Soccer discussion thread

[ReignOnU]

I would argue that he was paid for based on his upside... but he hasn't maximized that potential and now you see what his ceiling really is, therefore he's not worth that much more.

[nick]

all this soccer talk is making me wanna boot up Football Manager so i can do fuck all and be shit at it again.

[jsence2]

I would argue that he was paid for based on his upside... but he hasn't maximized that potential and now you see what his ceiling really is, therefore he's not worth that much more.

Bingo. Fellaini is being pegged as this CDM...he's not that good of a defender. He plays best as a #10. We don't need a #10. We have Rooney, we have Kagawa, we have Cleverley. What we need is a holding midfielder in the likes of Keane, Fletcher, someone who can wreck things in midfield and win the ball.

That, or someone who can spray passes with pin-point accuracy ala Scholes. Fellaini is neither of those players. He'd help, but he's not what we NEED to partner w Michael Carrick.

[nick]

is there anything i can read (whether it be long or short) that explains soccer and how to properly build teams? I try to do it but iunno this whole "holding" and better defenders etc. I have a feeling my teams are entirely offensive and thats why i suck

[jsence2]

is there anything i can read (whether it be long or short) that explains soccer and how to properly build teams? I try to do it but iunno this whole "holding" and better defenders etc. I have a feeling my teams are entirely offensive and thats why i suck

I'd check some things like forums for Football Manager. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have as well.

A holding midfielder is just that--he holds deep. He doesn't advance very much. Remember when we played the club and I'd sit way back, win the ball, and distribute it to you guys in forward positions? I was playing as a holding midfielder. Now, they can move forward to support near the box, but their primary role is to win the ball and give cover to the CBs, and/or direct play from deep. Look at guys like Xabi Alonso, Andrea Pirlo, and Arturo Vidal/Paul Pogba.

[JeffMo]

Go find Bud1vol.

Big Mahk, Big Mahk.

[DRiccio21]

City - 4 w/ 20 shots (11 on goal)
Newcastle - 0 w/ 5 shots (1 on goal)

nice start

[JeffMo]

NUFC is just biding it's time, waiting in the wings to strike when no one's looking. Or just waiting for a couple players to develop so they can sell them off and live like a have-not for eternity. Someone let me know when an oil magnate buys this team and makes them competitive again.

[jsence2]

City - 4 w/ 20 shots (11 on goal)
Newcastle - 0 w/ 5 shots (1 on goal)

nice start

You played Newcastle. Don't get too excited. We'll see you in four weeks

[doc]

West Ham looked good on opening day. Curious to see how "fat sam" is going to play everyone and if Adrian is going to get anytime in goal this season. But with Jab playing like he did at seasons end and how he played saturday will be tough to get him out. Joe Cole looked good good getting his 1st of the season and Nolan continues to do his thing.

[jsence2]

West Ham looked good on opening day. Curious to see how "fat sam" is going to play everyone and if Adrian is going to get anytime in goal this season. But with Jab playing like he did at seasons end and how he played saturday will be tough to get him out. Joe Cole looked good good getting his 1st of the season and Nolan continues to do his thing.

Big Sham

Cole was nice, gonna have to get him for my fantasy team. Debating cutting Bale since he'll be out at least two more weeks.

[DRWebs]

Fuck Arsene Wenger that is all ...really thought they should have urged him to step down and appoint Laudrup the new manager after last year

[jsence2]

Bale is going to Madrid for €99 million

That comes out to $132,660,000. And then he's set to make over €10 million per year after taxes ($13.4m )

That is beyond absurd. Spurs look to lose out to Chelsea on signing Willian, and there's no word of getting a makeweight in the deal (Coentrao's name was thrown around but doesn't appear to be moving), so it'll be interesting to see who Spurs spend that cash on. Dempsey made the right choice getting out of there, IMO.

The question now is, where does Bale play? Ronaldo plays on the left, Di Maria on the right....maybe Ronaldo comes home?

[DRiccio21]

can someone explain why all these transfers and uncertainty still all go on during the season?

[jsence2]

can someone explain why all these transfers and uncertainty still all go on during the season?

The transfer window runs from July 1 to September 2nd (usually August 31st, not sure why the extra days this year). Teams get players hurt during preseason, so they run a bit further into the season so they can get replacements as needed.

The winter window runs Jan 1-31.

It's just like NFL, NBA, etc where you can make trades in-season. Difference is, these deals take longer and the big names create the chance for a paper to say they broke the story first, so they'll run (or even create) rumors every day just in case. Sagas like Rooney, Bale, etc dominate the headlines due to their stardom and the money involved, while others go unnoticed and under the radar (like Chelsea stealing Willians from Spurs).

And then there's Arsenal, who sell their players and get tons of cash, and then go after 50 players, and almost sign all of them...and end up signing none

[DRiccio21]

Dzeko hit a missile for his goal.... Cardiff came right back.

obviously i'm pulling for City, but its sure fun to watch these small promoted teams play, the fans are going nuts in Cardiff

City defense has been a wreck without Kompany. not good.

[jsence2]

Dzeko hit a missile for his goal.... Cardiff came right back.

obviously i'm pulling for City, but its sure fun to watch these small promoted teams play, the fans are going nuts in Cardiff

City defense has been a wreck without Kompany. not good.

Yeah, City's defense is nothing without Kompany. I am hoping he still is out when United play them

[DRiccio21]

admittedly I have a really hard time understanding spacing and controlling field as a novice fan... but is he that skilled/talented at what he does? is he just a great communicator like a hoops guy who talks on D and puts guys in the right place?

they were the top defensive team last year, I thought I heard and without him they are vulnerable against Cardiff City.

is it just camaraderie and communication?

[DRiccio21]

holy shit... lol

this isn't good

[DRiccio21]

these Cardiff fans are awesome