The Real Football Thread

[Archibald]

Re: Re:

Flamini and Ramsey are a terrible partnership in midfield. Wenger signed Elneny and said he costed little due to the fact that no other club wanted him. Plus, he said after the Burnley game in the cup that he's not ready to play in The Premiership. I couldn't believe what I was reading.

No win in our last 4 league games and the inevitable drop off starts.

I'm going to say it, I actually think Spurs are a better side than us and play better football to add. There's far more cohesion in their play.

Only £17m spent in two transfer windows.

And on Wenger goes as usual with the untouchable status he has at the Emirates.

What a chance missed this season.

Bit early to write off your season isn't it?

That said, I thought it'd be your lot taking it after Leicester's inevitable fade - which doesn't appear to be happening yet... And I still think your match v citeh in the second last week will likely decide the title
Unless Spurs have already pipped you to it

Oh the thought.

We've been having some fun with two arsenal fans here at work, and it hasn't taken much to set them off either

Klopp needs a full two seasons starting in the summer to get a team in his image. That team needs a huge overhaul and Liverpool fans and the owners need to get behind the team and buy into the long-term project of it all. And if that might mean biting their tongue after Leicester defeats. then so be it. There is no overnight success with the side he inherited.

This transfer committee too needs to go. Klopp has to have the main say. Rogers touched on this recently, he could only decide on a player for a position based on the shortlist the committee gave him. That just can't be successful and it has proven to be so. Liverpool's recruitment has been abysmal. Privately, I wouldn't be surprised if Klopp has a slight regret at taking the job and that he underestimated the job at hand. What's more is that he rebuilt Dortmund as a force in the game, he earned the right to be considered for the elite jobs pushing for major honours. Whatever anyone says, Liverpool are nowhere near in that category and it's debatable whether it will even happen for sometime. For me, he should have held off and waited.

Mostly agreed, though I disagree about about him underestimating the job. Perhaps the transfer committee is what's troubling him the most, but like you said, he did a heck of a job with Dortmund and build off of solid play and good players, and didn't go out and buy a team full of superstars. I think he is trying to do the same thing here, but you always here rumors of him bringing in former dortmund players or other bundesliga players that know his system and the bundesliga system he is trying to employ. That may be another issue, the different styles, but he said this during some of his interviews, that he was obviously aware of the different styles and he would adjust accordingly. IMO I don't think he regrets taking the job, at least not yet. Agree about two seasons worth of coaching and tweaking the lineups and adding some players will give us a bigger picture, though the way coaches come and go these days, I hope he has enough success and staying power to remain at Liverpool when that time frame expires.

have to agree with both of you on this.
it just comes down to how much time he's given to be successful, especially with ground refurbishment funds shadowing...
Isn't wenger the only manager who's been in charge of a premier league club for longer than two and a half years?

next season could well be the most competitive in a while... citeh n ar$e already doing well, chelski likely to be back in the mix, with both Spurs and (likely) the foxes well in too. Then pool n the red mancs lifting their game too.
The days of "the big 4" ruling the league are well numbered

 

[gooner]

Oscar's agent said a bid from China was turned down for him. Now representatives from a club there are trying to get Lavezzi. Wenger thinks it's something to be worried about.

I seen criticism of it but I think it's nothing but hypocrisy from Premiership fans who have no problem exerting their financial muscle on other leagues over the years.

 

[gooner]

CAF voting for Sheikh Salman. It looks like a two-horse race now. Tokyo Sexwale should pull out if he can't even get the support of his own continent. I haven't heard too many endorsements for Champagne either. Prince Ali is probably just about staying in there, he could potentially take a lot of the support in Asia away from Salman. Spain have come out to support Infantino and I forgot to mention along with acquiring the support of CONMEBOL, and to no surprise FA's in Europe, he also has backing from a number of countries in Central America.

Just shows little has changed. Hayatou and Salman last month signed a co-operation agreement between CAF and AFC. Once Prince Ali rightly criticised this, it effectively ruled him of any CAF's support.

 

[sniper]

Football Leaks sent 60 documents to Der Spiegel. It apparently contains info about dodgy transfer deals.
This short article focuses on Toni Kroos' Real Madrid contract which is one of the 60 documents.
http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/toni-kroos-verdient-bei-real-madrid-10-9-millionen-euro-pro-jahr-a-1075883.html
More or less salient detail: Kroos gets a one-time 1.8 million euro bonus should he be nominated for World Player of the Year.
Tells us that such elections aren't just about honor.

