transfer news and speculation

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

So, Spurs sign another expensive striker - Helder Postiga - for what seems like a hella lot of money (6.25mil, rising to a possible 8.5). And more mystifyingly, Villa don't sign Joey Gudjonsson for a more than reasonable 2 mil, given some of his very good performances last season (and wasn't he sinned against? Both Duncan Disorderly and erm, someone else got bans for assauklting/spitting at him)

This thread is for those of us who miss the footie soooo much we need to conjur up rumour and speculation.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 07:45 (twenty-two years ago)

god bless you chris

have spurs signed him then? i dont know why they quibbled over kanoute and zamora they literally have NO STRIKERS

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 07:56 (twenty-two years ago)

According to the BBC it's a done deal, it's rather a lot for a relatively untried striker, but then he's been touted around as a star of the future for a couple of years. I'm sure Spurs will see to that though ;o)

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 07:59 (twenty-two years ago)

spurs are alarmingly leaderless, a young unproven striker is a nice vanity signing but if things go wrong i dunno, could be a maccarone situation. they need a tackler in the middle most of all

gotta love real, they are getting quieroz. that is libs!

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:03 (twenty-two years ago)

i am liking the look of arsenal's planned reinforcements a lot more than manyoo's. they are both knocking 4-4-2 on the head it seems. kewell and pires num num. maybe mexes or gallas also num.

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:06 (twenty-two years ago)

altho newcastle should blatantly go for gallas, i reckon they'd be ready for the laegue push if they get him and emerton

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:07 (twenty-two years ago)

also surprised no one has tried for chivu

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:08 (twenty-two years ago)

another season of laughing at spurs.

― gareth (gareth), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Chivu = dead set for either Barca or AC Milan apparently, he's bloody useful too.

Is Emerton actually that good?

Mexes = the future of defending

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:26 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't know why Glenn is trying to break up the Keane/Doherty partnership. It's like a cobra and a boa constrictor playing up front. Postiga will be the new, er, Crooks.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:29 (twenty-two years ago)

that'll please the pinefox at the very least.

but is his head small enough?

Haven't Keane and Doherty been scoring what few goals the republic have been getting?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:32 (twenty-two years ago)

"A self-confessed Spurs fan, Postiga has agreed a five-year contract" - masochist

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:35 (twenty-two years ago)

a season of mid-table mediocraty at Spurs (plus zero european action) will see Positga out of the portugese national squad in no time. when he realises which club he's joined he'll be clamouring for a long-term loan back to porto pronto. frankly i doubt he'll make it to xmas...

Postiga will be the new, er, Crooks

more likely the new rebrov (way to ruin another career Glen)

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:37 (twenty-two years ago)

i feel sorry for robbie keane, he is fucking wicked and easily worth £12m+ even now. also etherington is another good player wasted there

i thought chivu was set for real until del bosque confessed he had been asking for a defender every season and perez bought some galactico instead. but they just got rid of hierro, amazingly, so someone has to come... barca have no money and their lying new president is gonna get killed in the street at this rate. shpould have got koeman not bloody rijkaard! milan said they're done for signings but maldini's getting on

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:40 (twenty-two years ago)

I know what you mean about gobbing Frank, but he got Holland to the semis of the euros didn't he? Not at all sure about him though.

Rebrov comments by Disco Dave = spot on.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:47 (twenty-two years ago)

At least Gallas seems to have seen sense. I never understood why he joined his current band of fops when he is quite clearly a decent player.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Gallas is a decent player because he joined Chelsea.

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Having to cover for wheezing lummoxes like Desailly and Le Saux, yes, I see your logic.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 08:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Spurs will make a signing in midfield. Probably Carrick.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I like your optimisim Jel but you know we'll get someone like Jody bloomin' Morris.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:14 (twenty-two years ago)

i read that as jody moomin blorris

what am i doing reading this thread at all?

― mark s (mark s), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:16 (twenty-two years ago)

My favourite rumour so far > apparently a mystery middle eastern investor is willing to inject £15m into Chelsea to finance the purchase of Joe Cole and Scott Parker.

Jody bloomin' Morris > ha, you'll soon have a midfield full of blues rejects. if only you'd come in for zenden...

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:19 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, but morris is a freebie, I'm thinking there must be at least £3m left to spend. And I'd sell Carr, coz he's off on a Bosman at the end of the next midtable season.

Venables in charge by X-mas, with Hoddle demoted like Robson was at M'boro.

I'm glad we never got Ricketts.

This is the thread for wild speculation, after all.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Gallardo for Celtic?

― Cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:21 (twenty-two years ago)

There needs to be a footballer called Moomin, I bet there is a Brazilian chap with such a name...Moomindihno.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:22 (twenty-two years ago)

I hope that the Middle Eastern investor is Osama, then Chelsea can truly join the Axis of Evil. I think Joe Cole will go to Man Utd. I have no basis for thinking this mind you.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:24 (twenty-two years ago)

I still think Cole will stay at West Ham.

Haha no one has bought Defoe.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Moominho is such a good Interweb alias it ought to be some kind of ILX competition prize!

― Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:26 (twenty-two years ago)

lets all laugh at Arsenal for being rejected by every 'keeper to ever don the gloves. you'd think that someone would be up for it. who do you reckon they get? Dave Beasant? Moomintroll?

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:29 (twenty-two years ago)

I hope they sign back Richard Wright.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:30 (twenty-two years ago)

which is only premiership club to sign 3 full international players this summer?, [clue: one serb, one croat and a czech)

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:31 (twenty-two years ago)

richard wright = the rod hull of football

Pompey?

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:32 (twenty-two years ago)

yes, one 'arry redknapp.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Why do chelsea keep signing goalies? Could Cuddicini be off to the Gunners along with Gallas, bought with the proceeds of the sale of Viera?

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Pompey are pretty much the only team to sign anyone so far!! Leicester have signed a few journeymen, who else has signed anyone?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Is Roy Keane going to be the new United asst manager? If not, who?

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Dennis Irwin?

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:37 (twenty-two years ago)

bryan robson

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Vieira to Man U = Championship to Reds agane.

― Alex K (Alex K), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:37 (twenty-two years ago)

captain marvel

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Alex from big brother?

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:39 (twenty-two years ago)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2947620.stm

list of signings above

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:40 (twenty-two years ago)

No way jel. We've signed Macho and some other geezer as cover for Carlo, since De Goey has gone. I suppose the thinking is that you need 3 senior keepers. They also have two young goalies : Evans, who was on loan at QPR and somewhere else last season, and Pidgeley. Evans has played for England U21, so must be good enough to be one of the senior squad keepers. It's like the situation at Arsenal - Stuart Taylor looks pretty good to me, but he must be soundly pissed off to be pushed down the pecking order by various foreigners. I mean are Shabaan and Warmuz really any better than him.

CFC WILL sign Joe Cole AND Defoe. You read it here first.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Start your planning now!

http://msn.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,1860-1095044,00.html

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Dr C is OTM.

No doubt cuddicini will move to italy someday (hopefully later than sooner)to claim the national place that he deserves - very unlikely to switch to another english club tho. The young pups will get their chance. Unlike Monsieur Wenger, Ranieri is not afraid of young British talent.

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:47 (twenty-two years ago)

In the world where CFC is Celtic Football Club, Dr. C just made me very happy.

― Cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:50 (twenty-two years ago)

"The opening live match sees First Division champions Portsmouth's first game in the top flight for 15 years against Aston Villa"

what a stinker

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Chelsea will sign Joey from Betis just so I can use further my favourite football joke.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:51 (twenty-two years ago)

This thread was just Cabbage's ploy to get Jonnie back on the board

― Mooro (Mooro), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:54 (twenty-two years ago)

joey on the loose, jonnie?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 09:58 (twenty-two years ago)

More to do with Eidur sounding like either. It's very unfinished though.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 10:01 (twenty-two years ago)

always makes us laugh though

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 10:04 (twenty-two years ago)

ah, a bit like gerrard's cross or neville's cross then...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 10:05 (twenty-two years ago)

hooray! - Gallas' agent says they've agreed in principle a new 4 year deal at Chelsea. Bring on the bidding war for Mexes and Boumsong.

Heskey to Lyon is just silly.

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 10:40 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd like to see Boumsong in the Premiership, just because he has a great name. Is anybody bidding for Nakamura yet? He is quality.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 10:44 (twenty-two years ago)

this one beggars belief > just seen on SkySports News - Diego Maradona's son rumoured to be signing for Dunfermline. an exciting prospect says the chairman. a desparate grab for publicity says me.

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 11:26 (twenty-two years ago)

I *don't* miss football - clearly the close season needs to be longer - but I'm interested in today's transfer talk.

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 11:41 (twenty-two years ago)

There's no way Joe Cole is going to United - Dr C's suggestion of Chelsea is way more plausible.

Ferguson was desperate to sign him as a youngster - even brought him as a guest on the team bus to the cup final in 1996 - but not now.

To replace Queiroz it looks like he's promoting Mike Phelan, for the moment at least.

The Viera attempted swoop is well funny. The key to it is what Viera himself wants to do. If he wants to come to United (and he did two years ago before Dein etc said "over my dead body") then Arsenal can't run the risk that they'll get nowt in 12 months' time, not with the problems over financing the new stadium.

Still don't think it'll happen though.

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 12:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Have Wolves been linked with anyone yet? They need to be.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 25 June 2003 12:27 (twenty-two years ago)

carlton plamer to wolves?

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 12:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Trevor Sinclair, according to the Waltham Forest Advertiser I was reading last night.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 12:42 (twenty-two years ago)

he'd be a crazy man to go to wolves!

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 12:45 (twenty-two years ago)

i think keane will do well at spurs,they're not the greatest team obviously but he'll be on of the main players,he got a fair few goals last season considering he was injured
not sure about putting him up front with another youngish player though

― robin (robin), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 17:06 (twenty-two years ago)

this one beggars belief > just seen on SkySports News - Diego Maradona's son rumoured to be signing for Dunfermline. an exciting prospect says the chairman. a desparate grab for publicity says me.

Diego Maradona Junior's been doing the rounds of Scotland's smaller clubs for a wee while now - Clyde were supposed to have had him on trial last season but he decided he wanted to play for an SPL club. I don't think he's ever actually met his father though.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 25 June 2003 17:44 (twenty-two years ago)

He did once at training last year or something but it was very brief and snr barely acknowledged him.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 26 June 2003 07:22 (twenty-two years ago)

after watching much of the confederation cup i would like to see the following in the premiership at leeds (hopefully funded by one of them there mystery cash men)

1) alex - japan
2) alex - brazil
3) nakamura - japan
4) endo - japan

Does anyone hae any news on kleberson - his name has been banded around by many managers with no real decisions being made.

― james (james), Thursday, 26 June 2003 08:02 (twenty-two years ago)

The Mirror today had him being bought by your mob for 4 million.

That Nakamura looks very useful indeed.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 26 June 2003 08:09 (twenty-two years ago)

well we need a midfielder ~~and a left sided player, goalkeeper, central defenders, decent centre half because they have all been sold but hey im not bitter~~ so thats good i guess

― james (james), Thursday, 26 June 2003 08:13 (twenty-two years ago)

i thought chelsea were broke? i reckon they'll just have enough for joe cole, but in the middle with lampard? i dont like chelsea's midfield at all, very flimsy. rhys evans has been released i think, good little keeper better than ambrosio fo sho. forssell to return and set premiership alight? robert huth and that portuguese striker will be good i think this year

(as a qpr sufferer i must keep eye on other london club's kid rejects. leon knight, jerome thomas come to meeee)

what about liverpool? finnan's good but i am amazed they are not pursuing hakan yakin, he mullered them for basle last year. also what about these french kids, anthony le tallec is meant to be very creative.

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Thursday, 26 June 2003 08:17 (twenty-two years ago)

kleberson looked triffic against turkey. japan's alex is long linked to charlton

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Thursday, 26 June 2003 08:18 (twenty-two years ago)

i thought gavin mccann was def going leeds

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Thursday, 26 June 2003 08:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Hakan Yakin was going to Liverpool bu there's a funny contract in there somewhere that mmeans that if he hasn't signed by July the firsth then the price goes up to 3 million, and Liverpool won't pay that apparently.

They've been linked with Eto'o today and Yildiray Basturk yesterday. Both good, but not right, I want them to get Mexes or Boumsong.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 26 June 2003 08:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Manchester United getting Thuram plus cash for Veron? Best deal ever :(

― Mark C (Mark C), Thursday, 26 June 2003 08:25 (twenty-two years ago)

all the gossip from the bbc:
Arsenal may have no choice but to sell Patrick Vieira to Manchester United if their deadly rivals offer enough money. (The Mirror/The Guardian)

Real Madrid could also join the race to sign the highly-rated French midfielder. (The Mail)

Arsenal must pay £7m cash for Harry Kewell after Gunners winger Jermaine Pennant rejects a move to Leeds. (The Star/The Sun)

But Elland Road boss Peter Reid has not given up hope of convincing Pennant to be the makeweight in a deal. (The Mirror)

Aston Villa boss David O'Leary will allow frontman Juan Pablo Angel to join Spanish side Real Betis in a cut-price deal. (The Mirror/The Express/The Guardian)

But the former Leeds manager could be about to make his first signing, with goalkeeper Paul Robinson set for a move to Villa Park next week in a £4m deal. (The Mail) they are now reporting that this has happened

Blackburn would rather let striker Corrado Grabbi play in their reserves than pay up his £15,000-a-week contract. (The Mirror)

And Rovers boss Graeme Souness is ready to pull the plug on a deal for Parma left-back Vratislav Gresko because of his wage demands. (The Sun)

Defender William Gallas is poised to sign a new deal with Chelsea. (The Mirror)

But Gianfranco Zola could quit Stamford Bridge next week if he does not receive a better contract offer. (The Star)

Bolton are keen to sign Inter Milan defender Gonzalo Sorondo on a season-long deal. (The Star)

And they could make a similar swoop for Nantes striker Pierre-Yves Andre. (The Times)

Charlton are keen to sign Portuguese international midfielder Jose Luis Vidigal from Napoli. (The Mirror)

Roy Keane could become Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man in time following the departure of Carlos Queiroz to Real Madrid. (The Express)

Manchester United and Arsenal could be poised to swoop for Patrick Kluivert after the striker threatens to quit Barcelona. (The Star)

Nolberto Solano fears he could be off-loaded by Newcastle following the signing of Lee Bowyer. (The Star)

― chris (chris), Thursday, 26 June 2003 08:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Robinson to villa for 4m - jesus Leeds are pretty poor at present but does that kid have a death wish or something (although McKenzie was quoted as saying Leeds were in the enviable position of having two international keepers.....hmmm in 2001 maybe...now its a whole different kettle of fish)

― james (james), Thursday, 26 June 2003 08:49 (twenty-two years ago)

the Kluivert one is curious. does he have history with Rijkaard or something?

― David_X (David_X), Thursday, 26 June 2003 09:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Stuff below from the Guardian, but also Barca are talking to Valencia about Aimar (great player) and another of their stars...

The Dutch defender Frank de Boer was also told he was no longer wanted, and his compatriot Phillip Cocu was offered a new deal which reduces his basic salary and his bonuses. With reported interest from Arsenal, Cocu, currently earning £4.15m a season, has asked for "two or three days" to think about his response.

Patrick Kluivert, meanwhile, earns almost twice as much. The club must now decide whether to cut his wages, as his contract entitles them to do, but that would trigger a release clause set at £1.1m - and almost certainly interest from Britain and elsewhere.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 26 June 2003 09:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Kluivert has just got another hefty ban from the Spanish FA after his sending off so maybe he's getting ticked off with life in Barcelona. Van Nistelroy is trying to woo him to Old Trafford isn't he? Why would Barca want Aimar when they have Saviola? They should sign a keeper.

― Jonnie, Thursday, 26 June 2003 09:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Aha, NAC Breda are worried that Gobbing Frankie is going to nick their highly rated young keeper.

Scooby is trying to get him to the theatre of prawn, yes.

Aimar *and* Saviola, playing behind Kluivert = mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

― chris (chris), Thursday, 26 June 2003 10:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Leeds and Villa have agreed £3.25m fee for Robinson!! an unbelievable bargain if he'll sign...

― David_X (David_X), Thursday, 26 June 2003 11:07 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd love to piss the day away flicking between Sky Sports News and Wimbledon ;)

― Jonnie, Thursday, 26 June 2003 11:40 (twenty-two years ago)

don't forget the cricket jonnie ... tho england struggling to 191 from their 50 overs has not been pretty

― David_X (David_X), Thursday, 26 June 2003 11:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Disco boy - I hate you

― chris (chris), Thursday, 26 June 2003 12:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Most implausible transfer story I've heard today:

"Sensation: 'Raul set for United move'

John Brewin

The summer intrigue between Manchester United and Real Madrid could be set for an even more dramatic twist, according to rumours emanating from Spain.

After what looked like a cut-price £25m sale of David Beckham to the Spanish giants and the surprise appointment of United No.2 Carlos Queiroz as successor to Vicente Del Bosque, who was sacked less than 24 hours after winning the Primera Liga title, it has been suggested that Raul, the jewel in the Real crown, could be heading the other way.

According to Spanish radio Cope's 'El Tirachinas' show, the agreement reached on June 17 to transfer Beckham also included discussions over the Queiroz deal, and not on Monday as Real managing director Jorge Valdano had stated on Queiroz's appointment.

And, more sensationally, a deal was also discussed at the same meeting to send Raul to United for two seasons on a loan-type deal worth a comparable amount as the Beckham deal, meaning that United stood to benefit in more than cash terms from the loss of the England captain and the former Portugal coach.

Raul, undoubtedly the kingpin at the Bernabeu, has always seemed set to see out his playing days at Real but rumours of a bust-up with Real president Fiorentino Perez at Sunday's title celebration persist. Such a disagreement has already seen Fernando Hierro, previously given the captain's armband for next season, shown the Real door.

And speculation persists that, in the Real dressing-room, Luis Figo has taken the ascendancy - a claim evidenced by the arrival of mentor Queiroz and his statement that Beckham would play alongside the Portugese star and not in stead of him. The departure of captain Hierro and news of Raul's supposed disaffection have added weight to such a school of thought.

As for Raul deserting United, then statements earlier this season that he would only leave Real to go abroad and that he would favour Old Trafford as a destination seem to fit into this intriguing development as do statements from Sir Alex Ferguson, ever the flatterer with players he would like to have at his disposal, that Raul is the world's best striker.

Cope suggested the deal between the clubs is already done with the player himself only to agree terms.

With Ronaldo also reported by sports daily Marca to have pleaded with Real president Florentino Perez to sign his Brazil World Cup team-mate and United target Ronaldinho from Paris St Germain, the cauldron of summer speculation continues to boil over."

― James Ball (James Ball), Thursday, 26 June 2003 14:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Evans, who was on loan at QPR and somewhere else last season

Somewhere else? Are you trying to fall out with me, Dr C?

It seems almost inappropriate to be enjoying all this transfer speculation (as I have been) on the day that Marc Vivien Foe died.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 26 June 2003 20:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Oops - was it Rovers, Martin!!!

Other stuff :

Foe - desperately sad. A terrific player.

Parker to Chelsea - good news. They will still sign Cole and Defoe, but may have to sell Gallas? Hope not.

Robinson to.....VILLA! Odd one that. Obv the O'Leary factor at work, but why for less than £4M?

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 27 June 2003 06:19 (twenty-two years ago)

The Dutch defender Frank de Boer was also told he was no longer wanted

I'm surprised Rangers haven't been linked with him yet. His brother has had "R. de Boer" on the back of his shirt since signing, presumably so as not to be confused with F. when they finally get round to signing him...

Celtic have been linked with both Kleberson and Hakan Yakin since the January transfer window (actually Yakin since he took us to bits in the Champions League qualifiers). No moves yet though.

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 27 June 2003 20:56 (twenty-two years ago)

the real question is, who is going to sign ireland's new golden boy colin healy? i hear villa lead the chase.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Friday, 27 June 2003 21:29 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm not entirely sure Celtic are really wanting to let him go. Or that anyone is that interested in signing him. Celtic have been willing to listen to offers for some time and there's been a staggering lack of real interest as far as I know.

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 27 June 2003 21:32 (twenty-two years ago)

his contract runs out in a matter of days, though. there has been real interest (as in: contact with his agent) from o'leary (and also sunderland and everton, i think).

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Friday, 27 June 2003 23:41 (twenty-two years ago)

well Chelsea's mystery investor has surfaced and its a Russian Oil Baron/Politian. is he dodgy? probably is he the 19th richest man in Europe? definetly. will he finance the purchase of Joe Cole? hopefully.

come on Chelski.

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:48 (twenty-two years ago)

It would be very, very funny to watch the whole thing come tumbling down, though, wouldn't it? Although I expect Abramovich will funnel in a load of money, pay off Chelsea's debts and then slowly strip the club of all its assets.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Also, Newcastle appear to be slowly assembling the most unpleasant group of evil scumbags ever to appear on a football pitch and no one has commented on it. Probably because Bobby Robson is the Nice Old Man of football.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:01 (twenty-two years ago)

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:PPYcGcBWrZ4C:www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1987/gallery/340/jossysgiants.jpg

Newcastle have def slumped in there selection process

― james (james), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:37 (twenty-two years ago)

ah well that might have been funny if you could see the motherfupper

― james (james), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:38 (twenty-two years ago)

ihttp://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1987/gallery/340/jossysgiants.jpg

― gareth (gareth), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:42 (twenty-two years ago)

jossy's giants would have got more points than sunderland last season

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:46 (twenty-two years ago)

After all football is just a branch of science - right?

(Fuck off Ken Bates ha ha ha).

― Pete (Pete), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:56 (twenty-two years ago)

It's the beginning of the end

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 12:29 (twenty-two years ago)

and Kewell is going to Liverpool!

― chris (chris), Monday, 7 July 2003 14:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Kezman for Spurs!

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 7 July 2003 15:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Worse, I've heard that Abramovich wants to have a say in team selection.

― Daniel (dancity), Monday, 7 July 2003 22:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Hello, today's round up of rumours from all the sites:

Sinclair to Boro for 2 mil (another England fringe player for Boro then)

Kewell finally to Liverpool but for only 5 mil!!

Figueroa to Rangers (a very very useful Argentinian, I saw him a couple of times on the Argie footie and he looked v v quick)

Chivu to Roma (I thought he'd go to Spain)

Finally and most bizarrely......

