Ultimate Football (Soccer) Thread (2013-2014)

[KoloToure]

How the hell are Birmingham and Blackpool doing so badly?

Small Heath because they're shit. Blackpool because no Olly.

Seemplez.

That and the fact they've racked up 13 red cards this year, mostly when Ince was feeding them crack.

[Polar Islandstates]

That's it then, I reckon we've just seen the demise of Man United as a top challenger. Lol.

...one of us, one of us, one of us, one of us....

[Neu Leonstein]

They'll go with an experienced manager. Inexperience cost them dearly this year.

Hadn't Moyes been an EPL manager for 11 years before he came to ManU?

[The Blaatschapen]

They'll go with an experienced manager. Inexperience cost them dearly this year.

Hadn't Moyes been an EPL manager for 11 years before he came to ManU?

I think experience with leading a European top club.

[Equestrian States]

They'll go with an experienced manager. Inexperience cost them dearly this year.

Hadn't Moyes been an EPL manager for 11 years before he came to ManU?

Yeah. He did very well for us at Everton, so I wouldn't call him inexperienced. Whoever they brought in to replace Fergie was going to do poorly this year, IMO, and firing Moyes now hardly solves all Man Utd's problems.

[Auremena]

Hadn't Moyes been an EPL manager for 11 years before he came to ManU?

Yeah. He did very well for us at Everton, so I wouldn't call him inexperienced. Whoever they brought in to replace Fergie was going to do poorly this year, IMO, and firing Moyes now hardly solves all Man Utd's problems.

As I mentioned earlier.
Firing Moyes isn't going to solve anything. After having someone in for so long like Sir Alex, there's certain to be a readjustment period. And Moyes did very well in Europe as well. No one expected them to draw Bayern, or even score a goal against them.

[Britcan]

Any thoughts on the nominees for the Player of the Year awards?

Steven Gerrard, Eden Hazard, Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez, Yaya Toure

Ross Barkley, Eden Hazard, Aaron Ramsey, Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge

Personally, I think Suarez is also guaranteed to get the Player of the Year award and he would certainly deserve it. The Young Player of the Year awards seem a bit more open. I think Hazard may end up with it, but any of them would be a worthy recipient.

[Osarius]

Small Heath because they're shit. Blackpool because no Olly.

Seemplez.

That and the fact they've racked up 13 red cards this year, mostly when Ince was feeding them crack.

Yeah but he has awesome tactics, though.

Yeah. He did very well for us at Everton, so I wouldn't call him inexperienced. Whoever they brought in to replace Fergie was going to do poorly this year, IMO, and firing Moyes now hardly solves all Man Utd's problems.

Been saying this since before the #MoyesOut brigade even got warmed up.

[Auremena]

Any thoughts on the nominees for the Player of the Year awards?

Steven Gerrard, Eden Hazard, Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez, Yaya Toure

Ross Barkley, Eden Hazard, Aaron Ramsey, Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge

Personally, I think Suarez is also guaranteed to get the Player of the Year award and he would certainly deserve it. The Young Player of the Year awards seem a bit more open. I think Hazard may end up with it, but any of them would be a worthy recipient.

Nah, I think it should be between Shaw, Sterling, and Barkley, also considering they are all under 20 and absolutely fantastic.

In other news, finished up my Spurs FIFA career tonight, here's the result from the second to last game of the season (I trailed 80 points to City's 82 but had a game in hand, the next round I beat VIlla 2-1 and City draws.) so Spurs take the league and the Europa League.
Interestingly, Rooney started hating Moyes in the first transfer window, so I coughed up all 24 million pounds I had and made a bid, which Moyes accepted. January transfer window, PSG offers 62 million pounds, so I have no choice but to accept. I buy Sanchez and a CB with the money, as well as sign a bunch of players on free transfers, and have a lot left.
It was kinda funny that neither Rooney nor Cavani made apperances in the Europa League semifinals I played in.

[Britcan]

Any thoughts on the nominees for the Player of the Year awards?

Steven Gerrard, Eden Hazard, Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez, Yaya Toure

Ross Barkley, Eden Hazard, Aaron Ramsey, Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge

Personally, I think Suarez is also guaranteed to get the Player of the Year award and he would certainly deserve it. The Young Player of the Year awards seem a bit more open. I think Hazard may end up with it, but any of them would be a worthy recipient.

Nah, I think it should be between Shaw, Sterling, and Barkley, also considering they are all under 20 and absolutely fantastic.

I would definitely support lowering the age limit of the award to 20 as I don't really see Hazard as a young player, same with Bale last season. However, for now Hazard, Ramsey and Sturridge are eligible. Although, I'd quite like to see Shaw get the award as he's a great player who doesn't get nearly enough praise.

