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

[Valecia]

Bit pessimistic if u ask me. I think if we get knocked out of europe early there is no reason as to why we can't make top 2 or even win the thing. possibly at a DM in january and why not? ahah

Meh, I've been supporting Arsenal long enough to know that we'll be out of the running by April.

A solid DM in the mould of Matic would be good, to give Coquelin a couple of years to really mature - I think he's gonna be good - someone to really marshal the defence and provide the grit in midfield. Whilst Walcott has started to impress, a bona fide striker would be nice, although I appreciate Wenger's statement that there weren't any good enough/financially viable strikers around.

You could be right seeing that city look very strong this year and man utd are not to be written off despite was whacking them last week. I still sense an opportunity if Chelsea maintain their run of poor results until christmas(unlikely but u never know) and Liverpool are in transition. I think it's a good opportunity. But there aren't any real matured DMs available, possibly Krychowiak from Sevilla but he didn't express a proper interest in leaving i believe. Yh your're right about the strikers, we coudln't really sign anyone that would have been a definite improvement, and i don't think a lot of fans(and pundits) seem to understand that ahah

[KoloToure]

Meh, I've been supporting Arsenal long enough to know that we'll be out of the running by April.

A solid DM in the mould of Matic would be good, to give Coquelin a couple of years to really mature - I think he's gonna be good - someone to really marshal the defence and provide the grit in midfield. Whilst Walcott has started to impress, a bona fide striker would be nice, although I appreciate Wenger's statement that there weren't any good enough/financially viable strikers around.

You could be right seeing that city look very strong this year and man utd are not to be written off despite was whacking them last week. I still sense an opportunity if Chelsea maintain their run of poor results until christmas(unlikely but u never know) and Liverpool are in transition. I think it's a good opportunity. But there aren't any real matured DMs available, possibly Krychowiak from Sevilla but he didn't express a proper interest in leaving i believe. Yh your're right about the strikers, we coudln't really sign anyone that would have been a definite improvement, and i don't think a lot of fans(and pundits) seem to understand that ahah

United are, results aside, still pretty crap. If Arsenal don't finish second...

[Auremena]

You could be right seeing that city look very strong this year and man utd are not to be written off despite was whacking them last week. I still sense an opportunity if Chelsea maintain their run of poor results until christmas(unlikely but u never know) and Liverpool are in transition. I think it's a good opportunity. But there aren't any real matured DMs available, possibly Krychowiak from Sevilla but he didn't express a proper interest in leaving i believe. Yh your're right about the strikers, we coudln't really sign anyone that would have been a definite improvement, and i don't think a lot of fans(and pundits) seem to understand that ahah

United are, results aside, still pretty crap. If Arsenal don't finish second...

Spurs in the CL? I think yes!

[Valecia]

United are, results aside, still pretty crap. If Arsenal don't finish second...

Spurs in the CL? I think yes!

There's more of a chance of stoke beating barcelona with 90% possession

[KoloToure]

Shock horror - the Scots fuck it at the last minute.

Actual shock and horror - the Irish beat Germany. Jaysus.

[Valanora]

Ireland has defeated Germany 1-0... wow.

[Uitbregen]

#GAWA

Northern Ireland in the Euros, flippin' fantastic!

[Valecia]

#GAWA

Northern Ireland in the Euros, flippin' fantastic!

hopefully we can have all the british nations there. Might make england play better ahaha

[Uitbregen]

#GAWA

Northern Ireland in the Euros, flippin' fantastic!

hopefully we can have all the british nations there. Might make england play better ahaha

Scotland are already gone, buddy. Bit gutted for them

[KoloToure]

#GAWA

Northern Ireland in the Euros, flippin' fantastic!

hopefully we can have all the british nations there. Might make england play better ahaha

Would be the end of separate teams. Or at least the beginning of the end.

[Valecia]

hopefully we can have all the british nations there. Might make england play better ahaha

Scotland are already gone, buddy. Bit gutted for them

Oh well, u always got the feeling scotland would cock it up. U see ritchies goal though

[Liventia]

Big Sam's back in a job, this time in the northeast.

[Valecia]

Big Sam's back in a job, this time in the northeast.

