Ultimate Football (Soccer) Thread (2013-2014)

[Eastfield Lodge]

http://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/22mhb3/if_the_premier_league_had_a_worst_player_of_the/

Beautiful.

Go to sleep Jozy.

He can't, he'd miss the bed.

I think I died laughing.

[KoloToure]

Some fucking mental scorelines in the Europa League tonight. I can't believe Valencia and Sevilla got through in that manner.

[Auremena]

Some fucking mental scorelines in the Europa League tonight. I can't believe Valencia and Sevilla got through in that manner.

I was saddened by a 2-0 away win at Betis for Sevilla, and then going ahead 5-4 on penalties. I was hoping Betis would make it past the round of 16, despite their disappointing domestic form. But yeah, crazy. Would have liked to see Basel go through, but away and two men down, that 3-0 advantage they held didn't help much.

[KoloToure]

Some fucking mental scorelines in the Europa League tonight. I can't believe Valencia and Sevilla got through in that manner.

I was saddened by a 2-0 away win at Betis for Sevilla, and then going ahead 5-4 on penalties. I was hoping Betis would make it past the round of 16, despite their disappointing domestic form. But yeah, crazy. Would have liked to see Basel go through, but away and two men down, that 3-0 advantage they held didn't help much.

My brother was in Sevilla at the time of the first leg of the Betis tie, and he said the whole city was ecstatic that Betis had won because none of the locals liked Sevilla

[Auremena]

I was saddened by a 2-0 away win at Betis for Sevilla, and then going ahead 5-4 on penalties. I was hoping Betis would make it past the round of 16, despite their disappointing domestic form. But yeah, crazy. Would have liked to see Basel go through, but away and two men down, that 3-0 advantage they held didn't help much.

My brother was in Sevilla at the time of the first leg of the Betis tie, and he said the whole city was ecstatic that Betis had won because none of the locals liked Sevilla

A friend of mine prefers Barcelona, but spent a summer abroad in Seville, so he became enamoured with Betis.
So sad, they look like they're going down, with very little chance of coming back up.
I also hope Racing de Santander gets their finances together, I'd like them to come back up to at least the second division. And if I had money, I'd buy a share of Eibar, so they could achieve promotion if they are able to obtain it.
EDIT: Not only is Eibar in 2nd place, 2 points behind A Coruña, they have the highest goal differential (17) in the league, only two clubs have a GD over 5 (A Coruña (12) and Gijon (8)) so, barring a catastrophic fuckup, promotion would seem certain, if not for their economic stability.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Seattle Sounders striker Clint Dempsey is the the highest-paid player in MLS at $6.695 million in guaranteed compensation this season, more money than the total player payrolls of 15 of the 19 MLS clubs.

Well now.

Some fucking mental scorelines in the Europa League tonight. I can't believe Valencia and Sevilla got through in that manner.

I feel bad for Basel. I've come to like them in recent years.

Yep, you're right. Why do I keep thinking Herrera managed Juve? I've made that mistake so many times. You'd think I'd remember by now.
Speaking of tactics:
Will fans of tiki-taka explain what they find appealing about it? It seems that there are a lot of people who adore Barcelona - why?

If done right, with the right players, it dictates the tempo of the game, controls possession. I was really surprised with the Neymar buy, because he doesn't really fit that bill. He's always been a direct attacker. As of late, they've had trouble executing, in my opinion, because they turned the 4-6-0 (more like a 4-4-2 diamond, but with wingers rather than central forwards) into a very weird 4-4-1-1 by attempting to put Iniesta up on the wing, where he used to play, but doesn't really belong.

I understand how it can be highly effective and a great tactic for certain squads, but what I don't understand is why people like it so much (well, beyond it being a winning formula for certain teams). It's just so... I don't know... unappealing?

[Bundabunda]

Pfft, right, cos Chelsea will sell to Spurs.

Ain't happening.[/quote[

Erm...I was talking about Everton. I don't know whether or not their financial structure will allow it though.

Also, in response to the talk of Napoli and Roma above I would just like to say Forza Sampdoria - a following that starts when an impressionable youngster watches Football Italia on Channel Four as a child back when Serie A was the best, and decided to like the team with the best kit. Turns out they were quite good at the time, too.

I really need to follow more Serie A. The thing stopping me from watching is how slowly paced Juve, the Milan clubs and even to a degree Roma play. It's not really the same as the Bundesliga, but haven't found a club yet.

[Osarius]

The thing stopping me from watching is how slowly paced Juve, the Milan clubs and even to a degree Roma play.

I would suggest that this is more likely a symptom of you being used to seeing a stupidly high tempo, rather than their game actually being slow.

