***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

Wonder how far back you'd have to go to find a season where United and Arsenal both finished outside the top four?

I am on it. Closest so far was 1989-1990 and 86-87 where United came in 13th and 11th and Arsenal came in 4th.

Ok found it for you.

The last time both finished out of the top 4 was 78-79. Arsenal came in 7th, Man. U came in 9th.

 

[T Bell]

Wonder how far back you'd have to go to find a season where United and Arsenal both finished outside the top four?

It's probably safe to start looking pre-Wenger & SAF.

Definitely pre-Wenger; might not be pre-SAF. United had its struggles during the first few years of SAF's reign.

 

[T Bell]

"THEYRE DREAMING OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL AT GOODISON PARK"

3-0

If this score holds, Everton will also have Goal Differential advantage over Arsenal.

And a game in hand.

It will be cruelly ironic if Arsenal, after maintaining a top-4 spot through 10 years of tight budgets to build that stadium, finally have the money to spend on stars like Ozil only to drop out of it.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Good lord.

 

[gianmarco]

Horrible.

 

[Christo]

Home cookin'

 

[Slapdash]

"THEYRE DREAMING OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL AT GOODISON PARK"

3-0

If this score holds, Everton will also have Goal Differential advantage over Arsenal.

And a game in hand.

It will be cruelly ironic if Arsenal, after maintaining a top-4 spot through 10 years of tight budgets to build that stadium, finally have the money to spend on stars like Ozil only to drop out of it.

Has Ozil really been that bad for the Gunners?

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Ref: he got the ball...pause... holy ####, here's my chance to make it up... whistle.

 

[The Gator]

Ref: he got the ball...pause... holy ####, here's my chance to make it up... whistle.

Lol

 

[The Gator]

PKS FOR EVERYONE

 

[jonessed]

That was a gift.

How many PKs have been awarded to Liverpool this year? Seems like every other game they gave a PK.

Edit: looks like 12. Chelsea in second with 7 and then City with 6. That's crazy.

 

[The Gator]

He got a lot of Flanalahm

http://shrani.si/f/2R/Oy/1SYlG0Mn/20140406-1827-sky-sport-.gif

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

That was a gift make up call.

Not nearly as bad as allowing West Ham's goal earlier.

 

[The Gator]

That was a gift.

How many PKs have been awarded to Liverpool this year? Seems like every other game they gave a PK.

12

 

[Good Posting Judge]

That was cheeky.

 

[T Bell]

"THEYRE DREAMING OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL AT GOODISON PARK"

3-0

If this score holds, Everton will also have Goal Differential advantage over Arsenal.

And a game in hand.

It will be cruelly ironic if Arsenal, after maintaining a top-4 spot through 10 years of tight budgets to build that stadium, finally have the money to spend on stars like Ozil only to drop out of it.

Has Ozil really been that bad for the Gunners?

No, he's been excellent. He's like a supercharger to the attack, and he's a key pass/chance-creating machine. The problem is that as the team deteriorates to injury or fatigue around him, he becomes less and less effective. He's not the sort of player who can do it on his own.

Add to that a rather deceptively casual style of play, a detached persona, and a reputation for not helping out much in defense (he's a trequartista FFS), and of course the team's fortunes flagging, and you start hearing people chirping about him being overrated. Hes' not though.

 

[Sinn Fein]

"THEYRE DREAMING OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL AT GOODISON PARK"

3-0

If this score holds, Everton will also have Goal Differential advantage over Arsenal.

And a game in hand.

It will be cruelly ironic if Arsenal, after maintaining a top-4 spot through 10 years of tight budgets to build that stadium, finally have the money to spend on stars like Ozil only to drop out of it.

Has Ozil really been that bad for the Gunners?

No, he's been excellent. He's like a supercharger to the attack, and he's a key pass/chance-creating machine. The problem is that as the team deteriorates to injury or fatigue around him, he becomes less and less effective. He's not the sort of player who can do it on his own.

Add to that a rather deceptively casual style of play, a detached persona, and a reputation for not helping out much in defense (he's a trequartista FFS), and of course the team's fortunes flagging, and you start hearing people chirping about him being overrated. Hes' not though.

He's no Christian Eriksen

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

City -- 53.8%

Liverpool --32.3%

Chelsea -- 13.8%

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Early odds for next Sunday...

Liverpool win -- 40%

City win -- 33%

Draw -- 27%

 

[Christo]

"THEYRE DREAMING OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL AT GOODISON PARK"

3-0

If this score holds, Everton will also have Goal Differential advantage over Arsenal.

