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Official Football Thread 2006/2007 (Soccer)

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I think perhaps Chelsea buying so many players last summer is what cost them so dearly, while Man Utd bought 1 I think? And Man Utd really benefited from that.
 
Interesting to look back at last summer's moves and see how they worked out. Arsenal were really hurt by having three senior players leave (Pires, Campbell, Cole).

Regarding Zidane, there was a long profile on Philip Anschutz in the NY Times in which he said the following:
NY Times said:
“It’s that blue-collar work ethic in him, that is why we bet on David Beckham,” he says. Mr. Leiweke says AEG is now in talks to bring a second international star to the Chicago Fire, another of Mr. Anschutz’s soccer teams. “We are working on a deal right now,” he says, before suggesting whom he is trying to snare. “There are only four players that move the needle: Ronaldo. Beckham. Zidane. Ronaldinho.”
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Ronaldo and Ronaldinho aren't going anywhere, so that's why most people are betting on Zidane.
 
About three more hours to kickoff and I'm nervous as f**k. I hope Fergie does the right thing and put Heinze in the middle with Brown. The thought of Kaka running at a central defense pairing of O'Shea and Brown is sending goddamn shivers down my spine.
 
Well Chelsea are currently on course for about 88 points, which would have won them the league the past 2 seasons and could potentially end up 91 points if they win their remaining 4 games, the same amount as last year. So I don't think Chelsea's signings have so much hurt them as not helped them.

I wouldn't blame the amount of signings anyway, I think there are two other big reasons Chelsea aren't favourites to win the title at the moment.

First of all, Mourinho decided to have a smaller squad. He apparently didn't want another situation where he gets to the end of the season and quality players have played so few games that they demand to leave. And to be fair to him, with the possible exception of Robben I think that's actually worked out, there's not really been a top quality player sitting on the bench all season. However, it's kind of a flawed policy. As Chelsea have found out, having a small squad looks really stupid when injury crisis hit. In the past, Terry and Carvalho get injured or suspended...no problem, send in Gallas and Huth. This season, there's only Boulahrouz as cover and I don't think he's as good as either of the two they lost and after that you're having to play guys out of position, not only hurting your defence but hurting the rest of your team.

Likewise, when a player isn't performing, like Shevchenko, a bigger squad gives you more options. I feel confident that Chelsea would have a few more points on the board if they'd had Crespo in their squad too.

The second point is the change in formation. I don't have too much problem with them going two up front, it's the 4 central midfielders thing which hasn't been great. Chelsea had such a well drilled unit under their old formation...everyone knew what their role was, everyone was in their ideal position, they were almost impossible to break down and dangerous when attacking.

Now we have two central midfielders trying to cover the wide positions, only they naturally drift inside. That not only leaves Chelsea exposed down the flanks, it also gives them little width going forwards.

I think those are the two main reasons Chelsea aren't on course for a third title. A lack of man power and the loss of organisation in their formation that they previously had.
 
Oh man, Zidane!

Having Blanco and Zidane on the Fire would be insanity. We'd need another DP slot though, so I'm guessing we'd have to trade away our current best player in Justin Mapp right now.

If they sign Zidane I'm going to have to figure out some way to afford season tickets. :lol

Btw went to my first Fire game this past Saturday. Very pleased with Toyota Park. We won 2-1 against a very flat KC, despite a horrible ref job. With a more competent red we would have been a man up for about 60 mins of the match and won 3-0. Oh well.

Toyota Park is a beautiful stadium and the atmosphere was fantastic despite the disappointing attendance. I wonder if the poor attendance this past week is what has the Fire scrambling to sign a 2nd DP.

More star power to the MLS is a good thing.
 
ElyrionX said:
About three more hours to kickoff and I'm nervous as f**k. I hope Fergie does the right thing and put Heinze in the middle with Brown. The thought of Kaka running at a central defense pairing of O'Shea and Brown is sending goddamn shivers down my spine.
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Its going to be one hell of a tense game for the defence. We could bring evra back seeing as he's going to start on the bench, but Id rather see him stay on the bench and not risk getting injured again. Its better to keep him fit for everton. Currently the premiership is the priority.

The ideal thing would be to score a goal, maybe even two and not concede, but its unlikely that its going to happen.; If we can keep a clean sheet, then we've got a great chance in the second leg, but keeping that lcean sheet is going to be a mission. To be honest, id be very surprised if we could keep a clean sheet.
 
