the 370Z.com OFFICIAL football (soccer) thread

[phelan]

blue is touchy when it comes to bayern munchkin.

fellow gooners, thoughts? i think we escaped alright this time around. maybe the 8-2 drubbing was the blessing in disguise we sorely needed. we came out of the window much better than going in...though i wish we settled in earlier.

liverpool and man city overpaid (obviously) for what they got IMO, man utd still the team to beat, blackburn is a sorry team, everton...thanks, and i'm sorry. really.

zarate went to inter. that one should be interesting. with eto'o gone, now it's forlan and zarate up top?

also if you are on fbook:
I was alive when Wenger made 5 signings in 50 hours. | Facebook

What makes you think I wasnt turning your joke against you

[Red370]

While I must say that i'm a little disappointed that we didnt get a true "world class" attacking midfielder, I am glad that we were able to nab two experienced midfielders with premiership experience to mentor the younger players, Arteta will be immense as as far as that is concerned, and what I like about him is that he can act as an attacking player or play more defensively if Song or Frimpong go down to injury or suspension, we have DEPTH in all positions now.

For me, the only "world class" player we really signed is Mertesacker, his pedigree speaks for itself. While he may not be able to cope with some of the speedier wingers in the league, his positioning is superb and if we play a deeper back line, we shouldnt have any problems at all. He's also one of the cleanest tacklers i've ever seen.

From what i've seen of Santos, hes alot like Roberto Carlos in that hes kind of small, pacey, likes to get forward and is OK defensively, and hes definitely got a better cross on him than Clichy ever did. I like that hes very calm and composed on the ball, rarely dispossesses. I like this.

Park will be better than Bendtner, i'm 100% sure of that, and I honestly think he may be a step above Chamakh. He has one hell of a shot and can provide assists as well.

Benayoun is my only real question mark. I've seen him at his peak and when hes on, hes on. Excellent passer of the ball, great close control and has a heck of a shot. Unfortunately he's spent a good portion of his career injured, and with our injury problems, thats not something we need more of. If he stays healthy, i'm confident he'll be an excellent super sub when the Wilshere returns to fitness.

Overall, i'd give le Prof a B- for this transfer window. He promised world class additions (key word is ADDITIONS), and we truly only got one and not in an area that I wanted. We needed a Cesc replacement, we didnt get one. Hazard and Gotze should be at the top of the list come January.

[Red370]

BTW, Fcuk Nasri, i've never seen a more disrespectful player towards their former club, have yall seen some of the crap he's said? I'm embarrassed that I even own his shirt. "I've always wanted to go to City", yeah bullshyt, you seen dollar signs and your allegiance went to shyte. Looks like Jacky W. will be the next one I purchase, the only player on the squad that actually loves the club and that will probably be there longer than a year.

[Jon@AAMComp]

Originally Posted by phelan

zarate went to inter. that one should be interesting. with eto'o gone, now it's forlan and zarate up top?

Wow I didn't hear about that Forlan signing! He could be a great signing, but I think he might be past his best. Zarate coming from Lazio could develop into a good replacement for Eto'o. I'm still a little confused by him actually. I'm happy he's the highest paid African striker of all time, deservedly, but he's quoted as saying he wanted a 'new and exciting adventure', when he left Inter. Honestly, from winning a historic treble with one of the biggest clubs in the world, a beautiful, cosmopolitan and cultured Western European city like Milan to some spec of a city in Persia? Had I been in his shoes, I would want to stay at Inter for the rest of my career. I guess €20.5 million a season is hard to turn down...

Originally Posted by Red370

BTW, Fcuk Nasri, i've never seen a more disrespectful player towards their former club, have yall seen some of the crap he's said? I'm embarrassed that I even own his shirt. "I've always wanted to go to City", yeah bullshyt, you seen dollar signs and your allegiance went to shyte. Looks like Jacky W. will be the next one I purchase, the only player on the squad that actually loves the club and that will probably be there longer than a year.

Remember when Torres left Liverpool to come play for us? He said he was exciting at playing at a 'big club'. I'm Chelsea through and through, but even I know the history Liverpool has in England. Hard to argue 18 League titles and 5 European Cups. Granted, Chelsea have been more successful in recent years than Liverpool, but doesn't make us bigger than them. There's really no loyalty in modern football, which is unfortunate. Players go where the glory is, and unfortunately for you guys, Nasri felt City were closer to raising the Premier League trophy than Arsenal.


You guys need to hurry up and sign Götze before we do. We both need a young, creative, attacking midfielder now. Still puzzled as to why we are willing to throw £40 million at Spurs for Modric, when there is better and younger talent out there. Götze, Christian Eriksen, and Marko Marin comes to mind. We did manage a decent bargain signing Raul Miereles from Liverpool though, at £12 million.


