...::[The Footy Desk]::...

[Dave]

I wouldn't recommend it. The doctor said that if he took another beating from me there'd be permanent damage.

[adamcs]

 

orange scum

Tims showing their true colours again. Enjoy your ban.

 

 

Broadfoot is the only person I can think of that can replace Cuellar.

    * Bougherra can't play because Rangers signed him after the deadline

    * Andy Webster... First 3 minutes, he will be likely on a stretcher on route to Glasgow's Southern General.

    * Papac, possibly you can play him as CB but who's going to take the LB position

    * Christian Daily, I don't rate him at all.

 

I thought Kirk done a good job against Schalke and Kaunas when he played as a CB.

 

Anyway, Steven Davis signed for Rangers...

Our whole team is a disgrace at the moment. We have no midfield whatsoever - Ferguson is out for 4 months, Beasley is out for 3 weeks, Steve Davis is away back to Fulham after his loan spell, and Hemdani wants to leave. We've been trying to sign Davis on a permanent deal but as usual our board takes forever to negotiate, and we end up haggling over daft fees like £100k/200k. The situation is so bad that we played with two strikers in midfield against Liverpool on Saturday. No wonder we got hammered.

 

Cuellar is our most valuable asset and will be sold "to balance the books," just like Hutton was in January. To be honest though, I have a feeling he would have been sold regardless of yesterday's result, it's the way our board operates I'm afraid. Most fans get the impression he was left out yesterday to avoid being cup-tied.

 

This whole situation could have been avoided if we hadn't sold Hutton in January, that's when things started to go downhill. He was our best player at the time and our only creative spark on the field. Selling him cost us the league, which prevented automatic Champions League qualification + £10m, and it also (arguably) cost us the UEFA Cup (though perhaps that's stretching it a bit). He was pushed out the door for the money, and as a result we have no league, no Champions League and no £10m.

 

Although I'm slightly annoyed at Walter Smith for his team selection, most of this was the fault of the board and not his. They took a risk by selling Hutton half-way through the season, which backfired, they took a risk by not tying up the Davis deal before the qualifier, which backfired, and they took a risk by not allowing Hemdani or Cuellar to play yesterday incase they got cup-tied, which backfired. f*ckwits the lot of them! The chairman has made no secret of his desire to sell, and I just hope he (and his sidekick Bain) go sooner rather than later. They could go under a bus right now for all I care.

 

Anyway, it was an utterly shocking result and it's now time for me to turn my deflector shields on max. I don't want anyone else mentioning this result, capiche?

[Seddo]

You reckon the fans will turn on Smith now adamcs?, as he will be under quite a bit of pressure now.

 

Also do you reckon that getting knocked out of Europe will increase the hunger for the SPL or will the lack of confidence at the moment give you a bad start in which Celtic will take advantage.

 

It's a shame that you don't even get dumped into the Uefa cup really...

 

Oh and was that a perma-ban for GTA_kev? .

 

Liverpool have one more friendly game left at Anfield against Lazio and then we're off to Belgium, hopefully things go to plan in our Champions League qualifiers.

[adamcs]

I think more people are annoyed at Dodgy Dave (David Murray) than they are with Smith. To be honest I wouldn't trust Murray to appoint another manager anyway, after the Le Guen fiasco in 2006. Smith knows the SPL inside out, and given our current resources I think he's the best man for us. The only positive thing is the fact that Celtic haven't strengthened much, and they weren't all that great last season. We are also missing a lot of key players through injury which to be fair isn't Smith's fault. Once those players are back and the Davis deal goes through, I think we have a pretty decent looking squad. If Cuellar is sold (which I suspect he will be) then I believe there will be a major backlash against Murray. He is a cancer to our club and the sooner he goes the better.

 

[Edit] Maybe I should start smoking.

[Stefan.]

Well, less than 5 hours until the football starts. It should be good.

 

And at banning GTA_kev.

[AndyGanteks]

Partizan eliminated Inter Baku and now they are up to Fenerbahce.

There's a chance, but a minor one they go through to group phase... you never know because nobody did really expect them to eliminiate Newcastle a few years ago.

 

Also BATE Borisov in the 3rd round of the champions league...

