Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

[PeterL22]

I probably should have put up a picture of an elephant...I knew that a koala was gunna be too damn cute. I guess I better start brushing up on my clubs, managers and divers...errrr I mean players

Oops Ronaldo fallen over again!

[PeterL22]

Clubs work Mike .
Here's a brief guide to Premier League
Chelsea - tourist club in London. Have some flair players (when Costa isn't trying to bully defenders then crying when they push him back). Have enigmatic manager who seems to know his stuff. Will spend quite a lot in transfer window.
Tottenham Hotspur - traditionally a club for which quality of football was more important than winning anything. Rethought that policy last season - sort of! Have great striker (Kane) evil attacking midfielder (Alli - he'll kick you as soon as look at you) and two great full backs. Eccentric goalkeeper - see Sweden v France World Cup qualifier.
Next season playing games at Wembley so will lose a lot at home.
ManChester City - underachievers (both in PL and in Europe). Arab owner and deep pockets - they will spend a lot in transfer window.The team people living in Manchester support (see Man Utd below). Have a manager who thought ist would be easy - like Barca & Bayern, but now realises that PL has many difficult games - not just 3 or 4
Liverpool - or as we call them down South Liverhampton. Living on past glories and have mad German as manager. Can play great football - but not often at home. Back in Europe where they think they belong which will be major distraction next season. Have three great players - Coutinho, Mane and Lalana and crap defence (unless they get
Virgil van Dyke
Manchester United - Manchester team with more support from the Far East than Manchester. When I go up there to see Saints play there are as many coaches going up from London to see Utd as there are Saints' coaches (and Thomas Cook runs coaches to away games - true!)! . They will spend the most in transfer window, but won't get the
players - like a child spending his Christmas money! Example last season huge fee for Pogba! Play at "Stadium of Dreams" - unless you are away supported when its a total dive. Another season of scraping results - no idea how - with boring Mourinho (same as Van Gaal) football. Another team that Europe will spoil>
Arsenal - or Arsene Utd as they are now called. To be honest up until the penalty area play some really pretty football - but then don't score. Have the best all round footballer in PL (at the moment) in Alexis Sanchez. Season will depend on retention of Ozil & Sanchez and who they bring in. Arlene may not last the season
Everton - the "other" Liverpool team. Just bought a great young goalkeeper which may help, but not sure I go for the "on the up" predictions. Light in mid-field and rely a lot on Lukaku (great if he feels like it and may well be off).Think 7th is their glass ceiling, and may well finish lower next time around.Also really crappy ground.
Southampton - vested interest here, but things can't be as bad next season as they were under Puel. You can never predict what Saints will do until you see who is actually staying over the Summer. Players who have left recently include - Mane, Lalana, Fonte, Pelle, Clyne,Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Lovren (thank God), Chambers, Shawand its not
remember Bale came through Saints Academy! Hopefully top 10 finish, but depends on what squad we have left!
Stoke City - Very up and down last year and aware of their own limitations. They have Joe Allen, one of most under-rated midfielders in PL, and also Sparky Hughes as manager (you wouldn't want to let him down). Trying to expand their game and again mid-table next year.
West Bromwich Albion - Some ins and outs and Pulis does tend to be a "circle the wagons" manager. Think they may be weaker next year. Fun fact The Hawthorns is the English League ground at highest altitude!
Bournemouth - Great manager Eddie Howe (Probable future England manager) with tiny stadium (less than 12,000 capacity). They try to play attacking open football and get caught out. Great season last year for them - may struggle next one. Rumour that John Terry may be going there - that'll sink them!
Watford - I can honestly say the worst team to watch (apart from Saints on a bad day) that I saw last season. Very big and physical side with no finesse - but played to their strengths. Problem is , if the other team don't back down you are stuffed. New manager - we will see, but may be in relegation fight.
West Ham - Another difficult one. Olympic Stadium has NO atmosphere and they were a team in turmoil last season. Credit for not giving in to Payet though! Transfers will again be important here.
Crystal Palace - they have flair in attack (if Zaha can be bothered to stand up) but defence was awful. Great goal keeper Hennessy (Welsh by the way). Awful ground - but they do have cheerleaders and an eagle. Watch for rivalry with Brighton this season.
Swansea - lucky this season, got a couple of lucky results and other teams faded. Siggusson is a class act and they need to keep him. Also they have great prospect at centre back - Mawson. I hate the Jacks as I'm a Cardiff City fan!
Burnley - really good season and very good home record - which they'll need again next season. Brilliant no-nonsense manager in Sean Dyce - real respect for him! May struggle again next season as I can't see their home form being as great as last season
Leicester City - really nice ground and friendly supporters - last season was a more realistic one than the season before! Will the dirty swine that is Vardy stay - if he and Mahrez go Leicester will be deep in the mire. Really disgusted at what their squad did to Pellegrini!
Newcastle Utd - really great support, but another team that believes they have a right to do well in PL. Not sure they will. Some good players, but tend to fall apart when things get tough. Most likely of new boys to stay up though.
Brighton - nice to have a relatively short journey for one away game. Competent team under Jap Stam but may find PL tougher than they think. Watch for rivalry with Palace!
Huddersfield - Wagner has got them playing well with high press etc. Disciple of Klopp - says it all. Need to buy to have chance of staying up - will be caught on the break a lot. My favourite to go back down.

