Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Giggslooks like 1998 all over again
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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (5 Viewers)
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Giggslooks like 1998 all over again
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
after watching those replays though.
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Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I'm not sure if it's a big compliment to Carlton Cole, an indictment of the state of Arsenal's affairs, or a little of both....but after watching him play a bunch of times this season, I'd love to see him in the red and gold....he's had a real slow go of things in his career, but he really seems to be coming on strong this season..
The Z Machine
Footballguy
My Atleti "wakes up from its coma," as a Spanish newspaper reported. They finally won a game in 2009 after taking down Recre 3-0 on 2 goals from Forlán and 1 from Agüero. Wow, what a bad run it has been.
There were rumors over the past few weeks that both Forlán AND Agüero wanted out at Atlético. Forlán I can see more likely to go, but if they lose both, they'll be dead in the water. There's still a chance to revive this season and make the top 4 to qualify for CL next season. It will be tough however. Thankfully both Sevilla AND Valencia lost, which helps things.
Here's the league table:
1 Barcelona 59
2 Real Madrid 47
3 Sevilla 38
4 Valencia 37
5 Villarreal 37
6 Atlético 35
7 Málaga 35
8 Deportivo 34
It's gonna be a real race to see who ends up 3rd through 6th. Barça won't be caught, and Real is unlikely to drop out of the top 4, and will likely end up runner up to Barça. That will give the new Real President something to shoot for next year, and we might see a Real open up the pocketbook in the summer. There's been rumors about Zidane coming back and having a role with Real... as well as them making a play for Wenger as the coach/director of football. It could be interesting.
For today though, I'm happy again and cautiously optimistic that Abel Resino can lead Atlético to a Champions League berth, as well as through the next round of CL play against Porto.
There were rumors over the past few weeks that both Forlán AND Agüero wanted out at Atlético. Forlán I can see more likely to go, but if they lose both, they'll be dead in the water. There's still a chance to revive this season and make the top 4 to qualify for CL next season. It will be tough however. Thankfully both Sevilla AND Valencia lost, which helps things.
Here's the league table:
1 Barcelona 59
2 Real Madrid 47
3 Sevilla 38
4 Valencia 37
5 Villarreal 37
6 Atlético 35
7 Málaga 35
8 Deportivo 34
It's gonna be a real race to see who ends up 3rd through 6th. Barça won't be caught, and Real is unlikely to drop out of the top 4, and will likely end up runner up to Barça. That will give the new Real President something to shoot for next year, and we might see a Real open up the pocketbook in the summer. There's been rumors about Zidane coming back and having a role with Real... as well as them making a play for Wenger as the coach/director of football. It could be interesting.
For today though, I'm happy again and cautiously optimistic that Abel Resino can lead Atlético to a Champions League berth, as well as through the next round of CL play against Porto.
brewer
Footballguy
Did you get to watch the game yesterday? All I have to say is, if Eboue ever steps foot on the pitch for Arsenal again, it will be too soon. He has been dreadful for some time, is absolutely playing out of position(but even at RB he is a mediocre sub at best), and has the temper of a 4 year old child. How Wenger can continue to start this clown is beyond me.
andy_b
Footballguy
US Mexico World Cup Qualifier;
Wednesday Feb 11 at 7:00pm eastern on ESPN2HD
Columbus Hosts this big game for the 3rd time in a row
Tickets sold out within 90 minutes of going public
US Roster:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton FC),
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC),
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca),
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Xerez C.D.), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Bayern Munich).
My guess at a starting lineup:
Timmy
Frankie Gooch Boca Pearce
Sacha Bradley Clark DMB
Landon Dempsey
I can't believe I just listed Frankie in the starting lineup but looking at the roster, I have no idea who is going to play right back(I am not sure I am comfortable with Wynne yet).
Also, Landon may start out at the right midfield spot, allowing either Ching or Jozy to start up top.
Wednesday Feb 11 at 7:00pm eastern on ESPN2HD
Columbus Hosts this big game for the 3rd time in a row
Tickets sold out within 90 minutes of going public
US Roster:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton FC),
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC),
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca),
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Xerez C.D.), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Bayern Munich).
