2012/13 Premier League discussion thread. The Final Day and Off Season

by Guest Sun 19 May 2013, 5:26 pm

First topic message reminder :

Lets bring her home!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 24 May 2013, 12:13 pm

Going from Mertesacker/Vermaelen to Williams would be a serious downgrade.

Hughes to Stoke is rather funny. Unless you're a Stoke fan

by dummy_half Fri 24 May 2013, 12:15 pm

Don't get Hughes to Stoke - might as well have just stuck with Pulis in that case. Won't see much change in style, while recent 'form' (if a manager can be described as having form) suggests he won't do as well as TP did.

It amazes me how conservative most fooball clubs are - they'd rather go for a manager who has been sacked by another club of a similar level than actually try someone with potential from lower down the pyramid.

by GSC Fri 24 May 2013, 12:18 pm

Vermaelen is pants. Williams can read the game. Said he was massively underrated last season

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 24 May 2013, 12:21 pm

Williams ain't good enough for a Top 6 club. I've never rated him mind. And yes Vermaelen is pants.

Actually Koscielny/Mertesacker have formed a decent partnership recently. Arsenal's defence has tightened up towards the end of the season

by GSC Fri 24 May 2013, 12:24 pm

He's good enough to be 3rd choice/start at Liverpool

by Soldier_Of_Fortune Fri 24 May 2013, 2:56 pm

GSC wrote:He's good enough to be 3rd choice/start at Liverpool

Concentrate on yer own team

by **Crimey** Fri 24 May 2013, 3:27 pm

I think Tottenham would be the most likely to sign Benteke, he'd be a good signing for them as well I'd have thought. He'd be what they wanted Adebayor to be.

by Nakatomi Plaza Fri 24 May 2013, 5:02 pm

Olly wrote:Williams ain't good enough for a Top 6 club. I've never rated him mind. And yes Vermaelen is pants.

Actually Koscielny/Mertesacker have formed a decent partnership recently. Arsenal's defence has tightened up towards the end of the season

e's

There's a massive difference between being a poor player, or being a player in poor form. Vermaelen is definitely the latter, and is a quality. At the top of their games I'd take Vermaelan over Williams every day of the week. If the rumours are true that he's available for £5 million, someone's will get a real bargain.

by GSC Fri 24 May 2013, 5:04 pm

Vermaelen can't defend. His hype arose from some good goals rather than actually being a good defender

by Nakatomi Plaza Fri 24 May 2013, 5:21 pm

In his first two season's he was Arsenal's best centre back, positionally sound, good in the air. He's lost a bit of spark since he was out with an Achilles injury two years ago. Despite starting last season pretty well he's lost form as the campaign went on

To say he can't defend is wrong in my view. Each to their own I guess.

by NickisBHAFC Fri 24 May 2013, 6:30 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22658711

These QPR players are getting out of control!

by NickisBHAFC Fri 24 May 2013, 6:33 pm

Also why o why do Stoke want Mark Hughes?

If they do get him can see them being big relegation contenders next season. Hughes wrecked QPR season last year and is completely to blame.

by **Crimey** Fri 24 May 2013, 6:37 pm

He has been good in a few places to be fair, he was a decent enough Wales manager, he did well at Blackburn and at Fulham as well. Manchester City and QPR are his big failings.

The weirdest thing is the main reason Pulis was sacked was he wasn't taking them any higher and playing poor football, Hughes is hardly known for excellent football.

by Guest Fri 24 May 2013, 6:41 pm

Agree Crimey. I can't ever remember enjoying watching a Hughes team play to be honest.

He might do alright if he's not given access to the purse strings.

by Guest Fri 24 May 2013, 6:42 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:Also why o why do Stoke want Mark Hughes?

If they do get him can see them being big relegation contenders next season. Hughes wrecked QPR season last year and is completely to blame.

I'd still say Redknapp had more than enough time to make change. They're equally to blame.

by GSC Fri 24 May 2013, 6:58 pm

Hughes has a habit of doing well at smaller clubs then thinking hes a big fish and failing.

by Guest Fri 24 May 2013, 7:30 pm

Wasn't Hughes close to being sacked at Fulham but saved by the players who pleaded with the chairman to keep the faith?

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 24 May 2013, 7:51 pm

FreekShow wrote:
NickisBHAFC wrote:Also why o why do Stoke want Mark Hughes?

