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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: The Football Thread 2013
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
My schoolboys were quite happy with Brazil v. Croatia when I told them about the draw today!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Timothy the Obscure
Mostly Friendly
# 292
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Og, King of Bashan:
As for Switzerland-Ecuador-France-Honduras, I'll just leave it at ![[Mad]](angryfire.gif) .
As someone on another site asked, who did France bribe to get into that one?
As for USA's situation, the good news is that we almost certainly won't have to play Ghana in the round of 16 this time...
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When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.
- C. P. Snow
Posts: 6114 | From: PDX | Registered: May 2001
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
Yeesh, a nasty draw for England, I'd say. I was watching the BBC Match of the Day show yesterday and their pundits were all predicting England would get to the quarter-finals at least. Really, chaps?
They were all saying that playing Italy in the Amazon won't be that bad, but think about the Italian style of play compared to the English; measured passing and control of the ball against 100mph all-action pressing. We'll be exhausted by 60 minutes and the Italians will win 2-0 with two late goals. (Place your bets now on England to win the whole tournament, heh...)
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
I got one aspect of the draw close and another spot on.
In the pub watching the draw I reckoned England would be drawn with Brazil, Italy and Costa Rica. I suppose we might get a nil-nil out of the three games.
Assorted football hacks are whinging about the draw, suggesting that it was rigged against England. They forget that if England were any good in global terms they would have earned a better draw. As for reaching the QF, what's the point of being in it if you're not trying to win it? Leave the fear of failure at home, take some gambles or if not, at least take the initaitive.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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rolyn
Shipmate
# 16840
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Posted
Quite so SS .
If England can show the true grit that will be necessary to get them through a tough group then maybe, just maybe , they'd be in the better frame of mind to actually win a quarter-final as opposed the flunking episodes of previous World Cups
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Change is the only certainty of existence
Posts: 3206 | From: U.K. | Registered: Dec 2011
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Ad Orientem
Shipmate
# 17574
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Posted
So, when are West Ham going to sack Allardyce? Well, I doubt they will because the owners are muppets but Allardyce, man, he's a git. I don't like him and never will. He never admits his mistakes and his tactics don't belong in the Premiership. Two joke goals by Liverpool, man, I hate Liverpool. It's hard being a West Ham fan. We're going down. Time for another pint. There's some fake Liverpool fans in the corner of the bar bigging it up. I wish they'd go away. They're annoying me.
Posts: 2606 | From: Finland | Registered: Feb 2013
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Og: Thread Killer
Ship's token CN Mennonite
# 3200
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Posted
Only 1 really awful group. The rest of them are all tough.
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I wish I was seeking justice loving mercy and walking humbly but... "Cease to lament for that thou canst not help, And study help for that which thou lament'st."
Posts: 5025 | From: Toronto | Registered: Aug 2002
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Ad Orientem
Shipmate
# 17574
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Posted
I see Platini fixed it so that France got it relatively easy.
Posts: 2606 | From: Finland | Registered: Feb 2013
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Og, King of Bashan
Ship's giant Amorite
# 9562
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Posted
The other challenge for the USA is that the team already booked its home camp near Sao Paulo, but are playing all three games in the north.
They get Portugal in Manaus, and maybe, just maybe, all of these years of playing in CONCACAF and facing classic CONCACAF gamesmanship will pay off then. How often does Portugal fly out to the middle of the jungle to play matches? (You can see that I am grasping at straws here.)
Oh, and by the way, is it time to break up Newcastle? What a run in the last month or so.
[ 07. December 2013, 18:38: Message edited by: Og, King of Bashan ]
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"I like to eat crawfish and drink beer. That's despair?" ― Walker Percy
Posts: 3259 | From: Denver, Colorado, USA | Registered: May 2005
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ad Orientem:
...man, I hate Liverpool.
Hear, hear!
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
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LeRoc
Famous Dutch pirate
# 3216
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Posted
Most Dutch commentators say that we shouldn't underestimate Chile, especially after their match against England.
