Soccer thread 07/08

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 6:21 pm

snate wrote:I had no idea the US had a friendly with Brazil in the US today. Nice job promoting that US Soccer. I caught it channel surfing. All the big players were involved too. The US got screwed with that free kick award just after the equalizer by Dempsey in the 2nd half. He is becoming the brightest star on the US squad.

Pretty harsh pill to swallow with that horrendous non-call on Wolff, then moments later Ronaldinho scores the game-winner on a call that could best be called "generous." Still, an entertaining and lively game, featuring some promising performances by US players.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:02 pm

Snate, the US were supposed to play at Azteca today, but it got cancelled at the last minute.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:45 pm

davet010 wrote:Problem is, and Platini should know this but doesn't, because he's a naive moron and hand-picked glove puppet with Blatter's hand up his arse, is that in most countries in Europe, the domestic cup competition is a joke which the major teams try like anything to avoid.

So, you could end up with a scenario where Millwall get to the Final against MU having met no opposition from the top division at all, get thrashed and still get into the CL (because MU would already be in it), over and above a team who finished 4th in their own top division.

Is there any part of that which makes sense ?

The overall motive is obvious - Platini and his evil overlord want to break the power of the G-14. He's already called on them to disband (completely ignored, of course) and now wants to weaken them by stuffing the CL full of pub teams from Moldova...nice one.

At the UEFA Club Conference today, only Liverpool and Manchester United were STRONGLY against it. The Italian teams were for the proposal, German teams were split, and the Spanish and French teams had no official opinion. I am actually a bit surprised by this. I thought surely the big 15-20 clubs would try to beat this down like Rodney King.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:32 pm

James McFadden for King of Scotland?

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:34 pm

That was the biggest example of highway robbery I've seen for ages. France battered Scotland up and down the wings, but their crossing was poor, no one other than Ribery seemed to have much inventiveness til the sub (no 11, can't remember his name) came on with about 10 mins to go, and the finishing was appalling. Plus Scotland had 2 or 3 huge slices of luck.

Having said that, once Scotland scored, the French didn't look as though they had the guts for a scrappy equaliser, other than Ribery who played very well right up until the 'putting the ball into the net' phase.

Appalling keeping as well for the goal - no keeper worth his salt should go with the top hand.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 4:43 pm

Doesn't matter how you get it, Scotland got the 3 points in Paris. Ribery might be the best purchase that Bayern has made in ages.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 6:51 pm

England has been on a tear lately.

I think its has zero to do with McClaren and all to do with Owen. He's scored in every game he's played since coming back. I think that's the stat.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:28 pm

JRod wrote:England has been on a tear lately.

I think its has zero to do with McClaren and all to do with Owen. He's scored in every game he's played since coming back. I think that's the stat.

Well...we've won two matches, neither of them against world-class opposition, one of them against Israel. With due respect to the two nations we played, we really should collect six points from those matches, and that there was ever any doubt before the matches is a reflection on us and not them.

McClaren was forced by injuries to pick the side that he did for the Israel match, and so fell into a winning line up by chance. That side, though, looked more convincing than our national side has for some time, this without Lampard, without Rooney, without Beckham. Without individuals, we looked a cohesive unit.

Owen will score goals given chances, though he was a smidge wasteful against Israel. He'll score more goals given the right strike partner, and after this batch of qualifiers there's suddenly a strong case for picking Emile Heskey on a more regular basis. If he only knew how to score he'd be far better placed, but he's done himself absolutely no harm in the last week. Same goes for Gareth Barry in midfield. McClaren's last team selection was pretty much automatic, but his next one will be very interesting to see.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:42 pm

Motson and Lawrensen said the same thing in their broadcast. But they also point out it will be hard for McClaren not to pick some of these guys.

What do you do when you have Lampard, Cole, Gerrard, Barry, Wright-Phillups and a few others in there. There has to be a player left out. I don't think Rooney will be back for the next round of qualifiers so that helps a bit.

And you can say you should handily beat these teams. But let's face it, England hasn't been playing well and shouldn't have beat anyone. You barely got by Macedonia in a shocker. Then drew against Isreal away and wasn't all to convinceing against Andorra. It took England until the 2nd half to put three in.

I'm just saying these perfomances were dominating performances. The scoreline confirms this but if you watched the game, (I'm sure you did), England were very strong. Barry hardly kicked a wrong pass. Owen was very good. In both games over the week if Wright Phillips could cross and finish England might have won 5-0.

On the fliipside because these the midfield did such a good job, Robinson didn't get tested. If he's still the keep when the finals start, England could see a rough exit because he's still a liability.

I know way too much about the England squad then the USA squad, that's a bit bothersome now that I think about it.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:09 am

Those French fans are probably pissed. Lost the opener in Rugby, another upset with the Scots, they missed Henry. He could have finished a lot of the chances created during the game.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:54 am

JRod, you're quite correct in what you say. My point, really, was that regardless of how badly we've been playing - and we've been quite terrible more than once this last year or so - Israel and Russia are teams that the players at our disposal should overcome, even if it doesn't always work that way. Some of the individual performances were well worth talking about, definitely, but I find it really hard to get excited at the prospect of the national side playing at a level we've long thought they should be at. Edited to add: It's a perspective thing as much as anything else. The aim remains to qualify, and this week has been a huge positive step, but if we do that then we become a team aiming to win the tournament, and with that aim in mind we've got to be beating Russia and Israel. I've seen nothing to suggest we're any more than a quarter final team, yet again, but nevertheless there's not much point turning up if you're not going to have a go at winning it all.

