I'll gladly say goodbye to Luiz for A?48 million, more than double what was paid and the highest amount ever for a defender. I think with his mentality he is better as a CDM and didn't fit the long term plans.
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ANOTHER New Footie Thread
- Thread starter seminoleed
- Start date
I'll gladly say goodbye to Luiz for A?48 million, more than double what was paid and the highest amount ever for a defender. I think with his mentality he is better as a CDM and didn't fit the long term plans.
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Ronaldo's PK goal to go up 4-1 w/less than a minute to go...he celebrates like he just hit the game-winner. What an asshat.
Bales header was pretty sweet though. The second half of that match when RM were trying so desperately to level was absolutely scintillating football!
Bales header was pretty sweet though. The second half of that match when RM were trying so desperately to level was absolutely scintillating football!
On a different note, Malcolm Glazer, reviled owner of ManU and the Bucs, passed away today at 85. Will be interested in Manch's take on the man.
Great pickup for Liverpool to land Rickie Lambert for 4 mil . Have to question Lambert's desire though. The guy clearly has the ability to be a top notch starter at a lesser club, yet chooses to sit on the bench of his childhood club at only 32. On a related note, Southampton is screwed. Pocchetino, Lambert, and soon to be Shaw and Lallana...hard to imagine them staying up next year. That's a lot to lose.
The new New York team in MLS signed David Villa away from Atletico Madrid. Damn, I know he ain't what he used to be, but he should be pretty dominant at the MLS level.
Looks like FCNY just fired a shot across the Red Bulls' bow.
Looks like FCNY just fired a shot across the Red Bulls' bow.
Southampton is the best academy in England right now.
Gareth Bale, lallana, oxlade-chamberlain, theo walcott, now Luke Shaw to name a few. And several others doing well in championship clubs. Unreal but too bad they'll go into full rebuild again as mentioned and probably go down next year.
It's crazy the best academies in England are the teams who never win trophies.
Southampton, Everton, Fulham, villa, west ham....
Liverpool trying to change that lately
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Gareth Bale, lallana, oxlade-chamberlain, theo walcott, now Luke Shaw to name a few. And several others doing well in championship clubs. Unreal but too bad they'll go into full rebuild again as mentioned and probably go down next year.
It's crazy the best academies in England are the teams who never win trophies.
Southampton, Everton, Fulham, villa, west ham....
Liverpool trying to change that lately
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Crouch was signed by the Spurs and eventually landed in Southampton, with about 5 stops in between.
Ed, I'll post more about Glazier when I get a chance. While he was successful as owner of MUFC, he took a debt free club and spent more making interest payments than he did payroll. He was in it for a business standpoint only, and leaving the team to his kids could be worse, I believe they all took loans out from the team.
Glazier turned down $2 billion offers for the team, and if the Clippers just sold for $2 billion, I am sure the sons will be looking for a billion each, all 5 of them, with the starting price at around $5 billion.
Ed, I'll post more about Glazier when I get a chance. While he was successful as owner of MUFC, he took a debt free club and spent more making interest payments than he did payroll. He was in it for a business standpoint only, and leaving the team to his kids could be worse, I believe they all took loans out from the team.
Glazier turned down $2 billion offers for the team, and if the Clippers just sold for $2 billion, I am sure the sons will be looking for a billion each, all 5 of them, with the starting price at around $5 billion.
ManU is a public company...sort of. Realistically,The Glazers can only take loans against the stock that they own personally (which I believe is something like 90% of the total stock outstanding...that's why I said they're "sort of" a public company. Realistically, the Glazers are still in full control)
When ManU was a private company under the Glazers, they DID take loans against the club, but they can't do that any longer. If they had to pay off their loans, they would have to sell their own personal stock to do so (or find the money somewhere else). Either way, ManU is in better shape financially now that they trade in the open market...which, as a ManU hater, disappoints me. I liked it better when they were under constant threat of financial implosion!
When ManU was a private company under the Glazers, they DID take loans against the club, but they can't do that any longer. If they had to pay off their loans, they would have to sell their own personal stock to do so (or find the money somewhere else). Either way, ManU is in better shape financially now that they trade in the open market...which, as a ManU hater, disappoints me. I liked it better when they were under constant threat of financial implosion!
