The Official 2017/18 Football/Soccer Thread

[water ur seeds]

I didnt go to the game last night, I got one side of my family who are Palace fans which is funny... Thankfully the other Irish side made sure I was a United fan haha But I heard from my cousins down in Brighton there was some violence and flares being thrown at the game, they didnt get involved but saw some wanna be 'Football Factory' incidents haha...

For me Brighton/Palace is one of the biggest rivalries in English football, I remember when I came down to the Brighton/Palace home game (2 or 3 seasons ago???) Palace literally DESTROYED the main street from the Brighton station heading all the way down to the shopping centre, the whole road MILES long was closed down and shops and errrthang were smashed the fck up, the town looked like something from 'Walking Dead'...

I think its one of the most intense the most rivalries probably because it has mostly been played mostly at lower levels of the game (out of media spotlight) and once you get to the EPL the media and EPL try and make sure there is minimal 'kicking off' etc as its bad publicity for the game...

The rivalries goes back to the 70s, I think (as well as being fairly close towns) it was down to a tasty that took part with some red cards and pens etc plus the nicknames Seaguls/Eagles...

 

[toheeb27]

@bigev240

 

[Figo]

damn, everybody turning against lukaku. well, that comes with playing a for bigger club. flaws get criticize more often. one thing he does well is pressure defenses.

 

[bigev240]

@bigev240

 

[Valentinez A. Kaiser]

damn, everybody turning against lukaku. well, that comes with playing a for bigger club. flaws get criticize more often. one thing he does well is pressure defenses.

not turning, he just has to realise as you stated he's playing for a bigger club and arguably the biggest club in the world.

the pressure on him and his goal barren run is no different to that of when it happens to Kane; heck even Alli has been criticized already of not performing up to his second of last season's performances.

And I'm sure golden boy Pochettino will soon be getting it the way Spurs have been dipping in form.....this is modern day football!

 

[Valentinez A. Kaiser]

Arsenal's latest transfer blunder revealed as Antoine Griezmann rules out ever making Emirates switch: 'Forget it, after the blow they gave me'

In the summer of 2013 Griezmann was coming off a season where he had broken into double figures for goals for the first time for Real Sociedad and clubs were taking note.

Specifically the then 22-year-old was attracting interest from Arsenal, with Griezmann's former agent Eric Olhats in touch with Gunners' scout Gilles Grimandi.

That same window saw Arsenal fail to land Luis Suarez with the infamous £40million and £1 bid and could only stand by as Gonzalo Higuain opted for Juventus over the Emirates.

Griezmann has revealed himself to be another potential Arsenal striker who saw his move to the Emirates collapse and as a result he has ruled out ever moving to the club.

He writes in his new autobiography of the mini-saga: 'I waited, I waited, and I kept waiting. When there was no news, Eric called Grimandi, who said that the manager was still interested in me [and] to keep waiting.

'Finally a few hours before the market closed, he let us know Arsenal would not make a move. I don't like to be told something and for it not to happen.

'So when Eric told me later that the London club were interested again I told him "Forget it, after the blow they gave us".'

Thankfully Arsenal signed Yaya Sanogo that summer.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...revealed-Antoine-Griezmann.html#ixzz4zpe85DlJ

Tom Bassam (the journalist who wrote the article) is a fool for that last line on Sanogo! LMAO

 

[Young_Chitlin]

Arsenal's latest transfer blunder revealed as Antoine Griezmann rules out ever making Emirates switch: 'Forget it, after the blow they gave me'

In the summer of 2013 Griezmann was coming off a season where he had broken into double figures for goals for the first time for Real Sociedad and clubs were taking note.

Specifically the then 22-year-old was attracting interest from Arsenal, with Griezmann's former agent Eric Olhats in touch with Gunners' scout Gilles Grimandi.

That same window saw Arsenal fail to land Luis Suarez with the infamous £40million and £1 bid and could only stand by as Gonzalo Higuain opted for Juventus over the Emirates.

Griezmann has revealed himself to be another potential Arsenal striker who saw his move to the Emirates collapse and as a result he has ruled out ever moving to the club.

He writes in his new autobiography of the mini-saga: 'I waited, I waited, and I kept waiting. When there was no news, Eric called Grimandi, who said that the manager was still interested in me [and] to keep waiting.

'Finally a few hours before the market closed, he let us know Arsenal would not make a move. I don't like to be told something and for it not to happen.

'So when Eric told me later that the London club were interested again I told him "Forget it, after the blow they gave us".'

Thankfully Arsenal signed Yaya Sanogo that summer.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...revealed-Antoine-Griezmann.html#ixzz4zpe85DlJ

Tom Bassam (the journalist who wrote the article) is a fool for that last line on Sanogo! LMAO

But but Wenger in!~

 

[northside7]

They say we need Wenger.

They ask what will we do without Wenger?

They say the Wenger-Out crowd are fools.

Constant cold feet. Lack of a proper gameplan on a consistent basis. Too soft with the players. No fire or energy on the sideline. £40m + £1. The squad is built to win the league and we only need Cech. Buy Xhaka when Kante was cheaper. Guys like Asensio going for €4m without a bid being made. Sign a £50m striker and not play him in a crucial game. Remains loyal to players who show no loyalty in return.

