***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (6 Viewers)

[SmoovySmoov]

The one complaint I had with Benetiz was the bizarre way he managed to win EUROPA and get us to 3rd while managing the rotation

Cletius was fairer to Benitez than most Chelsea fans. I think he only had about a two week run of calling him the fat Spanish waiter.

Still in his sig

I've got sigs turned off - need to change that up I guess. I never accepted Rafa because he's always a Scouse to me, but I've credited him more than most Chelsea fans and had a few fun fights on the CFC boards defending his results in a very tough situation. I really hope he does well at Napoli.

Its fun being a Chelsea fan - we get mocked for winning the Europa, but mocked for not being happy with winning the Europa. Just like last season when no one gave us credit for winning the Champions League and mocked the style of play, but then criticized for firing our manager because he had just won the Champions League.

I think people make fun of Chel$ki for winning Europa because they were the defending European champions (supposedly) who were the first ever to be knocked out the following year at the group stages. I think people make fun of Chel$ki for winning the Champions League because of the way that they parked the bus to do it, and then for firing their manager (a former player) after winning it. But mostly, it's just for the ridiculous amount of Russian mob money that has been poured into the team to buy their history.

I think that these are all ridiculously stupid criticisms.

I didn't say they were valid criticisms. I said "I think Chel$ki get criticized because..............."

 

[CletiusMaximus]

It's fine to disagree with the way MLS conducts business, but doesn't make sense imo to call them dishonest or "supposedly neutral". They're pretty much open about this stuff. They're still rigging transfers for the good of the league. I'm sure they would like to open things up a bit some day, but I don't think you can view the Deuce acquisition as anything other than a huge win for MLS.

 

[Slapdash]

The one complaint I had with Benetiz was the bizarre way he managed to win EUROPA and get us to 3rd while managing the rotation

Cletius was fairer to Benitez than most Chelsea fans. I think he only had about a two week run of calling him the fat Spanish waiter.

Still in his sig

I've got sigs turned off - need to change that up I guess. I never accepted Rafa because he's always a Scouse to me, but I've credited him more than most Chelsea fans and had a few fun fights on the CFC boards defending his results in a very tough situation. I really hope he does well at Napoli.

Its fun being a Chelsea fan - we get mocked for winning the Europa, but mocked for not being happy with winning the Europa. Just like last season when no one gave us credit for winning the Champions League and mocked the style of play, but then criticized for firing our manager because he had just won the Champions League.

I think people make fun of Chel$ki for winning Europa because they were the defending European champions (supposedly) who were the first ever to be knocked out the following year at the group stages. I think people make fun of Chel$ki for winning the Champions League because of the way that they parked the bus to do it, and then for firing their manager (a former player) after winning it. But mostly, it's just for the ridiculous amount of Russian mob money that has been poured into the team to buy their history.

I think that these are all ridiculously stupid criticisms.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I remember when the NFL stepped in and politely suggested to the Colts that it would be best for the league if they didn't draft Andrew Luck. Made sense too since the Browns had been bad so long the marketing guys in Cleveland needed a little help.

You get that the draft (and the allocation order, for that matter) are already anti-competitive market distortions, right?

I do. But the rules aren't made up and altered on the fly. And teams don't cooperate with each other outside the competitive framework they've agreed to ahead of time.

 

[T Bell]

The one complaint I had with Benetiz was the bizarre way he managed to win EUROPA and get us to 3rd while managing the rotation

Cletius was fairer to Benitez than most Chelsea fans. I think he only had about a two week run of calling him the fat Spanish waiter.

Still in his sig

I've got sigs turned off - need to change that up I guess. I never accepted Rafa because he's always a Scouse to me, but I've credited him more than most Chelsea fans and had a few fun fights on the CFC boards defending his results in a very tough situation. I really hope he does well at Napoli.

Its fun being a Chelsea fan - we get mocked for winning the Europa, but mocked for not being happy with winning the Europa. Just like last season when no one gave us credit for winning the Champions League and mocked the style of play, but then criticized for firing our manager because he had just won the Champions League.

I think people make fun of Chel$ki for winning Europa because they were the defending European champions (supposedly) who were the first ever to be knocked out the following year at the group stages. I think people make fun of Chel$ki for winning the Champions League because of the way that they parked the bus to do it, and then for firing their manager (a former player) after winning it. But mostly, it's just for the ridiculous amount of Russian mob money that has been poured into the team to buy their history.

