***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (40 Viewers)

[Slapdash]

Assuming everyone healthy, I'd love to see the following next time out....HowardDolo, Boca, Ream, Lichaj (Would say chandler, but i don't think he can play left)Dempsey, Bradley, HoldenLandon (behind the strikers)Shea, AgudeloI know there was some talk about the US talent pool drying up, but I'm not convinced of that. Re-building the back line is key, but i really think we can piece together an energetic and creative attack if Klinsman can find the right formation and get some chemistry going

I think this would give the US a lot more attacking power than they typically have. I would like to see Edu in instead of Bradley though.

 

[Native]

Tottenham/Everton canceled due to the riots. That was ESPN's game, will they replace is with another game or just run something else?

I hope no more matches get cancelled. Been looking forward to this weekend all summer and now theyre not going to play?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Yeah I don't know what it says either but the pics are worth a chuckle.

http://new.el-ahly.com/pages/News.aspx?aid=30639&ZID=3&title=

 

[QuizGuy66]

F Edson Buddle, 11.5

Fixed Anyway, I wouldn't read too deeply in JK's statements of praise at this point. It seems pretty clear to me that he's in an emphasize the positive mode right now. I don't think I heard him say one thing that can be construed as a direct negative. He's still in stage one of the building - no need to be tearing players down yet when you are still evaluating them and trying to fit the puzzle together.-QG

 

[NewlyRetired]

F Edson Buddle, 11.5

Fixed Anyway, I wouldn't read too deeply in JK's statements of praise at this point. It seems pretty clear to me that he's in an emphasize the positive mode right now. I don't think I heard him say one thing that can be construed as a direct negative. He's still in stage one of the building - no need to be tearing players down yet when you are still evaluating them and trying to fit the puzzle together.-QG

Yeah I agree entirely. That was pretty evident after his halftime interview when he said everything was going great Only player I was disappointed in was Castillo. I never got to see him play before and I had an expectation of a player who had good touch. His distribution was horrible last night when looking into the Opta stats, much worse than a wing back should be and much lower than Cher was. And he comes in with a reputation as a weak defender, which is not a good combination.

 

[guru_007]

It appears the remaining EPL games are still on tap for this weekend with just Spurs/Everton called off.

I'm not sure I'm going to have time to finish epl preview today - will try to post tomorrow morning.

Looks to me like you will see the following happen soon

Cesc to Barcelona - I'd say that one is about 90% to happen

Nasri to $ity - I'd say 50-60%, but if Cesc leaves, he will push harder to leave

And I still keep hearing Sneijder to United. I don't know what to believe with this one, SAF keeps saying, no no no, but I keep hearing transfer fee is being hammered out still between the two clubs

 

[JMon348]

Photo

 

[guru_007]

more looting

 

[Eephus]

And I still keep hearing Sneijder to United. I don't know what to believe with this one, SAF keeps saying, no no no, but I keep hearing transfer fee is being hammered out still between the two clubs

I had an Amy Winehouse flashback there.Sneijder to MUFC makes too much sense not to happen. He's really the perfect addition to a team with very few weaknesses.

 

[Slapdash]

And I still keep hearing Sneijder to United. I don't know what to believe with this one, SAF keeps saying, no no no, but I keep hearing transfer fee is being hammered out still between the two clubs

I had an Amy Winehouse flashback there.Sneijder to MUFC makes too much sense not to happen. He's really the perfect addition to a team with very few weaknesses.

Agreed. I think he would put this squad that is already excellent on a higher level.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Nasri-to-Citeh is apparently a done deal, according to the Frenchy papers.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm going to finally have cable today!!!

To go along with my raging hangover.

Looking forward to reading what I wrote last night.

 

[jonessed]

And I still keep hearing Sneijder to United. I don't know what to believe with this one, SAF keeps saying, no no no, but I keep hearing transfer fee is being hammered out still between the two clubs

I had an Amy Winehouse flashback there.Sneijder to MUFC makes too much sense not to happen. He's really the perfect addition to a team with very few weaknesses.

His wages are way out of whack for United's pay structure and they won't change that. He's on like $250K/week tax-free. I think they are looking for perhaps Nike to cover some of it, but that's a wide gap.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Copa America: Battle of the Americas

What: A new super tournament that replaces and combines the old Copa America and the Gold Cup

When: To be held quadrennially, in the same year as the European Championship. Care will be taken such that the two tournaments do not overlap. First tournament to be in 2016.

How: Format will be 16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4. Top 2 teams in each group advance to quarter finals.

Who: 4 Seeded teams of Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and US will be placed in separate groups.

An additional 4 teams will be seeded. These four teams will be made up of the next 3 highest FIFA ranked teams from CONMEBOL and the next highest ranked team from CONCACAF. These teams will be chosen using the first rankings published after the 2014 World Cup is complete

The remaining 8 teams will come from a combined qualification between the remaining teams in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. Due to the large number of CONCACAF teams it is likely there will be multiple rounds of qualification. Full details of qualification will be provided at a later date. All qualification must be complete by the December before the tournament proper the following summer.

