4117 réponses à ce sujet

[Druss99]

Perhaps a series of challenges where they have to work together to do certain jobs? Start them off as bin men and try a different job every week until we find something they can do together. I imagine that would end up very Chuckle Brothers-esque. Did you ever hear the one about one of the Chuckle Brothers getting into a motorbike accident, I think it was on holiday out foreign somewhere, he was laying there looking for help and people were all standing round him going "To me, to you."?

Yeah that annoys me sometimes with XBL games. Oh yes, way too much time looking for bars where sailors hang out...

Well he's gone and spent another £25m on some Brazilian kid named Oscar.

Yeah they made a big deal about refs having that power, they started off booking players for it, but not the likes of Rooney, Gerrard, Terry, Cole etc. How often do you seem them screaming swear words in refs faces? Not that I've an issue with that, I am Irish afterall, its how we communicate. But its another example of inconsistant rules and refereeing. I'd like to see a ref shout back. It's all just a giant bag of sh*te really. It's going to take a while to get the change they want.

I'd be surprised if Porstmouth make it to Christmas. Nangers to take their place?

I thought Snodgrass played central when I saw him and thats where the confusion lay for me. Didn't realise he was a winger but now that you mention it I think I did hear him described as a winger before. Norwich's strikers do seem to be rather good in the air with Holt and that fella who's name is escaping me...wears number 5 for some reason...this is annoying me...him anyway...they are both big and good in the air so extra supply from the wings can only be a good thing.

Real Madrid have started the Barca tactics. Have you see the comments about Modric from their players? Stump the cash up and stop trying the nonsense.

[OBakaSama]

The wonders of Shenmue. If Sega could just release it.... I hear that Yakuza is a spiritual sequel of sorts.

Oh well...leopards, spots and all that....

Indeed. The laws are already there but aren't used for whatever reason. It may even seem that referees deem it a part of the game. Though the interesting thing to come out of the recent cases is that rather than being just 'the game' or 'football' the term 'workplace' is used. When considered like that it really does seem that football is in its own little world.

Nah. Same problem, probably have to start in the Conference is my guess. I don't think they would be too chuffed about that. And it's Morison you're thinking of who wears the number 5 shirt.

Back to old ways it sounds like.

Oh...and it seems that Suarez has been asked about the Evra case. Again.

[Druss99]

Yeah, it kind of is. But having played Yakuza its just lacking something. It sort of felt Shenmue-lite.

FFP...Although there's crazy rumours about us bidding £30m for some untested Brazilian, I'm sceptical. Aswell as the £20m bids for Van Persie, an injury prone 29 year old looking for big wages in a position we are well stacked. It's all gotten a bit mental on the rumour front. I think come August if Berbatov is being given assurances he will play and is staying then I'd be happy with that.

It almost seems as if refs just say "Oh, thats just the way he is." Indeed, football really can't be considered a regular workplace, you don't go from working in the post office to the supermarket for £20m. I heard comments about Big Brother this year that if the stuff thats going on in that house happened in a workplace the people would be fired for bullying, but because its on tv its fine. Same rule as football uses?

Morison! Damn it I thought that first but dismissed it thinking it was something Welsh sounding. Well there was the talk of Rangers buying Bury and taking their place in the league by moving the club to Glasgow and changing the name.

Ha, yeah I saw that. It's really Liverpools fault, they gave him this whole idea that he is a martyr. He flat out said there's people within the club who think United control the FA and did it all because we fear the team who finished 8th. I believe him.

[OBakaSama]

*Ahem* No sailors?

The Berbatov situation could be a tricky one to handle given his apparent public remarks on his situation. Though unlike some footballers it is understandable as he wants to play.

Transfer rumour mills are probably working on full steam now. Haven't had the chance to check for updates today (been rather busy). I'm sure there will be a few crazy ones at this time of year though.

Big Brother is probably portrayed as entertainment which allows it some leeway in such things. I have my doubts, but then I've never really watched the show before. In a way I guess it does operate differently to a real workplace as it were.

I had to check the website for that info, so oblivious am I to such information.... Hm...sounds reminiscent of the old Wimbledon/MK Dons thing then.

Unfortunately I think many actually do believe him....

Noticed that Ledley King has retired from the game now. Shame about his knee as it could have been an immense player for England I think. I recall him marking an in his pomp Henry out of a game on international duty.

