouha-Dunne-BAE
      --Barton-Jenas-Krancjar
      -Johnson-Austin-Phillips

      should be good enough to tread water in the PL really

      Jordan_229_2 @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 18:43 | X
      vamos this'd this
      • you appear to have left off gary o'neil

        no-one treads water in the PL like gary o'neil

        Lucien @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 18:46 | X
        • NO-ONE

          Lucien @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 18:46 | X
    • Andrew Johnson has joined Palace.

      lurchy2 @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 19:10 | X
      • nope.

        Lucien @lurchy2 | 3 Sep '13, 19:15 | X
  • just twigged that...

    United paid the same amount for Fellaini as they bid for both Baines and Fellaini.

    he.

    mala | 3 Sep '13, 18:50 | X
    meths this'd this
    • incl wages?

      Jordan_229_2 @mala | 3 Sep '13, 18:58 | X
      • OK that's the end of that one now pls.

        meths @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 19:03 | X
        Royter-Hatfood this'd this
        • yeah i was umming and ahhing over that tbh

          Jordan_229_2 @meths | 3 Sep '13, 19:06 | X
  • 5hrs 54m

    until non-germane Ozil chat will be answered with a sharp taste of the lash

    Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 19:07 | X
    • How about a ceasefire whereby you shut up about Carlton Cole

      Royter-Hatfood @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 19:11 | X
      • I'll chuck Gary O'Neil in there as well as a gesture of goodwill

        Lucien @Royter-Hatfood | 3 Sep '13, 19:14 | X
    • wasn't too long ago you were one of us.

      no-class @Lucien | 3 Sep '13, 19:17 | X
  • who are the top 10 footballers in the world then?

    messi
    ronaldo
    iniesta
    ibrahimovic
    ozil
    bale
    RVP
    Suarez
    Fabregas
    Xavi
    ...or something

    still_here | 3 Sep '13, 19:12 | X
    • not actually sure ozil is in the top 5 tbh

      but for the next 5 hours and 46 minutes he definitely, definitely is

      still_here @still_here | 3 Sep '13, 19:14 | X
      • also fuck off bale

        no idea why i put him that high up

        still_here @still_here | 3 Sep '13, 19:18 | X
        • is this supposed to be in order then?

          Because Fab and Xavi should be higher up and Ibra, Ozil, Bale lower down imo

          gecko @still_here | 3 Sep '13, 19:23 | X
          • Also probably some of the Bayern lads should be on that list.

            gecko @gecko | 3 Sep '13, 19:25 | X
            still_here this'd this
    • changes regularly.

      for instance, a year ago i'd have probably had Dave Silva top five, but now maybe not top 10. same for Casillas, maybe Kompany, even Rooney. just for fun, though...

      1) Messi
      2) Ronaldo
      3) Iniesta
      4) Xavi
      5) Thiago Silva
      6) Bale
      7) Ribery
      8) van Persie
      9) Martinez
      10) Zlatan

      Honourable mentions to Neuer, Cavani, Alba, Pirlo, Neymar, Ozil, Silva, Suarez, Tevez, Kompany, Toure, Mata, Cole, half of Dortmund and Bayern's team, idk, can't really be arsed.

      mala @still_here | 3 Sep '13, 19:23 | X
      • * similar for

        top 10 a year ago, maybe top 25 for Rooney, Casillas, etc.

        mala @mala | 3 Sep '13, 19:24 | X
        mala this'd this
      • was trying to figure out who in bayern would be up there

        yeah ribery makes sense. Can't be arsed pretending any defenders are in the top 10 players in the world though. No one cares about defenders.

        still_here @mala | 3 Sep '13, 19:26 | X
      • Interesting....

        I'd have Ibra as no. 4 (everyone else drops a spot)with Pirlo in for Bale and Lahm in for Martinez but other then that looks solid.

        NikMak @mala | 3 Sep '13, 19:32 | X
      • Good to see Carlton get an honourable mention already

        umlaut_ampersand @mala | 3 Sep '13, 20:37 | X
    • Cesc isn't top 50.

      mala @still_here | 3 Sep '13, 19:29 | X
      • stop trying to be quirky

        he had similar, if not better stats than iniesta last season iirc. Not that stats are definitive or anything. But he's clearly fucking amazing #layoffcesc

        still_here @mala | 3 Sep '13, 19:32 | X
  • .

    still_here | 3 Sep '13, 19:32 | X
  • http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/mesut-ozil-really-didnt-want-to-go-to-arsenal-guillem-balague/

    mala | 3 Sep '13, 19:33 | X
    • not really that surprising that he'd rather be a starter at the biggest club in the world than at a top 10 one is it?

      that guy's clearly a twat though. Dunno the difference between him and that tancredi guy but theyre both pointless.

      still_here @mala | 3 Sep '13, 19:36 | X
    • That guy also said Ander Herrera was a Spain U-21s regular yesterday.

