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

[KoloToure]

Aaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Hahahahahahahahaha

Have a great weekend, one and all. Hahahahaha.

[Adab]

So, Chelsea lost that game against Liverpool. 1-3. I wonder what Abramovich's going to do now.

[The Blaatschapen]

Good weekend, first seeing my team win with 1-6 (watching on TV) on Friday. And on Saturday I went to Ajax - Roda JC (I had free tickets). That ended in 6-0.

[Nazis in Space]

Ahahahaha

The Italian commentary actually called Granit Xhaka 'Shaka Zulu'.

Well. I guess there are worse people to be compared to. And it does kind of fit his tendency to earn a yellow card in every game...

[Eastfield Lodge]

Salford City are playing really well here...

[West Aurelia]

The only way Chelsea's going to win anything this season is if Willian keeps taking free kicks.

[KoloToure]

Those of you who play or coach, how are your seasons going?

I've lost my place in the team to our new manager's best mate, so that's a thing.

[Val Halla]

Those of you who play or coach, how are your seasons going?

I've lost my place in the team to our new manager's best mate, so that's a thing.

That sounds like poor leadership

[KoloToure]

Those of you who play or coach, how are your seasons going?

I've lost my place in the team to our new manager's best mate, so that's a thing.

That sounds like poor leadership

*shrug* It's amateur football, it happens. We battered a team in the cup today 6-1, but if our league form stays as inconsistent as it is I@ll be back in the team sooner or later.

[Osarius]

Those of you who play or coach, how are your seasons going?

I've lost my place in the team to our new manager's best mate, so that's a thing.

I stepped down as manager at my team this summer. Between being busy with work and having "lost the dressing room" as it were... it was the best decision. Still hurts a bit, but the majority of the squad seems to be enjoying their football more without me there so I figure I was clearly at least part of the problem. Once I finally get my drivers license and whatnot sorted, I might speak to the chairman and see if I can take over a younger age group. Not sure yet. I prefer coaching younger players tbh, they listen better... But I dunno if I'll be able to commit properly and I don't wanna half-ass it. Not fair on the kids. Also I have a friend who wants me to train him for martial arts competitions and I'm considering doing that instead. Less demanding, more flexible... haven't decided yet. I really don't know what my next step is.

As for playing... I turned down three trial offers this summer. I'm too banged up to play competitively these days, even for a decent amateur team, so I don't even try any more. Had surgery on my back in July and trying to train after a couple of months out was too much. So I just maintain casual levels now. Had a decent kickabout with my cousin and his friends last week though, I was like... seven years older than everyone else lmao. But I think I did alright. Probably helps that only a few of them seem to have any competitive football experience. Could tell from their movement and decision making.

[Unified Free Lands]

I know most people here don't follow the Bundesliga but Koln won the Rhine Derby today, after another set piece header goal. Neverkusen Leverkusen was down to ten men, also, after a red card.

[KoloToure]

Those of you who play or coach, how are your seasons going?

I've lost my place in the team to our new manager's best mate, so that's a thing.

I stepped down as manager at my team this summer. Between being busy with work and having "lost the dressing room" as it were... it was the best decision. Still hurts a bit, but the majority of the squad seems to be enjoying their football more without me there so I figure I was clearly at least part of the problem. Once I finally get my drivers license and whatnot sorted, I might speak to the chairman and see if I can take over a younger age group. Not sure yet. I prefer coaching younger players tbh, they listen better... But I dunno if I'll be able to commit properly and I don't wanna half-ass it. Not fair on the kids. Also I have a friend who wants me to train him for martial arts competitions and I'm considering doing that instead. Less demanding, more flexible... haven't decided yet. I really don't know what my next step is.

As for playing... I turned down three trial offers this summer. I'm too banged up to play competitively these days, even for a decent amateur team, so I don't even try any more. Had surgery on my back in July and trying to train after a couple of months out was too much. So I just maintain casual levels now. Had a decent kickabout with my cousin and his friends last week though, I was like... seven years older than everyone else lmao. But I think I did alright. Probably helps that only a few of them seem to have any competitive football experience. Could tell from their movement and decision making.

That's a shame about the coaching man, you've clearly been passionate about it when we've discussed it in the past. I can kind of appreciate what you mean about younger players, too - teenagers are a bit too egotistical, for my taste.*

The martial arts sounds cool, though. Which discipline?

*Co-incidentally, I've ended up the de facto manager of a new age group at u13s. Basically, there's been a guy at the club for a few years who has managed but always teams that have been too old for his kid. Gradually his teams shed enough players to create the age group under and he would move down. So this season he finally worked down to his kid's age group, and my dad and I decided to help him out - my dad with the admin, me with the coaching. And gradually and organically I've ended up the manager.

[Osarius]

That's a shame about the coaching man, you've clearly been passionate about it when we've discussed it in the past. I can kind of appreciate what you mean about younger players, too - teenagers are a bit too egotistical, for my taste.*

The martial arts sounds cool, though. Which discipline?

