Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (5 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
- Start date
Native
Footballguy
The U.S. has won 12 straight games...which is the longest current streak in the world, and it makes the United States the seventh country ever to win 12 straight games. Spain holds the world record with 15 straight wins, a run that ended against the U.S. in the 2009 Confederations Cup.
SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
I'm listed as Wolfsburg, but the only German team I really watch is Dortmund.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Yeah, you should probably take scooby off of Newcastle. I never really picked them back up when they came back in the Prem. And If I'm going to root for a Mackem to succeed, it would feel weird to claim to be a Geordie.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
The picker?Me too - I think the None of the Above choices funnel people to Spurs.Good Posting Judge said:I got Spurs.
(i.e. the picker gave me Spurs)
Of cource I'm a Hull City fan
-QG
T Bell
Footballguy
Now I just got to figure out what I'll be doing on Thursday nights this year...
T Bell
Footballguy
If Wolfsburg nick Gustavo from Arsenal, add me to the suicide help line.
I seriously can't figure out what the hell Arsenal's transfer strategy here is. Gustavo is a no-brainer for them and is even a bargain given his talent level and experience, and yet they're sitting on their hands apparently.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
http://www.nbcsports.com/premier-league-team-pickerThe picker?Me too - I think the None of the Above choices funnel people to Spurs.Good Posting Judge said:I got Spurs.
(i.e. the picker gave me Spurs)
Of cource I'm a Hull City fan
-QG
The Gator
Footballguy
####
Did it again(picked different answers) for fun and it gave me Stoke again
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
The Gator
Footballguy
I've read Gus wants upwards of 130K/week for wages. I enjoy busting Wenger's chops, but that's a bit excessive imo.If Wolfsburg nick Gustavo from Arsenal, add me to the suicide help line.
I seriously can't figure out what the hell Arsenal's transfer strategy here is. Gustavo is a no-brainer for them and is even a bargain given his talent level and experience, and yet they're sitting on their hands apparently.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
Got Chelsea the first time, Aston Villa the second. Apparently the criteria for supporting Villa is to know little and like mediocre teams. I'm generally ok with that.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Somehow I never made it on to the Newcastle list. You can also add me to BvB in the Bundesliga. Also, add me to Rayo in Spain.
Can we get a list going of hated teams as well? I propose you can max out at 2 "hates" per country.
Can we get a list going of hated teams as well? I propose you can max out at 2 "hates" per country.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
And 20 million seems a bit excessive as a transfer fee for the fourth or fifth best CM on Bayern.I've read Gus wants upwards of 130K/week for wages. I enjoy busting Wenger's chops, but that's a bit excessive imo.If Wolfsburg nick Gustavo from Arsenal, add me to the suicide help line.
I seriously can't figure out what the hell Arsenal's transfer strategy here is. Gustavo is a no-brainer for them and is even a bargain given his talent level and experience, and yet they're sitting on their hands apparently.
For one, Ramsay seems to be really blossoming as a holding mid. For another, a guy like Kongodgbia, is probably available for half that. Finally, other guys like Gundogan (his contract talks with Dortmund have broken down) and Khedira may be available if they want to pay a premium price for a player who is far more proven.
Gustavo feels like the exact opposite of a bargain to me.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
I can't think of one team that I actively hate. I mean, I probably hate DC United now, because watching them is like inserting bamboo shoots under my fingernails, but it's not as if I grew up on the blue side of Liverpool or anything. I'm not going to root against some perfectly nice lads at Tottenham just because I picked Arsenal.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
So... just how good do we think Altidore (23) is going to be as he enters his prime years here?
For reference, here are the players who've scored more than 15 goals in an EPL season in the past five years (best season only). It's not perfect, but qualitatively there seems to be an absolutely elite tier at 25+, another top tier at 20-25, and then some very good players between 16-20. Lots of players scored 10-15 -- there's nothing esepecially noteworthy about them.
Robin Van Persie 30Didier Drogba 29Wayne Rooney 27 Darren Bent 24Carlos Tévez 23Sergio Agüero 23Luis Suárez 23Frank Lampard 22Gareth Bale 21Dimitar Berbatov 20 Christian Benteke 19Nicolas Anelka 19Jermain Defoe 18Cristiano Ronaldo 18Fernando Torres 18Michu 18Romelu Lukaku 17Yakubu 17Emmanuel Adebayor 17Clint Dempsey 17Steven Gerrard 16Demba Ba 16Obviously some of the players in the third tier are midfielders or had their best days elsewhere and are better than they're listed here.Where does Altidore rate? Can he match Dempsey's best season? Is he just a nice, solid top league pro who'll never make this list? Any chance he puts up a 20+ season in the next 4-5 years?
