Author Topic: football anyone? as in soccer... (Read 464753 times)

Smell Good · « **Reply #2640 on:** July 02, 2013, 08:59:55 PM »

I gotta call the cable company about this NBC sports thing before the Premiership season starts. If it means I won't have to deal with the Fox Soccer talking heads then by all means I will pay for it. Coverage seems very complete too.

This is killing me.

Premiership = NBC sports
Champions League = Fox
odds and ends = bein sports

My god do I hate Fox. I can barely tolerate the pundits but it's the stupid shit they do like spoiling the results before broadcasting a match that they couldn't air live. It's infuriating.

Smell Good · « **Reply #2641 on:** July 02, 2013, 10:11:04 PM »

I thought this was interesting and may warrant some discussion. Not about football in terms of what goes on in the pitch but broader scope/big money shit regarding the unsavoury aspects of the modern game

Decreed Bratton · « **Reply #2642 on:** July 03, 2013, 02:34:41 PM »

That shit is crazy. I basically grew up knowing more about American sports like Basketball and Football so when I learned (and am still learning) how soccer works it's so drastically different. In most American sports with the exception of baseball there is a salary cap and revenue sharing and other things like drafts. The one part of soccer that I'm not totally fond of that for the most part money rules everything. It's gotta be frustrating to be a supporter of a lower club knowing you'll never get a chance to win a league and for the most part all you're trying to do is stay in the top tier. In American football you got a shot hoping you'll draft someone that would take you to the promised land. In soccer that someone will get bought out by another top club. I know there really can't be anything done in soccer. Even financial fair play has it's flaws. Too many countries and too many leagues.

pica · « **Reply #2643 on:** July 03, 2013, 04:15:11 PM »

Quote from: Decreed Bratton on July 03, 2013, 02:34:41 PM

That shit is crazy. I basically grew up knowing more about American sports like Basketball and Football so when I learned (and am still learning) how soccer works it's so drastically different. In most American sports with the exception of baseball there is a salary cap and revenue sharing and other things like drafts. The one part of soccer that I'm not totally fond of that for the most part money rules everything. It's gotta be frustrating to be a supporter of a lower club knowing you'll never get a chance to win a league and for the most part all you're trying to do is stay in the top tier. In American football you got a shot hoping you'll draft someone that would take you to the promised land. In soccer that someone will get bought out by another top club. I know there really can't be anything done in soccer. Even financial fair play has it's flaws. Too many countries and too many leagues.

nice thing about it is every once in a while a small club beats a big team.
also there is one local team you will always support, but there are a lot more all over europe you're down with.

kinky john · « **Reply #2644 on:** July 06, 2013, 01:25:58 AM »

Quote from: McDuff on July 02, 2013, 07:09:56 PM

^^^ Those lookalikes were perfect, especially de gea. and i def see the bobby zomora/ba similarities. all in the eyes.

on a semi unrelated note. hyped that jozy may come back to epl. dudes been crushing. club and for country. JERSEY! WHAT!?!

We have just signed him, what's the general consensus of opinion on him? Don't know much about him apart from he looked pretty good on loan at hull a few years ago. I've just watched the obligatory YouTube video, and he looks tremendous

holden caulfield · « **Reply #2645 on:** July 06, 2013, 07:35:30 AM »

Quote from: Decreed Bratton on July 03, 2013, 02:34:41 PM

That shit is crazy. I basically grew up knowing more about American sports like Basketball and Football so when I learned (and am still learning) how soccer works it's so drastically different. In most American sports with the exception of baseball there is a salary cap and revenue sharing and other things like drafts. The one part of soccer that I'm not totally fond of that for the most part money rules everything. It's gotta be frustrating to be a supporter of a lower club knowing you'll never get a chance to win a league and for the most part all you're trying to do is stay in the top tier. In American football you got a shot hoping you'll draft someone that would take you to the promised land. In soccer that someone will get bought out by another top club. I know there really can't be anything done in soccer. Even financial fair play has it's flaws. Too many countries and too many leagues.

