Soccer Thread 2015-16

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by rowech

They're running a fine line by not playing Ox more because when he's coming on he's now trying to "show something" and isn't doing a lot of passing. I know they're both playing well but he needs on the field for either Carzola or Ozil. Both of those guys play well but they are not really dynamic and offer no real goal scoring threat.

I get destroyed for saying it on Arsenal threads. . . . but as much as I love Cazorla (and he's flipping amazing), I'm happier with Ramsey playing in the center and Ox or Walcott on the right.

Again, it's the speed issue. Those two guys give us something we simply do not possess when they aren't in the lineup. We have a bunch of interchangeable parts in the midfield which is good. . . . but where is the guy who is going to truly challenge the defense on a counter? We need more speed.

We spent years complaining about a lack of depth. Now we have a lot of it, but that means some difficult decisions. Hope we make a decent signing to finish off the window. (in the DMC area please, I still don't trust Coq)

[MrBug708]

Palace was great today

[Grover]

From Football365 on West Ham's victory at Anfield...

"18,978 days after Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters - before they were World Cup winners with England - scored at Anfield, the Hammers had their long-awaited victory.

It was celebrated long and loud by the visiting fans and rightly so as the last time they had the chance to do so the Beatles had just achieved their second number one with She Loves You and a 17-year-old Northern Irishman called George Best had made his Manchester United debut."

[miami_fan]

I love the sending off of Steven Whitaker. The first yellow was just silly. Once you have that silly first yellow, all you are doing is begging the ref not to "spoil" the match by properly punishing any offense deserving of a yellow.

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

I love the sending off of Steven Whitaker. The first yellow was just silly. Once you have that silly first yellow, all you are doing is begging the ref not to "spoil" the match by properly punishing any offense deserving of a yellow.

The first yellow is the difference between being on a top team and being on Norwich. None of the top clubs would have had a player get that first yellow card.

[murrayyyyy]

3 in a row against ManU... yawn... (and 2006 me is telling current me, no way in hell that ever happens)

[Grover]

Swans are so much fun.

Shelvey continues to make leaps and bounds as a player. Still a bit hot-headed a times, but he should be 3rd choice at MC for England for a long time.

[TroyF]

Swans with a great game. The top presumptive top 6 all look like garbage with the exception of one team:

Arsenal - 0 goal differential, 2 unimpressive wins, 1 horrific loss, 1 draw that should have been a win

Man U - +1 GD, 2 unimpressive wins, 1 loss, 1 draw

Chelsea - -3 GD, 1 average win, 2 losses (1 of which was a beatdown), 1 draw

Liverpool - -1 GD, 2 unimpressive wins (1 which should have been a draw), 1 draw (which should have been a loss), 1 loss (which was a beatdown)

Tottenham - -1 GD, 0 wins, 3 draws (most boring as hell) and 1 loss

Then you have:

Manchester City: +10 GD, 4 wins (including a thrashing of Chelsea) 4 clean sheets, 4 games with 2 goals or more.

We now have 2 weeks off. The first week back we have:

Man City at Crystal Palace (suddenly a very intriguing game)
Chelsea at Everton
Liverpool at Man United (hard to think of a more important game on the docket)
Stoke at Arsenal (Stoke without 2 players due to reds yesterday)

[britrock88]

It sure was fun watching Stoke threaten WBA after going down 2 men.

[whomario]

What i the world of fudge are ManU doing ? Paying 50 mio for a prospect ? The loaning out one of the best prospects on the continent who, you know, started in a few games for you to start the season ? To a club where he has less of a chance to start games as things stand now ? And if they include a buy-out fee in the loan, i will not complain as a Dortmund fan but there would also be no way to refrain from laughing hysterically

Dortmund unfortunately missed out on the main target, Andriy Yarmolenko from Dynamo Kyiv ... That guy is soooo good

[Easy Mac]

So two MLS players were called up to the Italian national team for their Euro qualifiers. Didn't think I'd get to say that sentence before the turn of the next century.

[ISiddiqui]

Giovinco's call up is definitely the most exciting for a US soccer fan. He was out of the Italian NT and played himself back on it by his play for Toronto FC. It's potentially a great selling point for MLS for those players who may find themselves buried in the depth chart on top teams - come to MLS, you'll get playing time and a chance to showcase your skills.

