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The 2015-2016 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
So, the stage is set: The Special One and Manchester United have agreed terms, and have signed a three year contract.
Now, to be quite candid, I shall count myself rather surprised if Senhor Mourinho is still at Old Trafford in three years time. Indeed, instead, I rather expect that relationship will end - possibly explosively - some time before then.
Now, to be quite candid, I shall count myself rather surprised if Senhor Mourinho is still at Old Trafford in three years time. Indeed, instead, I rather expect that relationship will end - possibly explosively - some time before then.
And, further news tonight (I spotted it in the Guardian) concerning a fundamental change to the format of the later stages of the oldest Cup competition in the world.
Perhaps I am being a little uncharitable to think that this news was released - entirely coincidentally - on the very day that the Special One and Manchester United finally sealed their three year deal, making the events in Manchester the main news story of the day and the main focus of sports journalists and writers.
From next year, it is proposed (no, apparently it has been agreed) that the results of the final stages - in other words, from the quarter finals on - will be decided in one day, with extra time and penalties, rather than with a replay. In other words, a 'sudden death format' is to be introduced for the FA Cup competition for the quarter finals and for the later stages of the competition.
Officially, the initiative is being sold (as in spun, or argued for) as something that will ease congestion of the fixture schedule. It is also being sold as 'something that will help England', with arguments being made that it 'will add to the excitement of the competition and will benefit the wider game in general'.
Whatever about those arguments - and I find this a surprising - and an unexpected change, especially when it is one that has been surreptitiously snuck through with little (in fact, with no) prior discussion, and little evidence of demand for such a change - when officials offer the 'it is important that we move with the times' argument, - especially when it is coupled with the sentence 'while fully respecting tradition and history' - flashing red lights and alarm bells are set off clamouring loudly in my mind.
Perhaps I am prejudiced; but I think those epic struggles - those semi-finals fought over two or three matches - are a part of the fabric of the competition, and those who came through successfully it proved themselves worthy winners of the cup competition.
The old system also allowed for the cultivation of the cherished dream of the clubs from lower divisions, that they could become a giant-killer. Indeed, by allowing this dream to thrive, occasionally and delightfully, and always unexpectedly, it allowed for a degree of romance that the cynicism and monetisation of the league has almost banished (Leicester City's wonderful season notwithstanding), in recent years and decades. This was because the cup was open to clubs from every division, not just the top clubs.
Surprisingly often, one of those clubs would get as far as the quarter final - or further - and, most of the time, hoped to achieve an honourable draw in a first match (yes, they dreamed of victory, but realism decreed that an honourable draw was often they best they could hope for after which an inevitable defeat would beckon in the second, subsequent match) against a legend, something which, in turn, would be added to that small club's own legend in years to come.
The FA Cup is the oldest Cup competition in the world. To be honest, to my mind, I don't really think that it needs the excitement and generated stress of a penalty shootout, or extra time, to make it better, or enable it to "retain its status as a much loved and world renowned competition."
Perhaps I am being a little uncharitable to think that this news was released - entirely coincidentally - on the very day that the Special One and Manchester United finally sealed their three year deal, making the events in Manchester the main news story of the day and the main focus of sports journalists and writers.
From next year, it is proposed (no, apparently it has been agreed) that the results of the final stages - in other words, from the quarter finals on - will be decided in one day, with extra time and penalties, rather than with a replay. In other words, a 'sudden death format' is to be introduced for the FA Cup competition for the quarter finals and for the later stages of the competition.
Officially, the initiative is being sold (as in spun, or argued for) as something that will ease congestion of the fixture schedule. It is also being sold as 'something that will help England', with arguments being made that it 'will add to the excitement of the competition and will benefit the wider game in general'.
Whatever about those arguments - and I find this a surprising - and an unexpected change, especially when it is one that has been surreptitiously snuck through with little (in fact, with no) prior discussion, and little evidence of demand for such a change - when officials offer the 'it is important that we move with the times' argument, - especially when it is coupled with the sentence 'while fully respecting tradition and history' - flashing red lights and alarm bells are set off clamouring loudly in my mind.
Perhaps I am prejudiced; but I think those epic struggles - those semi-finals fought over two or three matches - are a part of the fabric of the competition, and those who came through successfully it proved themselves worthy winners of the cup competition.
The old system also allowed for the cultivation of the cherished dream of the clubs from lower divisions, that they could become a giant-killer. Indeed, by allowing this dream to thrive, occasionally and delightfully, and always unexpectedly, it allowed for a degree of romance that the cynicism and monetisation of the league has almost banished (Leicester City's wonderful season notwithstanding), in recent years and decades. This was because the cup was open to clubs from every division, not just the top clubs.
Surprisingly often, one of those clubs would get as far as the quarter final - or further - and, most of the time, hoped to achieve an honourable draw in a first match (yes, they dreamed of victory, but realism decreed that an honourable draw was often they best they could hope for after which an inevitable defeat would beckon in the second, subsequent match) against a legend, something which, in turn, would be added to that small club's own legend in years to come.
The FA Cup is the oldest Cup competition in the world. To be honest, to my mind, I don't really think that it needs the excitement and generated stress of a penalty shootout, or extra time, to make it better, or enable it to "retain its status as a much loved and world renowned competition."