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I know why God made the rhinoceros, it's because He couldn't see the rhinoceros, so He made the rhinoceros to be able to see it. (Clarice Lispector)
Posts: 9474 | From: Brazil / Africa | Registered: Aug 2002
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Og, King of Bashan
Ship's giant Amorite
# 9562
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Posted
Chile are supposed to be a very exciting, attack-minded team. They played Spain to a 2-2 tie in September, so no, you cannot take them lightly. They were also the team in pool B that I feared most going into the draw. (My brother was an exchange student in Chile back in High School, so he usually pulls for them in the World Cup. A number of his friends had recently moved back from the Netherlands, where their parents had fled during the dictatorship- drawing the Netherlands was probably a little exciting for at least some folks in Chile.)
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"I like to eat crawfish and drink beer. That's despair?" ― Walker Percy
Posts: 3259 | From: Denver, Colorado, USA | Registered: May 2005
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by LeRoc:
Most Dutch commentators say that we shouldn't underestimate Chile, especially after their match against England.
You also shouldn't over-estimate England, especially after their match against Chile. ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
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Tukai
Shipmate
# 12960
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin:
Yeesh, a nasty draw for England, I'd say.
But spare a thought for Australia, who will certainly be playing only for pride in a very tough group.
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A government that panders to the worst instincts of its people degrades the whole country for years to come.
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
Sorry, but given the cricket, the only thoughts I have to spare for Australia are not mentionable in polite company!
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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Jonah the Whale
Ship's pet cetacean
# 1244
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Posted
Man C 6-3 Arsenal sounds like a cracker. Anybody see it? City have been scoring prodigiously at home all season - 50 from 12 matches. And that brings Arsenal almost within striking range of the chasing pack for the first time in a few weeks. All the other top clubs who played yester won. Liverpool have the chance to get within two points if they win at Spurs. It's looking good at half time. HT stats:
Goals: 0-2
Shots: 5-12
On target: 0-6
Corners: 1-5
They've just started the 2nd half and Liverpool hit the bar.
Posts: 2799 | From: Nether Regions | Registered: Aug 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
AVB sacked - good riddance. How did he get to be so incompetent? Early on, Spurs were in a draw for first! Now we've completely lost our way.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Disappointed]](graemlins/disappointed.gif)
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Well, at least we're still ahead of Man U, shadows of their former selves that they are! ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
AVB sacked - good riddance. How did he get to be so incompetent? Early on, Spurs were in a draw for first! Now we've completely lost our way.
In terms of matches won AVB is the top performing Spurs manager in the Premier League era! Spurs bought too many players during the summer and it has been impossible to form a settled side, hence some spectacular thrashings, despite which they have 27 points from 16 games.
I'm sure there have been tensions between Levy, Baldini and Villas Boas, and because Baldini is closer to Levy he gets to stay while AVB gets to spend Xmas with his family. It's a knee-jerk reaction and they will regret it.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
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quetzalcoatl
Shipmate
# 16740
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Posted
Yes, the impatience of football clubs today is beyond belief. A man with the highest win ratio of recent managers as well. Short termism.
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I can't talk to you today; I talked to two people yesterday.
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Og, King of Bashan
Ship's giant Amorite
# 9562
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Posted
I think the expectation was that AVB either made the top four this year or was gone. He had a hand in spending the Bale money. He brought in players who looked to make the team even better. And even in December, they were lacking an attack that scared anyone outside of the Europa group stage. They were being thoroughly outclassed by top teams. It was probably premature, but when you are almost to Christmas and you haven't figured out how to consistently score premiere league goals from open play, something is wrong.
I'm just glad that USA Soccer showed Klinsmann the money before this opening appeared.
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"I like to eat crawfish and drink beer. That's despair?" ― Walker Percy
Posts: 3259 | From: Denver, Colorado, USA | Registered: May 2005
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Og, King of Bashan
Ship's giant Amorite
# 9562
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Posted
I'm not enough of a technician to be able to defend or attack this article, but here is one view that the Liverpool loss was more tactical idiocy on the part of AVB and Spurs than attacking brilliance from Liverpool. His point: you don't play the back line up with two slow center backs and not expect to get torched by Luis Suarez.
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"I like to eat crawfish and drink beer. That's despair?" ― Walker Percy
Posts: 3259 | From: Denver, Colorado, USA | Registered: May 2005
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Og, King of Bashan:
I'm not enough of a technician to be able to defend or attack this article, but here is one view that the Liverpool loss was more tactical idiocy on the part of AVB and Spurs than attacking brilliance from Liverpool. His point: you don't play the back line up with two slow center backs and not expect to get torched by Luis Suarez.
... Coutinho, Sterling and Henderson too.