Where: The following 4 tournaments have been laid out

2016: US

2020: Argentina

2024: Mexico

2028: Brazil

 

[NewlyRetired]

Yeah it's a pipe dream but there is money them hills. A lot more money than running the two tournaments alone.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Freddy Adu to the Union. Not a DP signing. Per Ives

 

[NewlyRetired]

Freddy Adu to the Union. Not a DP signing. Per Ives

Great signing by Phili. I like this better for Freddy than Chivas. now let's hope that Adu Nowak 2 goes better than Adu Nowak 1. Ted didn't we speculate on Freddy to Union a while ago? Very cool=========================Freddy Adu's return to Major League Soccer will happen, and he will once again be plying his trade on the East Coast, where he'll be reunited with a familar coach.Adu will be introduced as the Philadelphia Union's newest signing on Friday, marking his return to MLS after four years in Europe, multiple sources confirmed to Fox Soccer on Thursday.Adu was set to sign with Chivas USA as a Designated Player but that deal fell apart after upper management at Chivas USA balked at the signing. There are conflicting accounts about whether Adu will be a Designated Player for the Union, with one source with knowledge of the deal saying Adu will be a DP.Adu will be reunited with Union head coach Peter Nowak, who coached Adu during his first years as a pro, with D.C. United.By adding Adu, the Union will have the flexibility to play a numberWhat do you think of this development? Like Adu on the Union? Think the signing makes sense for Philadelphia?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Ives just tweeted that Adu was all but signed for Chivas when Vegera killed the deal.

Phili is going to be fun to watch.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Ian Darke just tweeted that the ESPN 2 EPL game tomorrow will be Fulham vs Villa. Very cool. He listed a 10 eastern start time.

 

[El Floppo]

Still no cable for me. But it looks like its all Buddle all the time!

Ok- I wasn't drunk at this point.... but Buddle didn't seem like he had much of a chance to do anything given his solitude up front. But when he did get the chance, not much there- but again, working in isolation against solid defenders.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Ted have you see how many years Freddy signed for?

 

[El Floppo]

Ok- I'm drunk... So take this for wha its worth- if kyle beckerman was a step quicker, he would be.the missing link for the us. His positioning, skills and game sense are phenomenal. He. Is. just. So. Freaking. Slow. Of .Foot.

another but I still stand by this. I've seen him play a fair bit both live and on TV- for a guy that seems as dumb as a brick in interviews, he shows the highest on-field intelligence of pretty much any player in the national pool. His positioning and spacing with teammates is always spot-on, he's got great vision, is calm with the ball, has good ball skills (not great- but very good), and finds a way to make his teammates better. He is almost the ideal central MF for the US-but that lack of a step constantly kills him on both sides of the ball against good competition.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Ted have you see how many years Freddy signed for?

No - just that he'll be announced tomorrow.I'm wondering if he isn't a DP (which isnt fully confirmed yet as it turns out), whether they used the allocation money from the Ruiz sale (which was reportedly over $300k to the team) and the Jordan Harvey trade to buy down his cap charge to sub-DP levels

 

[Sebowski]

Copa America: Battle of the Americas

What: A new super tournament that replaces and combines the old Copa America and the Gold Cup

When: To be held quadrennially, in the same year as the European Championship. Care will be taken such that the two tournaments do not overlap. First tournament to be in 2016.

How: Format will be 16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4. Top 2 teams in each group advance to quarter finals.

Who: 4 Seeded teams of Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and US will be placed in separate groups.

An additional 4 teams will be seeded. These four teams will be made up of the next 3 highest FIFA ranked teams from CONMEBOL and the next highest ranked team from CONCACAF. These teams will be chosen using the first rankings published after the 2014 World Cup is complete

The remaining 8 teams will come from a combined qualification between the remaining teams in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. Due to the large number of CONCACAF teams it is likely there will be multiple rounds of qualification. Full details of qualification will be provided at a later date. All qualification must be complete by the December before the tournament proper the following summer.

Where: The following 4 tournaments have been laid out

2016: US

2020: Argentina

2024: Mexico

2028: Brazil

Finally someone has seen the light and agrees with me. I've been asking for this for years!/lhucks impression

I everyone should have to qualify. No automatics unless they are the host nation. This tournament makes too much sense not to happen. Which is probably why it won't for a long time.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Ted have you see how many years Freddy signed for?

No - just that he'll be announced tomorrow.I'm wondering if he isn't a DP (which isnt fully confirmed yet as it turns out), whether they used the allocation money from the Ruiz sale (which was reportedly over $300k to the team) and the Jordan Harvey trade to buy down his cap charge to sub-DP levels

I bet this is all some math they may play. It might be one of these deals since he came in late he won't count as a DP this year but may count as one next year. Hope he gets into the second half on Saturday. Should be an awesome game to watch against a good Dallas team.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Copa America: Battle of the Americas

What: A new super tournament that replaces and combines the old Copa America and the Gold Cup

When: To be held quadrennially, in the same year as the European Championship. Care will be taken such that the two tournaments do not overlap. First tournament to be in 2016.