Jamie Cureton to Busan Icons of South Korea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 09:52 (twenty-two years ago)

That's almost as bizarre as 'Kluivert for Spurs'.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 10:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Apparently Jamie has said that he fancies a change and so it may as well be a big one! He should speak to Paul Rideout first methinks.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 10:21 (twenty-two years ago)

jamie bastard bastard cureton bastard you'll regret this by the end of the week bastard bastard

wolves have signed someone called silas! coool!

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 11:26 (twenty-two years ago)

also someone possibly called orinco

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 11:27 (twenty-two years ago)

orinoco

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 11:27 (twenty-two years ago)

pff

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 11:27 (twenty-two years ago)

orinoco should really sign for wimbledon.

i hear whispers of wayne bridge to chelsea (7 mil?)

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 12:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Chelsea to win league by buying all footballers ever.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 12:57 (twenty-two years ago)

so that means Babayaro to.............

they should go after Chivu instead if he don't go to Roma.

Chelsea *won't* win the league next year.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 13:02 (twenty-two years ago)

I agree with Chris, except that I don't know who Chivu is. I suspect babayaro will remain as a squad player, hard to see who will fancy picking up his wages.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 13:06 (twenty-two years ago)

You could be right, but either him or Le Saux will be on their way.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 13:07 (twenty-two years ago)

How long before we get a DJMartian-friendly "LeSox to Portsmouth" rumour?

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 13:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Le Sox to Middlesborough, possibly? Or even Liverpool or Newcastle.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 13:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I can't see him going to Liverpool, and he wouldn't get in ahead of Riise either.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 13:52 (twenty-two years ago)

so how are we liking liverpool now? does it even matter what players houllier brings in? kewell is a great signing and so is finnan but will it change anything?

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 14:07 (twenty-two years ago)

I hope so, I really do.

A spine of Gerrard, Kewell and Owen should make them look a little more tasty going forward, now a replacement for Didi Hamann would just about top it off!

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 14:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Pompey don't need a mid 30s Le Saux - we already have the most formidable attacking left sided combination in the Premier: Matty Taylor and Patrick Berger !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 14:13 (twenty-two years ago)

kirkland
finnan hyypia henchoz riise
murphy hamann gerrard kewell
owen heskey

what of diao, and is cheyrou uncoachable? what is baros' realistic future?

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 14:16 (twenty-two years ago)

whoops i forgot VLAD

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 14:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Vlad? he go bye bye......hopefully

Diao - perma sub

Houllier is open to offers for Hamann apparently.

There won't be loads of transfer news til just shy of the end of August, when all the players without contracts lower their wage demands.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 14:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Martian: you'll take Taylor / Berger over Riise / Kewell? Not that LeSox is necessarily better than Taylor, but old 'Arry's keen on old 'eads isn't he?

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 14:46 (twenty-two years ago)

yes, when matty is back fit the whole of the premiership wil see the talent, super fast, confident, deadly accurate crosses, and a few cracking goals from distance!

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 15:37 (twenty-two years ago)

From whom?

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 15:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Bridge, Parker, Cole and Defoe to come in.
Stanic, Petit, Babayaro out.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 15:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Sorry DJM that was glib. I hope he does well. It's always interesting to see players who do well in the Football League step up to the Premiership and it's not always the ones you (I) expect to be brilliant who turn out best (e.g. I thought G. Ainsworth would be magic and Matt Elliott would be found out).

I think it's particularly difficult for fullbacks who like to get forward because they're taking risky decisions about when to push on and when to stick.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 15:49 (twenty-two years ago)

and Ferrer out.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 15:50 (twenty-two years ago)

But what about Dean Holdsworth playing in the Scottish Third Division? Is this more bizarre than when Chris Waddle played for Falkirk?

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 9 July 2003 18:16 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.nousanson.com/hyogo/ooya/images/winna.jpg

― Dada, Wednesday, 9 July 2003 18:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Dean Holdsworth = what a git

today's news:

Leeds got shafted!

Gazza is training at West Ham (well, Roeder is his best mate in football)
Emerton has been signed by Rorrrrrrrverrrrs (not sure about him I must say)

Barca have bid for Ronaldinho and are also in the process of signing Quaresma, a very useful looking Portugese winger.

And Claudio Lopez could be on his way back to Valencia from Lazio.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 10 July 2003 07:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Chelsea's first signing in their new era = Glenn Johnson from West Ham!

A very good sihgning, he looked very good last season, and my long suffering irons fan mate rated him as their player of the year.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 10 July 2003 09:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Excellent story here:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,995153,00.html

Leeds are sooo far in the mire it's untrue.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 10 July 2003 09:17 (twenty-two years ago)

so no-one else is missing football quite as much then?

― chris (chris), Thursday, 10 July 2003 11:41 (twenty-two years ago)

i'm so glad chelsea can afford to keep bogarde now

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Thursday, 10 July 2003 11:41 (twenty-two years ago)

what? so no-one else can play him either?

― chris (chris), Thursday, 10 July 2003 11:43 (twenty-two years ago)

don't play him just pay him!

johnson is a badboy signing, i didnt think chelsea had such imagination. i wonder if they'll try and play melchiot in the middle, i always thought he'd be good there.

pauleta to psg, chivu to roma, did eto'o go to valencia?

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Thursday, 10 July 2003 11:47 (twenty-two years ago)

love story of the summer!!

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Thursday, 10 July 2003 11:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Ah, but maybe not on the Chivu thing, word is that Roma have had a transfer ban slapped on them by FiFA for not paying a Chilean side for a player.

Pauleta to PSG means that Ronaldinho will go, methinks.

Melchiot in the middle? Keeping Gallas in there with him and putting a rapidly slowing Desailly on the bench/first plane back to France? It may just work. They still won't win the league though.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 10 July 2003 11:50 (twenty-two years ago)

oh no no soz i meant viera style centre mid! terry and gallas at the back for the next 5 years

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Thursday, 10 July 2003 11:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Former Wimbledon FC hero Roger Joseph has been training with AFC Wimbledon, which is nice. But I doubt any of you care.

Liverpool will come third or fourth, again, sorry. As long as you have Heskey in the first team you're just not going to score enough. How would you feel about, say, Alan Smith?

― Mark C (Mark C), Thursday, 10 July 2003 11:58 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Heskey may well be leaving, it's sad but hey, we just got the steal of the century. Roger Joseph rings a bell with me, but I don't know where from (obv. The Dons, but why I dunno)

― chris (chris), Thursday, 10 July 2003 12:25 (twenty-two years ago)

For transfer news junkies, this link is essential:
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/newsfeed/?name=Transfer+News+%26+Rumours

latest, Jay Bothroyd of Cov City to move to Serie A Perugia !

http://www.ccfc.co.uk/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4761-120158-19728-25197-94288-6456-4628-layout56-121428-news-item,00.html

Jay Bothroyd could finalise a move to Italian side Perugia in the next 24 hours after impressing during a trial

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 10 July 2003 13:15 (twenty-two years ago)

It seems likely that the very great Kevin Miller will be moving to Brizzle Rovers but I don't suppose more than one of you will care.

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 10 July 2003 13:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Tim he is one of the best lower league keepers I've seen in a long long while. I care.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 10 July 2003 13:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Vieri to Chelsea???????

― chris (chris), Thursday, 10 July 2003 13:42 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah when he was at watford miller was going to be the new nigel martyn

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Thursday, 10 July 2003 13:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Chelski triple swoop !
http://www.thisislondon.com/sport/football/articles/5694389?source=Evening

Chelsea today made a sensational triple swoop for Christian Vieri, Glen Johnson and Geremi

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 10 July 2003 13:56 (twenty-two years ago)

as long as they dont sign Sven! some tabloid hacks are calling for Mobile Erikkson to be given the boot - fucking morons, there's no-one else with the right credentials who could take over and not screw things up more right now, in my book.

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 10 July 2003 13:58 (twenty-two years ago)

It's funny about Leeds.

I still think Bosman transfers are a bad thing and Leeds are unfairly suffering from them (as have others).

― the pinefox, Thursday, 10 July 2003 14:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Leeds made their own misfortune. To blame Kewell (see any of todays tabloids) for signing for the club he wanted to play for is just offensive.

― David_X (David_X), Thursday, 10 July 2003 14:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Vieri would be a silly signing, he's often injured.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 10 July 2003 14:51 (twenty-two years ago)

ooh, I dunno, he was top scorer in last years scudetto with 24 goals, 7 ahead of Mutu who was second, even if he was injured that's a pretty good return

― chris (chris), Thursday, 10 July 2003 15:09 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, he just strikes me as the moody sort, the superior Viduka really.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 10 July 2003 15:18 (twenty-two years ago)

when he was at watford miller was going to be the new nigel martyn

Yes, thus Bristol Rovers! This is a good signing, assuming it ain't costing us much. I am hoping we discover the next in our extraordinary run of good strikers very soon - ex-Rovers strikers include Barry Hayles, Marcus Stewart, Jason Roberts, Jamie Cureton, Bobby Zamora and Nathan Ellington! We need another to get us 20 goals a season. We're due a sell-in third if someone gets around to buying Zamora, so we might not have to sell again quickly.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 10 July 2003 20:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Blackburn have rejected two official bids from Chelsea for winger Damien
Duff, report BBC Radio Lancashire.
Rovers chief executive John Williams is refusing to disclose the size of the
offers.

However, he confirmed Duff has an escape clause in his contract which allows
him to talk to other clubs if they offer a certain figure.

Williams admitted the bids were "close" to that figure and that could prompt
Chelsea to return with a new bid.

― chris (chris), Friday, 11 July 2003 08:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Spurs to trade Matthew Etherington for Scotty Parker! RAH!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 11 July 2003 08:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Just one Etherington for Parker? Surely not?

I saw a back page headline today that seemed to be suggesting a massive spending spree (£48m!) that I can't find on the web at all. Is it more speculation, perhaps including the Duff deal?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 11 July 2003 11:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Geremi to the bridge is a done deal. 10mil euros (about £7m).

does anyone know how much Duff's release clause is?

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 11 July 2003 11:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Andres D'allesandro to Wolfsburg? What a waste, he's far far far better than that.

Duff release clause? I heard it was around 15/16 mil

― chris (chris), Friday, 11 July 2003 11:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Sir Les Ferdinand signs one year deal at Leicester. consecutive relegations for the big fella then...

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 11 July 2003 12:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I still think Bosman transfers are a bad thing and Leeds are unfairly suffering from them (as have others).

If Leeds had renegotiated Kewell's contract when it still had a few years to run (a la Keane/Beckham at Man U). He wouldn't have been able to hold them to ransom with the threat of doing a Bosman and leaving them with nothing, or as close to nothing. Which is pretty much what they got in the end.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Friday, 11 July 2003 12:54 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah sir les is another bastard why is he denying himself a return to loftus rd! instead he disgraces his career whith these indigent bit-parts

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Friday, 11 July 2003 13:14 (twenty-two years ago)

altho sir les and brian deane up front!! hoof it!

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Friday, 11 July 2003 13:16 (twenty-two years ago)

with er, paul dickov just behind. thats prob the most depressing strikeforce i've ever seen

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Friday, 11 July 2003 13:17 (twenty-two years ago)

maybe leicester will buy Heskey!

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 11 July 2003 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

"But what about Dean Holdsworth playing in the Scottish Third Division? Is this more bizarre than when Chris Waddle played for Falkirk? "

on a similar note,lee sharpe is now playing in the icelandic league

― robin (robin), Saturday, 12 July 2003 12:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Andres D'allesandro to Wolfsburg? What a waste, he's far far far better than that

Definitely - where did you read this?

― bert (bert), Monday, 14 July 2003 21:42 (twenty-two years ago)

ok - it's here:

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/IntertotoCup/news/Kind=1/newsId=80971.html

I thought he'd be going to one of the big Champions League outfits. I heard Man United were interested last year.

― bert (bert), Monday, 14 July 2003 21:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Lots of people were interested last year, and to the best of my knowledge he's had no drop in form or injuries. A mate of mine saw him play in Argentina and rated him soo highly, and now he's off to Wolfsburg.... very odd.

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 07:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Veron for Chelsea

Kleberson for United

Anderton not for Portsmouth

what do you think?

― the pinefox, Tuesday, 15 July 2003 10:57 (twenty-two years ago)

What happened to Teddy? I remember his agent saying that things were on hold until he came back off holiday, but I missed what happened next. Unless he's still stuck out there, he was flying easyjet, after all....

― Vicky (Vicky), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 11:04 (twenty-two years ago)

i can't understand why Chelsea would buy Veron, even it is Sven's doing - Lampard was more consistent last season!

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 11:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Teddy is on all the lists as having moved

Veron for Chelsea = Ferguson cutting his losses as Veron never matches up to his stunning first two months in English footie, plus it'll ride on them getting Bucky. And Kleberson will be a mate for bucky, and will no doubt rile up the Leeds fans, you know Fergie loves doing that.

The Anderton deal is curious though, I'd have put money on him going back to Pompey for a last hurrah.

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 11:07 (twenty-two years ago)

but moved where?!

― Vicky (Vicky), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 11:16 (twenty-two years ago)

To Pompey, sorry

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 11:19 (twenty-two years ago)

just watched the Tim Howard press conference where Fergie was quizzed on the Veron situation. he gave the distinct impression (well to me anyway - this is me reading between the lines) that even if Utd accept a bid, Veron would reject a move at this time.

disappointingly, tourettes sufferer Tim failed to swear once during the telecast.

i don't understand whay chelsea keep bidding just under Duff's release clause - just give em the extra small change Roman!!

― David_X (David_X), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 12:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Personally, I think the way Alan Keane is treating Liverpool is an utter disgrace. He's been itching to go since he arrived, and his latest outburst is a step to far. I blame the agents, although the Reds aren't helping matters by insisting they farm him off abroad.

At least us Koppites have the joy of watching Serdar join Vecera up front this season. And if the rumours about Jack Baker are true, we might see a central midfield that can hold its own when Mark "Sicknote" Lawson twangs another hamstring.

Sorry - I'm playing CM4 with random players and it's far more interesting than the real world of English football.

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 13:10 (twenty-two years ago)

here's some news to cheer you chris >

Chesterfield manager Roy McFarland has signed former Derby utility player Ian Evatt on a two-year deal.

The 21-year-old, who can play as a centre-back, midfielder or as a striker, was released by the Rams at the end of last season having made 20 full appearances for the Pride Park club.

(although he sounds like the reincarnation of Paul Warhurst)

― David_X (David_X), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 13:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Paul Warhurst is dead?

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 15:31 (twenty-two years ago)

in a footballing sense, yes - playing for Bolton has finally finished him off - like many old pros.

― David_X (David_X), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 16:27 (twenty-two years ago)

er, christopher kanu has agreed to join peterborough subject to work permit. i thought he was quite good? (posh's leon mckenzie to get div 2 golden boot is a good bet btw)

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Tuesday, 15 July 2003 23:26 (twenty-two years ago)

I saw that Dave and thought to myself "hmmm, so this is the great player we're supposed to be signing, a utility player I'v enever heard of"

sigh

at least we've signed someone.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 06:40 (twenty-two years ago)

and Bolton = British football's answer to ambulance chasing lawyers. Apparently they made a cheeky bid for Bergkamp yesterday.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 06:53 (twenty-two years ago)

phew - Chelsea and Blackburn have finally agreed a fee for Duff. just hope he wants to come. pretty much the same situation with Saints and Bridge.

first televised pre-season friendly tonight on ch5 - cologne v liverpool. hooray!

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 11:09 (twenty-two years ago)

This is the only ILE thread to mention Brian Deane.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 11:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Owen's beard is fantastic. Kewell looked v v rusty last night but still had flashes of greatness.

Campo has signed for Bolton!!!!

― chris (chris), Thursday, 17 July 2003 07:37 (twenty-two years ago)

I do not believe Michael Owen is capable of growing a beard.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 17 July 2003 09:39 (twenty-two years ago)

he does have the same problem as me though, the gap between beard and 'tache, other than that it rocks

― chris (chris), Thursday, 17 July 2003 09:46 (twenty-two years ago)

What, your mouth?

― Jonnie, Thursday, 17 July 2003 10:11 (twenty-two years ago)

yes dude, that's right. Numpty.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 17 July 2003 10:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Real Madrid to offer Viera a £10m signing on fee if he joins them in the summer of 2004 having seen out his Highbury contract. Real Madrid, the Mickey Thomas of world football.

― Jonnie, Thursday, 17 July 2003 10:25 (twenty-two years ago)

hope rebrov does sign for Wolves - he deserves a chance to show what he can do. to see him knock a couple past Spurs would be priceless.

― David_X (David_X), Thursday, 17 July 2003 11:34 (twenty-two years ago)

He'd probably get applauded by the Spurs fans for doing so. We still love him, ever since he popped in the fifth against Chelsea.

― Jonnie, Thursday, 17 July 2003 11:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Most significant transfer rumour involving Man United could be the return of Mark Hughes as Asst Manager, but that one seems to have gone a bit cold.

― James Ball (James Ball), Thursday, 17 July 2003 12:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Seems AFC Wimbledon have signed another player with top division experience, which is nice - Roger Joseph, beloved former Don. He played for us last night against our new tenants (hee) Kingstonian, and was even given the captain's armband. Hurrah!

― Mark C (Mark C), Thursday, 17 July 2003 16:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Ha! Iversen going to Wolves, Thatcher to Leicester! It's the big summer sale at Spurs, would you like an Anderton with your purchase?

*sigh* Spurs need a Russian billionaire of their very own, at least Postiga scored after 5 mins on his debut.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 17 July 2003 17:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Chris, please tell me you haven't adopted the word Numpty. It does seem it was spread into the language by that nauseating tabloid radio scumbag Mike Parry.

― Daniel (dancity), Thursday, 17 July 2003 18:23 (twenty-two years ago)

who are wolfsburg?
d'allesandro is an excellent player
i saw him play in a few of the copa libertadores matches they showed on channel four

― robin (robin), Thursday, 17 July 2003 18:36 (twenty-two years ago)

The only thing I know about Wolfsburg is that they used to have a coach called Wolfgang Wolf. [Thanks to Darren]

― Daniel (dancity), Thursday, 17 July 2003 20:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Bobby Zamora close to signing for Spurs !
http://www.brightonfans.com/NewsNow/shownews.php?id=41

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 17 July 2003 20:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Hurray! Sell-on cash for Bristol Rovers! Bump up that price!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 17 July 2003 20:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Bristol Rovers...were at least clued up enough to put in a lucrative 33% sell-on clause.

selling price expected to be 2 million - 3 million in the current transfer market? [although pompey got upto 6 Million for Peter Crouch in the spring of 2002.]

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 17 July 2003 20:48 (twenty-two years ago)

we sold for 100k, so we should get 800k out of this, which is about our annual selling needs.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 17 July 2003 21:03 (twenty-two years ago)

City to buy Sinclair? Well dodgy if you ask me. Keegan wants proven experience, rather than untried youngsters. Fine, but with the exception of Barton the midfield is looking decidedly aged. Berko, Benarbia... Sinclair will no doubt talk about City as his boyhood club, when he gives his press conference. He will presumably fail to mention opting for QPR over City, when he left Blackpool back in the day. Still, it's a pretty good time to be a blue. And I'm certainly pleased we chose Sinclair over Mcmanaman, assuming it was a straight choice between the two.

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 18 July 2003 07:23 (twenty-two years ago)

I never listen to Mike Parry, so never fear.

The new manager of Wolfsburg (who play at the Wolfstadion) is Peter Pander. They're a mid table German team, D'allessandro will be the biggest fish in that pond by a mile. German footie is the least watched one on Sky's schedule by me, it's pretty dire.

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 07:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Are Spurs actually going to have 11 players left to field by next season?

I fear we may be in relegation trouble this year.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:05 (twenty-two years ago)

You have signed Zamora at least.

I'm tipping Fulham for relegation this season.

I assume that there will be an ILe fantasy footie thing?

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:08 (twenty-two years ago)

I assume that there will be an ILe fantasy footie thing?

That would be a good idea. But which one?

I did the Telegraph online one last year and it's pretty good but there are tons more to choose from.

― James Ball (James Ball), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:10 (twenty-two years ago)

BBc one is good, and nice and flexible, not to mention free.

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:11 (twenty-two years ago)

O. Dabo --> Lazio

― Fabrice (Fabfunk), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:12 (twenty-two years ago)

All in favour of someone other than themselves sorting out an ILE Fantasy Football thingy say Aye: Aye.

― Alex K (Alex K), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Well I'm up for it.

― James Ball (James Ball), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Nice one dude. How do we run this thing then?

― Alex K (Alex K), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:23 (twenty-two years ago)

We have to wait for the games to be released first, which generally happens in September.

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:33 (twenty-two years ago)

*sings*

"Wheeeeeeeeeeeeenn the ball hits the goal it's not Shearer or Cole, that's Zamora..."

Now watch him tank in the Premiership.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Tottenham - ruining good players since time immemorial

;o)

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Surely Zamora's just going to be Dion Dublin ten years later?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:43 (twenty-two years ago)

I mean, back at Northampton Town, we're spending money like it's going out of fashion on seemingly every single footballer to have ever played in the first division AND WE STILL DON'T OWN OUR OWN FUCKING GROUND. I mean, it's not rocket science now, is it?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Friday, 18 July 2003 08:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Zamora = the new Chris Armstrong anyone?.

― Alex K (Alex K), Friday, 18 July 2003 09:03 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah where did northampton get all this dough from! ollie burgess is a good player tho

leicester are going transfer crazy

escude went to ajax. is chivu back at ajax then or in limbo?

dichio and crouch linked with returns to qpr... yay? sigh

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Friday, 18 July 2003 09:08 (twenty-two years ago)

i like the look of zamora, being called bobby gives him a 60s glamour that complements spurs

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Friday, 18 July 2003 09:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Chivu is indeed in Limbo, Escude is good, I'm surprised he didn't go to Italy himself.

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 09:24 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm happy with the signing of Zamora, maybe more than I should be. He's big, left-footed (which is aesthetically pleasing if nothing else) and scores lots of goals. If we can get a youthful midfielder with a bit of vim, preferably Scott Parker, then I think it will have been a fairly good summer from a transfer market point of view.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 09:28 (twenty-two years ago)

bobby is a good name i agree. but that transfer saga seems to have been going on for ages, why has it taken so long?

in all honesty, i feel pretty sorry for zamora, i think he deserves better than spurs

― gareth (gareth), Friday, 18 July 2003 09:35 (twenty-two years ago)

i imagine all of the spurs fans will put so much faith in him amking them a big club again (oh that always makes me laugh) and he wont deliver in his first year, every season needs an ade akinbyi.

