₦airaland Forum

jalether:
Buncha gloryhunters

what else do you want to hunt for eh - trophylessness like the gayners?

Babel is not the most technically gifted and excels when there is space to use his pace. Benitez plays a 5-man midfield which doesn't give a player like babel much space to operate. I think the guy would perform better in a trident attack or as an SS in a faster paced diamond.

bgees:
about Negredo, Cattermole and Defour ,  Rafa has thought in that direction- we have asked about them in the past.
but u are not in his shoes , are u?. moreover u are just a simpleton spectator of the football transfer market. all u do is take the silly opinions from goal.com , recycle , then post them here.
u should contact liverpoolfc since u know so much, we really need a guy like u. stupid idiot!

Being that the summary of you post was a personal attack, makes it quite obvious that you are barely lettered and definitely not educated.
Do not be shocked that some people can actually form an opinion for themselves. Though I do understand the challenge it poses to one who cannot think for himself, let alone think for others.
Anyways, its pointless to argue with someone like you, as onlookers may not be able to tell the difference. The last thing I want is to be mistaken for someone like you.

Last season offensive results were based on great performances by Torres, Gerard and Alonso. The latter has been sold with no credible replacement yet, and to expect Gerard and Torres to deliver same remarkable results this season is being overly optimistic.

You can keep benitez if you will provide the huge transfer budget he would need to deliver. Without that money, its better they get a manager like Oneil or Wenger, who is better suited to delivering on a  tight budget and grooming youngsters. Same would apply to hiring someone like Mourinho, you need to give a him a sizable budget to guarantee results.
The observations were not based on just this game but were evident in the preseason, and the competitive game just confirmed it.
There is nothing foolish in writing off the title ambition of a squad that lacks quality depth. For example, who is the backup striker to Torres - Voronin?

Liverpool need to go back to the drawing boards, starting with firing Rafa, and if funds are desperately needed, selling Gerard.

Playing against Spurs today, they looked bereft of creativity, had little potency at goal, and lacked quality depth on the bench. Same things were evident in the preseason.
Losing the game, all the Liverpool bench had to offer were Benayoun and Voronin . There was no one to help ignite the offense or add pressure to the spurs back line. In fact, Liverpool seem weakened by the additions.
Outside of the starting XI, the drop in quality is very sharp, with no quality replacements for Gerrard, Torres, Cara, or Masch. Even in the first XI, player like Babel, Insua, and Kuyt, are more of passengers than contributors.

Rafa spent £18m on a full back and €20 million on a 25yr old guy with 'potential' who has played an average of 24 games in all competitions in the last 3 seasons due to injuries (and is currently out injured). Talk about wasting money. He could have gotten a good deal on Negredo from Madrid in the Alonso sale, and still have money to buy a decent player like Cattermole or Defour. Rafa likely cant deliver premiership success on a tight budget.

As good a player as Gerard is, he is a rare breed, and a bit difficult to build a team around. At 29yrs, If someone like man city is willing to offer some crazy money, they should sell him and use the money to rebuild the squad.

If Liverpool dont make 1 or 2 more signings before the close of the window, they are likely to finish below even Arsenal.

Krayola2:
Everton are a joke mehn, Arsenal ain't playin nothin special. Na wa for these Arsenal fans seff. Every time u criticize their team they will say it's bad belle.   why so insecure?

Trophylessness! Games like these are arsenal's claim to five minutes of fame

davidylan:
That's absolutely untrue. We've been fairly solid, if this was last season we would have already conceded at least a goal.

What do you mean by "havent been that good"? Did you expect to see us thrashing them 7-0?

Arsenal have been solid, but not the spectacular performance that a 3-0 half time lead over an europa league team would suggest.

Moyes is just being stupid. He should sell Lescott and use the money to reinforce his squad. They 've looked clueless all over the pitch.
The scoreline is flattering to Arsenal. Arsenal haven't been that good, rather Everton have been that bad

This will be an interesting thread. Waiting for fans, doubters, and mostly haters to drop by soon

So Villa is already missing barry. Seems Martin Oneil has quite some work to do as his team was quite disappointing against wigan.

Barry and Toure played really well for Citeh, though the 2-0 scoreline was flattering to their defence.

@Cristalz
So what happens to the discussion of other EPL or la liga games involving clubs that dont have dedicated threads e.g. Ason Villa and Man City games?

