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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
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The Z Machine
Footballguy
It'll be 5+ more years until City has revenues that are near the other global brands teams. Those teams are United, Bayern, Barça, and Real Madrid. They may be able to bring in players and move them around the world and do lots of other stuff that clubs with less deep pockets can't do, but they still won't have that brand reach that these other teams have for a little bit yet. Maybe United falls off if they hit a long stretch of mediocrity, but I don't see City reaching the heights of Bayern, Real, and Barça any time soon.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Also, this is what I get for laughing at the scousers today. Atlético drew 0-0 and looked more or less toothless at Rayo. With Simeone off the sideline for an extended amount of time, I can only hope that a) Arda gets healthy, b) Griezmann finds his place, and c) Mandzukic finds his scoring groove. The defense and midfield are solid (unlike some English teams I've seen...), but lord there needs to be some more work put in up front.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Hmm, something strange is in the air over Foxboro
LeanderLastNameNoFit @LeanderOnFOX
Follow
Potentially big signing. Once huge Ajax prospect RT @InsideMLS New England has signed 23 year old Dutch forward Geoffrey Castillion on a free transfer.
=========================
"Can you kick in case Gostkowski gets hurt?"
https://twitter.com/nerevolution/status/504076208804749312
LeanderLastNameNoFit @LeanderOnFOX
Follow
Potentially big signing. Once huge Ajax prospect RT @InsideMLS New England has signed 23 year old Dutch forward Geoffrey Castillion on a free transfer.
=========================
"Can you kick in case Gostkowski gets hurt?"
https://twitter.com/nerevolution/status/504076208804749312
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Worldwide, sure, but I wonder if they could have an exponential explosion of their brand in a relatively untamed soccer market like America. If professional soccer in America hits the tipping point, so to speak, Man City are currently the kings of the most popular league in the US, with a foothold in MLS, on television all the time. Whether or not it's true anymore, United are still viewed as the "Yankees of the EPL", and who's the Red Sox to their Yankees, to the average noob EPL fan? City.
I think they could do well here. Just speculating though.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
The EPL is not the most popular league in the US based on TV ratings. Liga MX still holds that title as of last year/season.
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Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Right. Liga MX has plenty of diehard immigrant/recent immigrant fans. Among "noob" fans, I think the EPL is a much more visible league and much more easily-accessible league than Liga MX. That's what I was getting at.
derek245583
Footballguy
shader
Footballguy
I think teams in the EPL need to be trying hard to make bigtime inroads in the US. Myself and two good friends knew little about the EPL 12 months ago. After the World Cup we are all fans and watching it religiously.
The US is a gold mine as obviously it's the richest country.
The US is a gold mine as obviously it's the richest country.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Mexican First Division. Their top games can get 3 times the numbers that the top EPL games get.
But the EPL has made nice inroads since moving to NBC and is trending up. The next TV contract will be key to their future growth in the US
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I am unsure how much more they can do.
They already play a ton of games every summer here, much to the chagrin of some of the managers who hate it. Man City went as far to plunk a $100M into buying an MLS expansion team and will likely spend hundreds of millions more building a stadium and running the team.
The TV coverage is fantastic for the league, giving it really good exposure on relatively easy to acquire channels.
The Gator
Footballguy
I'm not sure here. I thought he did well last season when he finally got a run of games. He was brought in by Rodgers, so Sakho is his transfer. He's just turned 24 this year, so he might just not quite be ready.
Old and doesn't have the speed/energy to play an attacking WB role. It was a run..
Coutinho's best role imo is an 8ish spot, but sometimes he's played out wide and cuts in often. He needs to be played centrally and ahead of Gerrard and Henderson but not quite a true #10. He needs to work on his shooting before he can be trusted with a true #10 role imo.
Joe Allen and I think in a few weeks you'll see this lineup
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Bruce Arena: 
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
charvik
Footballguy
I'm re watching the game again tonight, but bookmarking to give my thoughts tomorrow at work.
Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Benatia for 30m Euros seems a pretty good price. Not that I'm familiar with the player, but just based on the numbers folks were throwing out earlier this summer. Bayern seems to have done well this window, more or less even transfer balance with Mandzukic and Kroos out, Bernat, Lewa and Benatia in.
El Floppo
Footballguy
El Floppo
Footballguy
SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
El Floppo
Footballguy
Fun game yesterday.
City definitely came through with the goals, but Liverpool deserved to be there with them- seemed like two equal teams going at it. Both solid all the way through their lineup and tactically sound, regardless of who came in. Of course, when one team can sub in Aguero and the other counters with Lambert, it's clear there's a gap in depth. CL + EPL season should expose this gap, allowing City to rise to the top in the end, IMO.
Then I thought of United's performances so far... so clearly way off this level right now. In spite of having the horsepower up front to compete. until they get heir back line and MF spine figured out... let alone how to play that formation... they don't look like a team that's going to compete for top 4 at all... maybe not even top 6 (although again, the guys up front are certainly capable of turning up the gears).
