Soccer Thread 2013-14

[SirFozzie]

Confirmation from Manchester United that three men who reportedly attempted to negotiate a deal to sign Athletic Bilboa midfielder Ander Herrera were not acting on behalf of the Premier League champions and were, for want of another word, imposters.

"Reports in Spain claim three men dressed in black suits and claiming to be United "representatives" spent an hour at the La Liga offices attempting to negotiate a deal. The move collapsed at the 11th hour."

[sovereignstar v2]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Confirmation from Manchester United that three men who reportedly attempted to negotiate a deal to sign Athletic Bilboa midfielder Ander Herrera were not acting on behalf of the Premier League champions and were, for want of another word, imposters.

"Reports in Spain claim three men dressed in black suits and claiming to be United "representatives" spent an hour at the La Liga offices attempting to negotiate a deal. The move collapsed at the 11th hour."

Yeah right. Can't wait for someone to get to the bottom of this. Sounds like a cock-up job by United.

[law90026]

Ozil for Arsenal! So hot.

It will be really good to see Ozil playing with Cazorla, they are going to be a real handful.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

Yeah right. Can't wait for someone to get to the bottom of this. Sounds like a cock-up job by United.

I reckon the imposters story is probably true - there have been some classic imposters over the years ....

In 1996 Graeme Souness immortalised himself in football folklore by falling for an amazing scam that resulted in him signing a player, so bad, that it made Harry Redknapps decision to buy Marco Boogers look inspirational. It all started when Ali Dia, a desperate 30 year-old wannabe, convinced his agent to phone the Southampton boss pretending to be World Footballer of the Year George Weah recommending his cousin (Ali Dia) as the next big thing.

Clip from documentary

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

I reckon the imposters story is probably true - there have been some classic imposters over the years ....



Clip from documentary

It's almost too bad that that can't happen in the Google age.

[TroyF]

My understanding this morning was that it was simply lawyers, not impostors and the deal fell through because United didn't understand the tax related issues. They also had a failed loan deal derailed by paperwork being faxed in too late.

If this were Arsenal, I cannot imagine the frustration, humiliating and jokes that would be on the table. ManU, deservedly, get a pass because they have won silverware in the last decade. Still, what a monumental disaster of a transfer window for them.

I fully expect they'll come out with guns blazing in January to make up for this.

[whomario]

I realize the popularity is somewhat justified and the TV deal is what it is for a reason, but the disparity in money available compared to the other leagues is just stunning ...

Some interesting numbers from transfermarkt.co.uk

Transfer revenues and expenditures 13/14

Competition		Expenditure	revenue	total
	Premier League	673.094.400 £	242.344.960 £	-430.749.440 £
	Serie A	360.874.800 £	363.246.400 £	2.371.600 £
	Primera División	351.956.000 £	441.381.600 £	89.425.600 £
	Ligue 1	333.828.000 £	201.608.000 £	-132.220.000 £
	Premier Liga	239.690.000 £	223.537.600 £	-16.152.400 £
	1.Bundesliga	231.488.400 £	180.492.400 £	-50.996.000 £
	Premier Liga	117.128.000 £	66.352.000 £	-50.776.000 £
	Süper Lig	73.604.991 £	25.790.160 £	-47.814.831 £
	Primeira Liga	63.390.800 £	126.038.000 £	62.647.200 £
	Championship	36.370.400 £	62.550.400 £	26.180.000 £

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

I think they're in with a shot for the top-4 IF their players stay fit, their main problem is lack of depth really.

(I also think that Suarez returning could cause problems with their balance - at present their team is really well organised and hard working, everyone is working for each other and no one appears to be playing the prima donna ... much as I dislike some of his reported actions, Suarez on the pitch is a great player and has worked hard for the team in the past, if he slots in cleanly then they're in with a decent stab at a CL spot imho ...)

Completely agree here. Sakho makes their back four an entirely different unit now. Moses gives them great depth, can play four positions.

The only places I really see a lack of depth in Liverpool are at right back and any sort of cover for Lucas Leiva. They have no one in the first team or reserves that can fill his role should he miss any significant amount of time.

But really, they're going 38-0-0 with 38 goals from Sturridge.

[JPhillips]

Is there any better business than Brazilian soccer owner?

+163,000,000 for the transfer window.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by whomario

I realize the popularity is somewhat justified and the TV deal is what it is for a reason, but the disparity in money available compared to the other leagues is just stunning ...

Some interesting numbers from transfermarkt.co.uk

Transfer revenues and expenditures 13/14

You left out the European champions of transfers!

[SirFozzie]

USA Qualifies for the World Cup on Friday if the following happens:

The United States must beat Costa Rica. (Something they've never done before in Costa Rica, 0-7-1)
Mexico and Honduras must tie. (game is at the Azteca)
Panama must either tie or lose to Jamaica (in Panama)

[rowech]

Podolski gone for three months. Takes some shine off of the Ozil transfer.

[MrBug708]

I'm assuming Foz meant beating CR on the road?

[cartman]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

The United States must beat Costa Rica. (Something they've never done before, 0-7-1)

Not sure where that record came from, but it is not correct.

edit: Yeah, that would have to be WCQ matches played in Costa Rica to be accurate

[DaddyTorgo]

Anybody watching the USA Women tonight?