I quite like the idea that all the world's footballing stars go to a retirement home in America when they can't compete at the top in Europe any more. We could have like the exact same players, but they could play into their 40s. The pace would be a bit slower, but it'd still be good quality.
 
Why do you think it's unlikely you'll score? Or do you mean it's unlikely you'll win 2-0?

If nothing else United have their most dangerous forward players available, I'd be surprised if there isn't at least one United goal tonight.
 
You know, I'd be so confident of a United victory if they had their first choice defence...hell, if they just had two of their first choice defence.

As it is...well, I'm sure they can still do it, but it looks like a much more even match up now to me.
 
looking forward to going tonight, despite the lack of our entire back 4. I always love OT on big nights, we get a lot of stick for our atmosphere in everyday games but when it matters we (Stretford end) can be awesome. The AC game two years ago was the first massive one I attended, we had a couple of agonizing close misses, we need to take our chances tonight, it will not be another Roma.
 
Mama Smurf said:
I quite like the idea that all the world's footballing stars go to a retirement home in America when they can't compete at the top in Europe any more. We could have like the exact same players, but they could play into their 40s. The pace would be a bit slower, but it'd still be good quality.
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That's precisely what I'd like to avoid, if possible. Beckham and Zidane make sense from a business perspective, plus Beckham still has a bit in the tank. (He's not that old yet - his contract runs from the ages of 31-36, which is acceptable.) If the older players are still interested in trying to play at a high level, taking it seriously, and helping mentor the younger players, then I can live with it. It's when guys come over to collect a paycheck and take it easy that I get annoyed with the older players in MLS phenomenon. The bottom line is that the higher level MLS plays at, the better it is for the US National Team, and that's what I'm looking for - better player development for our youth and national side, exciting games, and a league that garners at least a little bit of respect from the rest of the world.
 
Mama Smurf said:
I quite like the idea that all the world's footballing stars go to a retirement home in America when they can't compete at the top in Europe any more. We could have like the exact same players, but they could play into their 40s. The pace would be a bit slower, but it'd still be good quality.
Click to expand...

When the US league went that route last time didn't it fail? I think its much better to focus on grassroots and slowly build up support.

I'm going for 1-1 tonight with United to score first.
 
See, that's the thing. Purely selfishly, I just want to keep seeing these great players play for as long as possible. As for the development of the sport in the US coughcouldn'tcarelesscough.

I'd love to see guys like Solskjaer, Giggs, Lehman, Maldini etc head out there in the next few years, I'd watch as much as I watch the Premiership if that was the case.
 
Cornballer said:
That's precisely what I'd like to avoid, if possible. Beckham and Zidane make sense from a business perspective, plus Beckham still has a bit in the tank. (He's not that old yet - his contract runs from the ages of 31-36, which is acceptable.) If the older players are still interested in trying to play at a high level, taking it seriously, and helping mentor the younger players, then I can live with it. It's when guys come over to collect a paycheck and take it easy that I get annoyed with the older players in MLS phenomenon. The bottom line is that the higher level MLS plays at, the better it is for the US National Team, and that's what I'm looking for - better player development for our youth and national side, exciting games, and a league that garners at least a little bit of respect from the rest of the world.
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Agreed. Well, except the stuff about improving the US Nats team. :)
 
Mama Smurf said:
See, that's the thing. Purely selfishly, I just want to keep seeing these great players play for as long as possible. As for the development of the sport in the US coughcouldn'tcarelesscough.
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Understandable. I don't lose too much sleep over how the influx of foreigners in the Premiership might potentially hurt the English national team.

Outdoor Miner said:
Agreed. Well, except the stuff about improving the US Nats team. :)
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Where are you from originally? Just curious. I assume you live in Chicago now.
 
I can see this game being madness with our makeshift defence. I could see us winning 3-2 or something stupid. Which would not bode well for the return leg.
 
Has anyone said anything about the Torres link to Liverpool? I can't remember it coming up.

Anyway, ignore me if it was discussed, but apparently on the inside of his captain's armband it's been revealed he has the solgan "You'll never walk alone".

Now...I really don't know what to think of this. That seems a weird as hell thing to have there coincidentally, but if it's delibrate...why? That would be a ridiculous way to tell Liverpool to come and get him, but if the deal is already in motion then what need would he have to have it there anyway? He'd just be risking the wrath of the Atletico Madrid fans.

Apparently his escape clause is £27m, which seems quite low to me, so Liverpool could get him if he wants to go. I don't think he's exactly the right choice though, not unless they're buying a finisher too. Maybe they are, but they'll be overloading with strikers unless they intend to let more go than I expect.

