2010-2011 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

It can work (and work well, in some instances) but this is generally where the two men have a good relationship and a respect for the boundaries of each other's jobs – it works best as a clear partnership rather than the Director being some sort of lofty authority figure. Otherwise, it doesn't take much for a manger to feel restricted and it more often than not ends in tears with the gaffer complaining about a lack of control.

Overall, I think he was good for Spurs. <snip> Obviously it will depend on how he works with Hodgson (or whomever the next manager is). If the two of them are at odds the way Comolli and Jol were, then it won't last long. That's assuming, of course, that Hodgson stays a while.

Very true, good points. And actually, I have to imagine that if Hodgson is sacked Comolli will stay, because Comolli is of the new regime while Roy is not. Still, Hodgson seems like a shrewd and likeable character, perhaps the arrangement will work because it will allow Hodgson to focus on the existing squad while Comolli does the heavy lifting involved with scouting the necessary and inevitable strengthening that will take place starting in January but primarily in the offseason.

It's interesting to me that there's so much debate about the idea of a team executive doing most of the scouting and signing instead of the manager doing it all, since that's the way almost every North American sports team operates. I think that the reason it hasn't caught on in European soccer is that few of the managers are used to such an arrangement. By the time they've reached the top level leagues, they're used to being judge, jury and executioner. There's not a whole lot of inertia for the idea, kind of like the lack of interest in the US for a promotion-relegation system.

Adding to Jaffa's point about the director of football's prevalence on the continent, I'd also add that some of the top clubs like Real Madrid seem have a highly political and complicated system for acquiring new players where the manager is often left with little say over huge purchases. The club president and other big suits end up calling the shots. The whole Galactico model and so forth.

Anyway, a big day for us tomorrow – it's the Humber derby. Sc*nthorpe will no doubt be smelling blood...

Good luck...what's the general outlook of Tigers fans at the moment? It's obviously been a tough season.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Good luck...what's the general outlook of Tigers fans at the moment? It's obviously been a tough season.

Some folk seem to want one or both Pearsons out, new owners and Mourinho appointed as manager...

However, it was always going to be a difficult season. We've lost a lot of key players since the summer and in the main they've largely been replaced with inexperienced kids and loan players, and any confidence that the players once may have had has long been eroded. Add in the financial constraints we're operating under and it's not the rosiest of situations to say the least.

We're in a process of rebuilding, in terms of what goes on both on and off the pitch – Pearson (Adam) has compared things to his time at Derby County and trying to steady the ship there, reckoning it could take as much as two years to sort the club out.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

new owners and Mourinho appointed as manager...

Dont we all! At least Liverpool got half of that combo.

We're in a process of rebuilding, in terms of what goes on both on and off the pitch – Pearson (Adam) has compared things to his time at Derby County and trying to steady the ship there, reckoning it could take as much as two years to sort the club out.

Life in the Championship seems to have the odd quirk that, in some ways, you want to be successful but not too successful. You want to maintain a healthy competitive club that regularly makes the playoffs and perhaps a good cup run, but if you play too well you'll find yourself in the Premiership, which can be a poisoned chalice.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

...if you play too well you'll find yourself in the Premiership.

Pah – been there, done that and it's a bit rubbish really.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Pah – been there, done that and it's a bit rubbish really.

Hey, you guys beat Arsenal - Man City just failed to do that , with all their millions.

Phil Brown for Man City Manager.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Phil Brown for Man City Manager.

Obviously the mess we're now in is all down to Phil Brown's half-time... no, sorry – I can't be bothered with that one any more.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Obviously the mess we're now in is all down to Phil Brown's half-time... no, sorry – I can't be bothered with that one any more.

Ha! Not even the media resort to that one anymore!

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Nigel Pearson might have thought folk weren't too happy with him before this afternoon, but any City manager whose team loses at home to Scunny is going to be in for one hell of a backlash.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Things are not looking good for Pearson then....

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I had my hair styled today in a similar fashion to Spurs' Gareth Bale, hoping perhaps that the Welshman's skill and verve would rub off on us. It didn't, obviously.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I had my hair styled today in a similar fashion to Spurs' Gareth Bale, hoping perhaps that the Welshman's skill and verve would rub off on us. It didn't, obviously.

Things didn't go well for me today either. Columbus, carrying a 1-0 deficit against Colorado, played to a 2-1 victory at Crew Stadium - but lost on penalties 5-4,out of the and just like that we are out of the playoffs.

It's a disappointing end to a season in which we competed well for all three major trophies (we are still in the hunt for the Champions League). Also, we now again have Western teams representing the East in the playoffs. MLS needs to eliminate the conferences and just go with a single table like the English Championship.