[Druss99]

I'll admit, thats a huge issue.

I don't think his public remarks were too bad compared to others. He basically just said he wants to play. I suspect the whole Van Persie thing is his agent trying to get more cash out of City or City going for another "Look he turned them down to join us!"

It's entertainment factor is debatable at best. I think football gets away with alot because of its tv factor aswell as its sport factor though. You get away with stuff in football you don't get away with in other sports. Like referee abuse.

Yeah it was a short lived endeavour about a month ago I think. It strikes me as possible given the Bury thing was never officially dismissed by authorities.

Because its true that Liverpool believe that? Sir Alex has waded in now too, journalists should be fined for asking about it. Sir Alex seemed to be having a "You got you're manager sacked and you're still going on" pop at him.

Indeed, when fit he was probably the best defender in England. Terry should be very thankful King's knees were knackered.

It seems we have someone looking to take over The Iron Gerbil's throne, Brendan Rodgers. He keeps giving soundbites and they are constantly contradictory...Carroll can go on loan...No he can't...No bidding for Sigurdsson...We've bid for Sigurdsson...I won't bid for Swansea players we have an agreement...I want Joe Allen...

[OBakaSama]

For some reason I don't think anything like that can ever be recreated.

I agree. Though I have my suspicions that Ferguson wouldn't like that too much anyway, not sure why. I think he's one of those managers who prefers these things to be kept in the dressing room, or at least away from the media's prying eyes. As for van Persie, could six of one and half a dozen the other.

Much as I agree about the entertainment factor I fear we are in the minority. That I agree with as well. After the documentary hosted by Clarke Carlisle the other night football seems pretty unique in its tribalism, which goes beyond mere passion. Do other team sports have that sort of tribalism? The sort that seems to bring out the worst in people?

Hm....that would have been....interesting, though a bit ridiculous as far as I'm concerned.

Well....the fans more than the club I think. The club are now a bit more sensible about the way it's trying to portray itself. Suarez just doesn't really have much sense, and possibly even worse advisers around him. To be honest, it's a bit surprising the club didn't try to move him on in a way.

Oh yes. Spurs don't seem to have a great deal of luck with defenders it would seem though. Is Dawson still out?

Sounds like we'll need a name for him in time if becomes the media's new soundbite favourite. Deary me.....

Just read that Southgate has left his job at the FA. Is punditry that more rewarding? At least that's the impression the Sky Sports website seemed to suggest anyway. Though I would guess it's less headache inducing.

[Druss99]

No, it became all the more hilarious when you saw the actual sailors and Ryo's bizarre deadpanning.

Three teams have now bid for RVP, apparently we bid £12.5m, City bid £10m and Juve £8m. All rejected. Unsurprising considering Nasri went for £24m in the same situation and Young £16m, clubs have no one to blame but themselves. Sir Alex even admitted we bid, this is a new and unusual tactic from him.

What was this documentary called? BBC did you say? I might have a look at the Iplayer on xboxlive and see if its available. I don't think other sports are quite as tribal, American sports almost are, but not quite to the same level of ridiculousness I don't think.

Indeed, I couldn't believe it wasn't outright dismissed as against some rule, but Bury had to come out and deny they were for sale and Rangers had to deny any interest in it if I remember right.

The club at the time fueled this issue with the support t-shirts and all that carry on. They are trying to move on now but it's already in his head that he's a martyr. I agree, I thought he might get pushed out the door but there would probably be another fan backlash and more videos. Do we need to revisit that? Oh ok, lets... Jesus it still leaves me in stitches. "We gave you The Beatles..." Brilliant! I'd to stop reading the comments or I was going to wake the whole house with laughter.

Um, I'm not sure about Dawson actually, when he is back it seems its only a matter of time before he is out again anyway. Did Nelson not solve all the issues? No? Hhmmm...

He seems to be struggling a bit with the extra media glare and mutating in the spotlight into The Iron Gerbil's apprentice.

Yeah, odd one that. Possibly something going on behind the scenes? It seems more like a job for someone with alot of experience anyway.

Kagawa is to get his first start tomorrow afternoon apparently, he came on the other night. Attempted to get on on the 80th minute, it was the 88th or something before the ball went out of play. As soon as he gets the ball he is looking to play someone through from the little I've seen, Hernandez could thrive off that.