It's funny how in terms of the economy, the U.S is very capitalist, while Europe is much more socialist. But when it comes to sports, American leagues are full out communist, while European football leagues are full out capitalist. Personally I'm a fan of the way soccer works in europe for basically the same reasons I'm a fan of capitalism. If I owned a team that made lots of money, I'd be pissed if some regulatory agency told me I couldnt make my team even better with my OWN money, and not only that, but that I had to share my profits with the rest!

Decreed Bratton · « **Reply #2646 on:** July 07, 2013, 03:49:09 PM »

Quote from: holden caulfield on July 06, 2013, 07:35:30 AM

Quote from: Decreed Bratton on July 03, 2013, 02:34:41 PM
Expand Quote
That shit is crazy. I basically grew up knowing more about American sports like Basketball and Football so when I learned (and am still learning) how soccer works it's so drastically different. In most American sports with the exception of baseball there is a salary cap and revenue sharing and other things like drafts. The one part of soccer that I'm not totally fond of that for the most part money rules everything. It's gotta be frustrating to be a supporter of a lower club knowing you'll never get a chance to win a league and for the most part all you're trying to do is stay in the top tier. In American football you got a shot hoping you'll draft someone that would take you to the promised land. In soccer that someone will get bought out by another top club. I know there really can't be anything done in soccer. Even financial fair play has it's flaws. Too many countries and too many leagues.
[close]

It's funny how in terms of the economy, the U.S is very capitalist, while Europe is much more socialist. But when it comes to sports, American leagues are full out communist, while European football leagues are full out capitalist. Personally I'm a fan of the way soccer works in europe for basically the same reasons I'm a fan of capitalism. If I owned a team that made lots of money, I'd be pissed if some regulatory agency told me I couldnt make my team even better with my OWN money, and not only that, but that I had to share my profits with the rest!

This is true except I think US sports leagues do it as a way to protect the league as a whole. Since it's not as global as soccer, with something like the NFL not too many people outside of the US gives 2 shits about the Dallas Cowboys. If something were to happen like what's happening in the Bundesliga and Bayern or even La Liga where there are only 2 teams with money, there is more of a chance for the league as a whole to fail. It might be US culture and yeah there will be fans who love the top team, but after a while I think the majority of Americans will get disinterested. There certainly are more fair weather fans. A lot of bandwagon jumpers too. There is also no Champions League which you can rank how good your team is with other leagues. With only 1 league in American football the NFL probably needs to do revenue sharing and salary caps. I guess all in all because there is the CL and numerous clubs around Europe soccer can be capitalistic. It certainly makes things interesting come transfer time.

MostlyLurkin' · « **Reply #2647 on:** July 07, 2013, 05:03:27 PM »

Mr.Gear · « **Reply #2648 on:** July 08, 2013, 02:32:46 AM »

Fuck yeah Lurkin'. Pumped. The little i have seen of Paulinho, over the internet and in the confederation cup, was great. He seems to have a good little head on his shoulders also, humble, confident, gracious.
I have seen him play creatively, but reports seem to label him as more of a "holding" style midfielder with good run forward. I just wonder if the dembele/sandro/paulinho midfield with have that "creative spark" to it. Kit release and potential surprise signings in about 5 hours!

COYS

twitchflip · « **Reply #2649 on:** July 08, 2013, 08:13:42 AM »

not a huge fan of the collar on the home kit and the away kit will take some getting used to

chockfullofthat · « **Reply #2650 on:** July 08, 2013, 08:20:15 AM »

Pretty hideous. The color of the sponsors logo is very distracting and tacky.

Also it looks like Jozy Altidore is moving to Sunderland. Would've liked to see him on a West Brom/Fulham/Everton level side, but maybe Di Canio can turn Sunderland into that kind of team. I just can't understand how a player like Adam Johnson could just suddenly look so average. I think O'Neil really fucked that club up. A lot of Americans in the premier league again, pretty excited.

kinky john · « **Reply #2651 on:** July 08, 2013, 01:17:04 PM »

Quote from: chockfullofthat on July 08, 2013, 08:20:15 AM

Pretty hideous. The color of the sponsors logo is very distracting and tacky.

