Football Thread 4 - (Season 2014-15)

[PARAMASHIVAN]

What makes you think Italian media weren't as bad..

Every media has it's own "Over hype" thing, but English media is some thing else, mate I lived for 24 years here, I know what they are like. They are still recovering from 1966 Glory!

[kid-glove]

Every media has it's own "Over hype" thing, but English media is some thing else, mate I lived for 24 years here, I know what they are like. They are still recovering from 1966 Glory!

I think that's a gross exaggeration. Generally English media tend to be negative about their national football team, it's when it comes to club, you could see their biased diatribe against foreign managers, players and teams.

[PARAMASHIVAN]

I think that's a gross exaggeration. Generally English media tend to be negative about their national football team, it's when it comes to club, you could see their biased diatribe against foreign managers, players and teams.

To be honset Normal fans here are nothing like the media, they even talk openly about how bad their teams are (Football/Cricket). But one thing I like in them is that,they still support their team despite knowing that they will not win .

Sari viduvOm :)

[Rbee]

I think Germans have restricted their flair this time. But they have been fun to watch IMHO.

And how could you say their football isn't very technical? Isn't Schweini, Ozil, Reus, Goetze, Kroos flair enough for you? ;-) Schurrle, Mueller are fantastic draughtsmen off the ball. Poldi's been more restricted in group stages. Gomez is a traditional striker, I'd prefer Klose for his all-round CF-play. Khedira, although a DM, makes some great offensive movements. I'm more than OK with them winning. Hummels is more of a attacking player than a CB, idhukku mela enna vEnum? And their combination play isn't down to physical prowess. That they have athletes doesn't mean they aren't skilled enough. In fact, one of the complaints from Germans is that they have abandoned their traditional qualities of power, grit, fight and determination, sacrificing it all for flair and good football, like Oranje used to be. Role-reversal :(

Even Spain/Italy do not let the opponents to have the ball, they retrieve and keep it.

From the place where I am, the sight of onrushing German players doesn't make a good viewing. It make the opponents panicky. Italians/Spanish don't do that to their opponents. I feel Germans have undue advantage due to their physique. I followed the Portugal Germany match closely. The Portuguese were not bad at all. It looked like the height and others aspects of their physique were the only thinsg that made them look inferior to the Germans. I have never sat through one game of Bundesliga , its like watching Qatar Stars league football.

[podaskie]

Germany's football is not very technical. They rely on physical prowess more than anything. One look at their frontmen/midfiled you will know they are all supreme athletes. Their game is physical. They will never let the opponents to have the ball. They will immediately rush to retrieve it. Never liked the germans, can never like them in another 100 years. So Italy inimae un kaila thaan ellam. Enna ?

Being very objective, Italy has everything in its possession to frustrate the germans. I wish them all the best !

I am hoping for a Italy vs Protugal final


only gomez,khedria & boateng are physical players, if you watched bundesliga u might know & hopefully you will live for 100 years to dislike them..

[tamizharasan]

What makes you think Italian media weren't as bad..
KG
My assumption is based on bbc website. For example americans also market their team and it irritates me sometime but they do win significant times but BBC is all about hype with very less substance. For example they are talking about wimbledon title for Murray for the several years but he is yet to make final appearance at wimbledon.

[sathya_1979]

Arsenal sign Giroud

[kid-glove]

only gomez,khedria & boateng are physical players, if you watched bundesliga u might know & hopefully you will live for 100 years to dislike them..
Yes. I find it strange to comment on physicality of German teams at this moment. Maybe few seasons back, yes. But there's a new generation of technically superior footballers now.

[podaskie]

From the place where I am, the sight of onrushing German players doesn't make a good viewing. It make the opponents panicky. Italians/Spanish don't do that to their opponents. I feel Germans have undue advantage due to their physique. I followed the Portugal Germany match closely. The Portuguese were not bad at all. It looked like the height and others aspects of their physique were the only thinsg that made them look inferior to the Germans. I have never sat through one game of Bundesliga , its like watching Qatar Stars league football.

portugal was as bad as greece for their negative tactics, they played for a draw & only after german scored they attacked, which even a 2nd league team, will do it for last 10mins..

[kid-glove]

Arsenal sign Giroud

Good signing! Now to get rid of Park/Chamakh!

[podaskie]

KG
My assumption is based on bbc website. For example americans also market their team and it irritates me sometime but they do win significant times but BBC is all about hype with very less substance. For example they are talking about wimbledon title for Murray for the several years but he is yet to make final appearance at wimbledon.

Yes, Once i watched wc10 germany vs england match in bbc one, only to press mute key & their commentary team mowbray & mark "height of exhibiting"

[kid-glove]

Oh BBC are in deed annoying in their coverage.

[Rbee]

I bet this German team will come a cropper against technically sound team like Spain.

[kid-glove]

Why go that far? I'd even be willing to bet that htey could fail against ITaly. After all, as I said the other day, Azurris OWN & PWN die Mannschaft. :D

I'd not hold it against them though. :)

[selvakumar]

<dig>I have to disagree with the comments on English media. Guardian, BBC etc are quite known for reporting news well and you won't get any emotional news. I have read some of the books from their journalists and if we say they are bad, I would see the one who is good. It may not be applicable for sports columns but overall they are too good IMHO </dig>

[Bala (Karthik)]

Watching the German football team is similar to watching their hockey team. Doesn't trigger excitement or passion.They will win this championship. Hope Spain put up a good fight

Well played, Italia. Semis vandhadhe nalla show dhaan :clap:

[Bala (Karthik)]

but yesterday i was more disappointed with Italy than England......65% posession and ~34 shots on/near the goal - still they couldnt score.......they lack the finishing touch of German forwards - was particularly pissed with Cassano - tried so many times without success....
:exactly:
Balotelli - :banghead: Ivarukku Baasha madhiri rendu mugam irukka? That i have not seen? City-la vlaadumbodhu thillaalalngadi velai ellaam pannaara? How the hell is this guy in the national team of a decent footballing nation? Inzhagi is Devudu compared to this guy

Cassano was also soora waste in the match

[kid-glove]

Cassano creates chances. Balo doesn't do that.

Balo's goal vs Ireland partheengala? The lad could do the insane but is also prone to ridiculous.

He has EVERYTHING. I mean everything.

He could score with both feet. He could head the ball. His first touch and control is immaculate. He could dribble and hold the ball in tight spaces. He could play good passes and make assists.

When he first started for Inter, I thought he'd be as good as Ronaldo, Kluivert. We don't see such strikers any more.

He obviously works better with Rossi (as evidenced from qualifying), but in paper, he should also be able to make a good team with Cassano, but it has failed for very many reasons. The biggest being his temperament. He has had 1 on 1's with GKs, and every time his brain farted (I think he wants to lob or do something fancy, to portray his 'coolness'), allowing Ramos, Terry, Andrews and whoever to clear or dispossess him at the right moment. To draught into such positions, you could never teach that. However it could be argued even Di Natale is a mobile striker and will make such runs, no question would finish better too. So maybe he should be played.

Inzaghi is a poacher who knows to finish. But he offered little else. And why should he? He was meant to do that only. A time when Italy were spoilt with trequartistas. Now, they play with Regista like Pirlo, the balls will come from deep, finding its way to runs of strikers with good link-play. As good as Cassano is, he'd never be a trequartista, and Balotelli, as good as his abilities are, he'd never be limited to being only just a 'poacher'. But both could get on end of Pirlo's deliveries. What they're missing is the finishing touch. If you had a Inzaghi in place of either (or Di Natale), you'd have lot more offsides (Inzaghi's record is high even with Totti's deliveries!) and he'd not be able to link-up.

[kid-glove]

Everyone underrated Italy, I had always been positive about Prandelli's team. I am proved right.

