2011/2012 English Premier League thread

[Locke]

Originally Posted by NBC

Lukas Podolski will join Arsenal from Cologne this summer

Germany striker Lukas Podolski will join Arsenal for the start of next season for an undisclosed fee, his current club Cologne have confirmed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17895063

Damn, this guy is a seriously good player, I was hoping this was going to fall through.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Locke

Damn, this guy is a seriously good player (For Germany), I was hoping this was going to fall through.

at club level he hasn't been anywhere near as for Germany

I think he's a good player but who knows how he fits in outside Koln, he didn't do well at Bayern

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

at club level he hasn't been anywhere near as for Germany

I think he's a good player but who knows how he fits in outside Koln, he didn't do well at Bayern

Neither did Gomez for almost 2 years, now hes one of the top strikers in the world.

Podolski is still 4th in scoring in the Bundesliga. Hes not going to be anywhere near to RvP but he'll be dependable secondary scoring, something they're not getting out of Chamakh or bringing in Henry whenever they're in trouble.

[NBC]

Good Polish footballer Podolski.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Locke

Neither did Gomez for almost 2 years, now hes one of the top strikers in the world.

Podolski is still 4th in scoring in the Bundesliga. Hes not going to be anywhere near to RvP but he'll be dependable secondary scoring, something they're not getting out of Chamakh or bringing in Henry whenever they're in trouble.

Ya it's definitely an upgrade

Just pointing out that most people really only see him play for Germany (where he is world class) and assume he's the same for club, when he hasn't proven to be

I think he's a good signing, but there is a risk/reward to it

[valo403]

Of course after having sweet f all to do every afternoon for the last week I have something that will keep me chained to my desk for the final 20+ minutes of today's game. Lovely.

[devo22]

so today's the day ... not gonna lie, I'm nervous as hell. A LOT at stake today. Hoping for a big away result to get closer to title #20.

[cam_wmh]

middle eastlands is going to be a warzone.

Defense first, and the best counter-attacking forward in the world.

My starting 11:
rooney
nani scholes jones valencia
carrick
evra rio evans smalling
de gea

bench
both twins
amos
park
giggs
berbatov <---- (wildcard)
young

GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!

[d_phaneuf]

I am hoping for a draw

I do not want City to win, but I do want them to still be mathematically alive so that they need to play to win at Newcastle

[devo22]

actually, this is the kind of game where I'd like to see Hernandez up front ... a counter-attacking with Hernandez, Rooney, Valencia and Nani could be extremely dangerous.

My starting 11:

----------------Hernandez-----------------

Nani ----------Rooney----------Valencia

---------- Carrick ----- Scholes ----------

Evra --- Ferdinand --- Evans --- Rafael

------------------ De Gea ------------------

Although I admit that a formation with 3 central midfielders (like in many CL knockout games) might actually be the better choice ... we'll see. Fergie will choose the best strategy, as always.

[NBC]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

This is a bit much.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by devo22

actually, this is the kind of game where I'd like to see Hernandez up front ... a counter-attacking with Hernandez, Rooney, Valencia and Nani could be extremely dangerous.

My starting 11:

----------------Hernandez-----------------

Nani ----------Rooney----------Valencia

---------- Carrick ----- Scholes ----------

Evra --- Ferdinand --- Evans --- Rafael

------------------ De Gea ------------------

Although I admit that a formation with 3 central midfielders (like in many CL knockout games) might actually be the better choice ... we'll see. Fergie will choose the best strategy, as always.

Hernandez, can't play defense like Rooney can.. and his goal scoring has dried up.
Rafael, was at fault for two of the Everton goals. I was at OT last April to see them play Everton and while still quite young, he doesn't play the hard-nosed english way that I want in a big derby. He took a couple hard tackles from the Everton winger. Love his offense though.

I'm sure the ol gaffer is going to play the kid on the back wing though.

[d_phaneuf]

when did Rooney become the best counter attacking forward, unless counter attacking means he counters get fouled with attacking the other player and getting red carded

then he's definitely the best

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

when did Rooney become the best counter attacking forward, unless counter attacking means he counters get fouled with attacking the other player and getting red carded

then he's definitely the best

adorable.

[d_phaneuf]

Tevez and Aguero up front for City

[d_phaneuf]

De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park; Rooney

playing for a draw

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park; Rooney

playing for a draw

That may be unwise.

[NBC]

^ Hopefully it backfires on the master tactician.

[d_phaneuf]

El Diego is there!

somehow someway he gets involved

[The Big Chill]

1-0 city!