You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
[img] 
[/img]
We've had all the talk of transfer nonsense on t'other thread (I see Arsenal are making Sanchez sulk for a year before he goes on a free), but I thought I'd start this seasons thread as we're getting close to the business end.
Tonight we're off to this [url= https://www.rovers.co.uk/matches/fixtures/u23-team2/201718/july/ramsbottom-united/ ]Glamour tie[/url]
Our local team - the mighty Ramsbottom United - aare taking on former Premiership Champions, now turned chicken-related basket cases (see what I did there?) Blackburn
Should be a good laugh. KFC anyone? 😀
I was just thinking of starting a new season football thread.
Did my fantasy football team this morning and was wondering how to restart the stw fantasy league.
My fantasy team will be chock full of Brighton players for the first (and possibly last) time ever.
Non-League or nothing! Last night the mighty Stourbridge FC of making it to the FA cup 3rd round fame (Evostick Northern Premier league) took on Birminghams U23 development squad and beat them 2-1 despite facing a completely different fresh 11 in the second half and on average being twice their age. There was much rejoicing/taking the piss.
Bolton sound like they are in some trouble - winding up order issued today by HMRC.
Sad to see a founder member of the league in that position - didn't their owner wipe the slate clean of debt not so long ago?
Conte signed [s]a 2yr contract extension[/s] an increase to his contract termination reimbursement.
New owner. New head coach. 10 new players and counting. Can we go one better than last season and not fall away during April?
Too many unknowns there but if we can get another CH and a LB we might, just might, be able to improve on seventh in the EFL Championship.
MOT WACCOE ALAW etc
I'm too old to cope with the pre season nonsense these days, so much shite written to fill the sports pages!
I'll await the games to commence!
(Wenger Out!)
Mourinho starting the season classy as ever. Expect a herd of giddy rags on Friday if they manage to beat City's C team.
Arnautovic to WHU for £24M
WTAF!
Terriers to spend up (I think they already did that) and stay up!!
[img] 
[/img]
Terriers to spend up (I think they already did that) and stay up!!
+1 , in an optimistic moment, as long as we bite a few bums I will be happy.
Glory Hunters!
I was at Stirling Albion's game against Inverness CT in the Betfred Cup on Tuesday. Finished with the lowest scoring penalty shootout in Scottish football history (0-2).
It was hilarious.
Bournemouth to get a Champions League spot
Hopefully we wont disgrace ourselves as much as last season (domestically)
I fancy an assault on the European spots where we can once again shame the English 'big clubs' who fail miserably every season.
Leicester
This is the first time in my life where I have actually zero interest in the forthcoming season.
It all just seems so far away and out of touch these days, I just can't get excited any more
I understand that feeling PrinceJohn, and if it weren't for the time spent with the old man and tradition of pre game beers with the lads I'd probably stop going.
Rumours that Real have agreed a 160 million quid deal for Mbappé.
Arnautovic to WHU for £24M
WTAF!
Arnautovic, Hart, Zabaleta and Hernandez represents the best summer business I can remember.
is a steal at £16m in this bloated transfer window, he's always scoringHernandez
I think I sort of lost a bit of interest when City paid the Spuds £50 for Walker. I mean seriously....they must have soooo much cash its ridiculous. That for me has to be the most inflated price Ive ever seen....EVER!
Arnautovic, Hart, Zabaleta and Hernandez represents the best summer business I can remember.
And possibly more to come! COYI, can't bloody wait.
Absolutely ridiculous fee for Mbappe, football is shIt*
*its not I love it
I think I sort of lost a bit of interest when City paid the Spuds £50 for Walker.
Better value than John Stones.
Also why have Man City also bought Danilo who apparently is a bit rubbish and Madrid are laughing at the price paid.
Prices bring paid now are mental for fairly average players and mostly subsidised by BT and Sky customers, many of which will hardly be earning more than the minimum wage.
Wow, so La Liga have thrown a hissy fit and refused to accept the Neymar buyout payment. As ridiculous as the fee is, they are embarrassing themselves.
I'm not sure anyone is coming out of the whole Neymar situation well right now
New owner. New head coach. 10 new players and counting. Can we go one better than last season and not fall away during April?
Too many unknowns there but if we can get another CH and a LB we might, just might, be able to improve on seventh in the EFL Championship.
MOT WACCOE ALAW etc
Lots of unknowns but I can't remember the last time we went into the start of a season generally with this much optimism. Desperately need a CB and a LB - rumour about the young left back from ManYoo coming on loan and still rumours about Pontus' team mate Hellander. Be nice to bring in a proven goal scorer as well as backup to Wood although who knows, Ekuban might be a monster in front of goal!
I think I sort of lost a bit of interest when City paid the Spuds £50 for Walker.
Come to the north east, sensible transfer deals, nothing too stunning and not flashing the cash 😈
Wow, so La Liga have thrown a hissy fit and refused to accept the Neymar buyout payment. As ridiculous as the fee is, they are embarrassing themselves.
Are they though?