And a game in hand.

It will be cruelly ironic if Arsenal, after maintaining a top-4 spot through 10 years of tight budgets to build that stadium, finally have the money to spend on stars like Ozil only to drop out of it.

Has Ozil really been that bad for the Gunners?

To the extent he's been sitting in the stands for the last however many weeks. But I don't think that was his point.

 

[Christo]

He got a lot of Flanalahm

http://shrani.si/f/2R/Oy/1SYlG0Mn/20140406-1827-sky-sport-.gif

I agree with the commentators. It wasn't the swipe at the ball. It was grabbing his leg after he went by.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Major League Soccer’s wave of expansion across the south is headed to the region’s biggest metropolis.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation have confirmed to me that Atlanta will be officially awarded MLS’ 22nd franchise later this month.

Although a spokesperson for the league said that a formal agreement has not yet been finalized, I’ve heard seprarately that a public announcement could come very soon. One source targeted April 16 as a date to watch for official confirmation.

The team will be run in association with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, whose owner, Arthur Blank, has been in negotiations with MLS for some time. Blank also founded the Home Depot chain, which is a major commercial sponsor of both MLS and the U.S. Soccer Federation.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I'm glad that Atlanta will have another franchise to not give a #### about.

 

[Native]

Major League Soccer’s wave of expansion across the south is headed to the region’s biggest metropolis.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation have confirmed to me that Atlanta will be officially awarded MLS’ 22nd franchise later this month.

Although a spokesperson for the league said that a formal agreement has not yet been finalized, I’ve heard seprarately that a public announcement could come very soon. One source targeted April 16 as a date to watch for official confirmation.

The team will be run in association with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, whose owner, Arthur Blank, has been in negotiations with MLS for some time. Blank also founded the Home Depot chain, which is a major commercial sponsor of both MLS and the U.S. Soccer Federation.

WOOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOO

 

[Native]

I'm glad that Atlanta will have another franchise to not give a #### about.

<_<

 

[Sebowski]

"THEYRE DREAMING OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL AT GOODISON PARK"

3-0

If this score holds, Everton will also have Goal Differential advantage over Arsenal.

And a game in hand.

It will be cruelly ironic if Arsenal, after maintaining a top-4 spot through 10 years of tight budgets to build that stadium, finally have the money to spend on stars like Ozil only to drop out of it.

Yes it will, but the lack of spending problem is still the, um, problem. There is no depth. It would be hard for any team to be without it's arguably 5 best players, but there is no excuse for this kind of lack of depth from a perennial Champions League team.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm glad that Atlanta will have another franchise to not give a #### about.

I'm glad the owner's there and interested, but it's not the place I think of when I think for a soccer supporting city. They have their hipsters though, so maybe somethign will plant a seed. I hope to be proven wrong.

 

[AAABatteries]

I'm glad that Atlanta will have another franchise to not give a #### about.

I'm glad the owner's there and interested, but it's not the place I think of when I think for a soccer supporting city. They have their hipsters though, so maybe somethign will plant a seed. I hope to be proven wrong.

We have a large Hispanic community too so maybe that will help attendance. In general, Atlanta is a college town that's large enough to get pro franchises.

 

[The Gator]

"THEYRE DREAMING OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL AT GOODISON PARK"

3-0

If this score holds, Everton will also have Goal Differential advantage over Arsenal.

And a game in hand.

It will be cruelly ironic if Arsenal, after maintaining a top-4 spot through 10 years of tight budgets to build that stadium, finally have the money to spend on stars like Ozil only to drop out of it.

Yes it will, but the lack of spending problem is still the, um, problem. There is no depth. It would be hard for any team to be without it's arguably 5 best players, but there is no excuse for this kind of lack of depth from a perennial Champions League team.

I think they still nick it. They have the easier finish while Loanerton have City, United and Hull away

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

btw... the second time Suarez hit the woodwork was ridiculous. The first was a great shot, but something you see from time to time. The second one, chipping across the goal and over the keeper with the outside of his right foot from the right side of the box, was outrageous.

 

[The Gator]

He's going to break the scoring record while they beat City next week....this is going to be a long week

 

[El Floppo]

Arsenal. Wtf. But glad to see Everton succeeding and while playing decent attacking soccer.

Good to see Ramsey back in there- so clearly missed.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm glad that Atlanta will have another franchise to not give a #### about.

I'm glad the owner's there and interested, but it's not the place I think of when I think for a soccer supporting city. They have their hipsters though, so maybe somethign will plant a seed. I hope to be proven wrong.