Well, today's performance gives me hope that we at least won't be embarrassed in Brazil. If Altidore gets his confidence back and Bradley stays healthy, a win over Ghana is possible, and a draw with Portugal not unimaginable. If Germany wins their first two, we might even steal a point from that game. Who knows?
In Jurgen I Trust!
In Jurgen I Trust!
Portugal is a 1 man team for sure, totally inept without cr7. I saw most of their qualifiers last 2 years. They play a crazy Greek like conservative 4-5-1 with the mighty Helder Postiga up top. When they try to open and attack their weakness at center back is exposed and I'm not even sure Pepe will play. Amazingly in all their country they have no good center forwards, so when they start slow ronaldo moves up top and Nani and a rotation of youngsters play wide. Portugal is all about defense first and countering second, unusual for a team with the world player of year. Not a very good Portugal side unless he's fully fit. It's got talent for sure but the final pass often eludes them which is why many consider Portugal a dark horse and not a favorite.
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What is the deal with people thinking Ghana is some power? They are an okay but we just beat two teams that are better then and they are the youngest team going to World Cup. Portugal is going to be a big struggle but it's not uncommon for them to flop in qualifier. Germany we'll need a perfect game to have a chance.
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Someone mentioned the recent US games.
Be careful taking much away from them IMHO.
Azerbaijan no comment needed.
Turkey is a poor euro team and left some starters at home. Turkey is the 22nd ranked team, in Europe. They play no system US will see.
Nigeria is the least attacking Nigerian side in decades, they have a terrible offense and middling defense, Nigeria is a lamb at this World Cup but might beat Iran at least.
Ghana is better and plays a different system so I'm not sure why Jurgen and US soccer chose these 3 warm ups. Strange to say the least. Confidence boost all I can think of.
But I agree with rd, neither Ghana or Portugal are very intimidating, however, they both still have less issues than the US.
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Be careful taking much away from them IMHO.
Azerbaijan no comment needed.
Turkey is a poor euro team and left some starters at home. Turkey is the 22nd ranked team, in Europe. They play no system US will see.
Nigeria is the least attacking Nigerian side in decades, they have a terrible offense and middling defense, Nigeria is a lamb at this World Cup but might beat Iran at least.
Ghana is better and plays a different system so I'm not sure why Jurgen and US soccer chose these 3 warm ups. Strange to say the least. Confidence boost all I can think of.
But I agree with rd, neither Ghana or Portugal are very intimidating, however, they both still have less issues than the US.
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Ghana hasn't won a game since last October. Sorry but you can't just turn on the winning mentality when a tournament starts.
Portugal= Ronnie, they're not effective scoring goals without him. That struggled with Mexico last week.
Germany is Germany. Elite team that you can't make mistakes against. At least this team has had some success against some of their starters. I think this will be the game that the players will be most fired up for especially all the dual citizenship players.
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Portugal= Ronnie, they're not effective scoring goals without him. That struggled with Mexico last week.
Germany is Germany. Elite team that you can't make mistakes against. At least this team has had some success against some of their starters. I think this will be the game that the players will be most fired up for especially all the dual citizenship players.
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By the way if you think Nigeria looks horrible then South Korea is atrocious. They won't score a goal and will probably have 10 put in on them.
I'm more concerned about Ghana giving our guys a bad knock then any real trouble. WC refs are going to have a field day with the way they make tackles.
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I'm more concerned about Ghana giving our guys a bad knock then any real trouble. WC refs are going to have a field day with the way they make tackles.
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Rd,
Great point on officials. South America plays an extremely physical brand of football much like some of the hacks usa gets in Central America. It will drive euro powers crazy if games are called like that and Refs let a lot go as were accustomed to. Curios what refs do especially in penalty box.
South Korea isn't great but we know they'll be in great fitness and work well together and be tough to score on. I wouldn't put much in last nights game either way but I agree South Korea isn't expected to do much. South Korea is really young and still experimenting with lineups.
Ghana A game few can match but they rarely play A game consistently.