My understanding is it's only the player who can buy himself out of a contract in Spain, not a 3rd party.
If Neymar isn't buying himself out of the contract then by rights the deal is off.
If true, I fail to see any embarrassment.
Neymar has paid them €222m so he's no longer a Barca player.
[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40814854 ]BBC sport[/url]
Wowsers! It's a crazy world!
Sure is
[url= https://news.paddypower.com/football/2017/08/03/look-at-this-ticker-showing-how-much-neymar-is-earning-and-make-yourself-feel-utterly-miserable/?AFF_ID=16561 ]Neymar wages ticker[/url]
Are they though?My understanding is it's only the player who can buy himself out of a contract in Spain, not a 3rd party.
If Neymar isn't buying himself out of the contract then by rights the deal is off.
If true, I fail to see any embarrassment.
La Liga had refused to accept the payment from Neymar's lawyer, although they have subsequently now done so. That is how it was described on the bbc earlier anyway.
La Liga had refused to accept the payment
A few greased wheels later....
that neymar transfer is just bonkers and no surprise that la liga are making a mess of the financials, true to form. I guess Barca will now be linked to every player going now.
198 million for one player !!
Lets put that in context, for that kind of money a family of 5 can go to Centre Parks for 2 weeks and do all the extra activities !!
Mental
Stevedoc - but you wouldnt be able to afford the bike hire charges unless Neymar sacrificed a couple of weeks wages.
[url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/aug/03/psg-neymar-buy-out-rejected-la-liga-barcelona ]There we go.[/url]
Who needs rules when you've got 200m.
Aye, cos it's only them dirty foreign leagues that circumvent the rules.....
Aye, cos it's only them dirty foreign leagues that circumvent the rules.....
That is quite staggering....even for this place.
Bravo.
Eh?.
Merely pointing out that the EPL/FA aren't exactly pure as the driven snow...
*Stevedoc wins thread*
Can we talk about Toffees' return to European dominance...?
Sure, as soon as they beat a team we can spell.
Sure, as soon as they beat a team we can spell.
And Celtic won't count
Everyone ready for the pre-season not-so-friendly?
Will Sanchez have his dummy with him ready to throw out of his pram? Or is he on the naughty step?
Edit: not even on the bench. So that's the last time we've seen him in an Arsenal shirt then?
I'll give it 10 mins or so and if it's dull I'll switch back to the cricket. That's easier to fall asleep to.
Mrs Binners has just pointed out that Bolton are playing Dirty Leeds at 4, if you want to watch a proper match. Bless her. 😀
There's always Scottish prem on sky to switch to if I'm really struggling.
Oh dear. 😆
I found the latter stages surprisingly enjoyable! 😀
Up the Arsenal.
Meaningless of course
Well that's a win for starters. Not sure what Shaughnessy was doing with Madine's shirt but a win's a win
Watching this super cup thing and RM look a class above Man utd.
they are a class above most teams top be fair and we are not back to this level
Yes, it's a pity, as I'd like to see them challenged.
binners - Member
Oh dear.
You've got to appreciate this though! 😉
Not everything happens in yer over hyped, over paid world down south! 😆
https://twitter.com/goalforceltic/status/895015147865083905?s=04
Everyone set for the start of the season then?
I see Liverpool have come out and said that Coutinho isn't for sale and is going nowhere. So expect to see him in a Barca shirt before the Arsenal game kicks off this evening
Are we doing predictions?
Everyone seems to think it's going to be a Manc season. I've been stupid enough to put a tenner on us winning it this season. So that's the kiss of death then. The Derby's are certainly going to be full-blooded affairs this season
As for where everyone else finishes? Who knows? The top 6 places are all up for grabs really. Its going to be competitive. I can see Everton being the surprise package who upset some of the big boys this year
City I think are favourites but defence is weak so they may be vulnerable
Utd depends on what happens when the season starts but top 4 should be easily achievable
Chelsea- not strengthened and the squad is thin IMHO
Pool- in europe and squad too small
Spurs- too thin squad wise and key injuries will hamper them. Playing at wembley will hamper them as well- 6 th IMHO
Arsenal - same as every season stunning in parts risible in others
So given that
1 and 2 from manchester head says city heart say Man u
3- Chelsea
4. One of spurs, arsenal, liverpool or Everton and probably a scouse team
The effect of the Neymar transfer has certainly raised prices even further, I think those teams who have done business early are going to be happy about that fact. Coutinho would have been a 60-70 million player a few weeks ago as would Dembele at Dortmund. Looks like Tottenham are going to lose out by trying to push to the line hoping that the selling clubs get desperate. The other Dembele may have been a bargain if someone had made Celtic an offer a month ago, unless he has a release clause I reckon his fee will have doubled now from 20 to 40 million.
Arsenal could be the dark horse, as we have seen in the past 2 seasons, no champions league could be their advantage, especially if they decide the europa league isn't worth it.
Anyway, happy with the way city are looking, even if we don't win the league this year, I think we will see lots of exciting and entertaining football. The strength in depth of our attack is quite incredible, I think that is something none of the other contenders have, we can afford to lose key players with little effect now.
