The Official English Premiere League Thread, 2011-12

[NASpurs]

Thanks for the info man. :tu It's great to have access to minds and opinions of people around the world in this forum.

I'm going to have to follow Mario Gotze now and see what type of career he's going to have from the hype surrounding him. Like you said, bigger and clubs with deeper pockets have a shot at him so him going to Arsenal is a pipe dream but either way, he's a really intriguing player.

I'm really glad that I've started to follow soccer more closely now that the NBA lockout happened. It's like a whole new world has opened up to me and I will continue to follow it for years to come. I don't even have a NBA jersey from being a fan for almost 15 years but now I have an Arsenal away kit. :lol I'm still wet behind the ears from starting as just a casual fan but that's why I like reading what the minds on this board have to say.

[Muser]

Thanks for the info man. :tu It's great to have access to minds and opinions of people around the world in this forum.

I'm going to have to follow Mario Gotze now and see what type of career he's going to have from the hype surrounding him. Like you said, bigger and clubs with deeper pockets have a shot at him so him going to Arsenal is a pipe dream but either way, he's a really intriguing player.

I'm really glad that I've started to follow soccer more closely now that the NBA lockout happened. It's like a whole new world has opened up to me and I will continue to follow it for years to come. I don't even have a NBA jersey from being a fan for almost 15 years but now I have an Arsenal away kit. :lol I'm still wet behind the ears from starting as just a casual fan but that's why I like reading what the minds on this board have to say.

I don't know where you live, but if you can ever get to a live match there's nothing like it.

[NASpurs]

I don't know where you live, but if you can ever get to a live match there's nothing like it.

I live in San Antonio but yeah, it's always been a dream of mine to go to England and now I want to go even more to go see Arsenal play. Hopefully in the next couple of years I can go, learn my Arsenal chants and participate in the crowd. :lol

[resistanze]

Yeah I'm definitely going to see the Gunners play within the next couple of years. I also want to go to Brazil in 2014.

[ALVAREZ6]

Yeah I'm definitely going to see the Gunners play within the next couple of years. I also want to go to Brazil in 2014.

:tu

There's a strong chance I do it.

[quentin_compson]

Thanks for the info man. :tu It's great to have access to minds and opinions of people around the world in this forum.

I'm going to have to follow Mario Gotze now and see what type of career he's going to have from the hype surrounding him. Like you said, bigger and clubs with deeper pockets have a shot at him so him going to Arsenal is a pipe dream but either way, he's a really intriguing player.

I'm really glad that I've started to follow soccer more closely now that the NBA lockout happened. It's like a whole new world has opened up to me and I will continue to follow it for years to come. I don't even have a NBA jersey from being a fan for almost 15 years but now I have an Arsenal away kit. :lol I'm still wet behind the ears from starting as just a casual fan but that's why I like reading what the minds on this board have to say.

As for Götze, you will of course have the possibility to watch him against Arsenal in about three weeks.
And you might wanna catch the Bayern-Dortmund game just a couple of days before that. It is a clash of top teams in Germany, and Bayern are having a very good season so far.

[NASpurs]

As for Götze, you will of course have the possibility to watch him against Arsenal in about three weeks.
And you might wanna catch the Bayern-Dortmund game just a couple of days before that. It is a clash of top teams in Germany, and Bayern are having a very good season so far.

Completely missed your post. Thanks for the heads up man. I will watch the dude like a hawk, no doubt and I will indeed watch that Bayern-Dortmund game. Dortmund have regressed a bit though correct while Bayern are probably top five in the world? Hopefully it'll be a good match.

----------------

For the MLS/US NT fans:

http://www.clubcall.com/arsenal/wenger-to-look-at-us-starlet-1328601.html

Shea is one of the best young players in America and has been encouraged to train with a Premier League side during the MLS off-season by USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

The 21-year-old will join up with the Arsenal squad after playing international friendlies in France and Slovenia on November 11 and 15 before returning to Texas in December, but admitted he would love the chance to play in the Premier League at some point in the future.

"The decision to send Shea to train with the Gunners was made after USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann encouraged his MLS-based players to spend the off-season training overseas to enter January camp in top shape," an FC Dallas statement said.

Shea told Reuters: "To see how he does things ... he has had so many young players over the years and turned them into who they became, that experience will be pretty cool.

"[Jurgen's] been pushing and wanting us to train in Europe in the off-season and it is good to get that experience. It's just strictly training, [getting] that experience and hopefully raising my game to another level. I think, obviously I am happy where I am, but I want to, eventually when the time is right, try it out and give it a shot."

FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman added: "Affording Brek the opportunity to continue to work on improving his game and measure himself among the best players in the world is something we are all excited about."

[NASpurs]

And speaking of the devil, Gotze just scored for Dortmund.

[NASpurs]

No offense to Mertesacker but I'm really liking the speed of the duo of Koscielny and Vermaelen. Vermaelen's defense has been sorely missed as well as his other skills that he brings on the other side of the pitch when he's not defending. Can't wait to see what this team is going to look like when Sagna and Wilshere come back as well as whatever may or may not happen during the January transfer window.

Vermaelen has been playing with Frimpong's bulldozer mentality. :lol

[IronMaxipad]

:lol citeh

[Libri]

ManCity getting their ass kicked early.