If we get there at all, of course, and that remains a decent-sized 'if'.

It's as we've said, though - the big test for McClaren and for England comes when we see the team that will face Estonia.

Post by **Jared** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:26 pm

To add some women's soccer to the thread, I watched the 2nd half of the US-Sweden game, and the 2nd Wambach goal was world class. Other than the opener (Germany-Argentina), there's been more parity than I expected. North Korea tied the US, England tied Germany, Nigeria tied Sweden. No upset victories, but these were all surprising results and competitive matches.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:55 pm

Jared, I'm amazed England were able to pull off the scoreless draw with Germany. USA looked great after a very shaky first half. They were lucky not to concede a goal in the first 15 mintues. The first half PK was a good call, but it was a terrible mistake from the Sweden #2 keeper that led to it.

Second half, USA looked a lot better, but I still don't like Lopez at all at left back. Waumbach's goal was a screamer, a real gem, and it was a great ball from Lilly that set it up, I mean pin point. I hope this loosens them up and gets them out of their funk as they face Nigeria because they haven't looked as fluid and dynamic as I am used to seeing from this group.

I feel like there is no speed on the US team, none at all, except for O'Reilly, and that's a problem. Plenty of skill, toughness, vision, but very little speed. Ok, so Rampone isn't slow either, and Chalupny is sort of quick, but we are clearly lacking any real burners. People forget how damn fast Mia Hamm was and how much of an advantage she made out of her speed.

I don't know where they will meet up, but USA - Germany should be a great match in the knock out phase.

Post by **Jared** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:41 pm

If the US wins their group, they'll likely face England or Japan in the QFs...but if they get 2nd, they'll face the Germans. That would be horrible, and I hope they don't face each other until the finals.

And yeah...I'm a bit concerned about the team speed as well...though Wambach is a GREAT forward even without speed. I'm also concerned about the midfield...they're not as solid as past teams. Against North Korea, they did a poor job of keeping possession, and the forwards got little service.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:55 am

Simo, can you send me a map to the League One grounds for next season?

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:04 pm

Don't panic, mate. Yet.

Radio 5 Live are reporting that it's Mourinho no more at Stamford Bridge. No idea whether it's true or not yet, but that's what they're saying, and they're saying it here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 003912.stm

Edit: Same link now says Chelsea have confirmed his departure.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:37 am

Somewhere in this thread I mentioned that either Mourinho or Shevchenko would have to leave Chelsea for the benefit of every fan concerned. It's Jose, but I must admit I am a bit surprised at how early he decided to leave. Never got along with Abramovich.

Lionel Messi brought all his magic in Barca's win vs Lyon in the Champs League.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:17 am

Like James, I'm not surprised Stamford Bridge was too small for Abramovich and Mourinho. But I am surprised at the timing of "The Special One's" sacking/departure.

Who do you think will become manager of the club, succeeding caretaker Grant? A top job, but a ton of pressure from an owner who demands Champions League silverware and meddles in transfer dealings.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:48 am

PK, yes the Blues went for Avram Grant. A good buddy of Abramovich....Of course.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:49 pm

Should be amusing - Grant has no experience at the top level, so they are going to find it hard to entice any world class players.

Shame

To be honest, under Mourinho and his money laundering Russian owner, Chelsea were arrogant, boring and constantly shown to be tactically inept at the highest level (ie the Chumps League) because too many of their players are overrated

John Terry
Fat Frank
Cashley Cole

It pains me to say it, but whenever they played Man U, I was rooting for a draw - only because my preferred option of mutual annihilation never happened, mind.

So now Abramovich rules through his glove puppet...should be interesting. Still, hopefully that'll mean a slot becomes available in the 'Big 4', and I'm not talking about Deluded of White Hart Lane

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:43 am

It's only one game but I don't think A. Grant is the answer for Chelsea. This could spiral down really fast for the Blues if they don't find an appropiate manager. I think a Fabio Capello or Dutchman M. Van Basten would suit the club more.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:53 am

Martin Jol might not be able to take Tottenham to the next level but at least he's not turning into the Mike Martz of the EPL. That honor is specially reserved for Rafa Benitez. Torres on the bench again.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:28 am

10spro wrote:It's only one game but I don't think A. Grant is the answer for Chelsea. This could spiral down really fast for the Blues if they don't find an appropiate manager. I think a Fabio Capello or Dutchman M. Van Basten would suit the club more.

Technically, Grant can't manage Chelsea for more than 12 weeks without dispensation because he hasn't got the required UEFA badges and licence...and Van Basten was spotted at OT yesterday, so he better not get too cumfy in the chair.

Dunno what pedigree MVB is supposed to have as a club manager, though, and he's fallen out with a number of players in the Dutch national team - it does have to be said that this is pretty much par for the course with them, mind.

Capello...I'm not sure that he plays the sort of fantasy football that Abramovich seems to like, particularly when Lampard would inevitably end up sharing the midfield with the miles-over-the-hill Emerson, Capello's talisman/owner of dodgy photos of him. How else could one explain his continued appearances for Real Madrid last year ?

Maybe the dopy peasant should just sell Chelsea and buy Arsenal instead.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:06 am

Hilarious that Grant doesn't even have his A or B badges. Even more comical is that the Israeli FA sent the FA a letter indicating that Grant is a qualified coach, as if that's all the authority Grant needs to be qualified to manage in England.

Lord, Abramovich is starting to make Jerry Jones look like a hands-off owner in Dallas!

Take care,
PK

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:13 am

Wednesday finally win. Up the Owls

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Soccer thread 07/08

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