The 2008-09 Football Season Thread

season starts tomorrow for me with reading away to forest. im pretty confident as weve had a good pre-season, but until they get down to it its hard to tell

does anyone think luton, rotherham and bournemouth will be able to survive? or alternatively, how soon will any of them be relegated?

I know it's only a News of the Screws story, but this made me laugh:

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/article12396.ece

Apparently Comical Calderon and his fascist chums at Madrid are planning to sue Ronaldo for £17m for refusing to join them. If this is true (a big 'if' of course) then how can they still claim they haven't tapped him up?

One of the worst penalty shoot-out displays I've ever seen from Portsmouth there. Have they employed John Terry as penalty coach or something?

A good performance from Utd but it hasn't done much to allay my fears we may have problems penetration-wise for the first few weeks, with Ronaldo out until October and Rooney still struggling with this virus he picked up in that stupid trip to Nigeria. Don't think we'll get away with another slow start this season.

It was also pretty puzzling to see Nani, our most threatening player today, substituted when he's missing the next two games anyway. Also a bit disappointed Rafael and Possebon didn't get a run out, since we had six substitutions to play with. But anyway, roll on next Sunday.

If Darren Bent brings his pre-season form into this campaign, then not a chance.

Aye, to be honest this is probably the best team Spurs have had in a long time. Now Keane has gone, Bent really has an opportunity this year to repay some of that £16m and establish himself as a truely decent British striker.

Friendlies are one thing, but if he can bring that kind of form into the games that actually matter, I reckon he has the potential to be a 20 goal a season man for Spurs. One thing Tottenham lacked a lot of last term is the kind of service he thrives on. With quality like Modric, Bentley and Dos Santos coming into the team - who can create the space and deliveries he needs, he'll probably not get a better opportunity in his career to step up to the plate.

13 Goals in the last 7 friendlies, including 2 hatricks and I think, 10 goals in the space of a week or something stupid. As well as hitting the woodwork in the only friendly he didn't score in, not half bad. Dos Santos has impressed me with his skill and awareness. 3 goals, a couple assists and forcing an OG against Norwich, a real gem of a player.

Bentley brings balance to the team, as there's now proper wingers on both sides with an eye for goal, decent delivery and pace. Modric in the centre to do the dirty work and dictate the game and Gomes, although looking pretty shakey in some games pre-season, is a sound keeper. I'd be surprised if your lot don't turn over Middlesbrough this weekend.

Man Utd player wins £4.5m payout
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7553678.stm

any of you f*ckers know who this is about? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7553775.stm

Quote: biggaginge

Quote: Squirrell_of_Doom

any of you f*ckers know who this is about? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7553775.stm

The Prophet Muhammad

Never heard of him!