Also it looks like Jozy Altidore is moving to Sunderland. Would've liked to see him on a West Brom/Fulham/Everton level side, but maybe Di Canio can turn Sunderland into that kind of team. I just can't understand how a player like Adam Johnson could just suddenly look so average. I think O'Neil really fucked that club up. A lot of Americans in the premier league again, pretty excited.

I do hope your not implying that Sunderland are a lesser team than west fucking brom or fulham??? Dear god! West brom??? As a Sunderland lad born and bred this make me sad. Is the global opinion of my team this low?

weedpop · « **Reply #2652 on:** July 08, 2013, 02:06:33 PM »

Well, they were shite last season and West Brom were pretty good so....until they can prove otherwise Sunderland would appear to be the least attractive option out of those three. I think Martin O'neill fucks up every club that he goes too, frankly, with his spend happy transfer policy and dour scottish-ness.

chockfullofthat · « **Reply #2653 on:** July 08, 2013, 02:13:08 PM »

Hahaha sorry. In terms of support Sunderland is a bigger club than West Brom and Fulham obviously, but it seems like everything Sunderland touches turns to shit lately. The last time I was psyched on a Sunderland team was when Gyan and Welbeck were banging in goals. I was mainly talking about the current crop of players of West Brom and Fulham and the general direction of the squad. Maybe the West Brom preference was a tad harsh, but I like some of their players like Shane Long and Mulumbu where as Sunderland only really have Mignolet and a ton of players who haven't lived up to expectations so far (McClean, Sessegnon, Adam Johnson, Steven Fletcher). Fulham on the other hand have much more raw talent than Sunderland, plus they have that old Fulhamerica connection that would have been cool to see again.

MostlyLurkin' · « **Reply #2654 on:** July 09, 2013, 12:32:02 PM »

Quote from: Mr.Gear on July 08, 2013, 02:32:46 AM

Fuck yeah Lurkin'. Pumped. The little i have seen of Paulinho, over the internet and in the confederation cup, was great. He seems to have a good little head on his shoulders also, humble, confident, gracious.
I have seen him play creatively, but reports seem to label him as more of a "holding" style midfielder with good run forward. I just wonder if the dembele/sandro/paulinho midfield with have that "creative spark" to it. Kit release and potential surprise signings in about 5 hours!

COYS

Paulinho is class!
Dembele, Sandro and Paulinho on the middle will be fuckin' DEADLY. Now we need to sign that striker! To bad David Villa went to Atletico Madrid. I was really hoping he would join us.
Not to sure of what I think of those new kits.. Takes some getting used to. But I really liked the kits we used last season. Especially the home and alternate kit.

And:
Just booked a trip to London and Emirates in august. Will be my first Premiership match. Hope I get to see Spurs smash ARSEnal. Im so hyped!

Smell Good · « **Reply #2655 on:** July 09, 2013, 01:55:34 PM »

Benteke handed in a transfer request. Damn. I mean, it's a bummer for Villa to lose a good player but if you look at it from their perspective, they can't really lose since they'll probably profit massively over the 7 millions pounds or whatever it was that they bought him for.

Also, Liverpool got their shit hijacked by Dortmund with that Henrikh Mkhitaryan transfer. Must've hurt.

Decreed Bratton · « **Reply #2656 on:** July 09, 2013, 02:12:29 PM »

David Villa getting sold to Athletico for less than 5 mill doesn't make sense. Other clubs must have bid higher than that for him. Barca taking a huge loss considering they bought him for about 40 mill. Tottenham will probably look toward Bentke or Soldado now. The striker merry-go-round continues. Gomez to Fiorentina, now Arsenal and City fight it out for Jovetic.

Not a fan of Underarmor and Tottenham's kits, but on the bright side its not as ugly as Liverpool's.

Smell Good · « **Reply #2657 on:** July 09, 2013, 02:23:16 PM »

Jovetic is sort of in a grey zone right now. Juventus have just gotten Tevez and Llorente, I can't really see them going for Jovetic. Don't think Arsenal are that committed to getting him either. He could very well stay at Fiorentina for another season.

