Premier League 2008/9

Another interesting start for Spurs. One wonder how long it is before Ramos gets fed up and throws in the towel (what is it 6 clubs in 8 years for him?!?). I struggle to see why they sold there two strikers and did not pick a replacement up until late, which means he needs time to adjust etc etc. Am sure they will come good in the end.

CL tonight and tomorrow then. Ronaldo returning, quoted in the press as saying he will get an amazing reception when he returns.

And could MUFC be the latest club without a sponsor?![:w]

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes

Originally posted by DarkAuror
Anyway, hopefully 3 points tonight against Villa.

[:w]

And you use 'whinge' in your post quite a bit. I gather you are intimately familiar with the term...

GJ

Yeah, I'm very familiar with the term. Probably rubbed off from the Manc fans I work with. [}:)][}:)]

It's just that all summer they were moaning about how disgusting about Real's chase for Ronaldo, with Ferguson livid and the club sending a dossier to UEFA/FIFA. It's just double standards.

Anyway, fair play to Villa last night, they were far the better side. Spurs had no natural left winger (or is that whinger![;)]) and the russian is going to take a while to settle down, also we've not had the same defence for two games running. However, Villa were quicker to the ball, in the tackle and Barry is showing Liverpool that they should have coughed the 18m.

Roll on Thursday!

Originally posted by DarkAuror

It's just that all summer they were moaning about how disgusting about Real's chase for Ronaldo, with Ferguson livid and the club sending a dossier to UEFA/FIFA. It's just double standards.

Yes but we all have rose-tinted glasses for our own team. [:w]
I agree it is double standards. Then again the way the moody Bulgarian conducted himself was better than the 'I am going/I am not going' attitude of Ronaldo. Sure it sucks if a player says he is not in the right frame of mind to play for your club but do you really want a player playing for you who has stayed but doesn't really want to be there?!

However, Villa were quicker to the ball, in the tackle and Barry is showing Liverpool that they should have coughed the 18m.

Now you see Im glad we didn't. He is overpriced. I much more happy we got Keane who can work well with Torres and is a different type of player to what we currently have. We don't need Barry. We have Masch and Alonso who both showed on Saturday that they can close down fast and hassle the opposition. What we needed was a left winger, Riera, after one game, has settled well and seems a good buy at 8 million.

Originally posted by willd

Originally posted by DarkAuror

It's just that all summer they were moaning about how disgusting about Real's chase for Ronaldo, with Ferguson livid and the club sending a dossier to UEFA/FIFA. It's just double standards.

Yes but we all have rose-tinted glasses for our own team. [:w]
I agree it is double standards. Then again the way the moody Bulgarian conducted himself was better than the 'I am going/I am not going' attitude of Ronaldo. Sure it sucks if a player says he is not in the right frame of mind to play for your club but do you really want a player playing for you who has stayed but doesn't really want to be there?!

However, Villa were quicker to the ball, in the tackle and Barry is showing Liverpool that they should have coughed the 18m.

Now you see Im glad we didn't. He is overpriced. I much more happy we got Keane who can work well with Torres and is a different type of player to what we currently have. We don't need Barry. We have Masch and Alonso who both showed on Saturday that they can close down fast and hassle the opposition. What we needed was a left winger, Riera, after one game, has settled well and seems a good buy at 8 million.

Yes, I'm glad to see the sulky bulgarian go, he's soon going to realise even with the big money tag, he's a small fish in a big pond at Man U. What will be interesting is when Ronaldo returns, is going to be as committed as he was last year.

Although I'm sad to see Keano go as his work ethic is brilliant and he's the type of player who's always disappointed when he gets substituted because he wants to play. I thought Liverpool paid over the odds for him. Especially if they're going to play him left wing and not 'in the hole'. Saying that the prospect of Torres and Keane is a great combo.

Originally posted by DarkAuror

Although I'm sad to see Keano go as his work ethic is brilliant and he's the type of player who's always disappointed when he gets substituted because he wants to play. I thought Liverpool paid over the odds for him. Especially if they're going to play him left wing and not 'in the hole'. Saying that the prospect of Torres and Keane is a great combo.

Yes I think 20m was a bit too much. Then again I think Berba was a bit overpriced as well. He has played in the hole so far this season, all we need is for him to score tonight and I am sure the floodgates will open.

