Ultimate Football (Soccer) Thread 2014-15

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Just gonna leave this link here:

https://twitter.com/alansavailable

[Osarius]

Like I said, Villa need a good man manager right now. I don't see how else you can expect to improve on the team's performances under Paul Lambert. I don't think the board will find one, and thus, I'm half expecting to see Villa get relegated.

Just gonna leave this link here:

https://twitter.com/alansavailable

I'm generally not opposed to the idea of a club legend coming in to motivate the team until summer, to be honest.

Though there are exceptions. Alan, sadly, is one of them.

I also heard someone earlier on the radio saying they wanted Dwight Yorke at the club in the backroom staff. If Aston Villa EVER hire Dwight Yorke in ANY capacity in my lifetime, I swear by the old gods and the new I will never support that club again. I'll become an Albion fan, in fact. Seriously. Fuck Dwight Yorke.

[Eastfield Lodge]

I also heard someone earlier on the radio saying they wanted Dwight Yorke at the club in the backroom staff. If Aston Villa EVER hire Dwight Yorke in ANY capacity in my lifetime, I swear by the old gods and the new I will never support that club again. I'll become an Albion fan, in fact. Seriously. Fuck Dwight Yorke.

I think we'd actually hold that against you as well.

[Angleter]

Gareth Southgate to make a triumphant return to Villa Park, maybe?

god no.

He'd never come, anyway. He'd prefer a team that could offer him European football.

[Liventia]

god no.

He'd never come, anyway. He'd prefer a team that could offer him European football.

Or, you know, remain in charge at England u21s and easily qualify for the Euros every two years…

[Evil Lord Sauron]

Like I said, Villa need a good man manager right now. I don't see how else you can expect to improve on the team's performances under Paul Lambert. I don't think the board will find one, and thus, I'm half expecting to see Villa get relegated.

Just gonna leave this link here:

https://twitter.com/alansavailable

I'm generally not opposed to the idea of a club legend coming in to motivate the team until summer, to be honest.

Though there are exceptions. Alan, sadly, is one of them.

I also heard someone earlier on the radio saying they wanted Dwight Yorke at the club in the backroom staff. If Aston Villa EVER hire Dwight Yorke in ANY capacity in my lifetime, I swear by the old gods and the new I will never support that club again. I'll become an Albion fan, in fact. Seriously. Fuck Dwight Yorke.

Klinsmann? I get the American connection with Randy Lerner but is there actually any substance other than, the owners American and the other is coach of the American team? Or is that the only link and people are making a big thing of it.

No offence to Villa but surely Klinsmann could walk into almost any top club if he chose to return to club football.

[Osarius]

No offence to Villa but surely Klinsmann could walk into almost any top club if he chose to return to club football.

I think you overestimate Klinsmann. I'm not sure what exactly you think he's done in his management career to warrant a "top job" at club level.
Not that it matters. He'd never take the Villa job, anyway.

The connections are likely being made for similar reasons Villa were linked strongly to Rijkaard in 2011, though. A reasonably big name (but obviously not too big) who might enjoy the challenge of reviving a "sleeping giant" will always be linked to a club in Villa's situation.

[Angleter]

No offence to Villa but surely Klinsmann could walk into almost any top club if he chose to return to club football.

I think you overestimate Klinsmann. I'm not sure what exactly you think he's done in his management career to warrant a "top job" at club level.
Not that it matters. He'd never take the Villa job, anyway.

The connections are likely being made for similar reasons Villa were linked strongly to Rijkaard in 2011, though. A reasonably big name (but obviously not too big) who might enjoy the challenge of reviving a "sleeping giant" will always be linked to a club in Villa's situation.

The problem with Villa managerial vacancies is I spend a lot of time thinking up nightmare scenarios. Like Dean Saunders. Or even worse, Gary Megson.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Not that it matters. He'd never take the Villa job, anyway.

Totally agreed. He has been getting plenty of stick from the US soccer media (mostly unjustly in my opinion), and relations have soured between him and MLS Commissioner Don Garber. On the other hand, Sunil Gulati and the USSF gave him a well-paying 4 year contract last summer. I'm not sure exactly how it works with managers moving from national teams to clubs - if he did take the Villa job, would Villa then have to pay compensation to the USSF? Anyways, it's a moot question since he won't.

Not only is he the national team manager, he is also the USSF technical director, which gives him a huge amount of influence and ability to shape youth sides, which is something he has always seemed to like very much. He is punching way above his weight with the freedom and roles given to him by Gulati and his ilk, and I assume he knows it. It's a great job for him. He can handle some sneering derision in soccer media. He's a big boy. It's well worth it for him to stick around.

Also, as I heard mentioned on a domestic call-in show yesterday morning, he has a massive mansion in a wealthy suburb outside LA. Would he really want to trade that and the wealthy LA socialite lifestyle for, well, Birmingham? (No disrespect intended, Os. For what it's worth, I'm not much of an LA type of guy myself and Birmingham seems to have the same Second City syndrome as my beloved Chicago. Klinsi seems to be the California living sort, though...)

[Osarius]

Would he really want to trade that and the wealthy LA socialite lifestyle for, well, Birmingham? (No disrespect intended, Os. For what it's worth, I'm not much of an LA type of guy myself and Birmingham seems to have the same Second City syndrome as my beloved Chicago. Klinsi seems to be the California living sort, though...)

