TalkBass OFFICIAL English Football thread 2012-13: second half

[Darkstrike]

Also.

United v Madrid. Gonna be some pair of games, United could have a good opportunity here, 2nd leg is like 3 days after Madrid play Barca.

[MarkMgibson]

Ok, here's a question for you. Thierry Henry has been training with Arsenal, and it seems certain he'll play for a couple of months on loan at least (same as last year). He has stated that he wants to sign with them and doesn't care about money (he's got plenty, and I believe him anyway). If the Gunners don't have to pay a big transfer fee, do you think they should sign him?

Personally, if it means not signing a younger big-name player, I wouldn't do it. Otherwise, I reckon it'd be brilliant just for morale alone. And no matter what his age (35), class is class, and think he could still do some damage (even if it's mostly off the bench, or against smaller clubs). So what do you think?

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Also.

United v Madrid. Gonna be some pair of games, United could have a good opportunity here, 2nd leg is like 3 days after Madrid play Barca.

I think United might win this one too (should be a great game), and I can't say the same for Arsenal. Bayer look the goods at the moment, no doubt about it. I actually think Bayer might go one better and win this year (though I hope the Gunners give them a kicking).

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

Ok, here's a question for you. Thierry Henry has been training with Arsenal, and it seems certain he'll play for a couple of months on loan at least (same as last year). He has stated that he wants to sign with them and doesn't care about money (he's got plenty, and I believe him anyway). If the Gunners don't have to pay a big transfer fee, do you think they should sign him?

Personally, if it means not signing a younger big-name player, I wouldn't do it. Otherwise, I reckon it'd be brilliant just for morale alone. And no matter what his age (35), class is class, and think he could still do some damage (even if it's mostly off the bench, or against smaller clubs). So what do you think?

I'd see how it goes for the loan period, tbh, he could still be a handy player, much as I hate to admit it.

[Keano]

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

That Unidentified Fan has a very colorful scarf.

[Tituscrow]

Be curious to see what Ronaldo's reception is on his first return to OT.

I hear you about the whole Beckham v Giggs thing, and as you are the United fan, your opinion worth more than mine! However, I'd still take Giggs every time. Classier act all round. Just don't let him near your sister-in-law

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by Tituscrow

Be curious to see what Ronaldo's reception is on his first return to OT.

They sing about him every other week, I'm sure he'll get a huge reaction like when Beckham came back with AC Milan.

Originally Posted by Tituscrow

I hear you about the whole Beckham v Giggs thing, and as you are the United fan, your opinion worth more than mine! However, I'd still take Giggs every time. Classier act all round. Just don't let him near your sister-in-law

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Giggs, and always will be, I just think when they made the transition to CM, it worked out for Beckham much better, with his range of passing and ranged shots. Giggs often looks a little lost in the middle.

I was incredibly disappointed that Becks didn't get a Olympic spot, seeing them together again would have been incredible.

[chuck norriss]

Originally Posted by Tituscrow

Robbie Keane. The man with more boyhood clubs than Duncan's had red cards. Combined transfer fees bigger than the GDP of most African countries. Just trying to remember what he's actually won...

Beckham won't be back in the Prem. Not good enough. United had the best of him. He was on the wane when his missus dragged him to Spain.

How you talk! Keane's won two trophies with the L.A. Galaxy! (T-I-c)
Right it was about ten years ago mr posh spice had the juice. Time flies. Good for him though we still threw money at him. Now just waiting for kaka & Ronaldo to come over. When they're old enough.

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

They sing about him every other week, I'm sure he'll get a huge reaction like when Beckham came back with AC Milan.


Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Giggs, and always will be, I just think when they made the transition to CM, it worked out for Beckham much better, with his range of passing and ranged shots. Giggs often looks a little lost in the middle.

I was incredibly disappointed that Becks didn't get a Olympic spot, seeing them together again would have been incredible.

One thing about about Beckham, when he did get into wide areas, he could cross a ball better than anyone around at the time (and probably anyone now). I always thought that part of his game was hugely underrated. I pick him over Giggs (in their prime) for that reason, but it's a close run thing.

[Tituscrow]

Plenty of talk about statues of Giggs, Scholes and Neville. Not so much Beckham.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by Tituscrow

Plenty of talk about statues of Giggs, Scholes and Neville. Not so much Beckham.

True, but Giggs and Scholes are still playing for United, and Neville retired playing for them.

Had Beckham not left(especially the way he did), and played for United his entire career, there might have been talk.

