World Forums

ouch....

Pabs,
About the flag's issue, I am not quite sure as I wasn't born in 1966. But as far as I know St. George's flag has always been used. In the old days the Union Jack was more popular than it is today however. These days the English take more pride in St. George's flag than they used to which is why you see it displayed more and more. In recent years it's become fashionable to display your English flag from your car, particularly during sporting tournaments. There is nothing wrong with it. In fact I think it should be embraced by more English people.

West Ham is leading Man U 1-0. This game means nothing to Man U who has already won but means the world to West Ham and I can tell. The Hammers are playing their hearts out. I love the statement by the commentators that "unless Man U can score 2 goals in the next few minutes, the Hammers will be safe, lawyers not withstanding!" hehehe

Man U should hire this Green person for their goal. He stopped something like 20 something shots. LOL

SGE

anybody see the extended Sven interview on Inside Sports on the BBC ?

he said some pretty interesting stuff. A lot was discussed on the WC and he said, a few times actually, that his only regret was not bringing a psychologist to help the team mentally with respects to PK's (seriously). He said they practiced them everyday in training. About Owen Hargraves, he said people were hard on him because he wasn't born in England and played in Germany, but they have realized he was their best player. Says that ManUtd have benefitted from his transfer. He was asked about his relationship with PL managers. He said they were OK but he and SAF butted heads when it came to England Friendlys. But it was always about football matters, never personal. When asked if he should feel guilty for still collecting a paycheck from the FA he said that he's actually saved the FA a lot of money as his contract ran until 2008 and he could have insisted on those wages until then but as it is he will only be paid until the end of this year. He says he is close to getting a job at a club but can't say who it is. Though it will be within the next 2 or 3 weeks because all the jobs after that will be taken.

Fat Frank may be on the move. Stay tuned....

What's he talking about? RM plays the same way. Ugliness. Ugliness I tell you. Last match they needed that cheatiung piece of Duitch trash to use his hands. Van Uphis Teroy??

Man Utd have signed both Anderson and Nani.

Hargreaves is agreed as well.

Happy days, next year is going to be totoal football.

Anderson, Nani, Cronaldo, Rooney and Giggs.

I'm delighted that we've secured Nani. He's very highly rated over in Portugal - considered in some quarters to be the new Cronaldo. That does beg the question who is going to play where though?

Who is Anderson? I must profess ignorance here, and admit that I'd never heard of him All I know now is that he's an attacking midfielder at FC Porto?

Apparently, a striker is on his way too I'm glad we're spending early in the summer for once - we've always had a problem in that respect.

I'll definitely enjoy watching us next season if these deals are finalised

Anderson is better (at the moment) than Nani.

He's the new Ronaldinho. Won't be playing at Wembley but will be in the Copa America in June, have a look.

Meanwhile have a peek on YouTube, you'll like what you see.

Chelsea might yet do a Obi Mikel on these transfers!

I have seen Anderson play but never Nani. Anderson is fast and highly skilled. Nani is apparently in the same mould as Cronaldo but doesn't have as much pace.

I hope Anderson can get a work permit though, I am not sure he has enough games for Brazil to qualify.

Chelsea can't do a thing, the players want tomove to the Champions and to a team where they can develop.

Not some mock tudor, lottery winning chave palace where they'll turn into Shaun Wright-Philips

Guys - I have been involved in several debates concerning a certain Freddy Adu. Some actually think that Ferguson was planning a path for Freddy with his comments last winter when he trained with the team for a week. Something about playing with another team to play his natural position (which is not his position) and that he will be monitored by Manchester United during the U20 WC. I remarked that Ferguson was just being nice to the lad. I also made a comment that Nike probably asked a favor to get him seen. Is Adu anywhere near the MU radar screen? Figuring the new signings, I say he is not even close.

Falc

at BS on the DC United thread ?

that's exactly why it was done. Nike has a big say in US soccer, is Adu's sponsor and it Man Utd's sponsor.

these guys are just sticking their heads in the sand.

I can't imagine that United will sign him this summer, Falc, but of course I'm not privy to Sir Alex's plans.