[OBakaSama]

I now regret not picking up Shenmue for the DreamCast while I had the chance, though budget is rather tight and time is getting even more restrictive of late.

Will wonder how this will play out now. Nothing new there from my stance there then....

'Is football racist?' It's a diverting documentary. Not as indepth as I had expected from what I heard though.

Wonder if some notion of a merger came into play at any point. Still sounds silly to me.

Indeed. That it was even allowed at the time was the biggest mistake for which a few people paid the price. And....*heh*

The Iron Gerbil's fantastic foresight. How someone else handles his mistakes is the key for the club's future methinks.

Just as long as The Iron Gerbil doesn't front a show whose aim is to find him an apprentice.....

I agree that the role seems to be better suited for someone with more experience. Wasn't Hodgson also chosen to be England manager with a view to development as well? I get the feeling due to his experience it would be a role which should suit him.

Yeah, saw that his debut was rather short. At least there will be the chance to see him start a game to see how he will be used at Man Utd. Sounds promising anyway.

[Kimosabe]

I just wanted to share this moment from yesterday:
In the preparation for the coming season NAC playes a few matches against local clubs as tradition, yesterday was another such a match and since it is close by I went to see it. Earlier that day however a true and longtime supporter died so before the match started all the NAC supportes present formed a line to sympathize with his family (who were also present), while this line was formed the teams were doing their warming up. When they heard the news and saw the line forming, they joined it, everybody players as well as the staff to express their sympathy to the family of the deceased.

This is also Football to bad this is the increasingly smaller part of it..

[Himo]

Druss99 wrote...

I'd be surprised if Porstmouth make it to Christmas. Nangers to take their place?

I thought Snodgrass played central when I saw him and thats where the confusion lay for me. Didn't realise he was a winger but now that you mention it I think I did hear him described as a winger before. Norwich's strikers do seem to be rather good in the air with Holt and that fella who's name is escaping me...wears number 5 for some reason...this is annoying me...him anyway...they are both big and good in the air so extra supply from the wings can only be a good thing.

Right, Pompey should survive, I honestly don't see why they wouldn't. It's damn hard work, ticket prices will rise and they will be in league 1 for a looong time. But, if they handlle it smart, they should be able to turn the corner. We did.

As for snoddy; I literally can't emphasize enough how important it is for us to keep hold of him. If he goes to Norwich that's 3 of their 4 midfielders that were ours 3 years ago. Absolute ****take, **** Bates and his tight pursestrings!

There seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel with this possible takeover from the middle east, but that's been a farce from start to finish. We need that to go through, and badly because at the moment all our purchases are being paid for by selling off players, and we simply cannot afford to pay competitive wages despite having the 4th most expensive tickets IN THE COUNTRY, let alone in the second division. Without this Sheikh and his money we're just gonna keep moving sideways.

/rant

[Druss99]

^ Aren't Portsmouth docked 10 points, down to less than 10 players who are all for sale and still in administration with some former players looking to sue for money owed? I dunno if things have changed, I think it was weeks ago I heard that on SSN.

Whats happened with the takeover of Leeds? The last I remember hearing was about possible interest and haven't heard anything since.

I've never heard of that happening before, Kimo. Is it a Dutch thing or a European thing? It might happen here too but I've never heard of it.

There's always time to look for bars where sailor's hang out and race forklift's, Obaka.

The Euro's and Olympics seem to be playing havok with pre-season if our squad and Liverpool's team against Toronto are anything to go by. Kagawa had his first start yesterday and was very impressive after taking about 20 mins to get going, seemed to be playing behind the striker. He reminded me of a young Scholes in some aspects and in general played very well, he seems hard to get the ball off but we will see how he does in that regard in the PL. He missed a sitter though. Anderson looked rusty at best though he was out of position on the left, Hernandez is still way off form he is getting no luck at all but he keeps his head up and applaud's attempts to get the ball to him, complete opposite of Rooney when he's off form. Bebe...f*ckin hell, good goal but anyone in this thread could pass better than him and his dribbling yesterday was shocking. I'm still doggedly insisting on keeping faith in him but that was shocking. All this talk about one pre-season friendly..

Modifié par Druss99, 22 juillet 2012 - 02:52 .

