All things football 2013 - 14

[Insidious Von]

I agree with this article, why is Arsenal in Pot 1 of the draw?

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2013/08/27/4215326/arsenal-should-not-be-a-pot-1-team-uefa-must-overhaul?ICID=HP_PN_1

Why is Napoli in Pot 4?

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions-league/2013/08/29/4217969/dortmund-in-pot-3-napoli-in-pot-4-the-champions-league-group?ICID=HP_FT_1

 

[bullitt]

would have liked to be in Glasgow last night!

 

[rld]

I agree with this article, why is Arsenal in Pot 1 of the draw?

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2013/08/27/4215326/arsenal-should-not-be-a-pot-1-team-uefa-must-overhaul?ICID=HP_PN_1

Why is Napoli in Pot 4?

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions-league/2013/08/29/4217969/dortmund-in-pot-3-napoli-in-pot-4-the-champions-league-group?ICID=HP_FT_1

That is a very interesting article. Although I am not sure of the solution, it is thought provoking.

When you cut down the coefficient period you run the risk of putting a team who "got hot" too high, but if you make it too long, you run the risk of elevating teams that have gone downhill but benefit from their history.

Five years does seem quite long to me in modern football.

 

[Insidious Von]

would have liked to be in Glasgow last night!

I would have liked to have been in Milano.

Super Mario has had an indifferent start to the season, last night he woke up.

 

[Insidious Von]

The draw has been made:

Group F is the group of death: Arsenal, Marsailles, Dortmund, Napoli.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions-league/2013/08/29/4222630/champions-league-draw-real-madrid-face-juventus-barcelona?ICID=OP

 

[rld]

The draw has been made:

Group F is the group of death: Arsenal, Marsailles, Dortmund, Napoli.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions-league/2013/08/29/4222630/champions-league-draw-real-madrid-face-juventus-barcelona?ICID=OP

Bayern looks well placed, and Austria Wien at least should not get slaughtered.

You are right about the group of death.

And the football powers finally acknowledge there is more to the game than scoring goals by giving Ribery the award.

 

[Insidious Von]

Group F prognosis.

Dortmund is unstoppable, they will advance. If the Partenopei can come out of the Emirates with a draw, their chances of advancing will improve. The guns will fall silent in The Cauldron.

Hotspur fans take note: Ljajic > Lamela.

From the coverage given it appears that Roma sold more than the spent, the reverse is true.

Out: Stekelenberg, Marquinos, Lamela, Osvaldo

In: De Sanctis, Benatia, Ljaijic, Strootman, Gervinho, Torosidis and Maicon.

In the summer of 2012 Transfer director Fabio Baldini bailed on the Wolfpack for Tottenham. What followed was a lost season with Roma missing out Europe. But the new squadra has depth and cohesion, the troublemakes (Lamela, Oslavdo) were sold and 42 Million Euros lifted from the drunken English. Ljaijic nearly took Fiorentina into CL last term. He cannot be pressed out of a match like Lamela and he's much quicker in finding space. IMHO an excellent trade-off.

 

[Toliker]

I see Gareth Bale finally signed for Real Madrid for a reported fee of 100 million Euro. That young lad’s going to be put under the spotlight every step he takes, I hope he can handle the pressure. His reported weekly salary is also reported to be ₤300,000/week, which converted to $Canadian works out at a staggering 25.6 million/year, based on a 52 week year. Rather obscene in my book.

 

[blackrock13]

I see Gareth Bale finally signed for Real Madrid for a reported fee of 100 million Euro. That young lad’s going to be put under the spotlight every step he takes, I hope he can handle the pressure. His reported weekly salary is also reported to be ₤300,000/week, which converted to $Canadian works out at a staggering 25.6 million/year, based on a 52 week year. Rather obscene in my book.

Real Madrid, the Yankees of the footie world. Few teams could afford to do that.

 

[Toliker]

Real Madrid, the Yankees of the footie world. Few teams could afford to do that.

There inlies the problem, they CAN’T afford it, but the Spanish financial institution who bankrolls Real can afford it……for now……until the Euro implodes. This overspending by the top clubs has to stop somewhwere….and soon. Many clubs will suffer in the not too distant future, it’s just not sustainable.