As painful and shameful as it is for an Oranje fan, I will also be proved right about German domination with their technical ability and good football. I am the Oracle of football predictions. Except not vs Italy, who OWN them. :D

[kid-glove]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/18/article-2088278-0E7F580B00000578-646_468x323.jpg

[Bala (Karthik)]

Cassano creates chances. Balo doesn't do that.

Yes



Balo's goal vs Ireland partheengala? The lad could do the insane but is also prone to ridiculous.

Time and space kuduthu free-a vitta pannuvaar nu thonichu



He has EVERYTHING. I mean everything.
He could score with both feet. He could head the ball. His first touch and control is immaculate. He could dribble and hold the ball in tight spaces. He could play good passes and make assists.
When he first started for Inter, I thought he'd be as good as Ronaldo, Kluivert. We don't see such strikers any more.

So, obviously, he is not showing the thillalangadi he is capable of (baffling to me nevertheless). Going through a lean patch i guess



The biggest being his temperament. He has had 1 on 1's with GKs, and every time his brain farted (I think he wants to lob or do something fancy, to portray his 'coolness'), allowing Ramos, Terry, Andrews and whoever to clear or dispossess him at the right moment.

:exactly: How many incisive through balls. He seems to take forever, like a sloth bear



However it could be argued even Di Natale is a mobile striker and will make such runs, no question would finish better too. So maybe he should be played.

Absolutely. It might have proved costly against England. Prandu will retain him because they won :|

[kid-glove]

Balo will win or lose championships, sometimes both that he neuters his effects and defects. For Italia, he's been more defective indeed. Time for him to repay the faith of one Mr.Prandu. :lol2:

I'd advocate playing Di Natale against the krauts, and drop Motta, Nocerino shud play. It should be a homogenized Italy. :D

[ajithfederer]

Serumani, itthali ellam namakku aagadha team gala irukke. Spain-um oru wc, oru euro jeichutaanuga. Okay under dog portugal support i yam.

Ok outside support to serumani also, the australians(??) of football.

[kid-glove]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/25/article-2164258-13C3C17B000005DC-919_468x286.jpg

[kid-glove]

This is disgraceful btw:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/euro2012/article-2165160/Euro-2012-Mario-Balotelli-race-storm-newspaper-cartoon.html

[Rbee]

Ok till now

[Rbee]

Shite

[interz]

Llego Espana.

Not the kind of semifinale as expected, but my favourite team is in the finale.

Viva Cesc Fabregas & Casillas

[NOV]

world champions :rotfl:

[kid-glove]

Why :rotfl:

First 90 minutes, Portugal have been up at it. In particular, the midfield trio of Veloso, Meireles and Moutinho have closed down passes & angles pretty well. Mad Man Pepe did well. His passing after winning the ball back as well as from the deep has been superb! did Negredo request to see the tournament for free? Torres & Negredo preferred to Llorente & Soldado (not even in the squad) is madness IMO.

If he wants 'tall' double pivot, he could at least play Javi Martinez in place of Busquets. And I see no point of Xavi, rendered obsolete. Will Del Bosque take that double pivot to his grave? With so much talent at his expense as well. He needs Fiorentino Perez. :Evil laugh:

Alba-Pedro and Navas together with Iniesta and Cesc made the last 30 minutes incredibly tense for Portugal. They should play such a system if they are to score goals in finals.

How many clutch moments Cesc would be involved in, for Spain. I hate the twat though. Ronaldo :rotfl: :rotfl2: Coward.

Meanwhile BvM quits. Let's get Guardiola #OranjeWishList #KNVB

[PARAMASHIVAN]

Espania :thumbsup:

Like I predicted it would be Germany Vs Spain! :) and Germany to beat Spain by 1-0 or 2-1

[KlamRoyA]

Espania :thumbsup:

Like I predicted it would be Germany Vs Spain! :) and Germany to beat Spain by 1-0 or 2-1

Spain dint lose to Germany for past 15 years...:???:

[Bala (Karthik)]

This is disgraceful btw:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/euro2012/article-2165160/Euro-2012-Mario-Balotelli-race-storm-newspaper-cartoon.html
:banghead:

BTW, anyone managed to spot any blacks in the stadiums?

[Bala (Karthik)]

Why :rotfl:

First 90 minutes, Portugal have been up at it. In particular, the midfield trio of Veloso, Meireles and Moutinho have closed down passes & angles pretty well.

Exactly. They almost snuffed the life out. Spain rallied well in ET though


Ronaldo :rotfl: :rotfl2: Coward.


?I thought he wanted to go for glory, hit the winning penalty.... BTW, irritating to see him throw himself around at the slightest opportunity.

[kid-glove]

Not many..

If that's worst face of Italia, look at this from Bild

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/548200_451014838256262_680896629_n.jpg

[kid-glove]

?I thought he wanted to go for glory, hit the winning penalty.... BTW, irritating to see him throw himself around at the slightest opportunity.

Yeah, he' rather he a hero than a brave leader.. No way he'd underestimate Saint Iker that it'd go to 10th kick :twisted: How does letting Bruno Alves step in before him give Portugal a good chance?

Btw Ramos doing a Pirlo made me think of Totti (vs VDS) and Zidane (vs Buffon) again. Balls of steel. More so after his sky-liner vs Neuer in CL semis

[PARAMASHIVAN]

Spain dint lose to Germany for past 15 years...:???:

:roll: hmm Final la parpOm :)

[kid-glove]

Like I predicted it would be Germany Vs Spain!

How did you forecast such a difficult (cue: sarcasm) one.

[kid-glove]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifk0M2gwCr0&feature=player_embedded

[kid-glove]

Vialli very optimistic about Balotelli and reminds everyone of his capabilities to be best striker in the world (future ballon d'or winner if he gets mind right).

Vialli also reminded everyone not to be harsh about him, only 21 years old..

BBC panel very good today.

Superb point btw by everyone that both Montolivo and De Rossi being capable of taking playmaking duties if Pirlo is heavily marked (think thta's why Kroos is played with Schweini and Khedira in the middle, Reus not in :( Mueller out. Poldi-Gomez-Ozil up front. Good options from the bench with Reus, Schurrle, Klose, Goetze..

[kid-glove]

And Chiellini is back. :thumbsup: Marchisio is due a long range goal. Abate injured, so Balzaretti at RB? :hammer:

And still no Nocerino. :( At least, there's no Motta :)

-----------Buffon
Balzaretti-Barzagli-Bonucci-Chiellini
----------Pirlo
Marchisio--De Rossi---Montolivo
-----Cassano--Balotelli

vs

------------Neuer
Boateng--Hummels--Badstuber--Lahm
--------Khedira---Schweinsteiger
------------Kroos----
----Ozil----Podolski---Gomez.

[kid-glove]

Mark Lawrenson, why do you let old fart to, uh well, fart, BBC? :twisted:

[kid-glove]

Already a better semi than last night.

[interz]

Super wario 2- super mario 0...

agree... its a way much better game than on wednesday night

[kid-glove]

:D :D

Azurri pwnage. :boo:

Say it after me Children, DIE DIE MANNSCHAFT, DIE, AZZURRI WILL HAVE YOU FOR PIE..

[Sid_316]

SAma strike mario :clap: germany had their chances.. they do play good football at times.. KG y u no like the germans? Prince podo will rise now i say :evil:

[kid-glove]

Go over my posts. I said Azzurri style will always see through Germans (and I do say they play good Football!).. Even against Spain, Germans could win. But ITALIA are a different kind of animal..

[kid-glove]

OMG. I feared this. Klose and Reus on. Klose is as all-round as it gets (not as trademark and old-fashioned no.9 as Gomez), and Reus is like Nedved/Rosicky, has that Czech touch, both will work well in realms of Italian football.. Worrying times for Italia.

[kid-glove]

Balo thambi, nambikkai veen pogala. Future WPOTY :thumbsup: Looks like a cramp. Di Natale On.

[Sid_316]

No signs of a german comeback 71 min :twisted:

[Sid_316]

Twistu! kaaman!

