2012/2013 English Premier League thread

[devo22]

United had their latest £30m bid for Sao Paolo midfielder Lucas Moura rejected again. The first offer was £25.9m, but Sao Paolo only gets 80% of any transfer fee with the other 20% going to the player, so Sao Paolo said that they wanted at least £23.5m for themselves. United's latest bid matched that demand - but now the Brasilians want even more. Frustrating to say the least ... probably better to just walk away, it's a ton of money for a 19-year-old. A deal would have to be completed before August 1 because this is the deadline where Sao Paolo would lose another 10% of a transfer fee to the player, which would make a possible transfer even more expensive.

[NBC]

I thought United didn't buy championships, only City does.

[devo22]

creative bait, but I'm not biting

[NBC]

Originally Posted by Bagor

What's not to like? When they went into liquidation they essentially ceased to exist as a registered member of the SFA.

The newly formed company/club can't automatically inherit a terminated registration and must rejoin the league. Why should they join at the top tier?

Technically speaking Rangers FC that was formed in 1872 has ceased to exist.

Originally Posted by Bagor

I'm well aware of all that but it changes nothing in that the matter was dealt with fairly.

I don't agree with all this baying for blood that you speak off.

So if RFC went into administration, had their assets liquidated and can't automatically inherit a terminated registration, how on earth can the SFA even consider transferring existing punishments to Rangers newco? A transfer embargo and hundreds of thousands of pounds in fines for a new club, born out of the ashes of the previous debt-ridden one? Really?

This behaviour typically does not exist in the business sector over here. If your company goes into liquidation and has to start up again (newco), you are not liable for the debts of the previous failed enterprise.

The transfer embargo might kill of Rangers completely. They are hemorrhaging players and do not have the ability to sign new ones. How they are going to be able to field a team? 18-year olds?

The SFA feel that they need to be seen doing something - anything - over this issue, and through it they run the risk of eliminating one of the two most important clubs in the country. Goodbye future Sky/ESPN TV revenues. Goodbye gate receipts. Goodbye money.

If that doesn't smack of bloodlust, I don't know what does.

Rangers: SFA confirms the power to transfer punishments

The Scottish FA has confirmed it has the power to transfer existing punishments to 'newco' Rangers.

A year-long transfer embargo and fines were handed down to the previous incarnation of the club.

Rangers sought a Judicial Review at the Court of Session, which set aside the embargo and referred the matter back to the SFA's appellate tribunal. However, the SFA has revealed it can attach discretionary conditions to Rangers' application for membership.

Rangers received the embargo and a £100,000 fine from the SFA in April for bringing the game into disrepute.

In addition, the club was issued with a £50,000 fine for going into administration in February and a £10,000 penalty for failing to ensure that owner Craig Whyte acted within rules concerning fit and proper officials.
The transfer embargo meant the club could only sign players under the age of 18 for a season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18873231

[NBC]

Originally Posted by devo22

creative bait, but I'm not biting

It's a slow news day. Fair play to you good sir.

[d_phaneuf]

taken yesterday while the Brazil team is in London, probably nothing at all and they are likely friends, but daily mail etc. are turning it in to Spurs being in for a player that supposedly Chelsea couldn't even afford... makes sense

[Locke]

You got Adebayor, why would you want Hulk too? Besides his buyout clause is insane.

[d_phaneuf]

he's not really an out and out striker

played on the right side up top in AVB's 4-3-3 at Porto with Falcao in the middle

Bale-Adebayor-Hulk across the top is the stuff of (pipe) dreams

[devo22]

yeah, Hulk plays right wing nearly all the time - Porto often has Marc Janko or Kleber in the middle. Hulk can play in the middle though, Porto has a very flexible 4-3-3 most of the time and others like Rodriguez and Varela can play wing too.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

he's not really an out and out striker

played on the right side up top in AVB's 4-3-3 at Porto with Falcao in the middle

Bale-Adebayor-Hulk across the top is the stuff of (pipe) dreams

Yes, but my point about his buyout clause being insane stands.

[d_phaneuf]

Yes that's why it's pretty much Chelsea or bust

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Yes that's why it's pretty much Chelsea or bust

City could do it, but they dont seem interested. Then again, with FFP rules starting to kick in he might be stuck.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Locke

City could do it, but they dont seem interested. Then again, with FFP rules starting to kick in he might be stuck.

don't think he's needed much by them and he probably doesn't want to sit on the bench

Chelsea are in a position to spend this year and still be in FFP because of all the players who have left that were on high salaries in the last year

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Friedel was great last year but he's 41

Lloris is widely thought of as world class and he's 25

I would have thought they were planning to wait a year longer to get someone new but if/when someone like Lloris becomes available you have to make it happen

Brad Friedel is one of my favorite players of all time. And to be playing the way he does at 41 is incredible.

Love the guy.

[Barnet Flame]

Van Persie has signed a two year contract with Arsenal.

According to Boris Becker.

http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/t...deal-according

[devo22]

Ledley King announced his retirement from football. Feel bad for the guy, he never seemed to be able to stay healthy.

[d_phaneuf]

Thierry Henry

“The only defender here who doesn’t hold shirts and still gets the ball off my feet easily is Ledley King”

[d_phaneuf]

On pure talent one of the top handful of defenders in the last 10 years, such a shame his knees weren't up to it

[d_phaneuf]

Why England Lose could have been about 2 pages long and not (part of) an entire book

King, Woodgate, Scholes

if health and selection had worked out that would have been the spine of a side that wins international trophies

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Why England Lose could have been about 2 pages long and not (part of) an entire book

King, Woodgate, Scholes + pic below

if health and selection had worked out that would have been the spine of a side that wins international trophies

FYP