― james (james), Friday, 18 July 2003 09:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Who is going to be this years Michael Ricketts?

Scores a few at the start of the season for a mediocre team, impresses the morons in the press and then they start calling for him to be called up for England, when in fact he is shite.

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 09:51 (twenty-two years ago)

That'll no doubt turn out to be Zamora.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 09:57 (twenty-two years ago)

think Zamora's unlikely to get much of a chance. unless Iverson goes to Wolves he's gonna be 4th choice. last season - ok, he was in a weak Brighton team and had a few injuries - but i hardly remember him terrorising the defences of Div 1 and in the U21 games he looks a long way behind Defoe, C. Cole, Ameobi even Malcolm Christie ...

anyone heard what the fee is?

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 09:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Either £1.5 or £2m. He's ahead of Amoebi, Cole and Christie in the U21's , well he was until he turned 22.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 10:01 (twenty-two years ago)

behind on ability not age fucknuts

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:05 (twenty-two years ago)

I meant he started games for the u21's as opposed to the others who were on the bench. Normally Platt went with Defoe and Zamora I recall.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 10:06 (twenty-two years ago)

you recall wrong. i think.

U21 pecking order (last season)
jeffers / christie / defoe / ameobi / c. cole / zamora

tho i would accept swaooing christie and defoe

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:11 (twenty-two years ago)

err meant to be swapping

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Zamora came to the fore a lot more in later games last season.

Under 21 rules state that a player can play in under 21 games so long as the competition it involves started before they turned 22.

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:16 (twenty-two years ago)

zamora's class imo, spurs should still get kanoute too tho. and a bloody evil tackler not some lightweight pleasing sideways passer like parker. auxerre's teemu taino perhaps.

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:17 (twenty-two years ago)

i hate how all transfers have to take 3 weeks now. where have all the swoops gone

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:17 (twenty-two years ago)

or bring back VINNY SAMWAYS oh yes

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:18 (twenty-two years ago)

He's just signed for Walsall.

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Marco Delvecchio = on the transfer list at Roma, and is wanting a move to the premiership.

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Delvecchio has always struck me as being a bit lightweight - think he'd struggle here.

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Marco DelVecchio is a permanent third choice striker for every single team he plays at, though. The man could sign to Jarrow Town and still be a third choice player

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Unnerving news though- Campo has failed a medical, and Bolton are postponing his transfer. Considering Ivan Campo is the only footballer I've ever had a poster on my wall of, this worries me.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Does anyone else believe that Ferguson should pull the plug on the Ronaldinho deal and just go hammer and tong for Duff? Apparently Duff would prefer to go to Utd. than uproot and move to London.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 10:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, most definitely.

― James Ball (James Ball), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:39 (twenty-two years ago)

MICHAEL RICKETTS is the new Chris Armstrong which is why I was so happy Spurs didn't sign him.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Does Ronaldinho actually WANT to go to Barca or is he being pushed in that direction by his club, and when it comes down to him will be attracted by the lure of Champions League football next season?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:48 (twenty-two years ago)

aren't Duff and Giggs just a bit too similar? personally don't think you could play both of them. i guess you could put either in the hole behind Van Nist but there must be better options than playing someone essentially out of position.

would agree from all i've read that Duff would prefer to stay up north. the poor lambs scared of the big city. bless.

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:48 (twenty-two years ago)

on ronaldinho - i think PSG are being clever and just stirring up a bidding war. i'm convinced that this weeks statements about Barca being in front is all about squeezing some extra pennies out of Utd.

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 10:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I agree that Giggs and Duff are very similar (except one of them looks a bit more simple) but Duff has been playing up front for Eire lately, just off the phenomenon that is Robbie Keane. If he were to do that for Man Utd. then Giggs could continue to do his whippet-chasing-a-bit-of-silver-paper impressions on the left wing.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 10:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Giggs wasn't playing as a left winger for most of last season, and the longer things went on the better he was getting in a freer role. I think him and Duff are both flexible enough to play in the same team.

― James Ball (James Ball), Friday, 18 July 2003 11:00 (twenty-two years ago)

thinking about Utd, who do you think will start right midfield? solskjaer? he did OK filling in last season but still is essentially out of position.

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 11:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Djemba Djemba? It could well depend on what plans Fergie has for Roy Keane. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the back four, at least for the first few games to see how things go. If he signs Kleberson I think he would be looking to move Keane back.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 11:19 (twenty-two years ago)

According to an interview with the barca vice president last night they agreed a fee ages ago but he and bucky's agent had a falling out and so he'll only talk to the player himself. Manyoo heard that their first phone bid was way higher than Barcas and lowered their official buid the next day. It's all a horrible mess.

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 11:23 (twenty-two years ago)

solksjaer had a good season last year i thought, curious as to what fergies plans are for him next season

― gareth (gareth), Friday, 18 July 2003 11:24 (twenty-two years ago)

I think he'll just employ him as a minion

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 11:28 (twenty-two years ago)

i think ronaldinho is all about that ass and not much else

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Friday, 18 July 2003 11:44 (twenty-two years ago)

i suspect he'll find that the ass in Barcalona much more to his liking than that in Manchester. can't see the cast of Hollioakes doing it for him.

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 11:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Do the Catalan ladies dig the Soul Glo look?

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 12:00 (twenty-two years ago)

who doesn't? apart from Eddie Murphy in Coming to America

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:06 (twenty-two years ago)

All the talk is of United continuing with 4-2-3-1, with Giggs, Scholes and Ronaldinho or Duff being the first choice '3'. Solksjaer would be the obvious 2nd choice for either RH side of the '3' or for the striker's role.

Presumably Keane and Veron (if he stays, and that's now looking more likely) are the first choice midfielders sitting further back, with Djemba Djemba, Butt, P Neville and Fortune being other options there. Veron could play further foward if needs be. Or if he plays Kleberson there. There are a lot of names there, but I think one of the main priorities this summer was increasing the squad numbers with flexible players.

I honestly don't think Keane's going to be playing centre back next year except in an emergency. First choices while Brown is injured will be Ferdinand and Silvestre.

― James Ball (James Ball), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:14 (twenty-two years ago)

and then brown and silvestre when everyone is fit. hee hee

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh no this thread is starting to take on an ITV look. The conversation turns to 'our boys' at the slightest opportunity and boom, that's it for the next half hour.

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:37 (twenty-two years ago)

That was the best pairing last year, but if Ferdinand stays injury-free for a while I reckon he'll have a better season.

― James Ball (James Ball), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:38 (twenty-two years ago)

(xpost) - Daniel, there's been way more talk about Spurs on this thread than United. Not a little over-sensitive are we?

― James Ball (James Ball), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:39 (twenty-two years ago)

I very much like the idea of Keane, Postiga and/or Zamora up front, plenty of pace and skill, could be very good indeed if the latter two can adapt.

The Spurs midfield is starting to look decidedly threadbare though, even if we don't sell Simon Davies it looks like we are relying too much on Redknapp and Ziege being fit and Poyet not being knackered.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Craig Hignett signed for Leicester. With the exception of Utd gossip, Spurs signing Zamora and Chelsea's ongoing attempts to re-film Brewster's Millions (I think this is the real reason behind the Abramovich move - how long has he got left?) this is the kind of news we would be left with today.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 12:45 (twenty-two years ago)

James, you're probably right. Perhaps I just happened to switch on at the wrong moment. But I am certainly sensitive about ITV's coverage last season - about the weighting towards the champions' league representatives, except Newcastle, on The Premiership.

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Well with city's well-deserved UEFA Cup place next season surely all that will change.

― James Ball (James Ball), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Oooh, Trevor Sinclair to City - is that a good move? I think so, for all concerned.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 12:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Very amusing. I for one agree with you, and KK, that our entry into Europe was an utter joke. I stand by my dig at ITV. I'm sure United fans, as well as those of Liverpool and Arsenal, wouldn't have minded the coverage being less biased towards big 3. My United-supporting friends (I have some!) were completely aware of the absurd bias, incidentally.

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Johnnie, please see my posting above. Gist: he's turned 30 and our midfield is getting on, but he's certainly better than Macca

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Sorry for the cross-posting above.

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:56 (twenty-two years ago)

yes, he'll do well there I think, he's definitely Curly Kev's type of player isn't he?

Are Chelseas of Chelsea really trying to sign Nigel Martyn?

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 July 2003 12:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes - but he turned them down!
Sorry for missing out on the earlier Sinclair comments. I guessed there would have been some discussion about it but couldn't quite muster the effort to go through earlier posts.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 13:03 (twenty-two years ago)

re ITV: It keeps me entertained, Daniel. When they're banging on about United I find it funny because it winds people up. When they're doing the whole 'nation mourns because the scousers or Arsenal have cocked up again' I find that equally enjoyable.

But you're right - objectively it is a little stupid.

― James Ball (James Ball), Friday, 18 July 2003 13:07 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah - a £500k bid was made. Cover for Carlo. Poor old Macho must be out for a fair while then and I guess we can assume Ambrosio is more rice pudding than nectar of the gods.

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 13:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Surely 'Chelsea bid for goalkeeper' is a bit like 'Arsenal sign Frenchman' in terms of newsworthiness.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 18 July 2003 13:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Apparently Arsenal aren't allowed to buy anyone this summer. And there's to be no more fizzy pop at Highbury either.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 13:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Viera's not gonna like that (the lack of transfer activity rather than the lack of fizzy pop - tho i reckon he's a lilt man) and what with that £10m golden hello from Madrid beckoning is not going to entice him sign a new deal. if he goes Arsenal are finished (hooray)

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 13:25 (twenty-two years ago)

I wonder if there's any chance that Channel 4 will win the rights to highlights. It was mooted a few days back. And if so, will it be like the cricket highlights - a couple of minutes of (sometimes incomprehensible) smarm from Mark Nicholas, followed by action for the remainder of the programme and the odd interview at the end? Oh and no punditry, only a couple of minute-long analysis slots. Gosh, could that really be the future of Saturday night football...?

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 18 July 2003 13:28 (twenty-two years ago)

well didn't ITV nick the short lived 'tactics truck' nonsense from Ch4 cricket. Andy Townsend sat in a van will t

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 13:32 (twenty-two years ago)

(i'll finish that sentance) ... will take some beating.

― David_X (David_X), Friday, 18 July 2003 13:33 (twenty-two years ago)

True, but Simon Hughes carries a certain amount more authority. 'I tell you what - Michael Owen, he's quick' was Townsend's classic.

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 18 July 2003 13:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Fee for Wayne Bridge now agreed. Rupert Lowe says "I regret to inform our supporters that we have given Wayne Bridge permission to speak to Chelsea with a view to signing for them" - this means he'll be calling Chelsea West London yobbos within a month for daring to give him stacks of cash. That man is a dick.

― Jonnie, Friday, 18 July 2003 14:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Don't go Steffan Freund!!!!!

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 18 July 2003 15:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Spurs signing Zamora is a great move! An ex-Bristol Rovers striker is a cast-iron guarantee of Premiership success! Look at Marcus Stewart at Sunderland and Jason Roberts at West Brom! If Barry Hayles had played more regularly for Fulham, they would have done just as well!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 18 July 2003 20:04 (twenty-two years ago)

i'd also be well on for fantasy football

― robin (robin), Friday, 18 July 2003 20:30 (twenty-two years ago)

latest...
http://www.ananova.com/sport/soccer/story/sm_801513.html?menu=sport.football.footballheadlines

Manchester United's pursuit of Ronaldinho has come to an end when Paris St Germain agreed to sell him to Barcelona for £21m.

Ronaldinho the laughing clown's value has jumped from 9 million to 21 million in about 6 months. absurd.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 19 July 2003 16:48 (twenty-two years ago)

brighton only got 1.5 million for Zamora, 12 months Brighton would not sell for double that.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 19 July 2003 16:52 (twenty-two years ago)

PSG chairman Francis Graille said today:

"Manchester United have been too sure of themselves, believing that they'd done the hard work by negotiating directly with the player and going behind PSG's backs.

It would be churlish of me to gloat, but if I was a Red I'd be well miffed. I also think that out of Barca (Ronaldinho), Real (Beckham) and United (Duff??), Barca have come off best in the 'galactico' race this summer.

― Daniel (dancity), Saturday, 19 July 2003 18:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Not to mention Harry Kewell, an absolute snip at 50p or however much they paid in the end. Damien Duff, fine player though he is, can't be 13 million or so better than Kewell, surely. Football economics is a weird thing indeed.

― Daniel (dancity), Saturday, 19 July 2003 19:13 (twenty-two years ago)

If they (Kewell and Ronaldinho) don't want to play for United (and clearly they don't), then fuck 'em. We want players that are going to be committed to the club (a la Ruud).

I was a little disappointed we didn't enter the race for Duff as I think he's a cracking player (and he was keen to come), but if Fergie doesn't rate him that highly then I'll bow to his better judgement.

You're right about the price difference, Daniel, it is crazy but it's simply down to Bosman, not the inherent quality of the players - Duff's got 3 or 4 years left on his contract and Kewell had one.

If we don't buy anyone else but don't sell anyone either I think we're in as good a position as anyone else in the league.

― James Ball (James Ball), Monday, 21 July 2003 12:49 (twenty-two years ago)

I think United were lucky not to waste all that money on Ronaldinho.

Zamora hits two on Oxford debut.

― the pinefox, Monday, 21 July 2003 14:43 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't buy that at all. He's won Brazilian championships, copa america, a world cup and now that United haven't managed to buy him, he's overrated and a waste of money.

― Daniel (dancity), Monday, 21 July 2003 15:13 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm not really that impressed by any of Chelsea's signings. Bridge? Johnson? Duff? Geremi, is probably the best of the bunch, but still a little expensive.

― jel -- (jel), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 06:57 (twenty-two years ago)

the big russian hardly played his cards close to his chest did he - i guess everyone who he deals with will just slap another 5 to 10 mil on there initial price as soon as chelsea are interested, i mean 28 million for torres that seems a tad excessive for someone only 'proven' at u21 level.

chealsea are quickly becoming the fat kid in the sweet store

― james (james), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 07:07 (twenty-two years ago)

I think with the possible exception of Johnson, they're all good signings. Certainly sensible long-term buys considering the amount of tabloid hysteria there's been over Chelsea recently.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 07:08 (twenty-two years ago)

but in the market they seem excessive - duff is not worth 17million pounds - no two ways about it

― james (james), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 07:17 (twenty-two years ago)

even if they're all good players individually, they're making a huge gamble that they're going to play well together as a team.

― Vicky (Vicky), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 07:21 (twenty-two years ago)

same with Leicester - although adams states he is building a squad so???

― james (james), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 07:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Adams, ten players - 550 grand spent = blimey!!

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 07:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, but Chelsea are inflated in market terms compared to every other club - £17m for Duff is not much of them.

Obviously the knock-on effects for the rest of football (ie having an inflated club in a deflated market) could be very dangerous indeed. But from Chelsea's point of view, if Abramovich has unlimited cash to spend, who cares about whacking an extra £10m on top?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 08:04 (twenty-two years ago)

micky adams = new arsene by the sound of things.

meg is getting v pissed off that arsenal have bought NO ONE (not even a frenchman). i blame kanu...

also heard le socks on the radio this morning trying to explain why his move to soton was a good thing for his career, poor lamb...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 08:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Shame... going to Southampton will only rub in his not-as-good-as-Wayne-Bridgedness.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 08:09 (twenty-two years ago)

the real shame is that they wouldn't take Babayaro.

apparently Newcastle say Dyer can leave for £25m

― David_X (David_X), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 08:21 (twenty-two years ago)

wayne bridge + fa cup = stinker (7 mill Pah)

― james (james), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 08:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Uncle Bobby is not at all pleased about this though.

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 08:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Obviously the knock-on effects for the rest of football (ie having an inflated club in a deflated market) could be very dangerous indeed.

i really don't see this. ok, clubs selling to chelsea will inflate their prices. no problem for chelsea - they can afford it. good for the selling clubs who can keep the wolves from the door for a little longer. look at west ham - the £6m for Johnson may mean they can keep Joe Cole. i know which i'd rather have. look at blackburn - they've pocketed £25m this summer. how is this dangerous?

― David_X (David_X), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 08:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Curses! My July 9th post predicting a "LeSocks to Portsmouth" rumour, so cruelly scoffed at by DJM was proved right and I was out of the country"! Apparently 'Arry (like me) thought GLeS would fit perfectly in that Pompey side. But he signed for friendly neighbours the Saints anyway. Oh well.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 09:50 (twenty-two years ago)

A computer yesterday would not allow me to note that I was saying Utd should not spend so much money on Ronaldinho before the deal fell through. My view is not a result of his ultimate decision to go to Barcelona.

Good player he may be: I have just felt that blowing all the Beckham money on him would have been foolish. In particular, I don't imagine him having that much 'practical impact' on the pitch - scoring goals, etc. So I think Utd have escaped an error.

― the pinefox, Tuesday, 22 July 2003 15:19 (twenty-two years ago)

But they haven't bought anyone except some American goalie who swears unexpectedly! It's been a bit of an embarrassing transfer season for them, hasn't it? I suppose they might still. Is the Kleberson deal still on the boil?

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 16:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Manyoo have also bought David Bellion (who scored in their 4-0 win over Celtic last night) and Eric Djemba Djemba (no, me neither)

and the mirror has them as a cert to get Dyer over the weekend!! for 25 million!!

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 08:10 (twenty-two years ago)

di canio to leeds - haha god knows why but you cant fault his passion

― james (james), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 08:16 (twenty-two years ago)

United did reasonably well last year with what they've got. OK, no Beckham, but he was about the 7th most important player last season.

Having said that, I wouldn't turn down Dyer.

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 08:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Reasonably well is hardly well enough for a club in Man Utd's position. Real sacked their manager for not winning the Champions League one season!

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 08:20 (twenty-two years ago)

"Reasonably well" was a deliberate understatement. Given the injuries and shocking form of the first half of the season I think we did fantastically.

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 08:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Well yeah it depends how high you set your sights I guess.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 08:32 (twenty-two years ago)

You must be relieved Goater has left City, James.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 08:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Pinefox, I'm no United fan, as you may have gathered, but I'm genuinely a bit sad that Ronaldinho didn't come to English football.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 08:35 (twenty-two years ago)

N, the Premiership or Champions League would do me every season - I don't think that's setting your sights particularly low.

Plus it's more than just the trophies you pick up that matter. If Arsenal had beaten Leeds and Bolton and pipped us to the title I wouldn't have been disappointed in the team. Manchester United rediscovered the passion last season after a couple of seasons of aimless drift - that matters more to me than any silverware.

Daniel, arf arf, fair enough, enjoy it while it lasts. You're not getting four points off us this year (or six, before you start).

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 08:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Sad to see the back of the goat. 100-and-something goals in 180 games is a remarkable record, no matter what the division. he still scored a fair few in the prem, in spite of being injured for half of his first prem season and not picked for much of the second. I love the fact that four years ago the notion of a Goater - Anelka partnership in the premiership was fanciful to say the least, but last autumn it was a reality and we won a number of games, the goat complementing the Elk really well. My little tribute to the man with the furrowed scalp.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 11:11 (twenty-two years ago)

That was beautiful Daniel *sniff*

not that I'm a blues fan or anything but I've always admired the goat.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 12:22 (twenty-two years ago)

He's a handsome young man alright.

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 12:25 (twenty-two years ago)

re the bizzarre transfer pricings-
i've seen talk of bids of 35 million for viera (i think)
and then juve bid 4 million for pires!

― robin (robin), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 12:29 (twenty-two years ago)

re the bizzarre transfer pricings-
i've seen talk of bids of 35 million for viera (i think)(and he only has one year on the contract)
and then juve bid 4 million for pires!

― robin (robin), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 12:29 (twenty-two years ago)

I always like to think that Goater got the marks on his head following the chupacabras getting things slightly wrong.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 23 July 2003 12:30 (twenty-two years ago)

I remember watching a City game on TV in a pub and there was a close-up of the goat. Suddenly this drunken old bloke, who hadn't said anything to anyone, piped up and said 'He's gotta be the ugliest cnnt I've ever seen in my life' and then went silent again. Shaun had that effect on people [sniff]. Still not sure if he'd make it into an all time ugly players' 11.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 14:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Not up front - Beardsley behind Rush and Dowie would take some dislodging.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 16:41 (twenty-two years ago)

What a revolting image.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 17:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Javier de Pedro rumoured to be signing for Saints in a £2m deal. Didn't he rule for Sociedad last season making a fair proportion of kovacevic and nihats goals?

― David_X (David_X), Thursday, 24 July 2003 14:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Joey Cole *and* Veron off to Fancy Dan FC. This is all getting quite exciting.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 06:19 (twenty-two years ago)

or depressing, the G was in tears last night at the loss of his dear dear Joey.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Well yes, but West Ham fans are getting so shafted they might as well go the whole hog. JC was never going to stay, was he?

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:35 (twenty-two years ago)

not really no, I was hoping Liverpool would sign him to be honest.

I think Portsmouth may have a bargain in Amdy Faye, he's rather useful.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Latest transfer news - Spurs to play with midfield entirely filled with strikers next season.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:37 (twenty-two years ago)

2003/4 season is going to be the best ever.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:39 (twenty-two years ago)

i can't really work out who's going to play where now. and unless geremi surprises me there's still not really a tackling midfield general like emerson, say. joe cole will prob understudy veron.

man u should cancel the kleberson deal and try to hijack the cole deal with this money

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Cole! what did I tell you?
Veron - hmmm.

Defoe to sign by the end of the week. You read it here first.

I wonder what the first choice midfield will be? Lampard to play on the right possibly with Cole and Veron in the centre and Duff on the left? Geremi, Petit and Gronkjaer in reserve.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Mad cross post alert. Matt DC got the first. I was going to write:

Get your midfielders! Lovely midfielders! Any two for a paaand!