[Sense]

Orly

[Venti Quattro]

How bout dem Spurs

[ElNono]

:lol one horse race
:lol money matters
:lol buying a 'ship
:lol petrodollars
:lol La Liga more competitive

[lefty]

Foreign owners 'want end to Premier League relegation'

Page last updated at 10:57 GMT, Monday, 17 October 2011 11:57 UK


E-mail this to a friend (http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/email/news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15336398.stm)
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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/56111000/jpg/_56111700_richardbevan.jpg


Owners want to scrap Premier League relegation, says League Managers Association chief Richard Bevan

Several foreign-owned Premier League clubs want to scrap relegation, according to League Managers Association (LMA) chief Richard Bevan.
Bevan fears that if more clubs are sold to foreign investors they may have enough votes to force changes.
But the Premier League said relegation and promotion were part of its rules and added to the league's strength.
Bevan hopes that a parliamentary inquiry into football governance would also help prevent the proposal.
"We're very keen that the report is successful in helping the Football Association introduce a licensing programme for clubs," he said.
"Because there are a number of overseas-owned clubs already talking about bringing about the avoidance of promotion and relegation in the Premier League.
"If we have four or five more new owners, that could happen."
PREMIER LEAGUE FOREIGN OWNERS

Continue reading the main story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15336398.stm#skip_feature_02)

Aston Villa (Randy Lerner)
Blackburn (Venky's Group)
Chelsea (Roman Abramovich)
Fulham (Mohamed Al Fayed)
Liverpool (Fenway Sports Group)
Manchester United (Glazer family)
Manchester City (Sheikh Mansour)
Sunderland (Ellis Short)
QPR (Tony Fernandes)
*Arsenal's Stan Kroenke is major shareholder


Nearly half of the Premier League's 20 clubs are under foreign ownership, with rules stipulating that if changes are to be made to the format, 14 clubs must vote in favour of any new reforms.
Blackburn joined the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea in this class when they were taken over by Indian-owned Venky's Group last season.
But the Premier League told BBC Sport that the move would be a non-starter, with the Football Association retaining the power to veto any proposals.
The Premier League clubs have not formally discussed any such move since Bolton chairman Phil Gartside proposed his two-tiered structure two years ago, an idea which was soon dismissed.
However, Bevan still believes it is a possibility, arguing any new owner of a Premier League club would not need to be foreign for them to see there would be money to be made from scrapping relegation.
"It doesn't really matter if you're from overseas or not, does it?" he said. "It doesn't matter whether you're from Birmingham or you're from Burma."
A Premier League spokesman said that they did not recognise LMA chief executive Bevan's claims, which come a week after the government demanded changes to the way that football is run (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15275218.stm).
Sports minister Hugh Robertson said that an FA-led licensing system would be brought in to safeguard against issues such as financial mismanagement, asset-stripping owners and tax avoidance.
The government also asked for rules to manage club debts and an overhaul of the FA board.
Last Wednesday, Liverpool's managing director Ian Ayre said the Premier League's overseas television revenues should be skewed in favour of big clubs (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15269831.stm).
For the latest updates and reaction to this story read Sportsday Live (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/9618202.stm). Have your say on Twitter via the hashtag #bbcsportsday.

[Libri]

I'm looking forward to the Man City vs Newcastle game.

[Muser]

Lmao :lmao don't blame the ref Arsene, you're the one who put that soft piece of shit in the defence

[NASpurs]

Fuck you Mertesacker. You gotta be shitting me.

[NASpurs]

Van Persie is so out of rhythm. It's that long rest he's had.

[NASpurs]

Martin is owning Arsenal :lmao

[Muser]

Martins is a m'fin BEAST

[NASpurs]

Van Persie should have shot that instead of laying it off to Santos.

[NASpurs]

Martins is a m'fin BEAST

He's cleared off three goals that were right on target. :depressed

[NASpurs]

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VAN PERSIE!!

[Muser]

Martins was taking a break there.

[Muser]

Gervinho tried the fancy shit :lol

[NASpurs]

The more I see that Norwich goal, the more it pisses me off. What a fucking pussy Mert can be.

[NASpurs]

WTF is Ramsey doing out there.

[Muser]

Holy shit Ruddy should be in the NFL with a throw like that.

[NASpurs]

Why is Walcott on the left side of the field and Gervinho on the right? I swear it was the other way around when the game started.

[velik_m]

Why is Walcott on the left side of the field and Gervinho on the right? I swear it was the other way around when the game started.

Players often change sides in the middle of the game. It changes things up a bit and causes some confusion in the defense.

[NASpurs]

Players often change sides in the middle of the game. It changes things up a bit and causes some confusion in the defense.

:tu makes sense. I think the switch happened when the game became stagnant for Arsenal during the last 10+ minutes.

[NASpurs]

Set pieces always make me nervous as an Arsenal supporter.

[NASpurs]

:lmao :lmao FUCK!!

You've gotta score that shit Gervinho. This game is one of the most frustrating I've watched for Arsenal in a while.

[NASpurs]

Van Persie again!!!!!!!!

[Muser]

31 in 29 league games :wow

[Muser]

fml for picking Rooney instead of RVP in my fantasy lague

[Muser]

Arsenal really need to sit him down and give him a new contract. I wouldn't be surprised if Man City offered over 35 mil for him in January.

[NASpurs]

That Van Persie pass to Ramsey was a thing of beauty. Without RVP, this team would be a joke. Sign him!!

[NASpurs]

It's been a disappointing game from Arsenal to tell you the truth. I'll take the win but Arsenal looked lethargic and out-of-rhythm regressing a bit from the fabulous play they've had the couple of months. I'll blame the long lay off and international play and hope they can continue to show improvement against Dortmund this Wednesday and Fulham next Saturday.

RVP is Arsenal. That's all.

[resistanze]

fml for picking Rooney instead of RVP in my fantasy lague

My nigguh RVP is worth ecery CENT on my team!

I haven't seen a player carry his team in such a way in the EPL for some time.

[velik_m]

RvP is gold. Keep those wins coming Arsenal :tu

[ElNono]

talking about Luck_The_Fakers, Super Mario hits again!

[IronMaxipad]

http://i39.tinypic.com/144cj8j.gif

[Sense]

http://i39.tinypic.com/144cj8j.gif

Delivers again, but the lack of ball control and inability to create for himself really hurts Chicha... he really really needs to work on that, he looks like a very limited player.

[Muser]

Delivers again, but the lack of ball control and inability to create for himself really hurts Chicha... he really really needs to work on that, he looks like a very limited player.

You can say that about most of Man Utd's forwards. Why ferguson doesn't play Wellbeck more is beyond me.

[Sense]

You can say that about most of Man Utd's forwards. Why ferguson doesn't play Wellbeck more is beyond me.

