Football (Soccer)

[Oriphus]

Oh...on a second point, Carlos Querioz has been sacked as Real Madrid Manager, though i dont think that anyone was in any way surprised by that. Im hoping that he might decide to come back to Manchester United for another spell as an assistant, though after managing Real Madrid, im sure there will be plenty of clubs willing to give him a shot. He was really the fall guy for the president who was a bit stingey with the money that the club had and refused to let him buy a defender in January when he publicly said that he would need one....Hard luck i guess

More good news for me is that Victor Fernandez has confirmed he will not be the manager of Real Betis next season. This is good news because he had a fall out with Denilson, who in my opinion should always start when fit, and has refused to play him in virtually all of Betis' matches. Real Madrid were apparently lookig at him for a replace meant for Querioz, but they have turned to Ex-Real Madrid player and Spanish Coach Jose Antonio Camacho it seems.

Wonder who we will get to take over Real Betis. Hopefully, whoever it is can manage to hold on to stars like Juaquin, Contreras, Capi and Dani. Betis have a pretty strong side. I can imagine this as a team doing well and getting into Europe next season, if not CL football:

Contreras

Juanito, Lembo, Varela, Mingo, (Rivas)

Denilson, Capi, Assuncao, Joaquin, (Arzus or Ito)

Tote, Lopex (dani)

Would be a strong side in my opinion

[admin]

I don't have any detailed information, but the official tournament site should go live any day now:

http://www.amsterdamtournament.nl/

We should be doing an Asian or American tour, but the thinking is that Arsenal can't grow much more until the stadium is built. People now take one look at our stadium (as historical as it is) and wonder how such a small club can do what it's doing.

[Oriphus]

Very true, but last i was reading was that Arsenal had secured the funds and have the plans ready to build the stadium. Is this not the case?

[admin]

There is nothing that can prevent the stadium from being built, so it's just a matter of when (probably 2006/2007 season), not if. The construction has been going forward quite quickly of late:



Eventually, it will look something like this:



I hear it will be similar to Benfica's current stadium, since it's being built/designed by the same people or something. I'll keep an eye out for it during Euro 2004.

With the new stadium, we will no longer look like a club that hasn't grown much in 80 years, and won't seem so out of place when compared to other clubs like Milan, Real or even United.

[Oriphus]

Wow - that is one very nice looking stadium. I only hope it does end up looking exactly as it does in the picture. Can you imagine going to a Champions League game late on a Wednesday night and arriving at a stadium lit up like that. Would be mightliy impressive i would say. The one advantage of the current Arsenal Stadium is that the fans are so close to the action. No doubt if Arsenal get that Stadium built, it will be a great boost to the England World Cup campaign bid 2012.

Manchester United might be increasing their capacity to around 75,000 if they decide to extend the corners into 4 sections of seating. It would be a great idea considering at 67,000 they are fully booked for every single Man united match played there - over booked actually since i apply for every game and only ever end up getting one or two a year.

Do you know what the capacity of the Arsenal ground would be? If that Arsenal stadium is built, i would hazard a suggestion by saying it would probably be the flashiest looking stadium in England, bar maybe the new Wembley.....It is a cracking looking stadium

[admin]

Wenger has already said that the new stadium should have the same "close to the action" type design, that's one of the things that shouldn't be changed in the new stadium. However, I don't think any modern stadium can be built as close to the field as what we currently have, due to new safety standards etc.

The capacity will be 60,000, which is the maximum the council would allow in the Islington area (they basically said that we would need to move out of Islington if we wanted a bigger stadium, but Wenger wanted the new stadium to be near the current one). It should fill out very easily, considering there are some 25,000 people on the season ticket waiting list, and even more on the waiting list for the season ticket waiting list or ticket registration schemes.

Arsenal needs the new stadium to move up to the next level, and I don't think we will win the Champions League until the stadium is built (the small Highbury field doesn't help our attacking style, rather, it suits defensive teams).

[Oriphus]

60,000 is a lot of people. That will be a very big stadium alright. Not sure if Arsenal will manage to fill a stadium of that side for every single game, but they might....

The waiting list for the waiting list for the season tickets for Unite is something like 6 years at the minute. I've got my name on it so in a bit ill eventually get one and can go across on the boat most weekends.

