Messages

121

Football / Re: Sunderland Summer Transfer Rumours Thread

« on: May 10, 2008, 05:05:37 PM »

An  informative thread  …. good.


First of all about the money: for a while now I have been trying to understand how much and how quickly can investors in Prem teams make money; with the related question – should the board give Keane  ₤50m.  Keane spent about ₤40m at the start of the season, and a significant sum the year before, to get the team to the Premiere League.  Now given that the League gave the club only about  ₤30m, at the start of the season, it seams as though the club is carrying a lot of operational debt, from the prior two seasons.  Gate receipts take care of wages, buildings etc and how much more is gained from those receipts.  In the coming season (08-09) the club would again get only about ₤30m from the league. Now it is true that because the club is staying up, its value is growing, but how much is that factor. The bottom line is, why are the investors willing to risk that much? Why don’t they pocket most of the money (recovering their investment, plus a little profit) and say to Keane ``here is ₤20m, buy  one striker and keep us up, then next year you will get more.’’  After all if they go down next year, and the ₤50m was invested, it would be a big loss.

122

Football / Re: Sunderland v Arsenal

« on: May 10, 2008, 03:13:39 PM »

This game is not available to U.S viewers; it is not on FSC or Setanta.  Canadian viewers can see it on Setanta Canada on Monday.  Anybody up there can tape it and make it available?

123

Football / Re: Americans in peril in Premier League

« on: May 10, 2008, 03:03:05 PM »

I would like to see Fulham stays up,  but needing a win against Portsmouth is not an easy task.    Derby would want to pull Reading down with them, but it is easier for Reading to win against Derby, than for Fulham to win against Portsmouth, and that could seal FUlham’s fate. 

124

Football / Re: Sunderland v Boro

« on: April 26, 2008, 09:28:06 PM »

Great result by Sunderland

I find Carlos had his best game since coming back from injury. Not outstanding, but neat performance once he settled into the game. Covered a lot of ground and kept it simple. Even tried a difficult half volley late on..probably a sign his confidence coming back. Actaully, you could see his confidence was back from the time he cap up Arca, but the fella handle the ball so he couldn't make more of it. Crowd went mad that the ref missed it. Smart pass sent Chopra, but it was blazed over. To me, he was actually subbed as he was getting more dangerous in the attacking third. So unlike past subs where he was ineffective..this one seemed more tactical. The only thing missing form his usual game was some open space to run at defenders. But Middlesborough has a very good organized defense. And let's face it..Downing is probably the best player on the field. Was always going to be tough getting down their left. Pretty sure Carlos got a nice ovation from fans when he came off. Best effort from him since coming back in a frustrating season.

KJ played like a lion. Had one really good chance to score but the two defenders never let him settle with the ball bouncing. The only time he had a clear shot was after the first touch on his thigh but he was too far out...tried to get closer, and once he took that second touch he couldn't dig the ball out.

Sunderland is a battling side but look shaky in plenty parts of the field. Great goals today. Great 3 points

agree

125

Football / Re: Sunderland v Boro

« on: April 26, 2008, 01:38:28 AM »

Yea, the unavailability of Bardsley and Evans could again mean a shaky defense.  A win ( for Sunderland ) is always good, but a loss in all likelihood  is not disastrous.

126

Football / Re: Chelsea versus Manchester United: The EPL Decider!!

« on: April 26, 2008, 01:22:21 AM »

Two weeks ago, I thought that Chelsea would not stand a chance against the Man U strike force.  But after the game against Barca, where Rooney looked slightly injured, and Tevez seem to be loosing steam, Chelsea is playing ManU at the best time possible and could pull off a win.

127

Other Sports / Re: Tiger Woods Watch in 2008

« on: April 13, 2008, 01:44:39 PM »

  Saturday is typically moving day.

what dat mean?...is that a golf term?

Yes, Saturday is moving day, is a sort of golf slang.  Sat is usually the day when Tiger would make a big move and if he ends up on the top of the leaderboard, then he is usually unbeatable. 

I think I heard a statistic that in 6 of the last 7 masters, the winner came from the last group.  Given that and the fact that Tiger has never won a major when he is not leading after 54 holes, then his chances today appear to be slim.  But Tiger has performed so many feats of greatness, that a lot of people (myself included) will be looking on with expectations, expecting to be awed once again.

Immelman is in a good position, he can simply not take chances and play for par on every hole and win.

128

Other Sports / Re: Tiger Woods Watch in 2008

« on: April 12, 2008, 12:42:14 AM »

Typical slow start for Tiger! On Friday he is 7 behind the leaders, but realistically he is only 3 behind those who have a reasonable probability of winning.   Saturday is typically moving day.

129

Other Sports / Re: Stephen Ames proving him self at Masters

« on: April 12, 2008, 12:36:49 AM »

Ah still vex that Ames sporting the Canadian flag instead of the red-white-black  at these events.  Nonetheless, I hope that he does well.

