The Premier League thread 07/08

[ningnangnong]

Arsenal caught celebrating too early:

[icon_lol1. [icon_lol1. [icon_lol1.

 

[ronnyd]

Hahaha thats awesome.

 

[robbie mustoe]

Question: When a team is passing the ball around down field, how come all of a sudden they'll shoot it back to the players behind them, then kick it back to their goalkeeper?

Do they do this because there is nothing really on or is it a tactical move or what?

Usually they have nowhere to go so they just go back to the keeper to pump it forward. The other occasion is where the opposition may be putting pressure on the ball so they go back to the keeper the relieve the pressure.

 

[The Brizz]

http://www.wldcup.com/news/2008/04/2008 ... _news.html

Chelsea want Gerrard.....why would you buy another central midfielder when you have Essien, Lampard, Cole, Diarra, Mikel etc already and they clearly wouldn't get rid of Lampard for him and we all know how shite they have been when put together for England. It probably wouldn't happen anyway because the Pool would need a billion pounds to sell him if ever. Just thought this might agitate a few Pool fans here [icon_wink

 

[ningnangnong]

http://www.wldcup.com/news/2008/04/20080420_48079_soccer_news.html

Chelsea want Gerrard.....why would you buy another central midfielder when you have Essien, Lampard, Cole, Diarra, Mikel etc already and they clearly wouldn't get rid of Lampard for him and we all know how shite they have been when put together for England. It probably wouldn't happen anyway because the Pool would need a billion pounds to sell him if ever. Just thought this might agitate a few Pool fans here [icon_wink

They don't actually want him.

It's a foolish ploy by Avram Grant to try and unsettle us, much like Mourinho used to attempt. The thing is, Grant is shockingly bad at it.

The whole Gerrard to Chelsea saga is over, it'll never happen, especially whilst Grant is in charge of them.

 

[robbie mustoe]

http://www.wldcup.com/news/2008/04/20080420_48079_soccer_news.html

Chelsea want Gerrard.....why would you buy another central midfielder when you have Essien, Lampard, Cole, Diarra, Mikel etc already and they clearly wouldn't get rid of Lampard for him and we all know how shite they have been when put together for England. It probably wouldn't happen anyway because the Pool would need a billion pounds to sell him if ever. Just thought this might agitate a few Pool fans here [icon_wink

They don't actually want him.

It's a foolish ploy by Avram Grant to try and unsettle us, much like Mourinho used to attempt. The thing is, Grant is shockingly bad at it.

The whole Gerrard to Chelsea saga is over, it'll never happen, especially whilst Grant is in charge of them.

Yeah it's definately just a ploy. I think the Berbatov rymours may be closer to the mark though, seeing Drogba looks certain to leave.

 

[ningnangnong]

[quote="FCB BB AKA MB":1q4f2l8v] A few English teams are lining up for Henry to come back to the EPL as he misses his kid and is playing like arse, very interesting times at Camp Nou eusa_think

I believe Henry is on record as saying Liverpool are the only English team other than Arsenal he would play for. [icon_pray.

Man City are leading the race from what I have heard and they have the pounds to offer him a contract he can't refuse. They would be CL Contenders if you add an in form Henry to them.[/quote:1q4f2l8v]

Henry staying in Spain, say Barca

Henry has scored 14 goals so far this season for Barcelona

Barcelona have scotched rumours linking their striker Thierry Henry with an instant return to the Premier League.

The Frenchman left Arsenal for the Catalan giants in the summer, but Sunday newspaper reports suggested he could be on his way back to England.

However, Barca vice-president Ferran Soriano told BBC Sport: "I spoke with him (Henry) a week ago and he is happy.

"We are not doing well in the domestic championship, but he is fine and I'm sure he is not coming back to the UK."

Asked if Henry misses the Premier League, Soriano said: "Not at all."

Do you want to see Henry return to the Premier League?
Then quizzed whether he will remain with Barca next season, he said: "Yes."

Meanwhile, coach Frank Rijkaard's future at the Nou Camp remains uncertain after Soriano refused to confirm that the Dutchman would be in charge next season.

