Football 2013

[barney]

For all us footie fans to discuss, argue, p*ss take and anything else football related that comes to mind.

Newly promoted to League one after three years in the basement, I hoping for big things again this year for The Gills.

Upcoming friendlies against Ipswich, Palace & Millwall should show how far we have progressed an more importantly, have much more is needed.

Four new signings so far including three strikers.

What news from your club?

[Kendhni]

For all us footie fans to discuss, argue, p*ss take and anything else football related that comes to mind.

Can we please limit the p*ss taking to premier league football clubs please ... makes for easier moderation since I only have to learn one set of football teams

[Manoverboard]

Would you like me to transfer this to the original Footy Topic ... ?

[barney]

Only if you feel that you need to Mob.

The original was fine but got a bit heavy.

I thought I'd start a new thread for the new season.

Not so much to wade through.

[Manoverboard]

Gatcha Barney

Well, us Hornets were carved up rotten by that Olly feller and as a consequence we have had to get shot of many of our loanies .... however, as far as I can tell, we seem to have acquired four more

Vydra, according to the Itanliano press, is staying with Udinese else will transfer to one of the German teams ... this may be so as he has yet to show in any of the build up games in Northern Italy.

We have dumped two UK type players on the Rams and purchased a couple of very good prospects who were out of contract from Reading and Notts Forest.

Ciao for nowwa

[Romig1]

Looking forward to the new season - now that Huddersfield have eventually secured the signature of James Vaughan. Hope he continues as well as he did whilst on loan to us last year....

An upper mid-table finish would be acceptable for us this season - though last year we were only a handful of points away from the play-offs...despite us not being safe from the dreaded drop until after the last game!

[barney]

Well, so far, two friendlies against Championship clubs and lost 'em both.

A very decent performance against Ipswich with a last kick of the game defeat

A terrible first half against Millwall and quickly 3-0 down. A much improved 2nd half with a change of formation and full time was 3-1

Bring on the Palace on Tuesday night

From what I've seen so far, we'll be fine this year

[Romig1]

I pay little heed to the pre-season friendly results. These games are all about player conditioning, learning new formations/tactics and blooding some younger players. It is nice to win them however, as winning does breed confidence to take into the season.

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Barney,

Have you still got that loony as the chairman?

Have been to your ground a few times and never seen my mob win

We have a new manager this season, so we may get rid of the 'Pulisball' style of play.

I certainly hope so.

John

[barney]

Hi John

yep, old Scallywag is still there and still as controversial as ever

His idea for this season (I'm not making this up) is to have photo ID attached to your season ticket which will be checked as you enter the ground.
This is to combat the problem of season ticket holders lending the ticket to their mates for games they can't attend. He wants to charge an 'admin fee' for this

What a first class muppet the man is.

Remember the brilliant battles between Kavanagh & Andy Hess ???????

[stocktonmackem]

As a Sunderland fan I don't know whether to be looking forward to the new season or not. We have bought nearly a whole new team and with a manager as crazy as a box of frogs who knows how our season is going to pan out. lol It is certainly going to be interesting one way or another. Hopefully our new players will gel and as we all know Di Canio likes his fitness regimes so we might get to see some cracking games, but there again we have hope every season and look what we get. haha Hope we all get the results we want.

[barney]

Hi Stockton

I reckon I'm in a very small minority who thinks Di Canio will actually do very well.

True, he is a bit nutty in his methods and his press conferences, but when a club is in a bit of a crisis, a huge change can be a good thing.

One thing that is worth mentioning though, he'll probably bankrupt you unless you have a very srtong Chairman.
At Swindon, he won the league in year one and got to the playoffs in year two.

They are now in serious financial poo and had to release six of their best players (top earners) this year, just to survive.
The manager who took over from Di Canio has left before the season has even started.

It's gonna be a rollercaoster for the Mackems
Hold on to your hat

[Manoverboard]

The latest situation in Hornettoland is that during the past week or so we have signed 10 players and yet, as far as I can tell, not a penny piece has changed hands re transfer fees ?

[Romig1]

The latest situation in Hornettoland is that in the past week we have signed 10 players ... and yet, as far as I can tell, not a penny piece has changed hands re transfer fees ?

And what's the betting that as soon as the Italian paymasters want them back at their "home" club, they will be transferred back at the same price?

I haven't read into this, but on the face of it, it' appears to be little more than an obvious ploy to circumvent loan rules.

[Manoverboard]

The latest situation in Hornettoland is that in the past week we have signed 10 players ... and yet, as far as I can tell, not a penny piece has changed hands re transfer fees ?

And what's the betting that as soon as the Italian paymasters want them back at their "home" club, they will be transferred back at the same price?