Yeah, you're right, but only Chicha, Rooney, and Welbeck have really delivered.. I agree that Welbeck should see more playing time and not sure if Fergy did it today but he needs to put Rooney back up front..

[Phenomanul]

You can say that about most of Man Utd's forwards. Why ferguson doesn't play Wellbeck more is beyond me.

Reason for that is simple... Wellbeck has been injured several times over the past year (exhibit A: he's hurt at this very moment)...

[scott]

Chelsea v. Liverpool in 20 minutes! I can't wait for Terry and Suarez to exchange racist slurs for Sepp Blatter to despicably ignore later.

[NASpurs]

Really good game so far. Fast and physical game with Chelsea fucking up like in the Arsenal game causing them to be scored on again.

Suarez brings a lot of drama into these games, for better or worse, depending who you cheer for. :lol

[NASpurs]

:lmao

http://i44.tinypic.com/2vn4ew3.jpg

[scott]

What a great cross from Malouda. 1-1, still no racist slurs to my knowledge.

[scott]

Pepe Reina might kill someone before this game is over.

[Muser]

lol Terry
lol old
lol shit

[lefty]

Chelsea :lmao

[Venti Quattro]

Game got chippy at times and I seriously thought that this game wouldn't end without some racial slurs, but LOL Chelsea

[Libri]

Heard that Tevez might go to AC Milan.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Heard that Tevez might go to AC Milan.

they are also interested in mario...

lol italy

[Spurologist]

:lmao

FUCK MANCHESTER UNITED

[NASpurs]

How many opportunities/shots have ManU taken the last 20 minutes and still can't score with New Castle being a man down as well? Wow.

[ALVAREZ6]

lololol chicharito offsides
lolol united

[NASpurs]

Offside :lmao

[Spurologist]

:lmao :lmao

The linesman didn't attend the FA-Sir Alex officiating meeting

[NASpurs]

So do you guys think ManU is still going to be second when it's all said and done?

[Muser]

So do you guys think ManU is still going to be second when it's all said and done?

I still think they will come 1st, too many big egos at city imo.

[NASpurs]

I still think they will come 1st, too many big egos at city imo.

That's very true. I just want to see City and ManU struggle a bit so teams from 3-7 can have a fighting chance. At least things seem to be a little more open now than they were two months ago when U and City were destroying teams left and right. Tomorrow's game of Liverpool/City is going to be huge. Can't wait.

[Muser]

I think it will be:

1. United
2. City
3. Tottenham
After that it's a dogfight between Arsenal/Liverpool/Chelsea for 4th.

[ALVAREZ6]

That's very true. I just want to see City and ManU struggle a bit so teams from 3-7 can have a fighting chance. At least things seem to be a little more open now than they were two months ago when U and City were destroying teams left and right. Tomorrow's game of Liverpool/City is going to be huge. Can't wait.

I just want someone other than United to win. They've been dominating the EPL for some years now. I'm rooting for City because they have the best shot and am a fan of many players on the team (Aguero, Nasri, Silva to name a few), but I think Liverpool has a decent shot at winning tomorrow.

[NASpurs]

Ramsey sometimes pisses me off. He can be five feet from the goal and hit the ball thirty feet into the stands. Dude, use some fucking finesse. He just wasted Walcott's beautiful play. :bang

[Spurologist]

I still think they will come 1st, too many big egos at city imo.

I think Mancini has done a great job handling the egos imo. He handled the Tevez situation brilliantly and they've trashed ManU at Old Trafford. ManU just isn't the same team from last year. They do turn it on as the season goes along but I don't see it happening.

For me:
1. City
2. ManU
3.Chelsea
4. Tottenham/Arsenal

[TDMVPDPOY]

I think Mancini has done a great job handling the egos imo. He handled the Tevez situation brilliantly and they've trashed ManU at Old Trafford. ManU just isn't the same team from last year. They do turn it on as the season goes along but I don't see it happening.

For me:
1. City
2. ManU
3.Chelsea
4. Tottenham/Arsenal

i think if the tots can keep its current squad and bring in 1-2 players this january, they should be looking top4 or higher...

[NASpurs]

Own goal by Vermaelen... :pctoss

[resistanze]

I felt something like that was gonna happen. Too many wasted opportunities. Lets see what kind of resolve they have.

[Muser]

Arsenal have scored 4 own goals already this season, jesus christ.

[resistanze]

It'll take a bit of luck now that fulham is defending 11 deep.

[resistanze]

Redemption.

[NASpurs]

Vermaelen redeeming himself.

[IronMexican]

Gay.

[NASpurs]

Now let's stop fucking around and win this game. Still a lot of time left.

[NASpurs]

Going into the game, getting anything other than 3 points would have been disappointing. After going down 1-0 in the game, getting a draw seemed great. But now that the game is over and Arsenal having the opportunities they had to win it, it's rather disappointing.

[lefty]

United got fucked by teh refs

There was no penalteh

[Muser]

Ferguson really is the biggest faggot in football.

[quentin_compson]

Sigh, one of those days when you have to be happy Arsenal at least got a point at home ...
The whole team looked tired and lacked sharpness.

[ALVAREZ6]

Arsenal have scored 4 own goals already this season, jesus christ.

lol their defenders are fucking morons :lol

RVP is that team.

[velik_m]

Arsenal just arsenalling as usual.

[ALVAREZ6]

1-0 City

Kompany header off a corner, perfectly placed, great goal.

[ALVAREZ6]

lolol Liverpool equalise immediately, courtesy of retarded Lescott :lol

[Muser]

:lmao

[Muser]

1-0 City

Kompany header off a corner, perfectly placed, great goal.

Came off his shoulder lol

[ALVAREZ6]

Came off his shoulder lol

really?


That Lescott play was sooo stupid. The shot was relatively weak and was going wide, Joe Hart easily would have saved it, but he had to touch it and put it right in the middle of the goal.