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Great point on officials. South America plays an extremely physical brand of football much like some of the hacks usa gets in Central America. It will drive euro powers crazy if games are called like that and Refs let a lot go as were accustomed to. Curios what refs do especially in penalty box.
South Korea isn't great but we know they'll be in great fitness and work well together and be tough to score on. I wouldn't put much in last nights game either way but I agree South Korea isn't expected to do much. South Korea is really young and still experimenting with lineups.
Ghana A game few can match but they rarely play A game consistently.
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Ghana plays a largely-defensive, possession variety of football, and they do it very well. They counter-attack well. They don't make a lot of mistakes. They're sort of an African version of Italy. They're definitely beatable, and I think we've got a good chance to do just that. But factually, they came in 4th in the ANC, and they've won most of their matches in 2014. They qualified top of their group for the World Cup, and they've won or tied almost all of their friendliess since 2013 (w/the exception of two 1:0 defeats leading up to the World Cup vs. Montenegro and Holland, and a bad loss to Japan.) I don't understand why you keep saying that they haven't won a match in forever. That's not even close to accurate.
This post was edited on 6/10 9:52 AM by LesClaypool
I can't say that I paid attention too much in previous World Cups, but what I saw from Ghana last night was the way the US used to play and got criticized. Pablo Masetroni tackle on a defended that produce a straight red comes to mind. The player that got yellow card should be red carded since it was reckless tackle from behind; ah the advantages of friendlies. Considering FIFA has been trying to clean up the physical play the last few World Cups, I think a lot of South American teams are in trouble, plus half of their national teams fake injuries all the time. Thank goodness for Urugay and Brazil not using that tactic.
South Korea is in real trouble if those are their starting Center backs and goalie. That goalie is going to get embarrassed in group play.
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Ghana's last 4 matches before SK are:
Turkey 2:2
Japan 3:1
Montenegro 1:0
Netherlands 1:0
To say they are not coming "in form" would be understatement since some of those teams are ranked lower then them.
They gave the Netherlands multiple chances to score on them. African Italy??? You're joking right? The Azzuri doesn't give a team multiple chances to score on you inside their 18 and can make a tackle without fouling the guy. Even the announcers for their game last night said they will get picked apart with the way that back line defends. Ghana relies on athletic ability to out run you but the tactical skills are lacking. Oh and that "terrible" Nigeria beat them in the semi-finals of the AFC.
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Lol, it's confidence which is what every elite soccer player needs to be successful so yeah I hope they have it. This isn't 1994, our players have quality. We should beat Ghana and Portugal is a possible win but we can't make any dumb mistakes. Germany, well let's just see. Good news is that they beaten some of their players before so they won't be focused on the name.
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I think US sucks and leaving it's best player at home will be a disaster but that's just me.
Portugal looked pretty good last night despite how poor Ireland were. Varela was excellent but probably won't start with Nani back in.
Ronaldo moved pretty well. Stunned he played 65 on that garbage turf they layed down. He hit a few posts and created few goals and had solid work rate. Should be close to fit for WC.
Serious question, the US can host a World Cup logistically like nobody else, but why does this country have better quality high school football fields than professional soccer fields? Cyprus has better fields. Whatever the normal standards for getting a stadium ready for games like this we need to do way better it's embarrassing.
Anyway, Pepe and meirelles got time so maybe Porto will have full roster to choose from vs Germany. Almeida to me is a much better fit up top over Postiga vs Germany but Bento is in love with Postiga so we shall see.
Crazy to think openers are Netherlands Spain, England Italy and Portugal Germany. Any of these teams get 3 points they are sitting pretty one game in.
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Portugal looked pretty good last night despite how poor Ireland were. Varela was excellent but probably won't start with Nani back in.
Ronaldo moved pretty well. Stunned he played 65 on that garbage turf they layed down. He hit a few posts and created few goals and had solid work rate. Should be close to fit for WC.
Serious question, the US can host a World Cup logistically like nobody else, but why does this country have better quality high school football fields than professional soccer fields? Cyprus has better fields. Whatever the normal standards for getting a stadium ready for games like this we need to do way better it's embarrassing.
