Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The 2014-2015 Football Thread
- Thread starter Jaffa Cake
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
We stand at the dawn of Zwolsche world domination.
Meanwhile, we're at the KC tonight for our first ever European home tie. 'tis most exciting.
Europa League tonight.
I wanted to just give Jaffa a small taste of what is going on at PEC Zwolle, history in the making.
http://nos.nl/video/688888-pec-zwolle-in-de-ban-van-europa.html
£16m for a striker of Balotelli's quality is a steal - but then you have to account for his behavior. I love watching Balotelli's antics - but not when playing for my club!!! I don't see him maturing beyond the silliness. Could a be a rough ride, unless Rogers can find some way to keep him on the straight and narrow.
We shall see what happens.
We shall see what happens.
Should be a perfect replacement for Suarez! ;D
I do have aweak spot for him, so I wish him all the best at Liverpool! If it works out we're all in for a real treat..
Here's the thing: Suarez has had some incredibly high-profile on-field incidents that have defined him in the eyes of the public...but in training and off the field he is a model professional. He trains hard, stays fit and doesn't go off drinking or clubbing. He doesn't get fat every summer or get in fights that end up in court. Balotelli has done all of those things.
So it's six of one, half a dozen of the other.
So it's six of one, half a dozen of the other.
He does seem a bargain when you think about the £12m paid for Shane Long
At least he'll NOT bite people.
I'm sure he'd be happy to take up the challenge!
Was initially priced at £40m by Milan then over £25m and now £16m causing "Brendan" to bite.
They're selling at a loss and you have to wonder why Milan are so desperate to be rid of him.
I like him for his entertainment i just think he's one of those "if i'm in the mood" players which could be catastrophic in the big games.
They're selling at a loss and you have to wonder why Milan are so desperate to be rid of him.
I like him for his entertainment i just think he's one of those "if i'm in the mood" players which could be catastrophic in the big games.
Liverpool need him for depth, but hopefully he won't need to be relied on by himself for long stretches. I'll be shocked if he stays two seasons.
In the Premier League, and for £16m, I'd take him over Giroud.
He'll think about that the next time he sends a player into an ice bath. He'll think about it and then chuckle darkly.
Last edited:
In light of the latest revelations I think it behooves me to comment on the whole Cardiff/Mackay/Moody affair.
After hearing some samples of the shockingly racist/homophobic/sexist/antisemitic/you-name-it-bigotry comments made by Moody and Mackay, it was incredibly disappointing to see the LMA chief defend it with the embarrassingly facile excuse that it was 'banter' (which they have since lamely apologized for), and to hear Harry Redknapp say
[QUOTE='Arry][Mackay’s] not murdered anyone, he’s not a rapist or a paedophile. He’s made a big mistake. It shouldn’t finish his life or his football career.[/QUOTE]
No, 'Arry, he hasn't murdered anyone, nor is he a rapist or paedohpile. But has made some incredibly offensive, ignorant and frankly stupid remarks, and that ought to come with serious consequences. I don't know whether it finishes his career or not - but either way he should be punished. EDIT: There don't seem to be too many examples of managers/sporting directors being punished for this sort of thing (Hoddle? Sort of), but given the punishment handed to Suarez over the Evra incident we should expect some sort of equivalent (or sterner) punishment For Mackay.
The sad reality is that English (and, truly, European) football is soaked in racism, bigotry, sexism, and homophobia - not to mention endemic financial corruption, which is what Cardiff were investigating Moody/Mackay for in the first place and what may land Mackay and Moody in trouble with the law.
I think it also needs to be said that Vincent Tan still comes out of this looking bad. His motives for investigating Mackay and Moody were personal, selfish and ultimately vengeful. The exposure of these comments was purely serendipitous and Tan, being the opportunist he is, used them to essentially blackmail Mackay/Moody into groveling apologies, after which he crushed them anyway be releasing the incriminating text messages. It's a truly sordid business that exposes the stinking, rotten core of football.