Villa lost to Wigan 0-2 while Man City won by same margin.
Barry and Toure played really well, while Ade and Tevez were decent.

Villa seem to be already missing Barry, and we will soon see how Arsenal will do in the absence of Toure and Ade.

seems Van Gaal still suffers from his age old problem of all bark and no bite. Great possession but no real attacking threat.

dayokanu:
Sauron is wiser than that and wont make those kind of statement.

BiinaWhen was Zidanes peak and how old was he. When was Figo's peak and how old was he? When was Rivaldo's peak and how old was he

The average attacking player peaks at approx 28yrs while the number increases as you move towards the defense, with most goal keepers peaking at 30+yrs.
Zidanes peak was at Juventus while Figo's was at Barca.
[quote author=~Sauron~ link=topic=303740.msg4353273#msg4353273 date=1250277714]Biina is a social reprobate. . . . .U are wasting your time arguing with him.

How can anyone say Ribery is not worth more than 30 million pounds when his current market value is pegged at 35.6 million pounds.
A player's market value is dependent on many things.
Ultimately, his actual value depends on how desperate the buying club is. . . . .
If Real Madrid could cough up to 30 milla for Xabi Alonso . . . . .I think Ribery's actual value can be up to 60 milla.[/quote]Who is valuing ribery at 35.6 million  and what did you smoke that made you hallucinate that Alonso worth 30m. What nonsense next - Nani is wqorth 40m?
Alonso is not worth more than 20m and madrid payed that much because we needed him.
The no player is worth 60M+ on the pitch and Kaka and CR only have their marketability to ameliorate their price tags.
Ribery's marketability is not in that league and his value is primarily based on his footballing abilities.
2 years ago Bayern bought him for an inflated 25million euros, and I haven't seen the leap in ability or popularity that would  have doubled his price tag.
Next season the guy would be sold for less than 20m or walk for free the year after.

dayokanu:
Benzema was bought for 35 million right? SO tell me why Ribery is not worth 80million

You and the rest of the Allianz Asylum must be high from sniffing ijebu garri
Ribery is not worth more than 25M (30M in an inflated market).
Benzema has WPOTY potential, while Ribery (currently playing close to his best at 26) is far from the debate.

Why not have one thread for all fixtures in a league and reserve dedicated threads for clashes between the big clubs.
With the current approach the first page will soon be littered with expired match threads.

edoyad:

Cmon biina, never said you waz lying. Me says master's crossed over from the bridge of SPECULATIONS right into the field of CONJECTURES.
You have to admit that your predictions look a little wild, probable, but wild all the same. Besides which Madrid fan would want Fab back in Barca, bench or playing, after what nuclear bomb did to them in Bernabeau in 2006 along with Igwe ?
We understand na 

There is nothing wild about it. If Cesc leaves Arsenal today, the most logical destination is Milan.

- He will only go to a  big  club (regular CL and title challenges)  in one of the top 3 leagues: EPL, La liga and Serie A
- I dont see Cesc going to a premiership club: too light weight for chelsea, not needed by ManU and liverpool no get money. ManCity is the only one left with the cash but after Robinho, they are yet to attract another word class player of Cesc quality. A UCL spot might change that.
- Only possible destination in Spain  is Barcelona (not needed by madrid and wouldnt even make first XI ) and he would be foolish to join Barca with Xavi still on the squad as that would relegate him to a bench role like he does in the spanish team.
- Only viable option is Serie A: Juve, Inter and Milan.
- Mourinho is searching for a creative midfielder, if he wanted  Cesc he would have shown interest this summer (has 50M to spend from iIbra deal and Moratti rarely shunned purchases).
- Juve have just finished revamping their squad, and under Ciro they  play a diamond midfield with Diego/Giovinco for the AM and Melo/Cissoko for the DM. There is no place for Cesc on that roster.
- Milan are starting a new phase under a new coach. They have a couple of youngsters ( Pato, Gennaro, etc) but still need to add quality in the middle of the pack. Pirlo is no longer the man he used to be, and given Chelsea's interest in the player, Cesc would be a perfect replacement if he is sold.