Spurs weren't helped by having at least one full-back who is a negligible defender.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
I'd give more credit than that to Liverpool, personally. I only listened on the radio, but did watch the highlights on Match of the Day, and I think a lot of credit should go to Henderson for his tireless running and (as the article Og, King of Bashan linked to did say) quick movement forward.
IMO, it may well be time for the legend that is Steven Gerrard to start fading into the background. He's still capable of brilliance, for sure, but he slows Liverpool down too much. Their front 5 on Sunday - Allen, Coutinho, Sterling, Henderson and Suarez - are all clever, mobile players, and they just sliced the (admittedly weakened) Spurs defence apart. They had several other good chances; it could have finished 8-2 or something incredible like that.
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Oscar the Grouch
Adopted Cascadian
# 1916
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Posted
I think it was the case of a "perfect storm" - poor tactics and poor play coming up against good tactics and players at the top of their form.
Spurs were awful and part of the blame has to lie with AVB and how he set the team up. There is also ample evidence that the players had lost confidence in him. And the lack of firepower up front means that clubs can afford to be more attacking against them.
But Suarez was (yet again) an example of awesome forward play. And the others weren't far behind.
As much as I admire Gerrard, I have to admit that Sunday's match seems to show that Liverpool really don't need him as an essential player anymore.
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Faradiu, dundeibáwa weyu lárigi weyu
Posts: 3871 | From: Gamma Quadrant, just to the left of Galifrey | Registered: Dec 2001
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Ad Orientem
Shipmate
# 17574
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by quetzalcoatl:
Yes, the impatience of football clubs today is beyond belief. A man with the highest win ratio of recent managers as well. Short termism.
Who can blame them, quite frankly. There's so much at stake. I'm still waiting for Allardyce to get a boot up his arse. He's complete shite.
Posts: 2606 | From: Finland | Registered: Feb 2013
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Ricardus
Shipmate
# 8757
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin:
IMO, it may well be time for the legend that is Steven Gerrard to start fading into the background. He's still capable of brilliance, for sure, but he slows Liverpool down too much. Their front 5 on Sunday - Allen, Coutinho, Sterling, Henderson and Suarez - are all clever, mobile players, and they just sliced the (admittedly weakened) Spurs defence apart. They had several other good chances; it could have finished 8-2 or something incredible like that.
Rodgers has suggested that Gerrard could turn into a defender. Link.
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Then the dog ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail. -- Tobit 11:9 (Douai-Rheims)
Posts: 7247 | From: Liverpool, UK | Registered: Nov 2004
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Oscar the Grouch
Adopted Cascadian
# 1916
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Posted
I think that the problem is more than just impatience. I think it's a mixture of the following:
- The financial high stakes. Miss out on the Champions League and that's a hefty financial loss. Get relegated from the Premiership and you'll quite likely end up in administration. Very few teams can afford to "fail" these days. It actually says something about the Glazers that they haven't chopped Moyes yet. It will be interesting to see what happens if we get beyond the halfway point in the season and Man Utd are still well outside the top 4.
- The increasingly competitive nature of the race for the 4 Champion League spots. A few years ago, it would be Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea for certain and then probably Liverpool. Now, you have Man City and Spurs also thinking that they belong at the feeding trough. And it is not unreasonable to think that teams like Southampton might also in time aspire to such levels, given their financial backing, or that Newcastle or Everton could maintain a decent run and grab fourth place. Again, this means that the consequences of "failure" are high. A few years ago, "failure" would have meant that you ended up in 4th spot, needing to negotiate extra qualifying rounds. Now, "failure" will mean missing out on any European football at all.
- An overall "short-termism" approach. Would Ferguson or Wenger really be given enough time these days to build a club from the grassroots up? Connected with this is the increasing ability of players to move around. Why plan to build a team over a few years, if your key players are likely to get snaffled by a richer team in 12 months' time? And now that there are so many Russian oligarchs, Kuwaiti sheikhs etc pouring money into clubs across Europe, there is even less chance of a club being able to count on keeping key players for more than 12 months. The chances of Suarez staying at Liverpool beyond this season are slim. The chances of Arsenal keeping Ramsey AND Wilshire are also slim. If no-one can plan more than 12 months any more, a manager has to be able to be an immediate success.
