₦airaland Forum

Who is watching the under 21's?

Buttner and Fletcher getting game time but most importantly Evans is back! Hopefully he plays against Southampton on Sunday.

Ibime: No igg this year? I hope we won't find you on the second page by season end!!!

Sharrap there! I've never been an IGG starter.
The IGG people know themselves . . .we all know who will be there and thereabout at the end of the season
This is a marathon na

Okay, holiday over . . . time to get to work.
My season starts next week.

Chelsea are likely to be without captain John Terry for the Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle.

Terry injured his neck during Wednesday night's 4-2 victory over Reading.

"John is struggling. He's a great leader and it's a big loss for us,'' boss Robert Di Matteo said.

If as expected he fails to recover, Terry is likely to be replaced in the starting line-up by David Luiz, who sat out the season opener at Stamford Bridge with a knee problem.

Marko Marin remains unavailable because of a hamstring injury.

Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta has completed his move from Marseille, while Di Matteo confirmed that Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Victor Moses from Wigan.

The clubs have agreed a fee reported to be worth £9million for Moses after Chelsea's fifth offer for the 21-year-old Nigeria winger was accepted.

"The clubs have agreed terms now. The player will have a medical. Subject to that he might become a Chelsea player,'' the Italian said.

"(Wigan manager) Roberto Martinez has done a wonderful job with this player since signing him. He's really developed him. He had a very good season last year and hopefully we can progress his development.

"He can play on either wing and wing and will give the team width. He has good dribbling ability, has pace and is powerful. We've tried very hard to get this player. We like him very much. He's young and hopefully he'll be the future of the club.''

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will make late checks on skipper Fabricio Coloccini and striker Demba Ba.

The pair were among nine men who missed or were rested for the 1-1 Europa League play-off draw at Atromitos, the Argentinian with a thigh problem and Senegal international Ba with a sore shin.

Cheick Tiote (calf) and Shola Ameobi (hamstring) remain doubts.

Pardew has challenged his team to hand Chelsea another taste of misery against the odds to cement their promising start to the new season.

The Magpies flew straight to London from Greece to finalise their preparations for Saturday night's fixture at Stamford Bridge, which will kick off less than 48 hours after their exertions in Athens.

That, coupled with the task of taking on the European champions in their own backyard, makes a repeat of last season's stunning 2-0 victory there all the more difficult.

However, Pardew is confident there is enough within his squad to tackle a Chelsea side which has been strengthened significantly by the addition of the likes of the £32million Eden Hazard and the £25million Brazilian Oscar.

Pardew said: "Chelsea are the European champions. They won the Champions League and they have improved since then - Hazard looks a great buy. We know him well, so we know what to expect from him.

"There are no surprises in that team, but I think in some ways, we can match them and give a good showing there.''





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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is looking for a swift response from his side to their defeat at Everton when they take on Fulham at Old Trafford.

United went down 1-0 in the Barclays Premier League clash at Goodison Park on Monday night thanks to Marouane Fellaini's second-half header.

It was the first time in eight years that the Red Devils had lost their opening league fixture of the season and they now face a Fulham side who made a superb start to their own campaign last weekend by thrashing Norwich 5-0.

Ferguson is mindful of the White's threat, but is demanding nothing less than a positive reaction from his team - and is confident they will deliver.

"I went to see Fulham last Saturday and they played very well,'' Ferguson said.

"It's a football club that's grown tremendously since Roy (Hodgson) got them to the Europa League final (in 2010).

"The place is buzzing with a full-house every week and there's a good atmosphere around the place.

"They have a lot of experience in their team. It won't be an easy game, but we're at home and we need to make an impact quickly after losing on Monday night, and we expect that.''

Robin van Persie came off the bench to make his United debut in the Everton match and the Holland striker - signed for a reported £24million last week from Arsenal - looks set to be promoted to the first XI, with Ferguson saying there was "every chance'' he could start against Fulham.

The manager also confirmed Van Persie's Dutch compatriot and fellow new recruit, full-back Alexander Buttner, will be involved, most likely starting on the bench, and that he will once again be without the defensive quartet of Phil Jones (back), Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling (both foot) and Rio Ferdinand (leg) that was unavailable for the Goodison Park contest, although Jones has now returned to training.

Clint Dempsey will be missing from Fulham's squad once again.

Dempsey has been unsettled by interest shown by Liverpool according to manager Martin Jol, who has decided the American is not in the right state of mind to play.