We have a large Hispanic community too so maybe that will help attendance. In general, Atlanta is a college town that's large enough to get pro franchises.

I don't discount the Hispanic community, but looking at the success stories of Seattle and Portland, and it's the hipster factor that seems to be putting them over the top. And the lack of competing sports teams. There's pro sports in Atlanta?

 

[El Floppo]

Bacon. Tenderized.

 

[Jaysus]

Who has it easier in fight for 4th? Everton and Arsenal by the numbers

Everton at 1 point back with a game at hand seems like a great spot to be, but it looks like Arsenal has a much easier schedule to finish the season.

Remaining games:

Everton

April 12 at Sunderland

April 16 vs. Crystal Palace

April 20 vs. Manchester United

April 26 at Southampton

May 3 vs. Manchester City

May 11 at Hull City

Arsenal

April 15 vs. West Ham United

April 19 at Hull City

April 28 vs. Newcastle United

May 3 vs. West Bromwich Albion

May 11 at Norwich City

The Breakdown

Strength of schedule (points-per-match/season):

Arsenal opponents, 1.05

Everton opponents, 1.41

Strength of schedule (points-per-match/PL form):

Arsenal opponents, 1.00

Everton opponents, 1.44

Record vs. remaining opponents:

Arsenal, 4W-1D

Everton, 3W-2L-1D

 

[The Gator]

I'd really like to see United and Arsenal in the Europa League

 

[B Maverick]

I'm imagining United fans slapping their foreheads at the lost season as Kagawa and Chicharito are killing it. Look like a totally different side today.

Been yelling at the TV for months about Kagawa and Moyes' refusal to play him. Whenever Kagawa and Mata have been on the field together its been magic. I don't understand how Moyes believes sitting them or marginalizing them out wide is smart?

I would also rather Chicharito comes on with 30 to go for a goal then welbeck but Chicharito is a poacher and needs service. When he has playmakers around him he is deadly.

 

[Bonzai]

I'm imagining United fans slapping their foreheads at the lost season as Kagawa and Chicharito are killing it. Look like a totally different side today.

Been yelling at the TV for months about Kagawa and Moyes' refusal to play him. Whenever Kagawa and Mata have been on the field together its been magic. I don't understand how Moyes believes sitting them or marginalizing them out wide is smart?

I would also rather Chicharito comes on with 30 to go for a goal then welbeck but Chicharito is a poacher and needs service. When he has playmakers around him he is deadly.

The problem is what to do with Rooney and RVP? Does one of them sit?

 

[Jaysus]

Altidore not dressed again today

 

[The Gator]

Yay, Sherwood is back in the dugout. #hopesformeltdown

 

[T Bell]

Yay, Sherwood is back in the dugout. #hopesformeltdown

He presently has the highest winning % of any Spurs manager in the Premier League era. It's funny all around.

 

[T Bell]

I'm imagining United fans slapping their foreheads at the lost season as Kagawa and Chicharito are killing it. Look like a totally different side today.

Been yelling at the TV for months about Kagawa and Moyes' refusal to play him. Whenever Kagawa and Mata have been on the field together its been magic. I don't understand how Moyes believes sitting them or marginalizing them out wide is smart?

I would also rather Chicharito comes on with 30 to go for a goal then welbeck but Chicharito is a poacher and needs service. When he has playmakers around him he is deadly.

If Arsenal had offered, say, 15M GBP for Chicharito in January, do you think Moyes would have gone for it? I suspect the answer would have been yes. I ask because I think his style of play would have been a very nice addition to Arsenal's attack, at least in the short term.

 

[The Gator]

Yay, Sherwood is back in the dugout. #hopesformeltdown

He presently has the highest winning % of any Spurs manager in the Premier League era. It's funny all around.

And with a 0 goal differential since he got there. :blink:

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I'm imagining United fans slapping their foreheads at the lost season as Kagawa and Chicharito are killing it. Look like a totally different side today.

Been yelling at the TV for months about Kagawa and Moyes' refusal to play him. Whenever Kagawa and Mata have been on the field together its been magic. I don't understand how Moyes believes sitting them or marginalizing them out wide is smart?

I would also rather Chicharito comes on with 30 to go for a goal then welbeck but Chicharito is a poacher and needs service. When he has playmakers around him he is deadly.

The problem is what to do with Rooney and RVP? Does one of them sit?

I'm a tactical moron so this probably makes no sense, but couldn't you play a front three of Rooney, Mata, Kagawa and RVP in a rotation where three of them were on the field centrally at the same time?