Macmanaman to City. Cole and Veron to Chelskov (linguistically more accurate than Chelski, or so the club officially stated!). Not to mention Kleberson and Djemba to United. Seven across the midfield to become the norm this season. You saw it here first.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Chelsea really do have the fanciest midfield in the premiership. As ever though, no spine.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:47 (twenty-two years ago)

exactly, they won't like a cold January night at Rotherham in the cup will they?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Or maybe 'heart' - I'm confused about my corporeal analogies here.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:48 (twenty-two years ago)

chris, even rotherham don't fancy a cold january night in rotherham in the cup...

did arsenal actually sign someone called cliche the other day?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Clichy, yes

Good point though Steve, I know I don't.

N may be looking for B0ll0cks

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Would it be churlish to point out that I can count the number of times Fancy Performing Pony Cole has actually REALLY influenced a game on the fingers of one hand?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Chris you are totally a fancy dan though, so this doesn't prove much.

Bollocks, yes.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:56 (twenty-two years ago)

When was the last Chelsea side that did have bollocks?

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 07:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Early 70's?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 08:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Edgar Davids is carrying no injuries, and yet he didn't play in the Italian Supercup on Sunday, he's got just a year left on his contract. Where's he going then?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 08:25 (twenty-two years ago)

How many players from one side do you have to buy, before you have to change your club name?

We've got a new Ferdinand coming thouugh too. He was a regular in the Under 19's last season and will break through into the first team this year because Shemmell keeps shouting. He can play right back or centre back. I'll start the bidding at £2.5m.

― The G, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 08:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Don't despair, you've got Matt Etherington.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 08:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I wonder what the first choice midfield will be? Lampard to play on the right possibly with Cole and Veron in the centre and Duff on the left? Geremi, Petit and Gronkjaer in reserve

I see Duff on the left. Lamps & Veron in the middle. Geremi right.
Think Cole will have to do some bench sitting - but delighted to have him (sorry G).

When was the last Chelsea side that did have bollocks?

any team with Mark Hughes in it had bollocks. also what about the snowy comeback against Tromso? don't get much colder than that...

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 08:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Actually, maybe I do mean heart. Mark Hughes came too late in his career for him to define the side. I don't know. Chelsea always seem flimsy in my mind, much like Middlesbrough. I don't know if it's somehow in their nature or just because of the way they've been managed in recent years.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Er, Chelsea lost that game in the snow. I think Chelsea will be fine if Terry plays but not sure how often that will be.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:13 (twenty-two years ago)

It's the number of Carlos Kickaballs that they keep signing

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Apparently, Veron & Cole have 'showboating clauses' in their contracts. This 'Flicks Bonus' ensures extra cash based on number of clips on Soccer AM. Lampard doesn't have one, of course.

Tim Lovejoy is going to be insuffrable this year.

― G Man, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Hmm.. I don't think it's foreign players thing per se. I mean loads of clubs have hardly any home grown players these days. Maybe it's something to do with player turnover.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Er, Chelsea lost that game in the snow. yes, but vialli's late brace in difficult conditions is the point. an excellent example of chelsea bollocks (or heart nick)- that set us up to win the tie and progress to glory.

konchesky to spurs i hear. hopes this happens as it'll spell the end for tarricco (a nasty piece of work if ever)

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:25 (twenty-two years ago)

It's the type of foreign player they sign N, the high maintenance primadonnas esp. Hasselbaink - great for a couple of seasons then really doesn't fancy it anymore.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:27 (twenty-two years ago)

All the players that Chelsea have signed (well all the big ones, I'm not counting Malaysian goalies or whatever) played in the premiership last season so they all know what's what, there isn't going to be any culture shock or settling in period in terms of the football itself. They'll stil get knocked out in the Big Cup qualifiers, natch.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:28 (twenty-two years ago)

What do you think of Zenden though Jonnie?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Where did you hear about Konchesky to Spurs? Anyway, I'd be happy to see that happening (alright, I'd be happier with Scottie Parker, but hey). But, erm, MIDFIELD please Mr Hoddle!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:34 (twenty-two years ago)

I think, Chelsea could be one top striker away from the title. I also think Vieri is the last part. No Prem experience, but a Premierhsip player if ever there was one and Inter Milan are hardly sticking their neck out for him. I hope it all goes fanny up, though.

― G Man, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Spurs are going to sign Konchesky, van Bommel and Davids. And sell Acimovic to Chelsea because his name sounds a bit like Abramovich.

Fredi injured already. Nutsacks.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 09:59 (twenty-two years ago)

well its lucky you bought so many damn strikers.

konchesky rumours to be found here: http://tottenhamhotspur.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=897&p=2&stid=8317098

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 10:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Dave, why have you been looking at Tottenham sites? Are you finally showing your true colours?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 10:13 (twenty-two years ago)

**When was the last Chelsea side that did have bollocks?**

Last season! N. e.g Liverpool at home for the Eurocup place, comeback v Arse in the cup.

Zenden - rubbish really. But not as dismal as Stanic. I'd be happy for both to disappear.

David X - Geremi on the right? Not sure about that - less suited to fetching and carrying. Despite what I said above I reckon Ranieri will try and play Gronkjaer quite a bit. I hope not, but I think he will.
I also see Duff being asked to play up front.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 10:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Rubbish is the word I was looking for Thanjks Dr C

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 10:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Thing about Zenden is - what is he *for*? Is he attacking or defensive, is he best on the left or the right. Why can't he run, except without the ball. If he was ever fit, we might have the pleasure of knowing these things. I suspect that the Middlesex Senior Cup might be his stage this year.

Mind you Stanic makes him look like George Best in his pomp.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 10:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Zenden is there for dust ups, nothing else. He's the Jackie Chan of the premiership.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 10:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Maybe you're too close to it, Dr. C. As a neutral, there's always seemed something missing with Chelsea compared with the old big 5. Sorry, I'll drop this now.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 10:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Dave, why have you been looking at Tottenham sites? Are you finally showing your true colours?

insider knowledge is the bomb when living with an argumentative spurs fan

Dr C - agreed on Zenden and Stanic. have done nothing but disappoint but could still be useful squad players. Gronkjaer i see as an impact player - someone to come on in the last 30min to terrorise tiring fullbacks. he's too hit and miss for a starting role tho would again agree the Ranieri seems to like him. i say Geremi on the right as he hits a sweet cross (unlike Gronkjaer). J Cole could also do a handy job here.

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 10:37 (twenty-two years ago)

It would be amusing if Zenden kidnapped Ranieri, if only for the Prisoner of Zenden headlines in the tabloids.

― G Man, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 10:54 (twenty-two years ago)

And if they sold Carlton Cole to Newcastle.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 11:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Surely they have the opportunity of selling Coles to Newcastle now?

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 11:19 (twenty-two years ago)

I've just realised that the "selling coals to Newcastle" version of that old saying, which is the version my mum uses, is probably not right, and it's probably "coal to Newcastle" really. I realised this too slowly to catch the posting above via the stop button so please ignore me.

I think Manchester City will do rather badly this season: the spine of their team (esp. centrally) is not what it should be.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 11:22 (twenty-two years ago)

'Hot coals' - no, 'Coles to Newcastle' is good.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 11:26 (twenty-two years ago)

plymouth have made a new signing.

its lifelong argyle fan the former Labour leader Michael Foot! he's been given the number 90 shirt to mark his 90th birthday and will appear on all team sheets this season. what a nice gesture - well done plymouth.

― David_X (David_X), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 11:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Aston Villa have just come in with a better pay packet and Foot is moving to the Midlands on a year's loan. David O'Leary, "He's old, but he's better than Peter Crouch."

― G Man, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 11:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Are you suggesting that Michael Foot is some kind of footballing mercenary!

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 12:02 (twenty-two years ago)

blimey, no wonder the GBP didn't vote for him if he's an argyle fan, this puts a whole new slant on early 80s politics for me...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 12:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Michael Foot's Agent, "My client feels he is at the peak of his playing career and Plymouth's financial remuneration package fell well short of our requirements. Both Chelsea and Spurs have also expressed interest. However Chelsea are a little right wing for Michael and Spurs - ha ha ha!. No."

― G Man, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 12:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Cunt of the week: Phil Smith, mercenary twatbutler

From the Guardian:

Kevin Phillips was last night weighing up whether to leave Sunderland and return to the Premiership with Southampton after the clubs agreed a £3m fee.

However, he will not be rushed into the deal, according to his agent Phil Smith, who is keen to stress the Saints are not the only club interested in the former England international.

Smith revealed Phillips, 30, was unlikely to accept a massive cut in wages, despite agreeing his current contract when Sunderland's recent fortunes were at their peak. He insisted clubs used the well-documented financial problems within football as a "negotiating tactic".

"They've just got £7m from Wayne Bridge which they weren't expecting - we'll take some of that, thank you," said Smith.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 12:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Tim. I hope to goodness you're wrong. I read on a message board recently that someone had seen Paul Bosvelt in training and he described him as looking like 'a cunt' - even in training! Bring on Roy keane wa sthe punchline.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 13:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh and this chap Tarnat from Bayern looks to have sorted the left-back position. Right back is another story entirely. Quite why City want Mcmanaman when we've gt a dodgy right side of defence is beyond me.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 13:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Remind me Daniel: what's MCFC's first choice central midfield right now?

I'm not sure Keegan Knows.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 13:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Great question. He's like a kid in a sweet shop at the moment.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 13:30 (twenty-two years ago)

It's definitely 'Coals to Newcastle', Tim. So biggie props to your mum. We don't hear nearly enough about your mum on ILE.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 13:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Do City still want McManaman, Dan?

(That the above questions rhymes was not intentional and should be treated as a bonus)

― Tag (Tag), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 13:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Well PJM I'll be seeing her on Saturday (I'm doing a day trip home: it's the first day of the season) so I'll pass on your kind regards.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 13:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, Tag. Keegan actually saw fit to announce his interest in Mac to the press yesterday afternoon. (Nice rhyme, too.) I hope he proves me wrong of course, but he's just never fulfilled his potential - is he really going to do so now at the age of 31? I think we've bought sensibly this summer, to KK's credit.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 14:28 (twenty-two years ago)

I just want to him to know when he's brought in enough players.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 14:29 (twenty-two years ago)

jason lee (pineapple headed hero of yore) has signed for falkirk

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 23:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Does he still have the pineapple?

― Daniel (dancity), Thursday, 7 August 2003 07:00 (twenty-two years ago)

More Spurs: Hoddle is ready to spend £1.5 million on Bobby Convey (that's "Bert" to Tim H), a left side midfielder from DC United. Today's Washington Post has an article, and they wouldn't be running it if it weren't a dead certainty. He's a pretty decent player on a wretched team, and has played at center midfield and left back as well as on the wing for the US. (I have never known him to play forward but perhaps that's what Hoddle has in mind.)

I don't see him as a regular first team member in the immediate future, but he's only 20, and evidently impressed Hoddle in two friendlies between Spurs and DCU.

Another big rumor going around on MLS has Newcastle buying Carlos Bocanegra, a center half who plays for Chicago and the USA.

― Benjamin (benjamin), Thursday, 7 August 2003 08:37 (twenty-two years ago)

This here Bertie Convey, is he injured much?

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 7 August 2003 08:48 (twenty-two years ago)

If not, he will be shortly...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 7 August 2003 08:58 (twenty-two years ago)

As I recall he missed about half a season with a hernia, possibly incurred during the filming of "Cannonball Run." He got it fixed right up, after which he broke his foot straightaway.

But other than that one year, I'm fairly sure he has been healthy.

― Benjamin (benjamin), Thursday, 7 August 2003 08:59 (twenty-two years ago)

he sounds perfect for Spurs, I'm sure Hoddle will find a way of ruining him in no time

― chris (chris), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Rebrov to Charlton? Very interesting, they need a decent striker.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Really, where did you read about that? Watch him score 30 goals next season just to annoy Hoddle.

Also - Jason Euell = among the most underrated players in the Premiership.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:18 (twenty-two years ago)

that's on the BBC Matt.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:20 (twenty-two years ago)

whatever happened to jonathan blondel? also what is mark yeates like, he has come to qpr on loan i believe

sean davis puts in transfer request, would be good for spurs but prob a bit too er, robust. liverpool could do with him too maybe but i guess everton is still the obvious destination. davis + gravesen = yum yum. can't believe no one tried for steed malbranque either, he's brill!

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:56 (twenty-two years ago)

There was a lot of talk of Liverpool going for him at the end of the season Chip but that's all gone quiet. I reckon that a lot of the big clubs still have a big signing ready to be made.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 7 August 2003 11:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Jason Lee no longer has a pineapple on his head. He does however have a great big chip on his shoulder about how Baddiel & Skinner ruined his life. Maybe if he shut the fuck up about it in interviews people might forget it was him and he can just go back to being a run-of-the-mill player that gets no attention off anyone. Oh, wait a minute...

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 7 August 2003 16:32 (twenty-two years ago)

It's all coming back to me. He blamed S and B for his lack of talent, didn't he? And Frank Clarke said 'Jason's a sensitive lad...'

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 8 August 2003 10:06 (twenty-two years ago)

He was worse than crap in his season at Chesterfield

― chris (chris), Friday, 8 August 2003 10:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Bloody hell - Bolton have just signed Jardel. I thought they were a good bet for the drop this year, but that signing might make all the difference.

He always used to get 35-40 goals a season. OK, that's in Portugal, but 18-20 this season would keep them up.

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I am tipping Adrian Mutu to absolutely tank in the Premiership. I knew Chelsea were going to cock it up somewhere along the line.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:24 (twenty-two years ago)

agreed Matt, at least that's what I'm hoping anyway.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Also, he is Eastern European, and with about two or three possible exceptions, they NEVER do well over here.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Bolton and Jardel - two words I never evah thought I'd hear in conjunction with each other. This is official proof that the world has indeed gone mad.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:39 (twenty-two years ago)

BOLTON WANDERERS I LOVE YOU

they flout every tenet of footy rockism! home grown players? winning the fans over? building for the future? nurturing and selling on? NUH UH! pure cheap mercenary realness!! in your motherfucking face bill shankly

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:41 (twenty-two years ago)

i hope charlton go down now. ooh di canio on £10k a week, what a big risk! lamers

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:43 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm going to laugh when Bolton go down.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:44 (twenty-two years ago)

The Brazilian has suffered a number of personal problems over the past year and was sidelined for two months with depression at the start of last season following marriage problems.

A move to sunny Bolton should cheer him right up, then.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:46 (twenty-two years ago)

I'll piss myself, Sam Allardyce = Ambulance chaser

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:47 (twenty-two years ago)

dont be a hater matt dc!

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:48 (twenty-two years ago)

in your motherfucking face bill shankly

you're walking on thin ice Mr Morningstar

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:52 (twenty-two years ago)

You wait till he hangs around bored and disinterested for seven months before scoring four vital goals at the end of the season, thus keeping them up by the skin of their teeth... otherwise known as 'Doing The Dugarry'.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:52 (twenty-two years ago)

not sure about Matt's eastern european theory.

Surely the ratio isn't bad, particularly if you take the scale of the transfers and inherent risk involved/chances of success into account aswell.

Dumitrescu, Petrescu, Pahars, Berger, Dudek, there must be loads more aswell.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:57 (twenty-two years ago)

dumitrescy didnt really do that well though?

but the others you mention all successes yes, and kinkladze had some great seasons here

― gareth (gareth), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 09:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Morningstar playing a blinder after coming on as a late sub in this thread. Oof!

(Chip have you checked your giaour mail recently? Do you ignore us?)

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Dumitrescu did ok at the start but then went very very Tall Paul.

I think The G will have summat to say on East European imports

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Georgi Hristov at Barnsley! £1.5m Macedonian. Says all local girls 'ugly', claims he was misquoted. Hopeless footballer too.

Ludek Miklosko at West Ham. Solid keeper. Still there as GK coach. Dumitrsecu & Radicouou weren't so interested. Their names were difficult to spell too.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:06 (twenty-two years ago)

they preferred to train in Harrods too.

Who was the skilfull but ultimately useless player who played for Derby and maybe someone else? He was bald, Eastern European and is a friend of Soccer AM?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Karel Poborsky, Oleg Luzhny and Sergei Rebrov to thread!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Dumitrescu was good at... was it Spurs? I liked him, and so did my Spurs-supporting friend. Jardel sounds like he could be a winner for Bolton. I hope so - for some reason I think it's okay fort plucky smaller clubs to do the mercenary thing.

I think Mutu will thrive at Chelsea.

― Mark C (Mark C), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:16 (twenty-two years ago)

You don't mean Sasa Curcic do you? I only say this because of the 'friend of Soccer AM' bit.

Dumitrescu tanked, Popescu kind of tanked, but scored the winning penalty for Galatasaray against Arse for another beautiful Nayim moment. Not many from that generation adapted too well in all honesty. Maybe the new generation are a bit more in touch with what is expected of them, namely they are not just ugly show ponies.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:16 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, Curcic he has some mad skillz, but wasn't that great in a match environment.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:17 (twenty-two years ago)

The thing is, if anything, Popescu was WORSE in the Premiership than Dumitrescu, who started off well enough before Gerry Francis decided he didn't like him and left him on the bench for the rest of the season.

God, some things never change, do they?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:19 (twenty-two years ago)

erm, can we have some props for the player with the best chant ever?

Mr Bontcho Guentchev

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Andrei Kanchelskis is surely the most successful in recent seasons, both north & south of the border.

Dull point of triva to Chris: The Romanians shopped in Harvey Nicks, not Harrods.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Dumitrescu did start off pretty well but this burst of form really only did last a handful of games. Popescu settled far quicker and made us a much better team. He also scored the winner in the WHL N.London derby that season elevating him to hero status. He left after one season though so we never got to see how good he was over a decent period of time. I hope Jardel goes all Marco Boogers on Bolton.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Chris - was that the No Limit one?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:29 (twenty-two years ago)

It was Matt, yes.

Oops, I should have known they were in Harvey nicks

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Igor Biscan another point for Matt's case.

Dumitrescu had a great start, I remember the MotD that night, Hanson was drooling at his skill in "dropping the right shoulder". Maybe I just can't erase that memory, he was stunning though that day, I believe Sheringham missed a penalty in the same game. Forget who the opposition were but I think he was on a poor run of missing penalties at the time. Maybe the third or fourth game.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:37 (twenty-two years ago)

two words: igor stepanovs. the trades description man was on the touchline every time he stepped on the pitch, i mean, look at this:

http://sascripts.rete.it/messageBoard.asp?idLingua=2&a=MessBoard&d=4&p=16342&topic=Stepanovs%20Message%20Boards%20%282%29

and that's probably from arsenal fans...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:44 (twenty-two years ago)

tim it's ok i saw, i'm just gestating

the best thing about big exotic imports are the rubbish mates they end up bringing along

kinkladze: kakhaber tskhadadze, murtaz shelia
pahars: vitalis astfjefs
wanchope: mauricio solis
li tie: li weifeng
some others

the only exception i think is kovacevic and stefanovic who were both quality but sheff wed got round that by wasting the pair of them hurrah!

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:49 (twenty-two years ago)

I think the MoTD and penalty miss was against Man Utd and he was on a bit of a run that way at the time.

On the bus yesterday I remembered that Nicola Berti played for Spurs too. Then I started to cry.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:50 (twenty-two years ago)

No one has mentioned Vladimir Smicer yet.

Ronan - you're talking about the 4-3 victory against Sheffield Wednesday, aren't you... Klinsmann, Sheringham, Barmby, Anderton bangbangbangbang!

That was an amazing game, summed up that entire season. Back when Spurs were like the Chelsea of their day (only with a comically shit defence).

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:51 (twenty-two years ago)

hah, kinkladze bought tavileshvili with him too didnt he, though he was ok i guess?

― gareth (gareth), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Kovacevic is a weird one. He was a pile of goolies at Wednesday, but was a total goal fuck last season in (arguably) the strongest league in the universe.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Smicer = too painful to mention

Baros though = I like him

I saw Nicola Berti play in Australia, he was very very useful over there.

Who did Khavelashvili play for? was that Man city too?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:54 (twenty-two years ago)

to answer my own question:

http://www.soccerbase.com/footballlive/?MIval=players_details&playerid=8882

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:56 (twenty-two years ago)

also talk of sasa curcic reminds me of slaven bilic!! one of the greatest players the game has seen. 20 cigs a day, a lawyer's degree, and the greatest world cup semi performance ever

actually mike now i remember kovacevic knocking in his only goals against liverpool

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:59 (twenty-two years ago)

And Kvarme is in the Sociedad team (and playing well) alongside Kovacevic when he was just retarded in the premiership.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 13 August 2003 11:01 (twenty-two years ago)

liverpool are obv the missing link

luzi
heggem kvarme kippe rizzo
sjolund ferri(c) diarra diomede
meijer dundee

hee hee

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 11:21 (twenty-two years ago)

igor stimac+aliosa asanovic=classic.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 11:53 (twenty-two years ago)

There's seven defenders in that Liverpool team Chip. And Luzi was bought last year and was told that he wouldn't be in the first team for a long while, hey, he didn't cost anything.

Dundee though? it's a fair Kop.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 12:11 (twenty-two years ago)

"I am not afraid of the beautiful women in England who, I hear, chase after footballers," Mutu said.

"I won't take the risk of losing my position as a player for the sake of a pretty woman."

C'mon Jordan, 19 Premiership teams are depending on you.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 13 August 2003 12:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Still, there's always Ulrika.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 12:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Bontcho Guenchev runs a cafe in Kensington. ILx trip ahoy! It is not licensed, but Bontcho doesn't mind you taking your own apparently.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 13:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey Chip, Vitaly Astafyevs has been quite good at the top level (well, for Bristol Rovers) for a few years now.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 18:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Makalele to Chelsea?! For £7m? The Claude Makalele who is absolutely essential to Real Madrid functioning as a team? Surely not.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 14 August 2003 07:39 (twenty-two years ago)

I liked hearing Steve Bruce on the radio this morning talking about the 'calculated gamble' that was buying this Argentinian striker that no one at Birmingham has actually seen play. His answer to "You have seen videos of him, though, haven't you?" sounded less than convincing.

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 14 August 2003 07:44 (twenty-two years ago)

would be very surprised if there is any substance to the makalele rumours. sounds to me like his agent is trying to squeeze a few more pennies out of Real in the evil/sneaky way that agents do.

― David_X (David_X), Thursday, 14 August 2003 08:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, the guy boycotted training! His salary is one fifth of those of the big guns, and he's probably been Real's most consistent player in recent years, so he may have a point..