[Vince_ThePhoenix]

 

Well, less than 5 hours until the football starts. It should be good.

For any of the people in the UK wanting to watch the matches they're on British Eurosport live at 10am and 12.45pm and I think there are highlights on a night as well.

 

 

Edited August 7, 2008 by vicenzo312

[Seddo]

Well, less than 5 hours until the football starts. It should be good.

For any of the people in the UK wanting to watch the matches they're on British Eurosport live at 10am and 12.45pm and I think there are highlights on a night as well.

 

 

What footy is that then, Serbian league?.

 

We have to wait 2 days for the Championship football and lower leagues and 9 days for the Prem and i can't wait, no more will Saturday's and Sunday's be boring .

 

Villa are close to signing Nicky Shorey and Luke young aswell, Villa strenging well, City Tottenham and Portsmouth aswell, where as Everton haven't even bought anyone yet, not looking good so far Timothy...

[Waddy]

Everton have finally sold AJ.

10.5Million and rising. Well thats one less player for the new start.

[Mav.]

Well, less than 5 hours until the football starts. It should be good.

For any of the people in the UK wanting to watch the matches they're on British Eurosport live at 10am and 12.45pm and I think there are highlights on a night as well.

 

 

What footy is that then, Serbian league?.

 

 

Nah, Australia vs. Serbia.

[Crokey]

Pft, City have been starting the season well before anyone else.

 

But I still think we need some more folk in before the deadline, that's unless you believe that drivel in the papers about us being in 'trouble'.

[Stefan.]

Well, it's still 0-0, and Serbia in my opinion are playing much better football than Australia. They're a bit timid so we might not see a goal until the second half.

[Seddo]

Pft, City have been starting the season well before anyone else.

That's your own fault for not qualifying for Europe in a decent way , you're still lucky that all the top teams with a better disciplinary record than City are already in Europe.

[mark-2007]

Well, less than 5 hours until the football starts. It should be good.

For any of the people in the UK wanting to watch the matches they're on British Eurosport live at 10am and 12.45pm and I think there are highlights on a night as well.

 

 

Ah well, guess I won't be watching any since I don't have Eurosport.

[muscularmatt]

Ahh cool, You a midlander like myself?

I'm a villa fan

yow'r from where they spek propa eh?

 

[Bates_GTA]

Ahh cool, You a midlander like myself?

I'm a villa fan 

yow'r from where they spek propa eh?

 

Indeed.

Where abouts are you from?

[Vince_ThePhoenix]

Watched Brazil beat Belgium 1-0 earlier and it wasn't a great performance by Brazil. Belgium were organised and caused problems going forward on occasions while the Brazilians were blunt in attack despite some decent individual performances. Diego was good on the ball but didn't produce enough end product. The two full backs really bombed on and created problems for Belgium. Ronaldinho and Pato both had decent if unspectacular performances as well. I was late in and missed the first few minutes but apart from the second yellow for Fellaini he got most things right. I can't believe Vertonghen didn't get carded though. He should of got at least one yellow and maybe more.

 

Saw extended highlights of the Italy mauling Honduras 3-0. I've seen a bit of this Italian team before and they look very impressive. Basically a team of Serie A regulars with some very talented players on show. On paper they're the only team that can really challenge Argentina and Brazil for gold.

 

The Netherlands v Nigeria wasn't the greatest game. Both sides were fairly cautious and other De Guzman the Dutch had nothing going forward. Their problems were a lack of quality in centre midfield and poor performances from the big names like Babel and Makaay. Nigeria were fairly solid with some impressive attacking players notably Nsofor. Nigeria came close quite a few times and could of won the game. Anyway, 0-0 against really strong Nigerian players. Probably Holland's toughest opponent in the group. The next opponent will be the USA. It certainly won't be easy, but I can see Holland winning that one.

 

All results:

17.00:

Australia - Serbia 1-1

Japan - USA 0-1

Brazil - Belgium 1-0

Honduras - Italy 0-3

 

19.45:

Ivory Coast - Argentina 1-2

Netherlands - Nigeria 0-0

China - New Zealand 1-1

South Korea - Cameroon 1-1

 

[Bates_GTA]

Nickey Shorey to Villa

 

www.avfc.co.uk

 

Nicky Shorey this evening completed his Villa Park move and insisted: "I can achieve all my ambitions at this football club."