My guess at a starting lineup:
Timmy
Frankie Gooch Boca Pearce
Sacha Bradley Clark DMB
Landon Dempsey
I can't believe I just listed Frankie in the starting lineup but looking at the roster, I have no idea who is going to play right back(I am not sure I am comfortable with Wynne yet).
Also, Landon may start out at the right midfield spot, allowing either Ching or Jozy to start up top.
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Carlton Cole is good
He just got called up for English National teamIf Ashton was available and up top on West Ham, they would have two terrific, physical strikers that would be very tough to defend. Oh, and 
Scolari. eff Chelsea
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Honestly, I'm surprised that 'El Gringo' Torres got the call up for the qualifier. He's had what, one cap?
andy_b
Footballguy
only 2. I am surprised as well. I have not seen him play more than once.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Honestly, I'm surprised that Chelski sent Scolari off.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Is Adu hurt?
andy_b
Footballguy
I don't know but I don't think he is playing much.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
So why include Torres over Adu if Adu is healthy? Is it a fitness question?I think Bob Bradley is playing mind games with Mexico personally.
andy_b
Footballguy
looks like some on Big Soccer blame the Cherundolo injury. If Steve was not hurt, Frankie would have been cover for both sides and Wynne and Bornstein would have not been called and the last spot may have gone to Freddy.Others think it was Davies who beat out Adu for the last spot.Of the 20 man roster I listed, only 18 will dress I think.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
It still doesn't explain why Torres was included.
I am too...Chelsea has the most goals scored in the premiership and the second fewest allowed. They just aren't getting the full three points often enough, especially against mid-tier teams. Only 6 wins in 13 home matches is not that great. But I mean, this is only 1/2 way into the year, his first year, where he also has suffered horrible injuries (Essien, Cole...Drogba on and off). Pretty rash decision, imo.Gotta be tough working for Abramovich.There have been a lot of Mouinho spottings in the EPL this year so far. Not saying he's looking to come back, but there is more than a passing interest, imho.
andy_b
Footballguy
Maybe its that Bradley considered Adu more of a forward than as a midfielder.And with the US being woefully undermanned at left midfield, it seems like Torres is as good as anyone else playing right now, especially with MLS dormant.
scoobygang
Footballguy
Because we have very little cover for the left flank and we have a number of players who can play on the right or in the hole? Frankly we had no choice but to include a player who hasn't been getting games on the left. Beasley and Torres were the best we had. If we put Adu in for creativity, we pretty much have to pull Landon or Dempsey (or pehaps Sacha) to do it. It's not as if he can cover other roles.Davies is a purer striker and has been getting games. As for Jozy, it seems much more likely that we'd pull Ching than Landon or Clint.
scoobygang
Footballguy
Chelsea's wage structure is such that they really can't afford to not qualify for the Champions League this year. And while they've had injuries, they do pay to have depth. It's not as if they're forced to throw Franco DiSanto out there the way that Arsenal has to throw out Diaby and Denilson. I also think that, for right or wrong, Chelsea's problems are considered to be tactical this year. Defending set pieces. Playing too centrally. Stuff that people think can be traced right back to Big Phil.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
OK that's a fair answer... to cover the left MF in case of issues with the Beas.
I'm all for bringing new players that might make an impact, but of the brief spell that I've seen Torres play, he's currently a big downgrade over Beasley, who has come a ways in his defense and passing in the last few years.
I love Sasha getting PT, and I don't want Ching on the field vs. Mexico. He'll struggle IMO.
Also what happened to Kenny Cooper getting some caps?
I'm all for bringing new players that might make an impact, but of the brief spell that I've seen Torres play, he's currently a big downgrade over Beasley, who has come a ways in his defense and passing in the last few years.
I love Sasha getting PT, and I don't want Ching on the field vs. Mexico. He'll struggle IMO.
Also what happened to Kenny Cooper getting some caps?
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Ani diFranco plays soccer?
Is she a volunteer firefighter too?