I think that these are all ridiculously stupid criticisms.

Well... you would.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Bayern finally on the board in the 18th minute in their DFB Pokal first round match against amateur side Rehden.

5-0 final. Goals from Shaqiri, Müller x 3, Robben

 

[CletiusMaximus]

The one complaint I had with Benetiz was the bizarre way he managed to win EUROPA and get us to 3rd while managing the rotation

Cletius was fairer to Benitez than most Chelsea fans. I think he only had about a two week run of calling him the fat Spanish waiter.

Still in his sig

I've got sigs turned off - need to change that up I guess. I never accepted Rafa because he's always a Scouse to me, but I've credited him more than most Chelsea fans and had a few fun fights on the CFC boards defending his results in a very tough situation. I really hope he does well at Napoli.Its fun being a Chelsea fan - we get mocked for winning the Europa, but mocked for not being happy with winning the Europa. Just like last season when no one gave us credit for winning the Champions League and mocked the style of play, but then criticized for firing our manager because he had just won the Champions League.

I think people make fun of Chel$ki for winning Europa because they were the defending European champions (supposedly) who were the first ever to be knocked out the following year at the group stages. I think people make fun of Chel$ki for winning the Champions League because of the way that they parked the bus to do it, and then for firing their manager (a former player) after winning it. But mostly, it's just for the ridiculous amount of Russian mob money that has been poured into the team to buy their history.

You guys love your history, even those of you who just joined up a few years ago. Take a look at the 78-79 European cup and I think you'll see defending champion Liverpool was eliminated in the first round. I don't have much response to the rest here - seems like a silly reply though.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Let's take Chelsea criticisms in order:

1. It's all well and good to criticize the team for failing to advance out of the group stage. They certainly under performed in the competition. They also probably under performed in the league. Which is why RDM was canned. Fair enough, but it just seems weird for fans of all but like five teams to throw stones. And it appears to me that once you're out of the competition, as United was the year before and City was for the last two years, it's more impressive to then win the Europa League than tank it.

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them. It's absolutely ludicrous. Chelsea defended with great commitment and effort throughout the semifinals and final. They did nothing that Inter hadn't done before them to win the Champions League. And it's insulting to the fans who have waited for the moment and the players who played their hearts out to scoff at the achievement. Don't be haters, yo.

3. I would have kept RDM (hell, I would have kept AVB), but Chelsea have won a #### load of trophies while dealing with "instability." Meanwhile, Arsenal has won #### all while remaining consistent. It's the owner's prerogative.

4. God bless the petrodollars. The EPL is a better product for it. We have better teams at City and at Man U. We frankly have better teams at Arsenal and Liverpool by virtue of their need to compete.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

The one complaint I had with Benetiz was the bizarre way he managed to win EUROPA and get us to 3rd while managing the rotation

Cletius was fairer to Benitez than most Chelsea fans. I think he only had about a two week run of calling him the fat Spanish waiter.

Still in his sig

I've got sigs turned off - need to change that up I guess. I never accepted Rafa because he's always a Scouse to me, but I've credited him more than most Chelsea fans and had a few fun fights on the CFC boards defending his results in a very tough situation. I really hope he does well at Napoli.Its fun being a Chelsea fan - we get mocked for winning the Europa, but mocked for not being happy with winning the Europa. Just like last season when no one gave us credit for winning the Champions League and mocked the style of play, but then criticized for firing our manager because he had just won the Champions League.

I think people make fun of Chel$ki for winning Europa because they were the defending European champions (supposedly) who were the first ever to be knocked out the following year at the group stages. I think people make fun of Chel$ki for winning the Champions League because of the way that they parked the bus to do it, and then for firing their manager (a former player) after winning it. But mostly, it's just for the ridiculous amount of Russian mob money that has been poured into the team to buy their history.

You guys love your history, even those of you who just joined up a few years ago. Take a look at the 78-79 European cup and I think you'll see defending champion Liverpool was eliminated in the first round. I don't have much response to the rest here - seems like a silly reply though.

