2012/2013 English Premier League thread

[NBC]

^ There's been a bunch of talk on the south coast about Owen heading to the Albion. It started before the end of last season but never really had any traction.

[Locke]

Cesc Fabregas admitted his frustration Tuesday over his recent inconsistent performances for Barcelona.

"There's no such thing as a great substitute in the world of football," he said.

"I've always said that I play for the best team in the world, but I came here to compete, to learn and enjoy, not to sit wracking my brains," he said. "The manager knows what I can offer. But across the three positions that I can play, I am competing with the three best players in the world."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ed-for?cc=5901

No kidding moron. You were going to be a Barca benchwarmer. Everyone knew this except you apparently.

[cSpooge]

Originally Posted by Locke

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ed-for?cc=5901

No kidding moron. You were going to be a Barca benchwarmer. Everyone knew this except you apparently.

this is what I get with all these guys going to Real/Barca. At BEST they will be bit players.

[d_phaneuf]

well in Cesc's case if he waits 2 years he won't be

but Alex Song makes no sense, the reason for getting him was "Busquets cant play every game"

Modric depends, most people think Alonso leaves after this year and Modric goes from being a part time started/part time sub to full time starter

guys like Tello and Dos Santos staying is weird

[nemanja2306]

Modric has nothing to do with Alonso, he's a completely different player. He's a replacement for Kaka, I would assume.
Xabi will be extremely difficult to replace.

[polak]

Where's he going to go?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...=feeds-newsxml

Who wants him?

[Locke]

Sagna on Arsenal's sales;

Bacary Sagna has admitted he is yet to talk to the club about a new contract, whilst also admitting that he does not understand why they sold Alex Song.

In an interview that is sure to worry many Arsenal fans, Sagna admitted to l'Equipe: "I expected the departure of Robin van Persie. We all expected it. It was 'obvious'.

"But the Alex one, it was a surprise! He is 24 years old, he has three years remaining on his contract. I still do not understand. It is huge loss for the club.

"When you see the two best players of last season leave, you have a lot of questions. Sometimes in the street the fans talk to me. I can understand they are upset. I am just like them, I don't understand everything.

"I am the last player from the 2007 starting XI remaining. In May, I watched Manchester City show off. I watched at Samir [Nasri] and Gael [Clichy] lifting the trophy.

"That gave me desire for it. Were they right to leave? Yes.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8056384/

Originally Posted by polak

Where's he going to go?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...=feeds-newsxml

Who wants him?

To Bayern Munich.

Everyone.

[Locke]

Interesting comments from Song.

Song told The Sun: "I was ready to commit my future to the club. All I wanted were talks about a new contract but each time we were due to sit down, the club postponed it. I was fobbed off.

"I wanted a new five-year contract at Arsenal. In the end I got one - at Barcelona.

"I had been trying for eight months to start talking about a new long-term deal but the club kept postponing me all the time, saying 'You have three years left'.

"I hadn't talked about money I just wanted to sit down and discuss a new deal - I wanted to commit my career to the club I loved.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8019407/

I'd never heard of the term 'fobbed off' before. A new Briticism for me.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Locke

To Bayern Munich.

Everyone.

A player switching from Bayern to Dortmund or vice versa is literally impossible over the next years, trust me. With Dortmund being the first German team capable of challenging Bayern for years, the hatred between those clubs is getting bigger every season plus Bayern already have great forward depth. They usually play one striker and they already have Gomez, Mandzukic and Pizarro ...

Lewandowski is a fantastic striker though. I have no doubt that he'll be a great player in the Premier League in the future ... not for United I guess. Sir Alex likes him (and Llorente, for what it's worth), but the RvP transfer probably closed that chapter. United has no need for more strikers.

[polak]

I hope one of the big teams grab him. I wouldn't mind having a reason to cheer for someone over Real.

[d_phaneuf]

Bentley following in D Becks footsteps finally with a move abroad

[Addick]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Bentley following in D Becks footsteps finally with a move abroad

Has he gone to teach English somewhere?

[cam_wmh]

Is there a young balcan, or slavic center back out there?
That's what Fergie should be searching for..

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Addick

Has he gone to teach English somewhere?

Rostov is the Real Madrid of the very very very north

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Is there a young balcan, or slavic center back out there?
That's what Fergie should be searching for..

Gone to the 'Noisy Neighbours.'

Manchester City new boy Matija Nastasic claims it is a dream to have signed for the club but admits it may take time to adapt.

The 19-year-old joined City for a reported fee of £12million from Italian club Fiorentina on transfer deadline day.

The Serbia international centre-back was amazed when it emerged the Premier League champions were interested in acquiring his talents and the youngster cannot hide his excitement.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...-to-be-at-City

[cam_wmh]

you enjoyed sharing that

[Barnet Flame]

Soccer.

####ing up the Olympics feelgood factor since 2012.

[NBC]

I wonder if and when we will ever hear the end of this saga?

Hillsborough papers set to be released in Liverpool

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...yside-19543964

[d_phaneuf]

not for the next little while

David Cameron's speech today

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19574108#TWEET225088

ian herbert ‏@ianherbs
Single most vital finding of h'boro panel is that 28 did not die as coroner said they did and 31 had heart and lung function after crush....
Retweeted by Oliver Kay

Paul Kelso ‏@pkelso
Panel report reveals "strenuous attempts" made by police to "deflect blame onto fans"

[NBC]

Have you seen this?

Justice for the 39

http://twitter.com/JFT39