Other Sports: Soccer/Football Thread Part Six

[CanadianFlyer88]

Who would have thought that tier 5 English football would bring so much drama?

Notts County has a record breaking season, only to lose out on automatic promotion to Wrexham. They come from 2 goals down in the semi final to book a place at Wembley vs Chesterfield, who also had to come from behind to get to the final.

Chesterfield goes up 1-0 early, only for Notts County to equalize in the 88th minute. Chesterfield goes 2-1 up in extra time, only for County to equalize in the 108th minute.

Notts County earns promotion to League 2 via penalties, where they subbed their keeper at the end of extra time to bring in a penalty stopping specialist... who made two saves on five shots.

 

[Starat327]

Who would have thought that tier 5 English football would bring so much drama?

Notts County has a record breaking season, only to lose out on automatic qualification to Wrexham. They come from 2 goals down in the semi final to book a place at Wembley vs Chesterfield, who also had to come from behind to get to the final.

Chesterfield goes up 1-0 early, only for Notts County to equalize in the 88th minute. Chesterfield goes 2-1 up in extra time, only for County to equalize in the 108th minute.

Notts County earns promotion to League 2 via penalties, where they subbed their keeper at the end of extra time to bring in a penalty stopping specialist... who made two saves on five shots.

I kinda loosely followed this because of the whole Wrexham thing.

It's crazy to me that just about every game has a 85+ minute goal. Obviously not every game, but I felt like it happened A LOT.

 

[BigToe]

This followed by a Sixers game 7 loss just feels right. I hate sports so much.

 

[Starat327]

This followed by a Sixers game 7 loss just feels right. I hate sports so much.

I like you too much to rub this one in, Toe.

 

[Halladay]

What a collapse by Arsenal. I know a bunch of people who have been chirping all year . This was their best shot in many years. They choked.

 

[PDX Flyer]

What a collapse by Arsenal. I know a bunch of people who have been chirping all year . This was their best shot in many years. They choked.

They never recovered from losing Saliba. But yeah..... this is up there with Newcastle back in the 90’s

 

[TCTC]

They never recovered from losing Saliba. But yeah..... this is up there with Newcastle back in the 90’s

Arteta's made a few mistakes in recent weeks. Jorginho and Kiwior in the team instead of Partey and Holding and more minutes for Tierney and it's likely the team would've won all 3 games against Liverpool, Southampton and West Ham.

Anyway, the number of points you need to win the title against this City team is just ridiculous.
During the 90's 75-80 points usually would be enough to win the Premier League. Against City you need 90+ points.

 

[Jack Straw]

This followed by a Sixers game 7 loss just feels right. I hate sports so much.

Sports hates you more. It hates all of us. Never forget that.

 

[Halladay]

Arteta's made a few mistakes in recent weeks. Jorginho and Kiwior in the team instead of Partey and Holding and more minutes for Tierney and it's likely the team would've won all 3 games against Liverpool, Southampton and West Ham.

Anyway, the number of points you need to win the title against this City team is just ridiculous.
During the 90's 75-80 points usually would be enough to win the Premier League. Against City you need 90+ points.

Ive lived this twice with Liverpool and Arsenal isnt even going to get to 90 this season. This was such a missed opportunity for them though. Hard to imagine them getting any closer than this.

 

[TCTC]

Ive lived this twice with Liverpool and Arsenal isnt even going to get to 90 this season. This was such a missed opportunity for them though. Hard to imagine them getting any closer than this.

The team wasn't even supposed to compete for the title this year. Arteta's in his third year. In his third year with Liverpool Klopp barely qualified for the Champions League.
Sure, you could call it a missed opportunity because some teams were struggling this year, but the team is only going to get better.

 

[PDX Flyer]

The team wasn't even supposed to compete for the title this year. Arteta's in his third year. In his third year with Liverpool Klopp barely qualified for the Champions League.
Sure, you could call it a missed opportunity because some teams were struggling this year, but the team is only going to get better.

I’m not so sure. They rely so much on Odegaard. He is a world class player but if he doesn’t maintain form, they are in trouble. Winning the league is a marathon and Arsenal needs to create a stronger backbone.

Even with the lead they had mid season, everyone knew City would catch them. This off-season will be key to building their foundation moving forward.

 

[TCTC]

I’m not so sure. They rely so much on Odegaard. He is a world class player but if he doesn’t maintain form, they are in trouble. Winning the league is a marathon and Arsenal needs to create a stronger backbone.

Even with the lead they had mid season, everyone knew City would catch them. This off-season will be key to building their foundation moving forward.

Bringing in one or two midfielders this summer will be vital.
I think Arteta needs to be more flexible with his system. Tierney is in great form, but he barely plays because he's not an inverted fullback like Zinchenko. Kiwior couldn't get in the team when Saliba got injured because he's left-footed and Arteta wants his RCB to be right-footed. That's the kind of stubborness that can cost you games and it did.
I think this season is still a learning experience for the team and the manager.

