The Soccer/Football Thread

[Jordan]

Congratulations To Leicester being the 6th different team to win the title in EPL history. After watching the Chelsea vs Tottenham game I remember why i hate the spurs so much. It is a miracle how none of the Tottenham players escaped without a red card.

Tottenham are the Celtics of the EPL.

 

[Jordan]

I'm a relatively new football fan but this second half of Atletico vs. Bayern is the best half I've ever watched. Both teams playing at very high levels.

 

[Jordan]

Predictions for CL final?

I'm going 2-1 Atlético.

 

[brownindian]

Predictions for CL final?

I'm going 2-1 Atlético.

Real 1 - 2 Athletico

Athletico finally win the holy grail.

 

[Jordan]

Real 1 - 2 Athletico

Athletico finally win the holy grail.

Yeah, mine is the same (I meant Atletico wins 2-1). I think Atletico's backline is going to be too tough for Real. Real is not as good at possession as Bayern is, despite having more goalscorers. Real will definitely score a goal, but I think Atletico's counterattack will be on in full force, picking apart Real's attack.

 

[brownindian]

Yeah, mine is the same (I meant Atletico wins 2-1). I think Atletico's backline is going to be too tough for Real. Real is not as good at possession as Bayern is, despite having more goalscorers. Real will definitely score a goal, but I think Atletico's counterattack will be on in full force, picking apart Real's attack.

Real for all its dominance could not score more goals against Manchester City even at home. Atleti has a better back line and better experience with Real.

EPL's relegation battle is pretty interesting. While Sunderland won against Chelsea, New castle draws to Villa. Norwich needs a win.

 

[Jordan]

Real for all its dominance could not score more goals against Manchester City even at home. Atleti has a better back line and better experience with Real.

Atletico also had a much tougher road to the finals and has a vastly superior manager. They'll be ready to take on Real.

EPL's relegation battle is pretty interesting. While Sunderland won against Chelsea, New castle draws to Villa. Norwich needs a win.

Agreed, I've been following it today. Rooting for Arsenal tomorrow (shoot me), got to have my boys in Manchester red get to the CL next season!

 

[brownindian]

Atletico also had a much tougher road to the finals and has a vastly superior manager. They'll be ready to take on Real.


Agreed, I've been following it today. Rooting for Arsenal tomorrow (shoot me), got to have my boys in Manchester red get to the CL next season!

Champions League will be huge for United. Are the Mourinho to United true? what do u think?

 

[Jordan]

Champions League will be huge for United. Are the Mourinho to United true? what do u think?

Tough to tell. I think some higher ups at Old Trafford want Ryan Giggs to take over. If we win the FA Cup and make CL I doubt they fire Van Gaal, as he only has one year left after anyways.

I'm not crazy about the Mourhino possibility, though. He's a excellent manager for two years. By year three his technique is stale, he's worn his squad down to exhaustion, and his best assistants have left. Also, he hates playing young guys. I just don't know if that is a good fit with this United squad. I'd rather have someone who is patient, plays young guys, and can stay around for awhile.

 

[brownindian]

Tough to tell. I think some higher ups at Old Trafford want Ryan Giggs to take over. If we win the FA Cup and make CL I doubt they fire Van Gaal, as he only has one year left after anyways.

I'm not crazy about the Mourhino possibility, though. He's a excellent manager for two years. By year three his technique is stale, he's worn his squad down to exhaustion, and his best assistants have left. Also, he hates playing young guys. I just don't know if that is a good fit with this United squad. I'd rather have someone who is patient, plays young guys, and can stay around for awhile.

The scary part about that is the longer you stay away from the champions League, the more the shine wears off and the harder it gets to attracting the "cream of the crop" talent as well as sponsorship. Look no further than Liverpool.

That is where hiring Giggs is too risky a proposition. There is no empirical evidence of him being a good manager - his resume is too blank to draw any conclusions. And if he turns out to be a poor one, It will be harder for the United Brand to get its shine back. LVG is a safer choice as now you know what you are getting with him.

 

[Jordan]

The scary part about that is the longer you stay away from the champions League, the more the shine wears off and the harder it gets to attracting the "cream of the crop" talent as well as sponsorship. Look no further than Liverpool.

That is where hiring Giggs is too risky a proposition. There is no empirical evidence of him being a good manager - his resume is too blank to draw any conclusions. And if he turns out to be a poor one, It will be harder for the United Brand to get its shine back. LVG is a safer choice as now you know what you are getting with him.