Kerim Frei (pelvis) and Philippe Senderos (foot) are unavailable, but Zdenek Grygera (knee) has been passed fit.





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afrodoc: last season when zeki fryers came on as a sub evra moved to the CB position to end the match(not saying he did a gr8 job o).ferguson had better not play this petri dish formation n lineup.i would prefer scott wootton and vida at CB and carrick in CM to partner cleverly

Spot on!

Tgirl4real: Chamo still on Missy's tail after how many years!!!



He doesn't ever leave that his sport section. I miss d good ol' days.

Don't mind Missy, she's been chasing me up and down.





[quote author=Missy_B]I'm not photogenic. . . .Would a picture of my dog do; it is, after all, my possession? Say no at the risk of having no other option but a dead body
[size=3pt]Miss you too o . . .You abandoned me[/size] [/quote]Send that my fav one

@Tgirl

Please can you list reasons why people adopt this method?
I'm trying hard to think of any valid reason.

[quote author=Missy_B] Cha mo tex
This must be your ghost . . . I'm just 16, and I intend to start marrying ghosts at 85. . . You'll have to wait.
[size=4pt][s]Where on God's green Earth have you been hiding?[/s][/size][/quote]Just send me your picture, leave the rest to me.
[size=4pt]I've missed you sha[/size]

[quote author=Missy_B]It's so sad you people stop living at a certain age.
Where I'm from, as long as there's life, there's hope, and both life and hope should be characterized by dignity not desperation.[/quote]Marry me!

Right or wrong . . . it doesn't matter

mystikal: That was easy. Even with Aguero as captain, I still won vs Avantgarde. How bad can he be?

Next up Chamostars or something. . . . . #meat.

Don't worry, by the end of the next GW, you will remember my team name

eldee: Shshshshhhhhh...anyone hear that?
Yep, that's the sound of Chamotex not posting because he got trashed by the minnow he bullied throughout pre-season.
It's funny how he was running commentary before the matches started and now he's disappeared from the thread. . . otu oshi.

At least if you're going to claim to be Barca, don't lose to Reading.

Hahaha Gbenu soun!
I went on a mini vacation, just got back.

I'm glad you know I'm Barca and you are Reading . . . e dey happen like that.
It's a 'freakish' result that will never happen again in another 10 years.
Abi what are chances of United beating Arsenal 8-2 again?

New signing Kevin Mirallas is looking forward to helping Everton enjoy a successful season after joining from Olympiacos.

The Toffees confirmed the capture of the Belgium international on a four-year contract after agreeing an undisclosed fee with the Greek side.

And the versatile forward, who has been handed the number 11 shirt, told evertontv: "I am very happy because Everton is a big club and for me it's a very good opportunity.

"I've known Everton have been following me for a while and after talking with the manager I decided coming to Everton was the best opportunity for me.

"I know this is a great club with great supporters and a club that has the ability win a lot of games in the Premier League. That's why I came.''

The 24-year-old scored 20 goals in Greece last season, having previously played in France for St Etienne and Lille, and has netted five times in 28 appearances for his country.

His signing was completed too late to feature in Monday's clash with Manchester United, when the Toffees will be looking to buck the trend of recent seasons by getting their campaign off to a strong start.

David Moyes' side finished seventh in the Barclays Premier League table last season but their European hopes were all but scuppered by their familiar poor early form.

And striker Victor Anichebe told Press Association Sport: "We always finish the season really strong so if we can start well this year then you never know where that will take us. We're certainly looking to start better than we have done.

"I don't think we should expect anything, just play and then we'll see where we are. But Everton's a big club and should be finishing in the top half of the table, and I'm sure we will.''

The Toffees have taken points off Sir Alex Ferguson's side in each of the past four years, including in last season's remarkable 4-4 draw at Old Trafford.

Anichebe said: "It's always a tough game against them but we're at our home ground, our fans really get behind us so it's going to be a great opening fixture for the club and the players. Hopefully we can get a great result.''

As well as Mirallas, Everton have secured the permanent return of midfielder Steven Pienaar from Tottenham along with Steven Naismith's arrival from Rangers and both should be involved.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney is aiming to have as much fun in his second decade as a Premier League player as he did in his first.

It is amazing to think 10 years have passed since Rooney made his top-flight bow as a raw 16-year-old for Everton against Tottenham.

That Rooney should be heading back to Goodison Park to mark the occasion seems somehow fitting, even if the reception he gets from the supporters he has always considered himself one of tends to be less than friendly these days.

