*Official* English Football Season 2008-2009

[Loony BoB]

I wouldn't say he's the best in the world. Would say top ten, though, and anyone who has a striker who is even that high up in the world will always get lauded by the media and fans alike. Top ten is certainly not shabby.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Carried a newly promoted team, as a nineteen year-old club captain, on his shoulders for four years? A goal every two and a half games for Atletico, who weren't just "not very good", but horrid until they signed Maniche and Costinho, which was in 2006.

They weren't "horrid". They were mid-table every year he was there at the very least, and twice qualified for the UEFA Cup (and one of these occurances was before 2006, in 2003/4). Granted, some of this was due to Torres himself, but his goalscoring record in these seasons does not suggest it was a one man band. His goalscoring record at Atletico and the quality of side he was in is actually quite similar to Roque Santa Cruz at Blackburn last season.

 

[Tom Halsey]

I wouldn't say he's the best in the world. Would say top ten, though, and anyone who has a striker who is even that high up in the world will always get lauded by the media and fans alike. Top ten is certainly not shabby.

Yeah, I would say top ten as well, not disputing that at all. In fact probably top five.

 

[pinchy81]

1526: WINN3RS on 606 reports that Karim Benzema has been spotted boarding an easyjet plane at Lyon airport heading for Manchester. Any obvious flaws with this story?

ITSTL

 

[Tom Halsey]

Unconvincing we're 3rd ffs what more do you want?

After three games, yes. Well done.

 

[pinchy81]

After three games, yes. Well done.

tbf i don't really see how you can call a team unconvincing after 3 games, get back to me after October we'll talk then

 

[Tom Halsey]

tbf i don't really see how you can call a team unconvincing after 3 games, get back to me after October we'll talk then

I'm saying I'm not convinced that you're going to do a lot better than 10th this year. My entire point is essentially the same as yours - City fans being far too premature.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

I'm not sure I was being premature. I was saying that anything is possible. If it does flop then so be it, I'll follow the club all the way down into League 1 yet again.

 

[pinchy81]

I'm saying I'm not convinced that you're going to do a lot better than 10th this year. My entire point is essentially the same as yours - City fans being far too premature.

My bad, completely misread where you were coming from

 

[Majin]

Nothing has devastated me as much as the day Paulo Wanchope left City, I will follow them to the end of my days and nothing will break me that much.

 

[Tom Halsey]

I'm not sure I was being premature.

Was more referring to Pinchy (and City fans who're texting and emailing in to SSN as we speak), although I do still think your assessment of City being stronger than Chelsea were when Roman took over is debatable at best.

If all this Abu Dhabi business turns out to be stable, I think you've a chance of breaking into the big four, though it's no foregone conclusion.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Nothing has devastated me as much as the day Paulo Wanchope left City, I will follow them to the end of my days and nothing will break me that much.

Haha, following City for me was so hard back then, didn't have much internet access and I was a ****** so had no idea where to go to find the results.

Love old Paulo.

 

[Tom Halsey]

My bad, completely misread where you were coming from

Fair dos, no worries.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

although I do still think your assessment of City being stronger than Chelsea were when Roman took over is debatable at best.

Player for player I think I have a reasonably strong case, though I suppose a lot of the current Citeh side is built on potential and the Chelsea side was built on proven performers.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Player for player I think I have a reasonably strong case, though I suppose a lot of the current Citeh side is built on potential and the Chelsea side was built on proven performers.

I think that as well, but the league as a whole is far stronger now and relative to the other sides, you're not as strong as Chelsea were (IMO). And as far as breaking into the top four and so on goes, strength relative to them is what is relevant.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Yeah fair call.

 

[chaminda_00]

1544: Some news from that finest of counties, Lancashire. BBC Radio Lancashire report that Preston defender Matt Hill is at Wolves having a medical as part of a swap deal for striker Stephen Elliot.

Blackburn are being linked with a possible swap deal involving defender Andre Ooijer, who may be on his way to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar with 24-year-old Australian winger Brett Holman joining Rovers.

Would be so gun. Grella, Emerton and Holman all in the same side.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Yeah was just discussing this with the Clapman.

 

[Johnners]

*Lolman

 

[Agent TBY]

Yeah, might as well move the Rovers to Asia while they're at it.