Transfer deadline day - The fall out

It would sometimes seem that whatever you do in the summer, it counts for nothing unless you find that last minute transfer on transfer deadline day. Some Arsenal fans maybe thinking why didnt they sign anyone..well I think Podolski and Giroud do count for something. Wenger was involved during deadline day as Bendtner got a loan deal to Juventus. I wonder how long before he permanently leaves Arsenal.  The Dane was one of a few players to leave Arsenal on loan.

Man City players could feel reasonably happy after transfer deadline day, Javi Garcia, Maicon, Nastasic, Scott Sinclair and Richard Wright....Yes Richard Wright, the former England goalkeeper. Now they'll have to do a bit of commercial selling to get the income and stay inside the Financial Fairplay rules if they dont want to find themselves kicked out the Champions League in seasons to come.

The biggest fall out no doubt came at Liverpool, on the evening before Andy Carroll was allowed to go on loan to West Ham, a deal that had previously been seemingly shot down. Rodgers did attempt to bring in players but it was not to be. The club did allow players to leave either permanently or on loan and it led to the cut in the wage bill. The Clint Dempsey saga came to an end as the USA international made his way to Spurs for £6 million. Despite the signing by Spurs, Fulham still seem intent on taking forward a complaint for Liverpool's pursuit of Dempsey. The club believe that Liverpool did wrong. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out, but seeing as nothing came from it, I'd hardly see what value they get from it.

Spurs of course were busy themselves. They not only acquired Dempsey but French No1 goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who joined for £12 million. Day's after the arrival of the Frenchman Andre Villas-Boas stated that the new arrival would not be guaranteed first team football and I assume that he would have to battle with Freidel, Cudicini and Gomez. Naturally it would appear Lloris would not be impressed, but we do see that this is Andre Villas Boas and he seems to have previous at upsetting players. Giving that Lloris has only been here a few days, this could quite end up being a record.

Andy Carroll who made his debut on the Saturday pulled his hamstring and it would seem that he will be out for 6 weeks. Just to be honest what West Ham didnt want after taking a risk in him.

Liverpool crash, United owned, Toon time

So with two new managers at the helm, one of which was facing his old club. It was Steve Clarke v Br...I mean West Brom v Liverpool. A game that would see a fresh new start. One which had seen Liverpool have good performances in pre season especially with many reserve players and youngsters. Naturally, West Brom were not going to lay down and let Liverpool play. They took it to Liverpool and took a 3-0 victory. Had Suarez been on form, it may have been a different story, but West Brom took their chances and took all three points. Liverpool have never really been great on opening day of the new season and so this adds to the book. Liverpool do tend to bounce back and this coming weekend the red half of Merseyside hosts the blue half of Manchester. These tend to produce good games and hope more of the same this Saturday with preferably 3 points to Liverpool.

The blue half of Merseyside had a more positive start to the season with a home win against Man United with the recently signed Robin Van Persie. Everton were all over United, so much in fact that had the previously criticised De Gea kept  it to just the one goal. Fellaini was on form and ran the United ragged. The defeat must have really got to Sir Alex Ferguson as he poured out the insults and the standard bad loser lines.He said Everton just lumped the ball forward and that they were the better football team. 

Some may have thought Everton maybe lacking having seen Rodwell and Cahill depart, but far from it. The Toffees looked like they hadnt finished the 4-4 draw which cost United the title last season.  Everton finished 7th last season and if they play like they did against United, they could well push that further. 

Newcastle United had the opening game against Tottenham on the Saturday tea time kick off. Both Spurs and Newcastle wanted to get off to good starts and when Demba struck for the first time in ages, it looked like that the home side would take all three points. Spurs though moved up a gear and eventually found an equaliser through Jermain Defoe and then it looked like it would be points shared but Aaron Lennon's foul on Ben Arfa saw a penalty awarded and converted by Ben Arfa. Both sides will no doubt be up there this season and if Ba has found his shooting boots again, it could well be Newcastle United's time for the Champions League.

