2013-14 Football ("Soccer") Thread

[passenger57]

Not necessarily. I have book by the guy that is one of the chief leaders of Spurs' "crew" about his exploits, times in prison and lifelong dedication to rubbing out the Chelsea "crew" and he's a middle-aged guy with a couple of ****.

Interesting that he plain and simple hates Chelsea, must be a reason behind it.



I'm really not.

Didn't mean you, actually, ha. By the way, good victory for Cardiff today as I watched most of the 2nd half in what looked like a downpour of rain.

 

[Mr_Stiffy]

I love that Match of the Day 2 even bothered with a Goal Of The Month this month, much less put it to the viewers' vote rather than the pundits just pick one. I know plenty of people will have rated the Wilshere goal against Norwich where their trademark "one pass too many" style of ****** actually came off due to the Canaries defensive impotence, but I found it kind of sickening, a bit like watching vultures pick the carcass of a dead cat.

Conversely, THIS :

... is not just the goal of the month, it's the goal of the season, and one of the best goals you will ever see. Controlling a ball coming that distance over your shoulder is hard. Chesting a ball down and smashing it on the volley is hard. Doing it while you're on the SPRINT is fucking glorious. The only thing that lets it down is the context - nobody really cares. It's Fulham (shrug) scoring away to Palace - more ********* a dying ******. Bergkamp against the Argies in the World Cup Quarter-Final, it ain't. But it's a smashing strike.

 

[Chopper3000]

Valencia's, Rooney's & Van Persie's goals against Fulham were all better in my opinion.

 

[Mr_Stiffy]

Valencia's, Rooney's & Van Persie's goals against Fulham were all better in my opinion.

I'd expect nothing less. Good job it's only Prem goals considered, Siggy's against Hull in the League Cup tie was better than any goal ever scored north of Milton Keynes. Or by any Arsenal player.

 

[passenger57]

Saturday, November 2

Newcastle- 2
Chelsea- 0

Man City - 7
Norwich City- 0

Hull City - 1
Sunderland - 0

Stoke City - 1
Southampton - 1

West Brom - 2
Crystal Palace - 0

Fulham - 1
Man United - 3

West Ham - 0
Aston Villa - 0

Arsenal - 2
Liverpool - 0

Sunday, November 3

Everton - 0
Tottenham - 0

Cardiff City - 1
Swansea City - 0

 

[Mr_Stiffy]

I didn't even twig....

Valencia's, Rooney's & Van Persie's goals against Fulham were all better in my opinion.

.... still ineligible for October's Goal of the Month though.

I'm still gutted Wilshere's goal (mostly a work of 'shere luck with at least two of the flicks) won the poll. But I've calmed myself by scoring a hat trick tonight myself. Unfortunately I took a ball flush in the face at short range near the end. I spent five minutes feeling like my left arm was on fire (that was scary) and I can still taste *****, but that's a man's game for you.

 

[Chopper3000]

Always a midfield general myself right up to the point I snapped my ACL and dislocated my ankle. No more footy for me.

 

[Mr_Stiffy]

Always a midfield general myself right up to the point I snapped my ACL and dislocated my ankle. No more footy for me.

I usually sit and play Carrick. I basically wait until the ball comes to me, pump it forward to the more talented players and watch them score, which involves the better players telling me how much they love playing with me, which is really weird. I have been earning an unwanted reputation as a defensive midfielder because I have a good brain and am really good at marking, spotting opposition runs, ******** things out, blocking and getting important little touches to usher it back to keeper. I actually consider myself decent at everything except my first touch is often crap and I have no pace or stamina, but late in every game I usually switch to right or more often left wing-back and make a few token runs, and usually because I'm never marked, if someone picks me out I grab a goal. Just the one, usually, without fail every week.

This week was a bit different because we had a new lad playing who is virtually as good as my best mate who is fucking good so there was even more attention taken away from my occasional runs than usual. After bagging the first I had loads of confidence so kept ghosting through in hope. The first my best mate went right down to the left corner flag and I'd wandered up to support, just outside the D, and he spotted me and cut it back. I knew I had no time to take a touch so just hit it hard on the instep with the left (my weaker foot) and it wrong-footed the keeper at his near post. Then three times in the second half, my best mate perfectly bisected their centre-backs to find me running in from the left and I just let it run into my path and sweep into it first time on the instep of my trusty right - not much power, just making sure I hit the target as their goalie was permanently flat-footed. Twice they went in (my hat trick goal getting an unexpected roar of delight from the lads on the bench which delighted me) but what would have been an unprecedented (for me) fourth goal of the night was denied by thumping against the near post. To score three identical goals like that would have been amusing but at this stage (and my general poor fitness) I was thrilled with three, all set up by my best mate, and I'm sure I'll never play that well again. It was basically like Bale and Ronaldo up front but somehow Fat Andy Reid nabbed three.