Man, Liverpool are gonna have an awesome attack next year. Torres, Eto'o, Villa, Saviola, Berbatov, Crouch, Kuyt, Voronin...unstoppable.
 
Cornballer said:
Where are you from originally? Just curious. I assume you live in Chicago now.
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Born and raised in Chicago. Parents are from Mexico, so that happens to be the National team I grew up supporting. My comment about not hoping for the US nats to improve was just a tongue-in-cheek reference to the current rivalry. Truthfully, I support the US Nats when Mexico is not the opponent.
 
Outdoor Miner said:
Born and raised in Chicago. Parents are from Mexico, so that happens to be the National team I grew up supporting. My comment about not hoping for the US nats to improve was just a tongue-in-cheek reference to the current rivalry. Truthfully, I support the US Nats when Mexico is not the opponent.
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Ah, interesting. Yeah, there are quite a few football fans in the US that are somewhat conflicted like that. We ran into a bunch of Americans with Italian or Czech parents that were at the World Cup last summer. At least you support the US when they're not playing Mexico. :lol
 
Mama Smurf said:
Why do you think it's unlikely you'll score? Or do you mean it's unlikely you'll win 2-0?

If nothing else United have their most dangerous forward players available, I'd be surprised if there isn't at least one United goal tonight.
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I meant that its unlikely that we'll score twice. I can see us getting a goal tonight. Two is unlikely, but if we can play our quick football then we've got a chance of scoring a couple. The main thing we've got to do is keep a clean sheet. If we can keep the defence tight and get the ball up quickly then we can cause milan some problems. Ronaldo's form is going to be difficult for the milan defence to deal with considering their lack of pace.

Having evra back is a big bonus because he's an excellent defender and he's so good going forward. His link up play with giggs and ronaldo has been brilliant. Im just worried that he might get injured. We need our defence back as soon as possible for the remaining premiership games.
 
One problem with working out what's going to happen tonight is that I'm not sure what's going to happen with Milan's attack.

It took over 3 hours for Milan to score against Celtic, and the defence United are putting out tonight is better than Celtic's.

But then, they managed 4 over 2 games against Bayern so...I really don't know what to think of them.
 
Mama Smurf said:
Well Chelsea are currently on course for about 88 points, which would have won them the league the past 2 seasons and could potentially end up 91 points if they win their remaining 4 games, the same amount as last year. So I don't think Chelsea's signings have so much hurt them as not helped them.

I wouldn't blame the amount of signings anyway, I think there are two other big reasons Chelsea aren't favourites to win the title at the moment.

First of all, Mourinho decided to have a smaller squad. He apparently didn't want another situation where he gets to the end of the season and quality players have played so few games that they demand to leave. And to be fair to him, with the possible exception of Robben I think that's actually worked out, there's not really been a top quality player sitting on the bench all season. However, it's kind of a flawed policy. As Chelsea have found out, having a small squad looks really stupid when injury crisis hit. In the past, Terry and Carvalho get injured or suspended...no problem, send in Gallas and Huth. This season, there's only Boulahrouz as cover and I don't think he's as good as either of the two they lost and after that you're having to play guys out of position, not only hurting your defence but hurting the rest of your team.

Likewise, when a player isn't performing, like Shevchenko, a bigger squad gives you more options. I feel confident that Chelsea would have a few more points on the board if they'd had Crespo in their squad too.

The second point is the change in formation. I don't have too much problem with them going two up front, it's the 4 central midfielders thing which hasn't been great. Chelsea had such a well drilled unit under their old formation...everyone knew what their role was, everyone was in their ideal position, they were almost impossible to break down and dangerous when attacking.

Now we have two central midfielders trying to cover the wide positions, only they naturally drift inside. That not only leaves Chelsea exposed down the flanks, it also gives them little width going forwards.

I think those are the two main reasons Chelsea aren't on course for a third title. A lack of man power and the loss of organisation in their formation that they previously had.
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It's rare I see a fair Chelsea analysis, you must support them or something? :)

I also agree the number of signings isn't our problem - we've had a near faultless season aside from when we had to play Hilario. Since Cech returned we've looked rock solid. United on the other hand have been amazing in the league.. Chelsea have done well to keep so close behind.

Good to see SWP looking back to his old self the other day.
 
