The 2012-2013 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

Thats why i'm not too broken up about it. If a player says he wants to leave you have no choice but to cash in. Unless you're Spurs (Seriously just sell Modric already). Wenger learnt from last season and quickly bought two decent replacements whilst holding out for a decent price.

All the rumors I've heard indicate that Modric will be sold for half what Spurs are publicly asking for him. I think they are overplaying their hand if they think they can get 45 million for him.

I just hope he keeps Song (who actually wants to stay) because i don't think M'Villa or Sahin would be better options. We should also start looking for a decent left back to cover for Sagna who is now approaching the big 3-0.

Sahin is promising but still somewhat of a gamble (though as a loan it's pretty low-risk). I think Brendan Rogers might beat Wenger to him, though the deal is not done yet.

As for RVP all the best to him but now i have even less incentive to watch Man Utd matches. Also he will now join, and arguably top, the list of most hated ex-Arsenal players. Although i still think Adebayor owns that title.

I thought Ashley Cole topped that list. Adebayor did act like a big baby though...and Gallas didn't really leave with dignity either. I'm Sure RVP will get a warm welcome at the Emirates. I think he'll probably do well at United, but it could be a big bust for them if he picks up injuries.

 

[daneoni]

It was Cashley, then Adebayor/Gallas, then MerceNasri and now RVP...or Robbing Van Pursestrings as Piers Morgan has lovingly renamed him.

 

[oscillatewildly]

Wirelessly posted

Mugged by Arsenal; all that money for a crock.

Also talk of a big non-player announcement Thursday - apprehension re stadium naming rights. Could be twaddle.

Cheers,
OW

 

[swiftaw]

I wonder what number he will wear.

 

[2020mike]

Everton hoping to finalize a deal tomorrow for Kevin Mirallas. Hope they can close the deal before Arsenal ramp up an offer to replace RVP.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Silence Please...

Mexico 0-1 USA...in Mexico.

That scoreline is not a misprint!!! For the first time ever, over 75 years of football, at the 25th attempt, the United States headed down to Mexico City and left with a win. Making the day especially sweet was the fact that Mexico presented their gold-medal winning Olympic squad to the fans at halftime. The Americans spoiled the party.

Ok, OK, it was a friendly. But only a curmudgeon (or Mexico fan) would call this one meaningless.

Pure robbery by the USA. Klinsmann deployed a strange central defensive pairing of newcomer Geoff Cameron and ex (?) Ranger Maurice Edu, who is usually a midfielder. But it generally worked. Both sides were missing top players, but USA were definitely the more changed side. Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley all remained in Europe. Landon Donovan only lasted one half with a tight hamstring. While our ball retention was horrible and US attacks almost nonexistent, we defended very stoutly against constant Mexican pressure.

The Mexicans played a very sloppy match. I might even say they played with the arrogance of a team facing an opponent they have always beaten at home. Though we gave them too much space and time they did almost nothing with it. They were markedly superior in possession and stifled most US attacks with relative ease, but showed very little in the final third.

The goal came late in the game, with Brek Shea driving in from the left, beating his man and crossing to Terrence Boyd in the middle, who performed a blind backheel through traffic that Michael Orozco Fiscal poked home for the goal.

Most worryingly for Man U fans, Chicharito had an awful performance. He spent the entire match either a) offside, b) diving or c) missing decent chances. I almost feel sorry for him because I think the knives will be out for him tomorrow.

Stoke supporters will be pleased to hear that recent signing Geoff Cameron had a very strong match in central defense ; apart from Howard he was USA's best player tonight.

The final shout goes to Tim Howard, who was, as he always is, an unstoppable wall in goal. He made two saves that absolutely saved the win and disheartened the opposition. A world class keeper.

 

[Confuzzzed]

The big difference between RVP and Agger is that Agger wants to stay. I hope we keep him.