Don't get your panties in a bunch, just because I laid it out why people make fun of your plastic club. I think it's silly to shoot the messenger.

 

[Ghost of Red Blaik]

Nice upset by Preston over blackpool

 

[Slapdash]

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

This whole sentence is bull####, especially the bold part. There was quite a broad range of criticism for their performance in last year's boring final.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I remember when the NFL stepped in and politely suggested to the Colts that it would be best for the league if they didn't draft Andrew Luck. Made sense too since the Browns had been bad so long the marketing guys in Cleveland needed a little help.

You get that the draft (and the allocation order, for that matter) are already anti-competitive market distortions, right?

I do. But the rules aren't made up and altered on the fly. And teams don't cooperate with each other outside the competitive framework they've agreed to ahead of time.

I've now read the entire Wahl article and I can't see any evidence that any rules were altered on the fly. I know there's a disgruntled quote from one GM, but I can't find any evidence that contradicts what the league says, Which is that DPs are not subject to the allocation process.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

This whole sentence is bull####, especially the bold part. There was quite a broad range of criticism for their performance in last year's boring final.

So it's only a coincidence that it's another tiresome Barca fan pointing it out? OK.

 

[Slapdash]

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

This whole sentence is bull####, especially the bold part. There was quite a broad range of criticism for their performance in last year's boring final.

So it's only a coincidence that it's another tiresome Barca fan pointing it out? OK.

SmoovySmoov is a Barcelona fan?

The only tiresome thing here is watching you constantly find reasons to ##### about Barcelona fans.

 

[The Gator]

I'll be nice and fair and hate Barca and Chelsea fans evenly.

 

[Slapdash]

I'll be nice and fair and hate Barca and Chelsea fans evenly.

Personally I direct my hate at clubs/players and not their supporters. I have quite a few good friends who are big Real Madrid fans.

Still, I don't feel compelled to post incessantly about who I dislike.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

It was by no means a pretty game, but soccer fans/media are often obsessed with flair, style, beauty, etc.

Barca lost because they were inflexible, both in terms of personnel and the tactics they employed. It wasn't exactly an unforeseeable strategy.

That said, I'm sure there were people OTHER than Barca fans (and Sport, same thing) who were bemoaning that game.

 

[Slapdash]

It was by no means a pretty game, but soccer fans/media are often obsessed with flair, style, beauty, etc.

Barca lost because they were inflexible, both in terms of personnel and the tactics they employed. It wasn't exactly an unforeseeable strategy.

That said, I'm sure there were people OTHER than Barca fans (and Sport, same thing) who were bemoaning that game.

Here is the thread during the final last year: http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=305522&page=791

Look at all these tiresome Barcelona fans!

 

[T Bell]

Let's take Chelsea criticisms in order:

1. It's all well and good to criticize the team for failing to advance out of the group stage. They certainly under performed in the competition. They also probably under performed in the league. Which is why RDM was canned. Fair enough, but it just seems weird for fans of all but like five teams to throw stones. And it appears to me that once you're out of the competition, as United was the year before and City was for the last two years, it's more impressive to then win the Europa League than tank it.

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them. It's absolutely ludicrous. Chelsea defended with great commitment and effort throughout the semifinals and final. They did nothing that Inter hadn't done before them to win the Champions League. And it's insulting to the fans who have waited for the moment and the players who played their hearts out to scoff at the achievement. Don't be haters, yo.

3. I would have kept RDM (hell, I would have kept AVB), but Chelsea have won a #### load of trophies while dealing with "instability." Meanwhile, Arsenal has won #### all while remaining consistent. It's the owner's prerogative.

4. God bless the petrodollars. The EPL is a better product for it. We have better teams at City and at Man U. We frankly have better teams at Arsenal and Liverpool by virtue of their need to compete.

I have no problem with 1 or 2.

Regarding 3, Arsenal have spent money historically during the PL era, and have only scaled back in the transfer market because of the stadium project. This was a financial necessity. All of their money is organic, which is to say solely from football revenues. The fact that they've stayed in the CL throughout that time is frankly a remarkable achievement under the circumstances. You think of that as a punch line, but how many of Chelsea's managers beginning with Ranieri do you think could have kept that club in the top four spots in the league for 8 out of the last 8 years if Chelsea had been limited, on average, to spending £1M net per year?

