NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Very small EPL Schedule next week. I think there are only 6 games.Man City, Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Wigan, Fulham, and West Ham all have the week off.
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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
- Start date
The Gator
Footballguy
He doesn't count
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I understand the hatred and I myself am very disappointed he did not choose the US to play for but this does not make him any less American than it does Danny Williams being German IMO.
sporthenry
Footballguy
They can pick and choose. We can pick and choose.
jonessed
Footballguy
He was basically just ranting every time he spoke. He wasn't even making sense.You can't put a die-hard fan into a sports analyst position like that. It makes for some awful TV.
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GoFishTN
Footballguy
He was basically just ranting every time he spoke. He wasn't even making sense.You can't put a die-hard fan into a sports analyst position like that. It makes for some awful TV.
He's even worse on Twitter...I only follow him because he tweets about Arsenal all the time, but 90% of them are rants and calls for Wenger to be fired. It's amazing how such an intelligent and usually well-spoken guy can just go totally off the rails when it comes to a soccer team.
Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
Rossi is dead to me, but either way, Jozy has two months or so to slot in 9 more and make the whole discussion moot
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Native
Footballguy
And to think hes not good enough to break into the USMNT squad...
Good win for Spurs today. Spurs lineup doesn't overhwelm me, but they do have pace all over the field. I have a lot of thoughts on Arsenal, may type them down tomorrow if I get a chance, but all all this talk about spending and buying big players - who exactly would be on their wish list? They spent this offseason and got a few pretty highly coveted players in Cazorla and Giroud. Podoliski was a decent get too - he wasn't cheap. I'm not sure exact who is available in the transfer market this offseason who they could/would target but not afford? To me, Gunners keeping Walcott is a big mistake at that salary. He's simply not a difference maker. Not near worth 200k/week. They do have a few nice younger pieces though. Wilshere could be a very good one. Ramsey and Ox-chamberlain good too. Could probably use a few defenseman - they've lost a bunch - and I like Metersacker, but not sure he is right fit for the way Arsenal play.Liverpool looked real nice too this weekend. Not much chatter about it, but I liked the way they played and Reina made a few spectacular saves in the first half that really put Wigan to bed. And United looked simply great. Zero shots on goal for Norwich speaks volumes. I was quite surprised to see both Rooney and van Persie starting - perhaps RvP needed to make sure he was game ready after the knock he picked up the previous game. Rooney was great. Loved it. Obviously their biggest game of the year is on deck, but I'm very optimistic about their chances.
Ignoramus
Footballguy
The Gator
Footballguy
They've been playing really well lately. Since the debacle at Stoke they've done;3-0 aQPR3-0 hSunderland1-2 aUnited5-0 hNorwich2-2 aArsenal2-2 aCity2-0 hWest Brom5-0 hSwansea4-0 hWiganAside from the United game, where the were well beaten, they had 5 bad minutes at Arsenal and one stupid keeper decision at City that cost them points. A full season with Sturridge and Coutinho =
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
The ability to break a defense down by stringing quick passes together is probably better now than it has been since I've been watching them. Turning into a very fun team to watch. Can they keep Suarez though?A full season with Sturridge and Coutinho =
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The Gator
Footballguy
I think they have until next season to be in the CL hunt. If they toil in 6th-8th next season, he'll be gone and nobody will be able to blame him. I think they need a ball playing CB and some DM cover, a big Ya Ya type guy. Love Skrtel and Agger, but this system might not be their cup of tea. Agger is better at it than Skrtel and Skrtel won't want to be a backup.The ability to break a defense down by stringing quick passes together is probably better now than it has been since I've been watching them. Turning into a very fun team to watch. Can they keep Suarez though?A full season with Sturridge and Coutinho =
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