[Auremena]

great player who doesn't get nearly enough praise.

As do most defenders. It's always the strikers who get the most attention because they're the ones scoring the goals. The ones stopping the goals never get attention.
Also, Shaw wasn't on anybody's radar last year, while Barkley and Sterling were known about and were doing kinda the same thing last year. Not quite as good as this year, but Shaw was a youth player last year, IIRC. The others were on the first team and sometimes even starting.

[Britcan]

great player who doesn't get nearly enough praise.

As do most defenders. It's always the strikers who get the most attention because they're the ones scoring the goals. The ones stopping the goals never get attention.
Also, Shaw wasn't on anybody's radar last year, while Barkley and Sterling were known about and were doing kinda the same thing last year. Not quite as good as this year, but Shaw was a youth player last year, IIRC. The others were on the first team and sometimes even starting.

I realise that defenders tend to get very little praise, but it still annoys me. Personally, I think Shaw should certainly be considered for the Brazil squad over Ashley Cole but people don't seem to be discussing that.

Shaw wasn't a youth player last year, although he admittedly hadn't fully secured his place in the squad. I'm pretty sure he 25 or so appearances in the league which is pretty decent. Barkley, on the other hand, was out on loan while Sterling only got a bit more playing time.

[Auremena]

As do most defenders. It's always the strikers who get the most attention because they're the ones scoring the goals. The ones stopping the goals never get attention.
Also, Shaw wasn't on anybody's radar last year, while Barkley and Sterling were known about and were doing kinda the same thing last year. Not quite as good as this year, but Shaw was a youth player last year, IIRC. The others were on the first team and sometimes even starting.

I realise that defenders tend to get very little praise, but it still annoys me. Personally, I think Shaw should certainly be considered for the Brazil squad over Ashley Cole but people don't seem to be discussing that.

Shaw wasn't a youth player last year, although he admittedly hadn't fully secured his place in the squad. I'm pretty sure he 25 or so appearances in the league which is pretty decent. Barkley, on the other hand, was out on loan while Sterling only got a bit more playing time.

Cole has done nothing because he's been superseded by a right back. But I think you're right, to a point. I think Cole's time for England is done, but Shaw is only 18, he has no clue what these big competitions are even like as a player, and IIRC hasn't even capped for the senior team yet. If I was Roy, I'd for sure give both sides of the argument some thought, as I'm sure he has.
Well I had never heard of his name last year, but I had heard of Barkley and Sterling. That could be because Southampton is, or at least was, a lesser Premier League team. I think the Big 5 has to be expanded up to Big 8 at least, possibly more, those vying year in and year out for a European spot. Southampton and Everton are growing, and, at least at the beginning of the season, Newcastle looked good too. So pretty much the whole top half of the table is filled with teams that could have a good time playing in Europe.

[KoloToure]

Well I had never heard of his name last year, but I had heard of Barkley and Sterling. That could be because Southampton is, or at least was, a lesser Premier League team. I think the Big 5 has to be expanded up to Big 8 at least, possibly more, those vying year in and year out for a European spot. Southampton and Everton are growing, and, at least at the beginning of the season, Newcastle looked good too. So pretty much the whole top half of the table is filled with teams that could have a good time playing in Europe.

No disrespect here, but I think that could be to do with your geographical location? Shaw was certainly highly spoken off in the UK last year, and reasonably well known.

That and the fact they've racked up 13 red cards this year, mostly when Ince was feeding them crack.

Yeah but he has awesome tactics, though.

I love that video, I really do.

Their most carded player is a young Liverpool loanee called Jack Robinson. He had every chance of being a phenomenal LB, but Ince has ruined the kid. His discipline is out the window, he lost his attacking verve earlier in the year and his defending has also suffered. Sigh. Would have saved us buying 2 new LBs in the summer when we junk Enrique.

Do Villa want a LB? £2 million, any takers.

Yeah. He did very well for us at Everton, so I wouldn't call him inexperienced. Whoever they brought in to replace Fergie was going to do poorly this year, IMO, and firing Moyes now hardly solves all Man Utd's problems.

Been saying this since before the #MoyesOut brigade even got warmed up.

He was the stool pigeon.

He might have done a good job, but he sacked Meulensteen and Phelan straight away - I think that was his biggest error. Now I know managers want to make their own impression on a team, etc. etc., but surely you keep around two of the best coaches in the country until you've settled in?

