OT: Premiership Forum

[mattola]

snicker.... that was more a shot at Mooger I didn't know you support the Hotspurs as well but ok its for you too.

and any chelsea supporters as well.

the Liverpool ones just um don't count

 

[SLY]

I really do need to start follwing the EPL again.

 

[mattola]

I reallt do need to start follwing the EPL again.

on a serious note. I love the game. but with

FA Cup
Carling
Champions
EPL

its pretty tough from this side to keep 100% involved with NHL taking so much of my time. too many leagues

 

[SLY]

True. MLB just holds me over during the NHL offseason. NFL never holds my interest the whole season, maybe the Fins will finally do that next season (prolly not). But I watch hockey pretty much every night even if the Bruins aren't playing.

 

[mattola]

True. MLB just holds me over during the NHL offseason. NFL never holds my interest the whole season, maybe the Fins will finally do that next season (prolly not). But I watch hockey pretty much every night even if the Bruins aren't playing.

well when the Fins get Peyton Manning this off season it will hold your interest

 

[SLY]

well when the Fins get Peyton Manning this off season it will hold your interest

I hope not. I'd rather build with Flynn. Peyton looks done for good.

 

[ritari330]

snicker.... that was more a shot at Mooger I didn't know you support the Hotspurs as well but ok its for you too.

and any chelsea supporters as well.

the Liverpool ones just um don't count

Yeah, I figured it wasn't for me. Still I'd rather Man City win instead of Man U. Actually, think i'd rather anyone but Arsenal win instead of Man U.

I will agree with the Chelsea part of that though

 

[ritari330]

I hope not. I'd rather build with Flynn. Peyton looks done for good.

Please trade us 3 first round draft picks for Matt Flynn

I personally doubt Peyton is done.

 

[SLY]

I only supported Ballack on Chelsea. Now he's gone, they could go fuck off.

 

[mooger_35]

snicker.... that was more a shot at Mooger I didn't know you support the Hotspurs as well but ok its for you too.

and any chelsea supporters as well.

the Liverpool ones just um don't count

 

[ritari330]

on a serious note. I love the game. but with

FA Cup
Carling
Champions
EPL

its pretty tough from this side to keep 100% involved with NHL taking so much of my time. too many leagues

Yep, only really pay attention to EPL and champions/Europa

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Sebastien Le Toux
Just got traded to Vancouver ! Saddest day for me in my Philadelphia Union story.... Still can't believe it

Sebastien Le Toux @SebastienLeToux
I am very excited to play for Vancouver Whitecaps! Can't wait to see my new teammates and meet the fans,and discover more this great city.

thankfully his initial reaction was because of the way he was treated by Union management (say what? lol)

The Union traded Le Toux to Vancouver for allocation money, shipping out their franchise player for nothing more than cash considerations.
Per club policy, the amount the Union received from the Whitecaps was not disclosed.
Le Toux’s departure had been speculated for weeks, beginning with his seven-day trial with English Premier League side Bolton. Late Monday, a rumor had the 28-year-old getting shipped to the Pacific Northwest. Turns out it was legitimate.
In a conference call Tuesday, Union manager Peter Nowak defused the trade of Le Toux. “It’s about trying to a build a club around the future, not around one player,” Nowak said. “... We have and we will continue to build the franchise. It’s not about one player. It’s about the foundation.
“Feelings are not in my job description. I have to make sure the team is good … and that the team is going to have a future.”
Across the street from the West Chester coffee joint at which Le Toux said he met with Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz this offseason and made a plea for a contract extension, the French forward spoke of his unceremonious exit from the Union --- the club he helped build, goal by goal, with his right foot.
“It had gotten to the point where I said to them, to Nick, to Peter, to everyone, ‘Just give me a contract and I will sign it,’” said Le Toux, who spoke exclusively with the Daily Times. “I wanted to stay in Philly. I didn’t care about the money.”
What followed Le Toux’s pitch to Sakiewicz, who was unavailable for comment, wasn’t pretty. It was nowhere near as picturesque as any of the 25 goals he scored with the Union.
The Union spent $301,000 in guaranteed compensation in two seasons for Le Toux, a pittance considering his rank among the top-five goalscorers in that time. Being unable --- or unwilling --- to sign Le Toux, who had one year remaining on his contract, to an extension meant the Union might get nothing in return for him at the end of the
2012 season.
“The only thing they wanted is the money,” Le Toux said. “Being with this team and being a guy, not to build around, but to help this team, was what I wanted. … They must have wanted to sell me for money because they needed money. We don’t have a nice practice facility and that is something they promised since I am here. It’s terrible. “That’s why they pushed me to Bolton — money.”
Le Toux, who does not have agent representation, said he asked Sakiewicz for a pay increase up to the neighborhood of $400,000, putting him just below the league’s designated player status. In the weeks that followed, Le Toux never got an offer from the Union.
Instead, he was given a chance to take a four-week tryout with Bolton, the English club.
Le Toux said he was “honored” for the Bolton trial, but his heart was with the Union. He had made a home in West Chester, where he and his longtime girlfriend Kendall lived. He adored the fan base and his teammates.
“I told them I would consider (Bolton), but I knew it wasn’t good for me,” Le Toux said. “I was out of shape. I hadn’t kicked a ball in five weeks. I didn’t want to go over there and injure myself in cold weather. What good is that for me or (the Union)?”
Le Toux said he suffered a right-foot toe injury his first practice with Bolton, but played through the pain in two further training sessions. Then, he came home … three weeks early. Staying even one more week, Le Toux said, would have afforded him only two additional practices, so he saw no merit in it.
Upon his return for the Union’s informal workouts last week, Le Toux said Nowak made him feel unwelcome. Le Toux said he was told by assistant coach John Hackworth to attend training Monday, but once there, he wasn’t cleared medically. Instead, he was relegated to a stationary bicycle and free weights.
“I asked Peter (Monday at YSC) what was going on and he didn’t let me talk,” Le Toux said. “He started to get mad at me, telling me that I was very not respectful to leave Bolton early. I told him, ‘First, I respect myself.’ But I always did everything they asked me to do. I came from vacation in the Dominican Republic for the Bimbo
(sponsorship) announcement. I always was respectful. … It was like he was saying, ‘I don’t know if I can trust you on this team.’
“I couldn’t even memorize everything he said because I was so surprised to hear it.”
Less than 24 hours later — after he had been asked by Hackworth to skip Monday’s Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet, where he was to be honored — Le Toux got the call Tuesday on his drive to YSC, informing him of the Vancouver trade.
“I’m sad because of the way I was treated by the staff. I’m disgusted,” Le Toux said. “I’m sorry for the guy who already bought my jersey. Maybe he can get the refund.”
While taking calls and texts from Whitecaps officials, with details of his flight this morning to Phoenix for training, Le Toux reflected on March 31, when Vancouver visits the Union at PPL Park.
“I expect to win and I expect nothing more,” he said.
Le Toux said he had no regrets leaving the Union in this manner. He was an all-star in 2010, a legitimate MVP candidate in 2011 and a fan favorite. Still, he said, he would not consider a return to the Union.
“I would be happy to just retire than play for Peter again,” Le Toux said