[Tituscrow]

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

True, but Giggs and Scholes are still playing for United, and Neville retired playing for them.

Had Beckham not left(especially the way he did), and played for United his entire career, there might have been talk.

Couldn't agree more. He could have been an absolute legend. IMO, he was always more about the lifestyle than the game. Great footballer for sure, but that whole celebrity aspect of his life just turns me off.

As we said earlier, if he really wanted to show his love for the game that gave him the lifestyle he and his missus so craved, then he'd take on a proper footballing challenge...like QPR. Methinks he will go - if he goes anywhere at all - somewhere where the paparazzi will continue to massage that enormous ego, and where he can press the flesh and hobnob with a new set of celebrity friends.

Did you see him struggling with all those big three-syllable words during his Sports Personality Of The Year autocue moment? Comedy gold.

[Darkstrike]

Definitely, he really is the posterboy for "could have been". He's said leaving United was the worst decision he ever made, and IIRC, said it was worst watching all the boys(the Nevilles, Scholes, Giggs and co.) without him.

As you say, he was more about the lifestyle. I have a feeling rather than a challenge like QPR, he'll end up somewhere beautiful and flashy, Monaco is a name that's come up before.

Never seen that Sports Personality dealie before. Sounds funny, I'll have to Google it.

[Tituscrow]

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/champ...2-million.html

Hmmmm.....

[MarkMgibson]

There's actually rumours about him playing in Australia, though I'm not sure how accurate they are. While it would certainly help promote football here, if he was serious about the game, he would be playing in the EPL (like QPR).

I agree with you about the lifestyle being more important than the game for Beckham. It's a shame, playing in the States was a waste of his talent. May as well have been playing in Siberia as far as the standard of the game there.

[MartinG1957]

On the boat in Belfast lads heading over to Scotland for the festering period so access (to functional brain cells as well as wifi) will be limited.
Hope Santa is good to everyone and you all enjoy a Happy Peaceful Christmas and a Great New Year.... Think we're safe now, somewhere on the planet its not 21/12/2012 anymore :-)
Aw' ra best!
(jockanese for "have a jolly spiffing time chaps best wishes")

[MartinG1957]

Early Christmas pressie Bill - good one for Wolves!

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

There's actually rumours about him playing in Australia, though I'm not sure how accurate they are. While it would certainly help promote football here, if he was serious about the game, he would be playing in the EPL (like QPR).

I agree with you about the lifestyle being more important than the game for Beckham. It's a shame, playing in the States was a waste of his talent. May as well have been playing in Siberia as far as the standard of the game there.

I heard the Australia rumours, can't see it unless a team from an especially nice area there are after him.

I'll say though about his MLS career, fair play for making the league stand out much more than it ever did. He certainly had a huge impact.

Originally Posted by MartinG1957

On the boat in Belfast lads heading over to Scotland for the festering period so access (to functional brain cells as well as wifi) will be limited.
Hope Santa is good to everyone and you all enjoy a Happy Peaceful Christmas and a Great New Year.... Think we're safe now, somewhere on the planet its not 21/12/2012 anymore :-)
Aw' ra best!
(jockanese for "have a jolly spiffing time chaps best wishes")

Good luck mate, enjoy!

Originally Posted by MartinG1957

Early Christmas pressie Bill - good one for Wolves!

Nice to see a Wolves result.

[boethius]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

Ok, here's a question for you. Thierry Henry has been training with Arsenal, and it seems certain he'll play for a couple of months on loan at least (same as last year). He has stated that he wants to sign with them and doesn't care about money (he's got plenty, and I believe him anyway). If the Gunners don't have to pay a big transfer fee, do you think they should sign him?

Personally, if it means not signing a younger big-name player, I wouldn't do it. Otherwise, I reckon it'd be brilliant just for morale alone. And no matter what his age (35), class is class, and think he could still do some damage (even if it's mostly off the bench, or against smaller clubs). So what do you think?

As long as it was fiscally non-threatening it would be a blessed morale boost. It shouldn't interfere with hiring young top talent, but I'm sure Thierry can help boost club morale overall and even refine any new young talent coming in. Precursor to his transition to coaching?

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by boethius

As long as it was fiscally non-threatening it would be a blessed morale boost. It shouldn't interfere with hiring young top talent, but I'm sure Thierry can help boost club morale overall and even refine any new young talent coming in. Precursor to his transition to coaching?

Yeah, it would be a massive morale boost for sure, and I still think he could be a very handy player. The coaching thing seems like an obvious long term thing; perhaps he'll take over from Wenger eventually, who knows?