[KoloToure]

My brother was in Sevilla at the time of the first leg of the Betis tie, and he said the whole city was ecstatic that Betis had won because none of the locals liked Sevilla

A friend of mine prefers Barcelona, but spent a summer abroad in Seville, so he became enamoured with Betis.
So sad, they look like they're going down, with very little chance of coming back up.
I also hope Racing de Santander gets their finances together, I'd like them to come back up to at least the second division. And if I had money, I'd buy a share of Eibar, so they could achieve promotion if they are able to obtain it.
EDIT: Not only is Eibar in 2nd place, 2 points behind A Coruña, they have the highest goal differential (17) in the league, only two clubs have a GD over 5 (A Coruña (12) and Gijon (8)) so, barring a catastrophic fuckup, promotion would seem certain, if not for their economic stability.

Their economic stability is fine, its the rest of the league's instability thats fucking them over.

[Osarius]

This is why I hate Villa fans.

[KoloToure]

This is why I hate Villa fans.

I thought Lambert was actually doing quite well considering the make up of your squad at present.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

This is why I hate Villa fans.

I thought Lambert was actually doing quite well considering the make up of your squad at present.

If this poll from February is reflective of anything, ~62% of Villa supporters wanted Lambert to get the boot (either immediately or at the end of the season). I just don't get it. Why are people so quick to call for sackings? I mean, in the case of incompetence or losing the dressing room, sure, I understand. But poor runs of form are rarely down to just the manager...

Osarius, I have a friend who wants Brian Little back. Is that a common sentiment? I mean, the guy hasn't done much at all lately, managing such mighty giants as Tranmere, Wrexham, and Gainsborough...

Also, is calling Lambert "Clownbert" really a thing...?

[Shove Piggy Shove]

I thought Lambert was actually doing quite well considering the make up of your squad at present.

If this poll from February is reflective of anything, ~62% of Villa supporters wanted Lambert to get the boot (either immediately or at the end of the season). I just don't get it. Why are people so quick to call for sackings? I mean, in the case of incompetence or losing the dressing room, sure, I understand. But poor runs of form are rarely down to just the manager...

Osarius, I have a friend who wants Brian Little back. Is that a common sentiment? I mean, the guy hasn't done much at all lately, managing such mighty giants as Tranmere, Wrexham, and Gainsborough...

Also, is calling Lambert "Clownbert" really a thing...?

If it is, it shouldn't be - Lamberk rolls of the tongue much better.

[Polar Islandstates]

Clown Bert actually sounds like he'd be an agreeable sort of chap.

[KoloToure]

Clown Bert actually sounds like he'd be an agreeable sort of chap.

I bet it's LG's real name.

[Osarius]

Osarius, I have a friend who wants Brian Little back. Is that a common sentiment?

Not one I've heard much. But I have heard people suggesting Alan Curbishley would be a good choice, so it doesn't surprise me. In fairness, I liked Brian Little. And he is the last guy to win a trophy with us. Don't see why we want him back now though. In fact, I don't see any realistic option that would be an upgrade on Lambert, personally. If I HAD to bring back a former boss, John Gregory tops my list. Then Brian Little.

But yeah. I can't stand this extreme negativity. I acknowledge that we're not doing well, and there is still a chance we go down this year, but I think there are factors beyond the manager's control (injuries, ffs) and Lerner's decision to spend less is the RIGHT thing. The old method was not sustainable. In fact, the old method is the reason we're struggling today. Nobody wants to hear that, though.

Everyone misses the O'Neill days, completely ignoring that he had the EXACT same flaws they criticise in Lambert (one dimensional tactics, shit transfers, poor squad usage) and the only reason he's not also overseeing a Europa League charge is money. Of course, the solution to that is to kick out the guy who bankrolled the most successful period we've had in almost twenty years to the tune of about 100m in loans. Great plan.

[KoloToure]

Osarius, I have a friend who wants Brian Little back. Is that a common sentiment?

Not one I've heard much. But I have heard people suggesting Alan Curbishley would be a good choice, so it doesn't surprise me. In fairness, I liked Brian Little. And he is the last guy to win a trophy with us. Don't see why we want him back now though. In fact, I don't see any realistic option that would be an upgrade on Lambert, personally. If I HAD to bring back a former boss, John Gregory tops my list. Then Brian Little.

But yeah. I can't stand this extreme negativity. I acknowledge that we're not doing well, and there is still a chance we go down this year, but I think there are factors beyond the manager's control (injuries, ffs) and Lerner's decision to spend less is the RIGHT thing. The old method was not sustainable. In fact, the old method is the reason we're struggling today. Nobody wants to hear that, though.

