***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Former Fulham and Wigan Athletic midfielder Jimmy Bullard has signed for ambitious MK Dons.The 33-year-old, a free agent after being released by Ipswich earlier this month, has agreed an initial deal until December 31 at stadium:mk.He is the fifth signing Dons boss Karl Robinson has brought to the club this summer, including former Newcastle United and Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

Always liked Bullard

He's dead to Eephus.

 

[Christo]

Former Fulham and Wigan Athletic midfielder Jimmy Bullard has signed for ambitious MK Dons.The 33-year-old, a free agent after being released by Ipswich earlier this month, has agreed an initial deal until December 31 at stadium:mk.He is the fifth signing Dons boss Karl Robinson has brought to the club this summer, including former Newcastle United and Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

Always liked Bullard

He's dead to Eephus.

I guessed as much. I liked him. But I only posted this for the shtick value.

 

[The Z Machine]

Rumors that Spurs are going to go after Llorente with the £ they got from Real. Llorente won't go for less than his release clause. I'm not sure what that number is though.

 

[GoFishTN]

Rumors that Spurs are going to go after Llorente with the £ they got from Real. Llorente won't go for less than his release clause. I'm not sure what that number is though.

The rumor I've seen is approximately £28.5M.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Good to have you back, Ramsey Huntygang.

 

[The Z Machine]

Rumors that Spurs are going to go after Llorente with the £ they got from Real. Llorente won't go for less than his release clause. I'm not sure what that number is though.

The rumor I've seen is approximately £28.5M.

Hot damn, that's a lot of money. 36m€... I can see why Milan didn't want to pony up.

 

[Christo]

Is Berba to Fulham official?

Also, reading Lucas out for 3 months again?

I thought he was headed to Fiorentina..

Berbatov will join Fulham, reveals Juventus director Marotta

Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta has revealed that Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has turned down the chance to sign for the Serie A giant and will instead join Fulham.

The Bulgarian forward had been expected to join the Turin club after talks over a move to Fiorentina broke down. However, according to Marotta, the 31-year-old has again had a change of heart and elected to link up with former coach Martin Jol at Craven Cottage.

Berbatov played under Jol during the Dutchman's two-year spell in charge of Tottenham, and the former Bayer Leverkusen man now looks set to re-join the 56-year-old in west London after falling out of favor at Old Trafford.

"We contacted Manchester United about [17.00] when we found out that Berbatov rejected Fiorentina's offer," Marotta told Sky Italia. "We then contacted the player's agent and he said to us that Berbatov had an offer from his former coach to join Fulham.

"We only approached Manchester United and got close to the player after discovering he had turned down Fiorentina. There was an offer from Fulham, but he wanted to evaluate our proposal too and give a definitive response tonight. Berbatov wanted to stay in England because of his family, it's a life choice not a matter of money. He was in Munich because his wife was born in Munich. Juventus acted with transparency and fairness."

Both Juventus and Fiorentina are expected to turn their attentions to Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, and Marotta has confirmed that the Dane is on the radar of last season's Serie A champion.

"Bendtner is an available player and we have evaluated him, but we cannot say that we’re about to conclude the deal," he said. "Fernando Llorente could remain an objective, seeing as his contract expires in 2013. When the rules allow us to make an approach, then we’ll see how it ends. At the moment it is a utopia to think he’ll play for us."

Fiorentina has since released a statement expressing its disgust with Berbatov's actions, after the club believed it was close to completing a deal for his services.

"ACF Fiorentina announce that the transfer for Dimitar Berbatov definitively collapsed after an agreement with Manchester United had been concluded (with shared exchange of contracts, the first installment paid and the financial guarantees for the second installment ratified) and after reaching a verbal agreement with the player over his contract," it read.

"During today the English club had allowed their player the written permission to come to Florence for a medical and to sign his contract. The player got on the flight with his agent and on tickets paid for by Fiorentina. He never arrived in Florence.

"This was down to outlandish and arrogant behavior of other clubs, who have nothing to do with fair play and sporting ethics that go even beyond the confines of fairness.

