***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (9 Viewers)

[The Gator]

If Suarez is on the Messi/Ronaldo level that people claim, it is pretty hard to believe that losing him will have little impact.

It'll be a loss, obviously, just not a 'Liverpool drop to 6th/7th' loss.

IMO, i don't think they'll challenge for the title and will drop down to a battle for 3rd/4th.

Their GD will be close to the same, maybe in the mid 40s as they've strengthened in the back. That's usually a good sign of a top 3 team.

It isInstead of vague quotes, find my preseason top four and get back to me, toots

Look on the bright side - most of the mid-week fixtures will be done by December, and Pool can concentrate on the league from January to May.

I hope Liverpool get 16th, United get 4th and Liverpool win the champions league.

Didn't they change that rule?

Not that I know of. They're even taking about putting the holders in the group with only league winners

 

[The Gator]

Are we going to start seeing "Liverpool- club in crisis" headlines now?

People have soft-pedaled the impact of the Suarez departure but that plus Sturridge's injury have really hurt them badly. This start to the season is pretty shocking for a team with top 3 expectations.

Link? Almost everything I heard/read is top 4. Especially the Liverpool fans in this thread only hoped for top four.

I had Liverpool on 7 points after 4 games, knew it'd be a tough start with so many new guys.

They'll start clicking about the same time as last season, December

The consensus is City and Chelsea have the top 2 nailed down. Most people seem to think that 3rd and 4th are being contested by 3 teams primarily: Arsenal, United and Liverpool. As none of those three teams seems at this point like a clear frontrunner in that race, all are competing for top 3.

You follow?

Do Arsenal fans just not like to say top four? Do you people have a complex?

 

[AAABatteries]

It was laughable to write United off for top 4 after 3 matches - same goes for Liverpool after 5. I think Pool's issue will be depth - United have to learn LVG's system and gain confidence - Arsenal seem to be positioned best but who knows. Note - this is for 3rd/4th, none of these teams seem good enough for the title.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

How I see it:

1) City

2) Chelsea

3) Liverpool

4) Arsenal

5) Everton

6) United

7) Spurs

Liverpool will be relegated.

Are we going to start seeing "Liverpool- club in crisis" headlines now?

People have soft-pedaled the impact of the Suarez departure but that plus Sturridge's injury have really hurt them badly. This start to the season is pretty shocking for a team with top 3 expectations.

Link? Almost everything I heard/read is top 4. Especially the Liverpool fans in this thread only hoped for top four.

I had Liverpool on 7 points after 4 games, knew it'd be a tough start with so many new guys.

They'll start clicking about the same time as last season, December

It was a mixed bag...

I was being silly of course, but I think I had them 4th/5th.

 

[T Bell]

Are we going to start seeing "Liverpool- club in crisis" headlines now?

People have soft-pedaled the impact of the Suarez departure but that plus Sturridge's injury have really hurt them badly. This start to the season is pretty shocking for a team with top 3 expectations.

Link? Almost everything I heard/read is top 4. Especially the Liverpool fans in this thread only hoped for top four.

I had Liverpool on 7 points after 4 games, knew it'd be a tough start with so many new guys.

They'll start clicking about the same time as last season, December

The consensus is City and Chelsea have the top 2 nailed down. Most people seem to think that 3rd and 4th are being contested by 3 teams primarily: Arsenal, United and Liverpool. As none of those three teams seems at this point like a clear frontrunner in that race, all are competing for top 3.

You follow?

Do Arsenal fans just not like to say top four? Do you people have a complex?

Look, I know you're not used to talking about such things so I'm just trying to help.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Filth:

http://deadspin.com/stay-in-your-goal-goalie-1637201080

 

[T Bell]

Filth:

http://deadspin.com/stay-in-your-goal-goalie-1637201080

Yeah, that's one Zlatan would be proud of.

WTF is with Deadspin pinning that one on the keeper?

 

[The Gator]

Seattle> wait

 

[The Z Machine]

Yeah, that goal was on Godín. He let they guy get position instead of taking the header.

Combined with Miranda giving up a penalty and it wasn't a good day for the center backs, despite both of them scoring. I'd prefer my CBs to carry a clean sheet instead of scoring any day of the week.

Despite the win over Real, the team isn't playing all well, and Simeone's presence on the touchline is sorely missed, even if we get to see more Mono.

