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2011-12 Football/Soccer Thread
- Thread starter The_Chaser
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Yeah solid performance. Not the stuff of dreams or anything but a decent first stab. The shape looks good, and Carroll and Young were lively. Not getting carried away of course, this was only a friendly with Norway but they won and that's all we could've asked for so well done to them.
In other news Ireland extended their unbeaten run to 13 games with a 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. McGeady was unplayable and McClean got a run out and Long got a goal. Ireland the darkest of dark horses, gunning for Euro glory!
In other news Ireland extended their unbeaten run to 13 games with a 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. McGeady was unplayable and McClean got a run out and Long got a goal. Ireland the darkest of dark horses, gunning for Euro glory!
Dear god Germany.
Really convinced me that if we're to get anywhere near the best out of Podolski next season we need him up front, not stuck out wide. We might as well be playing a left footed Walcott if we do that.
And that German defense....Hummels sure doesn't get anywhere near his Dortmund form for Germany.
On the other hand, Marco Reus is a god and I remain bitter to this day we let Dortmund get him.
Really convinced me that if we're to get anywhere near the best out of Podolski next season we need him up front, not stuck out wide. We might as well be playing a left footed Walcott if we do that.
And that German defense....Hummels sure doesn't get anywhere near his Dortmund form for Germany.
On the other hand, Marco Reus is a god and I remain bitter to this day we let Dortmund get him.
Spain squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Pepe Reina (Liverpool);
Defenders: Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos (all Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao);
Midfielders: Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas (all Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Mata (Chelsea);
Forwards: Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona)
Soldado left out for Torres. At least Negredo has scored some goals this season. Even Pedro has been poor.
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Pepe Reina (Liverpool);
Defenders: Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos (all Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao);
Midfielders: Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas (all Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Mata (Chelsea);
Forwards: Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona)
Soldado left out for Torres. At least Negredo has scored some goals this season. Even Pedro has been poor.
It'll be interesting what Spain do. I get the feeling Llorente will start most games up front alone, with Mata and Silva either side. In midfield it'll obviously be Xavi and Iniesta pushed further forward. I personally prefer Alonso to Busquets, but the fact that they could have a very familiar Barcelona central midfield with Busquets might give him the edge.
Torres should have got the benefit of the doubt but no way Soldado should have been dropped in favour of Pedro or Navas.
Silva,Mata,or Iniesta with both Alonso and Xavi in midfield do the winger/side midfield role then Navas ever has.
-----------Casillas------------
Arbeloa--Pique -- Ramos-- Alba
-----------Busquets----------
----------------Alonso-------
---------Xavi----------------
----Iniesta---------Silva-----
------------Llorente---------
I guess is the starting 11, pass pass pass leave the best player at actually putting the ball in the net in Spain.
Silva,Mata,or Iniesta with both Alonso and Xavi in midfield do the winger/side midfield role then Navas ever has.
-----------Casillas------------
Arbeloa--Pique -- Ramos-- Alba
-----------Busquets----------
----------------Alonso-------
---------Xavi----------------
----Iniesta---------Silva-----
------------Llorente---------
I guess is the starting 11, pass pass pass leave the best player at actually putting the ball in the net in Spain.
Soccer Aid was on tonight
England 3-1 Rest of world
Kenny Dalgleash was manager of Rest of the world, and decided to put Crespo at CB -_-
Rest of worlds goal was something though
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0_7_CxBq-Y&feature=player_embedded
and yes the keeper is indeed a chubby David Seaman
scorer Sergio Pizzorno - guitarist of Kasabian.
all this time and Money spent on Hazard..... he is far better
England 3-1 Rest of world
Kenny Dalgleash was manager of Rest of the world, and decided to put Crespo at CB -_-
Rest of worlds goal was something though
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0_7_CxBq-Y&feature=player_embedded
and yes the keeper is indeed a chubby David Seaman
scorer Sergio Pizzorno - guitarist of Kasabian.