1 City
2 Chelsea
3 United
except in defence where you are still light IMHO - as are UTD - does not seem to many top defenders about any more
Remains to be seen if you have a keeper who can catch this year 😉
Agreed that offensively they are a step above the rest still Jose might sneak a number of 1-0 to win it but City will be way more entertaining
Watched Everton dispatch a team of Slovenian postmen over two legs in the Europa league qualifier - by the Gods we were bad. Expecting things to come together a lot more, but there's a giant 20+ goal a season-shaped hole up front and no pace in the side. Gylfi been on the verge of signing for ages at a very reasonable 50 million.
On the bright side things looking a lot more confidence-inspiring at the back with a decent goalkeeper brought in. Nothing worse then a good performance undermined with soft goals from dodgy keepers [which we've had for 3 or 4 years since Howard started to decline].
From City's signings, I'd say they could end up looking like a Kevin Keegan Newcastle side. They'll be the highest scorers this season, without a doubt. But I can't see them keeping many clean sheets
It'll be good fun to watch though
lol .... Coutinho has handed in his transfer request
I'll be laughing on the other side of my face when cousin Danny hands in his at Spurs
That'll be a sad day .. 🙁
He's got a cheek mind ... he was more the happy this time last year to sign a 5 year deal and then hasn't played for the last 4 months of the season.
Quelle surprise 😆
BS I would imagine.
Does anyone know if you can now just buy a football pass from nowtv? I thought I had seen that they were going to split up sky sports to more focussed channels only paying for what you want. The full sky sports package is too expensive to be worth it to me, But I would consider 20 quid a month.
You can get a free pass via a great number of internet based channels
Friends tell me the quality of this is very very good
Rose swap for Shaw would be good for Spurs IMHO
Not sure why Jose does not trust him but clearly he has no future there so that i not a bad trade for Spurs
Spurs will struggle to keep players whilst
1. they do not win things
2. they pay less than the competition
Given the stadium issues I expect this to be the case for a number of seasons and Kane and Alii and the others will leave at some point
This is the great tragedy of football even players who support the team leave for glory and money and even a team the size of spurs cannot hold on to their stars
You can get a free pass via a great number of internet based channels
The quality and availability has been dropping, especially this year. I don't mind paying a fair price for guaranteed quality and availability, but IMO the full sky sports package is too expensive as I am only really interested in the football.
With Tottenham, I think Levy is given too much credit. They have a top manager, who has been able to fashion a good team through necessity, when good players have come through the ranks. But I think that is just a point in time, it has happened before with the likes of United and Barca, but those players rising through the ranks always dry up.
The winner is ......the launderers
Enjoy the season, just hold you noses while you watch
Liverpool have not had a great transfer window and I think they are now in rather difficult position. I suppose it all depends on how much he sulks if not allowed to leave and whether his form [value both to the club and in the market] suffers as a result
Personally i think its unwise to keep a player who wants to go but given the lack of reinforcements for pool i think they may well play hardball this time
With Arsenal I would still expect Sanchez to give 100% even if he was pissed off at not being allowed to go, he just strikes me as the kind of player who will always give his all. With Coutinho I just don't see that attitude, doesn't mean he isn't the same, but that attitude isn't on display.
his current "injury " would suggest that he is not quite the 100% man you think as the arsenal medics cannot fidn anythign "too serious" according to reports
More likely to give 100% to secure a good move when his contract ends though.
One of those no one can give 100% to something they dont really want to be doing the only issue is how hard they try to give 100% and how close they get to it
Sanchez is a little bitch.
Crying because of a cut on his lip, posting a sad face on Instagram because he had a cold.
Soft lad, I wish he were playing tonight so Fuchs can make him cry like a child again.
I haven't got a clue....I tipped Man U last year but think Moany has proved he hasn't quite got it any more, so gonna suggest they might scrape 4th.
Chelski surprised me hugely after we duffed them up 3-0 they were the only team in the Prem. Citeh should win of course, but last years performances casts serious doubts. Liverpool making small improvements every year, but as said last year, they can't keep that pace of play going through the winter. Everton....nah! Who have I forgotten? Oh yeah us Gooners have no expectations, but it would be nice to compete at least and the Spuds will have too much on their plate to mount a serious challenge.
So to sum up...I haven't got a clue! 😀
Dele Alli to Liverpool if Barcelona get Phil C
Given that Levy told Man City that they couldn't afford Alli when they enquired about him during the Walker negotiations, I don't think Liverpool could either!
Why on earth would a player like that go to Liverpool?
With their thin squad and with champions league midweek, they'll be back down to their more familiar 6th or 7th place finish this season
[quote=genesiscore502011 ]Dele Alli to Liverpool if Barcelona get Phil C
They would not sell him and if they do he will go to a much bigger team than them, no offence. He is a top top player and will play for one of the massive [ not history but current] top European sides and he will go for trophies as much as money. Not sure Liverpool offer a great deal on either front tbh.