After hearing some samples of the shockingly racist/homophobic/sexist/antisemitic/you-name-it-bigotry comments made by Moody and Mackay, it was incredibly disappointing to see the LMA chief defend it with the embarrassingly facile excuse that it was 'banter' (which they have since lamely apologized for), and to hear Harry Redknapp say
[QUOTE='Arry][Mackay’s] not murdered anyone, he’s not a rapist or a paedophile. He’s made a big mistake. It shouldn’t finish his life or his football career.[/QUOTE]
No, 'Arry, he hasn't murdered anyone, nor is he a rapist or paedohpile. But has made some incredibly offensive, ignorant and frankly stupid remarks, and that ought to come with serious consequences. I don't know whether it finishes his career or not - but either way he should be punished. EDIT: There don't seem to be too many examples of managers/sporting directors being punished for this sort of thing (Hoddle? Sort of), but given the punishment handed to Suarez over the Evra incident we should expect some sort of equivalent (or sterner) punishment For Mackay.
The sad reality is that English (and, truly, European) football is soaked in racism, bigotry, sexism, and homophobia - not to mention endemic financial corruption, which is what Cardiff were investigating Moody/Mackay for in the first place and what may land Mackay and Moody in trouble with the law.
I think it also needs to be said that Vincent Tan still comes out of this looking bad. His motives for investigating Mackay and Moody were personal, selfish and ultimately vengeful. The exposure of these comments was purely serendipitous and Tan, being the opportunist he is, used them to essentially blackmail Mackay/Moody into groveling apologies, after which he crushed them anyway be releasing the incriminating text messages. It's a truly sordid business that exposes the stinking, rotten core of football.
Last edited:
To be fair they weren't especially bad, also for the first time a lot matches in this tournament went with a low number of goals or even 1:1 with penalties (french had to go through penalties, too).
Also there is one 17years old US player that was offered stipends by several US universities, but she decided to accept an offer from PSG without getting her education payed! (being transfered at that age might not only tell of talent, but quality in the college teams).
Germany won 2:1 over France (1 rebound-shot and 1 corner vs 1 corner).
The final is against Nigeria (they won 6:2 against north korea, they were to quick for a korea that tried to stay in their trained schemes). The final should be a speedy match (maybe troublesome for Germany).
I'd like to add the statistics, with focus on France! (efficiency problem like the A-team).
GER-FRA
2:1
attempts 5-22
on target 4-10
fouls comitted 12(!)-7
yellow 1-1
free kicks 8-19
corners 4-7
offsides 7-1
Sad reality is prejudice is still prevalent all over the globe. Even more so in multicultural institutions. And its mostly from the older generation who were part of the Earth's ugly side of history.
Like Balotelli said, the only difference is the Brits know how to hide theirs 'better'. The Italians, Russians, Germans etc less so. The Americans have been whittled down due to political correctness/lobbying whereas the South Americans just don't care either way.
Mackay's prejudiced views are absolutely unacceptable but they won't change anytime soon either. He'll just be more careful from now on. And he's not alone.
LMA have botched it (but i don't think Bevan should resign) and 'Arry is well...'Arry.
Football can bring out the best and the worst in people. But its all 'banter'. So they say anyway.
Whether Mackay is finished...time will tell. But it looks like Tan's witch hunt looks set to be successful.
In other news, Gazza back in trouble again. Meanwhile 'Arry has reached out to him.
Last edited:
Well, Chelsea seem to have no trouble with the smaller teams...they are on cruise control so far. Now to see how they fare against Everton and Man City in the next month.
Everton looked really strong and should have won it; a couple mistakes cost them in the end - possibly Martinez refusing to fully park the bus?
Arsenal looked lost most of the match but rescued a point late...does this count as Giroud scoring in a big game against a big club?
Arsenal looked lost most of the match but rescued a point late...does this count as Giroud scoring in a big game against a big club?
Probably the result of having a 32 yr old and a 36yr as your defensive pair, and then a 33yr as your midfield anchor. Legs give out earlier than you'd want.
They ran out of steam whilst Arsenal's youth didn't and kept plugging away.
Wenger got the selection wrong. Ozil is as effective as Cazorla on the left i.e. not at all. Should've played Campbell and Sanchez/Ox either side of Ozil and Giroud up top. Ramsey and Flamini in CM. Bench Wilshere who was once again anonymous.
They ran out of steam whilst Arsenal's youth didn't and kept plugging away.
Wenger got the selection wrong. Ozil is as effective as Cazorla on the left i.e. not at all. Should've played Campbell and Sanchez/Ox either side of Ozil and Giroud up top. Ramsey and Flamini in CM. Bench Wilshere who was once again anonymous.
http://www.epworthbells.co.uk/news/regional/hull-fans-bottled-by-euro-rivals-1-6800487
wha ? they didn't get you did they?
- Status