 

[puckhead]

Union manager Peter Nowak defused the trade of Le Toux. “It’s about trying to a build a club around the future, not around one player,” Nowak said. “... We have and we will continue to build the franchise. It’s not about one player. It’s about the foundation.
“Feelings are not in my job description. I have to make sure the team is good … and that the team is going to have a future.”

“I asked Peter (Monday at YSC) what was going on and he didn’t let me talk,” Le Toux said. “He started to get mad at me, telling me that I was very not respectful to leave Bolton early. I told him, ‘First, I respect myself.’ But I always did everything they asked me to do. I came from vacation in the Dominican Republic for the Bimbo
(sponsorship) announcement. I always was respectful. … It was like he was saying, ‘I don’t know if I can trust you on this team.’

he had been asked by Hackworth to skip Monday’s Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet, where he was to be honored —

“I’m sad because of the way I was treated by the staff. I’m disgusted,” Le Toux said. “I’m sorry for the guy who already bought my jersey. Maybe he can get the refund.”

“I would be happy to just retire than play for Peter again,” Le Toux said[/I]

jesus, that's come bad blood.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

i think both parties should take equal parts blame on the way it shook down though

kinda says something about the professional level of MLS when Le Toux thinks he can get away with not having an agent/representative

and regarding the attempted transfer to Bolton

Union: for them it was all about the cash. They wanted to sell this guy. But why not send him when he is in soccer form not during the offseason. And how about explicitely letting the player know their intentions?

Le Toux: can you not see the forest through the trees. You accept the training assignment to Bolton. What do you think the trip was about? Free vacation? Sounds like the type of guy that could use an agent

 

[jstewismybastardson]

lmao well done Philly Union fans

Union GM Peter Nowak

@Peter_Nowak
I do ask that you please stop sending curses to my Twitter account . My daughters and family read them and it is crossing a line. Thank you

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Capello out as England manager


Fabio Capello not the 1st Italian to leave a sinking ship when he was supposed to be in charge

ZING

Fabio Capello has left his role as England manager with immediate effect.

According to press in Italy (not confirmed in UK but reported by several Italian football sites) Capello has said "They really insulted me and damaged my authority. What really hit me and forced me to take this decision was the fact the much-vaunted Anglo-Saxon sense of justice, as they are the first to claim that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.


“In Terry’s case, they gravely offended me and damaged my authority at the head of the England side, effectively creating a problem for the squad.


“I have never tolerated certain crossing of lines, so it was easy for me to spot it and take my decision to leave.”


A statement released by The FA says:

The Football Association can confirm that Fabio Capello has today resigned as England Manager.

This follows a meeting involving FA Chairman David Bernstein, FA General Secretary Alex Horne and Fabio Capello at Wembley Stadium.

The discussions focused on The FA Board’s decision to remove the England team captaincy from John Terry, and Fabio Capello’s response through an Italian broadcast interview.

In a meeting for over an hour, Fabio’s resignation was accepted and he will leave the post of England Manager with immediate effect.

David Bernstein said: “I would like to stress that during today’s meeting and throughout his time as England Manager, Fabio has conducted himself in an extremely professional manner. We have accepted Fabio’s resignation, agreeing this is the right decision. We would like to thank Fabio for his work with the England team and wish him every success in the future.”

A media conference with David Bernstein and the Club England Management

team will take place at Wembley on Thursday at 12 noon.

 

[rares]

Anyone else watching this USA @ Italy friendly right now?

Kind of "meh" so far but then again, it IS teh US team we're talking about...

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Anyone else watching this USA @ Italy friendly right now?

Kind of "meh" so far but then again, it IS teh US team we're talking about...

i went up to a pub just now thats 2 minutes from work to go watch and have lunch and their tv is broken ... coulda sworn i walked in on a drug deal

 

[jstewismybastardson]

FORZA DE ROSSI

 

[puckhead]

peeking on on Holland - England.

I sure like these black & orange kits the Dutch are wearing.
(especially compared to the usual BRIGHT orange)