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Penalty shoot outs are such a lottery. As a FA cup final loser to penalties and an England fan, I should know!
If it's not broke, don't fix it.
If it's not broke, don't fix it.
Which begs the questions of firstly, just why they want to 'fix it' at all, and, secondly, why they wish to try to 'fix it' just now?
This morning's post delivered a just published book with the beguiling title 'King Power', and the author, according to the book, goes by the name of King Richard III.
If you like English history, a very well written book, and an enjoyable take on Leicester City's recent success, this is a hilarious read.
If you like English history, a very well written book, and an enjoyable take on Leicester City's recent success, this is a hilarious read.
Mou is already looking to bring in Willian. Maybe he can pry Driogba and Lampard away from MLS?
In other words a couple of has beens. That's why he will leave the club in a poorer state than he joins it.
And the Guardian suggests that Zlatan Ibrahimovic - a snip at an asking price of a salary of £220,000 per week - may also be on his shopping list.
Well, encouraging youth, deploying or playing youth, and bringing on youngsters has never been Senhor Mourinho's style.
By the way, there are some very sharply funny asides which refer to José Mourinho in 'King Power' (by Richard III).
In a somewhat surprising turn, Mamadou Sakho has been cleared to play by UEFA and will face no further punishment for doping. According to L'Equipe, the "fat burning substance" Sakho had in his system was not on UEFA's list of banned substances. This remains a murky issue because the substance itself has not been named.
It was still very stupid of him to be taking some sort of diet pill without working with Liverpool's medical team - incurring a 30-day ban at the most crucial time of the season - and I am sure that Klopp will make that crystal clear if he hasn't already,.
It was still very stupid of him to be taking some sort of diet pill without working with Liverpool's medical team - incurring a 30-day ban at the most crucial time of the season - and I am sure that Klopp will make that crystal clear if he hasn't already,.
Been entertaining so far. Athleti really put up a rearguard charge of a performance in the 2nd half. CR7 again missing in the big moment, granted he's not fully fit. Bale seems to be the only one focused up front.
EDIT:...and of course he decides the game. Unlucky Athleti.
EDIT:...and of course he decides the game. Unlucky Athleti.
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I can't believe we, Arsenal, have already signed a new player. Yep, the 2016/17 season is going to be hot. Even more so with Pep and Mourinho...
I don't feel too bad for Simeone. But there is something less than satisfying watching Real win anything. Wait! The richest club on earth - the one that can afford any player it wants, whenever it wants, beat all the less-wealthy clubs? What an achievement!
Well, we'll always have Leicester.
I also wanted Athleti to win but sadly wasn't meant to be.
Atleti would've won but they went and bottled the pen (big no no) given when Pepe body checked Torres and then during PKs their goalie didn't move am muscle. Hilarious bottle job by the kings of bottling.
Hala Madrid!
Hala Madrid!
Atleti had chances to win it, no doubt - and missing a penalty is always going to cost you dear in this type of match. With that being said, I think calling them the "kings of bottling" is unfair. They won the league recently - one of the most non-competitive leagues in the world given the dominance of Real and Barca. Breaking into that cartel is a bigger achievement than when real or Barca grab yet another title.
I could make the (slightly facetious) argument Real are actually the biggest bottlers in Spain; they are the richest club and thus have no excuse not to win every trophy, every year....yet they win less than half the trophies and fire their manager every season on average. The club is a generator of constant dizzying spectacle but have commodified themselves to a point that makes them impossible to like.
Speaking of Pepe though - what an extraordinarily dirty player! (I still can't forget his breathtaking stupidity in the last world Cup). I don't think I've ever seen him play a big match where he didn't deserve at least one red card or give away a PK. And it's all so massively cynical!! His lack of discipline is shocking...until you consider that he plays alongside serial cheater Sergio Ramos and theatrical-dive-specialist Marcelo. Time for a Pepe rule?
On a more serious note, my theory on Real's incredibly dirty defense is that the team scores so often that mistakes and foolishness at the back are just not as detrimental to them and are thus tolerated. that, and the fact that the three knuckleheads I mentioned above function more as a second attacking unit than a defense; getting the ball forward is their number one priority. They are capable of excellent defending but are also undisciplined and make lots of mistakes. In many ways Sergio Ramos, the leader of this defensive unit, is the embodiment of Real Madrid - highly talented, arrogant, undisciplined and hysterical.
The lack of discipline stems from the fact that an elite clique of players at the club are more or less untouchable, and have been around long enough that they can safely ignore their manager. As long as players like Ramos give their usual hysterical, blood-and-thunder performance every week the fans will continue to love them and the club won't dare get rid of them. Even Mourinho, the supreme autocrat, broke under this system. Will Zidane last longer? He has a special status at the club, but even winning isn't good enough at Real and he will likely be jettisoned within two more seasons - probably earlier.
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Copa America News***
Colombia beat Haiti yesterday, good warmup friendly for the copa america which starts on Friday/June 3rd
On friday, its gonna be USA vs. Colombia, its gonna be good. My 2 favorite international teams go head to head...Problem is dont know which jersey to wear
Colombia beat Haiti yesterday, good warmup friendly for the copa america which starts on Friday/June 3rd
On friday, its gonna be USA vs. Colombia, its gonna be good. My 2 favorite international teams go head to head...Problem is dont know which jersey to wear