Some fans are beginning to question coach (and former player) Robert Warzycha's squad selection, rotation and trading policies (getting rid of defender Jed Zayner was one decision I still don't understand).

Also, this could have been the last game Guillermo Barros Schelotto plays for the club. He's only been here three and a half seasons but he's a club legend, and if he retires we'll be sorry to see him go.

 

[Fuzzy14]

Celtic 9-0 Aberdeen

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Rather amusingly, according to the stats Celtic only had eight shots on target during the entire match.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Good grief! That's a lopsided match...Aberdeen must have been absolutely ghastly.

 

[daneoni]

Pathetic that was. These are games we absolutely should be winning (same ol story every recent season). 2 successive defeats in a row, yet another red card, and on course to be 8 points adrift.

*sigh*...I've had enough.

EDIT: Looks set to be a good weekend for United but i'm glad Liverpool are pegging back the champions. Torres found his feet again then?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Meanwhile, the FA Cup's Second Round draw has thrown up a potentially interesting tie. Should they win their respective First Round replays, MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon will meet for the first ever time.

I think it's pretty clear which team most neutrals will be backing in that one...

 

[Jasonbot]

Pathetic that was. These are games we absolutely should be winning (same ol story every recent season). 2 successive defeats in a row, yet another red card, and on course to be 8 points adrift.

*sigh*...I've had enough.

Looks set to be a good weekend for United but i'm glad Liverpool are pegging back the champions. Torres found his feet again then?

Sounds exactly like the West Brom - Man City game.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I hear the phrase "turn the corner" marching in the direction of this thread...Liverpool still have many problems but our performance against Chelsea was convincing, especially in the first half, when our midfield was effective at breaking up Chelsea's counterattacks and keeping possession.The second half was all about absorbing pressure but we created a few good chances as well (if Maxi was more interested in scoring he might have stayed on his feet). Reina and Cech both made some fabulous saves.

Easily our best performance of the season, and Torres was quality...he's growing out his hair again, that must be it.

Meanwhile, the FA Cup's Second Round draw has thrown up a potentially interesting tie. Should they win their respective First Round replays, MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon will meet for the first ever time.

I think it's pretty clear which team most neutrals will be backing in that one...

A true grudge match. As an American fan, I don't find the creation of a new team or a team moving to a new city as odd as an English fan probably does. However, being from a city that has lost a team to another city (when the Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens), I speak from firsthand experience when I say it's a rotten experience.

 

[H00513R]

I hear the phrase "turn the corner" marching in the direction of this thread...Liverpool still have many problems but our performance against Chelsea was convincing, especially in the first half, when our midfield was effective at breaking up Chelsea's counterattacks and keeping possession.The second half was all about absorbing pressure but we created a few good chances as well (if Maxi was more interested in scoring he might have stayed on his feet). Reina and Cech both made some fabulous saves.

Easily our best performance of the season, and Torres was quality...he's growing out his hair again, that must be it.



A true grudge match. As an American fan, I don't find the creation of a new team or a team moving to a new city as odd as an English fan probably does. However, being from a city that has lost a team to another city (when the Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens), I speak from firsthand experience when I say it's a rotten experience.

It's be beautiful thing to see Terry beat like that and the look on his face a few times was priceless! You could tell the whole team was frustrated.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

By the way, what a collossally stupid red card by Balotelli. We all know he is a hot-headed man-child, but after his solid performance against West Brom he is really letting his team down by losing his temper like that. He's still very young, one hopes he will grow up quickly because at this point is he nearly unmanageable. I was looking forward to seeing him take on United.

It's be beautiful thing to see Terry beat like that and the look on his face a few times was priceless! You could tell the whole team was frustrated.

Very few people can fail to take pleasure in seeing England's Brave John Terry get skinned like that.

I'm not expecting Liverpool to rocket back into the top four though, our squad is still relatively weak. The best we can hope for is that players like Maxi Rodriguez, Miereles and maybe Poulson finally get comfortable in the Premier League and younger players like Shelvey and Spearing contribute more.

It also poses an interesting problem in Glen Johnson. I don't think we would have defended as well against Chelsea had he been in the squad. If we didn't already have so many midfielders I might suggest moving him to the wing the way Harry Rednkapp did with Gareth Bale. But with our shortages in the fullback positions he's going to be needed there, despite his shortcomings.

 

[leomac08]

well blackadder....your columbus crew fell a little short....

i went to the LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders FC match at the HDC.....

first time i saw David Beckham...

2 assists and one yellow....the man is aggresive.....

good game....good defense by the galaxy...

i have no doubts the galaxy will be in the final...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

well blackadder....your columbus crew fell a little short....

