Post: #51

(05-05-2013 04:00 PM)Teedub Wrote:  Gary Neville has become the best football pundit I've ever read. Yet another exquisite article from him, this time about how English footie can learn from the German model. Athlone, you'll be interested as I know you admire the German model.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footbal...^headlines

Yet again, the Daily Mail has all things manosphere contained inside!

Never realised how good Neville is as a journalist. He is the best pundit I have seen on TV. Would love to see him on MOTD since I cannot stand any of those pundits.

As for me. I have always liked Martin Samuel in The Daily Mail.

Post: #52

Another thing. I am glad that Barcelona are no longer a world force in football. To me - the Tiki-Taka style of football is one of the most broing things I have ever seen. I can't stand teams that have 75% of the posession and only three shots on goal. That saps football of everything that makes it great. And if I was a professional - I would refuse to play in a team which robs the game of its beauty. It is one step away from the style of play Arsenal had in the late 80's when they regularly won 1-0 under George Graham.

Post: #53

(05-06-2013 12:49 PM)cardguy Wrote:  As for me. I have always liked Martin Samuel in The Daily Mail.

Post: #54

Speaking of George Graham - what do you guys think of this ingenious strategy?

As soon as your team takes the lead. Everytime your team gets the ball - they deliberately thump the ball a long way wide of the opposition's goal. That way - the losing team is continually pegged back in their half as they continually take one goal kick after another. And on top of that - it breaks up the game as well to prevent the opposition from developing an attack.

I love the simplicity of this. Especially since with the modern balls - it is easy to kick the ball past the opposition's goal from anywhere on the pitch.

George Graham called it Shoot To Miss.

Post: #55

Well you know, Matt. Martin Samuel has won more journalism awards for his football writing than anybody else. So - he is doing something right. :-)

Post: #56

^^ I agree it can sometimes be boring but it is by far and away the hardest way to play of any style out there. Every single player has to be incredibly gifted and skilled on the ball as well as tactically aware to press the opposition high up the pitch in numbers. Watch some of Barca's matches where they destroyed the opposition like the 5-0 Madrid drubbing a few years ago or the 4-0 v AC Milan this year. Definitely not boring.

Post: #57

(05-06-2013 12:46 PM)cardguy Wrote:  How is Walcott doing as a centre forward? From the first time I saw him play I thought he would be better in the centre than on the wing (since he cannot cross a ball). And since Henry had a similar transition I thought it could work out for Walcott as well.

Am still wondering why he doesn't get used down the centre for England?

He's only been used a couple of times there and it didnt go so well. With the current system Arsenal have it doesnt suit him at all as they only play one up top and he is simply cant hold the ball up and bring others into the game, not strong enough. I think it would work if we played two strikers as he makes good runs and can finish.

Post: #58

I think he was used in the centre at under 21 level. And it doesn't take too much skill to poke the ball in the bottom left hand corner. So - I think he can handle that.

Still - it is depressing that in the modern era - a guy like Walcott can become a top star purely based on his speed. He is pretty clueless about football - and has little skill. Equally - I think alot of the greats from the past would struggle with the fitness demands of today.

Post: #59

I dunno, hes scored a few decent goals this season. Ill agree with you that he has no football brain and cant cross though. Then again barely anyone can at Arsenal. I honestly don't know what they do at training some times.

Post: #60

(05-05-2013 02:50 PM)HeyPete Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 02:43 PM)Teedub Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 02:38 PM)HeyPete Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 02:03 PM)Teedub Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 01:46 PM)HeyPete Wrote:  It actually looks exactly the same as the men. Without all the gay sing-alongs.

If you think that looks anything like the men's game at the same level of competition, you're either trolling or blind.

Not trolling. Not blind. It's soccer. I worked in sports media for many years, the only thing detested as much as soccer was wrestling.

In America perhaps, but nowhere else!

Sorry man, It's where I reside.
For many, you outgrow soccer by age seven and eight and move on to more challenging, interesting sports.

Although I have noticed soccer catching on with the SWPL crowd.

