Ultimate Football (Soccer) Thread (2013-2014)

[Osarius]

Clint Dempsey moving to Seattle, after having left the MLS in 2006. A good win for the MLS and a sign of its progress, or Dempsey just fed up with the Premier League?

I'd say a combination of both. Tottenham basically recouped their spend, for a 30 year old who probably didn't perform to the expected level last season. He didn't do badly, but comparing last season to what he did with Fulham... bit of a drop off, no?

There were likely a few suitors for him in England, but none near the top end of the table, I suspect. So, he's perhaps looking at it in terms of "why would I go to one of those clubs for a year or two (at best) and probably not win anything, when I can get more money and a better chance at a trophy by going home?"

[Nelsonation]

I'm hoping Gareth Bale goes to Madrid, because I'm a Madrid fan. I think there are good selections out there that can suffice for a loss of Bale.

[Southwick]

I'm guessing Bale will eventually move to Madrid. It's too much money to turn down.

[Nazis in Space]

>first cup round
>play a third division team
>lose the penalty shootout

At least it can't get any worse. At worst, it'll remain terrible.

[Britcan]

I'm hoping Gareth Bale goes to Madrid, because I'm a Madrid fan. I think there are good selections out there that can suffice for a loss of Bale.

I'm hoping he doesn't, I'd have to completely redo my fantasy football team.

[Charlotte Ryberg]

Result from the Emirates Cup Final: Arsenal 1-2 Galatasaray

This is not going to be good for Arsenal if they want to win silverware this season.

Also of note following recent events:

Crawley 3-2 Coventry City (source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23474746)

In the article, the anger of the fans was clear as some of them stormed the pitch.

The links to the football fixtures in the OP are complete today.

[Daedric Stellar Empire]

Wenger should realise this team has talent but wont go too far without 2/3 world class players so..... pay the cash sir

[Pretty Awesome Persons]

I'm hoping Gareth Bale goes to Madrid, because I'm a Madrid fan. I think there are good selections out there that can suffice for a loss of Bale.

I hope he doesn't, because I'm a Madrid fan.

[The Icemark]

I'm guessing Bale will eventually move to Madrid. It's too much money to turn down.

Madrid have pissed Levy off, so I'm not to sure about that

[Mytannion]

A lot on Twitter about Celtic apparently closing Section 111 (which may not seem like big news, but...), the home of the Green Brigade, the group that famously organised the displays during last season's Champions' League along with supporting the team up and down the country with a loud, colourful and alternative style of support. The Celtic fan base seem divided on the issue from what I have seen on Twitter.

This blog post from the Green Brigade site itself confirms that the section has been closed.

Sets a bad precedent for the whole world of football, in my opinion.

Wikipedia article on the Green Brigade for a bit of background information - bits of which aren't entirely true, but still gives some decent information.

[The Licentian Isles]

A lot on Twitter about Celtic apparently closing Section 111 (which may not seem like big news, but...), the home of the Green Brigade, the group that famously organised the displays during last season's Champions' League along with supporting the team up and down the country with a loud, colourful and alternative style of support. The Celtic fan base seem divided on the issue from what I have seen on Twitter.

This blog post from the Green Brigade site itself confirms that the section has been closed.

Sets a bad precedent for the whole world of football, in my opinion.

Wikipedia article on the Green Brigade for a bit of background information - bits of which aren't entirely true, but still gives some decent information.

While I don't agree with everything that they do, it's wrong to separate a group of fans that are just there to support their club.

[Liventia]

Meanwhile on the other side of Glasgow…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23570933

It's a shambles at Ibrox.

[DesAnges]

Meanwhile on the other side of Glasgow…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23570933

It's a shambles at Ibrox.

It's an omnishambles. Very reminiscent of The Thick of It.

[Liventia]

First Andros Townsend, now Cameron Jerome:

Stoke City striker Cameron Jerome has been charged by The FA in relation to betting offences: http://t.co/rgwBcgwmv9

[Saugeais]

Meanwhile on the other side of Glasgow…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23570933

It's a shambles at Ibrox.

It's an omnishambles. Very reminiscent of The Thick of It.

What a way to kick off the new SPFL, eh? And believe me when I say I'm trying really hard not to post any Peter Capaldi as a response to the claim of "omnishambles."

As for the betting thing, do the players really have too much money on their hands that they feel the need to go betting on games?

[Some Village]

Any Hammers fans (or other people of course) with an opinion upon the case Mboyo (for those unknown: player from Ghent, Belgium gets interest from West Ham, they decide not to buy him when it becomes clear he spent time in jail due to a case of rape when he was 17)?
I'm quite surprised that the social opinion (read: Twitter) went so strong on him. I presume it is because they've only known that one fact and haven't witnessed the bigger picture (as we have down here), including his apologies upon the fact and the relatively straight line he's walking since.

[I V Stalin]

Any Hammers fans (or other people of course) with an opinion upon the case Mboyo (for those unknown: player from Ghent, Belgium gets interest from West Ham, they decide not to buy him when it becomes clear he spent time in jail due to a case of rape when he was 17)?
I'm quite surprised that the social opinion (read: Twitter) went so strong on him. I presume it is because they've only known that one fact and haven't witnessed the bigger picture (as we have down here), including his apologies upon the fact and the relatively straight line he's walking since.

And yet the likes of Lee Hughes and Marlon King still have professional careers. And who thinks Ched Evans' career is over?

[Rubiconic Crossings V2 rev 1f]

huh...

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/spor ... 51063.html

Slightly surprised at this. Not entirely mind...just slightly.

[Elmo Logic]

I'm hoping Gareth Bale goes to Madrid, because I'm a Madrid fan. I think there are good selections out there that can suffice for a loss of Bale.

Well why don't you buy them then?

[Elmo Logic]

Inevitably...

[Osarius]

huh...

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/spor ... 51063.html

Slightly surprised at this. Not entirely mind...just slightly.

https://twitter.com/giggs_boson

[Pretty Awesome Persons]

huh...

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/spor ... 51063.html

Slightly surprised at this. Not entirely mind...just slightly.

Weren't the members of the 1982 Algeria team (god bless them all, they deserved more) supposedly drugged with something, too?

[Westerheim]

I'm guessing Bale will eventually move to Madrid. It's too much money to turn down.

Madrid have pissed Levy off, so I'm not to sure about that

And a pissed Levy is not one for negotiation...

[Rubiconic Crossings V2 rev 1f]

huh...

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/spor ... 51063.html

Slightly surprised at this. Not entirely mind...just slightly.

https://twitter.com/giggs_boson

yeah...bit of a knob really

[Rubiconic Crossings V2 rev 1f]

huh...

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/spor ... 51063.html

Slightly surprised at this. Not entirely mind...just slightly.

Weren't the members of the 1982 Algeria team (god bless them all, they deserved more) supposedly drugged with something, too?

News to me...

http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2 ... rs-drugged

Wow...that is...fucked