 

[blackrock13]

There inlies the problem, they CAN’T afford it, but the Spanish financial institution who bankrolls Real can afford it……for now……until the Euro implodes. This overspending by the top clubs has to stop somewhwere….and soon. Many clubs will suffer in the not too distant future, it’s just not sustainable.

Fair enough. The details are often in the small print.

 

[Insidious Von]

There inlies the problem, they CAN’T afford it, but the Spanish financial institution who bankrolls Real can afford it……for now……until the Euro implodes. This overspending by the top clubs has to stop somewhwere….and soon. Many clubs will suffer in the not too distant future, it’s just not sustainable.

The deal they have is akin to the Bank of Canada financing the Toronto Maple Leafs. They made a shrewd move buy divesting themselves of their real estate holdings before the market collapsed but most of that has been eaten up by player salaries. Transfer costs are grossly out of wack, Man Shitty paid 27 million euros for Stevan Jovetic, a player who hasn't been the same since he tore up his knee. Ridiculous for a player who's worth 12 million at best.

 

[Insidious Von]

This is a beauty.

That corrupt old turd has suggested that the Qatar World Cup should be held in the winter time. Sure he took the money and ran with dictator spume in his mouth but will the big clubs be thrilled with this suggestion? Holding the World Cup in the Persian Gulf is a joke that should be revoked. Allow Italy to rebuild its infrastructure.

As Rosie Grier said: "Nowyou know you got to go".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWHNA_j7h5A

 

[Luton]

Sorry I have always believed in the law of supply and demand. That is what the free enterprise system is all about. As long as someone is willing to pay the price, in this case 100 million euros for Bale and his salary then why blame the player or the club (Spurs) in taking it.

 

[mrsuave]

I see Gareth Bale finally signed for Real Madrid for a reported fee of 100 million Euro. That young lad’s going to be put under the spotlight every step he takes, I hope he can handle the pressure. His reported weekly salary is also reported to be ₤300,000/week, which converted to $Canadian works out at a staggering 25.6 million/year, based on a 52 week year. Rather obscene in my book.

Important to remember that's the gross amount and the tax rate in Spain at that bracket is 56%.(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2084066/Spains-56-cent-tax-football-earners.html) That roughly works out to about ~$14 million CAD, which compared to top earners in the MLB, NFL or NBA is relatively cheap.

 

[Big Michael]

Well, well, well...my beloved Arsenal, the most cash rich club in the world helped the Fascists out (not that I am complaining). Welcome to North London Mr. Ozil....

 

[trod]

I literally spilled my coffee when I read about Ozil joining Arsenal ! He is easily amongst top 3 attacking midfielders in the world. Could have never guessed Wenger smashing EPL's transfer fee record and grab him.

That said, it was unfortunate that when Roman Abramovich came in the world of football around 2004 with his money at a time when Arsenal were rebuilding for the future ( new Stadium, new players, being cautious about their spending ). I hate Arsenal, but I do respect them as a competitor to an extent.

I wished Man Utd had gotten Ozil which on paper would seem like a luxury buy but look at how Van Persie turned out ! Anyways, we have Fellaini who is someone we needed the most. Lets see how the season unfolds !

 

[Insidious Von]

So Real has tied their mast to Ze Maria, strange transfer since Ozil has been more consistent. Inler's task has become much tougher in the CL and he knows it. The steal of the transfer may be Viviano. He's had some hard luck as of late; losing out to Handanovic at Inter and having a weak defense in front of him at Palermo. He'll be motivated to perform at his best at the Emirates, Brazil is at stake.

Bottom line, Arsenal fans, you are getting another Francesco Toldo. I'll be pissed if he sits on the bench!

Mute the music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB_zrStsMIU

 

[Insidious Von]

What a sad joke, I hope he's enjoying the money.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/745/fifa/2013/09/09/4249106/blatter-summer-world-cup-in-qatar-is-a-mistake?ICID=HP_HN_2

 

[Insidious Von]

I am now convinced that Petr Cech is the best keeper in the world. The Czechs scored on their only counter-attack, after Italy reverted to a 4 man defense they never got close again. Cech kept the score respectable, his hands must still be smarting after the save he made on Balotelli's cannon shot. He may not be all that fit for this weekend's match at Goodison Park.