The news today (as reported by MUTV) says that United are heavily linked with Alan Smith AND Wayne Rooney to come to Old trafford. Also in the news is that the deal with Alan Smith is £7million max with Danny Pugh going to Leeds as part payment. I'll be sad to see Danny Pugh going, he's a cousin of one of my mates, but i guess its better to have Alan Smith at the club. Would love to see young Wayne Rooney coming as long as it wasnt for a ridiculous amount of money. I'd also like to see a few of the elite Spanish and Brizilian players coming to Old Trafford. For some reason Sir Alex hasnt really made any effort in his time to bring in much in the way of the Spanish elit. Come on Fernando Torres or Raul lol

[MPS]

still, there's nothing like arenaA or old trafford

[Oriphus]

Chelsea look like they have landed a good deal, no doubt expensive and there are better all-out defenders, but as an attacking defender, he is very good. Oh...and we cant forget the power in that left boot lol:

Real Madrid director of sport Jorge Valdano has reportedly claimed that Brazilian full back Roberto Carlos will complete a £20 million move to Chelsea in the coming days. With just one year left to run on his current deal, the 31-year-old is seeking a new four-year contract while Madrid are only prepared to offer him two years. "We're waiting for a fax from Chelsea confirming they will pay the £20million fee in order to complete the deal," Valdano told the Spanish press according to The Times.

Also - Edgar Davids has said that he has an offer from a Leading Premiership club in England. Since he will be on a free Transfer there will be a lot of clubs eager to sign the midfielder. It would be a great buy for United in my opinion, as i feel that he and Ronaldinho are the two that injected life into the dying Barcelona. Come to United Edgar....come to United

Rudd Van The Man Nistelrooy aint happy with Arsene Wenger lol:

"Our manager Sir Alex did well to congratulate Arsenal on their championship win this year," explained van Nistelrooy.

"That's the way you should do things. But it's not what Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger did. I was disappointed with him when we won the title.

"Wenger said that the best team in England had not won it. That is nonsense, absolute bull****.

"A real top coach would always congratulate their opponents on their success."

Oh....found a report on Rooney thats more up-to-date apparently:

Everton's deputy chairman Bill Kenwright has laughed off reports that the Merseysiders have agreed a deal to sell Wayne Rooney to Manchester United. Reports on Sunday had suggested that Everton had accepted a £40 million offer for their teenage England international. United will undoubtedly move to revamp their strike-force this summer with Diego Forlan and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both tipped to be depart Old Trafford.

I would be soooooo disappointed if Ole Gunner Solskjaer left the club. he's my favourite player and i get his name and number on all my shirts. Stay Ole....we all love you

[Oriphus]

Haha - MPS - u and i replied at the exact same time virtually

[MPS]

maybe coz i'm switching to irish time already (i plan to go to irl this summer)

[Oriphus]

Nice one - Irleands nice

Athough, i think there is only 1 hour difference, or 2 at the most between us and yourselves

[admin]

Carlos - Wayne Bridge must be delighted. R. Carlos is past his best, IMO and somewhat over rated. Perfect for Chelzio then...

Davids - I haven't watched him enough to judge whether he would suit any Premiership teams. Most midfielders from other countries won't make it in England, most likely due to the intense nature of the Premiership. This is why Ray Parlour still can find a way to fit into our team, even though by any standard he is not the most talented footballer in the world.

RvN needs to shut up and concentrate on negotiating a good deal with Real

Everyone in the media, even traditional Arsenal haters, admits that Arsenal should have won the title three times in a row. We lost the league last season (or is that last last season?) when another team (or us without the injury/suspension problems) would have won it. This season's Arsenal would have won it last season - with games to spare. And RvN should have a talk with Giggs, who said this about a week ago:

"I am not worried about the gap between us and Arsenal.

"Ability wise, we are just as good as them, if not better. In fact, I think we are better...

And I'm pretty sure Sir Alex said something similar when we did the double in 01/02.

But seriously, the penalty misses against Lehmann twice this season, plus the Old Trafford incident and Wenger's frankness about RvN's tendency to get hit by "phantom tackles" and "fall over" has really spooked him this season. And Sir Alex riding him hard over his Beckham comments didn't help either. The man's confidence needs to be worked on, I'm not surprised if he's thinking about starting fresh at Real.

