Ultimate Football (Soccer) Thread 2014-15

[Red Blackiland]

After a big sequence of brazilian club titles,the San Lorenzo de Almagro claim the 2014 Copa Libertadores title!

[Auremena]

Buying Deandre Yedlin guarantees we have the fastest right flank in the league.

The spending has been insanely low compared to last-Yedlin for 2.5, Dier for 4.5, Davies for however much you value Siggy. Poch is building for the future already.

I'm trying to think of a 24something striker to back up Soldado and Ade that Poch could poach for a good price and allow Kane to go on loan to a championship/lower table PL club to develop some. He's got talent, just needs playing time.
I was thinking Alan, coming off a good run in the EL with Salzburg, 10 games, 4 goals, 7 assists, and a total of 46 games, 37 goals, and 20 assists, could be picked up for less than 7 mil, probably around 5.
But then I found out he's injured, broke his hand.
He played a CL qualification match, he can still play in the EL, right?

Darn, that was a good thought. If only the dummy hand't gone and broke his hand.

I don't suppose Gio wants to come back...

[Bundabunda]

Buying Deandre Yedlin guarantees we have the fastest right flank in the league.

The spending has been insanely low compared to last-Yedlin for 2.5, Dier for 4.5, Davies for however much you value Siggy. Poch is building for the future already.

I'm trying to think of a 24something striker to back up Soldado and Ade that Poch could poach for a good price and allow Kane to go on loan to a championship/lower table PL club to develop some. He's got talent, just needs playing time.
I was thinking Alan, coming off a good run in the EL with Salzburg, 10 games, 4 goals, 7 assists, and a total of 46 games, 37 goals, and 20 assists, could be picked up for less than 7 mil, probably around 5.
But then I found out he's injured, broke his hand.
He played a CL qualification match, he can still play in the EL, right?

Darn, that was a good thought. If only the dummy hand't gone and broke his hand.

I don't suppose Gio wants to come back...

I don't think a center forward is needed, not necessarily. We need a left winger who can play that position, really. Give some competition to Soldado or Ade while filling a vital position. I'm not sure if Depay can do that, but Kono can. Apparently Dnipro's front office is impossible to deal with, though.

As for Alan, I think he's better off at Levurkasen. They seem short of strikers, and Schmidt is someone he's familiar with. Going from Austria to Germany is also an easier cultural change, and I'd expect not that big a change in play style despite being of a higher level.

It's sad, but I wouldn't want GdS back. He didn't have the work ethic to succeed here, and I'm not sure if his party boy attitude is gone.

EDIT: Also, not sure where Kane would go. He's adapted to the league, I think all Spurs fans know/think, but he needs to join a technical side. There's only three real options there for me: McClaren's Derby, Southampton or Swansea. Swansea's already got Bony and Gomis, and Derby's in the Championship, which wouldn't help his development IMO (he's been on ~five loans in the lower pyramids, I think), so really, Southampton would be a good shout. J-Rod is out until January, and I can see a transfer day deal struck with Koeman. Schneiderlin for £20 plus a year long loan.

[KoloToure]

BTW, Spurs guys, I've read in a couple of places that Konoplyanka is still very much on Liverpool's list.

I thought you were joking until I checked wikipedia. 24? No way.

And did I see rightly that it looks like Assaidi to Stoke is totally off? Shame

If we plan on challenging on all fronts we need to keep the likes of Kelly and Assaidi. They may not be first choice but have proven capable of playing very well against top sides. The only transfer talk that should be around Anfield is bringing in another forward and possibly a central defender in case Agger does indeed go. I can see why they would be let go as we do have quite a big squad but even so I'd favor Kelly over Johnson any day.

We've got Manquillo, Johnson, Kelly, Flanagan, McLaughlin, and Wisdom for RB now. Wisdom's already out on loan, McLaughlin is sure to join him, We can't shift Johnson because no one wants to pay his ridiculous wages, but he's only got a year left on his contract, and Flanagan outperformed Kelly last year. Like I said, I'd have liked him to stay but there's just no room for him any more. I guarantee we'll keep on eye on him though and if he shows signs of significant recovery we'll buy him back.

Assaidi is never going to get a game so it is him that is pushing for a move away.

[Shove Piggy Shove]

Decent signing for Everton:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28775268

It's shaping up to be a tight season at the top.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Decent signing for Everton:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28775268

It's shaping up to be a tight season at the top.

It really is. The top third of the table, really. For me there's a big drop-off between 7 and 8. 5-6-7 is a huge tossup for me, too. I'm not sure that there's much potential for a dark horse run for a "lesser" team this year. Although I do think it's possible we see Stoke make some big gains. I like what they've done this offseason. Similarly, West Ham could actually much improve on last year, even with Carroll injured (again) and all the pressure on Big Sam. I think Newcastle will be considerably worse, carrying over their form from the end of last year.

