***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Another great window for everyone's favorite transfer news insider.

BOOM!!

He was one of my first Twitter follows, and my very first "unfollow." Football may have killed Tancredi, but Tancredi killed my sanity.

 

[Bonzai]

Yeah, I doubt Falcao will be back if they don't make the CL. That said, considering his pattern with teams, he'll also bail if they make the Champions League.

 

[Bonzai]

Another great window for everyone's favorite transfer news insider.

BOOM!!

He was one of my first Twitter follows, and my very first "unfollow." Football may have killed Tancredi, but Tancredi killed my sanity.

I also gave him the boot. We need to get an ***Official*** list together.

 

[Steve Tasker]

£16m for Wellbeck? No way?

####### terrible. So pissed. #### Welbeck.

What's the problem? I like the move.

That's Jack Rodwell money. It's the going rate these days for young, homegrown talent.

Besides, we're talking about the Arsenal. Wenger has £16M in the folds of his big puffy parka.

So you're saying he finally figured out how to get into that pocket?

 

[B Maverick]

I have no effing idea what happened this past weekend, what a mess!

If I understand correctly Chicharito followed the path of Santi in the movie goal and goal II moving from mexico to the EPL to Real Madrid

Arsenal thought a guy who doesnt know how to score will fill their striker spot. He works hard and maybe a change will do him good but for the last season or two Welbeck really lost his way when he gets into the box.

Cleverley thinks so highly of himself and his spanish style that he demanded so much money that Everton said no way. But somehow he still got loaned to AV who evidently wants an expert at back passes to man their middle.

United, because all records should be theirs, spent 153 million pounds on transfers surpassing City's spending from a couple years ago and can now employ the question mark formation (if not already posted here you will have to google or look for it on twitter since i cant post it).

And they are still stuck with Fellaini, Anderson, Evans, Fletcher....

 

[The Gator]

Another great window for everyone's favorite transfer news insider.

BOOM!!

He was one of my first Twitter follows, and my very first "unfollow." Football may have killed Tancredi, but Tancredi killed my sanity.

I also gave him the boot. We need to get an ***Official*** list together.

I stick to only writers who have good reps with teams. Anyone else claiming to be itk is usually full of it

 

[Steve Tasker]

£16m for Wellbeck? No way?

####### terrible. So pissed. #### Welbeck.

What's the problem? I like the move.

That's Jack Rodwell money. It's the going rate these days for young, homegrown talent.

Besides, we're talking about the Arsenal. Wenger has £16M in the folds of his big puffy parka.

Only two million less than Atletico paid for Mandzukic, I think. And the same money that they turned down Balotelli for (I assume Balo would have been on much higher wages).

I do think that Welbeck has potential. His non-penalty goals per minute were consistent with both Rooney and RVP last year (and better than Giroud). But I think Arsenal overpaid because of Giroud's injury. They were over a barrel.

English teams always overpay for English players though....the homegrown tax or whatever they call it. I think people think less of Welbeck because he's not nearly as big a name as other United strikers in recent years, but I've always liked his game. He's not the player who's going to win them the league single-handedly, but this team isn't built for league contention anyway.

As our colleague Gator pointed out, Welbeck is the same age (23) as Sturridge was when he left Chelsea for Liverpool a year and a half ago. I'm by no means predicting a Sturridge-esque explosion (though that'd be awesome), but merely pointing out that phenomenal players wash out of those systems only to thrive for other good teams. Maybe Welbeck just needed a little change of scenery? He'll certainly get his chances, cause Sanogo sucks.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Best part of the Goal! trilogy is that England crashes out in the quarters even in the movie fantasy version of the World Cup.

 

[B Maverick]

Best part of the Goal! trilogy is that England crashes out in the quarters even in the movie fantasy version of the World Cup.

there is a 3rd movie???

As for Welbeck, maybe a change would suit him. He, like a lot of the younger players at United, have regressed the last couple years (SAF's final season, Moyes' lost season, and now). He works hard, has great pace, but seems to be lost in the box. He tends to be too fancy or pass when he should shoot. As a striker he doesnt often look for the shot first. IMO he would be a great winger with his work rate and pace. But maybe being the man up front for Arsenal may get him going again.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I love these colors on this proposed stadium in San Antonio

http://www.news10.net/story/sports/soccer/2014/09/02/san-antonio-reveals-stadium-expansion-plans-amid-mls-push/14967503/

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Best part of the Goal! trilogy is that England crashes out in the quarters even in the movie fantasy version of the World Cup.

there is a 3rd movie???

