Just been watching it on Five and they look to be a very good side and could do very well this season. Look very solid deensively with Onuoha, Ben Haim, Hart and with some fantastic young players in Bojinov, Johnson, Fernandes, Caciedo, Sturridge, Etuhu. They also looked very composed in midfield, had good balance and pace and can break quickly. They also created a number of good chances and the goal which won it for City was a very good left-footed half-volley from Bojinov. With players like him, Elano, Benjani, Jo, Vassell they have a lot of pace, strength and goals up front with good wingers + midfield support. I hate to say it but they could be a very good bet for a UEFA cup spot this season

 

Its amazing how far they have come in terms of the quality and depth of the squad in just 2 years. I know they have spent a fair bit of money but it just highlighted to me what Bolton have to compete against this season and how far short we are based on the preformances I've seen against Aris + AEK. They also seem to be able to draw on much better youngsters as well. Sturridge, Onuoha and Johnson against Milan were fantastic. Compared to City we don't have the depth, the flair, the creativity, the goals and the nouse in comparison

 

Also a point about Stephen ireland. It was mentioned during the game on commentary that he is likely to be sold and he is an attacking midfield player we have been linked with in the past and i was wondering whether he could be a possibility?

Edited August 9, 200818 yr by jonathan

Hope not. I have an irrational dislike of yon spudmuncher.

Also a point about Stephen ireland. It was mentioned during the game on commentary that he is likely to be sold and he is an attacking midfield player we have been linked with in the past and i was wondering whether he could be a possibility?

Jonathan, this has already been discussed.

And it was a no.

ragging hope not

Ireland's off to Blunderland to join all the other pikeys, I think you will find.

That Stephen Ireland: is he worth a punt?

Just been watching it on Five and they look to be a very good side and could do very well this season. Look very solid deensively with Onuoha, Ben Haim, Hart and with some fantastic young players in Bojinov, Johnson, Fernandes, Caciedo, Sturridge, Etuhu. They also looked very composed in midfield, had good balance and pace and can break quickly. They also created a number of good chances and the goal which won it for City was a very good left-footed half-volley from Bojinov. With players like him, Elano, Benjani, Jo, Vassell they have a lot of pace, strength and goals up front with good wingers + midfield support. I hate to say it but they could be a very good bet for a UEFA cup spot this season

 

Its amazing how far they have come in terms of the quality and depth of the squad in just 2 years. I know they have spent a fair bit of money but it just highlighted to me what Bolton have to compete against this season and how far short we are based on the preformances I've seen against Aris + AEK. They also seem to be able to draw on much better youngsters as well. Sturridge, Onuoha and Johnson against Milan were fantastic. Compared to City we don't have the depth, the flair, the creativity, the goals and the nouse in comparison

 

Also a point about Stephen ireland. It was mentioned during the game on commentary that he is likely to be sold and he is an attacking midfield player we have been linked with in the past and i was wondering whether he could be a possibility?

 

Didn't Chelsea recently stroll past Milan in another pre season friendly? I wouldn't be reading too much into City having a 1-0 win against them. What was Milans line up like? Kaka playing?

We disagree again Jonathan - I believe we will both end up mid table - probably them slightly higher than us. Nowt to get excited about.

never ever judge a team on a pre-season friendly. i watched the game, and they might of been playing one of the big names of european football, but city will get a tougher game against hull.

That Stephen Ireland: is he worth a punt?

very good that

Went to this game with a few pals, thought Citeh looked ordinary and very weak in midfield. Milan were there for the payday and only looked interested for the first 10 minutes, after that they were already on the plane home.

 

And Maldini really should've retired a year ago

Maldini really should've retired a year ago

Is he still playing? - I thought he had retired last year, he must be nudging 40 by now.

 

He has been a fantastic player over the years, and won loads of trophies, but he should retire before he starts to look cack

just wiki'd it and he was due to retire after the season just gone but signed an extension for another year. His whole career at AC, its some goin that!

Maldini's 70 at least!

just wiki'd it and he was due to retire after the season just gone but signed an extension for another year. His whole career at AC, its some goin that!

 

He'd be playing at the Reebok this season if Big Sam was still in charge. Factimundo!

