Raconteur

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4418059/AC-Milan-want-Andy-Carroll-on-loan.html

Oi! "Most Australians on here" are quite circumspect actually - there's a certain measure of parochialism but nothing too over the top. I think we're all excited that Good has signed but if you took a survey of Aussie fans I'd put money on the majority saying he's more likely to be Kadar than STaylor...

Clearly they are! Witness the regular cry of "overpaid" - ignoring the fact that the players don't get paid to play for England (and is probably WHY they don't perform for their country)

The problem is that "should happen" and "will happen" are two very different things. It's becoming very clear that Rangers won't be playing in the 3rd Division...

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/9779528.Ba_frustrated_at_attempts_to_move_him_on/ The numerous quotes in that article has me completely convincedthat Scott Wilson is a shite journalist

Sure but $600k is a bit high for a squad player if it is true that we are looking behind the sofa for some loose change to up our bid for some of our targeted firs team players Not really. Current exchange rate means that this deal is worth about £360,000. When was last time we bought a player for so little? And why would Lille reject £4m for Debuchy but accept £4.3m. And finally, where is it suggested we are scraping up coins for purchases - as far as I can tell this summer's recruitment is following the pattern of last summer, and this January, or hard-nosed negotiation...

You would think a single phone call to FIFA from the players would sort this Green character out.

It's been sold to the newco along with Murray Park (the training ground) and the rights to the logos etc. I'm sure Rangers oldco held the freehold so that will be whats sold to the newco. So if Rangers do get relegated to Division 3 then they will still be playing at Ibrox. See, that's the bit I don't get - why would the liquidator agree to that? They're legally obliged to get the best price possible on behalf of the creditor. They should have no obligation to the oldco OR the newco, only the creditors. None of whom will be happier getting even fewer pence in the pound because of a sweetheart deal. And given that HRMC are the biggest creditor, and they have proven to be (rightfully) bloody-minded, surely they can get an injunction on the sale of all assets if they feel they are being sold below market value?

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the status of Ibrox? I've read in this thread that it is likely to pass to the "Newco" - is that a freehold or a lease? Because if it's a freehold I can't imagine the creditors being too happy about all that prime real estate, an asset even, simply being given to someone who isn't a creditor...?

The Levy method - and as much as everyone hates to deal with him, his tenacity in the negotiations has to be admired. Better a hard-nosed businessman than a doormat like Shepherd or Ridsdale forking out whatever cash was asked of them...

Is the old poll still up as some kind of ironic statement regarding how irrelevant he is to us? Because something fresh and new like "How many matches will Michael Owen start for Stoke City?" warms the cockles of my heart. Bitter? Sure. But what can I say - the little shitcunt thought he was too good for us even as he led us to the Championship, and just three years later we're back in Europe while he's getting a sunburnt mouth watching long balls fly over his head. Karma's a bitch, you little fuckwit...

I'm reminded of a story from World War II: Soviet soldiers marched forward because, if they retreated, the political officers would shoot them...

My thoughts exactly! Is that a snapshot of where British football journalism is?

That's a most unfortunate typo...

Would have thought it would be effect rather than affect, too. But the whole sentence is such a grammatical abortion that he could very well have used the correct word, just that every one around it was wrong... /pedant

Could be the other way around - wearing Dutch colours making him believe in his ability to play football, totally...

Surely his best chance of getting the mega-wonga he thinks he deserves will be somewhere in the Middle East? Probably a standard where he'll get a goal or two - be funny if he gets owned by Qatari defenders every week, too!

FYP. The FA/UEFA in 2005 should've just stuck to the precedent that was set in 2000 when Real Madrid won and finished 5th, where Zaragoza got knocked down to the UEFA Cup. That was the Spanish FA's decision. Each country was responsible for nominating its representatives in CL competition, there was no specific rule on it and if we followed every precedent set by the Spanish authorities re: Real Madrid then our game would be in a very sorry state. The FA did the right thing and chose us as the 4th placed team over the whole season. Liverpool refused to accept that, spat their dummy out and lobbied UEFA for special dispensation. This eventually forced the whole rules of the competition to be changed so that CL winners are guaranteed a spot. Quite how that's Everton's fault is beyond me. Absolutely - which is why I pointed the finger of blame at Liverpool rather than Everton in that instance. At the time, the FA nominated teams and didn't have the little asterisk with the fine print that sees Chelsea climbing over Spuds to get into next year's competition.

This. In essence, England has three and a half CL places (three guarenteed, one playoff spot. This is how FIFA counts World Cup qualifications, for example). In fact with Chelsea winning the CL they have increased this allocation to four places, so they ARE taking a place (half a place anyway) from someone in order the allow the European Champions defend their title. I can get that Tottenham are disappointed. Maybe they should point their complaints at Liverpool FC...?

You've got to think that the producer of the video hated Owen's guts too, or else they would have simply edited that part out...

Was I correct in seeing that the Liverpool forum listed was not our favourite RAWK, but something called "The Liverpool Way"? I am fairly ignorant, and didn't pay much attention, mind...

I'm finding the whole "Hodgson for England" coverage fascinating. While I would love to see Redknapp fail with England and Tottenham mess up his replacement, the possibility of Woy dropping Gerrard for the Euros is too delicious for words! The only downside of the whole situation is that I'm fond of Woy, and to escape with his dignity he'd have to win the Euros, and I certainly wouldn't want that...

The saggy-faced twat is at it again, talking about other clubs' players: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1056615/harry-redknapp-reveals-tottenham-failed-with-tevez-bid-in-january?cc=3436 Goddamn I hate that guy

The only part I don't buy about Guardiola's departure is the whole "taking a year off" bit - but not that he'll take the first job offered, but rather that I don't see him managing any other club at all. And even if he did, I don't believe he would have the same passion as he does for Barca... If you ask me, he's more likely to go back to Barcelona B than Liverpool or Chelsea or Man City

Said I wants to complete what he's started here, and has already pulled himself out the running. Appreciated, but that was when everyone fully expected Harry to get it. Might be a bit different if they're seriously looking at other candidates. That said, I in no way shape or form want this to happen! For all I care about England they can rehire McLaren, or Hoddle or Venables or anyone really, EXCEPT Pardew!