Ultimate Football (Soccer) Thread 2014-15

[Bundabunda]

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)

Moyes and O'Neil would be godsends for them. I can't see Moyes happening (in fact, I think he might go to Newcastle if things continue like last season or West Ham if/when BFS gets the sack, just to make sure they can move into their new stadium), and Martin O'Neil is definitely a shout.

Nigel Adkins, anyone? I can see him doing well at Crystal Palace.

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...

Hopefully Balo sorts his attitude out this year. I think it might be his last chance. He'll be 25 after that, and'll have the same awkwardness that surrounded Robinho's time post-Madrid of never having tapped into his full potential. Lucky for Italy, though, they've got incredible attacking talents in Cerci, Insigne, Immobile, Beradi, etc. Even with Balo gone they're still spoilt for choice.

[Bundabunda]

We're about 8 or 9 hours from opening day and I promised myself I would keep my expectations low. The Poch hype train is definitely budding.

[Britcan]

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)

From what I remember of Cardiff early on last season Mackay seemed to be doing decently with what resources he had. Though anyone who takes the Palace job is going to have a real battle on their hands. I just cant see anyone matching the performance of Pulis last season.

[Evil Lord Sauron]

Terrible start to the fantasy football season opener. But never the less thrilled with a Swansea victory.

[Auremena]

Terrible start to the fantasy football season opener. But never the less thrilled with a Swansea victory.

And I benched Bony for Rickie Lambert.
Yep, I definitely inhaled something that cut my IQ in half.
Also 4 injured players. Mirallas is going to have to start anyways.

[Khalifa Arabia]

Everton: £28 Million player signing, 2 goals conceded to Leicester City.

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

God damn it, Stoke.

[Bundabunda]

West Ham has just learned the meaning of Dier consequences.

[Auremena]

West Ham has just learned the meaning of Dier consequences.

And Poch owes me 5% of his transfer fee for being an amazing scout.

[Bundabunda]

Knowing Levy, you'll likely get a Mars Bar and a copy of Four Four Two from 2012 in exchange.

[Emilio Aguinaldo]

West Ham has just learned the meaning of Dier consequences.

HAH! Puns! Also, does this mean that Dier will be worth more next season because EPL?

[Bundabunda]

We'll have to see how the rest of the season goes, but he's looking very promising. If you're asking about English inflation, no such thing with him, because he doesn't count as homegrown, but selling to a rival will definitely come with a premium.

He was by far Man of the Match for me. We were ten down, and I was shouting at the computer to bring on anyone. Vuljkovic, Fryers, anyone, to keep the formation in line. It looks like Capoue was moved back and Dier was moved to right back, where he excelled. I've got high hopes for him.

[Auremena]

Knowing Levy, you'll likely get a Mars Bar and a copy of Four Four Two from 2012 in exchange.

Dier cost more than 20 Mars bars and 20 magazines.
I'd ad least like a Dier kit (women's small) and match tickets, Lev.
Geez, these CEOs all high and mighty.

[Angleter]

Wahey Villa! Usually our season's already started going downhill by this evening. Also, we're featured article on Wikipedia today.

[Bundabunda]

I think it can be negotiated for. A Darren Bent kit (men's large) from 2008 and three Mars Bars. That's all Levy will be doing.

Speaking of Spurs, SIGGY today. He was incredible. It wasn't a mistake to sell him, because he's obviously someone who deserves to start. United sit 17th place after today. #LvGOut.

[Auremena]

I think it can be negotiated for. A Darren Bent kit (men's large) from 2008 and three Mars Bars. That's all Levy will be doing.

Speaking of Spurs, SIGGY today. He was incredible. It wasn't a mistake to sell him, because he's obviously someone who deserves to start. United sit 17th place after today. #LvGOut.

How about something that the club won't have to pay for...
Perhaps just set me up with a date with Eric. I never realised how cute he was before.

[Bundabunda]

Really? I think you can do a lot better than Dier. Holtby, Eriksen, Soldado, Vert, Davies and Poch are all devastatingly handsome.

[Auremena]

Really? I think you can do a lot better than Dier. Holtby, Eriksen, Soldado, Vert, Davies and Poch are all devastatingly handsome.

I do quite fancy Vert, Eriksen, and Davies. Dier is my age and just barely shorter than me. Vert is the same height as me but a few years older. I dwarf Eriksen, Davies, and Holtby despite Davies being on the tall side for a fullback.
Wait, Mr. Levy, where is it your job to critique my taste in men?

[Bundabunda]

Well, Spurs would win the league if the decision was made on looks alone. [banter]It helps that our rival's star player has all the makings of a frog[/banter]

[Osarius]

Wahey Villa! Usually our season's already started going downhill by this evening. Also, we're featured article on Wikipedia today.

Just sending a reminder to everyone who forgot who the best team in the Midlands is.
Also, who was that fella we had in at right back? Looked decent.

[Uitbregen]

Arsenal looking like they are lacking that cutting edge to provide a winning goal. Could really use a quality striker, Wenger.

[Evil Lord Sauron]

Gutted. I dropped Dier yesterday, transferred him to save an extra .5 mill so I could bring in Sturridge. Replaced Dier with some random cheap defender. Looking like a stupid decision now.

[Bundabunda]

Thank fuck that Lloris was on my team. I was able to salvage something from him and Eriksen. Jovetic, Lovren and Cahill should come good tomorrow though.

[Liventia]

18 fantasy points from today. Ramsey (my captain) rescued the day…

[Apox]

18 fantasy points from today. Ramsey (my captain) rescued the day…

Him and Vlaar were my only good points. The rest of 'em got next to nothing between them. Need a big day from Hazard, Henderson and Sturridge tomorrow...