Ultimate Football/Soccer Thread 2015-2016 + Euro 2016 Finals

[Auremena]

And I've now learned that Randy Learner has sold Aston Villa to Chinese businessman Xia Jiantong for a reported 60 million pounds.

The wrong reviled owner sold their club then.

Ashley's time will come to an end... eventually...
Assuming he doesn't discover the secret to immortality.

[Eastfield Lodge]

Barring another Istanbul/Dortmund comeback in the next 20 minutes, Sevilla are Europa League champions for the third time in a row.

[Rufford]

Barring another Istanbul/Dortmund comeback in the next 20 minutes, Sevilla are Europa League champions for the third time in a row.

I don't buy comparing it to Istanbul, its no where near as big as that.

Also i would just like to talk about a saints player, a senior goalkeeper, Kelvin Davis, who had his testamonial match last night, with the current team, old saints players, and for the last 20 minuets Rickie Lambert was subbed for Davis's son, who scored. I was lucky enough to be there and it was a great night.

[Val Halla]

So Crystal Palace are winning

[Fartsniffage]

So Crystal Palace are winning

Not so much...

[Val Halla]

So Crystal Palace are winning

Not so much...

Welp ._.

Not that I really care. Not a fan of either

[Auremena]

Mou's first act in charge seems to be demote or sack Giggs...

[Uitbregen]

[Insert English player's name here] scores a goal? Get 'im on the plane, Roy!

[Neu Leonstein]

Do any of you know of any Euro 2016 previews, team analyses and that sort of thing? Tactics, players and so on? Or is it still too early, with final squads not yet announced? Zonalmarking.net used to do great ones, but the author works for so many paid gigs now that he rarely updates it...

[The Blaatschapen]

Do any of you know of any Euro 2016 previews, team analyses and that sort of thing? Tactics, players and so on? Or is it still too early, with final squads not yet announced? Zonalmarking.net used to do great ones, but the author works for so many paid gigs now that he rarely updates it...

I know some, but I cannot link to them

Also: https://www.instagram.com/p/BGCJN0Op7p2/

What's wrong with that picture?

[Auremena]

Do any of you know of any Euro 2016 previews, team analyses and that sort of thing? Tactics, players and so on? Or is it still too early, with final squads not yet announced? Zonalmarking.net used to do great ones, but the author works for so many paid gigs now that he rarely updates it...

I know some, but I cannot link to them

Also: https://www.instagram.com/p/BGCJN0Op7p2/

What's wrong with that picture?

Robbin' Robben.

[Auremena]

Koeman reportedly close to deal to become Everton manager.
Don't know why he'd want to leave an EL Soton to go to Merseyside, going to involve a lot of restructuring and rebuilding, and probably a season or two more of mediocrity due to all that.
Maybe they see that pretty much every year he has to build Soton's foundation again and again and is still quite successful. If I were he I'd stay with Saints, but it's probably a money thing.

[Uitbregen]

Koeman reportedly close to deal to become Everton manager.
Don't know why he'd want to leave an EL Soton to go to Merseyside, going to involve a lot of restructuring and rebuilding, and probably a season or two more of mediocrity due to all that.
Maybe they see that pretty much every year he has to build Soton's foundation again and again and is still quite successful. If I were he I'd stay with Saints, but it's probably a money thing.

I'd consider Everton to have a higher 'ceiling' in terms of potential - I remember when Everton were really pushing for those CL places (2008/9?), and this is more of a blip, and will be back up there sooner or later. Soton, on the other hand, are, in my opinion, at the apex of their achievement arc - I don't think they'll ever get higher than this (of course, I'd be pleased to be proved wrong) and I don't think they'll do well in the EL.

On the other hand, Everton do have a very talented squad, with a lot of potential (Stones and Lukaku are two of the most talented young players in the League), and are a properly big club - bigger than Soton, IMO, despite being in Liverpool's shadow. I think there's more potential with Everton, but obviously more immediate short-term success to be had with Soton.

Perhaps Koeman feels like he's done enough there, and wants to move on to a job with which he has the real ability to make a proper mark on the club and lead it back to the top of the English game - he could do 10 years at Everton, and do a lot of good, provided he reverses this funk pretty quickly and makes smart decisions.

But yeah, probably money.

[Auremena]

Koeman reportedly close to deal to become Everton manager.
Don't know why he'd want to leave an EL Soton to go to Merseyside, going to involve a lot of restructuring and rebuilding, and probably a season or two more of mediocrity due to all that.
Maybe they see that pretty much every year he has to build Soton's foundation again and again and is still quite successful. If I were he I'd stay with Saints, but it's probably a money thing.

