2012/2013 English Premier League thread

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Yeah, not disappointed in AVB but I don't see how letting the leads on both Chelsea and Arsenal evaporate can't be seen as disappointing.

ya the Fulham game, and the draws at Wigan and QPR are frustrating

proper striker likely makes 9 points out of that rather than 2

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

ya the Fulham game, and the draws at Wigan and QPR are frustrating

proper striker likely makes 9 points out of that rather than 2

The loss at Anfield was pretty bad, too, and that was largely on BAE (although Lloris was also culpable). But yeah, Levy needs to shoulder a large portion of the blame for the finish. I think Bale will stick around for next year and any subsequent years they make the CL, so long as he's being paid handsomely for it.

[d_phaneuf]

Every paper is saying new extension is basically imminent at a big raise

He likes avb, very close with his family and has a new child dont see him going abroad yet

So at least 1 more year imo without cl

If they miss it next year Ronaldo likely not at madrid then and he takea his spot

[Barnet Flame]

[d_phaneuf]

[Barnet Flame]

[NBC]

This loser should go hang out with Ted Terry. And yes that is his real name. What a tool.

Neville Neville charged with sexual assault

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...ester-22594328

[valo403]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I don't think it happens, I just think it's funny

Arsenal have a buy back clause firstly

and secondly I think Man United won't be able to buy any big players until Moyes proves he can win something, unless they pay silly wages like City/Chelsea which doesn't seem likely

I wouldn't be surprised to see United throw serious money around to make a statement that they won't be slipping without SAF. It's important to their brand that they continue to be perceived as the standard bearers in England, and one of the best of the best in Europe, any doubts on that could be reflected in their share prices, and that's the kind of thing that the Glazers are paying attention to.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by valo403

I wouldn't be surprised to see United throw serious money around to make a statement that they won't be slipping without SAF. It's important to their brand that they continue to be perceived as the standard bearers in England, and one of the best of the best in Europe, any doubts on that could be reflected in their share prices, and that's the kind of thing that the Glazers are paying attention to.

ya they are the reason for my doubts, it's a very crucial time for Man United right now because when a club that isn't going to spend ridiculously falls they can fall hard (Liverpool)

their great equalizer to the silly money was SAF

if they don't buy big this summer and they don't win a trophy this year the talk will start

[devo22]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

if they don't buy big this summer and they don't win a trophy this year the talk will start

I think they'll buy big in the sense of quantity, like four or five guys, but not in the sense of spending 30m or more on one player. The only two big targets are Bale and Ronaldo, and I'm 100 per cent sure they won't get either one. They will never get Bale from Spurs, and with SAF gone, I don't know if Ronaldo is still that homesick ...

IN:
Lewandowski
Fellaini
Strootman
Coleman

OUT:
Rooney
Nani
Anderson

That would be my dream scenario.

[d_phaneuf]

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/foot...m-8623742.html

Gareth Bale is set to give despondent Tottenham fans a much-needed boost by confirming he has signed a new contract to stay at the club.

Standard Sport understands the Wales international, who scored his 31st goal of the season in the 1-0 win over Sunderland yesterday, has committed his future to the club with a £130,000-a-week deal and will remain at White Hart Lane next season.

An announcement is expected to be made by the club shortly

[Barnet Flame]

Fair play to Bale, it is nice to see a bit of loyalty in the game - even if it is loyalty to the spuds.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

[GIF of Bale's Latest Strike]

I was talking to my uncle who is a Spurs supporter and I mentioned that it will be vital for Spurs to get a midfielder who can play off of Bale. With him showing that he both run past you and unleash the beast with his left foot, I think a lot more teams are going to resort to the 'kick him to stop him' defense next season as you can neither him give him space or close him down without getting burned. Consequently, you need to have someone who can play off of him so as to divide the opposition's focus or take advantage of an overconcentration of focus on Bale.

Originally Posted by Igottago

Nice grind out win by the Gunners. Played great down the stretch.

The Arsenal are in a really positive position right now and they really need to roll with it. It is time to take the next step and hopefully move back to where we were. Not surprisingly, Neville put it rather well:

Originally Posted by Skysports.com

Moment Is Now For Arsenal To Target Title Push, Says Gary Neville
19 May 2013
Sky Sports

Champions League football is a cause for celebration at Arsenal, says Gary Neville, but the moment has arrived for them to set their sights higher.

The Sky Sports pundit was speaking after watching the Gunners secure fourth spot and maintain Arsene Wenger's record of qualifying for Europe's premier club competition in all 15 of his full seasons in charge of the club.

A magnificent end to the season, which saw them pick up 26 points out of a possible 30 following their derby defeat to Tottenham, saw them overhaul their north London rivals, but Neville feels a club of Arsenal's stature should be challenging for first rather than fourth.

Complete Article

[Jimmy Stang]

BBC's Panorama programme this week is a pretty shocking look at the Hillsborough disaster and the subsequent cover-up. Interesting stuff regardless of your club loyalties.

The content isn't viewable outside of the UK, and talking about how to view such content is frowned upon around these parts (even if free). But mosey on over to the Netflix thread where it seems to be given the blind eye there. Or PM me and there's a super easy, free Firefox add-on that I can direct you to.

Once you've done that, here's a direct link:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...ied_the_Truth/

[rubecube]

^^ Getting around country-specific content isn't what's frowned upon. It's pirating and illegal streams that get you in trouble.

[d_phaneuf]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...enham-contract

Guardian reporting on the Bale contract as well

Missing out on Europe's lucrative elite competition has serious implications for the club's revenue streams, and left Tottenham vulnerable to bids for their better players.

The chairman, Daniel Levy, has indicated, though, that he will endeavour to add to the squad before next season. Giving Bale, the Professional Footballers' Association player of the season and young player of the season, terms worth about £150,000 a week would be a serious statement of intent given that a number of suitors, not least Real Madrid, are interested in buying the Wales international.

The 23-year-old scored 31 times for club and country this season, including Sunday's winner, but has always indicated a willingness to stay

[d_phaneuf]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...ado?CMP=twt_gu

Tottenham Hotspur hope to demonstrate their ambition remains intact despite a failure to reach next season's Champions League by renewing their efforts to sign the Brazil forward Leandro Damião and seeking to pair him with Valencia's Spain international Roberto Soldado.....

Tottenham enjoy a close relationship with the 23-year-old's club, Internacional, whose president, Giovanni Luigi, suggested this month that Spurs had resumed dialogue over a move for a player who has 16 caps. A price of around £16m has been mooted, with the Brazilian club apparently now braced to lose the player to the Premier League.

\

[d_phaneuf]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...n-wayne-rooney

Paris Saint-Germain have informed Wayne Rooney's representatives that they would be willing to match his current wages as they seek to convince the unsettled England striker to leave Manchester United for Parc des Princes.

to me that was always the biggest hurdle

[cam_wmh]

Get on then. He's going to learn what a downgrade his career will have taken.

Bring in Lewandoski.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Get on then. He's going to learn what a downgrade his career will have taken.

Bring in Lewandoski.

Or LewandoWski could stay with a team who makes the Champions League Final, instead of going to the team who got knocked out by a team that he, himself, scored 4 goals against in one match. Just saying....