 

[Eephus]

Entertaining elegy to Magath's reign of error at Craven Cottage. You couldn't make up the story of Felix ordering Brede Hangeland to apply cheese to his injured thigh.

 

[Christo]

Entertaining elegy to Magath's reign of error at Craven Cottage. You couldn't make up the story of Felix ordering Brede Hangeland to apply cheese to his injured thigh.

Perhaps none of this would have mattered too much had Magath shown he was a brilliant tactician or motivator. Yet this was the man who played Dan Burn, a 6ft 6in centre-half, at right-back in the 4-1 defeat against Stoke City last season that tagged their toes for the relegation morgue. Burn found out on the day of the match and the poor bloke put in a performance that can be accurately measured by the Stoke Sentinel’s post-match interview with Oussama Assaidi. “I felt very sorry for their defender,” the winger said. “He was a nice guy. He asked me to change sides, he didn’t want to play against me any more.” After that game, Magath turned on Burn in the dressing room. When Burn pointed out he had never played that position in his life he, too, was sent into a form of isolation (though, unlike others, he was eventually brought back).

 

[T Bell]

That's just so bizarre. Like, Bobby Valentine bizarre. It truly makes you wonder how much of that stuff they actually believe and how much is simply a bizarre way of playing mind games or exerting control.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Seattle> wait

I think an EPL team is going to grab Bradley Wright Phillips this winter. He might be able to help a lower to mid tier team. After looking lost last season, his confidence is off the charts. 24 goals in your last 21 games will have that affect I guess

 

[Sebowski]

Yeah, that goal was on Godín.

that's an insane goal. Credit the scorer, don't blame the defender.

 

[Sebowski]

I'm forever blowing bubbles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is he cute?

Understandable mistake coming from someone with your AV.

Too skinny for you?

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Just as I said. Some people will be overvaluing Liverpool this year. It never fails.

You were saying?

Yeah, I knew that was coming. I think realistically, we all knew that losing Suarez would hurt. But I think we all thought the defense would be better. It's somehow gotten worse. Very frustrating. The only hope now is that they can right the ship, go on an extended run, and somehow finish 4th.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Didn't they change that rule?

YES

CHANGES to Champions League rules agreed today could see Europe's top nations having up to five teams in UEFA's top club competition.

From 2015, the Europa League winners as well as the European champions will qualify automatically for the following season's Champions League, UEFA sources have confirmed to Press Association Sport.

But if the Europa League is won by an English club, they will no longer take the qualification place of a team finishing fourth in the Barclays Premier League - as happened controversially with Tottenham last season when Chelsea won the Champions League but finished sixth.

The principle was agreed by UEFA's executive committee today and will be formally announced at the European governing body's Congress in London tomorrow.

The move is designed to make the Europa League more attractive and to persuade clubs to take the competition more seriously.

The change to allow a maximum of five clubs also answers concerns from the European Clubs' Association who felt that the chances of the Europa League winners taking a place away from clubs qualifying via the domestic league was unacceptably high.

In the unlikely event of two clubs from the same country winning the Champions League and Europa League and both finishing outside of the domestic qualifying places, then those teams would still qualify for the Champions League but the side finishing fourth would miss out.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Didn't they change that rule?

YES

CHANGES to Champions League rules agreed today could see Europe's top nations having up to five teams in UEFA's top club competition.

From 2015, the Europa League winners as well as the European champions will qualify automatically for the following season's Champions League, UEFA sources have confirmed to Press Association Sport.

But if the Europa League is won by an English club, they will no longer take the qualification place of a team finishing fourth in the Barclays Premier League - as happened controversially with Tottenham last season when Chelsea won the Champions League but finished sixth.

The principle was agreed by UEFA's executive committee today and will be formally announced at the European governing body's Congress in London tomorrow.

The move is designed to make the Europa League more attractive and to persuade clubs to take the competition more seriously.

The change to allow a maximum of five clubs also answers concerns from the European Clubs' Association who felt that the chances of the Europa League winners taking a place away from clubs qualifying via the domestic league was unacceptably high.

