The Football Thread - Season 2014/2015

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The23rdman said:
Clubs sell players all the time. Remember Studge? Coutinho? If anyone can tame Mario it's BR and Steve Peters. If not we sell him on. Worth a gamble in my eyes.
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I like your optimism, and while I think Coutinho and Sturridge have been bought and (much) improved, they were not getting games where they were, but as far as I know, where not causing any trouble at the clubs there were at on or off the pitch.

Balotelli on the other hand is trouble. The media have a fascination with him, a lot of the general public have a fascination with him too, fuelled by the media, and various real, and unreal stories about him. All that will not be good for the team imho.

Last year, because Suarez tried to stay on his feet, and everyone was pulling in the same direction, Liverpool were mostly talked about for the football they were playing. Because Suarez was playing so well, and generally not doing much wrong on the pitch, (in the Premier League anyway ;) :rolleyes:) and after he had not been allowed to leave and committed to Liverpool in the summer, there were very few negative stories, and everyone focused on the football. You can see what a difference that made.

I heard a story on Talksport this morning, Balotelli was playing for a team (missed the start, so don't know which team) and got booked in the first half. The team had already used a few subs, and the manager spent the whole of the half time telling Balotelli to not dive in, to stay on his feet, to not react to anything in the 2nd half, or the team would be in trouble. I think they said he lasted a minute or two of the 2nd half. He's , or at least hasn't been up to now, a team player. Hope I'm wrong, but it's a bad move.

Edit. Just had a look, and it seems it was with Moaninho at Inter.
 
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redhed17 said:
I like your optimism, and while I think Coutinho and Sturridge have been bought and (much) improved, they were not getting games where they were, but as far as I know, where not causing any trouble at the clubs there were at on or off the pitch.

Balotelli on the other hand is trouble. The media have a fascination with him, a lot of the general public have a fascination with him too, fuelled by the media, and various real, and unreal stories about him. All that will not be good for the team imho.

Last year, because Suarez tried to stay on his feet, and everyone was pulling in the same direction, and Liverpool were mostly talked about for the football they were playing. Because Suarez was playing so well, and generally not doing much wrong on the pitch, (in the Premier League anyway ;) :rolleyes:) and after he had not been allowed to leave and committed to Liverpool in the summer, there were very few negative stories, and everyone focused on the football. You can see what a difference that made.

I heard a story on Talksport this morning, Balotelli was playing for a team (missed the start, so don't know which team) and got booked in the first half. The team had already used a few subs, and the manager spent the whole of the half time telling Balotelli to not dive in, to stay on his feet, to not react to anything in the 2nd half, or the team would be in trouble. I think they said he lasted a minute or two of the 2nd half. He's , or at least hasn't been up to now, a team player. Hope I'm wrong, but it's a bad move.
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Yep, he's nuts. Worst case scenario is he sits and rots and we get someone else on January and flog him on. It didn't do City much harm having him did it, eh?
 
The23rdman said:
Yep, he's nuts. Worst case scenario is he sits and rots and we get someone else on January and flog him on. It didn't do City much harm having him did it, eh?
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If we had Cit€h's money and depth of playing squad then maybe you can let him rot, but Mancini's strong backing of Balotelli didn't help him in keeping his job, and indeed may have contributed to him going. It also didn't help Balotelli to be a consistent presence for Cit€h.

And I say again, there were not many queuing up to get him. Do you think that queue would get any longer if he messes up at Liverpool, especially on the huge wages he'll probably be on? And do you think he'd sit by quietly whilst not playing? I don't.

Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, and it all turns out to be a huge success.
 
You're probably right and given better options I'd steer clear, but it'll be interesting. ;)
 
Champions league winner, runner up to one of the best national teams of recent times with his country at the euros, premier league winner, serie A winner x 3. Entertaining guy.

If Buck can get his head right, a stellar signing. Arsenal should have bought him - he had the talent and he would have scored a hatful. That said I think he will do well for Liverpool.

My fave quote about super Mario.

After being stopped in his car by the police, the officer asked him why he had seven thousand pounds on his person. Simply replied "because I am rich!"

At least it detracts from the disaster that is Palace's managerial situation. How did anybody else get hold of the text messages?
 
Inspired signing, at that price a real bargain. Especially if borini is worth 14m.
 