Everyone misses the O'Neill days, completely ignoring that he had the EXACT same flaws they criticise in Lambert (one dimensional tactics, shit transfers, poor squad usage) and the only reason he's not also overseeing a Europa League charge is money. Of course, the solution to that is to kick out the guy who bankrolled the most successful period we've had in almost twenty years to the tune of about 100m in loans. Great plan.

Curbishley? FFS. You don't need a dinosaur who hasn't had a job in 6 years.*

Lambert is young and still learning his trade. The game needs more young managers, otherwise we're going to end up with loads of 60 year olds.

*Curbishley managed Charlton for 15 years? Shiiiiiiiiet.

[Valanora]

I know I am a little late to the question, but over here in San Antonio, I don't see a lot of EPL kits (I have my own United one GGMU!!!), but when I do they are usually Chelsea or Liverpool, however I see a ton of Barca and Real Madrid kits.

[KoloToure]

I know I am a little late to the question, but over here in San Antonio, I don't see a lot of EPL kits (I have my own United one GGMU!!!), but when I do they are usually Chelsea or Liverpool, however I see a ton of Barca and Real Madrid kits.

Question?

[Valanora]

A little while back someone asked or suggested that most Americans were United fans. That is not the case, at least as far as I have seen it.

[Auremena]

A friend of mine prefers Barcelona, but spent a summer abroad in Seville, so he became enamoured with Betis.
So sad, they look like they're going down, with very little chance of coming back up.
I also hope Racing de Santander gets their finances together, I'd like them to come back up to at least the second division. And if I had money, I'd buy a share of Eibar, so they could achieve promotion if they are able to obtain it.
EDIT: Not only is Eibar in 2nd place, 2 points behind A Coruña, they have the highest goal differential (17) in the league, only two clubs have a GD over 5 (A Coruña (12) and Gijon (8)) so, barring a catastrophic fuckup, promotion would seem certain, if not for their economic stability.

Their economic stability is fine, its the rest of the league's instability thats fucking them over.

Exactly.

[Evil Lord Sauron]

I thought Lambert was actually doing quite well considering the make up of your squad at present.

If this poll from February is reflective of anything, ~62% of Villa supporters wanted Lambert to get the boot (either immediately or at the end of the season). I just don't get it. Why are people so quick to call for sackings? I mean, in the case of incompetence or losing the dressing room, sure, I understand. But poor runs of form are rarely down to just the manager...

Osarius, I have a friend who wants Brian Little back. Is that a common sentiment? I mean, the guy hasn't done much at all lately, managing such mighty giants as Tranmere, Wrexham, and Gainsborough...

Also, is calling Lambert "Clownbert" really a thing...?

Brian Little is absolutely hated here at Wrexham. He is the worst manager in our history having been responsible for shipping off our best youth academy players for nothing and seeing us relegated out of the football league.

[Evil Lord Sauron]

I still don't get why we're playing Azerbaijan as one of the three WC warm-up friendlies. Turkey and Nigeria absolutely make sense. But Azerbaijan? It seems sorta like the Azeris just want a nice summer holiday to California

I mean, I guess I understand the need to get one last look at the peripheral squad players that could make the cut down to the 23 man roster, but surely there are better teams that have that day available that would let Klinsi get a better feel for the players than Azerbaijan will?

If it were the last match of the pre-WC friendlies, I could understand why. We have our last match against Wales. It's more of a goodbye match against a lesser team (even with Bale) than an actual match to test players for.

Hey! If we get Ramsey fit and Joe Allen along with Bale we might be slightly competitive. Shame Sam Vokes is injured at the minute he was hitting some form.

[Bundabunda]

I know I am a little late to the question, but over here in San Antonio, I don't see a lot of EPL kits (I have my own United one GGMU!!!), but when I do they are usually Chelsea or Liverpool, however I see a ton of Barca and Real Madrid kits.

Dallas seems huge with PL. Texas in general seems to love Liverpool, particularly Dallas. I have no idea how that came to be.

I've actually seen someone with a Borussia Dortmund shirt on. It was a bit strange, considering he only followed them in CL and almost nothing else. My Eriksen jersey should be coming in any day now.

[Auremena]

I know I am a little late to the question, but over here in San Antonio, I don't see a lot of EPL kits (I have my own United one GGMU!!!), but when I do they are usually Chelsea or Liverpool, however I see a ton of Barca and Real Madrid kits.

Dallas seems huge with PL. Texas in general seems to love Liverpool, particularly Dallas. I have no idea how that came to be.

I've actually seen someone with a Borussia Dortmund shirt on. It was a bit strange, considering he only followed them in CL and almost nothing else. My Eriksen jersey should be coming in any day now.

I see mostly United and Arsenal, along with some Chelsea and Liga MX. I saw Cruz Azul the other day.

I may have to borrow a Real Madrid shirt for the match vs United at UM Stadium, if I can get tickets.