[demonrail666]

It's a criminal offence here to make what's considered a racially abusive remark, although I'm not sure how that works in practice. Anyway, Terry admitted to calling QPR's Anton Ferdinand a "fucking black cunt" during a match but insisted that he said it out of sarcasm and the court couldn't decide on whether it was or not, so he got off.

[jon boy]

so leeds could be 'sheiking all over' pretty soon. i really hope that it means the end of master bates.

[demonrail666]

Anyone looking to invest in a sleeping giant has to put Leeds quite high up the list. I don't know if they've still got massive debts but if they're sorted those out (and putting aside the fact I think anyone who invests in a football team is a bit daft) it seems like a no-brainer. Although I'd say the same about Newcastle, which Ashley still can't find a buyer for (assuming it's still even on the market).

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

It's a criminal offence here to make what's considered a racially abusive remark, although I'm not sure how that works in practice. Anyway, Terry admitted to calling QPR's Anton Ferdinand a "fucking black cunt" during a match but insisted that he said it out of sarcasm and the court couldn't decide on whether it was or not, so he got off.

And yet when I make obscene phone calls to the childrens hospital they miss the sarcasm in my voice every time. Double standards, thats what it is.

[!@#$%!]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

It's a criminal offence here to make what's considered a racially abusive remark, although I'm not sure how that works in practice. Anyway, Terry admitted to calling QPR's Anton Ferdinand a "fucking black cunt" during a match but insisted that he said it out of sarcasm and the court couldn't decide on whether it was or not, so he got off.

real sarcasm or just mere irony? anyway, speech police reeks of newspeak--sorry! i mean if the club suspends him for giving everyone a bad image, sure-- but prison or whatever? yikes! then again, every country copes differently with shit.

anyway, another 2 weeks and this whole show starts again, yes? my football website resumes charges on august 6th so it must mean something. anything i should look forward to? i'm new to your league...

[demonrail666]

I'm not sure Terry would know the difference between real sarcasm or irony. Personally I can't stand him but I don't think he's any more racist than any other footballer. The courts would've found things a lot more straightforward had they just charged him with being a total cunt.

As for the Prem, it's all just transfer stuff right now. Will Van Persie leave Arsenal? Will Modric leave Spurs? And where will they go? That kind of thing. The first games are on the 18th August. Prior to that, there's a charity match, the Community Shield, on the 12th, a fairly pointless annual fixture, played between the previous year's winners of the Prem (Man C) and the FA Cup (Chelsea). I don't know anyone who bothers with it, though.

Before all that starts, and while I said I wouldn't give a shit about the football in the Olympics, I can't help getting a little bit interested in them, especially seeing the South American sides that apparently take it very seriously. Plus we have the circus that is Team GB that'll at least provide something to laugh at. The real action doesn't start until the 18th, though.

The newspapers here tend to do quite detailed previews in the week leading up to the first games so I'll link them when they start coming out. They'll give you a better overview of the key players and an overall picture of the individual teams. And if you're that way inclined, I can also link some great weekly Prem-centric podcasts that run throughout the season.

I hope Paulybee revives his Fantasy Football league but haven't seen him around in ages and, if not, I know of a couple of other ones starting up on other forums that I go to, that we can all use.

[!@#$%!]

hey, i thought van persie was going to juventus, now i find out that maybe not-- ha ha, thanks for the heads up.

i might be watching the olympics final maybe if they show it but not really crazy about it.

and thanks for the heads up on the dates! i'll reschedule my automatic reactivation for the 18th cuz i'm not crazy about friendlies.

speaking of which--- there was an england-brazil friendly the other day but i didn't recognize any of the names from the euros... people are probably on vacation. so i didn't watch just scrolled to see it ended 2-0. but meh.

keep me posted on leagues! i'm ready to go down in flames just like i did with the euros ha ha ha!

[demonrail666]

I've not joined a league yet but most are played on the official Prem League site (same as we used for the Euros) so you can always set your team up now and join a league closer to the time. It's the same set-up, 100m with unlimited transfers up till the first deadline. players will obviously change as transfers take place but you can at least work on building some kind of spine to your team. Good luck.

http://fantasy.premierleague.com

[!@#$%!]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

I've not joined a league yet but most are played on the official Prem League site (same as we used for the Euros) so you can always set your team up now and join a league closer to the time. It's the same set-up, 100m with unlimited transfers up till the first deadline. players will obviously change as transfers take place but you can at least work on building some kind of spine to your team. Good luck.

http://fantasy.premierleague.com

thanks man. i'll take some time to study this at some point-- not sure i can keep the year-long commitment, but i just might. i barely know the teams-- you got some favorites i should look into? (teams, not players, that is. i only know the 2 manchesters + chelsea really).

[demonrail666]

Some teams/players you might want to consider:

I imagine most points will come from Man City and based on last season I imagine lots of people will pick some variation of Hart, Aguero, Silva and Kompany, although slightly cheaper but very high scoring last year were Ya Ya Toure and Lescott.

Man U are difficult because their midfield was crap last season but they pick up lots of clean sheets so any regular starting defender should be a good steady bet. Jones might be a good affordable option and when he's fit Johnny Evans. Up front, Rooney always gets points but at 12m he's not cheap, and can go through periods when he does nothing (FF wise).

Arsenal seems to be losing all its best players but they've just signed Podolski which might be interesting. But for me things are too unsettled there and most of their players are too expensive to justify the gamble. At this stage anyway. I generally feel the same about Spurs players right now, too, and for similar reasons Liverpool's (although they've still got some bargain defenders like Jose Enrique).