I'd consider Everton to have a higher 'ceiling' in terms of potential - I remember when Everton were really pushing for those CL places (2008/9?), and this is more of a blip, and will be back up there sooner or later. Soton, on the other hand, are, in my opinion, at the apex of their achievement arc - I don't think they'll ever get higher than this (of course, I'd be pleased to be proved wrong) and I don't think they'll do well in the EL.

On the other hand, Everton do have a very talented squad, with a lot of potential (Stones and Lukaku are two of the most talented young players in the League), and are a properly big club - bigger than Soton, IMO, despite being in Liverpool's shadow. I think there's more potential with Everton, but obviously more immediate short-term success to be had with Soton.

Perhaps Koeman feels like he's done enough there, and wants to move on to a job with which he has the real ability to make a proper mark on the club and lead it back to the top of the English game - he could do 10 years at Everton, and do a lot of good, provided he reverses this funk pretty quickly and makes smart decisions.

But yeah, probably money.

Doubting Stones and Lukaku will want to hang around, a weak season that won't include Europe, probably not next season either as the squad will likely go through some (especially defensive) restructuring.
And it's not just money for a salary, it's money to spend on wages and transfers. They've a rich new owner. If Koeman's decided that he'll be able to survive a season or two to use that money to restructure is better than what he's got now then go for it, I guess.

[Forsher]

I'd consider Everton to have a higher 'ceiling' in terms of potential - I remember when Everton were really pushing for those CL places (2008/9?), and this is more of a blip, and will be back up there sooner or later. Soton, on the other hand, are, in my opinion, at the apex of their achievement arc - I don't think they'll ever get higher than this (of course, I'd be pleased to be proved wrong) and I don't think they'll do well in the EL.

On the other hand, Everton do have a very talented squad, with a lot of potential (Stones and Lukaku are two of the most talented young players in the League), and are a properly big club - bigger than Soton, IMO, despite being in Liverpool's shadow. I think there's more potential with Everton, but obviously more immediate short-term success to be had with Soton.

Perhaps Koeman feels like he's done enough there, and wants to move on to a job with which he has the real ability to make a proper mark on the club and lead it back to the top of the English game - he could do 10 years at Everton, and do a lot of good, provided he reverses this funk pretty quickly and makes smart decisions.

But yeah, probably money.

Doubting Stones and Lukaku will want to hang around, a weak season that won't include Europe, probably not next season either as the squad will likely go through some (especially defensive) restructuring.
And it's not just money for a salary, it's money to spend on wages and transfers. They've a rich new owner. If Koeman's decided that he'll be able to survive a season or two to use that money to restructure is better than what he's got now then go for it, I guess.

I'm surprised there is as much interest in Stones as there seems to be.

I saw a few Everton (EPL) games this season. Stones thinks he is quite a bit better than he is and, as a result, makes a lot of mistakes. Basically the commentators would spend the pre-game and early minutes talking about this great young talent and then only have cause to criticise Stones/commend him for managing to rescue Everton from a problem of his own making.

Naturally, it is entirely possible that Stones had better games when I didn't see him play (the games that I watch tend to be chosen as the more interesting ones so, generally, that means if Everton was playing they were against a fairly good team... i.e. Liverpool or better), and/or the generally terrible defending of Everton put him in positions to make mistakes.

[Eastfield Lodge]

Doubting Stones and Lukaku will want to hang around, a weak season that won't include Europe, probably not next season either as the squad will likely go through some (especially defensive) restructuring.
And it's not just money for a salary, it's money to spend on wages and transfers. They've a rich new owner. If Koeman's decided that he'll be able to survive a season or two to use that money to restructure is better than what he's got now then go for it, I guess.

I'm surprised there is as much interest in Stones as there seems to be.

I saw a few Everton (EPL) games this season. Stones thinks he is quite a bit better than he is and, as a result, makes a lot of mistakes. Basically the commentators would spend the pre-game and early minutes talking about this great young talent and then only have cause to criticise Stones/commend him for managing to rescue Everton from a problem of his own making.

Naturally, it is entirely possible that Stones had better games when I didn't see him play (the games that I watch tend to be chosen as the more interesting ones so, generally, that means if Everton was playing they were against a fairly good team... i.e. Liverpool or better), and/or the generally terrible defending of Everton put him in positions to make mistakes.

Pretty much all the rage about Stones is about his passing ability. Which has definitely gotten to his head this past season. Taking way too much time on the ball and getting caught out, etc. He's a half-decent defender, but that's not particularly what people commend him for.