How: Format will be 16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4. Top 2 teams in each group advance to quarter finals.

Who: 4 Seeded teams of Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and US will be placed in separate groups.

An additional 4 teams will be seeded. These four teams will be made up of the next 3 highest FIFA ranked teams from CONMEBOL and the next highest ranked team from CONCACAF. These teams will be chosen using the first rankings published after the 2014 World Cup is complete

The remaining 8 teams will come from a combined qualification between the remaining teams in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. Due to the large number of CONCACAF teams it is likely there will be multiple rounds of qualification. Full details of qualification will be provided at a later date. All qualification must be complete by the December before the tournament proper the following summer.

Where: The following 4 tournaments have been laid out

2016: US

2020: Argentina

2024: Mexico

2028: Brazil

Finally someone has seen the light and agrees with me. I've been asking for this for years!/lhucks impression

I everyone should have to qualify. No automatics unless they are the host nation. This tournament makes too much sense not to happen. Which is probably why it won't for a long time.

I tried to balance the business side and the competition side. I can't make it work business wise unless certain teams are seeded. I don't see any way around that.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Ok- I'm drunk... So take this for wha its worth- if kyle beckerman was a step quicker, he would be.the missing link for the us. His positioning, skills and game sense are phenomenal. He. Is. just. So. Freaking. Slow. Of .Foot.

another but I still stand by this. I've seen him play a fair bit both live and on TV- for a guy that seems as dumb as a brick in interviews, he shows the highest on-field intelligence of pretty much any player in the national pool. His positioning and spacing with teammates is always spot-on, he's got great vision, is calm with the ball, has good ball skills (not great- but very good), and finds a way to make his teammates better. He is almost the ideal central MF for the US-but that lack of a step constantly kills him on both sides of the ball against good competition.

I agree with this assessment. His Opta stats were not off the charts last night but he likely has warranted at least being on the roster for the next two games. He provides some nice depth though and would feel comfortable with him against most teams in qualifying.

 

[Sebowski]

Copa America: Battle of the Americas

What: A new super tournament that replaces and combines the old Copa America and the Gold Cup

When: To be held quadrennially, in the same year as the European Championship. Care will be taken such that the two tournaments do not overlap. First tournament to be in 2016.

How: Format will be 16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4. Top 2 teams in each group advance to quarter finals.

Who: 4 Seeded teams of Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and US will be placed in separate groups.

An additional 4 teams will be seeded. These four teams will be made up of the next 3 highest FIFA ranked teams from CONMEBOL and the next highest ranked team from CONCACAF. These teams will be chosen using the first rankings published after the 2014 World Cup is complete

The remaining 8 teams will come from a combined qualification between the remaining teams in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. Due to the large number of CONCACAF teams it is likely there will be multiple rounds of qualification. Full details of qualification will be provided at a later date. All qualification must be complete by the December before the tournament proper the following summer.

Where: The following 4 tournaments have been laid out

2016: US

2020: Argentina

2024: Mexico

2028: Brazil

Finally someone has seen the light and agrees with me. I've been asking for this for years!/lhucks impression

I everyone should have to qualify. No automatics unless they are the host nation. This tournament makes too much sense not to happen. Which is probably why it won't for a long time.

I tried to balance the business side and the competition side. I can't make it work business wise unless certain teams are seeded. I don't see any way around that.

I don't think Uruguay or Paraguay would be very happy to hear that you seeded two teams that didn't even make the 3rd place game in the Copa America. Guaranteed seeding just doesn't work. I'd say whoever finishes 1st and 2nd in qualifying for their region get the seeds. If that doesn't turn out to be Mexico and USA, then they don't deserve the seed. You'll also get some pretty tough groups this way which is always fun. Teams still qualify for getting 2nd in their group, so not a big deal.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Copa America: Battle of the Americas

What: A new super tournament that replaces and combines the old Copa America and the Gold Cup

When: To be held quadrennially, in the same year as the European Championship. Care will be taken such that the two tournaments do not overlap. First tournament to be in 2016.

How: Format will be 16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4. Top 2 teams in each group advance to quarter finals.

Who: 4 Seeded teams of Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and US will be placed in separate groups.

An additional 4 teams will be seeded. These four teams will be made up of the next 3 highest FIFA ranked teams from CONMEBOL and the next highest ranked team from CONCACAF. These teams will be chosen using the first rankings published after the 2014 World Cup is complete

The remaining 8 teams will come from a combined qualification between the remaining teams in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. Due to the large number of CONCACAF teams it is likely there will be multiple rounds of qualification. Full details of qualification will be provided at a later date. All qualification must be complete by the December before the tournament proper the following summer.