We've spent a lot of money on Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson, and even though the team does need another striker, I do question whether there is any cash left in the kitty.

If we do buy a striker, it would most likely be an established player in European football, and Saha would have to make way for him. I don't think it would be Adu.

The English Premiere league is now the richest in the world. Top players can make as much as 20 million a year. All this money makes me uneasy.

Ali

who do you support in Chile ? Deportivo Wanka, by any chance ?

Pabs,

What's the Mexican team with "Bimbo" as their sponsor?

Los Pumas



Reminds me of Mr. Joy or whatever that way.

For the record Bimbo is a Latin American baking company.

I should say that Deportivo Wanka is actually a Peruvian team, not Chilean like I wrote before.

Pabs - The family of a friend of mine own a 1st division team here and another friend used to be the manager. He's now left to manage another team but I still follow the first one.

They're not very good at the moment.

Has anyone else been following the latest Tevez saga? Mixed messages are coming across from United, West Ham and Kia Joorabchian.

The former and the latter claim that we've been given permission by the 'Ammers to negotiate personal terms with Carlos, which appear to have been successful.

However, boiled egghead claims we've done no such thing. I'm a little concerned about this deal, as it seems Tevez isn't wholly owned by West Ham, even now. Otherwise why would Kia Ora be getting involved? The reason I'm concerned is the fact that West Ham were fined heavily, and almost docked points over the whole saga.

I would LOVE Tevez to play for us, but I want any deal to be done properly, in accordance with FA rules. Third parties owning players is bizarre, and should never happen in a professional sport. It's pathetically amateur, and these avaricious agents cost South American teams a hell of a lot of money by their part-ownership of players down there.

This is how things stand according to Sky Sports:

Andrew Scurr wrote:Carlos Tevez's representatives claim the West Ham striker has agreed personal terms with Manchester United.

The Hammers attempted to play down talk of the Argentina international moving to Old Trafford on Friday evening by stating that they expect him to be part of their preparations for the new season.

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson also insisted that the Upton Park club would have to agree to let Tevez leave this summer.

But in response, Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian says the former Corinthians ace has already been given permission to talk to other clubs and discussions have taken place with United.

Joorabchian claims the 23-year-old has now agreed a deal which should see him join the Premier League champions in the coming days.

"The circumstances surrounding Carlos Tevez's relationship with West Ham have been well documented in the media and footballing world," said a statement from Joorabchian's lawyers.

"We confirm that Carlos Tevez has, with the knowledge and permission of West Ham United Football Club, been in discussions with other clubs.

"Subsequently, personal terms have now been agreed with Manchester United Football Club.

"Carlos Tevez's representatives will work during the course of next week so that a move to Manchester United can be finalised as quickly as possible.

"The process for finalising the player's registration with Manchester United will be undertaken in accordance with appropriate procedures."

Manchester United have confirmed they have held talks with Tevez, and say they were given permission to do so.

"We have acted in good faith," said a United spokesman. "Carlos Tevez was given permission to speak to us and do a deal."

I really hope this is above board. Tevez is something of a genius, and can you imagine the opposing defenders next season having to cope with an attack/midfield with a selection of these players:

Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo, Scholes, Anderson, Nani, and Giggs!

Arsenal and ourselves remain the only teams in England committed to playing football properly. However, the Brazilian/Croat forward (Eduardo Da Silva) they have purchased is no adequate replacement for Henry, and I expect them to struggle to contend with the big guns next season unless reinforcements are acquired.

Chelsea have bought garbage like Pizarro, Sidwell and Ben Haim, though they're so negative and cautious that they will still pose a major threat.

I think they made one good signing in Alex (well he was their player already, but they need a work permit for him to move from PSV, where he is currently on loan), and Malouda could be a second quality purchase. Mourinho is a fantastic manager, in the mould of Sir Alex himself.

Liverpool have done well to bring Torres in (less said about the garbage called Voronin, the better), but they still need a lot of investment to be serious title contenders. David Villa wouldn't have cost much more and he's a far better player than Torres, from my experience of watching La Liga (which I've been doing quite often since Bravo lost Serie A to Setanta Sports ).