Great points all around. My issue with Jose is when you look at what happens after he leaves the teams are wrecks. I think you're seeing that with Chelsea now.

I agree on Giggs. I wish there was someone else ownership was interested in. Unfortunately I'm not sure that there is. If we win the FA Cup and get to Champions League, as I've stated, you've got to keep LVG.

To be honest, with the talent we have, I'd love to bring in a Diego Simeone offshoot. Our backline is so strong and so fast (Smalling, Blind, DDG, etc.) that we'd be able to compete defensively. If we could sign two fullbacks who could pass and deliver crosses at an average rate, we'd be an unbelievable counter-attacking team. With that said, though, I think ownership is committed to running a strict possession team. So my dream will never happen.

 

[brownindian]

Great points all around. My issue with Jose is when you look at what happens after he leaves the teams are wrecks. I think you're seeing that with Chelsea now.

I agree on Giggs. I wish there was someone else ownership was interested in. Unfortunately I'm not sure that there is. If we win the FA Cup and get to Champions League, as I've stated, you've got to keep LVG.

To be honest, with the talent we have, I'd love to bring in a Diego Simeone offshoot. Our backline is so strong and so fast (Smalling, Blind, DDG, etc.) that we'd be able to compete defensively. If we could sign two fullbacks who could pass and deliver crosses at an average rate, we'd be an unbelievable counter-attacking team. With that said, though, I think ownership is committed to running a strict possession team. So my dream will never happen.

Simeone I dont think will come if he wins a trophy or if Man United do not get Champions League. If PSG fires Laurent Blanc, He is also a nice option. A not so good but tested option is Pellegrini. He will have you playing attractive football, but he is not the kind of manager who can will the team into improving considerably. If you can get Pocheitinho from Spurs however .... that will be an awesome coup and you will be set for the next 30 or so years.

 

[Jordan]

Simeone I dont think will come if he wins a trophy or if Man United do not get Champions League. If PSG fires Laurent Blanc, He is also a nice option. A not so good but tested option is Pellegrini. He will have you playing attractive football, but he is not the kind of manager who can will the team into improving considerably. If you can get Pocheitinho from Spurs however .... that will be an awesome coup and you will be set for the next 30 or so years.

Yeah, I don't think we'd ever get Simeone. He's committed to making Atletico a team that people say is up there with Real and Barca. But one of his offshoots. Someone that runs his system.

Pocheitinho would be amazing, although I think he is really happy at Spurs. I don't see why we'd fire LVG and go with Pellegrini. Unless we see something that handicapped him at Man City, which frankly, I don't see because he had more money than God to make that work.

I just want to start playing counter-attack. Our talent will never win trophies playing possession. And another rebuild would fucking ruin our team.

 

[brownindian]

Yeah, I don't think we'd ever get Simeone. He's committed to making Atletico a team that people say is up there with Real and Barca. But one of his offshoots. Someone that runs his system.

Pocheitinho would be amazing, although I think he is really happy at Spurs. I don't see why we'd fire LVG and go with Pellegrini. Unless we see something that handicapped him at Man City, which frankly, I don't see because he had more money than God to make that work.

I just want to start playing counter-attack. Our talent will never win trophies playing possession. And another rebuild would fucking ruin our team.

I think City outing the Guardiola deal did a lot of damage. City were atleast trying till then. United need another striker (Kane / Vardy mold) who could net you 20 goals and more midfield strength. Fellaini is too much of a yellow card attract-er and Mata as good as he is, does not have the defensive mettle. Martial I feel is the next attaching talent United can build around.

 

[Jordan]

I think City outing the Guardiola deal did a lot of damage. City were atleast trying till then. United need another striker (Kane / Vardy mold) who could net you 20 goals and more midfield strength. Fellaini is too much of a yellow card attract-er and Mata as good as he is, does not have the defensive mettle. Martial I feel is the next attaching talent United can build around.

Honestly, and I agree with all of the needs you noted, I think we really need two full-backs who can make good crosses and are not abysmal passers. Darmian and Rojo cannot maintain possession whatsoever, can't pass the ball upfield, and deliver terrible crosses.

Secondly, I do think we need a more pacy midfield. You're right here. When Schweinsteiger was healthy the midfield never, ever gave up the ball - which was nice - but also could not create openings. It was frustrating to watch.

I'm willing to let Martial, Rashford, Memphis, and Lingard try and score goals next season. We do, indeed, need another striker; I just don't think it is as pressing as the other two needs.

EDIT: what are your boys at Chelsea gonna do this summer?