― Fabrice (Fabfunk), Thursday, 14 August 2003 08:29 (twenty-two years ago)

although having just said that Sky are running quotes attributed to Makalele where he says if Real refuse to sell him to Chelsea he will deliberately underperform - there was a quote something like "i can do a lot of damage to the team this season" - hmm, a stroppy Frenchman, whatever next...

― David_X (David_X), Thursday, 14 August 2003 08:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Makalele would be a great buy but I would be amazed if Real let him go. He's no Bobby Convey anyway. U-S-A, U-S-A.

― Jonnie, Thursday, 14 August 2003 08:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Is Bobby Convey a left-sided midfielder? I was mightily impressed with young Rohan Ricketts at the Lane on Sunday* and wouldn't mind seeing him forcing his way into the first team.

*Until he got injured, obviously.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 14 August 2003 10:12 (twenty-two years ago)

What's Rohan Ricketts? An infection?

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 14 August 2003 10:14 (twenty-two years ago)

you'd think chelsea would have enough midfielders by now. central defender still needed.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 14 August 2003 10:16 (twenty-two years ago)

No, keep spending the money Roman, undermine that pie muncher Lampard.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 14 August 2003 10:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Gallas and Terry not good enough for you?

Nah, a good defensive player who can properly marshal the midfield is exactly what Chelsea need. Although Melchiot in central midfield is still a possibility.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 14 August 2003 10:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Well considering the amount of cash they are spending they could improve the defence, it's the one thing there's been no talk of except perhaps a mention of Nesta at one point.

Melchiot has had many howlers at full back (most notably against the might of Kevin Kilbane's in that golden 1-0 victory), but maybe central midfield would be an option.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 14 August 2003 11:30 (twenty-two years ago)

IRAQ, Aug 13 (Reuters)-
The Iraqi Freedom fighters" have captured Saddam in an isolated Bedouin encampment near Tikrit.

They are in the process of offering him to the Americans for the $25m reward.

Chelsea are reported to have offered them $27m.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 14 August 2003 11:43 (twenty-two years ago)

haha!

I wish Liverpool would sign some more players.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 14 August 2003 11:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Matt, yeah, Convey plays on the left. Because the USA has better options at left half (Beasley who was on the world cup quarterfinal side, though NOT Eddie Lewis), there have been some discouraging experiments to play him at left back for the USA, and some even more feeble games in the center of midfield. But he's really a wing player.

He played superbly in those home-and-away friendlies between DC United and Spurs: tireless and running right at defenders. I think that's why Hoddle is after him. But I must have seen him play three dozen times from the US under-17s to now, and I can't see how he could break into the Tottenham first team.

― Benjamin (benjamin), Thursday, 14 August 2003 12:47 (twenty-two years ago)

The real life reward for capturing Saddam is pretty much equivalent to the amount of money Chelsea paid for Chris Sutton.

That's madness.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 14 August 2003 12:53 (twenty-two years ago)

The world has gone mad

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 14 August 2003 12:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Jonnie is OTM re Popescu. I liked that winning goal, c.12.94.

― the pinefox, Thursday, 14 August 2003 13:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I sometimes think Chris Sutton would make a great dictator, but only with John Hartson as his Taraq Aziz.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 14 August 2003 13:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Just checked.

US Reward for Saddam - 25M = 15M quid

Chris Sutton went for 10M quid didn't he? Even so, Duff is more expensive than Saddam. World still mad.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 14 August 2003 13:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Even more surprisingly, Celtic paid £6 million to take him off Chelsea's hands. Or was it £7 million? It was loads anyway.

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 14 August 2003 18:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Of course Duff is more expensive than Saddam. Have you seen Saddam defending a corner? Shocking.

― Mark C (Mark C), Thursday, 14 August 2003 22:37 (twenty-two years ago)

richard langley goes to cardiff for £200k = i am blind with fury

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Friday, 15 August 2003 11:51 (twenty-two years ago)

twice what he's worth too, Sam Hamann has more money than sense ;o)

― chris (chris), Friday, 15 August 2003 12:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Yep. And it's our money too. Bastard.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 15 August 2003 12:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Looks like lil Todorov is out for the season after doing his knee in training. I feel really really bad for him. Imagine - you're THREE days away from the start of your first Premiership season and that happens.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 15 August 2003 12:40 (twenty-two years ago)

didn't he play fo rthe Hammers iin the premiership?

but yes, poor Svetoslav

― chris (chris), Friday, 15 August 2003 12:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Ken Bates (about Red Rom):"He didn't become a billionaire by doing stupid things". Quite. He did it by ~~being a gangsta and immorally getting hold of Russia's natural~~manging his asset portfolio well.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 15 August 2003 12:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Give me names of..

People who became billionaire doing stupid things.

― N. (nickdastoor), Friday, 15 August 2003 12:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Howard Hughes was a silly man. Though he didn't become a billionaire doing them obv.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 15 August 2003 12:50 (twenty-two years ago)

What's this about Alan Smith off to Villa? Chap I work with has been taunting me about this - apparently he heard it on the radio this morning. Anyone else got the word on this heartbreaker?

― Alex K (Alex K), Friday, 15 August 2003 13:11 (twenty-two years ago)

eh? i've got him on my fantasy team! although vassell and smith is a pretty tasty sounding combination...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 15 August 2003 13:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Alan Smith needs a good shoeing. He has a face that makes me want to hit him. I don't know why. I never would, because he seems quite hard though. Any other players that have a face which says 'strike me with a baseball on the end of my nose'?

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 15 August 2003 13:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Mark Viduka, totally. Roy Keane. Mark Bosnich.

― Mark C (Mark C), Friday, 15 August 2003 13:17 (twenty-two years ago)

I give you... Mr Robbie Savage. Although his face says less 'strike me with a baseball on the end of my nose', more 'pound my face repeatedly and enthusiastically with a crowbar until it resembles little more than a mashed in bloody maw.'

― Alex K (Alex K), Friday, 15 August 2003 13:18 (twenty-two years ago)

I heard the Alan Smith to Villa story on the radio this morning too.

Denied today by Leeds and Smith.

― N. (nickdastoor), Friday, 15 August 2003 13:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Patrick Viera

― the pinefox, Friday, 15 August 2003 13:22 (twenty-two years ago)

You're a good man Nick.

― Alex K (Alex K), Friday, 15 August 2003 13:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Robbie Savage blurs into Robbie from Eastenders in my mind's eye. Bit like Michael Caine and Bobby Moore.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 15 August 2003 13:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Claudio Reyna to Fulham. Colin Healy to Sunderland to replace him.

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 16 August 2003 02:23 (twenty-two years ago)

A tenner on this not happening.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 18 August 2003 14:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Macmanaman and Reyna to City. I know City were a bit short of midfield cover last season, but this is taking things a bit far. Rumour has it that Hasselbaink has been spotted at the club. Now that would be a signing to get my pulse going...

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 29 August 2003 22:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh and Reyna apparently posed in a Fulham shirt before City came in with a "late bid". Takes gazumping to a new level.

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 29 August 2003 22:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, I thought that was a bit Paul Ince / Mo Johnston-ish. I thought the Fulham thing was a done deal a couple of weeks ago, hence me posting about it upthread.

Celtic in "still not signing anyone" shockah! Rangers have been taking on all manner of past-it duds (well, Henning Berg and Egil Ogenstad) but Martin O'Neill's departure to somewhere where he'd be allowed to spend money to improve a thin and ageing squad must surely be imminent.

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 30 August 2003 18:42 (twenty-two years ago)

are man city becoming diet-chelsea?

― gareth (gareth), Saturday, 30 August 2003 18:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Gareth, it looks like it, but they've actually offloaded about 14 players this summer. Rangers are become a retirement home for ageing Scandinavians; Ostenstad is a weird signing for such an apparently upward-moving club. And, yes, Ailsa, I'd be worried about MON's plans if I were a Bhoy.

― Daniel (dancity), Saturday, 30 August 2003 23:02 (twenty-two years ago)

manchester city
went all spendish way before
roman even came

and I like my blues:
malcontents, misfits, castoffs--
and shawn wright-phillips

shame about seaman...
(actually that phrase should
be common parlance)

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Saturday, 30 August 2003 23:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Right, so Celtic have signed someone by the name of Michael Gray on loan who can't get a game for Sunderland. In what way is this better than keeping Colin Healy who is presumably actually going to get a game for Sunderland?

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 1 September 2003 22:08 (twenty-two years ago)

ailsa, Michael Gray has played for the England national team previously.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 1 September 2003 22:25 (twenty-two years ago)

And missed a penalty in a big game. Joos Valgaren, step aside.

Seriously, Mickey Gray was in the doldrums - change of scene and all that I reckons. MON has the alchemist touch, Tebily and Scheidt aside.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 1 September 2003 22:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Which is the correct thread for the celebration of Matt Mesias knocking-out Robbie Savage?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 1 September 2003 22:30 (twenty-two years ago)

(multiple x-post - this was a reply to DJ Martian)

OK, that's fair enough, but the "previously" was a while ago, and he's not exactly troubling Sven at the moment. So why sign a guy that is not going to get a game for his current team because you just gave them a younger player to play in his place? Surely Sunderland are the winners here? They sign a guy they want for nothing, then get shot of the guy whose position he's taking to the team that gave them him in the first place.

(see also Celtic's plan to loan £1m flop David Fernandez back to Livingston again).

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 1 September 2003 22:31 (twenty-two years ago)

And missed a penalty in a big game. Joos Valgaren, step aside

and take your place over there with John Hartson, Henrik Larsson and Alan Thomson :)

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 1 September 2003 22:33 (twenty-two years ago)

ailsa, beggars can't be choosers - Celtic have been struggling to sign ANY suitable player[s] all summer - obviously martin o'neil thinks gray could be a useful squad/team addition for Celtic over the next 4 months - at the left back / left wing back.

Who else was available? the only other possible options: Ian Harte [Leeds], Wayne Quinn [Newcastle], Paul Konchesky [Charlton], Danny Granville [Crystal Palace]

Michael Gray has premiership experience - so should be able to cope with most SPL teams.

Personally speaking - i would have liked Harry Redknapp to sign Gray for Portsmouth, as short term cover for Matty Taylor who is injured - Gray was linked a few times in the papers.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 1 September 2003 22:50 (twenty-two years ago)

OK, but we have / had enough squad players in defence - as well as the usual three of Mjallby (injured), Valgaeren and Balde, we've got Varga, Crainey, Laursen and McNamara keeping the bench warm on alternate weeks, and Sutton has proved his worth in defence in the past as well, and if it's attacking wingbacks you want then Sylla can do that too. Not to mention the fact that we could just have held onto Colin Healy...

I'm not doubting Gray's ability to deal with SPL teams, it's the Champions League I'm worrying about. To me, it kind of smacks of signing for the sake of signing...but I hope I am proved wrong. I mean, this time last year we signed Laursen as cover for that left back position, and I thought that was what we'd signed Varga for as well...

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 1 September 2003 23:00 (twenty-two years ago)

maybe MON is going mess with formations 3-5-2 - with 3 central defenders and wing backs - a Left WIng Back position MG is more suited to. More options !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 1 September 2003 23:04 (twenty-two years ago)

I will wait and see. In the meantime, former Celtic target James McFadden has gone to Everton for £1.25m.

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 1 September 2003 23:08 (twenty-two years ago)

The problem for Celtic is that their finances are fucked; less fucked than Rangers, but screwed nonetheless.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:13 (twenty-two years ago)

I thought the problem was something to do with the hoops not going the whole way round?

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:19 (twenty-two years ago)

For some it was; they did not see.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Random Questions.

Why have we signed Neil Sullivan? We have Cudicini, Ambrosia or whatever he's called and Macho(!) already.

What do people think of Makelele?

What does Mike Jones think about Jeffers going home. Isn't there an intense hatred of Jeffers up there now after the circumtances of his departure?

Did the Toffeemen also get MacFadden? (Obv they need to find a Whitehead now.)

Did I really see Duncan Ferguson *on the pitch* and *nearly scoring a goal* at the w/kend?

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 09:16 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm hugely pissed off about the Sully to Chelsea deal. It's just asking for Keller to break is arm in a matter of weeks, and it's hardly as if you need him. At all.

Can Makalele play with Veron?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 09:20 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm beginning to take Chelsea seriously now they've signed Makalele. This is an unpleasant feeling and I hope it passes soon.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 09:24 (twenty-two years ago)

makelele seems to be trying to convince himself more than anyone with all these 'chelsea might be better than madrid' quotes. gotta respect madrid for the gangsta madness of paying him 20k a week versus like beckham and zidane's 100k and !still! telling him to fuck off when he complains. they really are going to play cambiasso and raul bravo all season arent they

more like: can veron play with anyone?

macho's body is broken and ambrosio was signed as a rubbish 3rd choice and that's where he'll stay. why does nigel martyn think he'll be challenging for 1st team at everton, he should have gone to chelsea for the fun of it

― Chip Morningstar (bob), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 09:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Didn't they sign Geremi because they couldn't get Makelele? Expect Geremi opening his heart to tell of his squad rotation HELL.

Mrs Veron says that him and Claude can't play together as Claude is a bad influence and mixes with a bad lot. He's got homework too.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 09:45 (twenty-two years ago)

I like people who want to leave Real Madrid, I wish them moderately well, even at Chelsea.

Tim, I took them seriously in last week's predictions, and look what happened.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 09:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Everton are suddenly set to be this season's GOAL MACHINE

― the pinefox, Tuesday, 2 September 2003 11:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Did I really see Duncan Ferguson *in a massive pile up on the M8* and *in intensive care after having his legs and his head amputated* on the weekend?

No? Bugger, it must have been a sweet, sweet dream*

(*in which the pile up was caused bu the spontaneous explosion of the Stereophonics tour bus)

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 11:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Did the Toffeemen also get MacFadden

As I said upthread...

In the meantime, former Celtic target James McFadden has gone to Everton for £1.25m

And he has gone to sit on the bench as this will make him a better player apparently. I live in hope that he will develop a fantastic relationship with Davie Moyes so that when Martin O'Neill decides that he's off and Moyesie returns back to Parkhead he will take McFadden with him.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 15:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Dr C, I think Makalele fills the gap at the heart of Chelsea's new team perfectly. They had outstanding players in ten places, but where Man U and Arsenal have Keane and Viera, they had Geremi: good, but not great. Makalele now puts them right up there with the big two, for me. If Ranieri can get them playing like a team (a big question mark on that) they might well be the best in the league.

Sullivan: maybe the reserves were having to name a substitute keeper who no one had heard of?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 19:02 (twenty-two years ago)

two months pass...

Worst £6.25m ever spent.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 24 November 2003 13:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Matt, you're forgetting the first 6.25 mil of the Postiga transfer

― chris (chris), Monday, 24 November 2003 13:10 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

REVIVE!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 3 January 2004 01:24 (twenty-two years ago)

It's the transfer window! WAHEY!

Predictions:

Rivaldo to Liverpool or Newcastle. Or possibly someone crap like Middlesbrough.

Nicky Butt aint going nowhere. Ditto Muzzy Izzet.

Spurs to sign foreign midfield wonderkid with huge potential, who will be playing for Ipswich in four years time. Like Zinedine Zidane would've been if Gerry Francis hadn't turned him down all those years ago.

Leeds to sell everyone, obviously. Possibly Mark Viduka for several million, and Paul Robinson for a shiny sixpence and a bunch of grapes.

Chelsea to sign world-class and hugely expensive goalkeeper to replace in injured RoboGoalie Cudicini, which will come to be the unluckiest injury since Gazza as he then spends the rest of the season on the bench.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 3 January 2004 01:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Also, who's going to sign Defoe, then?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 3 January 2004 01:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Arsenal will sign Defoe

― pete s, Saturday, 3 January 2004 01:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Leeds fortunate in that few Premiership clubs have BOTH spaces to fill and cash to spend. if Villa, Everton, Blackburn or Boro could scrape together 7m then they could get Viduka or Robinson - who else wants/needs them and can afford them?

Defoe -> Arsenal are favourites, what if Fulham could steal him tho? they should try and hang on to Saha if they can tho

― stevem (blueski), Saturday, 3 January 2004 01:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Bit of a sickener that we can't seem to get Andy Reid. Newcastle will get him if he moves.

― pete s, Saturday, 3 January 2004 01:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Re: Defoe to the Arse - Another player with a worrying tendency towards red cards? Sounds about right.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 3 January 2004 01:44 (twenty-two years ago)

It's amazing how WRONG so many people were on this thread! Myself included (with the possible exception of my Newcastle comment upthread)

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 3 January 2004 02:12 (twenty-two years ago)

ah yes brown and silvestre reunited just in time!

mexes, blimey what happened to him. the new kevin hofland

― prima fassy (bob), Saturday, 3 January 2004 19:05 (twenty-two years ago)

ah, my favourite and most prolific baby. No-one will sign Defoe, that's my prediction. For some reason I'm taking these Angel to Arsenal rumours seriously, especialy if Wiltord leaves as I think he will. I think he and Henry could play well together (indeed, has Henry ever played with a target man to play off - it could be the start of something horribly beautiful)

Mexes to Newcastle (they need a decent centre-back alongside Woodgate, Bramble ain't it) or Manyoo, Cisse to Liverpool in the close season along with O'Neill, who has nothing left to prove at Celtic as they won the league today.

― chris (chris), Saturday, 3 January 2004 20:34 (twenty-two years ago)

O'Neill's still got Europe, and as he's pointing out, the league's not over yet. If he really wants to prove that he's a good manager he needs to stay on and keep Celtic in their winning ways without Larson next season...

― Vicky (Vicky), Saturday, 3 January 2004 21:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Liam Miller to Man Utd!

This is NOT GOOD. Not good at all (unless you are Liam Miller).

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 8 January 2004 18:03 (twenty-two years ago)

i don't understand this at all.

― cozen (Cozen), Thursday, 8 January 2004 18:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Does this mean he is a Celtic player for the rest of the season then goes to Man Utd for nothing? If so, he should just go now if his heart and his future are somewhere else.

Much as I like and admire Miller, I can't see him as a regular in the Man Utd first team for a while yet. It's all about the money, innit?

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 8 January 2004 18:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Berkovic Man City >> Pompey - on a FREE

teaming up with Harry again.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 8 January 2004 18:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Is Berkovic still a phenomenal waste of space then? I don't think I've ever seen as over-rated a player in Scotland (I'm assuming no-one really rates the numpties that Rangers have signed this season).

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 8 January 2004 18:40 (twenty-two years ago)

*cough cough stephen pearson cough*

miller is a man u fan and anyway has a chance to be around and grow through a transitional united phase (scary huh!) while keane scholes etc are at peaks and younger future teammates like ronaldo grow up; this move is like a 10 year plan, so i really dont think it's at all about the money. celtic are the ones going on about how much money they put down for btw

oh and miller will only be free when he's 23 in the summer, he would cost a fee now. have a nice day now!

― prima fassy (bob), Friday, 9 January 2004 02:30 (twenty-two years ago)

but it's just not fair! *stamps feet, pounds fists*

― cozen (Cozen), Friday, 9 January 2004 02:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Opinions on Saha/Fulham/Man Utd anyone?

I can see where Saha's coming from, certainly, but he's very unwise to go shooting his mouth off about it.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 9 January 2004 12:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Ailsa, when Berko can be arsed he's a marvellously creative player. What a passer he is when he's on his game. He was the man of the match against United at OT last season. He's also the world's worst moaning minnie, and Keegan once said something to effect that EB and Anelka were soul-mates in terms of being misery guts. Some time into the season, the fans started to forgive EB's summer transfer request. Once we started hurtling down the table, the fans were positively screaming for KK to bury the hatchet with him.

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 9 January 2004 19:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Apparently City have been linked with a Liberian currently scoring a goal every other game for Twente in Holland, who goes by the wonderful name of Collins John. What next? Clark Lee?

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 9 January 2004 19:05 (twenty-two years ago)

yea, city fans i know were pissed off with keegans stubborness in not playing berkovic when the midfielders that were getting a game weren't performing

portsmouth have got themselves a good deal here

― gareth (gareth), Friday, 9 January 2004 19:05 (twenty-two years ago)

i think miller should have spent another few seasons at celtic.

"Much as I like and admire Miller, I can't see him as a regular in the Man Utd first team for a while yet."

ailsa otm, i feel.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Friday, 9 January 2004 19:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Lee as a surname? don't be ridiculous Daniel...

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 9 January 2004 19:07 (twenty-two years ago)

"Much as I like and admire Miller, I can't see him as a regular in the Man Utd first team for a while yet."

Is he to be trampled over in the rush for a place by Quinton Fortune, Eric Djemba Djemba, Darren Fletcher, David Bellion and others? If anything, I can see semi-regular appearances as of next season at least, and after that, who knows?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 10 January 2004 00:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Where's Nicky Butt going then? Spurs? Boro? Newcastle, even?

Good to see Charlton have rejected Chelsea's bid for Parker - nice one Curbs.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 13:06 (twenty-two years ago)

butt is linked with everton, boro, spurs, birmingham

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 13:09 (twenty-two years ago)

The AFC Wimbledon guestbook seems to think Butt will be swapped, along with a hefty wodge of cash, for Rooney.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 13:29 (twenty-two years ago)

the latest pompey fans wacky transfer rumour, harry redknapp to pay for loan of defoe or jeffers for rest of the season.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 13:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Celta line up Postiga swoop
http://skysports.planetfootball.com/Article.asp?id=181204

...Tottenhan Hotspur misfit Helder Postiga is considering an offer from Spanish side Celta Vigo according to reports in Portugal.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 13:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Southgate plus a small amount of cash for Butt?

Middlesborough is officially the retirement home for ex-United staff (along with Blackburn).

― James Ball (James Ball), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 13:45 (twenty-two years ago)

latest gossip.. david james from west ham to man city

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 16:09 (twenty-two years ago)

thats been doing the rounds for a while, along with robert green, along with mart poom, along with a.n.other keeper

― gareth (gareth), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 16:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Latest gossip up here is that Larsson will go to Arsenal, although he is similarly rumoured to already have agreed to go to Barcelona.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 17:29 (twenty-two years ago)

david james from west ham to man city

logical really. then all they'll need is paul robinson for a full set

― pete s, Tuesday, 13 January 2004 17:34 (twenty-two years ago)

David James to City: A Modern Romance made in heaven. Has there ever been a keeper relegated twice in successive seasons with different clubs?