I think European football is becoming more popular with White Americans in general, not just SWPL. I would argue it is also sport #1 for America's largest growing demographic, Latinos. One, I think it is because almost every single male college student has played FIFA at least once. Smoking weed and playing FIFA is basically a new American past time at University. Two, I think more White Americans are feeling less commonality with the NFL and NBA as they are primarily black and putting an increasing emphasis on hip hop culture in their marketing ploys. I think the hip hop and rap culture so many Whites embraced in late 90s and early 2000s is dying. Wiggers are becoming less and less common.

Post: #61

(05-06-2013 12:57 PM)cardguy Wrote:  Well you know, Matt. Martin Samuel has won more journalism awards for his football writing than anybody else. So - he is doing something right. :-)

It's all agenda driven bollocks in football journalism, see the difference in treatment between Suarez and John Terry regarding racism. I've only ever seen one balanced article from him and funnily enough that was one week ago.

Post: #62

(05-06-2013 01:10 PM)cardguy Wrote:  I think he was used in the centre at under 21 level. And it doesn't take too much skill to poke the ball in the bottom left hand corner. So - I think he can handle that.

Still - it is depressing that in the modern era - a guy like Walcott can become a top star purely based on his speed. He is pretty clueless about football - and has little skill. Equally - I think alot of the greats from the past would struggle with the fitness demands of today.

This is what I think too, and is one of the reasons why Liverpool struggled massively last season. The game is now based more towards athleticism and real athletes that can perform highly for a long period of time, and when I saw our team last season of Jamie Carragher, Charlie Adam, Andy Carroll and Jay Spearing, I couldn't help but think that that was causing us to lose games, beyond them being shite.

Post: #63

(05-06-2013 06:34 AM)Vorkuta Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 05:43 PM)Athlone McGinnis Wrote:  Tl;DR: If I were a competent footballer, I'd qualify by FIFA rules to represent Jamaica, England, the USA and St. Vincent.

Out of interest Athlone, which country would you choose to represent all things being equal? I know you have massive love for the Jamaican sprinters, you tight with the country in general?

Jamaica. That is where I've lived (aside from the USA), that is the culture I've been raised with, and it is where my home is (literally and figuratively). I am a Jamaican before anything else.

Were I good enough to be considered a target for all of those nations, I would happily become the Caribbean Gareth Bale (eligible and able to hold out for a much "bigger" squad, prefer a smaller one instead for personal reasons).

I hoped Raheem Sterling would be of a similar mindset, but that's not turning out to be the case. I still like the kid, though. Its just hard to see the greatest individual footballing talent born on our island in perhaps over a decade in an England shirt.

Post: #64

(05-06-2013 02:11 PM)MattC Wrote:  

(05-06-2013 01:10 PM)cardguy Wrote:  I think he was used in the centre at under 21 level. And it doesn't take too much skill to poke the ball in the bottom left hand corner. So - I think he can handle that.

Still - it is depressing that in the modern era - a guy like Walcott can become a top star purely based on his speed. He is pretty clueless about football - and has little skill. Equally - I think alot of the greats from the past would struggle with the fitness demands of today.

This is what I think too, and is one of the reasons why Liverpool struggled massively last season. The game is now based more towards athleticism and real athletes that can perform highly for a long period of time, and when I saw our team last season of Jamie Carragher, Charlie Adam, Andy Carroll and Jay Spearing, I couldn't help but think that that was causing us to lose games, beyond them being shite.

wow MattC it sounds like you haven't gotten over KING KENNY but yeah last season we struggled but we won a cup and went to the FA final with that team. plus also last season LUis suares was not taking his chances,liverpooll FC struck the woodwork 33 times .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So6xFti0taQ.
but hopefully Rodgers will take us back to glory.

Post: #65

(05-06-2013 10:10 AM)pirate player Wrote:  question to you vorkuta do you see Benitez as your coach next season if he wins the Europa plus you finish in the top four?. If Mourinho decides to leave Real then he might come back to Chelsea with Benitez going the other way!

Rafa won't be there, too much baggage. Pity as I like the guy, think he has been classy throughout the season despite a core element of our support being numpties and harassing him at every turn. If he get's us third and the cup then he deserves a standing ovation on the last day of the season from the Mathew Harding and Shed End. Can't see it happening though.

I'm unsure how I feel about Jose to be honest. Jose brings a lot of drama I think Chelsea can do without and his football in the latter half of the second season onwards at Chelsea was boring as hell to watch after we ditched our wingers.