Chelsea complete £12 million swoop for Raul Meireles | FootballFanCast.com

[cow]

Originally Posted by Red370

BTW, Fcuk Nasri, i've never seen a more disrespectful player towards their former club, have yall seen some of the crap he's said? I'm embarrassed that I even own his shirt. "I've always wanted to go to City", yeah bullshyt, you seen dollar signs and your allegiance went to shyte. Looks like Jacky W. will be the next one I purchase, the only player on the squad that actually loves the club and that will probably be there longer than a year.

Donate the shirt to a poor African kid. It'll probably make his year.

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[phelan]

Originally Posted by Jon@AAMComp

Wow I didn't hear about that Forlan signing! He could be a great signing, but I think he might be past his best. Zarate coming from Lazio could develop into a good replacement for Eto'o. I'm still a little confused by him actually. I'm happy he's the highest paid African striker of all time, deservedly, but he's quoted as saying he wanted a 'new and exciting adventure', when he left Inter. Honestly, from winning a historic treble with one of the biggest clubs in the world, a beautiful, cosmopolitan and cultured Western European city like Milan to some spec of a city in Persia? Had I been in his shoes, I would want to stay at Inter for the rest of my career. I guess €20.5 million a season is hard to turn down...

Forlan's got some good left in him. If anything...he can be the dead ball specialist to Zarate's firepower
Forlan takes the No. 9

Would you have turned it down? My loyalties run deep, but that is a LOT of money. I mean...DAMN. If I were good enough to wear an Arsenal shirt, I'd be very hard pressed not to accept if Anzhi came calling.

With that said, f*ck Man City. I'd never play for a rival club in the same league.

Originally Posted by Jon@AAMComp

Remember when Torres left Liverpool to come play for us? He said he was exciting at playing at a 'big club'. I'm Chelsea through and through, but even I know the history Liverpool has in England. Hard to argue 18 League titles and 5 European Cups. Granted, Chelsea have been more successful in recent years than Liverpool, but doesn't make us bigger than them. There's really no loyalty in modern football, which is unfortunate. Players go where the glory is, and unfortunately for you guys, Nasri felt City were closer to raising the Premier League trophy than Arsenal.


You guys need to hurry up and sign Götze before we do. We both need a young, creative, attacking midfielder now. Still puzzled as to why we are willing to throw £40 million at Spurs for Modric, when there is better and younger talent out there. Götze, Christian Eriksen, and Marko Marin comes to mind. We did manage a decent bargain signing Raul Miereles from Liverpool though, at £12 million.


Chelsea complete £12 million swoop for Raul Meireles | FootballFanCast.com

Meireles will come good if AvB plays him. I don't get it though, wasn't AvB the one that tossed him OUT of his club the last time they were together?

I actually think CFC will be okay this year now that Juan Mata has joined. Look at the stagnant play before he came onto the pitch. Very narrow, methodical in buildup, and with Torres misfiring as usual, and Drogba...eesh, let's not go there - most teams have figured out how to stop the Chelsea attack. AvB has work to do, but it starts with Mata providing that little extra width to the attack. His goal was well deserved, in my opinion.

I was confused why 'Arry didn't take the 40 million! That's WAAAAY overvaluing the player.

[phelan]

Am I the only Arsenal fan that thinks Mertesacker taking the No. 4 is a bit odd?

Also, subjective grade for EPL teams:
Arsenal B-
Addressed critical needs in all areas, but is more of a glue than a long-term fix. Still, will be good to have the experienced players around so the youths can learn from them. Arteta will be expected to slot in for Cesc, which is a tall ask.

The general consensus, though, is Arsenal had a terrible transfer window after losing No. 4 and 8, respectively. No amount of panic buying will replace them.

Aston Villa C

Money made from selling their best wingers, made some splashes for Tottenham rejects at the end. More of the same to come from AVL I think.

Blackburn C-

Scott Dann is an experienced defender and will probably fill in immediately to the void left by Phil Jones. Yakubu signing made me laugh a little. What is Blackburn, a team linked with Ronaldinho and Raul, to say the least, doing with their money? Venky's is clueless.

Bolton C+

Kept Gary Cahill, but if you're relying on David N'Gog for goals, you've got a problem.

Chelsea B+

All seemed a bit too quiet at Stamford Bridge. However, if deployed in the attacking formation AvB wants, Juan Mata and Raul Meireles will represent some of the best signings of this transfer window. Well played, but now Chelsea have to be careful of their rapidly aging defensive line. Terry looks ANCIENT.