― Daniel (dancity), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 18:57 (twenty-two years ago)

James should stick it out for the rest of the season at Upton Park, I think - its clearly not harming his England chances and a decent enough Euro 2004 could see him end up at a far better club than City.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 19:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Seaman's retired

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/3394397.stm

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 19:46 (twenty-two years ago)

According to a reliable source (the telly) Ronaldo has fulfilled all of his sexual fantasies, including two women at once.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 19:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Man City - where goalies go to pad out their pensions for a year. Difference is, Schmeichel probably has a decent punditing career in front of him whereas Seaman will be merely condemned to be the butt of Rory McGrath's jokes on They Think It's All Over for the rest of his days.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 19:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Seaman looks like a butt.

― omg, Tuesday, 13 January 2004 20:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, sorry, I appear to have credited Rory McGrath with the ability to make jokes there. I do apologise...

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 20:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I find it rather sad that David Seaman still signs his autograph with "Safe Hands" above it.

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 14 January 2004 09:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Daniel Mart Poom was relegated twice in successive seasons with Derby and then Sunderland clubs? If he does end up at Man City he could get a hat trick!

― Davel (Davel), Wednesday, 14 January 2004 10:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Nicky Butt to Rangers or Celtic?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 14 January 2004 10:34 (twenty-two years ago)

spurs would be mad not to sign butt

― prima fassy (bob), Wednesday, 14 January 2004 11:23 (twenty-two years ago)

I want us to, very badly indeed - we need a ball-winner in midfield more than anything else. Not sure if I can see him wanting to go to Spurs though.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 14 January 2004 11:39 (twenty-two years ago)

where else? fergie won't sell to newcastle i don't think, and if butt goes to middlesborough then he's an utter utter idiot that spurs are probly better without

― prima fassy (bob), Wednesday, 14 January 2004 13:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Why are Middlesborough chasing after more reliable defensive ball-winners when they could be spending that £5m on a striker who, like, actually scores goals occasionally?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 14 January 2004 14:05 (twenty-two years ago)

The more time elapses without anyone buying Defoe the more amusing I find it.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 14 January 2004 14:08 (twenty-two years ago)

looks like Pompey are to sign 18 year old "jug ears" Duffy from Swansea

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/3392929.stm

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 15 January 2004 14:57 (twenty-two years ago)

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/gallery/2001/05/11/plug.gif

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 15 January 2004 15:05 (twenty-two years ago)

they'd be better off with Lee Trundle

― chris (chris), Thursday, 15 January 2004 15:20 (twenty-two years ago)

hooray! the pic sums him up

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/farnborough/3400127.stm

― prima fassy (bob), Thursday, 15 January 2004 15:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Martin O'Neill is watching John "little brother of Chris" Sutton this afternoon according to Radio Scotland.

John Sutton has already turned down a four-day trial with Valencia this week because he thought he may have a chance of signing for Millwall. Fool.

The pundit on Radio Scotland (Chick Young) has just expressed surprise that he is passing up the chance of playing in La Liga "one of the best leagues in Spain". The rest of the pundits are pissing themselves laughing.

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 17 January 2004 16:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Robinson to Spurs?! Come on Leeds, you KNOW you're desperate enough.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 22 January 2004 12:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Today's papers variously have Spurs bidding £5m for a combination of either Robinson and Bakke or Robinson and Milner. The latter pair thrills; the former looks flawed. But the variations seem to suggest unreliability. Perhaps we'll get none of the above.

― the spurfox, Thursday, 22 January 2004 15:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Or worse, Bakke on his own.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 22 January 2004 15:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Bakke is an underrated player

― Stringent (Stringent), Thursday, 22 January 2004 16:03 (twenty-two years ago)

The Dutch defender Frank de Boer was also told he was no longer wanted
I'm surprised Rangers haven't been linked with him yet. His brother has had "R. de Boer" on the back of his shirt since signing, presumably so as not to be confused with F. when they finally get round to signing him...

As I posted upthread, so it has come to pass.

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 26 January 2004 18:19 (twenty-two years ago)

jean alain boumsong is a utter muppet

― prima fassy (bob), Monday, 26 January 2004 21:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Boumsong is a very good player - shame he's gone to the hun.

In other news

Reyes has gone to Arsenal for 16.5 million!!!!! The Christiano Ronaldo who actually scores and gets assists. A fantastic signing I have to say

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 15:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Can't understand for the life of me why he decided to sign for Rangers...

― Baaderist (Fabfunk), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 15:33 (twenty-two years ago)

accordinmg to him it's because Houllier snubbed him

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 16:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Henry to Real Madrid now? Otherwise where ae they getting this money from?

― pete s, Tuesday, 27 January 2004 16:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Houllier is King of Snubbers

― run it off (run it off), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 16:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Real Madrid's deal with the City of Madrid government for their training ground is being scrutinised by the EU...might affect the ability of Madrid to borrow money to by Tegs.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 17:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Can't understand for the life of me why he decided to sign for Rangers...

Does he have a dodgy leg? (Prodan, Rozenthal, Ball, Nerlinger etc to thread)

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 18:50 (twenty-two years ago)

er hello, people! reyes deal = HOLY MOLY AMAZINGNESS!!!

i havent been this shocked since... haha WHERE did this munnny come from! now that's how u spend, chelsea fans

― prima fassy (bob), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 00:33 (twenty-two years ago)

i mean considering they could have spent like £13m on defoe and mexes say and have been really unstoppable

― prima fassy (bob), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 00:35 (twenty-two years ago)

rumours are they still *will* buy defoe, for £8 million no less

― pete s, Wednesday, 28 January 2004 00:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Where DID this money come from?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 16:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Houllier says Boumsong wanted too much money. I don't know who he is, so I have to agree with Houllier. I like Reyes but I can't remember why. I wish someone would take that dreadful whippersnapper Torres off Atletico Madrid. Wolves have got two players on trial, which seems rather old fashioned.

All of this, apart from the befuddledness, comes from the BBC website. I thought I'd go along and give them a bit of moral support.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 18:51 (twenty-two years ago)

'Kev in Daniel Swoop' read one headline this morning. Does anyone know which Kev? Which Daniel?

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 18:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Celtic get rid of one dodgy goalie. Anyone want the other one?

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 19:36 (twenty-two years ago)

So Arsenal will have Henry, Reyes, Defoe, Bergkamp, Wiltord, Kanu and Alialialiadiere to choose from up front then?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 20:06 (twenty-two years ago)

you forgot david bentley

― Stringent Stepper (Stringent), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 20:11 (twenty-two years ago)

The moral support was a good idea.

We should all do it.

― the beebfox, Wednesday, 28 January 2004 20:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Bloody hell STEFFEN FREUND FOOTBALLING GENIUS IS GOING TO LEICESTER!!!

I love Steffen Freund, Steffen Freund loves me...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 30 January 2004 16:12 (twenty-two years ago)

haha parker's gone to chelsea and no-one cares!

― pete s, Friday, 30 January 2004 16:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Micky Adams says of Freund's signing "it will create more competition for places in midfield". By which he means "we're putting him on the bench".

Parker to Chelsea makes me angry.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 30 January 2004 16:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Solano to Villa, for only £1.5M! bargain central?

― Stringent Stepper (Stringent), Friday, 30 January 2004 16:47 (twenty-two years ago)

in the transfer window Pompey have signed 5:

a Finn on loan Pasanen - central defender [via Ajax],
an Israeli [Berko from Man City],
a Pole on a short term contact, Olszar [ex Polish u21 prolific goalscorer now aged 23 via an Austrian club],
a Croat - Mornar a striker [via Anderlecht in Belgium who scored against England last year]
and a young Welshman ["Jug ears" Duffy from Swansea]

Plus the Yak has been a bad boy in African Nations Cup and is coming home early.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Friday, 30 January 2004 17:02 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah solano for 1.5 is some championship manager style sillyness. d ambrose is ok still tho

ps. j cureton better score nuff goals or i'll kick his fool ass back to china

― prima fassy (bob), Friday, 30 January 2004 22:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Who has signed Jamie Cureton? Ex-Bristol Rovers strikers are a guarantee of success - look at Marcus Stewart at Ipswich then Sunderland, and Jason Roberts at West Brom!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 31 January 2004 11:15 (twenty-two years ago)

queens park rangers have!

is scott parker really better than geremi? i don't think so

― prima fassy (bob), Saturday, 31 January 2004 11:44 (twenty-two years ago)

actually wait martin, stewart is average at sunderland and roberts is terrible! u have tricked me. i'll allow you hayles and zamora tho

― prima fassy (bob), Saturday, 31 January 2004 11:47 (twenty-two years ago)

haha fulham sign 18yr old twente striker collins john! they must really miss john collins

― prima fassy (bob), Saturday, 31 January 2004 11:51 (twenty-two years ago)

The ex-Bristol Rovers examples I mentioned were all relegated. We have big QPR ties - Holloway, Francis - at the managerial level.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 31 January 2004 17:05 (twenty-two years ago)

cool, i think if we try hard enough we can still get relegated this year by the looks of things

― prima fassy (bob), Saturday, 31 January 2004 17:14 (twenty-two years ago)

"Kev In Daniel Swoop" has nothing to do with me, sadly, but a Belgian call Daniel Van Buyten. Seems to be highly rated.

― Daniel (dancity), Sunday, 1 February 2004 00:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Transfer deadline day everyone!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 11:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Bargain basement loan mentalism ahoy everyone. Bridges to Newcastle, evidently steadfast in their bid to relocate the entire old-skool Leeds squad to St James Park.

But not Robinson though... he's coming to the Lane of Shame. BRING IT ON!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 11:46 (twenty-two years ago)

For £2m... that's an absolute crazyshit bargain.

Maybe we'll sign Shevchenko for £5m before 5pm as well...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 11:48 (twenty-two years ago)

he'll get 2 goals in 13 appearances over 4 years if so

― chris (chris), Monday, 2 February 2004 11:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey, it's an improvement on Postiga.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 11:58 (twenty-two years ago)

**is scott parker really better than geremi? i don't think so**

Geremi's dire. Each time I've seen him I've wondered if anyone's told him we play in blue.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 2 February 2004 12:20 (twenty-two years ago)

i couldn't help noticing on sunday morning watching various footbally bits, have newcastle and sunderland gone through more players in the last few years than everyone else or what? every third player seemed to have been with one or the other (i suppose this is partially to do with sunderland's relegation), i think it was nobby at villa that finally made me realise this...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 2 February 2004 12:23 (twenty-two years ago)

you could say the same about middlesbrough - they're now trying to sign ricardinho

― pete s, Monday, 2 February 2004 16:02 (twenty-two years ago)

defoe apparently going to spurs in a swap deal with zamora.
no mention of the cash involved though. if its anything under £5 mill then its clearly a bargain (tho obv. i would have prefered bobby to stay)

― pete s, Monday, 2 February 2004 16:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Defoe to Spurs with Zamora going in the opposite direction as a sweetener would be a blinding bit of business on Pleat's part. It's not going to happen though... Defoe would take some convincing to go to Tottenham, I think, although the Top Three move has failed to materialise.

Buy a fucking holding midfielder in the next 45 minutes for god's sake Pleat.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 16:11 (twenty-two years ago)

shit now reports that the robinson deal has collapsed

― pete s, Monday, 2 February 2004 16:14 (twenty-two years ago)

FUCK FUCK FUCK!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 16:19 (twenty-two years ago)

matt if defoe was smart hed take the move, get himself back in the prem, get noticed for england playing alongside other internationals like kanoute keane dalmat. then he'd likely get picked up by Man Yoo/Arsenal - sadly for us

― pete s, Monday, 2 February 2004 16:22 (twenty-two years ago)

It's alright, we'll sign him in the summer.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 16:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Robinson, that is.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 16:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Go on Robinson, go to Spurs, please. And someone buy the rest of Milton Keynes's decent players, while you're at it.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 2 February 2004 16:25 (twenty-two years ago)

And still no one's bought Steven Carr.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 16:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Taxi for Carr!

― omg, Monday, 2 February 2004 16:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Defoe's coming to Spurs for £7m plus Zamora. Rock.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 17:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Email from my fellow Spurs supporting workmate, earlier today:

If we sign Defoe, I will spank the monkey in the office.
on top of a table.
with red flashing arrows all around me.

Should I hold him to this?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 17:13 (twenty-two years ago)

yes, yes you should.

― chris (chris), Monday, 2 February 2004 17:17 (twenty-two years ago)

'Should I hold him to this?'

Err, nicely put there Matt

― pete s, Monday, 2 February 2004 17:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Obvious analysis:

Man Utd sign Saha, no room for Defoe there
Arsenal sign Reyes, no money for Defoe there
Chelsea have like 5 strikers already

Going to Spurs is a smart move for Defoe, as he's still in London, and though they aren't doing that well, there's potential (they must have told him who the new manager is). I'm surprised Liverpool didn't go for him, as I reckon they would have been the only other club outside the big three to have a shout at getting him, and Owen's future is a doubt. Well, okay maybe he could've gone to Newcastle.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 2 February 2004 17:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Liverpool are getting Cisse in the summer, so no room there either

― chris (chris), Monday, 2 February 2004 17:19 (twenty-two years ago)

I feel kinda sorry for Bobby Zamora.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 2 February 2004 17:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Amazingly, I am still sulking about Robinson. Especially as he will probably end up going to Chelsea to sit on the bench with their other eight goalies.

Since when were Leeds in the position to turn down £2m?

Zamora was just not good enough from what I saw. Also, we know Defoe can play with Kanoute, in the most mercenary strikeforce outside Stamford Bridge.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 17:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Robinson's just a goalie, no big deal. There's probably some other American chap out there who can replace Kasey.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 2 February 2004 17:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Leeds didn't turn down the 2mil - Robbo didn't want to go!

― chris (chris), Monday, 2 February 2004 17:25 (twenty-two years ago)

i thought it was down to tottenham witholding 1/2 million till the summer, which would've been/is dumbfuck stupid

― pete s, Monday, 2 February 2004 17:28 (twenty-two years ago)

hm defoe deal feels a bit of a waste. there's enough stagnant good players at spurs as it is frankly but i suppose he wanted to cement an england spot. wouldnt it have been better to coach postiga a bit more? nice that spurs have 4 vanity strikers and still no midfield

alan pardew's smart isnt he? reo-coker's great and i always liked bobby z

― prima fassy (bob), Monday, 2 February 2004 18:30 (twenty-two years ago)

defoe could have gone to newcastle, but this is probably not a bad move for him

spurs should have signed butt and solano, maybe carrick

― Stringent Stepper (Stringent), Monday, 2 February 2004 19:58 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Spurs have probably noticed that having an ex-Bristol Rovers striker in your premiership team means the odds are that you'll get relegated - Stewart with Ipswich then Sunderland, Roberts with West Brom. Fulham have coped so far despite Barry Hayles. Zamora was just too big a risk. Bar Stewart's first Prem season with Ipswich, all these people (plus Cureton and Ellington) look like good 1st Division strikers but not at the top level.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Monday, 2 February 2004 20:26 (twenty-two years ago)

the reason why the robinson deal collapsed was because spurs were going to loan him back to leeds for rest of the season - hoewever leeds already had the maximum brit based loan players.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 2 February 2004 20:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Poor Postiga... now he doesn't even have the consolation of knowing he's ahead of Bobby Zamora in the pecking order.

I'm not convinced Spurs need any more attacking midfielders what with Davies, Dalmat, Brown, Ricketts, Jackson and *ack* Redknapp, Poyet and Anderton. Even Ziege when fit and called upon. I'm surprised no one bought Nicky Butt - but I would be happy with even Robbie Savage at this point.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 09:54 (twenty-two years ago)

I wish we had bought Robinson. I hope we do.

I think Zamora has been unfairly treated. And £7m PLUS Zamora is much cash indeed nowadays.

Is this Defoe any good? I have never seen him do anything. I think I felt the same way about Kanoute.

― the spurfox, Tuesday, 3 February 2004 14:42 (twenty-two years ago)

he's very quick Pf, with an excellent touch. I think he'll link up very well with Kanoute (mind you together they couldn't keep up West Ham could they) with Keane in the hole behind, it could be useful, but less so than if you'd bought or loaned a ball-winner.

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 14:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Apparently Future Spurs Manager, whoever he is, is recommending players already.

In the closed season we really need to offload Anderton to Pompey or whoever, and then spend the remainder of that £15m on a decent central defender and, of course, someone capable of tackling and marshalling the midfield. As esteemed football sage Dave Boyle once said, team without ball cannot fannydangle.

I am pleasantly surprised with the way Gary Doherty has been playing in defence recently. He's evidently sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads and gone from utter donkey to Ginger Pele within a couple of months.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 14:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Cabbage is right: both strikers were in a relegated team.

I wanted Milner.

― the bellefox, Tuesday, 3 February 2004 14:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Come this summer, that will also apply to Paul Robinson, Alan Smith and Mark Viduka, and I would not be the man to turn them down.

I would be more worried if we were buying West Ham defenders.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:03 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think they actually exist

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Plus Kanoute was injured most of last season.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Also, Milner is playing first team football for Leeds this season. Are you sure that's what you want?

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Kanoute got 5 from 17 last season, 3 and a bit games per goal isn't that good for a top class striker really.

I do think he's class though, just a bit fitful

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:30 (twenty-two years ago)

True, but he's beaten that in fewer games this season, and came back from injury to start scoring pretty much straight away. Time will tell if he can hang onto that form.

Other good thing about signing Defoe - because of his big ban earlier this season, he can play in the FA Cup! Rah!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:32 (twenty-two years ago)

defoe's figures for last season ........

8 from 42!!!!!

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:36 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Spurs will be playing a 4-2-4 formation from now on, with Darren Anderton running the midfield. The new manager must therefore be Ossie Ardiles.

― jel -- (jel), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 17:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Darren Anderton running the midfield

I can just see him battling for control of the centre against Viera, Roy Keane or Makalele. Until he's injured of course, which will be about five minutes from the start of the game where he is supposed tobe battling with the likes of Keane. Butt would have been a very good signing for Spurs, I think. Defoe is a gamble - he is young and sharp and might get very good. He seems an odd gamble to take when you don't look short of expensive strikers, but do look think elsewhere.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 18:34 (twenty-two years ago)

two months pass...

shock of the year?

Bolton eye Rivaldo swoop
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/3651125.stm

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 22 April 2004 17:10 (twenty-two years ago)

There is nothing remotely shocking about that! I mean, Sam 'Ambulance Chaser' Allardyce signing formerly world-class but past-it player who has fallen out with manager? And people are surprised?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 22 April 2004 17:20 (twenty-two years ago)

I thought he'd go to Portsmouth.

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 22 April 2004 17:21 (twenty-two years ago)

So, what with Rivaldo at Bolton and ~~shop window time~~ Euro2004 on the way, it appears to be silly season in the transfer speculation business. Lizarazu to Spurs or Bolton? Joey Barton to Liverpool? Hamann to Tottenham? Van Nistelrooy to... god knows where. Brilliant.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 29 April 2004 09:02 (twenty-two years ago)

If Barton goes to Anfield, combining with Stevie G, Liverpool will have an impregnable midfield of Huyton rock! Then all they will need is to add me marauding down the right.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 29 April 2004 09:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Our Joey'll miss his nights out on the lash with Stevie and Jamie, though.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 29 April 2004 09:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Ack, Stevie and Robbie, even. I'm getting my Spice Boys mixed up.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 29 April 2004 09:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Did anyone see Houllier's response to rumours that Stevie Gerrard was leaving

Something like "he will not leave easily because I will have both my arms wrapped tightly around him".

AW.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 29 April 2004 09:22 (twenty-two years ago)

WUV!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 29 April 2004 09:29 (twenty-two years ago)

I wish I could find that pic of them hugging from earlier in the season.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 29 April 2004 09:29 (twenty-two years ago)

it was actually "You would have to cut off both my arms before I let go of him because I would have them both wrapped around him."

: ' (

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 29 April 2004 09:31 (twenty-two years ago)

What will actually happen is when the Liverpool board come to take Houllier away at the end of the season he will grab Stevie G with both arms, going "you take me out, and Stevie goes too" and barricades them both in his office, hostage-style. The situation is only resolved when they get Djimi Traore to blow the door down.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 29 April 2004 09:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Despite Houllier attempting to trick Traore into thinking the door is the left wing.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 29 April 2004 09:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Houllier escapes by scrambling through Traore's legs while Djimi stands there statuesque wondering what's going on. El-Hadji Diouf well placed to kick him in the head on the other side, Houllier escorted from the premises and all is well.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 29 April 2004 09:37 (twenty-two years ago)

The speculation I've seen is of Gerrard and Owen both leaving Liverpool, with Houllier signing Barton (who does at least look something like Gerrard) and Robert Earnshaw as replacements. I don't think this is likely to make them a better team.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 29 April 2004 11:13 (twenty-two years ago)

If that happens I'm supporting Shelbourne FC and going to watch them play all summer.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 29 April 2004 11:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Robert Earnshaw reminds me of the Mekon from the Eagle comic.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 29 April 2004 11:16 (twenty-two years ago)

I really don't want to end up watching Shelbourne.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 29 April 2004 11:17 (twenty-two years ago)

earnshaw would be better suited to a less ambitious club like middlesborough (who need a striker) or maybe one of the promoted clubs. i know very little about barton.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 29 April 2004 11:18 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Gerrard will stay, Owen will be on the next plane to Spain.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 29 April 2004 11:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Nigerian International Central Defender, Taribo West in talks with Pompey
http://sport.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2856918

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 29 April 2004 14:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Will Premiership clubs sign any of these players? possible Summer Transfer Targets

Michael Carrick
Andy Reid
Michael Dawson
Phil Jagielka
Tim Cahill
Alan Smith
Van Bommell
Mateja Kezman
Didier Drogba
Dado Prso
Robbie Earnshaw
Philippe Mexes
Henrik Larson
David Beckham
Maris Verpakovskis [Latvian striker]
Muzzy Izzet

also with Euro 2004 in June every Premiership club will be scouting for available talent/ possible transfer targets.

Summer 2004 will be a bigger summer for transfers compared to last summer, in particular these clubs will lead the way

Chelsea Chequebook - will sign a few big names

Manchester United - will need to rebuild
Liverpool - ditto

Newcastle, Birmingham, Middlesboro, Villa - will want to make a few big signings

Tottenham - will have a new manager who will want to make new signings

Charlton - have money from Scotty Parker sale

Fulham - have money from Saha sale

So called Saints - new manager will want to make a few new signings, and ship a few out.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 29 April 2004 17:34 (twenty-two years ago)

will Dazza return to Pompey?

