The 2014-2015 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

Well, Torres, can work hard and effectively but can't finish, while Eto'o can't work hard or effectively but can finish.

I think it's true that Everton don't look quite a top four side BUT if either Liverpool or Arsenal get in trouble with injuries things could change.

 

[Kariya]

Touché

 

[twietee]

I still think Arsenal should win this tie. But with Everton picking up Eto'o they are now a more serious threat for a top four finish. Spurs are also looking pretty good at the moment and Man Utd may right the ship somewhat. Arsenal and Liverpool are going to have to work hard to stay in the Champions League spots.

Milan are bidding for Torres...I may get laughed out of town but perhaps Arsenal should take a punt? Torres is a proper No 9 and apart from actually scoring goals he still looks like a useful player. Plus Arsenal can't afford to be too picky now.

True, but they all have to work hard for that spot. That's what makes it interesting. Only Chelsea and City have the advantage of superior teams. Although, thinking about Torres, in case Costa gets injured, I can see Chelsea struggling* just as well, don't think Drogba has it in him to play that many full matches.

Pool has a great rooster - need to be patient til they all gel in. That's the most difficult thing though. Arsenal seriously lacks up front. Hopefully Campbell can deliver almost instantaniously - now that Bendner's gone..

*as in not winning every match in the first half already

 

[Happybunny]

United are currently being turned over by MK Dons. 3-0 and most definitely could've been more.

EDIT:...is more. 4-0.

MK Dons entire squad = £235k. Doesn't even cover Rooney's salary.

At this moment there is one person smiling big here in the Netherlands.

Johan Derksen old footballer and journalist, he has always disliked Louis van Gaal, during the world cup he was mouse still. (He dislikes him because of Louis’s arrogance towards the press)
But now on his progam Voetbal International, he is counting down to the day that Louis explodes at a press conference.

 

[Silencio]

Yesterday's result was disgraceful, but I get the feeling LvG was looking at it as another opportunity to learn more about some of the fringe players. The scheduling kind of forced him to do so, with the Sunderland league match just taking place two days before.

I hope he's seen enough of Anderson. I know I certainly have.

Jonny Evans is a pretty good defender, but when he has a meltdown, it's positively epic. That one reminded me of his performance in the 6-1 loss to City a couple of years ago, except he didn't get sent off and was lucky not to concede a penalty for that handball in the box. That he is our must experienced defender pretty much says it all. I can only hope that Rojo makes a positive difference at the back, or that LvG switches to a 4-3-3 or something.

One of Chicharito and Welbeck needs to go. Right now, Welbeck brings much more to the table, and James Wilson deserves a look-in. Seems like a lot of clubs need a striker. Sending Chicharito to Juve as make-weight for Vidal makes sense, guess we'll see.

Don't know what happened to United's famous academy, but most of the youth / reserve players that played yesterday did not look good enough. Besides Wilson, maybe Perreira looked the part. Blackett has potential, but is still very young. Keane doesn't have me convinced yet.

 

[Fizzoid]

Don't know what happened to United's famous academy

I think Man City and Chelsea bought everyone...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Yesterday's result was disgraceful, but I get the feeling LvG was looking at it as another opportunity to learn more about some of the fringe players. The scheduling kind of forced him to do so, with the Sunderland league match just taking place two days before.

His statements after the match were pragmatic and logical enough - he's trying to rebuild and it's just not going to happen overnight. He's trying to bed in new players and adopt a new system at while also realizing that there is probably going to be a lot of turnover in the squad for a couple seasons. Man Utd have the money to buy a whole new team at once but for whatever reason they have failed to do so. Apart from a huge stroke of luck LvG knows that Man Utd are not going to be competing for silverware this season. His task is to accomplish the rebuilding as quickly as possible, with the least amount of fuss.

It will be interesting to see how long this frank, cool, philosophical version of LvG lasts before we see the arrogant, volcanic, combative LvG that the Dutch seem to feel will inevitably emerge. Fasten your seat belts.

I'm shocked that Anderson is still around. At least, I'm shocked that the club keep him around. If I were him I'd hang on as long as I could too though - Winston Borgarde had it right. I wouldn't let a little thing like dignity get in the way of a paycheck that big at that age.

 

[Kariya]

Anderson was loaned to Fiorentina but they RMAd him. You know you have a problem when Fiorentina turn their nose up at you.

