***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (7 Viewers)

[Christo]

Does he get the start next weekend?

 

[Christo]

LanDonDeuce

 

[Christo]

42 & 45?

She was a sweet piece of ### back in the day.

 

[AAABatteries]

That run of pictures you just posted > your work at :e:

 

[AAABatteries]

APLT update:

Chelsea +6

Man City -6

Arsenal -10

Liverpool -11

Spurs -13

Everton -15

Man U -15

Any idea where Soton would be if he were tracking them? I would expect close to even.

I was wondering the same thing and went back and looked. I believe they're -2 (tied Hull at home), but they've lost to Liverpool and Tottenham on the road, so it may be -4 (I forget the actual calculation). They still have to play 5 out of the group over their next 8 games, so I don't think we really know how good they are besides for the fact they aren't dropping points they shouldn't.

Yep - I was going to post that they haven't played Chelsea, City, United, Arsenal and Everton but then again they are playing as well as any of those sides except Chelsea. I do think it will be basically impossible to hold on to a top-2 spot. Top-3 will be even be difficult because the assumption is that one of Arsenal, Pool or United will step up at some point. They could fight it out for fourth with the other 2 of that 3 plus Everton and Totts. Will be interesting to see if they spend any of that money they made during the January window. I think they may need a player or two to maintain a CL spot.

Soton is at +/- 0 t the moment, and have played on par with their equivalent matches from last year from an APLT perspective I believe... (ETA: that was after 8 weeks... I am going to check this later tonight)

The SCoRE chart is here: http://i.imgur.com/XyMzeim.png

I'm not completely sold on the APLT, although it's better than most predictors I would suspect and it's an interesting discussion starter. I will say the chart basically aligns with my non-scientific thoughts on it. They are playing well but not really playing tough teams yet. They obviously have a ton of confidence which will help but they need more talent to stay up there.

 

[roadkill1292]

Who is zis man talking to me?

Why, that's the man not cut out to own more than one team.

"But the dynamics that were involved there, involved in three different sports at the same time, wouldn't fit me. I would have to delegate a lot more, and that's not my style."

 

[The Gator]

Finally caught up on the games, hate busy travel weekends.

#### Ramirez

Anthony Taylor is terrible

For the second week in a row Rodgers has shat it on subs

Sturridge can't come back soon enough as it will hopefully be the end of this 433

 

[roadkill1292]

ESPN's staff just named each PL team's MVP at this point in the season and Adam Lallana was named for Liverpool. What have I been missing?

 

[The Gator]

ESPN's staff just named each PL team's MVP at this point in the season and Adam Lallana was named for Liverpool. What have I been missing?

It astonishing to me that he doesn't play more. He always looks to be a threat when he's in yet doesn't get subbed on like this weekend or only gets 20min if he is.

Baloteli Sturridge

Sterling

Lallana Henderson

Gerrard

please please please let this be the lineup if DS15 is back next week

PS have you seen anyone else worthy of it?

 

[roadkill1292]

ESPN's staff just named each PL team's MVP at this point in the season and Adam Lallana was named for Liverpool. What have I been missing?

It astonishing to me that he doesn't play more. He always looks to be a threat when he's in yet doesn't get subbed on like this weekend or only gets 20min if he is.

Baloteli Sturridge

Sterling

Lallana Henderson

Gerrard

please please please let this be the lineup if DS15 is back next week

PS have you seen anyone else worthy of it?

No, not really. I'm a big Lallana fan, as some may recall, I just haven't seen him affect play very much this year. Or maybe I just haven't watched enough 'Pool matches.

BTW, Tadic got the nod for Saints. I just learned that he was on the pitch the night the Albanians launched the drone attack on the Serbs.

 

[charvik]

ESPN's staff just named each PL team's MVP at this point in the season and Adam Lallana was named for Liverpool. What have I been missing?

You obviously missed the shot just prior to the segment when the staff was sniffing glue...

 

[The Z Machine]

Who is zis man talking to me?

What an ill-fitting jacket on Mr. Jones.

 

[charvik]

ESPN's staff just named each PL team's MVP at this point in the season and Adam Lallana was named for Liverpool. What have I been missing?