I really hope you're right about Suarez. All the 'stuff' aside, he's a joy to watch.Other than some help in central defense I really don't know what's missing right now. Could Gerrard move into a deeper DM role for a year or two? He came up as a defender if I'm remembering right.Regardless, it's nice to feel like they've got things moving in the right direction again.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
You mean outside of his fantastic international strike rate which is 1 out his last 15 games
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Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
Just caught the highlights of the Portland-NY game, sorry I missed it. Holy crap the game looked insane.Sylvestre...smh
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Just got caught up on the two great games tonight* The US played a wonderful game when you factor in they were playing away against one if the top youth teams in the world, at altitude, on two days rest, with an incredibly shortened squad and they still could have realistically won the game. What a friggan shame Liverpool would not release Pelosi who then subsequently got hurt and will miss the finals along with Packwood. Hopefully Brooks will join the squad come the finals. Really could have been more night and day from the start of the tournament to the end. If the US can start the tournament the way they ended, they could make the knock out round where anything can happen. * The NY Portland game was unbelievably sloppy and just as entertaining. Fun fun game that the crowd just makes so much more appealing to watch.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I can't figure out if Silverstre gets the dunce cap this week or this incredible bone head play by the Colorado keeper yesterdayWhoops
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Just watched the highlights of the LA 4-0 destruction of Chicago. They appear to be ready for the first leg of the CCL quarter finals this week. Old reliable Mike Magee bagged a hat trick and provided the corner than Keane eventually scored on. Three MLS teams are in the CCL quarter finals (two legs). Below are the first games this week (all on Fox Soccer)Houston vs Santos: Tuesday @ 8:00pm EasternTigres vs Seattle: Wednesday @ 10:00pm EasternHerediano vs LA: Thursday @ 8:00pm Eastern
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Some of those teams have euro games during the week and FA Cup games this weekend.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Yup. Some of the games have not been rescheduled yet. Should make for a busy close to the season.
Mjolnirs
Footballguy
Semis set for the DFB Pokal on April 16/17Bayern hosts WolfburgStuttgart hosts FreiburgAfter week 24 of the Bundesliga:
Top 3 = Champions League Group Stage#4 = Champions League Playoff Round#5 = Europa Playoff Round#6 = Europa 3rd Qualifying Round
Code:
Bayern München 20-3-1 63 64-8 +56Borussia Dortmund 13-7-4 46 54-28 +26Bayer Leverkusen 13-6-5 45 45-31 +14Eintracht Frankfurt 11-5-8 38 38-35 +3SC Freiburg 9-9-6 36 30-23 +7Schalke 04 10-6-8 36 41-39 +2
The Z Machine
Footballguy
But they've already run out of cities in the Pacific Northwest, so that's out.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Jay Demerit blew out his achilles tendon. Could be out 8 months or more. At his age, i wonder if he might consider retirement.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
The Home Depot Center will shortly be no more. It will be renamed The Stub Hub Center.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
And the US loses another fullback. Castillo broke his cheek bone in 3 places and could be out up to 30 days which likely takes him out of the qualifiers. Does Lichaj finally get the call?
The Gator
Footballguy
That sounds silly to say
gianmarco
Footballguy
Man City really missing Balotelli there.
waiver wire
Footballguy
Whitecaps DeMerit has ruptured Achilles tendon
this is his last year on his whitecaps contract and will probably want Johnny Leveron, the Honduran Olympic captain to take over
this is his last year on his whitecaps contract and will probably want Johnny Leveron, the Honduran Olympic captain to take over
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
"the Stubby" ?SHC does not roll off the tongue like HDC did.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Chivas USA officially had the lowest home opener attendance in MLS history. It was even lower than when Chicago was stuck in the 5k Naperville stadium awaiting Toyota Park to open years ago. They squeezed in 7143 that night.Garber is getting hit left and right about this mess. He is urging patience but admitted that if in July this is still happening the league is going to be very concerned. Wahl dug out the real attendance number as well which really shows how bad things wereGrant Wahl (@GrantWahl)3/3/13, 8:53 PMSource: Chivas USA actual crowd Sat around 4900: 2700+ sold, 2100+ free tickets. (Announced crowd: 7121.)
