Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:37 pm  

Roddy B wrote:

You'd rather your players come with Npower Championship pedigree, wouldn't you, Dan?

Of course. It's where all the quality is these days, Rob

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:09 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

Check the posts all you like, and previous sigs etc. I don't care tbh, Newcastle are not my concern.

Last year Nolan's goals and Bartons general play was very important to you as was Enrique, Carroll and Jonas. So when I said being concerned about losing your best players that is exactly what I meant. Right now you have only lost Nolan but there is plenty of transfer speculation surrounding a few of them.

Arfa is still an unknown quantity in the PL but does look a good player.

Where did I say Nolan was worth that money? My point was WH want to get promoted and Nolan is a perfect signing in terms of his character, goals and leadership. I would not say he is limited he just has certain strengths like any players does.

Well I named 4/5 players and you named some more, if there some that have not been mentioned then you must have a hell of a lot of 'best' players. Over the last two years Barton, Nolan, Colloccini, Jonas and Enrique have all played a big part as did Carroll. So therefore they would be in my eyes amongst your best players. If Nolan does for WH what he did for you then his money will seem like peanuts.

It was only to counter what you said I do ‘quite a lot’. If you’re going to say something, at least be prepared to back it up when challenged on it.

As of this minute, only Nolan has gone and he’s already been replaced. I’m not concerned about Barton going as he can be replaced too. I’d be more concerned with losing the likes of Enrique, Coloccini and Tiote as their importance to the team in terms to playing ability is far more important than that of Nolan and Barton.

He’s a good signing for them but if they don’t go up, it’s a very expensive move. Even if they do come up, I’m sure in about two years time they’ll be wondering why they’re paying him £60k a week. I’m glad we’re not paying him that as it is a ludicrous amount. Out of interest, what makes you believe that he isn't a limited player?

Last year, we did have a hell of a lot of top performers. Some played well up until January and then faded from the standard they’d set, Nolan and Barton being two of those. In fairness to them, I think they still needed Carroll in the side in order to continue with their level of performances as both linked up well with him. Still, that doesn't detract from them not been as consistent from January onwards. Gutierrez was sensational from January onwards when he’d be fairly quiet in the first half of the season. Tiote, Enrique and Coloccini were fantastic all season. They all played their part.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:17 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

Eh? How the hell do you put Ben Arfa ahead of Barton? He got injured in October so how can you say he's ahead of Barton after the season that he had, Ben Arfa's hardly played. Reputation going before him bigtime there. Nolan likewise, those two where stand out players for Newcastle last season, Tiote had a solid season too.

Ben Arfa ahead of Barton on ability. If it was on this season’s form then obviously Barton would be well ahead of him due to Ben Arfa’s injury. However, go back over their form over the three year's previous to this season and Ben Arfa’s been the better player every season; Barton’s had one good season out of four whilst he’s been at Newcastle. Both Nolan and Barton did well this season but there were other stand out performers too and a few who were a lot more consistent than the two mentioned.

Dan_FC wrote:

:lol: So they should now be bench players? why exactly, age? ability? performances? Both played out of their skin last season. There's no telling that Tiote will be as good next season, how will the all conquering Ben Arfa comeback from his injury? Cabeye could be awful, he had a good season in the French league - wouldn't exactly fill me with confidence coming to the PL.

What’s wrong with wanting to better ourselves? Of the current strongest starting XI, they’re two of the most expendable. If both go, they go. I’d like to have kept both as squad players but I won’t lost much sleep if they both end up going. We’ll miss their influence in the dressing room more than anything. Tiote will do well again providing he adapts to a potential different role in the side, depending on the new faces we bring in. As long as Ben Arfa has fully recovered from his injury, which we’ve given him time to do, he’ll come back fine. Mentally, he's got the right attitude to recover which is one of the most important things so it all depends on how the injury has healed. Any player could be awful, I’ve got faith that Cabaye will be a quality signing though. Why wouldn’t he fill you with confidence coming to the PL?

I also detect a hint of bitterness regarding Ben Arfa, can’t think why.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:20 pm  

Danny 2 wrote:

i remember you slagging carroll off till the cows came home when he signed for liverpool but i aint that sad to prove that tbh

Not sure why I’m even bothering to respond to this made up guff but I’ll humour you.

For one, I didn’t slag Carroll off at all. This slagging him off is a figment of your imagination and you know it. Saying you’re not sad enough to prove is the worst get out you could come up with.

