The 2013-2014 Football Thread

[oscillatewildly]

Dortmund lost to Napoli😕 If Arsenal don't progress from that group, 😱

Loan players; Lingard misses a penalty but later scores a header from more than 35 yards out - going by the BBC.


EDIT - see post down the line.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Lord Blackadder, you knew that former Simply Red guitarist Sylvan Richardson is a masseur at Liverpool FC?

No, but that is some great trivia.😀

Other news; Hull City's - and many a fantasy team's - Brady is having his hernia op today; 4 weeks including the break for Internationals. 🙁

http://www.hullcityafc.net/news/article/201314-brady-op-1089196.aspx

😡 I had just added him to my fantasy squad. I am a rubbish manager. 😱

It's come out this afternoon that Allam approached the City Till We Die committee (the newly formed group organising the No To Hull Tigers campaign) last night to offer to meet with them. Hopefully he's prepared to listen to supporters on this matter, but he's famously stubborn so we'll see what happens - let's hope this is a positive development though.

I think Allam will dig his heels in, but maybe both parties can come to an understanding. Allam is not necessarily wrong to wish to give the team wider appeal - but it can't happen at the expense of the club's local identity (unless it is accompanied by huge piles of cash - see the "top four/five" etc etc).

Dortmund lost to Napoli😕 If Arsenal don't progress from that group, 😱

Benitez is pretty comfortable in the Champions League, and he has a good squad. Dortmund's season looking a bit shaky now?

 

[twietee]

Dortmund's season looking a bit shaky now?

Huh, why do you think so? 😕

 

[daneoni]

6pts in the bank. Didn't even have to get out of second gear. 😎 🙂

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Huh, why do you think so? 😕

I suppose they still have the return leg at home against Napoli. But do you really think they can go toe-to-toe with Bayern in the league? I feel like the bottom is bound to drop out eventually. Unless the Pep experiment proves failure.

 

[Happybunny]

Ajax put up a good show against AC Milan last night, gave away a soft penalty late in added on time. So 1-1 in Amsterdam but Ajax are a team that are very young and these are good experiences.

 

[twietee]

I suppose they still have the return leg at home against Napoli. But do you really think they can go toe-to-toe with Bayern in the league? I feel like the bottom is bound to drop out eventually. Unless the Pep experiment proves failure.

I haven't seen arsenal yesterday, but Dortmund is much stronger than last year. Losing (a very odd) away game in Napoli doesn't tell too much. I can see them winning the Bundesliga this season. They have a very good squad this year.

But I don't get it, was Napoli that bad or what?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I think Allam will dig his heels in, but maybe both parties can come to an understanding. Allam is not necessarily wrong to wish to give the team wider appeal - but it can't happen at the expense of the club's local identity

Being a cynical Jaffa I suspect he's trying to take the sting out of the campaign, but hopefully he's willing to listen. The fact that he's open to discussion is at least a step forward from his ranting a about fan opinion not mattering a few weeks ago.

As I've said before, no one has any complaints about trying to broaden our appeal and few would object about making use of our tiger nickname in doing so - but meddling with the club's identity is needless and alienates the core local support who are the lifeblood of all clubs.

We await the results of this meeting with great interest.

 

[Fizzoid]

...and Fryatt scores for the Wendies.

Who let in another late goal and are still missing that elusive win...

🙄

 

[oscillatewildly]

Lord Blackadder and twietee,

Having watched Napoli play Arsenal yesterday but not seen them in the opening game against Dortmund, I couldn't fathom how the German side lost; Napoli were very poor - even accounting for Arsenal playing well.

---

Lingard; thanks BBC 🙄 Less 35 yards, more 6 yards 😀 If that is how the BBC reporter estimates, he may disappoint some people.

Cheers,
OW

 

[twietee]

Lord Blackadder and twietee,

Having watched Napoli play Arsenal yesterday but not seen them in the opening game against Dortmund, I couldn't fathom how the German side lost; Napoli were very poor - even accounting for Arsenal playing well.

Napoli has a strong squad - could be Jekyll/Hyde home/away though. Dortmund had a nightmarish first half in said game and still could have won/drawn that game. Second Napoli goal was a direct freekick, so not sure what that tells us about the whole season.
I think the games Aresenal/BVB will tell more - and will be great to watch. Still don't see a cakewalk for Arsenal in this group - but hope they make it over Napoli in the end. 😉

Also beware, just added Ramsey to my Fantasy team 😉 now the downfall begins...