I just really fucking want Higuain above all else. Please for the love of god. Can't stomach these headlines anymore. Arsenal have been slashing many dudes off the books this summer, same goes for the academy/reserves.

chockfullofthat · « **Reply #2658 on:** July 09, 2013, 02:25:40 PM »

Liverpool's home shirt is perfectly fine. The away and third have to rank near the all time worsts though.

What will be Benteke's transfer fee with 3 years to go on his contract and 19 goals last year?
Torres cost Chelsea 50m
Carroll cost Liverpool 35m
RVP cost United 24m (1 year on contract)

I bet he goes for ~25m. Spurs really need him, but they'll have competition.

Decreed Bratton · « **Reply #2659 on:** July 09, 2013, 02:29:31 PM »

Quote from: chockfullofthat on July 09, 2013, 02:25:40 PM

Liverpool's home shirt is perfectly fine. ? The away and third have to rank near the all time worsts though. ?

What will be Benteke's transfer fee with 3 years to go on his contract and 19 goals last year?
Torres cost Chelsea ?50m
Carroll cost Liverpool ?35m
RVP cost United ?24m (1 year on contract)

I bet he goes for ~?25m. ? Spurs really need him, but they'll have competition.

Yeah sorry I was just going to edit my last post. Home kit is okay this year, but the away and 3rd is something to be desired.

Real Madrid is probably holding on to Higuain until they get another striker in place first. Unless Cavani doesn't want to go to PSG you got to hope Suarez goes to RM.

Mr.Gear · « **Reply #2660 on:** July 10, 2013, 01:23:14 AM »

Quote from: MostlyLurkin' on July 09, 2013, 12:32:02 PM

Quote from: Mr.Gear on July 08, 2013, 02:32:46 AM
Expand Quote
Fuck yeah Lurkin'. Pumped. The little i have seen of Paulinho, over the internet and in the confederation cup, was great. He seems to have a good little head on his shoulders also, humble, confident, gracious.
I have seen him play creatively, but reports seem to label him as more of a "holding" style midfielder with good run forward. I just wonder if the dembele/sandro/paulinho midfield with have that "creative spark" to it. Kit release and potential surprise signings in about 5 hours!

COYS
[close]

Paulinho is class!
Dembele, Sandro and Paulinho on the middle will be fuckin' DEADLY. Now we need to sign that striker! To bad David Villa went to Atletico Madrid. I was really hoping he would join us.
Not to sure of what I think of those new kits.. Takes some getting used to. But I really liked the kits we used last season. Especially the home and alternate kit.

And:
Just booked a trip to London and Emirates in august. Will be my first Premiership match. Hope I get to see Spurs smash ARSEnal. Im so hyped!

I'm half relieved that the Villa deal didn't materialize, don't get me wrong, he is/has been/will probably continue to be a fantastic striker, I just think that age, wage, potential for injury and contract longevity may see this as a blessing in disguise. Plus, I cant stand his goatee.

I don't know what to think of Benteke at the touted $25m... He killed it last season, granted, just don't want to jump the gun and see him flop. That said, I would be hyped if we did sign him, just so this striker pressure is reduced!

As for your trip to the emirates, pumped for you dude! As an Australian it's particularly difficult to find mates to watch games with (at fuckin' 3AM when they are televised live here), let alone sit in the crowd and chant for your team! I did catch MU-West ham in Manchester late last year, which was great, but you know...

Liverpool are playing in my home town (melbourne) in a few weeks against Melbourne Victory as part of their pre-season, so a few mates and I are going along as impartial spectators. Drink heaps of beer and wear suits, should be good... I'm not even sure who i will support (being that i don't actually follow any team in the Australian league).

chockfullofthat · « **Reply #2661 on:** July 10, 2013, 06:29:04 AM »

In case you missed it:

"In the sixth tier of domestic Nigerian football, Police Machine and Plateau United Feeders were level on points going into the final game. Goal difference would decide who would be promoted if both teams won.

Both teams did win. Police Machine strolled past Bubayaro 67-0 and Plateau United Feeders ran out rather comfortable 79-0 winners over Akurba FC.

Unsurprisingly, the Nigerian authorities noticed something a little fishy and suspended all four teams and the officials in charge.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) described it as a ‘scandal of huge proportions’ and warned those involved that they will be ‘dealt with severely’.

