August 24, 2005

Milton Bradly is shaping up to be a great ball player. But, some people of Color do use the "race card" and interpret any criticism to be racism. Bradly has a history of saying these things. Bradly also has a history of not getting along with other team mates. Where as, Jeff Kent also has a history of not getting along with some players (Barry Bonds once grabbed Kent by the throat in the dugout). Kent is heading towards the Hall of Fame and should conduct himself accordingly. He's been in the league way too long not to understand that the worst ball player on any ball club is an over achiever, prima donna and used to everyone kissing their ass from a young age. Many ball players must be treated with kid gloves. Kent should know better. Let's put it this way. When Kent retires, I don't think anyone is going to offer him a coaching or management job. dc

posted by tsebitaidan at 10:18 AM on August 24, 2005

What are the chances of this deal happening? From what I've read, it sounds like Owen would much rather stay in Spain (as would Becks), unless he could have worked out a deal to return to Liverpool.

posted by emoeby at 12:24 PM on August 24, 2005

Hey, the boy's got to find a team that will feature him. Magpies may not have any European play this season but they're one of the Big Clubs and offer the best spotlight Owen's likely to get at this point. No way LFC matches that kind of fee and he'd be foolish not to sign even if the pay is less than desired. Now here's a question: How in the world are Chelsea ranked 14th of the teams in tomorrow's CL group round draw--ManU are a first seed ahead of the Blues?

posted by billsaysthis at 04:04 PM on August 24, 2005

I thought Owen wanted to go somewhere to play in Europe. Newcastle finished freaking 14th last year. They're awful. I don't believe he'll actually play for them.

posted by blarp at 10:01 PM on August 24, 2005

Newcastle just look like they're playing angry...probably how Souey is feeling as well. Their defense was crap yesterday but I didn't think their overall performance was poor...they just all seemed really pissed off. I guess you can't blame them, having scored zero goals in their first 3 games. Yikes. In other news, the Champions League draw has been made. Any thoughts on the Group of Death? It looks like a toss-up between Groups E and G to me.

posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 10:36 AM on August 25, 2005

I'd go for Group E, though G is going to be no picnic.

posted by squealy at 12:27 PM on August 25, 2005

Owen is getting no playing time at Real Madrid and wants to return to Liverpool. However, Rafael Benitez (Liverpool's manager) really does not want him back as does the board who got 14 million quid for him just two years ago. With the recent departure of Milan Baros to Aston Villa, Benitez has completed the restructiing on his frontline, so to bring Owen back makes no sense. Real Madrid previously put a 17 million pound price tag on Owen, well Liverpool are not going to pay 3 million more than they got to bring him back, that makes no sense! In addition, if Liverpool pulled the trigger on the deal anyway, word is that Owen would have to take a serious pay cut and enjoy more bench time a la his time at Real Madrid! So indeed it appears that Owen best bet to return to full time play is to go to Newcastle, who desperately need help having already started the season 0-3, yikes. If Owen joins Newcastle, certainly their form should improve, paired with the great Alan Shearer up front, the frontline attack would be more formidable. However, as a die-hard Liverpool fan myself I can tell you, don't expect Owen to be Newcastle's saving grace, his history of injury especially groin problems that never seem to heal properly, make his 15 million quid price tag a bit steep for sure. If Owen gets injured yet again, Newcastle could come away as real big losers in the deal.

posted by Rockerdrew at 01:02 PM on August 25, 2005

It was only 8 million pounds for Owen to Real Madrid. Real Madrid would be quite canny to get more than they paid for him. Looks like they might. Though what are rumours worth?

posted by gspm at 02:00 PM on August 25, 2005

E will be a bitch but G gets my vote--Reds start off away to Real Betis and then host Cheslky. I sure hope ESPN will give us more of the matches this time around, barely one per match day last season. According to their craptacular online schedule, we're getting one game on the 13th, the 14th, the 27th, and the 28th. Go Reds!

posted by billsaysthis at 03:11 PM on August 25, 2005

so somebody explain transfers to me again... sounds like, from that link, Newcastle has comes in with a significantly higher offer (preferable to Real Madrid's bottom line, I would think) and Liverpool thinks they can make the move for a much lower price? Owen can just say no to any move and arrange a transfer someplace else at a lower fee?

posted by gspm at 03:09 PM on August 26, 2005

gspm, I think it's important to know not all transfers are structured as Owen's is. Only the top players have as much control over where they will or won't go....the vast majority are owned as club commodities and can be sold to any club without the player's consent.

posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 07:27 PM on August 26, 2005

So if Owen has so much control and he wants to go to Liverpool then what stops Liverpool from making a tiny bid for him knowing he's not interested in going elsewhere? I mean they'd only be bidding against themselves if that Newcastle bid was not good enough. Can Real Madrid still refuse to move him if the deal he brings is lousy?

posted by gspm at 11:57 AM on August 28, 2005