man if I can get another 3pts on the kids this weekend, my wife is gonna hate me.
I believe it goes back to the 50's when a vote was taken with one of the supporter groups for a new nickname and Hornets was chosen. Here is what the crest looked like thenNever understood why they are known as the Hornets, even though their crest is a picture of an elk or whatever. Is it because of the horns on the elk?
You're trying to mess with me.Slapdash said:Roma has a shot of coming out of that group. Chelsea's depth is concerning right now, so squad rotation will be hard for the CL. Not sure Atletico will maintain last year's level either. That will be a fun one to watch.
Mamadou Sakho is still on the outs with the Kloppster. Crap could still happen. But Saints have signed two CBs in recent weeks.Eephus said:Leaves them more time to focus on the VvD saga
I would expect AtM is the group favorite, Rona and CFC somewhat lower but roughly equal chances to advance.You're trying to mess with me.
Atlético has been group stage winners for 4 years running with 18 wins in 24 group stage games. During that run they exited with 2 finals, a semi, and a quarter exit during that time. Every time losing to Real.
Now the draw is a tough one for my boys. Chelsea has had more European success lately than any other epl team. Roma has quality and challenged last year in Italy (although losing Salah and Totti-god won't help). Travel to Azerbaijan ain't a cake walk and could take it's toll domestically. I haven't looked at the schedule, but I hope the la liga game right after the trip there isn't a tough one.
Messing with you? The transfer ban makes the next few months more difficult. I didn't think that was a controversial view.You're trying to mess with me.
Atlético has been group stage winners for 4 years running with 18 wins in 24 group stage games. During that run they exited with 2 finals, a semi, and a quarter exit during that time. Every time losing to Real.
Now the draw is a tough one for my boys. Chelsea has had more European success lately than any other epl team. Roma has quality and challenged last year in Italy (although losing Salah and Totti-god won't help). Travel to Azerbaijan ain't a cake walk and could take it's toll domestically. I haven't looked at the schedule, but I hope the la liga game right after the trip there isn't a tough one.
Absolutely. Few, if any, coaches are as adept at acquiring young talent and developing them within a system. Selling players who are "tired of running" like Arda at the right time is important too.I think everyone keeps expecting Simeone to finally burn those players out. Hasn't really happened though. In some ways, the turnover at AM might help a bit because I don't think anyone could keep 11 players willing to run through walls for 4 to 5 years.
Oh, it makes things more difficult, certainly. However, no one abandoned ship though this summer, not Simeone, Greizmann, or Oblak, who are the three most important components of the team. The entire squad is returning, and they don't have to incorporate any new players to the system. Furthermore, Carrasco, Saul, and Correa have another year of development and training under Simeone, which can only help them.Messing with you? The transfer ban makes the next few months more difficult. I didn't think that was a controversial view.
holy hell- I thought he had retired internationally. pretty amazing- for him especially, but also for the The MLS.I have nothing but joy that David Villa is selected over Costa for Spain.
It is such a testament to the guys effort and quality. He gives everything he has every game and it really shows. Cool to see it is being noticed. And also shows Spain still has troubles developing striker depth.holy hell- I thought he had retired internationally. pretty amazing- for him especially, but also for the The MLS.
but atom ant can't get a sniff.It is such a testament to the guys effort and quality. He gives everything he has every game and it really shows. Cool to see it is being noticed. And also shows Spain still has troubles developing striker depth.holy hell- I thought he had retired internationally. pretty amazing- for him especially, but also for the The MLS.
Not that as a US fan I can point fingers. We have exactly two creative players. One is 34 who by all rights should be retired and one is 18 who up until fairly recently would have been in college.
Edited 2 minutes ago by NewlyRetired
That was nowhere near my intentThe thing I most take issue with in your original statement was the "last year" portion, as if their success and play were a single season blip as opposed to 5 years of hard nosed football, especially in European knockout competitions.