We could go on and on.

 

[northside7]

Anyways. I know I'm late but I didn't know the Leicester city owner bought the entire squad BMW i8s.

And what did they do? Got their manager fired and finished 12th.

 

[Valentinez A. Kaiser]

They say we need Wenger.

They ask what will we do without Wenger?

They say the Wenger-Out crowd are fools.

Constant cold feet. Lack of a proper gameplan on a consistent basis. Too soft with the players. No fire or energy on the sideline. £40m + £1. The squad is built to win the league and we only need Cech. Buy Xhaka when Kante was cheaper. Guys like Asensio going for €4m without a bid being made. Sign a £50m striker and not play him in a crucial game. Remains loyal to players who show no loyalty in return.

We could go on and on.

To be fair things may begin to change, depending on how much Wenger's influence still remains in tact

Arsenal's new hierarchy: Meet the men now charged with transfers and first-team affairs alongside Arsene Wenger

The Gunners have moved to moderise, pulling in a world-class team of business and performance experts around the manager to change the way things work.

Raul Sanllehi is in from Barcelona, Sven Mislintat has been dragged from Borussia Dortmund and Huss Fahmy and Darren Burgess are also new faces in the setup.

Raul Sanllehi - Head of football relations

Arsenal ramped up talk of 'extensive contacts across the football world' and involvement in 'the biggest transfers in recent years' when appointing Sanllehi - and his arrival is a major coup.

The former Barcelona transfer supremo was key in negotiations over deals for Luis Suarez and Neymar and has proven himself a shrewd operator exuding charisma, professionalism and great communication skills.

Sanllehi's job is to 'to lead future player negotiations' - he will be the man closing the deals for players that Wenger and new head of recruitment Mislintat identify to take Arsenal to the next level.

He has not taken the 'director of football' job title, but has experience in that role. Sanllehi leads the modernisation of Arsenal's internal structure and that could impact on how Wenger works depending on the way the boundaries are drawn.

Sven Mislintat - Head of recruitment

Nicknamed 'Diamond Eye', Mislintat proved himself a talent conveyor belt at Borussia Dortmund with his recruits including Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels, Ousmane Dembele and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Mislintat's history of producing players who can develop into world-class talents is just what Arsenal were looking for to replace head scout Steve Rowley.

Wenger says he will work alongside him, seemingly identifying stars with the final decision on recruitment apparently being made by the manager - although earlier indications were that Mislintat would report to Gazidis.

In Germany, he also helped oversee the development of Dortmund's famous 'Footbonaut' cage machine - although it remains to be seen how far his influence will stretch in north London.

Huss Fahmy - Contract negotiator

With the handling of player contracts at Arsenal being brought sharply into question by the Sanchez and Ozil situations, Fahmy was recruited earlier in the year.

Fahmy was previously head of legal and commercial at cycling's Team Sky as well as holding experience at multi-national law firm Herbert Smith. He was drafted into the setup at the Emirates earlier this year.

He was initially expected to be involved in the closing of negotiations but that role is expanding as predecessor Dick Law scales back his work.

Arsenal hope the Ozil, Sanchez and Jack Wilshere contract situations - all due to run into the final six months of their deals - will not be repeated.

Darren Burgess - Director of high performance

Arsenal brought Burgess through the door earlier this year in one of the first early indications of their staffing reshuffle revolving around Wenger. He was hand-picked by the Frenchman.

Working with staff across departments including those dealing with squad fitness, medicine, psychology and analysis, he has been seen on the training ground at London Colney this season working with the first team as well as the academy.

Burgess worked at Liverpool for over two years until October 2012 and has also been in this 'head of high performance role' at Aussie Rules side Port Adelaide previously.

Former colleague Kane Cornes said that, in Adelaide, Burgess would plan every piece of physical activity - including pre-season preparations and nutrition.

But with the team now assembled in the background, it will probably be the strategic plan for post-Wenger, but we're still in a Wenger era soooo...

And the man who's still sticking around...

Arsene Wenger - Manager

Wenger's role is changing significantly, but the Arsenal manager has no plans for the new setup to exclude him anytime soon - as seen in the signing of his new two-year contract in the summer.

The Frenchman has also been dismissive of the idea that the new appointments sap power from him, notably suggesting that Mislintat will work with him rather than chief executive Gazidis.

Of the German's appointment, he added: 'I think we have a structure in England to know everybody and so we have taken somebody with international experience. That's why we made that decision.'

Wenger will continue to play a significant role in player recruitment and, of course, his presence as the Gunners' figurehead means his influence over this team looms larger than any one else.

 

[englishdude]

Don’t matter who we recruit for transfers and such, if wenger says no then the transfer won’t happen.

 

[Figo]

cant believe ac milan made this crazy mofo there new head coach

 

[dontdiedontkillanyon]

They say we need Wenger.

They ask what will we do without Wenger?

They say the Wenger-Out crowd are fools.