I haven't read into this, but on the face of it, it' appears to be little more than an obvious ploy to circumvent loan rules.

You are probably right Romig although they have signed long term deals in many, if not most, cases. Perhaps this happens with all Clubs with shared owners ?

Having said that they are not all from Udinese or Malaga, Wes Brown's younger brother from ManU for example.

[stocktonmackem]

Hi Stockton

I reckon I'm in a very small minority who thinks Di Canio will actually do very well.

True, he is a bit nutty in his methods and his press conferences, but when a club is in a bit of a crisis, a huge change can be a good thing.

One thing that is worth mentioning though, he'll probably bankrupt you unless you have a very srtong Chairman.
At Swindon, he won the league in year one and got to the playoffs in year two.

They are now in serious financial poo and had to release six of their best players (top earners) this year, just to survive.
The manager who took over from Di Canio has left before the season has even started.

It's gonna be a rollercaoster for the Mackems
Hold on to your hat

I hope you are right about Di canio doing a good job for us. We have had many false hopes. We certainly have a strong chairman with Ellis short, he got rid of Roy Keane without batting an eyelid. I am a bit worried about the amount of players we are signing in one fell swoop. I know we had problems last year but I always think players need time to Gel. The good thing is he already has the player's well before the season starts so they have time to bond (hopefully). we are certainly in for an entertaining season if nothing else. The good thing is I don't miss any games whilst on my cruise because I always book it for the International break and lets face it I won't be missing much with the England squad.

[gfwgfw]

Approx an attendance of 12,000 witnessed Bournemouth versus Real Madrid last night

Credit to Real Madrid they played all of their star players, and it seems that the players were generous with their time, signing autographs

Bournemouth won . . . . the weather stakes . . . . it was hotter at Dean Court than in Madrid

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Hi John

yep, old Scallywag is still there and still as controversial as ever

His idea for this season (I'm not making this up) is to have photo ID attached to your season ticket which will be checked as you enter the ground.
This is to combat the problem of season ticket holders lending the ticket to their mates for games they can't attend. He wants to charge an 'admin fee' for this

What a first class muppet the man is.

Remember the brilliant battles between Kavanagh & Andy Hess ???????

Yes Barney I remember them Hess always semed to win them

I was there when Rob Styles was your best player in the play offs

We used to have id cards for away matches because of our stupid hooligans.

I didnt mind them they certainly stopped a lot of the hooliganism and certainly the racism.

Scully seemss to do anything for money, didnt he try to sue West Ham once for trying to get fans from Gillingham to support them?

John

[barney]

Scully seemss to do anything for money, didnt he try to sue West Ham once for trying to get fans from Gillingham to support them?

No, that was Charlton

When we looked like going skint in '94, our near neighbours Charlton had people outside our ground handing out leaflets saying 'if Gills fold, come and watch The Addicks'
They also started running free coaches from Medway to SE London.

Having been in a similar position once, you think they would have more sympathy.

Seriously though, he does love to see his picture in the paper

Palace tonight should be a good yard stick for the coming season.

[gfwgfw]

What's happened to PTE ?

[oldbluefox]

Not playing with us now that he's Premier League!!

Not seen or heard from him for a long time. Anybody any ideas?

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Barney,
How did your match against Palace go?

Our chairman is giving free bus travel to all away matches this season, all you have to do is ask for it when you buy a ticket.

He says its being paid for with the extra Sky money they have.

Doesn't help me though living in Chesterfield

John

[barney]

Bit of a strange one actually John

We lost 3-0 but actually played very well.
Two screamers from outside the box and an under hit backpass was the difference between the two sides.

After finishing pre-season I'm starting to have a few reservations. Our starting line up is ok but a paper thin squad.
Any injuries or suspensions and we are in the poo!

Having said that, Mad Dog has always used the loan market pretty well, so I'll defer to his expertise in such matters.

So, for this season
Wish = playoffs
Happy with = mid table
Nightmare = relegation and back to that awful League Two

What do you wish for your team ?

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Barney,

Wish = top ten finish playing proper football. Oh and a good cup run.

Happy with = mid table playing proper football.

Nightmare = relegation and back to that awful team at that plastic ground 'The Lestar'

John

[oldbluefox]

As we move towards another season good luck to all those who post on here and love their footy. Promoted or relegated or just managing in the middle I hope the season is exciting and full of great goals and happy memories.
I am looking forward to plenty of football banter on here from 'the usual suspects' (you know who you are ) and from some of our newbies, irrespective of which division you are in. Whether you are looking to let off steam, bounce up and down or just to commiserate we look forward to hearing from you. If you expect any sympathy forget it!!!

As for my lot we never know what to expect but new season, new start. They may surprise me. Bring it on!!!