133 of the combined 146 goals were scored in the second half as both teams attempted to out-do one another in ridiculous fashion.

Their obvious match-fixing means both teams will definitely not be achieving promotion anytime soon."

Smell Good · « **Reply #2662 on:** July 10, 2013, 07:45:15 AM »

Police Machine is a sick name for a team.

whale · « **Reply #2663 on:** July 10, 2013, 05:20:02 PM »

not sure if benteke is ready for big team pressure just yet, and for 25m any manager should have the same doubts.

would not be the least bit supriced if he'd end up in city though.

Decreed Bratton · « **Reply #2664 on:** July 11, 2013, 12:39:10 PM »

I doubt Benteke will go to City. He doesn't seem the type of player that fits into what Pellegrini wants. They'll probably go for Jovetic more, but if that guys cost in the 30mil range I'm suprised that City haven't tried to hijack Higuain.

Looks like Bayern trying to hijack Thiago from United though. If he does go to Bayern and Pep does give him playing time, who the fuck is sitting out? They got so many midfielders as it is. It's the same situation if Thiago were to stay in Barca.

whale · « **Reply #2665 on:** July 11, 2013, 01:11:25 PM »

i don't think he fits in city either, but it has seemed that city is unable to sign any of the top guys theyre after. de rossi, cavani, neymar, lewandowski or even isco as recent examples.

so i'm thinking as the last few days of the transfer window comes and if they haven't signed a top striker and benteke is still up for grabs, they just might go for him.

it could work for city though, to have a more established hierarchy for their strikers.
and i don't think higuain should or would sign with city because he clearly wants a steady slot in the starting 11.

chockfullofthat · « **Reply #2666 on:** July 11, 2013, 01:49:57 PM »

Maybe I'm thinking about this too logically, but how can you assume that City were in for any of those names you listed (except Isco) when they never made an official bid? Don't believe the papers during silly season unless it's from the correct sources, which are difficult to keep track of (Usually the BBC).

Benteke is not a City level player.

Also, I don't know what to make of the Higuain business. If he was for sale, why wouldn't clubs who are a lot more silly with their money step in before Arsenal get him. It just doesn't smell right, and I doubt he'll be a gunner. Arsenal bidding for Suarez is pretty fucking funny.

Smell Good · « **Reply #2667 on:** July 11, 2013, 02:18:24 PM »

I've given up on trying to interpret Arsenal's behaviour during the transfer window. Don't know what they've got going behind the scenes. Wenger and his network and the executives have always seemed to be really secretive and enigmatic. I still check the headlines every morning mind you.

This whole business with the Suarez bid, there's been talk that it's just a cheeky straw man bid to clear a path for Real Madrid.

chockfullofthat · « **Reply #2668 on:** July 11, 2013, 02:30:07 PM »

Quote from: Smell Good on July 11, 2013, 02:18:24 PM

I've given up on trying to interpret Arsenal's behaviour during the transfer window. Don't know what they've got going behind the scenes. Wenger and his network and the executives have always seemed to be really secretive and enigmatic. I still check the headlines every morning mind you.

This whole business with the Suarez bid, there's been talk that it's just a cheeky straw man bid to clear a path for Real Madrid.

Of course I still check too but I try not too get excited until the player is spotted at the training ground or something.

AnotherHardDayAtTheOffice · « **Reply #2669 on:** July 11, 2013, 02:52:23 PM »

Quote from: Decreed Bratton on July 11, 2013, 12:39:10 PM

I doubt Benteke will go to City. He doesn't seem the type of player that fits into what Pellegrini wants. They'll probably go for Jovetic more, but if that guys cost in the 30mil range I'm suprised that City haven't tried to hijack Higuain.

Looks like Bayern trying to hijack Thiago from United though. If he does go to Bayern and Pep does give him playing time, who the fuck is sitting out? They got so many midfielders as it is. It's the same situation if Thiago were to stay in Barca.

Yup. They got an awful lot of central midfielders. Thiago would be one hell of a replacement for Tymoshchuk. However, I think Mueller will move up front under Guardiola. Goetze as well, possibly.