[PeterL22]

OK so Tuchel isn't coming to Saints - not really surprised (he wants Champions League football). Saints board say they will have new manager in place within 10 days (before pre-season training restarts). De Boer and pelligrino are the book makers favourites - despite De Boer apparently saying he is not interested. Lots of local concern that Ryan Giggs IS interested.
Board have messed up - missed out on Silva (would have been great) and took too long to get rid of Claude, so panicking now!

[rokkerr]

I always smile when I see chatter like Ronaldo wanting out of Madrid ....

There are a lot of great places to live in Europe. You are a world class athlete who can hang out in the finest restaurants with half naked girls in Spain with weekends in Ibiza.... vs....

Manchester?

[Gert-Jan]

The Cristiano chatter sure reached big heights across all media, but I believe it's just another way of trying to get more money. Remember when Rooney was thinking of joining City years ago? Alex Ferguson gave in and Rooney signed an extraordinary new deal. Ronaldo already did it once in 2012 and Sergio Ramos in the summer of 2015. It's an old and proven tactic, though Ronaldo now chose to use Portuguese paper A Bola rather than Spain's El Marca. This latest power struggle comes a few days after the news about Ronaldo's alleged tax fraud and that is what's key here. The player and people around him are trying to force club president Florentino Perez to offer an improved contract to legislate for the damage caused by the €14m tax scandal.

The athlete wants to continue winning trophies with his club and go on receiving personal accolades for his achievements. He fully realizes that Madrid is the best place to be then. You're not gonna win the Champions League 3 times in 4 years when playing in Manchester, lol. The highly unlikely scenario of him leaving Madrid would make Man United one of the frontrunners who could afford to sign the superstar for €150m or so, which doesn't even include the insane wage demands, while Paris would only become an option if PSG can find a creative way to get around the Financial Fair Play rules. However, like I said, don't expect him to really leave the world's biggest football club.

Let's get on to serious business, namely Everton! Ronald Koeman has signed Netherlands international Davy Klaassen for €27m and I am enthused about his move to Goodison. Klaassen is an all-rounder who adds pace, creativity, willingness to press and goals to an Everton midfield which lacked most of that last term. The Ajax captain has lots of potential to flourish in England. An incredible amount of 20 goals and 12 assists in 50 appearances for Ajax this season suggests he could soon be worth double the transfer fee if he can maintain this kind of output at Everton. There is one downside, though, as Klaassen's tendency to incur the wrath of referees saw him sit out crucial games through suspension. He needs to learn to accept decisions and just walk away, because 12 yellow cards per year is way too much!

