Football: WORLD CUP 06 and close season/transfer discussion.

GeeZa · Post by **GeeZa** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 11:16 am 0

Zoot wrote:I am *REALLY* glad that Viera has gone.

But, take that in the best way from a ManYoo fan who has had the uttermost respect and admiration for the bloke for what he is, and what he has done. There are few players in the premiership who can spark real fear in their opponents, and Viera on form was the best.

Best all-round player in the Premiership by a long shot. As I've said before, a girl I worked with has a brother that plays in the Prem and confides Viera was the man they all hated to play against - on his day he was too good for anyone. Some of the goals I saw Arsenal score where he was involved in the build-up were frankly the best I've ever seen at club level. Be interesting to see what happens to the Arse now.

Zoot · Post by **Zoot** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 11:45 am 0

GeeZa wrote:
Zoot wrote:I am *REALLY* glad that Viera has gone.

But, take that in the best way from a ManYoo fan who has had the uttermost respect and admiration for the bloke for what he is, and what he has done. There are few players in the premiership who can spark real fear in their opponents, and Viera on form was the best.
Best all-round player in the Premiership by a long shot. As I've said before, a girl I worked with has a brother that plays in the Prem and confides Viera was the man they all hated to play against - on his day he was too good for anyone. Some of the goals I saw Arsenal score where he was involved in the build-up were frankly the best I've ever seen at club level. Be interesting to see what happens to the Arse now.

Well, I have to say that I think they will be well worse off without him. And I'm not exactly sad about that

aureole · Post by **aureole** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 11:45 am 0

It's a rum one. Given they turned down a reported Â£28m for him last season, and he's got a Â£6m "compensation clause" in his contract, that means last seaon they turned down a net Â£22m, and they've accepted a net Â£8m this year. Seems more than a little suspect.

Zoot · Post by **Zoot** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:00 pm 0

aureole wrote:It's a rum one. Given they turned down a reported Â£28m for him last season, and he's got a Â£6m "compensation clause" in his contract, that means last seaon they turned down a net Â£22m, and they've accepted a net Â£8m this year. Seems more than a little suspect.

I'm being thick, but what do you suspect?

TFO · Post by **TFO** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:12 pm 0

I can only assume / hope / pray that Wenger knows what he is doing.
When he sold Petit and Overmars to Barcelona a few years back, most Gooners (me included) thought that he'd got it soooo wrong.
Turned out that neither of them exactly sparkled in Spain (Petit in particular). Wenger was right.

Now Vieira has shown himself to not being the player he once was - his displays last season (apart from the odd few in April and May) were frankly poor at times. Sure there were flashes of brilliance, but he did look an isolated figure sometimes, especially without Gilberto.
The display in the Cup Final was one of the worst I think I ever saw from him, with the (hardly frightening) United central midfield playing all around him.
His knees are very suspect these days and they will finish his career prematurely, and he will always pick up bookings / reds (especially in Italy where they seem to like that sort of thing for just looking at an opponent).

And what of Jenas? 20 million?

If Vieira goes for just Â£13.7 million (to a club that has no money anyway), then Jenas is not worth that.
An 'insider' at Highbury has indicated that Arsenal have indeed been in touch with Newcastle regarding him, with Campbell as part of the deal (but nowhere near that mad figure that Souness / Shepherd have quoted).
Read into it what you will, but Jenas is being 'rested' for the European game next week. Wouldn't want to cup-tie your cash-cow now would you?

aureole · Post by **aureole** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:14 pm 0

Zoot wrote:
aureole wrote:It's a rum one. Given they turned down a reported Â£28m for him last season, and he's got a Â£6m "compensation clause" in his contract, that means last seaon they turned down a net Â£22m, and they've accepted a net Â£8m this year. Seems more than a little suspect.
I'm being thick, but what do you suspect?

Bleh, I used the wrong words. I think I meant: on the face of it, this seems a fairly bizarre decision to make, there must be some other item of information I'm missing that makes it make sense, I just don't have a clue what it is.

Dio · Post by **Dio** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:43 pm 0

Wenger clearly has both Mother Shipton and Nostradamus as ancestors. I've never seen a manager do better in the transfer market - not even close. Hardly a bad pound spent.

The Frozen One wrote:Read into it what you will, but Jenas is being 'rested' for the European game next week. Wouldn't want to cup-tie your cash-cow now would you?

