2013/2014 English Premier League Thread

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Locke

Do you remember watching that Dutch team? I know van der Sar stuck around a lot longer, but man was that ever a great Dutch team.

Its always fun watching Ajax as well, they always manage to find exceptionally good players like Eriksen, Vertongen.......Suarez.....

yeah, was a big fan in the late 90s and early 2000s ... really hoped they'd win their home Euro in 2000. Van der Sar, Stam, De Boer, Zenden, Davids, Seedorf, Overmars, Cocu, Bergkamp ... really loved that team.

Also remember that Ajax team really well that won the Champions League in 1995 because they were in the same group as Salzburg ... and they couldn't beat us in two games, that was crazy. Also in that group was the other finalist, Milan ... they beat Salzburg twice, but in the away game a Milan fan hit out goalkeeper on the head with a bottle. The UEFA took away their points for that game, but didn't correct the goal difference ... and so it was that Salzburg crashed out on goal difference and Milan advanced. You can bet that I supported Ajax in the final Jari Litmanen was a beast in his prime.

I was freaking 9 years old back then ... crazy how much you can remember about football

[d_phaneuf]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25457024

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has been told by owner Vincent Tan to resign or he will be sacked.
In a letter emailed to Mackay on Monday, it is understood Tan listed in depth his grievances with the Scot.
Tan criticised 41-year-old Mackay at length in a range of areas, such as signings, transfer budgets, results on the pitch and style of play.
The Malaysian businessman also questioned the former Watford manager's record as a boss.

[devo22]

Tan is crazy.

Tan's controversies at Cardiff

• Changed the shirt colours from blue to red and added a red dragon to the club's crest
• Removed head of recruitment Iain Moody, and hired 23-year-old Alisher Apsalyamov, who was at work experience at the club and is a friend of his son
• Tried to influence the tactics of the first team during matches, reports BBC Radio 5 live's Pat Murphy

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

yeah, was a big fan in the late 90s and early 2000s ... really hoped they'd win their home Euro in 2000. Van der Sar, Stam, De Boer, Zenden, Davids, Seedorf, Overmars, Cocu, Bergkamp ... really loved that team.

Also remember that Ajax team really well that won the Champions League in 1995 because they were in the same group as Salzburg ... and they couldn't beat us in two games, that was crazy. Also in that group was the other finalist, Milan ... they beat Salzburg twice, but in the away game a Milan fan hit out goalkeeper on the head with a bottle. The UEFA took away their points for that game, but didn't correct the goal difference ... and so it was that Salzburg crashed out on goal difference and Milan advanced. You can bet that I supported Ajax in the final Jari Litmanen was a beast in his prime.

I was freaking 9 years old back then ... crazy how much you can remember about football

What a glorious time to be a fan! That was a hell of a Dutch team, but even now they cant get their crap together.

Its always amazing the amount of talent that Ajax pump out. They need a Saudi bazillionaire so they can get back into the upper echelons again.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

bring over Bergkamp too

Really? gunner's fans would have a fit

[Cheese]

Luis Suarez has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=439455

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Luis Suarez has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=439455

Aw yiss. He is probably making some serious coin now.

At the very least if we do have to sell him at some point I hope this contract is airtight and unambiguous.

If Gareth Bale was worth 100M what does that make Suarez worth?

[d_phaneuf]

60

younger, worth infinitely more in marketing, both would be top 10 or so in the world it's not a big gap either way

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

60

younger, worth infinitely more in marketing, both would be top 10 or so in the world it's not a big gap either way

I guess it depends on how he finishes this season. 17 goals in 11 games so far.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

60

younger, worth infinitely more in marketing, both would be top 10 or so in the world it's not a big gap either way

As I understand they were holding out for £70M last summer, thats got to have jumped.

[The Big Chill]

Great news, hopefully he's around for the long haul.

[d_phaneuf]

I wonder what the buyout clause is

Originally Posted by Locke

As I understand they were holding out for £70M last summer, thats got to have jumped.

I think if someone came in with 60 they would have sold, and he's been great but with his age (27 in a few weeks) I don't see is jumping

Falcao was 60 last summer and I would say him and Suarez are similar situations

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I wonder what the buyout clause is

I think if someone came in with 60 they would have sold, and he's been great but with his age (27 in a few weeks) I don't see is jumping

Falcao was 60 last summer and I would say him and Suarez are similar situations

Thats a fair assessment I'd say, if not being a little generous to Suarez, the only real difference being their situations as Liverpool dont need to sell but financially Atletico really needed the money.

I'd bet the buyout clause is probably pretty huge, in the £60-80M range.

[Jimmy Stang]

If anyone is watching Sunderland vs. Norwich on TSN.ca - apparently they're trying to fix the audio dropouts (according to their response on Twitter).

Who am I kidding? Someone would actually watch Sunderland and Norwich without having an emotional attachment to either club? Not a chance!

[browna]

Suarez with 2 more over Cardiff. Depending on the result on Monday, Liverpool could be top of the table at Xmas for the first time since 1987.

Given the ovation from both sets of supporters today, it may only be one or two men in the BPL that wants Mackay to be given the sack.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by browna

Suarez with 2 more over Cardiff. Depending on the result on Monday, Liverpool could be top of the table at Xmas for the first time since 1987.

Given the ovation from both sets of supporters today, it may only be one or two men in the BPL that wants Mackay to be given the sack.

If I were Mackay I'd have been gone the second the owner started meddling or threatening.

'Quit or be sacked?'

What an idiot! Sack him, he wont quit, if you fire him you still have to pay him!

That was a fun first half, but Liverpool phoned the second half in. Rodgers doing his old buddy a favour playing with 5 defenders near the end there.

[Locke]

I had to take a screenshot of the BPL table. Its not often Liverpool are in first place.

It should be my desktop background.

[Barnet Flame]

Liverpool are not playing for a spot in the top 4. I reckon they'll end up 2nd to City with Arsenal edging Chelsea to 3rd.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

Liverpool are not playing for a spot in the top 4. I reckon they'll end up 2nd to City with Arsenal edging Chelsea to 3rd.

I have to say, I've been critical of Rodgers, and still am, but this is a complete pipe dream season. Thats okay though, I bought the ticket so I'll take the ride.

[The Big Chill]

Just out of curiosity, what are you critical of him at this point?

I think it will be tough for Liverpool to keep up with the depth of City and Chelsea over the course of the season. If they can get through the next two games without losing too much ground though, they would be in good position having got most of the tough away games done already.