Is she a volunteer firefighter too?
andy_b
Footballguy
he got some and obviously did not impress the coach. Also he is out of season and it seems like Bradley is favoring those who are playing right now (as he should)
Chelsea is really in no danger of not qualifying for the CL.And I agree that they do have depth - I can't see blaming the coach for 1/2 year performance, especially considering the injuries to the starters (I forgot to add Deco to earlier, leaving 4 of the starting 11 out for great stretches).Is it Scolari's fault that Cech can't catch cleanly any longer, or Ballack and Lampard aren't scoring?It's funny, because Chelsea's "tactical" problems are exactly the alleged reason that Mourinho was run out, in that he was not employing the team offensively enough and relying too heavily on defending. In my mind, no coach will ever be good enough for Abramovich, save one that goes undefeated. Chelsea outplayed Liverpool in the last big game Scolari coached, and if not for a phantom red, would be right there in the fight for second still. The team is still good, with the second best gd in the league at 29. Honestly, I don't care, because a coachless team makes a team weaker imo, and I'm for Chelsea weakened.
LHUCKS
Footballguy
I would much prefer Jozy up top with Landon in the midfield...our midfield sucks by international standards. Gooch, Boca and Howard save their ### more times than I care to recall.Adu should be on the squad...kid makes plays in the middle.I'm trying to remember the last time Beasley did something in a match that mattered.I'm pretty amped for this.
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scoobygang
Footballguy
Well, they're in fourth. Not that far ahead of Arsenal. Yeah, they have a much better GD, but I'm not convinced they'll hold off the Gunners and I don't see a lot of evidence that Villa is going to tank.It's true that Chelsea has been hit with injuries, but Phil managed their transfer policy. They've lost Essien and Deco has been banged up. All that's meant is that they've been forced to start Frank Lampard and Ballack in the center of the pitch. Maybe I'm prejudiced from my time running Chelsea in Football Manager, but I'm not going to give the guy extra credit for not being able to play Deco, Essien, Lampard, and Ballack together when they all play substantially the same position. Grant was having to start Essien at right back last year to get him in the squad. The guy's first major signing was to get a central midfielder in a team crawling with central midfielders.Meanwhile, he had one winger (Kalou) to backup Cole and Malouda. I've seen him put Deco on the left flank in a 4-3-3 / 4-5-1. I don't get that decision. I wouldn't have fired Phil, but I think he made some odd decisions. The team started really well, but has been going in the wrong direction for a while.
eagles2007
Footballguy
caught most of this game (after dortmund was up 1-0). landon got subbed in in the second half. bayern destroyed dortmund in this game. could have been 9-1.Bayern went down 1-0 to Dortmund in the second minute, but came back with a ze Roberto goal by half and two Klose goals in the last 3 minutes to win 3-1.This moves Bayern back to second in the table, one point behind Hoffenheim.
B Maverick
Footballguy
No, they lost and that bonehead play was so bad that it erases the assist.And Crouch is terrible.
Giggslooks like 1998 all over again
Love the Giggs goal!!!!So I do get points for the assist.
Yeah, a guy who's played for Liverpool and England is terrible. I'll remember this when you give assessments of the abilities of other players.
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
One thing that I find interesting as a Barca fan is that Becks has probably already played more significant minutes for Milan this season than Ronaldinho has. Glad to see he hasn't found his work ethic now that he's left Camp Nou.
Desert_Power
Footballguy
Deco has been fantastic for Chelsea as well.
Kendall
I heart waffles
Z and Scoob:
Which version of Football Manager do you run? Does it go by the name Worldwide Soccer manager here stateside (or some name like that) ?
I see you guys talk about it and while I like Fifa, I've been unimpressed with the lack of depth regarding a lot of the other world leagues, and I am curious about this game.
Which version of Football Manager do you run? Does it go by the name Worldwide Soccer manager here stateside (or some name like that) ?
I see you guys talk about it and while I like Fifa, I've been unimpressed with the lack of depth regarding a lot of the other world leagues, and I am curious about this game.
Whiplash Inc.
Footballguy
Guus Hiddink is in talks with Chelsea to become the interim coach accoring to Dutch newspapers. He could still serve as Russia manager at the same time.
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CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
My understanding is that Abramovich is already paying his salary as Russian coach, so its no surprise that he is deep in the rumor mill (as he has been the past two years). As expected, there is a long list of names right now - all very familiar to us fans as they are the same names we saw just a few months ago (Hiddink, Riijkarrd, Anceloti, mancini, etc.)Funny to also see Avram Grant's name mentioned for the Pompey job. The guy is obviously a failure, having lost the league title on goal differential and the CL final on penalties.