[Sid_316]

:wave: germany. Pls italy kick some spanish a$$ on sunday.

[interz]

Mission Accomplished by Italy. Too bad Super Wario didnt play full game, with the open chances later in the game...Italy should have scored 2-3 goals...

forza italia :-)
viva espana :-)

who to support on sunday?

[kid-glove]

Only glory-hunting Barca fans support Spain. So Support Spain.

[villan007]

:lol: exactly!!

[MADDY]

Azzuris :bow:

Balotelli - ball-a telli telli adichhan - super :D .......i hope they break the spanish jinx.....

[kid-glove]

The lad could do the insane but is also prone to ridiculous.

He has EVERYTHING. I mean everything.

He could score with both feet. He could head the ball. His first touch and control is immaculate. He could dribble and hold the ball in tight spaces. He could play good passes and make assists.

When he first started for Inter, I thought he'd be as good as Ronaldo, Kluivert. We don't see such strikers any more.

If he had stayed on and scored with his left foot, would have been a complete hattrick. :D

With his Italian adoptive mother

https://p.twimg.com/AwgXlmzCQAAXUIA.jpg

[kid-glove]

Mario also said 'When I score I don't celebrate. I just do my work. When the postman delivers your letters, does he celebrate?'

Tonight he celebrated. Obviously playing for your country is more than just 'work' ;) :D

[kid-glove]

Prandu (Danks B(K)) says 'Balotelli era has begun'. Knowing Mario, fear there's a twist in the finals. For his sake, I hope he doesn't do anything stupid. His talent deserves more..

[kid-glove]

Balotelli: 'Best night of my life'
By Football Italia staff

Mario Balotelli joked about his posed goal celebration. “This was the greatest night of my life, but I hope Sunday will be better.”

The Manchester City hitman bagged a sensational brace in the 2-1 semi-final victory over Germany.

"Best moment of the night was when I saw my mother after the game. Those goals were for her" he said.

“I waited a long time for this moment, especially as my mother is not young anymore and can’t travel far, so I had to make her happy when she came all the way here. My father will be in Kiev for the Final too.

“Before the game there were my mother, my brothers, my sister-in-law and my best friend all by the touchline. Having my nearest and dearest there obviously fired me up. What music do I listen to before the game? Drake. He’s a friend of mine.”

With this brace, Balotelli took his Euro 2012 tally to three goals and is the joint top scorer, but also the only one still in the tournament.

“I will try to win the top scorer award. In football sometimes you can try so many times and it doesn’t go in, or try few and it does all the time.

“It was a fantastic assist, the kind only Antonio Cassano can provide, while Riccardo Montolivo’s pass was great too. I celebrated? I said I would.”

The celebration for the second goal saw him whip off his jersey and show off muscles, earning a yellow card.

“They didn’t get angry because I was booked for taking my shirt off, but they saw my physique and got jealous!” he joked.

“Both goals were important and helped to win the game, so I will remember them both the same way.”

Balotelli went off in the second half to make way for Antonio Di Natale after going down with cramp.

“I had cramp and was a little tired, but I told the Coach to wait five minutes and by that point the substitution was already in progress. It’s fine.

“Would I return to Italy to play? Not right now, as I am in England and will stay there for the moment. The Manchester City fans still love me, even if we knocked England out.”

Italy now face Spain in the Final on Sunday in Kiev, a repeat of the 1-1 draw that opened their tournament.

“This was the most wonderful night of my life so far, but I hope Sunday is even better,” continued Balotelli.

“I hope to win, I don’t care if I play badly as long as we give our all. We have to relax, mustn’t get frustrated with Spain’s possession and keep playing our football.

“Don’t forget we are the only side to have scored against Spain so far. We proved that we are equal to them, if not more, and we want to win.”

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

Except for his music taste (Drake :hammer: ), what a lad.

[Death Note]

SUPER MARIO!!! :D :D :D

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/28/article-2166162-13D6EB73000005DC-615_634x415.jpg

[podaskie]

Jogi Low, was the one to blame for the loss,Before the Euro He takes too long to integrate players like reus,hummels,goetz etc in to the squad...and his tactical error caused us big time here, if muller-ozil-reus, upfront klose started, germany could have easily won..hopefully he wont repeat his mistake on next big championship..Goetz & Bender brothers, should interegate with the team, the good thing abt german is that they are still producing great young talents like Draxler,Herrmann,Leitner,Holtby etc so for next 10-15 years they will have still chance to win something...

[Bala (Karthik)]

Balotelli !!!! :shock: :rotfl: (ennachonnen) :oops: Deadly strikes. Especially the second one.
Unlike the last match, this time finishing > play-making moves. Pirlo was not as big a factor as expected (which is good, actually). Marchisio could have passed to Di Natale and made it 3-0. Sitter :hammer:
Germany were lethal early on. Hockey level precision

Q: Was it a hand ball by Pirlo in the goal mouth early in the 1st half? Pala thadava paathum i'm not 100% sure if it was or not

[Bala (Karthik)]

KG
Kalakkarel! :clap: Your duty is far from over, though.
[My brother predicted Balo's double strike and the score line before the match]

[kid-glove]

I am not sure it's handball.

Pirlo man-marked beautifully, therefore Cassano and Montolivo (:clap:) took the playmaking duties. Apart from the first, Cassano pretty much created the second goal with his movement off the ball, pulling in defenders to him, good ball from Montolivo..

Yeah, Italia should have won by 3 to 4 goals, if not for numerous f-ups..

[kid-glove]

Why is Diamantti preferred to Giovinco? :sigh2: Not that Diamantti is bad, but Giovinco is a fantastic no.10 with eyes all around, Diamantti is little bit selfish with eyes more on the ball..

[PARAMASHIVAN]

Oh well, well done Italia! coming in as under dogs and beating the favourites

[Sid_316]

:lol2: loving this
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2166346/Euro-2012-Cristiano-Ronaldo-accused-Nani.html#ixzz1zBujiYhB

[interz]

Viva Espana. I hope they win tonight :-)

[kid-glove]

Bixente Lizarazu has described Spain's football as "like love without the sex".

"Spain have become more conservative, and they don't want to give the ball up because they don't want to give you a chance to score." Wenger added.

Prandelli called them 'sophisticated', he did't call them 'entertaining'.

Italy, together with Germany, have been very easy on the eye.

They've managed to balance aesthetic with results so far. And for that, with their talent at their disposal, Prandu is coach of the tournament. And for reinvigorating Balotelli with his patience, has shown good man management.

It's going to be unsurprising and easy to back Spain tonight, but I'm still going with ITALIA. Prandu needs to be rewarded

http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptussowexperts/147407789.jpg

[podaskie]

I am not sure it's handball.

Pirlo man-marked beautifully, therefore Cassano and Montolivo (:clap:) took the playmaking duties. Apart from the first, Cassano pretty much created the second goal with his movement off the ball, pulling in defenders to him, good ball from Montolivo..

Yeah, Italia should have won by 3 to 4 goals, if not for numerous f-ups..

Yes italy should have scored 3/4 goals...so do germany, the did missed some close chance too...

[podaskie]

Reg todays match, in recent years the team that beat germany , gone onto win the whole thing, so I think italy have the chance :cool:

[Sid_316]

2-0 down. Don't think there is a way back :-(

[kid-glove]

Italia could still be proud. Down to 10 men. They fought well. Thought pushing Xavi onto Pirlo's patch won the game for Spain. De Rossi wolfed it out, Di Natale had some good chances. Overall they didn't disgrace themselves as scoreline suggests.

[interz]

The gloryhunter singing: Campeones Campeones Olé Olé Olé... Viva Espana...

The best team won. Spain is the first team ever in football history to defend the european champion title. Challenge me again when your favourite national squad has won 2 consequtive national cups in row!