Probably doesn't help that many of the prospective clubs watching these players are averting their gazes after seeing how terrible they are.

The only way United will get rid of these players is to run their contracts out or sell them for peanuts.

 

[Happybunny]

His statements after the match were pragmatic and logical enough - he's trying to rebuild and it's just not going to happen overnight. He's trying to bed in new players and adopt a new system at while also realizing that there is probably going to be a lot of turnover in the squad for a couple seasons. Man Utd have the money to buy a whole new team at once but for whatever reason they have failed to do so. Apart from a huge stroke of luck LvG knows that Man Utd are not going to be competing for silverware this season. His task is to accomplish the rebuilding as quickly as possible, with the least amount of fuss.

It will be interesting to see how long this frank, cool, philosophical version of LvG lasts before we see the arrogant, volcanic, combative LvG that the Dutch seem to feel will inevitably emerge. Fasten your seat belts.

I'm shocked that Anderson is still around. At least, I'm shocked that the club keep him around. If I were him I'd hang on as long as I could too though - Winston Borgarde had it right. I wouldn't let a little thing like dignity get in the way of a paycheck that big at that age.

This will give you some idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpPpuFRNDDQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X61qV7M7UAA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sviu9l3bew

I know they are in Dutch but you will get an idea.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

This will give you some idea.

Brilliant stuff. That puts Joe Kinnear's rant to shame. If LvG does that in England I think the entire English media machine will implode from sheer excitement.

 

[jsolares]

As a Madrid fan it sucks to see Di Maria go, he's a great player, the team seems like headless chickens out there without him, but on the flip side they paid 75 million euros for him.

It'll take time for kroos and james to settle in, hopefully it'll be just as great a team as before, as Valdano said they went looking for the solution which was something we already had.

 

[Kariya]

It'll be Benzema's turn next season don't worry.

Meanwhile Alexis gets off the mark for Arsenal. Jitters everywhere though.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Arsenal rode their luck pretty hard but they've scraped through. Both games finished with Arsenal down to to ten men.

Meanwhile, Jozy Altidore had a decent outing for Sunderland in today's cup match, maybe he can tart working his way back into the starting XI.

 

[Kariya]

The Ref was hilariously bad. Summed up by the fact that he booked Chambers for 'coming on too early' even though the 4th official passed him through.

Arsenal edged it overall but boy their finishing and occasional passing was dreadful. Besiktas had two penalty shouts not given.

Arsenal progress. Rabiot? Falcao? Cavani? Carvalho? Nothing?

Meanwhile Bilbao knock Napoli out after coming from behind to beat them 3-1. Another Europa trophy for Benitez maybe?

Ludogorets also go through despite having their keeper sent off and resorting to an outfield player to face penalties. He scored one, saved two, and consequently got them through.

Lastly, League Cup draw...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

QPR knocked out of the League Cup by League Two Burton.

Ludogorets also go through despite having their keeper sent off and resorting to an outfield player to face penalties. He scored one, saved two, and consequently got them through.

What an epic performance. He'll be telling his children about that one. Against Steaua Bucharest too, who have some pedigree.

 

[Kariya]

Indeed.

Meanwhile Xabi Alonso is off to Bayern. They have been brutally efficient. Signed a new forward last year. And now within two weeks they've strengthened their defence and plugged the hole Javi Martinez left behind.

 

[twietee]

Funny. Perspective from here is Bayern's signings aren't all that convincing. Lewa fits perfect, no question, but was signed last period. Both, Benatia and Alonso, show that

a) squad seriously lacked depth in certain positions and (and that was known long before, Thiago missed half the season last year and is still recovering, Schweinsteiger as well is pretty injury prone, Kroos got sold as an example not because he wasn't needed. Now they even buy Alonso who got replaced by Kroos.

b) Dante is not the world class defender many claimed he was. Pep doesn't rate him. Badstuber just started playing football again after 2y (!). VanBuyten retired. Martinez got injured and all of a sudden Boateng is the only reliable CB while Guardiola just started to play 3 CBs at the back. Doesn't really add up.

But that's just my 2c. Both players are quite old already and are short time options Pep wasn't really interested in to begin with imho.

 

[Kariya]

Xabi looks indeed to be a short term option until Javi returns and they can buy Khedira for Free. But you could do worse than Xabi in central midfield even with his age.

Dunno much about Benatia but a lot of the top clubs seemed to want him.

I've always said i was unconvinced by Dante and Bayern's defence in general but Twietee lept to their defense.