The23rdman said:
You're probably right and given better options I'd steer clear, but it'll be interesting. ;)
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He'll be good fun
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Sir SR said:
At least it detracts from the disaster that is Palace's managerial situation. How did anybody else get hold of the text messages?
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Absolutely, that's a good question. According to the BBC, Cardiff City "searched more than 10,000 private text messages". I'm really struggling to imagine (1) what might have happened that would give them reason to want to do that, and (2) how and why they would be allowed to search private text messages.

http://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28890833
 
I feel sorry for Palace, now that Sherwood and Hoddle have both distanced themselves from the role, they are going to find it difficult to recruit somebody with experience, there must be some reason nobody wants the job.
 
Jelster said:
I feel sorry for Palace, now that Sherwood and Hoddle have both distanced themselves from the role, they are going to find it difficult to recruit somebody with experience, there must be some reason nobody wants the job.
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Good. Serves them right. Will laugh when they go down.
 
Spurs looking good in the first half. Some very good goals. :clap:

3-0 up, and it could have been more. If QPR don't start playing a bit better there could be a few more goals in the 2nd half.
 
Cit€h v Liverpool was a good game, though not the result I would have liked obviously at Cit€h 3 v 1 Liverpool. :( ;) Cit€h were clinical in front of goal though, as you would expect from the quality they have up front. Liverpool still need to get up to speed, which hopefully they will do soon.

Good to have options on the bench though. Moreno was good for his first game, though was maybe at fault for one of the goals. Twisted his ankle right at the end though which could be serious. Markovic looked good when he came on, and I look forward to seeing a bit more of him. Sterling was very lively in the first half, though faded a bit as the game went on.

The Balotelli deal went through. :confused: :rolleyes: Fingers crossed it turns out well. Is Agent is making the right noises at least, saying that it is his last chance with a big club. No need for him to say that, so hopefully the message will filter through to Balotelli's brain. :rolleyes:
 
Mickey Mouse cup or not, this is pretty poor. Thankfully I dont have sky sports
 
redhed17 said:
Cit€h v Liverpool was a good game, though not the result I would have liked obviously at Cit€h 3 v 1 Liverpool. :( ;) Cit€h were clinical in front of goal though, as you would expect from the quality they have up front. Liverpool still need to get up to speed, which hopefully they will do soon.

Good to have options on the bench though. Moreno was good for his first game, though was maybe at fault for one of the goals. Twisted his ankle right at the end though which could be serious. Markovic looked good when he came on, and I look forward to seeing a bit more of him. Sterling was very lively in the first half, though faded a bit as the game went on.

The Balotelli deal went through. :confused: :rolleyes: Fingers crossed it turns out well. Is Agent is making the right noises at least, saying that it is his last chance with a big club. No need for him to say that, so hopefully the message will filter through to Balotelli's brain. :rolleyes:
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It was a good game and LFC had the better of the first half. Jovetic played well and after his nightmare injury hit season last year looks like a lively player with something to prove. Good to see the little genius back but he still looks rusty......it took all of 23 seconds and two touches to score, he really has to pull his socks up and start to contribute. I mean last week against Newcastle he took an age to score after coming off the bench and then needed two shots, its just not on :)

LFC will get better, but a word of caution. Mario is a fantastic player when he wants to play, and that isn't always every game. He can also cause a punch up in a Church....... £16m is a bargain if BR can get the best out of him consistently. Many have tried and many have failed. He will always be a legend at City because of his contribution to us winning the title in 2012, particularly setting up the goal for Agueroooooooooooooooooooo. However, it appears to be a different place now compared to when Mario was around. He is definitely certifiable.
 
You don't have to tell me about Balotelli. I think it is a mistake waiting to blow up in Rodgers face. Hope I'm wrong. But you have to learn from history, especially his story. ;)

OMG Utd. :eek: What entered his head to put out a weakened team. :rolleyes: Utd are not in a position to put out weakened teams and win, and certainly not in a position to take a loss like that. Do you think Di Maria is checking his contract for a get out clause? ;) :LOL:

By the looks of it, it's lucky they are not in the second round of the League Cup more often, because the last time they were in it, 19 years ago, :eek: they also lost. :rolleyes:
 
redhed17 said:
it's lucky they are not in the second round of the League Cup more often, because the last time they were in it, 19 years ago, :eek: they also lost. :rolleyes:
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Well, if we end up in the same position as at the end of that season, tonight's result wont really matter (not that it does in the grand scheme of things anyway) ;)
 
There are only 3 things to win each year, 4 or 5 if you happen to be in Europe, and have been successful in Europe the previous year, to casually dismiss one seems a bit short sighted.