[Auremena]

Well I had never heard of his name last year, but I had heard of Barkley and Sterling. That could be because Southampton is, or at least was, a lesser Premier League team. I think the Big 5 has to be expanded up to Big 8 at least, possibly more, those vying year in and year out for a European spot. Southampton and Everton are growing, and, at least at the beginning of the season, Newcastle looked good too. So pretty much the whole top half of the table is filled with teams that could have a good time playing in Europe.

No disrespect here, but I think that could be to do with your geographical location? Shaw was certainly highly spoken off in the UK last year, and reasonably well known.

Probably, I rarely get any news outside of Arsenal, United, City, Chelsea, and occasionally Liverpoool, Spurs, and very, very rarely, Everton on this side of the pond.This season I've been digging a lot more, trying to find sites to watch games rather than the two or three they show over here. They've increased to 3 on Saturdays, 2 on Sundays, and covering most weekday matches now, so I get more, but I still rely on the internet mostly to watch most games, as mostly what's shown is once again, the big London, Manchester, and Liverpool teams. I rarely get to watch West Ham or Villa via cable, fortunately I've got HDMI on my computer. I've watched up to four matches simultaneously before, it's kinda funny. Have to turn the sound off of three though, so I can at least hear one.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Well I had never heard of his name last year, but I had heard of Barkley and Sterling. That could be because Southampton is, or at least was, a lesser Premier League team. I think the Big 5 has to be expanded up to Big 8 at least, possibly more, those vying year in and year out for a European spot. Southampton and Everton are growing, and, at least at the beginning of the season, Newcastle looked good too. So pretty much the whole top half of the table is filled with teams that could have a good time playing in Europe.

No disrespect here, but I think that could be to do with your geographical location? Shaw was certainly highly spoken off in the UK last year, and reasonably well known.

A lot of US blogs and websites rated Shaw very highly, but the TV soccer coverage has always lagged, so he didn't get much airtime. Basically he was loved online, ignored on air, which was a tremendous shame.

[Evil Lord Sauron]

No disrespect here, but I think that could be to do with your geographical location? Shaw was certainly highly spoken off in the UK last year, and reasonably well known.

Probably, I rarely get any news outside of Arsenal, United, City, Chelsea, and occasionally Liverpoool, Spurs, and very, very rarely, Everton on this side of the pond.This season I've been digging a lot more, trying to find sites to watch games rather than the two or three they show over here. They've increased to 3 on Saturdays, 2 on Sundays, and covering most weekday matches now, so I get more, but I still rely on the internet mostly to watch most games, as mostly what's shown is once again, the big London, Manchester, and Liverpool teams. I rarely get to watch West Ham or Villa via cable, fortunately I've got HDMI on my computer. I've watched up to four matches simultaneously before, it's kinda funny. Have to turn the sound off of three though, so I can at least hear one.

You should try to find highlight packages like Match of the Day (BBC Brit thing) as not only do they show all the games at least the highlights of them, they also have generally pretty good analysis on each game showing where a player has done well or not so well.

---

With Moyes gone, I'm certain with his experience, we can all agree he isn't a bad manager he'll be picked up by a new club fairly quickly. Really would not surprise me to see him at Newcastle before the start of next season. Sadly for Moyes I doubt he'll ever be given the chance of a big club. You have to feel sorry for him though, as whoever took over was going to really struggle, but as pointed out previously he didn't help himself firing the backroom staff. His clear out should of started with the team not the coaching staff.

Where Man United go from here I don't know. But surely a team like United will be able to attract any coach. Martinez has done a good job at Everton

[Auremena]

Probably, I rarely get any news outside of Arsenal, United, City, Chelsea, and occasionally Liverpoool, Spurs, and very, very rarely, Everton on this side of the pond.This season I've been digging a lot more, trying to find sites to watch games rather than the two or three they show over here. They've increased to 3 on Saturdays, 2 on Sundays, and covering most weekday matches now, so I get more, but I still rely on the internet mostly to watch most games, as mostly what's shown is once again, the big London, Manchester, and Liverpool teams. I rarely get to watch West Ham or Villa via cable, fortunately I've got HDMI on my computer. I've watched up to four matches simultaneously before, it's kinda funny. Have to turn the sound off of three though, so I can at least hear one.

You should try to find highlight packages like Match of the Day (BBC Brit thing) as not only do they show all the games at least the highlights of them, they also have generally pretty good analysis on each game showing where a player has done well or not so well.

