The 2013-2014 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

Jonjo Shelvey with a goal and three assists - two for Liverpool.

A fast, frenetic game. Liverpool were superior in the first half, but Swansea absolutely battered Liverpool in the second half. Swansea's ability to possess the ball was embarrassing at times. We lost the midfield battle today.

Liverpool's attack became noticeably blunted when Coutinho went off injured - worrying to see him go down with an apparent shoulder problem, I hope it's nothing serious. The somewhat novel back four did not function as a well-oiled machine at all times. Sakho has obvious physical gifts and made some good plays but also got caught in possession several times and I'm not sure about his pace either. Mignolet is a commanding presence in the box.

Playing with Iago Aspas seems to be like playing with 10 men. I'm beginning to wonder if he lacks the physical tools to compete in the Premier League. His first touch often leaves something to be desired.

I'll take the point.

 

[twietee]

Probably the best game I've seen so far this season. Well balanced.
Why was Coutinho subbed so early?

Sturridge is one greedy fella!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Probably the best game I've seen so far this season. Well balanced.
Why was Coutinho subbed so early?

Sturridge is one greedy fella!

I hope Sturridge keeps up this rather sparkling scoring record. I suppose I could be worried about Suarez' return upsetting the apple cart, but surely putting Suarez back in the side can't hurt any more than sticking Aspas out there?

Coutinho was fouled with a high boot to the stomach, but he went down a bit theatrically and I suspect he might have hurt his shoulder while trying to sell the foul. No word yet on the damage.

Moses had a good game but faded a bit in the second half. With Agger and Johnson in the side I feel like we would have won this match. Credit to Swansea though - they were good.

 

[oscillatewildly]

...

edit: quite interested in Utd vs Leverkusen this week. Ahould be a good game!

I'm worried about which Manchester United turn up; if it's a no fight performance - v Liverpool - forget it. Mind, Fellaini to be sent off? Hyypia - curse him.

---

Aspas; my brain - hard to believe - keeps playing They Might Be Giants' 'Boss of Me'.

Suarez; not changing a side doing well, plus using him as a sub points to a team - Liverpool FC - rather than Suarez FC. Still, expect him to start against Manchester United in the League Cup.

Cheers,
OW

 

[twietee]

I'm worried about which Manchester United turn up; if it's a no fight performance - v Liverpool - forget it. Mind, Fellaini to be sent off? Hyypia - curse him.

Guess even Leverkusen fans are booing off Moyes if Kagawa isn't playing.
Has Hyypia a history with United?

Disagree with your take on Suarez though. I think he will do just fine and greatly improve the starting XI. Win the title this year and go wherever it pleases him afterwards.

 

[oscillatewildly]

twietee,

Kagawa is ill according to him; maybe he is being poisoned.

Hyypia played for Liverpool; from memory he was good, a few mistakes late on. Wonder how much lower Ferdinand will slip; his passing gets worse every game.

Don't argue that Suarez will do well, the view was Liverpool being bigger than him and man management.

The U19s play before the big boys today - Eurosport at 4 PM UK.

Cheers,
OW

 

[twietee]

You're right of course with no one is bigger than [insert club name], but never change a winngin team? BR did that and brought Moses in for Aspas (and rightly so) also they didn't win the last game... I just don't see Suarez as a greedy, selfish player like i.e. Sturridge on the pitch and I thought you meant that.


Don't believe Moyes and his medicals...Moyes OUT!


Just learned that Barcelona vs Ajax will be the very first time those two clubs playing each other in history! Yup, you read that right.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Hyypia played for Liverpool; from memory he was good, a few mistakes late on. Wonder how much lower Ferdinand will slip; his passing gets worse every game.

Don't argue that Suarez will do well, the view was Liverpool being bigger than him and man management.

Hyppia was solid and reliable. Definitely missed at Liverpool, but he seems to have had a bright start to his managing career so far.

