Premier League Thread 2015-16

Looking forward to having the beast back as well. Must say, Skets has been a very good signing though, nice not worrying about between the sticks.

 

Bless him. I wonder how recovery is going?

 

Isn't it just? There was plenty of gnashing of teeth about his past form when he arrived but so far I've not seen a single mistake. Very confidence inspiring. If he keeps this up he'll be doing his reputation (and value) no end of good.

Vin

 

Wonder if we can keep him to be competition for Forster, though always notoriously hard to keep 2 good keepers happy.

 

I guess for the keepers sake we could make sure we get back into Europe and win a domestic cup to give them both enough time to play..i suppose.

As it stands i would be chuffed to properly sign him. Seems to have recaptured his form from a few years ago and is a real solid presence at the back. He might just be getting to that age where he wont mind sitting a few out as long as he finds a club to settle in and still gets a chance to shine periodically too.

 

Must be tough on Forster because, unlike players in other positions, he has the added fear of how or if he will get back in the team. JRod knew that a fully recovered striker can always be accommodated. Obviously Forster is our player with the contract, but a problem may occur if he doesn't return before the end of the season and a decision has to be made about Stek (or any other GK if he leaves).

 

P.s. mustn't forget that Forster is a very good keeper....mustn't be out of sight, out of mind.

 

One thing about our new keeper situation is, it has made me realise that I don't want to see SKD or PG in goal for us again. Sad, but true.

 

What do you think of Martial going to ManU for such a massive price? Is he the next best thing or is he going to struggle under the weight of expectation? Be interesting to see if he was a very expensive panic buy or whether United have stolen the march on the other big sides.

 

Never worth £36M, utd have had their pants down once again. Love to know what Fergie thinks of this mindless spending spree......

 

Panic buy. 100%.

 

Bit of a random one but about a week ago I posted a petition on here about holding a public enquiry into West Ham & LLDC deal for the rental of OS. I just got this response in an email - thought some might be interested:

West Ham United has a concession at the Stadium and their contributions reflect that status. The contract, awarded after an open public competition, has been widely scrutinised and tested in court.

Following the completion of its transformation programme the Stadium will be - unlike so many previous Olympic Stadiums - a world-class multi-use arena with a long-term future, and one that won’t require continuous support from the taxpayer. The stadium remains in public ownership (E20 Stadium LLP – a joint venture between the London Legacy Development Corporation and Newham Council) and the profits from its multiple uses will flow to the taxpayer.

As a long-term concessionaire West Ham United will only access the full stadium facilities for and shortly ahead of home matches, anticipated to be an average of 25 games a year. The stadium’s other anchor concession-holder, British Athletics, has a concession for one month a year. The stadium will be available for commercial and other uses at all times outside of these existing commitments.

The Stadium is a multi-use venue, which has already hosted a major athletics meet this year, the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, and will host a range of other events in 2015 including five matches during the Rugby World Cup this autumn, a Rugby League international between England and New Zealand and the Race of Champions motorsport event. In addition the Stadium will host elite athletics including the IAAF and IPC Athletics World Championships in 2017.

A world class stadium operator has been appointed and it is part of the operator agreement that the Stadium will host concerts and other events.

None of these events will financially benefit West Ham United. All revenues from these events will be shared by the operator and the Stadium owners. The stadium operator has a proven international track record of success in managing and maximising revenue from multi-use stadia and is contractually incentivised to generate maximum income.

The agreement with West Ham United, including their contribution to transformation costs and rent, followed an open competitive process, which was delivered under EU rules, conducted visibly and exposed to significant scrutiny. The outcome has been tested in the courts and upheld. As the winning bid this constituted the best available return for the taxpayer and secures the commercial viability of a national asset for the next 100 years.

The European Commission (EC) is responsible for assessing whether public investment distorts the competitive market. The EC has considered this issue on more than one occasion and has done so with full sight of the contractual terms, comprehensive detail of the tender exercise and in depth legal opinion on compliance with UK and EU law. It has found no case to answer. Therefore we do not believe that a public inquiry is necessary.

The detail of the rental agreement between the Stadium owners and West Ham United is commercially sensitive. Disclosing details of the contract would undermine the future negotiating position of the Stadium's operator, Vinci, who are working hard to bring in future events to get the greatest possible return and ensure that the Stadium is a commercial success.

It is important that the stadium owners and operator are able to negotiate future contracts in a way that derive maximum value and are not constrained by any one agreement. Such arrangements are standard practice and are designed to both protect the previous public expenditure and maximise the return on this investment.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Click this link to view the response online:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/106355?reveal_response=yes

The Petitions Committee will take a look at this petition and its response. They can press the government for action and gather evidence. If this petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the Committee will consider it for a debate.

The Committee is made up of 11 MPs, from political parties in government and in opposition. It is entirely independent of the Government. Find out more about the Committee: https://petition.parliament.uk/help#petitions-committee

Thanks,
The Petitions team
UK Government and Parliament

 

Similar to Shaw really, seems a bit ridiculous money now but in 5yrs time could look like a snip. I would think they certainly plan on using him a lot this season seeing as he's been given the number 9 shirt. Not sure about panic buy, don't think they wanted to pay that much but think they certainly had them on their radar. I remember a few weeks ago Van Gaal saying that they were looking at a striker and it was no one who had been reported in the press. Adds up that that was Martial to me.

We'll soon find out either way, apparently his style is like Henry One hell of a comparison but if he is anything like that it's only good for the PL.

 

I just had the same email! I must admit I didn't realise that WHU won't get any of the attendance money for their games. That does put this in a slightly different light I suppose.

 

Is it saying that though? Or is it saying they don't get attendance money for any of the subsidiary events. I think it's the latter.

 

That was my interpretation as well

 

Has to be. Otherwise why not make tickets a fiver and pack the stadium every game.

 

They have already announced cheap ticket prices though haven't they?

EDIT: Link - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32399291

Though that's fairly vague saying about the cheapest, will be interesting to see how they are priced next year.