It astonishing to me that he doesn't play more. He always looks to be a threat when he's in yet doesn't get subbed on like this weekend or only gets 20min if he is.

Baloteli Sturridge

Sterling

Lallana Henderson

Gerrard

please please please let this be the lineup if DS15 is back next week

PS have you seen anyone else worthy of it?

I disagree, I think there are some issues with the lineup you posted. I agree that the 4-4-2 diamond seems to be something we need to try out again, as that seems to be the only formation capable of producing in the post-Suarez era.

I think Gerrard has to sit, he is showing poor form, and poor decision making lately. The Hollywood pass is pretty and all, but it is too predictable right now, especially considering the lack of movement up front. Henderson is not going to be at his best either when he is asked to play a finesse game, it's just not him. Sterling is struggling with form, but also from being too isolated on the right flank. He needs a breather/change of position. What I would like to see:

--------Sturridge ------ Balotelli/Borini

---------------Sterling/Coutinho--------

----Lallana/Allen-----------Can/Gerrard

------------------Lucas/Can---------------

Moreno - Sakho - Lovren - Manquillo

I want to start gelling the CB of the future, which is why I am ok with Sakho/Lovren. I am concerned with support for them, which is why I would start Lucas or Can on the bottom of the diamond (depending on opponent). Gerrard shouldn't get close to that DM role again for a while IMO.

Coutinho/Sterling has shown that they can both fit in the forward position of the diamond, and I would start Coutinho there right now, but he doesn't seem to last a full game right now. Sterling could come in off the bench until he regains his form/composure. I would start Lallana and Can in the middle, just based on current form, and ability to protect and distribute (Can), and also add some creativity (Lallana).

Up front I haven't completely given up on Balotelli, but I also wouldn't give him a full 90 when everyone is fit. I would probably give Studge some relief with Borini for the first 3-4 weeks back, but then he should go 90, with Balo/Borini splitting 60/30 depending on form.

It's a tough situation for BR, but things need to be shook up IMO, and leaving both skip, vice-skip and Skrtel off due to their abysmal form would send a message through the squad.

i think we can all agree on leaving Glen Johnson off the squad, bench, and even prevent him from coming on to the ground, please.

 

[T Bell]

Who is zis man talking to me?

What an ill-fitting jacket on Mr. Jones.

No, that's his face.

 

[Sinn Fein]

#### Matt Damon

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

#### Matt Damon

It's not your fault, chief.

 

[Christo]

That run of pictures you just posted > your work at :e:

I would be disappointed if you were comfortable with everything I posted.

 

[charvik]

APLT update:

Chelsea +6

Man City -6

Arsenal -10

Liverpool -11

Spurs -13

Everton -15

Man U -15

Any idea where Soton would be if he were tracking them? I would expect close to even.

I was wondering the same thing and went back and looked. I believe they're -2 (tied Hull at home), but they've lost to Liverpool and Tottenham on the road, so it may be -4 (I forget the actual calculation). They still have to play 5 out of the group over their next 8 games, so I don't think we really know how good they are besides for the fact they aren't dropping points they shouldn't.

Yep - I was going to post that they haven't played Chelsea, City, United, Arsenal and Everton but then again they are playing as well as any of those sides except Chelsea. I do think it will be basically impossible to hold on to a top-2 spot. Top-3 will be even be difficult because the assumption is that one of Arsenal, Pool or United will step up at some point. They could fight it out for fourth with the other 2 of that 3 plus Everton and Totts. Will be interesting to see if they spend any of that money they made during the January window. I think they may need a player or two to maintain a CL spot.

Soton is at +/- 0 t the moment, and have played on par with their equivalent matches from last year from an APLT perspective I believe... (ETA: that was after 8 weeks... I am going to check this later tonight)

The SCoRE chart is here: http://i.imgur.com/XyMzeim.png

I'm not completely sold on the APLT, although it's better than most predictors I would suspect and it's an interesting discussion starter. I will say the chart basically aligns with my non-scientific thoughts on it. They are playing well but not really playing tough teams yet. They obviously have a ton of confidence which will help but they need more talent to stay up there.