"I'm sorry to say this, as a life long fan and - for the last few (for me at least) unforgettable months - employee, MCFC as we know it is finished. Here are the FACTS, for those who really want to know. Thaksin is, as of midlnight 10th August, 2008, an international fugitive. He now has to be found guilty of corruption in Thailand in his absense, offering no defence. Extradition requests will surely follow. The PL will then have to find him short of the fit and proper ownership rules (and believe me, the pressure for that from fellow 'members' has been growing since June). Thaksin is trying to palm off City onto whoever will now take it, an insolvent mess of a business, completely incapable of sustaining itself. The truth is that the only interested party (until recently) - Wardle - is not now able to bail City out now , he cant come close on his own and no partners have been found. The wage bioll and committments due on the last 2 years' transfers have spiralled out of control. The Corluka affair is the last straw - I personally worked on the deal and can assure anyone interested that he has already been transferred to Spurs. Spurs have this evening started legal action, and he will be barred from playing for City following an injunction in the courts tomorrow. Personally I expect Hughes to then resign on principal (he has no choice now, he is on record as saying that he wilol have final say on all transfers). Many wont believe any of this, but a few will. I am very close to this situation (readers will never know who I am or how close - a few would know my name but it isnt appropriate to for me to come 'out') - trust me, I am close enough to know what has happeneded in the last fortnight, I am p*ssed off with it (as a fan, and as someone who has worked hard for the club durinig the ast 18 months or so) and it must be said, a little drunk. I am posting this message on a few sites - apologies for those that keep reading it, but I want City fans to know what is happening. The sad truth is we are finished, and that as a result, the PL will be facing its biggest challenge since inception within 2 weeks of now."

 

 

people may have seen this post re citys potential in coming season.

 

despite the typos it is not one of mine !

I'm not an expert in Thai law and neither is the poster of that (probably an Essex red on a mission), however he hasn't been found guilty. The BBC is reporting:

 

"The court sees that the defendants have broken their bail terms. Therefore, it issues an arrest warrant and orders their bail bonds to be seized," a statement said.

"I'm sorry to say this, as a life long fan and - for the last few (for me at least) unforgettable months - employee, MCFC as we know it is finished. Here are the FACTS, for those who really want to know. Thaksin is, as of midlnight 10th August, 2008, an international fugitive. He now has to be found guilty of corruption in Thailand in his absense, offering no defence. Extradition requests will surely follow. The PL will then have to find him short of the fit and proper ownership rules (and believe me, the pressure for that from fellow 'members' has been growing since June). Thaksin is trying to palm off City onto whoever will now take it, an insolvent mess of a business, completely incapable of sustaining itself. The truth is that the only interested party (until recently) - Wardle - is not now able to bail City out now , he cant come close on his own and no partners have been found. The wage bioll and committments due on the last 2 years' transfers have spiralled out of control. The Corluka affair is the last straw - I personally worked on the deal and can assure anyone interested that he has already been transferred to Spurs. Spurs have this evening started legal action, and he will be barred from playing for City following an injunction in the courts tomorrow. Personally I expect Hughes to then resign on principal (he has no choice now, he is on record as saying that he wilol have final say on all transfers). Many wont believe any of this, but a few will. I am very close to this situation (readers will never know who I am or how close - a few would know my name but it isnt appropriate to for me to come 'out') - trust me, I am close enough to know what has happeneded in the last fortnight, I am p*ssed off with it (as a fan, and as someone who has worked hard for the club durinig the ast 18 months or so) and it must be said, a little drunk. I am posting this message on a few sites - apologies for those that keep reading it, but I want City fans to know what is happening. The sad truth is we are finished, and that as a result, the PL will be facing its biggest challenge since inception within 2 weeks of now."

 

Whilst these things are usually a load of old cack, this has just appeard on the BBC website (City)

 

Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said he will not return to Thailand from the UK.

 

In a statement released to the Thai media, Mr Thaksin said he and his wife would remain in the UK, "where democracy is more important".

 

Mr Thaksin is on bail over corruption charges but failed to make a scheduled Bangkok court appearance on Monday.

 

Thailand's Supreme Court has now issued an arrest warrant for the billionaire, who owns Manchester City football club.

 

Mr Thaksin says the charges are politically motivated and an attempt to remove him from politics.

 

'Political enemies'

 

The former leader had been due to return to the Thai capital on Sunday after a court allowed him to attend the Olympic Games opening in Beijing. CASES AGAINST THAKSIN FAMILY

Case one: Abuse of power related to purchase of state land by his wife. Who: Thaksin and his wife. Status: Trial underway

Case two: Abuse of power linked to government lottery scheme. Who: Thaksin and several former Cabinet ministers. Status: Case accepted by Supreme Court

Case three: Abuse of power related to state loan to Burma alleged to have benefited family business. Who: Thaksin. Status: Case accepted by Supreme Court

Case four: Concealing assets. Who: Thaksin, wife and two others. Status: Awaiting court decision on proceeding to trial

Case five: Tax evasion. Who: Members of Thaksin's family. Status: Pojaman Shinawatra and her brother jailed for three years, her secretary for two years

Several other claims also lodged

 

 

Profile: Thaksin Shinawatra

 

He and his wife - who is on bail pending an appeal after she was jailed for three years for tax fraud - were to appear before the Supreme Court in a case involving the allegedly unlawful purchase of land.

 

Instead Mr Thaksin issued a statement announcing his decision not to return home.

 

"What happened to me and my family and my close relations resulted from efforts to get rid of me from politics," he said in the hand-written statement.

