Soccer Thread 2016-17

[kingfc22]

Great start to the season

[The Jackal]

I guess that's about what you'd expect minus Giroud, Ozil, Koscielny, Mertesacker, and Gabriel. Alexis ineffective through the middle, I just hope Ramsey isn't very hurt.

[bhlloy]

Great game, but I can't see either of these sides challenging City or United based on some of the defending on show.

I know I bang on about Wenger but really, he looked at how they finished last season and decided all he really needed was Xhaka? Who based on the fact he couldn't get a game today without Ozil and even when Ramsey went out is probably more of a bit part player??

[cougarfreak]

Good road win for Liverpool. Coutinho, Mane, Lallana are going to be pretty darn good up front. I hope they can find a Leftback before the close of the window.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Great game, but I can't see either of these sides challenging City or United based on some of the defending on show.

I know I bang on about Wenger but really, he looked at how they finished last season and decided all he really needed was Xhaka? Who based on the fact he couldn't get a game today without Ozil and even when Ramsey went out is probably more of a bit part player??

I am not even a big fan of Xhaka, but judging a euro participants role at a new club (very little time with the team, lack of fitness) after 1 game is insanely premature.

[Young Drachma]

Swansea wins on the road. I'll take it. Timbers lose on the road, luckily MLS season is entirely too long, so there's still playoff time.

[sovereignstar v2]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

First day of the new season and all the talk is that Hart could be leaving and ter Stegen is on the way. Ugh! I wish the window ended before the season started!

And now it sounds like it's going to be MATS' teammate, Claudio Bravo, making his way to Manchester.

[flere-imsaho]

The article I read in the Guardian indicated that Guardiola wants a keeper who can pass and neither Hart nor Caballero could do much besides get it to the right back consistently.

So basically it's not that Hart is bad, but this is Guardiola stamping his method on the team. As such, it'll be interesting to see where Hart goes and what kind of fee he commands.

[Arles]

I thought Man U had a strong opening match. Zlatan really makes a difference up front. Even without the goal, he had 2-3 flicks/hold ups that created some nice chances. The biggest positive for me was Felani as defensive midfielder. For the first time in years, I can see a role for him on the team. With Pogba, he probably won't get a ton of starts, but he was strong on the ball and stopped a few counters. Luke Shaw was the biggest disappointment - maybe it's just the rust after a long layoff but his first touch was dreadful and he got beaten numerous times on the wing.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

The article I read in the Guardian indicated that Guardiola wants a keeper who can pass and neither Hart nor Caballero could do much besides get it to the right back consistently.

So basically it's not that Hart is bad, but this is Guardiola stamping his method on the team. As such, it'll be interesting to see where Hart goes and what kind of fee he commands.

Well, certainly a lower one now. Don´t get why they didn´t do this over the break rather than let this become a pressure cooker with the season under way. Also, duh Everybody at City ought to have realized (and/or talked to Pep) that Pep really hates players who aren´t top notch passers at their respective position, including the keeper. There´s a reason he played Alaba and Kimmich at CB with Bayern and he probably still goes to sleep with happy thoughts about Neuer

[sovereignstar v2]

Yeah, I've wondered why they've waited so late. Only thing I can come up with is that they targeted a certain player and are having issues closing the deal. Seems like they could've gotten Bravo all along, so perhaps they've really been pushing for MATS. Seems impossible to get him for less than his buyout, which is ridiculously high.

[sovereignstar v2]

Deal for Bravo sounds like it's only missing a signature now.

[Arles]

Does anyone in the US know if the Premier League Review Show is one any station this fall? It was on FS1 a few years back and I think NBCSN last year. It's not showing up as having an episode on my DVR now though. I usually watch the Man U games, but I like to watch the review show and see how everyone else did over the weekend.

[ISiddiqui]

It should be on an NBC Network, but it can switch around depending on NBC's schedule. This week it was on CNBC due to Olympics. I think it's usually on NBCSN. It's called "Premier League Goal Zone".

[Arles]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

It should be on an NBC Network, but it can switch around depending on NBC's schedule. This week it was on CNBC due to Olympics. I think it's usually on NBCSN. It's called "Premier League Goal Zone".

But that's just where they show every goal, right? I wanted to see the actually review show that also showed cards, near misses and has a little more drama

[Easy Mac]

Originally Posted by Arles

But that's just where they show every goal, right? I wanted to see the actually review show that also showed cards, near misses and has a little more drama

Match of the Day. Normally on around 11 PM on Saturday and Sunday nights. May be different now with the Olympics.