Chelsea are another one that could be good for clean sheets. Terry's expensive but a solid bet to start (assuming he's not banned by the FA) and gets the odd goal which bumps up his FF score. Cahill's another decent bet in defence.

One team that may have flown under your radar is Newcastle, who have some great defenders that're still quite cheap. Simpson, R Taylor and Collicini are particular bargains you might want to consider. And Krul is an excellent keeper. They were good up front too but their strike force now isn't the bargain it was last season.

Some players from other teams who had great seasons last year are Clint Dempsey for Fulhum. Immense. Maybe my favourite player last season. Liverpool and Man U want him and he's expensive but he plays a lot and can score like a striker (while gaining the extra points as a midfielder). Love Love Love him. Also, from the newly promoted teams (and therefore exceptionally cheap) Mark Noble isn't even West Ham's best player but he takes 99% of their penalties and is lethal at them so could potentially pick up a lot of points that way. Also, if you're running out of money, Kembe for Reading is another solid cheap midfielder while Ricky Lambert for Southampton is a good cheap standby up front.

But it's all guesswork. Players you've never heard of suddenly emerge as must haves after a few weeks, while plenty of last season's bankers inevitably fall by the wayside.

[!@#$%!]

Damn! After such a great cheat sheet, how can I say no.

I didn't know your favorite player is an American. What has the world come to!

Cool man, thanks. Some names there I like, but I don't know the teams (wtf is a "west ham"? ha!). But I'll put it together.

Many thanks.

[demonrail666]

I'm convinced that if Dempsey came from Europe instead of America he'd be far more highly regarded. Great player.

Haha, West Ham are the team I support. They're pretty dreadful and i wouldn't touch any of their defenders if you're looking for clean sheets but you know, they're cheap and they've got a player whose head steams up when it's cold. Not even Barcelona can claim they've got one of those.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F7bUrZstyg

[!@#$%!]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

I'm convinced that if Dempsey came from Europe instead of America he'd be far more highly regarded. Great player.

Haha, West Ham are the team I support. They're pretty dreadful and i wouldn't touch any of their defenders if you're looking for clean sheets but you know, they're cheap and they've got a player whose head steams up when it's cold. Not even Barcelona can claim they've got one of those.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F7bUrZstyg

UAU

i used to be like that in high school, but from the shoulders... except we didn't get cold weather. buw WOW. looks awesome! he should make train noises.

[demonrail666]

Originally Posted by !@#$%!

he should make train noises.

He should score more goals is what he should do, but yeah.

I watched some of the olympic football but it's pretty hard to really care about it. Brazil look awesome but they're about the only major team there with a really credible squad. That Neymar fella looks pretty decent, though. Can't be long before the uber-European clubs start offering him blank cheques.

[Bertrand]

For Fantasy purposes, if you end up looking for a medium-priced player when you finaly want to transfer someone, take a look at Sunderland.
They were mid-table last year, after a poor start. They sacked the coach, and brought Martin O'Neil, who helped them a lot.
He's a manager who doesn't rotate his teams as much as Man City (or Man U at the back their last season), and he did really well with Aston Villa in the past.
Keep an eye on their results, it could be good.

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

He should score more goals is what he should do, but yeah.

I watched some of the olympic football but it's pretty hard to really care about it. Brazil look awesome but they're about the only major team there with a really credible squad. That Neymar fella looks pretty decent, though. Can't be long before the uber-European clubs start offering him blank cheques.

they have been doing for a while, but a consequence of Brazil being a growing economy is their clubs can afford to keep their superstar players for longer. He will likely end up in Europe eventually though

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by Bertrand

For Fantasy purposes, if you end up looking for a medium-priced player when you finaly want to transfer someone, take a look at Sunderland.
They were mid-table last year, after a poor start. They sacked the coach, and brought Martin O'Neil, who helped them a lot.
He's a manager who doesn't rotate his teams as much as Man City (or Man U at the back their last season), and he did really well with Aston Villa in the past.
Keep an eye on their results, it could be good.

yeah but for the first time ever you didnt win the league this year so why should we follow your advice

As a Spurs fan im well excited about AVB, even if Modric goes. If Van Persie leaves Arsenal and we dont finish above them next season that will be a colossal failure

[h8kurdt]

Originally Posted by the ikara cult

yeah but for the first time ever you didnt win the league this year so why should we follow your advice

As a Spurs fan im well excited about AVB, even if Modric goes. If Van Persie leaves Arsenal and we dont finish above them next season that will be a colossal failure

Modric really needs to get fucked off. You can't have a player who is clearly desperate to go and expect things to be harmonious in the changing room. I think he'd be nothing but a drag for morale.

Take the 30mil and buy someone else.

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by h8kurdt

Modric really needs to get fucked off. You can't have a player who is clearly desperate to go and expect things to be harmonious in the changing room. I think he'd be nothing but a drag for morale.

Take the 30mil and buy someone else.

Well there was the same speculation last summer and he ended up playing superbly last season. He was a professional about it and didnt sulk or moan, which i certainly respect alot. The problem is losing him will mean a TOTAL overhaul of the system, i dont think people really appreciate how fantastic he is at virtually every aspect of midfield play, his skill is exceptional and he works hard too.

If we can hold onto him i reckon he will still give his best over the season, he seems to be someone with that kind of hard working attitude to his craft, and thats what makes him such an attractive buy. Chelsea might go and win the league if he was in their squad.

[Bertrand]

Originally Posted by the ikara cult

yeah but for the first time ever you didnt win the league this year so why should we follow your advice

Ouch!