The Football Thread.

Hattigol · August 2023

TeleMaster said:

MagicPigDetective said:

I’ll be delighted if we get Caiciedo. Exactly the type of player we needed. LFC needed a new midfield, and we’ll now have one. McCallister was under priced, so it evens out the high Caciedo fee between the two. Bellingham was never coming so pointless bringing that up. Bring on the new season!

Yea it's in the past.

Much like LFC's success....

Hattigol · August 2023

guitars4you said:

What is both annoying and also wrong with the game now is the big clubs - They barely look at the potential of Bellingham (and similar) when they are 17 and still at Birmingham - They prefer to adopt a policy of 'my cheque book is bigger than yours' so they look at spending big when the players talent are more obvious

I always use to quote Van Dijk as the example - There is no skill writing a cheque in excess of £70 mill - The real talent is spotting him before he went to Soton and even better before he went to Celtic

The days have changed when the likes of Keegan were spotted putting out deck chairs at Skegness and playing for Scunthorpe - Brighton, Fulham and Brentford appear to be 'currently' far better at this - Whilst the likes of Ajax have such a policy set in stone

You're actually wrong on that one, Mark. United did everything they could to try and sign Bellingham when he was 16, including having his family up at Carrington and Fergie showing them around the place.

Hats off to the lad though - hell of a bold move going to Germany at such a young age and bloody hell, didn't it work out well for him.

TTony · August 2023

That's a detailed analysis @TeleMaster ;

I'd split the top5 slightly differently.

Pep
ETH
Poch
Liverpool
Arsenal

Top3 based on what I think the managers ought to be able to do with the resources they've got available. Pep because of the been-there-done-it, ETH because of the progress ManU made in the second half of last season but they're missing the been-there-done-it, and Poch because of the depth of quality individuals he's got available.

So I'm betting on the managers rather than the teams for the top3 positions.

Liverpool/Arsenal, not really too bothered which goes where, but I think Arsenal maybe over-achieved last year, and will suffer a bit from the near-miss. Can't see Liverpool being as bad again.

The next group are then all fighting for the European scraps - Villa, Newcastle, Spurs, maybe Brighton in there again, but they've got to replace some top (or at least, expensive) players yet again.

Relegation;
It'll take a miracle for Luton to stay up.
SheffUtd played well on the few occasions I saw them last season, but more in a combative, high-effort championship sort of way. Not sure they've got the finesse or defensive solidity to survive and a few heavy defeats might just knock their confidence.
And I'll book the final slot based on the managers too, so either Bournemouth or Wolves. Both let proven PL managers go so it's high risk for both. Again, a bad start and the new manager could be gone by Xmas, followed by chaos and uncertainty, or big Sam.

Everton and Burnley I think are OK, based on the managers. But again, a bad start, a sacking, and they could be contenders too.

My surprise team would be Forest. Last season was a "let's survive" challenge. This season could be a consolidate / establish season with them ending up comfortable in lower mid table. Again, that's really a bet on the manager!

For Spurs?
I really can't see top4/5, not in Postecoglou's first season and without Kane. Genuinely, I'll settle for a cup final and some proper Spurs football (at long last). I'd rather miss the European scraps places (again) because of the domestic disruption and let Postecoglou build the foundations this coming season for a top4 challenge the following season.

guitars4you · August 2023

Hattigol said:

guitars4you said:

What is both annoying and also wrong with the game now is the big clubs - They barely look at the potential of Bellingham (and similar) when they are 17 and still at Birmingham - They prefer to adopt a policy of 'my cheque book is bigger than yours' so they look at spending big when the players talent are more obvious

I always use to quote Van Dijk as the example - There is no skill writing a cheque in excess of £70 mill - The real talent is spotting him before he went to Soton and even better before he went to Celtic

The days have changed when the likes of Keegan were spotted putting out deck chairs at Skegness and playing for Scunthorpe - Brighton, Fulham and Brentford appear to be 'currently' far better at this - Whilst the likes of Ajax have such a policy set in stone

You're actually wrong on that one, Mark. United did everything they could to try and sign Bellingham when he was 16, including having his family up at Carrington and Fergie showing them around the place.