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Faradiu, dundeibáwa weyu lárigi weyu
Posts: 3871 | From: Gamma Quadrant, just to the left of Galifrey | Registered: Dec 2001
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
Steven Gerrard as a centre back, hmm... Intriguing idea but if Liverpool wanted a ball-playing centre back then what about a very gifted, although injury-prone, Dane called Daniel Agger? Now, who does he play for eh, Brendan?
I wonder if Rodgers is just saying nice things about Gerrard (the latter being a club legend and all) while wondering how he'll gradually ease Gerrard out of the first team without causing a furore.
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
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Oscar the Grouch
Adopted Cascadian
# 1916
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin:
I wonder if Rodgers is just saying nice things about Gerrard (the latter being a club legend and all) while wondering how he'll gradually ease Gerrard out of the first team without causing a furore.
I'm not sure that there will be much of a furore if, by the time Gerrard is fit again, the team has continued to perform as they did on Sunday. Let's face it, Carragher was just as much a legend for the Kop and he was gently eased out without a squeak.
If the team is doing well, I think that the fans will be happy to see Gerrard on the bench rather than starting matches. Liverpool fans may love him, but they are also renowned for being savvy. They know he's on his way to retirement sometime in the next 18 months.
The only problem that I can foresee is if the Press start to whinge about "how can the England captain be someone who can't even make the first team any more." But the reality is that:
a) Gerrard WILL be captain at the World Cup.
b) This will be his last hurrah. Even if he continues playing for Liverpool, he'll retire from international football as soon as England are out of the World Cup.
c) If you had to be an automatic choice for the first team to be considered for England, then we would only be able to put out a 5-a-side team.
In fact, I suspect that Roy Hodgson would prefer Gerrard to be a bench warmer for the rest of the season. That way, he would be fresh and able to cope more with the demands of the group stages at the World Cup.
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Faradiu, dundeibáwa weyu lárigi weyu
Posts: 3871 | From: Gamma Quadrant, just to the left of Galifrey | Registered: Dec 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Oscar the Grouch:
Newcastle or Everton could maintain a decent run and grab fourth place...
Newcastle is a good ale, but Spurs will be back under new management!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Oscar the Grouch
Adopted Cascadian
# 1916
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
quote:
Originally posted by Oscar the Grouch:
Newcastle or Everton could maintain a decent run and grab fourth place...
Newcastle is a good ale, but Spurs will be back under new management!
I think Everton (for all their lack of financial muscle) will do better than Spurs this season. For a start, they have a settled side and a manager who has a clear vision and has got his players buying into it.
Spurs are a disorganised team, lacking in vision and with too many players who will need this season to adjust to the peculiar demands of the premier League. Some of the newbies may not even make the grade in this country anyway. Even if they manage to get a good manager (I am struggling to think of any credible possibilities at the moment), who ever it is will not be able to make significant changes to the squad until the summer.
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Faradiu, dundeibáwa weyu lárigi weyu
Posts: 3871 | From: Gamma Quadrant, just to the left of Galifrey | Registered: Dec 2001
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
The story I've heard listening to pundits and journalists* is that it'll be hard for Spurs (or any other club with European ambitions) to replace their manager mid-season this year, but after the world cup the "market" is likely to be much more fluid. Therefore, it's quite likely that Spurs will appoint a caretaker until the summer, and give themselves a few months to find the "right man for the job" who can take over during the off season.
All cliches and glib phrases in the preceding paragraph to be taken with appropriate portions of salt!
* Who may or may not know what they're talking about.
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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quetzalcoatl
Shipmate
# 16740
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Posted
I agree with Oscar the Grouch above - it's difficult to integrate a lot of new players into a Premiership team. Foreign players usually need time to get used to the pace and the style. If the manager did not choose some of them himself, it must be more difficult.
I suppose City seem able to digest an infinite number of new players, but they have a spine of established players. And it has not been plain sailing for City really, although now they are looking formidable.
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I can't talk to you today; I talked to two people yesterday.
Posts: 9878 | From: UK | Registered: Oct 2011
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Oscar the Grouch:
I think Everton (for all their lack of financial muscle) will do better than Spurs this season. For a start, they have a settled side and a manager who has a clear vision and has got his players buying into it.
The odd thing is that Everton 2013-14 is not at all like the 2012-13 edition. Fellaini has been replaced by Barry, Barkley is in having been a bit-part player under Moyes and Lukaku, Deulofue, Oviedo and McCarthy are all new this year and playing regularly. In addition the style, strategy and tactics have all changed, such that the old dependence on Baines & Pienaar down the left side has gone.