Where: The following 4 tournaments have been laid out

2016: US

2020: Argentina

2024: Mexico

2028: Brazil

Finally someone has seen the light and agrees with me. I've been asking for this for years!/lhucks impression

I everyone should have to qualify. No automatics unless they are the host nation. This tournament makes too much sense not to happen. Which is probably why it won't for a long time.

I tried to balance the business side and the competition side. I can't make it work business wise unless certain teams are seeded. I don't see any way around that.

I don't think Uruguay or Paraguay would be very happy to hear that you seeded two teams that didn't even make the 3rd place game in the Copa America. Guaranteed seeding just doesn't work. I'd say whoever finishes 1st and 2nd in qualifying for their region get the seeds. If that doesn't turn out to be Mexico and USA, then they don't deserve the seed. You'll also get some pretty tough groups this way which is always fun. Teams still qualify for getting 2nd in their group, so not a big deal.

You are arguing competition. I have no disagreement with that. All teams should have to qualify in a perfect system.My point was this deal will never happen unless concessions are made to make sure the business side works. If we were not worried about business then of course, no question about it, make teams qualify if time in the schedule can be found.

And IMO guaranteed seeding is the only reason the Gold Cup exists today, so I don't think it in entirely fair to say it never works.

 

[scoobygang]

Nice to get a head start on all those Adu/Mwanga 2014 bumper stickers.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Nice to get a head start on all those Adu/Mwanga 2014 bumper stickers.

Yeah was thinking the same thing. . Would be nice to see them develop together.

 

[NewlyRetired]

From Goff

All times are Eastern

FRIDAY

Friendly, Valencia-Roma 4 p.m. ESPN3.com

USL, Charleston-Charlotte 8 p.m. Fox Soccer Channel

Mexico, Morelia-Chivas 9 p.m. Azteca America, Fox Deportes

SATURDAY

Germany, Wolfsburg-Bayern Munich 9:30 a.m. GolTV

England, Fulham-Aston Villa 10 a.m. ESPN2, ESPN3.com

England, Liverpool-Sunderland 10 a.m. FSC

England, QPR-Bolton 10 a.m. Fox Soccer Plus, foxsoccer.tv

England, Wigan-Norwich 10 a.m. foxsoccer.tv (tape at 2 on FSP)

England, Blackburn-Wolves 10 a.m. foxsoccer.tv (tape at 4 on FSP)

England, Birmingham-Coventry noon FSP, foxsoccer.tv

England, Newcastle-Arsenal 12:30 p.m. FSC

Germany, Moenchengladbach-Stuttgart 12:30 p.m. ESPN3.com

France, Saint-Etienne-Nancy 1 p.m. foxsoccer.tv

France, Lyon-Ajaccio 1 p.m. foxsoccer.tv

France, Lorient-Bordeaux 1 p.m. foxsoccer.tv

France, Rennes-PSG 1 p.m. foxsoccer.tv

France, Valenciennes-Brest 3 p.m. foxsoccer.tv

MLS, Seattle-Chivas USA 4 p.m. Direct Kick

Brazil, Sao Paulo-Paranaense 5:30 p.m. GolTV

Under-20 World Cup quarterfinal, Portugal-Argentina 5:50 p.m. ESPNU, Galavision, ESPN3.com

Mexico, San Luis-Monterrey 6 p.m. Telefutura

Mexico, Jaguares-Cruz Azul 6 p.m. ESPN Deportes, Azteca America

MLS, Toronto-Real Salt Lake 7 p.m. Direct Kick

MLS, D.C. United-Vancouver 7:30 p.m. Comcast SportsNet/DC, Direct Kick

MLS, New York-Chicago 7:30 p.m. Direct Kick

MLS, Columbus-New England 7:30 p.m. Direct Kick

MLS, Philadelphia-Dallas 8 p.m. Direct Kick

Mexico, Toluca-Pachuca 8 p.m. Telefutura

Mexico, Tigres-America 8 p.m. Telemundo

Mexico, Irapuato-Celaya 8 p.m. GolTV

Under-20 World Cup, Mexico-Colombia 8:30 p.m. ESPNU, Galavision, ESPN3.com

Mexico, Atlante-Queretaro 10 p.m. Telefutura

MLS, San Jose-Colorado 10:30 p.m. Direct Kick

SUNDAY

England, Stoke-Chelsea 8:30 a.m. FSP, foxsoccer.tv

Netherlands, Ajax-Heerenveen 8:30 a.m. ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com

Germany, Kaiserslautern-Augsburg 9:30 a.m. ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com

England, West Brom-Manchester United 11 a.m. FSC

France, Evian-Nice 11 a.m. foxsoccer.tv

France, Auxerre-Marseille 11 a.m. foxsoccer.tv

Germany, Bayer Leverkusen-Werder Bremen 11:30 a.m. GolTV

Mexico, Pumas-Santos Laguna 1 p.m. Telemundo

Portugal, Guimares-Porto 2 p.m. ESPN3.com

Mexico, Tijuana-Puebla 3 p.m. Azteca America, Fox Deportes

France, Lille-Montpellier 3 p.m. FSP, foxsoccer.tv

Under-20 World Cup quarterfinal, France-Nigeria 3:45 p.m. ESPNU, ESPN3.com

Spain Super Cup, Real Madrid-Barcelona 4 p.m. GolTV, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com