It was shortly after hitting the post I took the ball in the face and became convinced my arm was on fire, repeating "why is my arm burning??" over and over, and went off as a precaution. I never thought at 18 I'd be able to say this at 31, but I much prefer playing the game than watching it right now.

 

[Chopper3000]

You keep playing and enjoying the game for as long as you can. When you become too fucked to play is a massive downer, but you live with it. I love watching footy live, so much better than on telly. My job dictates that I'm always a million miles away from Old Trafford, but when I get the chance (6-7 times a season) I'm fucking there!

 

[Mr_Stiffy]

My job dictates that I'm always a million miles away from Old Trafford, but when I get the chance (6-7 times a season) I'm fucking there!

I'm planning on gracing the Theatre of Dreams myself on New Year's Day. Will be a good "bringing back down to Earth" after Stoke at home on the 28th.

 

[Chopper3000]

Re: 2013-14 Football ("Soccer&quot Thread

I suspect Stoke will bring you back down to earth before the slaughter at O/T.

 

[passenger57]

Saturday, November 9

Crystal Palace
10:00 AM (ET)
Everton

Chelsea
10:00 AM (ET)
West Brom

Liverpool
10:00 AM (ET)
Fulham

Southampton
10:00 AM (ET)
Hull City

Aston Villa
10:00 AM (ET)
Cardiff City

Norwich City
12:30 PM (ET)
West Ham

Sunday, November 10

Tottenham
7:00 AM (ET)
Newcastle

Sunderland
9:05 AM (ET)
Man City

Swansea City
11:10 AM (ET)
Stoke City

Man United
11:10 AM (ET)
Arsenal

USA Times Above.

 

[Mr_Stiffy]

Make or break time for Hughton, I'd say. If you can't beat Wet Spam at home, You Might as well..... wait, what am I saying??

Anyway, presenting the lighter side of football. Namely, "let's all laugh at this Celtic fan."

:rofl2: Prick.

 

[Chopper3000]

Got away from the Dutch rozzers only to be beaten by the insignificant post. Celtic for you.

 

[passenger57]

Newcastle goalie came up big today as they beat Tottenham 1-0. Seems like the Tottenham players were always in Newcastle's area the entire 2nd half but couldn't get that ball to go in the net.

 

[Mr_Stiffy]

Newcastle goalie came up big today as they beat Tottenham 1-0. Seems like the Tottenham players were always in Newcastle's area the entire 2nd half but couldn't get that ball to go in the net.

Up until yesterday, I hadn't been concerned. 9 goals in 10 games is a poor return for a squad that has spent £110m over the summer, but the results were papering over the cracks. The West Ham defeat was the only really disappointing/unexpected result and we went into the Newcastle game with a chance of going 3rd. Yesterday though there was nowhere to hide - something isn't quite working.

A key factor might be bringing in a £26m striker and struggling to play whatever kind of game suits him. 4 goals in 11 league games for Soldado might not be that bad (an acceptable strike rate for a top striker being 1 in 2) but three of those were penalties which won games 1-0 that should have been easy wins for a team with as lofty ambitions as Spurs. Also, the keep-ball patient passing game is, frankly, too patient and is actually just slow, and we don't shift the ball quick enough which allows teams to get their lines sorted out and say "come at us" to the point I've started thinking we're more dangerous on the counter ****** than when we have time to build an ******. The pace of the "Bale & Lennon" Spurs compared to Spurs today is like night and day. Even Andros Townsend who is fast cuts inside so often instead of going to the byline that it gives the defence time to get set. I feel sometimes we've become guilty of Arsenal-style trying-to-walk-it-in (which ironically they've abandoned it seems at times) instead of tying more pace, crosses and cutbacks.

I don't like to blame individuals for losses when it's 11-14 men that lose a football game, not one, but it needs pointing out how Christian Eriksen played with a distinct lack of confidence yesterday, possibly as a consequence of being left out for Lewis Holtby for the last couple of league games. I suppose that's the issue with rotation, especially players in their early twenties who haven't fully developed the mental side of the game yet. And in very general terms (not just yesterday), serious words need to be had with Dembele. He is so casual both with the ball and in his passing, and gives the ball away repeatedly because he seems to be prone to either lack of concentration or laziness. No midfield pair with him involved has looked anywhere near as solid as Parker & Modric did, and the quicker we can try out Paulinho & Capoue regularly, the better.

 

[passenger57]

Up until yesterday, I hadn't been concerned. 9 goals in 10 games is a poor return for a squad that has spent £110m over the summer, but the results were papering over the cracks. The West Ham defeat was the only really disappointing/unexpected result and we went into the Newcastle game with a chance of going 3rd. Yesterday though there was nowhere to hide - something isn't quite working.