Bayern Munich finalised the deal of Corentin Tolisso with the Germans paying a Bundesliga record fee of €41.5m for the midfielder. Tolisso already impressed in the CL group stage, but I also watched several of Lyon's matches in the Europa League in which they were drawn against AZ Alkmaar and Ajax. To be honest, the entire Lyon team is overflowing with talent, but Arsenal target Lacazette and Tolisso really stand out and the lofty price tag paid by Bayern displays their supremacy on the German transfer market. Tolisso looks set to become a star attraction in Munich.

Both Brighton and Huddersfield have gone all-in with club record fees for keeper Matthew Ryan and midfielder Aaron Mooy respectively. The former replaces Stockdale, who did particularly well in Brighton's home games, while Mooy was one of David Wagner's few nailed on players during Hudderfield's promotion-winning campaign in the Championship.

[TheBoy]

I totally agree with Gert on the Ronaldo situation - I'll be stunned if Ronaldo ends up leaving Madrid this summer. The whole thing feels like a spoilt kid throwing his toys out of the pram after the tax news and is surely nothing more than an effort on his part to show who the main man is in this situation. It certainly would make things interesting though if Madrid called his bluff on this one. After all, at 32 if United or PSG were willing to pay €150m for him I think they would genuinely have to consider the offer. Especially if they were to snap up someone like Mbappe who looks like he is destined to be the next Thierry Henry. United would probably look at the deal and think they could make back most of the transfer fee in shirt sales and sponsorship deals alone!

Very interesting hearing your thoughts on Klaassen Gert and a player I'm really looking forward to seeing in the Premier League next season. Under Koeman he's got a coach who will know how to use him so hopefully we see a new star in the making. I've got him on my tentative FF watchlist lol ;) I'm also pleased they've picked up Pickford too as I really believe he is the next England number one and should be looking to replace Joe Hart this season. Yes it's a boat load of money for a goalkeeper, but when you compare the deal to Ederson to Man City, I certainly know which keeper I'd prefer to have signed.

Who are the names Saints fans are hankering for Peter? It's a shame De Boer doesn't appear interested (down to guarantees over future player sales?) as he would definitely be a good fit for your squad and style of play.

Did anyone catch the England under 20's winning the u20 World Cup last weekend? It's a fantastic achievement for them and one to be proud of. But having said that, you have to wonder just how many of those players will ever hit the top level at a Premier League team, let alone a full England cap. Solanke looks like he could be one to watch, but beyond that I'm not so sure anyone else has the genuine potential to break out.

[PeterL22]

Ronaldo is showing what a shit he really is - he owes 15 mill taxes, and he is happy to stay if Real Madrid pay it for him. Now forgive me but tax is paid on income - so he's already pocketed (massive pockets) the money leading to this bill. Hope no one pays it and the Police get involved!

[CGYMike]

Thanks to Peter for all of the info earlier in this thread

I am sooooo gunna get crushed in this upcoming fantasy league...but if I don't come in dead last you dudes are gunna be so embarrassed Your mancards will be revoked

[PeterL22]

Thanks to Peter for all of the info earlier in this thread

I am sooooo gunna get crushed in this upcoming fantasy league...but if I don't come in dead last you dudes are gunna be so embarrassed Your mancards will be revoked

To be honest Mike knowing about it all (or thinking you know about it)is fine, but the nice thing about football (sorry can't call it soccer) is that the unexpected happens - take Leicester season before last and Lincoln (non-league) beating Burnley (Premier League) in FA Cup.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if you win the league!

Getting officially bored about all the Ronaldo transfer stuff now!

[rokkerr]

Ronaldo is showing what a shit he really is - he owes 15 mill taxes, and he is happy to stay if Real Madrid pay it for him. Now forgive me but tax is paid on income - so he's already pocketed (massive pockets) the money leading to this bill. Hope no one pays it and the Police get involved!

Mou is in trouble too.... either that or the Spanish government needs some extra money to fix some roads...

[PeterL22]

Having a field day - Ronaldo and now Mourinho (who said Christmas was in December)!!
One of my highlights as a Saints fan season before last was singing "You're getting sacked in the morning!" to Mourinho at Stamford Bridge when we were winning 3-1!!!!!!!