[ALVAREZ6]

I don't get why Nasri is always so quiet in the few games I've watched this year, you hardly can tell he's on the pitch. Of course it often takes time to transition to a new team and he doesn't get consistent playing time but last year he was one of the best players in the premier league.

[Muser]

idk why Silva doesn't shoot more, the guy has a damn nasty shot from outside the box but he just plays it round.

[ElNono]

Forgot the game was on... lol...

[ElNono]

Damn Mancini... only one forward? :lol

[NASpurs]

I must be a closet Liverpool fan. I find their games to be exciting as well as their style of play.

[ALVAREZ6]

I must be a closet Liverpool fan. I find their games to be exciting as well as their style of play.

I just had a similar thought :lol. I'm just rooting for another goal at this point, and Liverpool is providing the best chances for that to happen.

[Muser]

rofl what a faggot

[ElNono]

lol Mario

[Muser]

:lmao like a kid getting told off by his dad

[ElNono]

dumb Luck_the_fakers

[Muser]

I must be a closet Liverpool fan. I find their games to be exciting as well as their style of play.

Dalglish plays damn attractive football and yeah Liverpool are the most attractive team to watch imo.

[ElNono]

This ref is horrible though...

[ElNono]

Does Suarez has one more flop in the penalty area left?

[ALVAREZ6]

LMFAO wtf my stream went offline while Mario received a red...WTF did that retard do? It's not surprising at all to see he got a red since he had done nothing right since entering the game. Was it another yellow?

[ElNono]

LMFAO wtf my stream went offline while Mario received a red...WTF did that retard do? It's not surprising at all to see he got a red since he had done nothing right since entering the game. Was it another yellow?

Yeah... but tbh, he got them on reputation... neither were that bad... but you should know better.

[Muser]

Silva :lmao trying to play Arsenal ball

[ElNono]

Goddamn it Silva... stop dancing on the ball

[ALVAREZ6]

holy shit that play was crazy...Silva waiting way too long to fire away.

[Muser]

crofl Kompany looked like he'd been shot there

[ElNono]

lol Mancini shelving the game

[ALVAREZ6]

Yeah... but tbh, he got them on reputation... neither were that bad... but you should know better.

He definitely deserved the first yellow IMO...Liverpool had a good chance moving forward and he tugged him down from behind. Of course the player flopped a bit, but it was a stupid unnecessary play that deserved a card.

[ElNono]

:wow

[ElNono]

lol Daglish telling Mancini to go get a drink

[ElNono]

If Citeh doesn't win it, you can put it squarely on Mancini shoulders

[ALVAREZ6]

Liverpool is a top 4 team in the EPL imo, even if the standings don't show it. City is overrated and are going to struggle, and have been struggling, against the stronger teams they've played in the EPL and Champions League. United was an exception because they played so poorly and had a defender get sent off with a red.

[ElNono]

Liverpool is a top 4 team in the EPL imo, even if the standings don't show it. City is overrated and are going to struggle, and have been struggling, against the stronger teams they've played in the EPL and Champions League. United was an exception because they played so poorly and had a defender get sent off with a red.

City struggled in the UCL... but in the EPL they didn't just toy with Man U...

They can be dominant, but IMO, the constant lineup changes are crazy. It's ok to have one team for the UCL and one for the EPL, but when you're constantly shuffling you lose any semblance of consistency....

[DAF86]

City struggled in the UCL... but in the EPL they didn't just toy with Man U...

They can be dominant, but IMO, the constant lineup changes are crazy. It's ok to have one team for the UCL and one for the EPL, but when you're constantly shuffling you lose any semblance of consistency....

That's the key to me, Mancini had found something in the 4-4-2 with Nasri and Silva on the wings and two clear forwards upfront: one small and fast (Aguero) and another tall and with a lot of presence (Dzeko/Balotelli). Why did he go away from that when he was crushing teams left and right I don't know.

[ALVAREZ6]

Seems to be a similar problem with Barca...they have too many players and it's hard to keep everyone satisfied while also doing what's best for the team. It's nearly impossible in these cases.

[lefty]

Mancini is doing a hell of a coaching job, considering all the stars, but also those 2 headaches

[Muser]

Joe motherfucking Hart

[quentin_compson]

That was a fun game to watch. Pace and intensity for 90 minutes. :toast

[Phenomanul]

With ManU's injury problems in the midfield... (Cleverly out 'til end of the month, Anderson out 'til February), Sir Alex should probably look to heist Gio Dos Santos out of Tottenham's (Harry Redknapp's) doghouse during the January transfer window... Dos Santos hasn't even been included on the bench in the last 4 EPL matches (he needs a new environment - and hopefully his current 'career low point' has taught him something)...

The caveat being that Javier Hernandez's work ethic needs to rub off on Gio and not the other way around...

Dos Santos is by far a more creative option than Anderson but would need to work his butt off on the defensive end...

ok, ok ElNono... go ahead and post your "LOL Dos Santos"... :lol :lol

[lefty]

Joe motherfucking Hart
Fucking stud

[Sense]

With ManU's injury problems in the midfield... (Cleverly out 'til end of the month, Anderson out 'til February), Sir Alex should probably look to heist Gio Dos Santos out of Tottenham's (Harry Redknapp's) doghouse during the January transfer window... Dos Santos hasn't even been included on the bench in the last 4 EPL matches (he needs a new environment - and hopefully his current 'career low point' has taught him something)...

The caveat being that Javier Hernandez's work ethic needs to rub off on Gio and not the other way around...

Dos Santos is by far a more creative option than Anderson but would need to work his butt off on the defensive end...

ok, ok ElNono... go ahead and post your "LOL Dos Santos"... :lol :lol

Pipe dream tbh, as much as I would love to see Gio in a ManU uniform, I just don't see them picking up someone that's not even on the bench of another BPL team.

[Muser]

Fucking stud

After 10 years of shitty english goalkeepers it's great to have a top quality one.