Originally posted by willd

Now you see Im glad we didn't. He is overpriced. I much more happy we got Keane who can work well with Torres and is a different type of player to what we currently have. We don't need Barry. We have Masch and Alonso who both showed on Saturday that they can close down fast and hassle the opposition. What we needed was a left winger, Riera, after one game, has settled well and seems a good buy at 8 million.

Me absolutely too! In these times, you want to be really careful whom you spend that kind of money on. Barry's the kind of player we could use, but did not desperately need. Rieira's an excellent buy, much more in the Rafa mode - not forgetting he made a living overachieving with teams he did not spend millions on.

I'm still a LONG way from getting excited - like I said, I've been around enough to remember all the epitaphs people would write about Liverpool whenever they would loose an early season game against ManU in the good old days. Guy who runs the boozer around the corner is an avid Liverpool fan, and he's happy to open up at 5am these days to show the games, that's an improvement [;)]

Originally posted by MarkedMan
Guy who runs the boozer around the corner is an avid Liverpool fan, and he's happy to open up at 5am these days to show the games, that's an improvement [;)]

Just a Scouse plot to drink more.

And fair play to those who slate Fergie for double standards. I'm right there with you on that. Still, I just love how it winds up the opposition [}:)]

GJ

Originally posted by MarkedMan

I'm still a LONG way from getting excited - like I said, I've been around enough to remember all the epitaphs people would write about Liverpool whenever they would loose an early season game against ManU in the good old days. Guy who runs the boozer around the corner is an avid Liverpool fan, and he's happy to open up at 5am these days to show the games, that's an improvement [;)]

Couldn't agree anymore. I am still a very long way from getting excited if we are still level with Chelsea in April and both 1st and 2nd then I will get excited. I still worry when Torres and Gerrard arent in the team that we look 2nd rate.

As for your local boozer- WOW! Please give me the address. I can only ever find Man Utd fans in the States!

MUFC = [:$]

GJ

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
MUFC = [:$]

GJ

Finally swallowing your pride GJ? [;)]

Originally posted by VS075

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
MUFC = [:$]

GJ

Finally swallowing your pride GJ? [;)]

Showing my ability see reality, unlike a bunch of hubcap thieving Scousers.

GJ

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes

Showing my ability see reality, unlike a bunch of hubcap thieving Scousers.

GJ

[:D]

Hubcap removal .... never happened in Fallowfield or Moss Side.

Seeing reality ought to be relatively straightforward when you are drawing 0-0 with Stoke. Then again, I'm sure some will find it more than a little challenging.

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes

Showing my ability see reality, unlike a bunch of hubcap thieving Scousers.

Well as a 'hubcap thieving Scouser' I can say that I am always the first to say if we have been outplayed or had an off day.

Saturday was one of those days. Utter rubbish and exactly why LFC will not win the league this year, beat United one weekend then cant beat Stoke the next. [V] To be fair poor refereeing let us down, but really we should have scored so that the ref's mistake was not an issue.

MUFC v Chelski, was a great affair. Think the ref did get a bit card happy, although I didn't see much respect from half the players, so perhaps he was jsut going by the new rules of the game?

As for the light blue side of Manchester, excellent result. SWP clearly back into his own.

Pressure surely must be getting to Ramos at Spurs?

With regards to Hull, I hope that come the final day of the season, those two points dropped wont be the deciding factor.

Originally posted by willd

Pressure surely must be getting to Ramos at Spurs?

Possibly, gone have the days where a manager can be left to get on do his job without the threat of the sack if the results haven't been good. Look at the likes of Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool who haven't done the revolving door shuffle.

If the Spurs hierarchy have any sense and considering the cost of getting Ramos (5million to Sevilla and the botch sacking of Jol), they'll be patient.

However, it's finally good to get a clean sheet against someone.

[Scrooge]

The problems with Spurs start in the hierarchy, they have for years, not since the glory days of the early 80's has Spurs truly had a stable boardroom.

After Burkinshaw left in '84 things really started to get wacky at White Heart Lane. A good club as shown by MUFC ( [:$] ) needs a stable management in place, even with the ownership changing hands Fergie keep the team on an even keel, something that Spurs have never been able to do.

Oh well, I will just sit here and watch the '81 cup final replay...again

Link

I can just see the scam emails now!

Dear Sir or Madam,
My family are in dire need of your help. We would like to offer you a great opportunity by helping us. By depositing a small handling charge we will offer you a share in sporting business.