I don't think Solskjaer has much left to contribute to United, sad to say. Giggs, Scholes, Keane also don't carry as much weight as they use to either. I watched quite a bit of United in the late 90's, and they look like ten times the better team than the current one, even more precise and ruthless than the current Arsenal side. Only Ronaldo looks like he could have belonged to the United of old. What Ruud said about building the team around Ronaldo does seem right, although it sounds like he is suggesting that United should be rebuilt and renewed, and that may mean players mentioned above leaving.

[Oriphus]

Yeah, the team needs to be built up for sure, but i dont think that the current team, including Giggs (who has had a great season), Scholes (who has been a bit off this season) and Keane who is injury prone and getting on a bit. However, i still think all 3 play a vital role in Uniteds plans for the coming season. Ole Gunner Solskjaer has been unlucky with injuries this season, but last season he was key to helping us win the league. He is probably one fo the greatest natural touches on the ball in the box, and he just loves coming on in the 2nd half of a match after watching and analysing where the opposition will be vulnerable for him to capitolise.

lol - what Giggs said and what Wenger said are slightly different. Ability wise United are just as good or better than Arsenal. What Arsene said was that the best team didnt win the 2002/03 season, which wasnt the case. The best team always wins the season, hence Arsenal being the best team this season.....there is a difference

RvN has had a difficult time this season, his confidence was shot slightly with the missing of the Penalties this season and the some very un-characteristic misses in the 6 yard box, which all leads to a slight lack in confidence. Granted, he is frustrated that he hasnt received the same deliveries into the box as Beckham was providing, which is the reason for him speaking out about him going. But...we do have Ronaldo getting better at the first time deliveries. He will get there and surely enough, he will be the star of the future UNited team, probably along with RvN and other key players, maybe some not here at the minuted.

Edgar Davids is coming to the premiership according to Skysports News and i hope United will be a port of call for him. The reason for that is that he is very like Keane, Makelele and other key holding midfielders that enable teams to play the possession game well.

I agree with the Carlos statement. Though i think he is an excellent attacking defender, defensive work may not be his best ability. His tackle percentage in tackles attempted and won is only 67% whereas, Wayned Bridge is 77%, thats quite a difference. Granted Roberto Carlos sets up more goals and puts in more crosses, but hey, thats what a winger/midfielder is for isnt it.

Oooh.....and RvN doesnt need to concentrate on a deal with Real, he's staying put with us this season and will be top goals scorer, with Louis Saha second in the Premier League, or as the Americans call it, the EPL lol

The treble next season for United - i've put £20 on it already, as well as individual bets on each competition....

[admin]

lol - what Giggs said and what Wenger said are slightly different. Ability wise United are just as good or better than Arsenal. What Arsene said was that the best team didnt win the 2002/03 season, which wasnt the case. The best team always wins the season, hence Arsenal being the best team this season.....there is a difference

I give you this quote from the official Manchester United website (http://www.manutd.com/access/news/de...3461&ion=false):

And just prior to Arsenal clinching the 2001/02 title at Old Trafford, Ferguson was quoted as saying that United were the best team in England, to which the Arsenal boss diplomatically replied: "Everyone thinks they have the prettiest wife at home."

RvN should always score more than Henry, simply because Henry isn't being played as our main goal scorer, but rather, just a part of the attack (albeit the most effective part). Without a second striker that can score goals (Bergkamp has never been that type of striker), Henry had to take all the responsibility. Hopefully, with Reyes and van Persie (who Wenger says will play as a striker), as well as Aliadiere, we can find someone out of these three that can share the goal scoring burden - just 15 league goals a season from any of them will do. RvN, on the other hand, is your main goal scorer. If he doesn't score consistently, then your team suffers (like this season). Ferguson seems to be looking at a few more strikers (Smith, Rooney, plus Saha), so perhaps you'll see less reliance on RvN, but this has no doubt fueled the RvN to Madrid rumours.

Isn't Davids 31 or something? He wanted a 4 year deal (yeah right) with Barca, but they only offered two years, so he's off. He may end up at Chelzio, because they are only a few midfielders short before they can fully satisfy their midfielder collection fetish. But I've heard rumours from a reliable source that he's signed for United already.

Going the other way, we will sell Gio van Bronckhorst to Barca. Hopefully, we'll get Ronaldinho and some cash in return