We just never found that next level we needed this season. I blame it largely on the fact that we sent out strong squads in both the Open Cup and Champions League. Few MLS clubs played as many games as we did, and fatigue really took its toll. MLS teams are still thin on depth.

Still, we lost only on penalties, so we did do a little bit better than last season. Rumors say Schelotto is willing to play one more season for us, but as with last season the contract negotiations will be tough. He only earns a few hundred thousand a year but he's worth much more than that. Either next season or the season after will see a major rebuild.

2 assists and one yellow....the man is aggresive.....

good game....good defense by the galaxy...

i have no doubts the galaxy will be in the final...

He's gentle as a lamb - he just can't tackle to save his life.

I'm no fan of the Galaxy, I think the league desperately markets them as a marquee team, even when they stink (partially because of Beckham), but at least this season they've shown good form and if they win the title they'll deserve it because they have the Supporter's Shield.

 

[leomac08]

We just never found that next level we needed this season. I blame it largely on the fact that we sent out strong squads in both the Open Cup and Champions League. Few MLS clubs played as many games as we did, and fatigue really took its toll. MLS teams are still thin on depth.

Still, we lost only on penalties, so we did do a little bit better than last season. Rumors say Schelotto is willing to play one more season for us, but as with last season the contract negotiations will be tough. He only earns a few hundred thousand a year but he's worth much more than that. Either next season or the season after will see a major rebuild.



He's gentle as a lamb - he just can't tackle to save his life.

I'm no fan of the Galaxy, I think the league desperately markets them as a marquee team, even when they stink (partially because of Beckham), but at least this season they've shown good form and if they win the title they'll deserve it because they have the Supporter's Shield.

The Columbus Crew have been a dominant force in the eastern conference since early 2007/2008, but I noticed a trend of teams having 2-3 years of a golden age, such as DC United controlling the 96-00 seasons, LA Galaxy controlling early 2000's, New England Revolution and Houston Dynamo from 06-07 finals, Columbus and Real Salt Lake came out on top these last 3 years, with help from veterans.

It happens to every team, every team has their golden eras but don't last.

The LA Galaxy do deserve it since they won the supporters shield, I'm really seeing a LA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids final at Toronto

Mastroeni and Casey are strong veterans that can capitalize on such a young San Jose Earthquakes squad.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

The Columbus Crew have been a dominant force in the eastern conference since early 2007/2008, but I noticed a trend of teams having 2-3 years of a golden age, such as DC United controlling the 96-00 seasons, LA Galaxy controlling early 2000's, New England Revolution and Houston Dynamo from 06-07 finals, Columbus and Real Salt Lake came out on top these last 3 years, with help from veterans.

The league is set up to do that. The financial controls in MLS have two effects - they keep the cost of running a team artificially low, but also prevent a team from becoming very weathly and dominating (c.f. Man United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barca etc etc).

Nevertheless, the Galaxy are one of the teams MLS likes to promote as a flagship team. It's all about markets. Columbus is one of the smallest markets in MLS, and despite the price controls LA has a big advantage over teams like us. And that makes our victory in 2008, after all the Beckham hype, so much sweeter.

I am also very annoyed to see four western teams in the playoffs. The "Eastern" Conference is being represented by....San Jose and Colorado. What a joke. MLS really needs to do away with the conferences. Just make a single table, it's far simpler.

EDIT: Good luck to Jaffa against Leeds...I'm sure you'll be sitting in front of the TV with an adult beverage of some kind.

 

[leomac08]

The league is set up to do that. The financial controls in MLS have two effects - they keep the cost of running a team artificially low, but also prevent a team from becoming very weathly and dominating (c.f. Man United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barca etc etc).

Nevertheless, the Galaxy are one of the teams MLS likes to promote as a flagship team. It's all about markets. Columbus is one of the smallest markets in MLS, and despite the price controls LA has a big advantage over teams like us. And that makes our victory in 2008, after all the Beckham hype, so much sweeter.

I am also very annoyed to see four western teams in the playoffs. The "Eastern" Conference is being represented by....San Jose and Colorado. What a joke. MLS really needs to do away with the conferences. Just make a single table, it's far simpler.

Agreed, a single chart would show a true representation of the best teams. I was thinking of teams not making it to the top 14 would be cut to the second division...

But the league is too small right now for that and there aren't good teams in the 2nd division unlike Rochester Rhinos or Puerto Rico Islanders.

I was surprise when the playoffs were set that only 2 teams from the East made it to the playoffs. What's the point of playing in the regular season knowing you have to compete with others in the western conference.

It's going to be interesting next season that Portland and Vancouver are joining the MLS making the western conference even more bigger.