The 2014-2015 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

It seems like yesterday that I saw Sterling make his competitive debut and saw a speedy but raw player running around a bit wildly. He's come on leaps and bounds in a very short time.

Or Fernando Torres. Diego Costa has already scored as many PL goals as Torres in his 3 game tenure. That's just silly.

To be fair, Torres' goalscoring record for Liverpool was superb and for several years he was perhaps the most feared striker in Europe. But his decline has been shocking, and Liverpool sold him at precisely the right time. I genuinely hope he can rediscover some of his Liverpool form at Milan, but I fear his pace isn't what it was.

He needs to grow his hair long again, that was when the rot really started.

 

[cambookpro]

Or Fernando Torres. Diego Costa has already scored as many PL goals as Torres in his 3 game tenure. That's just silly.

Really? I thought Torres scored 20 PL goals (Soccer Base link).

Unless I misunderstood or missed an amazing Costa sextuple-hattrick, I think he has a bit of a way to go yet

 

[Kariya]

Hapless performance by Arsenal. The phrase "they always try to walk it in..." springs to mind.

Will likely get turned over by City.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I wouldn't say a terrible performance by the Gunners, but not good enough.

Here's a mad idea: Falcao to Arsenal. He's for sale, Arsenal have the money for it and they can pinch him from under Man City's nose. It would be a brilliant coup and give Arsenal much-needed firepower.

But they never would.

 

[Kariya]

Never gonna happen. They've had so many options to choose from since the start of the window and many of them were interested in moving to Arsenal. But they've all slipped away one by one. Now there's very little left if any.

Wenger is too stubborn and seems to have full control over all transfers (normally a good thing). Thus holding everyone else in the club to ransom.

His blind faith has been a gift and a curse to the Arsenal faithful.

Besides didn't you know, Sanogoal was an amazing striker before he got injured. No need to buy another forward when you have him in your squad. Falcao can only dream of being as amazing as him.

Many expected them to fully ride the momentum of their FA Cup triumph but it seems to be fizzling out and the normal paradigm looks set to be restored.

Also not sure why he's playing 4-1-4-1 all of a sudden when he doesn't have the players to do so.

On the flip side, Leicester have done really well. during this tough period of fixtures. Might actually stay up.

 

[Happybunny]

The EPL is not the only place where strange results happen.

FC Groningen 2-0 Ajax

The inexperience in the Ajax squad is now really begining to show. They are going to get destroyed in the CL this season.

NAC Breda 3-1 PEC Zwolle

PEC’s dream start ended first eliminated from Europe, and now beaten by last seasons punching ball.

PSV 2-0 Vitesse

Only PSV showed any of last seasons form.

 

[Cox Orange]

SMH! Kalou to Hertha!

Sad face for losing Allagui to Mainz though, CoxOrange will be delighted though, I guess.

Hehe, haven't followed him at Hertha and didn't see him when he was at Mainz 2010. But from what I read, should be a great additon. Though so far Mainz was not convincing (with the new coach and without Choupo-Moting), so hopefully he will fit in. (Funny a lot of players went from Hertha over Mainz to the top clubs. Well, ok, one could argue that maybe more othr players have not at the same time.)

Kagawa confirmed for BVB, tweetie!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Wenger is too stubborn and seems to have full control over all transfers (normally a good thing). Thus holding everyone else in the club to ransom.

His blind faith has been a gift and a curse to the Arsenal faithful.

It's an odd thing. He has won titles - it's almost easy to forget that - but these days he seems capable only of keeping Arsenal in the race, but never winning it.

Some have said that he is out of date now. Nonsense. If that were true why do Big Sam and 'Arry Redknapp still have jobs?

FC Groningen 2-0 Ajax

I almost went to University at Gronigen. Are FC Groningen any good?

 

[Happybunny]

I almost went to University at Gronigen. Are FC Groningen any good?

They are one of the newer teams of the Eredivisie formed in 1971.
FC Groningen is a good mid motor team, with a great family tradition. They have had periods when they shone, Ronald & Erwin Koeman were part of the 1982/83 team which qualified for Europe.

Coloured me impressed that you could have gone to “Rijksuniversiteit Groningen” it’s certainly one of the best. (400 years old) It is also a true academic university, no fast track for paying students, it’s all down to brains over money.

 

[Tilpots]

To be fair, Torres' goalscoring record for Liverpool was superb and for several years he was perhaps the most feared striker in Europe. But his decline has been shocking, and Liverpool sold him at precisely the right time. I genuinely hope he can rediscover some of his Liverpool form at Milan, but I fear his pace isn't what it was.

He needs to grow his hair long again, that was when the rot really started.

Samson! Not sure why his tenure was so unproductive. He had the team and the talent, just coudn't get it done.

Really? I thought Torres scored 20 PL goals (Soccer Base link).