If he really wanted to stay, he'd sign a new 4 year contract. By not signing now, he knows he's forcing the club to trade him. Very sad but can't let him go to the last year of his contract particularly as on close scrutiny his interview this week in Danish, hints at a desire to be free to do what he wants in 2 years time. For a player that misses a third of a season each year on average, £25m is fair cop. Even though he's our best player.

 

[Happybunny]

So, Happybunny, what next for the Dutch? The squad has huge talent, and many of the players are still relatively young...

This is my cold assessment,

The match last night showed the major flaws that have become part of Dutch football. The defense was slow and very square, any deep played ball was a major problem, especially when faced by fast moving opponents.
The mid field was very sloppy with no real control, and very little ball winning skill, and more worrying very little vision. The three players never played as a unit, and in consequent were made to look second rate. This is a problem left over from EC'12, there is at the moment very little team spirit. The players think like individuals and not as a team.
Some of the players still have the attitude that they are more important than the team as a whole. When compered to Dutch teams of the past the flaws are quite shocking. Some of this can be explained by the fact that some of these players, have been lauded by the media. They were presented as a 'golden generation' the media wanted to have it's own home grown heroes, so their successes magnified and their failures overlooked. This was not seen in 2010 in South Africa, but by 2012 in the EC it was so blatantly obvious.
To day one of the commentators drew parallels between this 'golden generation' and the English team of the 90's. More famous for who they are (and who their WAG is), than what they have achived as players. It was pointed out today that five of this team have had more media coverage about events off the pitch, than any thing football related.

I see major troubles still ahead as the new players coming into the game are modeling themselves on this WAG culture.

The next match will be a World Cup Qualifer against Turkey in three weeks. I can see a very real posibility that the Dutch will not go to Brazil'14. But who cares these players will still have their millions and their WAG life style.

 

[Fizzoid]

So what you're saying is that you've got lots of individually talented players, who can't play together as a team successfully?

I'm sure I said it before, but the Dutch are the new England! (albeit still with better players )




And so, on to England. Great to see us beating Italy. If only we could have done that a few months back...

Apparently key to the victory was the return of Lampard and Carrick. Great! So are we building our World Cup '14 squad around a 34 and 31 year old?

Still, there was this:

Jack Butland became England's youngest goalkeeper at 19 years and 158 days, beating the record of Billy Moon, who was 19 and 222 days when he played against Wales at Crewe in February 1888.

 

[olup]

This is my cold assessment,

The match last night showed the major flaws that have become part of Dutch football. The defense was slow and very square, any deep played ball was a major problem, especially when faced by fast moving opponents.
The mid field was very sloppy with no real control, and very little ball winning skill, and more worrying very little vision. The three players never played as a unit, and in consequent were made to look second rate. This is a problem left over from EC'12, there is at the moment very little team spirit. The players think like individuals and not as a team.
Some of the players still have the attitude that they are more important than the team as a whole. When compered to Dutch teams of the past the flaws are quite shocking. Some of this can be explained by the fact that some of these players, have been lauded by the media. They were presented as a 'golden generation' the media wanted to have it's own home grown heroes, so their successes magnified and their failures overlooked. This was not seen in 2010 in South Africa, but by 2012 in the EC it was so blatantly obvious.
To day one of the commentators drew parallels between this 'golden generation' and the English team of the 90's. More famous for who they are (and who their WAG is), than what they have achived as players. It was pointed out today that five of this team have had more media coverage about events off the pitch, than any thing football related.

I see major troubles still ahead as the new players coming into the game are modeling themselves on this WAG culture.

The next match will be a World Cup Qualifer against Turkey in three weeks. I can see a very real posibility that the Dutch will not go to Brazil'14. But who cares these players will still have their millions and their WAG life style.

I guess that's why Loui van Gaal threatened to eventually return to Bayern? I can't quite see that happening though.
Interestingly enough all the major european team have their problems, the french, dutch and the german team as well. The only team that doesn't seem to have any problems whatsoever is the spanish team, who in my eyes is the number one contender for the WC win.