[OBakaSama]

That's what football news is missing, Kimo. Something to bring the game back down to earth.

I don't recall too much of what Leeds went through when they were relegated from the Premier League back in the day, but at least they stabilised. To be honest, Himo, I'm not really sure if Portsmouth's current situation is really analogous to what happened to Leeds back in the day. My memory suggests, and you may correct me of course, that Leeds' troubles started partly due to overspending in trying to break into the top four and they required Champions League football to cover those debts. In that they failed to compete in the league in that respect, coupled with relegation certainly was a deathknell for them. Portsmouth also had high wages during their success, though I would be tempted to point the finger mainly at....Gaydamak who seemed to be involved in asset stripping the club. He certainly seems to have made sure that the money he put in would be returned which is an added layer of difficulty for the club. Though this is through my hazy memory so details may be different. I just get the feeling there hasn't really been many clubs that have gone through administration as often as Portsmouth.

Yep. Norwich have been raiding Leeds since Lambert was in charge. And in for another of Leeds' players and with a different person at the helm as well.

I think any takeover, while seeming to be a saving grace, can potentially be bad for the club. First and foremost is whether the new owners have any business acumen. Forget about the money they can bring to the club; focus on whether they have a proper business plan for the club which makes it stable. As Druss' link to a certain video above suggests that on occasion fans do forget that their clubs are also businesses.

EDIT: *Bargh* Curse my slow typing!

Will have to wait to see if I'll get to play Shenmue one day then.....

That's what games are for around here: discussion points. Anyone here passing better than Bebe. Sounds like a challenge.

Modifié par OBakaSama, 22 juillet 2012 - 02:47 .

[Himo]

I agree that takeovers aren't always good for the team; look at Forest. Just been bought by a Sheikh who sacks Coterill immediately, promises a big name to come in, then appoints Sean O'Driscoll of Crawley fame. He's also brining in a load of players from the other club he owns in the UAE (lord knows the standard of football in the middle east is not good). The new regime has already started making dubious decisions.

As far as our takeover is concerned, we have been in the "due diligence" (last) phase for about 4 weeks now. For the time being we have no money to make transfers with and players are moving fast, I just hope we don't miss the bus.

Yeah, we failed to really compete in the top 4 back in the early 00s, resulting in a massive financial collapse and relegation, stayed in the championship 3 years and then went down again as soon as the parachute payments ran out (which is the same as pompey). While the two situations are not analogous to one another there are similarities, their overspending came following their FA Cup final a few years back.

Kimo, that looks ace! Sometimes football does cause amazing things to happen, especially when you look outside the top tier.

Modifié par Himo, 22 juillet 2012 - 04:42 .

[OBakaSama]

I can sort of see what they have in mind there in that particular case. Don't necessarily agree or anything, just that I can sort of understand it.

Well...hopefully it means that their credentials are being checked over so the club does not get messed about. I think we've had enough of such cases over the last few years, and we don't want any more such occurrences. Plus it makes the FA look like a complete joke.

[Druss99]

I could swear some other recent owners attempted the whole "Import players from the homeland against the managers wishes" stunt recently. I'm thinking they were Thai or Indian for some reason. Dodgy owners can't be discussed without mention of Venky's...

Modric seems to be attempting some sort of mini strike, apparently refusing to train and not turning up for the pre-season tour. Has he even handed in an official transfer request? Something tells me there will be talk of broken promises about being allowed to leave very soon.

Modifié par Druss99, 22 juillet 2012 - 10:19 .

[OBakaSama]

Indeed. Though I'm not sure if they are dodgy in the way of Gaydamak or really ignorant about how the football business actually works. I'm on my new custom-made fence (which now has a cushion on it for comfort) about Venky's intentions.

Yeah, and AVB has already made some public denouncement about Modric's actions. I get the feeling that this will not be pretty.

[Himo]

4 signings in a day for #LUFC, hell surely freezing over?

Andy Gray from Barnsley - Nephew of a legend, hope he lives up to his Uncle

Jamie Ashdown from Pompey - Decent backup keeper to deputise for Paddy Kenny

Rodolph Austin from SK Brann (Norway) - Combative Jamaican midfielder who is a regular in his national side

Luke Varney from Pompey - Very, very good signing. We've poached 3 Pompey lads this window, a keeper and arguably their 2 best players (Jason Peirce was signed earlier on).