Yes! And it's depressing! Santi is injured in a car crash and doesn't even play in the World Cup (we learn he's sold to Spurs). Gavin has retired! Santi's, two best friends, Charlie and Liam respectively die in the changing room and miss the decisive penalty in the World Cup quarters!

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I also have to admit to a soft spot for the ending of Goal II. Hey, we've just spent 180 minutes total on the story of Gavin and Santi, let's have the climactic goal be a Beckham free kick!

 

[Eephus]

Best part of the Goal! trilogy is that England crashes out in the quarters even in the movie fantasy version of the World Cup.

there is a 3rd movie???

Yes! And it's depressing! Santi is injured in a car crash and doesn't even play in the World Cup (we learn he's sold to Spurs). Gavin has retired! Santi's, two best friends, Charlie and Liam respectively die in the changing room and miss the decisive penalty in the World Cup quarters!

Now you've gone and ruined it

 

[charvik]

The saga of picking an EPL team continues. I think I might be closing in on Swansea, as they're fun to watch and I wouldn't have any guilt about following them. I just wish they had a more robust fan presence Stateside, as I think being part of a local fan community would help keep my interest. Liverpool was damn entertaining but I don't know, that Red Sox connection might be a dealbreaker for me. As for West Ham, I don't think I've seen a more bitter or angry fan base in sports in recent years (at least the internet faction), and I'm a friggin' Raiders fan.

I watch these decisions with interest and a touch of jealousy.I have been watching Euro soccer going all the way back to Soccer Made in Germany on PBS in the late 70's. But in all these decades I was never able to support a team like many can. I was never able to form any sort of emotional connection with a team so far away.

I formed temporary bonds with certain teams over the years but that was only due to having US players on the teams and that was more a connection with the player, never really with the team.

And I may end up the same way. As painful as a connection to a sports team made in childhood can be, I've found it to be a bond that's next to impossible to break. I don't know if I, closing in on 40 years old, have it in me to really connect with a new team, especially one across the ocean, but I can't watch sports with no rooting interest.

At least I have the Union close by, so that's an easier leap to make.

I wanted to get into the EPL, but I knew I needed a rooting interest. So I found a team that fits the "type" of team I was looking for. For example, I didn't want ManU, the "Yankees" of the EPL. I didn't want boring, defensive teams, or teams that aren't managed well. I also didn't want a team that couldn't realistically compete in the future. (which in the EPL leaves you with 5-6 teams)

I found the team (thanks mostly to help on this forum), immersed myself in learning about them through video games, message boards, and the website, and began watching all their games.

As crazy as it is, I feel like I have a pretty good attachment to Liverpool now. Obviously not at the level anywhere close to fans who live in Liverpool, have been to many games, or fans that have followed the team for many years. But hey, gotta make the plunge sometime!

Yeah I've been taking a similar route. I was able to eliminate a bunch of teams right off the bat for various reasons, as they were either Evil Empire types or true bottom feeders. At the end of the day I would like a squad that's stable and entertaining to watch. I don't need a perennial top 4 contender, but I also don't want yearly relegation battles. I know I'd be taking a chance with Swansea, given that as recently as 10 years ago they were in the bottom tier, but they have the feel of a team with some mojo right now.

Liverpool is attractive to me partially because of their history (their chant made it into a Pink Floyd song, which is pretty damn cool), and because they're a safer pick for someone who has been through the ringer with Oakland. I also wouldn't feel like quite as much of a frontrunner as I would with Man U/Man City or Chelsea.

I did not know this. One more reason to continue this love-fest. What chant and what Floyd song?

"Wish You Were Here" - a common chant by Simon Mignolet directed to his center backs.

 

[The Gator]

Best part of the Goal! trilogy is that England crashes out in the quarters even in the movie fantasy version of the World Cup.

there is a 3rd movie???

Yes! And it's depressing! Santi is injured in a car crash and doesn't even play in the World Cup (we learn he's sold to Spurs). Gavin has retired! Santi's, two best friends, Charlie and Liam respectively die in the changing room and miss the decisive penalty in the World Cup quarters!

My Link

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Best part of the Goal! trilogy is that England crashes out in the quarters even in the movie fantasy version of the World Cup.

there is a 3rd movie???

Yes! And it's depressing! Santi is injured in a car crash and doesn't even play in the World Cup (we learn he's sold to Spurs). Gavin has retired! Santi's, two best friends, Charlie and Liam respectively die in the changing room and miss the decisive penalty in the World Cup quarters!