I must admit I can't wait for Football Leaks to start addressing the d-word, and slightly disappointed that they haven't yet.
Seems they have a particular agenda, and the d-word is not on it (?).

 

[gooner]

Re:

Football Leaks sent 60 documents to Der Spiegel. It apparently contains info about dodgy transfer deals.
This short article focuses on Toni Kroos' Real Madrid contract which is one of the 60 documents.
http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/toni-kroos-verdient-bei-real-madrid-10-9-millionen-euro-pro-jahr-a-1075883.html
More or less salient detail: Kroos gets a one-time 1.8 million euro bonus should he be nominated for World Player of the Year.
Tells us that such elections aren't just about honor.

I must admit I can't wait for Football Leaks to start addressing the d-word, and slightly disappointed that they haven't yet.
Seems they have a particular agenda, and the d-word is not on it (?).

Thanks for the link. Hadn't heard about this.

From what I read, they're mainly interested in exposing third-party ownership of players(banned by FIFA) and the secrecy we see in transfers nowadays(undisclosed fees, clauses, agent fees, etc.) I wouldn't be of a big hope they would tackle the d-word.

It's how they are getting these documents is the interesting thing.

 

[gooner]

Interesting to see Egypt have broke ranks from CAF and endorsed Prince Ali.

If Sheikh Salman wins, FIFA are in good hands.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/05/fifa-sponsors-human-rights-reform-process?CMP=share_btn_tw

 

[gooner]

Mourinho to United might be happening after all.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35508280?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_sport&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=sport

Sigh, that's all we need, him back in the league.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

Mourinho to United might be happening after all.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35508280?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_sport&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=sport

Sigh, that's all we need, him back in the league.

The EPL is a joke in terms of coaching changes these days. Win the league or you are out. It's pretty obvious that the Chelsea players rebelled against Mourinho. They struggled to open the season, then he gets fired and they win their first game with Hiddink and have played well since then. Too late to make a high finish in the league, but will be tough next season.

 

[Põhja Konn]

Re: Re:

Mourinho to United might be happening after all.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35508280?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_sport&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=sport

Sigh, that's all we need, him back in the league.

The EPL is a joke in terms of coaching changes these days. Win the league or you are out. It's pretty obvious that the Chelsea players rebelled against Mourinho. They struggled to open the season, then he gets fired and they win their first game with Hiddink and have played well since then. Too late to make a high finish in the league, but will be tough next season.

I think actual cause for Chelsea's terrible season and Mourinhos eventual sacking lies in their preseason. Something went completely wrong in the summer. Even now under Hiddink playing well they look more like a good midtable side rather than a one which should have challenged for trophies. The obvious player revolt was more likely a symptom than a root cause of the clubs problems.

United's biggest problem is Woodward's incompetence which is looking ever more likely to end in the embarrasment of hiring Mourinho. Ever since Ferguson retired they have wanted a new long term manager, so hiring the ultimate short terminist in Mourinho can only be described as an embarrassing failure.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Man C - Lei (ongoing)

0 - 2

Go Vardy et al.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Wonderful header by Huth. 0- 3.

 

[Amsterhammer]

Quite unbelievable. Who would bet against Lesta taking the title now?

 

[Archibald]

Re:

Quite unbelievable. Who would bet against Lesta taking the title now?

as wonderful a story it would be, I still feel they'll fall over before the end
they've l'ar$e left of the top four to go before the season end, the rest of their remaining 13 games are below them.
even if they account for wenger's crew, I still think they'll drop some points to lower sides - either getting cocky or playing sides fighting to stay out of relegation, with the latter always proving to be "banana peels" for top sides

citeh/spurs and foxes/ar$e this weekend will definitely shake up the league result, but nothing that can't be reversed by May with 12 more league games to come...

the run-ins will be interesting with chelski possibly playing a factor - spurs and leicester both play them in their final 4 matches...
citeh v ar$e in the second last week could well decide the league,
and ar$e play sunderland, norwich n villa, while spurs will have toon away - all will be fighting for survival (okay, maybe not villa) - spurs other matches are soton n the baggies, who they should account for... Both sides will have fatigue issues depending upon how long they go in FA Cup and European comps...
Leicester will have utd away which could be a stumbling block for them - not sure about their home match v everton though...
meanwhile, citeh will only face stoke, soton and swansea, all will be nothing games for these sides as they won't be fighting relegation or have any other burning reason to win...

