Football 16-17

[mjsell]

1 minute ago, pink_triangle said:

Am I the only one amazed that Hull have broken their transfer record for Ryan Mason?

No. Its crazy. I used to go to school with him (he was year above), was obviously talented but not anything spectacular - which has translated to his premier league level.

[kaosmark2]

6 minutes ago, pink_triangle said:

Am I the only one amazed that Hull have broken their transfer record for Ryan Mason?

That it's for Mason surprises me, but Hull are a club in an utter mess. 

[eFestivals]

42 minutes ago, kaosmark2 said:

I don't think anyone doubts he's talented, but he spends far more time bigging himself up than he does putting any effort in on the pitch. His antics this window have been farcical.

I've thought it quite strange at how many of Newc's last-season players seem to be thought better-of than their performance on the pitch. Normally relegated clubs find it difficult to give away their players (with occasional exceptions), cos everyone's seen their failings.

[kaosmark2]

1 hour ago, eFestivals said:

I've thought it quite strange at how many of Newc's last-season players seem to be thought better-of than their performance on the pitch. Normally relegated clubs find it difficult to give away their players (with occasional exceptions), cos everyone's seen their failings.

You can see when Sissoko looks bothered. Home games against Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and at the WC he looked imperious. Rest of the season you could have mistaken him for a statue.

IMO 3 players came out of last season with more credit than at the start. Wijnaldum who managed to score 13 goals under McClaren, Lascalles who didn't play until Rafa came in, and Townsend who we signed in January. I get the argument that our squad should have been too talented to go down, but talent means jackshit if there isn't basic levels of effort or a balanced lineup. We managed to get good money for Sissoko, Janmaat and Cabella, which amazes me.

[lost]

What did Newcastle pay for him £1.8m? From what I saw last season for Newcastle he wasn't great. Obviously he then had 2 man of the match performances in the quarters and semi's of the euros but this is the reason I hate transfer windows following major tournaments. You can end up over spending for very average players who look like world beaters for a few games. Daniel Amokachi springs to mind.

Edited September 1, 2016 by lost

[eFestivals]

1 minute ago, kaosmark2 said:

You can see when Sissoko looks bothered. Home games against Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and at the WC he looked imperious. Rest of the season you could have mistaken him for a statue.

IMO 3 players came out of last season with more credit than at the start. Wijnaldum who managed to score 13 goals under McClaren, Lascalles who didn't play until Rafa came in, and Townsend who we signed in January. I get the argument that our squad should have been too talented to go down, but talent means jackshit if there isn't basic levels of effort or a balanced lineup. We managed to get good money for Sissoko, Janmaat and Cabella, which amazes me.

I wasn't previously aware of it, but I'm pleased to see the one I'll probably end up watching a fair bit of is rated as a goodie (can't really say I'd noticed so far tho).

[kaosmark2]

8 minutes ago, lost said:

What did Newcastle pay for him £1.8m? From what I saw last season for Newcastle he wasn't great. Obviously he then had 2 man of the match performances in the quarters and semi's of the euros but this is the reason I hate transfer windows following major tournaments. You can end up over spending for very average players who look like world beaters for a few games. Daniel Amokachi springs to mind.

Quoted as varying figures from £1.8m, through £3.5 with some claiming rising to £5m. Regardless it's great business from us overall.

Sissoko I think could be a world beater, but couldn't be bothered far too often. At 27 I feel if he doesn't find consistency for Spurs this season he probably won't ever.

[kaosmark2]

11 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

I wasn't previously aware of it, but I'm pleased to see the one I'll probably end up watching a fair bit of is rated as a goodie (can't really say I'd noticed so far tho).

Wijnaldum was still frustrating, but definitely a positive from last season. I said it at the time but £25m seemed like a good deal for all 3 parties to me. The question I have re. Liverpool is that they haven't seemed to sign anyone much above their current level (~8th), so I'm not sure how they'll improve substantially overall.

[TheGayTent]

Now the silly season has finished is anyone wanting to revise their predictions?

[kaosmark2]

City
Chelsea
Arsenal
Spurs
Man U

Relegated:

Burnley/Sunderland
Hull
Swansea

Not really sure of who'll get top 4 out of Spurs and Man U, and think either could finish 2nd/3rd, but I'm confident it'll be one of those who miss out, possibly both.