It's simple. The manager has a clear remit, the right players have joined (mostly: Kone appears lost) and left and finally Martinez has a good relationship with the chairman. That doesn't win the Premiership, but it's a better basis than most sides have.
[ 19. December 2013, 11:39: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Oscar the Grouch:
I'm not sure that there will be much of a furore if, by the time Gerrard is fit again, the team has continued to perform as they did on Sunday. Let's face it, Carragher was just as much a legend for the Kop and he was gently eased out without a squeak.
Yes, that's a good point. Was Carragher more clearly 'past it' than Gerrard is now, though? Gerrard still has enough good, and eye-catching, moments to hide his (IMO) declining effectiveness. Ah, we'll have to see.
quote:
Originally posted by Oscar the Grouch:
In fact, I suspect that Roy Hodgson would prefer Gerrard to be a bench warmer for the rest of the season. That way, he would be fresh and able to cope more with the demands of the group stages at the World Cup.
I'm almost certain Gerrard will be in the England team for the World Cup but should he be? I'm not sure. Other candidates for centre midfield - Carrick, Wilshere, Barkley, Henderson, Lallana. If we go for 4-2-3-1, we need three centre-ish midfielders and two wide players; I wonder if pretty much any three of those five will end up being a better option for the central three than any two plus Gerrard. Sure, Barkley and Henderson are pretty raw, but they've both started the season really well from what I've seen and read.
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Oscar the Grouch
Adopted Cascadian
# 1916
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin:
I'm almost certain Gerrard will be in the England team for the World Cup but should he be? I'm not sure. Other candidates for centre midfield - Carrick, Wilshere, Barkley, Henderson, Lallana. If we go for 4-2-3-1, we need three centre-ish midfielders and two wide players; I wonder if pretty much any three of those five will end up being a better option for the central three than any two plus Gerrard. Sure, Barkley and Henderson are pretty raw, but they've both started the season really well from what I've seen and read.
Assuming he doesn't get injured or suffer a complete collapse in form, I can't see how he could be left out.
Barkley, Henderson and Wilshire should be in the squad (based on current form). But none of them have very much international experience and it would be asking a lot of them to be able to take a leading role in midfield without a wiser head beside them.
Lampard is even more in decline than Gerrard. If you could only take one, it would have to be Gerrard.
Carrick has been found wanting at international level so many times that I wouldn't even consider him.
Lallana could go - if he can maintain his form and overcome the bias against anyone from the "top" clubs. But once again, his lack of international experience will count against him.
Who is left? I'd rather not take Milner, but he seems a shoo in. Walcut and Oxlade-Chamberlain will be fighting for a place with Townsend.
I guess part of the selection criteria rests on what Hodgson would want from Brazil. If he wanted to lay the foundations for a serious tilt at Euro 2016 and to prepare for 2018, then ditch Gerrard, Lampard and Carrick and go purely for youth.
But if he did that, he'd be mullered by the press. His aim HAS to be to get out of the group stage and preferably as far at the Qtr Finals. To do that, he'll need more than youthful exuberance.
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Faradiu, dundeibáwa weyu lárigi weyu
Posts: 3871 | From: Gamma Quadrant, just to the left of Galifrey | Registered: Dec 2001
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
Ha ha, I'd forgotten about Milner! I think he's so depressingly average and in my (though red and white tinted spectacles!) view, Lallana can do everything Milner can but also has a spark of creativity.
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Oscar the Grouch
Adopted Cascadian
# 1916
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin:
Ha ha, I'd forgotten about Milner! I think he's so depressingly average and in my (though red and white tinted spectacles!) view, Lallana can do everything Milner can but also has a spark of creativity.
We're singing from the same hymn sheet there!
I wish Luke Shaw was going to Brazil. Perhaps Ashley Cole could do the decent thing and retire from international football. Or just get injured in the last match of the season. Nothing too serious - just enough to keep him out of the World Cup Squad.
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Faradiu, dundeibáwa weyu lárigi weyu
Posts: 3871 | From: Gamma Quadrant, just to the left of Galifrey | Registered: Dec 2001
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Marvin the Martian
Interplanetary
# 4360
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Oscar the Grouch:
Perhaps Ashley Cole could do the decent thing and retire from international football. Or just get injured in the last match of the season. Nothing too serious - just enough to keep him out of the World Cup Squad.