[DaddyTorgo]

Well that WAS a game.

LOL.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by rowech

Podolski gone for three months. Takes some shine off of the Ozil transfer.

It does a little, and I'm already dreading Wenger saying "Poldi will be just like a new signing" in January, but for me he's a second choice guy anyway.

Giroud
Cazorla Ozil Walcott
Ramsey Wilshire
Sagna BigK BFG Gibbs

Rosicky, TGSTEL, Myachi, Arteta, Monreal, Ox, Vermalean, Flamini, Sonogo,Jenkensin. . . I think we'll have the depth to survive (Arteta out two more games, Verm already working out, Ox out another 8 to 10 games)

Poldi will be back and hopefully refreshed for the stretch run.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by TroyF

It does a little, and I'm already dreading Wenger saying "Poldi will be just like a new signing" in January, but for me he's a second choice guy anyway.

Giroud
Cazorla Ozil Walcott
Ramsey Wilshire
Sagna BigK BFG Gibbs

Rosicky, TGSTEL, Myachi, Arteta, Monreal, Ox, Vermalean, Flamini, Sonogo,Jenkensin. . . I think we'll have the depth to survive (Arteta out two more games, Verm already working out, Ox out another 8 to 10 games)

Poldi will be back and hopefully refreshed for the stretch run.

While I understand that, Podolski is the only guy who seems willing to shoot the ball -- especially from outside the penalty area. Even if he doesn't score, he at least gives the threat. Without him, it becomes a dance competition in there until somebody gets just the right ball at just the right angle.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by rowech

While I understand that, Podolski is the only guy who seems willing to shoot the ball -- especially from outside the penalty area. Even if he doesn't score, he at least gives the threat. Without him, it becomes a dance competition in there until somebody gets just the right ball at just the right angle.

Cazorla took plenty of shots from outside the penalty area last year. Ramsey, likewise, takes shots outside the area.

I think Cazorla will take even more with Ozil working his magic around the box. We'll see. There is no doubt we didn't get the extra striker we needed. Nor did we get extra depth at the back. Both of those things may bite us in the ass.

[MrBug708]

Keith Olbermann Opens His Show With Costa Rica Trolling | KCKRS

[MrBug708]

[MrBug708]

LeanderOnFOX USA lineup: Howard; Orozco, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley; Bradley, Jones; Zusi, Donovan, F. Johnson; Dempsey

[DaddyTorgo]

Predicting yellows for Bradley and Jones from the crooked Mexican ref.

[MrBug708]

I bet one and I bet it's Jones. I think CONCAF doesnt give Bradley the yellow

[MrBug708]

Bradley hurt and not going to start

[DaddyTorgo]

whoa - that's a blow (assuming he's really hurt and doesn't recover in time for Tuesday)

[DaddyTorgo]

FML...not Beckerman...not Beckerman.

[DaddyTorgo]

Word is sprained ankle.

[DaddyTorgo]

*sigh*

Great start guys. Really.

This team just is never focused for the start of games.

[MrBug708]

Crazy

[bulletsponge]

fuck, cr already scored

[MrBug708]

Jones is so lazy with the ball

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

*sigh*

Great start guys. Really.

This team just is never focused for the start of games.

Pretty absurd.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Jones is so lazy with the ball

I think it's one of the reasons I hate his ass with a passion.

[MrBug708]

Defense is baaad.

[DaddyTorgo]

Okay - is there anything else on?

This is embarrassing already and frankly it's not worth my time to watch it. They haven't earned my time if they're going to play like this.

[kingfc22]

Welp. Looks like we will remain winless in CR.

[MrBug708]

So close!

[MrBug708]

Need to get bacon in the game

[MrBug708]

CR just looks so good righ tnow

[MrBug708]

Easy yellow there

[kingfc22]

Penalty!

[bulletsponge]

that was a bad penalty shot by dempsey, luckily he made it

[MrBug708]

Good decision and somewhat lucky spin on the PK

[cartman]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Okay - is there anything else on?

This is embarrassing already and frankly it's not worth my time to watch it. They haven't earned my time if they're going to play like this.

Yeah, it isn't like they've had some great comebacks in their latest stretch of play. Luckily a match is 90 minutes long, not 10.

[bulletsponge]

GOAL Honduras!!!!!!!!! 1-1

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Okay - is there anything else on?

This is embarrassing already and frankly it's not worth my time to watch it. They haven't earned my time if they're going to play like this.

have you never seen a US game down in central america? they are all like this

[bulletsponge]

GOAL holy fuck Honduras 2-1!

chepo will need to leave the country if they dont come back

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

GOAL holy fuck Honduras 2-1!

chepo will need to leave the country if they dont come back

holy shit is right

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by cartman

Yeah, it isn't like they've had some great comebacks in their latest stretch of play. Luckily a match is 90 minutes long, not 10.

That's no excuse for CONSISTENTLY coming out flat in the opening of games.

I'm still DVRing it...if they comeback I'll fire it back up and see what I missed, otherwise I'll spare myself the angst.