Goodness, I think this kid has been playing lights out.It looks like a 26 man squad for Spain so I guess there is still a chance he does not make a roster. I noticed Alonso from Chelsea was not picked.
yeah, that kind of sucks. I would not go as far to say he should start for Italy, but having him come in the 60th minute with his form would be incredible. And there is no one close to him in Italy in terms of free kicks.but atom ant can't get a sniff.
it shocked me a bit, here is what the Spanish coached saidGoodness, I think this kid has been playing lights out.
All my likes. over Nainggolan is an abomination.On noticeable NT absences...Roberto Martinez has once again left Nainggolan off the Belgium squad, even choosing over him. No rational explanation other than personal vendetta. Radja has to be considered one the 10 best MFs in Europe. Roberto...you, sir, are a dickwad.
coaches love the fro. I used to be a genuine fan before his united switch- seemed a decent two-way guy with good vision and foot skills. lately- well. he must be doing something in training that turns every coach's crank... it's uncanny.On noticeable NT absences...Roberto Martinez has once again left Nainggolan off the Belgium squad, even choosing over him. No rational explanation other than personal vendetta. Radja has to be considered one the 10 best MFs in Europe. Roberto...you, sir, are a dickwad.
His go-to response is usually Radja's penchant for the occasional cigarette. God forbid.All my likes. over Nainggolan is an abomination.
I would substitute the term "turns" for another...coaches love the fro. I used to be a genuine fan before his united switch- seemed a decent two-way guy with good vision and foot skills. lately- well. he must be doing something in training that turns every coach's crank... it's uncanny.
Great news. Meanwhile, Martinez inexplicably included Eden Hazard, who has a broken freakin ankle. Sure, he's playing a warm up today with the Chelsea U23s, but with a broken ankle!It looks like a 26 man squad for Spain so I guess there is still a chance he does not make a roster. I noticed Alonso from Chelsea was not picked.
At least he doesn't smoke...Great news. Meanwhile, Martinez inexplicably included Eden Hazard, who has a broken freakin ankle. Sure, he's playing a warm up today with the Chelsea U23s, but with a broken ankle!
Maybe he just accidently grabbed the wrong Hazard.Great news. Meanwhile, Martinez inexplicably included Eden Hazard, who has a broken freakin ankle. Sure, he's playing a warm up today with the Chelsea U23s, but with a broken ankle!
I would be a seriously big **** move to call him into the 26 and not at least put him in the 23. I seriously doubt he plays against Italy, but there are 30 minutes in the Liechtenstein match that are screaming his name.It looks like a 26 man squad for Spain so I guess there is still a chance he does not make a roster. I noticed Alonso from Chelsea was not picked.
He called up two Hazards, two Lukakus, but only one Dembele.Maybe he just accidently grabbed the wrong Hazard.
Another MLSer in Ciman there. Herrera called called up for Venezuela and Ring for Finland as well.He called up two Hazards, two Lukakus, but only one Dembele.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIETx9uXgAALaJE.jpg
I mentioned this in the US thread, in recent years over sizing qualification rosters has become the norm. They do have to cut down to 23 though.Martinez also called up four goalies, which seems a little odd. Do they cut the squad down before the matches?
so you could say... the lukakus of hazards?He called up two Hazards, two Lukakus, but only one Dembele.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIETx9uXgAALaJE.jpg
and again Giovinco has to be saying WTF seeing plenty of other MLSers getting called.Another MLSer in Ciman there. Herrera called called up for Venezuela and Ring for Finland as well.
Even better, he actually called up Vermaelan too!!Martinez also called up four goalies, which seems a little odd. Do they cut the squad down before the matches?
FinallyDembele to Barca is now official.
Barcelona have taken a lot of heat over the past month, but this is an incredible signing. Obviously Dembele is a bit raw, but I think he's the best Neymar replacement that's out there. Great job wrapping that up.
I can't believe I am in the position to say 105m seems much more reasonable....Jesus are these amounts insane.Base purchase price is €105mm vs the €120mm reported yesterday...
Rennes net 25 per cent of Dembele fee, smashing their transfer record without selling a player. Be some party tonight.