Football

And no mention of Hughe's advisor Kia Joorabchian...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22716705

I forgot that.

Predicts carnage (as usual) for Mark Hughes managed team.

Recall for Jo?

Jo? Is he not back in Brazil, 6-8kg heavier, eating steak, doing coke and enjoying the company of ladies of loose morals?

Sounds perfect for Stoke.

Fair point.

Kenwyne Jones.

So does anyone know why Victor Valdes is leaving Barcelona? Just for the money, or just for the money?

Have no idea why a successful keeper, would leave a successful club?

Also it starts a bit of a keeper merrygoround..

Also pride - Guardiola loved him because he was an excellent footballer (see his indoor fives performances) but I think Villanova has been looking for a replacement for a while now, think he wants to leave on his own terms rather than being dropped - see Ilker Casillas

The footballer tax relief in Spain is good but it will be nothing compared to what he could earn at Monaco. Also being a one club guy means he has never earned money from a transfer and given his age this could be his only chance at a big pay day. Can't blame the guy.

Won a free season ticket to Leyton Orient. Win!

was having this discussion with a friend about the difference in tactics and team line up having a footballing keeper makes, our discussion was in relation to how high up the pitch/close to the edge of the penalty area Lloris plays in comparison to Friedel, and how Lloris allows Spurs to press higher up the field as he's sweeping behind if any long balls come over the top, whereas with Friedel there was acres of space for opposing forwards to run into unopposed as he was sat on his goal line...

Friend bought up Robert Enke who he was reading about in Ronald Reng's biography A Life Too Short, and I paraphrase, but he'd read how Enke had moved from Monchengladbach to Benfica, and had been told he wasn't playing far enough out, having spent all of his career being a shot stopper, old school on the line kind of keeper, and Enke found this really uncomfortable, but he knuckled down and made the change, moved ten to fifteen feet further forward, played well, and then got signed by Barcelona who wanted him to play even further forwards. His time there didn't go well and he was eventually ousted by the then debutante Valdes, who was/is a footballing keeper...

(some of the above maybe misremembered, if you have actually read the book and can better illustrate the point being made feel free)

Won a free season ticket to Leyton Orient. Win!

Doubt you see many home wins, mind.

Won a free season ticket to Leyton Orient. Win!

Unlucky, what was the first/second/third/....158th prize?

...how high up the pitch/close to the edge of the penalty area Lloris plays in comparison to Friedel, and how Lloris allows Spurs to press higher up the field as he's sweeping behind if any long balls come over the top, whereas with Friedel there was acres of space for opposing forwards to run into unopposed as he was sat on his goal line...

This is the kind of insight that only someone at the game can give. Your friend go a lot?

Liverpool confirm Suarez will leave.

Unlucky, what was the first/second/third/....158th prize?

2nd prize was 2 free season tickets, you surely know how that old joke goes.

wonder if thw whole suarez thing is a bluff to get bale cheaper ... i mean who would want suarez with his baggage

and with sturridge out of pre season we might need a decent striker

2nd prize was 2 free season tickets, you surely know how that old joke goes.

The old joke normally goes 'hello, I'm middle of knowhere, I do believe it's your round'

boo !

Jesus Navas being tracked by Man City and Liverpool - will never happen, the guy suffers from homesickness and struggles to go out on international duty, nevermind moving to either those marvellous cities.

AS reporting that Jesus Navas has agreed a 4 or 5 year deal with City and the only obstacle left is for City and Sevilla to agree a fee.

A very nice signing for City if it really goes through.

What's your favourite ground?
For sheer atmosphere, I'm going to say Pride Park. I think Derby County have a phenomenal support, and because of that I'm rooting for them to do well next year and push for promotion. It's like they've been locked in mid-table inertia for ages now, but they still turn up in their droves. When that ground is packed and Derby are playing well, Pride Park is rocking.

source: http://prostatecanceruk.org/get-involved/do-an-event/football-league/best-no9s/weekly-articles/week-35/week-35

Unlucky, what was the first/second/third/....158th prize?

First prize was ownership of the side
Second prize manager slot
Third striker
Fourth central midfield
And so on.

158 was actually the hot dog concession. Some may have viewed that as the most rewarding.

wonder if thw whole suarez thing is a bluff to get bale cheaper ... i mean who would want suarez with his baggage

and with sturridge we might need a decent striker
ftfy

Hey, its the second most local team to me other than waltham forest(who fucking suuuuuuck) I'm happy and shall go

falcao has gone to monaco. Athletico will become a mid table once again, and Monaco will be ruthless with the amount they spend. Definitely the shitter PSG

Liverpool confirm Suarez will leave.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=CCoUST7QaIU&feature=youtu.be&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCCoUST7QaIU%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

Surely the real news is that Pompey are propping up the England youth setup?

http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Webster-And-Wallace-Start-For-England-4411.aspx

When we win the world cup in Qatar you know who to thank.

It will be hilarious if Suarez leaves, there will be loads of irate maniacs on RAWK losing their minds.

Just read a funny comment on the sun article saying that suarez isn't a cunt because he isn't as bad as Mark Bridger.