My Link

Spoiler

Gerrard ***** up in the clutch.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Best part of the Goal! trilogy is that England crashes out in the quarters even in the movie fantasy version of the World Cup.

there is a 3rd movie???

Yes! And it's depressing! Santi is injured in a car crash and doesn't even play in the World Cup (we learn he's sold to Spurs). Gavin has retired! Santi's, two best friends, Charlie and Liam respectively die in the changing room and miss the decisive penalty in the World Cup quarters!

My Link

Spoiler

Gerrard ***** up in the clutch.

Spoiler

Still better than limping into 4th.

 

[shader]

Serious question: How bad do you guys think it will be if ManU misses the top 4 this year (which looks likely)? I mean, they got guys like Di Maria and Falcao to give up international football for 2014-2015...are they going to be happy to do that again in 2015-2016? Will it likely be more difficult to sell bigtime players on coming to ManU for 2015-2016 if they are again going to miss the Champions League?

Also, I've read that they will lose money if they don't hit the top 4 again this year..How much money are we talking in terms of their overall revenue? Is this what separates teams like Chelsea from teams like Tottenham? The year-after-year appearances in the Champions League?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Serious question: How bad do you guys think it will be if ManU misses the top 4 this year (which looks likely)? I mean, they got guys like Di Maria and Falcao to give up international football for 2014-2015...are they going to be happy to do that again in 2015-2016? Will it likely be more difficult to sell bigtime players on coming to ManU for 2015-2016 if they are again going to miss the Champions League?

Also, I've read that they will lose money if they don't hit the top 4 again this year..How much money are we talking in terms of their overall revenue? Is this what separates teams like Chelsea from teams like Tottenham? The year-after-year appearances in the Champions League?

I predict: Mass exodus.

 

[shader]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

I would think the good thing for United is that they don't have to worry about anything aside from the EPL games, which should allow them to be well rested and give them an advantage. But I also think that advantage has to be dwindling quickly as they keep losing games to bad teams and drawing with poor teams like Burnley.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

Said every Liverpool fan in 1992.

i.e. you just never know what a bad ownership group is capable of...

The chairmanship changed hands many times before John Smith, whose father was a shareholder of the club, took up the role in 1973. He oversaw the most successful period in Liverpool's history before stepping down in 1990.[83]

My working theory/hope is that Ferguson and his team were acting as a firewall for the Glazers. And that once you removed them the team will rot until good ownership arrives again.

 

[jonessed]

Serious question: How bad do you guys think it will be if ManU misses the top 4 this year (which looks likely)? I mean, they got guys like Di Maria and Falcao to give up international football for 2014-2015...are they going to be happy to do that again in 2015-2016? Will it likely be more difficult to sell bigtime players on coming to ManU for 2015-2016 if they are again going to miss the Champions League?

Also, I've read that they will lose money if they don't hit the top 4 again this year..How much money are we talking in terms of their overall revenue? Is this what separates teams like Chelsea from teams like Tottenham? The year-after-year appearances in the Champions League?

The finances of City and Chelsea aren't really comparable to any other EPL team.

Outside of the petro-clubs United and Liverpool can survive for quite awhile without CL due to their revenue streams. Arsenal to a lesser extent, then Tottenham and Everton.

 

[shader]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

Said every Liverpool fan in 1992.

That's kind of my question. From a historical perspective, is there a hole that United can fall into that will make it especially tough to climb out of.

I personally think this is a very bad time to be average, as the EPL seems to be exploding in the US. While there are probably lots of ManU fans in America, how loyal are these new fans going to be to an average fan?

I had a buddy who was "picking a team" to be a fan of a month ago. When he found out Manchester U wasn't playing in the Champions League and so wouldn't be playing against teams with Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo, etc...he dumped ManU and chose Liverpool. He's already learned about the team, bought some Liverpool gear, etc.

I just think it's a scary time to be average.

 

[El Floppo]

Best part of the Goal! trilogy is that England crashes out in the quarters even in the movie fantasy version of the World Cup.

there is a 3rd movie???

this.

 

[The Gator]

Serious question: How bad do you guys think it will be if ManU misses the top 4 this year (which looks likely)? I mean, they got guys like Di Maria and Falcao to give up international football for 2014-2015...are they going to be happy to do that again in 2015-2016? Will it likely be more difficult to sell bigtime players on coming to ManU for 2015-2016 if they are again going to miss the Champions League?