I wondered about that, but the impression that Sky Sports gave - not explicitly stated, mind - was that it wouldn't have mattered if he had played, as InterToto doesn't cup-tie for other European cups (different situation with Gerard in midweek, of course, as that was the CL). Anyone know for certain about that?

Campbell and Bramble could be a pretty effective defensive partnership, given how good Bramble looked alongside Woodgate. So if that's the deal I don't think I'd say no.

TFO · Post by **TFO** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:48 pm 0

Dio wrote:Wenger clearly has both Mother Shipton and Nostradamus as ancestors. I've never seen a manager do better in the transfer market - not even close. Hardly a bad pound spent.

Can't really disagree with you. There have been a few inexpensive duds (Maltz, Luzhny and Cygan spring to mind), but apart from possibly Sylvain Wiltord, he has not spent the bigger money at all badly.
Apparently he reads football reports and watches footy videos from all over the world when he is not at work. The man is a football lexicon machine.

KevG · Post by **KevG** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 2:02 pm 0

The Frozen One wrote: Apparently he reads football reports and watches footy videos from all over the world when he is not at work. The man is a football lexicon machine.

You've just reminded me of an amzing interview with him I saw a while back. It confirms exactly what you said: he appears to spend every waking moment studying the game

Apparently he's got some huge dish arrangement in his back garden which sucks in tons of football footage from all over the world which he studies obsessively. Allegedly

Amazing. And yeah: an expert in the market not just at spotting talent but laying out relatively little. I remember all too clearly the distressing comparison between our spend versus Arsenal's. Really stark considering Ged Houllier's wider scouting network was supposed to be one of the best in Europe.

Dio · Post by **Dio** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 2:08 pm 0

I heard one story from an Arsenal player - was it Tony Adams' autobiog, perhaps? - in which Wenger collected lunch at the cafe, got distracted thinking about football on the way to his table, and then wondered where his lunch had gone, because he'd dropped half of it and hadn't noticed.

The absent-minded professor indeed.

romanista · Post by **romanista** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 2:12 pm 0

Dio wrote:I heard one story from an Arsenal player - was it Tony Adams' autobiog, perhaps? - in which Wenger collected lunch at the cafe, got distracted thinking about football on the way to his table, and then wondered where his lunch had gone, because he'd dropped half of it and hadn't noticed.

The absent-minded professor indeed.

wasn't that his comment on english cuisine

/runs

KevG · Post by **KevG** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 4:21 pm 0

Something is afoot at Anfield central I reckon. Again. The Crouch story has gone all quiet and now the local press are linking us with Owen

Apparently he's desperate to 'go home'. Hmmm.
Thing is this particular paper is traditionally believed to be a mouthpiece for LFC so there may be something in this story. I say(write) again

PaulEMoz · Post by **PaulEMoz** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 4:30 pm 0

Dio wrote:Campbell and Bramble could be a pretty effective defensive partnership, given how good Bramble looked alongside Woodgate. So if that's the deal I don't think I'd say no.

Where's Boumsong going then?

Might be coz I'm watching from afar, but I prefer him over Bramble. But yes, if he's fit and can stay fit, I'd take Campbell for Jenas, and if we got some cash too it could also help us out on the striker front.

I hope Liverpool do buy Crouch. I've found the whole saga quite amusing so far.

KevG · Post by **KevG** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 4:43 pm 0

PaulEMoz wrote: I hope Liverpool do buy Crouch. I've found the whole saga quite amusing so far.

Most 'Poolies I've come across said he'd be worth Â£3-4 million but are horrified at the prospect of splashing out Â£8mil. Fear of the unknown I reckon.

mac monkey · Post by **mac monkey** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 4:49 pm 0

KevG wrote:Something is afoot at Anfield central I reckon. Again. The Crouch story has gone all quiet and now the local press are linking us with Owen Apparently he's desperate to 'go home'. Hmmm.
Thing is this particular paper is traditionally believed to be a mouthpiece for LFC so there may be something in this story. I say(write) again

he seems to be linked with most english clubs at the moment, although a return back to LFC would be great.
I think Crouch is probably still at the top of RB's wish list still(for some reason!!), and owen would only come into play if this does not happen.

Not to sure about Figo coming to LFC still, will be good for CL, but don't think he'll cut it in the premiership.
It takes at least a season to adapt to pace in English league, if your lucky,so by then he'll be 33-34 then retire!!
Not sure if he's worth the hastle, i know i he's got a wealth of experience,but that doesn't always count