We're going to need some experienced players out there, and Cole is both experienced and still one of the better players in the world in his position.
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Hail Gallaxhar
Posts: 30100 | From: Adrift on a sea of surreality | Registered: Apr 2003
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
Not to mention Cole being one of the few experienced players who still seems to take some pride in wearing the English shirt. Lampard too. Actually, while we're on the subject of the Premiership's highest scoring midfielder (when you have some time, compare his stats to Gerrard because you might be surprised) a large part of the reason he's been below his usual standard this year is that Chelsea insist on playing the highly fashionable 4-2-3-1. Frank's naturally a box-to-box player, and there isn't really a role for that in this formation. Therefore he's shoe-horned into one of the two "holding" positions and it just doesn't suit his game. Personally, I'd rather see Chelsea (and England, for that matter*) go a bit gung-ho with a 4-3-3 and put Lamps at the point of the midfield. Then his natural game of distribution, arriving late in the box, and generally pulling the strings can be most effective.
But I'm a one-eyed Blueboy, so I would say that, wouldn't I?!
* "Ladies and gentlemen. England will be playing Four-Four-Fucking Two."
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Eighth!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
What do you think of your new manager, Sir Kevin?
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
So far, so good. I wish we had today's match on television here as the last one was. I think changing the formation to 4-4-2 was a good idea and will pay off. The new players do need to work a bit harder, though! I think Sherwood can get us back into the top four again, but it will take time.
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
I'm off to see Southampton vs West Brom in a couple of weeks' time! Two of my friends (who are married to each other) have their birthdays around this time of year so I've taken to buying them tickets to a football match as a gift. The last two games we've gone to see have been Southampton 1 Chelsea 5 (oops) in the FA Cup and then Southampton 0 Bristol City 1, which was Saints' only loss all through 2011.
Oh, and as I type this, Everton have just taken the lead against Southampton in the Premier League game this afternoon. Cracking goal from Seamus Coleman. Booooooo.
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
At least on half of Liverpool is happy tonight, eh Sioni?
Up the Chels!
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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Starbug
Shipmate
# 15917
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Posted
South Coast Kevin, so it's you jinxing Southampton! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Please don't go to any more Saints games this season. They were doing so well at the start.
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“Oh the pointing again. They're screwdrivers! What are you going to do? Assemble a cabinet at them?” ― The Day of the Doctor
Posts: 1189 | From: West of the New Forest | Registered: Sep 2010
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
The blue half is happy indeed. It is the exact mid-point of the season and fourth place with 37 points from 19 games isn't so bad, especially after the gloomy predictions heard at the start of the season.
Best of all, the football is better to watch than it has been for years! It's better than any since the 1980's side which had Peter Reid, Paul Bracewell, Trevor Steven and Kevin Sheedy across the middle. Our current side covers the ground more quickly, but that's a Premiership characteristic.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Starbug:
South Coast Kevin, so it's you jinxing Southampton!
Please don't go to any more Saints games this season. They were doing so well at the start.
Sorry.... From what I gather, Saints are still playing well (apart from Gazzaniga and Hooiveld!) but not quite getting the results. I'm still pretty confident of a top 8 finish - only Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton, Man U and Spurs to finish ahead of us.
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
The blue half is happy indeed. It is the exact mid-point of the season and fourth place with 37 points from 19 games isn't so bad, especially after the gloomy predictions heard at the start of the season.
As well as supporting Southampton, I very casually follow Liverpool (they were winning everything when I first got into football!) but I'm loving what Martinez and Everton have been doing this season. I thought they'd struggle defensively, given how leaky Wigan's defence was, but it seems that was mainly down to the quality of players Wigan could get. Or perhaps Martinez can coach well but just can't spot a good defender to bring into the club. It'll be interesting to see who he brings in when Everton need defensive reinforcements!
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Smudgie
Ship's Barnacle
# 2716
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Posted
La, la, la, laaaa, la-la la la la.
La laaaa la-la la la.
OK, boys and girls. I've finished my song now. The game's over.
You're going to have to seek out the new football thread if you want to carry on kicking this discussion around.
Smudgie, Circus host ...
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Miss you, Erin.
Posts: 14382 | From: Under the duvet | Registered: Apr 2002
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