Raconteur

A man of conscience

I'd be curious to see any list of the top five players in the last thirty years that didn't include Ronaldinho - but then I can't be trusted, because I wouldn't have CR7 in my top three.

Er, what? I always thought it was one of those absurd stereotypes that English people actually believed this was a fluke. I suppose Beckham beating Sullivan was a fluke too?

It would have been equally as credible to say we were buying two centre halves. You’d think that, when making up transfer stories, journalists would at least look at our XI and pretend to fill the holes that exist instead of slapping high profile names on stories. I think him claiming to be a journalist is up there with Joey Tribbiani playing a doctor on TV. My bad, for some reason I thought that was a real story, not that Indy wanker

That’s a deranged thesis - and while I agree with him that Rafa is more suitable than Pochettino, Merson’s reasoning is lunacy. Stay away from the charlie before firing up the old word processor, son...

It would have been equally as credible to say we were buying two centre halves. You’d think that, when making up transfer stories, journalists would at least look at our XI and pretend to fill the holes that exist instead of slapping high profile names on stories.

Surely you're if you think anyone except Toon fans (and mackems) think our takeover is a bigger priority than restarting the league? EDIT: That is to say, if you think anyone thinks completing the takeover is in any way a priority before the league restarts. Poor wording...

You don’t see something inherently wrong about a man whose primary job is to drive young men to peaks of physical perfection - and he’s in that state? You can’t perceive a scenario whereby Bruce says “another lap lads” during preseason and someone yells out “fuck you fat man“ You make a decent point in that I am a fat cunt - but I’m not as fat a cunt as Bruce, and my job isn’t physical enhancement Suppose you wouldn't want Rafa either then. We should get Pards back. There’s about 30kg and 10 inches around the waist difference - not to mention the gravitas Rafa holds by virtue of being, you know, good at his job as well as not looking moments from cardiac arrest.

You don’t see something inherently wrong about a man whose primary job is to drive young men to peaks of physical perfection - and he’s in that state? You can’t perceive a scenario whereby Bruce says “another lap lads” during preseason and someone yells out “fuck you fat man“ You make a decent point in that I am a fat cunt - but I’m not as fat a cunt as Bruce, and my job isn’t physical enhancement

I'm sure I've read that he is an excellent character too, the mentoring and level-headed type. I'm sure he was mentioned as (attempting to be) a positive influence on Kenedy

I definitely think there's room for negotiation. I don't think the PL will say, "uh-oh, here's a red flag, reject the deal." Based on absolutely nothing I'd wager there'd be a chance given to the buyers to iron this out with the PL. I'm finding it a bit odd also there doesn't seem to be much panic from the likes or Douglas, Caulkin, Burt etc. regarding this article. It's been widely reported that the O&D test can involve back and forth, that there isn't a flat rejection and prospective amendments to the director structure or the like can be made. It seems this has happened already. From the outside, it looks like an issue was raised with the Sfeffield United ownership. That issue was resolved, and thus the process moves on. This WTO report might well be the same thing. The PL says "There's an issue here", and doesn't pull out the big "REJECTED" stamp, but gets back to PIF/PCP/RB and says "Resolve this". The consortium spends time formulating its response, and it leaks two weeks later because (possibly) word that the response had been submitted. Which now needs to be considered and responded to. Just because it's taking longer doesn't mean it's over. It means the PL and consortium are working to get it done.

Willian >>>>>>> Shaqiri if we're playing the old freebie game

Some of you guys need to have your persecution issues resolved.

Top thread that, very informative and should put a few doubts to bed. It only puts doubts to bed if ingles article is incorrect. Because he stated the Saudis are behind beout, not turning a blind eye to piracy. The way I read that thread, suggests that would give premier grounds to reject. Problem is that both journalists are reporting on a document they haven’t read, and are relying on (at best) second hand and potentially biased reports. More noise.

This is basically where I’m at too. I think it’s absurd to suggest that the PL has a vested interest in blocking the takeover. It adds considerable value to their product and potentially opens a bidding war for broadcast rights in the Middle East. I’ll not believe the Premier League gives one single fuck about human rights. Liability for blocking the takeover on anything other than rock solid legal grounds invites the sort of litigious raping Staveley gave Barclays. Sure, rival clubs are shit scared and desperate to block the deal, but they have no actual power beyond media noise. Same goes for Human Rights observers, Qatari broadcasters and biased journalists. All they can do is make noise.

Or Ayoze, during most of his time here...

Yep, that is absolutely lush

#SackSteveNow

Was reading that the Chinese league is in financial chaos - might possibly impact on Rafa’s availability... https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/five-clubs-fold-11-disqualified-amid-economic-woes-in-china

Don't know why I found this so amusing - Di Canio's first meeting with Matt Ritchie https://www.facebook.com/OpenGoalSport/videos/2579359108831832/?from=bookmark

This, not sure why but Poch excite’s me more It'll be the style of football. As much as I like Rafa, given a "budget" I want entertainment like Bayern V Chelsea which was a whole new sport, Ajax a season back, Barcelona with the advent of tika taka, not just winning but great to watch aswell. IF (?) We are to be the richest club even given FFP winning is pointless ,for me without panache.....could Rafa do this? Yes. Rafa Benitez is the highest goal rate Real Madrid manager in the last 60 years produced their biggest goalscoring win in Champions League history(8 v 0) and their biggest La Liga win in sixty years(10 v 2) It’s just a myth that he only plays defensive football and that Poch would be more attacking than him if both had a good team/financial backing. Rafa’s goal rate at R Madrid(2.76) Rafa’s goal rate at Chelsea(2.06) Rafa’s goal rate at Napoli(1.96) Compare that with Poch’s goal rate at Spurs(1.91) The only reason Poch would excite some people more is because the media describe Rafa as only a defensive manager when in fact he’s one of the most approach adaptable managers in the world he chooses the approach best suited to the group of players he has. He was too attacking at Real Madrid if anything but proved he can play very attacking football with a 2.76 goal rate. Control c, control v. I notice that time away hasn’t made your debating technique any less relentlessly tedious...

You need to take that to the betting thread, where you'll find people lining up to suggest you put something behind those words...

If we have money to burn we can do a shit load better than Rondon. Even if we could buy Mbappe and Neymar, there's merit to the notion of immediately bringing in someone you know can hit the ground running, and then spending six months making sure you get exactly the right "franchise player" to wear the #9 in our glorious future. Not saying that's what I'd do, but there's merit to the idea. After all, Rondon's better than anyone else we've got, and with world football being in turmoil, taking some time to get the right player isn't a bad idea.

And the rest! Nine top-drawer players being purchased by a nouveau-rich English club - Cantwell and Aarons in particular would attract a special Saudi premium

This is exactly the sort of meaningless bullshit the papers peddle. What the fuck does this sentence even mean? And what relevance does the sentiment you are trying to portray have to the footballing decision of who is the best man to take the club forward?