I'd like an up and coming guy like Joachim Lowe. However let's face it, whoever gets the job won't be around too long.

Matt C: How much did you guys pay for Downing? Wasn't it something like 19 million??? That's the 'UK Player Premium' for you.

Post: #66

Oh his father was a soldier
He couldn't play the football
His son he played for Watford
But now he play for Liverpool

His name is Johnny Barnes
He comes from Jamaica
And if you read the papers
He's going to Italia

Oh no no, no no no, no no no, no no no no

Post: #67

£20m for Downing with 60k a week wages, pretty much the same as Mata which made it all the worse. We even had Valencia over for a friendly and to sort the deal out.

Post: #68

Sunderland got the crucial point! Can't wait for the Wigan vs. Swansea game tomorrow. I am guessing the pubs acround the country will be filled with Wigan and Newcastle fans watching the game.

Post: #69

Mourinho is a genius, he takes the spotlight and that keeps the focus away from his players.

Please don't tell me Downing is coming to Arsenal!!! Nooooooooo

Sterling was always going to play for England if given the chance, let's see how many caps he gets!

Post: #70

I'm so very glad I made this thread, some great discussion going down and so far it's been friendly! Glad Sunderland got the point, and I hope Di Canio does well. All that hate he got was ridiculous political point scoring with journalists either trying to out left-wing each other, OR just jumping on a bandwagon to sell more papers.

Post: #71

Newcastle are my local team. And I find it hillarious when they do badly. The shit that goes down with them is legendary.

I keep saying that no team has experienced what they have gone through over the past 20 years. It will get made into a film one day.

Post: #72

Little known fact. Sir John Hall - who revived Newcastle Utd in the early 90's is not much of a football fan, and was more of a Sunderland fan than a Newcastle fan. He now lives in Spain. I was reading a book about Newcastle recently and came across that.

Post: #73

cardguy Newcastle have been funny this season with all the attacking players the have the shouldn't be struggling right now,At one point there play was knock the ball to Ben Arfa and lets see what happens! dreadful football. so i think the fans will start to question Alan par dew. and his contract is insane what was it 8 years?.

Wigan are going to beat Swansea i see them wanting the game more and Swansea had a great season and now they are cruising. Pus they are WIGAN!!

Post: #74

If Wigan win tomorrow - I can see Newcastle going awol against QPR and not getting the win.

Post: #75

(05-06-2013 06:06 PM)Teedub Wrote:  Power_Ranger, come to Manchester, the city is way more Red than Blue. It is to be expected though, as when you're a kid growing up here, it's much more likely you're going to support the more successful team.

Yeah Matt, I agree. The person I get most irritated by is Olly Murs, I hate his face, and when he bangs on about Man U, it just irritates me. My Dad's side of the family are from Leicester, so I was buzzing when they got into the playoffs. I think they'll miss out this year, but I like supporting them as it gives me a bit of cred as a fan of a lower league team, as United and Alex Ferguson are supreme!

On a serious, I do worry for United when SAF retires, as there will be a shit period when they are in transition. For rival fans, I suppose it is fascinating what will happen. They make huge amounts off-field, and the Glazers are actually doing a good job as they stay out of affairs, but I doubt they'd be so 'behind the scenes' with anyone but SAF.

Thought I'd stick this in here. I'm not sure what will happen when Ferguson finally fucks his hard-shoulder shitting arse off from football. I imagine he'll still have some role until the day he dies, he comes across as the type to me.

He has a heavy influence on the media and seemingly the FA and their employees (ie match officials) no matter what people say. It's plain for all to see. I imagine if he retires, he'll make sure that influence and power he has continues for the club as he'll want to see it be successful. In fact, he'll probably be manager until he physically no longer can continue.

I know a guy who knows a few Aston Villa players who have confirmed as much regarding Ferguson's power and intimidation, and they've said that a hell of a lot will come out on him when he pops it.

So when he goes, will he keep an eye on the club and make sure that the success on and off the field (in terms of his allies) continues, or will he drop it altogether? When he dies, will it be like a weight has been lifted off of people's shoulders?

Look at the way Geoff Shreeves for example talks to players and managers, getting really insulting and probing. Could you imagine him talking to Ferguson like that? No chance.