When does next scottish transfer window open in 2014?
01/01/2014
How does the transfer window work in football?
Here's the wiki page on the transfer window: Transfer windowHere's a decent guide to the transfer process: How a transfer works - from the scouting to the signing
How strong is the Scottish independence movement?
There’s a difference between Scottish patriotic feelings and the independence movement.The patriotic movement is alive and kicking and long may it do so. Pride in Scotland and all things Scottish.The independence movement is less so. The majority of Scots realise they are better off in the UK and the UK is better with them in it. There’s been some moaning about the referendum being before the EU referendum but it’s what the SNP pushed for. David Cameron thought a Remain vote was a foregone conclusion. Sometimes things don’t go as expected
What do you think of the imminent transfer of Eric Bailly to Manchester United?
Biography.Bailly joined Espanyol at 17 and after work permit delays and a season playing for the club's B-team in Spain's third tier, he made his debut for the senior side in October 2014. After only four starts - including a 5-1 defeat to Barcelona - he joined Villarreal in a £4.3m deal in January 2015.The switch was agreed while Bailly was midway through playing the Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament that Ivory Coast eventually won on a penalty shootout. The defender, the youngest player in Herve Renard's squad having only made his international debut the previous month, kept his nerve to convert his spot kick.Bailly in action during the 2015 African Cup of Nations final victoryAfter a slow start to life at Villarreal, Bailly impressed in the 2015/16 campaign as the club made it back into the Champions League with a top-four finish. Villarreal also reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, although Bailly missed the second leg of the defeat to Liverpool through injury.StrengthsBailly unquestionably has the physical attributes needed to thrive in the Premier League. He is quick and strong, making him particularly formidable in one-on-one situations. He was dribbled by less often than any other regular centre-back at a top-four club in Spain - that includes Diego Godin, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique.Bailly's ability to handle one-on-one situations is regarded as a strengthAlongside Victor Ruiz in the Villarreal defence, Bailly formed a strong partnership that was a key factor in the team's successful season. He started as the team kept clean sheets against Atletico Madrid (twice), Real Madrid and Liverpool, suggesting an ability to cope against quality opposition.Weaknesses.There have been low points too. Liverpool fans, in particular, will have revelled in the sight of former player Fernando Torres making Bailly look foolish in dispossessing him to score in a game between Atletico Madrid and Villarreal last year and the incident did highlight the improvements required with the ball at his feet.There are question marks too about Bailly's discipline - Villarreal boss Marcelino called an October sending off against Celta Vigo "absurd". He was carded in 13 games out of 21 early in the 2015/16 season, but there are signs of progress as well - Bailly was not booked once in his final 13 appearances.
Why does every player get linked with Manchester United during transfer window?
It is media that spread rumours. Newspapers, journalists are involved in transfer rumours. Some examples are BBC Sport, Daily Mail, Mirror Football, Goal.com. All are UK based.Don't follow these rumours. Although transfer window opens in august they spread news like anything. Like winter window transfer window closes in January. Now it's the end of Feb. They still link Neymar to Utd and Bale to United. These are impossible transfers. Neymar is satisfied at Camp Nou. Bale is not going to leave. He has told that he is not planning to leave in the summer. They are linking Jose Mourinhio to Utd. And said Jose to Utd is done deal. And Jose said that there has been no contact and no offer to me. Jose said team has to offer me a contract. I am not looking for teams. They should approach me. They have been linking Ronaldo to Manu since 2013. And he has clearly said he will retire at Real Madrid. The news pops like this Manu will spend 300 million dollars to break MSN and bring Neymar to Old Trafford. Why will he come to a club which is in danger of qualifying for UCL. The rumours are senseless. I agree Utd has not been able to attract players of high calibre and players from top clubs. They lack management skills and their coach's philosophy. Same goes for Arsenal. The British Media is involved in transfers linking to all EPL clubs. Even Sky Sports is not trustworthy. For a transfer deal to be finalised check it on official page of United. There are players like Eziquel Garay, Filipe Anderson always linked to United but there isn't a deal. The media reports 60 million euros done deal Felipe Anderson to United. Dont rely on these rumours.
Whom should Manchester United buy during the 2014 summer transfer window?
A few points before I start...Considering today's inflated market, 80 million is not an enormous budget.Since Rooney just signed a 5.5 year deal and rumors of RVP's discontent spreading I'm going to assume that next season will be Rooney oriented.United cannot possibly be planning to stick to 4-4-2 next season! The players that are sure to leave the united squad end of this season are Anderson, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Chicharito, Kagawa and possibly one among the many wingers (Nani, Young, Valencia). A rebuild of the defense and midfield is required.At left back I'd go for Luke Shaw. Possibly the best young left back in world football right now. I would not go for anyone else at this position. A new centre back is also a must. Mangala will cost the Earth so I would not really go that way. But then again a world class CB would stabilize the defense for many seasons. My choice would be Mats Hummels/ Ezequiel Garay. I'd also try and raid Southampton again for Dejan Lovren.Next a new central midfielder. A deep lying midfielder who can control the game like Carrick did in 2012/13 would fit the bill at united. Lars Bender would be my first choice (although I hope Arsenal sign him up in the summer :D). Morgan Schniderlin (yes yes a triple raid from Southampton is impossible) or Claudio Yacob could be interesting too. Now as per The Football Portal for the Premier League and Transfer Rumour Forum the total cost of these players would approximately be 13+26+22= 61 million pounds. The Football Portal for the Premier League and Transfer Rumour Forum's approximation generally work out to be lower than the actual transfer price. So the actual figure could work out to be somewhere close to 75 million pounds. But considering the money recuperated from outgoing transfers the net amount spent should be quite low, enough for a world class attacker ... Angel Di Maria comes to mindNow this is just a layman's opinion. United have an excellent scouting system. David Moyes is known to unearth gems so lets see what happens. My Starting 11 would be De GeaRafael Phil Jones Mats Hummels Luke Shaw Fellani Lars BenderAngel Di Maria Mata Ashley Young/Januzaj Rooney
How much autonomy was given by UK govt to Scotland to handle their own affairs and govern it differently from UK? Can you provide some example?
Scotland has somewhat similar powers to a US state. Slightly less perhaps, but more emotionally.It has its own legal system. It does not have its own currency: it uses the pound - but it doers print its own banknotes. Different pictures, same surrencyIt doesn't have different border control - it is the same "blob" for borders as rest of UKIt does have different language: English, Scots & Gaelic are all legal - though in reality English is the only one really used, Gaelic is broadcast on TV and spoken by some.Most holidays etc are shared, but there are some Scottish specific onesYes, it has its own flagIt does have its own culture: similar, close - but not the sameOnes you didn't ask:It has its own sports teams. In Olympics all four countrres (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) are together, but in some other sports they compete firecely eg football, rugbyIt has particular foods not common in England: haggis, the infamous deep-fried-mars-barScottish Parliament control health, education, and other "domestic" issuesIt has NHS, but slightly different rules to EnglandEnglish universities cost £££, Scottish ones are free