[Bala (Karthik)]

What a fall! Spain were too good for Italia and the difference in quality was obvious. However, a pathetic performance by Italia. I've never seen the Italian defense so loose. This is total pwnage. Well, the game ended at 2-0 and adhukkappuram dead snake beating. Germany kaduppula iruppaanga, avingalayaavadhu vitrundha the final would have been more interesting :lol:
Two players who were perhaps not match fit (and one of them was a substitute) - Prandu :roll:

[kid-glove]

Italian defense had less individual quality, so when the midfield has an off day, they'd be exposed. The midfield too had an off day letting through Xavi + Iniesta + Silva, with enough time and space.

And having one less day certainly took its toll.

Both players who were not match fit, but very logical choice to play them.

Motta to stop Xavi given as much space fr Montolivo who had a tired game (as Did Pirlo, only DDR remained solid as he's a physically perfect man :P ),

Chiellini who started, was the best individual defender. And Bonucci-Barzagli-Chiellini have been the best Italian defensive combination in the Serie A as well. Remove Chiellini, the two B's suffer. Of course, Balzaretti is a better attacking choice, but it was a risky choice to play him from the start.

And either way the only problem I had through out the tournament with Prandu is non-involvement of Giovinco.

Di Natale had two great chances. Which he should have scored.

Italy, for all their troubles, with XI men, dominated possession and got chances.

To blame Prandu for this defeat would be disingenuous. Glad to hear he's staying on.

Prandelli: "The interpretation of the game wasn't wrong, but we soon understood that we needed to contain them b/c we were v.tired."
"They had more physical freshness. We spent a lot [of energy] + against players like these it's difficult to recover."

In deed.

[kid-glove]

Team of Euro 2012: Casillas; Pepe, Hummels Alba; De Rossi, Pirlo, Moutinho; Ozil, Fabregas, Iniesta; Balotelli

Maybe Silva in place of Ozil. Alonso in place of Moutinho. Ramos in place of Hummels.

Player of tournament, Pirlo

[raghavendran]

clinical from Spain...Italy very loose on defence...had their chances...casillas was superb i guess...harsh scoreline though..

overall a superb tournament...plenty of great moments..

[Sid_316]

In other news Torres wins Euro 2012 Golden Boot :-D

[PARAMASHIVAN]

bien hecho Espania :thumbsup:

sfortuna Italia :|

[NOV]

Congratulations Spain
Torres gets golden boot? :banghead:
someone up there is playing a good joke.

anyways,

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/486479_10151398401543787_1947628524_n.jpg

[kid-glove]

Pickle = Portugal

Idly = Italy

Podi = Spain

Chutney = Germany

[kid-glove]

I noticed in certain angles, Prandu looks a bit like Daniel-day Lewis (of Nine). More reasons to like him.

[VENKIRAJA]

Torres could have been used more often so that he could have showed his class.
He has scored in the CL semifinal, the last Euro final and now. Can't see why he is criticized so much! He is stuck with a stupid team like Chelsea which doesn't suit his style of play. El Nino was in his prime at Liverpool. He should have stayed. :sigh:

[selvakumar]

Sutham.. ithukku Germany ae final vanthirukkalaam..

[raghavendran]

Torres could have been used more often so that he could have showed his class.
He has scored in the CL semifinal, the last Euro final and now. Can't see why he is criticized so much! He is stuck with a stupid team like Chelsea which doesn't suit his style of play. El Nino was in his prime at Liverpool. He should have stayed. :sigh:

he had 3-4 very mediocre seasons...adhan..has great potential..witht this new found form,think he will do very well..

[raghavendran]

Team of Euro 2012: Casillas; Pepe, Hummels Alba; De Rossi, Pirlo, Moutinho; Ozil, Fabregas, Iniesta; Balotelli

Maybe Silva in place of Ozil. Alonso in place of Moutinho. Ramos in place of Hummels.

Player of tournament, Pirloagree witht the team...

but ..
CR kandippa irukanum..:yessir:

[raghavendran]

goal of the tournament

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ckNKehCoOU

[kid-glove]

CR-na Cristiano? :lol: He scored 2 goals against non-defending teenager (VdVeal) and infant (Willems). The goal against Czech vs Selassie is the only merit worthy moment in my estimation.

And 37 shots with 3 goals is the worst strike rate in Euros. Mandzukic had 3 goals from 5 shots. Dzagoev, from 11 shots. Torres, from 10 shots. Gomez 9 shots. Balotelli, from 23 shots.

And Ronny boy had 0 assists. Most selfish player ever.

[NOV]

boredom is already setting in :sigh2:

[VENKIRAJA]

he had 3-4 very mediocre seasons...adhan..has great potential..witht this new found form,think he will do very well..
Chelsea-la vera enna seyya mudiyin

[raghavendran]

yea in Chelsea for the past 1.5 seasons..even in liverpool..he wasnt at his best in the latter stages...odd magic here and there avolodhan...

[raghavendran]

CR-na Cristiano? :lol: He scored 2 goals against non-defending teenager (VdVeal) and infant (Willems). The goal against Czech vs Selassie is the only merit worthy moment in my estimation.

And 37 shots with 3 goals is the worst strike rate in Euros. Mandzukic had 3 goals from 5 shots. Dzagoev, from 11 shots. Torres, from 10 shots. Gomez 9 shots. Balotelli, from 23 shots.

And Ronny boy had 0 assists. Most selfish player ever.i mean..do you think that without Ronaldo Portugal would have come upto the semis..even if he had not taken those chances..there arent many others who could have used it well...in the first match he struggled..but he was instrumental in the rest..IMO he is in the euro team of the tournament along with Iniesta,Pirlo,De Rossi and Alonso and Balotelli upfront..

[Sid_316]

Chelsea-la vera enna seyya mudiyin

Sila pala kodumayana chances lam miss pannane.. Open goal la kooda adika mudiyala na *no comments* i don't think chelsea could be blamed.A "class" player as hyped by all should adapt everywhere illaya?Space jam padathula talent pona maadhiri aayitan!

[Sid_316]

An interesting post in an fb page :

Messi 2010: 1 Laliga title and Flop WC.

Sneijder 2010: 1 Serie A, 1 Coppa Italia, 1 Champions League, scored 2 goals against 5 times WC winners Brazil and helped his team to reach the final. WC top scorer with 5 goals.

Ballon d'or winner: Lionel Messi


Sometimes i think these guys are totally biased. Agreed messi is defn a better player than snejider but still he didn't single-handedly steer barca to their titles right? And the worst part is sneijder was not even nominated!

[kid-glove]

Agreed. Should be Casillas this year. IF not him, Pirlo. If not him, D.Silva.

[kid-glove]

i mean..do you think that without Ronaldo Portugal would have come upto the semis..even if he had not taken those chances..there arent many others who could have used it well...in the first match he struggled..but he was instrumental in the rest..IMO he is in the euro team of the tournament along with Iniesta,Pirlo,De Rossi and Alonso and Balotelli upfront..


Portugal would have done badly without him. But they would do considerably worse without Moutinho, their best & most consistent player.

For me, it was no surprise to see him score against Nederland with our non-fullback situation. Even against Czechs, he missed 1 on 1s and easy chances. For the amount of chances Portugal created for him (and only him, Nani too played for him), he wasted a lot of chances, only 3 goals is a bad return. Other teams create chances for everybody, not streamlined for one player.

[Sid_316]

Van Persie confirmed that he won't renew his contract after a meeting with club chief executive Ivan Gazidis and manager Arsene Wenger it became clear that they disagreed on the way Arsenal should move forward.

Ada pavi.. Wat more does he want? adhan podolski,giroud lam sign panniyachu still looking for more.. i dont get it.

[kid-glove]

Chumma soundbites. Let him go :wave: Or rot him in reserves :twisted:

Maybe he's trying to do a Rooney here. Wouldn't work at Arsenal.