all this time and Money spent on Hazard..... he is far better
sergio pizzorno should definitely go to the euros over downing, he is actually totally eligible for england!
sorely missing Atlético's Adrián López
Soldado >>>>>>>>> Negredo
López >>>>>>>>>> Pedro
manager decisions sometimes confuse me so much
López >>>>>>>>>> Pedro
manager decisions sometimes confuse me so much
I know it's not an official match and all that, but I actually ended up watching Socceraid tonight. Considering the balance of pro's to celebs, it was a pretty entertaining game I thought. Some players just haven't aged well, e.g Seaman obviously enjoys a pie or four now he's done. For those who didn't see it, check out Sergio Pizzorno's goal. It could fool anyone as a professional finish.
It was also more exciting the the football Roy got out of England against Norway, by a long shot.
It was also more exciting the the football Roy got out of England against Norway, by a long shot.
More like Soldado >>>>>>>>> Torres.I've never seen Negredo play but is he really worse than Torres? Torres might be improving but Soldado's better for now.Again,I've never seen Lopez play either so I can't judge that one.
Barry out of the Euros, Jagielka called into replace him. A defender for a midfielder might seem odd until you consider our standby midfielder is Jordan Henderson and fuck that.
Feel terrible for Barry but I simply do not rate the man so I'm almost happy about this!
Yet more arrests in relation to Italian matchfixing too. One of their international players has been thrown out of the squad over it.
Feel terrible for Barry but I simply do not rate the man so I'm almost happy about this!
Yet more arrests in relation to Italian matchfixing too. One of their international players has been thrown out of the squad over it.
Swansea has reportedly agreed a fee to sign Sigurdsson. Don't know if it's true but I'm sure Swansea fans will be happy to hear that, he's pretty decent the ole son of Sigurd.
I'm happy to hear Jagielka is in instead of Barry, of course I wish Barry a speedy recovery but I do not rate him at all so yeah, I can only say I have no problems with that.
The next friendly for England is vs Belgium right? I can't see anything but a Belgian win what with Fellaini, Hazard, Kompany, Vermaelen, Dembele and whatever else they have. I'm looking forward to that match just to see Belgium actually!
I'm happy to hear Jagielka is in instead of Barry, of course I wish Barry a speedy recovery but I do not rate him at all so yeah, I can only say I have no problems with that.
The next friendly for England is vs Belgium right? I can't see anything but a Belgian win what with Fellaini, Hazard, Kompany, Vermaelen, Dembele and whatever else they have. I'm looking forward to that match just to see Belgium actually!
Mirallas / Mertens / Vertonghen :ooo
Belgium so good, shame they didnt make Euros.
And HBK, Negredo is just decent and I think Torres at this point in time might be better than him. Besides, the morale boost of being called will definitely aid Torres. Not like it matters, they would have been 4th/5th striker or something in a team that only plays one up top.
Eden hazard @hazardeden10 I'm signing for the champion's league winner.
https://twitter.com/#!/hazardeden10
https://twitter.com/#!/hazardeden10
Kagawa to stay at Dortmund.
A man can dream.
A man can dream.
A bit Jealous that Hazard has joined Chelsea, but I guess Man Utd will just put in a stronger bid for Kagawa now.
Chelsea must have convinced Hazard that they are spending a lot of money on a lot of new players and have a top quality manager set to sign. Otherwise, I can't see why Hazard would move to a team that I expect to win nothing next season.
Chelsea must have convinced Hazard that they are spending a lot of money on a lot of new players and have a top quality manager set to sign. Otherwise, I can't see why Hazard would move to a team that I expect to win nothing next season.
really? chelsea is one of the top 5 clubs right now in theory, i definitely can see them winning FA cup / getting top 4 at premier league / top 4 at champions league, especially if they confirm the other bids and sign van der wiel and hulk...
They'll definitely come 3rd in the Premier League, but I don't think that will be very difficult next season. But that isn't winning something, that's being the third best team in the Premier League. They might win the Carling Cup or FA Cup if they take them seriously again, but they will be a close run thing between the top 6~ Premier League teams as well. These competitions always depend on fixtures and what else you are challenging for.