WPS, Western New York-Atlanta 6 p.m. FSC

Brazil, Vasco da Gama-Palmeiras 6 p.m. GolTV

Under-20 World Cup quarterfinal, Brazil-Spain 6:45 p.m. ESPNU, ESPN3.com

MLS, Houston-Portland 9 p.m. Galavision

MONDAY

England, Manchester City-Swansea 3 p.m. ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com

 

[derek245583]

Losing Given was pretty big, Hart is still too green to me to be a big time gk.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Copa America: Battle of the Americas

What: A new super tournament that replaces and combines the old Copa America and the Gold Cup

When: To be held quadrennially, in the same year as the European Championship. Care will be taken such that the two tournaments do not overlap. First tournament to be in 2016.

How: Format will be 16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4. Top 2 teams in each group advance to quarter finals.

Who: 4 Seeded teams of Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and US will be placed in separate groups.

An additional 4 teams will be seeded. These four teams will be made up of the next 3 highest FIFA ranked teams from CONMEBOL and the next highest ranked team from CONCACAF. These teams will be chosen using the first rankings published after the 2014 World Cup is complete

The remaining 8 teams will come from a combined qualification between the remaining teams in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. Due to the large number of CONCACAF teams it is likely there will be multiple rounds of qualification. Full details of qualification will be provided at a later date. All qualification must be complete by the December before the tournament proper the following summer.

Where: The following 4 tournaments have been laid out

2016: US

2020: Argentina

2024: Mexico

2028: Brazil

Finally someone has seen the light and agrees with me. I've been asking for this for years!/lhucks impression

I everyone should have to qualify. No automatics unless they are the host nation. This tournament makes too much sense not to happen. Which is probably why it won't for a long time.

I tried to balance the business side and the competition side. I can't make it work business wise unless certain teams are seeded. I don't see any way around that.

I think the biggest reason this doesn't happen is that CONCACAF might be afraid that combining tournaments might nudge FIFA to call for an outright combining of the federations. If that happens, Mexico and the USA suddenly are not locks for the World Cup and countries like Costa Rica and Honduras can forget about qualifying ever again.-QG

 

[NewlyRetired]

Copa America: Battle of the Americas

What: A new super tournament that replaces and combines the old Copa America and the Gold Cup

When: To be held quadrennially, in the same year as the European Championship. Care will be taken such that the two tournaments do not overlap. First tournament to be in 2016.

How: Format will be 16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4. Top 2 teams in each group advance to quarter finals.

Who: 4 Seeded teams of Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and US will be placed in separate groups.

An additional 4 teams will be seeded. These four teams will be made up of the next 3 highest FIFA ranked teams from CONMEBOL and the next highest ranked team from CONCACAF. These teams will be chosen using the first rankings published after the 2014 World Cup is complete

The remaining 8 teams will come from a combined qualification between the remaining teams in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. Due to the large number of CONCACAF teams it is likely there will be multiple rounds of qualification. Full details of qualification will be provided at a later date. All qualification must be complete by the December before the tournament proper the following summer.

Where: The following 4 tournaments have been laid out

2016: US

2020: Argentina

2024: Mexico

2028: Brazil

Finally someone has seen the light and agrees with me. I've been asking for this for years!/lhucks impression

I everyone should have to qualify. No automatics unless they are the host nation. This tournament makes too much sense not to happen. Which is probably why it won't for a long time.

I tried to balance the business side and the competition side. I can't make it work business wise unless certain teams are seeded. I don't see any way around that.

I think the biggest reason this doesn't happen is that CONCACAF might be afraid that combining tournaments might nudge FIFA to call for an outright combining of the federations. If that happens, Mexico and the USA suddenly are not locks for the World Cup and countries like Costa Rica and Honduras can forget about qualifying ever again.-QG

Yeah I agree. Although I don't think the gap between Honduras/Costa Rica and teams like a Peru are as large as you are making them out to be. The home cooking in Central America is amongst the strongest any where in the world (fans, intimidation and dodgy reffing) which can be a great equalizer.

 

[LHUCKS]

Great to see Freddy back stateside...the Union are now my favorite team...not kidding.

/fanboy

 

[bweiser]

Great to see Freddy back stateside...the Union are now my favorite team...not kidding./fanboy

please don't jump on our crowded bandwagon.

 

[guru_007]

Going nowhere fast

In the next 5 teams I see plenty of issues, however, each seem strong enough to stave off most relegation fears. I don’t see all that much difference between 11 through 15.