Now we just need to sort the other 10 players out :depressed

[ElNono]

With ManU's injury problems in the midfield... (Cleverly out 'til end of the month, Anderson out 'til February), Sir Alex should probably look to heist Gio Dos Santos out of Tottenham's (Harry Redknapp's) doghouse during the January transfer window... Dos Santos hasn't even been included on the bench in the last 4 EPL matches (he needs a new environment - and hopefully his current 'career low point' has taught him something)...

The caveat being that Javier Hernandez's work ethic needs to rub off on Gio and not the other way around...

Dos Santos is by far a more creative option than Anderson but would need to work his butt off on the defensive end...

ok, ok ElNono... go ahead and post your "LOL Dos Santos"... :lol :lol

:lol Gio


:lol

[IronMaxipad]

With ManU's injury problems in the midfield... (Cleverly out 'til end of the month, Anderson out 'til February), Sir Alex should probably look to heist Gio Dos Santos out of Tottenham's (Harry Redknapp's) doghouse during the January transfer window... Dos Santos hasn't even been included on the bench in the last 4 EPL matches (he needs a new environment - and hopefully his current 'career low point' has taught him something)...

The caveat being that Javier Hernandez's work ethic needs to rub off on Gio and not the other way around...

Dos Santos is by far a more creative option than Anderson but would need to work his butt off on the defensive end...

ok, ok ElNono... go ahead and post your "LOL Dos Santos"... :lol :lol


Not gonna happen. Gio turned down ManU and Chelsea to join Tottenham. SAF ain't gonna sign someone who rejected him.

:lol gio

[lefty]

Now we just need to sort the other 10 players out :depressed
:lol

[Phenomanul]

Not gonna happen. Gio turned down ManU and Chelsea to join Tottenham. SAF ain't gonna sign someone who rejected him.

:lol gio

I wonder if SAF's opinion would change given Hernández's weigh-in on the matter (it's pretty obvious SAF has nothing but praise for No. 14)... The subject was brought up during a radio interview 3 weeks ago (while they were at the NT training session) and Chicharito seemed thrilled at the idea (this was before Anderson hurt his knee)... granted, I know he wouldn't have said otherwise to the media - but his response did seem genuine enough...

[Phenomanul]

:lol Gio


:lol

I knew it was a necessary reflex on your part... :lol

kind of like all the gratuitous LOL Italys that bind most everyone in this forum together...

That said, honest question:

Do you believe Anderson is a better player than Gio?

It goes without saying, but personally, I don't believe that to be the case...

[Phenomanul]

Pipe dream tbh, as much as I would love to see Gio in a ManU uniform, I just don't see them picking up someone that's not even on the bench of another EPL team.

They did pick up Bebe... and even though I know that experiment failed, the move for Gio would not be entirely unprecedented...

[Sense]

They did pick up Bebe... and even though I know that experiment failed, the move for Gio would not be entirely unprecedented...

Yeah that was a bad example, but common this is Man U.. I'm pretty sure with their current performances they will probably want to go with a big signing to get them back where they were before losing to Man city..

[ElNono]

I knew it was a necessary reflex on your part... :lol

kind of like all the gratuitous LOL Italys that bind most everyone in this forum together...

That said, honest question:

Do you believe Anderson is a better player than Gio?

It goes without saying, but personally, I don't believe that to be the case...

LOL Italy came about as a bait on mbargniani during the world cup.

":lol Gio" was bait too towards Sense. Pretty epic :madrun after I would post that and talk Gio down. :lol

As usual, the more :madrun, the more it catches on :lol

tbh, while I do think Gio is probably better than Anderson, we're talking fairly average players at the Euro level, and frankly, ManU already has a token Mexican (along with a token Korean), so I don't see it.

[ALVAREZ6]

tbh all ManU has is average midfielders...

[Phenomanul]

tbh all ManU has is average midfielders...

Yep. Pretty much.... some team on the Eastern coast of Spain managed to hoard 5 of the world's 10 best mid-fielders... they can't even play them all... :lol :lol


In case it needed clarifying...
Messi (even if he plays forward on occasions)
Xavi
Iniesta
Fábregas
Sanchez

[TDMVPDPOY]

Yep. Pretty much.... some team on the Eastern coast of Spain managed to hoard 5 of the world's 10 best mid-fielders... they can't even play them all... :lol :lol


In case it needed clarifying...
Messi (even if he plays forward on occasions)
Xavi
Iniesta
Fábregas
Sanchez

fabs and sanchez has done shit all man

[DAF86]

Sanchez is a forward tbh.

[quentin_compson]

And it's not true that Fabregas has done "shit".

Anyway, only half an hour till Arsenal's B-Team gets humiliated by Man City's "B"-Team.

[NASpurs]

Thanks for the heads up, I nearly forgot.

[Muser]

Arsenal have got this.

[Muser]

Fuck Adam Johnson for being happy sitting on the bench. Guy has got tons of talent.

[Muser]

Fuck my life, i've got money on Carroll + Park to score first. Carroll misses a penalty and park has it saved.

[velik_m]

Arsenal not looking bad in the first half. But i don't see City losing this one. Frimpong will get red carded.

[lefty]

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/frimponged.jpg

[ALVAREZ6]

Yep. Pretty much.... some team on the Eastern coast of Spain managed to hoard 5 of the world's 10 best mid-fielders... they can't even play them all... :lol :lol


In case it needed clarifying...
Messi (even if he plays forward on occasions)
Xavi
Iniesta
Fábregas
Sanchez

+Busquets and Mascherano...who know plays as a defender due to what you point out. Messi and Villa are both top 5 forwards on the planet as well, and yet these clowns are drawing and losing to La Liga teams not named RMAO and Valencia...

[ALVAREZ6]

lmao chelsea :lol

[Phenomanul]

+Busquets and Mascherano...who know plays as a defender due to what you point out. Messi and Villa are both top 5 forwards on the planet as well, and yet these clowns are drawing and losing to La Liga teams not named RMAO and Valencia...

Due to injuries forcing a constant change of lineups... they aren't building the Barca chemistry we've come to expect from previous years...

Even Thiago would be considered a stud at mid...