Unless Milan buy another young midfielder this summer, they would remain the likely destination for cesc.

edoyad:

Guys guess what ?
Just realised use B in T B Joshua means Biina
"All hail prophet(sic) biina"   
biina while you're at it could you tell us what  the naira will be selling for at this time next year ?
No wonder you created the Transfer thread ! biina knew ibra was going to Barca before he signed for Ajax 

Why u no point out d thing wey I talk wey be lie.
Instead you siddon dey fool urself like d mother of a child with long dreadlocks, claiming she has no idea what a mad man's hair looks like
Cant say I am surprised. Cant expect much from one who supports a barren club like Arsenal FC of Ijebuland

@topic
American [b]Foot[/b]ball: A game in which only 1 or 2 players in a 50+ squad are allowed to kick the ball, everybody else uses their hands.
The silly game would have been better named American Handball.
The likely reason for calling it football is to borrow from the fame of the original sport.

Fans for any sport can get violent, but it is only in the NFL that criminal prosecution and/or conviction of the players are common place

chic2pimp:
Arsenal failing to make out of the group stages is out of the question talkless of not making in it all. MILAN KO EYIMBA NI. Do u actually think FAB4 would go to that RETIREMENT HOME

It is easier for arsenal to make it through the group phase than to get in to it. In the group phase, arsenal will be seeded, will have one useless club in their group and only have to come second to go through (like theyn did last year). The playoff is a different thing, as the weakened arsenal squad are up against celtics, who have the better schedule having played in the previous rounds, and being a 2 leg affair, there is more room for an upset (as one crazy match can seal the tie). The game os next so we will soon see.

Cesc wants to win trophies and each season his chances of doing so with arsenal looks less. Milan will be rebuilding their squad and are one of the few clubs outside of England where he would be guaranteed a starting spot, CL appearance, and can come up with the cash.

If Arsenal fail to make it through to the CL group phase or miss out on the CL spots, Cesc would leave next summer. Even if he doesnt want to, he will be sold to raise money.
Him going to Barca is less likely as he would be on the bench behind Xavi (Barca cant put 30M on the bench). Milan would be the likely destination.

Premier League - Cattermole joins Sunderland
Sunderland have completed the signing of Wigan midfielder Lee Cattermole for £6 million.
The Black Cats have agreed a four-year deal for the combative 21-year-old, who will link up with former Latics boss Steve Bruce at the Stadium of Light.
Cattermole will go straight into the squad for Sunderland's Barclays Premier League opener against Bolton on Saturday.
The former Middlesbrough youth team player, signed by Bruce for Wigan in a £3.5m deal in July 2008, becomes Sunderland's fifth signing of the summer after Darren Bent, Lorik Cana, Fraizer Campbell and Paulo da Silva.
Cattermole made 69 first-team appearances for Middlesbrough and featured in 33 Premier League games in his lone season at Wigan. Latics manager Roberto Martinez admitted his disappointment at losing the services of the England U21 international.
"The fee is a good one," said Martinez. "It is far more than the club paid for him last year and the third highest in Wigan Athletic history.
"The initial offer from Sunderland was unacceptable as we said at the time, but they have now matched our valuation.
"The speculation about Lee has refused to go away over the last few weeks and this has been very unsettling for him and for our players.
"It became clear over the past days having spoken to Lee that he wanted to leave and it is very disruptive to the group when a player is clearly unhappy.
"My number one priority has to be the good of the club and it left me with a decision to make, I therefore agreed to the move for the good of the players we have at the club and who want to remain with us and help us progress to the next level."
https://d.yimg.com/i//ng/sp/eurosport/20090812/25/6cbf2759f643e321e72fbc5b1d3e2515.jpg
http://eurosport.yahoo.com/12082009/58/premier-league-cattermole-joins-sunderland.html

Wasnt the guy rumored to be on Rafa's radar?

and where is the excess talent?
There is nothing wrong in having more than one quality players on a team. It ensures one player doesnt hold the team to ransom or become a diva like Ribery is doing to Bayern

Sauron why dont you run the same stats for berbatov baba go slow and lets see how well he does compared to other strikers?

[quote author=~Sauron~ link=topic=294608.msg4329552#msg4329552 date=1249927167]Owen is better than Tevez. . . . . .He got more league goals than Tevez while he was at Newcastle so there's an improvement in the attack.
Nani didn't just join. . . . .but he was in Ronaldo's shadow when CR7 was here.
I am not even sure Nani woulda played yesterday if Ronnie was still here with us so shut your gob.

You try to sound intelligent but you are so fake at doing it. . . . . .
Even a day-old goat knows you are brainless.