Anyway, Pepe and meirelles got time so maybe Porto will have full roster to choose from vs Germany. Almeida to me is a much better fit up top over Postiga vs Germany but Bento is in love with Postiga so we shall see.
Crazy to think openers are Netherlands Spain, England Italy and Portugal Germany. Any of these teams get 3 points they are sitting pretty one game in.
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It would appear that this thread is starting the hangup issues of others, so I'm going to start a new World Cup thread and see if DFS will pin it up top.
Non-World Cup Off-season Footy Thread
seems like the other one is dead/broken (again).
Cesc officially signed with Chelsea on Thursday. Not a bad deal money wise, but will be interesting to see how he's used by Mourinho as his natural position in a 4-2-3-1 is occupied by Oscar and if we switch to a 4-3-3 Oscar loses his place.
seems like the other one is dead/broken (again).
Cesc officially signed with Chelsea on Thursday. Not a bad deal money wise, but will be interesting to see how he's used by Mourinho as his natural position in a 4-2-3-1 is occupied by Oscar and if we switch to a 4-3-3 Oscar loses his place.
Re: Non-World Cup Off-season Footy Thread
How come we can write posts in the pinned "another new footie thread" but they can't be seen (after post 108). Am I the only one who can't see the last 5 posts?
How come we can write posts in the pinned "another new footie thread" but they can't be seen (after post 108). Am I the only one who can't see the last 5 posts?
Re: Non-World Cup Off-season Footy Thread
As an Arsenal fan, I am not too happy about either signing (Cesc or Sagna). I will be curious to know what Wenger does to fill the roster this year as Arsenal definitely has some needs. Since Cesc has been gone for a few years it isn't as big of a deal to me, though I am not happy he is going to Chelsea. If he weren't coming back to Arsenal, I would just assume he stay out of EPL.
As an Arsenal fan, I am not too happy about either signing (Cesc or Sagna). I will be curious to know what Wenger does to fill the roster this year as Arsenal definitely has some needs. Since Cesc has been gone for a few years it isn't as big of a deal to me, though I am not happy he is going to Chelsea. If he weren't coming back to Arsenal, I would just assume he stay out of EPL.
Re: Non-World Cup Off-season Footy Thread
There's prolly a Loony Tune out there willing to take him up on it, even though it appears Wenger felt like Ozil is set for years and Cesc plays the same spot.
I worry about his safety in London. He once said something to the effect of, "If I ever wear a Chelsea shirt, you can kill me."
There's prolly a Loony Tune out there willing to take him up on it, even though it appears Wenger felt like Ozil is set for years and Cesc plays the same spot.
Re: Non-World Cup Off-season Footy Thread
Also, I read a report this morning that Thomas Vermaelen has agreed in principal to a deal to move from Arsenal to Manchester United. He still has 1 year remaining on his contract so the transfer fee still needs to be worked out. With Mertesacker and Koscielny as the starters now, this really doesn't surprise me too much. Unfortunately it just means Wenger needs to go find someone else to fill in as quality depth on the back line.
I forgot Ozil played the same spot as Cesc, so it makes sense they don't necessarily want Cesc back. I just hate to see him somewhere in EPL where he can be a thorn in the side of Arsenal.
Also, I read a report this morning that Thomas Vermaelen has agreed in principal to a deal to move from Arsenal to Manchester United. He still has 1 year remaining on his contract so the transfer fee still needs to be worked out. With Mertesacker and Koscielny as the starters now, this really doesn't surprise me too much. Unfortunately it just means Wenger needs to go find someone else to fill in as quality depth on the back line.
Some incredible saves here and the timing of these keepers is unbelievable.
I think Guzan's stop is at the top of my list.
What's even crazier, out of these 12 tops saves, I bet there were 1,000 better ones that no one ever saw because they happened in practice.
Also, Suarez was the victim of two great saves, more testament to the outstanding season that he had.
MOTD saves of the year
I think Guzan's stop is at the top of my list.
What's even crazier, out of these 12 tops saves, I bet there were 1,000 better ones that no one ever saw because they happened in practice.
Also, Suarez was the victim of two great saves, more testament to the outstanding season that he had.
MOTD saves of the year