And Dani Alves while listed as a defender, also roams the whole field (typical of midfielders)...

That team is breaming with talent and they can't get their crap together... they should be steam rolling every team not named RMAO off the pitch, on a weekly basis...

[NASpurs]

Well that was game. I knew that counter attack was going to kill Arsenal.

[velik_m]

:(

[quentin_compson]

Brutal way to lose this game. Still an encouraging performance overall.

[Muser]

Oxlade Chamberlain is a beast, future star for England.

[TDMVPDPOY]

arsenals b t eam is actually whatever a,c d, team they got...lol wenger

[Muser]

Holy shit!!! Anybody watching the Man U/Crystal Palace game? Darren Ambrose just scored one of the best goals i've ever seen.

[Agloco]

tbh all ManU has is average midfielders...

IMO this is the reason why they've looked rather pedestrian to date.

Solid defense and world class strikers who get crap service.

[Agloco]

Due to injuries forcing a constant change of lineups... they aren't building the Barca chemistry we've come to expect from previous years...

Even Thiago would be considered a stud at mid...

And Dani Alves while listed as a defender, also roams the whole field (typical of midfielders)...

That team is breaming with talent and they can't get their crap together... they should be steam rolling every team not named RMAO off the pitch, on a weekly basis...

Meh, I liken them to the Spurs. Kinda coasting through. They play up or down to the competition I've noticed.

When the hell is Iniesta gonna get right anyway? His persistent hammy issues have got me nervous. Also noticed that Pique hasn't played much of late. Barcas D looks shaky without him to anchor it.

[Muser]

First goal, check this shit out.

wKBNXD_kLDc

[ALVAREZ6]

damn...what a blast.

[Spurologist]

:rollin

ManU getting shit this year

[Phenomanul]

:rollin

ManU getting shit this year

ManU played their C-Team... so a loss to a "no-name team" was not entirely surprising...

[TDMVPDPOY]

ManU played their C-Team... so a loss to a "no-name team" was not entirely surprising...

nah man, seriously they have been playin like shit for 2 months now...pissin me off though especially in the champions league, those teams should be a cakewalk, playin down to their levels

[Phenomanul]

nah man, seriously they have been playin like shit for 2 months now...pissin me off though especially in the champions league, those teams should be a cakewalk, playin down to their levels

Because as noted above... they're playing without an elite mid-field... Taking Rooney out of front line and playing him at mid, while understandable, does not bode well for his game... I don't believe Tom Cleverley is an elite mid-fielder, nevertheless he is probably one of their most creative [non-ballhog - ahem Nani] players...

My other comment was simply a response to the CC loss...

[NASpurs]

So what's going on between Arsenal and Marco Fabian? The family of Fabian are claiming that Fabian has signed a contract with Arsenal and will join the Gunners this Jan. (Link in Spanish (http://futbol.univision.com/mexico/noticias/article/2011-12-01/marco-fabian-habria-firmado-contrato-con-el-arsenal-de-inglaterra?ftloc=channel140:wcmWidgetUimStage&ftpos=channel140:wcmWidgetUimStage:1#axzz1fPSyoe5Z ))

I also read that Arsene is denying the reports and it was just his agent wanting "to sell a player." (Link in English (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Arsene-Wenger-denies-Arsenal-are-set-to-buy-Mexican-striker-Marco-Fabian-article837530.html))

[Sense]

Wouldn't surprise me if it was indeed bs -_-

[Spurstro]

Whenever I here someone mentioned in the press going to Arsenal, I immediately assume they won't sign.....just like the Spurs (S.A.)

[quentin_compson]

Mata is such a great player - it really, really sucks that Arsenal weren't able to land him.

[Muser]

Yeah he's a complete player. David Luiz is a faggot though, he should be off.

[Sense]

Mata is such a great player - it really, really sucks that Arsenal weren't able to land him.

Mata and Silva are the two best mids in BPL atm, IMO.

[resistanze]

Gunners destroying an uninspired and tacticless Wigan side.

[ElNono]

Up 3-0, dominating, and Mancini starts his circus substitutions... smh

[Muser]

Gunners destroying an uninspired and tacticless Wigan side.

It pisses me off to think we got relegated and this bag of shit team is still up there.

[resistanze]

It pisses me off to think we got relegated and this bag of shit team is still up there.

:lol I've never seen a colour commentator scold a team like that before. They're atrocious, with their defenders constantly backing away from Arsenal players and only going with one forward who gets absolutely no service.

Still happy the Gunners buried this team.

[quentin_compson]

Gunners destroying an uninspired and tacticless Wigan side.

Yeah, Wigan really were terrible today. Arsenal weren't even playing great but still winning comfortably.

[DAF86]

Hey look at that, Nasri, Silva, Aguero and Dzeko on the starting line-up and a 5-1 victory.

[Muser]

Down goes Hernandez

[Muser]

And Man City has to be the most miserable team in the history of football, they don't even look happy when they score.

[Sense]

Hey look at that, Nasri, Silva, Aguero and Dzeko on the starting line-up and a 5-1 victory.

most of the goals were gifts tbh, they didn't even need to try.

[Sense]

Down goes Hernandez

smh Chicha, I hope it's nothing serious.

[DAF86]

Will Mancity players cry when they get to lift the EPL trophy?

[DAF86]

smh Chicha, I hope it's nothing serious.

It looked pretty serious, the paramedics (?) put some kind of boot in his leg before leaving the pitch.

[DAF86]

most of the goals were gifts tbh, they didn't even need to try.

Whenever Mancini plays those four (plus Toure I must add) City trashes teams.

[Sense]

Whenever Mancini plays those four (plus Toure I must add) City trashes teams.

taking nothing away from them, but I watched the game... and most goals were lol worthy...


I think ManU can be just as good when it gets healthy again, Welbeck was a big boost for this team, and I think having him back and having Chicha/Rooney back up front can get them back in form.. and ofc getting that mid healthy again..


I still hope the Chicha injury is minimal, I just kept thinking... I hope they're treating him like a baby cuz of the new contract :lol .. they didn't let him put weight on it, with good reason.. but it would suck to lose him.