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
I'm curious as well, as I just dusted off my copy of Total Club Manager 2005 (
) and am wondering which would be the better game with which to upgrade.
Texas Football
Footballguy
yeah the US game is called Worldide Soccer Manager. EU is Football Manager. The trial can be found at footballmanager.net. It's a sim game and you don't control the players beyond their tacticts .It is a very fun game if you like to build tactics and deal with the transfer markets. I played 08 for a year and now 09. I enjoy it.I'm curious as well, as I just dusted off my copy of Total Club Manager 2005 () and am wondering which would be the better game with which to upgrade.
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The Z Machine
Footballguy
I'm mad hooked on FM/WSM 2009.
I'm in year 2014 and am coaching Newell's Old Boys in the Argie Premier Division. I've just completed my 2nd full year there after starting off as the manager of FC Dallas and taking them to 2 MLS titles in 3 years. MLS is a cake league although the transfer market/salary cap/draft and all that stuff is hard to master.
With Newell's, this year was a banner year for them, taking 1st place with no losses in the opening stage (first 19 games). Wins over both Boca and River. Won the Copa Sudamerica too. The second half wasn't so hot though, and we got thoroughly demolished by River 3-0 in Buenos Aires. It's a tough, tough venue to win games there, plsu River has probably 2x the talent as my Newell's team. I in the 2nd game of a home/home in the Final of the Copa Libertadores after losing 1-0 to Santos in the first leg. A win in both Copas would be a superb achievement for Newell's. We ended up 2nd in points overall in the league behind River, who went on a 30 match unbeaten run in league play.
I also coach the Nigeria national team, and won an African Nations Cup with them. I took over right before the WC2010 and took them to the 2nd round where I lost to Holland. Right now I'm playing in the 2014 Confederation's Cup.
I've been approached to take over the Arsenal job after the retirement of Wenger. They are going to give me a $100,000/wk raise... and I think I'm gonna turn them down. They won the Premiership in 2014, so it's not a lot of fun to take over a club at the top. I much prefer taking over a club in the 8th-4th positions and bringing them to the top of the table. Newcastle approached and asked if I was interested, but I declined them too. I'm hoping that a Sevilla, Racing, Valencia, or :crossesfinger: Atlético de Madrid come calling for my services soon.
I'm in year 2014 and am coaching Newell's Old Boys in the Argie Premier Division. I've just completed my 2nd full year there after starting off as the manager of FC Dallas and taking them to 2 MLS titles in 3 years. MLS is a cake league although the transfer market/salary cap/draft and all that stuff is hard to master.
With Newell's, this year was a banner year for them, taking 1st place with no losses in the opening stage (first 19 games). Wins over both Boca and River. Won the Copa Sudamerica too. The second half wasn't so hot though, and we got thoroughly demolished by River 3-0 in Buenos Aires. It's a tough, tough venue to win games there, plsu River has probably 2x the talent as my Newell's team. I in the 2nd game of a home/home in the Final of the Copa Libertadores after losing 1-0 to Santos in the first leg. A win in both Copas would be a superb achievement for Newell's. We ended up 2nd in points overall in the league behind River, who went on a 30 match unbeaten run in league play.
I also coach the Nigeria national team, and won an African Nations Cup with them. I took over right before the WC2010 and took them to the 2nd round where I lost to Holland. Right now I'm playing in the 2014 Confederation's Cup.
I've been approached to take over the Arsenal job after the retirement of Wenger. They are going to give me a $100,000/wk raise... and I think I'm gonna turn them down. They won the Premiership in 2014, so it's not a lot of fun to take over a club at the top. I much prefer taking over a club in the 8th-4th positions and bringing them to the top of the table. Newcastle approached and asked if I was interested, but I declined them too. I'm hoping that a Sevilla, Racing, Valencia, or :crossesfinger: Atlético de Madrid come calling for my services soon.
Texas Football
Footballguy
Z are you using your own tactics or stuff you find off the boards? If you are using your own would you mind forwarding them my way? I've built tons that work here & there but nothing awesome for lower league teams. What works at Inter sure as hell doesn't work at Ipswich. The amount of transfer cash is such an equalizer.
The best tactic of all time for 08, in my eyes, was KimZ 1.1(pretty much any version). It was almost like cheating.
