Premier League 2011-2012

[BaaBaa.]

[Terry]

WTF !!

I checked in on this thread at breakfast time and then spat my cornflakes all over my keyboard

Thanks Baa Baa

[Terry]

A nice piece by Alex Young at Goal.com...........

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/pre ... -tottenham

School Report:

Parker, Adebayor & Friedel evaluated by Tottenham headmaster
After a blistering start to the school term, news of Mr Redknapp moving to greener pastures unsettled matters.

Dear Trustees,

I am pleased to announce that White Hart Lane School for Underachievers has once again proven our name wrong and looks on course to reach its aim of competing against Europe’s elite universities next semester.

Unfortunately, the summer term started with conjecture over whether star pupil Luka would be departing to Stamford Bridge Senior School. However, Chancellor Daniel Levy dismissed overtures from Mr Andre Villas-Boas and Luka excelled, as ever, with us during the year.

After a superb run of exam results until the middle of the Spring term, we suffered a blip after speculation over whether Mr Harry Redknapp would be joining the Wembley School of Perennial Underachievers, of who we have no affiliation.

However, once Mr Roy Hodgson was announced as the new Headmaster there, productivity improved. Overall, we think you will be happy with the improvements shown in class this year and below I give you an account of the students who joined us throughout the semester.

SCOTT PARKER

Chancellor Levy had initial doubts over the possible contribution Scott would supply, but, in the end, he was offered a scholarship after asking to leave his former place of tutorage, the University of East London.

Scott is an experienced brain on experienced shoulders, much similar to that of Dave Mackay’s legacy at the School, and was soon installed as the new Head Boy.

After two terrible sets of exam results on the trot at the beginning of the year, Scott’s intelligence gave the entire class a lift, a backbone if you will, with every other pupil seemingly benefitting from the wisdom he imparted in class and on the playground, in particular Luka and Rafael.

The achievements did not go unnoticed, as he was soon asked to take part in an exam with the rest of the country’s most intelligent students, and passed with flying colours, eventually being named as Head Boy in the absence of others.
Grade: A+

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR

After having his name removed from the new term’s register at the Etihad School of Economics, Emmanuel, or ‘Ade’ as he has become affectionately known, joined us on a one-year placement.

After getting off to a very promising start, Emmanuel has suffered an inconsistent three terms, with his personal goals hitting highs and lows week-on-week.

However, there is no question that he has helped out his fellow class-mates, supporting them when in sight of achieving their own targets.

I believe that he has often put aside his own progression in favour of others reaching theirs, and, while that is most commendable, he must learn to knuckle down and do his own homework before committing to others.

Despite this, with his scholarship soon up for renewal we will look into the possibility of bringing Emmanuel in on a full-time basis for next semester as his impact has been, overall, positive.
Grade: B+

BRAD FRIEDEL

The American arrived in London on a free scholarship after a number of years outshining many at the Aston Villa Academy with a consistent stream of strong grades.

He impressed us immediately with his quick reactions to any question sent his way, unlike his counterpart Gomes who continues to fail to grasp much, often allowing the answer to slip through his fingers.

Brad supplied us with the stable head after many seasons of nerves at the back of the class, which was making pupils such as Ledley, Michael and Younes uncomfortable at times.

Despite his increasing years, Brad has shown no signs of declining and we hope he continues his stay with us for the foreseeable future before graduating at the end of next year.
Grade: A-

LOUIS SAHA

The Frenchman joined midway through the spring term. With him he brought experience from the prestigious Old Trafford Academy of Excellence and, most recently, Goodison Park Centre of Arts & Crafts.

Despite a history of often falling ill, Mr Redknapp and Chancellor Levy took up the opportunity of offering him a six-month scholarship, with the view to extending it next semester if he improved.

After a very impressive first few weeks, illness set in and Louis has missed the majority of class as he attempted to regain his health. He has struggled to replicate the results produced at the beginning of his scholarship, and fell ill again in the playground on a few occasions.