Rijkaard has been linked with a move to Chelsea, should the Blues dispense with the services of manager Avram Grant.

And Soriano said: "The fact we are not getting the results in the domestic league is the fault of everybody, but we are very happy with Frank Rijkaard.

"You can never say 100% (he will stay) because at the end of the season we're going to review the performances of the players and coach.

"I think he has no plans to leave Barcelona and go to Chelsea.

"We've decided not to talk about this until the end of the season because we are concentrated and very focused."

Don't believe a word of it myself.

 

[The Brizz]

[quote="FCB BB AKA MB":2bczvyy2] A few English teams are lining up for Henry to come back to the EPL as he misses his kid and is playing like arse, very interesting times at Camp Nou eusa_think

I believe Henry is on record as saying Liverpool are the only English team other than Arsenal he would play for. [icon_pray.

Man City are leading the race from what I have heard and they have the pounds to offer him a contract he can't refuse. They would be CL Contenders if you add an in form Henry to them.

Henry staying in Spain, say Barca

Henry has scored 14 goals so far this season for Barcelona

Barcelona have scotched rumours linking their striker Thierry Henry with an instant return to the Premier League.

The Frenchman left Arsenal for the Catalan giants in the summer, but Sunday newspaper reports suggested he could be on his way back to England.

However, Barca vice-president Ferran Soriano told BBC Sport: "I spoke with him (Henry) a week ago and he is happy.

"We are not doing well in the domestic championship, but he is fine and I'm sure he is not coming back to the UK."

Asked if Henry misses the Premier League, Soriano said: "Not at all."

Do you want to see Henry return to the Premier League?
Then quizzed whether he will remain with Barca next season, he said: "Yes."

Meanwhile, coach Frank Rijkaard's future at the Nou Camp remains uncertain after Soriano refused to confirm that the Dutchman would be in charge next season.

Rijkaard has been linked with a move to Chelsea, should the Blues dispense with the services of manager Avram Grant.

And Soriano said: "The fact we are not getting the results in the domestic league is the fault of everybody, but we are very happy with Frank Rijkaard.

"You can never say 100% (he will stay) because at the end of the season we're going to review the performances of the players and coach.

"I think he has no plans to leave Barcelona and go to Chelsea.

"We've decided not to talk about this until the end of the season because we are concentrated and very focused."

Don't believe a word of it myself.[/quote:2bczvyy2]

You never can, especially with the Barca or Madrid heirachy they will say someone is safe and 2 days later they are gone. I wouldn't be surprised or unhappy if jose was our new coach and Henry was back in the EPL, along with Ronny being at AC Milan.

 

[Black Philip]

Question: Why are 'managers' under so much pressure in the EPL? It's like nearly every clubs fans besides Arsenal, Man United and Chelsea do not like the teams managers. [icon_shru Like West Ham, they did so well at the start of the 2007 season then when they start dropping games (mostly due to injuries apparently) then they are all like, "Oh we're not happy with so and so."

Are these guys really under THAT much pressure in (Managers in general I am talking about) or do fans just use them as an excuse? eusa_think

Managers are often made a scapegoat, because with the amount they are being paid and fans being so fanatical they are often just expected to win all the time. Alan Curbishley (West Hams manager) has been under fire from a lot of fans, mainly because they think they know better than him. He is an ordinary manager however he has done the best he could with a lot of injuries. But he has been made a scapegoat by a lot of fans and as a result I think he will likely cop the boot in the off season IMO.

 

[ningnangnong]

West Ham have rather fickle fans from what i've heard.

I don't mind em though. icon_smile

 

[ningnangnong]

West Ham have rather fickle fans from what i've heard.

I don't mind em though. icon_smile

I've been watching a lot of EPL during the off season and now. I guess soccer/Football is not as bad as as I first thought. Once you sort of understand how teams play and different skill sets by each team..it can become quite good. I've always understood the game and the rules itself, but never really got into enjoying the sport.

And now I rarely miss the games early Sunday morning. :oops: I've grew up in a real true blue rugby league background, friends, family so this is all really different to me.