I wanted us to keep him - which I made no secret of - mainly for what he stood for being a Newcastle United player but £35m is a lot of money and if used correctly, can set us up nicely over the next couple of years. I still maintain to this day he isn’t worth £35m and never will be. Nobody, be it on this forum, at Liverpool FC or any person who takes an interest in football anywhere in the world can justify him being one of the top ten most expensive footballers of all time.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:10 pm  

ash4hullfc wrote:

Ben Arfa ahead of Barton on ability. If it was on this season’s form then obviously Barton would be well ahead of him due to Ben Arfa’s injury. However, go back over their form over the three year's previous to this season and Ben Arfa’s been the better player every season; Barton’s had one good season out of four whilst he’s been at Newcastle. Both Nolan and Barton did well this season but there were other stand out performers too and a few who were a lot more consistent than the two mentioned.

On ability yes but that's ability he hasn't shown over here yet, I like the looks of him and I think he'll be a quality player next season but I'd want to see him do it over a season before putting up there as one of the best players in the squad not just a couple of months. On ability I'll give you, I thought you meant in their performances.

ash4hullfc wrote:

What’s wrong with wanting to better ourselves? Of the current strongest starting XI, they’re two of the most expendable. If both go, they go. I’d like to have kept both as squad players but I won’t lost much sleep if they both end up going. We’ll miss their influence in the dressing room more than anything. Tiote will do well again providing he adapts to a potential different role in the side, depending on the new faces we bring in. As long as Ben Arfa has fully recovered from his injury, which we’ve given him time to do, he’ll come back fine. Mentally, he's got the right attitude to recover which is one of the most important things so it all depends on how the injury has healed. Any player could be awful, I’ve got faith that Cabaye will be a quality signing though. Why wouldn’t he fill you with confidence coming to the PL?

Nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself, every teams should. It's just replacing a hard working, proven PL player with some unknown quantity from France is a gamble, it could pay off but it may not. he wouldn't fill me with confidence because I'd be slightly concerned he's had a one off season in France, it isn't exactly a league for a marker on players, I just wonder if he'll be strong enough, quick enough or mentally tough enough to make it in this league. Maybe he will but if he hadn't been part of a double winning side, would have interested you?

ash4hullfc wrote:

I also detect a hint of bitterness regarding Ben Arfa, can’t think why.

Not at all mate, he looks a quality player and I hope he does really well for you next season. That goal at Goodison was outstanding.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:18 pm  

Saw on Gossip on BBC txt that Inter have said Snejder can go to Utd if they stump up 35 million.....Ideal replacement for Scholes and where the hell are Utd getting their money from....17 mill for Jones...20 mill for De Gea????

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:48 pm  

Football is in danger of crawling so far up it's own a$$ that it will disappear soon. They are just throwing the money round like confetti with no grip on reality or even the financial situation at their own club.

Aren't United something like 1/2 billion pounds in debt and they're boasting about spending £100m this season on another set of egos. Then you've got clubs like Liverpool acting all sanctimonious about spending money then throwing ridiculous sums after players just because they've read on the football manager forums that they are guaranteed to be good. This Comoli fellow is a joke, he doesn't go for anyone that isn't a -9 or fixed PA above 160 kind of player on FM. He doesn't watch football, he sits on his laptop at the end of Dalgleish's garden identifying players.

Harry Redknapp is annoying the hell out of me at the moment as well. He doesn't have the intelligence to tie his own shoelaces yet is in sole charge of a seemingly never ending pot of gold and he throws bids round like a machine gun. He would single handedly cause a second global financial crisis within 6 months if he was ever appointed manager of Man City.

It's time for proper financial controls in football. A salary cap which allows no more than £100,000 a year wages and prevents clubs spending on transfers beyond the value of the players' remaining deal. The whole thing is as stupid as the idea of trading sub-prime mortgages was to banks.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:27 pm  

Roddy B wrote:

Michael Ballack's retired. Where do people put him in terms of greatness? In terms of sheer all-round ability and leadership, has there been a better midfielder in the world over the past decade? Fantastic player who probably came to England at the wrong end of his career.

Outstanding player. A joy to watch. Although, when they were both in their prime, think I'd take Zidane over him. Two different types of players though. Still, one of the best midfielders of his generation is Ballack.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:59 pm  

fc baldy wrote:

Saw on Gossip on BBC txt that Inter have said Snejder can go to Utd if they stump up 35 million.....Ideal replacement for Scholes and where the hell are Utd getting their money from....17 mill for Jones...20 mill for De Gea????

lots of rumours of a change in ownership

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:19 pm  

Roddy B wrote:

Michael Ballack's retired. Where do people put him in terms of greatness? In terms of sheer all-round ability and leadership, has there been a better midfielder in the world over the past decade? Fantastic player who probably came to England at the wrong end of his career.

Brilliant player, one of the best I've ever seen. I'm with you though mate, came to England at the wrong time, a few years early and we could've had one of the best imports in the PL. Read the game brilliantly, could lead a team. Has to be up there with the best of the last decade.