Also, I've read that they will lose money if they don't hit the top 4 again this year..How much money are we talking in terms of their overall revenue? Is this what separates teams like Chelsea from teams like Tottenham? The year-after-year appearances in the Champions League?

It's going to be interesting if the miss out. They won't be affected by FFP for a while(esp this year with no Europe) even in the Europa League because of their massive revenue. Yeah, the longer they're out, the more difficult it gets.

Their kit deal goes from 75M/year to 50M/year if they miss out on the CL again. That's the only one I know of for sure, but getting to the CL group stage is worth at least 30M, too.

If they are in the Europa League next year, they'll be able to keep everyone and bring in guys(Falcao will be gone imo). Especially with winning the EL now getting you into the CL and their willingness to throw sill wages around.

They aren't going anywhere(Like out of the top 6-7) anytime soon, but they've put a lot of money into getting back into the CL THIS YEAR and if it doesn't happen....

 

[Eephus]

There are only 6-8 clubs in the world who can compete financially with MUFC. Even without Champions League lucre, they aren't going to collapse.

 

[El Floppo]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

Said every Liverpool fan in 1992.

That's kind of my question. From a historical perspective, is there a hole that United can fall into that will make it especially tough to climb out of.

I personally think this is a very bad time to be average, as the EPL seems to be exploding in the US. While there are probably lots of ManU fans in America, how loyal are these new fans going to be to an average fan?

I had a buddy who was "picking a team" to be a fan of a month ago. When he found out Manchester U wasn't playing in the Champions League and so wouldn't be playing against teams with Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo, etc...he dumped ManU and chose Liverpool. He's already learned about the team, bought some Liverpool gear, etc.

I just think it's a scary time to be average.

The US is a huge, burgeoning market... but so is most of the rest of the world, where United are huge, and maybe less fickle.

I don't see them going too long without a rebound, given their revenue stream. But 5+ years without would be trouble.

 

[The Gator]

I just think it's a scary time to be average.

They aren't average, they have a strong foothold in the US that isn't going anywhere.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

Said every Liverpool fan in 1992.

That's kind of my question. From a historical perspective, is there a hole that United can fall into that will make it especially tough to climb out of.

I personally think this is a very bad time to be average, as the EPL seems to be exploding in the US. While there are probably lots of ManU fans in America, how loyal are these new fans going to be to an average fan?

I had a buddy who was "picking a team" to be a fan of a month ago. When he found out Manchester U wasn't playing in the Champions League and so wouldn't be playing against teams with Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo, etc...he dumped ManU and chose Liverpool. He's already learned about the team, bought some Liverpool gear, etc.

I just think it's a scary time to be average.

The US is a huge, burgeoning market... but so is most of the rest of the world, where United are huge, and maybe less fickle.

I don't see them going too long without a rebound, given their revenue stream. But 5+ years without would be trouble.

That's why United poured everything into the Guinness Cup. US fans won't soon forget that glory.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

Said every Liverpool fan in 1992.

i.e. you just never know what a bad ownership group is capable of...

The chairmanship changed hands many times before John Smith, whose father was a shareholder of the club, took up the role in 1973. He oversaw the most successful period in Liverpool's history before stepping down in 1990.[83]

Seems odd to give the ownership change in 1973 too much credit. Shankly had won three league titles, an FA cup and a UEFA Cup by 1973.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

Said every Liverpool fan in 1992.

i.e. you just never know what a bad ownership group is capable of...

The chairmanship changed hands many times before John Smith, whose father was a shareholder of the club, took up the role in 1973. He oversaw the most successful period in Liverpool's history before stepping down in 1990.[83]

My working theory/hope is that Ferguson and his team were acting as a firewall for the Glazers. And that once you removed them the team will rot until good ownership arrives again.

I'm not sure of your point. Liverpool missed several CL years but is still undoubtedly at the very top of football clubs worldwide. LFC just spent something like 120 million pounds on players in the past couple months.

 

[The Gator]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

Said every Liverpool fan in 1992.

i.e. you just never know what a bad ownership group is capable of...

The chairmanship changed hands many times before John Smith, whose father was a shareholder of the club, took up the role in 1973. He oversaw the most successful period in Liverpool's history before stepping down in 1990.[83]

My working theory/hope is that Ferguson and his team were acting as a firewall for the Glazers. And that once you removed them the team will rot until good ownership arrives again.

I'm not sure of your point. Liverpool missed several CL years but is still undoubtedly at the very top of football clubs worldwide. LFC just spent something like 120 million pounds on players in the past couple months.

