2011/2012 English Premier League thread

[Barnet Flame]

Didn't see the game, but it seems you have the consistency that has eluded you for years.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

Didn't see the game, but it seems you have the consistency that has eluded you for years.

I think we're finally seeing what having some top-quality strikers can do for the team.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

Didn't see the game, but it seems you have the consistency that has eluded you for years.

Liverpool graciously took it off their hands. No thanks are necessary.

[d_phaneuf]

I think Liverpool are just not a threat for top 4

Their midfield is mid-table level outside of Lucas, and Carroll may come good but he's costing them points now

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I think Liverpool are just not a threat for top 4

Their midfield is mid-table level outside of Lucas, and Carroll may come good but he's costing them points now

Agreed. I had high hopes when the season began, but Adam and downing just simply haven't been good enough. We still need another winger and a creative player at the CM position to challenge for top spots. Our defense has been looking solid lately though.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I think Liverpool are just not a threat for top 4

Their midfield is mid-table level outside of Lucas, and Carroll may come good but he's costing them points now

No argument from me now. I had high hopes, but the fact of the matter is that the ball is dying in the midfield. They are too slow and pedestrian moving the ball.

They dont have the speed or creativity which I thought Adam and Henderson would bring. In retrospect, losing a guy like Meireles hurts more and more. He was a creative midfielder.

[Locke]

St. James' Park' name is officially up for grabs.

Newcastle United have controversially announced their ground will be known as the Sports Direct Arena with immediate effect, using owner Mike Ashley's high street brand.

"Naming the stadium the Sports Direct Arena helps up to showcase the opportunity to interested parties. We are now actively seeking a long-term sponsor wishing to acquire full naming rights for the stadium.

"Our shirt sponsorship deal with Northern Rock will also expire at the end of this season, which presents would-be sponsors with the opportunity to acquire both the naming rights and shirt sponsorship deals.''

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

[united]

Blatter on racism

But also the one who is affected by that, he should say that this is a game. We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen, because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...ers-racism-row

FA charge Suarez for racism
http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/Disciplin.../suarez-161111

[d_phaneuf]

FA must feel they have proof then

if it's true I hope they give a very lengthy suspension, don't need that type of stuff in the game

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

FA must feel they have proof then

if it's true I hope they give a very lengthy suspension, don't need that type of stuff in the game

Agreed.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

FA must feel they have proof then

if it's true I hope they give a very lengthy suspension, don't need that type of stuff in the game

Agreed. If they have proof then they should take a stand.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Locke

Agreed. If they have proof then they should take a stand.

What I've read on the situation is that the term used by Suarez is not considered in any way offensive in Uruguay, so they (Liverpool and Suarez) are chalking this up to being a misunderstanding.

Journalists are writing that the term used was "negro", but I don't think there is any official info on that part of it yet.

Who knows, have to wait and see I guess.

Edit: Actually I think the word used was "nigrito".

[d_phaneuf]

I saw that in one of the papers the other day

problem that was brought up with it is that it's used in a very friendly term between people there, and the confrontations Suarez and Evra had they were clearly angry with each other

Suarez also has to know that the word has a different connotation in pretty much the rest of the world

seems to be like they are trying to plead ignorance

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I saw that in one of the papers the other day

problem that was brought up with it is that it's used in a very friendly term between people there, and the confrontations Suarez and Evra had they were clearly angry with each other

Suarez also has to know that the word has a different connotation in pretty much the rest of the world

seems to be like they are trying to plead ignorance

Pretty much what I thought too. I doubt it's punishable though.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I saw that in one of the papers the other day

problem that was brought up with it is that it's used in a very friendly term between people there, and the confrontations Suarez and Evra had they were clearly angry with each other

Suarez also has to know that the word has a different connotation in pretty much the rest of the world

seems to be like they are trying to plead ignorance

Now thats a tough one. Suarez isnt exactly an albino either, so I dont know what the hell is going on here.

If what he said is racist, then suspend him, but they have to be perfectly clear where they're drawing their line in order to set precedent.

[Locke]

Oh my, Rio Ferdinand weighs in on Dictator Sepp Blatter, and a South African leader with a very unfortunate name....

"Fifa clear up the blatter comments with a pic of him posing with a black man..I need the hand covering eyes symbol!!"

Previously, Ferdinand had contacted Blatter's account directly, writing: "@SeppBlatter your comments on racism are so condescending its [sic] almost laughable. If fans shout racist chants but shake our hands is that ok?"

And Blatter responds with the ultimate retort:

Blatter has now responded to Ferdinand via Twitter. He said: "The 'black man' as you call him has a name: Tokyo Sexwale. He has done tremendous work against racism and apartheid in Africa.

A statement was issued by Blatter on Wednesday evening in the hope of clarifying his comments, and with it accompanied a photo of the 72-year-old standing alongside South African minister Tokyo Sexwale, who was imprisoned on Robben Island during the apartheid era.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...dinand?cc=5901

Its like the name of a hipster band.

[d_phaneuf]

I'm disappointed that none of the sponsors have done anything about this

those comments should have been enough for one of Adidas, Coca Cola, McDonalds etc. to take a stand against Blatter which would have forced Fifa to do something

[Locke]

Coming as a shock and surprise to a grand total of absolutely no one:

Manchester City have announced annual losses of £194.9 million, which is the highest ever recorded in English football.

''Our losses, which we predicted as part of our accelerated investment strategy, will not be repeated on this scale in the future,'' said chief operating officer Graham Wallace.

Thankfully for City, the figures will not be taken into account used as part of UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations as they fall outside the accounting window.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...losses?cc=5901

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Locke

Coming as a shock and surprise to a grand total of absolutely no one:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...losses?cc=5901

Can't say it was a terrible strategy by their ownership group. Stockpile a bunch of talent now while you can without having to abide by the Fifa financial rules.

Now when the rules come into effect Man City will be able to sell some of those players off to help get them ahead on their revenue. Plus it will help them qualify for the Champions League and sell kits which also helps the long term revenue.

I don't really like it but I can't deny that buying all this talent, selling the jersey and stadium rights to his oil mogul friends for ridiculous costs was a good strategy going into the Financial Fair Play rules.

The biggest mistake they made was giving out the ridiculous wages to players.

[d_phaneuf]

that's gonna be the problem though, they won't be able to sell many of these players who are more interested in getting paid than in playing and/or winning

they are set enough now as a CL team that I don't see them losing that, but they are going to be forced to sell a few guys to make money (because their non-CL revenue still leaves them 6th in England) and at huge losses

tough to stay afloat (in fair play rules) doing that without deep CL campaigns every year