The Ultimate Football/Soccer Thread (2010/2011 Season)

[The blessed Chris]

Argentina's attack is shaping up to be a real threat this year.

Messi, di Maria, Tevez, Aguero, Higuain and whoever else Maradona selects (I presume Riquelme and Veron, and would like to see Aimar myself), have the potential to be devastating, but whether they'll have sufficient possession and territory to make a real impact in the later stages of the World Cup is dubious. Veron and Riquelme lack the energy and physicality to dominate a contemporary midfield, and as good as Mascherano is, Cambiasso and Gago don't look equal to the task of securing sufficient possession against a team like Spain, Brazil or Germany.

[Chumblywumbly]

After apparently being a nuisance in the pub (what's so wrong with supporting a footy team based on what fonts they use on their strips...?), I've been ordered by mates to choose a Premier League team to support.

Any suggestions?

[Londim]

Breaking News:

Van Persie looks set to return from injury to face Tottenham this week. This could be a late boost for Arsenal's title challenge.

[The blessed Chris]

After apparently being a nuisance in the pub (what's so wrong with supporting a footy team based on what fonts they use on their strips...?), I've been ordered by mates to choose a Premier League team to support.

Any suggestions?

Spurs. Tottenham Hotspur for those who live under a rock. They've always been my second team (third, in fact, since I follow Fiorentina on the basis of their pretty purple shirts, but still), primarily because they play decent enough football and are good value for drama.

[The House of Castile]

Breaking News:

Van Persie looks set to return from injury to face Tottenham this week. This could be a late boost for Arsenal's title challenge.

YESSSSSSS!!!!!

Sorry for that, Arsenal's had some bad luck with injuries, I guess it's the price you pay for having a young, small squad.

[The House of Castile]

Argentina's attack is shaping up to be a real threat this year.

Messi, di Maria, Tevez, Aguero, Higuain and whoever else Maradona selects (I presume Riquelme and Veron, and would like to see Aimar myself), have the potential to be devastating, but whether they'll have sufficient possession and territory to make a real impact in the later stages of the World Cup is dubious. Veron and Riquelme lack the energy and physicality to dominate a contemporary midfield, and as good as Mascherano is, Cambiasso and Gago don't look equal to the task of securing sufficient possession against a team like Spain, Brazil or Germany.

I think Cambiasso can secure the midfield, Aimar I've heard good things about but I haven't really seen him play.

After apparently being a nuisance in the pub (what's so wrong with supporting a footy team based on what fonts they use on their strips...?), I've been ordered by mates to choose a Premier League team to support.

Any suggestions?

Arsenal, or Newcastle United when they return.

[Londim]

After apparently being a nuisance in the pub (what's so wrong with supporting a footy team based on what fonts they use on their strips...?), I've been ordered by mates to choose a Premier League team to support.

Any suggestions?

What's the nearest Premier League team to you?

[The blessed Chris]

Argentina's attack is shaping up to be a real threat this year.

Messi, di Maria, Tevez, Aguero, Higuain and whoever else Maradona selects (I presume Riquelme and Veron, and would like to see Aimar myself), have the potential to be devastating, but whether they'll have sufficient possession and territory to make a real impact in the later stages of the World Cup is dubious. Veron and Riquelme lack the energy and physicality to dominate a contemporary midfield, and as good as Mascherano is, Cambiasso and Gago don't look equal to the task of securing sufficient possession against a team like Spain, Brazil or Germany.

I think Cambiasso can secure the midfield, Aimar I've heard good things about but I haven't really seen him play.

After apparently being a nuisance in the pub (what's so wrong with supporting a footy team based on what fonts they use on their strips...?), I've been ordered by mates to choose a Premier League team to support.

Any suggestions?

Arsenal, or Newcastle United when they return.

Plays at Benfica with Angel di Maria, and played at Real Zaragoza and Valencia, before that. I prefer di Maria, since he's got more pace and is younger, but I've always liked Aimar as a player. Understated, elegant, and intelligent.

[The House of Castile]

Sorry, it was Angel di Maria I was thinking of.

[Chumblywumbly]

What's the nearest Premier League team to you?

Seeing as I live in Edinburgh, probably Newcastle when the move up to the Premier.

But I'm not bothered by geography, what with me not actually living in England.

---

Spurs. Tottenham Hotspur for those who live under a rock. They've always been my second team (third, in fact, since I follow Fiorentina on the basis of their pretty purple shirts, but still), primarily because they play decent enough football and are good value for drama.

You're the second person to suggest that Spurs would be a fun team to support.

As the North London derby is on in a couple of days, I might well become an honorary Spurs fan for the match.

[Londim]

What's the nearest Premier League team to you?

Seeing as I live in Edinburgh, probably Newcastle when the move up to the Premier.

---

Spurs. Tottenham Hotspur for those who live under a rock. They've always been my second team (third, in fact, since I follow Fiorentina on the basis of their pretty purple shirts, but still), primarily because they play decent enough football and are good value for drama.

