The Beautiful Game Thread 10/11

[davet010]

He's probably pining for Fulham's squad.

[davet010]

City fans ecstatic !

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 118602.stm

Still, great news for us. Shrek will cane their wage structure, thus adding to the monstrous debt, and he'll be off in summer to Chelski or Real Madrid...unfortunately garnering them a transfer fee, but I'm sure that Portugal's supply of vagrants has not yet been exhausted.

As if Ferguson could have said anything to allay his fears about their future squad, other than 'the Glazers have sold up to oil barons who actually have money of their own.'

[Jimmydeicide]

I hope he never scores again. He just wanted some cuddling aaahhhh poor thing.

[pk500]

Awwww, look at the happy couple.

Does anyone notice any fresh scars on Shrek's forehead from a boot hurled into his face this week, prompting him to sign the new deal?

[davet010]

Being reported that Shrek has gone onto £180k a week. Double his current wages. I hope loads of their other 'stars' are on parity contracts, as the debt clock ticks faster.

Gone in January, they'll have invested about £2m to get £35m in increased transfer fees, assuming anyone is desperate to pay £40m for him and that he actually scores between now and then (on the field, and not with a brass). If he goes in summer, that'll be about £6m.

Still, nice to see all their dirty laundry on the line for all to see, and the ripe stench of hypocrisy wafting over the Swamp - from the Drunken Scot, Shrek, and the odious mix of foreigners and Southerners who follow them. No need to stay another night in Manchester to go down to his house tonight lads, all brave in yer balaclavas.

Hail to the Glazers, and Hail to our Sheiks. Even when we lose, we win

Apologies to those who might be confused by some of my Northern slang. A 'brass' is a local term for someone who sells themselves for money...therefore could apply to Rooney or a prostitute. In fact, if Rooney wasn't interested in cash but strengthening the squad, why is he taking more money out of Fergie's warchest ?

Loving it.

[pk500]

Being reported that Shrek has gone onto £180k a week. Double his current wages. I hope loads of their other 'stars' are on parity contracts, as the debt clock ticks faster.

That's $14.6 million USD per year. He'd be only the seventh-highest earner on the 2010 New York Yankees, squeaking just ahead of Lance Berkman's $14.5 million per.

[rhymes450]

Awwww, look at the happy couple.

Does anyone notice any fresh scars on Shrek's forehead from a boot hurled into his face this week, prompting him to sign the new deal?

No, no noticeable scars. I think the difference might be that Ferguson was happy enough to see the back of Beckham (knowing that he had CR waiting to take over) but was absolutely desperate to hang on to Rooney because with him it's not gonna be a bed of roses but without him, what are Utd's prospects for the season? Is is just me or does Fergie look a fair bit happier (more relieved) than Rooney?

[davet010]

Obviously, because he's played so well this year.

Gone in January (they hope), gone in June (more likely).

I reckon Chelsea, don't think he's got the temperament to survive in Spain. Plus his shop-girl wife wouldn't be able to get any sort of deals going there.

[davet010]

Enjoy

[wco81]

Soccernet podcast guys said only 4 clubs would pay what United would have wanted for him: City, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

They didn't think he'd be able to hack a long-term stay in Spain and City is a rival. In Spain, merchandise sales would be diminished as UK fans wouldn't be as interested and he probably doesn't have the global draw that Beckham had.

So his transfer value would go down over time? Or if one of these big-time clubs fall just short of winning their league and/or the CL, they're more likely to splurge on someone like Rooney?

Or are there other big names likely to be available after this season?

[davet010]

Chelsea.

Jan or more likely July. Might pay their interest bill for 6 months or so.

[Macca00]

PSV beat Feyenoord 10-0 today.


Yes. TEN NIL. And that's Feyenoord not 'Go Ahead Eagles' or some other such Dutch team.

[Jimmydeicide]

Im guessing Dave is still in the boozer pissing and moaning with his mates lol.
As bad as Liverpool are im still glad we didnt get Gareth Barry.