Should be a great season ahead, though, with all these big summer signings.

Mark

I read that Sir Alex may consider selling Rossi. Even with OGS on part time duty and selling off Smith, there is still no room for him as it stands.

I think he will look good in black & white. Send him our way, eh.

Pabs

I'm pretty sure Smith will be on his way out. He's been absolutely useless for us, but I hope Rossi is given another season or two to prove himself.

Having said that, there are parts of his game that concern me a touch. Do you think he's good enough to play for Juve at this moment?

For me, he doesn't get involved with the play as much as I'd like.

Mark - West Ham are acrewed and the FA are screwed.

Sheffield will kick up the fuss of all fusses but neither the FA or West Ham can afford to investigate this any futher.

The fact that if he comes he'll be on a 2 year loan with a 3 year option isn't chance.

It'll give Man Utd two years to ensure everything is above board and to get a player like Tevez on what is really a two year trial is nothing short of genius.

Can't wait to see if it happens or not.

Mark

I've been thinking about that. ADP, despite his critics, was leading scorer in Serie B. Trez missed a lot of the season with injury but still knocked in 15. So in theory these 2 should be starting.

Juve picked up Iaquinta. I don't rate him too highly but many people do.

When Trez was injured, the player that stepped in was Palladino, who scored 8 in 25 games. Interestingly enough Palladino got the start over Joe Red on the U21 team and in hindsight Zola said it was a mistake.

In summation to answer your question, if we do get Rossi, I think his biggest competition will be Palladino: 3rd or 4th choice striker

The good part is Ranieri is now in charge and he seemed to get the best out of Rossi, so if he were to come, I don't think it would change.

My gut instinct is that Rossi will sit on Utd's bench and then go out on loan again. I just hope that it isn't to Porto (who apparently have first dibs as a part of the Nani/Anderson deal). I'd rather him go back to Parma if that's where he feels comfortable.

and yes, he does seem to disappear from games altogether -- Wembley Opener for example.

where's peyman ?

too busy watching the Asian Cup ?

As the Tevez saga rumbles on (FIFA have been asked to help resolve the dispute - probably the one time in my life that I wholly welcome FIFA's intervention into anything that concerns football), Ferguson has admitted that things look bleak for both Alan Smith and Giuseppe Rossi.

That is, of course, if the Tevez deal finally goes ahead. I'm sure he won't sell both if he fails to acquire another striker, but he is keeping tabs on another striker who he had a bid turned down for (Quagliarella perhaps?), so I would expect him to sign one striker this summer.

I'm fine with regards to Smith, as he lacks the quality that a Manchester United player should have. Hopefully Roy Keane, who has already helped us by giving us £5.5m for Kieran Richardson (?!?!), will come to our rescue and pay over the odds for the goal-shy Yorkshireman. I love ex-United players, they always give us money for silly players at silly prices.

However, I don't want Rossi to leave. He's a talented kid and I think he could push for a first team place with some good coaching. He should improve greatly over the coming years, but perhaps Serie A beckons sooner than he would have envisaged (Rossi himself has always stated he wants to play in Italy one day) and you'll get him at Juve after all, Pabs

Rhain Davis, Age 9

http://mediacenter.gazzetta.it/MediaCenter/action/player?uuid=0538c596-3792-11dc-938e-0003ba99c667&iduser=&navName=1

Pabs wrote:where's peyman ?

too busy watching the Asian Cup ?

I am here. The Asian Cup finished for me on Sunday. Iraq and SA in the final? I'd rather have WW3 start tomorrow so the final is never played!

I don't tend to open this thread very often as it's been very quiet since Matt the know-it-all left!

On the Tevez saga, I am really worried about the lad. I worry that all this stress and uncertainty he's suffering at the moment will spoil his good looks

Ali

I take it then that the Tevez deal wasn't secured because about 5 days Fergie said:

"when someone like Tevez comes along, it gets difficult for guys like Alan (Smith) and Giuseppe..."

(which is definitely the correct move, no doubt)

FIFA refused to make the decision so the issue is going to Court of Arbitration for Sport. The hearingsdon't involve Man Utd though.