Van Persie - Arsene's genius or not

So the Robin Van Persie transfer saga is over before the season started and his destination will probably leave a bitter taste in the club's supporters that have stayed by him through thick and thin. Van Persie is moving to Manchester United. Short of joining former Arsenal colleagues at City, the Dutchman has probably made himself unpopular whilst the rest of the Premier League fans either frown at such a move or laugh at the expense of Arsenal.

Wenger's hands were tied to a point. Did he sell him now or did he wait and let him go for free. With Van Persie edging closer to 30 it was possible that his value would not be great, but naturally when you have a resource, there will always be someone to buy it and that buyer happened to be Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. Man United who narrowly missed out on the title which was the highlight of an otherwise below average season, could do very well with signing RVP although naturally, his history of remaining fit and healthy would be one question mark. 

For Wenger when a club comes in with a healthy bid of around the £20 million plus mark, he will no doubt be thinking that whilst he would rather the Dutchman go somewhere else, he could at least with the money sign one or two new players. If Wenger had either waited till January or the end of the season, he could in theory lose him for nothing. It is of course not the first time that Arsenal have lost a big name player, but they have managed to cope. This time they have two top name strikers who could do just as well and remain more fit to play.

It will of course be interesting to see what happens at United now they have a number of strikers. This will certainly spell the end of Berbatov, although now Owen's gone the, subs bench may seem a little more comfortable. Hernandez may find himself further down the list. It is likely that Rooney will play behind Van Persie (suspensions permitting). Man United fans of course will think that they can walk to the title with the addition of RVP, but I think it would be a bit too soon to make that judgement so early. Whatever happens, it will be an interesting season ahead.

It will also be interesting to see what Wenger does with the income from the RVP transfer. Arsenal fans will of course be hoping that he buys some new players.

The future bleak for Portsmouth

So 10th August is the date that Portsmouth Football Club could come to an end.A history of 114 years could disappear with just memories and recorded moments left of the south coast club. This date in August stated by joint administrator Trevor Birch. This could be avoided if senior players leave or take pay cuts. I know players have contracts but surely there comes a time when the future of a club, something that brings the local community together should be put first. A player will come and go, but a club should be around much longer. Of course no club has a right to exist, but it should be allowed to exist. They should be no different from a normal business some might say. The thing is that to a point, Portsmouth Football Club is no ordinary business. It is a football club, it inspires, it brings people together, brings in money into the area. 

 It would seem that in glory with their FA Cup win, that the precursor to the downhill spiral would begin. In February it was administration entry number two. Portsmouth would have had 30 points deducted should they make it to the new season. In my opinion that will not help the situation. If you want a debtor to repay then you need to have it producing money. With redundancies already made, people's lives are affected. I do not know what contracts or what Portsmouth owe to creditors, but it could mean more businesses possibly disappearing if something doesn't happen. 

It is possible that the club could be saved as there are two interested parties, but it does mean those senior players have to take action and make some decisions.I hope that those players but their own interests aside to do what is right for the club and its future.

King retires

Sadly Ledley King has called time on his playing career which sadly blighted by injuries. The club captain who will no doubt be a firm favourite and club legend in years to come, will become an ambassador for the club and rightly so.

Whilst some fans may not have been sympathetic to King's situation, the Spurs fans have stuck by their man through the bad and good. His commitment has shown why he has been a respected player. Whilst he only had a League Cup win to hold to his name, he was not seen to be running off to the nearest club in search of money and glory. Something these days is not seen that often by some players in the Premier League.

Whilst not a Spurs fan, I have to say that it is a sad day for football to sat farewell to a player who has shown loyalty and commitment. If injury had not plagued him, who knows what may have seen in his international career.

Carroll going home?

Ever since the possible signing of Borini from Roma, to Brendan Rodgers being willing to allowing him to go on loan, the future of Liverpool's Andy Carroll has been in question. First AC Milan, then West Ham and now Newcastle United have put in a loan bid. Newcastle if reports are true would be looking to sign the England striker permanently at the end of the loan deal.