Be so funny if sunderland stay up and newcastle go down

[Neu Leonstein]

So normally I avoid the EPL like the plague, but now Klopp is going there. The German press seem to think it's a pretty good move for a few reasons:

• Liverpool is a "worker's club" similar to Dortmund, and both Klopp and those fans can identify with one another and take energy from one another.
• Liverpool is really bad at the things Klopp focuses on. Apparently anyone on their team who is not near the ball switches off: attackers don't defend once the ball crossed their line, for example. They can't press effectively because they don't move as a team. That is even though they have a few players who could potentially fill in the roles that Dortmund had a couple of seasons ago.
• Pressing is pretty poor in the EPL in general. In German football there is this overarching focus on keeping no space between the lines, on shifting the entire team around to stay compact. So that means defenders come way up in possession, for example, because otherwise there's a risk of too much space between midfield and defense. Apparently this is much less the case in the EPL, so there's too much space. No team really plays the kind of "pressing traps" that Dortmund used to win possession and immediately be on the counterattack. So Klopp has time - he can just do what he did with Dortmund two or three years ago, and in the EPL it will still work because teams won't withdraw against Liverpool and make them play the way teams did in the Bundesliga with Dortmund last season.

Is that true? Or is that just unkind/overoptimistic journalism?

[KoloToure]

So normally I avoid the EPL like the plague, but now Klopp is going there. The German press seem to think it's a pretty good move for a few reasons:

• Liverpool is a "worker's club" similar to Dortmund, and both Klopp and those fans can identify with one another and take energy from one another.
• Liverpool is really bad at the things Klopp focuses on. Apparently anyone on their team who is not near the ball switches off: attackers don't defend once the ball crossed their line, for example. They can't press effectively because they don't move as a team. That is even though they have a few players who could potentially fill in the roles that Dortmund had a couple of seasons ago.
• Pressing is pretty poor in the EPL in general. In German football there is this overarching focus on keeping no space between the lines, on shifting the entire team around to stay compact. So that means defenders come way up in possession, for example, because otherwise there's a risk of too much space between midfield and defense. Apparently this is much less the case in the EPL, so there's too much space. No team really plays the kind of "pressing traps" that Dortmund used to win possession and immediately be on the counterattack. So Klopp has time - he can just do what he did with Dortmund two or three years ago, and in the EPL it will still work because teams won't withdraw against Liverpool and make them play the way teams did in the Bundesliga with Dortmund last season.

Is that true? Or is that just unkind/overoptimistic journalism?

Depends on what you mean by attackers, and depends on who those attackers are. Certainly the tactical side of the defensive game took a big hit when Agger and Suarez departed in the same window.

Liverpool's defence is currently uncertain because of Martin Skrtel, who likes to fall back, and Dejan Lovren, who commits terrifying mistakes every other game - but he likes to step out and defend aggressively, so he's a better fit to partner Sakho than Skrtel under Klopp.

Other than that, it's fairly spot on.

[Val Halla]

Sam is one of those managers that aren't very good but somehow just linger around the lower premier league teams because... No idea why

[KoloToure]

Sam is one of those managers that aren't very good but somehow just linger around the lower premier league teams because... No idea why

Allardyce was one of the most revolutionary managers of the early 2000s. Football caught up with him but he's still exceptionally effective. Never been relegated from the Premier League, and never had one of his teams relegated either (ie Blackburn didn't go down in the 2010-11 seasons when he was sacked, but rather the year after).

[Redemption-America]

So normally I avoid the EPL like the plague, but now Klopp is going there. The German press seem to think it's a pretty good move for a few reasons:

• Liverpool is a "worker's club" similar to Dortmund, and both Klopp and those fans can identify with one another and take energy from one another.
• Liverpool is really bad at the things Klopp focuses on. Apparently anyone on their team who is not near the ball switches off: attackers don't defend once the ball crossed their line, for example. They can't press effectively because they don't move as a team. That is even though they have a few players who could potentially fill in the roles that Dortmund had a couple of seasons ago.
• Pressing is pretty poor in the EPL in general. In German football there is this overarching focus on keeping no space between the lines, on shifting the entire team around to stay compact. So that means defenders come way up in possession, for example, because otherwise there's a risk of too much space between midfield and defense. Apparently this is much less the case in the EPL, so there's too much space. No team really plays the kind of "pressing traps" that Dortmund used to win possession and immediately be on the counterattack. So Klopp has time - he can just do what he did with Dortmund two or three years ago, and in the EPL it will still work because teams won't withdraw against Liverpool and make them play the way teams did in the Bundesliga with Dortmund last season.

Is that true? Or is that just unkind/overoptimistic journalism?

Depends on what you mean by attackers, and depends on who those attackers are. Certainly the tactical side of the defensive game took a big hit when Agger and Suarez departed in the same window.