With four Premier League titles and a Champions League winners' medal to show for his time at Manchester United, Rooney has no need to justify why he left the Toffees just two years after that momentous debut.

But he realises there is much more to achieve.

"I'm still fairly young,'' he said. "I feel young anyway.

"It's great to have played in the Premier League for 10 years.

"It's an exciting league and I still feel exactly the same about my football as I did when I made my debut.

"It does feel like a long time ago, though.

"I just hope I can play for another 10 years and have as much enjoyment as I did in my first 10.''

Rooney should get more pleasure now he can count last season's Golden Boot winner Robin van Persie amongst his team-mates.

Van Persie's arrival has livened up the atmosphere around Old Trafford after three years of seeing all the marquee players land at Manchester City.

Not that everything is rosy for Sir Alex Ferguson amid reports that Rio Ferdinand is set for an extended period on the sidelines after picking up a training ground injury.

With Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also sidelined, Michael Carrick seems certain to partner skipper Nemanja Vidic in central defence.

And Vidic's fitness cannot be taken for granted as he only made his comeback from major knee surgery a fortnight ago.

Rafael is set to be handed the right-back berth even though he did not feature at all during pre-season as he was part of the Brazil squad that failed to land that elusive Olympic gold medal.



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Fellaini is doubtful . . . hopefully he doesn't make it.
He has terrorised us in the last couple of games but Vida is back now

ritchboy: Early days. . . But how did you contrive to be 59th considering all the shitty teams in the league?

Its a tactical move bro . . . you've gotta let all these niccas think they've got a chance.

debosky: Why all this noise in GW1? Is this how y'all plan to carry on all season or is this just the latest edition of Initial Gra Gra (TM Lalaboi)?

Imagine! Someone here is already bragging of leading by 41 points, in GW1. Smh

I think its close . . . gathering pace

eldee: Oh. . . I thought you were boasting about a master formula? Otu oshi.
As long as I get my threes against you, and drop you like a bad habit, you can't tell me nothing.

Hehe it took you until 6:30pm to come show face for here . . . praying hard to be ahead of me but you still aint.
There are still games to be played hommie, I will shock you

eldee: Who is this amateur I'm playing against? The eff is a Chamokazzy Pornstars?
Playing three Man City players you know, I'll trash you like there's no tomorrow.

Nonsense. . . please give me top competition not one crappy "Chamokazzy IndecentStar".

I will shock you!

Cristalz: And the lead is gone.
Oh well. . .was fun while it lasted.

Prediction for tomorrow night:

Rafael-Rio-Vidic-Evra

Young-Kagawa-Fletcher-Nani

Rooney
.........RVP

Would prefer Valencia ahead of Young, but knowing Fergie it's most likely gonna be Young.

Fletcher starting? C'mon Cristalz, is he even fit enough for the bench yet?
Fletcher definitely cant start tomorrow night . . .long shot off

James Milner expects it to be even tougher for Manchester City to defend the Barclays Premier League title than it was for them to win it - and feels confident the team are ready to make the step up to another level this term.

After they secured their first top-flight championship for 44 years in May in the most dramatic fashion, the task of keeping hold of the trophy begins on Sunday for City when they get their 2012-13 league campaign under way by hosting newly-promoted Southampton.

Blues midfielder Milner anticipates the job facing him and his team-mates this season to far exceed the one they met in sealing the club's maiden Premier League crown, but the 26-year-old England international is feeling good about City's prospects of rising to the challenge.

Asked if he thought staying at the top was harder than getting there, Milner said: "I can't speak from experience because I haven't had that pleasure, but I'm sure it is.

"Everyone says that. You're there to be shot at and teams are going to come for you.

"It's up to us to keep on improving and not rest on our laurels. We are working harder in training, everybody wants to get better and the competition for places is there.

"Being champions is a great feeling but it will be twice as hard to retain.

"Teams will now lift their games even more than they did before so it will be a tough experience, but hopefully we'll keep improving as a team and doing well.''

Milner admits the memories of last season's triumph and having the tag of champions may help boost City this term, but insists the real key will just be hard graft.

"Winning is a habit - you want to win matches and you want to win trophies,'' Milner said.

"You gain that belief and I think we gained a lot of belief from winning the FA Cup (in 2011), which gave us the belief to go on and win the Premier League.

"Winning the Premier League is not easy. There are a lot of top teams in there challenging so it's a fantastic achievement.

"But it's an even bigger test to go out there and do it again so it's down to us to keep working hard.

"We won't set any targets, we will just go out there and keep playing the same football and then hopefully we will win some more trophies.''