Fairly quiet day really - did you guys realise that the transfer window for Premier League doesn't officially open until 1st July.
Off to complete my Job application for the Spanish Tax Office now!!!

[Gert-Jan]

Did anyone catch the England under 20's winning the u20 World Cup last weekend?

Dutch media didn't buy the TV rights, so sadly enough I haven't seen any of it, but I am keeping up with the Under-21 tournament thanks to UEFA's live streams via their YouTube channel. Spain's attacking football really speaks for itself with Marco Asensio, Sandro Ramirez, Gerard Deulofeu, Saul Niguez displaying their skills. The hattrick from Asensio against Macedonia U21 last weekend was truly sensational! I've seen him come on as a substitute in Real Madrid matches and he's just so incredibly talented. Meanwhile, England also advance into the semi-finals with Saints duo Redmond and Ward-Prowse doing well.

Once a peripheral figure at Chelsea, now one of Liverpool's most expensive signings. Jurgen Klopp has officially acquired the services of AS Roma winger Mohamed Salah as the African joins the Reds for a transfer fee of £34m, which is around the same as they paid for Carroll and Mané. I think he could be a great addition to what Liverpool already have on offer. Mo Salah's blistering pace will make them even more dangerous when going forward and he has become a clinical finisher as illustrated by the 15 goals in Serie A last season, but at the same time I wonder whether he can perform in England too. What does this mean for the starting XI? The normal 4-3-3 formation would see one of Klopp's favorites drop to the bench. Will Klopp stick with the diamond which had Coutinho pulling the strings from deep? It's something to keep an eye on during pre-season.

Crystal Palace are set to appoint Frank de Boer as their new manager with journalists here reporting it is basically a done deal. Parish is quoted as saying that he wants a big name who can implement a European style of football. It may sound nice and all, but somehow I don't see the likes of Hennessey, Dann, Tomkins and Kelly being comfortable with building up from the back, lol. I think it's a really strange move from both sides and I have serious doubts whether he will succeed at Selhurst Park. He just really wanted to work in the Premier League and didn't have any other options as Southampton and Pellegrino are reportedly getting closer to an agreement. I fear De Boer will struggle and honestly think it's a total mismatch.

[PeterL22]

The Palace appointment (and Sky Sports seem pretty certain its going to happen) is called desperation Gert-Jan - he is a relatively decent manager and they are...... well they are Palace! He could do them the world of good, but their minor successes last season were built on breaking forward really quickly with Townsend or HaHa (sorry Zaha).
Liverpool have got slack up front - Firmino is useless and could go. If they don't use Coutinho, I know a lot of Premier League managers who'll be pleased. Likewise Mane!
We are still sweating down South but it is looking like it may be Pellegrino - so Palace taking De Boer out of the equation was cheered here. Another guy who only really thrived when he was at Ajax and had little real opposition - Fejnord were not good at that point.

[PeterL22]

We know have a manager - lets see what he'll do, but Pellegrino is saying the right things!

[PeterL22]

Sticking my head way above the parapet here!
Firstly, it was a major tragedy and no-one deserves to die at a football match.
However, I am not sure the prosecutions that are being brought against individuals after the review of the Hillsborough disaster are real justice. To me there is an element of scapegoating - I admit that I didn't lose anyone there so can't feel the same as those who did.
It looked as if it was the usual shambles/chaos that seems to be present whenever a disaster such as this happens, and there is no doubt that some of the higher ranking policemen did alter their evidence to try to cover themselves.
If you have ever been to a big football match in England (and probably elsewhere - e.g. Euros 2016 which I attended in France) there ere two things you will have noticed.
Firstly, the amount of alcohol that is consumed by football fans - and how it affects their behaviour. Secondly, how the crowd reacts trying to get in as the kick-off time approaches, or if they think they may not get in in time - pushing, ignoring signs or crowd control , not caring about anyone else.
Now looking at a lot of the fatalities, they were the poor youngsters or family types who got in early and were totally innocent and just were in the front of the crowd. I do think that saying the policeman who was in charge and said open a gate to relieve a crush outside was making a decision that was difficult - almost a lose-lose decision. I suppose what I'm saying is that it isn't as straight forward as the campaigners would have you believe - the people pushing to get in have their share of the blame. In addition, Hillsborough was not fit to host the game - and the FA who arranged for it to be played there, and Sheffield Wednesday (the club who own the ground) are not being held to account.
For me this doesn't work on so many levels.
It is either a scapegoating exercise, or if you are really cynical its a way of just getting it over and done with - there won't be enough evidence to prove (and remember criminal law says prove "beyond reasonable doubt") that the defendants were guilty.
Finally, no way should this trial be heard on Merseyside (including Warrington) - how on earth are you going to get an unbiased jury?