Chelsea will probably sell / release Drogba, Kalou, Malouda, Bosingwa, Ferreira and maybe their reserve keepers overall. Possibly a couple more but I think Chelsea's squad will look a little bit like this:
GK: Cech, Turnbull, Hilario
DF: Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Luiz, Bertrand
MF: Lampard, Essien, Meireles, Ramires, Mikel, Romeu, McEachran, Mata
FW: Torres, Sturridge, Lukaku, Hazard, Marin
I would say that both reserve keepers for Chelsea are not good enough, so bringing in another would be a priority for me if I was at Chelsea. If Bosingwa goes, along with Ferreira, they need a new Right Back. They could probably do with additional cover too. Malouda also might stay.
I can't see them doing much else unless they force out some of the old guard.
If we assume that is something like Chelsea's usual starting 11 (RB, CM, RF are pretty much up for a challenge for a place) then it quickly turns into the team that finished 6th last season and manages to hold onto some cup success that won't happen in the same way again. They don't even have their manager yet so I can't see how a real plan is in place. Quick change usually doesn't work and they're going to have to do so much of it very quickly. I don't fancy Chelsea to do much other than settle into the top four again.
Chelsea will probably sell / release Drogba, Kalou, Malouda, Bosingwa, Ferreira and maybe their reserve keepers overall. Possibly a couple more but I think Chelsea's squad will look a little bit like this:
GK: Cech, Turnbull, Hilario
DF: Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Luiz, Bertrand
MF: Lampard, Essien, Meireles, Ramires, Mikel, Romeu, McEachran, Mata
FW: Torres, Sturridge, Lukaku, Hazard, Marin
I would say that both reserve keepers for Chelsea are not good enough, so bringing in another would be a priority for me if I was at Chelsea. If Bosingwa goes, along with Ferreira, they need a new Right Back. They could probably do with additional cover too. Malouda also might stay.
I can't see them doing much else unless they force out some of the old guard.
Cech
Ivanovic Cahill Terry Cole
Mikel Lampard
Marin Hazard Mata
Torres
Ivanovic Cahill Terry Cole
Mikel Lampard
Marin Hazard Mata
Torres
If we assume that is something like Chelsea's usual starting 11 (RB, CM, RF are pretty much up for a challenge for a place) then it quickly turns into the team that finished 6th last season and manages to hold onto some cup success that won't happen in the same way again. They don't even have their manager yet so I can't see how a real plan is in place. Quick change usually doesn't work and they're going to have to do so much of it very quickly. I don't fancy Chelsea to do much other than settle into the top four again.
I believe the bolded statement is what bears the most significance. Until a manger is decided and a plan is formulated, the signings are rather meaningless. However, quick change can be effective, as shown by Manchester City and Juventus this season.
Chelsea's priority should definitely be deciding on their coach and making smart transfers with an end-purpose, rather than just trying to sign big-name midfielders and attackers. Personally, if I were their coach, I'd focus on acquiring a couple more solid defensive midfielders and another right back, the latter of which Chelsea seem to be attempting with van der Wiel.
I'm guessing the standard starting 11 for them will be something like this next season, taking into account only confirmed transfers:
Cech
Ivanovic Luiz Terry Cole
Mikel Lampard
Ramires Hazard Mata
Torres
Ivanovic Luiz Terry Cole
Mikel Lampard
Ramires Hazard Mata
Torres
With Hazard and Mata switching positions frequently during games.
I'd say there's a lot of pressure on Torres to perform the role Chelsea signed him for this season and score, rather than assist. Their team lacks a clear goalscorer without Torres filling that role, and that's not really something any club aiming for Premiership or Champions League success can afford.
I'd say there's a lot of pressure on Torres to perform the role Chelsea signed him for this season and score, rather than assist. Their team lacks a clear goalscorer without Torres filling that role, and that's not really something any club aiming for Premiership or Champions League success can afford.
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