Football: Season 2004/5 Discussion Thread.

PaulEMoz · Post by **PaulEMoz** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 8:17 pm 0

So Charlton have signed both Danny Murphy and Francis Jeffers. That definitely makes them a bit stronger this season. And Birmingham have signed....Darren Anderton. Hahaha.

GeeZa · Post by **GeeZa** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 8:34 pm 0

Anyone got any scoop on strong rumours that Owen's leaving Liverpool? Recent quotes from the new manager don't exactly sound encouraging, i.e. "He's not good enough to be in the first team".

I guess if he's on the subs bench for the UEFA tie, that means he'll be going due to him not being cup-tied for any other club?

Zoot · Post by **Zoot** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 10:11 pm 0

Oh, FFS, Doncaster Rovers have lost 4-3 to Brentford after having been ahead twice.

Bollocks! On Saturday I wsa saying how great their defence was, then they concede four fucking goals!

AAAAAARGH!

PaulEMoz · Post by **PaulEMoz** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 6:26 am 0

GeeZa wrote:Anyone got any scoop on strong rumours that Owen's leaving Liverpool? Recent quotes from the new manager don't exactly sound encouraging, i.e. "He's not good enough to be in the first team". I guess if he's on the subs bench for the UEFA tie, that means he'll be going due to him not being cup-tied for any other club?

I'm kind of interested in that myself. I can't believe they wouldn't play him if he wasn't fit, so that must indicate a move away is on the cards. I can't see why a new manager would want to alienate him straight away either. Looks like Real are being busy boys this summer.

Sickboy · Post by **Sickboy** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 7:17 am 0

PaulEMoz wrote:
GeeZa wrote:Anyone got any scoop on strong rumours that Owen's leaving Liverpool? Recent quotes from the new manager don't exactly sound encouraging, i.e. "He's not good enough to be in the first team". I guess if he's on the subs bench for the UEFA tie, that means he'll be going due to him not being cup-tied for any other club?
I'm kind of interested in that myself. I can't believe they wouldn't play him if he wasn't fit, so that must indicate a move away is on the cards. I can't see why a new manager would want to alienate him straight away either. Looks like Real are being busy boys this summer.

He's definitely off.

Can't say I'm that arsed. He was running on empty for most of last season, and hasn't really looked like he wants to be there for quite a while.

If we can get Morientes as part of the deal, I'll be happy.

We looked very good, last night.

KevG · Post by **KevG** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 9:25 am 0

PaulEMoz wrote:
I'm kind of interested in that myself. I can't believe they wouldn't play him if he wasn't fit, so that must indicate a move away is on the cards. I can't see why a new manager would want to alienate him straight away either. Looks like Real are being busy boys this summer.

I'd like to think someone at LFC has now had enough, IMHO. The McManaman fiasco is still too fresh and the club vowed never to let a contract run that low again.

Most Poolies here would love him to stay but at the same time are palpably hacked off with all the stalling. If he stays, great if he goes 'Oh well' especially if we get Â£10 mil and Morientes/Eto'o as rumoured. That'd help finance someone like Shaun Wright-Phillips. Which is nice

Anyway: 'tis all speculation and ale-house talk at the mo. Hoepfully it's resolved before Saturday so we can move on. For me, his heart's not in it so what's the point?

@Sickboy
Are you joining the Fantasy League (free one, heads-up courtesy of Paul) this year ... or wha' ???

GeeZa · Post by **GeeZa** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 9:55 am 0

I agree with Sickboy in as much that I don't think Owen has really been a top performer for over a year *at least*. Sometimes a player becomes stale and simply has to move on and as the fans know, if he's not 100% committed to the club, no point in keeping him.

Those Gerrard goals last night we absolute class. Was that the same player in Euro2004?

KevG · Post by **KevG** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 10:12 am 0

GeeZa wrote:I agree with Sickboy in as much that I don't think Owen has really been a top performer for over a year *at least*. Sometimes a player becomes stale and simply has to move on and as the fans know, if he's not 100% committed to the club, no point in keeping him.

I think the problem with Owen, in part, is that he doesn't play enough games to break the 20-goal barrier which in turn contradicts all the hype surrounding him. However 16 goals out of 29 starts is a very good return. For me, his body-language was all wrong which indicated his heart wasn't in it to the same extent.

GeeZa wrote: Those Gerrard goals last night we absolute class. Was that the same player in Euro2004?

To be fair to Gerrard, his contribution to LFC towards the end of last season got us into the CL. I think Mr Benitez is encouraging him to have a pop at goal more as well, and, with the team playing higher up the pitch on the whole, he's getting more opportunities to do that.

He's pulled off a few goals like that in the past. The Germany game, for example (5-1)

cyric100 · Post by **cyric100** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 5:12 pm 0

Cool! It seems Fox Sports World will be broadcasting Spurs vs Liverpool live. Ok, that's 4:30am for me but I can't miss that!

PaulEMoz · Post by **PaulEMoz** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 5:30 pm 0

Sickboy wrote:Can't say I'm that arsed. He was running on empty for most of last season, and hasn't really looked like he wants to be there for quite a while.

That's true, he has been a bit poor for a while. But, if he does go, it will mean he doesn't score his customary hat-trick at St. James' Park, so I'll be happy!

SeattleStokie · Post by **SeattleStokie** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 7:32 pm 0

We got a hard earned 0-0 draw away at Sheff Utd last night, so gotta be pleased with that

That result puts us into 4th place and into a play-off position

.... only 42 more games to go

Gorecki · Post by **Gorecki** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 12:51 pm 0

Bollocks.

Bollocks,bollocks,bollocks,bollocks,bollocks,bollocks,bollocks.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 560542.stm

Arse

Sickboy · Post by **Sickboy** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 1:52 pm 0

Gorecki wrote:Bollocks.

Bollocks,bollocks,bollocks,bollocks,bollocks,bollocks,bollocks.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 560542.stm

Arse

I dunno. He's clearly not happy, so let's remember the good times and cash in, now.

I was more gutted when Fowler left. Which, with hindsight, was a serious case of heart ruling head.

TFO · Post by **TFO** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 1:57 pm 0

This is an odd situation and something doesn't seem quite right in all this to me.
Through the whole summer there has been "Vieira to Real" talk. Then 2 or 3 days ago it was "Owen and Vieira to Real".
This morning Vieira stays at Arsenal "purely because I love the club", and Owen is off presumably to warm his arse on the Madrid bench while he watches Raul and Ronaldo for a season or two.

What price he'll return to England at Spurs in 2006...?

btyler78 · Post by **btyler78** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:36 pm 0

My prediction for my beloved Spurs.............UEFA cup place via the league, that would be good for us, what with our young, new look squad (apart from signing Naybet, who has cottoned onto the usual 'tottenham pension scheme'.......

)