By all accounts the club are still quite confident they'll get Tevez.

http://www.dailymotion.com/search/nani+manchester/video/x2ms%2001_nani-goal-vs-guangzhou_sport

Nani goal on the tour.

A lot of people were more excited about Anderson than Nani but Nani seems to be the one creating all the headlines.

As for the Heinze issue he seems to be digging his own grave.

He said he wants to go because he wants first team football but has little to no chance of gaining that position with the dippers judging by their pre-season.

So much so that many of them who at first were wetting themselves at the idea of getting a player from OT are now not keen at all.

Always wrote:http://www.dailymotion.com/search/nani+manchester/video/x2ms%2001_nani-goal-vs-guangzhou_sport

Nani goal on the tour.

A lot of people were more excited about Anderson than Nani but Nani seems to be the one creating all the headlines.

As for the Heinze issue he seems to be digging his own grave.

He said he wants to go because he wants first team football but has little to no chance of gaining that position with the dippers judging by their pre-season.

So much so that many of them who at first were wetting themselves at the idea of getting a player from OT are now not keen at all.

The Heinze to Juve rumours are surfacing again. If he comes, what are we getting? I am getting a little upset with Ranieri in that he is looking for too many foreigners. He has some promising young Italian talent, give them a chance.

Before his injury he was voted player of the season at Man Utd by the fans, showed himself to be a real warrior.

After the injury he was displaced by Evra and when given a chance his timing was off and he let a few too many people in behind him. (ooh errr)

If he regains his previous form he's a top defender but he's lost the #1 spot and with his current antics won't be getting it, or the fans, back anytime soon.

Always wrote:http://www.dailymotion.com/search/nani+manchester/video/x2ms%2001_nani-goal-vs-guangzhou_sport

Nani goal on the tour.

A lot of people were more excited about Anderson than Nani but Nani seems to be the one creating all the headlines.

Anderson hasn't played for United yet so he can't make any headlines.

I have watched the friendlies so far and Nani's done ok but not great. He is not as good as Ronaldo was at the same age. His goals were good though.

I predict that his fist team chances will be limited. He will need to do much better overall to get a regular starting place. Giggs will start ahead of him this season.

Of he hasn't started a game yet, I'm talking about his performances in the Copa America.

Giggs is clearly still #1 but Nani will be a great player in the PL once he puts some time in at the gym.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6922733.stm

I'm almost sick and tired of this never-ending saga by now, but it appears West Ham and Tevez's advisers have finally reached an agreement. I'm taking nothing for granted, but the BBC is usually good for accuracy.

I'm not getting my hopes up just yet, but Tevez is a genius player who will make our team fantastic to watch. I haven't been to OT in the last couple of seasons, but I might renew my membership this year so I can see a few games.

A team which includes the likes of Nani, Scholes, Giggs, Anderson, Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez will definitely be worth watching.

I suppose Fergie has his eye on the future. In a couple of years, our team should look like this:

GK: Kuszczak (this is not certain, as I can see him being replaced if he's not up to the task).

Defence: Neville (possibly a replacement there, as the Neviller is 32), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra.

Midfield: Ronaldo, Anderson, Hargreaves, Nani.

Attack: Tevez and Rooney.

It's great to see United buy from a position of strength for once. I recall back in 99, when we won the treble, that we engaged in very little activity on the transfer market. All we did is get Bosnich on a Bosman, and later that year bought Quinton Fortune and Mikael Silvestre.

That hardly inspired confidence, so I hope it was a lesson learned.

On another happy note, Alan Smith appears to be on his way to the Geordies. The fee could be £6m, which is insane for such a shit footballer, but such are the vagaries of the modern transfer market, nothing surprises me anymore.

Have you guys seen what Man City are doing lol? They appear to be purchasing an entirely new team, and could be in contention for Europe next season. They've already bought Bianchi, Bojinov, Elano, Corluka, Garrido, Martin Petrov, Gelson Fernandes and Geovanni.

OK, I've never heard of some of those players (Corluka? Garrido? Gelson Fernandes?), but I'm sure it's going to be a huge improvement on what they had last year.

Isn't Eriksson coaching there?