 

[gooner]

Shouldn't Luis Enrique be getting more praise?

A treble in his first season and at the weekend managed to equal Guardiola's 28 match unbeaten club record.

As someone who had initial doubts, I feel he should be getting the recognition he deserves.

 

[BullsFan22]

Seeing that Liverpool has 0 chance this season, I'd love to see Leicester and Spurs finish 1-2.

 

[Amsterhammer]

Seeing that Liverpool has 0 chance this season, I'd love to see Leicester and Spurs finish 1-2.

Every real fan everywhere hopes that Lesta can pull it off. It would be marvelous for football as a whole. Spurs second, not so much.

Having finally killed our Anfield bogey of 52 years last year, we completed the unique feat of the double over the Scousers, so we're already more than pleased. The prospect of beating them a third time tomorrow night has got Hammers pretty excited. Hopefully our big lump Sicknote can start and terrorize their defense.

 

[Amsterhammer]

Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Kenny Dalgliesh, Juergen Klopp, Paul McCartney, Cilla Black,

YOUR BOYS TOOK ONE HELL OF A BEATING FOR THE THIRD TIME THIS SEASON!!!

Have it!

COYI

 

[Pricey_sky]

well, 2-1 after extra time isn't exactly a beating, but a great win for you nonetheless.

As a Villa fan im happy you took them to extra time as we play them on Sunday

 

[Amsterhammer]

Re:

well, 2-1 after extra time isn't exactly a beating, but a great win for you nonetheless.

As a Villa fan im happy you took them to extra time as we play them on Sunday

Hyperbole is part of the game.

I have been a Hammer since 1968. Those ***** have had us under the cosh all that time, culminating in the FA final horror 10 years ago. Beating them three times in a season is very small payback, but the revenge still tastes sweet.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re: Re:

well, 2-1 after extra time isn't exactly a beating, but a great win for you nonetheless.

As a Villa fan im happy you took them to extra time as we play them on Sunday

Hyperbole is part of the game.

I have been a Hammer since 1968. Those ***** have had us under the cosh all that time, culminating in the FA final horror 10 years ago. Beating them three times in a season is very small payback, but the revenge still tastes sweet.

Enjoy it, mate. It won't last long!! Once Klopp gets a foothold, brings in the players he thinks will do well in his system and the players he already has adjust, the Reds will be a force. Mark my words. West Ham is pretty good this season, Bilic has obviously made a difference, and Pyatt is playing superbly at the moment, so it's not a shocker, but Benteke lost the game. Not sure how he didn't convert on just one of those million chances he had, but it happens in football.

Good luck in the next round!

 

[BigMac]

Prem's new logo as of next season. Dreadful corporate look.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re:

Prem's new logo as of next season. Dreadful corporate look.

Yep, I hate the billions thrown at this league now, whilst fans are still being asked to fork out more and more each week to see their team.

 

[gooner]

Glad to see things are changing at FIFA.

South Sudan who went against CAF's endorsement to Sheikh Salman to support Infantino are now changing back to support Salman.

 

[Amsterhammer]

Valcke banned from footy for 12 years!

 

[Amsterhammer]

Absolutely brilliant news! But 125k a week - the Hammers have come a long way under the porn barons. All credit to both Davids.

Dimitri Payet declared “the love affair continues” after signing his new five-year contract at West Ham just before Valentine's Day.

Co-chairman David Sullivan compared the French playmaker to Hammers legends Trevor Brooking and Paolo Di Canio after making the 28-year-old the best paid player in the club's history.

Payet only signed last summer but has quickly become a crowd favourite with his six Premier League goals. And the former Marseille star, who will earn £125,000-a-week until 2021, said the feeling was mutual.

“It's a show of faith from the management and also shows I want to sign up long term to the club,” Payet said. “All is well, the love affair continues.

“For sure I didn't think that I'd adapt so quickly and so well at the club. Fortunately it's happened like that and all the better, but it's always complicated to adapt oneself to a new Club. I feel very good here and I want to stay!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/west-ham-star-dimitri-payet-7357701