I'll go with a top season of 16-18 goals even though I think he's a better pure scorer than Dempsey. The air is pretty rare at 20+.
For reference, here are the players who've scored more than 15 goals in an EPL season in the past five years (best season only). It's not perfect, but qualitatively there seems to be an absolutely elite tier at 25+, another top tier at 20-25, and then some very good players between 16-20. Lots of players scored 10-15 -- there's nothing esepecially noteworthy about them.
Robin Van Persie 30Didier Drogba 29Wayne Rooney 27 Darren Bent 24Carlos Tévez 23Sergio Agüero 23Luis Suárez 23Frank Lampard 22Gareth Bale 21Dimitar Berbatov 20 Christian Benteke 19Nicolas Anelka 19Jermain Defoe 18Cristiano Ronaldo 18Fernando Torres 18Michu 18Romelu Lukaku 17Yakubu 17Emmanuel Adebayor 17Clint Dempsey 17Steven Gerrard 16Demba Ba 16Obviously some of the players in the third tier are midfielders or had their best days elsewhere and are better than they're listed here.Where does Altidore rate? Can he match Dempsey's best season? Is he just a nice, solid top league pro who'll never make this list? Any chance he puts up a 20+ season in the next 4-5 years?
I'll go with a top season of 16-18 goals even though I think he's a better pure scorer than Dempsey. The air is pretty rare at 20+.
Last edited by a moderator:
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I did it twice and got West Ham and Arsenal.http://www.nbcsports.com/premier-league-team-pickerThe picker?Me too - I think the None of the Above choices funnel people to Spurs.Good Posting Judge said:I got Spurs.
(i.e. the picker gave me Spurs)
Of cource I'm a Hull City fan
-QG
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
I will just throw this out there because it's been my "best case" career arc for Altidore for a few years now. Didier Drogba didn't become a consistent goalscorer until 2002. He was 24 years old and playing in Ligue 2. The next year, his age 25 year, he scored 19 for Marseilles in Ligue 1.
I've always felt that it takes time to blend the type of elite athleticism that Drogba possessed with the savvy to be a great goal scorer. I think Jozy is slightly ahead of the pace. That doesn't mean he scores 29 league goals, because that would require being on the right team with elite service. But I do think it means that Jozy, if given sufficient minutes, has that type of approaching 20 goals season in him. I don't think he's significantly less talented than Adebayor or Defoe or Ba (who all have some great qualities and some serious holes in their games).
I've always felt that it takes time to blend the type of elite athleticism that Drogba possessed with the savvy to be a great goal scorer. I think Jozy is slightly ahead of the pace. That doesn't mean he scores 29 league goals, because that would require being on the right team with elite service. But I do think it means that Jozy, if given sufficient minutes, has that type of approaching 20 goals season in him. I don't think he's significantly less talented than Adebayor or Defoe or Ba (who all have some great qualities and some serious holes in their games).
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Amusing things you read on Twitter.
On the flight out of Sarajevo to England, Tim Ream was in First Class and Edin Dzeko was in coach.
On the flight out of Sarajevo to England, Tim Ream was in First Class and Edin Dzeko was in coach.
The Gator
Footballguy
PICKUP TRUCKSI did it twice and got West Ham and Arsenal.http://www.nbcsports.com/premier-league-team-pickerThe picker?Me too - I think the None of the Above choices funnel people to Spurs."Good said:I got Spurs.
(i.e. the picker gave me Spurs)
Of cource I'm a Hull City fan
-QG
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Those were the guys I was looking at too.
But part of the reason I have a hard time seeing his name on the 2nd list is just because "too good to be true".
Still... the way he's scoring goals right now -- where he's converting half chances with little time and space -- and his incredible size/athleticism do leave that door open IMO.
Last edited by a moderator:
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I have absolutely no idea what this means.PICKUP TRUCKSI did it twice and got West Ham and Arsenal.http://www.nbcsports.com/premier-league-team-pickerThe picker?Me too - I think the None of the Above choices funnel people to Spurs."Good said:I got Spurs.