Unless I misunderstood or missed an amazing Costa sextuple-hattrick, I think he has a bit of a way to go yet

Poorly written on my part, to be sure. Apologies. Your stats are quite accurate! I was more getting to the point of Costa is producing and Torres didn't. It's a very different Chelsea side out there with such a strong forward presence. Back to the old Drogba days. Speaking of, was happy to see him get an assist yesterday. I think he's still got a little left in the tank.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Meanwhile, Montreal 2-0 Columbus

How the Crew can drive up to Canada and get thumped by the worst team in the league is beyond me. We've been on a good run of form lately - though selling our best defender is surely a factor. But worse than that is failing to score against a team struggling as badly as Montreal are these days.

Coloured me impressed that you could have gone to “Rijksuniversiteit Groningen” it’s certainly one of the best. (400 years old) It is also a true academic university, no fast track for paying students, it’s all down to brains over money.

I had some discussions with the faculty there about a PhD that involved some archaeology research with an ongoing project in the Antarctic. I had some good feedback but the funding situation was delicate (multinational collaborations always are), and I think what ultimately sunk me was a lack of an EU passport. European Universities do bring in Americans, but not in great numbers.

Had I gone there I'm sure I would have become a rabid FC Groningen fan.

Samson! Not sure why his tenure was so unproductive. He had the team and the talent, just coudn't get it done.

I think it is all mental. Somehow he simply lost his confidence. The talent has never left him, but he just can't access it like he used to. Some of the stuff he did at Liverpool was simply audacious. I've never seen that since but for one or two little flashes.

 

[twietee]

If it's really happening, Hofmann and wollscheid (+ Allagui) will be a great addition to Mainz!

Really enjoyed the Pool match. Great teamplay and let's hope Balo can conserve that spirit.

 

[cambookpro]

Poorly written on my part, to be sure. Apologies. Your stats are quite accurate! I was more getting to the point of Costa is producing and Torres didn't. It's a very different Chelsea side out there with such a strong forward presence. Back to the old Drogba days. Speaking of, was happy to see him get an assist yesterday. I think he's still got a little left in the tank.

Ah, I see - I agree, Costa seems to be what Chelsea have been missing for the past one or two seasons.
Plus, he's the only one who's bringing the goods in my fantasy team at the moment!

 

[Tilpots]

Ah, I see - I agree, Costa seems to be what Chelsea have been missing for the past one or two seasons.
Plus, he's the only one who's bringing the goods in my fantasy team at the moment!

Nice C choice!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Real Madrid beaten 4-2 by Sociedad despite going 2-0 up early. It's those Brazilian defenders again.

Here's a mad idea: Falcao to Arsenal. He's for sale, Arsenal have the money for it and they can pinch him from under Man City's nose. It would be a brilliant coup and give Arsenal much-needed firepower.

But they never would.

Never gonna happen. They've had so many options to choose from since the start of the window and many of them were interested in moving to Arsenal. But they've all slipped away one by one. Now there's very little left if any.

Wenger is too stubborn and seems to have full control over all transfers (normally a good thing). Thus holding everyone else in the club to ransom.

Looks like Wenger is trying to prove us both wrong. Falcao would be huge for Arsenal. If they are smart they'll throw every penny they can scrape up at this deal.

Arsenal have an advantage in this race, since I believe they can simply pay the cash for him. Man City, on the other hand, are straining against their FFP limits and must sell some players to make room for him.

 

[Kariya]

Looks like Wenger is trying to prove us both wrong. Falcao would be huge for Arsenal. If they are smart they'll throw every penny they can scrape up at this deal.

Arsenal have an advantage in this race, since I believe they can simply pay the cash for him. Man City, on the other hand, are straining against their FFP limits and must sell some players to make room for him.

Feels like a sketchy deadline day headline designed to push papers to me. Falcao will either go on loan to Madrid or stay put. Astronomical wages and transfer fee. Its the antithesis of a Wenger signing. This rumour is the more believable one. Right up Le Prof's alley.

That said Henry is his idol...but Remy, Benteke, Martinez have all said the same things yet aren't Arsenal players.

Meanwhile Real Madrid were beaten 4-2 by Sociedad. Guess they miss Ronaldo and Di Maria already.

 

[daneoni]

Bad day at the office. Everyone except Sanchez looked leggy and hungover from Wed. Once i saw the Stating XI i had a feeling it'd be a draw.

On reflection we actually haven't 'strengthened' we've just signed replacements (Sanchez is essentially a replacement for Walcott) thus far. But Arsenal fans are so used to zero spending that it felt like we had strengthened.

The basic need of a spine (ST, CDM, CB) are still yet to be addressed.

I dunno why Le Prof won't play Campbell and Poldi. He says we have depth in the striking department yet won't use it. Sanogo is too young and raw and Wenger is just heaping unnecessary pressure on him.
Its mind boggling that 2yrs later RVP still hasn't been replaced. No, actually whats really mind boggling is that 9yrs later Viera hasn't been replaced. Ditto for Gilberto Silva.