[sovereignstar v2]

Or if you want to be an uber geek, you can find the original MOTD here --

FootballDownload

I have it set up to download automatically via usenet, but if it takes too long I go there and download it manually.

[Hoya1]

Nice to United play a strong game.
still looking for Memphis Depay to get a real opportunity where he can get a few games in succession.

[sovereignstar v2]

Originally Posted by Hoya1

Nice to United play a strong game.
still looking for Memphis Depay to get a real opportunity where he can get a few games in succession.

You're dead to me.

[Critch]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

Or if you want to be an uber geek, you can find the original MOTD here

The things people will do to see Gary Linekar in his underwear.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Match of the Day. Normally on around 11 PM on Saturday and Sunday nights. May be different now with the Olympics.

This is the show I am talking about:



It had this intro:
Barclays Premier League 2015 2016 Intro HD Preview - YouTube

Basically, it was a weekly show that ran on Monday nights and it would take a few minutes to go through every match that occurred over the weekend.

[sovereignstar v2]

Lol

https://www.theguardian.com/football...P=share_btn_tw

[sovereignstar v2]

QOTD comes from Joey Barton, who said this about City's handling of the Joe Hart situation.

"City should have acted with common human decency."

I'll only mention the incident in which he stubbed out a cigarette in the eye of a youth player. Probably not even the worst thing he's done in his life.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

QOTD comes from Joey Barton, who said this about City's handling of the Joe Hart situation.

"City should have acted with common human decency."

I'll only mention the incident in which he stubbed out a cigarette in the eye of a youth player. Probably not even the worst thing he's done in his life.

I bet you he never forced a millionaire to sit on a bench/chair ... I mean, there´s terrible acts and then there´s terrible acts.

[ISiddiqui]

He's English. They have a different idea of "basic human decency"

[dacman]

Originally Posted by Arles

Basically, it was a weekly show that ran on Monday nights and it would take a few minutes to go through every match that occurred over the weekend.

I was under the impression Sky killed that show given the commentators seemed to be giving a final farewell in the last couple minutes of the last show last season.

[AlexB]

Riyad Mahrez signs a new 4-year deal with Leicester. Arsenal fans not happy. Arsenal are coming to the KP this weekend - could be lively

[sovereignstar v2]

I've seen some links with Hart and BVB. Now that would be hilarious, whomario.

[miami_fan]

Top marks for whoever decided to make player conduct toward the match official a point of emphasis. Let's hope this keeps up the entire season.

[sovereignstar v2]

I heard it was Rooney's idea.

[ISiddiqui]

Some great news regarding the new MLS team in Atlanta...

Atlanta United FC set new season ticket record for expansion teams | MLSsoccer.com

Atlanta United president Darren Eales told MLSsoccer.com on Friday that the club has converted 22,000 of the 31,000 season ticket deposits the club received into full season tickets for their inaugural season. Eales said that the total would be the second most season tickets sold in MLS this year behind only the Seattle Sounders and that it was already a record for an MLS expansion team.

As one of those season ticket holders, I'm really excited for the atmosphere next year!

[dacman]

Originally Posted by dacman

I was under the impression Sky killed that show given the commentators seemed to be giving a final farewell in the last couple minutes of the last show last season.

Nope, not dead, just buried by the Olympics?

I see it's back listed on NBC Sports, Monday nights.

[dacman]

And the first two shows that didn't air in the US (I think):

Premier League Review - 16th August 2016

Premier League Review - 22nd August 2016

[Arles]

Thanks guys!

[sovereignstar v2]

Tuned into Hull City-United late. As far as I can tell United just won the league.

[whomario]

Yeah, how dare they celebrate a last minute winner. Bloody amateurs ...

[SirFozzie]

Bah! My tivo was forced to switch guide providers and now creating season passes for sports is useless. Hope they fix it quick.

[CrescentMoonie]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

This is what we currently have for what leagues are shown in America. (NGSN has Dutch Rights, but they went dark late last year. They're supposed to relaunch in August, but I'll believe it when I see it).