Manchester United beats Bolton. Cue comments about the dodgy penalty call... [:w]

And thank you HULL for beating the Arsenal today! [^][^][^]

GJ

Oh sweet joy of life...Wigan have beaten City! Thanks you, Baby Jeebus.

GJ

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
Manchester United beats Bolton. Cue comments about the dodgy penalty call... [:w]

Well as it was Rob 'My company resurfaced Roman's Drive' Styles I think I may just let you off.

The ghost goal at Watford last week, this and many, many other incidents just highlight why the 4th Official should be allowed to watch a TV Reply and then sort the mess out.

And thank you HULL for beating the Arsenal today! [^][^][^]

Yeh good result for Hull. I am even begining to notice the Hull glory supporters coming out of the woodwork down here in Surrey. [:w]

As for my boys. Well always great to beat the Blues but its even better when you dominate everything they do.

'"Two quite fine goals in Blackburn

poor old spurs.GOING DOWN[^][^]

What a game. Poor first half but we put on the class in the second. Fantastic. More of the same please Rafa.

I am surprised we did not hear Neil cheering from the States yesterday afternoon when the Hull score came through.

Spurs wont go down (rather like Newcastle last season) but it doesn't look too good currently.

Originally posted by willd
What a game. Poor first half but we put on the class in the second. Fantastic. More of the same please Rafa.

I am surprised we did not hear Neil cheering from the States yesterday afternoon when the Hull score came through.

Spurs wont go down (rather like Newcastle last season) but it doesn't look too good currently.

Scrooge knocked it on the head. The Exec office needs to be sorted out. It's alright to bring in Pavelchenyko, Bentley and Del Santos but ultimately who made the decision to buy them. Was it Ramos's instruction to the director of football Comelli (probably not how you spell his name) or is it solely Comelli's decision. It was a known fact that Comelli went out and spent over the odds for Darren Bent without Jol's knowledge. OK, Spurs got a good deal out of the Mancs but everyone with half a brain knows you don't sell your best player without having someone coming in to replace him.

At the moment with the formation they're using I just don't see where the goals are going to come from. Although, we did hit the woodwork 3 times but it was one hell of a free kick by Giovanni.

Rant over![:w]

Originally posted by DarkAuror

Ahhh the old 'we dont like director of footballs' argument.

I am not sure where I stand on this issue. Personally I think a lot of the recent comings and goings (Keegan and Curbs) have been because conservative managers have not been willing to adapt and change. If at work they hire someone to take on part of my role, so that I can concentrate on another area, I have to get on with it. That said I can understand why it has annoyed them.

With regards to the situation at Spurs, surely Ramos was aware (and is used to) that he was going to be working with a director of football? Surely on joining he would have wanted to make it 100% what his role would be and how much say he would have in buying players?

As an outsider I dont think the director of football is solely to blame, after all Ramos is the man deciding the tactics. That said certain players at Spurs do not look right for the club.

Originally posted by willd

Originally posted by DarkAuror

Ahhh the old 'we dont like director of footballs' argument.

With regards to the situation at Spurs, surely Ramos was aware (and is used to) that he was going to be working with a director of football? Surely on joining he would have wanted to make it 100% what his role would be and how much say he would have in buying players?

As an outsider I dont think the director of football is solely to blame, after all Ramos is the man deciding the tactics. That said certain players at Spurs do not look right for the club.

I don't have a problem with the concept of a Director of Football as it works very well in Spain and Italy. My problem which is what appears to have happen in Newcastle and Spurs is where the DOF and the coach/manager are not singing from the same hymn sheet. The whole point is of the DOF to look for players that the manager fully endorses, try to sign them and to get the best value for players leaving the club. The DOF also takes away the non footballing parts away from the manager leaving him to concentrate on the footballing parts.

So, in Newcastle's case, the whole 1st team squad is up for sale and Wise brings in players without Keegan's knowledge. In Spurs case, Comolli brings in Bentley, Gomes, Modric, Del Santos, Pavylchenko with Ramos's knowledge but he also bring Darren Bent and paid over the odds for him (ok, last season). Comolli then sells Berbatov and Keane for a great piece of business but not replacing them with good players afterwards.

Ramos is used to having a DOF from working in Spain. I think that it's English clubs are not used to working with this structure and how it's suppose to work.

There is only one case of it working properly in England and that's Chelsea.

But I agree with you Will, it doesn't matter what players Ramos has at his disposal, he is responsible for tactics. It doesn't help if he has one hand tied behind his back if he doesn't have a wealth of strikers.