Close Season Gossip & Rumour Thread

[yesman]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

If the newspaper reports are true he might as well be, no money for new players, no money for new contracts, seems like they are setting Jose up to fail, especially as it's been accidentally leaked that a new manager would have substantial resources to play with, joke of a club imo

It will be a shame if its true regarding Jose, as for Kenyon I couldn't give a f...........

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by yesman

It will be a shame if its true regarding Jose, as for Kenyon I couldn't give a f...........

They won't allow this to happen, surely, not because of the egos of the chairman and manager?

Chelsea have left Frank Lampard out of their new kit launch, fuelling speculation that he will leave Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

[yesman]

Just a bit of trivia........on Frank and Frank

Both Lampards played for England a feat only ever matched by the Easthams and the Cloughs.

Originally Posted by TheDaddy They won't allow this to happen, surely, not because of the egos of the chairman and manager?

Chelsea have left Frank Lampard out of their new kit launch, fuelling speculation that he will leave Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

Who knows what's going on at Stamford Bridge, from a personal point of view I couldn't care less, but then I would say that wouldn't I...

I am sure Frank Junior will find another club who needs a link man....
Maybe he will go home to his beloved Hammers or even Swansea

[Russ B]

Yeah, I only found out last month he used to be one of ours

[TheDaddy]

In the week that proposals for 'safe terraced areas' were being voiced, it seems like a tragic twist of fate, that something should happen

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ca/6715717.stm

In the past, for my own selfish reasons I have been quite vocal on this subject, tragedy like this puts things in perspective really, we can't allow it to happen here again

[yesman]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

In the week that proposals for 'safe terraced areas' were being voiced, it seems like a tragic twist of fate, that something should happen

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ca/6715717.stm

In the past, for my own selfish reasons I have been quite vocal on this subject, tragedy like this puts things in perspective really, we can't allow it to happen here again

I don't think it will happen here again (hopefully), I think the basic infrastructure has now been catered for.

After reading about this story, it would seem that the stadium concerned, plus other stadiums in that country (Zambia) are not up to general standards let alone our standards.

Insufficient entry/exit areas seems to be the problem here.

And to think that the next World Cup competition is being held in South Africa is a bit worrying.

The Daddy........Terraced areas, i.e. standing at grounds is what I am sure you mean?
I can't see that being allowed again at grounds that have a certain capacity at each match, I guess you will have to live with it.
"Safe terraced areas" is a new concept also, what organisation is likely to accept responsibility for that?. The Premier League, I doubt it. The Football League, I doubt it. The FA, I doubt it.

Clubs will do what they are told also, even if the fans hold a strong voice on the subject, I hope that is what you meant

My sympathies go out to the bereaved families of the Chililabombwe stadium disaster.

[punky]

Apparently, Figo has begged Spurs to sign him on a free transfer.

Honestly!

[yesman]

Originally Posted by Gavin

Apparently, Figo has begged Spurs to sign him on a free transfer.

Honestly!

Also, Jol is in for Giggs apparently

Link

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by yesman

I don't think it will happen here again (hopefully), I think the basic infrastructure has now been catered for.

After reading about this story, it would seem that the stadium concerned, plus other stadiums in that country (Zambia) are not up to general standards let alone our standards.

Insufficient entry/exit areas seems to be the problem here.

And to think that the next World Cup competition is being held in South Africa is a bit worrying.

The Daddy........Terraced areas, i.e. standing at grounds is what I am sure you mean?
I can't see that being allowed again at grounds that have a certain capacity at each match, I guess you will have to live with it.
"Safe terraced areas" is a new concept also, what organisation is likely to accept responsibility for that?. The Premier League, I doubt it. The Football League, I doubt it. The FA, I doubt it.

Clubs will do what they are told also, even if the fans hold a strong voice on the subject, I hope that is what you meant

My sympathies go out to the bereaved families of the Chililabombwe stadium disaster.

Interesting points, talking of infrastructure, remember how bad our stadiums were before all seater stadiums, look at how bad the terracing is in Spain and Italy easily on par with third world conditions, that is one of he plus points of them, our fans are no longer treated like animals and herded into pens.

I do live with it by going from being a season ticket holder, to going to less than one match a season, although the fact things like this disaster still happen, means I'll be a lot less vocal in the future

Safe terracing isn't new, Germany have used it successfully since 2000

The clubs themselves would probably be against it, why let someone in for £20 to stand when you can make them sit for £40, however the FSF do have influence with both the clubs and government and David Cameron himself said if the Conservatives won power they'd look on 'safe terracing' positively

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai...9/sokate29.xml

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6318269.stm

[punky]

AFAIK the problem with Hilsborough wasn't so much the terracing, it was the fencing. All seater stadiums make it harder to stampede but not impossible. I think terraces without fences/moats would avoid another Hillsborough. Especially with now all the technolgoy to monitor crowds etc.

I do have mixed opinions about whether they should return.