Not decided on who I will support yet. I will leave that up to my heart. Some weeks I will like one team better than the other, and the next week it will be the opposite. [icon_lol1. But at the moment, I think the front runners are:

1. West Ham
2. Chelsea
3. Everton

And Liverpool, Man United and Arsenal will always be out of the question.

Well in mate, glad to see another person getting into football. icon_thumbs_u

You've selected possibly two of the worst teams to have in your 'front runners' though.

Chelsea and Everton. [eusa_eh [icon_confu [eusa_doh [eusa_naugh [icon_thumbs_do

[icon_razz1

Any reason why West Ham is up the top of that list?

 

[Black Philip]

I guess there is a few petty reasons, like Lucas Neil is an Australian. [icon_lol1. I also like Zamora and that little gun of a kid Fred Sears. And they always seem pretty competitive and I like their style of play.

West Ham would be a good team to support. I support Sunderland but I've had a soft spot for West Ham since their good run in the FA cup a couple of years back (only to have that dirty bastard scouser Gerrard pull that shot out of nowhere....WHY CAN'T HE DO THAT FOR ENGLAND? :evil: ) ....anyway back on track. I've liked them since then, it's a good club, and most of their supporters are alright too. I often go to Brisbane hammers meets as I have a few mates who are members, it's fun singing bubbles when you're pished [icon_drun

 

[Black Philip]

I just don't want to support a team that may get relegated either. [icon_lol1. I don't think West Ham ever will though. Right. [icon_lol1.

Well West Ham came dangerously close last season [icon_lol1.

That's just part of the game though. I'm quite used to it supporting a team like Sunderland [icon_frown

 

[ningnangnong]

Serious? What do you think their chances are in the future? Didn't they just get taken over by some multi millionaire? Does that mean more $ for the club, thus better players down the track = better results. Or is it a little more to it than that?

Rocky you're not going to pick a team because of success are you? [icon_razz1

 

[robbie mustoe]

[quote="The Rock":x68i0h5e]Serious? What do you think their chances are in the future? Didn't they just get taken over by some multi millionaire? Does that mean more $ for the club, thus better players down the track = better results. Or is it a little more to it than that?

Rocky you're not going to pick a team because of success are you? [icon_razz1

Certainly not, but I don't want to pick a team that is going to be a replica of souths! [icon_lol1.[/quote:x68i0h5e]

Support Middlesbrough.

 

[Black Philip]

Serious? What do you think their chances are in the future? Didn't they just get taken over by some multi millionaire? Does that mean more $ for the club, thus better players down the track = better results. Or is it a little more to it than that?

Currently they have the potential to be pushing for Europe but this year injuries have really stopped them achieving anything. There is always the possibility that they will get relegated, a lot of clubs can easily fall from grace. An icelandic Billionaire bought them late in 2006 so he injected some funds into the club but a couple of the players they bought are a bit over the hill i.e. Lujngberg or just crap i.e Boa Morte. They made some decent signings as well though, Rob Green, Matty Upson and Bellamy isn't too bad either.
If they stay injury free next season they could push well into the top 10. If they get a better manager as well they could go further IMO.

 

[ronnyd]

Everton, Everton!!

We have one of the best mamagers in the league, who has been allowed to retain his job for the last six or so seasons (regardless of our results) which is pretty rare in EPL. But now we are starting to reap the benefits. Over the last few seasons we definatley had the best success to money spent ratio. Moyes' can really sniff out a bargain, our midfield especially has some world class players and they all cost around 2 million pounds (we'd sell alot of them for over 10 now). Defence is solid too, Lescott is one of ther premier leagues best attacking defenders (got him for 2 million also [icon_ee ), Yobo is safe as houses, Jagielka should go on to represent England. Exciting times for Everton too, plenty of promising youngsters coming through. When we get a coin in the coffers, we will be right up there challenging the title!! And of course, forget Lucas Neill, we have the best Aussie in the world playing for us!

 

[ningnangnong]

our midfield especially has some world class players

Even if i wasn't a Liverpool supporter i'd disagree with that statement.

The closest you have to world class is Cahill and Arteta and neither of them are near it. World Class is an elite level.

Kaka, Messi, Ronaldo, Gerrard, Xavi, etc.

Those are World Class midfielders/wingers.