11- Aston Villa

Key Transfers In:

Shay Given - Manchester City (3.5 Million)

Charles N'Zogbia - Wigan Athletic (9.5 Million)

Key Transfers out

John Carew - West Ham United (Free Transfer)

Nigel Reo-Coker - Bolton Wanderers (Free Transfer)

Brad Friedel - Tottenham Hotspur (Free Transfer)

Ashley Young - Manchester United (19 Million)

Stewart Downing - Liverpool (20 Milion)

The selling continues at Villa Park, but there is still enough talent left so that they needn’t worry about the Championship just yet. Given will step right in for Friedel, and N’Zogbia was almost a must get after losing so much else. The attack is still okay with the likes of Bent, Agbonlahor and Heskey, but I’m not sure how much is left in the midfield to build to it. May be a whole lot of kicking the ball deep and watching Abbonlahor track it down and try to get it to Bent in a dangerous position. Very little depth at midfield and defense, although the starting 11 should be okay on most weeks. Should an injury or two hit, this team may be in trouble.

12- Bolton Wanderers:

Key Transfers in:

Nigel Reo-Coker - Aston Villa (Free Transfer)

Chris Eagles

Tyrone Mears

Key transfers out:

Johan Elmander - Galatasaray (Free Transfer)

Matthew Taylor - West Ham United (2.2 Million)

Ali Al Habsi - Wigan Athletic (4 Million)

I’m not sure any of those transfers in are key, although they will offer some depth, the outs are a huge concern. Elmander was terrific last year (leading scorer and assist) and Al HAbsi was a threat on the pitch. Not listed, but certainly will hurt will be the broken leg suffered by Lee Chong-Yung. Stu Holden should be back and help, but I’m not sure the attack has enough left in it to be as dangerous as Bolton was last year (in particular while playing at home which is always key). I’m a huge Kevin Davies fan, very underrated player out there, but he will be faced with a Herculean task this year to get this team any higher than 12th.

13 - Stoke City:

Key Transers in:

Jonathan Woodgate - Tottenham Hotspur (Free Transfer)

Key Transfers out:

Abdoulaye Faye - West Ham United (Free Transfer)

Not much in, not much out, so I’d expect about the same results as last year for Stoke, which was 13th in the table. Stoke’s one of those teams where you see them on the schedule and you want to get all three, but if you get just 1 you aren’t all that disappointed when the game is done. They seemed to have a knack for scoring the late goal last year and are just always in the game. They have a huge home/road split in results, and scored the least away goals in the premier league last year. Stoke needs another attacker imo , but I’m just not sure there is one out there that they can afford and will be a difference maker.

14- West Bromwich Albion:

Key Transfers in:

Ben Foster - Birmingham City (Season Loan)

Smaller money clubs just don’t have much wiggle room for bringing players in, nor do they usually have much in the way to sell, and that’s about what you have with WBA. They had some minor roster shuffling, but I think you’ll see about the same team this year as last. Their attack is bolstered by Odemwingie who was pretty dynamic last year, and they will need the same kind of effort to get as high this year. West Brom seems to be able to get points against the teams they are supposed to get points from, but they just don’t seem to me as much of a threat to the top 10 teams in a game in/game out basis. Hodgson may be a pretty good managerial fit here and should run out a a competitive side, I just don’t expect much more than a 14th finish.

15- Wolverhampton Wanderers:

Key Transfers in:

Jamie O'Hara - Tottenham Hotspur (5 million)

Roger Johnson - Birmingham City (7 Million)

Wolves did very well in the offseason and brought in two guys who should be key to their 2011-12 season, in fact Johnson has already been named as their captain. O’Hara was often buried at Spurs, but still young he should thrive with Wolves. This team barely survived relegation last season, but I do find them improved enough and now with a bit of experience, that they should be at least a touch above the bottom five. Consistent scoring will again be an issue – and they need to secure more away points, but I think they will turn the corner a bit here and not have to wait till the last weekend to see what league they’ll be in next year.

 

[JMon348]

Barcelona defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique have welcomed their friend and international team-mate Cesc Fabregas to the Catalan club as the European champions prepare to announce the signing of the Arsenal captain.Pique had earlier claimed on Twitter that "today will be a great day" and those sentiments were echoed by goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who announced the deal could be done "in a matter of hours".Club captain Puyol also expressed his optimism on the social networking site, before Pique all but confirmed the deal as he tweeted: "We now have him here".Puyol then showed his delight at the prospective move as he wrote: "Welcome home!!! Happy to have you here @cesc4official"

 

[guru_007]

Look out belowwwwwwww

Any of these five could be championship bound this year….

16- Queens Park Rangers:

Key transfers in:

Kieran Dyer - West Ham United (Free Transfer)

DJ Campbell - Blackpool (Undisclosed)

Key transfers out:

Pascal Chimbonda- Free Transfer

Last year was terrific for QPR, and that is the form with which I need to base the finish for the upcoming season. Off-field issues aside, there is money to be found if a player is needed, they added a nice piece with DJ Campbell offering some offense, didn’t lose much off last year’s roster….and they have a very nice player in the likes of Tabaat. He is a bit of an enigma and is sometimes lazy, and fancies himself a bit of a superstar, but it will be interesting to see what he can do against top flight competition. Without much intimate knowledge of QPR, just a few games/highlights here and there, the thing that stands out to me most is a 71/32 goal differential last year in the Championship. I don’t care what level of competition you are playing against, with those type numbers, you are ready to play against stronger sides.