"As for the player, apart from his characteristics and his value on the field, at this stage we are happy he didn't come to Fiorentina. He did not deserve our city, to wear our jersey or the values that represent it."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/berbatov-join-fulham-reveals-juventus-232000751--sow.html

 

[Spartans Rule]

Fiorentina has since released a statement expressing its disgust with Berbatov's actions, after the club believed it was close to completing a deal for his services."ACF Fiorentina announce that the transfer for Dimitar Berbatov definitively collapsed after an agreement with Manchester United had been concluded (with shared exchange of contracts, the first installment paid and the financial guarantees for the second installment ratified) and after reaching a verbal agreement with the player over his contract," it read. "During today the English club had allowed their player the written permission to come to Florence for a medical and to sign his contract. The player got on the flight with his agent and on tickets paid for by Fiorentina. He never arrived in Florence."This was down to outlandish and arrogant behavior of other clubs, who have nothing to do with fair play and sporting ethics that go even beyond the confines of fairness."As for the player, apart from his characteristics and his value on the field, at this stage we are happy he didn't come to Fiorentina. He did not deserve our city, to wear our jersey or the values that represent it."

I love the whining about ethics, fairness and values from a club that was one of the big players in the 2006 match-fixing scandal.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Initial Jamaica roster is out

Jamaica’s Starting XI could very well have an MLS feel to it when the Reggae Boyz take on the United States in a pair of World Cup qualifiers next month.Nine Major League Soccer players were included on the Caribbean side’s roster for the CONCACAF Group A matches.The U.S.-based players are defenders Shavar Thomas (Montreal), Dicoy Williams (Toronto FC), Jermaine Taylor (Houston Dynamo) and Lovel Palmer (Portland Timbers), midfielders Dane Richards (Vancouver Whitecaps), JeVaughn Watson (Houston Dynamo) and strikers Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps), Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids) and Ryan Johnson (Toronto FC).Donovan Ricketts (Portland Timbers), who has backstopped many of the Reggae Boyz matches over the past several years, was not selected.Jamaica will host the Americans at The Office in Kingston, Jamaica on Sept. 7 before returning to the U.S. for a Sept. 11 encounter in Columbus, Ohio.The Jamaican roster:Goalkeeper – Dwayne Miller (Syrianska), Jacomeno Barrett (Montego Bay United), Duwayne Kerr (Strommen).Defenders – Shavar Thomas (Montreal Impact), Dicoy Williams (Toronto FC), Adrian Mariappa (Reading), O’Brian Woodbine (Vaasan Palloseura), Jermaine Taylor (Houston Dynamo), Andrae Campbelll (Nottodden), Nyron Nosworthy (Watford), Lovel Palmer (Portland Timbers).Midfielders – Dane Richards (Vancouver Whitecaps), JeVaughn Watson (Houston Dynamo), Errol Stevens (Arnett Gardens FC), Rodolph Austin (Leeds United), Jason Morrison (Aaelsund), Ewan Grandison (Portmore United), Joel Senior (Harbour View)Forwards – Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps), Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids), Kavin Bryan (Vicem Hai Phong), Ryan Johnson (Toronto FC), Luton Shelton (Karabukspor), Tramaine Stewart (Aaelsund)

 

[NewlyRetired]

Arena said that Donovan has started to train indoors. No official word on whether he will be out of the lineup again tomorrow night in the CCL. LA is playing a relatively weak team so they may not risk Landon even if ready. By the way, anyone who is interested is seeing exciting young US talent, see if you can catch a bit of LA's Jose Villareal. He will remind you a lot of a young Giuseppe Rossi, same body style, both left footed, same low to ground dribbling style. Villareal is just starting his career though and obviously would have a long way to grow into what Rossi did but still nice to see some interesting raw talent coming through the ranks.

As expected, Landon not on roster for the CCL game tonight. Villareal gets the start.