If they do get him can see them being big relegation contenders next season. Hughes wrecked QPR season last year and is completely to blame.

I'd still say Redknapp had more than enough time to make change. They're equally to blame.

Freek Redknapp only had 25 games and spent £20 million plus. How can you expect him to overturn a 6 point deficit under those conditions?!?!

by GSC Fri 24 May 2013, 7:55 pm

QPR fell further away under Redknapp

by Guest Fri 24 May 2013, 8:00 pm

So we all agree it's Neil Warnock's fault..

by NickisBHAFC Fri 24 May 2013, 8:26 pm

It wasn't Redknapp's fault. Hughes is 100% to blame. ..........

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 24 May 2013, 11:43 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:It wasn't Redknapp's fault. Hughes is 100% to blame. ..........

Answers up there ^^^

When's the fixture list out? I really hope we get a home game first up this year

by mystiroakey Fri 24 May 2013, 11:52 pm

Is Nick bigging up Redknapp in the hope brighton sign him!!

ermmm.. I wonder what your view would be Nick if he wasnt linked to you!

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat 25 May 2013, 2:43 am

Good ol' Arry! E aint a wheeler dealer, nah me old mucka, arrr can I be when I im in the carrrrr all day gassin on with them media geezas. Crikey guvnor, its Mark Hughes the relegatortron, get the moola and floor it!

He could have saved them but I think the place was an absolute mess. Hughes' fault? Not entirely, Redknapp also didnt make the mess of the signings either. They were certainly a better side when we faced them at our place with Harry in charge than they were when we faced them at their place under Hughes. I was too young to have the cynicism many West Ham fans have over him, but a lot hate him for what he did to Billy Bonds. However, he'll be forever linked in my memory to Carrick, Cole and Rio, as well as Paolo and some mad signings like Florin Raducioiu and somehow getting Marc Vivien Foe. Harry will at least give you entertainment as a manager and is probably the perfect man for that job. Its well known his players love playing for him, hes a man motivator and not too bad a tactician either.

Hughes? He'll love the Stoke squad. Rough and tumble, honest grafters and physical battles. Hes not as direct as Pulis and did have some cracking moments at Blackburn and not so bad at City. Would be interesting, wont change the perception though

by NickisBHAFC Sat 25 May 2013, 12:54 pm

Olly wrote:
NickisBHAFC wrote:It wasn't Redknapp's fault. Hughes is 100% to blame. ..........

Answers up there ^^^

When's the fixture list out? I really hope we get a home game first up this year

17th June i think mate, don't quote me on that though.

by Guest Sat 25 May 2013, 3:02 pm

Anyone else see Monaco spending £60m on Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez from Porto? Ridiculous prices. Funny when you think that AVB wanted Moutinho last year, basically had no chance whatsover with the wages and fee the player and club were demanding. Ranieri is there but I can see Mancini rocking up in Monaco to take over, he was denied the players he wanted in Manchester, doubt the same would happen in Monaco with these Russian owners. I guess it's good in terms of competition for PSG next season.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat 25 May 2013, 3:04 pm

I've seen it John. Word is Falcao's on his way there as well.

by The Special Juan Sat 25 May 2013, 3:07 pm

French Football's Farcical

by Guest Sat 25 May 2013, 3:17 pm

It's a shame what's happening in France because it was one of the most genuinely competitive leagues in the world. I think we've had 7 championship winners in 7 years.

Money is a mo fo.

by Guest Sat 25 May 2013, 3:23 pm

Platini will turn a blind eye to any infringement of the financial fair play rules just to get French football back on the map. Would be ridiculous if Falcao ended up in France, average league and Monaco are not even in the Champions League until at least the season after next. Hope he makes the right decision and ends up at Real Madrid as the replacement for Higuain.

by Bull Sat 25 May 2013, 3:25 pm

There is no damn way Athletico would sell him to Madrid.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat 25 May 2013, 3:26 pm

Montpellier's win in 2011/12 was spectacular considering the size of their budget to the traditional French powerhouses. Looks like it'll be a two horse or race years to come.

I wonder how Monaco are going to circumvent the Financial Fair play rules, once they qualify for the Champions League?

by Guest Sat 25 May 2013, 3:28 pm

Are Monaco looking into building a new stadium? That one they play in now is awful.

by Guest Sat 25 May 2013, 3:30 pm

If the money was right they would and they've already stated they won't stand in his way if he wanted to leave. Club rivalry doesn't stop these transfers and the importance of a good deal financially. Luis Figo went from Barcelona to Real Madrid.......