[villan007]

its obvious.. City will not match Arsenal's Demands and this must be Dein Jr.'s advice to lower the transfer fee

[Sid_316]

It's sad to see him release a statement like this and apparently the club had no idea he wud... Hope atleast he doesn't go to city. That would mean further disrespect to us :twisted:

[kid-glove]

Only City will collect mercenaries and quitters


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zKksMZdJdgY

[Sid_316]

Emannuel Eboue tweets "When @Persie_Official has injury and couldn't play. He didn't say he wanted to go . Oh well , I lost my respect for you captain." Wat a freaking legend :-D

[Death Note]

its obvious.. City will not match Arsenal's Demands and this must be Dein Jr.'s advice to lower the transfer fee

If he goes to City, then I'll loose all the respect I had for him. He would be no better than Nasri in my eyes.

[Death Note]

Emannuel Eboue tweets "When @Persie_Official has injury and couldn't play. He didn't say he wanted to go . Oh well , I lost my respect for you captain." Wat a freaking legend :-D

Fake Twitter account :D

[VENKIRAJA]

We have Podolski to make up for free kicks, yes.
We have Giroud for penalties, maybe.
Who would be our new skipper?
If they have north of 40 million, and with RVP going (which is more sensible than to let him free next year) we will considerably have some funds.
Whom should we sign up for the main striker?
Podolski will definitely play only in the wing. Or will young Giroud be enough?! He looks a Chamakhesque figure right now with only one good season.
Will Arshavin (or Bendtenr) be retained for captaincy sakes?
Though his disrespect for the club which has backed him all along his injury prone career is more annoying than saddening.

[Rbee]

Chetri joins Sporting Lisbon wow !!

[raghavendran]

looks like Juve and City are going for Persie...heard even Adebayor is coming back to City...they have to let go atleast 2 strikers,if they want RVP..do they need him?..they could do it with the same team..

[Sid_316]

Chetri joins Sporting Lisbon wow !!

For the B-Side :-( Excitement pochu! Still a great step forward

[Sid_316]

We have Podolski to make up for free kicks, yes.
We have Giroud for penalties, maybe.
Who would be our new skipper?
If they have north of 40 million, and with RVP going (which is more sensible than to let him free next year) we will considerably have some funds.
Whom should we sign up for the main striker?
Podolski will definitely play only in the wing. Or will young Giroud be enough?! He looks a Chamakhesque figure right now with only one good season.
Will Arshavin (or Bendtenr) be retained for captaincy sakes?
Though his disrespect for the club which has backed him all along his injury prone career is more annoying than saddening.

Verminator shud be the skipper. If they sell persie this season (more likely) they might/shud by someone else. Arshavin/Bendtner captaincy purpose ka? Kodumai nenachu pakaradhuke.. Both will be offloaded this summer.

[kid-glove]

Verminator shouldn't be skipper, as his place isn't guaranteed. Has same agent as RVP, Kos Vees Cunt Wanker.

We're heavily linked to Lloris too.

[kid-glove]

Yeah, Arshavin + Bendtner + Vela for sale. Moony released. Squid soon to be released. Denilson confirmed to be on loan to Sao Paulo for 1 year again. Joel Campbell loaned. Ryo Miyaichi will be loaned again.

Mannone + Fabianski want out too.

[kid-glove]

'Usmanov vs Kroenke' unfortunately is made into a big hoopla, it'd not be positive or negative. Kroenke will be silent as ever and not respond. But Usmanov does raise valid questions, except the timing is highly suspicious.

[kid-glove]

VAN GAAL! Isn't that the great man who won CL and bred Xavi + Iniesta, or is he the nutter who undressed to show his balls to Luca Toni.

[VENKIRAJA]

Are we linked to Villa? Is this even a sarcastically realistic rumour?!

[kid-glove]

It's a bad rumour. No, we're not signing him. He's not moving out of Barcelona. Why Barca are after RVP when they've not played a striker like him. Messi, Sanchez, Pedro, Villa, Afellay, Tello, Cuenco are all mobile strikers with ability to make best out of Barca style.

[raghavendran]

btw Laliga to be aired on Espn...finally relief from Ten

[PARAMASHIVAN]

Chelsea captain John Terry is on trial accused of racially abusing fellow footballer Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match. He denies the offence.


Ingleend :thumbsup:

[kid-glove]

Isn't Anton Engurlander too. :lol:

[PARAMASHIVAN]

Isn't Anton Engurlander too. :lol:

Yeah he plays for Queens Park Rangers

[kid-glove]

So the victim is Ingeeland too.

[PARAMASHIVAN]

Yeah :| Many of the footballers do not come from a decent family background, this is the reason for their immature behaviour, Goony , sorry Rooney was born and bought up in one of the deprived Council Estates!

[kid-glove]

Of course, Football unites people of different races, religion, ethnic and economic background.

None more so when Arsenal travel overseas and gets love from loyal fans, who stick to them after 7 years without a trophy.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/free-video-the-best-of-last-year-s-tour

[satissh_r]

KG, did you check on twitter, BBC reporting RVP not going on tour, Arsenal have received bids from United, City and Juve.. Where do you think he'll end up?

[satissh_r]

Premier League Fantasy Football

Code for classic league : 48193-49952
Code for Head 2 head : 48193-49984


http://fantasy.premierleague.com

[kid-glove]

KG, did you check on twitter, BBC reporting RVP not going on tour, Arsenal have received bids from United, City and Juve.. Where do you think he'll end up?

He could go to hell if I had my way, we will sell to non-PL club if right offer comes.

[NOV]

malaysia vs arsenal tonite :shoot:

[NOV]

the stadium is practically empty :rotfl:
wenger looks tensed .. surely malaysia is gonna lose 10-0 :shaking:

[NOV]

Malaysia leads by 1-0 at first half :lol:

[NOV]

malaysia was leading for first 87 mins.... :sigh2:

final score malaysia 1-2 arsenal

arsene says that physically arsenal was not ready :roll:

[kid-glove]

No logic whatsoever in friendlies because fitness wise not everyone are sharp and our kids like Eisfeld did far better in 10 minutes than our first team players.

And good turn out in the end for 90k capacity stadium. The crowd arriving late shows they're having an unhealthy work culture.

http://p.twimg.com/AylHUwDCYAEwY9j.jpg

Shite pitch. Really India's Salt Lake Stadium would woop this stadium's behind.

[PARAMASHIVAN]

Ingeelnd Pootbaal in the Olympics :rotfl3: How did they ever qualify in the 1st place ? :rotfl:

Japan thrash Espania :shock: :thumbsup:

[Sid_316]

Arsenal are on the verge of signing sahin on loan!

[NOV]

MC 2-0 Arsenal :sigh2:

[kid-glove]

The Manchester City keeper had been busy this evening; an indication of Arsenal’s dominance in all but the scoreline. However, Mancini’s side had been much more clinical.

Craig Eastmond and Oxlade-Chamberlain both went close in the dying stages as Wenger’s men kept pushing forward.

But a combination of the Manchester City defence, Pantilimon and the woodwork had kept Arsenal at bay this evening.

[satissh_r]

Arsenal are on the verge of signing sahin on loan!

Just read on twitter that Wenger denied it. He would suit us well but SAF seems to be looking elsewhere :sigh2:

[kid-glove]

Heard sometime back that Sahin wants to be with Real, and he refused Spurs, but of course, Spurs are Spurs.

Sahin would suit us too. With Rosicky/Wilshere missing 2-3 months, Ramsey off to Olympics but all-time low confidence that he couldn't even get into a poor MF, Diaby is uber talented but a crock too.

[villan007]

Cazorla, Sahin...my head is spinning

[ajithfederer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY4i80q5ZVA&feature=g-u-u

Another new one from Adithya reds.

[kid-glove]

Superb editing. Nice meesical choices. But ippo ella pasangalum Zimmer-Batman score POtturainga.

Useless 2 meters from defender touchline showboating-a thavirthu irukkalam..

Wayne Rooney dive pOdama, ennavo horseface nadhari Maradona madhiri score panna madhiri pOttu irukkan.