 

[twietee]

... all the major european team have their problems, the french, dutch and the german team as well. The only team that doesn't seem to have any problems whatsoever is the spanish team, who in my eyes is the number one contender for the WC win.

That sounds too negativ imho. Of course Spain > Germany > France (> NED)

GER is going through a kind of transmission right now, but the upcoming players all have the proper potential and the key structure is still intact + all the players are still quite young and have plenty of time to improve till 2014. If they have a major problem I would say it's the coach.
FRA has great players but lack somehow the right spirit (or education ).
NED is more difficult, think they reached past their limit..will be very interesting to follow. ENG, I have no clue..don't follow it closely and have to admit that they're not one of my Favs. Ouch!

 

[takao]

i wouldn't bash the Dutch team because of a bad result against Belgium .. it's always important to keep the opposition in mind:
Belgium has managed to nurture an impressive squad over the last few years with a handfull of outstanding talents

10 years ago they had an absolute rubbish squad, 20 years ago their squad was excellent

that's why i have little fear for the Dutch in their group
Turkey: Austria just won against them yesterday 2:0, just liek the dutch they have currently a huge problem of some great individual players and the heroes from a few years ago retired or are old
Hungary: rather average with perhaps a handful playing in top leagues, last great team is decades ago
Romania: again .. Austria just won against them in a friendly 2-3 months ago and that rather easily while dominating the game, compared to their 90ties incredible weak

all three are great names but currently all have problems in their squads...

my Austria has to qualify against Germany, Sweden and Ireland ... so i'm crossing fingers for a Imbrahimovich injury

 

[Lord Blackadder]

If he really wanted to stay, he'd sign a new 4 year contract. By not signing now, he knows he's forcing the club to trade him. Very sad but can't let him go to the last year of his contract particularly as on close scrutiny his interview this week in Danish, hints at a desire to be free to do what he wants in 2 years time. For a player that misses a third of a season each year on average, £25m is fair cop. Even though he's our best player.

I don't know what the club are offering him, though. If Liverpool are lowballing him in order to force a move, that's not competely Agger's fault. From the outside looking in I feel like he should be kept, but if making money is the prime concern he'll be sold.

This is my cold assessment,

Sounds rough. But I think the Dutch are too good not to qualify, even in their current state. I think the more likely state of affairs is that they will qualify but implode in the group stage in Rio (like France in 2010).

Columbus 1-1 LA Galaxy

Due to the unbalanced schedule introduced this season, this will be the only time the Crew play the Galaxy. In the first game played since the death of midfielder Kirk Urso, the Crew managed a point against the league's favored son. LA Galaxy were without Landon Donovan (international duty) and Golden Balls (hilariously "rested" after the Olympic closing ceremony ).

It's a better result for the Galaxy than for us because we were at home and at full strength. I'm not sure we can afford to draw many home games at this point in the season...if we miss the playoffs I think heads will have to roll. On the upside, newish forward Jairo Arrieta scored for the Crew, so he continues to do well. Robbie Keane tapped in the equializer for his boyhood favorite club.

 

[Silencio]

Most worryingly for Man U [sic] fans, Chicharito had an awful performance. He spent the entire match either a) offside, b) diving or c) missing decent chances. I almost feel sorry for him because I think the knives will be out for him tomorrow.

Chicharito's lack of form is one of the big reasons United went after RVP. He really hasn't been the same since getting concussed during last summer's pre-season tour. Welbeck is also not quite the finished product yet.