Im thinking that there might be some complacency within the Milan team. They know that they are up against a weak defence, so maybe they're thinking that they wont need to try as hard, whilst the man utd defence know that they nee to have the game of their life. It tends to happen when big team play smaller team. United are not a small team, but our defence is very average. It could explain why milan played badly against celtic but managed to score 4 goals against bayern.

Tonight attack is the best form of defence against Milan. Its going to work badly for us if we be too careful in defence. Scholes and carrick have to be cautious and make sure that they dont expose the defence, but at the same time they'll need to help the attack at times. they key to this game is those two helping the defence and giving the ball to ronaldo and rooney so that they can attack quickly with it.
 
Mama Smurf said:
Has anyone said anything about the Torres link to Liverpool? I can't remember it coming up.
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oh wow, that's news to me. i was under the impression that man utd really wanted torres?
 
He was linked to united, but now he's linked to liverpool. he said he wants to stay at Athletico, but to the press that must have sounded like another english club wants him.

Has ferguson ever said that he wants to buy torres or has it always been the press that have been saying it? He's been heavily linked to us at times, but im not sure if United have actually showed any interest
 
This thread has come full circle, Mama's informative posts, Blaburn's insane Bayern Munich sploogefests, Ghost's depressing West Ham United posts, Hadareud's near bankruptcy and way-off predictions, Shinobi's honesty, Cornballer the American, rants and raves, Ronaldo orgy of love, hate hate hate, the Tottenham fan who rarely comes here for some reason and now a Chelsea fan. Nice thread.
 
So my TV has just decided to die on me so it's just radio commentary for me (although I actually think FiveLive has the best commentary anywhere anyway!)
 
iilluminate said:
It's rare I see a fair Chelsea analysis, you must support them or something? :)
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No no, I'm just one of The Few.

Apparently...United fans will love this...apparently Evra is playing at left back, Heinze is playing at centre back...O'SHEA is playing at centre back and Brown is playing right back.

I can only assume Ferguson has worries about Milan attacking down their left flank, otherwise it'd be madness.
 
Oh, yeah, and Fletcher in midfield with Smith on the bench. So basically Rooney up front and, I can only assume, Scholes supporting him.

Or I guess Giggs could be supporting Rooney with Fletcher on the right wing...I dunno.
 
Lakitu said:
This thread has come full circle, Mama's informative posts, Blaburn's insane Bayern Munich sploogefests, Ghost's depressing West Ham United posts, Hadareud's near bankruptcy and way-off predictions, Shinobi's honesty, Cornballer the American, rants and raves, Ronaldo orgy of love, hate hate hate, the Tottenham fan who rarely comes here for some reason and now a Chelsea fan. Nice thread.
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:lol

careful, or I might predict Liverpool winning the Champions League.

Thinking about it, I might already am.
 
Fletcher is playing in the middle apparently.

Ronaldo wide right
Giggs wide left
Schole playing behind Rooney
 
Wes said:
That's weird. I thought O'Shea was a more natural Full Back player then Wes Brown.
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Well Brown is a better right back than O'Shea, but he's a MUCH better centre back so...I can only assume it's to counter Milan somehow.

Teams:

Edwin van der Sar; John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Gabriel Heinze, Patrice Evra; Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes; Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs

Dida; Massimo Oddo, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Marek Jankulovski; Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, Clarence Seedorf; Kaka; Alberto Gilardino

From a United pov, I'm happy to see Inzaghi isn't playing.
 
Mama Smurf said:
No no, I'm just one of The Few.

Apparently...United fans will love this...apparently Evra is playing at left back, Heinze is playing at centre back...O'SHEA is playing at centre back and Brown is playing right back.

I can only assume Ferguson has worries about Milan attacking down their left flank, otherwise it'd be madness.
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It sounds like fergie drank too much red wine before selecting the team. Milan play a 4-3-2-1. Their attack goes through the middle, so it makes much more sense to put the better centre back in that position.

EDIT: On second thoughts, Brown is better at going up and supporting the winger than o'shea is, so if we're going to play a more offensive game, it might be a good idea to have brown at right back. Even if thats the case, putting o'shea at centre back seems like a risky move. i dont like it.
 
hmmm, we can certainly cause problems to milans defence. If ronaldo plays on the wing that maldini is, then that could be our best way of attacking them. Maldini is too slow to cope with ronaldo.
 
psycho_snake said:
He recovered. Im not too bothered, he can be so sloppy sometimes. Hopefully today is one of those days.
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Didn't he gift Leeds a goal a few years ago in the Champions League? I think that was him...
 
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