Whilst Carroll had a good end to the season together with a good Euro 2012, it may have come too late especially with a new manager. Brendan Rodgers' style of football differing to previous managers, it would appear that the tall striker may no longer appear in the manager's plans. Rodgers seems to lean towards the 4-3-3 attacking style of football that would not favour the big man.

Opinion of course will no doubt be divided. You will have the Liverpool fans who say one more chance, others who will agree with the loan deal and those who will say he should be sold straight off and not loaned out. This situation may not be too different from a case down soutg

The Robin Van Persie contract situation leaves opinion split. There are those saying force him to stay till the end of the season. That maybe all very well but doing so could see a player refuse to play and sit on the sidelines causing more issues. With Van Persie I would imagine that he will play and respect the club. Whilst he has said he does not want to sign a new contract, I dont believe he has said he would be unhappy to play.

We also have the other view that Arsenal should sell him now because be has forgotten how much time and patience that he doesn't deserve to wear the Arsenal shirt again and that they should sell him and strengthen the squad with the money.

It will be interesting to see what happens over the next few weeks, two different players, two different paths but with one same future and that future is a new club will be on their doorstep.

Russian FA want Harry;Carroll on loan and more

The Russian Football Association listed their list of possible managers for the job to lead the Russian national side following the departure of Dick Advocaat. He joins a high profile list that includes Pep Guardiola and Fabio Capello. Rafa Benitez and Marcelo Lippi appear amongst some Russian candidates. 

Capello has 'turned it down' and Harry according to the BBC is not to keen. I can't think why, although I imagine his dog Rosie may not be too keen and could have barked his disapproval at the thought of seeing the Russian mafia out with their friendly dogs. I also imagine Moscow in winter is not quite the same as walking in North London. I guess one positive thing though, more money and less games and no Sir Alex Ferguson. His agent is quoted that he would consider the job, there is some appeal to managing on the international stage apparently. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Andy Carroll's Liverpool future looks mixed as manager Brendan Rodgers appears to be willing to let him go on loan if I imagine the right club comes along.  That club could very well be AC Milan who were impressed by his performances at Euro 2012. Would it be premature to judge Andy Carroll on a handful of appearances at the European Championships, or would they include his pre end of season cameo appearance where he played well. At the same time Rodgers is hoping to complete the signing of young Italian Fabio Borini. This Roma player is someone that the Liverpool manager worked with in his time at Chelsea and Swansea and believes he can do a job at Anfield.

There is maybe a possible permanent transfer away from Liverpool too. The Independent reported that Liverpool would be prepared to take a £20 million loss on the former Newcastle man. It would be interesting to see if they would sell him but talks of Dempsey heading to Anfield may not help the matter. Personally the idea of Dempsey playing at Anfield impresses me, he has always shown himself to be a capable player and goalscorer.

Van Der Vaart's Spurs career looks to be at an end as he continues to be linked to Germany. It would also give Spurs money to reinvest under the leadership of Andre Villas Boas.  Modric looks certain to leave Spurs too and will get the North London club a large sum of money. Whilst they have signed Sigurdsson , they will still need to strengthen following the loss of Modric. Staying on the subject of Spurs signings, Hugo Lloris being linked with a move to London. This would be a great move. Whilst Friedel was a good servant, he did have his moments and being over 40 surely his time to hang up the gloves moves ever closer. Spurs or any club would not go wrong in appointing him as a goalkeeping coach. 

QPR have made intentions well known as they look to retain their Premier League status.They signed Park Ji-Sung believed to be around £5 million as well as Fabio on loan, from Man Utd. Samba Diakite became a permanent deal from French club Nancy. England goalkeeper Robert Green signed free from West Haj, Ryan Nelsen from Spurs and Andrew Johnson from Fulham. Johnson if he remains fit could prove crucial in getting goals as they look to avoid going to the last game of the season to stay in the Premier League.