Soccer thread 08/09 (will have spoilers!)

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:04 pm

Just watched a feed of the Milan game.....just to see if there is anyone else to bring in with him.

Answer - no....Milan need the £100m because they look bobbins.

As for Berlusconi, the greasy tw*t wouldn't have been rich at all if he'd served the prison terms that he deserves, rather than passing legal immunity legislation that related directly to himself while in power - christ, he was so bent even the Northern League got pissed off with him.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:21 pm

The Pato kid is just fecking sick.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:35 pm

City has to thank Argentina's P. Zabaleta for that beautiful strike, but they still fail to impress me.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:50 pm

It's too bad that Kaka admittedly prefers MU or Arsenal as he finds their style of football suits his style more.

Berlusconi's words on the imminent transfer:

'You can't say no to a lad who has a short career and who has the potential to earn much more than he is currently being paid.
On the other hand we can't raise his salary because it's already very high and we would have to raise the salary of all the other players as well.'

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:22 am

10spro wrote:City has to thank Argentina's P. Zabaleta for that beautiful strike, but they still fail to impress me.

I don't think they're remotely interested in whether you are impressed or not.

And neither of those debt-ridden dinosaurs can afford him, so if he wants to leave Captain Corruption's empire and Serie Matchfixing, then City are the only game in town...and if he's as good as advertised, then City will change their style of play. Take a look at the spanking handed out to Arsenal if you don't believe me.

Interesting quote from that noted intellectual Fernando Torres, saying that Kaka will regret it in ten years time when he has no medals. Aside from the fact that it really is none of his business, I'll be interested as to when Torres' own transfer request will be going in...after all, he's been in professional football for 10 years and his sole domestic medal is a Spanish Segunda Liga winners medal with Athletico.

Quick update for you, Fernando - people tend to respect your opinions more if you know what the f**k you are talking about. Oh, and we'll see how long your Liverpool career lasts after Rafa does one in summer.

PS - having re-read Torres' think-piece, I now see the hidden depths..

"Dear Mr Kaka, please don't come to the Premiership...because you'll show me up something chronic. After all, you actually play in matches and have won trophies. At the moment, fans love me even more when I'm out, because Kuyt and Keane are f**king useless, but I don't want the competition - plus it probably means that City won't want to buy me."

I hope City put a bid in for him, just to see what his reaction would be.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:37 am

Kaka isn't fit to carry Torres' boots. If your crazy Arab masters really do drop that 100m+ on him then El Nino is worthy half again as much...and Messi twice that.

OTOH I don't give a toss what Torres, Robinho or any other player thinks about this or any other move. When I assume absolute power I will completely prohibit the placement of a microphone within 50 yards of any athlete.

And there's nothing quite as distressing as watching Arab billionaires squabble like school girls.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... nd&cc=5901

P.S. I'm watching Atalanta absolutey dismantle Inter. 3 goals in 30 minutes and Mourinho looks like he's walked into his house to find his wife in the sack with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:44 am

Aberdeen is about to beat Celtic for the first time since 2001. Celtic is down 2-4 at the 85 min mark.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:33 pm

Anyone view matches on espn360?

Thinking about switching ISPs and the ISP I'm considering is eligible for ESPN360.

It sounded so convoluted the way people were having to download or stream matches but ESPN360 seems to show all the big matches, not necessarily in real time but on demand?

It can't be that easy can it?

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:52 pm

wco81 wrote:Anyone view matches on espn360?

Thinking about switching ISPs and the ISP I'm considering is eligible for ESPN360.

It sounded so convoluted the way people were having to download or stream matches but ESPN360 seems to show all the big matches, not necessarily in real time but on demand?

It can't be that easy can it?

I watch ESPN360.com games a lot. I have Verizon so it's free for me as well as Comcast and maybe one other ISP come to think of it. At one point last year I was able to watch all the College games Live with the exception of those blacked out in my area. I got to watch the Canes, Seminoles and Gators when they were on the road and somethimes when they played at home.

What's weird is all of a sudden I wasn't able to watch any Live matches with the exception of CBB which I don't watch. I was able to also watch European Football Live and then that got scaled back to Replays too. Now it has gotten a little better as I was able to watch some live College games before the season was over.

