The 2017-2018 Football Thread

[Falhófnir]

The thing is, Moscow wasn't the capital of the country in 1812, St Petersburg was.

I know, but Napoleon went to and was defeated at Moscow... Even while St Petersburg was the Royal capital Moscow remained a very important city (arguably more important than St P) as it occupied the central position that a national capital usually does (roads radiate from there and etc).

 

[pachyderm]

Too many blunders by Croatia. Ineffective passing in the 2nd half. Just a bumbling mess from the beginning with the OG that demoralized them, causing them to make mistakes such as the handball out of desperation. Absolute twits. With the piss-poor effort today they didn't deserve 2nd place.

yup

 

[bmac4]

So should this thread title be changed to football season 18-19 now, or should a new thread be started? I think the World Cup pretty much ended this current season.

 

[Centaurr]

Mbappé overrated? That’s a hot take for sure. What do you have to support that? Are there things you feel like he doesn’t have that he should based on the hype?

i have plenty to support that, im a Monaco fan meaning i follow them and their games. he was under the shadow of falcao in monaco.

 

[bmac4]

i have plenty to support that, im a Monaco fan meaning i follow them and their games. he was under the shadow of falcao in monaco.

Saying you have plenty to support that means nothing if you don’t proved the support. Your just some poster on macrumors saying Mbappé is overrated. Why should I take anything you say as anything more than a grain of salt?

I am not trying to be a jerk here, but I honestly want to know why you think he is overrated. I have not heard anyone say that, and from what I have seen, he looks like the real deal. If there is some part of his game that you see as not world class, please share. I want to know what everyone is missing.

 

[Centaurr]

Saying you have plenty to support that means nothing if you don’t proved the support. Your just some poster on macrumors saying Mbappé is overrated. Why should I take anything you say as anything more than a grain of salt?

I am not trying to be a jerk here, but I honestly want to know why you think he is overrated. I have not heard anyone say that, and from what I have seen, he looks like the real deal. If there is some part of his game that you see as not world class, please share. I want to know what everyone is missing.

didnt you read what i posted? stop reading fast and go back and read it slowly. i FOLLOW monaco so that means i know alot about players from that team. therefore, he didnt do much when he was in that team, that team being monaco. you just knew about him due to the WC. do you follow monaco?

 

[pachyderm]

He turned it on for this tourney then.

Most folks I talk to about the cup are raving about him.

 

[bmac4]

didnt you read what i posted? stop reading fast and go back and read it slowly. i FOLLOW monaco so that means i know alot about players from that team. therefore, he didnt do much when he was in that team, that team being monaco. you just knew about him due to the WC. do you follow monaco?

Clearly I did read your post. Saying your a Monaco fan means crap to me. That’s like me saying I am Real Madrid fan and Asensio is overrated. What the heck does that mean. Just because I watch every single Madrid game doesn’t make me some kind of expert on the matter. I clearly asked you for specific things that are over rated.

As for knowing anything about Mbappé and Monaco, I know both. I know that Monaco made it to the semis of the Champions league last year, and I know a ton about Mbappé being a Madrid fan and the rumors flying that we tried to sign him last summer. I have been following him for the last 3 years. This World Cup has nothing to do with my view of him. I can link you to an article I did for a friend about the World Cup that I said he was the player to watch. My knowledge of Mbappé goes well beyond this WC.

 

[bmac4]

He turned it on for this tourney then.

Most folks I talk to about the cup are raving about him.

That’s all I have been hearing, but I have been hearing this stuff about him for 2 years. I tried to watch as much as I could the last couple of years since I knew Madrid wanted him. I have heard nothing but good things. The take that he is overrated is new to me. I honestly am interested to know how one would come to that conclusion.

 

[Centaurr]

Clearly I did read your post. Saying your a Monaco fan means crap to me.

if it means nothing, why do you respond then? so it does mean something to you...

As for knowing anything about Mbappé and Monaco, I know both.

of course you would say that, you probably follow all the clubs in the world. smh.

I have been following him for the last 3 years.

wow, so you follow all the players in the world also, nice.

 

[bmac4]

if it means nothing, why do you respond then? so it does mean something to you...



of course you would say that, you probably follow all the clubs in the world. smh.

I am not sure why you are trying to attack me. I was honestly asking for your opinion from the beginning because it was such a hot take. Literally no one else is saying this but you. I want to know what you know that no else knows. I will happily take your opinion if you give me some kind of evidence to back your claims.

wow, so you follow all the players in the world also, nice.

I believe it’s you that needs to slow down and read what I wrote. I never claimed that I follow every player in the world. I simply said I followed Mbappé because he was on the Real Madrid radar. I do follow the guys they have interest in. Is that so hard to believe?

You are judging a players career based on his 2nd year at a club at the age of 17 turning 18. His stats don't look that much different then world super star Lionel Messi in his 3rd season. Mbappe had 21 goals and 8 assist to Messi's 17 goals and 4 assist. Is Messi overrated?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Probably wanted Croatia to win on balance, but glad Lovren lost, nobody likes Lovren

As a Liverpool supporter I have very mixed feelings on Lovren.

On the one hand I think he has taken a lot of unfair criticism in the English press, who are quick to label an elite-level player a "muppet" after a couple mistakes or poor performances. On the other hand, his confidence verges on Bendtner-esque arrogance sometimes, and he needs to be careful to walk that line.

While from a purely footballing standpoint I am a big admirer of Croatia's campaign, there is a much darker side to the country's national team - and it mirrors issues of right-wing nationalism and corruption in the country more broadly. Modric and Lovren could still do jail time for perjury for shielding a crooked Croatian FA official, and that is no small matter.

