[Archived] Premier League Happenings

[jim mk2]

I like Fulham - even though they're a London club. Good set of fans, realistic and friendly. Fulham, Bolton and Rovers were promoted together in 2001 and although we slipped back down 2 years ago there are plenty of other clubs I'd like to see relegated before Fulham join us down with the dead men. Chelsea, Arsenal and ManU would be fine.

[Majiball]

Success at other clubs? Porto yes, what others? He spent an absolute fortune in the summer and the spuds have been at best, very average so far. Hardly the top four/champion side that many expected.

Added to that their North London neighbours are in a rich vein of form, whilst he can't change that, the gang at WHL will be seething that having spent a lot less Wenger has his lot playing a lot better.

I know that their net spend is almost zero, but they shipped one out and seven in, and none of the seven have set the world alight, manager's are judged on results and the success of their signings, AVB is doing poorly on both counts.

Apparently he had a fan who was singing " sacked in the morning" thrown out at their midweek European game.....ginger tosser.

If anyone is too take any blame it should be Levy. He dragged out the Bale saga to the detriment of the club by taking so long to agree a fee. Spuds signed god knows how many new 1st team players and basically left it all to the last minute. They were always going to struggle to gel as a team under those circumstances so it's far from just AVB. Levy's tottenhamish has sunk their hopes for this season.

[Amo]

http://sportinglife.aol.co.uk/football/news/article/22882/9052687/avb-hits-back-at-lord-sugar?icid=maing-grid7|uk-ws-bb|dl7|sec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D227110

Well said AVB! Wont do him any good though the ringleaders will be forming their pack now.

Cloughie was bang on about that 'spiv' Sugar.

[pick32]

Seems former Everton player Thomas Gravenson has done well for himself he just anounst his retirement for a second time after seeing his investment in financial company's raise his overall wealth to over 100million! He now lives in Vegas with his Czech model girlfriend.

[Jimmy612]

http://sportinglife.aol.co.uk/football/news/article/22882/9052687/avb-hits-back-at-lord-sugar?icid=maing-grid7%7Cuk-ws-bb%7Cdl7%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D227110

Well said AVB! Wont do him any good though the ringleaders will be forming their pack now.

I like AVB and I hope Tottenham stick with him.

If Levy has any sense (and trusts him) then Spurs should be looking 3, 4 or 5 years ahead and giving him time to develop the side he wants. They can't sack him when he has basically got a new squad to work with. They took the gamble of giving him £100m to spend. If they are willing to do that then I hope they would be willing to give him time to gel and develop that side.

Success will probably not be instantaneous with Spurs. Not like going in at Chelsea with a wealth of talent already. But for Bale, the former Spurs team was not that great. Include the departures of Modric, VDV etc then it was a bit of a re-build.

Football has become stupidly cut throat. Chairmen should stick with their appointments, and in this particular case AVB should be a long term commitment.

[M-K]

Success will probably not be instantaneous with Spurs. Not like going in at Chelsea with a wealth of talent already. But for Bale, the former Spurs team was not that great. Include the departures of Modric, VDV etc then it was a bit of a re-build.

He's wasted the money on what looks like a load of very ordinary players, including a non-scoring £26m striker with minimal resale value. He's had plenty of time to work, too - Spuds were spunking cash before the Bale fee was banked.

AVB has spent Champions League money on a Europa League team, so he should definitely be feeling nervous.

[Jimmy612]

He's wasted the money on what looks like a load of very ordinary players, including a non-scoring £26m striker with minimal resale value. He's had plenty of time to work, too - Spuds were spunking cash before the Bale fee was banked.

AVB has spent Champions League money on a Europa League team, so he should definitely be feeling nervous.

This is a full re-build from AVB. I'm not saying his signings have been wonderful because quite frankly I don't know enough about them yet. Paulinho looks a player, and I was mighty impressed by Capoue before his injury against Tottenham, he looked a Vieira type figure to me. Eriksen is clearly very talented too. Soldado to me is a strange one. He shows flashes of great link up play, yet so far flatters to deceive in front of goal. This isn't unfamiliar for striker to struggle at first in the PL. I'm not about to make any rash decision on him.

The only one I would say who I would be a little worried about at this point would be ironically the most expensive signing, Lamela. In fairness he is only very young but he looks extremely raw to me.

For me I believe a manager needs time unless of course things are an absolute disaster, which they aren't right now. If a chairman is prepared to give a manager £100m to re-build a full squad then surely he is prepared to give him at the very least a year to gel them.

If Levy has splashed all this money suddenly to think they'll walk in to the top four then he's very much mistaken. This season is incredibly competitive and with the perhaps 'surprise' emergence of both Arsenal & Liverpool, 4th spot is a huge ask. If he has gambled all of their money and wages on Champions League ala Leeds all those years ago then they might be in bother, I honestly have no idea of their financial situation.