(i.e. the picker gave me Spurs)
Of cource I'm a Hull City fan
-QG
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
There are tons of guys who have the talent who never make it. And there are guys who only put it together consistently for the odd season or two. I mean, Le Sulk was one of the most talented guys of his generation, but he rarely put it together for entire seasons.
It's possible that England is the worst place for Jozy. Most teams outside the top 6 play a pretty deep line and the center backs are robust. On the plus side, that's going to force Jozy to add clubs to his bag. If he makes the runs he made yesterday, he'll get goals if he has guys who can serve him. One thing that he has on his side, IMO, is that he's a pretty natural finisher.
The Gator
Footballguy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KeG_i8CWE8&feature=youtube_gdata_playerI have absolutely no idea what this means.PICKUP TRUCKSI did it twice and got West Ham and Arsenal.http://www.nbcsports.com/premier-league-team-pickerThe picker?Me too - I think the None of the Above choices funnel people to Spurs."Good said:I got Spurs.
(i.e. the picker gave me Spurs)
Of cource I'm a Hull City fan
-QG
GoFishTN
Footballguy
Ouch.Now I just got to figure out what I'll be doing on Thursday nights this year...
charvik
Footballguy
Put me down for:
Premier League:
Liverpool FC, since 1973/74 season. Have seen 30+ games each year.
This is my one true club allegiance in any sport. I have been to Anfield 10+ times, and have watched 20+ away games.
Can't say I actively hate any clubs in England, but I strongly dislike Manchester United (rivalry) and Arsenal (due to a prolonged spell in the late 80s/early 90s when the soccer channel showed only Arsenal games live, due to the program directors love for them). I guess I should hate Everton, but not being a scouser I really don't, it's more pity...
2. Bundesliga:
FC Kaiserslautern, since 1974 (because of Ronnie Hellström). I have struggled to find them on the telly over the years, and even more so now. I've been to Franz Walter 5+ times for matches.
Serie A:
AS Roma, since 1984 (after their loss on penalties to Liverpool in the European Cup final, and I needed an Italian club to root for). I watch when I can, but not as often anymore. I've been to Stadio Olimpico once, to walk the grounds prior to playing a youth tournament in Italy during the World Cup in 1990, but never for a match. It was right after the win against Ireland in the quarters, but before the Argentina game.
National teams:
England
Sweden (due to nationality, but I haven't agreed with their style of play, team selection, or competence from the head coach for decades, and really don't care a lot about how they do)
Strong dislike:
Argentina
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
What ever happened to Freddy Adu? Wasn't he to be the savior of American soccer? How could he be such a worthless turd? Discuss..... 
QuizGuy66
Footballguy
The Picker gave me Spurs.The picker?Me too - I think the None of the Above choices funnel people to Spurs.Good Posting Judge said:I got Spurs.
(i.e. the picker gave me Spurs)
Of cource I'm a Hull City fan
-QG
I'm a Hull fan - liked the big run up they made to promotion a few years back and the story of Windass putting them through in his twilight years (they sold him when he was young to basically save the team). And I'm a Bengals fan so the Tigers is a good match
-QG
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Freddy is currently rotting on the bench for Bahia in the Brazilian league.What ever happened to Freddy Adu? Wasn't he to be the savior of American soccer? How could he be such a worthless turd? Discuss.....
Freddy has had useful moments as a pro. In Greece, Turkey, and with Philadelphia. But because of the early hype, he still commands a salary that is not commensurate with his performance, so teams tend to give up on him.
Freddy is also hurt because he lacks the physical tools to be an elite attacker and has never really developed his game in another direction. I am still of the opinion that Freddy would be best employed as what the Italians call a regista, a deep-lying playmaker. But he'd have to really improve his defensive commitment. I still don't think he'd crack the national team there, but It would be his best position.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
It's just like a 5-star H.S. recruit that's off the NFL radar before his senior year of college. Except that instead of being 18 Adu was 13 at the time. We need 100 Adus and 5 of them will pan out.What ever happened to Freddy Adu? Wasn't he to be the savior of American soccer? How could he be such a worthless turd? Discuss.....
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I remember he had a decent run with the national team a few years back in either the U-17 or U-20 World Cup. I had fleeting hopes that he might develop into something after all (even though the then-emerging Altidore and Bradley were clearly superior players) but.... :crickets: It's a shame.Freddy is currently rotting on the bench for Bahia in the Brazilian league.What ever happened to Freddy Adu? Wasn't he to be the savior of American soccer? How could he be such a worthless turd? Discuss.....