Hats off to the lad though - hell of a bold move going to Germany at such a young age and bloody hell, didn't it work out well for him.

In fairness to Man U they have brought players thru' the system on many occasions - Not just the class of 92 - But today they have Rashford and even Greenwood - Plus others

I was using Bellingham as a well known example of how his price has risen considerably and now big clubs want him - I did not realise Man U enquired about him - But you know there are many many times whereby the big clubs just want to spend - For every Kane, that comes thru' the ranks, the clubs spend millions on failures - I know not all kids will become Giggs or Kane but good teams are not just about stars - Denis Irwin and Steve Bruce etc are just as important in a good team as the big ticket glory boys and/or the expensive idol gits who are just passing through

Equally I bet all of us, who support our clubs, have well known examples of the ones that got away - ie came from the academy but dismissed, before 18, as not going to make it - Only to be proven wrong at a later date - David Seaman is a big example at Leeds - Eddie Gray said he won't make it

TeleMaster · August 2023

Caciedo declines Liverpool and only wants to join Chelsea!

Drama!!!

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1689958090152570881

axisus · August 2023

@TeleMaster Good thoughts!

guitars4you · August 2023

TeleMaster said:

Caciedo declines Liverpool and only wants to join Chelsea!

Drama!!!

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1689958090152570881

Long term, then maybe not an issue - But next year alone, LFC are in the CL as well as potentially in a better place to challenge for the PL title and at worse expected to make the top 4

Chelsea are at least a year away from any of this

Can't recall so much drama as this current transfer window - will he won't he etc etc

I'm surprised to see such a price tag on him at this stage of his career - Makes Mac Allister look a bargain, ditto Ward Prowse

joneve · August 2023

BigBearKris said:

blobb said:

Gary O'Neil officially announced. Any Bournemouth fans out there? Any good? Good luck to him I say, bring it on.

Cherries fan here.

We liked Gary. He knew the team inside out and saved us in the relegation battle after Scott Parkers departure. He's a decent manager - I think he's one of those that you have to give time though - which is what you don't get in PL if there's no results to back it up.

I think this might be the reason he fails at Wolves...he succeeded last season because he was instilled in the culture at Bournemouth and knew the entire squad. They've lost a couple of key players and I'm not sure he can come in and change the culture at Wolves with the limitations they have on transfers etc.

joneve · August 2023

TTony said:

That's a detailed analysis @TeleMaster ;

I'd split the top5 slightly differently.
Pep
ETH
Poch
Liverpool
Arsenal
Top3 based on what I think the managers ought to be able to do with the resources they've got available. Pep because of the been-there-done-it, ETH because of the progress ManU made in the second half of last season but they're missing the been-there-done-it, and Poch because of the depth of quality individuals he's got available.

So I'm betting on the managers rather than the teams for the top3 positions.

Liverpool/Arsenal, not really too bothered which goes where, but I think Arsenal maybe over-achieved last year, and will suffer a bit from the near-miss. Can't see Liverpool being as bad again.

The next group are then all fighting for the European scraps - Villa, Newcastle, Spurs, maybe Brighton in there again, but they've got to replace some top (or at least, expensive) players yet again.

Relegation;
It'll take a miracle for Luton to stay up.
SheffUtd played well on the few occasions I saw them last season, but more in a combative, high-effort championship sort of way. Not sure they've got the finesse or defensive solidity to survive and a few heavy defeats might just knock their confidence.
And I'll book the final slot based on the managers too, so either Bournemouth or Wolves. Both let proven PL managers go so it's high risk for both. Again, a bad start and the new manager could be gone by Xmas, followed by chaos and uncertainty, or big Sam.

Everton and Burnley I think are OK, based on the managers. But again, a bad start, a sacking, and they could be contenders too.

My surprise team would be Forest. Last season was a "let's survive" challenge. This season could be a consolidate / establish season with them ending up comfortable in lower mid table. Again, that's really a bet on the manager!

For Spurs?
I really can't see top4/5, not in Postecoglou's first season and without Kane. Genuinely, I'll settle for a cup final and some proper Spurs football (at long last). I'd rather miss the European scraps places (again) because of the domestic disruption and let Postecoglou build the foundations this coming season for a top4 challenge the following season.

