To be fair to him Porto had been also-rans in the league the past couple of seasons before AVB took over, and they sold 2 of their best players in Bruno Alves and Meireles that summer, but he still managed to have an incredible season going unbeaten in the league and winning a treble. Admittedly it is a weaker league but its still impressive...
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* Official Pre-Season Games Thread *
- Thread starter AberYid
- Start date
The Moonlit Knight
Banned
It was an impressive season, no doubt. But I agree with you. I didn't see anyone clambering for Neil Lennon to replace Redknapp for example, and we are talking about a similar situation.
Some say that AVB inherited a terrible Porto side and turned them around. The season before he took over they finished 3rd, having won 21 out of their 30 matches! They only lost 4 league games all season, and won the domestic up. The fact that winning 21 out of 30 constitutes as a disasterous season says it all to me about that league!
Also prior to the that "disaster" they had won the league four years on the bounce. Bottom line is people who claim AVB turned it all around at Porto and that Porto were in decline are some way off the mark IMO.
I
indianspur
Guest
dont forget Falcao and Hulk
I
indianspur
Guest
Gareth Bale could be banned for playing for Tottenham while the Olympics are on - but only if the FA lodges an official complaint.
Bale was included in Stuart Pearce's Great Britain squad for the Olympics but was withdrawn due to injury.
However, the Welshman played for Spurs on Tuesday night and scored in a pre-season friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy in California.
The FA and British Olympic Association have not commented on Bale's appearance, but FIFA president Sepp Blatter said if there was an official complaint to FIFA then the 23-year-old could be banned for playing again for Spurs - even in friendlies - until August 12.
The world governing body would have to judge that the club had not released him - Spurs would argue Bale only returned to fitness this week. Asked about Bale, Blatter said: "The principle is that if a club does not release a player then this association can come to FIFA and we will then ban this player during the duration of the Olympics.
"So far nobody came to FIFA to say we should, but it is a possibility we could ban these players if they are not at the disposal of the national team.
"They (the association) complain and then we say let this player go or he cannot play for the club.
"FIFA's position has never been so clear than it is now for the Olympics 2012 and 2016."
Blatter admitted that some countries such as Switzerland had not insisted on clubs releasing players but that all were entitled to.
Bale was included in Stuart Pearce's Great Britain squad for the Olympics but was withdrawn due to injury.
However, the Welshman played for Spurs on Tuesday night and scored in a pre-season friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy in California.
The FA and British Olympic Association have not commented on Bale's appearance, but FIFA president Sepp Blatter said if there was an official complaint to FIFA then the 23-year-old could be banned for playing again for Spurs - even in friendlies - until August 12.
The world governing body would have to judge that the club had not released him - Spurs would argue Bale only returned to fitness this week. Asked about Bale, Blatter said: "The principle is that if a club does not release a player then this association can come to FIFA and we will then ban this player during the duration of the Olympics.
"So far nobody came to FIFA to say we should, but it is a possibility we could ban these players if they are not at the disposal of the national team.
"They (the association) complain and then we say let this player go or he cannot play for the club.
"FIFA's position has never been so clear than it is now for the Olympics 2012 and 2016."
Blatter admitted that some countries such as Switzerland had not insisted on clubs releasing players but that all were entitled to.
Spursalot
Jimmy McCormick
Can't see it happening tbh, the 'top clubs' do it all the time, this would set a dangerous precedent for them.
jts1882
Dean Richards
With the world of brown envelopes focused on the Olympics. Blatter has some time on his hands ....
A bit of a non-issue. Bale wasn't actually picked for the final Olympic squad so he wasn't available for the Team GB preparations. Playing a friendly is hardly the same as being match fit for a tournament. The same could be said of Walker. I also suspect both would have wanted to play if fully fit.
A bit of a non-issue. Bale wasn't actually picked for the final Olympic squad so he wasn't available for the Team GB preparations. Playing a friendly is hardly the same as being match fit for a tournament. The same could be said of Walker. I also suspect both would have wanted to play if fully fit.
K.D.D.D.D.Soc
Paul Walsh
I think the sweeperkeeper is crap, what we need is a 20 goal a season keeper
braineclipse
Willie Hall
Totally agree.
To participate in the Olympics he would have had to be fully fit now and fit enough to train with the team weeks ago.
BrainOfLevy
Michael Carrick
Lol that whole story is fudging crap.
Yes fair enough he played a match a few days before the Olympics will start, but why does everyone fail to mention the difference in playing a pre-season friendly and playing at full pelt for a tournament. I think there clearly was a back injury, and if he played in the Olympics he would have risked aggrevating it. Far better to have it managed carefully by the club staff.
Yes fair enough he played a match a few days before the Olympics will start, but why does everyone fail to mention the difference in playing a pre-season friendly and playing at full pelt for a tournament. I think there clearly was a back injury, and if he played in the Olympics he would have risked aggrevating it. Far better to have it managed carefully by the club staff.
Wriggly
Banned
They are not, but I can see them sitting there foaming at the mouth waiting for the FA to report him for it.
Take it Cisse and ba kagawa and Hernandez will also be banned? Oh wait
What's with some of you throwing a fit over the fact that those of us that watched the match posted about what was happening on the pitch. Nobody has called for AVB's head or suggested that we're going to have a terrible season. Things weren't working well and it's only natural that people comment on that.
I
indianspur
Guest
yeah man =D>
jts1882
Dean Richards
I think the FIFA regulations require eligible players to turn up for the Olympic tournament. So Olympic matches are like other internationals except only for U23 players. Clubs are allowed to refuse permission for the overage players. So it makes sense that FIFA would administer a ban.
However, Pearce hasn't complained and Bale was injured at the time of the squad announcement. Its just Blatter being Blatter.
In game comments can't be taken as a serious analysis of what's happening. They're often just spur of the moment stuff.
Milas_Spur
Wayne Routledge
Is it the FA or FAW that would have to make a complaint?
jts1882
Dean Richards
Don't know, but I can't see why anyone other than Team GB should have any right to complain. Complaints are by the the national team when denied a player by the clubs. So Pearce would have to complain and presumably it would be formally from the British Olympic Association. The home Olympic Committee wouldn't want bad publicity as the Olympics begin.
Modric THFC
Jimmy McCormick
There was no pressing last night. There didn't seem to be any hallmarks of avb at all yet. Cudicini playing hoofball constantly. Kaboul and Vertonghen played with a 50 yard gap between them. More comical corners from last season with 3 only men in the box. And Jenas and Livermore being dominated in midfield.
But fudge it, it was only a run out. It was great to see Huddlestone and Carroll change the game when they came on.
But fudge it, it was only a run out. It was great to see Huddlestone and Carroll change the game when they came on.