Don't worry. I know what you meant. It's the exact reasoning behind my statement (and part of the reason I'm a little surprised Scott Sinclair even considered a move to Villa, given his missus is apparently a big fan of "the celeb life" and what not)

Birmingham is an industrial city. Before that it was a market town. We're a simple, down-to-earth people. We're self-depreciating moaners because it keeps us grounded. We don't really do glitz and glamour. We're never really going to be able to, because it's just not in our nature. And frankly, we like it that way. I mean... what would we moan about otherwise? What riles us up is people who think we should be more like London, and that we should be all glitzy and glamourous and shit. Those people (mostly Londoners to be fair) can fuck right off.

On the topic of Chicago and Villa, though... you in particular might appreciate this article.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Would he really want to trade that and the wealthy LA socialite lifestyle for, well, Birmingham? (No disrespect intended, Os. For what it's worth, I'm not much of an LA type of guy myself and Birmingham seems to have the same Second City syndrome as my beloved Chicago. Klinsi seems to be the California living sort, though...)

Don't worry. I know what you meant. It's the exact reasoning behind my statement (and part of the reason I'm a little surprised Scott Sinclair even considered a move to Villa, given his missus is apparently a big fan of "the celeb life" and what not)

Birmingham is an industrial city. Before that it was a market town. We're a simple, down-to-earth people. We're self-depreciating moaners because it keeps us grounded. We don't really do glitz and glamour. We're never really going to be able to, because it's just not in our nature. And frankly, we like it that way. I mean... what would we moan about otherwise? What riles us up is people who think we should be more like London, and that we should be all glitzy and glamourous and shit. Those people (mostly Londoners to be fair) can fuck right off.

On the topic of Chicago and Villa, though... you in particular might appreciate this article.

I saw that! Quite liked the article.

Fun fact: in about 2007 or early 2008 I sold Guzan olive loaf (I worked at a deli at the time). I must say he had good taste in shitty sliced meat. Dunno if it was for him or if he was just picking it up, but it's always nice to meet someone before the become massive (he would have been nearing the end of his tenure at Chivas at the time, I think). I imagine his family was still in the area.


e: ESPN FC citing (unnamed) sources that say Klinsi will be staying with the USMNT.

However, ESPN FC has been told Klinsmann, who spent part of his playing career in England with Spurs, is settled in America and is happy to continue his work with the national side as he looks to guide them to the 2018 World Cup.

[Mattrolanka]

Walsall FC fan myself. Recently managed to get to Wembley, and am currently toiling to get tickets for the JPT final against Bristol City.

Also help out this tiny non-league team called Heath Hayes FC. Been doing it for well over a year now, and couldn't be happier. Shame we seem to lose 90% of the time!

[Osarius]

Walsall FC fan myself. Recently managed to get to Wembley

It's about time, no? Gwan the mighty saddlers!
Hope you get tickets, should be a great day, even if things don't go your way.

Pretty sure I've seen Heath Hayes play a few times. Got friends playing for Walsall Wood and Continental Star.
Midland league seems tougher than I remember it being these days. Good sign that the quality of local players coming up is improving.

[Sorubim]

Wow, only 35 seconds for Celtic to get on the board

[Liventia]

Aston Villa have appointed Tim Sherwood on a three-year contract.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Aston Villa have appointed Tim Sherwood on a three-year contract.

Oh dear. Sorry, Os.

[Eastfield Lodge]

FA Cup weekend going pretty well so far, West Brom destroying West Ham and Blackburn currently 3 goals up against Stoke.

[Dei Terrare]

Jesus, Boro is leading in the FL CHampionship.

[Bandwagon]

LFC 2-1 up!
Just saw it as I've been following the oval ball all day.

[Osarius]

Aston Villa have appointed Tim Sherwood on a three-year contract.

Oh dear. Sorry, Os.

...why is anyone (even Sherwood himself) happy with this decision? How is he in any way an improvement on Paul Lambert?

This is a guy who threw his players under the bus when they underperformed, effectively saying things will work out better if they try harder, while choosing to play Kyle Walker in the centre of midfield.

This is a guy who is tactically inept and will actively damage player confidence at a critical juncture. Just what a team low on confidence and (apparently) in need of tactical overhaul needs.

I don't care how good he was with Tottenham's youth academy. Aston Villa is not Tottenham's youth academy.
Words do not have the capacity to express my bewilderment and fury right now.

I seriously pray I'm completely wrong and he does well.

[Angleter]

Aston Villa have appointed Tim Sherwood on a three-year contract.

Oh, well. I suppose there are worse choices. And longer contracts.

[DesAnges]

Oh dear. Sorry, Os.

...why is anyone (even Sherwood himself) happy with this decision? How is he in any way an improvement on Paul Lambert?

This is a guy who threw his players under the bus when they underperformed, effectively saying things will work out better if they try harder, while choosing to play Kyle Walker in the centre of midfield.

This is a guy who is tactically inept and will actively damage player confidence at a critical juncture. Just what a team low on confidence and (apparently) in need of tactical overhaul needs.

I don't care how good he was with Tottenham's youth academy. Aston Villa is not Tottenham's youth academy.
Words do not have the capacity to express my bewilderment and fury right now.

I seriously pray I'm completely wrong and he does well.

Dat 59% win percentage doe.

Honestly I think Villa have just hired Sherwood so they can amuse the rest of the league whilst they get relegated.

[Armeia]

FC Bayern 8, Hamburger SV 0.

#KissTheRings

[Eastfield Lodge]

Aston Villa have appointed Tim Sherwood on a three-year contract.

Oh, well. I suppose there are worse choices. And longer contracts.

<.<
>.>
Nothing to see here.

[DesAnges]

Oh, well. I suppose there are worse choices. And longer contracts.

<.<
>.>
Nothing to see here.

From memory, wasn't Pardew's contract actually a 2 year deal with a roll-on up to a maximum of 8?