 

The 27-year-old England international becomes Martin O'Neill's fourth new signing of the summer and will join up with close friend and former Reading team mate Steve Sidwell at Villa Park.

 

[Vince_ThePhoenix]

Shorey would be a very useful acquisition for you.

 

Fee agreed - on his way for a medical and to discuss personal terms.

http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsD...1360066,00.html

[Bates_GTA]

Shorey would be a very useful acquisition for you.

 

Fee agreed - on his way for a medical and to discuss personal terms.

http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsD...1360066,00.html

Yeah, Brilliant replacement for Mellberg, Big shoes to fill in the fan's eyes but i believe he will settle in well. Him wanting another few National Cap's will help our corse aswel, look's like he's happy to join.

[Seddo]

Chelsea have offered Madrid 19.7 million for Robinho, i doubt that will get accepted though, he seemed like a pretty valuable player for Real last season with a fair few decent performances aswell as chipping in with the odd goal and assist.

[Stefan.]

Serbia were much better than Australia in my opinion; we were just unlucky in the end.

[Girish]

Chelsea have offered Madrid 19.7 million for Robinho, i doubt that will get accepted though, he seemed like a pretty valuable player for Real last season with a fair few decent performances aswell as chipping in with the odd goal and assist.

Not sure but I guess we can wait till the end of August. Robinho himself is desperate to turn Blue and I believe Madrid might just give in to an offer somewhere around 25mil.

[Waddy]

Chelsea have offered Madrid 19.7 million for Robinho, i doubt that will get accepted though, he seemed like a pretty valuable player for Real last season with a fair few decent performances aswell as chipping in with the odd goal and assist.

Not sure but I guess we can wait till the end of August. Robinho himself is desperate to turn Blue and I believe Madrid might just give in to an offer somewhere around 25mil.

You are probably right.

I was reading that Chelsea would be increasing his wages by an extra 2million a year. I would be very unsure of him to be honest. I think hes one of those players who wouldnt adapt to the prem, this is just IMO.

 

[Vince_ThePhoenix]

I think Anelka's pre-season form is what's stopping Scolari from buying a new striker.

[Eddie280]

Oi! Tottenham, Villa! HANDS OFF DEAN ASHTON!

[greebo-man]

Oi! Tottenham, Villa! HANDS OFF DEAN ASHTON!

We kinda need him. What with losing Keane and, likely, Berbatov. Modric looks good, but who's he gonna partner? Bent? No thanks. Ashton and Modric could go pretty nicely I reckon.

[Vince_ThePhoenix]

If you did sign Villa, what a signing it will be! Berbatov-Villa would be without doubt one of the best partnership in the premierleague. But don't forget you have Bent too who under the right guidance can score a few.

I think Spurs should buy Villa and keep Berbatov too I say, that would then only take a net spending to about £35m.

[greebo-man]

 

If you did sign Villa, what a signing it will be! Berbatov-Villa would be without doubt one of the best partnership in the premierleague. But don't forget you have Bent too who under the right guidance can score a few.

I think Spurs should buy Villa and keep Berbatov too I say, that would then only take a net spending to about £35m.

I think he meant Aston Villa.

But I agree with you on the David Villa front. Him and the Berb would be sick up front.

But I'll settle for just keeping him, to be honest.

And with Bent, I'm just really disappointed that in two years of being here, he has scored like 5 goals. And he cost the same amount as Thierry Henry.

He was magic at Charlton, maybe if we had nurtured him more, played him a little more, he could have recreated that form for us. Oh well.

 

And here's to the football season; Starts tomorrow! Come on Argyle! They got wolves at home, could be tricky

[mark-2007]

Three Boro fans have been let off with suspended 2 year sentences for beating the sh*t out of some Chelsea fans. The oldest was 47, I would have thought you'd kinda grow out of the tribal behavior by then, or hoped at least.

 

Anyways, they pleaded guilty and have been given 2 year suspended sentence. The fat, ugly 47 year old was as aggressive as ever upon being confronted by reporters, shoving the camera man out of the way.

 

f*ckin' disgrace, he should get far longer than that, or at least not suspended.