OT: Association Football Thread II (All Soccer Talk Here!)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Wenger would never spend 60m on a winger, nor will he be fired for the foreseeable future.

di Maria leads EPL in 2014/15 shirts sold and it's not close IIRC. I think that is a big reason why he'll likely stay for a few more seasons.

Thats why I said if Wenger is gone, but why shouldn't he be gone? When was the last time you guys won a major title like the UCL or Premier League? Arsenal's a historic club, but not one of the best in the world anymore.

 

[YetAnotherNorwegian]

Thats why I said if Wenger is gone, but why shouldn't he be gone? When was the last time you guys won a major title like the UCL or Premier League? Arsenal's a historic club, but not one of the best in the world anymore.

I'm not an Arsenal fan, but they did win the FA cup last season.. Not the UCL of course, but not bad.

That being said, their drought has been quite long.

 

[Cassano]

Thats why I said if Wenger is gone, but why shouldn't he be gone? When was the last time you guys won a major title like the UCL or Premier League? Arsenal's a historic club, but not one of the best in the world anymore.

They never won the UCL and won the league in 2004 where they went unbeaten the full season. That being said, they did win the FA Cup as the poster above mentioned, and are likely to repeat as winners for it this season as they're the hands-on favorites at the current moment.

A lot of the lack of success can be attributed to building the Emirates - which handcuffed Wenger's spending funds. In fact, the board told Wenger they expected Europa League finishes, yet he still got UCL finishes every season.

 

[007]

I'm a Watford fan, and I forget who it is, but one of the other posters on this board is a Derby fan. Both teams are vying for promotion from the English League Championship, and they play today in what should be a corking match.

I won't be able to make it, but I believe they'll be showing it at Legends Bar on 33rd St., if anyone is interested in watching a different brand of football from the most competitive league in Europe.

 

[nyrmetros]

MLS ftw!

 

[Machinehead]

I'm a Watford fan, and I forget who it is, but one of the other posters on this board is a Derby fan. Both teams are vying for promotion from the English League Championship, and they play today in what should be a corking match.

I won't be able to make it, but I believe they'll be showing it at Legends Bar on 33rd St., if anyone is interested in watching a different brand of football from the most competitive league in Europe.

Good luck to both. Would love to see two of our posters back in the PL!

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Machinehead, this is likely it for you guys. Win or top four is way too unrealistic.

 

[Machinehead]

I don't see it happening. Besides, I think this team needs to miss the CL so ****ing management realizes we need some scoring.

We're excellent at controlling the ball but have no finish. Best example is outshooting Chelsea 20-1 in the League Cup and tying that match.

Raheem Sterling leads the club with 6 league goals. I'm pretty sure Suarez had 25 already at this date last year.

EDIT: actually he had 29. TWENTY ****ING NINE. Pretty obvious why we're struggling.

 

[Cassano]

So Sturridge was reportedly out a month right before the international break, but healed up 'quickly' right in time for the match vs. Arsenal.

If players are reportedly skipping international matches, why do the coaches still recall them? The FA really should take action here.

 

[Machinehead]

Take action for what? He missed one competitive match and it was against Lithuania. The club never said he would be out for a month.

 

[Cassano]

Take action for what? He missed one competitive match and it was against Lithuania. The club never said he would be out for a month.

The club never published it, but a reputable tweeter said this:



Coincidence that he got injured right before the EURO qualifiers and ending up missing that game + the friendly?

This is not new as SAF did this to rest his starters (Giggs mainly).

I dunno, seems sketchy to me.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Sturridge is the best English striker when fit(yes, better than Rooney and Kane). You live with his demands, whatever they are. England's not the type of country that can just afford to let their most talented player be off of the National Team for something so minor like this.

 

[Machinehead]

The club never published it, but a reputable tweeter said this:



Coincidence that he got injured right before the EURO qualifiers and ending up missing that game + the friendly?

This is not new as SAF did this to rest his starters (Giggs mainly).

I dunno, seems sketchy to me.

He got banged up and rested for a friendly and a game against a bottom-feeding team with ****ing Arsenal coming up. There's nothing sketchy about that.