I've got in the habit of watching it every Saturday and Sunday now, mostly for the games I care less about, like games to the like of West Brom vs Newcastle. Doesn't really interest me that much, but at least I get a lot of the best parts, so I can focus on paying attention to the whole of more important matches.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Probably, I rarely get any news outside of Arsenal, United, City, Chelsea, and occasionally Liverpoool, Spurs, and very, very rarely, Everton on this side of the pond.This season I've been digging a lot more, trying to find sites to watch games rather than the two or three they show over here. They've increased to 3 on Saturdays, 2 on Sundays, and covering most weekday matches now, so I get more, but I still rely on the internet mostly to watch most games, as mostly what's shown is once again, the big London, Manchester, and Liverpool teams. I rarely get to watch West Ham or Villa via cable, fortunately I've got HDMI on my computer. I've watched up to four matches simultaneously before, it's kinda funny. Have to turn the sound off of three though, so I can at least hear one.

You should try to find highlight packages like Match of the Day (BBC Brit thing) as not only do they show all the games at least the highlights of them, they also have generally pretty good analysis on each game showing where a player has done well or not so well.

---

With Moyes gone, I'm certain with his experience, we can all agree he isn't a bad manager he'll be picked up by a new club fairly quickly. Really would not surprise me to see him at Newcastle before the start of next season. Sadly for Moyes I doubt he'll ever be given the chance of a big club. You have to feel sorry for him though, as whoever took over was going to really struggle, but as pointed out previously he didn't help himself firing the backroom staff. His clear out should of started with the team not the coaching staff.

Where Man United go from here I don't know. But surely a team like United will be able to attract any coach. Martinez has done a good job at Everton

I keep hearing them talking about going after a big name manager, but also wanting long-term stability. Big names don't often give you that last bit, though... in and out after collecting some trophies. I wonder if the Glazers are looking at good old Mauricio Potchettino? I could see his style with Southampton translating really well to Man United, especially given that he'd be able to put together a much deeper and more talented squad.

[Auremena]

You should try to find highlight packages like Match of the Day (BBC Brit thing) as not only do they show all the games at least the highlights of them, they also have generally pretty good analysis on each game showing where a player has done well or not so well.

---

With Moyes gone, I'm certain with his experience, we can all agree he isn't a bad manager he'll be picked up by a new club fairly quickly. Really would not surprise me to see him at Newcastle before the start of next season. Sadly for Moyes I doubt he'll ever be given the chance of a big club. You have to feel sorry for him though, as whoever took over was going to really struggle, but as pointed out previously he didn't help himself firing the backroom staff. His clear out should of started with the team not the coaching staff.

Where Man United go from here I don't know. But surely a team like United will be able to attract any coach. Martinez has done a good job at Everton

I keep hearing them talking about going after a big name manager, but also wanting long-term stability. Big names don't often give you that last bit, though... in and out after collecting some trophies. I wonder if the Glazers are looking at good old Mauricio Potchettino? I could see his style with Southampton translating really well to Man United, especially given that he'd be able to put together a much deeper and more talented squad.

Official report via ESPN says United is pursuing LvG. Well, so much for him landing the Spurs job. Question for Spurs then is if you can't get LvG, do you give Sherwood another go?

[The Blaatschapen]

I really wonder if LvG and Ferguson won't clash.

Actually, I don't wonder.

They will clash

[Kinitaria]

Since no-one's made the obvious joke yet... I'm very disappointed in United, I was enjoying Moyes' reign.

[The Licentian Isles]

Can't say that Altidore is the worst player in the Premier League now, he won the penalty.
He's still not great by any means.

Anyone who thinks Altidore is the worst player in the Premier League clearly hasn't seen Alan Hutton.

Shite. He's terrible for the large majority of the game, and then occasionally, he picks it up for the last five minutes. I'd go as far as to call him a reverse Val Kylx (one for the NS Sporters).

On a sidenote, going to watch the game that will probably see Leicester crowned champions tonight. Not entirely sure if I'm looking forward to it or not, but if it's even half the game I saw at the King Power earlier this season, I'll be happy.

[The Icemark]

Question for Spurs then is if you can't get LvG, do you give Sherwood another go?

In a word...no.

Sadly for Moyes I doubt he'll ever be given the chance of a big club. You have to feel sorry for him though, as whoever took over was going to really struggle, but as pointed out previously he didn't help himself firing the backroom staff. His clear out should of started with the team not the coaching staff.

Hard to feel sorry for a guy who just came up with one lame excuse after another

[Polar Islandstates]

Question for Spurs then is if you can't get LvG, do you give Sherwood another go?

In a word...no.

I think his press conferences are a great example of what I was talking about when I said sacking AVB without a replacement lined up would be a stupid idea. That and the fact the tactics have all gone a bit Harry "run around a bit" Redknapp. Under the circumstances we were in *cough*Levy*cough* I'm glad we gave him the chance - and it certainly hasn't been all bad. But I don't feel like he's passed the interview, if you know what I mean.