[Muser]

Watching the full 90 minutes of the city game now, and while Dzeko isn't the best finisher he is a smart player and can put a mean cross in.

[Libri]

Chicharo is out for four weeks.

[velik_m]

lol Van Persie has more goals this season than entire Wigan offense.

[lefty]

Manchester Citeh vs Manchester United in the Carling Cup.


Can't wait

[Sense]

Manchester Citeh vs Manchester United in the Carling Cup.


Can't wait

Carling Cup?

[lefty]

Carling Cup?

Oops

FA cup

[ALVAREZ6]

damn it lefty, please get rid of that Cristiano gif in your sig...just watching it once makes me feel gay.

[lefty]

damn it lefty, please get rid of that Cristiano gif in your sig...just watching it once makes me feel gay.

:lol

[NASpurs]

You can tell from his expression and deep thought afterwards in that boner pic is when he converted to the other side.

http://imgon.net/di-CFRG.gif http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii315/funky1324/ronaldo.gif

[NASpurs]

Frimpong is being sent out on loan to the Wolves.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Arsenal-to-send-out-starlet-Emmanuel-Frimpong-to-Wolves-on-loan-article838649.html

[Muser]

Good move by Wolves and Arsenal, hope this guy can stop being a dumbass on the pitch.

[quentin_compson]

Good move by Wolves and Arsenal, hope this guy can stop being a dumbass on the pitch.

He already has been improving in this area a bit, but yeah, that's still a problem. He still seems raw overall, so going somewhere for a while where he can play on a regular basis should help him going forward.

[NASpurs]

Fulham vs Liverpool in half an hour :tu

[lefty]

I hope Liverpool beats the shit out of Fulham

[Muser]

Suarez is so infuriating to watch.

[ElNono]

Suarez is so infuriating to watch.

He flopped again? :lol

[ElNono]

tbh, it's the refs fault for buying into that shit. He gets rewarded for it, he's gonna keep doing it.

[Muser]

Nah he didn't get it, but it's just so annoying to watch. He goes down easier that any player i've ever seen.

[Libri]

stupid Spearing gets ejected

[Libri]

Dempsey almost had a great goal.

[Libri]

Dempsey!

[Muser]

Dempsey!! Get in there.

[Muser]

Easiest goal he will ever score but he deserved one tonight. The guy is a workhorse.

[Spurstro]

easiest goal he will ever score but he deserved one tonight. The guy is a workhorse.

+1

[Libri]

I hope Liverpool beats the shit out of Fulham

another jinx :wow

[lefty]

another jinx :wow

Im awesome

[Phenomanul]

Im awesome

I wouldn't push your luck too hard considering "El Clásico" is coming up on Saturday... we know it won't end well for you...






possibly. :lol

[lefty]

I wouldn't push your luck too hard considering "El Clásico" is coming up on Saturday... we know it won't end well for you...






possibly. :lol

Barça can't lose

Messi=God


But seriously, they have picked their game up and are always motivated versus Madrid.

And Messi is always at its best during the Clasico.

I'm worried

[Agloco]

Barça can't lose

Messi=God


But seriously, they have picked their game up and are always motivated versus Madrid.

And Messi is always at its best during the Clasico.

I'm worried

Barca 4-2 tbh


and lol @City leading the tables. BPL has fallen off big time this year.

[Muser]

Yeah the top 4 has fallen off, but the rest of the league is stronger and more fun to watch than ever.

[lefty]

Yeah the top 4 has fallen off, but the rest of the league is stronger and more fun to watch than ever.
Yup

ANd I love waking up early on Saturday (which doesnt happen often) to catch a live game and watch this fantastic intro :tu

5X0JcJ5mkUE

[NASpurs]

Andre Santos is out for three weeks or more due to that damn ankle injury. It's an unfortunate timing since the team were playing well and more importantly, the defense was improving. But taking the season as a whole, the defense line has been the most battered and depleted especially with Sagna, Gibbs, Jenkinson and now Santos is out.

I wonder what Arsene is going to do. Will he play Djourou and move Vermaelen and Koscielny around while keeping Mertesacker in the middle? I guess the ultimate show of desperation is to put Alex Song in the back and play Frimpong. I don't know, what do you guys think?

[quentin_compson]

I guess Vermaelen will play LB, Koscielny and Merte CB, and Djourou RB.
Edit: Forgot about Miquel, he might play as well.

[Muser]

:lol RVP plays shit all game then produces that.

[quentin_compson]

Yeah, what a goal after a game full of bad first touches by RvP. :lol
Great pass by Song as well.
Well, Arsenal made things difficult for themselves by not capitalizing on the goalscoring opportunities in the first half. But a win is a win, I guess.

[Venti Quattro]

Cesc and Nasri who? Arsenal have come a long way from 2-8 at Old Trafford.

[velik_m]

Super goal by RvP, a real beauty.

[Muser]

RVP is 3 goals behind Alan Shearer's record for most goals in a calendar year.

[Venti Quattro]

Is Walcott okay? He went down earlier.

[NASpurs]

Alex Song is the fucking man. Even before that assist to Van Persie I was thinking to myself during the game that Song is probably the best passer on the team especially from the midfield area and long through passes. Then surely enough, he had the assist to RVP on just a beautiful pass. Don't get me wrong, he's no Gervinho or Walcott on the sides but right in the middle of the pitch, just give Song the ball.

It sucks that those opportunities early in the game were wasted but I'll take the result. I think Walcott was offsides like four times in the game but overall I think he played really well.

The only thing that bothers me sometimes about this team is when they try and do too much on the offensive side of the field. Pass when they should shoot and shoot when they should have pass but it's just nitpicking.

Being in the top four right now in the standings, who would have thunk that especially after the beatings they took early on, all the injuries and the disarray. I'm pretty sure Chelsea is going to lose to City on Monday so hopefully Arsenal stays at four.

