12/03/24
July 07, 2003
SpoFites United!: The Observer observes that with Abramovich's Chelsea coup, more of the EPL sides could be ripe for plucking. Would take approximately GBP15-20M to purchase, say, Aston Villa or Fullham and make a good profit at that. I know we have some Villa fanatics on board and I could switch for the right deal. What do you all say, want to 'Pool our savings and mount a bid? In semi-related news, Soccernet is reporting that Kewell will sign for LFC by tomorrow for GBP7M.
posted by billsaysthis to soccer at 11:03 AM - 23 comments
You'll never walk alooooone! You'll neeee-veeer walk alooooooooone! YEAH!
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:07 PM on July 07, 2003
OK, Fooker and billsaysthis, time to re-jigger our favorite line-ups. I'm thinking: Baros, Owen Kewell Gerrard, Hamann, Murphy Riise, Henchoz, Hyppia, Finnan Dudek/Kirkland (damn, we have some good choices) What's your ideal Reds line-up?
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:11 PM on July 07, 2003
Damn, I just realized, I haven't included Diouf or Diao. Man, it's nice to have this embarrasement de riches (hey, how's my French, erm, Freedom language?).
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:20 PM on July 07, 2003
i'll have my lineup for you after lunch... I can't believe you still stick by Murphy...
posted by StarFucker at 01:07 PM on July 07, 2003
I don't think you give Murphy enough credit, Fooker, but then again, I haven't watched as many games as you have. I look forward to seeing your Murphy-less lineup!
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:14 PM on July 07, 2003
I like your choices, WC, though I wonder about Henchoz's ability to stay healthy. Also, is Kewell playing wide in a 4-3-3 or just behind the forwards in diamond 4-4-2? I would take Kirkland as the starter unless I see reason to change my mind during the exhibition season.
posted by billsaysthis at 01:51 PM on July 07, 2003
And why are you all talking about LFC instead of my ingenious plot to acquire our own club???
posted by billsaysthis at 01:52 PM on July 07, 2003
billsaysthis, consider me in. Where do I send my $1.98?
posted by trox at 01:55 PM on July 07, 2003
I might be able to raise a fiver, so with that and trox's $1.98 we'll at least be able to buy Bosko Balaban and Juan Pablo Angel if not the whole club.
posted by squealy at 01:58 PM on July 07, 2003
Baros, Owen Kewell Gerrard, Hamann, Diouf Riise, Henchoz, Hyppia, Finnan Dudek There it is boys...and Kirkland should continue to take notes while watching Dudek... Kirkland is nothing more than an English media darling...they think he has a future as an English keeper...i still don't understand why they aren't giving Robinson the attention he deserves.... Robinson, Wright, James, Martyn, Hoult and Seaman are ALL better than Kirkland...
posted by StarFucker at 03:13 PM on July 07, 2003
billsays: And why are you all talking about LFC instead of my ingenious plot to acquire our own club??? That's what you get for putting two unrelated links in one thread. And especially when the main link is so inferior to the second link. ;-) Anyway, I think I can scrape together 5 shillings, some guineas, tuppence, and a ha'penny, which should be enough to buy Birmingham. Or maybe Villa and Fulham. Hahahahahahaha.
posted by worldcup2002 at 04:46 PM on July 07, 2003
You cheap bastards. Don't we have any investment bankers as member here?
posted by billsaysthis at 04:49 PM on July 07, 2003
Kirkland's an excellent keeper, as is Dudek when he's not throwing the ball in his own net. Every time I watch Liverpool it's clear how pivotal Murphy is to their team. I can't see Houllier playing Kewell in the hole as I thought the whole idea in buying him is that he'd add some much needed width to Liverpool's play. Bill, investment bankers presumably have better things to do. Investing perhaps. Or more likely playing golf.