A key factor might be bringing in a £26m striker and struggling to play whatever kind of game suits him. 4 goals in 11 league games for Soldado might not be that bad (an acceptable strike rate for a top striker being 1 in 2) but three of those were penalties which won games 1-0 that should have been easy wins for a team with as lofty ambitions as Spurs. Also, the keep-ball patient passing game is, frankly, too patient and is actually just slow, and we don't shift the ball quick enough which allows teams to get their lines sorted out and say "come at us" to the point I've started thinking we're more dangerous on the counter ****** than when we have time to build an ******. The pace of the "Bale & Lennon" Spurs compared to Spurs today is like night and day. Even Andros Townsend who is fast cuts inside so often instead of going to the byline that it gives the defence time to get set. I feel sometimes we've become guilty of Arsenal-style trying-to-walk-it-in (which ironically they've abandoned it seems at times) instead of tying more pace, crosses and cutbacks.

I don't like to blame individuals for losses when it's 11-14 men that lose a football game, not one, but it needs pointing out how Christian Eriksen played with a distinct lack of confidence yesterday, possibly as a consequence of being left out for Lewis Holtby for the last couple of league games. I suppose that's the issue with rotation, especially players in their early twenties who haven't fully developed the mental side of the game yet. And in very general terms (not just yesterday), serious words need to be had with Dembele. He is so casual both with the ball and in his passing, and gives the ball away repeatedly because he seems to be prone to either lack of concentration or laziness. No midfield pair with him involved has looked anywhere near as solid as Parker & Modric did, and the quicker we can try out Paulinho & Capoue regularly, the better.

You definitely know more about what's going on with these football clubs. Sometimes maybe the lesser known players are more hungry and want it more ?

 

[passenger57]

Saturday, November 9

Crystal Palace-0
Everton-0

Chelsea-2
West Brom-2

Liverpool-4
Fulham-0

Southampton-4
Hull City-1

Aston Villa-2
Cardiff City-0

Norwich City-3
West Ham-1

Sunday, November 10

Tottenham-0
Newcastle-1

Sunderland-1
Man City-0

Swansea City-3
Stoke City-3

Man United-1
Arsenal-0

 

[passenger57]

Saturday, November 23 ''Week 12''

Everton
7:45 AM (ET)
Liverpool

Stoke City
10:00 AM (ET)
Sunderland

Newcastle
10:00 AM (ET)
Norwich City

Hull City
10:00 AM (ET)
Crystal Palace

Fulham
10:00 AM (ET)
Swansea City

Arsenal
10:00 AM (ET)
Southampton

West Ham
12:30 PM (ET)
Chelsea

Sunday, November 24

Man City
8:30 AM (ET)
Tottenham

Cardiff City
11:00 AM (ET)
Man United

Monday, November 25

West Brom
3:00 PM (ET)
Aston Villa

USA Times.

 

[Mr_Stiffy]

Re: 2013-14 Football ("Soccer&quot Thread

Yeah, but long before those matches are the usual horrible waste of time that is an extended weekend of international friendlies.

The England ones are actually pseudo-interesting due to Woy's selections for this (immediately huge) squad. I think he's taken "picked on form" a bit too far and literally just seen the table and thought "Saints are doing well, best call up all their English lads." The real question mark is goalkeepers as Hodgson has said that Hart will start one of the games, and he plans to use "at least" two keepers. Some people think that Ruddy will get a game but for me, with no established second choice and increasing doubts over first choice, it's time to have a serious look at Fraser Forster. I expect him to start the Chile game and Charles to return for the Germany game to "prove" that he's still Hodgson's man. For now.

Not including those pulled from both games (Steven Gerrard and Kyle Walker will miss Chile but I expect will be ready for the Germans), the squad THUS :

GK : Hart (Man City), Ruddy (Norwich), Forster (Celtic)
RB : Walker (Spurs), Johnson (Liverpool)
LB : Cole (Chelsea), Baines (Everton), Gibbs (Arsenal)
CB : Cahill (Chelsea), Jagielka (Everton), Smalling, Jones (both Man United)
MF : Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Wilshere (Arsenal), Milner (Man City), Barkley (Everton), Townsend (Spurs), Henderson (Liverpool), Cleverley (Man United) Lallana (Southampton)
S : Rooney (Man United), Sturridge (Liverpool), Defoe (Spurs), Lambert, Rodriguez (both Southampton)

There is also a really tasty Italy v Germany friendly on Friday, and of course the World Cup play offs with the following games on Friday and corresponding second legs on Tuesday. Who will fail to make it to Brazil - C-Ron or Ibra???

Iceland V Croatia
Greece V Romania
Portugal V Sweden
Ukraine V France

I suspect Stoke will bring you back down to earth before the slaughter at O/T.

I'm now passing on the United game. My mate couldn't make the Stoke home game, so him and me are going to Palace at home instead, and I'm going to the Stoke game with another lad. Two home fixtures make more sense than trying to negotiate the trains on New Year's Day on my tod for a teatime kick off that we'll probably lose.

Although fun fact - Spurs were the only side that Man U were unable to topple either home or away in the Prem last season out of the other 19 teams. Nemesis, thy name was Dempsey.