I know this may not be a popular (and certainly not a Politically Correct) post but I felt I needed to say it somewhere.
And for the record I was living on the Wirral when it happened and worked in Liverpool.

[rokkerr]

Is it really 6 weeks to football season???????????

[PeterL22]

First friendlies start next weekend - 8th July. Earlier Europa League matches already started with first legs last night! Do keep up rokker.

Bournemouth doing some very sound transfer business last few days - Have got Defoe from Sunderland (he'll score more on South coast), Ake from Chelsea (about 20 million - great deal!), and Begovic as goalkeeper. All sound acquisitions.

[PeterL22]

Official craziness and madcap now starts. What's betting Man Utd spend over 100 million on signing player who is probably worth about 50 million?
Today's top whispers - Hernandez to Real Madrid, Sandro to Chelsea, Bakayoko to Chelsea,Perisic to Man Utd, John Terry to Villa (who cares), Matic to Man Utd.


Most promising for Saints is trade of Bertrand to Man City for Iheanacho. Great for us as top quality striker for Bertrand who will probably leave anyway.

[TheBoy]

Everton are spending like they've got a big windfall of cash coming their way at some point during the summer... I can't think where that might be coming from, can you? ;) They certainly aren't hanging around spending the Lukaku and (probably) Barkley money, that's for sure. The latest acquisitions of Sandro Ramirez and Michael Keane add up to nearly another £40m splashed out. I remember Tottenham being linked with Ramirez last summer so it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the Premier League. I'd have to question his potential as a Lukaku replacement though.

Michael Keane I'm really not sold on at all. At 24 he's still got time to learn I suppose, but from what I saw of him last season, he looks very naive and has a lot to improve if he's going to justify that price tag. I remember a moment in particular last season, ironically against Everton, where he was defending against Lukaku and he made such a schoolboy error in his movement that allowed Romelu to go past him and score. It's stuck with me ever since, thinking that it was such a basic principle for a central defender and if he hadn't got that down at 24, would he ever?

Any more news on Iheanacho Peter? I agree, if the rumoured £20m price I last heard mentioned is true, I think you'll have pulled of a very nice deal.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are yet to realise the transfer window is open it would seem...

[PeterL22]

Iheanacho - no word. The rumour is that a deal may done for swap for Ryan Bertrand - ideally I'd keep Bertrand - there is only 1 PL left back as good (and he plays at Spurs), and Bertrand has been a great attacking threat. However, it does seem likely that he will go so the trade will be good - I thought Iheanacho always looked threatening for Man City.
Everton are indeed spending all this extra money that they were promised - again some good and some bad purchases. Mourinho will be feeling left out - so Man Utd bound to waste (sorry I mean spend) loads in the next week or so. We seem to be wasting money on teenage defenders at present - Bednarek is not , in my opinion a good buy - see U21 Euros and how bad Poland were), linked with 19yr old Greek guy Panagiotis Retsos and some talk of Izzy Brown from Chelski. Of the three of them the only one that interests me is Brown. We don't need yet more Academy defenders to develop!
Special mention for Jay Rodrigues who has left for WBA - he will go with Saints' fans blessings ash he needs to play somewhere where he will get game time, and he has been loyal! Watch the reception he gets when he comes back to St Marys and compare with Lovren & Lalana!