City definitely came through with the goals, but Liverpool deserved to be there with them- seemed like two equal teams going at it. Both solid all the way through their lineup and tactically sound, regardless of who came in. Of course, when one team can sub in Aguero and the other counters with Lambert, it's clear there's a gap in depth. CL + EPL season should expose this gap, allowing City to rise to the top in the end, IMO.
Then I thought of United's performances so far... so clearly way off this level right now. In spite of having the horsepower up front to compete. until they get heir back line and MF spine figured out... let alone how to play that formation... they don't look like a team that's going to compete for top 4 at all... maybe not even top 6 (although again, the guys up front are certainly capable of turning up the gears).
El Floppo
Footballguy
roadkill1292
Footballguy
I know I'm forever the wild-eyed speculator here but I don't think the Abu Dhabians came to New York to **** around with salary caps and the 10th best league in the world for very long. There's money to be made here if the structure changes.
Southampton sniffing around Andros Townsend, maybe trying to work a swap with Spurs for Schneiderlin. I don't think that makes the Saints better.
Man, this thread is getting hard to keep up with. It moves fast.
Are you kidding, Townsend is the best player on Spurs, Saints are getting a steal - did you see his cracking goal for the English National team last year? You won't find a better young, English, LW player available in this market. Schneiderlin is clearly surplus to requirements under Koeman's new system, time to dump the dead weight on some unsuspecting team in north London before everyone realizes....
Take my LF, please....
doubt it
saw that Dons expecting a record crowd tonight, 29000+
United probably going to throw a #### lineup out there (what else could they) and lose 2-1
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
The best part is that a new flow chart is created on almost every signage.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
GoFishTN
Footballguy
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
And the worst part is that the CBA was going to be a nightmare already, having to waste time trying to figure out the rules for player acquisitions is just going to prolong the process. :(The best part is that a new flow chart is created on almost every signage.
Sammy3469
Footballguy
Is there a sense on the number of "big" market (ie teams that want to spend more) v small market teams? In other sports that always seems to be the initial sticking point.And the worst part is that the CBA was going to be a nightmare already, having to waste time trying to figure out the rules for player acquisitions is just going to prolong the process. :(The best part is that a new flow chart is created on almost every signage.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
In theory yes, but it more follows the owners than it does the markets since significant local TV money has not come in to the league outside of LA yet.Is there a sense on the number of "big" market (ie teams that want to spend more) v small market teams? In other sports that always seems to be the initial sticking point.And the worst part is that the CBA was going to be a nightmare already, having to waste time trying to figure out the rules for player acquisitions is just going to prolong the process. :(The best part is that a new flow chart is created on almost every signage.
Seattle for instance are no where near as big as LA, Chicago or NY but they most certainly want to spend as much or more than the bigger markets since they generate so much revenue.
You get the feeling that there is a divide amongst the owners themselves sometimes about what direction the league needs to head in.
Some want to protect the league from failing by being cautious and trying to have a rule for every situation (which leads to the cluster #### signings we have seen since you can't possibly predict every scenario) and then you have a bunch of newer owners that I think would not mind cutting the cord and letting the league grow more naturally.
In any case, the revenues are up across the board. The player bent over in 2010 and took one for the league under the guise of "we need to be conservative to survive". With stadiums selling out in numerous cities and the new TV deal bringing in a ton more than expected, I doubt the players will capitulate so easily this time.
The players also know the owners are not going to want the season to be delayed with 2 new expansion teams starting and a new stadium opening in SJ which will give them a foot hold to dig in.
This is easily the most important CBA in MLS history IMO. The good news is that they are trying to divide up a bigger pie. The bad news is that we know that is never easy.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
If I am not mistaken NY has their very first CCL group stage game ever tonight. It is almost a must win already for them since Montreal already has 6 points from 2 games and only one team advances in this format.
charvik
Footballguy
A lot of question, but that's all good. I will try to answer to the best of my understanding.
ETA: BR also wants his full backs to join in the attack, while still remaining defensively responsible. He often asks the non attacking fullback to stay back to provide extra cover in defense to prevent fast counter. Johnson has failed on that task on numerous occasions IMO.
Playing any team on FM really allows you to immerse in their players, culture, tactics and frustration. Good on you. Welcome to the club, YNWA.shader said:
Liverpool did play well in spurts, their high press worked well early, but City has such solid players that they managed to not make many mistakes, and generally did a great job of marking our offensive players out of the game. Unfortunately, some of our players didn't have the best outing IMO. I thought Coutinho fell short of expectations, as well as Sterling to some extent. I was also not too thrilled with Hendo, he looked a step behind throughout most of the game. It's tough playing against a star studded team though, especially one that's as tactically sound as City. I think the biggest issue is that we didn't have a right flank at all this game. Too often, if you look back on the tape, we lost momentum as soon as the ball came to Johnson. I know I rag on him a lot, but I don't think he is of premiership quality anymore. He looked a step or two off in defense, often caught out of position, and tried to compensate for lack of speed by leaving too much room on the flank. On offense he was just walking around, and that hurt Sterling IMO, and forced Sturridge off the middle, going wide to pick up the ball and make himself available.
