11/12 Football Thread

[king mob]

Does anyone want West Ham promoted? Apart from Danny Dyer and Ray Winstone I mean. Hoping the winner ones from the Birmingham and Blackpool tie personally.

I'd like Cardiff to go up, but Brum and Blackpool are the form sides so I expect one of those going up. As for West Ham, they used to be my local side when I lived in London and I've always admired the way they've had quality players (Trevor Brooking was an astonishing player) and played the game well, but Allardyce is a cock because of a variety of reasons.

Old Firm today, and hardly anyone has noticed. We should enjoy it since there's a chance it might be the last for a while.

It might, but I still see Rangers surviving for another season at least. Depends how many players stay during the summer.

[Aubergine~!]

Torres hat trick.

Bastard's ruining some good jokes.

[beetlebum]

Torres hat trick.

Bastard's ruining some good jokes.

Wait what?!

And I missed it. Damn.

See what happens when you spend all morning doing school work ...

[Captain Clarkie]

4 within 25 minutes, QPR were very poor today.

[Puma]

4 within 25 minutes, QPR were very poor today.

and I have no problem with them having poor form.

[Captain Clarkie]

and I have no problem with them having poor form.

I don't know what the hell has happened to Kalou since RDM took over, it's like he's a different player.


Edit - and I'm pretty pleased about us signing Marko Marin too.

[Alan Lynch]

Edit - and I'm pretty pleased about us signing Marko Marin too.

Thing that gets me is you still don't know who the next manager will be. I'd have thought that should be sorted before making any new signings.

The FA have approached Roy Hodgson. Already the press seem to be raging their man 'Arry hasn't even been interviewed. So Hodgson is under pressure right away.

[mcgaffer]

I don't mind if West Ham go up, they've earned their place in the playoff's, I can't take that away from them. Personally I'd prefer Blackpool to come straight back up, I enjoyed them in the Premiership last year and I'd like to see them back.

[mcgaffer]

One of the reasons Hodgson is holding talks about the position is because he will have met with support from the Football Association's chairman David Bernstein.

But Spurs and Redknapp have been damaged by the hunt for the new England manager.

Bernstein approached West Brom yesterday and Redknapp admits: "I can't see it coming up for me now."

Hodgson will appeal for the backing of England's fans once he is given the national job.

The negative outcry over the prospect of appointment could disrupt the process with Hodgson keen to avoid a repeat of his miserable Liverpool experience.

Liverpool have agreed an £8m fee for AZ Alkmaar's Swedish midfielder Rasmus Elm, 24.

The Reds have also joined the list of clubs showing interest in Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud, 25, with manager Kenny Dalglish attending the French club's win at Toulouse on Friday. Arsenal are also believed to be keen on signing him.

The Anfield club will also have to find at least £12.5m if they are serious about signing FC Twente's Dutch international striker Luuk de Jong.

Everton will make re-signing South African playmaker Steven Pienaar a priority at the end of the Premier League season.

Sir Alex Ferguson could recall Ji-Sung Park at the expense of Danny Welbeck as Manchester United look to contain City.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes striker Carlos Tevez is "destined" to score the winner in Monday's crucial derby against city rivals Manchester United.

Germany striker Lukas Podolski will join Arsenal from Cologne for the start of next season for an undisclosed fee.

[Captain Clarkie]

Thing that gets me is you still don't know who the next manager will be. I'd have thought that should be sorted before making any new signings.

Whoever he is, if he can't make use of a talented young player like Marin, he's not in the right job. Personally I'd like Di Matteo to be given a year, he's worked wonders, and has strong links to the club.

[Puma]

Whoever he is, if he can't make use of a talented young player like Marin, he's not in the right job. Personally I'd like Di Matteo to be given a year, he's worked wonders, and has strong links to the club.

Agreed. It will provide needed stability and Roman needs to move beyond the idea that only a BIG manager can run the club.

[Aubergine~!]

The FA have approached Roy Hodgson. Already the press seem to be raging their man 'Arry hasn't even been interviewed. So Hodgson is under pressure right away.

Well, that's never happened before.

[Captain Clarkie]

The Redknapp thing is such a crock of shit. So many in the media were clamouring for him, but I've not seen anything like that enthusiasm amongst fans I know or who've seen reacting on blogs.

[Alan Lynch]

The Redknapp thing is such a crock of shit. So many in the media were clamouring for him, but I've not seen anything like that enthusiasm amongst fans I know or who've seen reacting on blogs.

I bet there are more than a few Spurs fans who would love Redknapp to get the England job.

[king mob]

One of the reasons Hodgson is holding talks about the position is because he will have met with support from the Football Association's chairman David Bernstein.

But Spurs and Redknapp have been damaged by the hunt for the new England manager.

Bernstein approached West Brom yesterday and Redknapp admits: "I can't see it coming up for me now."

The only people who damaged Spurs and Redknapp are Redknapp and his pals in the media. I was saying to mates last night that I do think England have dodged a bullet, and yes, they went for a safe option but the realistic candidates outside of Hodgson number zero.

Hodgson will appeal for the backing of England's fans once he is given the national job.

The negative outcry over the prospect of appointment could disrupt the process with Hodgson keen to avoid a repeat of his miserable Liverpool experience.

May I point out the last time England got a manager the fans shouted for it was Kevin Keegan.

Frankly the attempts to turn Redknapp into Brian Clough being snubbed in favour of Ron Greenwood is a bloody joke.

Sir Alex Ferguson could recall Ji-Sung Park at the expense of Danny Welbeck as Manchester United look to contain City.

Yes, that was a tactical masterstroke.....