33M Net, sweet cheeks

 

[SmoovySmoov]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

Said every Liverpool fan in 1992.

i.e. you just never know what a bad ownership group is capable of...

The chairmanship changed hands many times before John Smith, whose father was a shareholder of the club, took up the role in 1973. He oversaw the most successful period in Liverpool's history before stepping down in 1990.[83]

My working theory/hope is that Ferguson and his team were acting as a firewall for the Glazers. And that once you removed them the team will rot until good ownership arrives again.

I'm not sure of your point. Liverpool missed several CL years but is still undoubtedly at the very top of football clubs worldwide. LFC just spent something like 120 million pounds on players in the past couple months.

33M Net, sweet cheeks

Not to mention that the mindset is completely different. In one case, you have a team in 4 competitions that needed to add depth for all of those games. In the other, you have a team that has been decidedly outspoken on other team's spending, spending like there's no tomorrow on players that they didn't actually need.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

Said every Liverpool fan in 1992.

i.e. you just never know what a bad ownership group is capable of...

The chairmanship changed hands many times before John Smith, whose father was a shareholder of the club, took up the role in 1973. He oversaw the most successful period in Liverpool's history before stepping down in 1990.[83]

My working theory/hope is that Ferguson and his team were acting as a firewall for the Glazers. And that once you removed them the team will rot until good ownership arrives again.

I'm not sure of your point. Liverpool missed several CL years but is still undoubtedly at the very top of football clubs worldwide. LFC just spent something like 120 million pounds on players in the past couple months.

They also haven't won the league in 20-some years -- basically since the ownership group turned over in 1990.

RHE -- I'm not saying the group prior to 1973 was bad, just the one after it.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

The "danger" for Manchester United is in losing global reach to Real, Barcelona, and Bayern. Maybe backsliding a bit with respect to other City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool.

But that means sliding from a solid 3 or 4th among all teams in the world to somewhere like 7th or 8th. This type of slide would be bad, because a Manchester United that could contend for the European title could probably pass all by Real financially, but it's nothing that threatens the future of the club. We're not talking about Leeds.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Yeah... I'm not saying they'll get relegated. Just that they could have a long spell before they win it again.

 

[Eephus]

MUFC is certainly taking a more proactive approach by flexing their financial muscles this year. Their strategy isn't without risk but I don't see where they had much of an option. The competition at the top of the league is much tougher than 5-10 years ago and everybody is spending like sailors on shore leave. Their 2013-14 squad wasn't good enough and wouldn't be good enough in 2014-15 even if everything came together. It'll be fun to watch it come together and even more fun to watch if the wheels come off.

 

[shader]

These 2-week international breaks stink.

Just as I thought, I've developed a quick annoyance for International football.

 

[El Floppo]

These 2-week international breaks stink. aren't frequent enough.

Just as I thought, I've developed a quick annoyance for International club football.

 

[Bonzai]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

Said every Liverpool fan in 1992.

That's kind of my question. From a historical perspective, is there a hole that United can fall into that will make it especially tough to climb out of.

I personally think this is a very bad time to be average, as the EPL seems to be exploding in the US. While there are probably lots of ManU fans in America, how loyal are these new fans going to be to an average fan?

I had a buddy who was "picking a team" to be a fan of a month ago. When he found out Manchester U wasn't playing in the Champions League and so wouldn't be playing against teams with Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo, etc...he dumped ManU and chose Liverpool. He's already learned about the team, bought some Liverpool gear, etc.

I just think it's a scary time to be average.

So what exactly is the new Liverpool fan anti-Manchester United indoctrination process like?

 

[The Gator]

I think its way too early to count United out of anything. It will hurt if they miss again, but not as badly as it would hurt a club like City or Chelsea. A down year or two here or there is common experience for all clubs. United can easily weather this storm.

Said every Liverpool fan in 1992.

That's kind of my question. From a historical perspective, is there a hole that United can fall into that will make it especially tough to climb out of.

I personally think this is a very bad time to be average, as the EPL seems to be exploding in the US. While there are probably lots of ManU fans in America, how loyal are these new fans going to be to an average fan?

I had a buddy who was "picking a team" to be a fan of a month ago. When he found out Manchester U wasn't playing in the Champions League and so wouldn't be playing against teams with Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo, etc...he dumped ManU and chose Liverpool. He's already learned about the team, bought some Liverpool gear, etc.

I just think it's a scary time to be average.