Freddy has had useful moments as a pro. In Greece, Turkey, and with Philadelphia. But because of the early hype, he still commands a salary that is not commensurate with his performance, so teams tend to give up on him.
Freddy is also hurt because he lacks the physical tools to be an elite attacker and has never really developed his game in another direction. I am still of the opinion that Freddy would be best employed as what the Italians call a regista, a deep-lying playmaker. But he'd have to really improve his defensive commitment. I still don't think he'd crack the national team there, but It would be his best position.
T Bell
Footballguy
I think that's fair and maybe even conservative. He's going to have an adjustment period - it seems like everyone does, but he's got the size, quickness and technical ability of late to make that adjustment well. The biggest problem over time might be getting good service out of that Sunderland midfield, which isn't exactly known for that.
Native
Footballguy
Not only is the air rare in the top two tiers, you need to be in the right opportunity as well. Only one player in the top two tiers (Bent - one time only) ever scored 20+ goals for a non top-five team. Tranlation - you not only need the skill to succeed, you need the service as well in order to break into the top two tiers.
Eephus
Footballguy
Altidore doesn't appear to be in the picture to take spot kicks for SAFC. That could make a difference of a half dozen goals over the course of a season.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Totally spaced on PKs.
Here's the revised table. I like it much better.
First, Wayne Rooney is brought down a rung. Second, it turns out that 14 goals makes a great cutoff. Several good but not great players maxed out there -- plus Andy Carroll scored 13. It also highlights the point about service. You aren't getting to 20 without it...
Code:
Drogba 28van Persie 28 Suárez, Luis 23Rooney 22Bale 21Berbatov 21Agüero 20 Anelka 19Bent 19Michu 18Tevez 18Torres 18Defoe 17Dempsey 17Benteke 16Lukaku 15 Adebayor 14Ba, D 14Ronaldo, C 14Džeko 14 Walcott 14
Last edited by a moderator:
GoFishTN
Footballguy
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
That was a cool thing to look at -- really helped me clear up what I think about some of these guys.
Helps explain why Liverpool aren't selling Suarez cheap too. He and Bale don't have the service the others do and they're still near the top of that list.
Helps explain why Liverpool aren't selling Suarez cheap too. He and Bale don't have the service the others do and they're still near the top of that list.
T Bell
Footballguy
That and Suarez, with the service he'd get at Arsenal, could reach 30 goals (barring suspension of course).
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Liverpool led the league in chances created last year (I think they may have done so two years running). Now, Suarez creates a lot of chances himself, but I don't think that Liverpool's problem is really lack of service. In fact, for at least the first half of last season, it was finishing percentage. Suarez has a relatively low finishing percentage for a guy who scores that many goals. They were playing Sterling, who had a truly staggering shots per goal ratio.
The ratios were so bad that they improved with Sturridge (himself known as a guy who takes a ton of shots per goal, although he got up to about the average for Liverpool).
T Bell
Footballguy
Arteta out 4-6 weeks for Arsenal. He was their "DM" and did a good job of it though it's not his natural position. The club's win % with/without him is about 65/20.
We've gone from a situation where the team won't be improved to an immediate problem of figuring out how to put together a complete first team plus seven subs for a game.
We've gone from a situation where the team won't be improved to an immediate problem of figuring out how to put together a complete first team plus seven subs for a game.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
When I looked at the EPL odds of a top four finish last night you basically have three top teams overwhelmingly favored (Man U/C and Chelsea at 1/10 or 1/12) and then Arsenal better than 50/50 to take the fourth spot, challenged by Tottenham and Liverpool (30-40% each).
Probably does make a sale to either club a little bit harder even though I don't think Liverpool without him is good enough to qualify in any event.
T Bell
Footballguy
Suarez's movement off the ball is so good that I think he actually makes Liverpool's service numbers better than they would otherwise be. That's just not a midfield that strikes a lot of fear into you.
Spartans Rule
Footballguy
That is excessive, but there's no way Wolfsburg can afford that either. They haven't even been in European competition since 2009-10.I've read Gus wants upwards of 130K/week for wages. I enjoy busting Wenger's chops, but that's a bit excessive imo.If Wolfsburg nick Gustavo from Arsenal, add me to the suicide help line.
I seriously can't figure out what the hell Arsenal's transfer strategy here is. Gustavo is a no-brainer for them and is even a bargain given his talent level and experience, and yet they're sitting on their hands apparently.
Similar threads