-

I go as far as attesting them minimum 50/50 chances against Bayern winning the Bundesliga this year. Their problem last year were the smaller teams - lost lots of points in these games - not the bigger clashes. Now, with an improved squad depth and quality plus all the latest transfers already working out fine (!!) plus some young prospects as Hofmann and others point into the right direction.

Not going to go into detail for Bayern but I see them really strong next year, this year will have some drawbacks most likely.

 

[pachyderm]

Who let in another late goal and are still missing that elusive win...

🙄

precariously hovering over that last relegation spot.... 😱

Napoli has a strong squad - could be Jekyll/Hyde home/away though. Dortmund had a nightmarish first half in said game and still could have won/drawn that game. Second Napoli goal was a direct freekick, so not sure what that tells us about the whole season.
I think the games Aresenal/BVB will tell more - and will be great to watch. Still don't see a cakewalk for Arsenal in this group - but hope they make it over Napoli in the end. 😉

Also beware, just added Ramsey to my Fantasy team 😉 now the downfall begins...

Napoli really is a strong side, even without Cavani.


Anyone else think that GROUP H is the "Group of Death"...
Barcelona
AC Milan
Ajax Amsterdam
Celtic

... besides Celtic fans...? 😛

 

[Kariya]

Milan and Ajax are not the same teams they were years ago when they dominated European football. Barca is the real force in the group and even they aren't invincible. Barca will qualify, Celtic won't and the remaining spot will go to either Ajax or Milan.

I think Group F is the real Group of Death. 3 teams can qualify.

 

[oscillatewildly]

Not if Napoli are as bad as they were last night.

 

[twietee]

Since when are we judging based on one single game? I mean Arsenal seems to be huge this season - and I like that ! - but it will be a tight race for spot no1 in that group. Most likely a race with Dortmund. And I don't see too many teams either in the PL right now who I'd place above Dortmund tbh. *


* actually none

 

[Happybunny]

Milan and Ajax are not the same teams they were years ago when they dominated European football. Barca is the real force in the group and even they aren't invincible. Barca will qualify, Celtic won't and the remaining spot will go to either Ajax or Milan.

I think Group F is the real Group of Death. 3 teams can qualify.

Frank de Boer is quite open about the fact, that he is using this seasons CL as a steep learning curve, for his very young squad. He is under no illusions, last season Ajax could pull a stunt against Manchester City, but with two of his best players gone to new clubs, he is resigned to a total rebuild.😱

 

[oscillatewildly]

Since when are we judging based on one single game? ...

Since today in preparation for about 9:34 PM UK tonight. Money spent = hype, and I'm happy not to believe it in Napoli's case. Now watch them go and win the cup. 🙂

Cheers,
OW

 

[takao]

Arsenal is notoriously strong at home in europe so i would be careful about judging Napoli on that performance alone ...

In the Napoli Game Dortmund was one man (more important their nr 1 goalie) down after 42 minutes.. and also received a penalty jsut before the break
Napoli seems to be a very hit or miss squad .. in some games they play super aggressive(especially at home) and competitive and in the next suddenly they are average
they are also very dependent on 2-3 players



meanwhile ManCity isn't exactly having their best day against Bayern so far

 

[daneoni]

Fernandinho has been a waste of £30m for City. Bayern overrunning the midfield. Wonder what City would give to have Di Jong and Barry back now.

 

[takao]

Fernandinho has been a waste of £30m for City. Bayern overrunning the midfield. Wonder what City would give to have Di Jong and Barry back now.

wouldn't it make more sense to sell an extra ticket ? because after all Barry will be more or less only watching the opposition play anyway 😉

Mancity was insane to believe that they could play a 4-4-2 against bayern:
2 central midfielders against lahm, schwein., kroos, 2 wingers cutting inside and Müller playing a false 9 ?
there should have been a sub 25 minutes in, with extra legs for the center

Lahm is playing excellent as DM today .. he gains more possesion that Toure and Fernandihno combined

 

[twietee]

Agree re Lahm.

Chanting Bayern fans are annoying tho.

 

[Kariya]

Oh dear Clichy...

City have no defence outside of Kompany who can't do it by himself all the time. Also, Hart no longer knows who he is.

 

[twietee]

Samo, samo...embarrasing to watch..boss will be unbearable 😀

 

[daneoni]

Manchester Clubs...

 

[Kariya]

Robben takes a dig at City

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben: "The first 70 minutes we played some terrific football. We were so dominant against a big team in Europe. We didn't expect an easy game like that.

"It is a compliment to our team but we expected more from City. We didn't give them any space, we pressed them right up to the goalkeeper and they just kicked it away. Sometimes they gave us too much space and we used space well."