I don't think the point of a game abroad was to have season ticket holders going to it. I don't think it will happen, not because the league will acknowledge the fans don't want it, but because it would be a financial failure. The reason it works with the NFL is that all the teams are roughly equal, and NFL fans in this country will pack out wembley no matter who's playing. While a game involving Liverpool or Manchester United could sell out the Yokohama arena, I think the response for West Brom v Bolton would be somewhat less than lukewarm. What is more likely is the premier league clubs pulling out of the FA cup and League cup and forming their own Premier League Cup, with all games played abroad. Still think there is a serious clash coming up between the premier league and UEFA and/or FIFA.
What game do you play abroad? If you have a season ticket you expect to go to all home games, so the season ticket holders for at least one team are being shortchanged.
I think what was suggested Fran was either: A) Chosen Fixtures. (Liverpool v Everton) (Arsenal v Spurs) B) Random Fixtures (But as revenue would drop, unlikely) I think taking rivalries abroad and not allowing ST's to go, and packing the ground with asians would be an insult to the rivalry. I'm not racist, I just feel it would be.
A lot of the "stars" don't actually provide the best entertainment or even always footballing value. Could we not just do a marketing job to seriously overhype the league as I don't think viewers abroad would notice major cutbacks being made? Save some for development and sustainable club growth.
he annoys me. obviously naturally talented (not quite as good as some people say he is) and he could be one of those england players to get over a 100 caps. but seeing photos of him in the tabloids in the close season always eating fast food and smoking does my nut in
From BBC website Sunderland's bid for Ipswich teenager Connor Wickham may come to nothing as the striker is waiting for a move to Liverpool or Arsenal. Full story: Metro Why would a young ambitious player choose a top four club at the age of 17 or 18 rather than playing for a lesser Premier League club? Once an English player plays for England at any level he seems to spend more time on the front pages of the national press than the back pages. Too much money, too little intelligence and guided by greedy agents who couldn't give a damn about their development. Will Conor Wickham play regular Premier League football at Arsenal or Liverpool? Of course not. Will he at Sunderland? Probably. At Arsenal or Liverpool though he will probably be on much higher wages and he won't care.
I sometimes get the feeling the big clubs sign potentially good players just to stop other clubs from having them.
If he did go to Arsenal or Liverpool, I'd guess someone, most likely an agent, had sold him the dream of playing in the Champions league. There are still plenty of agents that do offer sound advice and don't push moves that aren't right to make more cash. Unfortunately there are some rather manipulative ones that see the pound signs.
Totally agree with sussexsaint. Wickham needs to remember that Sunderland themselves are a big club. They have a large fanbase, a large stadium and strong and loyal support. The fact he could get football most likely week in week out in the Premier League in front of over 40,000 people is hardly an insult to him. I would definitely be on my way to Sunderland if I was him.
Ipswich have already signed Chopra and Ellington and they seem to be interested in a few more top NPC strikers too. Maybe they are resigned to losing him? Sunderland would be a good destination for him.
It would be one of the most intelligent moves made by a footballer in a while. Why go to Liverpool/Arsenal now, when you can go to Sunderland, still get about £30 k per week, play three years there, develop into a better player, then go to a big club as first pick on £70K per week. Better than rotting in the reserves for three years before heading back to the championship and a journeyman career. With advice like that, I should be an agent. Oh, no, wait, Didn't Jerry Maguire get sacked for proposing something that sensible...