I don't think we'll challenge much above 14th or 15th unless something strange happens. We're still a few players away from some proper depth (another striker, CB and DM at least)....and thanks to whoever works out the fixture lists - they're clearly a derby fan as we have 2 home games in August and Sept; Sheffield United and Burnley.

The remaining games?
Arsenal Away
Man United Away
Chelsea Away
Man City Away :-|

If Cooper survives into October and we aren't completely decimated mentally from that shitty run of games - then I think we'll be fine.

Now Kane's confirmed going to Bayern, If rumours are true, we may lose Brennan Johnson to Spurs, which won't be ideal - but if we do, I hope we don't short change ourselves. Transfer market is massively over inflated so £50m MINIMUM.

Philly_Q · August 2023

TeleMaster said:

Caciedo declines Liverpool and only wants to join Chelsea!

Drama!!!

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1689958090152570881

I've just been asked to set up an image rights company for him!

And he's going to..... I don't know which club.

victorludorum · August 2023

TeleMaster said:

Caciedo declines Liverpool and only wants to join Chelsea!

Drama!!!

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1689958090152570881

It's going to be complicated for him if Chelsea won't stump up the extra.

DesVegas · August 2023

scrumhalf said:

bloodandtears said:

Hopefully we will invest the Kane money wisely.. 3 weeks to buy a striker better than RIcharlison and a centre half better than Dier...

or do we limp on until we can buy Ivan Toney in January?? Celtic's Kyogo?

And one upside if Kane goes, we might get some goals from free kicks.

If Kane goes you won't be getting half as many free kicks..

bloodandtears · August 2023

DesVegas said:

scrumhalf said:

bloodandtears said:

Hopefully we will invest the Kane money wisely.. 3 weeks to buy a striker better than RIcharlison and a centre half better than Dier...

or do we limp on until we can buy Ivan Toney in January?? Celtic's Kyogo?

And one upside if Kane goes, we might get some goals from free kicks.

If Kane goes you won't be getting half as many free kicks..

richarlison is always on the deck.. and maddison can score them... fingers crossed

guitars4you · August 2023

victorludorum said:

TeleMaster said:

Caciedo declines Liverpool and only wants to join Chelsea!

Drama!!!

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1689958090152570881

It's going to be complicated for him if Chelsea won't stump up the extra.

so true

guitars4you · August 2023

guitars4you said:

victorludorum said:

TeleMaster said:

Caciedo declines Liverpool and only wants to join Chelsea!

Drama!!!

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1689958090152570881

It's going to be complicated for him if Chelsea won't stump up the extra.

so true

And Tyler Adams now has to drive back up the M1 with his tail between his legs - If they don't want to play for us then sod off - They were happy to sign on a year ago so fight for the cause or go forth and multiply

Ditto Gnonto

TeleMaster · August 2023

DesVegas said:

scrumhalf said:

bloodandtears said:

Hopefully we will invest the Kane money wisely.. 3 weeks to buy a striker better than RIcharlison and a centre half better than Dier...

or do we limp on until we can buy Ivan Toney in January?? Celtic's Kyogo?

And one upside if Kane goes, we might get some goals from free kicks.

If Kane goes you won't be getting half as many free kicks..

I think goals in general might be the issue eeek.

TTony · August 2023

TeleMaster said:

I think goals in general might be the issue eeek.

Richarlison scores enough for Brazil.

So as long as Spurs play like Brazil, and maybe change shirt colour, we'll be fine.

tony99 · August 2023

TTony said:

TeleMaster said:

I think goals in general might be the issue eeek.

Richarlison scores enough for Brazil.

So as long as Spurs play like Brazil, and maybe change shirt colour, we'll be fine.

One of the best players in the league him, works his arse off, kept Everton up nearly single handed the season before last.

Spurs play him regular and you'll see the best of him. Unbelievable player.

guitars4you · August 2023

4 min gone
Haaland already the season’s leading scorer

sev112 · August 2023

I thought Foden was offside for the goal, ball from corner was passed slightly forwards because it was on the limit of the corner circle and Foden was on the goal line when it was passed to him, so he was in front of the ball

AustrianJohn · August 2023

scrumhalf said:

bloodandtears said:

Hopefully we will invest the Kane money wisely.. 3 weeks to buy a striker better than RIcharlison and a centre half better than Dier...

or do we limp on until we can buy Ivan Toney in January?? Celtic's Kyogo?