It's been coming for over a year, tbh. They play FIFA all the time and think they're tactical experts now It's okay though, like I said, they seem to be enjoying themselves more, and I was losing motivation too... so I think pretty much everyone involved is happier now. it's probably for the best. In some ways I feel like I was forced out, I guess... but what's done is done.

For the martial arts stuff, he wants to do MMA, so he asked me to help him with his striking, mostly. I've just been reinforcing boxing/kickboxing fundamentals, for the most part. Then throwing in bits of information based on my own understanding of martial arts, like attacking down the centre line where possible, trying to get him into a pattern of thinking that makes him better aware of his situation in terms of ring control, and weight distribution. Stuff like that. He's never competed before so it's easy to teach him concepts and ideas because he doesn't have any preconceptions. Pure shoshin.

I liked coaching under 13s. I did that twice, I liked it so much haha. So I imagine that will go alright for you. How's the season gone so far?

[Uitbregen]

Chesham United beat Bristol Rovers 0-1 to get through to the 2nd Round of the FA Cup. I'm absolutely f***ing ecstatic!

[KoloToure]

Chesham United beat Bristol Rovers 0-1 to get through to the 2nd Round of the FA Cup. I'm absolutely f***ing ecstatic!

Did you go, mate?

That's a shame about the coaching man, you've clearly been passionate about it when we've discussed it in the past. I can kind of appreciate what you mean about younger players, too - teenagers are a bit too egotistical, for my taste.*

The martial arts sounds cool, though. Which discipline?

It's been coming for over a year, tbh. They play FIFA all the time and think they're tactical experts now It's okay though, like I said, they seem to be enjoying themselves more, and I was losing motivation too... so I think pretty much everyone involved is happier now. it's probably for the best. In some ways I feel like I was forced out, I guess... but what's done is done.

For the martial arts stuff, he wants to do MMA, so he asked me to help him with his striking, mostly. I've just been reinforcing boxing/kickboxing fundamentals, for the most part. Then throwing in bits of information based on my own understanding of martial arts, like attacking down the centre line where possible, trying to get him into a pattern of thinking that makes him better aware of his situation in terms of ring control, and weight distribution. Stuff like that. He's never competed before so it's easy to teach him concepts and ideas because he doesn't have any preconceptions. Pure shoshin.

I liked coaching under 13s. I did that twice, I liked it so much haha. So I imagine that will go alright for you. How's the season gone so far?

FIFA's Be A Pro can be a great learning tool but the tactics in the game are a nightmare and nothing like real life. It's a shame when the kids start thinking they know better.

So long as you aren't responsible for him getting his arse kicked, I think you can claim success there. What's your background in the ring?

We're currently running at a 100% loss rate so far, ha. Good players, but it's taking some time to get them to gel - as you might expect, really. They play some lovely football at times. Doesn't help that of the 12 man squad, about 50% are u12s including our goalkeeper and both central midfielders. So whilst they're all good players, they're trying to make up a year's growth just as puberty kicks in for the older lads. We've also lost our main CB for more than half the season with a broken leg and our biggest goal threat left to commit to his Sunday team because he didn't like losing or the pressure of being the team's star player.

On the plus side, the kid I've made captain and CB is phenomenally good. Took him a few games to actually enjoy playing there - he's always been a midfielder before - but once I explained to him how important a role defending was in training and why it was vital he played there, he got a bit more on board and he's loving it now.

The wins are coming, just need to be a bit better in front of goal. Normally I'd be all over teaching that but we play Saturday mornings and only train when we don't have a game.

[Uitbregen]

Chesham United beat Bristol Rovers 0-1 to get through to the 2nd Round of the FA Cup. I'm absolutely f***ing ecstatic!

Did you go, mate?

Nah, unfortunately I couldn't. Got back in just after full-time and asked my mate to go onto the FA Cup page on the BBC website. Scarcely believed it when he told me the score. Watched the highlights this evening, it looked like we defended for 99% of the game and then scored on the break. Classic FA Cup upset goal. Hoping for an easy ride in the next round to give us a shot at a big draw in Round 3.

[KoloToure]

Did you go, mate?

Nah, unfortunately I couldn't. Got back in just after full-time and asked my mate to go onto the FA Cup page on the BBC website. Scarcely believed it when he told me the score. Watched the highlights this evening, it looked like we defended for 99% of the game and then scored on the break. Classic FA Cup upset goal. Hoping for an easy ride in the next round to give us a shot at a big draw in Round 3.

My dad was there because he had nothing else to do and he says that's basically what it was. Really liked the goal, though, he entushed about it for about 20 minutes.

[Liventia]

Barry Hayles (yes he) scored the goal, that's all that needs to be said…

[Uitbregen]

Barry Hayles (yes he) scored the goal, that's all that needs to be said…

It was Ryan Blake, mate...

Hayles supplied the assist.

[Kraylandia]

Rangers til I die.

[Osarius]

FIFA's Be A Pro can be a great learning tool but the tactics in the game are a nightmare and nothing like real life. It's a shame when the kids start thinking they know better.