 

[Eephus]

Former Fulham and Wigan Athletic midfielder Jimmy Bullard has signed for ambitious MK Dons.The 33-year-old, a free agent after being released by Ipswich earlier this month, has agreed an initial deal until December 31 at stadium:mk.He is the fifth signing Dons boss Karl Robinson has brought to the club this summer, including former Newcastle United and Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

Always liked Bullard

He's dead to Eephus.

I guessed as much. I liked him. But I only posted this for the shtick value.

I always liked Alan Smith but I have my standards.

 

[Texas Football]

Former Fulham and Wigan Athletic midfielder Jimmy Bullard has signed for ambitious MK Dons.The 33-year-old, a free agent after being released by Ipswich earlier this month, has agreed an initial deal until December 31 at stadium:mk.He is the fifth signing Dons boss Karl Robinson has brought to the club this summer, including former Newcastle United and Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

Always liked Bullard

Bullard will most likely be a waste. He is only in it to collect a check now. I would be amazed if plays 20 matches for MK Dons.His workrate is #### now.

 

[jonessed]

Rumors that Spurs are going to go after Llorente with the £ they got from Real. Llorente won't go for less than his release clause. I'm not sure what that number is though.

The rumor I've seen is approximately £28.5M.

Hot damn, that's a lot of money. 36m€... I can see why Milan didn't want to pony up.

There is zero chance Tottenham pay anything even remotely close to that for a player.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Arena said that Donovan has started to train indoors. No official word on whether he will be out of the lineup again tomorrow night in the CCL. LA is playing a relatively weak team so they may not risk Landon even if ready. By the way, anyone who is interested is seeing exciting young US talent, see if you can catch a bit of LA's Jose Villareal. He will remind you a lot of a young Giuseppe Rossi, same body style, both left footed, same low to ground dribbling style. Villareal is just starting his career though and obviously would have a long way to grow into what Rossi did but still nice to see some interesting raw talent coming through the ranks.

As expected, Landon not on roster for the CCL game tonight. Villareal gets the start.

Another impressive performance by Villareal. Had a wonderfully athletic goal and an assist in helping LA to a 2-0 lead. Got kneed in the head on the goal and had to be subbed out.

 

[El Floppo]

Former Fulham and Wigan Athletic midfielder Jimmy Bullard has signed for ambitious MK Dons.The 33-year-old, a free agent after being released by Ipswich earlier this month, has agreed an initial deal until December 31 at stadium:mk.He is the fifth signing Dons boss Karl Robinson has brought to the club this summer, including former Newcastle United and Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

Always liked Bullard

Bullard will most likely be a waste. He is only in it to collect a check now. I would be amazed if plays 20 matches for MK Dons.His workrate is #### now.

Wow- you've seen him play in the last couple of years?Smith and Bullard... I'm waiting to see what other names they pull out of the turn of the century ether.

 

[GoFishTN]

Rumors that Spurs are going to go after Llorente with the £ they got from Real. Llorente won't go for less than his release clause. I'm not sure what that number is though.

The rumor I've seen is approximately £28.5M.

Hot damn, that's a lot of money. 36m€... I can see why Milan didn't want to pony up.

There is zero chance Tottenham pay anything even remotely close to that for a player.

Yeah. It would crush their current record (£16.75M for Modric says wikipedia) and it's not really Levy's MO.

 

[Texas Football]

Former Fulham and Wigan Athletic midfielder Jimmy Bullard has signed for ambitious MK Dons.The 33-year-old, a free agent after being released by Ipswich earlier this month, has agreed an initial deal until December 31 at stadium:mk.He is the fifth signing Dons boss Karl Robinson has brought to the club this summer, including former Newcastle United and Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

Always liked Bullard

Bullard will most likely be a waste. He is only in it to collect a check now. I would be amazed if plays 20 matches for MK Dons.His workrate is #### now.

Wow- you've seen him play in the last couple of years?Smith and Bullard... I'm waiting to see what other names they pull out of the turn of the century ether.

