DJS

Most players dont want to end their time with clubs on a bad note, but it happens a lot and if it happens with Keane and Barry, leading to us spending less to get them, then that's fine by me. I dont see why it should be us that pays top whack for players who clearly want out when virtually every other club gets wantaway players for a lower price due to the circumstances. I hear what you're saying with Keane but i'm sure that he'll kick up a fuss if Spurs insist on demanding top dollar for him. £20m is absurd, as is £18m for Barry. Those prices would be too much if neither player DID want out. As it is, both do and that should be reflected. We're the ones in the position of power here, we should be taking advantage of it as so many other clubs do.

Dont have sound drivers installed, can anyone tell me what he said? Ta.

Someone alluded to it earlier in the thread, but the idea of us paying £18m for Barry (or even giving Spurs Crouch AND £5m for Keane) when both players want out, seems silly. When the player kicks up a fuss, this should help us pay less, not sodding more. For the record, i'd happily see us sign Juninho for £2m...it's peanuts and he could still be a useful player for a year or two.

Turkey are barely going to have 11 fit players...apparently they reckon they might end up needing to put their 3rd choice keeper on as an outfield player if someone else gets injured... Might be speculation but if the rumours are true, then 4/9 on Germany looks almost generous. 5/4 for the -1 handicap also looks tasty.

There you go, clear as shyte

There's things to complain about sure, but it's not just us, everyone would find something to whinge about if they looked hard enough. All in all, it's a decent start and a decent end. It's down to us to make sure the run-in will actually count for something.

And the mancs could complain that they go to Anfield, then Chelsea away either side of a CL game. Swings and roundabouts.

It depends if the FA and the government 'make' them go out there and receive a few million quid for a week's work... They're so hard done by.

Absolutely, it looked dead in the water before Australia and China. Just a shame they only drew 1-1 at home to China, that should've been a gimme. Just hope they dont balls it up on Sunday.

Never mind that, a draw (or better) against Qatar in Dubai on sunday and it's off to the final round of world cup qualifiers

Ah but, this means they must have an easy run-in. It's set up for them to win it again, a big big conspiracy...it's soooo obvious, sky hate us...blah blah...etc etc...

Do people think it's all a big conspiracy?

Man Utd have us away on 13th September and then Chelsea away on 20th September - with their 1st CL game in between - so we shouldnt complain. Chelsea play United, us and Arsenal all at home 1st, then away second. United have it the other way round, us, Chelsea and Arsenal away 1st.

FFS

Because it's Sunday night, i'm bored and it crossed my mind. Dya want an apology in the post?

Most people seem to be suggesting that they wouldnt be happy with just Villa (and any freebies)... I personally think that, with a bit of luck re injuries etc, Villa would make the difference.

it was hypothetical Stuff... Degen was free, so that doesnt count in the context of my question anyway

We basically only signed Villa this summer? I cant see it happening, but if we didnt bother with anyone else (barring frees) and sold Alonso for the reported £15m, we could theoretically afford David Villa. In fact, if we sold Alonso and Crouch, that'd be close to £25m right there and fee-wise, that's close to what Villa would go for. Would you be happy with 'just' Villa and nobody else?

good point. Have these leaks ever been correct? Apart from the CL quarter finals draw, i mean...

This year's leak: So you can rule out Spurs at home as the opening game then

To be fair, the Portugese only scored the 2nd goal in the 93rd minute... So it was also so close to only being 1-0

Or not... And with Frei out, the Swiss goalscoring threat has just diminished even further.

I dont think he'll play much.

That bet is with a +1 on Turkey/-1 on Portugal so to win on the draw, you'd need the ACTUAL result to be a Portugal win by exactly one goal. On the handicap it'd be a draw. Obviously, you'd need to have backed the handicap draw in the 1st place