#5664840 - 05/09/12 09:15 AM
Re: The Official 2011-12 FIFA/UEFA/Premier League Football Discussion Thread
[Re: gaz2810i]
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delekkerste
James Bond wears a Rolex...the rest is just product placement.
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Arsenal doing there business early this summer. Already agreed a deal with Podolski and now look certain to add Yann M'Villa to the squad. If they latter finalishes it looks like Wenger is spending big with £29 million spent before the current season ends 
I hope that's the case, because if I had a pound for every time one of these media-reported "certain" deals was reported and didn't pan out, I'd have enough money for season tickets at the Emirates next season! M'Vila was #1 on my transfer wish list last summer, as I have long believed that much of Arsenal's woes in recent campaigns actually stem from having a squishy midfield. I think it's no coincidence that we stopped winning trophies when we went from the 2-enforcer model (e.g., Petit/Vieira, Gilberto/Vieira) to a 1-enforcer model (e.g., Song with a bunch of more creative types around him) Even now some are already asking "why do we need M'Vila when we have Song"? 
As Tim and others have pointed out, I don't know how much money we can raise by getting rid of our deadwood in the transfer market. I suspect it won't be much, but, in any case, the club has to splash the cash to replace those players one way or another. I also think RVP will captain the squad again next year. Yes, he could make a lot more money at City, but I just don't think the incremental cash would offset the damage to his public image and his legacy at the club for him (I'm sure he doesn't want to go from being a hero to a pariah like Cole, Nasri or Adebayor before him). This would especially be true if Arsenal qualify for the Champions League and make a statement in the transfer market this summer. While Nasri's move last year was clearly motivated by money, I do think he actually had a valid excuse for leaving as City were poised to make a title run while Arsenal were, if anything, getting weaker. RVP probably won't have that excuse this summer and I don't think he's looking for one, anyway. An improved multi-year deal and concrete assurances that the club will make meaningful transfers I suspect will be enough.
I don't see Barcelona being in the market for RVP - for the kind of cash it would take to get him, they'd want somebody younger - they're getting old as it is and have a young, 70+-goal striker now already. Real Madrid has a surplus of talent up front as it is, with Higuain starting less than half the matches this season. Maybe you could see a cash + player swap situation there, but I think there are other easier targets for Real to go after as it is. Maybe an Italian club would have interest, but I just don't see it happening. 
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#5665113 - 05/09/12 11:24 AM
Re: The Official 2011-12 FIFA/UEFA/Premier League Football Discussion Thread
[Re: Bane]
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tth2
"I blame it on the low quality of the newbies that are joining the boards."
--And with one swoop tth2 become the community crotchety old man. Damn kids today.
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I agree with Gaz, I don't see RVP leaving for Man City. He's stated many times how he feels about Arsenal and to top that he loves London. If Arsenal do sell RVP it will be to either Barcelona or Real Madrid. I don't think he is a player motivated by money like Nasri was.
RVP stated at the PFA awards that Robert Pires told him "..once a gunner your always a gunner, and I will always be a gunner in my heart..." whether that signals his time as an Arsenal player is coming to an end, I really don't see him joining any other club in England.
All of that may be true, but if Man City offer him 250K/week and the best Arsenal can do is 150K/week, which already blows out their current wage structure, that is going to be very hard for RVP to turn down. Plus, the prospect of winning silverware.
Wenger has obviously made his intent known, already signed Poldolski for £10million and looks to be in advanced negotiations for M'Vila at a reported £17.7million.
I`ll be very interested in seeing how Podolski does. He`s had a very checkered domestic career in Germany, and has always seemed to play much better internationally than domestically.
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#5666424 - 05/09/12 07:34 PM
Re: The Official 2011-12 FIFA/UEFA/Premier League Football Discussion Thread
[Re: tth2]
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gaz2810i
Pedigreed
Registered: 05/15/09
Posts: 6202
Loc: London, England
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I agree with Gaz, I don't see RVP leaving for Man City. He's stated many times how he feels about Arsenal and to top that he loves London. If Arsenal do sell RVP it will be to either Barcelona or Real Madrid. I don't think he is a player motivated by money like Nasri was.