 

[Halladay]

The team wasn't even supposed to compete for the title this year. Arteta's in his third year. In his third year with Liverpool Klopp barely qualified for the Champions League.
Sure, you could call it a missed opportunity because some teams were struggling this year, but the team is only going to get better.

Barely qualified for the champions league as they were more concerned with the latter stages of it in which they made the final. And this is Arteta's third full season, in Klopp's third full season he got 97 points and won the Champions League. They might only get better but so will all the teams around them. My point is that this was such a golden opportunity to win it and it was right there, needed to take advantage of it. Never know when another season like this will occur.

 

[TCTC]

Barely qualified for the champions league as they were more concerned with the latter stages of it in which they made the final. And this is Arteta's third full season, in Klopp's third full season he got 97 points and won the Champions League. They might only get better but so will all the teams around them. My point is that this was such a golden opportunity to win it and it was right there, needed to take advantage of it. Never know when another season like this will occur.

I'm not sure I'd call it a golden opportunity when you need a near perfect season to win it. 2015/16 was the golden opportunity. They even beat Leicester twice that year.

 

[Striiker]

 

[PDX Flyer]

Arsenal star? ... lol. The dude played on loan in France.

 

[Appleyard]

Wow, that is a huge coup with Balogun.

He is so good for his age and has the potential to be a ~20+ goal a season Prem player.

But yeh, can understand it to a degree. Even if he is about as American as Owen Hargreaves was English aha... more English and Nigerian than American.

Kane will be around another 4-5 years.
Quite a lot of good younger English strikers too. And with way have played the last few years, and the strength at LW and RW (Saka, Rashford, Foden, Grealish all 21-26 years old), means only 1x striker going to start for forseeable future.
He will be "the" man or close for USA and probably in some ways more sponsorship/additional finance potential IF he keeps developing... as he can be the face of US football.

 

[Appleyard]

With Balogun, Reyna, Pulisic, and Dest? That is 4x players who are actually really "top tier" or potentially that level.

And Aaronson, Musah, Adams and Robinson backing them up who are very good players too.

Next World Cup will be the strongest US team ever.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Dest stinks.

 

[Appleyard]

Dest stinks.

Still one of the best ~5 players who are "American" aha.

Had an awful year but still very good potential and young to boot.

 

[Starat327]

With Balogun, Reyna, Pulisic, and Dest? That is 4x players who are actually really "top tier" or potentially that level.

And Aaronson, Musah, Adams and Robinson backing them up who are very good players too.

Next World Cup will be the strongest US team ever.

....you forgot McKennie, Apps...

 

[Appleyard]

....you forgot McKennie, Apps...

Aha. I dont think he is one of the best 5 Americans playing in English football aha.

Watch a lot of Leeds as sisters BF is a Leeds fan. The guy has zero on field IQ. Just always out of position even if has solid physical and technical attributes.

If Leeds had not brought him in on loan they would probably have more points than they have right now. He has helped sink that midfield. Albeit not only reason.

Seriously looks like a Championship level player since coming to England.

And apparently from reports out of Leeds not exactly a guy who helps in the changing rooms... Similar shit that came out in Italy.

 

[Starat327]

Aha. I dont think he is one of the best 5 Americans playing in English football aha.

Watch a lot of Leeds as sisters BF is a Leeds fan. The guy has zero on field IQ. Just always out of position even if has solid physical and technical attributes.

If Leeds had not brought him in on loan they would probably have more points than they have right now. He has helped sink that midfield. Albeit not only reason.

Seriously looks like a Championship level player since coming to England.

And apparently from reports out of Leeds not exactly a guy who helps in the changing rooms... Similar shit that came out in Italy.

My comment was tongue in cheek - you and I had this conversation previously about him, I believe. Guess it's just me who puts our conversations on the refrigerator.

 

[TCTC]

Quite a lot of good younger English strikers too.

Who? Can't think of one that isn't 27 or older.

 

[PDX Flyer]

Wow, that is a huge coup with Balogun.

He is so good for his age and has the potential to be a ~20+ goal a season Prem player.

But yeh, can understand it to a degree. Even if he is about as American as Owen Hargreaves was English aha... more English and Nigerian than American.

Kane will be around another 4-5 years.
Quite a lot of good younger English strikers too. And with way have played the last few years, and the strength at LW and RW (Saka, Rashford, Foden, Grealish all 21-26 years old), means only 1x striker going to start for forseeable future.
He will be "the" man or close for USA and probably in some ways more sponsorship/additional finance potential IF he keeps developing... as he can be the face of US football.

Wow didn’t expect him to be that highly rated. Honestly had never even heard of him. Good for us yanks