17- Blackburn Rovers:

Ins: Key transfers in:

David Goodwillie - Dundee United (2.8 Million)

Key transfers out:

Phil Jones - Manchester United(Undisclosed)

Nikola Kallinic - Dnipro (6 Million)

Blackburn should, by the thinnest of margins, remain up for one more season, but this team needs to be shaken up and new talent needs to be rolled in quick. They do have one of the best CB in the premier league with Samba, and there are a few players out there that can show flashes from time to time, but all in all, not enough consistent attack, not enough possession, and not enough defense to be much of a threat to many teams. I am sure they will try to keep all games as close to nil-nil as possible, so not exactly the most fun team to watch, they will need to get as many home points as possible or else they could easily be relegated. Maybe Rochina and Formica start blossoming, and maybe they are able to get a few free loans, like Santa Cruz again, that would help for certain. I just don’t see much else about Rovers to get excited about.

18- Wigan Athletic:

Key Transfers in:

Ali Al Habsi - Bolton Wanderers (4 Million)

Key transfers out:

Charles N'Zogbia - Aston Villa (9.5 Million)

One midfielder in, one out, this team is certainly on the cusp of being relegated as they were pretty awful much of last year, and I’m counting on them to get relegated this year. The cupboards are pretty barren for Martinez, Rodallega is going to have plenty of problems finding any free space, Cleverly is back at ManU, N’Zogbia is gone, I could see this team coming in dead last, but there is not much difference between 18th-20th so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt in that they will be ahead of the two teams I know least about.

19-20

Norwich/Swansea City

Norwich has brought in:

Ritchie De Laet - Manchester United (Season Loan)

Kyle Naughton - Tottenham Hotspur (Season Loan)

James Vaughan - Everton (2.5 Million)

And Swansea City has brought in:

Steven Caulker - Tottenham Hotspur (Season Loan)

Danny Graham - Watford (3.5 Million)

Jose Moreira - Benfica (Undisclosed)

Leroy Lita -Middlesbrough (1.75 Million)

Wayne Routledge - Newcastle United (Undsiclosed)

I saw a few Norwich games last year, and they play fairly open which allows them to score some goals, but of course, they also allow quite a few and this will be exploited at the top level. Swansea plays a bit more tight, both lack the top to bottom talent to make them much of one season and done teams. Norwich may be the more exciting team to watch, but I think both teams are going to have troubles this year and should come in at the bottom. Hope I’ve proven wrong, as it’s always nice and refreshing to get some new blood to stick around – Blackpool was a highly entertaining club to watch last year and there is always a lower level club that makes deep runs in cups.

Let’s get the season under way!

 

[scoobygang]

A few thoughts about some of these teams guru is previewing.

Aston Villa-

Will this year be Marc Albrighton's coming out party? He's shown real potential as a crafty winger, and AV will need him without Young and (the far superior last year, IMO, Downing). I still hold some bitterness against the man Toon followers took to calling "Charles Insomnia", but he was much better with Wigan. Finally, is Gabby ever going to reach his potential? Every year, this is a guy who LOOKS like he should be scoring goals. He's fast and strong and seems to make intelligent decisions and he just doesn't score. Meanwhile, a guy like Bent just puts them in in bunches. Which means that Bent just can't get hurt. AV can't replace his instincts.

Bolton-

I love Owen Coyle, but this seems way, way too high. They didn't just lose their most explosive (albeit streaky) scorer in Elmander. They lost their next most explosive scorer by not having Sturridge on loan. Their two most dynamic midfielders are either lost to injury or just on the verge of getting back.

Stoke City -

Even if none of the rumored transfers (Shaun Wright Phillips, Crouchy, Palacios) come off, this seems low for a team that was as tough as anyone outside the big boys in the second half of last year. Tony Pulis is a very, very good manager even if his teams play ugly football. They got a bargain bagging Upson on a free transfer (has anyone's rep ever fallen that fast? The guy was starting in the World Cup for England.).

WBA -

Little to add except to say that I'm counting on Odemwingie in my EPL fantasy team. Love that guy. Fully expect him to be poached in January.

Wolves-

I think the Mick McCarthy experience is about to end. They've stayed up with smoke and mirrors before and they've only improved marginally. I'll miss Mick's interviews.

 

[scoobygang]

BTW, am I missing something of does guru somehow have an awful Newcastle team in the top 10? No Carroll. No Nolan. No Jose Enrique. No chance.