Regarding 4, the league was competitive and exciting before oil money rolled into Stamford Bridge and Etihad, and it'll still be competitive and exciting after that money leaves... which it will eventually when those owners lose interest in their baubles.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

It was by no means a pretty game, but soccer fans/media are often obsessed with flair, style, beauty, etc.

Barca lost because they were inflexible, both in terms of personnel and the tactics they employed. It wasn't exactly an unforeseeable strategy.

That said, I'm sure there were people OTHER than Barca fans (and Sport, same thing) who were bemoaning that game.

Teams like Chelsea face a similar strategy in 95% of the games they play. Barca just faces it maybe 10 more times a year. Arsenal fans (and even Wenger himself) have sometimes moaned about "anti-football." I find it inexplicable as an Arsenal fan. In this country, if some fan tried to argue that a team somehow cheated football because they neutralized Peyton Manning by playing physical defense and controlling the clock with a power running game and by winning the field position battle, we'd just conclude that fan is an idiot.

It's not as if Chelsea were going in with two-footed tackles and trying to break legs. They played organized defense and hit on the counter. Just like every other team that played Barca did. They just did it better.

I am sure others complained. Casual fans who just want to be entertained. Which is fine, there are NBA finals matchups I won't watch because I know I won't enjoy them (I don't expect the teams to change how they play to entertain me). But also fans of other teams who I suspect would never complain if the shoe were on the other foot.

 

[Slapdash]

I am sure others complained.

Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I am sure others complained.

Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

Yes. I was conceding your point.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I remember when the NFL stepped in and politely suggested to the Colts that it would be best for the league if they didn't draft Andrew Luck. Made sense too since the Browns had been bad so long the marketing guys in Cleveland needed a little help.

You get that the draft (and the allocation order, for that matter) are already anti-competitive market distortions, right?

I do. But the rules aren't made up and altered on the fly. And teams don't cooperate with each other outside the competitive framework they've agreed to ahead of time.

I've now read the entire Wahl article and I can't see any evidence that any rules were altered on the fly. I know there's a disgruntled quote from one GM, but I can't find any evidence that contradicts what the league says, Which is that DPs are not subject to the allocation process.

Well, I can't claim to be an expert on MLS's rules, but I believe the claim is that in the past returning USMNT members were treated as allocations and not designated players. But the allocation process wouldn't work in this instance so, voila, Dempsey isn't an allocation.

Or maybe not.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I remember when the NFL stepped in and politely suggested to the Colts that it would be best for the league if they didn't draft Andrew Luck. Made sense too since the Browns had been bad so long the marketing guys in Cleveland needed a little help.

You get that the draft (and the allocation order, for that matter) are already anti-competitive market distortions, right?

I do. But the rules aren't made up and altered on the fly. And teams don't cooperate with each other outside the competitive framework they've agreed to ahead of time.

I've now read the entire Wahl article and I can't see any evidence that any rules were altered on the fly. I know there's a disgruntled quote from one GM, but I can't find any evidence that contradicts what the league says, Which is that DPs are not subject to the allocation process.

Well, I can't claim to be an expert on MLS's rules, but I believe the claim is that in the past returning USMNT members were treated as allocations and not designated players. But the allocation process wouldn't work in this instance so, voila, Dempsey isn't an allocation.

Or maybe not.

I've seen some people claim it, but I can't find a source in the Wahl article that claims that, and the MLS source cites to Claudio Reyna's DP transfer to New York as precedent where the player didn't go through the allocation process. None of the people suggesting that a DP would go through the allocation process have provided an example where that happened (USMNT DPs are, of course, rare).

I understand that Freddie Adu went through allocation, but that he was not at the time a DP contract.

 

[guru_007]

Nice upset by Preston over blackpool

That big of an upset really. Preston was at home, for a league cup game - think they may have been slight favorites even.BUT, there is no love loss between these two teams, major rivarly. Police horses came onto the pitch, cars set afire before the game. For a first round cup game, this was a massive game, sold out crowd, big match up.

Love it.

 

[The Gator]

Nice upset by Preston over blackpool

That big of an upset really. Preston was at home, for a league cup game - think they may have been slight favorites even.BUT, there is no love loss between these two teams, major rivarly. Police horses came onto the pitch and ran people over, cars set afire before the game. For a first round cup game, this was a massive game, sold out crowd, big match up.