I think Rio's time is short; then again, a number of Man Utd players of his generation or thereabouts have had extraordinarily long careers. But you want to quit while you're still competitive. The problem with poor Kagawa is that once he finally does return people will expect miracles on the pitch, which is unfair on the player,

Suarez tries to do too much on the pitch but I don't really think he's a 'selfish' player. He provides plenty of assists and through-balls. As for his relationship with the club, I think he can be convinced to stay if we have a good season. But, if he still wants to go we can at least plan ahead for next summer, get good money for him and move on. I fully expect him to buckle down and perform once he returns - especially since we are in a world cup year. He can't afford to sandbag.

Just learned that Barcelona vs Ajax will be the very first time those two clubs playing each other in history! Yup, you read that right.

I never would have guessed. Both have pretty old traditions of European competition.

 

[Happybunny]

Just learned that Barcelona vs Ajax will be the very first time those two clubs playing each other in history! Yup, you read that right.

When I read that I thought that it must be wrong, but it's true.

They have met in friendly competitions, like back in 2002.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Amsterdam_Tournament

As for this very young Ajax, tomorrow night all commentators here are agreed they are going to get a severe spanking.

But it can be seen as a part of the growing process.

 

[twietee]

But it can be seen as a part of the growing process.

Let's hope they can grow indeed. I seriously miss the good ol' Ajax days..doubt that will ever come back, though. Unless getting bought as some billionaire's toy, which is unlikely too. (Not that I wish that'd happen anyway!)

I'm a loyal Barca supporter, but will root for Ajax in this one. Credit where credit is due!

 

[Happybunny]

Let's hope they can grow indeed. I seriously miss the good ol' Ajax days..doubt that will ever come back, though. Unless getting bought as some billionaire's toy, which is unlikely too. (Not that I wish that'd happen anyway!)

I'm a loyal Barca supporter, but will root for Ajax in this one. Credit where credit is due!

That is always a two edged sword, name changes, colour of shirt change, are all very possible when you've been bought and paid for.

The glory days of Ajax 1970-1973 will never return so long as the transfer market is as it now is, dominated by a few ultra rich clubs.

Also in this part of the Netherlands we hope that Ajax not only gets a good spanking, but they get driven into the ground, and their balls handed to them.

 

[twietee]

Also in this part of the Netherlands we hope that Ajax not only gets a good spanking, but they get driven into the ground, and their balls handed to them.

That's the convenience of being a foreign supporter, one can't be bothered with the little details or daily routine.

Besides when you ever happen to accidentally see a nice Aaron Winter shirt for sale, let me know! Preferable from his Inter Milan day, though.
Hmm, when I think of it: Jaffa, you might have some helpful insight into this: only realistic chance of getting an 'original' kit / shirt from back in the days (mid 90s I guess) = eBay?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Hmm, when I think of it: Jaffa, you might have some helpful insight into this: only realistic chance of getting an 'original' kit / shirt from back in the days (mid 90s I guess) = eBay?

I've bought a few bits and pieces from classicfootballshirts.co.uk over the years and have no complaints about them at all - a quick look at their site shows they've quite a few Ajax, Inter and Lazio shirts from the period when Winter was at the respective clubs, none with his name and number on unfortunately.

 

[twietee]

I've bought a few bits and pieces from classicfootballshirts.co.uk over the years and have no complaints about them at all - a quick look at their site shows they've quite a few Ajax, Inter and Lazio shirts from the period when Winter was at the respective clubs, none with his name and number on unfortunately.

THX! They are rip-offs or 'real' football shirts as in I can thoroughly play with them?

Dunno, but dat 90s Arsenal shirt

 

[Jaffa Cake]

THX! They are rip-offs or 'real' football shirts as in I can thoroughly play with them?

They sell a mixture of replica and 'player issue shirts (some of the latter match worn), they're originals dating from the seasons they were worn rather than the modern made replicas you get from companies such as TOFFS (who produce some very nice stuff).

Some of the shirts may have a bit of wear and tear, any damage is described in the description and the cost reduced accordingly. It's not uncommon to see a couple of identical shirts at different prices, the more expensive one being in mint condition and the cheaper having a few bobbles or similar.