Also hearing that Santos have accepted a bid from Barcelona for Neymar. Now, if true, that would be interesting and a sign of rebuilding and part desperation for Barcelona to get back amongst the elite after the Bayern shambles. Always thought Neymar was staying until at least after the World Cup but things may have been push through due to Barcelona's circumstances.

by Guest Sat 25 May 2013, 3:41 pm

Be interesting to see just how good Neymar is. I'm wondering if he's just another hype job.

by Bull Sat 25 May 2013, 3:46 pm

Neymar is overrated.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat 25 May 2013, 3:47 pm

Be interesting to see how he fits in with Messi as well. If they don't gel they he could be shunted off pretty quickly a la Imbrahimovic.

As for your point about Monaco's stadium Freek, I haven't read anything aKing Louis can hold about it. Seeing as King Louis can hold a third of the principality's population, I'd be surprised if they did build another one.

by **Hero** Sat 25 May 2013, 3:47 pm

Bale has handed a transfer request in

by Guest Sat 25 May 2013, 3:48 pm

Nakatomi Plaza wrote:Be interesting to see how he fits in with Messi as well. If they don't gel they he could be shunted off pretty quickly a la Imbrahimovic.

As for your point about Monaco's stadium Freek, I haven't read anything aKing Louis can hold about it. Seeing as King Louis can hold a third of the principality's population, I'd be surprised if they did build another one.

It's as much to do with the pitch as the capacity itself. Isn't it standing on a car park?!!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 25 May 2013, 3:50 pm

Hero wrote:Bale has handed a transfer request in

That was a fake sky sports account...

by Bull Sat 25 May 2013, 3:50 pm

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat 25 May 2013, 3:52 pm

FreekShow wrote:
Nakatomi Plaza wrote:Be interesting to see how he fits in with Messi as well. If they don't gel they he could be shunted off pretty quickly a la Imbrahimovic.

As for your point about Monaco's stadium Freek, I haven't read anything aKing Louis can hold about it. Seeing as King Louis can hold a third of the principality's population, I'd be surprised if they did build another one.

It's as much to do with the pitch as the capacity itself. Isn't it standing on a car park?!!

You're right about the pitch. I remember Ranieri going on about it when Chelsea got turned over there in 2004.

by Guest Sat 25 May 2013, 3:52 pm

It's only a matter of time though. I'd be stunned if he stayed.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 25 May 2013, 5:15 pm

Olly wrote:
Hero wrote:Bale has handed a transfer request in

That was a fake sky sports account...

by Guest Sat 25 May 2013, 5:16 pm

Anyone else think Dzeko would be a perfect replacement for Lewandowski at Dortmund. Similar type of player, natural goalscorers and Dzeko has experience of the league with Wolfsburg and is available as far as we know.

Just seems a good fit.

by Guest Sat 25 May 2013, 5:18 pm

Yeah Dzeko has plenty of previous in Germany. They'd probably get him for around 12 million.

by The Special Juan Sat 25 May 2013, 5:20 pm

SSN seem to think any deal to bring Cavani to City would involve Dzeko going the other way. Admittedly, I was playing pool whilst SSN was on the background but that's what I heard.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 25 May 2013, 5:23 pm

Yeah Dzeko would be a decent enough replacement. He is wasted on the bench at Man City.

by **Crimey** Sat 25 May 2013, 6:08 pm

The Special Juan wrote:SSN seem to think any deal to bring Cavani to City would involve Dzeko going the other way. Admittedly, I was playing pool whilst SSN was on the background but that's what I heard.

These kind of swap deals are always being rumoured and yet never seem to come to the fore. The only high profile deal which involved a swap that I can think of is Ibrahimovic and Eto'o. I think it's very much speculative at the moment.

I think Dortmund would be very sensible to think about signing Dzeko, if they can't keep hold of Lewandowski.

by Holymiky Sat 25 May 2013, 6:35 pm

Hi all

I am a Chelsea fan and at the moment i am thinking of who our new manager is going to be and what players we will buy, i won't mind any manager but i think i would prefer Mourinho, i would love for Mourinho to return.

I just wanted to get some opinions from other fans to see what managers will go to Chelsea and other clubs. What players will go where? I would love to see everyones opinions.

P.S I am super happy that super Frank Lampard has got another contract Smile

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