Real Football (Soccer to you Yanks) Thread

[Tuffdisc]

Was that the one in the F.a-cup semi-final... I missed that game but heard he got sent off.
But I do think England's national team would have done better with Scholes & Gerrard with Lampard on the bench... Will be a hard player to replace as will giggs who I rate highly.

That was the one I was on about :thumbup

 

[Racks]

I think will the lack of confidence the national team has, we could have the x-men on the pitch and we'd still lose!

HaHa yeah true... No confidence I agree, you can tell by how so many players miss penalties for England under-pressure but don't miss for their club sides.

 

[Springsteen]

It could also be the fact that the eleven players England put out play as individuals, never as a team. Plus they are pretty shit when they try to play as a team. I'll never forget the time England beat Argentina in a friendly 6 months before the 2006 World Cup and everyone was proclaiming them as certainties to win the World Cup. Jesus wept. England are shit, get over it. There are far more superior nations playing, like Germany, Spain, Holland and Brazil.

 

[Tuffdisc]

I think will the lack of confidence the national team has, we could have the x-men on the pitch and we'd still lose!

I don't think it is lack of confidence, just the over hype and over expectation on players, no doubt that some are good, but I don't think they will be near the likes of Messi and the rest of the Barcelona team. If Barcelona was a country at the moment, they would win the World Cup with consummate ease

 

[Sparkey Duck]

I don't think it is lack of confidence, just the over hype and over expectation on players, no doubt that some are good, but I don't think they will be near the likes of Messi and the rest of the Barcelona team. If Barcelona was a country at the moment, they would win the World Cup with consummate ease

Its the reason why the Spanish are so good at the moment, they have the balance between foreign talent and home grown talent, making each other better.

I have to rack my brain over who some of the people in the England squad play for. I'm all for diversity and that, but when 10 out of 11 players play for a different country we are going to be rubbish at an international level

 

[Tuffdisc]

Its the reason why the Spanish are so good at the moment, they have the balance between foreign talent and home grown talent, making each other better.

I have to rack my brain over who some of the people in the England squad play for. I'm all for diversity and that, but when 10 out of 11 players play for a different country we are going to be rubbish at an international level

Exactly a good point there. England needs a good healthy competition between English players. I don't mind foreign players, as long as it improves the skill and competitiveness of players. But 10 of 11 in a starting line up is not healthy

 

[Zorak]

If English players are good enough, they will make the top teams.
Somethings rotten at youth level, not professional level.

 

[Sparkey Duck]

If English players are good enough, they will make the top teams.
Somethings rotten at youth level, not professional level.

Which is surprising cause they are always blabbering on about Youth Academies on Football Focus and what not..

wonder what is in a worse state, English Football or FIFA!?!

 

[Zorak]

Apples and oranges

I don't know what they do in these academies, but clearly one of the skills they don't teach is learning how to kick a ball with your weaker foot.
It astounds me to see a player on upwards of £40,000 a week being unable to strike or pass a ball with any accuracy or power with their weaker foot.

 

[Sparkey Duck]

Apples and oranges

I don't know what they do in these academies, but clearly one of the skills they don't teach is learning how to kick a ball with your weaker foot.
It astounds me to see a player on upwards of £40,000 a week being unable to strike or pass a ball with any accuracy or power with their weaker foot.

Yeah, I think 40k a week would make me put virtually anything into my muscle memory...

I'd even consider playing for Watford for 40k per week... or Scunthorpe...

 

[skyblue]

There's worse tackles than the one he did on that City player (I genuinley forget who it was). He never did learn to tackle no, but he mastered everything else. He ran games at times with his eyes closed.

Morning paper talk seems to suggest Modric to Old Trafford, would be a pretty good signing.

they want rodwell too

 

[Springsteen]

The Rodwell story has been around for a while, he'd be a decent addition to the squad.

One I'm not happy about us being linked to is Charlie Adam. Why? He's decent, alright, but he's not good enough for a big club. He's thrived this season is a team who has been around the bottom for half of it. He's be good in a team like Bolton, or Fulham perhaps.

Ashley Young on the other hand, he'd do well here. He's gonig nowhere fast at Villa and his delivery is at the top level.

 

[Zorak]

Valencia didn't do Young any harm with his performance on Saturday

 

[Racks]

I heard Ashley Young joining Liverpool... Time will tell... Will Be an interesting summer...
Manchester United number 1 priority is a Goalkeeper what with Van der sar retiring.

 

[Zorak]

From the noises Young is making, looks like he will only join a champions league team. Man U seem the only of the 4 interested, but Arsenal might bite if Nasri continues fucking about.

 

[Springsteen]

David De Gea is pretty much a done deal, will be announced officially soon etc.

 

[Racks]

David De Gea is pretty much a done deal, will be announced officially soon etc.

Yeah around £17million I heard...Big money... Big gamble... Seems a good keeper but I ain't seen much myself

 

[Springsteen]

I'd rather spend £17m on a keeper who is proven to be pretty good so far than have to rely on Kuszack etc, it's not a risk worth taking. I think the lesson was learnt the first time when Schmeichel left, we spent 6 years finding the right keeper.

 

[Zorak]

De Gea isn't exactly proven....

 

[Racks]

I'd rather spend £17m on a keeper who is proven to be pretty good so far than have to rely on Kuszack etc, it's not a risk worth taking. I think the lesson was learnt the first time when Schmeichel left, we spent 6 years finding the right keeper.

But is he proven? Hes only had one good season... He not even in the Spain squad... Not even in the top 4 Spanish keepers... Could be another Foster or Carroll.