Yeah, I think I commented on this earlier in the thread. It's not really a predictor as much as an indicator of what has happened. Basically, how each team has performed based on expected results vs a specific opponent, and what is needed from a result perspective to challenge for the title and Euro-spots.

Southampton is indeed +/- 0 on the year.

This is the current table:

Chelsea 6

Southampton 0

Manchester City -6

Arsenal -10

Liverpool -11

Tottenham Hotspur -13

Manchester United -15

Everton -15

 

[AAABatteries]

The most telling thing from that for me is just how bad just about every top team has been except Chelsea. Pretty remarkable.

 

[AAABatteries]

That run of pictures you just posted > your work at :e:

I would be disappointed if you were comfortable with everything I posted.

 

[Sebowski]

The most telling thing from that for me is just how bad just about every top team has been except Chelsea. Pretty remarkable.

Yeah, but they've been bad from top to bottom.

 

[Eephus]

AFCON 2015 is on for January but not in Morocco.

CAF is probably going to boot Morocco from WC 2018 qualifiers as a consequence.

 

[Sinn Fein]

AFCON 2015 is on for January but not in Morocco.

CAF is probably going to boot Morocco from WC 2018 qualifiers as a consequence.

who has stepped up to host?

 

[Eephus]

AFCON 2015 is on for January but not in Morocco.

CAF is probably going to boot Morocco from WC 2018 qualifiers as a consequence.

who has stepped up to host?

It's Africa man. There are forms to fill out and bribes to be made. Everything will happen in due time. There's still two months until the tournament.

 

[Jaysus]

AFCON 2015 is on for January but not in Morocco.

CAF is probably going to boot Morocco from WC 2018 qualifiers as a consequence.

who has stepped up to host?

It's Africa man. There are forms to fill out and bribes to be made. Everything will happen in due time. There's still two months until the tournament.

 

[Eephus]

Who will step in as host? - Nick Cavell, BBC SportGabon, who co-hosted in 2012 with Equatorial Guinea, has been mentioned, but they only have two stadiums available.

Angola hosted in 2010 and have the stadia and the financial ability to host at short notice.

Tunisia hosted in 2004 and has the venues, but recent political turmoil and violence at football matches might count them out.

Algeria is one of seven nations who have said they want to host the 2017 tournament and are the only ones who might be in a position to host earlier.

Nigeria has the stadia after hosting the under-17 World Cup in 2009 and a brand new facility in Akwa-Ibom state. But presidential elections are set for a week after the tournament.

 

[Sammy3469]

Who will step in as host? - Nick Cavell, BBC SportGabon, who co-hosted in 2012 with Equatorial Guinea, has been mentioned, but they only have two stadiums available.

Angola hosted in 2010 and have the stadia and the financial ability to host at short notice.

Tunisia hosted in 2004 and has the venues, but recent political turmoil and violence at football matches might count them out.

Algeria is one of seven nations who have said they want to host the 2017 tournament and are the only ones who might be in a position to host earlier.

Nigeria has the stadia after hosting the under-17 World Cup in 2009 and a brand new facility in Akwa-Ibom state. But presidential elections are set for a week after the tournament.

From the always reliable wiki:

Egypt, Ghana, South Africa and Sudan have all declined to take over as hosts.[21]

 

[Jaysus]

I think it gets canceled

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Qatar could probably host it - northeast Africa.

 

[Jaysus]

MLS Playoff chat:

ProSoccer Talk ranks the remaining 4: link

4. New York Red Bulls

Record vs. NE: 2-0
Record vs. SEA: 1-0
Record vs. LA: 0-1

3. New England Revolution

Record vs. NY: 0-2
Record vs. LA: 0-1
Record vs. SEA: 1-0

2. Seattle Sounders

Record vs. LA: 1-1-1
Record vs. NE: 0-1
Record vs. NY: 0-1

1. Los Angeles Galaxy

Record vs. SEA: 1-1-1
Record vs. NE: 1-0
Record vs. NY: 1-0

It's got to be hard to rank Seattle #2, but the Galaxy are on FIRE right now. I am thinking that an LA NE final is likely.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

MLS Playoff chat:

ProSoccer Talk ranks the remaining 4: link

4. New York Red Bulls

Record vs. NE: 2-0

Record vs. SEA: 1-0

Record vs. LA: 0-1

3. New England Revolution

Record vs. NY: 0-2

Record vs. LA: 0-1

Record vs. SEA: 1-0

2. Seattle Sounders

Record vs. LA: 1-1-1

Record vs. NE: 0-1

Record vs. NY: 0-1

1. Los Angeles Galaxy

Record vs. SEA: 1-1-1

Record vs. NE: 1-0

Record vs. NY: 1-0

It's got to be hard to rank Seattle #2, but the Galaxy are on FIRE right now. I am thinking that an LA NE final is likely.

