[Archived] Other premier league 2011-12

[Sparky Marky]

Liverpools players reaction is embarassing. You'd think they just won league or european cup. What a fall from grace....and they were very very lucky.

[thenodrog]

And in that time showed an interest in the jobs at Chelsea, Newcastle and City

Well leaving NUFC out of that equation who wouldn't? And taking them into the equation lots would pack in their current jobs to manage the Geordies too. Certainly every one of our past half dozen managers would walk to Newcastle for the job..... except oddly enough the current incumbent of the managerial chair. I've a very strong suspicion that NUFC couldn't even come close to matching his current remuneration once everything is taken into account.

btw Hughesy how do you think the footballing world actually rates us? You appear to be stuck in a 92-95 time warp.

[thenodrog]

I didn't have any real qualms when he left us for City, but the way he jumped ship at Fulham was absolutely shameful and has come back to haunt him since.

City under Shinawatra weren't the deal that they are today remember. Strong rumours abounded at the time that he had been 'promised' the Chelsea gig. He was Kenyon, Arneson and Bucks choice but unfortunately the one who mattered didn't agree. Man City's Cook who had been chewing Hughes's ear for some time stepped quickly into the breech. I seem to rem he agreed to join City in the London hotel that he was staying in when he missed out on Chelsea.

As for Fulham I think one has to work closely with Alf to fully 'appreciate' the difficulties involved.

[Hughesy]

btw Hughesy how do you think the footballing world actually rates us? You appear to be stuck in a 92-95 time warp.

Currently around 18th in the best league in the world.

[67splitscreen]

Fulham have announced the signing of former Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, pending the successful completion of a visa. The 30-year-old will join on a free transfer until the end of the season, with the option of extending his deal by a further year.

[John]

Fulham have announced the signing of former Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, pending the successful completion of a visa. The 30-year-old will join on a free transfer until the end of the season, with the option of extending his deal by a further year.

Always seen this guy touted around, how good is he?

[DE.]

Always seen this guy touted around, how good is he?

Left Monaco on a free in the summer and only just been picked up... unlikely to be much of a success imo.

[Audax]

I quite enjoyed last year's League Cup final Birmingham vs. Arsenal, the Gunners would have been very happy to get that silverware and of course, it gets a club into Europa play. Now, many will see Europa as very secondary to the Champions League but the Champions League should really be only for the Champion Clubs to play in from countries anyway. Right now, Manchester United is playing to win the Europa, City may be in that tournament still too, not fully keeping up on it. Not really that bad. It's a bit too bad Cardiff could not win, they deserved it imo.

[roversmum]

Have never agreed that clubs booted out of Champions League should be allowed into Europa, not fair on clubs who are already in it in my opinion.

[Mattyblue]

It just makes an even bigger mockery of the Europa League (if that's possible).

Making Man City kick off at 5 o' clock on a Wednesday afternoon was another masterstroke, it's like Uefa WANT it to look ridiculous.

[LeChuck]

Making Man City kick off at 5 o' clock on a Wednesday afternoon was another masterstroke, it's like Uefa WANT it to look ridiculous.

It's not quite as ridiculous as it first seems though. Man Utd were playing at home as well and they can't play on the same day, so one had to be moved.

I guess it was moved to 5pm and not later in the evening so that it didn't clash with Champions League kick off times on the same day.

[thenodrog]

It just makes an even bigger mockery of the Europa League (if that's possible).

Making Man City kick off at 5 o' clock on a Wednesday afternoon was another masterstroke, it's like Uefa WANT it to look ridiculous.

If they felt humiliated City could have withdrawn I assume? As it stands I'm sure their supporters will enjoy European involvement it as much as we did.

[DE.]

Champions League teams dropping into the Europa League does make the competition look smalltime - particularly when Ferguson comes out and says he doesn't even want to be in it.

[Audax]

Champions League teams dropping into the Europa League does make the competition look smalltime - particularly when Ferguson comes out and says he doesn't even want to be in it.

Manchester United really look bigtime crashing out because Basel Switzerland finish ahead of them, sure, would there be any difference if Manchester United face Barcelona again in the Champions League again? Barsa have absolutely embarrassed Man Utd. 2 times in the final in the past 5 years, that doesn't look so "big time". Well, the Red Devils could win it with Cristiano Ronaldo in the last decade.

Sorry, I don't mean to say anything disagreeable, but Ferguson really shouldn't talk and if Manchester United won the Europa Cup, I'm sure we'd see celebrations.

There's really no shame in being in the Europa League and second tier clubs like Atletico Madrid or Fulham can make the final. In the end, a lot of the Champions League winners are just money teams and as far as I'm concerned, Champions League has probably been bought in the past as well as often having dodgy refereeing. SAF shouldn't really complain, MUFC just may not belong in the Champions League this year. MUFC wouldn't be the first "big club" with an off year to be in the Euro League.

[John]

"@david_conn: Aston Villa announce they lost a very hefty £54m in 2010-11. Up from £38m the previous year; Randy Lerner has put another £25m in #avfc"

[PAFELL]

"@david_conn: Aston Villa announce they lost a very hefty £54m in 2010-11. Up from £38m the previous year; Randy Lerner has put another £25m in #avfc"

I saw this also. Just wondering where Qatar come into this. Why is Lerner putting in this money if Qatar on verge of possible buying the club.

[Stuart]

I saw this also. Just wondering where Qatar come into this. Why is Lerner putting in this money if Qatar on verge of possible buying the club.

Great point.

[Devon Rover]

Great point.

Might Lerner's funds have been put into the club earlier in the accounting year, possibly before any thoughts/discussions about him selling?

[Stuart]

Might Lerner's funds have been put into the club earlier in the accounting year, possibly before any thoughts/discussions about him selling?

Possible Dev but the tweet made it sound more recent.

[LeChuck]

"@david_conn: Aston Villa announce they lost a very hefty £54m in 2010-11. Up from £38m the previous year; Randy Lerner has put another £25m in #avfc"

Wow. For all that money, they look closer to being relegated than top half. It's the managerial decisions that have done him in - Doug Ellis left him with O'Neill who nearly took them to the CL, since then Houllier and now McLeish have just dragged the team down.

Still not sure how they've lost all that money; Downing and Young fetched a huge amount, as did Milner a year before that.

[Ricky]

Downing and Young were not included in the recent account LeChuck.

[Hughesy]

Downing and Young were not included in the recent account LeChuck.

Yep so that's about £40-£44m not included

Also mentions they have lowered bank debt by £8m

[LeChuck]

Downing and Young were not included in the recent account LeChuck.

Ah. Still, Milner would have been that year right? Other than Bent, I can't think of any big money signings they made in that time.

[Hughesy]

NZogbia?

[LeChuck]

I don't think he'll be included if Young/Downing aren't.