In the unlikely event of two clubs from the same country winning the Champions League and Europa League and both finishing outside of the domestic qualifying places, then those teams would still qualify for the Champions League but the side finishing fourth would miss out.

thats the Europa winner, not the CL winner. I think the CL winner would still occupy one of 4 spots awarde to a country like England. The Eurpoa winner would add a potential 5th spot.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Juan Mata in the reserves today, as many predicted would eventually happen after United's buying spree.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

The supposedly ruthless LVG keeps van Persie in his lineup, next to Falcao today. Many thought he was too loyal to RVP in Brazil this summer, perhaps that trend is continuing with United.

 

[Sinn Fein]

The supposedly ruthless LVG keeps van Persie in his lineup, next to Falcao today. Many thought he was too loyal to RVP in Brazil this summer, perhaps that trend is continuing with United.

and Cole Slaw, who was not LVG's choice, still cannot get in the line-up...

 

[Christo]

RVP got lucky.

 

[ffldrew]

RVP got lucky.

Gorgeous service from Falcao

 

[guru_007]

DiMaria - brilliant there

 

[AAABatteries]

I think I just orgasmed.

 

[Christo]

Game on

 

[ffldrew]

But ManU still haven't fixed the back

 

[AAABatteries]

Johnny Evans is horrible

 

[TLEF316]

Evans is so freaking bad

 

[AAABatteries]

I'd give Johnny Evans left nut to have Vidic back.

 

[AAABatteries]

Juan Mata in the reserves today, as many predicted would eventually happen after United's buying spree.

The supposedly ruthless LVG keeps van Persie in his lineup, next to Falcao today. Many thought he was too loyal to RVP in Brazil this summer, perhaps that trend is continuing with United.

The usual response here is there's plenty of games to go around but with only 2 competitions for United it's empty words. I will say that Rooney is so versatile that he could play any of those front 6 positions and give others a break. I would expect that to happen

 

[ffldrew]

Johnny Evans is butthurt

 

[AAABatteries]

Da Laet lucky to stay on the pitch

 

[TLEF316]

MU's attackers are probably like "hey Marcus rojo...why don't you stay back THERE..."

 

[AAABatteries]

Great to see Cambiosso playing.

Smalling could have gotten a yellow for that - stupid.

 

[AAABatteries]

MU's attackers are probably like "hey Marcus rojo...why don't you stay back THERE..."

I was laughing - I'd like to see Rojo move to the middle and Shaw at LB.

 

[AAABatteries]

United look so much better playing 4-4-2. Even if Leicester come back I think it's obvious he needs to give up 3 at the back.

Entertaining half - @Leicester will be a tough match for most teams this season.

 

[T Bell]

Juan Mata in the reserves today, as many predicted would eventually happen after United's buying spree.

Stunning and bizarre fall for a guy who was the team MVP for Chelsea 16 months ago. It's looking a lot like he'll be sold to someone in Europe come January I guess.

 

[AAABatteries]

Juan Mata in the reserves today, as many predicted would eventually happen after United's buying spree.

Stunning and bizarre fall for a guy who was the team MVP for Chelsea 16 months ago. It's looking a lot like he'll be sold to someone in Europe come January I guess.

I hope not - I still like his game.

 

[T Bell]

United look so much better playing 4-4-2. Even if Leicester come back I think it's obvious he needs to give up 3 at the back.

Entertaining half - @Leicester will be a tough match for most teams this season.

They're one of the more impressive promoted sides in recent years. I'm not picking them to win anything but they've got a lot of organization and fight in them, and even look decent coming forward

 

[AAABatteries]

Da Laet playing with fire. United should give ADM the ball and have him run at him every time.

 

[AAABatteries]

United look so much better playing 4-4-2. Even if Leicester come back I think it's obvious he needs to give up 3 at the back.

Entertaining half - @Leicester will be a tough match for most teams this season.

They're one of the more impressive promoted sides in recent years. I'm not picking them to win anything but they've got a lot of organization and fight in them, and even look decent coming forward

I agree - United have looked great and they may not get the win.

 

[AAABatteries]

OMG - he did that on purpose.

 

[AAABatteries]

Nice by Clattenberg.

 

[AAABatteries]

Wow

 

[Christo]

 

[Sinn Fein]

Embarrassing

 

[AAABatteries]

Embarrassing

Clattenberg? I agree.

 

[Christo]

goooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

 

[AAABatteries]

Mata - Oof