[Majiball]

You have to help them as much of the pitch as on when they come from from very different cultural backgrounds. Not everyone can just up sticks and move to another country and adapt, some find it very hard. Just because you did something once also doesn't mean it can be done again with something with as many variables as re-locating to a new country. This will transpire into their game just as it would transpire into most's working life. Lamela is a seriously good player but he's gone from argentina to italy to england in the last two years and is only 21. That's not as easy as most think and then you consider the football aspect as well (ie not playing at his best currently), then who knows how it will go if it's not catered for. Another consideration could be this, pre-season is the most relaxed time of the season. You can have a laugh, joke buld friendships away from the pressure of winning every three days. Most of spurs signings walked straight into the season from the off, not easy when you then cannot even say hello to your new team-mates.

Jimmy why are Arsenal a surprise? Only one of the top 4 not to have a very new man in charge (ie complete change at the club) and some very astute business. My monies been on them from before Ozil but he's just the icing on the cake. Liverpool I'd wait on as United, City will get stronger as the season gets longer (ie players gel better and are better in the main anyway) so i'm not convinced they'll be there at the end. When was the last time we saw as much change amongst the English 'giants to coin a phrase?

Oh and here's a funny one I've been telling Gunners boasting. Ye great mate you'll win the league, it'll be a great moment for you guys as then you'll be able to say you've been more successful than Ryan Giggs and surely a 100 year plus year supposedly successful footballing giant such as your selves should have more titles than a 40 year old player. 13 a piece at present I am lead to believe, ryan Giggs has won the league as many times as the gooners in their whole history, lol.

[roversfan99]

I like AVB but for me his signings, although all talented players, don't make sense as part of a plan.

I agree that Lamela is the most puzzling signing. His best position is cutting in from the right, yet they already have Lennon has a proper winger and Townsend who likes to cut in from the right. He should have signed a quality left winger, Chadli looks crap and they should have signed someone of real quality on that side.

Soldado is a great goalscorer but needs quick service so, with players like Eriksen and Dembele in the centre who don't really look to get it forward straight away, Soldado isn't as dangerous as he could be. Negredo or someone similar would have been ideal for them.

Paulinho is a good player and Chiriches looks a bargain, and Eriksen is a talent but is there a plan?

[Commondore]

Meulensteen. Wrong choice, without a doubt.

They need someone who has been there & done it. This guy is not the man.

Their squad is pretty much made up of tricky wingers and nr. 10-type attacking midfielders, so it does make sense to bring in someone who can actually work with that rather than go for a stereotypical guts n' glory-style relegation battle. If I were a Fulham fan I certainly wouldn't want to see someone like Pulis try to play the long ball game with players like Taraabt, Ruiz, Berbatov and Rodallega...

[RevidgeBlue]

Surprised that Sam lost the battle of the footballing dinosaurs at the foot of the Premiership last night, I would have expected him to have that down as one of his priority games and to have won that one.

Overall there'll be a few nervous sides about now, a couple of weeks ago Palace appeared to have one of the relegation spots sewn up. Now they'll be thinking they have half a chance.

[Audax]

No one picked Crystal Palace to stay up, for that reason, I kind of hope they do. I don't really care to see any clubs drop but it has to happen.

[Rover_Shaun]

Surprised that Sam lost the battle of the footballing dinosaurs at the foot of the Premiership last night, I would have expected him to have that down as one of his priority games and to have won that one.

Brilliant

[Jimmy612]

Jimmy why are Arsenal a surprise? Only one of the top 4 not to have a very new man in charge (ie complete change at the club) and some very astute business. My monies been on them from before Ozil but he's just the icing on the cake. Liverpool I'd wait on as United, City will get stronger as the season gets longer (ie players gel better and are better in the main anyway) so i'm not convinced they'll be there at the end. When was the last time we saw as much change amongst the English 'giants to coin a phrase?

Oh and here's a funny one I've been telling Gunners boasting. Ye great mate you'll win the league, it'll be a great moment for you guys as then you'll be able to say you've been more successful than Ryan Giggs and surely a 100 year plus year supposedly successful footballing giant such as your selves should have more titles than a 40 year old player. 13 a piece at present I am lead to believe, ryan Giggs has won the league as many times as the gooners in their whole history, lol.

Oh good, as soon as I see that betting slip I'll accept just what a footballing oracle you are Maj.

Personally whilst I like Arsenal and I have always appreciated what Wenger has done, I never thought that they would be challenging realistically at the start of the season. Ramsey looked to be struggling, getting Flamini has been an uexpected revelation. Ozil, I mean who saw that one? Giroud is a different player, albeit I don't think he's the finished article, at times he couldn't trap a wet sandbag. Most of all they've always been susceptible to picking up a draw/defeat where a PL winning side wouldn't e.g. Villa away or something.

Suddenly they have this knack of grinding out results. Keeping clean sheets and nicking goals.

Just a hunch, but at some point in the season the wheels will come off a little bit - then we'll see whether Arsenal can be real title contenders. My money might still be on Chelsea at this moment I think.

Surprised that Sam lost the battle of the footballing dinosaurs at the foot of the Premiership last night, I would have expected him to have that down as one of his priority games and to have won that one.

