The Soccer Thread

[BigHouseUSA]

This is too fun.

 

[Bigpapa42]

Watching United supporters on other sites whine, bitch, and generally act like this is the biggest betrayals ever in the sport is definitely fun.

 

[Rudi]

Bring Rooney to Man City!

 

[BigHouseUSA]

Madrid already up 2-0 on Milan.

 

[1ke]

Watching United supporters on other sites whine, bitch, and generally act like this is the biggest betrayals ever in the sport is definitely fun.

Everyone does feel betrayed. Today was not fun. I read the news during lunch. A bad day in the teams history. He has gone from wonderkid to public enemy, I dont even know what to say.

How he can go from saying mid summer that he wants to be at United for life, to declining a contract, then saying he wants out it sooo mindblowing.

And today Fergie was clearly defeated. Staam had the book, Ronny decided he wanted to leave, Ruud had the fight, Becks had a boot kicked at him. But never has a player who was considered un-sellable walked up to him and said "I want out". This shit has hurt Fergie, and he clearly acted desperately today by giving a whole time-line and detailing out everything that happned.

 

[1ke]

And here is a nice little song for Fuckface Rooney on his way out.....A bit long but it will have to work.

My agent rang, the other day
He said to me, “I spoke to Man Citeh
They’ll give you, a load of cash
Some Marlie Reds, and a ropey brass.”

So I said, “That sounds fine,
But what about this famous club of mine
The blood-red shirt, the grand old ground
The name that’s sung, the world around

And all the greats that went before
Like Charlton, Edwards, Best and Law
Matt Busby Way, The Stretford end,
And football played the way the gods intend

The pride of playing with Giggs and Scholes
Living legends who still give me goals
The joy of gracing, that perfect park
(The pitch, not Ji, whose breakfast barks)

The trophy room, that glints and gleams
So bright the bitters see it in their dreams
The training ground, where youth excels
The treatment room, where Hargo dwells

A history that stands alone
The greatest manager the game has known
A dressing-room with great morale
And the world’s best fans (except for Cal)?”

“Erm,” he said, “I’ll call them back
And ask their boss, that fucking twat
Don’t go nowhere, while I ring Cook –”
“I can’t,” I said, “my ankle’s fooked.”

So I sat, and smoked a fag
And poked some not even attractive slag
Then my phone began to ring
It was Garry Cook, who’s embarrassing

“Son,” he said, “Sign for us
You’ll get a mil a fortnight, plus
You can bang, my old fat ma”
“Right,” I said, “That’s sold me, la.”

If someone asks, in future times
“Who was the daftest sod we ever signed?
Was it Tevez, who looked like a clout
And literally spat his dummy out?

Or Miller, say, or Kleberson?”
Say, “No, it was this lad from Everton
He left the club where he was meant to be
And he went by the name of Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney, Wayne Rooney
He went by the name of Wayne Rooney.”
Plechazunga is offline Reply With Quote

 

[Bigpapa42]

Everyone does feel betrayed. Today was not fun. I read the news during lunch. A bad day in the teams history. He has gone from wonderkid to public enemy, I dont even know what to say.

How he can go from saying mid summer that he wants to be at United for life, to declining a contract, then saying he wants out it sooo mindblowing.

And today Fergie was clearly defeated. Staam had the book, Ronny decided he wanted to leave, Ruud had the fight, Becks had a boot kicked at him. But never has a player who was considered un-sellable walked up to him and said "I want out". This shit has hurt Fergie, and he clearly acted desperately today by giving a whole time-line and detailing out everything that happned.

I can understand the feeling of betrayal. But its honestly tough to have a great deal of sympathy.

For one, "I love this club" - even when completely heartfelt and honest - does not mean that player will never leave the club. And leaving the club doesn't mean they don't love the club. There are endless reasons why a play might want to leave despite loving the club, and many of them are quite legitimate.

Second, its part of the game. Its a feeling that supporters of almost any club know. Its how Liverpool supporters probably felt when Michael Owen ended up at Man U, or when Gerrard seemed destined to leave for rivals Chelsea (even if he didn't in the end). Or how Atletico Madrid supporters have felt first watching Raul becoming one of Real Madrid's great players and then seeing Torres become an Anfield legend. Supporting Arsenal, I've felt it to varying degrees when Viera left, then Cole, then Hleb, then Henry, then Toure and Adebayor... and its a constant with the knowledge that Fabregas will leave at some point. Its how Everton fans had to feel when Rooney went from kissing the Everton to badge to kissing the United badge in front of Everton supporters. And due to that...