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 13 May 2004 12:07 (twenty-two years ago)

he has "offers form home and abroad and will weigh up the options" in other words "where will offer the most money and have the best treatment tables?"

― chris (chris), Thursday, 13 May 2004 12:08 (twenty-two years ago)

But he'll go to Pompey anyway.

Robinson to Spurs for £1.5m is an absolute fucking bargain. £1m LESS than when Leeds were desparate to sell him during the transfer window.

James Milner is signing a new contract at Leeds. Stupid boy.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 13 May 2004 12:11 (twenty-two years ago)

i think at milners age, staying at leeds is probably a better option, plenty of opportunity to grow there now, and be a big player.

he is probably thinking about the long game, with an eye on a move to a big team, rather than spurs

― gareth (gareth), Thursday, 13 May 2004 12:22 (twenty-two years ago)

£5m for Milner would be silly, he's relatively unproven and it could just end up as another Postiga situation. That money would be much better spent on Van Bommell or Hamman or someone.

I like the idea of some tasty Liverpool signings in the summer - Wright-Phillips, Mexes, Barton... could be very nice indeed.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 13 May 2004 12:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Someone will snap up Andy Reid from Forest. The best player in the first division by a country stroll.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 13 May 2004 12:32 (twenty-two years ago)

mixin ya metaphors a bit there laik

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 13 May 2004 12:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Country stroll. Forest. Scans to me. Are you being a gay?

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 13 May 2004 12:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Tottenham apparently after Reid as well, but they want a shedload of money for him - I don't know much about him - where in midfield does he play?

Also Paul Konchesky's been whingeing about Charlton most of the season - where's he going then?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 13 May 2004 12:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Mikey I'm not gay but if Andy Reid offered himself I sher wood

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 13 May 2004 12:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Back in da Hood, Steve M. Robin, natch.

Any Reid is a creative, goalscoring central midfielder. But so was Michael Brown. Let's hope he doesn't go to Spurs then.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 13 May 2004 12:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Just been announced that Alan Smith is off to Man U for £7m. Just as well they won't be playing in the same league.

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 24 May 2004 17:37 (twenty-two years ago)

AFP report

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 24 May 2004 17:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Diego, Nicky Butt, Jasper Gronkjaer, random star player form smaller team at Euro 2004 are all going to Spurs!

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 24 May 2004 17:53 (twenty-two years ago)

random star player form smaller team at Euro 2004 are all going to Spurs!

Hands off Stilian Petrov if that's where you're going with this!!!

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 24 May 2004 17:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha yeah right.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 10:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Middlesbrough now in for Kluivert, Viduka AND Yakubu according to the BBC. The Yak could be a good signing but why would Pompey sell him (assuming they own him)?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 28 May 2004 12:24 (twenty-two years ago)

they only partially own him (maccaba have some?)

― charltonlido (gareth), Friday, 28 May 2004 12:49 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

So then - Didier Drogba and Tiago to Chelsea, who have 364 midfielders and still only one proper rightback. Boro fans get very excited because they have signed the new Cole and Yorke (at Blackburn), and no one, NOT EVEN HARRY REDKNAPP, has signed Darren Anderton yet.

Suppose its time for another round of wide-of-the-mark speculation, excitement and plain wishful thinking, then.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 19 July 2004 14:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Darren Anderton is training with Birmingham city!

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 19 July 2004 14:33 (twenty-one years ago)

from saturday's guardian:

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,9753,1263358,00.html

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 19 July 2004 14:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Damn, I had money on Celestine Babayaro being the next Brum signing.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 19 July 2004 14:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Rebrov is training with West Ham. That's according to the 'Bastard Fucking Yids' thread on an unofficial website.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Monday, 19 July 2004 15:04 (twenty-one years ago)

The thing is, I still want him to do well. Maybe we should buy Matt Etherington back to really piss you all off.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 19 July 2004 15:07 (twenty-one years ago)

where's Ruel Fox now?

― the neurotic awakening of s (blueski), Monday, 19 July 2004 15:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Hammer of the Year Matty was. This normally means a subsequent poor season.

Zamora 5 goals in 2 games pre-season. Transfer that to The CocaColaship and he will get 115 goals this season.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Monday, 19 July 2004 15:29 (twenty-one years ago)

three weeks pass...

Michael Owen in signing for Real Madrid instead of Patrick Viera shocker!

No, seriously. Why do Real Madrid insist on buying formerly-good-but-now-shitty English players each summer?

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Friday, 13 August 2004 10:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, they're sending a left-back Liverpool's way, so they've failed to geta midfielder, lost a defender and gained a striker.

That'll be fabled attempt to get a defence stalled for another season then.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 13 August 2004 10:32 (twenty-one years ago)

and getting Luis Garcia from Barca - an attacking midfielder!

I think it'll be the Carragher and Hyppia show in center defence, something I've been shouting for for two years

― Porkpie (porkpie), Friday, 13 August 2004 10:49 (twenty-one years ago)

GARY DOHERTY TO NORWICH! RESULT!

This is the best news I've had in weeks.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 14:08 (twenty-one years ago)

don't be mean to ireland's utility man ;-)

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 14:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Carrick to Spurs (today!) say the West Ham rumourmongers. With Dean Richards skanking the other way.

Great, that'll make £20m worth of Spurs rejects.

― MikeyG (MikeyG), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 14:20 (twenty-one years ago)

G, if this turns out to be true it is the greatest day of my life. The entire Exploding Comedy Clown Car shipped out in 24hrs? Surely not...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 14:28 (twenty-one years ago)

The new Liverpool guy, Nunez, has just suffered knee ligament damage. Christ, that's bad luck. From the BBC site.

― MikeyG (MikeyG), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 14:38 (twenty-one years ago)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3577334.stm

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 14:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Henchoz to West Ham! That's not official by the way. Probable? No, not that either, but a rumour from 'someone close to the club'.

Richards not now part of Carrick deal, doesn't want to drop down a division

― MikeyG (MikeyG), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 14:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Is he still labouring under the illusion that he's a competant defender or something?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 14:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Tarrico is also being 'suggested' as a makeweight. No!

― MikeyG (MikeyG), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 14:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Now this is novel...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 14:52 (twenty-one years ago)

"enjoys crashing cars worth more than your house"

― MikeyG (MikeyG), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 14:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Why don't Spudz and West Sham just get a room?

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 22:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Taricco, in the name of god, Tariggo.

― the bellefox, Thursday, 19 August 2004 15:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I like DC's car post.

I hope we get better players.

― the bellefox, Thursday, 19 August 2004 15:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Woodgate to Real, Ok now I know the world has gone mad

― Porkpie (porkpie), Thursday, 19 August 2004 17:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Sounds a sensible signing for them, to me. Much more in tune with what the team needs than Owen, for instance. How much? If I were Newcastle and Real were interested I'd be after big money.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 19 August 2004 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Doesn't he have some kind of mystery thigh injury?

― Michael White (Hereward), Thursday, 19 August 2004 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

they don't seem to care, he's played, like 35 games in trhe last two years though!

15 million according to radio5

― Porkpie (porkpie), Thursday, 19 August 2004 17:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd sell him for that, yes. I'd have thought they might have been able to get someone better for that money.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 19 August 2004 18:35 (twenty-one years ago)

celtic?

― cºzen (Cozen), Thursday, 19 August 2004 18:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Selling Woodgate for that sort of money is very good business indeed - £6m profit! Who sells injury-prone defenders for that sort of profit these days? Real are clearly mugs.

Still, Newcastle look like a club on the edge of a dangerous slump. Playing Titus Bramble and some other loser in central defence is not really the way to go about securing Champions League football and Robson appears to have lost the respect of his players. I bet Shearer and Kluivert are having fun together as well. What's the club's financial situation like?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 20 August 2004 07:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, Andy Van der Meyde has fallen out with his manager, meaning Big Sam is probably on the phone right this minute.

Everton supposedly interested. Van der Meyde's agent says they haven't made a move, and then mentions Spurs for no reason whatsoever. Because that's what you do. Want to flog a player to gullible Premiership club? Mention Spurs...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 20 August 2004 08:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I think it's grebt - we'll have the spine of Real Madrid = Spine of England in 2006. We will be like France - a mixture of 2 countries' playing styles (England and Spain!). England will win the World Cup. You heard it hear first.

― Back on the optimist bus (daveb), Friday, 20 August 2004 08:37 (twenty-one years ago)

j woodgate is a truly excellent defender

― prima fassy (mwah), Friday, 20 August 2004 08:39 (twenty-one years ago)

The problem with this particular spine is that it falls over and breaks when you so much as tap it.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 20 August 2004 08:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Also dear Jacques Santini and Frank Arnesen, sign a right winger please, ok thx bye.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 20 August 2004 08:42 (twenty-one years ago)

I would just like to share that I think Monaco are the cheekies ******* football team ever.

They want Nicolas Anelka on loan for the season, free, with City paying some of the wages. Why the hell would anyone agree to that? I am aware they had Morientes last year, but we don't have Ronaldo and Raul at Eastlands!

― ___ (___), Friday, 20 August 2004 08:44 (twenty-one years ago)

It also has a tendency to visit the hairdeessers, kick people in and then be very boring when questioned about it later.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 20 August 2004 08:47 (twenty-one years ago)

cos city are broke and hapless and nicolas anelka hates you?

― prima fassy (mwah), Friday, 20 August 2004 08:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 20 August 2004 08:49 (twenty-one years ago)

prima - perhaps! But they would rather sell him if anything, rather than loan him out on what will be an absolute loss.

Monaco are a bunch of cheeky gits!

― ___ (___), Friday, 20 August 2004 08:53 (twenty-one years ago)

i thought it stranger to be asking about saviola. isnt he doing ok at barca? actually cheekiest thing i ever heard was that bizzaro thing about barca wanting to loan djibril cisse a couple of weeks ago

― prima fassy (mwah), Friday, 20 August 2004 08:58 (twenty-one years ago)

That was a classic, that Barca move. Inspired! "You know that guy you have just spent £15m on - fancy lending him to us?"

It would only have been better if you got to see them looking confused when they were told where to go!

― ___ (___), Friday, 20 August 2004 09:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Rijkaard has told Saviola that he's surplus to requirements = madness

Liverpool should be snatching his hand off. They have though just signed Luis Garcia, expect to see him on a treatment table at Melwood tomorrow

― Porkpie (porkpie), Friday, 20 August 2004 09:01 (twenty-one years ago)

It's a good move from Monaco - why sign him for loads of money when you can get him on loan and then wash your hands of him just as he begins to throw and almighty sulk?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 20 August 2004 09:02 (twenty-one years ago)

liverpool shouldve said yes and put abel xavier on the plane

― prima fassy (mwah), Friday, 20 August 2004 09:03 (twenty-one years ago)

where's Ruel Fox now?

He part-owns a bar in Ipswich, I keep thinking I should torch the place.

Taricco, in the name of god, Tariggo.

Please, just send him back to Portman Road. As I've said before the man is a legend in Suffolk. I just don't know what happens to players when they put on the Spurs kit.

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Friday, 20 August 2004 09:09 (twenty-one years ago)

They get picked for England, usually.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 20 August 2004 09:10 (twenty-one years ago)

"We didn't know if Luis Garcia was going to perform the same way this season as he did last time, but I congratulate him (on the move)."

errr haha

― prima fassy (mwah), Friday, 20 August 2004 09:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I am confused.

I would have thought Camacho would have been very pro-homegrown players. Now he has three Englishmen.

I wouldn't get rid of the Little Rabbit.

I would get rid of Anelka.

I don't understand why teams buy players and then loan them out straight away.

I don't understand why teams want players on loan. They build their world around them and then what?

I don't understand how Sir Bobby Robson could lose anyone's respect, unless they were mental.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Friday, 20 August 2004 09:17 (twenty-one years ago)

My style exactly.

― the millfox, Friday, 20 August 2004 15:48 (twenty-one years ago)

There's a small tribute, to Cabbage, in there also.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Friday, 20 August 2004 15:56 (twenty-one years ago)

But his rabbit would be big?

― the pinefox, Friday, 20 August 2004 15:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't understand why teams buy players and then loan them out straight away.

Would someone please explain to me why Celtic paid Livingston £1million for David Fernandez then sent him straight back to Livingston on loan. That is just total stupidity.

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 20 August 2004 16:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Celtic are ... totally stupid?

― the finefox, Friday, 20 August 2004 16:05 (twenty-one years ago)

yes, thank you.

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 20 August 2004 16:09 (twenty-one years ago)

celtic tried playing him. (we held him for a whole season, I might be mistaken) sadly he was found match fat.

― cºzen (Cozen), Friday, 20 August 2004 17:11 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm going to answer my own question now. This is the kind of thing I do on cold winter evenings, but I've never done it in public before.

Teams sometimes buy players who and young and up and coming but perhaps not considered first team material yet. Rather than stick them in the reserves, they loan them out to QPR or whoever to get first team experience at the highest possible level. When they come back after their loan period, they are super-charged rottweillers instead of timid poodles leaving puddles of piss everywhere bar the opposition penalty area.

That, I think, is what happens.

Meanwhile, I, like Lawro, am very disappointed that players on loan are no longer allowed to play against the teams what 'own' them. I always thought that was a good laugh.

Brian Clough appears to have had his eyebrows embalmed.

I am avoiding the scores so that I can simultaneously watch MOTD with added excitement and pay homage to the spirit of the Likely Lads.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Saturday, 21 August 2004 17:55 (twenty-one years ago)

AFC Wimbledon have an arrangement in place with former bitter rivals Crystal Palace. We get to take on some of their youngsters and give them competitive football. I hope Andy Johnson counts as a youngster.

(p.s. we're currently top of the Rymans First, 3 wins out of 3. Rockin'!)

― Markelby (Mark C), Saturday, 21 August 2004 17:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, Timmy Atouba, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

I can't believe just a fortnight ago I was so indifferent to the fact we'd signed you...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 21 August 2004 22:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I enjoyed MOTD, but I didn't quite catch Hansen's First Rule of Defending. He was very deadpan.

I think Tottenham look quite good, actually.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Sunday, 22 August 2004 07:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Rule 1: never stand in the wall.

A pretty perfect MOTD, bar the hapless Schmeichel. Lineker has become at least as good as Lyman in his heyday, I think. Mainly of course, lots of great action. Berger's goal was wonderful, though it reminded me more of goals by Henry and Vieri in recent years than the old Fashanu one they showed. If Arsenal look as good again later today, I'll start to envisage the title race as being non-close this season - Man U only beating Norwich 2-1 at home, Chelsea being really lucky to beat Birmingham, and neither look convincing challengers right now.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 22 August 2004 08:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm getting heartily sick of Hansen's prefacing every comment with 'If you're talking about [insert reference to question Gary Lineker has just asked him].

We weren't talking about that Alan. We want to hear you talk. Stop buying time and get on with it. Earn your crust lad.

― Dave B (daveb), Sunday, 22 August 2004 09:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Martin, its worth bearing in mind that Manyoo have only have about half their strongest XI available and Chelsea's midfield doesn't look like Mourinho's preferred selection either (no Robben or Duff, principally). Arsenal are operating at full capacity right now - I think they'd be less able to cope with an injury list on a similar scale.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 22 August 2004 09:12 (twenty-one years ago)

alan hansen is great I want his hair.

― cºzen (Cozen), Sunday, 22 August 2004 09:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Clutching at straws, DC, clutching at straws.

― the bellefox, Sunday, 22 August 2004 11:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Duff played a full game (or almost?) for Ireland this Wednesday, but still didn't even make the Chelsea bench. I realise Man U have injuries (and that will continue to be the case for a while), and so on, but I am still not seeing evidence of anyone closing the gap on Arsenal - I know it's absurdly early in the season, but at the moment I see the gap extending.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 22 August 2004 13:26 (twenty-one years ago)

A further note: Arsenal are without Campbell, Viera and Pires. 1-1 at HT against Boro, but Arsenal still look terrific to me, in a way that no one else has so far.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 22 August 2004 14:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Arsenal now 5-3 up after going 3-1 down. I fear Mr Skidmore might actually be correct.

So glad Ugo Ehiogu, on my fantasy league team, isn't anywhere near the pitch right now.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 22 August 2004 16:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Henry scored two and gets one (I think) assist too, and he's my fantasy team's double-points captain, so that should improve my score some. Mellberg scored for Villa earlier too. Can't get on to check my score just now.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 22 August 2004 17:25 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=620010&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&

Sturrock gone!! "by mutual consent"...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 23 August 2004 10:03 (twenty-one years ago)

good lord

― Bumfluff, Monday, 23 August 2004 10:05 (twenty-one years ago)

that's just madness!

― Vicky (Vicky), Monday, 23 August 2004 10:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm off to the bookies tyo put money on Soton going down. They are mad - Sturrock is a great manager (though it seems his team at Plymouth were pretty strong, looking at their position in the 2nd division).

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 23 August 2004 10:12 (twenty-one years ago)

in the which division now? if only the gargolyes were in league 2 ;)

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 23 August 2004 10:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought we were calling the leagues by their proper old fashioned names these days?

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 23 August 2004 10:16 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe i missed a meeting ;)

i'm happy to call them whatever coca-cola wants me to call them...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 23 August 2004 10:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Carsmile = willing tool of the multinationals!

― Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 23 August 2004 10:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Coca cola are evil and kill trade unionists in Colombia. Resist them, people.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 23 August 2004 10:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Is that the official Support3rs etc. etc.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 23 August 2004 10:37 (twenty-one years ago)

not really...

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 23 August 2004 10:53 (twenty-one years ago)

This is terrible. They never gave the poor sod a chance... I'm wondering how much of a hand Lowe had in us buying hardly anyone over the summer, too.

Thoroughly gutted for the man. Hopefully Lowe'll be getting what comes to him.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 23 August 2004 12:20 (twenty-one years ago)

That seems extraordinary. If they'd lost the first five or something, I could understand, but after a winning weekend it's crazy, unless they have someone terrific lined up, and I bet they haven't.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Monday, 23 August 2004 16:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Southampton are kinda weird about their managers.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 23 August 2004 16:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Apparently Steve Wigley (first team coach and caretaker pre-Sturrock) is confirmed as the new man full-time. The last time that happened was Stuart Gray. The time before that was Dave Merrington.

Hmm.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 23 August 2004 17:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I think maybe Beattie is on his way...

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 23 August 2004 17:30 (twenty-one years ago)

...to Celtic (fingers crossed)

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 23 August 2004 17:31 (twenty-one years ago)

To Spurs of course!!

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 23 August 2004 17:32 (twenty-one years ago)

A letter on Football365 migth hlep explain things somewhat, actually:

No doubt the departure of Paul Sturrock after just two games, one of which was won, will be a surprise to many people, with questions being asked as to how you can sack a manager after only two games of the season. People may also ask if Rupert Lowe is the new Jesus Gil y Gil, the former chairman of Atletico Madrid who got through, on average, 3 managers a season, I think. Personally, I believe that the answer is no, Lowe is 'doing a Gil', and we aren't entering a new period of extreme vulnerability for managers (no more so than usual).

A friend of mine works at the St Mary's Stadium and told me back in June that Sturrock may not be around for too long - while he may have interviewed well, it appears that he didn't live up to his word. The problems started, as these things often do, on the training ground... but on this occasion it wasn't the proverbial 'bust-up'. Allegedly, Sturrock would arrive later than many players and, rather than joining in the training, would sit in the dug out watching and "eating fried egg sandwiches" - an approach which didn't thrill Rupert Lowe and the directors.

His training 'techniques' led to Sturrock failing to gain a rapport with the players, and while Kevin Phillips gave a speech after the game on Saturday about how the players were behind him etc, what else was he expected to say in front of the cameras when questioned about the matter? It was the standard speech from a player not wanting to fall foul of those who pay his wages and select the team.

Leading to his being ostracised from the players was the fact that Sturrock would consistently preach the virtues of the long ball game which had served him well at Plymouth. It's believed that the players were sick of hearing about "how we did things at Plymouth".

All of this led to the unsettling of James Beattie which culminated in bids from Aston Villa and interest from Charlton and Tottenham, and I would imagine that a change in manager - if it is the right manager who is brought in - would help ease Beattie's concerns and convince him to stay beyond the transfer window in January.

It's a shame things turned out the way the did. I for one, and I know many other fans felt the same way, welcomed the signing of Sturrock. I thought it was a victory for bringing through young, successful British managers from the lower divisions, and I looked forward to exciting football from the Saints, building on the success of the Gordon Strachan era. However, the results and performances of the tail end of last season didn't have the promise that I, or the other fans I have spoken to, had hoped.

No doubt there will now be another round of rumours linking Glenn Hoddle with a return to the club, but I for one hope that doesn't happen. I'd hope that the lessons were learned from his dubious time at Tottenham where there were rumours of unrest and changing room discord.

From my understanding, Hoddle has similar man-management skills to Sturrock (or perhaps even David Brent). He is fine with those he considers first-teamers, but all but ignores those who aren't. Added to this is the fact that he was on the verge of selling James Beattie to Crystal Palace for £1m before his departure to Spurs - I'm not sure how keen Beattie would be on his return.

So, in hoping that Glenn doesn't make a return, who would the fans like to see coming in? Well, one rumour that I heard was Mark Wright, the recently departed manager of Chester and ex-Saints defender. But I'm not sure if the club would want to take another big chance on an essentially untested manager (certainly at top level). Wright could be offered a position on the coaching staff or as Assistant Manager and I think that would go down well with the fans. Another name in the hat is another former Saints man, Micky Adams, currently at Leicester. he was a man who's name did the rounds when Sturrock came in, and again he would be a popular choice. People might point to Leicester's relegation, but then what had Strachan done before getting the Saints job, and what did he do when he came in?

Certainly, a manager such as Adams would be a good choice in my eyes. He has experience in the Premier League, he's young, English, and seems to have the right kind of credentials. Whether he could be prised away from Leicester would be another matter, as is the possibility of Rupert Lowe picking him. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that Hoddle is on his back... I only hope he lasts as long as Sturrock... and no more...
Ben Hendy, Southampton

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 23 August 2004 17:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Newcastle bid £20m for Rooney. Rejected.

Spurs buying Paramount.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 23 August 2004 20:06 (twenty-one years ago)

The TV comedy channel? How apt.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Monday, 23 August 2004 20:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Is Paramount still a big channel?