Overall, his has not been the most worthwhile contribution to the classroom, so his continued stay with us is in question.
Grade: C-

RYAN NELSEN

Ryan also joined us during the spring term from Ewood Park Establishment, sponsored by Venky's, to take the register slot vacated by Sebastien, who opted to see out the remainder of the academic year at Wolverhampton Polytechnic.

As with Louis and Brad, Ryan is very much at the end of his academic life, and it was felt that an experienced head was needed to help the more promising of our pupils as the workload built up near the semester’s end.

Despite having few chances to impress after finding spaces in the classroom limited, Ryan has performed admirably, filling in when others are ill to calm any nerves with the more important exams on the horizon.

With his scholarship also due to expire at the end of the year, it is undecided whether he will continue his studies here or elsewhere, either in England or one of the number of educational facilities abroad.
Grade: C


And there you have it - couldn't have summed it up better myself

[dtaai-maai]

Very good. Can't argue with any of that, apart from a tad more generosity to young Nelsen.

[BaaBaa.]

WTF !!

I checked in on this thread at breakfast time and then spat my cornflakes all over my keyboard

Thanks Baa Baa

Classy ain't it.

[Terry]

Nope - it's very sad

So - I read lunchtime that Kenny is not gonna get much more dosh to spend - but he keeps his job

So - where will the 'poon finish next season?

[GLCQuantum]

I think if Carrol finds his feet which he has been showing over the last few games they may do very well. Dalglish certainly needs to change it up a bit though.

Carrol and Saurez at the top of their game could be quite a deadly partnership.

P.S. Really not diggin' that new kit though.

[BaaBaa.]

I've heard we've got £50'000'000 plus sales.

I agree with GLC, our back 5 is as good as anything in the league, Lucas back and them 2 upfront isn't a bad side. All at a good age too barring Gerrard.

We just need the money spent more wisely this year, a Modric/Silva type is what we really need.

We won't be challenging for the title but I don't see any reason why we can't challenge for top 4.

[Bamboo Grove]

Pat Rice will retire. When I started to follow Arsenal as a 10-year old boy during the 1970-71 season, Pat was already an established defender at the club. Except for 4 years in the early 80's, he has been at Arsenal so you can say that he trully is another Mr. Arsenal.

Happy Retirement Days, Pat.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18016803

[caller]

Yes BG, Pat Rice was a solid plater and has been a great club servant - got to wish him well.

However, the big news in the UK at the mo is the revelation that leaked photos of ManU's new kit were true - and the fans ain't happy!

It's already a candidate for the worst design of all time and is kindly being likened to a tea-towel. A bit of an insult to tea towels if you ask me! Typical Nike!

Images here (and note Chelseas nice new kit by comparison):

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=man+ut ... 14&bih=627

[Big Boy]

My son says that he'll still buy it

[BaaBaa.]

My son says that he'll still buy it

Is your son Rupert the Bear or a lumberjack?

I'd disown my son if he went to the darkside.

[dtaai-maai]

I'd disown my son if he went to the darkside.

Quite agree. I hope he'd support a decent team. Like Spurs.

Apparently Big Boy tried to disown him, but the dear lad followed them out here on the understanding that he would seek hypnotherapy. Obviously it's early days...




Are the rumours that Liverpool are donating this season's away kit to Plymouth Argyle true?

[caller]

So what's all this about BaaBaa?

Liverpool kit launch sparks anger among Hillsborough families

Full story -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18033752

How many groups are there and why is there a need for more than one? The lee-way expected by some seems disproportionate to me?

Meanwhile, over at Bradford:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-18024241

Two tragedies, both avoidable.

[BaaBaa.]

As far as I'm aware the HFSG was the original group that the club did and still do consult with, the HJC was a faction of that (how that came about I don't know) and the Club don't consult them.

In my opinion they're using this as a stick to beat the club with, not over the kit, but that they don't see the need to consult them in general.

At the end of the day the club wanted to revert back to the traditional badge (it had become a cluttered mess, more like a coat of arms) but have still kept the flames, which I'm sure they would have agreed with anyway.

I think HJC have scored a PR own goal, not the club.