If Sweden was playing France in hockey right before the Rangers were playing Tampa or LA, and Hank was banged up, would you want him to go play for Sweden?

 

[Cassano]

Sturridge is the best English striker when fit(yes, better than Rooney and Kane). You live with his demands, whatever they are. England's not the type of country that can just afford to let their most talented player be off of the National Team for something so minor like this.

I agree that Sturridge is the best English striker when fully fit, but that does not mean the rules can be bent around him to accomodate him. What if a better player comes along the road (which is certain with the youth England has)? Rooney has accomplished much more than Sturridge ever will and he still plays against teams like Lithuania. Same with Gerrard, Terry, etc. Gotta pay your dues for the NT. No player is above the club.

 

[Cassano]

He got banged up and rested for a friendly and a game against a bottom-feeding team with ****ing Arsenal coming up. There's nothing sketchy about that.

If Sweden was playing France in hockey right before the Rangers were playing Tampa or LA, and Hank was banged up, would you want him to go play for Sweden?

As a NYR fan, I wouldn't want Hank to play. As a fan of team Sweden, they should warn him with a hefty fine for sure IMO.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I agree that Sturridge is the best English striker when fully fit, but that does not mean the rules can be bent around him to accomodate him. What if a better player comes along the road (which is certain with the youth England has)? Rooney has accomplished much more than Sturridge ever will and he still plays against teams like Lithuania. Same with Gerrard, Terry, etc. Gotta pay your dues for the NT. No player is above the club.

Maybe I just have a backwards way of looking at it. I'm still upset from what happened with Klinsmann leaving Donovan off the WC team because of his personal differences with him. Trust me, its terrible to go through a major tournament without your best player just because of some personal issue between the player and coach/federation.

 

[Cassano]

Maybe I just have a backwards way of looking at it. I'm still upset from what happened with Klinsmann leaving Donovan off the WC team because of his personal differences with him. Trust me, its terrible to go through a major tournament without your best player just because of some personal issue between the player and coach/federation.

I agree, Jurgen's decision to leave off Donovan was just inexcusable. If they had him up front instead of Wondolowski missing sitters, they possibly could've beaten Belgium.

Team cohesion is highly regarded and it isn't that uncommon in football. Ireland similarly left Roy Keane off their WC roster despite being their only world class player. He was just being a ****** and coaches didn't want to oblige to that.

 

[Machinehead]

Liverpool are probably the best 2nd tier team, but a clear cut below the big boys this year. They don't deserve top 4, and again, it's probably better they don't get it because things need to be addressed.

 

[Cassano]

Liverpool are probably the best 2nd tier team, but a clear cut below the big boys this year. They don't deserve top 4, and again, it's probably better they don't get it because things need to be addressed.

I really thought they would overtake Man Utd.

Going into last week, they were 1 point behind with a game vs. them at home. That's a game they should've gotten a win in, considering the form they were in and that they've beaten City as well this year.

I think Sterling is gone as well IMO.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Liverpool just needs to buy better. They've been terrible with the players they've purchased in recent years except for Sturridge and Can. We can just list them off. Lovren, Lambert, Balotelli, Ilori, Alberto, Aspas and probably a few others. They simply need to buy better.

 

[Machinehead]

Right after the Rangers win the Presidents Trophy, Liverpool secure a spot in the last 4 of the Cup. Quite a 24 hours I'm having

Needed it after that ugly Arsenal loss.

It will be LFC vs Aston Villa, and Reading taking on the aforementioned Gunners.

 

[007]

Good luck to both. Would love to see two of our posters back in the PL!

Thanks! My sister's a huge 'Pool fan (she's down at the 11th St. pub most Saturday mornings...), so I always wish for them to do well.

I'm one of those Luddites who thinks the Premiership has done at least as much harm as good for English football, and it's harmed no-one moreso than Liverpool. To me, the world will seem a bit off-kilter so long as the Reds aren't on or near the top.

 

[ArPanet]

Rooney is so annoying today.

 

[ArPanet]

of course Rooney makes strong play minutes after I criticize him but Mata was way offside #contrahversey

 

[ecemleafs]

is the nycfc game on tv besides foxsports 2 or in spanish? it was listed on foxsports1 but got moved