Both RVP and Rooney were under a lot of pressure from their respective clubs last season to produce. Now there will be a lot less pressure on both of them and SAF has an awful lot of options, though which combination(s) will yield the best results is an open question at the moment. I'd love to see Kagawa playing in his best position, lined up behind the lead striker, but if RVP and Rooney play together, Kagawa would have to be pushed out to the left. I miss the interchangeable, free-flowing attacks from Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez in 2007-8, but the current attacking three could very well come close to that — make that attacking four if Nani discovers some consistency.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Chicharito's lack of form is one of the big reasons United went after RVP. He really hasn't been the same since getting concussed during last summer's pre-season tour. Welbeck is also not quite the finished product yet.

The English language commentary to the Mexico-USA match kept harping on the fact that Hernandez opted for awkward pokes at hip-level balls he used to put on frame with diving headers. They attribute the loss in form directly to the concussion. I don't know how directly related they really are but there is no denying that Chicharito is not what he used to be a couple seasons back.

I think RVP will be a good partner to Rooney and score a lot of goals at Man Utd providing he stays healthy. His health is definitely a concern given his age and injury history, but he held it together last season.

Still wondering what the heck they are doing with Berbatov though. He plays less often than Bebe. Wouldn't it have made sense to sell him by now?

EDIT: I've looked around a bit recently at Man Utd supporter reactions to the IPO and have found them surprisingly positive in many forums. The name of the game is revenue, and most supporters seemt to be expecting revenue to increase consistently over the next few seasons - staying well ahead of debts. Just how much support does MUST have among Man Utd supporters? Or are their critiques the result of an embittered few Glazer-haters?

 

[takao]

Still wondering what the heck they are doing with Berbatov though. He plays less often than Bebe. Wouldn't it have made sense to sell him by now?

i suspect the transfer fee demanded by manchester is too high to sell him easily ... and it's not going to be easier considering his age

 

[daneoni]

There were rumours that Hernandez was coming to the Emirates as part of the RVP deal but i knew that was rubbish. Was thinking Wenger would move for Llorente or Mirallas but Mirallas is off to Everton and Athletico want £28m for Llorente...not gonna happen.

Knowing Wenger he'll probably end up pocketing the £24m and make the Board happy since as it stands, he's only spent a net fee of £12m to buy 3 players. That figure might even go down to £0 if he ends up selling Song to Barca for that exact amount. Ask him if he will buy a replacement and it will be; "Diaby is fit, Arteta isn't far behind and Wilshire will join us in October. We have enough to offset the loss"

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Arsene Wenger is the David Moyes of the Champions League.

 

[2020mike]

Arsene Wenger is the David Moyes of the Champions League.

Moyes has no choice but to be cheap. Wengers cheap because he wants to be.

 

[Fizzoid]

I don't think Wenger is cheap because he wants to be, I think it's because he has to be, and is very professional about it. He won't criticise his board, in the same way he won't criticise his players.

 

[Happybunny]

I've just seen that Oussama Assaidi is going to Liverpool from sc Heerenveen. He is 24 forward from Moroccan nationality, 22 caps for his country.

 

[daneoni]

Just as i thought. Also RVP is now officially a United player. Yay...

 

[MonkeySee....]

Looks like Spurs are tieing things up with Leandro Damiao thanks to old Sandro have a convincing word.

Its going to be a good season.

 

[Silencio]

Looks like Spurs are tieing things up with Leandro Damiao thanks to old Sandro have a convincing word.

Its going to be a good season.

Good signing by Spurs, if he can handle the big step up in competition. How much are they paying?

Both Spurs and Arsenal have made some astute signings this offseason, but will they be enough to offset the loss of such important players as Modric and RVP respectively?

 

[MonkeySee....]

Good signing by Spurs, if he can handle the big step up in competition. How much are they paying?

Both Spurs and Arsenal have made some astute signings this offseason, but will they be enough to offset the loss of such important players as Modric and RVP respectively?

Well it seems an upfront fee is being sorted in the region of 15M which may be a buy out thing. How much he will cost on teh transfer is another thing.

Doesn't look like we will start the season with him though.

If we can get Moutino (sp?) in to replace modric we should be alright.