Soccer thread

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 8:39 pm

Anyone know a good site for soccer highlights, particularly the EPL? Don't know where to turn with the death of maxxed

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:17 am

Despite Shevchenko's goal, Boro stuns Chelsea 2-1 in the EPL.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:25 pm

No comments on the CL draw?

Heard Chelsea and Barca are in the same group.

Is it a totally random draw or do they try to make sure certain clubs have a easier time of getting out of the group stage (because they would generate more revenues)?

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:05 pm

wco81 wrote:No comments on the CL draw?

Heard Chelsea and Barca are in the same group.

Is it a totally random draw or do they try to make sure certain clubs have a easier time of getting out of the group stage (because they would generate more revenues)?

It's a seeded draw like the WC. The seedings process seems a bit messed up, also like the WC.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:49 pm

RobVarak wrote:
wco81 wrote:No comments on the CL draw?

Heard Chelsea and Barca are in the same group.

Is it a totally random draw or do they try to make sure certain clubs have a easier time of getting out of the group stage (because they would generate more revenues)?
It's a seeded draw like the WC. The seedings process seems a bit messed up, also like the WC.

seeds are based on your performance in the CL in the last 5 seasons. Chelsea haven't done a damn thing, hence the 2nd seed.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:16 pm

Apart from making the semi-finals two years ago.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:42 am

Feanor wrote:Apart from making the semi-finals two years ago.

and the teams in the 1st pot have acomplished more.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:43 am

Newcastle are through to the UEFA Cup proper after coming up through the Intertoto Cup and then the Qulaifying rounds. Still think Wigan should have taken this opportunity.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 1:52 pm

fsquid wrote:
seeds are based on your performance in the CL in the last 5 seasons. Chelsea haven't done a damn thing, hence the 2nd seed.

Then it's almost exactly as stupid as the WC seeding process. This quality of this year's teams has damn near nothing to do with a team from 5 years ago.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:46 pm

If anyone gets the EPLtalk newsletter, that is my story in there that won the contest.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 10:57 pm

Barca gets blanked in the Supercup. 3-0

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:28 am

very good podcast over at epltalk.com with an executive at FSC.

Programmed2Kill · Post by **Programmed2Kill** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:08 am

Whoa.

West Ham pulled off season-long loans for Argentines Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Corinthians...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 301068.stm

You have to give it to the Hammers. They made noise coming into the Premiership last season, and they are there to stay. Impressive. Same with Wigan. Paul Jewell has that club playing very well.

But what a coup by West Ham.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:51 am

Those who love conspiracy theories may wish to note that the rights to these two are owned by a company called MSI, who a certain R.Abramovich is also involved with.

It is therefore possible that the two of them are being 'parked' on loan at Upton Park for a season, firstly to see how they do in the premiership, and secondly to stop Arsenal or MU getting their hands on them.

Still, a nice interesting season for Hammers fans. Just a shame that there is no way they will be able to afford permanent deals for either of them.

jimd · Post by **jimd** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 12:53 pm

Something's up with all of this...now they are being reported as PERMANENT deals.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/article ... ESTHAM.xml

I think permanent means until Chelsea is ready for them.

This line says it all:

"all other aspects of the transfers will remain confidential and undisclosed."

and is right off the West Ham official sight.

F*** Chelsea.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 1:22 pm

Whether it's permanent or temporary let's see what Hammer's fans will see in the biggest transaction of the summer. Carlitos Tevez will bring that SA flair to the premiership and a constant threat to the opposition. Something went wrong between him and his former Brazilian team, I wouldn't be surprised if he stays in the UK for a longer period.

Javier Mascherano, has a clear midfield vision and will be in charge of marking the likes of Ballack, Schevchenko, etc.

I believe the signings are permanent, both are only 22, and a bright future ahead. Perfect timing for both players also, as Argentina will face Brazil this sunday in London in an exhibition match, marking the debut of coach A. Basile.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:23 pm

What JimD said - West Ham could no more afford to buy them than I could.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:01 pm

Sorin to Hamburg?? What?

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:33 pm

The guy's bobbins - he was a joke at Barcelona.

Anyway, what's this guy DeMarcus Beasley like ? He's joined the Blue Heroes on a year's loan.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:45 pm

davet010 wrote:The guy's bobbins - he was a joke at Barcelona.

Anyway, what's this guy DeMarcus Beasley like ? He's joined the Blue Heroes on a year's loan.

Flashy but a bit inconsistent. He's got tremendous pace and a great motor. His scored some last year for PSV, but for the US and previously for the Chicago Fire, he exhibited little instinct for finishing. Good vision on the field, but not terribly good delivering crosses. When he's on his game he can beat offside traps well. Mostly he gets fouled a ton. He's weighs like 40lbs and plays with pace, so get used to see him rolling on the pitch a lot as some defender chooses the most expedient means of keeping him in check.

Kind of a Wright-Phillips type with a bit less technical skill.

Edit:

Here's a clip from YouTube that shows his strengths.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oexy1aTF-H8

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 9:33 pm

The Tevez-Mascherano transfer is considered to be in the 45 million vicinity.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:42 am

To briefly add to what Rob said, which is a good rundown, Beasley's coming off a really bad year at PSV. He did really well his first year there, and I think about a year ago you had a real argument that he had surpassed Donovan as the most talented American player, but nothing went right for him last season.

Hopefully he can thrive with a change of scenery and a move back to more of a left midfielder in a 4-4-2 rather than left wing in a 4-3-3. His defense is the most underrated aspect of his game, and even though he only weighs like 135 and his touch gets a little sloppy at times, his workrate and speed make him a real b*tch to play against.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:03 pm

Two months after the WC, Materazzi comes clean and admits to insulting Zizou's sister which caused the head butt.

http://tsn.ca/soccer/news_story/?ID=176 ... ame=soccer

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:22 pm

10spro wrote:Two months after the WC, Materazzi comes clean and admits to insulting Zizou's sister which caused the head butt.

http://tsn.ca/soccer/news_story/?ID=176 ... ame=soccer

That's nuts........You play a long career in a variety of harsh environments and a comment about your sister, who the guy doesn't even know, causes you to lose your cool in the World Cup Finals. I've heard worse playing Winning Eleven over Xbox Live.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:32 pm

fanatic wrote:
10spro wrote:Two months after the WC, Materazzi comes clean and admits to insulting Zizou's sister which caused the head butt.

http://tsn.ca/soccer/news_story/?ID=176 ... ame=soccer
That's nuts........You play a long career in a variety of harsh environments and a comment about your sister, who the guy doesn't even know, causes you to lose your cool in the World Cup Finals. I've heard worse playing Winning Eleven over Xbox Live.

yea, I meant to apologize to you about that mate.