Past history suggests that this may not be the most likely scenario. We have a regrettable history of shelling out big fees for players who do buggerall.

If Son is injury-free and firing on all cylinders then we'll have plenty of firepower up front if we buy well.

And one upside if Kane goes, we might get some goals from free kicks.

But you won’t “win” so many free kicks

guitars4you · August 2023

Well that Man City v Burnley game was poor to watch - Burnley had a couple of moments in the first half - For Man City looked like a training exercise - I thought my volume was down sometimes as the crowd were that quite - I'm sure Burnley will have many good days and to be honest Man City are not there fight with regards to getting 40 ish points for survival

guitars4you · August 2023

tony99 said:

TTony said:

TeleMaster said:

I think goals in general might be the issue eeek.

Richarlison scores enough for Brazil.

So as long as Spurs play like Brazil, and maybe change shirt colour, we'll be fine.

One of the best players in the league him, works his arse off, kept Everton up nearly single handed the season before last.

Spurs play him regular and you'll see the best of him. Unbelievable player.

Unbelievable knob head as others have said - Just wish he'd keep his head down and play football and ignore all other non-related dick head issues

tony99 · August 2023

guitars4you said:

tony99 said:

TTony said:

TeleMaster said:

I think goals in general might be the issue eeek.

Richarlison scores enough for Brazil.

So as long as Spurs play like Brazil, and maybe change shirt colour, we'll be fine.

One of the best players in the league him, works his arse off, kept Everton up nearly single handed the season before last.

Spurs play him regular and you'll see the best of him. Unbelievable player.

Unbelievable knob head as others have said - Just wish he'd keep his head down and play football and ignore all other non-related dick head issues

What like?

UnclePsychosis · August 2023

guitars4you said:

Well that Man City v Burnley game was poor to watch - Burnley had a couple of moments in the first half - For Man City looked like a training exercise - I thought my volume was down sometimes as the crowd were that quite - I'm sure Burnley will have many good days and to be honest Man City are not there fight with regards to getting 40 ish points for survival

The only highlight for this neutral was hearing the Burnley fans sing "fuck VAR" nice and loudly on the TV.

Burnley looked suspiciously like "that team" who plays decent football but loses every match. Think they'll have a hard season.

Rocker · August 2023

Now that Kane has left Spurs, Richarlison and the other players are freer to play. As they are not hamstrung by playing for the ‘big man’, they can now show their capabilities. Similar to how Liverpool played and performed after Stevie G left.

TeleMaster · August 2023

Gerrard would've excelled in this Liverpool team. If anything, the poor squad around him held HIM back, not the other way round. FSG got it wrong with managerial appointments until Klopp came on board and the board backed him with the likes of VVD, Salah, Firminho, Mane, Trent, Allison etc who were brought in after he left. These players weren't hamstrung by Gerrard, they never played with him. He was never the issue at Liverpool, he made everyone play better from what I can see.

RaymondLin · August 2023

I think Kane leaving could be a good thing. Postecoglou loves a rebuild, and now without his talisman, his biggest star, he has a free hit this year. People weren't expecting him to challenge for the title or even top 4 this year and now the expectations is likely even lower so the pressure is less, relatively speaking.

tony99 · August 2023

TeleMaster said:

Gerrard would've excelled in this Liverpool team. If anything, the poor squad around him held HIM back, not the other way round. FSG got it wrong with managerial appointments until Klopp came on board and the board backed him with the likes of VVD, Salah, Firminho, Mane, Trent, Allison etc who were brought in after he left.

That's a great little example of how much Liverpool's board do indeed back the manager; a good couple of hundred million in just those few names alone. And yet somehow you see loads of Liverpool fans and journalists buying into this narrative that they don't spend; it's ridiculous.

Great points there Tele.

TTony · August 2023

Harry's only been gone a day, and already its only goal difference that's keeping Spurs out of the relegation zone.

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