Now watching their 99 victory by set-piece says how very similar to Chelsea's win last season.

That aside, nice video. Martin Tyler is God.

[kid-glove]

I love compilations like these (over emotional tearjerkers/hair-risers):



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC6SVFOs-_0&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpBPbP76ojI&feature=channel&list=UL

[raghavendran]

watched Neymar play for the first time in the olympics..good talent..got tremendous pace..amazing how Football keeps getting promising players for the future..bring him to europe,will be good fun..

[kid-glove]

Not just him, Oscar, Damiao, Ganso, Moura, together with Eu imports Ramires, T Silva, etc should be ready for domination by 2014. Their only problem will be Messi, not Spain.

[raghavendran]

yes..very promising..am done with Spain's "passing" game..

btw i am turning out to be a big fan of the man in ur DP..done with s02 now...:)

[ajithfederer]

Neymar Brazil dhaane :oops:. Camaan Neymar.

[kid-glove]

Future is America. Fact.

[Death Note]

Cazorla, Sahin...my head is spinning

Cazorla deal done, Sahin loan deal nearly done, according to reports :D

[kid-glove]

I will wait a little while longer, for it to be on .com

[Death Note]

I will wait a little while longer, for it to be on .com

People on twitter saying it'll be announced on monday, lets see.

[kid-glove]

I read KG is a pervert. It's on twitter, so it must be true!

[Death Note]

I read KG is a pervert. It's on twitter, so it must be true!

Got it from reliable Twitters of journalists and people who are involved with the club. But like you said its better to wait for it to be on Arsenal.com.

[villan007]

According to them M'Vila is having a medical for 3-4 weeks :P

[Death Note]

According to them M'Vila is having a medical for 3-4 weeks :P

Twitter is a funny place :p, Sometimes you have to decide who to believe or not. Many say Cazorla deal done.
I think M'Vila deal dead now.

[raghavendran]

Utd's next tour game is against Barca on 8th aug....want a rejuvenated Utd this season...its been long since they turned up

[Sid_316]

Finally it's on arsenal.com. Cazorla IN. :smokesmirk:

[kid-glove]

Is Rvp still not happy with the direction we're making !

Brilliant signings, Arsene. But bigger job in defensive coaching when we don't have the ball.

So so happy we got the three, Cazorla, Poldi, Giroud could all do the dirty job. Got experience we need.

[kid-glove]

So for price of one Andy Caroll, we've signed Poldi, Giroud and Cazorla. :lol2:

[kid-glove]

Cazorla is the closest thing to Pires.. Ever so happy we got him.

[Death Note]

So for price of one Andy Caroll, we've signed Poldi, Giroud and Cazorla. :lol2:

Under £15m, its a steal :D

[Death Note]

So for price of one Andy Caroll, we've signed Poldi, Giroud and Cazorla. :lol2:

Under £15m, its a steal :D
Hopefully he'll play agianst Koln.

[kid-glove]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYDwTrJO7pc

[kid-glove]

http://news.arseblog.com/arsenal-player-profiles-201213/

:rotfl: :rotfl2:

Vito Mannone is a classic

Strengths: Looks like a Mafia henchman. Makes a fine carbonara. Owns his own gloves.

Weaknesses: Looks like a Mafia henchman who always gets killed in the first gunfight in a movie.

[Sid_316]

Park

Strengths: Avoiding national service. Looking stoic on the rare occasions he’s allowed out in public, capable of Jason Bourne type hotel room departures.

Weaknesses: Possibly football, but it’s tough to say.



:lol:

[kid-glove]

Song, Black Pirlo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjbazhvwBe4

[Sid_316]

Barca have started their work. Iniesta will welcome black pirlo it seems.Gandu etha arambichitanga

[kid-glove]

On their official site as well :hammer:

[VENKIRAJA]

Liverpool wants to 'lure' Walcott. Media's sense of humour is rising by the day!
Meanwhile, in other news: Robin van Persie is in line to play in Arsenal's friendly in Cologne tomorrow (Mirror).

[raghavendran]

http://i49.tinypic.com/21e4u2d.jpg

all i can say is...The Season Is Underway

Just Bring It City :shoot:

[satissh_r]

Premier League Fantasy Football

Code for classic league : 48193-49952
Code for Head 2 head : 48193-49984


http://fantasy.premierleague.com

Just a reminder folks

[villan007]

Joined :thumbsup:

[Sid_316]

Persie joins utd. It's official now.

[Warden]

Good bye b@Stard.

[VENKIRAJA]

I think this will be Arsenal's toughest season in Wenger's tenure.

[VENKIRAJA]

Just a reminder folks
Premier League Fantasy Football

Code for classic league : 48193-49952
Code for Head 2 head : 48193-49984


http://fantasy.premierleague.com

Done :cheer:

[villan007]

I think this will be Arsenal's toughest season in Wenger's tenure.

Last season was.. this time we're atleast prepared. Giroud/Poldi will replace VP and we've bought Santi in

[kid-glove]

Every new season feels like toughest. Not today, even the Magic hat years..

[raghavendran]

Persie for Utd...:thumbsup:..expecting a Andy Cole,Dwight Yorke Combo..:)
this season will be tough for Wenger..its always difficult to replace a player who scores in almost every match

[VENKIRAJA]

Last season was.. this time we're atleast prepared. Giroud/Poldi will replace VP and we've bought Santi in

Every new season feels like toughest. Not today, even the Magic hat years..
Even if Song departs? I am worried about that, not RVP.
RVP+Song > Cesc+Na$ri.

And JW10 :clap: Good move by Le Prof.

[kid-glove]

If we don't replace Song, then yes..

[VENKIRAJA]

If we don't replace Song, then yes..
M.Vila? You must have watched him play.. Is he that good?
Who are the other capable CDMs in the game? All I know are Cambiasso, Vidal and Toure.

[kid-glove]

M'vila (good)/Capoue (good and cheaper)

Bigilia (seems talented, cheaper, but from a weaker league)

Javi Martinez (going to Bayern for 40m)

Wayanama - name rhymes with rava upma

Ki - promising, from Olympics.

Sahin - supreme talent, but needs a tackler like Bender/Khedira alongside. Arteta is not that.

[satissh_r]

Sahin - supreme talent, but needs a tackler like Bender/Khedira alongside. Arteta is not that.

Some of the english press reporting he's more likely to end up with you folks rather than Liverpool. Wenger acknowledged this in his presser today it seems

[Death Note]

M'vila (good)/Capoue (good and cheaper)

Bigilia (seems talented, cheaper, but from a weaker league)

Javi Martinez (going to Bayern for 40m)

Wayanama - name rhymes with rava upma

Ki - promising, from Olympics.

Sahin - supreme talent, but needs a tackler like Bender/Khedira alongside. Arteta is not that.

That's ridiculous, I thought Bayern would know better than to splash that amount of money on an relatively unproven player.

[VENKIRAJA]

Song gone . (http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-agree-terms-with-barcelona-for-song)
Official.

[kid-glove]

Good player. Great vision. But Wenger got rid of him for couple of reasons. 1. Attitude (seems to be a problem for Bouldy) 2. Over-zealous attacker.

Sahin already lined up as per Twitter. M'Vila possibly. But we know it's never 'done' until it's on 'dot' 'com'.

Meanwhile, Aguero out for the season. Shame for Citeh and the league. Great player.

[kid-glove]

Meanwhile Southampton played some lovely stuff and offered resistance. Citeh don't look airtight with Rodwell in there. If they get De Rossi, then the alternating box to box midfield with Yaya would be nearly perfect.

They will now go for another striker, which is a shame, they could always bring back Adebayor. :lol2:

Bet you they'd be in for Cavani/Jovetic, a striker we should also be in market for, but won't. Wenger wants to enforce the midfield.

[kid-glove]

Swansea sign Ki from Celtic for 5m!

Laudrup. :clap:

[NOV]

New season
Old Manager
New records
Hopefully.....

