LGP Futbol Thread - (CL, EPL, Serie A, Liga, 2016 Euros)

[GaryRissling]

How about the upside of staying in the EPL? West Ham is only narrowly above the drop zone, and RVN still has game when he's healthy. 100k/wk pales in comparison to what they will lose by being relegated.

Yeah, if it's just until the end of the season in an effort to secure staying up, the benefit of that plus the millions they may be able to make off of his shirts, might make it worth it...so long as he is fit enough to make an impact straight away, which is admittedly a big "if".

[pfim]

How about the upside of staying in the EPL? West Ham is only narrowly above the drop zone, and RVN still has game when he's healthy. 100k/wk pales in comparison to what they will lose by being relegated.

When he's healthy. Also, they're going to need a lot more than just RVN to beat the drop, unless they plan on playing him in the back.

[Draftnik]

How about the FA Cup again today? What a great competition. Leeds scraped out a late draw to take the tie back to Elland Road. I hope the scum choke on their vomit but they are a plucky Cup bunch. I think they've lost every League match they've played since beating United. It would be sweet if their Cup escapades prevent them from earning automatic promotion.

The Brummies are for real. Donovan wasn't a factor today.

Notts County drew Wigan.

[largegarlic]

Anyone watch the US-Honduras friendly?

It was a disappointing performance for the US, and I don't think too many players helped their chances for the World Cup.

I think Cunningham is done after looking completely disinterested and ineffective last night. I was intrigued by his MLS performance and his goal against Denmark, but last night he did absolutely nothing.

Findley didn't accomplish much, but he at least battled all night long and worked hard to get open and put pressure on the defense. I wasn't sure if there was some unspoken agreement that they could only play him the ball at chest height or higher.

I think I might be done with Robbie Rogers. He has great pace and decent skill, but he just doesn't seem to have an understanding of the game. If the other team doesn't allow him to push the ball past them and sprint down the sideline, he just looks lost and makes terrible decisions with the ball. I actually preferred Brad Davis when he came on.

Beckerman looked reasonably good, but is still behind Edu, Clark, Bradley, and potentially Jones for a d-mid spot.

Klestjan had a couple nice touches here and there, but was largely invisible. I think he is still on the outside looking in come June.

Feilhaber didn't consistently distribute the ball well and had some shockingly ill-conceived passes for a player who normally has pretty good vision. I think he still gets a spot on the WC roster, but he needs to be better to be considered for serious playing time.

I would give my thoughts on the other players as well, but I'm getting hungry.

[brianF31A]

I'm not taking much away from the US-Honduras game last night, since the US played down a man from the 15th minute on. US was controlling most of the possession and flow of the game up until that point, but then changed their game plan and seemed to sit back a bit more.

But for a game where most of the lineup had something to prove, in order to find a roster spot, I didn't feel that many of them wanted to cash in on that opportunity.

I see that you're in Tampa....you going to the Feb 24th game against El Salvador?

[largegarlic]

For better or worse, I moved back to the Burgh from Tampa a couple months ago, so I will not be attending the US-El Salvador game. That was one of the benefits of being in Florida--good chance for winter friendlies.

I don't want to put too much weight on the game last night either, but there are only a couple friendlies scheduled between now and the WC (El Sal and then Holland in March are the only two currently on the schedule). I would think that these games would mean a lot for players on the bubble, but those guys didn't play like it last night.

[slappybrown]

<-------------

[pfim]

Bornstein played very well, he's still a zero going forward but defended well both on the flank and in the middle.

I didn't think Rogers was that bad. He's two-footed and probably the only natural wide player in the field, I think there's a good chance he makes it.

Other than that, can't say much positive from last night.

[Draftnik]

Some guy from the Guardian goes off on Tommy Smyth:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/20 ... -tottenham

[SolidSnake]

[youtube][/youtube]

[Be1isarius89]

http://deadspin.com/5456510/paraguayan- ... it-twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Player from Paraguay's World Cup team was shot in the head.

[pittsoccer33]

id like to purchase a german lahm jersey as a gift, doesnt have to be a 2010 wc version. what would be the best way to get a good price on one?

[Draftnik]

SAF coached the diving out of Ronaldo:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... heats.html

"It was a shameful decision to send me off for that because all I was doing was trying to hold the player off and it's because I was educated not to dive and cheat in England.

"I was just a kid when I arrived at United and in the Premier League I was taught that trying to con the referee and play-acting are not acceptable.

"Now I get really angry when I see other players cheating.

[Draftnik]

SAF was at San Siro on Sunday:


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 002267.ece

He probably got a kick out of chatting up his old friend The Special One:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog ... ilan-derby

"We understood as time went on that it was not a coincidence that referee Rocchi gave Sneijder that red card. I have already understood that they won't let us tie up the title quickly. Today they did everything to stop us from winning."

"I leave here with a strange taste in my mouth," he continued. "But this is your country, your championship. I will move on sooner or later, and the problem will remain yours. I believe we will succeed in winning this title one way or another. Now everyone can shut their mouths. This match was an embarrassment."