Liverpool's defence is currently uncertain because of Martin Skrtel, who likes to fall back, and Dejan Lovren, who commits terrifying mistakes every other game - but he likes to step out and defend aggressively, so he's a better fit to partner Sakho than Skrtel under Klopp.

Other than that, it's fairly spot on.

It's not. It's been ghastly. Skrtel shits himself every other game, Lovren doesn't know what's going on, but thankfully has been benched. Sakho is class. Clyne's disappointed, but that's largely because he was playing out of position (thanks Brendan). Rather fond of Moreno, but he's stronger going forward than defending.

The other issue is that both holding midfielders (Can and sorta Milner, though he's been going forward more recently) aren't in form. And Migs had occasional major problems, but he's improved from the beginning of last year.

My hope is that Klopp can sort the formation out, instead of doing the 3-5-2 or whatever Rodgers had stuck with. It wasn't good. They got gashed by a wank United team and gave up 2 to Villa. Having an energetic mid like Henderson back (eventually) will help significantly.

My hope/guess is that Klopp uses the diamond, but he favored the 4-2-3-1 at Dortmund. Benteke seems like his type of player, but if Sturridge can stay healthy (which probably won't happen tbf), not sure how they'll divide playing time. So Klopp has a lot of decisions to make going forward, but he's a world-class manager. He'll get it sorted.

[Liventia]

Sakho is clumsy in possession. Never seems to know what to do with the ball at his feet. Not as 'class' as many people make him out to be. Mignolet spreads nervousness through the defence though clearly he's still better than Bogdan. Milner's not taken the captaincy well and definitely seems to work better when he's allowed to play his normal game when Henderson is around (but as we know Hendo's got a broken metatarsal which means two months at least). Skrtel still looks like giving away a penalty at every defensive corner or free kick.

The defence has been poor for years now (since Agger left really, though the seeds were sown in the last year before he left when he fell out of favour). It's not the formation, it's simply the calibre of player(s).

[KoloToure]

Depends on what you mean by attackers, and depends on who those attackers are. Certainly the tactical side of the defensive game took a big hit when Agger and Suarez departed in the same window.

Liverpool's defence is currently uncertain because of Martin Skrtel, who likes to fall back, and Dejan Lovren, who commits terrifying mistakes every other game - but he likes to step out and defend aggressively, so he's a better fit to partner Sakho than Skrtel under Klopp.

Other than that, it's fairly spot on.

It's not. It's been ghastly. Skrtel shits himself every other game, Lovren doesn't know what's going on, but thankfully has been benched. Sakho is class. Clyne's disappointed, but that's largely because he was playing out of position (thanks Brendan). Rather fond of Moreno, but he's stronger going forward than defending.

The other issue is that both holding midfielders (Can and sorta Milner, though he's been going forward more recently) aren't in form. And Migs had occasional major problems, but he's improved from the beginning of last year.

My hope is that Klopp can sort the formation out, instead of doing the 3-5-2 or whatever Rodgers had stuck with. It wasn't good. They got gashed by a wank United team and gave up 2 to Villa. Having an energetic mid like Henderson back (eventually) will help significantly.

My hope/guess is that Klopp uses the diamond, but he favored the 4-2-3-1 at Dortmund. Benteke seems like his type of player, but if Sturridge can stay healthy (which probably won't happen tbf), not sure how they'll divide playing time. So Klopp has a lot of decisions to make going forward, but he's a world-class manager. He'll get it sorted.

I meant what the German media was saying according to Neu Leonstein.

You talk about holding midfielders but ignore the only one we have in Lucas. Can is a CB like Milner is a wide midfielder and Gerrard was an attacking midfielder - just because they all think they're CMs doesn't mean that's their best position.

Mignolet has regressed, he's back to overthinking or whatever it was that he was doing last year.

And we needed the 352, given the personnel we had. Skrtel can play as a sweeper in a back three because it removes him from all defensive responsibility except last ditch tackles and interceptions - coincidentally the only bits he's world class at - and should have created a better balance in the midfield if Big Jim Milner would remember to stay in position and not drift wide naturally because he knows in his heart of hearts he's a fucking wide man.

As for Klopp, I know nothing of him and don't intend to claim otherwise. He'll do what he's going to do - I just want him to bodyslam Mourinho before he leaves the building. That'll be fucking great.

[Evil Lord Sauron]

I think it is time to recall Danny Ward from the SPL and Aberdeen. He is setting it a light with my massively biased opinion, and should certainly start ahead of Migs.