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 23 August 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Paramount is a big name but not very successful nowadays. So yes, in this context.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Monday, 23 August 2004 20:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I think Ted Danson should be brought in to manage Spurs.

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 23 August 2004 20:33 (twenty-one years ago)

paramount are still a big, channel

― david acid (gareth), Monday, 23 August 2004 20:40 (twenty-one years ago)

St Mary's = Comedy Central

Starring

Tory Toff Chief Executive, who looks like a tory prat from the major era

Luggy Sturrock "we did this way at Plymouth" HOOOOOOOF the ball up field

Summer Signings a Viking, 6ft 7 Colgate Crouch a premiership reject and a unproven Belgian.

BT wants to bail out.

Tory Toff blames the MEDIA ! for the sacking

Then appoints a Head Coach not a manager.

...this sorry saga to be continued

The Laughing stock of the Premier!

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 23 August 2004 20:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Hem.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39983000/jpg/_39983310_hislop_getty300.jpg

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 23 August 2004 21:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Patrick Berger GOAL of the Season and it's not even September !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 23 August 2004 21:10 (twenty-one years ago)

not necessarily, that last Arsenal goal had as much if not more skill, and plenty of beauty, even if it ended in a tap in (but what a tap-in)

― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 07:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't like Micky Adams.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 07:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Spurs have approached Ajax over signing Wesley Sneijder. If we sign him, that makes a new player in every position bar Ledley King and the front two. Mentalism.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 08:26 (twenty-one years ago)

ha ha, way to ingratiate yourself with yr new fans:
http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=18107&progr=0

― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 13:04 (twenty-one years ago)

"If you get the chance to go to Arsenal, you go," he said. "But that deal fell through and Tottenham came in and this has been an ideal move for me."

― Krankenhaus, Tuesday, 24 August 2004 13:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Juventus are reportedly interested in signing Manchester City's Nicolas Anelka after Monaco pulled out of negotiations for the French striker. City's insistence on a straight sale instead of a loan caused Monaco to lose interest, but Juventus and the French champions Lyon may now make a move for Anelka, who will not be cup-tied in Europe.

(If I sound unusually knowledgeable and assured there, it's because I cut and pasted it from the Guardian.)

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 13:59 (twenty-one years ago)

juninho?

― cºzen (Cozen), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 16:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes?

― Juninho (Mark C), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 20:54 (twenty-one years ago)

He's going to be a sensation, isn't he? ISN'T HE?!

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 22:42 (twenty-one years ago)

No.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 07:15 (twenty-one years ago)

FFIGO!!!!! (i'll leave that spare F in, as it seems appropriate)

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1290259,00.html

blimey...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 07:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll believe it when I see it, frankly. Yes, he's past it and would probably be rub in the Premiership but still IT'S LUIS FFFFIGO!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 08:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, hang on:

Spurs have already persuaded Real Madrid to consent to a free transfer and to pay up to a third of the Portugal international's £6m annual wages.

This seems utterly ridiculous. Do Madrid really want rid of him that badly?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 08:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Yay! A new Ginola!

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 08:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Though, of course, he's not really coming to Spurs. We've got Pedro, we don't need Figo.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 08:59 (twenty-one years ago)

"Hi guys, can we take your still pretty valuable player for free, and is there any chance you can bung us a couple of million quid as well?"

That's amazingly cheeky.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 08:59 (twenty-one years ago)

He is a JUDAS, he will defect to Milton Keynes Dons. I was expecting him to go to Fulham, actually.

Kily Gonzalez would like nothing more than to go to Crystal Palace on loan.

Have you noticed how everyone who ever played in Spain even if they are not quite Spanish is basically FOLLOWING ME? It's because of my quality punditry.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 09:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, Spurs haven't signed a player yet today so it's about bloody time.

Its weird that just a couple of years ago there were hardly any Spanish or Portuguese players in the Premiership, now the league is awash with them. We were there first - Jose Dominguez reprazent.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 09:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Years ago there were THREE at Wigan.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 09:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Wigan is a big cloob

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 09:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Dirty shagger Roos the day:

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1290092,00.html

I wonder what he will spend his cut of any deal on?

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 09:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Sorry, there shouldn't be a question mark there. It's like toilet training, this.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 09:25 (twenty-one years ago)

What happened to the other two Wigan Spaniards? Roberto Martinez does analysis on La liga for Sky. "Roberto Martinez, Swansea and ex-Zaragoza"

I'm sure Wigan only signed them for the 'Three Amigos' headlines.

― MikeyG (MikeyG), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 09:30 (twenty-one years ago)

BBC overinflates value of Darren Bent by £30m

"Charlton end Bent bid

Charlton will look elsewhere after a 33m bid for Ipswich striker Darren Bent is rejected."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/default.stm

― MikeyG (MikeyG), Friday, 27 August 2004 13:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Transfer deadline day again! Are you excited everyone?

Spurs have already signed Calum Davenport - aka the player who was supposed to replace Woodgate at Newcastle - and I fully expect us to sign another seven by the close of play today.

Obviously Rooney is going to Old Trafford and I suspect West Brom and Norwich will hoover up a few players on loan.

How long do you think Forest will hold out for Andy Reid before selling him for considerably less than he's worth?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 08:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Everyone is overlooking the fact that Figo isn't a galactico and isn't very good; Perez signed him first after his election as Real President not because he was amazing and superb but because the Barcelona fans thought he was. You're signing someone whose main asset as far as the club who boight him were concerned was that he was loved in Catalonia.

Because the deal to take him there was at the time a world record, it catapulted him into the stratosphere of 'best players in the world' instead of the bracket he belonged in of 'very good footballers'. Spurs are seemingly signing him for this allure he retains rather than because he's amazing - his performances at E2004 tend to bear this out.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 09:09 (twenty-one years ago)

(I don't think we are actually signing Figo, Dave)

Junichi T-Shirt Vendor Inamoto has signed for West Brom! And Miguel Angulo definitely not going to Arsenal. Ha! Losers.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 09:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Perhaps I'm the only one who thought Figo had a pretty good Euro 2004. I did see him wandering down the Seven Sisters Road the other day, mind.

― MikeyG (MikeyG), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 09:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I suspect West Brom and Norwich will hoover up a few players on loan

Last season when Norwich flukily beat us, Ipswich legend Fabian Wilnis - possibly with a smidgeon of sour-grapes - said that Norwich would need 15 new players to suceed in The Premierhsip, so far they have signed 9 new players, so a couple of loans today, and a few panic signings in January and they might just stay up.

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 10:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Little Rabbit to Monaco for a year on loan.

Angulo to stay at Valencia after they offered him more dosh. I am slightly disappointed.

Some goalkeeper or other to Celta on loan.

Figo was, I think, more than very good at Barcelona. His signing was part of Perez's presidential campaign - 'If I win, I will bring Luis Figo to Real Madrid' - gasp, gasp, vote, vote. Figo told the people of Barcelona this was untrue, but he was telling porkies, hence enormous dislike of Figo.

Rooney referred to as 'galactico' in Spanish press.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 13:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Kevin Keegan trying to sign another striker. Aaah, its quite sweet really.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 14:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Carl Fletcher, leave thy thatched Dorset cottage and head up the M3 to big capital city - you will wear the boots of Carrick.

You will not piss about in midfield then move to Spurs. Unless you want a red hot Mikey G poker up your ass.

― MikeyG (MikeyG), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 15:03 (twenty-one years ago)

It's okay, I'm sure we'll have another rubbish player to send your way by then.

I like the Guardian's rolling transfer news page at the moment. It has a picture of Junichi Inamoto scoring for Japan in the World Cup, with the caption "Woo-hoo! In two years time I'll be off to West Brom!"

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 15:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Erm, also Spurs STILL don't appear to have signed Andy Reid, despite lowering their bid twice and appearing surprised when Forest went "erm, no".

£1m plus Johnnie Jackson for a £5m rated player is cheeky at best.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 15:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Spurs to loan Davenport to West Ham says the latest improbable move. In the future both clubs will have a pool of players and West Ham will get the old and Ukrainian ones.

― MikeyG (MikeyG), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 15:24 (twenty-one years ago)

We've signed... a Swede! He's a centre-back, though, which is a good thing because hopefully he can keep Danny Higginbotham out of the first eleven.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 16:05 (twenty-one years ago)

four months pass...

So, James Beattie off to Everton, while, incredibly, a Spurs player has gone to a club other than West Ham. Ah, the transfer window, how I love it so.

(As long as Defoe doesn't sign for Chelsea that is)

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 11:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah but Sarfhampton are now an outpost of East London now that Arry is at the helm.

Defoe won't be signing for Chelsea.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 11:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I read somewhere that Tottenham have been linked with nearly 40 players which is one reason I am glad of the transfer window - it stops pointless speculation etc for most of the season.

I feel sorry for Saints fans, but I really hope they get relegated to puncture the reputation of the piss-licking nettle fancying bulldog and one in the eye for their Chairman, who may be the nicest man on planet Earth , but seems in every utterance and deed to be the sort of person I think football doesn't need and can easily lose. It'd get him off the FA Board at least.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 11:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Hi Dave! Did you go to the game on Saturday? Our first home league defeat in almost 2 years :(

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 11:37 (twenty-one years ago)

But Southampton are signing Alex Nyarko! How can they fail!

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 12:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I didn't go, but listened on the interweb and was aghast.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 13:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I reckon Defoe will be out injured all of January.

Perhaps, that Van Bommel character will finally come to Spurs, and Owen Hargreaves.

― jel -- (jel), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 18:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Rangers are trying to sign Buffel and Henchoz. Juninho wants to leave Celtic, which won't cause me many sleepless nights. Not much else happening in Scotland, or even rumoured to be happening, unless anyone really cares that Stevie Crawford has signed for Dundee Utd.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 18:24 (twenty-one years ago)

oh and that bloke from Crewe, not the new Zamora, hopefully, I reckon he'll be on his way to Spurs too.

― jel -- (jel), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 18:27 (twenty-one years ago)

We don't need Owen Hargreaves any more, Jel. We need attacking midfielders and pacey wingers with mazey runs and razor sharp passing.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 18:44 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, I just felt sorry for Owen, he had his chance. He'd be a useful sub.

Oh yeah, Jol is kinda ruthless, asking Jamie Redknapp if he liked him, and then never giving him another game! ha!

― jel -- (jel), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 18:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Do you want Juninho? Not sure about attacking, or pacey, or mazey, but, er, he's not doing much up here.

(xpost)

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 18:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, I've just read the report about Stevie Crawford signing for Dundee Utd. Scotland international striker, £80,000 (yes, eighty thousand) and he only went to Dundee Utd because Dunfermline couldn't afford to take him back.

Hmmm. Scottish football in poor shape? Surely not...

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 18:54 (twenty-one years ago)

So Appy Arry takes iccle Jamie to the South Coast. It's like Nigel and Brian Clough in more ways than one.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 00:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmmm. Scottish football in poor shape? Surely not...

The other side of that coin is that Chelsea want Craig Rocastle back from us because they're "short of players". A side who have clear water at the top of the EPL, and have a massive squad, need a midfielder back from the side who are third in Scotland?

Why, that would be as ludicrous as an EPL side paying £8M for a player an SPL side got on a free 6 months ago.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 11:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Anyway, Wes Brown is now totally frozen out at Man Utd, made it clear he wanted to leave ages ago... where's he going then?

(Answer, Newcastle if they have any sense. Recent transfer policy suggests not)

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 12:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I liked reading the old posts on this thread.

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 13:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Everton paraded a record signing donkey last night.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 13:56 (twenty-one years ago)

who'd want wes brown?

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 14:09 (twenty-one years ago)

The old posts on this thread are amazing, especially the initial few, just because of how WRONG we are. I like this bit:

apparently a mystery middle eastern investor is willing to inject £15m into Chelsea to finance the purchase of Joe Cole and Scott Parker.

£15m. Honestly.

And the bit where Jel goes "ha ha, no one's bought Defoe".

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 14:10 (twenty-one years ago)

well, mystery middle-east used to mean 'oil money' so almost true. They forgot the bit about 'and everyone else'

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 14:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Nyarko, eh? Didn't his work visa expire last year? In other words, twelve months before his Everton contract. Good old Walter Smith. (It's probably easy enough to renew work visas, I dunno).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 14:15 (twenty-one years ago)

i'll be waiting eagerly for chelsea to now sign wes brown and he becoming the rock in their defence.

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 14:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Everton rumoured to be after Stan Petrov. That would be a disaster for Celtic given that he's the only guy in the team more than 3 years from retirement/balls dropping.
Balde to be offered a 3 or 4 year contract. I'm not fussed if he signs it or not, strong defenders who give away stupid goals in big games are ten-a-penny - we should have taken the £5M Newcastle offered last year.
Hartson to sign a new contract this week. Fair play to him if it's true he's been offered better money elsewhere. His scoring record is exceptional but there's still a doubt over his ability to stay fit.
Lennon's agent in talks with Celtic next week, with Bolton apparently keen to sign him. He's now getting to the age Lambert was when his legs decided games were 60 minutes long. He's been a great servant to the club but I feel his next two years won't be nearly as good as the last two.
Not a peep about Jackie MacNamara. Arguably our best player in 2004 and no-one seems to be paying attention to the length of his contract.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 14:23 (twenty-one years ago)

God, I hope to get to say "haha no one's bought defoe" again!!

oh yeah, wingers Routledge and that Swedish dude Willhemson (sp?), could be Spurs type players.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 17:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Sir Les needs to come home rather than joining Harry & being relegated again.....

― azob, Thursday, 6 January 2005 00:22 (twenty-one years ago)

'The old posts on this thread are amazing, especially the initial few, just because of how WRONG we are.'

Hence the thread title. And any tabloid crayon-cruncher will tell you it's the 'speculation' that's always much more interesting.

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Thursday, 6 January 2005 00:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Scott Parker HAS to be on his way out of Chelsea after the signing of Yet Another Midfielder, right? Spurs have been linked with him although with Carrick, Mendes and eventually Davis in central midfield its unlikely. Are we going to see Villa and Everton fighting it out for this one?

Also, Andy Reid for White Hart Lane. Please.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 7 January 2005 16:35 (twenty-one years ago)

And Barcelona aren't REALLY interested in Kanoute? Are they?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 7 January 2005 16:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Hartson signed on again for Celtic this morning, the Scottish press can start calling him a fat clumsy injury prone lazy bastard again now that the "Celtic to lose STAR STRIKER!" stories are dead.

Celtic also linked with fromer France international Philippe Christanval, who left a Barcelona team he couldn't get into to join a Marseille team he can't get into. (Blackburn and Southampton also watching him allegedly).

Scott Parker for Celtic was the silliest one I've heard today, though not as amusing as Bazza 'I'll never go back to Scotland with my tail between my legs, I'm Premiership quality' Ferguson mulling over a return to Ibrox.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 7 January 2005 16:54 (twenty-one years ago)

If only Parker wasn't crocked, he'd make the perfect replacement for Gravesen, and I think he'd take the move at this point. Thomas Gravesen for Real Madrid. I would never have believed this five months ago. Does this mean the Galactico era is finally over?

Martin Jol declares his interest in every Dutch player who might possibly be interested in a move. Defoe is going to put four past Chelsea this weekend knowing he's in the shop window and Mourinho will be so pissed off he'll sign him.

Is there much else going on, apart from Morientes? Geremi to Middlesbrough? Bolton to sign some European journeymen?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 13 January 2005 23:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Morientes 6.3 million, Beattie 6 million, no wonder Wenger never buys any Englishmen

― azob (azob), Thursday, 13 January 2005 23:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Geremi (back) to 'Boro? Doesn't look like it. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/4172279.stm

― Michael White (Hereward), Thursday, 13 January 2005 23:44 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

Its all a bit quiet out there, isn't it? Eric Djemba-Djemba to Villa is the big news that will excite precisely no one. Bellamy will be shunted off to whoever will have him by the end of the day and Spurs still haven't signed Andy Reid yet. Or indeed any wide players. But we still might be selling Simon Davies.

Worst transfer deadline day ever!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:12 (twenty-one years ago)

How much did Rangers sell Barry Ferguson for, incidentally? Blackburn trying to flog him back for £6m seems just a little bit cheeky.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:14 (twenty-one years ago)

7.5 I think, pre-injury though

― Vicky (Vicky), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:20 (twenty-one years ago)

£7.5m, Matt.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, both Ferguson and Rangers can eat a bag of dicks. It sickens me when a player whinges and whines about wanting a transfer and blithely expects his club, to whom he is contracted, to put up with some enormous financial loss just because he got a bit arsey.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd completely agree with you on this, were it not Blackburn we were talking about here. Given their recent behaviour over Robbie Savage, it's more than a little hypocritical.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:27 (twenty-one years ago)

I reckon Blackburn would be quite happy to get rid of him now and get a few million back, rather than sitting there paying his wages and watching him eke out his contract and play poorly while his market value plummets.

Spurs look to have got Reid and Dawson from Forest for £8m. Yay! That's a good January's business from Arnesen. Now to sit here and pray no one buys Defoe in the next five and a half hours.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 31 January 2005 18:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Everton have got a good one in Mikel Arteta (see here). Playing with Rangers never did him any favours, and I think he will be a much better player when not surrounded by clod-hopping duds like Capucho, Vanoli and Nerlinger.

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 31 January 2005 18:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, Arteta looks a great signing, I was wondering who'd fill that Gravesen-shaped hole. I think Beattie will do well for them as well.

Meanwhile Manyoo still have no Next Roy Keane and why the fuck have they not signed a goalkeeper?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 31 January 2005 18:51 (twenty-one years ago)

To be fair to Blackburn, David Murray did describe Barry Ferguson as a £12M player less than 2 years ago. Ferguson is currently undergoing a medical at Rangers.

Bellamy is on loan at Celtic for the rest of season.

Balde is apparently also staying for the rest of the season, though a last minute bid may come in from Boro. STV reported today that Balde was "on the verge of extending his contract with Celtic" - can't see it myself.

Nicolas Anelka has now changed hands for more than £60M in 11 years!

Mikel Arteta has a bit of skill but is possibly more of a fair weather player than Eyal Berkovic. Everton doesn't strike me as being the right team for him but I'll watch with interest.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 31 January 2005 21:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Meanwhile Manyoo still have no Next Roy Keane and why the fuck have they not signed a goalkeeper?

-- Matt DC (runmd...), January 31st, 2005.

Also, no next Scholes and no next Giggs. Ferguson will have to get it right in the transfer market in the summer coz the penny's finally dropped that Djemba Djemba & Kleberson are shite so he'll really need to sort the midfield coz Liam Miller is shit as well. Unless Fergie has some youngsters nobody knows about.

― alan, Tuesday, 1 February 2005 00:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Floribert Ngalula, David Jones, have potential.

― David A. (Davant), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 06:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Liam Miller isn't shit. Maybe not the next Scholes or Giggs, but not shit either.

Bobby Petta has finally found his niche, at Darlington of all places. To think this was a man who once made Ajax look rubbish. Hurrah. Celtic get shot of a bit of their wage bill by virtue of Camara going to Southampton on loan instead of us, and still "no-one in wanting in Juninho" shockah!

Balde has pledged his future to Celtic. And, just to keep this thread up to date on Scottish stuff, Ferguson did make it back to Rangers. Expect his withdrawal from all future Scotland squads to be imminent.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 23:42 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

Iker Casillas to Man U:

http://elmundodeporte.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2005/03/28/futbol/1112010841.html

(Well, he says he wouldn't mind.)

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 12:05 (twenty-one years ago)

POISONED CHALICE! DON'T DO IT IKER!

I'm not sure he's right for Manyoo either. But then again I still think they should have done the sensible thing and moved for Van De Sar or Cudicini. Or wait for Southampton to get relegated and get the choice of two really good goalkeepers for a fraction of the price.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 14:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe Roy Keane could play in goal?

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 14:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Gattuso has been making noises to the effect that he'd like a move to Old Trafford as well. Which if he can adapt to the Premiership would be just about the best signing they could make right now. Because lets face it, John O'Shea is never going to be The Next Roy Keane.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 14:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Casillas is notoriously bad at crosses.

Is this players making overtures to clubs via the press a new thing, or did I just not notice it as much before? And does it work?

I like O'Shea.

For no reason, of course.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 14:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Gattuso should go to Spurs! Do you think DeFoe will go in the summer? I think he will :( £15-20 million.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 14:59 (twenty-one years ago)

It'd be funny if Ashley Cole didn't go to Chelsea.

I like the way that Brentford have TWO Scott Fitzgeralds! What are the chances of that?

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 15:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Is one of them a failed UK Eurovision entrant?

John O'Shea might not be the new Roy Keane but could be the new Peter kay.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 15:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Isn't Gattuso the New Drug Cheat du jour?

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 15:40 (twenty-one years ago)

He declined to take an optional blood test, if that's what you mean. Although he submitted a urine sample, so unless he sneakily swapped it with a pint of Shevchenko's while no one was looking.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 16:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Jel - I'm beginning to feel a bit optimistic about the Defoe situation. If another club comes along with a big enough offer he'll go, but who apart from Chelsea and possibly Liverpool either need or can afford him? Ideally we'd get him to sign a long-term contract, keep him from another situation and then sell him for big money if he wants to go.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 16:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm more worried about the possibility of Robbie Keane going to Everton or somewhere.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 16:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Christopher Ecclestone to Chelsea?

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Thursday, 31 March 2005 11:12 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

michael ricketts has been released by SOUTHEND, for being too fat

he is 27 years old

― -- (688), Friday, 27 October 2006 15:43 (nineteen years ago)

two months pass...

i did really want to say something, a few seconds ago, but it escaped me in the time it took to find this thread.

¯\(º_o)/¯

boa morte eh?

― tsk. (mwah), Friday, 5 January 2007 16:11 (nineteen years ago)

You could have just used this one:

Window of transfers 2007!

(or they could have used this one. Who knows?)

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 5 January 2007 16:38 (nineteen years ago)

one year passes...

The Transfer Window is about to open! It's kinda exciting.

Spurs + Redknapp = a marriage made in transfer window heaven!

Looks like Defoe is going to Man City.

― jel --, Sunday, 28 December 2008 09:39 (seventeen years ago)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45034000/jpg/_45034729_ashley_226x170.jpg
Not for sale

― Ismael Klata, Sunday, 28 December 2008 10:49 (seventeen years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.