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Post by OlympicHero on Jul 4, 2007 9:50:12 GMT -1
Well, the new season is a little over a month away and there's been plenty of activity in the transfer market. "The Big Four" have all wheeled and dealed (Henry to Barca, Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson to Man Utd, Pizarro and Sidwell(?) to Chelsea and Torres to Liverpool) and other clubs have thrown down the gauntlet to challenge for Champions League football come next May (Spurs signing Bent, Newcastle signing Barton, Viduka, Rozehnal and Geremi).
Despite the loss of a great talent in Henry, I predict the Premiership will be really great viewing next year. Man Utd will obviously start as favourites, but I don't believe it'll be a two horse race this year.....Chelsea AND Liverpool will be amongst the chasing pack in my opinion and Spurs will finally crack the top four pipping a weakened Arsenal to the final Champions League spot.
I'm also quite excited about the future of my team, Big Sam's Toon Army. With Allardyce at the helm and some sensible signings in place (not to mention a chunky transfer budget!!), I feel a European spot is a must next term. With players like Owen, Martins, Duff, Dyer, Barton, Viduka, Emre and a slowly improving defence we HAVE to be playing European football.....let's just hope Owen and / or Martins stay.......very important players!!
Anyway, what are your thoughts on the new season?? The big happenings in the transfer market?? And how do you feel about the future of your teams??
Discuss! :-)
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Post by Knoxville on Jul 4, 2007 9:59:00 GMT -1
Martins has to stay at Newcastle, there are no two ways about it. I don't think they need Owen too much now as to me he's past it. (Yes I said it.)
Chelsea haven't really signed anyone big enough this summer to make a proper launch next season, what with the prospect of losing Lampard they just don't seem all that threatning all of the sudden.
Stupidest buy of the window goes to Spurs who bought Bent, a player I wouldn't even pay £7million for let alone £16.
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Post by OlympicHero on Jul 4, 2007 10:09:59 GMT -1
Owen past it??? Never!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't see Chelsea winning it next year either, and if they were to lose Lamps aswell, they'd be in deep trouble.
I think Bent was a good buy for Spurs (you can never have too many great strikers, although Defoe looks likely to leave) , they need to tweak other areas of the team in order to crack the top four, but I think they'll do it.
Spurs and Liverpool will be the teams to watch this year.
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Post by Knoxville on Jul 4, 2007 13:49:24 GMT -1
Liverpool confirmed the move of Torres today for a club record of £20 Million. It's great to see him there and it'll be intresting to see what impact he has in the Premier League.
As for Arsenal I think they have had it. They'll slowly drop to a mid top table club and I think they'll just get a uefa cup space this year. I think it's going to be a battle for the last champs league spot between Spurs and them.
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Post by OlympicHero on Jul 5, 2007 19:22:13 GMT -1
Yeah, I'll agree with that. Spurs are apparently on the verge of signing the French Under 21 captain - Balboul???.......think that's his name......anyway, he's rated at £8million and is a centre back......just the kinda player Spurs need to up their Champions League challenge, they'll definitely finish in the top 4 IMO.
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Post by Knoxville on Jul 10, 2007 15:49:29 GMT -1
Bellamy has just signed for his fourth club in four seasons. Now he's a Hammer and I can't be any happier to see the back of him. Why Benitez even signed him in the first place was a question I'd love to have answered.
That being said Liverpool have put in a £10 Million bid for Babel.
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Post by OlympicHero on Jul 10, 2007 17:11:20 GMT -1
Craig Bellamy..............gotta be one of my most hated people on this planet!! Along with Pete Doherty and some guy from school! Hoorah Newcastle got the back of him! When will club managers realise that he's nothing but trouble!! I mean, 4 clubs in 4 seasons?? What does that tell ya!?!? Troublemaker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, Babel would be a great buy, although I hear his club (i forget who!) are holding out for £13.5 million.
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Post by Knoxville on Jul 10, 2007 21:42:27 GMT -1
Yeah, alot of reports are saying between £13mil and £15million.
Liverpool have agreed terms with West Ham for Benayoun this evening so I'm told. Could be an intrestring move.
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Post by OlympicHero on Jul 11, 2007 16:58:32 GMT -1
I definitely see a title charge from Liverpool this year. The quality they know have is staggering and the players Benitez has brought are all at a young or youngish age......perfect for now and the future.
My top four for this year:
1. Man Utd
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Tottenham
Arsenal will finish 5th and, hopefully, Newcastle will occupy 6th.
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Post by Knoxville on Jul 12, 2007 11:59:53 GMT -1
I dunno, I see Everton in 5th with Arsenal just getting 6th or 7th. Arsenal just haven't got what it takes anymore, which is a shame but it leaves room for another club to make way into the big four.
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Post by OlympicHero on Jul 16, 2007 18:52:30 GMT -1
I'm not sure about Everton to be honest........not much activity in the transfer market tells me that they'll struggle to make much of an impact next year.
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Post by Intervention on Aug 2, 2007 8:40:58 GMT -1
One of my favourite players in the world is Albert Luque, met him when he played for Deportivo, gifted player and it was a crime what Glenn Roeder did to him, FUCKING CRIME,
Played him in every position but his best
Good to see Allardyce using him to his potential and getting a good return of pre season goals, can see Newcastle pushing for a UEFA Cup spot this season,
My Top four
1, Chelsea
2, Man U
3, Liverpool
4, Tottenham
5, Man City
6, Arsenal or Newcastle
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Post by Woo on Aug 4, 2007 11:37:50 GMT -1
Um....your top 4 was 6 teams Cloud...
I think my Man U will still win the league next year. No real big singings, bar Hargreaves who is also inter-changeable with Carrick anyway, but as champions we don't need to bring that many people in. I think Liverpool should finish 2nd, asuming Torres is on form, with Chelsea falling down to 3rd.
The 4th spot will be a close run think between Arsenal, Spurs, Newcastle and Man City (yep, really), but I think it will finish in that order between them and it will be the same 5 again with the only change from last year being Liverpool's jump above Mourinio's boys.
Anyone doing the Preimer League's fantasy football?
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Post by Knoxville on Aug 4, 2007 19:56:28 GMT -1
I was thinking of doing it, but I'm back and forth between here and Canada alot at the moment and I'd only forget to check. Maybe you should set up a Powerslam one again Woo?
Hopefully come september my someone may have made up their mind as to where they want to live. :<
I might do it then, if it's not too late.
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