So what exactly is the new Liverpool fan anti-Manchester United indoctrination process like?

The FA CupThe fact that Utd pulled out of the Cup is shocking in itself. The fact that they did it as holders makes it worse. No bigger blow has been landed to the most famous cup competition in the world. Make no mistake about it, Utd's decision to play in some mickey mouse competition was motivated purely by greed. They did it to sell shirts.

I was delighted when they got soundly hammered by the champions of Panama or whoever it was beat them.

Three European Cups

I dislike the number three. I mean, it's just not five is it.

 

[Bonzai]

Love this guy. That look at the end kills me.

 

[The Gator]

You got the job on a technicalit-eh.. every time

 

[The Gator]

Victor Valdes to Liverpool picking up steam ... do it Ayre

 

[Bonzai]

This kid too

 

[T Bell]

Messi is ridiculous.

 

[T Bell]

Stuck with Falcao

You'll be stuck with that massive wage bill when you miss the Champions League again next season. #reality

It's a loan

True. But there's "loans" and then there's "loans to a permanent move" and this is the latter. Monaco had to get rid of him for FFP. You think after the season they're gonna want those wages back?

They're paying (for) Falcao in loan fees + salary around as much as they paid to outright purchase Van Persie. It's crazy.

Yes, Falcao is an excellent player and yes they can afford it, and no they won't go into administration because of it, but let's not pretend that that's not an absurd amount of money to pay for a guy who's coming off a serious knee injury and who's never played in the league before.

United, their imbalanced lineup and tinkering, newbie PL manager are in far more serious jeopardy of finishing out of the top 4 than most people seem to want to acknowledge.

 

[Eephus]

United, their imbalanced lineup and tinkering, newbie PL manager are in far more serious jeopardy of finishing out of the top 4 than most people seem to want to acknowledge.

That seems to be the conventional wisdom in this thread

 

[Rooney10]

The saga of picking an EPL team continues. I think I might be closing in on Swansea, as they're fun to watch and I wouldn't have any guilt about following them. I just wish they had a more robust fan presence Stateside, as I think being part of a local fan community would help keep my interest. Liverpool was damn entertaining but I don't know, that Red Sox connection might be a dealbreaker for me. As for West Ham, I don't think I've seen a more bitter or angry fan base in sports in recent years (at least the internet faction), and I'm a friggin' Raiders fan.

I watch these decisions with interest and a touch of jealousy.

I have been watching Euro soccer going all the way back to Soccer Made in Germany on PBS in the late 70's. But in all these decades I was never able to support an overseas team like many can. I was never able to form any sort of emotional connection with a team so far away.

I formed temporary bonds with certain teams over the years but that was only due to having US players on the teams and that was more a connection with the player, never really with the team.

Agreed, I am always intrigued by the process people go through to choose a team to support. However I think its more rewarding to connect with a team that is far away. I'm a Bengals and a University of Kentucky fan but all I really have to do to follow either is listen to the radio on the way to work and have a pulse at work/bars/parties because there are always people talking about those team given the region I live in. Following a team that is far away is more rewarding bc of the amount of time spent researching on your own, it almost becomes a solitary badge of honor/obsession. Getting up at 7am on the weekend (pre-kids) wasn't easy but worth the sacrifice. Plus its always interesting the bonds you form at the pub at 9am Sundays or 2:30 in afternoon during mid-week matches. I am also a bit jealous of people choosing a team now as opposed to when I did in the mid 90s. There wasn't very good cable/satellite/internet coverage or at least not that I had access to. Foxsports used to show tape delayed EPL games but really they only showed the top 4-5 teams. There was no way you could be a Sunderland/Fulham fan then at least not if you ever wanted to see your team play. The other way to see games was when ESPN aired the CL but again you only had the top teams to choose from. I chose MUFC not because I knew anything about the history at the time but bc Eric Cantona's upturned collar/swagger, Roy Keane's "I'll see you out there" attitude and Ryan Giggs running down the wing. The cementing factor was probably the 1999 Champion's League Final against Munich (the semi against Juve was pretty great too). I'm sure there is a generation of LFC fans that will point to the 2nd half comeback against Milan to win the CL in 2005 as a cementing moment and that's unfortunate but it shows the importance that CL plays in the modern game. Without family/geography ties to worry about I don't know why a new fan would pick a team that has no realistic chance of European glory. I know I am opening myself of for a bunch of United has no chance in the near future for the CL but I know they'll be back soon enough so I'll just hold myself over on 1999 replays and John Terry's tears from 2008.