Let's see... I can envision it going down something like this:

1 Man City
2 Chelsea
3 Arsenal
4 Liverpool
5 Spurs
6 Man Utd
7 Everton
8 Stoke
9 Hull
10 Swansea
11 West Ham
12 Palace
13 Sunderland
14 Newcastle
15 Villa
16 QPR
17 West Brom
18 Southampton
19 Leicester
20 Burnley

Then again, who the hell even knows.

[Shove Piggy Shove]

-snip-
Let's see... I can envision it going down something like this:

1 Man City
...
9 Hull
...
18 Southampton
19 Leicester
20 Burnley

Then again, who the hell even knows.

1 - Can't see them winning the title, haven't improved their squad at all, whilst Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool & Man Utd all have.

9 - With the Europa League adding to fixture congestion and their small squad size (and lack of quality therein), I can't see them finishing in the top half

18-20 - If these are the three teams relegated, then I will be shocked. In spite of losing players, Southampton still have a better squad than West Brom and a much better manager. Leicester are by far and away the best of the teams promoted from the Championship last season.

In other news, Luis Suarez's ban has been upheld, although he is now allowed to train with his teammates:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28783667

[The Icemark]

Let's see... I can envision it going down something like this:

1 Man City
2 Chelsea
3 Arsenal
4 Liverpool
5 Spurs
6 Man Utd

I'd swap City and Chelsea, and swap Liverpool and Man U.

Also Chelsea and Ath. Madrid in talks over a Schurrle deal. Didn't see that one coming

[Liventia]

Tony Pulis is having showdown talks with Steve Parish as I type. Rumours swirling that Crystal Palace could be managerless against Arsenal this weekend.

[Osarius]

Tony Pulis is having showdown talks with Steve Parish as I type. Rumours swirling that Crystal Palace could be managerless against Arsenal this weekend.

If Palace lose Pulis, I reckon they're more likely to go down, personally.

[Liventia]

Tony Pulis has left Crystal Palace by mutual consent after falling out with the board over transfer policy.

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

After a big sequence of brazilian club titles,the San Lorenzo de Almagro claim the 2014 Copa Libertadores title!

(Image)

This new pope's the man, I tell ya!

[Dumb Ideologies]

Tony Pulis has left Crystal Palace by mutual consent after falling out with the board over transfer policy.

Utter madness. After what he did for them last season he's earned the right to have more say in who goes in and out of the club.

Going down.

[Britcan]

Tony Pulis has left Crystal Palace by mutual consent after falling out with the board over transfer policy.

Pulis did a great job there last season and without him I see them going down. Time to take Palace players out of my fantasy team.

[Apox]

Tony Pulis has left Crystal Palace by mutual consent after falling out with the board over transfer policy.

Pulis did a great job there last season and without him I see them going down. Time to take Palace players out of my fantasy team.

^^ This.

[Auremena]

Tony Pulis has left Crystal Palace by mutual consent after falling out with the board over transfer policy.

Pulis did a great job there last season and without him I see them going down. Time to take Palace players out of my fantasy team.

Same.
Granted i only had one. But have no idea who to put in his place as a cheap yet reliable backup.

[Alvalero]

Pulis did a great job there last season and without him I see them going down. Time to take Palace players out of my fantasy team.

Same.
Granted i only had one. But have no idea who to put in his place as a cheap yet reliable backup.

Depends on how your setting up your team. I went with Alex Bruce(was decent last year) and a Leicester City player(who knows how well they could do) as back up defenders(4m each) to Baines, Cahill and Caulker and Jordan Mutch(5.5m) as back up for Ramsey, Coutinho, Gouffran and Herrara.
I've Weimann starting alongside Sturridge and Rooney because he was the best of what I could afford. I went with the hope the best dont get injured strategy.

[Auremena]

Same.
Granted i only had one. But have no idea who to put in his place as a cheap yet reliable backup.

Depends on how your setting up your team. I went with Alex Bruce(was decent last year) and a Leicester City player(who knows how well they could do) as back up defenders(4m each) to Baines, Cahill and Caulker and Jordan Mutch(5.5m) as back up for Ramsey, Coutinho, Gouffran and Herrara.
I've Weimann starting alongside Sturridge and Rooney because he was the best of what I could afford. I went with the hope the best dont get injured strategy.

I forgot what my team is exactly, but I picked up Cameron cheap, versatile player with a good reputation.
Fantasy leagues like annoy me because I like to make proper formations. A 4-2-3-1 is impossible to make with only 5 midfielders and 3 strikers. It pretty much forces a 4-4-2.
So really I wanted a CM/winger, which is kinda rare, I can think of Iniesta and Chadli who often play CM and on he wings.