Winning something, or at least going far in a competition, will always give a team confidence, and experience of being in big games. I suppose it's easier to dismiss something once you have been knocked out of it though. ;)
 
redhed17 said:
OMG Utd. :eek: What entered his head to put out a weakened team.
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Made the mistake of watching the game although thankfully the kids distracted me for most of it :)

Don't get me wrong - Regardless of what he said post match I'm sure LVG thought the selection was adequate for the game (so no excuses) but he's made it pretty clear that the rebuild is just beginning and he's evaluating players other than those he knows he's keeping.

Apart from de Gea in goal - every single player he played tonight is either on his 'considering shipping out' list or 'considering bringing through' list.

My view of tonight's line up (from watching them many times) is:

de Gea - Stays 100%
Evans - Stays for now
Vermijl - I don't think he's good enough
Keane - I don't rate him
James - Has his moments so I'm on the fence
Janko - Nope
Powell - Nope
Kagawa - Shop window
Anderson - Looking fitter but he's off
Hernandez - Definately shop window
Welbeck - Can be very effective but possibly shop window

Subs

Januzaj - Stays 100%
Pereira - can be suberb or frustrating
Wilson - Stays 100%. Quality player and should be ahead of Hernadez. Next bright light for me.

In terms of where we are - and the main players (not mentioned) I'm happy with what's been done transfer wise even though they've not started playing yet.......

Ander Herrera - looks quality certainly what we've lacked in center midfield.
Marcos Rojo - strong International left back / center back
Luke Shaw - left back / wing back
Angel di Maria - huge improvement whether wide or central

I've already said that I've no particular expectations this year other than watching how we rebuild. It will take time and in some respects I hope it does.

Either way - it's certainly exciting times for United fans over the next year or so.
 
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My wife has little to no interest in football, but she bought me this for Christmas last year. I was hoping I wouldn't need it this season...
 
Wenger got through in the end. I do sometimes wonder about his team selections, but Wilshire and Cazorla both played well tonight, and Sanchez opened his account to. What a cock up on the touch line for the Chambers substitution....
 
Cazorla reminds me of Keith Harris :)

I see Manuel Almunia has retired due to a heart problem.
 
Jelster said:
Wenger got through in the end. I do sometimes wonder about his team selections, but Wilshire and Cazorla both played well tonight, and Sanchez opened his account to. What a cock up on the touch line for the Chambers substitution....
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The ref was a cock. What a stupid booking. Have to sign a striker though ASAP and not someone like welbeck, need a decent player.

Only saw part of game but ox looked good.
 
cambsno said:
The ref was a cock. What a stupid booking. Have to sign a striker though ASAP and not someone like welbeck, need a decent player.

Only saw part of game but ox looked good.
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Well it looked like the 4th official had told him it was OK to go on, so it was a strange one. Ox was good in spurts, but it's the best I've seen from JW10 in some time.
 
redhed17 said:
Spurs looking good in the first half. Some very good goals. :clap:

3-0 up, and it could have been more. If QPR don't start playing a bit better there could be a few more goals in the 2nd half.
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Blank_Canvas said:
Spurs did very well, looks like they have turned a corner !
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I would not base any results against QPR as a basis for the rest of the season. 3 games, 3 defeats, no goals scored.

Football is so much about tactics \ formations and tweaking those, something Hughes and Redknapp have been dire at. Well to be fair Redknapp did adopt a tactic of not bothering to attack for the whole second half of last season, something we seem to be carrying forward this season.

I can't stand Redknapp, and am not looking at this objectively I should add.

On another note I see Warnock has been appointed by Palace. I can see why but not sure how well that will work out. At least he is used to working with smaller budgets. He did well at QPR, got us up and was arguably unlucky to get fired, though we had started to look a bit lost, but he did not get a full transfer window to get players he wanted as we were being taken over a week before the start of the season.
 
I hereby tender my resignation from football. Enjoy the season, fellas, but I'm getting off the bus.
 
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