**OFFICIAL Association Football 2011/2012 Season thread**

[MickeyG]

He's hardly played this season and with Aguero scoring for fun they don't really need him. Hopefully they don't pander to him now, he needs to be shown the door by City, but the cunt won't go anywhere he doesn't want to.

[Hellsinkey]

Saw the highlights of the Basel game, shocking.

[Hellsinkey]

Norwich game was boring, but points are points.

[MickeyG]

United played like it was a pre season game today. Very poor tempo, shite in midfield.

[MickeyG]

Good point an Anfield today for United. Didn't get over run in midfield like in previous years.

[Hellsinkey]

Unusual starting line up. Point at Anfield is alright, though Citeh rise to the top of the table.

[MickeyG]

They'll be put in their place at Old Trafford next week!

[Hellsinkey]

Shocking. Terrible defense, why Evans instead of Vidic? Midfield was shite, Silva was classy for Citeh. Can't think of a more depressing game in a while.

[coatsy]

They'll be put in their place at Old Trafford next week!

Ooft, thats got to sting.

[MickeyG]

Great game plan by City. Let United have possession first half, but struck the only goal of the half. The Evans sending off ended it to be honest, and City controlled it from then on in. Last 3 goals in stoppage time with United still attacking instead of making sure it wasn't worse. A defeat has been coming to be fair as for the last month or so United have been poor but not losing, while City were still bouncing teams. With the money they've spent they will win the title eventually, and they've got a great chance this season. United now have a run into January where they won't be playing any of the so called big clubs. They've already beaten Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea and drawn at Liverpool and now lost to City. They now need a big run into January.

[MickeyG]

They'll be put in their place at Old Trafford next week!

Ooft, thats got to sting.

LOL, yeah, but I'll console myself by thinking of the 19 championships that were not paid for by Arab oil money.

[Hellsinkey]

Just enough against Everton. Chelski- Arse was the game of the season so far imo. Van Persie was great.

[MickeyG]

Nice slip by the "Big Man" for Arsenal to go up 4-3. I thought Ramsey and Song were good today for Arsenal.

[Hellsinkey]

Boring game today. Thanks, Wes Brown.

[kanister]

The success of Newcastle has been the highlight of the season so far. The likes of Man City and Chelsea with endless money resources almost kill all fun about the Premeier League. Newcastle on the other hand play well organized and reasonably entertaining football with a team built of no-name players. I actually think Newcastle have earned more than spent in he transfer market this season.

They should have an own league for the teams that don`t have to act with financial responsibility. Soviet-Arabian super league or something? Platini`s Fair Play Ruling could or should change the situation, but I´m not too sure it`ll work out.

[MickeyG]

It was Fergie's 25th anniversary at United today, and the top 4 in the Premier league today, were the 1st divisions BOTTOM 4 25 years years ago exactly. In a different order, or course. How times have changed.

[ShearMagic]

The success of Newcastle has been the highlight of the season so far.

It's been quite a surprising start to this season for NUFC.

[pieceofme]

The success of Newcastle has been the highlight of the season so far.

It's been quite a surprising start to this season for NUFC.

My prediction was way off.

It pains me to see Man City do well but at least Liverpool aren't setting the league alight.

[Hellsinkey]

Rather Citeh than Liverpool.

[pieceofme]

Rather Citeh than Liverpool.

Agreed

[pieceofme]

Found this pretty interesting:

"Newcastle's managing director Derek Llambias has allegedly launched a stunning rant against former managers Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer and said that Andy Carroll was not worth the £35 million that Liverpool paid for him.

A report in the Sunday Mirror claims that Llambias was caught on tape slamming the Newcastle legends to Toon fans in a bar and former Magpies striker Carroll bore the brunt of the foul-mouthed abuse.

"I have to admit that £30m for Andy Carroll is a lot of money," Lambias reportedly said, before responding when one supporter asked him "Is he worth £30m?": "No - he's worth f*** all."

With Chelsea closing a deal worth £50 million for Fernando Torres on January's deadline day, Liverpool were under pressure to bring in a new striker and Llambias claimed that they could push for the entire Carroll fee up front.

Llambias explained: "It is about control. We had the control. We knew the Torres deal was there. We drew that f****** deal, perhaps the ultimate. So £30m? F*** off! Don't waste my time and I slammed the phone down.

"£35m? Everybody including Pardew [manager Alan Pardew] all agreed. But the £35m they wanted to pay over four years. It was rubbish. Mike (Ashley) said - and he is a brave boy Mike I promise you - get all the £35m up front. We got it all up front and then they never paid us on time and we charged them 12 grand f****** interest."

Llambias then turned his attention to one of Newcastle's most celebrated icons, former manager Kevin Keegan, and claimed that he was only brought back to the club for a second spell in 2008 to appease potential Arab owners who were trying to buy the club.

"Kevin Keegan can't take pressure. His f****** head is all over the place," said Llambias. "Mike (Ashley) was selling to the Arabs and they wanted Kevin Keegan. The Arabs wanted him, the fans wanted him - perfect!"

Another Geordie legend then got both barrels as Llambias admitted that the appointment of Alan Shearer in April was not right, saying: "Shearer was my choice and I have to hold up my hands - the wrong choice... he gave all the responsibility to (assistant Iain) Dowie. Rubbish!"

The most recent Newcastle boss to be sacked, Chris Hughton, was also the subject of the tirade as a fan asked why he was dismissed a year ago.

Llambias responded: "He would never have taken us where we want to be. That's my decision by the way. Chris can't make decisions. If I am asking about a player, Ben Arfa? he says 'I'm not sure, blah blah'. With Chris, he couldn't cope with where we are mentally. We are aggressive. You need to be aggressive. I don't want a manager below me who can't argue."

Newcastle declined to comment on Saturday night."

[MickeyG]

It's always awesome when you hear of Liverpool getting screwed.

12 grand in interest.

[Hellsinkey]

Funny that Carroll was worth about 1 mil two years ago.

[MickeyG]

Horrible, horrible signing. 35 mil for that donkey.

[Hellsinkey]

Horrible, horrible signing. 35 mil for that donkey.

Torres has been even worse signing.

[pieceofme]

From the Metro

"Liverpool bosses appear to have doubts about the intelligence of their club's own supporters after issuing an official reminder to them to take the right tickets to the match at Chelsea"

[pieceofme]

Horrible, horrible signing. 35 mil for that donkey.

Torres has been even worse signing.

I disagree.

Both certainly don't live up to their price tags but at least Torres is a footballer. Sure he's not the player he was, with all those injuries and cutting his hair off, but with the hair coming back and having players like Mata and Meireles around him he'll be decent for Chelsea. Probably not the top striker they thought they were getting but he still has the potential of regaining form.

[pieceofme]

Tottenham are coming along quite nicely since their poor start to the season.

[Hellsinkey]

Again Utd making it hard on themselves. They need a point from Basel.

[pieceofme]

Again Utd making it hard on themselves. They need a point from Basel.

Still in a better position than City!

Robin Van Persie on fire at the moment. Always considered him to be a great player but just a little too injury prone.