If The Special One ruled the Theatre of Dreams one day it would go against the ethos of the club but on the other hand he would present an entertaining crass symmetry with the Glazer's orgy of debt.

[Draftnik]

Holden on the verge of moving to the Reebok:

http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mod ... nt&id=5752

[Draftnik]

http://red11.org/mufc/sound/mp3/gloryglory.mp3


Glory, glory, Man United,
Glory, glory, Man United,
Glory, glory, Man United,
And the reds go marching on, on, on.

Just like the Busby Babes in Days gone by
We'll keep the Red Flags flying high
You've got to see yourself from far and wide
You've got to hear the masses sing with pride

United! Man United!
We're the boys in Red and we're on our way to Wem-ber-ly
Wem-ber-ly! Wem-ber-ly!
We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wem-ber-ly
Wem-ber-ly! Wem-ber-ly!
We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wem-ber-ly

In Seventy-Seven it was Docherty
Atkinson will make it Eighty-Three
And everyone will know just who we are
They'll be singing 'Que Sera Sera'

United! Man United!
We're the boys in Red and we're on our way to Wem-ber-ly
Wem-ber-ly! Wem-ber-ly!
We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wem-ber-ly
Wem-ber-ly! Wem-ber-ly!
We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wem-ber-ly

Glory Glory Man United
Glory Glory Man United
Glory Glory Man United
As the Reds Go Marching On! On! On!

[Gaucho]

Great game. Ok, great second half. Rooney is just aweseome.

[Draftnik]

Who ever thought the League Cup could generate so much intensity & passion

I have to admit the little Argy has honed his finishing skills and has been quite clinical the past several weeks. If he demonstrated this kind of sharpness during his time on the winning side of Manchester, Fergie would have signed him up instead of waiting to offer only after Benzema signed with Madrid last summer.

Rooney is the man It was great to hear his declaration of allegiance as well.

Most everybody played well tonight. Hopefully it is a springboard to go on and reel of a string of wins in the league.

[Draftnik]

Jesse - a good column on West Ham IMO. Marcotti is one of the better soccer writers IMO:

http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/ ... start.html

I don't think signing Benedict McCarthy and possibly Gudjohnsen is a good idea. I also didn't realize the full extent of the good work Duxbury did.


Setanta US officially agreed to sell their programming to FSC:

http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/ ... start.html

[Jesse]

That article seems to indicate to the general public that Cannon and Gudjohnsen have inked a deal with the Irons. This isn't the case at all. Benni is still going under medical and that deal hasn't been confirmed. Last we heard of Gudjohnsen he had received a huge offer, late last night, from Redknapp and apparently his medical did not occur today because he was with Spurs speaking with them. This became an issue today because I was listening to Radio 5 and they played clips from Gold stating that he was quite upset with Redknapp over that latest development.

I don't necessarily disagree that these moves are short-sighted, but we're in 16th place, and we're struggling to score goals right now (granted that we should have had at least 3 against Portsmouth yesterday).

McCarthy is an upgrade over both Nouble and Hines, both of which are 18 and 19 respectively. They've both been good, but it's a bit much to ask of them at this point. Cole saw his first action at Pompey last night but still isn't fit enough to give it a go from the start of the match. Also, Franco is out until late February. He was just adjusting and playing some fine football before his injury. He is of no use to us at this point in terms of relegation battles coming up here. Diamanti has been stellar as well, but he can't be relied on for much more than set-up's and penalty attempts.

Robert Green is stellar in the back and our midfield is so great, Parker, Collison and Behrami are all strong young players that can control the game. I think these moves can both be looked at as Relegation-Savers versus the answer to being a consistently competitive Premier league team.

[pfim]

Donovan with his first goal in Europe...

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_i ... ctory.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Moyes had more glowing comments about him post-game. It's becoming more and more likely that he'll stay at Everton, imo.

[pfim]

But, right now, their signings smack of a distinct lack of imagination

I think this is the more accurate statement about the players that West Ham are rumored with.

Still, they need at least one striker to get them through the next few weeks. McCarthy could get them a few goals, I think he'd benefit from the style that West Ham have been playing under Zola. Gudjohnsen is toast as a striker.

Getting something for McCarthy would be good business for Blackburn, and West Ham may be forced to pay considering their backs are against the wall.

[Puffymuffin]

Mutu tested positive in a drugtest after game recently. He still owes Chelsea about 17m when he got caught with cocaine a few years back.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/footbal ... 485548.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jesse]

Speaking of Donovan, can anyone help me find a Donovan world cup jersey? I keep coming up empty.

[brianF31A]

Speaking of Donovan, can anyone help me find a Donovan world cup jersey? I keep coming up empty.

You might be able to find them within the next week or so. US Soccer is doing away with the jersey currently being worn and coming out with a new design for the '10 World Cup. Rumor is that the home jersey will be unveiled Feb 1 and the away jersey on March 1. If you want the current style, your best chance is probably ebay or one of the chinese sites