      OvertakenByTractors @mala | 3 Sep '13, 20:37 | X
  • Its weird how people rate these things

    I dont have the stats handy but would guess that RVP is a more valuable asset in terms of points won than a lot of the players that rank higher than him.

    For example, there is no doubt Iniesta and Xavi are fantastic players, but i wonder what Barc'a PPG ratio is if one is missing. I doubt it would be that different, its more how effective they are as a unit and in the team as a whole.

    Like if you are Everton, which players adds more points to your team, RVP or Xavi?

    sharp_yet_blunt | 3 Sep '13, 19:37 | X
    • I guess im trying to draw a Moneyball comparison

      where often teams and managers would overvalue their star players with regards to how much they actually added to the team.

      sharp_yet_blunt @sharp_yet_blunt | 3 Sep '13, 19:41 | X
    • you have to bear achievements in mind.

      RVP's done fuck all, really, in the grand scheme of things - 1 Cup, 1 UEFA Cup, 1 title. only had two 25-goal seasons in that time.

      in hindsight he should be well below Zlatan on my list, or anyones.

      mala @sharp_yet_blunt | 3 Sep '13, 19:44 | X
      • ah the old David May - Alan Shearer arguement

        Jordan_229_2 @mala | 3 Sep '13, 19:56 | X
        mala this'd this
        • nope.

          nothing of the sort.

          it's fucking stupid that you're not allowed to partly measure a player's worth on them actually winning stuff without the nooby "John O'Shea won <x> titles horseshit.

          mala @Jordan_229_2 | 3 Sep '13, 20:15 | X
      • But thats bollocks though

        you just said it constantly changes due to form, so how can you say achievements play any major factor?

        The point about Zlatan is not that his teams win leagues, but that he is the difference in them winning leagues a lot the time. Im saying theres payers who are fantastic, but are overvalued with how many points they actually add to the team, which seems like a good way to rank how good a player truly is.

        sharp_yet_blunt @mala | 3 Sep '13, 19:56 | X
        • look, mate...

          you're welcome to fudge it however you want to justify your own opinions, but you don't have to. if RVP bagging a shitload of goals for Arsenal against Norwich or Hull makes him a top striker in your opinion, that's your call.

          mala @sharp_yet_blunt | 3 Sep '13, 20:22 | X
  • Too early for using your wildcard on FF, isn't it?

    but however I look at it, it makes sense even though I've not had the worst start. Either way I'll regret it.

    OvertakenByTractors | 3 Sep '13, 20:34 | X
    • i'd normally say yes...

      but i'm going to play mine because i want to get some of the new signings in (Ozil, Lukaku, etc) and because i'm starting to wonder if it's really worth having £7m defenders in at all. think i could probably get three good strikers in, two £9m+ playmakers, but still rack up points through budget keepers and defenders.

      mala @OvertakenByTractors | 3 Sep '13, 20:54 | X
  • On the fence if I am enjoying our season so far, yes it's nice to be able to get in

    Some players this year (even if they have had to be free transfers, although some guys we have got are quality, for the league we are in like Nicky Law etc) but every game I have seen has felt like a training or being closed doors friendly match and admittedly quite boring,it is nice to get a load of goals to celebrate each game but it would be nicer to get good goals the team has to work for (lee fucking McCulloch scored a hat trick of headers at the weekend just gone, unmarked for all but one I think it was, at least one no defender was within 2 metres of him).
    It puts me off actually going to the games this season a bit as although Scottish football gets a bad rep some of the games in the 'Premier' League have actually been quite entertaining to watch last season and this one, although agreed normally the exciting games involve Celtic and (one of) Caley Thistle//Motherwell and games when they aren't can be utter dross (the many Edinburgh 0-0 Derby's spring to mind) and I kind of miss the challenge you get from better quality teams actually putting some passes together, scoring to make it 1-1 in the last 10 minutes or their defenders frustrating your Striker who can get to the ball and then fucking them over with a tap-in in injury time.

    Our ticket prices are around £16-18 depending on the game, which haven't gone up much if at all from being promoted which makes going for the odd game affordable (adding travel to Glasgow, booze and normally a hotel as I get too pissed to sit on a train back to Edinburgh for an hour, it would come to about £100 or so depending on how scummy I want to go with the hotel, if I have my thirst for Tennants on double the estimate) But I could really see that season ticket holders* would become a bit frustrated about us kicking the arse of teams much weaker than them week in week out (even if Glasgae men are used to doing that in their domestic life's anyway, ;( sorry)....SHITE I HAVE FORGOTTEN THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE, EVEN AFTER RE-READING THIS (Not going to delete it as this was like My Everest typing this in my state), ADVICE :DONT EXPERIMENT WITH MIXING VARIOUS POWDERS EVERYONE.