Love it.

 

[Sebowski]

I remember when the NFL stepped in and politely suggested to the Colts that it would be best for the league if they didn't draft Andrew Luck. Made sense too since the Browns had been bad so long the marketing guys in Cleveland needed a little help.

You get that the draft (and the allocation order, for that matter) are already anti-competitive market distortions, right?

I do. But the rules aren't made up and altered on the fly. And teams don't cooperate with each other outside the competitive framework they've agreed to ahead of time.

Except for when they took away cap room from 3 teams because they actually used the uncapped year as an uncapped year.

 

[Mjolnirs]

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

This whole sentence is bull####, especially the bold part. There was quite a broad range of criticism for their performance in last year's boring final.

So it's only a coincidence that it's another tiresome Barca fan pointing it out? OK.

Bayern fan here and dislike watching any time a team parks the bus. Especially if the teams are supposed to be on the same level. It's frustrating when some Caribbean team does it against the US, but understandable due to talent differences. But when one of the "big four" from the EPL, "the best league in the world" does it in the biggest club final, then the criticism is warranted.

 

[Christo]

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

This whole sentence is bull####, especially the bold part. There was quite a broad range of criticism for their performance in last year's boring final.

So it's only a coincidence that it's another tiresome Barca fan pointing it out? OK.

Bayern fan here and dislike watching any time a team parks the bus. Especially if the teams are supposed to be on the same level.It's frustrating when some Caribbean team does it against the US, but understandable due to talent differences. But when one of the "big four" from the EPL, "the best league in the world" does it in the biggest club final, then the criticism is warranted.

They won.

 

[Mjolnirs]

They won.

Sadly, you are correct.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

This whole sentence is bull####, especially the bold part. There was quite a broad range of criticism for their performance in last year's boring final.

So it's only a coincidence that it's another tiresome Barca fan pointing it out? OK.

Bayern fan here and dislike watching any time a team parks the bus. Especially if the teams are supposed to be on the same level. It's frustrating when some Caribbean team does it against the US, but understandable due to talent differences. But when one of the "big four" from the EPL, "the best league in the world" does it in the biggest club final, then the criticism is warranted.

I've no doubt you would be happier if Chelsea had played more like Barca played the semis against Bayern this season, but CFC really can't do that beautiful game total football thing (0-7). But hey, what can you expect, we lined up with Jose freakin Boswinga at LB!

 

[Good Posting Judge]

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

This whole sentence is bull####, especially the bold part. There was quite a broad range of criticism for their performance in last year's boring final.

So it's only a coincidence that it's another tiresome Barca fan pointing it out? OK.

Bayern fan here and dislike watching any time a team parks the bus. Especially if the teams are supposed to be on the same level.It's frustrating when some Caribbean team does it against the US, but understandable due to talent differences. But when one of the "big four" from the EPL, "the best league in the world" does it in the biggest club final, then the criticism is warranted.

I've no doubt you would be happier if Chelsea had played more like Barca played the semis against Bayern this season, but CFC really can't do that beautiful game total football thing (0-7). But hey, what can you expect, we lined up with Jose freakin Boswinga at LB!

If Chelsea didn't get dismantled by Shaktar, maybe they would've had a shot at the big boss. I guess there's always the Super Cup.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

This whole sentence is bull####, especially the bold part. There was quite a broad range of criticism for their performance in last year's boring final.

So it's only a coincidence that it's another tiresome Barca fan pointing it out? OK.

Bayern fan here and dislike watching any time a team parks the bus. Especially if the teams are supposed to be on the same level.It's frustrating when some Caribbean team does it against the US, but understandable due to talent differences. But when one of the "big four" from the EPL, "the best league in the world" does it in the biggest club final, then the criticism is warranted.

I've no doubt you would be happier if Chelsea had played more like Barca played the semis against Bayern this season, but CFC really can't do that beautiful game total football thing (0-7). But hey, what can you expect, we lined up with Jose freakin Boswinga at LB!

If Chelsea didn't get dismantled by Shaktar, maybe they would've had a shot at the big boss. I guess there's always the Super Cup.