I'm thinking it was some contractual thing between ESPN360.com, cable providers and the ISP's. In any event the audio and video quality is damn good for a freebie. Also what's nice about Replays is you can rewind or fast forward any match you want.

ESPN360.com is a great service and makes Verizon online an even better value.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:14 pm

davet010 wrote:
10spro wrote:City has to thank Argentina's P. Zabaleta for that beautiful strike, but they still fail to impress me.
I don't think they're remotely interested in whether you are impressed or not.

And neither of those debt-ridden dinosaurs can afford him, so if he wants to leave Captain Corruption's empire and Serie Matchfixing, then City are the only game in town...and if he's as good as advertised, then City will change their style.

And frankly I was following more the footsteps of P. Zabaleta and wondering whether he should be considered for Diego's National team.

But for the sake of the beautiful game, I think the filthy powers at City are setting a dangerous precedent and one that leaves soccer in an unhealthy state for years to come. All that money when the world is struggling mightily? The last time someone had that much money to burn, were the likes of K. Keegan in Newcastle and D. Leary at Leeds. Nuff said.

This whole Man City deal doesn't strike me as a group of people really interested in Man City football. To me it's about them. They're out to show the world their arrogance, that money can buy anything.

And I don't have anything against City's fans. I am sure that they're excited and so should they be, after being mediocre (and I use that term loosely) for years, dreaming at the possibility to see one of the best players in the World play for their beloved club.

But when the Arabs decide they don't want to be there anymore, where does that leave City? And should Kaka indeed end up there, you can bet that he'll have as many escape clauses as possible, when things go wrong.

IF City wants to be respected as a true potential, they should start building the team from the D out. Until they defend better it doesn't matter how many goals Kaka or Robinho score for them, City are going to struggle to be taken seriously. It would take them about three years to four years gel together, and by then who knows in what state this world economy fiasco is at.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:03 am

[quote="RobVarak"]Kaka isn't fit to carry Torres' boots. quote]

You having a laugh ? Torres is an oft-injured immature school boy who goes into massive sulks when things don't go his way....ask any Athletico Madrid fan about that.

Plus they are different types of players, so I'm not sure how you come up with a direct comparison. Now Messi is a fabulous player, but there's no point at all bidding for him, so why waste the limited time of the transfer window ?

Wouldn't mind a cheeky punt on Eto'o or Henry though,

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:09 am

10spro wrote:
davet010 wrote:
10spro wrote:City has to thank Argentina's P. Zabaleta for that beautiful strike, but they still fail to impress me.
I don't think they're remotely interested in whether you are impressed or not.

And neither of those debt-ridden dinosaurs can afford him, so if he wants to leave Captain Corruption's empire and Serie Matchfixing, then City are the only game in town...and if he's as good as advertised, then City will change their style.
And frankly I was following more the footsteps of P. Zabaleta and wondering whether he should be considered for Diego's National team.

But for the sake of the beautiful game, I think the filthy powers at City are setting a dangerous precedent and one that leaves soccer in an unhealthy state for years to come. All that money when the world is struggling mightily? The last time someone had that much money to burn, were the likes of K. Keegan in Newcastle and D. Leary at Leeds. Nuff said.

This whole Man City deal doesn't strike me as a group of people really interested in Man City football. To me it's about them. They're out to show the world their arrogance, that money can buy anything.

And I don't have anything against City's fans. I am sure that they're excited and so should they be, after being mediocre (and I use that term loosely) for years, dreaming at the possibility to see one of the best players in the World play for their beloved club.

But when the Arabs decide they don't want to be there anymore, where does that leave City? And should Kaka indeed end up there, you can bet that he'll have as many escape clauses as possible, when things go wrong.

IF City wants to be respected as a true potential, they should start building the team from the D out. Until they defend better it doesn't matter how many goals Kaka or Robinho score for them, City are going to struggle to be taken seriously. It would take them about three years to four years gel together, and by then who knows in what state this world economy fiasco is at.