Selling Kroos was un-necessary but i guess he forced their hand.

They also need to start thinking about replacing Robben and Ribery who are starting to reach the wrong side of 30.

I just hope Reus doesn't go there next window. Its would be predictably boring.

 

[twietee]

Xabi looks indeed to be a short term option until Javi returns and they can buy Khedira for Free. But you could do worse than Xabi in central midfield even with his age.

Of course. Just wanted to point out that 2/3 of their transfers are somewhat last minute check-ins rather than well planned and executed solutions.

I've always said i was unconvinced by Dante and Bayern's defence in general but Twietee lept to their defense.

Not sure what that means exactly? Dante is a very solid defender, but doesn't fit into Pep' style football. Where did I say otherwise?? If anything I recall mentioning the problem of Bayern playing even further up front in general and less compact compared to Heynckes' system. That makes every defender look bad in comparison. Dante can't pass under pressure - that's a no-no for Pep. But the same: just pointing out that it was known long beforehand that they'd need a defender - buying Benatia last minute for top dollar doesn't strike me as a very effective signing strategy. That is if one doesn't automatically consider everything that doesn't become an overly drawn out transfer-"saga" efficient.

Selling Kroos was un-necessary but i guess he forced their hand.

They didn't want to pay him what he deserved - compared to others in their team.

They also need to start thinking about replacing Robben and Ribery who are starting to reach the wrong side of 30.

Götze and Müller + Reus I guess.

I just hope Reus doesn't go there next window.

We all do!



In the meantim I read more and more about a Kagawa comeback. Not sure what to think about it - guess he isn't playing on the same level when he left and Dortmund changed too but who knows. I for one would be thankful.

 

[Kariya]

Was thinking of this post from the previous thread

But we'll see how Pep sets up his defence with with the arrival of Benatia.

Klopp might be able to get the best out of Kagawa again and going back 'home' might even give the player confidence. Fergie never really gave him a chance and he's not a Moyes or LvG type player. Might've been better off going to Wenger or Roberto Martinez maybe.

 

[twietee]

Was thinking of this post from the previous thread

I was questioning Dante's quality in particular. Since my answer/post back then is directly under yours: I never said any different. The difference now is that they wanted to play three at the back this season more than once and moved Alaba into midfield to replace Kroos - having three CBs + a talent/backup in that case just isn't enough in case one gets injured. As did Martinez now (who is a great CB btw imho, not sure why him being a good definsive mid as well says different) and all of a sudden you splash a lot of cash for a 27yo defender who had one good season and no international experience.

 

[Kariya]

Shortage of top defenders and strikers.

Meanwhile it's déjà vu all over again. Dortmund Arsenal in the same group. Bayern and City meet again and Liverpool have a date with Real Madrid.

Group E and F looking like the groups of death.

Chelsea get the easiest group of the English sides.

 

[twietee]

Shortage of top defenders and strikers. .

Maybe, yea. A lot of actionism too. There are a lot of young talents in Germany right now - Dortmund just bought one, Bayern was linked with Rüdiger - that would have made more sense imho. They should have gotten Rojo if you ask me. Btw. Sokratis being linked to Arsenal? Sure hope that's nonsene - they need a striker!

 

[Kariya]

Read the Sokratis rumor earlier. Is he a cast off in Dortmund?

Meanwhile the CL draw...

Group A: Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Olympiakos, Malmo
Group B: Real Madrid, Basel, Liverpool, Ludogorets Razgrad.
Group C: Benfica, Zenit St Petersburg, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco.
Group D: Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray, Anderlecht
Group E: Bayern Munich, Manchester City, CSKA Moscow, Roma.
Group F: Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Ajax, APOEL Nicosia.
Group G: Chelsea, Schalke, Sporting Lisbon, Maribor
Group H: Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Athletic Bilbao, BATE Borisov.

 

[daneoni]

Dortmund and Bayern need to have a restraining order filed against them. Always stalking Arsenal and City.

Another year another tough group. But Chelsea given a First Class ticket into the knockout stages.

I fancy Liverpool, Arsenal (by the skin of their teeth), and Chelsea to go through. City however, have have a lot of work to do. But its far from impossible with the team they have.

Ludogorets have been handsomely rewarded for their efforts last night.

I don't think the Sokratis deal will happen. In fact i think Arsenal shopping this summer is done.

Gd luck to us all in Europe.