Official European Football 2012 Regular Season Thread

[Reason]

im thoroughly upset i cant catch this on american tv (where i am at least)

6-0 and neymar hasn't even seen the pitch yet!

[jamrage]

A necessary win to get things off on the right foot, but probably should have been 2-0. You could tell the team just wasn't quite clicking, they're going to need more time to get shit in order. Rose looked good on the left side, I thought Walker was spotty on the right hand side. The new additions all played well I thought. Siggurdsen was whatever, Defoe will be a great spark off the bench if he stays. The talent it is there to contend, and if things stay as they are now it would be hugely shocking to me if Spurs aren't above Arsenal and challenging for a top 3 position this season.

Crystal Palace played about as well as they could have, they're going to be a nice gritty team to watch. Loved seeing Holloway substitute three offensive players near the end of the game to go for the draw. That team has lots of heart.

A real shame about Bale, even if it is good business.

[Positive A]

Typical Walker performance. Overall, he was good, but still a pretty frustrating player at times.

I liked Rose a lot today and I'm not a big fan of his.

I thought Siggy was DECENT today. He's good from set pieces and he'll test the keeper from time to time. He lacks a killer pass and he only linked up with Soldado 5 times (I think) which just won't cut it. The position is still Holtby's though (I feel).

Get the Bale deal done, already.

[Y@k Bollocks]

Man Utd bid for Fellaini and Baines rejected. Bit surprised at Moyes doing that so late in the window.

[Comedy Quaddafi]

^Moyes wanted a Barca-midfielder but realized he will have to settle for Fella.

I think many *top* players are reluctant to go Manure in this period of transition, Moyes is a bit of a no-name and he doesn't have any eyebrows. But his old mates will be happy to continue working with him. I called this 10 pages ago

[Positive A]

Newcastle right where they left off: Horrendous.

[VideoKilledThe]

that aguero finish tho.

[Positive A]

that dzeko flick tho.

[Positive A]

Did we really get 4 million for Parker?

[Y@k Bollocks]

Tottenham signing Willian? Wow. They're really going for it. How much have they spent now?!

[Positive A]

And lamela.

[Y@k Bollocks]

I think I take back what I said about Arsenal finishing above Spurs this season.

[Req]

in a one off game, which team would win?

Chelsea/City Combo XI
GK: Joe Hart
RB: Zabaleta
CB: Kompany
CB: Luiz
LB: Cole
CM: Ramires
CM: Toure
AM: Hazard
AML: Mata
AMR: Silva
ST: Aguero

United/Spurs Combo XI
GK: lloris
RB: Rafael
CB: Vidic
CB: Vertongen
LB: Evra
CM: Carrick
CM: Paulinho
AM: Kagawa
AML: Bale
AMR: Rooney
ST: Van Persie

[VideoKilledThe]

I'd have to go with United/Spurs combo squad, obviously both teams are stacked and a cm pairing of Yaya and Ramires would boss the middle of the pitch, but Bale and RVP are both match winners, can't go against them.

[stupidregister]

What planet am I on? Seriously...SPURS! What the fuck man, they are balls to the walls this season. I'm flabbergasted by their amazing window, nothing but top shelf signings. Am I crazy to suggest they have a shot for the crown, even without Bale? And imagine if they had him. They could be playing woe is me with the whole Bale thing but they've killed it all summer. They don't even have Champions League appeal this year and are still shutting shit down. AVB must have some major pull.

Such a stark contrast to their rivals who are making panicked bids for EPL re-treds and overpaying for unproven commodities. Spurs could take half the year off and still finish 4th.

[Req]

Their backline still looks suspect. Attacking options get you into the top 4, but it's defense that wins you the title. Those 1-0s that United always eek out in Feb and March is what pushes them over the line. Can Spurs do that with Dawson, Rose and Walker? Still not sure why they sold Caulker. Every time I saw him last year he was good.

btw the fact that Spurs have spent 90m this summer means Bale is off. Looks like Levy was waiting on securing his transfers in before letting his star leave. Masterful business.

[jamrage]

Bale is obviously gone, but at least they're getting Cointreau and cash.

Say goodbye to Adebayor (yes!) and Defoe (fuck!), it's only a matter of time now. Parker had to move on, he wasn't going to get playing time except in Europa League games.

I'm cautiously optimistic, we saw how off-key Spurs looked with all the new bodies and they're about to add more. It's going to be spotty until after the window closes. Thrilled with Spurs for being so goddamn aggressive though, really exciting time to be a fan.

LOL @ Arsenal only offering ten million for Cabaye. "In a direct conversation with Dick Law, Arsenal’s contract negotiator, it is understood that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley responded to the offer with the words: “Which part of him do you want to buy?” " The franchise is quickly becoming an absolute joke.

[Req]

2 hours before deadline they come in with a new bid

10m+1

[Comedy Quaddafi]

Don't want Cabaye.

I don't think Lennon, Chadil (who?), Soldado and Willian looks like a great attacking set-up (assuming Bale is gone), lets be honest. Think you guys are massively overrating Spurs' business so far, though Soldado, Willian and one of Paulinho and Capoue might do well I'd fear them more with Bale in the side. Lots of talent in midfield but there are still questionmarks over some of them individually and how they will play together. Defense doesn't impress me either but it would look much better with Coentrao at LB.

Right now Spurs have much more depth than Arsenal but that should be rectified before the window shuts.

[VideoKilledThe]

Is Willian really worth 30m? 23 goals from 192 appearances.

[Positive A]

Still need defensive depth like req and CQ pointed. Hoping the Sakho and Alderweireld rumors come to fruition.

The Caulker move seems like a huge misstep. I don't know why they would let a very good, home grown CB go like that. Surely nobody at the club sees Zeki Fryers as a viable CB.

Even with selling Caulker, this has been a banner window.

Baldini has been the best pick up.

[Comedy Quaddafi]

Supeur Qwality

[Comedy Quaddafi]

Hoping the Sakho and Alderweireld rumors come to fruition.

Ars-Sprs are linked to many of the same players right now. Lamela too.

[Positive A]

Hoping the Sakho and Alderweireld rumors come to fruition.

Ars-Sprs are linked to many of the same players right now. Lamela too.

[Positive A]

BENTEKKKKKEEEEEEE!!!!!

[stupidregister]

Supeur Qwality

WAGs of his soon-to-be signings.

David Villa cost 2m.

[Comedy Quaddafi]

Benteke is one of my favorite players right now.

[Positive A]

ZOMG GAIZ! PRFEKT BAIL REPLAZEMENT!!!

<3

[odium-LSC]

Lulz. I am super psyched about our chances this year if we get willian and lamela. Even more so if we get contreau. If we get all those, plus the four we've already signed then I won't be nearly As upset by selling bale then if we'd sold bale and then ended up panic-buying on september 1st like it looks like arsenal will end up doing. I can definitely see us for a champions league spot this year. Come on you spurs!

[Positive A]

Gotta admire Le Gaffer. Moving in on a post-bale, cash-strapped Madrid club and offering duckets for Di Maria and Benzema.