RVP stated at the PFA awards that Robert Pires told him "..once a gunner your always a gunner, and I will always be a gunner in my heart..." whether that signals his time as an Arsenal player is coming to an end, I really don't see him joining any other club in England. All of that may be true, but if Man City offer him 250K/week and the best Arsenal can do is 150K/week, which already blows out their current wage structure, that is going to be very hard for RVP to turn down. Plus, the prospect of winning silverware. Wenger has obviously made his intent known, already signed Poldolski for £10million and looks to be in advanced negotiations for M'Vila at a reported £17.7million. I`ll be very interested in seeing how Podolski does. He`s had a very checkered domestic career in Germany, and has always seemed to play much better internationally than domestically.
Money isn't everything no matter what some people think. RVP is very principled and has admitted himself that he owes a debt to Wenger and Arsenal. If he feels he can lead this team to a trophy or two money will not come into it, I am sure.
Podolski had a two year stint in Munich where he had a torrid time. During his two stints at Cologne he has been amazing. I personally feel, he is a good signing and will be good for Arsenal.
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#5667961 - 05/10/12 05:19 AM
Re: The Official 2011-12 FIFA/UEFA/Premier League Football Discussion Thread
[Re: tth2]
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gaz2810i
Pedigreed
Registered: 05/15/09
Posts: 6202
Loc: London, England
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Why did the Championship season have to end so quickly? I have nothing to talk about  The play-offs are worth talking about. It was very interesting to see that all 3 teams relegated last season were in the play-offs for promotion, and now at least 1 of those teams will be going back up again. Going straight back up isn't all that common, is it? I know Newcastle did it recently, and maybe West Ham with Allardyce at the helm might have been expected to do it, although they will have to get through Blackpool first. I was surprised that Blackpool and Birmingham City were in contention to bounce straight back up, though.
I wasn't, both have very good managers. The only real surprise may be Birmingham as they have major financial difficluties but with Houghton as manager they had every chance.
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#5667990 - 05/10/12 06:32 AM
Re: The Official 2011-12 FIFA/UEFA/Premier League Football Discussion Thread
[Re: tth2]
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Bane
Pedigreed
Registered: 03/05/11
Posts: 5656
Loc: The Royal County
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Why did the Championship season have to end so quickly? I have nothing to talk about The play-offs are worth talking about. It was very interesting to see that all 3 teams relegated last season were in the play-offs for promotion, and now at least 1 of those teams will be going back up again. Going straight back up isn't all that common, is it? I know Newcastle did it recently, and maybe West Ham with Allardyce at the helm might have been expected to do it, although they will have to get through Blackpool first. I was surprised that Blackpool and Birmingham City were in contention to bounce straight back up, though.
I believe Newcastle are the only ones. Saying that though Reading should have come back up under Coppell as we beat Wolves & who ever the other team was that came up that year, both home & away but Reading faltered in the end season and finished third. Got beat in the Semi's by Burnley who went up, lost Owen Coyle to Bolton and came back down.
I think the success story is Southampton who gained back to back promotions, not bad going from league one to the premiership in 2 years.
_________________________
Jamie Hughes: "I'm just a normal guy in an impossible situation."
No Jamie, you were one of a kind and you will be missed my friend. RIP.
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#5668027 - 05/10/12 07:27 AM
Re: The Official 2011-12 FIFA/UEFA/Premier League Football Discussion Thread
[Re: Bane]
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blowout
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I think the success story is Southampton who gained back to back promotions, not bad going from league one to the premiership in 2 years.
Norwich did the very same thing, did they not?
And they have gone one better by staying in the Premier League! Let's see if Southampton can do the same.
_________________________
"There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself." -Johann Sebastian Bach
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#5668369 - 05/10/12 10:53 AM
Re: The Official 2011-12 FIFA/UEFA/Premier League Football Discussion Thread
[Re: Comicopolis]
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Bane
Pedigreed
Registered: 03/05/11
Posts: 5656
Loc: The Royal County
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Is it time to start talking about who should be in the England squad?
Ashley Young, should be able to dive his way to a penalty or two.
_________________________
Jamie Hughes: "I'm just a normal guy in an impossible situation."
No Jamie, you were one of a kind and you will be missed my friend. RIP.
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