[SirFozzie]

De Gea's move to Real fell apart when ManYoo sent the documents for the transfer a minute after the transfer window closed.

[miami_fan]

I waited to see if this will be changed but it looks like De Gea really won't be going Real in this window. The paperwork fiasco is a staple of the transfer window but damn...United and Real can't get it right?!

[miami_fan]

I highly recommend the documentary "Jack to a King- The Swansea Story". Brilliant.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by whomario

What i the world of fudge are ManU doing ? Paying 50 mio for a prospect ? The loaning out one of the best prospects on the continent who, you know, started in a few games for you to start the season ? To a club where he has less of a chance to start games as things stand now ? And if they include a buy-out fee in the loan, i will not complain as a Dortmund fan but there would also be no way to refrain from laughing hysterically

Dortmund unfortunately missed out on the main target, Andriy Yarmolenko from Dynamo Kyiv ... That guy is soooo good

I'm beyond pissed off at the Arsenal transfer window. I expected a signing. Not Benzema or a spree like Man City. . . but I fully expected some midfield cover for Coq. Instead, Noting.

That said, at least there was no panic buys at the end of the window. If Wenger really felt the targets weren't there to improve the team, then I can deal with that. Liverpool, Man United and Tottenham have spend a ridiculous amount of money the last couple of years and I still think Arsenal are a better team than any of them. (though I think Depay will be massive down the road)

Maybe there is a method to the madness of ManU, but I'm stumped as of now. They end up losing points because De Gea was benched and now will have to work him back into the team. In January, he will either sign a pre contract with Real Madrid or be sold on the cheap. Strange window.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

I highly recommend the documentary "Jack to a King- The Swansea Story". Brilliant.

I saw the first part on Satellite and it was awesome - was gutted I missed the ending.

[miami_fan]

I kinda like the split transfer window. I could get behind a European wide window that closed somewhere around the 15th of August and the domestic window closing on 1 September.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by TroyF

That said, at least there was no panic buys at the end of the window. If Wenger really felt the targets weren't there to improve the team, then I can deal with that. Liverpool, Man United and Tottenham have spend a ridiculous amount of money the last couple of years and I still think Arsenal are a better team than any of them. (though I think Depay will be massive down the road)

If I were an Arsenal fan, I think this is where my head would be. I guess they could find a random somebody to play upfront or play the holding midfielder role but we have seen Wenger when he just signs the random somebody.

[Grover]

U.S. Soccer Continues To Sabotage Soccer In The U.S.

[ISiddiqui]

God I hate Bill Haisley. He's a moron. The NASL barely qualifies to be a D2 league. Why exactly do we need to make it easier for them to be a D1?! US Soccer SHOULD favoritize the MLS. That's how you'll get soccer to grow in the US, by having one major soccer league where everyone can know the teams and, eventually, the star players. Promotion / Relegation is an absolutely horrible and stupid idea in the US context. It would destroy soccer in the US again and for what? Because we want to be like Europe? How about we make the sport popular in the country before we decide to risk not having a team in NY, Chicago, or LA (though, granted, little chance of the Galaxy ever getting to that zone) and going into a TV rights negotiation the season after.

[whomario]

I am going to be careful with Germany having 2 must win games ahead themselves. That being said: How about them Dutch with a reasonable chance not to even make the playoffs in European Qualifying after a 0:1 loss to a sneakily good Iceland team ?

Iceland all but secured their first participation with that massive result Same goes for Wales. Heck, even without the new format (24 teams ...) they both would have stood an excellent chance. Netherlands on the other hand only have a shot for at least the playoffs due to the new format. Going to have a huge away game in Turkey next.


Norway played themselves back into the race with a huge away win in Bulgaria and Croatia only drawin in Azerbaijan. Italy beats Malta 1:0 only.

[MIJB#19]

Netherlands - Iceland reminded me of the 2002 qualifier Ireland - Netherlands: everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Robben injured, stupid red card, silly penalty kick... Thankfully Turkey chocked in extra time against Latvia and now even a draw in Turkey will be sufficient to maintain 3rd place. Although I don't have much confidence in a good result there.