You're the second person to suggest that Spurs would be a fun team to support.

As the North London derby is on in a couple of days, I might well become an honorary Spurs fan for the match.

I say Newcastle then. I reckon they'll be a decent team in the Premier League once more. They needed to be relegated to bring focus back to the club.

[Chorridonia]

Argentina's attack is shaping up to be a real threat this year.

Messi, di Maria, Tevez, Aguero, Higuain and whoever else Maradona selects (I presume Riquelme and Veron, and would like to see Aimar myself), have the potential to be devastating, but whether they'll have sufficient possession and territory to make a real impact in the later stages of the World Cup is dubious. Veron and Riquelme lack the energy and physicality to dominate a contemporary midfield, and as good as Mascherano is, Cambiasso and Gago don't look equal to the task of securing sufficient possession against a team like Spain, Brazil or Germany.

Ever Banega is having a susprisingly good season. I would trust him over Gago, maybe even over Cambiasso.

[The blessed Chris]

Argentina's attack is shaping up to be a real threat this year.

Messi, di Maria, Tevez, Aguero, Higuain and whoever else Maradona selects (I presume Riquelme and Veron, and would like to see Aimar myself), have the potential to be devastating, but whether they'll have sufficient possession and territory to make a real impact in the later stages of the World Cup is dubious. Veron and Riquelme lack the energy and physicality to dominate a contemporary midfield, and as good as Mascherano is, Cambiasso and Gago don't look equal to the task of securing sufficient possession against a team like Spain, Brazil or Germany.

Ever Banega is having a susprisingly good season. I would trust him over Gago, maybe even over Cambiasso.

Never heard of him. Is he based in Europe?

[Londim]

Argentina's attack is shaping up to be a real threat this year.

Messi, di Maria, Tevez, Aguero, Higuain and whoever else Maradona selects (I presume Riquelme and Veron, and would like to see Aimar myself), have the potential to be devastating, but whether they'll have sufficient possession and territory to make a real impact in the later stages of the World Cup is dubious. Veron and Riquelme lack the energy and physicality to dominate a contemporary midfield, and as good as Mascherano is, Cambiasso and Gago don't look equal to the task of securing sufficient possession against a team like Spain, Brazil or Germany.

Ever Banega is having a susprisingly good season. I would trust him over Gago, maybe even over Cambiasso.

Never heard of him. Is he based in Europe?

Playing at Valencia I do believe.

[Chorridonia]

Argentina's attack is shaping up to be a real threat this year.

Messi, di Maria, Tevez, Aguero, Higuain and whoever else Maradona selects (I presume Riquelme and Veron, and would like to see Aimar myself), have the potential to be devastating, but whether they'll have sufficient possession and territory to make a real impact in the later stages of the World Cup is dubious. Veron and Riquelme lack the energy and physicality to dominate a contemporary midfield, and as good as Mascherano is, Cambiasso and Gago don't look equal to the task of securing sufficient possession against a team like Spain, Brazil or Germany.

Ever Banega is having a susprisingly good season. I would trust him over Gago, maybe even over Cambiasso.

Never heard of him. Is he based in Europe?

Yes, he plays for Valencia. He signed with them two years ago (in the middle of the 2007-2008 season), but last year he was on loan to Atletico Madrid. He hadn't been any good in that season and a half, but this year he has been a starter for Valencia and is playing very solidly.

[The House of Castile]

Argentina's attack is shaping up to be a real threat this year.

Messi, di Maria, Tevez, Aguero, Higuain and whoever else Maradona selects (I presume Riquelme and Veron, and would like to see Aimar myself), have the potential to be devastating, but whether they'll have sufficient possession and territory to make a real impact in the later stages of the World Cup is dubious. Veron and Riquelme lack the energy and physicality to dominate a contemporary midfield, and as good as Mascherano is, Cambiasso and Gago don't look equal to the task of securing sufficient possession against a team like Spain, Brazil or Germany.

Ever Banega is having a susprisingly good season. I would trust him over Gago, maybe even over Cambiasso.

I don't think he's better then Cambiasso.

[The House of Castile]

I've heard rumors of Arsenal trying to sign Guillermo Ochoa, Sebastien Frey, or Hugo Lloris.

I was wondering who would you guys take? Also Joe Harts been looking pretty good, I don't know if he'll stay at Man City any longer.

[Londim]

I've heard rumors of Arsenal trying to sign Guillermo Ochoa, Sebastien Frey, or Hugo Lloris.

I wondering who would you guys take? Also Joe Harts been looking pretty good, I don't know if he'll stay at Man City any longer.

Alex McCleish would love to keep him at Birmingham but I think Man City will take him back to be their secondary keeper.

[The blessed Chris]

I've heard rumors of Arsenal trying to sign Guillermo Ochoa, Sebastien Frey, or Hugo Lloris.

I wondering who would you guys take? Also Joe Harts been looking pretty good, I don't know if he'll stay at Man City any longer.

Alex McCleish would love to keep him at Birmingham but I think Man City will take him back to be their secondary keeper.