I hate to say it guys but things might actually be going well in the Leeds camp and I'm genuinely looking forward to the new season. I mean, it's been a decade since I've last been able to say that!

Modifié par Himo, 23 juillet 2012 - 10:11 .

[Druss99]

Sir Alex admitting we are actually bidding for two players(instead of the usual "We looked at him but there's no value in the market and I'm happy with the squad" yearly statement after buying some youngsters) has confused me, these are strange days. I'm starting to get behind all this Van Persie talk, he's better than any of our current strikers but I'm still predicting he's going to City. Vidic being back in full training has got me excited for the new season along with the yearly "Will Anderson finally fulfil his potential like he keeps threatening to do or get injured and fat after two months?" question.

Is it too early to declare the league someone's to lose, Obaka? Do you have a certain date you like to bring that one out?

Which Gray is Andy's uncle, Himo? I read he was Frank Gray's son, but I don't remember Frank at all.

I can see Levy refusing to sell Modric to Real now just to spite him.

[Seeker Sparrow]

Watford is another of those clubs just recently bought by wealthy owners (who also happen to own Udinese as well) and immediately bringing about change as they sacked their manager and brought in Zola for the job, the prospect of quite a few younger Udinese players being brought in has upset some fans fearing their club will just be a youth academy for the Serie A team.

I read somewhere that after the Euro's finished Modric handed in a transfer request that was quickly rejected and Levy said he's not for sale. More or less a repeat of last summer though I think Modric is eager to get out of White Hart Lane, and if Madrid are interested in him then I don't blame him for being frustrated.

Appears to be a stand-off between Rangers, the SPL, the SFL and the SFA over media rights and TV deals with (New)Rangers playing in Div3 as well as talk that they should be stripped of their previous titles as well as a 12 month transfer embargo. I'm sure I read that Rangers wanted to make a move to England, all that's going on in Scotland I'm surprised they're going along with it. Doesn't look in good shape that's for sure.

Surprised we made a move for Van Persie Druss, City is the likely destination for him should he move anyway plus I can see him running into the same sort of problems here than he did with Arsenal (trophies, ambition, and eventually money when it comes down to it). Seems Fergusson has his eye on a Brazilian kid too.

[Druss99]

Wasn't there talk last summer of Levy breaking a promise to let Modric leave because of Chelsea's behaviour though? I suspect that's going to get brought up again. Modric made a huge mistake signing a 6 year contract.

There's so much Rangers talk on SSN these days that I've given up trying to follow it. It's amazing how one team can ruin it for everyone else. It seems to be a new problem or investor making claims every few days.

You think Van Persie won't win trophies with us, Sparrow? We lost the league on goal difference despite no Vidic or Fletcher for most of the season and most of our other top players being out for various periods and Carrick being our only fit midfielder for spells. Keep the faith, Kagawa could be exactly what we need going forwards and adding RVP to our attack will hopefully make us even more potent. Although I think we have more chance of winning the league than actually signing Van Persie. What do you think of the new home top? I cringe everytime I see someone wearing it.

This is the Brazilian, though bare in mind youtube can make anyone look a world beater;

[OBakaSama]

I have to admit that I'm not sure if clubs can really 'poach' Portsmouth's players seeing that Portsmouth are essentially trying to get rid of their senior players so they can stay financially viable in some form. It seems to me that Portsmouth are holding a fire sale and any club is welcome to buy their players just to get them off the wage bill.

I'll start declaring it's so-and-so's to lose around....ooo...Christmas I think. Traditionally that's when the league gets a bit clearer. Either that or I'll sit on the fence a bit more.

The Modric saga could get tedious, as any transfer saga can. But if Modric signed such a lengthy contract I think we see just where the issue is with some of these players; they don't seem to be sticking to what they signed at the time. I do wonder how often clubs or players request a release clause in their contracts, especially for players a club doesn't want to sell. In those cases the club could refuse letting a player leave because the release clause was not activated, and the player can't really have a complaint about it as they agreed to those terms. Though I suppose it could be claimed that Modric agreed to his current terms as well......

The Nangers situation is just a confusing mess at the moment as far as I'm concerned. Aside from what Druss mentioned earlier about buying Bury I'm not sure how a proper move to England would even work for them. I'd still imagine they would have to start in the Conference.