On another note why we're playing 4-1-4-1 is beyond me. Its close to being as bad as 3-5-2. It just doesn't work. Ozil and Cazorla aren't wingers. Never have been. And consequently its more pressure on the fullbacks.

The moment he officially ruled out Remy, Balotelli and Khedira about 3 weeks ago i knew our transfer window was virtually over. Hence why i'm not holding my breath for anything tomorrow. £15m net spend this window, £9m net spend over the last 9 yrs. I'm slightly impressed and slightly annoyed. Here's to more money sitting in the bank and we paying unnecessary taxes on it.

Falcao won't happen (we can't afford him). Cavani (Ibra injury) won't happen. Remy, Balo, Martinez and Benzema are non-options so there we are.

Sometimes i secretly wish i was a Bayern or *gasp* Chelsea supporter. They're just so brutally efficient in transfer dealings. But alas i'm a Londoner through and through. That, and the thought of supporting a Mourinho or Robben team makes my skin crawl.

Still early days and still unbeaten, but after seeing our recent performances and glancing at the injury list + transfer market, my expectations are starting to roll back towards reality.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Watched the Spurs - Pool match in full later today and was really impressed with Moreno and Manquillo. Both are very comfortable on the ball yet strong players able to do the dirty work of defense. Moreno's run and goal was excellent. Not sure on their aerial ability yet but time will tell. Lovren looked quite professional running the defense, Sakho still looking a bit shaky.

Gerrard's touch was noticeably off today, apart from the PK which he buried as usual. It's been too long since we've seen him score form open play. Balotelli looked pretty good - not quite in synch with the rest of the team but he put in a shift and his ideas were good. If he keeps playing like that we'll see goals.

Sterling is our primary goal threat until further notice.

Sometimes i secretly wish i was a Bayern or *gasp* Chelsea supporter. They're just so brutally efficient in transfer dealings. But alas i'm a Londoner through and through. That, and the thought of supporting a Mourinho or Robben team makes my skin crawl.

Be careful what you wish for. At any rate, Wenger will ride off into the sunset some day and then everything will change - but to what end?

 

[Kariya]

Be careful what you wish for. At any rate, Wenger will ride off into the sunset some day and then everything will change - but to what end?

If its a Klopp or Pep or any other sensible, flexibe, contemporary manager that takes over, one would think things would progress for the better.

If its a Redknapp, AVB, LvG, Benitez etc then they should all buckle up for turbulence and hilarity.

 

[daneoni]

^
Pretty much

I actually like Wenger, but his decision making confounds at times.

I'm hearing Campbell has told Wenger he wants the Benfica move. To which i say, good. He's a good player and doesn't deserve to be benched, especially after the season he's had.

If Arsene won't play him he should let him go. Ditto for Poldi

 

[Kariya]

Apparently United will get Falcao on a loan deal.

 

[oscillatewildly]

...

Coloured me impressed that you could have gone to “Rijksuniversiteit Groningen” it’s certainly one of the best. (400 years old) It is also a true academic university, no fast track for paying students, it’s all down to brains over money.

Yet Mr. B likes Liverpool.

---

Torres; injury did for his pace - trouble adjusting.

Leicester City played well - no complaints if they'd won.

Manchester United only 3 points behind Arsenal, must be doing well. RvP still injured and the defence incapable of bringing the ball out. #FreeShinjiFromBVB

Cheers,
OW

 

[twietee]

It is also a true academic university, no fast track for paying students, it’s all down to brains over money.

I almost went to University at Gronigen.

Yet Mr. B likes Liverpool.

There you go.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Steady on fellas.

Yes, Falcao to United. Arsene's unwillingness to buy strikes again, and is frankly his one real glaring weakness. They need a striker like Falcao, and now Falcao is going to a club who are directly competing against Arsenal in the area (Champions League qualification) where Arsenal supporter's will least accept failure.

A big club is going to fall out of the Champions League qualification spots this season. United are on the outside looking in, but Liverpool and Arsenal are not safe, and Everton and Spurs still have a realistic (if long) shot. Arsenal could be in for a very rude awakening.

 

[Kariya]

Steady on fellas.

Yes, Falcao to United. Arsene's unwillingness to buy strikes again, and is frankly his one real glaring weakness. They need a striker like Falcao, and now Falcao is going to a club who are directly competing against Arsenal in the area (Champions League qualification) where Arsenal supporter's will least accept failure.

A big club is going to fall out of the Champions League qualification spots this season. United are on the outside looking in, but Liverpool and Arsenal are not safe, and Everton and Spurs still have a realistic (if long) shot. Arsenal could be in for a very rude awakening.

Like daneoni said, Wenger's decision-making can be confounding.

Falcao isn't what United need, but it will shut up the glitter hungry faithful and critics...until they fail to win another match that is.

Like someone said. United, instead of rebuilding a solid spine (CB, DM/CM), seem to be adding limbs and expecting things to fall into place

The sad thing is Falcao and Di Maria won't show up in the CL this season. Also both might be wasted on United's midfield and defence.