Yeah, sorry. Ipswich Town fan that thought he would make some kind of impact after a decent loan stint.Ipswich - Sell friggin' Jordan Rhodes who is scoring for fun. Seriously a goal a game or some ridiculous stat. Connor Wickham who is practically built for the Championship league (granted 9 million was serious money).Buy - ####. Bullard, Sonkho, insert pretty much all other buys here.Getting crushed by Blackpool 6-0 has tipped me to seriously wonder what in the hell management is doing.

 

[The Gator]

had our first full scrimmage tonight. Ended up taking scoob's advice and running a single striker with a a kid right behind him.

Keeper RB LB DM RM CM LM ST
Ended up winning 6-2

 

[Spartans Rule]

Former Fulham and Wigan Athletic midfielder Jimmy Bullard has signed for ambitious MK Dons.The 33-year-old, a free agent after being released by Ipswich earlier this month, has agreed an initial deal until December 31 at stadium:mk.He is the fifth signing Dons boss Karl Robinson has brought to the club this summer, including former Newcastle United and Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

Always liked Bullard

Bullard will most likely be a waste. He is only in it to collect a check now. I would be amazed if plays 20 matches for MK Dons.His workrate is #### now.

Wow- you've seen him play in the last couple of years?Smith and Bullard... I'm waiting to see what other names they pull out of the turn of the century ether.

Yeah, sorry. Ipswich Town fan that thought he would make some kind of impact after a decent loan stint.Ipswich - Sell friggin' Jordan Rhodes who is scoring for fun. Seriously a goal a game or some ridiculous stat. Connor Wickham who is practically built for the Championship league (granted 9 million was serious money).Buy - ####. Bullard, Sonkho, insert pretty much all other buys here.Getting crushed by Blackpool 6-0 has tipped me to seriously wonder what in the hell management is doing.

Where do you manage to watch Ipswich games? I'd like to start following closer if possible and the "I'll just wait until they get promoted" plan isn't working out so well.

 

[Texas Football]

Former Fulham and Wigan Athletic midfielder Jimmy Bullard has signed for ambitious MK Dons.The 33-year-old, a free agent after being released by Ipswich earlier this month, has agreed an initial deal until December 31 at stadium:mk.He is the fifth signing Dons boss Karl Robinson has brought to the club this summer, including former Newcastle United and Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

Always liked Bullard

Bullard will most likely be a waste. He is only in it to collect a check now. I would be amazed if plays 20 matches for MK Dons.His workrate is #### now.

Wow- you've seen him play in the last couple of years?Smith and Bullard... I'm waiting to see what other names they pull out of the turn of the century ether.

Yeah, sorry. Ipswich Town fan that thought he would make some kind of impact after a decent loan stint.Ipswich - Sell friggin' Jordan Rhodes who is scoring for fun. Seriously a goal a game or some ridiculous stat. Connor Wickham who is practically built for the Championship league (granted 9 million was serious money).Buy - ####. Bullard, Sonkho, insert pretty much all other buys here.Getting crushed by Blackpool 6-0 has tipped me to seriously wonder what in the hell management is doing.

Where do you manage to watch Ipswich games? I'd like to start following closer if possible and the "I'll just wait until they get promoted" plan isn't working out so well.

Spartans,I'll PM you links as they come around. They always pop-up game day. You normally can catch any Ipswich Town game on the net if it is televised live somewhere. No replays as far as I have ever found. I think this year there will only be 8-10 televised games, since they are out of one Cup already.You can get the Suffolk radio feeds too if you know how to use proxies to get BBC and or Suffolk1.TWTD.co.uk is a good Ipswich resource if you were unaware. Those Were The Days.Promotion is distant or it could be a few months away. The Championship is an odd league. Top 6 and you have chance at 44 Mill.I'll be able to tell what's going on in Ipswich around November. Luongo may be able to pull the wretch through. Chopra is off the gambling horse. JET is starting this campaign like crap. I would assume ALB will be in goal soon (great keeper instincts, but he is like 5'6").4 losses in the near future and Jewell is replaced... by an actual monkey.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

had our first full scrimmage tonight. Ended up taking scoob's advice and running a single striker with a a kid right behind him.