[Druss99]

Jesus, whats this forum going to look like with spam when the season starts?

It seems Portsmouth's administrator is causing issues, saying that the players are going to kill the club by refusing pay cuts and the players are saying they haven't heard from him in months so how can they refuse anything? Bit fishy.

So around the same time as "This is our year" becomes "Next year is our year"?

The Modric saga is already tedious. Modric needs to sack his agent he is alledgedly only on £40k a week and a 6 year deal for a player of his ability is shocking compared to some others out there. I think it's going to reflect badly on Spurs too for trying to bring in players, alot of players just below that top bracket view teams like Spurs as stepping stones on their way to bigger teams, Spurs are giving the impression this last few years that actually moving on is a bit of a nightmare, even for players who didn't live up to the hype.

When I hear Nangers mentioned on SSN now I just tune out, I don't think I can handle anymore stories about Scottish businessmen making comments.

It seems Sir Alex is going to war with agents and their fees. His comments about Hazard's agent being paid £6m the other day and we wouldn't pay that. Now Lucas Moura's agent saying the United deal is off because we won't raise the offer. Apparently United and Sao Paulo have a fee agreed but its the agent demanding more money and United are refusing to pay it.

There's an Arsenal v Malayasia 11 on ESPN. From what I've seen Arsenal are being outclassed but like United and Liverpool in pre-season seem to be missing alot of players. I've only seen the second half though so maybe alot went off at half time.

[Seeker Sparrow]

Wasn't trying to say Van Persie would be bad for us or anything like that Druss, when it comes down to it if United and City are both bidding for him City will more likely be the ones offering more money, plus City won the PL whilst United didn't win any major trophy last season. Point being that it's clear that Van Persie would choose City over us anyway but won't admit it's because of money (similar to Nasri last season).

So players denying that they've heard from the club administrator over being asked to take pay-cuts, while they still chug on the last of the club's money and then probably end up getting signed on a free before the start of the season anyway? classic.

I'm very hopeful of Kagawa too and can see him doing well, just not into the whole wait around for the season to start whilst transfer rumors and club/player shenanigans play out for the summer. Hope that we end up getting something out of the Lucas of Sao Paulo deal too.

[Druss99]

Ah I get you now, Sparrow. I agree, I think I said it earlier in the thread that he's going to City for "trophies". Struggling to picture him in a City shirt though, our awful looking home kit would suit him much better.

There's a chance they haven't heard from the administrator too, the point seemed to be that the last few times the administrator got them to take a pay cut in a couple of days while talking to them about it. This one had one meeting and then didn't speak to them for months but complained to the media about them. I dunno, its a complete disaster zone down there.

To be honest I'm not fussed if we get Lucas or not. He looks good on youtube, but who doesn't? £30m for a teenager seems a tad strange. I'm expecting us to end the transfer window with no changes except Berbatov leaving. But I do enjoy a bit of transfer rumouring building up to the most glorious day of the year, Jim White transfer deadline day.

[OBakaSama]

The spam has been excessive over the last month or so, and it shunts all the actual threads down goodness knows how many pages....

Portsmouth just seem to be a mess, and if communications aren't their strong point....it wouldn't surprise me. Read they haven't really got much time left to try and sort themselves out. Not looking good for them that's for sure.

That timing sounds about right as well, Druss.

With the way Levy seems to conduct business it all seems a bit....not haphazard, but it seems the financial aspect has always been more important to him than the squad harmony. As long as he gets the figure he wants he doesn't seem to care much for the playing squad. If that is indeed Modric's level of wages then that is low for a player of his quality, and it isn't surprising that he and his agent would want to renegotiate terms in some sense.

I see the Nangers situation rumbling on...and I'm tuning out.....

Agent's fees are getting exorbitant. So in that case it's interesting to see someone take a stand. And with financial details supposedly more transparent now...well...that will be an interesting clash in times to come.

Friendlies don't seem to be the best way to gauge how well a team will do, especially with the current disruptions this year with respect to sports. Isn't it usual for players that took part in an international tournament to get a rest before joining up with the rest of the squad? This year will be pretty bad with the Olympics as well. Though I think we'll still chortle at certain teams' performances. *Cough*

That day is approaching day by day.....