Also, Tugs training is top notch if you need a schedule.
The best tactic of all time for 08, in my eyes, was KimZ 1.1(pretty much any version). It was almost like cheating.
Also, Tugs training is top notch if you need a schedule.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Yeah, I found both of those last year and they were so good, it was kinda like cheating. I prefered KimZ's 3.2 and 4.0 to the 1.0. The 4.0 had produced some serious results when I was playing River in '08. They could pretty much destroy any team in South America 4-1 or 5-0.It's a lot tougher in '09... which is good. You need to tailor your tactics to the players you have. Most of my results have come from running a modified KimZ's 3.1 and 3.2. I run a 4-0-2-3-1 with the LB and RB doing forward runs often, and the AMR and AML hanging back more. It takes the concept of "total football" that KimZ implemented with nearly all players going box-to-box, especially at the wings. The striker doesn't have to be world class (but having a good head, good speed, and good finishing helps a lot), and neither do the central MFs, which are really just converted DMFs. The key to the offense is the AMC distributing well... putting through balls to the striker, putting diagonal balls to wingers who can cross back into the box for the striker or one of the MFs who have pushed up.Texas Football said:
When I play a tougher opponent on the road, I switch it up to a 4-1-1-3-1 with a defensive/counter attacking focus. In this version the attack fosuses almost entirely on through balls and the striker's finishing. Really good teams at home can beat this by controlling the ball, not being overly aggressive and breaking down my defense.
The thing that I think KimZ did really well was develop a good corner attack. Last season I scored something like 10+ goals from CDFs on headers from corners. They're the tallest players and if the ball is always swung into the 6 yard box, they often get a head on it. I like to have at least 1 central defender be over 6'3".
There's a pretty in depth guide online here. I'm reading it and trying to implement some of these ideas. A lot of the basis is splitting up the duties in the center of the park where the players are pairs (MF and FW)... there should be 1 holding MF focused on defensive duties, and the other is focused on linking well with the wingers and striker. For the forwards, one plays a more reserved (second) striker role or more AMC like... to distribute and create off the dribble... think Kun Agüero here. The other plays a typical powerful striker role, ideally something like Henry.
I am currently playing around with various tactics based on those "theorems" in that guide, but nothing has worked as well as my modified KimZ for my team.
One last tip if you play the Argie league... there's a crap-ton of talent there and a lot can be picked up on free transfers when their contracts are nearing the end. I've picked up guys that in one year are worth over $12m, as well as top-shelf U-20 national team talent. I often raid the Argie and Brazil U20 squads.
JaxBill
Footballguy
Robinho's goal against Italy in yesterday's friendly made SportsCenter's Top 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuZxVUqoTcg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuZxVUqoTcg
andy_b
Footballguy
Bradley has not been the easiest guy to figure out. I think it comes down to a confluence of issues with injuries and Bradley not thinking of Adu as a left sided midfielder.And Bradley seems to have taken a liking to Davies almost as much as he seems to spur Cooper. I am very stoked for this game.
Kendall
I heart waffles
I am less than thrilled with the idea of Hejduk and likely one inexperinced guy as the starting backs. I think the Dolo injury hurts the most. I don't know much about some of the US' younger centerbacks, but one thing is certain is the leftback has been our glaringly worst posistion for some time. I know Boca isn't the fastest guy in the world, but he starts at leftback for Rennes, so why wouldn't Bradley try to solidify LB with Boca and bring along a young CB? Or are our younger CB prospects even more bleak than LB right now?
andy_b
Footballguy
It is a fair question. I think our young center backs (players like Parkhurst and others) are significantly stronger than our young left wing backs.Bradley never uses the 3-5-2 but that would be one way around the lack of a true left back by using Cherundolo Gooch Boca across the back.
andy_b
Footballguy
you should have an excellent shot at seeing the whole US-Mexico game as I believe it is slated to start at 7:00pm and the Duke/NC game is not until 9:00.
Kendall
I heart waffles
It is always easier to sit back and critize when you're not actually the person responsible for the decision making, but to me Bradley's major flaw seems to be his unwillingness to change his system to his personel, but rather try to fit square pegs into round holes in his rigid formations. Its frustrating as a fan, but he has been getting positive match results at least.
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