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I mentioned this above. Sad news. I wonder if he will consider retirement.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
If they're going to fluff the numbers I don't know why they didn't pad another 25 on there to avoid the smallest opening day crowd ever.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
My guess is that they were too incompetent to actually know that data. This is a mess of epic proportions, they are also the only club in MLS with out a local tv deal.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
He's even worse on Twitter...I only follow him because he tweets about Arsenal all the time, but 90% of them are rants and calls for Wenger to be fired. It's amazing how such an intelligent and usually well-spoken guy can just go totally off the rails when it comes to a soccer team.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
From ESPN/AP. Gator>hi
The Gator
Footballguy
That was a looooong time ago and a lot to do with one bad transfer window.
jonessed
Footballguy
This is largely a result of Henry trying to apply "moneyball" to soccer. Now that they have gone away from that debt growth should flatten out. Rodgers will continue to build, but they will be able to recoup a portion of those losses with new sales.That is still a pretty hefty debt-load though considering their position in the league and the need for major stadium improvements.
jonessed
Footballguy
It was nine months ago and there was a lot of financial damage done in that transfer window. The petro-clubs have made Liverpool a second-tier team, but they have not changed their finances. It's certainly possible that they will re-emerge next season, but they will still be battling with Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton, etc. for that last CL spot. Arsenal has money, and Tottenham and Everton run leaner. I doubt they have much time to right the ship before they become a selling club to maintain finances.
The Gator
Footballguy
The thing is, very little of what is going on I believe is even in Wenger's control. The rise of the petro-clubs really pushed Arsenal back. They can't compete with the salaries or the transfer fees of City or Chelsea. United can't either actually, but they can maintain with Ferguson. Arsenal is free to search for the next Alex Ferguson, but I don't believe the odds are in their favor.If you gave Wenger the funds available to Mancini or Scolarihiddinkancelottivillaboasdimatteobenetiz he would do just as well if not better.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
The thing is, very little of what is going on I believe is even in Wenger's control. The rise of the petro-clubs really pushed Arsenal back. They can't compete with the salaries or the transfer fees of City or Chelsea. United can't either actually, but they can maintain with Ferguson. Arsenal is free to search for the next Alex Ferguson, but I don't believe the odds are in their favor.If you gave Wenger the funds available to Mancini or Scolarihiddinkancelottivillaboasdimatteobenetiz he would do just as well if not better.
jonessed
Footballguy
I agree completely; I put very little of the team's lack of success on Wenger. I don't really think much has changed in the Arsenal world in the past decade....but what has changed is the rest of the top of the league. The EPL (and some other leagues as well) seem to be entering uncharted territory with these superclubs. Either Arsenal end up with an oil tycoon as an owner, or they need to get used to the "new normal", the reality of battling for 4th most every year. Hiring a new coach isn't going to change that.
Kroenke runs Arsenal as a money-making machine, but obviously the fans can't fire him so their ire is directed at Wenger. Getting Wenger fired isn't going to change Kroenke's policies though.
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The Gator
Footballguy
This is why, imo, I think he' more at fault. I think, from reading things, radio interviews, talk, that he sets the wage structure/transfer business more than people really think. Not saying I'm right, but that's what i gather.I agree that the things have changed regarding spending, but Wenger hasn't changed his strategy like he should have imo. I think he's a great manager, just maybe a little stubborn in his polices imo.
Well, to be a bit fair, Arsenal would still be a top four team if Man City didn't get taken over by an owner without any budget, and Chelsea too for that matter.But yes, getting bounced out of league cups, while not the worst result in the world, it's certainly concerning when you get bounced by Bradford. Blackburn still has a quality side with a number of premier league caliber players, but Arsenal still should have beat them too.It may be time for a coaching change at Arsenal. I'm not saying Wenger isn't still a fine coach, I think he is, but his tenure is fairly ancient for EPL standards, especially considering the lack of trophies of late.
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