[quentin_compson]

Alex Song is the fucking man. Even before that assist to Van Persie I was thinking to myself during the game that Song is probably the best passer on the team especially from the midfield area and long through passes. Then surely enough, he had the assist to RVP on just a beautiful pass. Don't get me wrong, he's no Gervinho or Walcott on the sides but right in the middle of the pitch, just give Song the ball.

It sucks that those opportunities early in the game were wasted but I'll take the result. I think Walcott was offsides like four times in the game but overall I think he played really well.

The only thing that bothers me sometimes about this team is when they try and do too much on the offensive side of the field. Pass when they should shoot and shoot when they should have pass but it's just nitpicking.

Being in the top four right now in the standings, who would have thunk that especially after the beatings they took early on, all the injuries and the disarray. I'm pretty sure Chelsea is going to lose to City on Monday so hopefully Arsenal stays at four.

Song can play the through ball and the decisive pass, that's for sure. I don't think he has the ability to do it on a consistent basis, but he has done it a couple of times already so far this season (the way he set up Santos' goal against Chelsea comes to mind). I think he was Arsenal's best player today - one of the reasons being that he got his defensive work done without risking a yellow that would have ruled him out for the game against City.
Ramsey has been rather poor the last couple of games, but (hopefully) getting Wilshere back in a couple of weeks will give Wenger more opportunities in central midfield.

I agree with you, being a valid candidate for a top four finish isn't something you would have imagined after this difficult (and sometimes - the Utd. game - horrible) start to the season. Right now, I think there's a possibility that Arsenal might leave either one of Chelsea, Liverpool or Tottenham behind in the end.

[lefty]

Wow

That referee really hates Tottenham

[NASpurs]

Song can play the through ball and the decisive pass, that's for sure. I don't think he has the ability to do it on a consistent basis, but he has done it a couple of times already so far this season (the way he set up Santos' goal against Chelsea comes to mind). I think he was Arsenal's best player today - one of the reasons being that he got his defensive work done without risking a yellow that would have ruled him out for the game against City.
Ramsey has been rather poor the last couple of games, but (hopefully) getting Wilshere back in a couple of weeks will give Wenger more opportunities in central midfield.

I agree with you, being a valid candidate for a top four finish isn't something you would have imagined after this difficult (and sometimes - the Utd. game - horrible) start to the season. Right now, I think there's a possibility that Arsenal might leave either one of Chelsea, Liverpool or Tottenham behind in the end.

Check this article out, it's what we've been talking about Alex Song. :tu

http://www.ashburtongrove.co.uk/2011/12/without-alex-song-arsenal-arent-same.html

[NASpurs]

The video that comes along with the article also proves one more thing. While RVP gets his rightful glory, the man behind the scenes doing the dirty work is Alex Song.

[Vici]

Wow

That referee really hates Tottenham

I hate blaming refs but that was really a disgraceful performance today. If nothing else, Adebayor was 6 fucking feet onsides. 6 FEET. Wasn't even fucking close and they call offsides. Hours later and I'm still pissed.

[velik_m]

The video that comes along with the article also proves one more thing. While RVP gets his rightful glory, the man behind the scenes doing the dirty work is Alex Song.

Song is awesome. I was shocked when he was not in Cameroon's starting line-up at the WC. Thankfully Cameroon failed to qualify for Cup of Nations...

[Venti Quattro]

Song has been very good for Arsenal.

[NASpurs]

I think Szczesny knows where they would be without RVP :lol

http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2011/12/11/article-1323622349350-0F21309400000578-797677_466x543.jpg

[lefty]

I hate blaming refs but that was really a disgraceful performance today. If nothing else, Adebayor was 6 fucking feet onsides. 6 FEET. Wasn't even fucking close and they call offsides. Hours later and I'm still pissed.
Plus, its the same referee that fucked Tottenham the season before ....at Stoke

[Venti Quattro]

Plus, its the same referee that fucked Tottenham the season before ....at Stoke

What's the referee's name? I saw what happened and that ref fucked the Adebayor and the Spurs

[lefty]

What's the referee's name? I saw what happened and that ref fucked the Adebayor and the Spurs
Chris Foy


By the way did you guys see the postgame conferende press?

Redknapp went apeshit :lol

[Venti Quattro]

Chris Foy


By the way did you guys see the postgame conferende press?

Redknapp went apeshit :lol

cm_F9_IVCgA

lmao he went ballistic

[Muser]

:lol Redknapp is awesome, I really hope he is the nest England manager.

Santos is injured for arsenal, so they have no fit full backs atm.


And Chelsea/Man City tonight, key game for both sides.

[Venti Quattro]

Santos is injured for arsenal, so they have no fit full backs atm.

Read somewhere that Santos can be out for 3 months.

[Muser]

Yeah he is.

[lefty]

And Chelsea/Man City tonight, key game for both sides.
Thanks for the heads up

Im gonna DVR that shit

[Venti Quattro]

Thanks for the heads up

Im gonna DVR that shitWhat time is the game? 2000 GMT? I hope they telecast det shit.

[resistanze]

FFS, Gunners can NEVER be healthy.

[Muser]

Chelsea got this imo.

[Venti Quattro]

I have City tapping dat Chelsea ass.

[lefty]

What time is the game? 2000 GMT? I hope they telecast det shit.
2:50 pm EST


And bookmark this shit:

http://www.livesoccertv.com/schedules/

[resistanze]

Hoping for a tie, tbh.

[NASpurs]

Yep Santos is out for three months. Got injured in a meaningless game much like the same way Manu got injured last year in a meaningless game. I read somewhere that Gibbs might be back in two weeks so at least there's that.

[Venti Quattro]

Oh yeah it's on!

[NASpurs]

:lmao this is going to be brutal

[Venti Quattro]

:lmao :lmao :lmao Chelsea

[Muser]

Oh right yeah Terry is still playing..

[Venti Quattro]

Oh right yeah Terry is still playing..

:lol tired old shit bag

[Venti Quattro]

Man City goal celebrations are so sad. Why is that?

Oh and that was a close one by Aguero. Just shot it wide right.