Soccer thread 08/09 (will have spoilers!)

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:48 am

City needs to tighten up defensively if they want to challenge the top dogs. And it looks like they may have a deal with W. Bridge.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:51 am

First of many, my son, first of many

<taps nose>

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:19 pm

ManU wrap up the signing of the Serbian duo they've been chasing.

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

I like when fate consolidates those whom I hate into nice little packages like this. It's much more efficient.

Chelsea are linked with CSKA LM/LB Yuri Zhirkov. I've been a fan of his for awhile, so this would be disappointing. I wish Benitez had gone after him instead of the useless parts he's gotten at LB.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:34 pm

Wayne Bridge to the City

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 4:47 pm

Bridge? Has he been keeping busy since he left Southampton, then?

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:47 pm

GB_Simo wrote:Bridge? Has he been keeping busy since he left Southampton, then?

If you consider warming the bench behind Cole keeping busy then yes, very. What a huge signing for City.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:48 am

We need a LB, and Chelsea will sell him, so that's fine by me.

Plus he has one major advantage over Cashley - he's not a c**t of the highest order, unlike the latter, upon whom I wish a career ending injury every minute he's on the pitch.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:39 am

some decent FA Cup ties on the tube today. Still have no idea why TV likes the EPL v EPL ties though.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:02 pm

HARTLEPOOL!!!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:22 pm

Podolsky would be a great pick in either Italy or the UK. He needs a change of scenery.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:44 pm

fsquid wrote:HARTLEPOOL!!!

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:52 pm

Andy Johnson has sent WEdnesday home

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:05 pm

Agent Hughes has been unmasked as the Red that he is...his job is done.

HUGHES OUT ! HUGHES OUT !

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:19 pm

Fun match between Hearts and Hibs today.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:28 pm

Dave, can I take it you don't fancy letting Sparky spend all that money?

Rough luck conceding so late, Squid. My boys shall uphold lower league honour (and if you believe that, you'll believe anything). I'm expecting a typical Hartlepudlian reward, like drawing Kettering away or something like that; our only other third round win, against Crystal Palace in 1993, was followed by a run of 13 games without scoring.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:50 pm

I hope you guys draw EPL opposition at home which would be a great financial windfall to your club.

Wednesday just ran out of gas.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:55 pm

I love the FA Cup.

Dave, I feel for ya!

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:05 pm

The Forest Green/Derby match was entertaining as well.

BTW, what town does Forest Green play in?

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:31 pm

pigpen81 wrote:The Forest Green/Derby match was entertaining as well.

BTW, what town does Forest Green play in?

Nailsworth, in Gloucestershire, and I'd like to pretend I didn't Google that.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:27 pm

davet010 wrote:Agent Hughes has been unmasked as the Red that he is...his job is done.

HUGHES OUT ! HUGHES OUT !

Wayne Bridge may suddenly have trouble finding transport out of London.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:35 am

Liverpool just got drawn against Everton in the next round of the FA Cup.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:10 pm

Interview on the BAyern site with Landycakes. He states that he's hoping not to go back to MLS.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:37 am

Why do EPL teams care that much about the Carling or FA Cup?

They play against clubs from lower leagues?

Sounds like MLB teams playing some minor league teams as exhibitions.

Consolation for EPL teams which don't win the EPL or CL?

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:18 am

wco81 wrote:Why do EPL teams care that much about the Carling or FA Cup?

They play against clubs from lower leagues?

Sounds like MLB teams playing some minor league teams as exhibitions.

Consolation for EPL teams which don't win the EPL or CL?

On top of the tradition, all of the other EPL clubs are in those competitions as well, so you're not just beating up on lower division opposition. Silverware is silverware at the end of the day...Intertoto Cup excepted, of course.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:09 am

Winning either of the two cup competitions also gets you a place in the UEFA Cup next season, which can be a moneyspinner - and, as Rob rightly points out, silverware is silverware.