[TV Boy]

Monday's gossip in the newspapers:

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Joey Barton will seal his £5.5m move to Newcastle as soon as Magpies skipper Scott Parker completes his £8m switch to West Ham. (Various)

Barton will speak with Newcastle and West Ham this week after both clubs made £5.5m bids for the fiery star. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle have insisted on a contract clause in Barton's contract to protect the club if he is jailed over the incident with Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo. (The Sun)

David Beckham has no intention of trying to escape from his £125m LA Galaxy deal in order to prolong his England career. (Daily Star)

Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka said he would not be able to turn down a potential move to Manchester United. (Various)

Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between Real Madrid and Barcelona. (The Sun)

Arsenal are close to signing Auxerre right-back Bakari Sagna for £6m. (The Sun)

West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas has revealed that Aston Villa have joined the race to sign him. (Daily Mail)

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has been told he will have to pay £9m for Jason Koumas and West Brom team-mate Diomansy Kamara. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield Wednesday are poised to cash in on Chris Brunt by selling him to Wigan for £2m. (Daily Express)

Wigan are understood to have agreed a deal to sign Titus Bramble on a free transfer. (The Times)

West Ham are looking for a reserve keeper after releasing Roy Carroll. (The Times)

Bolton boss Sammy Lee opened talks with Antoine Sibierski in a bid to pinch him from under the noses of Wigan. (Daily Mirror)

Coventry boss Iain Dowie is set to snap up left-back Gary Borrowdale from Crystal Palace. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane wants to make a £2m bid for West Brom skipper Paul Robinson. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce spent the weekend in Cardiff trying to tie up a deal for Czech Republic centre-half David Rozehnal. (Daily Mirror)

Leicester boss Martin Allen has joined the £1m chase for Marek Saganowski. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are turning to Portugal defender Jose Bosingwa as they prepare for life without Pascal Chimbonda. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

If England fail to make it to the finals of Euro 2008 it will cost the Football Association £40m. (The Sun)

It gets even worse, with estimates of lost revenue and renegotiating TV deals meaning it could mean missing out on £60m. (Daily Star)

The FA has launched an investigation into major security lapses which could have threatened the safety of England players at Wembley. (Daily Star)

Micky Adams wants to take over as manager of MK Dons. (Daily Mail, Daily Mirror)

FINALLY

Keith Hackett, the head of referees, says the outstanding form of Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba is largely because they have stopped diving. (The Guardian)

Alcoholic sponsors will be taken off the front of children's replica shirts in a bid to help combat underage drinking. (Daily Star)

---------- Post added at 11:07 ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 ----------

Info from BBC Sport Online.

[TheDaddy]

Good, sooner he goes the better

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...la/6724387.stm

[yesman]

Any ideas why he was unhappy at the club ?

---------- Post added at 21:34 ---------- Previous post was at 21:31 ----------

England coach Steve McClaren says he is unconcerned by suggestions defeat to Estonia in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier could cost him his job. England are fourth in Group E, five points behind leaders Croatia, who play second-place Russia on Wednesday.
McClaren said: "I understand why people will be thinking that and asking that but we're not even contemplating that, we're here to win a football match.
"It's not even an issue for me. I'm just focusing on the game."

If it wasn't such an important game, I would hope that England would lose

BBC Sport

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by yesman

Any ideas why he was unhappy at the club ?

He'll say it's because the club turned down bids from Man Utd and Arsenal this time last year or it'll be because the club didn't support him enough when the accusations about him taking half a season of were flying about

The real reason he is going imo, is because the boss doesn't want him, he saw his character over the new year and I would imagine he was distinctly unimpressed

[iadom]

Originally Posted by TV Boy

Monday's gossip in the newspapers:

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Joey Barton will seal his £5.5m move to Newcastle as soon as Magpies skipper Scott Parker completes his £8m switch to West Ham. (Various)

Barton will speak with Newcastle and West Ham this week after both clubs made £5.5m bids for the fiery star. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle have insisted on a contract clause in Barton's contract to protect the club if he is jailed over the incident with Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo. (The Sun)

David Beckham has no intention of trying to escape from his £125m LA Galaxy deal in order to prolong his England career. (Daily Star)

Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka said he would not be able to turn down a potential move to Manchester United. (Various)

Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between Real Madrid and Barcelona. (The Sun)

Arsenal are close to signing Auxerre right-back Bakari Sagna for £6m. (The Sun)

West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas has revealed that Aston Villa have joined the race to sign him. (Daily Mail)

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has been told he will have to pay £9m for Jason Koumas and West Brom team-mate Diomansy Kamara. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield Wednesday are poised to cash in on Chris Brunt by selling him to Wigan for £2m. (Daily Express)

Wigan are understood to have agreed a deal to sign Titus Bramble on a free transfer. (The Times)

West Ham are looking for a reserve keeper after releasing Roy Carroll. (The Times)

Bolton boss Sammy Lee opened talks with Antoine Sibierski in a bid to pinch him from under the noses of Wigan. (Daily Mirror)

Coventry boss Iain Dowie is set to snap up left-back Gary Borrowdale from Crystal Palace. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane wants to make a £2m bid for West Brom skipper Paul Robinson. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce spent the weekend in Cardiff trying to tie up a deal for Czech Republic centre-half David Rozehnal. (Daily Mirror)

Leicester boss Martin Allen has joined the £1m chase for Marek Saganowski. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are turning to Portugal defender Jose Bosingwa as they prepare for life without Pascal Chimbonda. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

If England fail to make it to the finals of Euro 2008 it will cost the Football Association £40m. (The Sun)

It gets even worse, with estimates of lost revenue and renegotiating TV deals meaning it could mean missing out on £60m. (Daily Star)

The FA has launched an investigation into major security lapses which could have threatened the safety of England players at Wembley. (Daily Star)

Micky Adams wants to take over as manager of MK Dons. (Daily Mail, Daily Mirror)

FINALLY

Keith Hackett, the head of referees, says the outstanding form of Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba is largely because they have stopped diving. (The Guardian)

Alcoholic sponsors will be taken off the front of children's replica shirts in a bid to help combat underage drinking. (Daily Star)

---------- Post added at 11:07 ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 ----------

All I can draw from that it is that is about time you started reading a quality paper, and I include the Groniad and the Murdoch Times in that observation.