Chelsea's billions and a good manager brought them everything but the Champs league trophy. Money is going to buy man city a title. Now it might not be for 2-3 years, so really it's going to be how long the owners want to stay.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:27 am

Aye - and the Arabs are definitely in it for the long term, which is why it took them 6 months of research to identify the correct club...City were on a list with Everton, Villa and one other, but the things with City (apart from the obvious quality of the fans) were that

- the shareholding had already been consolidated by our Thai overlord, so less messing about

- the ground is brand new

As for the danger of relying on such benefactors, I feel a lot happier about this crew than I would if I followed

Chelsea - Peasant boy has lost a lot of money and is starting to look to pull out, transfer kitty already all but disappeared.

Liverpool - two owners arguing, got to find £350m to refinance sometime this year, Rafa wants pots of money and total control - he's going soon.

Man U - Glazers have lost a lot of money and still have £700m in debt.

Arsenal - for all Wenger's posturing about the club being self-financing, they have a £300m overdraft and a business plan now dependent on two shaky foundations....being able to sell off the developments round the ground (which won't generate near the originally projected amounts), and income from the CL...also dubious. Also there is a power struggle on the board between the existing members, who've just brought Kroenke on the board despite saying that they'd not do it, and this Usmanov character.

So, if I'm worried about City's finances, I'm not alone in the Premiership...ask any Hammers fan.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:02 pm

If anyone wants to ruin football with the Owls, I'm more than willing to be in support.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:37 pm

Podolski back to Cologne in the summer. Maybe opening up room for Landycakes?

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:13 pm

davet010 wrote:So, if I'm worried about City's finances, I'm not alone in the Premiership...ask any Hammers fan.

This Hartlepool fan would like to thank your Arabs for ensuring we're definitely not facing Bellamy in the FA Cup on Saturday, and if you fancy signing Noble, Upson, maybe a couple of others while you're at it, I could learn to live with it.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:04 pm

Upson or Parker for me - in fact, someone on the City boards suggested buying Upson and Parker for £50m, thereby saving West Ham, in exchange for the Hammers changing the logo on their chests to 'Thank You Man City' for a season

miget33 · Post by **miget33** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:43 pm

Looks like Kaka said no to City.
I expect to hear now from Dave, how City never really wanted him, and that he wasn't all that good.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:56 pm

miget33 wrote:Looks like Kaka said no to City.
I expect to hear now from Dave, how City never really wanted him, and that he wasn't all that good.

As I posted earlier, if there's a guy with clean morals is Kaka. Good for him, good for football. But somewhere behind the scene, S. Berlusconi is pretending to be an angel.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:45 pm

10spro wrote:
miget33 wrote:Looks like Kaka said no to City.
I expect to hear now from Dave, how City never really wanted him, and that he wasn't all that good.
As I posted earlier, if there's a guy with clean morals is Kaka. Good for him, good for football. But somewhere behind the scene, S. Berlusconi is pretending to be an angel.

I don't see how any of this is a reflection on anyone's morals...or how big $ transfers are bad for football.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:59 pm

RobVarak wrote:
10spro wrote:
miget33 wrote:Looks like Kaka said no to City.
I expect to hear now from Dave, how City never really wanted him, and that he wasn't all that good.
As I posted earlier, if there's a guy with clean morals is Kaka. Good for him, good for football. But somewhere behind the scene, S. Berlusconi is pretending to be an angel.
I don't see how any of this is a reflection on anyone's morals...or how big $ transfers are bad for football.

Quite elementary. At last, not only is there proof money can't buy everything but there is loyalty in football...(yeah barely). What a refreshing change. As in Milan's boss words:

'We offered the player the chance to consider the offer and make himself a fortune, but he has higher values. It was down to me and also to him. When I heard he would prefer to stay, that he didn't think he would be missing a great opportunity and he prefers the values of our flag, the values of closeness and friendship, the warmth and the affection that all the fans have shown him in these days, I said 'hooray' and we hugged'.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:43 pm

Berlusconi talking about values ...

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:42 pm

I think the fact that Kaka doesn't speak English (AFAIK) and the city of Milan > the city of Manchester (no offense intended) also played a part in his decision. And that doesn't reflect on his values or morals either way.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:44 pm

It's professional sports. Loyalty to anyone but the higest bidder is immoral.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:49 pm

I don't think it's immoral for Kaka to want to stay at Milan where he's comfortable and settled rather than take more money to move to Manchester. He's not a publicly owned company with stockholders to answer to.