Iceland and the Czech Republic are basically safe now, they should qualify from Group A. In Group B Wales has a 5-point cushion on third place Israel, but that group is still wide open, even Bosnia-Herzegovina in 5th place are still alive. In Group H the top3 is decided, pretty much.

Kazakhstan, Andorra and Malta are eliminated after today's games, unless a couple of teams in they're group do something silly like Croatia and Serbia did to receive a points reduction penalty.

[The Jackal]

Originally Posted by TroyF

I'm beyond pissed off at the Arsenal transfer window. I expected a signing. Not Benzema or a spree like Man City. . . but I fully expected some midfield cover for Coq. Instead, Noting.

That said, at least there was no panic buys at the end of the window. If Wenger really felt the targets weren't there to improve the team, then I can deal with that. Liverpool, Man United and Tottenham have spend a ridiculous amount of money the last couple of years and I still think Arsenal are a better team than any of them. (though I think Depay will be massive down the road)

With the news that Welbeck is out for a few months the lack of activity hurts even more, but if there really wasn't anyone available, so be it. I like Martial but that was a ridiculous fee. I do also think Depay will be good business in a few years.

As for Arsenal .. City look awesome right now, but we'll see if they remain consistent. Is there a title challenge in this team? Maybe. But I think most likely result is 2-4.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Netherlands - Iceland reminded me of the 2002 qualifier Ireland - Netherlands: everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Robben injured, stupid red card, silly penalty kick... Thankfully Turkey chocked in extra time against Latvia and now even a draw in Turkey will be sufficient to maintain 3rd place. Although I don't have much confidence in a good result there.

Iceland and the Czech Republic are basically safe now, they should qualify from Group A. In Group B Wales has a 5-point cushion on third place Israel, but that group is still wide open, even Bosnia-Herzegovina in 5th place are still alive. In Group H the top3 is decided, pretty much.

Kazakhstan, Andorra and Malta are eliminated after today's games, unless a couple of teams in they're group do something silly like Croatia and Serbia did to receive a points reduction penalty.

We play Andorra the last game at home and need 2 points to qualify - I don't think even Wales can fuck this one up, but I'm sure we will give it a good go... In reality a draw against Israel on Sunday probably gets it done regardless

[whomario]

Bales goal last night was pretty awesome, that was a real "fuck this, here i come" header with a head of steam.

[bhlloy]

I haven't gone that insane for a goal since Andy Campbell 2003 league one playoff final, a bit of a problem seeing it was at my desk at work and the middle of the day over here

[MIJB#19]

Kazakhstan, Andorra, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Armenia. One of these doesn't belong, yet this is the list of countries eliminated from Euro2016 after today's results. Greece has fallen hard...

[SirFozzie]

Two stunners in CONCACAF WCQ, 1st legs:
Jamaica 2, Nicaragua 3
Antigua 1, Guatemala 0

So Jamaica has to win by 2 (likely) on the road to advance, and Guatemala have no away goals, so probably also have to win by 2.

[whomario]

Germany with a pretty convincing 3:1 win over Poland There were two 5 minute stretches with issues (right around the 1:2 for Poland and again middle of the 2nd half), but other than that a nice performance.

The main issue still is the Right Back position. Emre Can got a try there and looked flustered and out of sorts (and also lacks the quickness/agility there). One can only hope that Philip Lahm maybe agrees to be reactivated for the tournament ...

[MIJB#19]

England is the first team to join France at Euro2016, securing a top2 spot in Group E. San Marino (after losing to England), Belarus, Luxembourg and Macedonia (all Group C) join the crowd of eliminated teams. That also means in Group C, Spain, Slovakia and Ukraine clinched finishing top3 in that group. These three are on pace to all qualify, as Ukraine are currently the best 3rd place team, but at worst they play in the third place teams playoffs.

Other teams that have secured at least a playoffs spot are Iceland, Austria, Portugal and Denmark.

Today:
Iceland will qualify with a victory against Kazakhstan, or a draw combined with a Netherlands loss or draw in Turkey, or still qualify with a loss and a Netherlands-Turkey draw.
Czech Republic will qualify with a victory in Latvia combined with a Netherlands loss or draw in Turkey.
Wales will qualify with a victory against Israel.