I'm not convinced Hart will want to return as a secondary keeper, especially given how Foster has stagnated and declined competing with Kusczak to be second behind van der Sar at United. Given that City seem prepared to sell other academy developed English players, notably Richards, I could envisage him leaving if City are offered sufficient money, or part exchange for a player they fancy. They're welcome to Berbatov if they want; I've tried to warm to him, and I generally do like players with a streak of the laconic and sense of arrogance to them, such as Ibrahimovic, but he's starting to piss me off royally. Macheda, at 18, looks a more reliable player than him. As does Tevez...

[The House of Castile]

I've heard rumors of Arsenal trying to sign Guillermo Ochoa, Sebastien Frey, or Hugo Lloris.

I wondering who would you guys take? Also Joe Harts been looking pretty good, I don't know if he'll stay at Man City any longer.

Alex McCleish would love to keep him at Birmingham but I think Man City will take him back to be their secondary keeper.

I'm not convinced Hart will want to return as a secondary keeper, especially given how Foster has stagnated and declined competing with Kusczak to be second behind van der Sar at United. Given that City seem prepared to sell other academy developed English players, notably Richards, I could envisage him leaving if City are offered sufficient money, or part exchange for a player they fancy. They're welcome to Berbatov if they want; I've tried to warm to him, and I generally do like players with a streak of the laconic and sense of arrogance to them, such as Ibrahimovic, but he's starting to piss me off royally. Macheda, at 18, looks a more reliable player than him. As does Tevez...

If I were Foster, I would just leave United.

If I were United I would sign a striker like David Villa, people say Xavi's the most underrated footballer but Villa's been amazing and it's a shame he won't sign for a bigger club so he can get the recognition he deserves.

[Londim]

I've heard rumors of Arsenal trying to sign Guillermo Ochoa, Sebastien Frey, or Hugo Lloris.

I wondering who would you guys take? Also Joe Harts been looking pretty good, I don't know if he'll stay at Man City any longer.

Alex McCleish would love to keep him at Birmingham but I think Man City will take him back to be their secondary keeper.

I'm not convinced Hart will want to return as a secondary keeper, especially given how Foster has stagnated and declined competing with Kusczak to be second behind van der Sar at United. Given that City seem prepared to sell other academy developed English players, notably Richards, I could envisage him leaving if City are offered sufficient money, or part exchange for a player they fancy. They're welcome to Berbatov if they want; I've tried to warm to him, and I generally do like players with a streak of the laconic and sense of arrogance to them, such as Ibrahimovic, but he's starting to piss me off royally. Macheda, at 18, looks a more reliable player than him. As does Tevez...

Berbatov is a good player but he isn't United quality. He doesn't fit well into the team dynamic as well as Rooney and Tevez was also a player who fit well into the dynamic who could read the game well. He has really shone at City. Berbatov had all that arrogance at Spurs, but he really hasn't proved to me why he should be a United player. Compared to other strikers in the league like Rooney, Adebayor, Tevez or even Zamora and Bent this season, Berbatov just isn't exciting to watch nor is he offering good returns.

[The House of Castile]

Being a Real Madrid fan, I'm used to seeing strikers flop, Huntelaar, Morientes, Júlio Baptista, Micheal Owen.

Shame about Micheal Owen, I was a fan of his.

[Barringtonia]

Berbatov is a good player but he isn't United quality. He doesn't fit well into the team dynamic as well as Rooney and Tevez was also a player who fit well into the dynamic who could read the game well. He has really shone at City. Berbatov had all that arrogance at Spurs, but he really hasn't proved to me why he should be a United player. Compared to other strikers in the league like Rooney, Adebayor, Tevez or even Zamora and Bent this season, Berbatov just isn't exciting to watch nor is he offering good returns.

The reason he doesn't fit into the United set up is that he wants the ball to his feet, not to have to chase it - I think he reads the game perfectly well, he's often in great positions, it's just that the team is used to passing it forward for Rooney to chase.

I think the English game is just so quick it's hard for anything but the best tippy-tap football,

[United Dependencies]

After apparently being a nuisance in the pub (what's so wrong with supporting a footy team based on what fonts they use on their strips...?), I've been ordered by mates to choose a Premier League team to support.

Any suggestions?

Wolverhampton.

[Barringtonia]

If I were Foster, I would just leave United.

If I were United I would sign a striker like David Villa, people say Xavi's the most underrated footballer but Villa's been amazing and it's a shame he won't sign for a bigger club so he can get the recognition he deserves.

Villa is too old and too expensive for United, he's put forward a figure of $40M, which given RM's crazy spending last year doesn't seem too bad but I don't think clubs other than Man C., Chelsea or RM will be putting forward that sort of money - having said that, surely Arsenal have a money chest, I wonder what a Villa would do for them?

For goalkeepers, I really like that Burnley guy, reminds me of Schmeichel, sure he's a bit raw but put him through the system, guys got presence and shot-stopping ability,

Brian Jensen,