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins knows there are few tougher season openers than a trip to Manchester City but is relishing the challenge of trying to upset the reigning champions.

Just three years after teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, the south coast side are back in the Barclays Premier League after a seven-year absence.

Adkins led Saints to back-to-back promotions from League One and now faces the unenviable task of trying to overcome Roberto Mancini's men at the Etihad Stadium in their first game of the season.

Rather than be overawed by the challenge, however, the former Scunthorpe boss is positive about his side's chances.

"What a great, great fixture,'' Adkins said. "Southampton against Manchester City, away from home, the first game of the season, the league champions.

"They have started pre-season ever so well again they're the benchmark for everybody now. They are the team that everyone has got to go and catch.

"On paper one would expect Manchester City to win the game, but, as we all know, we don't play on paper.

"We've got to go there with a belief that we can go and win the game.

"It is going to be very challenging, we all know that, but we've got to go with a mindset that we can get something from it.

"We've got to be positive in everything we do. It's the first game, we should relish it.

"We know it is going to be challenging, we know it is going to be tough.

"It would be wrong of us not to expect that, but we've got to have a belief about ourselves."



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Arsenal can like to fall hand sha

How market on the opening day?

ritchboy: I've narrowed my new team name down to:

A. The Disvirginators
B. Cherry Poppers
C. hyMen sMashers

First to five votes wins!

It wont matter at the end . . .it wont change your position

lalaboi: Guyz, you can show of your team . . . . post screen shots

I get Heskey as my captain

Arsene Wenger accepts sanctioning the sale of captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United was a "massive gamble", but has faith his team can recover to mount a successful Barclays Premier League campaign.

Holland international Van Persie today finalised a £24million switch to Old Trafford, having earlier in the summer announced he would not be signing a new deal with the Gunners.

Van Persie is the latest of Wenger's key men to move on following last summer's departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri - with Alex Song the next possible transfer amid reports of a £15million bid from Barcelona.

While the manner of Van Persie's exit may not sit well with many Arsenal fans - following his carefully worded summer statement questioning the direction of the club which stood by him during injury-plagued spells on the sidelines - Wenger maintains it is now time for everyone to look to the future as he prepares for the season opener against Sunderland.

"The reality is when the player doesn't want to stay you have two ways: you either force him to stay or you accept the reality and you let him go. I have chosen the second solution,'' said Wenger.

"I know it is a massive challenge and a massive gamble I took but we have the quality to deal with the problem we have, and at the end of the day I can talk and talk and talk but we can only show it on the pitch now.

"Time heals all things and of course at the moment people are hurt, which I understand, but what is important for us is to focus on the season in front of us.

"Players have gone, life goes on and the football club is 125 years old and other big players have left this club and we have always gone from season to season in a strong way.''

Arsenal will assess the fitness of England forward Theo Walcott (thigh) ahead of the game, but midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (ankle) and France defender Laurent Koscielny (calf) both miss out having withdrawn from the midweek internationals.

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has new signing Louis Saha is available and he could feature up front as fellow striker Stephane Sessegnon is an injury doubt after he picked up an ankle injury in training.


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Please who is my first victim in the H2H tomorrow?
Fixtures still aint out yet

r231: acct info sent

thank you

Kindly send me paypal info bro

debosky: I confirm the stories - all my mates now even get £90k per anum even before graduating sef!

PS - I've missed you dahling.

Hehe okay o

debosky: Wrong!

The best that could be said is this: IF any club could claim to 'own' the Premier League trophy, it would be Man United. But, since 20 teams compete for it each season, it only belongs to one club in the period between the end of the season and the start of the new season.

The trophy is currently in Citeh's possession, come August 18th, it's no one's.

Wrong!

It is still Citeh's until another team wins it.
They will still be the champions until another team knocks them off.

Are you saying we can claim to own the Premier league trophy?
So the thread title is spot on then

afrodoc: thanks for d explanation bros.i tire for guys o,taking nitpicking to olympic levels

Niggaz are frustrated, caused by lack of premiership footy.
Well 2 days to go guys

ritchboy: So basically, "we will get City's trophy"?

As the current Champions, its in their possession right now - we could say it was stolen in the last minute of last season so they should give it back.

Seems like niggaz are on their periods - e never reach fight na

We will get 'our' trophy back = basically as the defending champion losing the title to Citeh, we want the trophy which is now in their hands sort of.
We were the last winners before Citeh won it, so we want t back!