I think LA is the most talented team in MLS, but before the RSL thrashing two nights ago, they had tied RSL on the road in a game where Pinedo had to stand on his head and had lost the home and home showdown to Seattle for the Supporter's Shield.

The most in-form team in the playoffs right now is probably New England.

 

[El Floppo]

MLS Playoff chat:

ProSoccer Talk ranks the remaining 4: link

4. New York Red Bulls

Record vs. NE: 2-0

Record vs. SEA: 1-0

Record vs. LA: 0-1

3. New England Revolution

Record vs. NY: 0-2

Record vs. LA: 0-1

Record vs. SEA: 1-0

2. Seattle Sounders

Record vs. LA: 1-1-1

Record vs. NE: 0-1

Record vs. NY: 0-1

1. Los Angeles Galaxy

Record vs. SEA: 1-1-1

Record vs. NE: 1-0

Record vs. NY: 1-0

It's got to be hard to rank Seattle #2, but the Galaxy are on FIRE right now. I am thinking that an LA NE final is likely.

I think LA is the most talented team in MLS, but before the RSL thrashing two nights ago, they had tied RSL on the road in a game where Pinedo had to stand on his head and had lost the home and home showdown to Seattle for the Supporter's Shield.

The most in-form team in the playoffs right now is probably New England.

Redbulls are putting some decent stuff together too.

Of course, their form through the season would show they're about to let in 33 goals to NE.

 

[El Floppo]

Qatar could probably host it - northeast Africa.

#######it this.

eta: ####### ****

this place is ####### weird.

 

[The Gator]

Qatar could probably host it - northeast Africa.

#######it this.

eta: ####### ****

this place is ####### weird.

 

[T Bell]

Qatar could probably host it - northeast Africa.

#######it this.

eta: ####### ****

this place is ####### weird.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Moyes named head coach of Real Sociedad.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Moyes named head coach of Real Sociedad.

Did they not realize Tim Sherwood was available, or is he holding out for the Real Madrid job?

 

[Sammy3469]

MLS Playoff chat:

ProSoccer Talk ranks the remaining 4: link

4. New York Red Bulls

Record vs. NE: 2-0

Record vs. SEA: 1-0

Record vs. LA: 0-1

3. New England Revolution

Record vs. NY: 0-2

Record vs. LA: 0-1

Record vs. SEA: 1-0

2. Seattle Sounders

Record vs. LA: 1-1-1

Record vs. NE: 0-1

Record vs. NY: 0-1

1. Los Angeles Galaxy

Record vs. SEA: 1-1-1

Record vs. NE: 1-0

Record vs. NY: 1-0

It's got to be hard to rank Seattle #2, but the Galaxy are on FIRE right now. I am thinking that an LA NE final is likely.

I think LA is the most talented team in MLS, but before the RSL thrashing two nights ago, they had tied RSL on the road in a game where Pinedo had to stand on his head and had lost the home and home showdown to Seattle for the Supporter's Shield.

The most in-form team in the playoffs right now is probably New England.

Redbulls are putting some decent stuff together too.

Of course, their form through the season would show they're about to let in 33 goals to NE.

I fully expect another red-cardable flying dropkick by the replacement LB.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Moyes named head coach of Real Sociedad.

Moyes fuera!