Vidic was the most potent aerial threat. . . . .Get your facts right.
Valencia is not Beckham me foot. . . . .How many assists has he copped now in GRADE A friendlies United have played?
Owen-Rooney pairing took Euro2004 apart until Rooney broke his metatarsal. . . . .How empty is that big coffin you call a head?

Shut your rotten mouth. . . . .Any freak loss United cop now and idiots like you would blame it on Ronaldo's departure.
United lost many games with Ronaldo on the pitch. . . . .In the 2007 Community Shield, Ronaldo started and the game still went to penalties.
It wasn't Ronaldo that won the shoot-out for Man Utd. . . .It was VDS . . . So my dear pillock, nothing has changed.[/quote]?
Rant from a useless Obertan. Please engage whaever is left of your brain before putting your mouth in gear.
At euro 2004 Owen and Rooney were so good that Owen could only score one goal from a defensive blunder on a long ball? Rooney was spectacular, while Owen was invisible.
A team loses its best player who happens to be the reigning WPOTY and he says nothing has changed
Forget about games you lose, we will see how well you will do in the EPL and CL.

[quote author=~Sauron~ link=topic=294608.msg4329372#msg4329372 date=1249925525]There's no tweaking to be done cos nothing has changed. . . .

Ronaldo has been replaced by Nani on the wing. . . .
Tevez has been replaced by Owen.[/quote]so Nani just joined, valencia is a similar player to Ronaldo and Owen is similar to Tevez? 
Did you lose your grey cells when you were banned?

U went reh, reh reh, who is going to nod those crosses in?
Who was nodding it in when we had Tevez and Rooney as the available strikers?
There was a time England played Owen n Rooney together as strike partners and they scored from Beckham's crosses.

CR was not primarily crossing the ball into the box, like your new guy valencia is doing. Even back then, CR was you most potent aerial threat.
Valencia is not beckham and ManU is not England, and yet we can all think back on the success of that Owen-Rooney pairing, and how many headed goals along with trophies they got

Like I said, season go soon start, so I no get time to waste on you, when the evidence will be staring you in the face in just a few weeks.

[quote author=~Sauron~ link=topic=294608.msg4329171#msg4329171 date=1249923610]He did not dislocate his shoulder. . . . . .He is playing for Portugal on Wednesday.
Nani was taken off in precaution.

U talk a lot of bollocks for an adult.[/quote]bollocks or not, we go soon see. Season go start next weekend.

The main liability is Cesc. His poor defensive abilities, and inability to run at the defence, means that all he brings is simply 'passing skills'.
If you accommodate Cesc in the midfield, they would have to play 3 central midfielders, cesc, plus someone else to to make up for his defensive short comings and another to make up for his offensive failings.
Playing 2 guys would leave you short in at least one area. Cesc is the second coming of Guti.
It was same problem Barca had when try to play 4-4-2 with Xavi, and they only got the best out of him when they moved to 4-3-3
Madrid were not willing to play 4-3-3 and often sent Guti to the bench.
Wenger's options are either he plays the 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 (both have 3 players in the center) or he sells Cesc.

why cant the current personnel play 4-3-3?
Without a quality DM, that is your best option. The alternative is to become an Oshodi [/i]club, that just parks the [i]molue
A front 3 of Andrei, Eduardo and RVP is fine IMO, and u have Walcott, Bedtner, Vela etc coming off the bench.
The 3 in the midfield congests the center and makes up for the poor DM. Who you play in that core would determine your tactical approach.
For example you could play Song (DM), Cesc(CM) and Nasri (AM).
The only down side to 4-3-3 is the lack of width in the midfield that your full backs will have to make up for.

i am curious to see what manuU's starting XI and primary tactical approach would be like this season.

First question would be who pairs Rooney upfront. Rooney would likely be the SS, while baba-go-slow and owen are prime candidates for the other spot.
If it is bgs, then he would slow down the game, and the likes of nani and valencia, will not be able to fully exploit their pace.
If it is owen, what happens to all the balls that Valencia crosses into the box. Rooney cant be expected to be winning all those headers against 2 central defenders.
In terms of style of play, the right choice would have been macheda, but he is far from the level required.
The midfield seems to still need the old warhorses of scholes and Giggs to be at its best. At 34 and 35, SAF cant keep on calling up these guys. The new midfielders needs to step up.
SAF will be doing a lot of tweaking this year
.

Chelsea is taking over from Milan as the gerontic club champions, and with ancelotti at the helm, the transition should be seamless

[flash=480,385]http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/qrK4QmuxvVM[/flash]