130

Football / Re: Arsenal vs Liverpool - Take 3

« on: April 08, 2008, 11:52:05 PM »

That was not a penalty ---- terrible, terrible decision by the referee.    If Liverpool wins by playing fantastic football like the sublime strike by Torres, then that is fine.  But Wenger must feel that he was robbed again (last Saturday  being the other time) vs L’pool. Nonetheless a significant amount of blame can be placed on Toure.  His side is winning the game, yet he risks a penalty by going  after a player in the box.  Toure has made a number of silly decisions at critical times.  In the finals of the African cup of nations, Toure simply ran away from the Egyptian attacker leaving him open to score.  And there were some other times for Arsenal when he just seemed to be out of it.  Nosworthy of Sunderland, or  Micha Richards of Man City could be good buy for Arsenal.

131

Other Sports / Re: Tiger Woods Watch in 2008

« on: April 07, 2008, 10:16:42 PM »

The Masters
  Thursday  10 April ---  Sunday  13 April.

132

Football / Re: RK looks to build next Season

« on: April 05, 2008, 12:14:56 AM »

Yes, Kenny Miller from Derby would be a good addition. In the Derby games that I have seen he looks good. Imagine if Derby had spent the money and gotten Jones (the asking price at that time was 5m).   If RK looks at possible available players from the Spanish  league  then the Nigerian striker Uche (Getafe) would be a good fit.

133

Football / Re: SUNDERLAND V FULHAM.

« on: April 05, 2008, 12:04:29 AM »

I was hoping that both Fulham and  Sunderland would stay up, and maybe Newcastle with their boastful fan base would go down.  But …. 


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

"Keane experienced the fickle hand of fate on Thursday, when Dwight Yorke joined Dickson Etuhu and Darren Ward on the injury list.

Ouch, not the type of news I wanted to hear.

134

Football / Re: Kenwyne and Carlos Set to Miss Out.

« on: March 22, 2008, 05:49:31 PM »

Something like this was more or less expected and people cannot really fault R. Keane.  There are only 7 more games to go.   It was fine for Kenwynne to be given a rest this week, and it also serves another purpose.

135

Football / Re: Keane ponders Yorke coaching offer.

« on: March 22, 2008, 05:40:38 PM »

Dwight fights Villa emotion

By COLIN YOUNG - The Daily Mail
 
 

Really nice article!

Anyway, I guess that things are working out with that young lady in spite of rumors of infidelity.

'My new-born son will make his appearance for the first time. I have all that to deal with but it's a great feeling to have, to know that this is where my career started and that it might be the last time I'm in this stadium as a player. The emotion might be running a bit high, but I'll be fine.'

136

Football / Re: SUNDERLAND V ASTON VILLA

« on: March 22, 2008, 05:19:51 PM »

Thanks Fli! .  In terms of pixels, what is the resolution of the camera?

Reid and Richardson were very good in the midfield today.  But overall Vila was poor. Nosworthy again showed that he is of  Premiership quality.  O’Donovan  missed two excellent chances, I wished Kenwynne had those types of  chances.  Read somewhere that Leadbitter is a local Sunderland boy, came up through the youth academy etc, and if that is true it  might be a small part of the explanation of why he gets a lot of playing time.

137

Other Sports / Tiger Woods Watch in 2008

« on: March 22, 2008, 12:08:41 AM »

This year could turn out to be his best year ever, and if he does top his achievements from the year 2000,  then there would be  no doubt that  Tiger is the greatest sportsman in the history of all sports.

Last week at A. Palmer’s tournament, Tiger again showed his greatness.  On the 18th hole, and under pressure, the guy again hit 2 very high quality shots.  Then we  thought that it was not really possible to make the put, but still expecting the impossible, Tiger again thrilled us.    All the superlatives to describe this guy were exhausted a long time ago.  All we can do is sit back and watch in complete amazement.

138

Other Sports / Re: Hingis returning to court for exhibition matches

« on: March 22, 2008, 12:07:31 AM »

Hingis was one at one time my favorite player on that tour.  Her deft touches, nice flicks etc was a joy to watch.  I also liked her attitude.  She spoke up when others taught that she should shut up.   One of the best matches that I have ever seen was the semifinal, I think in 2000 of Venus W.  vs Hingis.  Hingis won but she was so beaten up by Venus, that Serena eventually won the title.

139

Football / Re: 8 more games Sunderland!!

« on: March 21, 2008, 11:54:38 PM »

The critical games for Sunderland are 
1) vs Bolton  on May 3, and 2) Fulham on Apr 5.   If they can win those two then they have a chance of staying up.   Both Birmingham and Reading have relatively easier schedules than Sunderland, and given that Birmingham has been playing well, it seems as though Birminham’s  chances of staying up are better than Sunderland.     Fulham’s schedule is also somewhat easier than Sunderland, and with Johnson starting to play well, and Mc Bride back, they might be able to surprise a lot people.

140

Football / Re: 8 more games Sunderland!!

« on: March 21, 2008, 11:53:22 PM »

Sunderland have to worry about the form that wigan and birmingham showing.. those sides winning some tough games and pulling points from strong opposition..

a few of sunderland games are either derbies or against fellow relegation zoners, so it will be all out battle going on in them fixtures..