 

[takao]

damit, swiss television chose Bayern vs CSKA over Manchester vs Leverkusen.... whhhhhyyyyyy

 

[cambookpro]

What a dilemma tomorrow - seeing Reading vs Leeds, a massive game with the return of McDermott to the Madejski...

...but iOS 7 is being released as well

I sense a late night tomorrow trying to update it after I get back.

(Yes, I am that impatient that I can't just wait until Thursday...)

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Might be worthwhile giving the match a miss, as McDermott has come up with some spinechilling techniques to intimidate and terrify opponents and I wouldn't want you to get scared or owt.

Brian McDermott recreates 'scary' rituals

Leeds United manager Brian McDermott is looking to the past in his determination to make Elland Road an intimidating venue for opposing teams.

Blimey!

McDermott's players are recreating some of the pre-match rituals made famous by Don Revie's side in the early 1970s.

Crumbs!

That includes walking out and waving to the crowd

Blood-curdling stuff, as I'm sure you'll agree.

 

[Happybunny]

I see from the news today that HSV are looking for a new trainer.

Bert van Marwijk and Thomas Schaaf plus Lothar Matthäus are in the picture for the post that's quite a line up.

 

[twietee]

The problem with poor Kagawa is that once he finally does return people will expect miracles on the pitch, which is unfair on the player,

Hindsight much?

Game was a tad too comical for my taste, first goal was a joke and although the rest of the game was absolutely dominated by United ('s missed chances - , Rooney/RvP = priceless) on that level it's always a big difference if you conced the first one, so I can partly understand the comments from Leverkusen re officials. Nice goal by Rolfes btw.

As an aside: how do you folks see the Hawkeye? It was introduced this year in the FPL, wasn't it? Any observations/ideas so far? Hope they do it asap in Germany as well.


@HappyBunny, I for one like Matthäus; guess van Marwijk would be a good fit for the HSV (one of the worst clubs managment-wise I can think of btw). I wish they get Babbel, though. They shoud get what they deserve!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Given the number of times he'd competed, Ferguson's record in the Champions League was not outstanding, so Moyes doesn't have to work miracles to reach the same level. But if you compare his squad to some of the other competitors it's hard to see them reaching the final or even the semifinals.

Coutinho's shoulder injury is going to rule him out for the next four matches. Agger is also out for a bit. Time to see just how good our squad depth is...but damn, if I had to pick one player I didn't want to lose it would probably be Coutinho (with Sturridge, Lucas and Mignolet right behind him). time to re-jig the fantasy squad...

 

[oscillatewildly]

Kagawa is a liar Did he used to do well against Bayer Leverkusen? Didn't want to let on he was playing?

RVP

Not sure how Valencia was missed re the first goal - didn't touch it, not offside. The fourth Manchester United goal was pleasing because of the speed of the break; like the old days.

German football, German football is rubbish, German football is rubbish...well sometimes.

Ferguson in Europe; twice meeting Barcelona at their peak didn't help. There should've been some more finals, but the trait of performance level dropping off a cliff once they thought the game was won scuppered that - good to see it continued last night .

Cheers,
OW

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Ferguson in Europe; twice meeting Barcelona at their peak didn't help. There should've been some more finals, but the trait of performance level dropping off a cliff once they thought the game was won scuppered that - good to see it continued last night .

Cheers,
OW

True about Barca, though Mourinho managed to beat them at their peak with a squad that was no better than Ferguson's.

However United fare in Europe, they can rest easy in the knowledge that they'll be back next year. Spurs and Arsenal are perhaps not so certain.

 

[twietee]

You know you did something right in your life when you get invited to a fine dinner + watching BVB afterwards with a beautiful nice young lady who earns more than double of what I get.

 

[daneoni]

Blimey

Meanwhile Chelsea lose. Wonder if they miss Benitez now seeings as the Special One is yet to be...special. 2 successive defeats.