 

"These are my political enemies. They don't care about the rule of law, facts or internationally recognised due process."

 

Mr Thaksin apologised to the Thai people for his decision to live in the UK, where his daughter is attending university and where he owns several properties, as well as the Manchester City football club.

 

"If I am fortunate enough, I will return and die on Thai soil, just like other Thais," he said.

 

Observers have said that the former prime minister may attempt to claim political asylum in the UK, but there was no reference to this in the statement.

 

Thailand's Supreme Court reacted swiftly.

 

"The court sees that the defendants have broken their bail terms. Therefore, it issues an arrest warrant and orders their bail bonds to be seized," a statement said.

 

The court had agreed to try several cases against Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly abusing his power during his five years in office.

 

Last month, the former prime minister's wife was jailed for tax fraud - a verdict that must have come as a shock to Mr Thaksin, analysts say.

 

The businessman was the first Thai prime minister to serve a full term in office.

 

But he was ousted in a military coup in 2006, banned from politics for five years and his Thai Rak Thai party outlawed.

 

He returned from exile in the UK in March after his political allies in the People's Power Party (PPP) set up a coalition government.

 

But since then the PPP-led coalition has faced repeated challenges and its leader, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, has faced numerous calls to step down

I read that this morning too and thought 'how the f?ck was he allowed to buy the club?'

Also, since when did we become a paradise for fugitives? Are our government going to give him 'political asylum'? (I f?cking well hope not.)

Many people in Thailand have f?ck all and it sounds like he's taken what little of that f?ck all they had.

I'm not an expert in Thai law and neither is the poster of that (probably an Essex red on a mission), however he hasn't been found guilty. The BBC is reporting:

 

"The court sees that the defendants have broken their bail terms. Therefore, it issues an arrest warrant and orders their bail bonds to be seized," a statement said.

 

 

i have no idea who the bloke is and maybe a wind up but he actually says

 

Thaksin is, as of midlnight 10th August, 2008, an international fugitive. He now has to be found guilty of corruption in Thailand in his absense, offering no defence. Extradition requests will surely follow.

 

the post is speculating on what might happen and presenting as FACTs but the transefrs of ireland and corluka do seem strange. Hughes is now favourite manager to be first to go.

 

hughes moving to city is like sam leaving us for newcastle, a bad move for both clubs and the manager. i think sven will be pissing himself. (but he is old)

I'm not an expert in Thai law and neither is the poster of that (probably an Essex red on a mission), however he hasn't been found guilty. The BBC is reporting:

 

"The court sees that the defendants have broken their bail terms. Therefore, it issues an arrest warrant and orders their bail bonds to be seized," a statement said.

 

 

He was on bail and was scheduled to be in Thailand for the start of his trial. Therefore he is a fugitive & so now guilty of that if nothing else. In most countries that is punishable by a prison term.

I'm looking forward to seeing Bojinov this season. He was written off as an impending flop by one or two on here last week but he is a class act and might have saved City from having to rely on the European tombola if he'd not been injured for virtually the whole of last season.

i have no idea who the bloke is and maybe a wind up but he actually says

 

Thaksin is, as of midlnight 10th August, 2008, an international fugitive. He now has to be found guilty of corruption in Thailand in his absense, offering no defence. Extradition requests will surely follow.

 

Sky Sports have a legal bloke saying: the Thai's may now apply for extradition, if this fails then he may be tried "in absentia". Should this happen, and he's convicted in his absense, then this isn't considered a fair trial in the UK anyway.

Sky Sports have a legal bloke saying: the Thai's may now apply for extradition, if this fails then he may be tried "in absentia". Should this happen, and he's convicted in his absense, then this isn't considered a fair trial in the UK anyway.

 

So, does this mean that if someone doesn't go to their trial then they can stay in the UK living the life of Riley?

I do hope the Sky Sports legal bloke is taking out of his arse.

He was on bail and was scheduled to be in Thailand for the start of his trial. Therefore he is a fugitive & so now guilty of that if nothing else. In most countries that is punishable by a prison term.

 

Again, I don't think you can just announce someone is guilty without a trial where the have the chance to defend themselves.

 

So, does this mean that if someone doesn't go to their trial then they can stay in the UK living the life of Riley?

I do hope the Sky Sports legal bloke is taking out of his arse.

 

The extradition request would come before the trial. The argument is that Taksin can claim asylum due to political persecution, or something. As he doesn't hold a UK passport (or an EU one morelike), then I don't think he can just stay here anyway.

 

If someone is tried "in absentia" then this isn't considered a valid prosecution in the UK apparently.

I worked for the CPS for 5 years, and in the UK a person can be found "Guilty in Absence".

 

I've only ever experienced this in small matters though, something as complex as a corruption/fraud trial may not be applicable. Anyway, that's British law, don't have a clue about Thai.