[raghavendran]

well played Everton..is there any game in epl one could predict?..Fellaini :clap:..what a talent..really tore us apart,like he did in the previous fixture..lots to work on at the back..strange to see RVP in Utd colours..upfront its very promising though

[kid-glove]

I don't think you guys needed him when you already got Kagawa (had a great game vs Everton), as a BvB follower, I could assure you that he's a bargain for 17m!

RVP is a luxury. A stupid investment by Glazers to appease irate fans.

You need a MF, still time to hijack Sahin deal.

Need a specialist FB as well..

And if CB injury curse carries on, it's going to hurt.

[raghavendran]

RVP will provide options..always a luxury to have a player with that quality..rooney,Kagawa and persie will look good..Fergie will not break from his 4-4-2..so have to wait and see for the right combo..in the midfield i am a fan of Carrick..for me he is the best CM we have..looks like u guys have got Sahin...and Nani is rumoured to move out as well..my concern is the defence..Valencia,carrick are not natural(i hate when they play out of positions),vidic back from injury,evra is having a poor last couple of seasons..we are being hit on the break....we have got Alexander Buttner on the left now,lets see...

[VENKIRAJA]

RVP will provide options..
Options you didn't get from a 30mil Berb? Do you even remember that 'impressive lad' Macheda? With Welbeck and that Chicharito who is bloody brilliant inside the box? Don't ever blame Shitty for buying a team.. you have exactly done the same bloody thing! I hope United win nothing this season for all the hypocrisy.

[satissh_r]

With Berba the only problem was he slowed down our attacks, his style wasn't best suited to us. You know Fergie's obsession with wingers and strikers, when somebody like RVP becomes available he simply had to go for it. About we buying players and comparisons with City, I'll just say this, we don't overpay like City do.

[NOV]

venky, stop whining and get over it... we didn't go for him... he wanted to leave.

[raghavendran]

what is wrong in going for RVP? :lol:..he is a top class player with the best first touch in the game today..who wouldn buy him?..why did u let him go in the first place?...it was high time we went for some big signing after ronaldo departure..Berba is slow..didnt work with the pace of nani,young,welbeck,valencia and others..buying a team?..really?..Fergie is known for "building" a team rather than buying one...

[VENKIRAJA]

http://poznaninmypants.com/2012/08/22/they-say-were-a-selling-club-but-we-are-the-carthaginians-of-football/

[mareen]

Options you didn't get from a 30mil Berb? Do you even remember that 'impressive lad' Macheda? With Welbeck and that Chicharito who is bloody brilliant inside the box? Don't ever blame Shitty for buying a team.. you have exactly done the same bloody thing! I hope United win nothing this season for all the hypocrisy.

United didnt become 19 times champions overnight. Whereas City has just transformed themselves into EPL champions in 2/3 seasons so your argument of united buying a team is invalid. Everyone buys players to improve the squad - when its united the value goes up.

[kid-glove]

United did buy heavily before they became champions.

Also despite having a expensively assembled team finish runner-up, they break GB transfer record the immediate season.

I think few things went in their favor

1. European ban on English clubs (resulting in dismantle of then European heavyweight sides like Pool)

2. Matchday revenue of OT. Anfield, Highbury were traditionally industrial land stadiums.

3. BskyB

But still one has to say it's bit of a 'pot kettle black' in a decade they spent crazy money on Veron, Ferdinand, Rooney, Berbatov to RVP.

One also has to take in the wages they've paid historically. It's on par with Citeh, Chelsea.

Still, they could at least thank globalization and comercial deals that would help them see out Glazers and FFP.

[kid-glove]

RVP is not worth 71m worth of investment in wages and transfers. Agreed that he's in bracket of Messi, Aguero, Tevez, Rooney, Benzema, Ibra, etc, but when you buy Kagawa, you always want to start two central players. I suppose RVP's the luxury for the CL games and stuff. But too much of an expensive luxury.

And eye-candy for fans.

Maybe even a cotton wool for IPO. How is that going?

IF they had spent it more wisely on players they need in MF and specialist defender, they'd be much more in balance.

[mareen]

@kidglove - How does spending a lot on one player (including breaking transfer records) equals to building a team over two seasons? We paid huge sum for Ferdinand rooney and Berbatov agreed! But when did we buy Ferdinand and when did we buy Rooney?

[kid-glove]

In 2002, you spent 30m. mind bogglingly huge if inflation adjusted.

In 2004, you spent 26m, for a 18 year old. And if you consider the wages, and agent fees, I still wonder why Fergie moans about PSG's deal for Moura.

Pot kettle black.

[VENKIRAJA]

In 2004, you spent 26m, for a 18 year old. And if you consider the wages, and agent fees, I still wonder why Fergie moans about PSG's deal for Moura.
Typical Fergie brand of hypocrisy

[kid-glove]

More twist and turn in Sahin deal.

I suppose we'll have our answers soon.

If he's off to Pool, be a bit gutted if buy option is included. IF not, the reported figure of 5m loan fee + 60k per week (2.8m) = 7.8m is true, it's very much of a short term fix.

[VENKIRAJA]

I suppose we'll have our answers soon.
Why isn't Wenger just selling off all the dead load? Squid, Chamakh, Djorou, and want-aways Bendtner, Arshavin? These pricks are practically doing nothing!!
He is wasting the wages on these people and still complain about the wage scarcity to pay for Sahin? Is this such a complicated economic deduction?
Its been a puzzle why he is enjoying the company of sheer stupid GKs like Almunia, Fabianski and Szczesny for quite a long time now!

[kid-glove]

Szczesny is top 5 in PL, IMO.

Fabianski good shot stopper, but bad at crosses. But so is De Gea ;)

GK isn't our problem

Djourou is decent 4th choice CB.

But Squid, Bendtner, Arshavin, Park - I think are all out on loan/sales.

Chamakh will stay as backup if we don't get striker, might get rejuvenated without RVP. Let's not forget he was fantastic for first 5 months.

Sahin, more than wages, it's also 5m loan fee. Terribly short term shticks.

[satissh_r]

Typical Fergie brand of hypocrisy

Rooney had become an England regular by then and had PL experience whereas Moura didn't get in the starting XI of the Brazil Olympic team.. I see a difference there..

[satissh_r]

For all the hue and cry, it is Arsenal who are losing out on their players to City rather than us.. We aren't paying wages for players that have left us but City do with Adebayor.
We only bought one RVP who has said he wanted to come to us.. We'll see how this ends when the season comes to a close.

[kid-glove]

For Arsenal, replace with Everton, Spurs, Villa, Wigan, et.. issues remain the same. But as I said, commercial deals/global fan base/TV money/kit deal and stuff will always be on the high side for United, so it'd see them comply by FFP. But debt should be reduced on interest. It depends on Glazers really. They seem a tricky lot to my eyes. United fans say, more bad than good.

Citeh are over-zealous kids in Chocolate Factory, I expect them to reduce on the candy bars.. But there's no Willy Wonka around, sadly.

Chelsea likewise, but Roman's got a thing for them till-date and doesn't seem to wane. And it seems they're buying under-21's a lot more, and just about scape through the FFP constraints in future.

However if FFP does not come about, it's death of club football. The hegemony would destroy the enchanted wonderment and dispersion of talent.

[kid-glove]

AFC have something like 124m, but they have the high scale academy set-up in both numbers and in wages. A flat slope for first team players, therefore no sharp curves for mean, median and least variance/standard deviation. Something they've tried hard to reduce, but when Squid, AA, Bendtner, Park are all on comfortable pay scale which they wouldn't get elsewhere, it becomes a problem. This is where AW gets most flak, and rightfully. But I'd never say compensate this to paying 200k per week to a primadonna, that's never on.