Tomorrow:
Germany will qualify with a victory in Scotland combined with an Ireland loss against Georgia, or victory combined with an Ireland draw vs Georgia and Poland loss or draw against Gibraltar.
Northern Ireland will qualify with a victory against Hungary.
Portugal will qualify with a victory in Albania.
Denmark will qualify with a victory in Armenia combined with an Albania loss to Portugal.

Tuesday:
Slovakia will qualify with a victory in Ukraine.
Switzerland will qualify with a victory in England combined with a Slovenia-Estonia draw.
Austria will qualify with a victory or draw in Sweden, or with a loss combined with a Russia loss or draw in Liechtenstein.

All providing these teams don't get any points deductions like Croatia and Serbia already received.

[digamma]

England is in, Wales close, Northern Ireland pretty close and Scotland in the mix (though maybe an uphill climb). Is this just due to fortunate draws or is there better soccer there right now?

[Katon]

England and Scotland are doing about what they usually do. Scotland are only really in the mix because the Euros expanded to make spot 2 an auto-qualify and spot 3 a playoff; with the old number of qualifiers, they'd be comfortably ahead of Georgia and Gibraltar but a long shot for the playoffs, which is a very Scotland place to be.

Wales are doing better than usual. They've actually got a decent supporting cast behind the superstar winger for once, possibly helped by Swansea making a big leap forward in terms of club quality.

Northern Ireland are playing better than they have in a while and also benefiting from an incredibly easy group. That was probably the weakest qualifying group on paper before Greece fell off a cliff, and the first seeds struggling to finish ahead of the Faeroes will always open up a bit of space.

[MIJB#19]

The Czech Republic and Iceland today qualified for Euro2016, while Latvia and Azerbaijan join the 'better luck next time' crowd.

[Grover]

How Dinamo Tbilisi enthralled British football fans in the midst of the Cold War | Football | The Guardian

[MIJB#19]

The Euro2016 field today got expanded by Portugal.
Georgia and the Faroe Islands are no longer in the running. And apparently Serbia was too already.

Edit: apparently I missed that the Serbia-Albania game has been swapped around by CAS on July 9th 2015.

[miami_fan]

I meant to post this yesterday. I just love the commentators' reaction.



EDIT: Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of that save.

[miami_fan]

Who knew Hulk had the kind of composure and skill?

[miami_fan]

WTF, I changed the channel to see the last two points of the Williams sisters match and the score has gone from 2-0 to 4-0? My goodness

[ISiddiqui]

This is an utter disaster.

[miami_fan]

Yea, we scored

[ISiddiqui]

A good breakdown by SBI on the Debacle in Foxboro:

Brazil 4, USMNT 1: The SBI Breakdown | Soccer By Ives

Ugh.. I had no idea Klinsmann threw Bedoya under the bus after asking him to play a defensive midfield role that he'd never played before. Will Klinsmann ever take the blame for his idiotic tactical decisions?

That and the very good question of what is the identity of this team leads to me to really be afraid of facing Mexico on Oct 10th.

[miami_fan]

Breaking news involving keepers in the EPL

David De Gea signs new Manchester United contract

Thibaut Courtois suffered a knee injury and could be out a month or more.

[MrBug708]

Crap. 90th minute goal

[sovereignstar v2]

Nacho!

[sovereignstar v2]

Class fans at Palace. Scott Dann hacks at Aguero's knee (could've easily been a red) and then they have the gall to boo him as he stays down and hobbles off the pitch. He comes back on to give it a try, they then cheer when he asks to be substituted. Such a small-time hipster club.

[sovereignstar v2]

What place are Chelsea in the table now? The scroll button on my mouse is broke.

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

What place are Chelsea in the table now? The scroll button on my mouse is broke.

can one ever get tired of watching Mourinho getting his come-upance? i hope not

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

Class fans at Palace. Scott Dann hacks at Aguero's knee (could've easily been a red) and then they have the gall to boo him as he stays down and hobbles off the pitch. He comes back on to give it a try, they then cheer when he asks to be substituted. Such a small-time hipster club.

To be fair, it was Man City

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

can one ever get tired of watching Mourinho getting his come-upance? i hope not

Arsenal could have lost 4-0 to the Orcs today, and i still would have had a decent day. I never, ever, ever get tired of watching Mou lose.

The only thing that sucks is it's going to be a REALLY pissed off Chelsea team next week. Going to be a tough game to win.