    LIFE

    *I used to be a season ticket holder a few years ago, it was a lot easier to justify having it budget-wise as had a girlfriend who lived over there, a company car that the petrol was paid for as always made my last client (Oooh Pardon) on a Friday be one near Glasgow and my rent/bills were about £300 (compared to £700 now just rent) So feel I have some sort of basis to make this point (STILL CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS, FUCK)

    NoNoNoRobots | 3 Sep '13, 22:00 | X
    • Jeez, tl;dr? Rangers games boring, team too good, no challenge, Lee McCulloch Hattrick FFS

      NoNoNoRobots @NoNoNoRobots | 3 Sep '13, 22:01 | X
    • Oh and before you asked why I gave up that amazing sounding life of girlfriend, (1 out of two) fast car/s (my Fiesta was pretty nippy, the mini wasn't ) and season ticket

      I got made redundant from that job so lost the car and the free travel and couldn't afford the train every week/second week (bus was dirt cheap at that time but still had to pay my rent as didn't get housing benefit, thank fuck redundancy pay) so didn't head through to Glasgow that much, 2 days a month or so, so the relationship broke down as well (she couldn't come through much to the flat as was a skinto student) as we weren't seeing each other (...may have been due to a unfortunately timed cuddle I had with a ginger girl that was spotted by my girlfriend's friends at the gig, although probably more was because I started sleeping with someone from work who she saw me going into a fancy hotel with (she said it was fancy, it was that crap travellodge in Glasgow, Glasgow people who have seen it will know it isn't fancy, the one near the art college) the blonde girl from work had a great job so she paid for it as I was still broke...actually let's put it down to my raging angry alcoholism at the time that only resulted in me punching/head butting walls, not other people ...bit better than the other reasons....a bit).

      PIANO

      Jesus, forgot where i was again,, football thread Craig, i m a bit soppy tonight here have our Goal highlights from the weekend to get back on track, check out the shite defending http://youtu.be/EXXY4Wzpu90 and a bonus 'funny' http://youtu.be/yX08WIWB41s

      NoNoNoRobots @NoNoNoRobots | 3 Sep '13, 22:28 | X
      • tl;dr? No Season Ticket, No car, no G, shagged a blonde girl from work in travellodge

        NoNoNoRobots @NoNoNoRobots | 3 Sep '13, 22:30 | X
        • Didn't mean "no G" but that kind of works in Street chat

          NoNoNoRobots @NoNoNoRobots | 3 Sep '13, 22:31 | X
  • obviously the biggest news in football has gone under the radar

    Eddie Mitchell selling his stake in Bournemouth. Gonna miss his pissed up antics. Calling out our own supporters for fights on the pitch, swearing on talksport and telling the supporters to piss off and support Southampton.

    labmonkeya529 | 3 Sep '13, 22:07 | X
    • how's it going with the domestic FFPs?

      know you mentioned it a couple of times over the summer, but then recently you've been bidding big for strikers. how do they work, and what are the punishments, etc, etc?

      mala @labmonkeya529 | 3 Sep '13, 22:11 | X
      • yeah, the fact we have bought a striker for reportedly 2.5 million

        has left me pretty confused as to how they work or how in line with them we are. I thought a lot of our activity in the transfer market this summer was constrained by them - just signed some frees etc. Guess we offloaded Tubbs and Demouge....but with our attendances, outgoings must be way over income. Anyway, Billionaires should be free to play billionaire ball as they see fit, pretty unfair not to

        labmonkeya529 @mala | 3 Sep '13, 22:23 | X
        • well said.

          Roy of the Rovers stuff.

          mala @labmonkeya529 | 3 Sep '13, 22:26 | X
          • We just need to get a link with Real madrid

            and do a Watford/Udinese if the transfer ban and fines kick in. Pick Bale up after a disappointing first season. Pretty sure Melchester Rovers did a similar thing in number 153 - Roy and the Galacticos

            labmonkeya529 @mala | 3 Sep '13, 22:31 | X
  • Guys, there's some must see football related tv on in a bit.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03bctc7

    blimeycharlie | 3 Sep '13, 22:57 | X
  • Wolves won

    Penalty shootout
    Walsall had the greatest day in the history of the club

    Everyone goes home happy

    urbanfox | 3 Sep '13, 23:42 | X
  • goodnight everyone

    http://www.101greatgoals.com/wp-content/gallery/gimages/kolofail.jpg

    ideserve2 | 3 Sep '13, 23:44 | X
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