General Football News

James

Bits and pieces to be thrown in here, such as...

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11881_6482544,00.html

Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen are deeply unimpressed by Mikael Silvestre's recent displays.

The former Manchester United and Arsenal defender arrived at the Weserstadion during the summer transfer window after leaving the Emirates Stadium on a free transfer.

However, Werder club legend and sporting director Klaus Allofs has hit out at the 33-year-old Frenchman for being 'error strewn' and 'unfit'.

The former West Germany international told Bild newspaper: "One hundred per cent fitness - that's what he lacks.

"He's physically not ready. This aspect of the game is absolutely necessary.

"Mikael makes so many errors, we can't hide the fact, so our fans are right to boo him."

...

😆

I don't know what else they were expecting.

Captain

😆

thank the lord that he isn't our problem anymore.

Klaus

😆 What a comment for a club president to make.

USArsenal

that's one of those "well, DUH" moments..its Silvestre after all, were they expecting Ashley Cole or Nemanja Vidic? there was a reason we let him go (and why ManUtd didnt care that we signed him)

kamikaze

and some of us insisted this guy wasnt that bad for us... silvestre was a disaster. i think bremen have played him at LB, too, and i think silvestre was the worst LB i've ever seen in my life when he played there for us. dude could not even complete a pass.

Claudius

http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/eduardo-silva-kryvbas-7455793/

Eduardo scored a beauty in the league yesterday. Happy for the chap, but I do end up wondering if he could have turned into a decent poacher for us without the injury.

Klaus

Been looking for an excuse to post a few videos of this guy, so here goes. Dortmund are top of the table in Bundesliga right now, and a big part of the reason is Shinji Kagawa, a 21-year-old japanese fella who they signed from J-League this season:

I've been keeping an eye on Dortmund all season because of him. I can't remember the last time someone made such a huge impression on me at first sight. If I could bring one player to Arsenal right now he would be the one. Screw Hazard, Afellay and Benzema. This guy was born to play for us.

Burnwinter

Impressive vid Klaus. He certainly knows how to lie with his feet as well - some great, subtle tricks in there.

Klaus

Yeah, it's the combination of his ball control and his movement pattern that makes him so exciting to watch.

He scored another good goal today against Hannover. Haven't seen it yet myself but apparently it was a left-footed shot from outside the box that found the bottom-right corner.

naz

He looks like a more left footed version of Nasri

Clrnc

Some real Asian gems around at the moment. Seen how Park and Lee done superbly in Premierleague.

Have absolutely no qualms people like Honda, Kagawa, Ki Sung Yung would star in the league as well.

Btw Klaus, Kagawa wasn't from the J league. He was from a league below the J league, league 2

Klaus

That's just insane. Is that why he wasn't picked for the World cup squad?

Here's a video of his goal today, by the way: http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/hannover-borussia-dortmund-7468212/

It's the first one in the clip. He dances past a couple of defenders and sends the ball into the wrong corner. It's a real class goal.

Clrnc

Yeah. he was noticed but ultimately not picked because nobody knows how he will do on a higher level. Afterall J league 2 is like...Conference level? Its more amazing how Dortmund spotted him.

Wow, class goal. Though I am sure if he ever comes here he will be asked to pass rather than shoot so directly.

Pepe LeFrits

YoungGunsBlog
Ajax have cancelled the contract of Reserve team defender Rene Osei Kofi after he pulled a gun on a team mate after an argument.

I shouldn't laugh but...

Captain

Wow! 😆

James

...and we thought Traore's knuckledusters were a tad over the top.

Don Pacifico

What do people think of the new additions to the England squad (Smalling, Jordan Henderson, Carroll and Jay Bothroyd)?

Personally, can't say I know much about the first two (apart from Smalling being linked to us last season) but I think Carroll could be a really good addition for the future (didn't rate him a couple of seasons ago but now I reckon he's actually not too far off Bendtner, someone I like!). Bothroyd is a big surprise but he's always been a player with great talent but who seems to struggle with consistency.

Klaus

Wow. How the hell did Bothroyd get into the squad? Fair enough that he's been doing well for Cardiff, but it's the Championship for christ sake. When was the last time England called someone up who didn't play in Premier League (or on a corresponding level in Europe)? Was it Andy Johnson the year after Palace got relegated?

Lukazan

David Nugent got a call up when he was playing for Preston I think.

Don Pacifico

Paul Merson went to the World Cup when Boro were in the old Division 1 too.