 

[pachyderm]

That’s all I have been hearing, but I have been hearing this stuff about him for 2 years. I tried to watch as much as I could the last couple of years since I knew Madrid wanted him. I have heard nothing but good things. The take that he is overrated is new to me. I honestly am interested to know how one would come to that conclusion.

Me too.

 

[bmac4]

Me too.

Doesn’t he pass the eye test?

 

[cube]

Nice chance to have the right smoke colors today.

 

[twietee]

i have plenty to support that, im a Monaco fan meaning i follow them and their games. he was under the shadow of falcao in monaco.

Be honest with yourself: do you follow Monaco or do you follow you fellow Colombian Falcao?

I think it's mood questioning Mbappé's talent and achievements. He was outstanding at Monaco being directly involved in 40 goals (26goals / 14 assists) as a 18yo in 16/17 - scoring six goals in the CL alone. Falcao was "only" involved in 36 goals - but you'll know that of course. Falcao played a brilliant season back then - as did Mbappé. To say otherwise makes you look like...you're a bit biased.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

if it means nothing, why do you respond then? so it does mean something to you...



of course you would say that, you probably follow all the clubs in the world. smh.



wow, so you follow all the players in the world also, nice.

@Centaurr: This is a very pleasant and welcoming thread characterised by a polite and respectful and cheerful tone, where differences of opinion - and differences in the teams (and players) individuals may support and have an interest in - are respected; shall we try to keep it that way, please?
[doublepost=1531827608][/doublepost]

Be honest with yourself: do you follow Monaco or do you follow you fellow Colombian Falcao?

I think it's mood questioning Mbappé's talent and achievements. He was outstanding at Monaco being directly involved in 40 goals (26goals / 14 assists) as a 18yo in 16/17 - scoring six goals in the CL alone. Falcao was "only" involved in 36 goals - but you'll know that of course. Falcao played a brilliant season back then - as did Mbappé. To say otherwise makes you look like...you're a bit biased.

A fair and well argued post. And I'm in agreement with you.

 

[bmac4]

@Centaurr: This is a very pleasant and welcoming thread characterised by a polite and respectful and cheerful tone, where differences of opinion - and in the teams individuals may support and have an interest in - are respected; shall we try to keep it that way, please?
[doublepost=1531827608][/doublepost]

A fair and well argued post. And I'm in agreement with you.

I agree! I have had my differences with posters here, and I have tried to rectify the ones that got out of hand. I like the discussion here, and I like the respect most people have for each other. With that said, I didn’t mean any disrespect to @Centaurr. I honestly am curious what his opinion is as to why Mbappé is overrated. I think it would be interesting to see some real evidence as to why he thinks that.

 

[Centaurr]

Be honest with yourself: do you follow Monaco or do you follow you fellow Colombian Falcao?

I think it's mood questioning Mbappé's talent and achievements. He was outstanding at Monaco being directly involved in 40 goals (26goals / 14 assists) as a 18yo in 16/17 - scoring six goals in the CL alone. Falcao was "only" involved in 36 goals - but you'll know that of course. Falcao played a brilliant season back then - as did Mbappé. To say otherwise makes you look like...you're a bit biased.

in pro sports everybody has favorites, whats your point? whats your favorite club or country?

 

[bmac4]

in pro sports everybody has favorites, whats your point? whats your favorite club or country?

Your absolutely 100% correct that everyone has their favorites in pro sports. I am a Ronaldo guy, there is nothing anyone can tell me to change that (well mostly lol), but the point here is you have to admit your bias. Your claiming Mbappé is overrated, but failing to admit it’s has something to do with your bias to Falcao.

My bias to Ronaldo means I overlook some of the greatest of Messi, but I will always admit he is a great player. Some of my bias clouds my view of him, but not enough to completely overlook him. For me, that feels like what you are doing to Mbappé.

 

[Centaurr]

Your absolutely 100% correct that everyone has their favorites in pro sports. I am a Ronaldo guy, there is nothing anyone can tell me to change that (well mostly lol), but the point here is you have to admit your bias. Your claiming Mbappé is overrated, but failing to admit it’s has something to do with your bias to Falcao.

My bias to Ronaldo means I overlook some of the greatest of Messi, but I will always admit he is a great player. Some of my bias clouds my view of him, but not enough to completely overlook him. For me, that feels like what you are doing to Mbappé.

im actually a ronaldo guy too, mbappe not so much

 

[bmac4]

im actually a ronaldo guy too, mbappe not so much

That’s completely fair, but I think overrated is a bit much. Lol

Being a Ronaldo guy, the transfer to Juve was tough. I love Real Madrid, so it’s hard to watch him leave. I honestly thought he would retire at Madrid. I am not a player follower though. At least not anymore. I will cheer for Ronaldo, but I am not becoming a Juve fan because he moved. I heard that Real Madrid lost 1 million social media followers after the transfer, and Juve gained a million. That is crazy, and shows just how much he brings to the table. More than any other athlete.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Liverpool are making a world-record bid for Roma's keeper. Could this finally solve the Mignolet/Karius problem?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Liverpool are making a world-record bid for Roma's keeper. Could this finally solve the Mignolet/Karius problem?

Interesting.

With the World Cup over, and pre-season training due to commence shortly (though probably not for this who actually played in the World Cup) attention will shift to the pre-season manoeuvres on the part of teams.

At Chelsea a few days ago, Antonio Conte was finally (if not unexpectedly) fired.

 

[bmac4]

Liverpool are making a world-record bid for Roma's keeper. Could this finally solve the Mignolet/Karius problem?

I will attempt to join in the conversation, but I assume I am on @Lord Blackadder ignore list. I would say that would be a huge move for Liverpool. Alisson is a really good keeper, which adds to the list of stars Liverpool is putting together. This could really make them a favorite in Europe.