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The 2015-2016 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Klopp predicted a "heading festival" before the match and he was right, it was dull, defensive football - Liverpool actually played a lot like Stoke for most of the match. As much as I am inclined to be critical, Stoke have been something of a bogey team for Liverpool over the last seven years, (particularly under Pulis), so I'll take the result. No new injuries either, so that's encouraging.
Stoke were the better team in open play but their goal was offside. Good to see ex-Red Peter Crouch doing us a favor in the shootout.
We'll be facing either Aguero or Lukaku in the final, so Liverpool will have to hope that Firmino has one of his multiple goal scoring days.
Stoke were the better team in open play but their goal was offside. Good to see ex-Red Peter Crouch doing us a favor in the shootout.
We'll be facing either Aguero or Lukaku in the final, so Liverpool will have to hope that Firmino has one of his multiple goal scoring days.
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Money. Chinese clubs are willing to pay a lot for middling Europe-based players right now. More than MLS or the A-League, and probably as much or more than the Middle East retirement leagues.
Chinese clubs have the financial support of some big corporations.
Ramires > Ashley Cole. I laugh at the Galaxy for buying Cole. Whatever they paid, it was too much.
EDIT: Man City are through to the final but their equalizer only happened due to a blown out of bounds call - just as Columbus experienced in the MLS Cup Final.
De Bruyne also appears to have picked up a potentially serious injury. ESPN were reporting a possible medial ligament problem.
Despite all their money, Man City don't really impress me all that much - their defense is average at best and Toure has turned into a sulky cry-baby who only turns it on occasionally. But they do have Aguero, and against Liverpool's comedy defense that is probably all they will need to win.
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De Bruyne is set to miss at least six weeks with torn knee and ankle ligaments. That means he'll definitely miss the League Cup final and the next round of CL matches.
I have to think Pellegrini would trade a league cup final appearance for a healthy Kevin De Bruyne.
I have to think Pellegrini would trade a league cup final appearance for a healthy Kevin De Bruyne.
I hadn't seen the incident, but after looking at the footage it sure looks like he deliberately throws himself to the ground awkwardly and in doing so gets his leg trapped under his body...
He might not even be the same player once he returns. Knee injuries are the absolute worst.
Another cup replay....Liverpool have played so many matches recently that even the second string players are getting worn out.
I think they should skip extra time - straight to penalties. I don't like penalties, but I like extra time even less.
EDIT: Every time Chelsea win a game now, it just shows how much the players were to blame for essentially refusing to play for Mourinho. Spoiled brats. No matter what they do, they are too far off the pace to challenge for the league and probably the CL spots too.
EDIT: Every time Chelsea win a game now, it just shows how much the players were to blame for essentially refusing to play for Mourinho. Spoiled brats. No matter what they do, they are too far off the pace to challenge for the league and probably the CL spots too.
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Iceland 2-3 USA
Iceland are a good team, but USA has looked ropey ever since the Gold Cup. Tonight was no different even though they got the win.
Iceland are a good team, but USA has looked ropey ever since the Gold Cup. Tonight was no different even though they got the win.
I think that's a bit harsh. To me it looks like the first time his left leg goes down it goes down quite hard, and it gets hit from behind. He probably doesn't feel it until he tries to stand on it again, and he promptly goes down
EDIT: So it's confirmed that Pep will go to City on an initial 3 year deal. I almost want Pelegrini to win everything now, just to make a statement
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You may be right, and I'm not saying it was a flagrant dive. He's getting pushed on his chest and he falls backward - it looks deliberate - and his right leg gets hung up on the defender's ankle as it tries to assume a natural position. This causes it to get caught in the turf as he falls. It was accidental, though if he tried to stay on his feet it probably would not have happened that way.
I have nothing against Pellegrini, but I am all for Leicester to win it. I would like nothing better to see Aguero pull a hammy and Kompany to stay on the treatment table, for Man Utd to keep plodding, for Spurs to Spurs it up and Arsenal to Arsenal it up. It would be the biggest upset in the league in the modern era by miles.
Not surprised Pep went to City. Of the Manchester clubs, they seem the better run at the moment, his old chum Begiristain is there and they have the most money.
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As I said, I think the damage was already done before he went down. He throws himself to the floor because the second step on his left leg is when he feels it. Just my thoughts...
I want Leicester to win it too, hence why I said almost
I think he was always going to go to City due to the amount of £££ available and the fact they have already got (arguably) the best squad, so can maintain his reputation as the No.1 manager (eh 'arry?
)
Also it seems to be the only viable option left at the moment, I would say go for him.
It would be an open admission that Man Utd is no different than any other big club - a public execution of the "Man Utd Way." Under Ferguson the fans claimed they had something unique. Now, the new reality is the same as that of every other wealthy other club.
To be fair, they have little choice. You only see an Alex Ferguson come along once in a club's history.
It will be interesting to see what happens. Presumably LVG is a dead man walking, his comments to the media seem to indicate as much. That means a new face in the summer either way.
If Mou gets rebuffed in the end, I wonder if he will turn on the club. It would be a public slap in the face to a man who can't handle criticism of any kind.
It looks like Liverpool will not be doing any business in the January transfer window. In the short term it means more mediocre football, but from a long-term perspective it makes plenty of sense. Teixiera's release clause from Shaktar is pure madness, so that move looks off till the summer.
On paper, Liverpool should be in decent shape once some of the injured players return. With Ings gone and Sturridge being Sturridge, goals will likely remain a problem for the rest of the season. It's going to be painful watching Benteke lumber uselessly through the next four months.
If Mou gets rebuffed in the end, I wonder if he will turn on the club. It would be a public slap in the face to a man who can't handle criticism of any kind.
It looks like Liverpool will not be doing any business in the January transfer window. In the short term it means more mediocre football, but from a long-term perspective it makes plenty of sense. Teixiera's release clause from Shaktar is pure madness, so that move looks off till the summer.
On paper, Liverpool should be in decent shape once some of the injured players return. With Ings gone and Sturridge being Sturridge, goals will likely remain a problem for the rest of the season. It's going to be painful watching Benteke lumber uselessly through the next four months.
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They said the same thing about Sir Matt Busby, I assume. This period is shaping up exactly like it did after Sir Matt retired, with a serious lack of direction and focus at the club. I hope the nearly two decade long period of malaise isn't repeated, but I'm not feeling too optimistic at the moment.