                                       Keeper                       RB                                           LB                                                                            DM      RM                                CM                           LM                                       ST

Ended up winning 6-2

:buffs nails: :adjusts Roberto Mancini scarf:

 

[The Gator]

Best thing imo was that their two goals came off of breakaways. One was when my worst player got left behind. We had the ball about 75% of the time and had to have had 15 shots on goal. Their keeper made a few saves and we missed a few. Re-match has been set for next Wednesday

 

[Good Posting Judge]

This whole CL draw thing is just bizarre.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Lots of rumors heating up now. Maicon to Man City (Mancini must hate Micah Richards). Dzeko to Arsenal. On the confirmed front, QPR continues to do nice business, wrapping up Granero after Julio Cesar.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Couple big dogs to avoid in both pots 2 and 3.

 

[Native]

Is Chelsea-Atletico on tv today?

Also, Malouda and Benayoun didnt travel with the club today and both are rumored to be out. Beanyoun tweeted that hes in talks with two EPL teams for a loan move.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Madrid and Man City drawn together. Praying PSG gets thrown in there too for maximum shtick.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Is Chelsea-Atletico on tv today?

Tomorrow on FSC @ 2:30 eastern.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Madrid and Man City drawn together. Praying PSG gets thrown in there too for maximum shtick.

Ajax too.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Juve drawn with the holders in Group E.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

How on Earth is Dortmund in pot 4?

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Barca gets Benfica, Spartak Moscow, and Celtic. Should be fairly manageable.

 

[NewlyRetired]

How on Earth is Dortmund in pot 4?

imagine if they land in group D?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Tough group for Pankhurst's little club but is going to allow him to experience the sport at the highest level.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

How on Earth is Dortmund in pot 4?

imagine if they land in group D?

My fingers are crossed.

 

[NewlyRetired]

How on Earth is Dortmund in pot 4?

imagine if they land in group D?

My fingers are crossed.

one of out three chance now

 

[NewlyRetired]

Both Sacha and Jones got decent draws.

 

[NewlyRetired]

That is one of the best groups I can remember in the last few years. Ajax has got to be saying "WTF?"

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Death-iest Group of Death ever?

 

[NewlyRetired]

The English, Spanish, German and Dutch current champions all in one group. Holy hell!

 

[Good Posting Judge]

The Only One will be along shortly to accuse Barcelona of rigging the draw, I'm sure.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Death-iest Group of Death ever?

I am too lazy to look this up but this has to be one of the few times you have the current champions from the three highest ranked leagues all in the same group.

 

[Slapdash]

The Only One will be along shortly to accuse Barcelona of rigging the draw, I'm sure.

UEFAcelona at it again.

 

[Slapdash]

Lots of rumors heating up now. Maicon to Man City (Mancini must hate Micah Richards). Dzeko to Arsenal. On the confirmed front, QPR continues to do nice business, wrapping up Granero after Julio Cesar.

Good moves for QPR.

 

[Mello]

How on Earth is Dortmund in pot 4?

I think that's based on the UEFA club coefficients which are based on Europeans competition results over the last 5 years. Currently they are ranked 66th there.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Good for Iniesta. Lol @ Messi calling out Chelsea for being lucky.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

How on Earth is Dortmund in pot 4?

I think that's based on the UEFA club coefficients which are based on Europeans competition results over the last 5 years. Currently they are ranked 66th there.

That just seems ridiculous to me. Why not use a seeding committee like the NCAA tournament? They goof up sometimes too, but you don't ever see them make a Top 10 team a 12 seed.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Bayern, Valencia, Lille and BATE. I'll take it.

 

[Native]

Is Chelsea-Atletico on tv today?

Tomorrow on FSC @ 2:30 eastern.

Thanks CM!

 

[Native]

The English, Spanish, German and Dutch current champions all in one group. Holy hell!

Not to mention the Danish, Ukrianian and Italian champions together with the European Champions!