 

[guru_007]

BTW, am I missing something of does guru somehow have an awful Newcastle team in the top 10? No Carroll. No Nolan. No Jose Enrique. No chance.

just for the record, my 11-15 were placed alpha order. I like Stoke quite a bit, and could see them 11th....and Bolton easily could be 15th. I think of the guys Bolton lost, Lee Chung-Yung may be the most damaging. I am hoping Holden's return will bolster them enough to be a strong side, as they play a much more pleasing style of soccer than a number of EPL teams, in particular at home, where they aren't afraid to open up the game a bit.And I'll stick by my Newcastle prediction. Sometimes you need to be a bit bold with your choices and Newcastle is a big money club, I think they make a move here and there and jump over a few more teams this year.

 

[guru_007]

Oh, one more thing that I probably should have added more is I do think managers are just as important as players, and I barely touched on most of them. I think TP is a great manager, but then again, I thought MON was one of the best in the world and he is without a job still

 

[scoobygang]

Oh, one more thing that I probably should have added more is I do think managers are just as important as players, and I barely touched on most of them. I think TP is a great manager, but then again, I thought MON was one of the best in the world and he is without a job still

Martin O'Neill is a fine game day manager and trainer. But he ran up Villa's wage bill to absurd heights, putting them in this precarious position. I don't see any team that isn't flush with cash giving him a job. He's probably a better fit for a national team job.

 

[guru_007]

Oh, one more thing that I probably should have added more is I do think managers are just as important as players, and I barely touched on most of them. I think TP is a great manager, but then again, I thought MON was one of the best in the world and he is without a job still

Martin O'Neill is a fine game day manager and trainer. But he ran up Villa's wage bill to absurd heights, putting them in this precarious position. I don't see any team that isn't flush with cash giving him a job. He's probably a better fit for a national team job.

Villa has money, they cry poor but are one of the bigger clubs in England. Fact is, you need to spend a bit of money to be competitive, Villa finished three straight years in 6th and were just behind the big 4, last year they finished 9th. The moves they made were shrewd, they brought in Ashley Young for 8mil, sold him for what, 20million? Milner was brought in for 12, sold for 26m, Downing brought in for 10m, sold for what 20m? Driving wages up can be said of any manager, who is going to not go out and try to get better players?Plenty of managers do way worse with just as much money spent.

 

[scoobygang]

Villa has money, they cry poor but are one of the bigger clubs in England. Fact is, you need to spend a bit of money to be competitive, Villa finished three straight years in 6th and were just behind the big 4, last year they finished 9th. The moves they made were shrewd, they brought in Ashley Young for 8mil, sold him for what, 20million? Milner was brought in for 12, sold for 26m, Downing brought in for 10m, sold for what 20m? Driving wages up can be said of any manager, who is going to not go out and try to get better players?Plenty of managers do way worse with just as much money spent.

They lost £37 million in 2010. Their wage bill was £80 million. Almost 90% of their turnover. That's not "spending some money." That's hemorraghing money. It's not sustainable, particularly as AV never turned the corner to get into the Champions League and make up the money.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Villa has money, they cry poor but are one of the bigger clubs in England. Fact is, you need to spend a bit of money to be competitive, Villa finished three straight years in 6th and were just behind the big 4, last year they finished 9th. The moves they made were shrewd, they brought in Ashley Young for 8mil, sold him for what, 20million? Milner was brought in for 12, sold for 26m, Downing brought in for 10m, sold for what 20m? Driving wages up can be said of any manager, who is going to not go out and try to get better players?Plenty of managers do way worse with just as much money spent.

They lost £37 million in 2010. Their wage bill was £80 million. Almost 90% of their turnover. That's not "spending some money." That's hemorraghing money. It's not sustainable, particularly as AV never turned the corner to get into the Champions League and make up the money.

Is UEFA installing any rules to counter this kind of spending? I know the Bundesliga has some very strong rules about this which allows their clubs to not spend money they do not have. The EPL is too popular a league to have so many teams losing money. It is not good for a long term business

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Villa has money, they cry poor but are one of the bigger clubs in England. Fact is, you need to spend a bit of money to be competitive, Villa finished three straight years in 6th and were just behind the big 4, last year they finished 9th. The moves they made were shrewd, they brought in Ashley Young for 8mil, sold him for what, 20million? Milner was brought in for 12, sold for 26m, Downing brought in for 10m, sold for what 20m? Driving wages up can be said of any manager, who is going to not go out and try to get better players?Plenty of managers do way worse with just as much money spent.

They lost £37 million in 2010. Their wage bill was £80 million. Almost 90% of their turnover. That's not "spending some money." That's hemorraghing money. It's not sustainable, particularly as AV never turned the corner to get into the Champions League and make up the money.

Is UEFA installing any rules to counter this kind of spending? I know the Bundesliga has some very strong rules about this which allows their clubs to not spend money they do not have. The EPL is too popular a league to have so many teams losing money. It is not good for a long term business

F'in Germans. Always responsible and ####.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This is an interesting article on how Liverpool used stats to help determine their new signings

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904006104576502484064400802.html