...it does make me wonder why people are so surprised? Sure, he seemed United "to the core", but I'm pretty he said the same of Everton, too. He hasn't always shown the greatest decision making and he's a forceful personality. The kind of forceful personality Fergie has a history of clashing with. Not to say it should have been expected, but just that it seems willful denial to believe its impossible to happen. Not really any different from Arsenal supporters who are convinced that Fabregas would never leave for Barcelona.

I honestly feel like Rooney's handled it fairly well thus far. He let the club know when they could have done something at the start of the season. He didn't make things public - that was Fergie making the statements to the media today. For all the paper talk and rumors, they could have chosen to keep things internal. Moreso, I don't know yet know the reasons that Rooney has. How I regard his apparent decision will depend heavily on what his reasoning is.

 

[1ke]

I can understand the feeling of betrayal. But its honestly tough to have a great deal of sympathy.

For one, "I love this club" - even when completely heartfelt and honest - does not mean that player will never leave the club. And leaving the club doesn't mean they don't love the club. There are endless reasons why I play might want to leave despite loving the club, and many of them are quite legitimate.

Second, its part of the game. Its a feeling that supporters of almost any club know. Its how Liverpool supporters probably felt when Michael Owen ended up at Man U, or when Gerrard seemed destined to leave for rivals Chelsea (even if he didn't in the end). Or how Atletico Madrid supporters have felt first watching Raul becoming one of Real Madrid's great players and then seeing Torres become an Anfield legend. Supporting Arsenal, I've felt it to varying degrees when Viera left, then Cole, then Hleb, then Henry, then Toure and Adebayor... and its a constant with the knowledge that Fabregas will leave at some point. Its how Everton fans had to feel when Rooney went from kissing the Everton to badge to kissing the United badge in front of Everton supporters. And due to that...

...it does make me wonder why people are so surprised? Sure, he seemed United "to the core", but I'm pretty he said the same of Everton, too. He hasn't always shown the greatest decision making and he's a forceful personality. The kind of forceful personality Fergie has a history of clashing with. Not to say it should have been expected, but just that it seems willful denial to believe its impossible to happen. Not really any different from Arsenal supporters who are convinced that Fabregas would never leave for Barcelona.

I honestly feel like Rooney's handled it fairly well thus far. He let the club know when they could have done something at the start of the season. He didn't make things public - that was Fergie making the statements to the media today. For all the paper talk and rumors, they could have chosen to keep things internal. Moreso, I don't know yet know the reasons that Rooney has. How I regard his apparent decision will depend heavily on what his reasoning is.

To be honest Papa....I more mad at myself for being naive enough to think he would stay for an extended period of time. And by no means am I trying to get sympathy. Im the first to point out hat the Yankees get zero sympathy from me when things go wrong, so In no way would I expect any.

And I really dont mind him going to the meida. I dont think he had any other way. And you could tell this was Fergie like nobody has ever seen him before, it looked like someone just kicked his dog. The papers were making sooo much out of this story and nobody knew anything about it. The gossip juts blew up. All I wanted was to hear from Rooney that he wanted to leave cuz I hate the gossip. Well I got it. The very loose talk is that Rooney just wants more money. I really hope its not all down to money. I just wish I knew why. And I thought Moyes had alot to do with him leaving Everton? I dont know...Im still really confused by all of this. Well just wait and see. 100x more curious to see if Rooney ever talks about any of this now....

 

[Bigpapa42]

To be honest Papa....I more mad at myself for being naive enough to think he would stay for an extended period of time. And by no means am I trying to get sympathy. Im the first to point out hat the Yankees get zero sympathy from me when things go wrong, so In no way would I expect any.

And I really dont mind him going to the meida. I dont think he had any other way. And you could tell this was Fergie like nobody has ever seen him before, it looked like someone just kicked his dog. The papers were making sooo much out of this story and nobody knew anything about it. The gossip juts blew up. All I wanted was to hear from Rooney that he wanted to leave cuz I hate the gossip. Well I got it. The very loose talk is that Rooney just wants more money. I really hope its not all down to money. I just wish I knew why. And I thought Moyes had alot to do with him leaving Everton? I dont know...Im still really confused by all of this. Well just wait and see. 100x more curious to see if Rooney ever talks about any of this now....