I don't think Liverpool will be top 6, they bought some good players but noone to help them close the gap they had last season.

Swansea had a horrible window IMO, and Hull are a shambles all over. West Brom will probably have a miserable season but I can't see Pulis getting them relegated. Burnley, Watford and Sunderland are the other teams I'd think are in serious trouble, but Watford have goals in them so I think will just about be safe.

[TheGayTent]

15 hours ago, kaosmark2 said:

You can see when Sissoko looks bothered. Home games against Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and at the WC he looked imperious. Rest of the season you could have mistaken him for a statue.

It's funny, WC apart, you could be describing Mo Diame in his 2nd season at West Ham....

[DareToDibble]

15 hours ago, lost said:

this is the reason I hate transfer windows following major tournaments. You can end up over spending for very average players who look like world beaters for a few games. Daniel Amokachi springs to mind.

As a Liverpool fan I would like to add: Salif Diao and El-Hadji Diouf.

Good lord.

[TheGayTent]

Poborsky?

[kaosmark2]

7 hours ago, TheGayTent said:

It's funny, WC apart, you could be describing Mo Diame in his 2nd season at West Ham....

Ha! He's been pretty good so far for us, hasn't ever gone missing in the 3 games I've watched. Early part of the first season though...

[kaosmark2]

Remember when Mourinho sold De Bruyne because he didn't have the attitude, application and presence for the Premiership?

[eFestivals]

13 hours ago, kaosmark2 said:

Remember when Mourinho sold De Bruyne because he didn't have the attitude, application and presence for the Premiership?

Bubbles being burst all over the place yesterday

Bubbles of high hopes, bubbles of a repeat of last year, and the bubbles at the New Boleyn bursting all over the place.

Loved Lucas's assist.

 

[TheGayTent]

Cracking game of football that - same again next week please Bilic 

[The Nal]

Joe Hart 

 

[WS_Jack_III]

Huge win for the Toon!

[kaosmark2]

6 hours ago, WS_Jack_III said:

Huge win for the Toon!

 

[WS_Jack_III]

36 minutes ago, kaosmark2 said:

 

Been waiting on them to put a performance in like that!

[kaosmark2]

13 minutes ago, WS_Jack_III said:

Been waiting on them to put a performance in like that!

Wonder how often Shelvey will perform like that. Beast. Loved Perez's flicks and touches as well, far too talented for us. Nice cameo from Atsu as well.

[pink_triangle]

Tough day for Celtic yesterday. Out of interest where do people think their current squad would finish in the premiership. The guardian Scottish correspondant said 10/12 on the podcast, but that seems too high for me.

[kaosmark2]

Just now, pink_triangle said:

Tough day for Celtic yesterday. Out of interest where do people think their current squad would finish in the premiership. The guardian Scottish correspondant said 10/12 on the podcast, but that seems too high for me.

Hard to judge easily, but probably 12-15. Since the days of runs in the Uefa Cup, Henrik Larsson etc. I don't think their squads have been strong enough to compete for Europa League spots in English football. They've regressed heavily while the smaller Prem clubs have improved a lot (mainly due to money).

Travel would be a factor as well, I imagine the difference between their home and away form would be even more extreme than that of most bottom-half clubs.

[Comfy Bean]

2 hours ago, pink_triangle said:

Tough day for Celtic yesterday. Out of interest where do people think their current squad would finish in the premiership. The guardian Scottish correspondant said 10/12 on the podcast, but that seems too high for me.

Yeah way too high. I'd guess they'd be in the relegation battle. Not sure about the extra travel as they regularly go to Inverness etc often with a lunchtime ko but it would maybe be an issue. 

The point Celtic fans would make is that they would transform their squad overnight with the big bucks down south.

Talk of the old firm moving south has reared it's head again with rangers being in the top league. Would guess sky would fancy it and the majority of other fans would be happy to see the back of them I think. Pretty bad headlines again after their first league match in a while at the weekend.

The proposed changes to the champions league are making them worry about their chances of qualifying as it's their only access to the big money and helps them attract players. Didn't see the game last night but they were streets ahead of rangers at the weekend.