Rooney could either play with RVP in front of Mata/Kagawa or join one of those two in the central midfield.

Regardless of whether that's a terrible idea... seems like there should be a way to get three of them, including Kagawa, on the field at the same time without pushing people into positions they can't play.

 

[The Gator]

Lol Spurs...

And that was caused by Borini...he'll look good coming off the bench next season.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Beauty of a pass by Christian Eriksen for the leveler. Somebody wake up the Go #### Yourself cat.

 

[Bonzai]

I'm imagining United fans slapping their foreheads at the lost season as Kagawa and Chicharito are killing it. Look like a totally different side today.

Been yelling at the TV for months about Kagawa and Moyes' refusal to play him. Whenever Kagawa and Mata have been on the field together its been magic. I don't understand how Moyes believes sitting them or marginalizing them out wide is smart?

I would also rather Chicharito comes on with 30 to go for a goal then welbeck but Chicharito is a poacher and needs service. When he has playmakers around him he is deadly.

The problem is what to do with Rooney and RVP? Does one of them sit?

I'm a tactical moron so this probably makes no sense, but couldn't you play a front three of Rooney, Mata, Kagawa and RVP in a rotation where three of them were on the field centrally at the same time?

Rooney could either play with RVP in front of Mata/Kagawa or join one of those two in the central midfield.

Regardless of whether that's a terrible idea... seems like there should be a way to get three of them, including Kagawa, on the field at the same time without pushing people into positions they can't play.

Someone invariably gets pushed out wide. I'd like to see them all play as well, but when you try to jam everybody in there they end up in roles that don't get the best out of them. For me, going forward I think RVP is the odd man out.

 

[The Gator]

I'm imagining United fans slapping their foreheads at the lost season as Kagawa and Chicharito are killing it. Look like a totally different side today.

Been yelling at the TV for months about Kagawa and Moyes' refusal to play him. Whenever Kagawa and Mata have been on the field together its been magic. I don't understand how Moyes believes sitting them or marginalizing them out wide is smart?

I would also rather Chicharito comes on with 30 to go for a goal then welbeck but Chicharito is a poacher and needs service. When he has playmakers around him he is deadly.

The problem is what to do with Rooney and RVP? Does one of them sit?

I'm a tactical moron

Moyes, is that you?

 

[T Bell]

I'm imagining United fans slapping their foreheads at the lost season as Kagawa and Chicharito are killing it. Look like a totally different side today.

Been yelling at the TV for months about Kagawa and Moyes' refusal to play him. Whenever Kagawa and Mata have been on the field together its been magic. I don't understand how Moyes believes sitting them or marginalizing them out wide is smart?

I would also rather Chicharito comes on with 30 to go for a goal then welbeck but Chicharito is a poacher and needs service. When he has playmakers around him he is deadly.

The problem is what to do with Rooney and RVP? Does one of them sit?

I'm a tactical moron so this probably makes no sense, but couldn't you play a front three of Rooney, Mata, Kagawa and RVP in a rotation where three of them were on the field centrally at the same time?

Rooney could either play with RVP in front of Mata/Kagawa or join one of those two in the central midfield.

Regardless of whether that's a terrible idea... seems like there should be a way to get three of them, including Kagawa, on the field at the same time without pushing people into positions they can't play.

Someone invariably gets pushed out wide. I'd like to see them all play as well, but when you try to jam everybody in there they end up in roles that don't get the best out of them. For me, going forward I think RVP is the odd man out.

The problem is that they have a mixture of 4-4-2 personnel and non-4-4-2 personnel on a team that has historically played 4-4-2 (or a close variant of it) but that probably needs to transition to something else tactically. It's a hodge podge, which is why you've got a square-peg-in-round-hole feeling when you're trying to think of a lineup for them right now.

Worse, Moyes is showing that he's at best just spit balling when it comes to offensive tactics.

The only attacking players I feel like I know will be there next year are Rooney and Mata. RVP's relatively old and seems to clash with Rooney, and he's starting to get injured again after a couple of years of good health. Kagawa, for whatever reason, just seems to be out of favor with Moyes. Maybe that'll change if Moyes goes, but then everything's up in the air at that point.

 

[Jaysus]

Beauty of a pass by Christian Eriksen for the leveler. Somebody wake up the Go #### Yourself cat.

been in a meeting

Sunderland Goal: http://gfycat.com/JubilantInferiorAcornwoodpecker

Spurs Equalizer: http://gfycat.com/OrdinaryBarrenBigmouthbass

lol @ urls