Everton D+

Nice that Royson Drenthe is in, that will recoup some of the attack that is gone now that Arteta, Beckford, and Yakubu are gone. Must be hard to be a Toffee right now though, after Everton rebuffed Arsenal only for Arteta himself to push the deal through. Poor Moyes has done so well with no money to work with, but it could turn ugly really fast.

Fulham B

Waited for ages to get Bryan Ruiz after Newcastle tried to hijack the deal. Balanced the squad pretty well after acquiring Grygera.

Liverpool B+

Got rid of the deadwood associated with Woy (Poulsen LOL, Cole LOLOLOL), and brought in excellent English talent. Overspent, which is why I won't give them an A, but it could be a bold move by King Kenny that pays the big dividends.

Manchester City B+

How can you argue with money. Got everybody they wanted, and even shed Adebayor partially off their books by tossing him at Tottenham. SWP never did anything of note either. Nasri takes the headlines, and already has telepathy with David Silva. This team is bloody scary now.

Would not underestimate the purchase of Owen Hargreaves either. Good Man United player, the pay-as-you-play contract he has is excellent for Man City.

Manchester United A

Got the job done early, and how can you argue with an 8-2 drubbing, especially with that makeshift defensive line?

Newcastle C+

Benefit of the doubt, as Ashley spent for Davide Santon, who will be a good replacement for the lost Jose Enrique (who, I should mention, might be the best signing Liverpool made IMO). But where's the striker? Leon Best is good, but not starter material.

Norwich No grade

I didn't pay attention to Norwich, but they were quiet most of the transfer window. Got a lot of business done early, but I honestly have NO idea about this club. They play well though, as evidenced by nearly nicking a point at the Bridge.

QPR D-

Panic buy much? The new ownership released the purse strings and in came a whole bunch of reinforcements. Are they the right kind? Aside from Barton, I don't think so.

They get a bad grade from me just because they think Traore is a good enough player to take on loan

Stoke B+

As much as I HATE Stoke, have to admit they strengthened very well. Crouch fits into a Pulis side perfectly, and will be on the receiving end of those stupid Rory Delap throw-ins. Stoke are also opening up the attack a little bit, somehow Pulis has 5 CBs and can still push forward. Must be his scary good wingers.

Sunderland C

Nicklas Bendtner?

Swansea No grade

Hard to judge Swansea as they don't have the same pay scale as the big boys. Really need a good striker to provide that outlet for Scott Sinclair, but didn't get it.

Tottenham D

Turned 40 million away to keep Modric, and honestly he's not even worth that much. If he sleepwalks the way he did against Man City, 'Arry will have big trouble on his hands. Also failed to get Cahill. Scott Parker is a good signing for a quiet club.

West Brom C+

Shane Long was an excellent buy. Not signing a defender might be pretty dumb.

Wigan C

Has anybody tried telling Martinez that Hugo Rodallega CANNOT hold the line by himself?

Wolves B+

Roger Johnson has already contributed to two clean sheets this season, when Wolves had 4 all of last season. Astute signing by McCarthy. Wolves are a sleeper pick to do well this season. I think upper mid-table, especially with Jamie O'Hara returning on a full contract.

[cow]

I think they purposely gave Merte #4 instead of Arteta to save him from even more Cesc comparisons.

[phelan]

Originally Posted by cow

I think they purposely gave Merte #4 instead of Arteta to save him from even more Cesc comparisons.

Merte's got balls, I'll give him that. The No. 4 shirt carries a lot of pressure.

At least Arteta got No. 8. That will be a fun one, people should respond much easier to that.

[cow]

Post-Nasri, I think I'm good on buying kits with names on them for a while.

[phelan]

haha, i nearly put '14' 'Henry' on a new kit just for kicks

[Jon@AAMComp]

Originally Posted by phelan

Terry looks ANCIENT.

Hey easy, I have a #26 shirt!




But in all honesty, he does look like his injuries and age are setting in. But still great positional sense, a great leader, and one of the best old fashioned centre halfs in the league. JT, Rio, Christopher Samba are the top 3 centre halfs in England, in my opinion.

[Alchemy]

Wow, never saw this thread before. Good to see some real football fans. Even better to see some Chelsea fans Go Blues!

[phelan]

Originally Posted by Jon@AAMComp

But in all honesty, he does look like his injuries and age are setting in. But still great positional sense, a great leader, and one of the best old fashioned centre halfs in the league. JT, Rio, Christopher Samba are the top 3 centre halfs in England, in my opinion.

Rio over Vidic? Do explain.