Constant cold feet. Lack of a proper gameplan on a consistent basis. Too soft with the players. No fire or energy on the sideline. £40m + £1. The squad is built to win the league and we only need Cech. Buy Xhaka when Kante was cheaper. Guys like Asensio going for €4m without a bid being made. Sign a £50m striker and not play him in a crucial game. Remains loyal to players who show no loyalty in return.

We could go on and on.

To be fair things may begin to change, depending on how much Wenger's influence still remains in tact

Arsenal's new hierarchy: Meet the men now charged with transfers and first-team affairs alongside Arsene Wenger

The Gunners have moved to moderise, pulling in a world-class team of business and performance experts around the manager to change the way things work.

Raul Sanllehi is in from Barcelona, Sven Mislintat has been dragged from Borussia Dortmund and Huss Fahmy and Darren Burgess are also new faces in the setup.

Raul Sanllehi - Head of football relations

Arsenal ramped up talk of 'extensive contacts across the football world' and involvement in 'the biggest transfers in recent years' when appointing Sanllehi - and his arrival is a major coup.

The former Barcelona transfer supremo was key in negotiations over deals for Luis Suarez and Neymar and has proven himself a shrewd operator exuding charisma, professionalism and great communication skills.

Sanllehi's job is to 'to lead future player negotiations' - he will be the man closing the deals for players that Wenger and new head of recruitment Mislintat identify to take Arsenal to the next level.

He has not taken the 'director of football' job title, but has experience in that role. Sanllehi leads the modernisation of Arsenal's internal structure and that could impact on how Wenger works depending on the way the boundaries are drawn.

Sven Mislintat - Head of recruitment

Nicknamed 'Diamond Eye', Mislintat proved himself a talent conveyor belt at Borussia Dortmund with his recruits including Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels, Ousmane Dembele and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Mislintat's history of producing players who can develop into world-class talents is just what Arsenal were looking for to replace head scout Steve Rowley.

Wenger says he will work alongside him, seemingly identifying stars with the final decision on recruitment apparently being made by the manager - although earlier indications were that Mislintat would report to Gazidis.

In Germany, he also helped oversee the development of Dortmund's famous 'Footbonaut' cage machine - although it remains to be seen how far his influence will stretch in north London.

Huss Fahmy - Contract negotiator

With the handling of player contracts at Arsenal being brought sharply into question by the Sanchez and Ozil situations, Fahmy was recruited earlier in the year.

Fahmy was previously head of legal and commercial at cycling's Team Sky as well as holding experience at multi-national law firm Herbert Smith. He was drafted into the setup at the Emirates earlier this year.

He was initially expected to be involved in the closing of negotiations but that role is expanding as predecessor Dick Law scales back his work.

Arsenal hope the Ozil, Sanchez and Jack Wilshere contract situations - all due to run into the final six months of their deals - will not be repeated.

Darren Burgess - Director of high performance

Arsenal brought Burgess through the door earlier this year in one of the first early indications of their staffing reshuffle revolving around Wenger. He was hand-picked by the Frenchman.

Working with staff across departments including those dealing with squad fitness, medicine, psychology and analysis, he has been seen on the training ground at London Colney this season working with the first team as well as the academy.

Burgess worked at Liverpool for over two years until October 2012 and has also been in this 'head of high performance role' at Aussie Rules side Port Adelaide previously.

Former colleague Kane Cornes said that, in Adelaide, Burgess would plan every piece of physical activity - including pre-season preparations and nutrition.

But with the team now assembled in the background, it will probably be the strategic plan for post-Wenger, but we're still in a Wenger era soooo...

And the man who's still sticking around...

Arsene Wenger - Manager

Wenger's role is changing significantly, but the Arsenal manager has no plans for the new setup to exclude him anytime soon - as seen in the signing of his new two-year contract in the summer.

The Frenchman has also been dismissive of the idea that the new appointments sap power from him, notably suggesting that Mislintat will work with him rather than chief executive Gazidis.

Of the German's appointment, he added: 'I think we have a structure in England to know everybody and so we have taken somebody with international experience. That's why we made that decision.'

Wenger will continue to play a significant role in player recruitment and, of course, his presence as the Gunners' figurehead means his influence over this team looms larger than any one else.

We're still fucked.

 

[dontdiedontkillanyon]

cant believe ac milan made this crazy mofo there new head coach

What the fuck is he doing?

 

[blue_london]

I made Dave captain and he's on the bench? Sack Conte

 

[northside7]

What the fuck are these fools doing? Smh. Damn near gave a penalty.

Kick the fucking ball out of your half.

 

[toheeb27]

I made Dave captain and he's on the bench? Sack Conte

Man, we lack any offensive bite without Hazard. Lord help us if this dude gets injured.

 

[blue_london]

I made Dave captain and he's on the bench? Sack Conte

Man, we lack any offensive bite without Hazard. Lord help us if this dude gets injured.

Are we playing 452 again?

 

[northside7]

Everton up 2-0? Lol

 

[toheeb27]

I made Dave captain and he's on the bench? Sack Conte

Man, we lack any offensive bite without Hazard. Lord help us if this dude gets injured.

Are we playing 452 again?

Nah, back to 3-4-3. Kante and Fab in the middle. Pedro, Morata and Willian upfront.