This post comes from the TV, Satellite and Radio forum on BigSoccer (I moderate there and started the thread on who has what TV rights)

English Language Networks

Leagues
English Premier League - NBC Networks
Scottish Premier League - Fox Soccer Plus
Bundesliga - Fox Networks
Serie A - BeIN Sports
La Liga - BeIN Sports
MLS: Fox Sports and ESPN
Ligue 1 (France): BeIN Sports
English league championship: BeIN Sports
NASL: One World Sports, BeIN Sports, and WatchESPN (ESPN3)

Add CBS Sports Network to NASL.

[whomario]

So, first impressions from around the soccer world as far as teams i´m interested in are concerned ...

Bayern will steamroll the Bundesliga once again. Demolished Bremen 6:0 and could have been 12:0 just as well ... That´s with a few players missing and many starters still behind in terms of fitness after the break and late start to training (due to playing the Euros/Copa America).

Dortmund looks fun though, which i am glad to say. Like mentioned before they are incredibly deep and there hopefully will be plenty game time for the young guys or sensible loans. Pulisic unfortunately in a bit of a funk from what i have been told (friend of mine has ties to the U19), not surprising after his first professional season, Copa America and starting late into his first real professional preseason training regiment. Schürrle will revive his career i think and Bartra has looked really good.

In Spain, Atletico is struggling out of the block with 2 draws against inferior teams. Barce and Real look good already with the 2nd tier guys picking up some of the slack for the stars still easing back into things.
Sevilla will be a fun team to follow. Amazing offensive potential (6:4 on the first match) that will however sometimes stutter (0:0 the 2nd ) and lots of crazy tactical wrinkles from new Coach Sampaoli. First game they basically played a 2-1-5-2 setup that was insane.

In England, ManU has looked real solid so far. Not been tested much, but they are winning and looking decent on both sides. Guess adding a superstar striker and midfielder is a sound idea ... Mkhitaryan struggling to get past Mata ... Liverpool has tons of potential up front, seem to be getting more solid defensively. Having an actual Left Back would help, as would having a decent holding DM/CM to slow play once in a while. Sturridge is struggling to get game time right now with Klopp adapting a no-striker lineup up front with Firmino/Coutino/Mane.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Bah! My tivo was forced to switch guide providers and now creating season passes for sports is useless. Hope they fix it quick.

Yeah, really freaking annoying. I wondered what was going on because no Bundesliga games were recorded this weekend. And I had to manually record Man City vs. West Ham.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by whomario

Mkhitaryan struggling to get past Mata

And could you imagine saying that when Mourinho bought Mkhitaryan? Always full of surprises that Mourinho.

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Yeah, really freaking annoying. I wondered what was going on because no Bundesliga games were recorded this weekend. And I had to manually record Man City vs. West Ham.

yeah, until you fix you're going to have to manually set up recordings until they fix it.

[Critch]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

And could you imagine saying that when Mourinho bought Mkhitaryan? Always full of surprises that Mourinho.

It'll be a bigger surprise if Mkhitaryan was back on the bench for the next game, he changed them when he came on. Breaking forward with the ball, causing problems, making space. All the things Mata didnt do.

[sovereignstar v2]

Hart off to Torino for a year. Props to him for taking a chance abroad.

[ISiddiqui]

This is what happens when you give the Premier League monopoly money in TV deals... jeez, 30mil pounds for Sissoko?!

[Toddzilla]

Balotelli to Nice on a free...

[ISiddiqui]

Probably the most significant deal of the day (so far) is Islam Slimani to Leicester. Slimani and Vardy up top is going to be ridiculously scary.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Probably the most significant deal of the day (so far) is Islam Slimani to Leicester. Slimani and Vardy up top is going to be ridiculously scary.

Rocking that tall/small combo up front like its 2000 again, i approve Plus that way Musa can spell Mahrez on the wing in some games.

Mustafi to Arsenal is great, them getting Perez im not sold on.

Schalke getting Konoplyanka for a surprisingly small fee. Imo the guy is a tier-a inverse winger offensively who just happened to meet a new coach who just doesnt like his type of player.

Chelsea adressing their lack of options at LB by overpaying for Alonso from Fiorentina.

Inter Milans new backers spending big on Joao Mario and Gabriel Barbosa.

[ISiddiqui]

West Ham getting Arbeloa for the year is pretty good signing as well. In addition to Arbeloa being good, that means they can play Antonio in the midfield rather than out of position at RB.

[ISiddiqui]

And now Tottenham match the 30mil pounds for Sissoko... this is the same Sissoko that played for Newcastle last season right? These teams do know that the guy who played for France in Euro2016 is not likely to be the player they are buying, right?