I think it's a little early to draw those conclusions, especially after playing City at the Ethiad. That is always going to be a tough away game, just look at their record at home. The manager has done a good job of rotating new players in, and it's not like he's fitting all 9 into the game at the same time. We have seen 8-9 players from last seasons squad on the field, and sprinkles of the new guys. I expect that to continue going forward, and I'm not too worried about it. BR won't let the new guys on the field until they understands his tactical vision.
Part of Sakho's issue is playing in the same left central defender spot as Lovren, and Lovren is much more vocal and a leader, which is very much needed in the backline. I think we'll see Sakho taking a bigger role, maybe in pairing with Lovren on the right side of the central defense, especially if Skrtel is nursing an injury.
Pretty telling that you see it even after 2 games... Imagine watching him do the same crap day in and day out for years... :deadbanana: He shouldn't be first choice anymore, and should be behind both Manquillo and Flanno going forward IMO. If Flanno was 100%, he would've started yesterday's game IMO.
ETA: BR also wants his full backs to join in the attack, while still remaining defensively responsible. He often asks the non attacking fullback to stay back to provide extra cover in defense to prevent fast counter. Johnson has failed on that task on numerous occasions IMO.
Here's where it gets tactically tricky. BR doesn't want players for a specific position. He wants his players to be fluid, and change positions during play, and almost be interchangable. Think of the 3 midfield positions as holding midfielder, more defensive (like Gerrard), a workhorse working box-to-box (Hendo), and a creator (Allen yesterday), then you have 2 of the forwards (attacking midfielders) adding additional creativity (Coutinho/Sterling) yesterday. Markovic fits into that last role, and is interchangable with both Sterling and Coutinho (and Suso, Ibe, Sturridge, Balotelli). Can fits into the box-to-box role, but can also play holding.
As seen above, Balotelli can fit into either the attcking wide roles or the pure striker role, just like Sturridge (and Borini). The only pure player that I feel only fits in a striker role is Lambert (but in a pinch he can float wide too).These are only my thoughts, feel free to disagree and object.
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shader
Footballguy
Thanks to Gator and Charvik for their detailed responses!
I was watching that game yesterday and thinking about how engrossing a first half game it was. Compare that to the NFL. TV timeouts, replays and penalties. It's no wonder that the Redzone channel and 30 minute replays are gaining so much popularity. It can be painful to watch an NFL game at times.
It's not surprising that the NFL is struggling to catch on in London and Europe. It would be one thing if soccer had an off-season. Then maybe the NFL could catch on. But soccer goes from August to May. The NFL's new rules this preseason show that it clearly doesn't see the point. But as long as the ratings improve, nothing will be done.
I was watching that game yesterday and thinking about how engrossing a first half game it was. Compare that to the NFL. TV timeouts, replays and penalties. It's no wonder that the Redzone channel and 30 minute replays are gaining so much popularity. It can be painful to watch an NFL game at times.
It's not surprising that the NFL is struggling to catch on in London and Europe. It would be one thing if soccer had an off-season. Then maybe the NFL could catch on. But soccer goes from August to May. The NFL's new rules this preseason show that it clearly doesn't see the point. But as long as the ratings improve, nothing will be done.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
What do you mean by "attacking wide roles" for Balotelli? Seems to me he'd fit much better as an out-and-out striker...I'm not sure I've ever seen him on the wing, but I don't recall seeing many Milan games with him playing. Is this a common position for him? He's 6'2+" and a beast in the box. He should be in front of the net....he's got Andy Carroll's size with Torres' ability. He and Sturridge lining up together and running off one another should give every team fits defensively, especially with someone like Sterling stretching the defense. Perhaps I'm a little biased though.
charvik
Footballguy
Check out this analysis site: http://ohyoubeauty.blogspot.com/2014/08/visualized-liverpool-1-3-manchester-city.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
along with this: http://statsbomb.com/2014/08/player-positional-tracker-man-city-v-liverpool-250814/
Tons of fun, for us stats/tactics geeks.
along with this: http://statsbomb.com/2014/08/player-positional-tracker-man-city-v-liverpool-250814/
Tons of fun, for us stats/tactics geeks.
El Floppo
Footballguy
charvik
Footballguy
no reason to be mean!!!
I see Balo playing within the confines of the 18 yard box, traversing from side to side, with a stronger focus on the middle than Sturridge, but from what I have read from BR, he wants him to move around a lot more than what he has traditionally done.
charvik
Footballguy
gianmarco
Footballguy
El Floppo
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
That positional tracker is hypnotizing
What a fantastic tool for coaches to easily explain how a player needs to improve/alter his positioning with out having to watch 90 minutes of film.
charvik
Footballguy
Yeah, I haven't seen that one before but I love it! I have probably seen the full game 4 times on that tracker, watching different players... I might have a problemThat positional tracker is hypnotizing
What a fantastic tool for coaches to easily explain how a player needs to improve/alter his positioning with out having to watch 90 minutes of film.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
Last year I forced myself not to watch fatboyz football. This year I can hardly stand watching it.
They keep interrupting it. And they better do something about that or risk losing the next generation for whom it will be background noise at best while they're doing 10 other things on their smart phones.
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