And this is one of the true downsides of modern sports - as a fan, you cannot really let yourself fall in love with a player. Not without reservation. Because there is such a risk that you will get burned by it. But its not just the players who have created this situation - its the whole nature of of sports being big business.

Regarding why Rooney left, Moyes may have been some part of it. A lot was that Everton were pretty middling at that point and didn't qualify for Europe.

Watched the Arsenal-Shakhtar match last night. Great result for Arsenal even if it really wasn't quite a great performance. It was awesome to see Eduardo get a standing ovation from the Arsenal supporters when he scored... for Shakhtar... A bit weird to see, but really really cool.

 

[BigHouseUSA]

Rooney's made a statement, only this has come out of it so far;
"I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad,"

More now
"I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad.

"I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract.

"I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it.

"It is absolutely true, as he said, that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract. During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world.

"I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?

"For me its all about winning trophies - as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.

"Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18.

"For Manchester United's sake I wish he could go on forever because he's a one off and a genius."

 

[1ke]

This is what SAF thinks of his club's ambition. In Fergie we trust. This was a classic!

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The only question I have for Wayne is......Who did he want signed that wasnt? He is losing this battle.

 

[1ke]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...e-after-he-confirms-he-will-quit-Man-Utd.html

Disregard the article....Its nothing that we dont already know. Its all about the picture for this one.

 

[calgaryballer]

Well this was anti-climactic...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/oct/22/wayne-rooney-staying-manchester-united

£180k per week. I wish I could threaten to leave my job and get a 50 k raise

 

[Bigpapa42]

Still hate him, 1ke?

 

[1ke]

Still hate him, 1ke?

No...lol...but he has taken a hit in my book. Im just really confused by all of it. I knew it was about money. I knew he wanted a raise. But the advice he was given, was piss poor. I really dont think he knew what he was doing. Maybe the group at his front door woke him up. He says he has reassurances now....Uhhh like what? What has changed in 4 months? He says he spoke to the Glazers....Uhhh ok, theyre useless, but i dont know, happy he stayed, just think he was a dumb child about it.

Once he(or whoever they were) released that statement saying the club lacked ambition, (which was mind boggling) I knew he was full of shit. And once SAF said they would put it to bed I knew they were going to keep him, cuz they werent going to suspend him, and they werent gonna send him out on loan.

I told my brother last night, theyre gonna resign him, and spend the rest of the night trying to get the correct PR spin on this. Vidic, Evra, and Fletch made thier feelings known, so he better come back ballin.

So now he stays, he really needs to get healthy, and have a nice rest.

 

[Bigpapa42]

I saw someone on another forum post a theory that it was all orchestrated by Fergie to get assurances from the Glazer's that money will be spent on the squad. Honestly, that makes more sense than almost anything else. If it was a just a negotiating tactic by Rooney, it's a really weird choice and even stranger to have Ferguson be the one to make it public. That's what makes me scratch my head - it was the club who first comfirmed that Rooney wanted to leave. If they were really going to sell him, that's a dumb move as it takes away some negotiating leverage. If it was Ferguson seeing through Rooney's negotiating ploy, its a big risk to turn the supporters again one of your top stars. Any way I look it, the situation doesn't quite make sense...

 

[BigHouseUSA]

That makes sense until you get to Rooney. Why would he agree to do that, especially after all the negative press? This just makes him look worse, and I doubt he cares enough to risk that for the Glazers.

 

[Bigpapa42]

That makes sense until you get to Rooney. Why would he agree to do that, especially after all the negative press? This just makes him look worse, and I doubt he cares enough to risk that for the Glazers.

Desire to get the media attention away from his "personal issues"? Loyalty to Fergie? Belief that he could win back the fans, even if they hate him for a shor bit? Assurances that doing things this way would mean a bigger/longer contract out of the Glazers than he otherwise might have? Even just the assurances of long-term squad quality that he said he was looking for?

Any way you cut it, the events and sequence don't really make complete sense. No matter what reasoning you put behind things, there is a bit of a disconnect. I'm not saying Rooney willingly make himself into a villian (even for a few days) makes complete sense. It just doesn't make less sense than any of the other possible scenarios....

 

[1ke]

Thats very very true. I cant make sense of any of it either. I mean...a whole week of this shit? So many things, and none of it ever added up. Only thing that would have made it stranger in whole....was Rooney walking to his front gate to confront and answer the hooligan's questions they had for him.

 

[BigHouseUSA]

Andy Carroll really slammed West Ham's head off the bathroom floor with that goal.