Hopefully they get the offence to click with Carlos and Richardson on the wings.. A positive is that the defence has been excellent in the last couple months

true talk

141

Football / Re: D Touches Match Observation TT vs El Salvador

« on: March 21, 2008, 11:45:01 PM »

Many thanks for the report.

142

Football / Re: Keane ponders Yorke coaching offer

« on: March 21, 2008, 11:42:26 PM »

A player-coach role would be a good one for Yorke.

143

Football / Re: Edwards back in T&T squad as Warriors eye Jamaica.

« on: March 21, 2008, 11:38:15 PM »

Edwards should have been left out of the squad.  Anyway he is a professional and he knows how to play under these circumstances.

144

Football / Re: My Coaching Internship at West Ham United

« on: March 21, 2008, 11:30:31 PM »

Wow! Congratulations truthseeker!

145

Football / Sunderland vs Chelsea 15-March-08.

« on: March 15, 2008, 12:12:58 AM »

Sunderland vs Chelsea 15-March-08.

Any predictions?

Match on Setanta 10:15am (PST, SDC) …. .

This game could be a blowout.  Chelsea must feel that they are in the grove after the drubbing of Derby, win in CL, and favorable CL draw.  Moreover nearly all of their players are fit.  Nonetheless, against all the odds I am hoping for an upset.

If Edwards plus either Yorke or Etuhu starts then at least Sunderland’s  play will be much better than in their last 3 games.  Keane also must abandon that 4-5-1 formation; 4-5-1 can work when the midfielders can at least pass the ball. So far they haven’t been able to pass  the ball ---along the ground --- to Jones.  Jones had half a chance to score in the last game and none in the previous two games.

146

Football / Re: Roys Weekly Rant

« on: March 15, 2008, 12:10:43 AM »

Keane is absolutely right to rant about  those referee decisions.  I saw all of those matches and it is simply incredulous that all of the so called 50/50 decisions go against Sunderland. And some of those calls were not  really 50/50: none of the replays of  the winning goal by Reading showed convincingly the ball going over the line, the ref did not see it and the linesman just made a guess. And a similar story for the other decisions.

147

Football / Re: Carlos Returns Tonight

« on: March 15, 2008, 12:03:24 AM »

Good to hear that Carlos is back.

Stay strong Edwards.

148

Football / Re: African Nation's Cup on TV6

« on: February 07, 2008, 01:43:01 AM »

In the States

Thu Feb 07 08:50AM Pacific
Thu Feb 07 11:50AM Eastern
Length: 2 hr 40 min    LIVE
TV5 Monde Etats-Unis (US)
African Cup of Nations Ghana 2008 - Semifinal 1
Ghana vs Cameroon
 
Thu Feb 07 12:20PM Pacific
Thu Feb 07 03:20PM Eastern
Length: 1 hr 40 min    LIVE
TV5 Monde Etats-Unis (US)
African Cup of Nations Ghana 2008 - Semifinal 2
Ivory Coast vs Egypt
 
Sat Feb 09 08:50AM Pacific
Sat Feb 09 11:50AM Eastern
Length: 2 hr 40 min    LIVE
TV5 Monde Etats-Unis (US)
African Cup of Nations Ghana 2008 - 3rd Place
 

Sun Feb 10 08:50AM Pacific
Sun Feb 10 11:50AM Eastern
Length: 2 hr 40 min    LIVE
TV5 Monde Etats-Unis (US)
African Cup of Nations Ghana 2008 - Final
 
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

My Ranking
1) Ivory Coast, 2) Egypt, 3)Ghana, 4) Cameroon

too bad  Ivory Coast and Egypt face each other in the semis.

149

General Discussion / Re: Yes We Can! - Barack Obama

« on: February 05, 2008, 04:09:51 AM »

Good job by will.I.am.   

I also heard the original speech and it was powerful. 
Super Tuesday, Super Tuesday, Super Tuesday, what will it bring?

150

Football / Re: African Nation's Cup on TV6

« on: February 05, 2008, 03:59:11 AM »

It has been a good tournament so far.  To bad here in the states we can only see the ¼ finals and later games in French on TV5.

Last night, I  saw the ending of the Ghana – Nigeria game, and that was after looking at the start of it live, but then had to run off for Sunday morning stuff, and then the Superbowl party in the afternoon.   There was so much hype around the Ghana – Nigeria game that I was expecting really exciting football (crisp quick passing, hard shots on goal etc).  The play was at a higher lever than the Gold cup, but in this particular game, harsh tackling was employed too often.  I thought that Nigeria was technically better, and certainly was better at attacking.  I expected more from Ghana, but with their key midfield  player (Appiah ) out, their midfield was not as organized as in the world cup. The strikers on the Ghanaian team (Gyan, etc), with the exception of Muntari, are all below average.  Anyway,  there is something wrong with the Nigerian team, somehow they are not clicking. Nigerian strikers (Uche, etc ) are very good, but sloppy defending cost them the match.

Ivory Coast has a good chance of winning the tournament, but they will have a hard time getting by Egypt in the semifinal on Thursday.  I had thought that with  the Ivory Coast contingent of Arsenal players, that we would see perhaps the Arsenal style of play. However Ivory Coast  has a slow build-up, then a quick one-two type of attack.