EPL Thread 2009/2010

[Matabele]

Hard to see how all those clubs are going to continue awash in debt as they are.

 

[ManlyBacker]

I am proud of how the Gunners have managed to keep the books reasonably balanced, and that includes paying for the Emirates Stadium (which cost 390M UKP). Their youth policy and developing players is the backbone of limiting costs and they are the most solvent of all EPL clubs.

Chelsea's spending is still outrageous with no attempt to make the operation pay, huge payouts to ex-managers, 12.5M UKP payments to agents and corrupt inducements for players to join. Chelsea posted a loss of 44.4M UKP and debts were in excess of 600M UKP until by a miracle Abramovich converted his outstanding £340 million interest-free loan into equity. Equity? - right! Another joke for UEFA to sort out after their recent edict that bars teams from spending more than their revenues.

The same is true of Man City now as well with Sheikh Mansour spending 120M UKP this year on players. He also announced his own 'miracle' of swapping 305M UKP loan into equity.

Manchester United had a debt of 700M UKP in 2009, but at least they have attempt to cut back - and this started with offloading Ronaldo and Tevez. But it is still an effort for them to balance their debt interest payments against their substantial income.

 

[lsz]

we have just been bought by the p*rn kings....

It is a sad state of affairs football these days. I used to love it when we had Forrest etc around the top of the league not the same big 4 (Pool are just 1 point off 4th now)

 

[ManlyBacker]

Tough and testing period for the Gunners coming up. The title race is in their hands. After Sunday's FA Cup Fourth Round trip to Stoke, Wenger's side travel to Aston Villa. They will then host Manchester United, take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and welcome Liverpool to Emirates Stadium on February 10.

 

[Canteen Worker]

It brings back memories of the old days - Leeds drawing with Tottenham away and now looking at a 4th round FA club replay at Elland Rd in a week or two.

(League one form a bit down of late but still looking good to win it!!)

 

[lsz]

They just need to get past Norwich....

 

[Zep]

Hard to pass Chelski or Arsenal for the title atm. I think United will run out of steam 🙁 everything i thought that would have happened this season to aid united hasn't gone to plan.

Hopefully rooney can keep in keep and get some midfield support from Anderson or Scholes.

Though berbatovs touches have been awesome he just hasn't been able to finish like he used to at spurs.

 

[CliffyIsGod]

Tevez > Berbatwat

 

[lsz]

Another 2 points dropped for us.....damn it a win would have seen some daylight...

 

[Zep]

We're going to Wembley!

 

[nita]

It brings back memories of the old days - Leeds drawing with Tottenham away and now looking at a 4th round FA club replay at Elland Rd in a week or two.

(League one form a bit down of late but still looking good to win it!!)

we've had a terrible 2 months in league one.. but we're still only 3 behind the leader with two games in hand, so its not all bad.

watch out spuds.. tuesday will be our day! if we get through we face bolton which considering we had beaten manure and spuds we'd have a good chance! too exciting..

 

[Canteen Worker]

Yes Nita - Swindon result was terrible and it looks like the extra games in the FA Cup are taking their toll. Need to get back to winning form asap. Want to win the League and get automatic promotion rather than go into the playoffs for the third season running (and fail!)

 

[ManlyBacker]

It is going pear-shaped for the Gunners. Well done *cough* who scored three great goals and were devastating from broken play. Arsenal shot wide so many times they need to reinforce the sponsor signs.

 

[Canteen Worker]

After that result MB I thought we mightn't see on this forum for a long time!!!  Gunners are gorrrnnnneee!

 

[Zep]

Gunners are still in it!

Hard to chase chelsea. Great goal and assist from Nani in the game, the pass to rooney was awesome, and jung si-park did everything right in his goal and the arsenal defender did everything wrong!

 

[lsz]

We are up to 16th

I think i am getting another nose bleed...

 

[ManlyBacker]

CW - Leeds goooooooorrrrnneeeeee 😉

JERMAIN Defoe spared his own blushes and those of Tottenham Hotspur with a hat-trick at Elland Road to overcome brave Leeds and book a place in the FA Cup fifth round at the second time of asking with a 3-1 this morning.

England striker Defoe missed a host of good chances but still managed to come up trumps for the Premier League side with strikes in the 37th and 73rd minutes before putting the result beyond all doubt in the fourth minute of stoppage time to take his tally for the season to 22 goals.

Luciano Becchio had equalised for Leeds on the stroke of half-time as Simon Grayson's League One side threatened to pull off another shock in front of a partisan home crowd.

But Defoe secured a trip for Tottenham to top-flight rivals Bolton in the last 16 and ended the Cup dreams of Leeds, who had knocked Manchester United at Old Trafford out of the competition in stunning style in the previous round.

 

[Zep]

Defoe and Rooney have to be englands front two, no questions about it.

GG Leeds.

 

[Canteen Worker]

Yep - Leeds gorrrnee and it was good whilst it lasted. Great to put Man Ew out though!!!

Now back to the serious business of winning League 1 and the Championship to get back into the big time!!!

 

[lsz]

See you in the champ Canteen....