 

[El Floppo]

MLS Playoff chat:

ProSoccer Talk ranks the remaining 4: link

4. New York Red Bulls

Record vs. NE: 2-0

Record vs. SEA: 1-0

Record vs. LA: 0-1

3. New England Revolution

Record vs. NY: 0-2

Record vs. LA: 0-1

Record vs. SEA: 1-0

2. Seattle Sounders

Record vs. LA: 1-1-1

Record vs. NE: 0-1

Record vs. NY: 0-1

1. Los Angeles Galaxy

Record vs. SEA: 1-1-1

Record vs. NE: 1-0

Record vs. NY: 1-0

It's got to be hard to rank Seattle #2, but the Galaxy are on FIRE right now. I am thinking that an LA NE final is likely.

I think LA is the most talented team in MLS, but before the RSL thrashing two nights ago, they had tied RSL on the road in a game where Pinedo had to stand on his head and had lost the home and home showdown to Seattle for the Supporter's Shield.

The most in-form team in the playoffs right now is probably New England.

Redbulls are putting some decent stuff together too.

Of course, their form through the season would show they're about to let in 33 goals to NE.

I fully expect another red-cardable flying dropkick by the replacement LB.

that Miller high boot was pretty... crazy. CONCACAFFY

iirc, wasn't there another similar high foot by DC that only drew yellow, or just a foul?

 

[Sammy3469]

MLS Playoff chat:

ProSoccer Talk ranks the remaining 4: link

4. New York Red Bulls

Record vs. NE: 2-0

Record vs. SEA: 1-0

Record vs. LA: 0-1

3. New England Revolution

Record vs. NY: 0-2

Record vs. LA: 0-1

Record vs. SEA: 1-0

2. Seattle Sounders

Record vs. LA: 1-1-1

Record vs. NE: 0-1

Record vs. NY: 0-1

1. Los Angeles Galaxy

Record vs. SEA: 1-1-1

Record vs. NE: 1-0

Record vs. NY: 1-0

It's got to be hard to rank Seattle #2, but the Galaxy are on FIRE right now. I am thinking that an LA NE final is likely.

I think LA is the most talented team in MLS, but before the RSL thrashing two nights ago, they had tied RSL on the road in a game where Pinedo had to stand on his head and had lost the home and home showdown to Seattle for the Supporter's Shield.

The most in-form team in the playoffs right now is probably New England.

Redbulls are putting some decent stuff together too.

Of course, their form through the season would show they're about to let in 33 goals to NE.

I fully expect another red-cardable flying dropkick by the replacement LB.

that Miller high boot was pretty... crazy. CONCACAFFY

iirc, wasn't there another similar high foot by DC that only drew yellow, or just a foul?

I didn't see that one...I just saw basically from minute 55 to 80...otherwise known as the amount of time Sammyinho can stand looking for goalkeepers.

 

[Eephus]

Moyes named head coach of Real Sociedad.

Moyes fuera!

You misspelled funeral

 

[Tom Hagen]

Moyes named head coach of Real Sociedad.

And managers all over La Liga work on defending crosses

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Yeah.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/nov/12/fifa-ethics-report-no-smoking-gun-qatar-2022

 

[Sinn Fein]

Russia, which won the right to stage the 2018 tournament, is understood to be criticised for its failure to co-operate with the investigation and is believed to have claimed that its computer systems were wiped in the wake of its victory so few email trails exist.

this is just FIFA saying we give zero ####s what anyone thinks about us, we will always go with the bid paying us the most money.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Qatar has been cleared

Now we just need to have the tournament during the summer in the middle of the day as FIFA voters intended.

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

I appoint Sebowski head of the official FBG Qatar 2022 travel contingent.

-QG

 

[The Z Machine]

Michael Garcia just dropped bombs on fífa. Claims the released report was faciaelly incorrect.

Guess the bribes didn't make it to him...

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

“Today’s decision by the Chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber contains numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations of the facts and conclusions detailed in the Investigatory Chamber’s report,” said Garcia, who has spent 18 months gathering evidence from the nine bidding nations and interviewed more than 75 witnesses.

He said that he would now appeal himself to the Fifa ethics committee. The incendiary intervention lays bare the tension at the heart of Fifa’s two chamber ethics committee.

Looking forward to reading the full report. Sooner or later someone will get their hands on it.

 

[Sammy3469]

[seppBlatter] NOTHING TO SEE HERE....IT'S ALL ENGLAND'S FAULT! [/seppBlatter]