As for the Sam allardyce comment. He is a quality manager who has done an awful lot. He is like Pulis, brilliant for smaller clubs who just want to remain in the premiership and have an occasional cup run. It's a shame for them both that neither of them will be considered for a top club, simply due to style of play and general negative public opinion. However it has kept them both in the top echelons for what feels like decades. In a world where managers are chopped and changed every year that is some impressive feat.

[KoloToure]

Sakho is clumsy in possession. Never seems to know what to do with the ball at his feet. Not as 'class' as many people make him out to be.

That's absolute bilge, mate. He's easily one of the if not the most confident Prem defender on the ball. He regularly dribbles the ball around defenders and has one of the best pass completion stats in the league - he's dropped something stupid like 3 passes in the last three games.

He does look like a massively ungainly spider but then so did Crouch and everyone raved about his ability on the ball.

[Neu Leonstein]

http://www.90min.com/posts/2631860-klop ... _aid=35322

New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp ​has told his players in his first meeting today that the days of possession football are over.
​
​According to Tony Barrett of The Times he made it clear to Liverpool players that they have to accept his methods, telling them this is not a proposal, it is law.

“Now we cannot talk about football philosophy and ball possession, playing like Barcelona, playing like whoever. No. This team needs to create their own style,” Klopp said.

“If you have the ball you have to be creative, but you have to be prepared that if you lose the ball the counter-pressing is very important.

[...]

[The Blaatschapen]

http://www.90min.com/posts/2631860-klopp-tells-liverpool-players-days-of-possession-football-are-over?a_aid=35322

New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp ​has told his players in his first meeting today that the days of possession football are over.
​
​According to Tony Barrett of The Times he made it clear to Liverpool players that they have to accept his methods, telling them this is not a proposal, it is law.

“Now we cannot talk about football philosophy and ball possession, playing like Barcelona, playing like whoever. No. This team needs to create their own style,” Klopp said.

“If you have the ball you have to be creative, but you have to be prepared that if you lose the ball the counter-pressing is very important.

[...]

Let's get Klopp for the Dutch national team >_>

[Redemption-America]

It's not. It's been ghastly. Skrtel shits himself every other game, Lovren doesn't know what's going on, but thankfully has been benched. Sakho is class. Clyne's disappointed, but that's largely because he was playing out of position (thanks Brendan). Rather fond of Moreno, but he's stronger going forward than defending.

The other issue is that both holding midfielders (Can and sorta Milner, though he's been going forward more recently) aren't in form. And Migs had occasional major problems, but he's improved from the beginning of last year.

My hope is that Klopp can sort the formation out, instead of doing the 3-5-2 or whatever Rodgers had stuck with. It wasn't good. They got gashed by a wank United team and gave up 2 to Villa. Having an energetic mid like Henderson back (eventually) will help significantly.

My hope/guess is that Klopp uses the diamond, but he favored the 4-2-3-1 at Dortmund. Benteke seems like his type of player, but if Sturridge can stay healthy (which probably won't happen tbf), not sure how they'll divide playing time. So Klopp has a lot of decisions to make going forward, but he's a world-class manager. He'll get it sorted.

I meant what the German media was saying according to Neu Leonstein.

You talk about holding midfielders but ignore the only one we have in Lucas. Can is a CB like Milner is a wide midfielder and Gerrard was an attacking midfielder - just because they all think they're CMs doesn't mean that's their best position.

Mignolet has regressed, he's back to overthinking or whatever it was that he was doing last year.

And we needed the 352, given the personnel we had. Skrtel can play as a sweeper in a back three because it removes him from all defensive responsibility except last ditch tackles and interceptions - coincidentally the only bits he's world class at - and should have created a better balance in the midfield if Big Jim Milner would remember to stay in position and not drift wide naturally because he knows in his heart of hearts he's a fucking wide man.

As for Klopp, I know nothing of him and don't intend to claim otherwise. He'll do what he's going to do - I just want him to bodyslam Mourinho before he leaves the building. That'll be fucking great.

Holy fuck I have no idea how I forgot to mention Lucas. *Goes and puts self in corner*.

I still think Can can play in the midfield. And agree that Milner should be out wide, but he's fairly insistent for some odd reason that he can play in the middle. We'll see where Klopp slots him, but I still think he has good form left. They'll need him to with Hendo still out.

And you're right, there's a lot of personnel issues that need sorted. Rodgers' transfers again become an issue. Freaking worthless Dejan Lovren for £20 million.

And punching Mourinho, dropping the mic, then running around Stamford Bridge/Old Trafford/wherever giving dual middle fingers to everyone would be fantastic.