Yeah... I taught my cousin tactics using FIFA 09 back in the day. He's assistant coach with an under 8s team now, studying sports science at college. Smart kid.
But without someone to break things down, and explain the differences between FIFA and real life, the game is terrible for tactics. That's something that's been coming for a while too. "Ah can I play CAM?" ... no you can't. You've nagged me to play a 4-4-2 so we can't use a central attacking midfielder ffs. >_> I can convince some players just by pointing out that I used to get paid to play football. Others -- newer guys, who don't know me from before I stopped playing -- see me as this old nerdy guy who looks average at best (because low fitness and no match practice), and dismiss my opinion. It happens *shrug* Really, I should have kept playing casually so I'd "look the part" so to speak. Kids and teens respond to people they can see are clearly better than them, I think.

So long as you aren't responsible for him getting his arse kicked, I think you can claim success there. What's your background in the ring?

Ahahaa... well, the first thing my sifu taught me was "protect yourself at all times" so that's something I emphasise. He should be alright. Myself... I studied a lot of styles. Started off doing Fujian White Crane, later did aikido and kickboxing. Bunch of other stuff in between, dabbling with different styles etc. I competed in a couple kickboxing tournaments and had a few MMA contests in my late teens. Haven't fought since early 2006, though.

We're currently running at a 100% loss rate so far, ha. Good players, but it's taking some time to get them to gel - as you might expect, really. They play some lovely football at times. Doesn't help that of the 12 man squad, about 50% are u12s including our goalkeeper and both central midfielders. So whilst they're all good players, they're trying to make up a year's growth just as puberty kicks in for the older lads.

Yeah that'll be tough. As long as the development is there and the performances are solid, it's okay though. Those kids will be infinitely more confident next season, and it will benefit them a lot more in the long run. I still think it's a bit weird how we don't allow mixing of age bands. I get that we're concerned about injuries and stuff, but when I was playing youth football, we used to mix teams among our own squads (we had about 60 players from U9-U12) and played our own seven a side mini-league in training, with U9s playing alongside U12s. Most of the guys I played alongside went on to play competitively at a decent level. One guy was in the reserves at Wolves at one point.

Only REAL downside to that approach, IMO, is if your younger kids are just getting thrashed every game. In which case the league will probably need to step in and take action. If the matches aren't competitive, nobody benefits, right? As long as they can see their own improvement though, and they trust you, they'll be fine. Might be worth looking into the training situation if possible, though. That doesn't sound positive to me :/

[Kalifati Arab shqiptar]

Rangers til I die.

Don't die please.

[KoloToure]

We're currently running at a 100% loss rate so far, ha. Good players, but it's taking some time to get them to gel - as you might expect, really. They play some lovely football at times. Doesn't help that of the 12 man squad, about 50% are u12s including our goalkeeper and both central midfielders. So whilst they're all good players, they're trying to make up a year's growth just as puberty kicks in for the older lads.

Yeah that'll be tough. As long as the development is there and the performances are solid, it's okay though. Those kids will be infinitely more confident next season, and it will benefit them a lot more in the long run. I still think it's a bit weird how we don't allow mixing of age bands. I get that we're concerned about injuries and stuff, but when I was playing youth football, we used to mix teams among our own squads (we had about 60 players from U9-U12) and played our own seven a side mini-league in training, with U9s playing alongside U12s. Most of the guys I played alongside went on to play competitively at a decent level. One guy was in the reserves at Wolves at one point.

Only REAL downside to that approach, IMO, is if your younger kids are just getting thrashed every game. In which case the league will probably need to step in and take action. If the matches aren't competitive, nobody benefits, right? As long as they can see their own improvement though, and they trust you, they'll be fine. Might be worth looking into the training situation if possible, though. That doesn't sound positive to me :/

I agree fully with the point about kids wanting to learn from those they see as better. Which means in this case I may have to scale down how good I think they are.

That's an impressively broad background in martial arts of some kind then. I'll be sure to name you as my champion in cases of trial by combat. Good for your mate though, you'll give him a fairly broad base to start from. Should stop him getting his head kicked in.

There's no age mixing allowed? That's odd, that's something extra your league have added. There are those kind of regional variations all over the place though, I guess. York's men's league doesn't have club linesmen doing offsides, meaning the ref has to do it all, which was bizarre to me.

As for the training situation - it's largely unavoidable, but should be training every fortnight at least now. Because it's a smallish league, the clubs still have a certain amount of power over fixturing - so school holidays have been embargoed for games. As I'm the chump who has to do the fixtures for the whole league, this is unimaginably irritating. So the start of the season has to be packed with fixtures otherwise they don't get finished.

This impacts training because our kids largely come from backgrounds where midweek, subsidised training is unavoidable. As we play Saturdays rather than Sundays, we can't do it that way round. Training on a Sunday seems counter-productive.

[Liventia]

Understandably, the England v France friendly on Tuesday has been postponed indefinitely.

[Kraylandia]

Rangers til I die.

Don't die please.

I'll try not to mate.