[Auremena]

Doubting Stones and Lukaku will want to hang around, a weak season that won't include Europe, probably not next season either as the squad will likely go through some (especially defensive) restructuring.
And it's not just money for a salary, it's money to spend on wages and transfers. They've a rich new owner. If Koeman's decided that he'll be able to survive a season or two to use that money to restructure is better than what he's got now then go for it, I guess.

I'm surprised there is as much interest in Stones as there seems to be.

I saw a few Everton (EPL) games this season. Stones thinks he is quite a bit better than he is and, as a result, makes a lot of mistakes. Basically the commentators would spend the pre-game and early minutes talking about this great young talent and then only have cause to criticise Stones/commend him for managing to rescue Everton from a problem of his own making.

Naturally, it is entirely possible that Stones had better games when I didn't see him play (the games that I watch tend to be chosen as the more interesting ones so, generally, that means if Everton was playing they were against a fairly good team... i.e. Liverpool or better), and/or the generally terrible defending of Everton put him in positions to make mistakes.

I don't think he's that great either. Sort of an Eric Dier lite. Has the passing ability but not the physicality. May be better suited playing in the midfield in the future, or in a back three. Could make a good stand in for Chiellini at Juve (minus the whole right footed thing) when the latter fades from the picture. Would fit in excellently at Barça alongside the bigger, physical Pique. Cause honestly Bartra isn't hoing to start for Barça, with an aged Mathieu, Vermaalen who never seemed to recover from injury (plus gooner so basically shit,) and an out of position Mascherano (still a much better DM than CB by far, just too short and aerially weak) ahead of him in the picking order even though imo he's the best shot. If I wein the market for a top centre back, I'd be after Bartra and let Barça have Stones. City is in another situation where they're hurting for youth and homegrown players (face it, Delph won't ever be a regular starter for City)
Tldr: stones is overrated as a centre back and needs a very tough, physical partner to be effective.

[Osarius]

I don't think he's that great either. Sort of an Eric Dier lite. Has the passing ability but not the physicality.

Fair comment. He is liked because he represents a shift from the "blood and thunder centre backs of old", in a way certain other legendary defenders have before him.

Could make a good stand in for Chiellini at Juve (minus the whole right footed thing) when the latter fades from the picture.

....wat

Chiellini is one of the most physical defenders in the world.........

Also, Stones isnt anywhere near good enough defensively to play for Juve -- you know, arguably the best defence in club football in the world right now. Doubt he ever will be.

[Neu Leonstein]

So... is anyone interested in some Euro 2016 Fantasy Football? I'd be keen, and if we can decide on which website to go through we could make an NSG league again... I recall that having been quite fun for some of the past big tournaments.

One option would just be the official UEFA one: http://eurofantasy.uefa.com/

But there are a few others, and I'm all ears.

[Auremena]

So... is anyone interested in some Euro 2016 Fantasy Football? I'd be keen, and if we can decide on which website to go through we could make an NSG league again... I recall that having been quite fun for some of the past big tournaments.

One option would just be the official UEFA one: http://eurofantasy.uefa.com/

But there are a few others, and I'm all ears.

I was going to ask this last night
I was trying to find attacking reinforcements for Kane. I was like ooh Lacazette but then remembered he didn't make the squad.
I can only choose three between Rose, Vardy, Kane, and Alli

[Liventia]

Reports in England suggest Everton have agreed a deal to take Ronald Koeman from Southampton as their new manager.

[Auremena]

Say it ain't so, Jamie! The only place in London where you should be is the airport, not Woolwich!

[Riemstagrad]

So... is anyone interested in some Euro 2016 Fantasy Football? I'd be keen, and if we can decide on which website to go through we could make an NSG league again... I recall that having been quite fun for some of the past big tournaments.

One option would just be the official UEFA one: http://eurofantasy.uefa.com/

But there are a few others, and I'm all ears.

I was going to ask this last night
I was trying to find attacking reinforcements for Kane. I was like ooh Lacazette but then remembered he didn't make the squad.
I can only choose three between Rose, Vardy, Kane, and Alli

the league code for the leage "nationstates" is "13891W3Q"


Kevin De Bruyne will win the tournament with his assist and his goals.

[Neu Leonstein]

the league code for the leage "nationstates" is "13891W3Q"

Sweet, I joined as FlozFromOz.

[The Blaatschapen]

Whomever is in charge of the music in the Copa America ought to get fired. Two anthem screwups, please, that is amateur level.