posted by squealy at 04:58 PM on July 07, 2003
Yeah, I don't really think Houllier will play the diamond. Esp. after Sven used it to such devastating effect for England. (heh) Now, I re-jigger yet again (Thanks, SF, for your lineup!): I give you 4-4-2 (stable, conservative) ... (A) Baros, Owen (M) Kewell (w), Gerrard, Hamann, Diouf (w) (D) Riise, Henchoz, Hyppia, Finnan (G) Dudek ... or 3-4-3 (superbo fun attack) ... (A) Kewell, Owen, Baros (M) Riise, Gerrard, Hamann, Diouf (D) Henchoz, Hyppia, Finnan (G) Dudek ... or 3-5-2 (midfield-crowding, pseudo-diamond) (A) Owen, Baros (A/M) Kewell (M) Riise, Gerrard, Hamann, Diouf (D) Henchoz, Hyppia, Finnan (G) Dudek I know. I'm brilliant. Give me your money now and I will buy Bolton and take them to Europe!
posted by worldcup2002 at 05:07 PM on July 07, 2003
Dude, I'm all over that. I would prefer an arrangement that gives maximum offensive opportunity to Riise as I think he was far underused last season.
posted by billsaysthis at 06:55 PM on July 07, 2003
so with that and trox's $1.98 we'll at least be able to buy Bosko Balaban and Juan Pablo Angel if not the whole club. /assumes market trader's stance Roll up, roll up, ladies and gentlemen, now I have here some of the finest quality strikers from the Aston region of Birmingham - now, these strikers are hardly used, well rested and can be assured to do extremely well after wearing any colour other than Claret or Blue. Now ladies and gentleman, I need to move these quick - I'm not saying that they haven't got work permits, but let's just say that if you don't tell, we don't tell, and everybody can get along just fine. Now ladies and gentleman, have I got a deal for you. For a measly five pounds - yes five pounds, I'll give you not one, but TWO of Villa's finest strikers. That's right - you heard me correctly - 5 pounds for two fantastic strikers. Any takers? Surely you sir, you bought Mr Forlan last year - no? How about you then sir, I see your Mr Heskey isn't working out? Ah, I see you've already lined up a complete muppet instead. Come on, come on, don't waste my time ladies and gentlemen - plenty of demand for these players elsewhere. What'll you give me for them?
posted by BigCalm at 03:38 AM on July 08, 2003
Fooking brilliant worldcup...i like all 3 of those... They should switch the lineup around just like that depending on who they are playing, whether they are winning or losing.... That is just perfect!! Oh man! If that is the lineup Houllier chooses, Liverpool will surely beat Arsenal AND ManU at home and away this year... THIS IS LIVERPOOL's YEAR!! God help Houllier if he fucks up the lineup this year and sticks with Heskey, Murphy and Carragher... I will NOT be able to stand another year of that crap. 
If i had photoshop here at work i would put a Liverpool jersey on him...
posted by StarFucker at 10:11 AM on July 08, 2003
By the way, have you guys noticed that i have moved up into second place in the MLS Fantasy League? ufez must be shitting bricks...
posted by StarFucker at 10:32 AM on July 08, 2003
Murphy to quit Liverpool!?! Are my dreams coming true!?!
posted by StarFucker at 12:18 PM on July 08, 2003
That would be sad. I left him out of my lineups, but you can't expect the same players in my lineups to be playing in 100% of the games. I also don't expect Houllier to be so attack-minded as to play Diouf or Kewell in every game. Murphy will probably be the defensive option, switching places with either of those two, in matches where Houllier thinks he needs to be more conservative. I could see him starting with Murphy in most games, and switching to Diouf for more attacking width. Or using Murphy as cover for Hamann (and vice versa). It's too bad he's not getting treated so well. However, with over two years left in his contract, Liverpool probably won't deal, and don't need to deal, until maybe this winter or next summer.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:22 PM on July 08, 2003
I read a column on Soccernet this morning which said that with the addition of Finnan, Carragher would likely go to the left and push Riise up into midfield with Gerrard, Kewell, and Hamann.
posted by billsaysthis at 02:55 PM on July 08, 2003
Which should piss off Murphy even more. I'm guessing this is where that public lament about the contracts is coming from. Murphy needs a sign from management that he is more than just a back-up, or worse, surplus to requirements. I think, Hamann, with his age and injuries, should be more worried, but what do I know?
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:02 AM on July 09, 2003
YES!! YES!! YES!! Liverpool will win the title next year!