[Alvalero]

Depends on how your setting up your team. I went with Alex Bruce(was decent last year) and a Leicester City player(who knows how well they could do) as back up defenders(4m each) to Baines, Cahill and Caulker and Jordan Mutch(5.5m) as back up for Ramsey, Coutinho, Gouffran and Herrara.
I've Weimann starting alongside Sturridge and Rooney because he was the best of what I could afford. I went with the hope the best dont get injured strategy.

I forgot what my team is exactly, but I picked up Cameron cheap, versatile player with a good reputation.
Fantasy leagues like annoy me because I like to make proper formations. A 4-2-3-1 is impossible to make with only 5 midfielders and 3 strikers. It pretty much forces a 4-4-2.
So really I wanted a CM/winger, which is kinda rare, I can think of Iniesta and Chadli who often play CM and on he wings.

I guess it's simplified that way because there are so many players that if they allowed you to taylor make your team to a formation like that then it could cause problems when they update. I guess all you can do in that event is choose the players who could play in those positions and hope you have enough money and space for the players to fit in.

[Auremena]

I forgot what my team is exactly, but I picked up Cameron cheap, versatile player with a good reputation.
Fantasy leagues like annoy me because I like to make proper formations. A 4-2-3-1 is impossible to make with only 5 midfielders and 3 strikers. It pretty much forces a 4-4-2.
So really I wanted a CM/winger, which is kinda rare, I can think of Iniesta and Chadli who often play CM and on he wings.

I guess it's simplified that way because there are so many players that if they allowed you to taylor make your team to a formation like that then it could cause problems when they update. I guess all you can do in that event is choose the players who could play in those positions and hope you have enough money and space for the players to fit in.

Hence why I only have £.5M left in my budget.

[Evil Lord Sauron]

Depends on how your setting up your team. I went with Alex Bruce(was decent last year) and a Leicester City player(who knows how well they could do) as back up defenders(4m each) to Baines, Cahill and Caulker and Jordan Mutch(5.5m) as back up for Ramsey, Coutinho, Gouffran and Herrara.
I've Weimann starting alongside Sturridge and Rooney because he was the best of what I could afford. I went with the hope the best dont get injured strategy.

I forgot what my team is exactly, but I picked up Cameron cheap, versatile player with a good reputation.
Fantasy leagues like annoy me because I like to make proper formations. A 4-2-3-1 is impossible to make with only 5 midfielders and 3 strikers. It pretty much forces a 4-4-2.
So really I wanted a CM/winger, which is kinda rare, I can think of Iniesta and Chadli who often play CM and on he wings.

I always go for a 3-4-3 formation. Strikers are the ones who will pick you up the most points with midfielders chipping in. If it's anything like last season clean sheets seemed to be a rarity.

[Scholmeria]

After a big sequence of brazilian club titles,the San Lorenzo de Almagro claim the 2014 Copa Libertadores title!

(Image)

Isnt that the club whoose fan is the Pope?

[Osarius]

Fantasy leagues like annoy me because I like to make proper formations.

But... why? Fantasy leagues generally reward goals and assists better than defending. Even for defenders in some cases.
Chances are, you'll get more points with three fullbacks, four attacking midfielders and three strikers, than with an actual 3-4-3 lineup (for example).

[Shove Piggy Shove]

Tony Pulis has left Crystal Palace by mutual consent after falling out with the board over transfer policy.

Pulis did a great job there last season and without him I see them going down. Time to take Palace players out of my fantasy team.

It really depends on who they get in. Current top 5 candidates according to the bookies are as follows:

1. Malky Mackay - 6/5
2. Tim Sherwood - 6/4
3. Neil Lennon - 9/1
4. Nigel Adkins - 14/1
5. Tony Popovic - 16/1

If I were a Palace fan, none of those names would be giving me much confidence for the coming season - some of the longer odds managers would definitely be preferable to any of those (e.g. David Moyes - 20/1, Neil Warnock - 20/1, Martin O'Neill - 25/1, Eddie Howe - 40/1, Alan Curbishley - 50/1)

[Risottia]

Well, Antonio Conte's resigned from Juve. He'll probably go to the Italian nationals, but I probably would've brought Mancini in.

And, 31 days after, your prevision turns out to be true. Conte has been placed in charge of all the Italian soccer nationals (that is, including the youth nationals), and has been given carte blanche about the training frequencies - while Prandelli had to agree the date of every training session with the Serie A clubs.
The interesting part is that two thirds of Conte's huge salary (4.5 M€/year, still less than his precedent contract with Juventus) will be paid directly from the main sponsors: the Italian Federation (FIGC) will have to fork over "just" 1.5 M€/year, less than what they paid for Prandelli.

http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/n ... -93779615/

Now, let's just hope he won't call Cassano or Balotelli anymore...