Overall there'll be a few nervous sides about now, a couple of weeks ago Palace appeared to have one of the relegation spots sewn up. Now they'll be thinking they have half a chance.

Was listening to Talksport last night (I know, load of @#/? it is) and they were saying that WHAM were awful really.

I think their season hinges massively on Carroll coming back. It's been a disaster to lose him through injury.

[Majiball]

Oh good, as soon as I see that betting slip I'll accept just what a footballing oracle you are Maj.

Personally whilst I like Arsenal and I have always appreciated what Wenger has done, I never thought that they would be challenging realistically at the start of the season. Ramsey looked to be struggling, getting Flamini has been an uexpected revelation. Ozil, I mean who saw that one? Giroud is a different player, albeit I don't think he's the finished article, at times he couldn't trap a wet sandbag. Most of all they've always been susceptible to picking up a draw/defeat where a PL winning side wouldn't e.g. Villa away or something.

Suddenly they have this knack of grinding out results. Keeping clean sheets and nicking goals.

Just a hunch, but at some point in the season the wheels will come off a little bit - then we'll see whether Arsenal can be real title contenders. My money might still be on Chelsea at this moment I think.

So you open with a line based on one of 20+ in my post in a manner that can really only be taken as insulting from a post that hoped to start some debate. Then you end it by making your own prediction over the league winners after that opening line. You can be the oracle Jimmy, that was never my point or purpose, it's all yours.

[Jimmy612]

So you open with a line based on one of 20+ in my post in a manner that can really only be taken as insulting from a post that hoped to start some debate. Then you end it by making your own prediction over the league winners after that opening line. You can be the oracle Jimmy, that was never my point or purpose, it's all yours.

My apologies if you found it insulting Maj. The line was said more in jest than as an insult. I should really put the to more use.

I continued the debate as to why i felt Arsenal were perhaps not considered title contenders at the start of the season e.g. who could have predicted Ramsey stepping up as the player of the season thus far, Ozil arriving, Giroud improving, the grinding out of results etc.

Yes, I then made a prediction at the end based on who I think will win the title - surely also part of a debate?

Again apologies for any misinterpretation, we are here to debate after all. And a huge part of debate is often to joke/mock/jibe others. Just watch the BBC Parliament channel or watch my constant butting of heads with Rev. I still know the guy personally and get on well with him in the real world

[Majiball]

Fair enough Jimmy perception is a funny game.

I am happy to continue the debate as I love discussing football.

I think Chelsea will push them close but until one of their strikers starts scoring regularly I'm not convinced. I do think they'll finish second and push them most of the way as Jose is in charge but will fall short through a lack of goals. United, well Moyes would never have been my choice, Jose should have got it, but I remain to be convinced that Moyes will get them challenging. City are a strange one I didn't expect them to start so slowly but wonder if Pellegrini will need a season to adapt to better suit english football. They're great at home but away it doesn't work, they'll make top 4 probably 3rd, leaving spuds, pool and United to fight over 4th. Anyone but United can have it as I want United to finish out of the champions league this season.

PS you can't seriously consider watching politicians debating? It's all one-up man ship and pointless prattling by people who aren't qualified to be doing the job they're paid for. Point proven by the Chinese papers who almost unanimously all said we don't believe Cameron is sincere. Who'd have guessed it a British politician not being truthful, lol.

[jim mk2]

Surprised that Sam lost the battle of the footballing dinosaurs at the foot of the Premiership last night,e.

Football "dinosaurs" who have never been relegated from the top flight with relatively little money to spend at unfashionable clubs.

Twerp.

[K-Hod]

People are allowed to disagree with you Jim, you've gone downhill as a poster these days, so rude.

Anyway, thought Wet Spam played well last night, and shouldn't have had that goal chalked off.

[jim mk2]

People are allowed to disagree with you Jim, you've gone downhill as a poster these days, so rude.

Anyway, thought Wet Spam played well last night, and shouldn't have had that goal chalked off.

Not rude when presented with a load of baloney by a football ignoramus.

[K-Hod]

Not rude when presented with a load of baloney by a football ignoramus.

Yet, you then called him a 'twerp'. People in glass houses.

[DE.]

Palace made an excellent appointment in Pulis and whilst I still think they'll go down due to the lack of quality in the squad he'll give them a fighting chance. Assuming they stick with him there's every chance he'll get them back up again, too.

Allardyce will be disappointed with how things are going at WHU overall at the moment and I imagine he will come to regret the Carroll purchase as the season progresses. That said I still expect them to stay up pretty comfortably.

[jim mk2]

Yet, you then called him a 'twerp'.

Fair comment I'd say.

[Mike E]

Fair comment I'd say.

Given that comment you initially quoted was a joke relating to Sam's 'selective fixture' tendency, I've no idea why you think calling him anything is 'fair'.

If I called you 'senile' based on a football comment, surely you'd consider that rude?

Also: the only ignoramus is the one that can't have a debate without considering different views to their own.

[Tom]

Some goal again from Suarez

I remember some Liverpool fans saying in summer they wouldn't mind if he left, soon as it looked like he was staying they changed their tune