I'm looking forward to the Supercup. Mourinho will be fired up to take a shot at Pep. Unfortunately, from what I've seen the players don't care much about that one.

 

[berndog]

Has anyone seen an update on Brek Shea's knee?

 

[Eephus]

Has anyone seen an update on Brek Shea's knee?

It supposedly wasn't all that bad. He should be back by September.

 

[Sebowski]

Aguedelo signs with Stoke. That makes 4 Yanks. Had to be a record for an EPL team.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Bale, Suarez and Rooney all missing club friendlies due to minor knocks. Get well soon lads.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Bale, Suarez and Rooney all missing club friendlies due to minor knocks. Get well soon lads.

Man, I hope these aren't too serious..

 

[The Z Machine]

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

This whole sentence is bull####, especially the bold part. There was quite a broad range of criticism for their performance in last year's boring final.

So it's only a coincidence that it's another tiresome Barca fan pointing it out? OK.

I'm not Barça fan, but the parking of the bus that Chelski did in that CL Final made for a very boring game. Also, Chelski was lucky to win. They should make a statue to Drogba over there.

 

[guru_007]

Rooney's been laid up for a while now, still a doubt for community shield (transfer to Chelski not withstanding)

And I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know my 2013-14 epl predictions will be posted in a few weeks. Just waiting for transfers to settle down a bit.

I'll also have Serie A predictions (top 6 only) since I'm sure you're all on pins and needles.

And I made my championship future bets a few weeks back. Reading @ +800 and Watford at +950 :towewalve: Gonna make a much more concerted effort to follow this year after being lackadaisical for the past few years.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I had tons more respect for Man United when they lost than for Chelsea when they won. And United might be the only team I truly despise.

Having said, I can understand why Chelsea supporters might see things a wee bit differently.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Rooney's been laid up for a while now, still a doubt for community shield (transfer to Chelski not withstanding)

And I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know my 2013-14 epl predictions will be posted in a few weeks. Just waiting for transfers to settle down a bit.

I'll also have Serie A predictions (top 6 only) since I'm sure you're all on pins and needles.

And I made my championship future bets a few weeks back. Reading @ +800 and Watford at +950 :towewalve: Gonna make a much more concerted effort to follow this year after being lackadaisical for the past few years.

I've been posting these intermittently in the FFAWT, but here's what I have so far:

Dortmund +550

Real Madrid +140

Juventus -125

Fiorentina +2500

Manchester United +260 (not feeling great about this one )

Swansea Highest finish non-Top 6 team +1100

PSG to win Champions League +2500

 

[Slapdash]

Rooney's been laid up for a while now, still a doubt for community shield (transfer to Chelski not withstanding)

And I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know my 2013-14 epl predictions will be posted in a few weeks. Just waiting for transfers to settle down a bit.

I'll also have Serie A predictions (top 6 only) since I'm sure you're all on pins and needles.

And I made my championship future bets a few weeks back. Reading @ +800 and Watford at +950 :towewalve: Gonna make a much more concerted effort to follow this year after being lackadaisical for the past few years.

I've been posting these intermittently in the FFAWT, but here's what I have so far:

Dortmund +550

Real Madrid +140

Juventus -125

Fiorentina +2500

Manchester United +260 (not feeling great about this one )

Swansea Highest finish non-Top 6 team +1100

PSG to win Champions League +2500

PSG is going to be a force this year.

 

[Sebowski]

And I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know my 2013-14 epl predictions will be posted in a few weeks. Just waiting for transfers to settle down a bit.

I'll also have Serie A predictions (top 6 only) since I'm sure you're all on pins and needles.

Give me a Serie A teaser. Will Roma make your top 6?

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Rooney's been laid up for a while now, still a doubt for community shield (transfer to Chelski not withstanding)

And I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know my 2013-14 epl predictions will be posted in a few weeks. Just waiting for transfers to settle down a bit.

I'll also have Serie A predictions (top 6 only) since I'm sure you're all on pins and needles.

And I made my championship future bets a few weeks back. Reading @ +800 and Watford at +950 :towewalve: Gonna make a much more concerted effort to follow this year after being lackadaisical for the past few years.