[Feanor]

Hernandez did pretty well today, too.

[miget33]

Paul the Octopus has died.

[wco81]

BBC podcast had on a sports economist talking about the finances of the game.

He said Rooney's new contract will pay off if he maintains his level of play. With his contract, the proceeds from 6000 home ticket sales go to his pay. But he noted that in general, teams which boost their payroll are able to also see their revenues increase.

Of course if other players on the team demand new contracts, it could be more difficult. But they have a lot of older players who will retire in the next two years. One quote was something along the lines of if they didn't have the debt, Man U. would be a "fantastic business."

He also thinks that if United just maintained their level of play, in two years, UEFA's financial fair play rules will hurt City and Chelsea, Real and Barcelona. In fact, Barcelona has announced it will start reducing payroll in preparation for complying with those rules. They must have announced that after they bought Villa.

[rhymes450]

When Marca "journalists" get their claws into a player they don't play around. Today's front-page headline, in reference to Benzema's poor performance in yesterday's Copa Del Rey match and his future at Real Madrid, is..."HE'S DEAD". So too it seems is mastery of the understatement in the Marca newsroom. Nice one lads!

[Macca00]

When Marca "journalists" get their claws into a player they don't play around. Today's front-page headline, in reference to Benzema's poor performance in yesterday's Copa Del Rey match and his future at Real Madrid, is..."HE'S DEAD". So too it seems is mastery of the understatement in the Marca newsroom. Nice one lads!

I think it was in reference to Jose saying before the game that if they lost to Murcia then the players in that match would be "dead to me".

http://www.livesoccertv.com/news/1882/r ... -mourinho/

Marca journos are still bunk. But so are 99% of football 'journalists'.

[rhymes450]

When Marca "journalists" get their claws into a player they don't play around. Today's front-page headline, in reference to Benzema's poor performance in yesterday's Copa Del Rey match and his future at Real Madrid, is..."HE'S DEAD". So too it seems is mastery of the understatement in the Marca newsroom. Nice one lads!

I think it was in reference to Jose saying before the game that if they lost to Murcia then the players in that match would be "dead to me".

http://www.livesoccertv.com/news/1882/r ... -mourinho/

Marca journos are still bunk. But so are 99% of football 'journalists'.

Yeah, you're right. I spotted that later. Jose set them up with that headline, something I suspect he won't be all that happy about because I think he's a player's manager ultimately and seems to have their respect (not saying that he doesn't have a biggish ego or anything). Marca really doesn't seem any worse than its direct competitor AS. In fairness, Benzema's performances warrent criticism but I think they're going far too far. It's also related I think to a certain embarrassment that Real Madrid (and Marca is little more than a fanzine of the club IMO) have traditionally seen themselves as "Team Spain" and there is some pressure to bring in more Spanish players, like Llorente from Athletic Bilbao, and to have Pedro Leon given more minutes in detriment to Benzema). This is probably also related to the fact that the most significant members of the most successful Spanish national team in history play for Barcelona, and the style of football played by Spain is much more similar to that of the Catalonian club, something that sits uncomfortably in Madrid. Just a feeling I have.

[10spro]

Is Tevez that valuable for City? Just wondering.

[10spro]

Pablo Aimar is another player I thought would have made an impact this past summer in SA playing along Messi instead of Veron. He's a wily veteran now playing for Benfica, check this golazo.

[Feanor]

I always liked playing with Aimar in the old Winning Elevens. He almost scored an amazing Rabona goal for Valenica a few years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgcwk-lgQZw

[miget33]

I'm gonna guess Dave wont post for another week, after today City result.

[Macca00]

I'm gonna guess Dave wont post for another week, after today City result.

Actually, I think Dave disappeared about the same time of Paul the Squid's mysterious death. I hope Dave has a good alibi!

[Jimmydeicide]

You only sing when your winning sing when your winning.

Maybe the sheik will name another prospect so Dave will have something to say .