Pool 135m, United 153m, City 174m, Chelsea 190m (disgusting)

[kid-glove]

Bar Cesc/Nasri, we've sold well last few seasons. Even Cesc/Nasri era in hindsight weren't taking us anywhere. So not only this dismantling is helping us close out our debts, it's brought up a breath of fresh air, new possiblities and adapted policy. Some fans remain in frustration, but like Gary Neville says, no use over crying over strewn over grain of sand, the beach doesn't wear itself down.

One of my favorite responses to Citeh 'raid' questions, is when Wenger puts it that if we do not sell Adebayor, they'll go get Samuel Eto'o. enna oru vilathanam :lol2:

[VENKIRAJA]

One of my favorite responses to Citeh 'raid' questions, is when Wenger puts it that if we do not sell Adebayor, they'll go get Samuel Eto'o. enna oru vilathanam :lol2:
Genius, that.

Bar Cesc/Nasri, we've sold well last few seasons. Even Cesc/Nasri era in hindsight weren't taking us anywhere. So not only this dismantling is helping us close out our debts, it's brought up a breath of fresh air, new possiblities and adapted policy. Some fans remain in frustration, but like Gary Neville says, no use over crying over strewn over grain of sand, the beach doesn't wear itself down.
I think Nasri was fine, Cesc was also fine. RVP, for a bit more could have not hurt this much (Maybe Wenger could have striked a better deal with PSG). Song's attitude is pointed out. So, we have to bear it quite painfully (Only if we don't find a suitable replacement).
I sincerely feel that Clichy is a loss. Well, even Cashley Cole was. But, he deserved to be sold. Not Clichy. Considering that our defense was weak after we sold him last year and we are yet to replace him with his class of player.

On hindsight, I wonder how PSG could have been if the ensemble they wanted to buy did materialize. Ibra, RVP, Lavezzi, Modric, Pastore, Silva. Massive :shock: Could almost be today's version of the Real Madrid Dream team.

[kid-glove]

I think Cashley's the only big loss. Best LB of the decade, for me.

Clichy had an error in him, always. And didn't suit Wengerball as we'd have liked. Never recovered after Brum 07-08.

PSG are raiding Serie A for now.

[VENKIRAJA]

Two competitive games for United. Stoke is a challenge and I don't expect 3 easy points.

[kid-glove]

Hmmm, draw is a good result at Stoke..

[kid-glove]

Yet to be convinced by United, their starting XI has looked too imbalanced in MF and Defense, but we knew that already. It seems like Fergie's motto for the moment, 'let's outscore them', would work. Fulham though inexplicably managed to miss few chances..

It has also dawned on me so far in this season, that a advanced MF player help annihilate opposition in the air as well as on the loose balls, or by their mere presence. Michu, Yaya, Fellaini, possibly Dembele..

So far, Nasri, Hazard, Kagawa, Cazorla have impressed as playmaking MF/Forwards.

Season seems open ATM.

Looks like Rooney will miss out 4-6 weeks for the ugly gash in his thigh..

[raghavendran]

Kagawa :clap:...RVP's goal...whoa..:bow:..a true striker...despite a poor defencive performance,these two players gave a lot to cheer..:)

[VENKIRAJA]

Liverpool played very well today. Season is going to be much more exciting this year! City managed to pull it through. They are finding it difficult without Aguero in the attack. And, Silva should have played instead of Nasri, I think.

[kid-glove]

Silva's been off the boil for a long time now. It'll be proved this season that not only Cazorla, but also Hazard/Kagawa would be more consistent playmakers than Silva..

Mancini single-handedly spoiling City's title hopes with his 3-5-2 experimentation..

[NOV]

I guess this season is going to see new contenders for the top 4....

[VENKIRAJA]

Roonaaey to be offloaded for 40mil£? :lol2:

[satissh_r]

Roonaaey to be offloaded for 40mil£? :lol2:

Lets see if Wenger will bid ;)

[kid-glove]

40m seems too cheap for AW.

[VENKIRAJA]

Lets see if Wenger will bid ;)
Wenger won't bid 40 million INR for Messi. Forget Roonaaey.

[raghavendran]

looks like Theo Walcott is up for grabs

[kid-glove]

Wenger won't bid 40 million INR for Messi. Forget Roonaaey.

Ha ha. But I think Messi for 40m is cheap, and AW would be first in line..

In our history, the only other player we were keen to spend that kind of amount (inflation adjusted)..

http://gossip.ladyarse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/maradon.jpg

[kid-glove]

He admitted it as much

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/91151-maradona-im-an-arsenal-fan-and-almost-signed-for-gunners

[satissh_r]

Champions League Groups

Group A

FC Porto
Dynamo Kiev
Paris Saint-Germain
Dinamo Zagreb

Group B

Arsenal
Schalke 04
Olympiakos
Montpellier

Group C

AC Milan
Zenit St. Petersburg
Anderlecht
Málaga CF

Group D

Real Madrid
Manchester City
Ajax
Borussia Dortmund

Group E

Chelsea
Shakhtar Donetsk
Juventus
FC Nordsjælland

Group F

Bayern Munich
Valencia
Lille
BATE Borisov

Group G

Barcelona
Benfica
Spartak Moskva
Celtic


Group H

Man United
Sporting Braga
Galatasaray
CFR Cluj

[satissh_r]

City :lol: We got a relatively easy group, hope we don't throw it away like last season...

[VENKIRAJA]

Group D

Real Madrid
Manchester City
Ajax
Borussia Dortmund
Group of death?

[satissh_r]

Group of death?

Easily.. How do you like your group?

[satissh_r]

Andres Iniesta gets UEFA Footballer of the year :clap: :notworthy:

[kid-glove]

Poor poor Dortmund. How United do this every season? Voodoo magic?

[satissh_r]

Poor poor Dortmund. How United do this every season? Voodoo magic?

Fergie does a voodoo dance just before the draw :noteeth:

[kid-glove]

Xavi deserved it more than Iniesta. But at least, in some part, they're a shared registry for Barca and Spain. It belongs to both, IMO.

[kid-glove]

Fergie does a voodoo dance just before the draw :noteeth:

Bet he did a step wrong last season..

[satissh_r]

Bet he did a step wrong last season..

Age caught up with him eventually I suppose :p

[kid-glove]

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i439/TheLovablePanda/Football/Arsenal/WengerSkillsSig.gif

[VENKIRAJA]

Easily.. How do you like your group?
Wenger didn't want to travel far. And we're sure of a QF berth.

[kid-glove]

Round of 16?

[VENKIRAJA]

Round of 16?
It should have been Semis. With the new signings wenger has assured ;)

[NOV]

and in Europa League, Liverpool draws 1-1

[VENKIRAJA]

How injury time is calculated when Man Utd play: Man Utd winning = 2 mins. Man Utd drawing = 4 mins. Man Utd losing = until they score.

[NOV]

whining again?
as always...

remember the final match of last season? Man City needed 2 goals to win the cup and they were losing to QPR until the 90th min?
Man Utd fans didn't whine...

[kid-glove]

Mate, It's called Fergie time for something..

[kid-glove]

Anyway, International break.

If Diaby gets injured again, I will hunt down all theists in this world..

[Warden]

Loving the new look Arsenal.Rigid,machine-like and highly effective.Our CL run should be fun.
Watched a fair bit of Malaga last season but still surprised to how seamlessly Cazorla has fit in.Very very Bobby like :)

[Warden]

And reg Giroud,not as concerned with his finishing as I'm with his link-up play or lack of.
Early days,but not feeling optimistic :(

[mareen]

How injury time is calculated when Man Utd play: Man Utd winning = 2 mins. Man Utd drawing = 4 mins. Man Utd losing = until they score.

Haha...this is what school kids uses to argue against each other. Lets get some quality discussion in here please!!

[kid-glove]

And reg Giroud,not as concerned with his finishing as I'm with his link-up play or lack of.
Early days,but not feeling optimistic :(

What's wrong with his link-up play?

And he gets on end of chances. His movement, work-rate, intensity all top-notch. Goals will come.