I've been posting these intermittently in the FFAWT, but here's what I have so far:

Dortmund +550

Real Madrid +140

Juventus -125

Fiorentina +2500

Manchester United +260 (not feeling great about this one )

Swansea Highest finish non-Top 6 team +1100

PSG to win Champions League +2500

PSG is going to be a force this year.

Right? +2500 seems criminal.

I cleaned up last year on futures (United, Barca, Juve, PSG, Bayern, Bayern to win CL, Messi to win scoring title. Aguero to win scoring title was my only whiff, I think), we'll see this year.

 

[Eephus]

Aguedelo signs with Stoke. That makes 4 Yanks. Had to be a record for an EPL team.

Fulham had Dempsey, Bocanegra, EJ and Brede Hangeland

 

[QuizGuy66]

I'm in shock that an American soccer team just spent $41m on a four year contract.

Anyone else mildly worried that things are about to go off the rails with the pro leagues here?

MLS about to go to the notorious number 24 (the high water mark of the NASL, though the MLS has generally taken things much slower - well that is until the last couple of years where the pace has seemed to really pick up with adding franchises).

The presence of nebulous competitor in the NASL and the Cosmos. I don't see any way the MLS is knocked off the top-block by NASL, though I'm more concerned if a bidding-war type construct comes about with that team. In spite of the glory of those Cosmos years I have no idea why they are pushing that sort of business model as it was the ruination of the NASL the first time around. Even with the heavy involvement of some of the former Cosmos from the 70s it's comical to consider this some sort of true descendent but that's another matter altogether.

I just have that feeling that the bad old days of over-expansion and salary inflation are creeping back into the picture at a time when the league seems to have gotten a much firmer footing.

Notwithstanding my comments about expansion, I still hold out hope that New Jersey will one day be given an MLS team of its own.

Thoughts?

-QG

 

[Slapdash]

I'm in shock that an American soccer team just spent $41m on a four year contract.

Anyone else mildly worried that things are about to go off the rails with the pro leagues here?

MLS about to go to the notorious number 24 (the high water mark of the NASL, though the MLS has generally taken things much slower - well that is until the last couple of years where the pace has seemed to really pick up with adding franchises).

The presence of nebulous competitor in the NASL and the Cosmos. I don't see any way the MLS is knocked off the top-block by NASL, though I'm more concerned if a bidding-war type construct comes about with that team. In spite of the glory of those Cosmos years I have no idea why they are pushing that sort of business model as it was the ruination of the NASL the first time around. Even with the heavy involvement of some of the former Cosmos from the 70s it's comical to consider this some sort of true descendent but that's another matter altogether.

I just have that feeling that the bad old days of over-expansion and salary inflation are creeping back into the picture at a time when the league seems to have gotten a much firmer footing.

Notwithstanding my comments about expansion, I still hold out hope that New Jersey will one day be given an MLS team of its own.

Thoughts?

-QG

I'm not sure I understand what the NASL is up to and why it got in the pyramid over the USL.

 

[guru_007]

And I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know my 2013-14 epl predictions will be posted in a few weeks. Just waiting for transfers to settle down a bit.

I'll also have Serie A predictions (top 6 only) since I'm sure you're all on pins and needles.

Give me a Serie A teaser. Will Roma make your top 6?

Absolutely. But, I'm biased because I love the way they play.

Inter not gonna make top 6. From what I've seen so far, they will be lucky to finish top 10.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

2. Criticisms about parking the bus comes only from extremely tiresome Barca fans who seem to think it's a crime against football anytime a team deigns to actually defend against them.

This whole sentence is bull####, especially the bold part. There was quite a broad range of criticism for their performance in last year's boring final.

So it's only a coincidence that it's another tiresome Barca fan pointing it out? OK.

I'm not Barça fan, but the parking of the bus that Chelski did in that CL Final made for a very boring game. Also, Chelski was lucky to win. They should make a statue to Drogba over there.

I thought the final was extremely intense, although not as good as this year's. Conceding 80 percent possession to Mueller, Ribery , Robben and Gomez makes for a nailbiter. But the points I was making are - - it would not have been a better game if Chelsea would try to run with Bayern and be down 3-0 at the half, other than for Bayern fans. Also, it's hypocritical imo to say Chelsea was lucky and bad for football, while also criticizing the owner for sacking the coach when they finished 6th in the league and were eliminated at the group stage the following season.