The Soccer Thread

[USSoccer]

Oh btw, the Beasley rumor going around is that he's Terrying some Glasgow gangster's lady.

 

I like the new term.

[shnsajax]

Apparenty Arsenal have never seen a counter before. If Wenger doesn't change up his backline he may never win another trophy.

[USSoccer]

They really need a two way mid-they have no steel in the center of the pitch and when Cesc gets caught upfield there's no one cleaning up the mess, so a relatively mediocre back four keep getting exposed.

 

They also need a more physical striker, given that van Persie is made of glass and Bendtner isn't consistent.

 

Quite honestly, Bradley and Jozy would fit there very well if they show strongly in SA.

 

 

EDIT: Drogba has a rocket, laser shot.

[shnsajax]

They really need a two way mid-they have no steel in the center of the pitch and when Cesc gets caught upfield there's no one cleaning up the mess, so a relatively mediocre back four keep getting exposed.

 

They also need a more physical striker, given that van Persie is made of glass and Bendtner isn't consistent.

 

Quite honestly, Bradley and Jozy would fit there very well if they show strongly in SA.

 

 

EDIT: Drogba has a rocket, laser shot.

 

 

That pretty much dead on. They need a left back too. Bradley would be perfect. They need a Roy Keane in the back.

[USSoccer]

No one for Arsenal seems to know how to shoot from distance.

[shnsajax]

It won't happen but Arsenal could use Guzan too. It works great against the lesser sides but against the big 2 Arsenal make to many lateral passes.

[USSoccer]

Jesus, Nasri. They do know you have to score goals to win games, right?

[USSoccer]

I love the officiating in this match

[shnsajax]

I love the officiating in this match

 

He's been perfect, first time in a long time I have noticed any ref having a great game. We need him to officiate the US matches in the WC.

 

Chec has made two great saves today.

[reggiemiller rules]

I am trying not to get my hopes high with Liverpool with the way they have played this year, but if they can win on Wed at the Emirates they are well within reach of catching Arsenal for the third spot.

[USSoccer]

See the change in Arsenal since Bendtner came on? Now imagine if it were a player with a bit more pace and energy to go with the strength and size.

[USSoccer]

Chelsea are like the Indianapolis Colts of the EPL. Just ruthlessly efficient.

[Guest]

Jesus, Nasri. They do know you have to score goals to win games, right?

 

I don't know what the hell he was thinking not shooting there. You're in the middle of the field, right at the 18 yard box with nobody in front of you. Pull the trigger.

[USSoccer]

Jesus, Nasri. They do know you have to score goals to win games, right?

 

I don't know what the hell he was thinking not shooting there. You're in the middle of the field, right at the 18 yard box with nobody in front of you. Pull the trigger.

 

Or at worst make the quick decision to pass to Walcott on the right. But he instead decides to take 3+ touches for some idiotic reason. You aren't getting a better look at the goal than he had if you're playing against the best team in the league.

 

I think the English gutter press are right about Arsenal. Not tough enough to win the title. No leaders on that side at all.

[wolf stansson]

Quite honestly, Bradley and Jozy would fit there very well if they show strongly in SA.

I'd be okay with Jozy going to a club like that after the world cup when playing time isn't such an immediate concern, but I don't think Bradley is ready for that kind of level. There are plenty of great midfielders with some steel out there who would be better fit for a club like Arsenal.

[USSoccer]

Quite honestly, Bradley and Jozy would fit there very well if they show strongly in SA.

I'd be okay with Jozy going to a club like that after the world cup when playing time isn't such an immediate concern, but I don't think Bradley is ready for that kind of level. There are plenty of great midfielders with some steel out there who would be better fit for a club like Arsenal.

 

Yeah, but Wenger buying Bradley from Gladbach would both fit his MO and also improve the team in an area of need. Mikey isn't going to cost the kind of premium that going out and paying market premium for an established kind of two way mid would. Wenger isn't going to go out and buy Di Rossi from Roma. He's going to look for value, youth and upside.

[wolf stansson]

There's a thread at Big Soccer about Landon v Tim Cahill.

 

Am I crazy to think that Landon is better than Cahill and it's not really that hard of a call?

 

Cahill's international score sheet reads like a who's who of stat padders, he's three years older than Landon and really plays his role fantastically for Everton, but if you're talking who is the guy you'd want to start from scratch with, Landon is better. He's faster, better at taking people on, he's the better passer and he tracks back and plays better defense. Whatever combination of luck, confidence and courage Cahill has over than Landon has led to a more accomplished European club career, but Landon has the better international record and can just plain do more on the pitch.

 

I think it's the perfect example of something I've long thought in the various Landon discussions over the years. Landon has both benefited and suffered from being the big fish in the small pond for these many years. He's never been able to find one role, stick to it and master it. He's had to be everything to everybody. Cahill could have been a big fish in a small pond, but when he was coming up, the A league wasn't an option to him like MLS was to Landon, so he got out of the small pond and signed for Millwall. He's been allowed to master a role that he does well.

 

Maybe I just haven't watched enough Cahill and am being a homer. As long as I'm going there, 4 years from now, at age 30, Clint Dempsey will unquestionably be better than Tim Cahill. He is now, for my money. Cahill's got that glorious forehead, but without support players like Landon and Clint, a guy like that wouldn't be rated quite so highly.

[USSoccer]

There's a thread at Big Soccer about Landon v Tim Cahill.

 

Am I crazy to think that Landon is better than Cahill and it's not really that hard of a call?

 

Cahill's international score sheet reads like a who's who of stat padders, he's three years older than Landon and really plays his role fantastically for Everton, but if you're talking who is the guy you'd want to start from scratch with, Landon is better. He's faster, better at taking people on, he's the better passer and he tracks back and plays better defense. Whatever combination of luck, confidence and courage Cahill has over than Landon has led to a more accomplished European club career, but Landon has the better international record and can just plain do more on the pitch.

 

Maybe I just haven't watched enough Cahill and am being a homer. As long as I'm going there, 4 years from now, at age 30, Clint Dempsey will unquestionably be better than Tim Cahill. He is now, for my money. Cahill's got that glorious forehead, but without support players like Landon and Clint, a guy like that wouldn't be rated quite so highly.

 

It's a really bad comp and Landon is streets better than Cahill.

 

Landon's international strike rate reads much the same way, especially over the last cycle. However, Landon's job isn't to score, though, really. He's the straw that stirs the drink for us, so to speak. The last goal from the run of play he had was Brasil, and before that, who? Cuba? Barbados? He's not a scorer, but he's far and away a more complete player than Tim Cahill. Plus, he's far less injury prone.

 

Now, I think Cahill is a really solid player, but if I had to compare LD to a teammate, it would be Stephen Pienaar. Cahill is better in the air than Landon but that's about it. LD has him beat everywhere else, but Pienaar is a better comp. Both can play centrally or on the wing, both have good work rates, can strike a free kick and make their teammates better.

 

I agree 100% on Clint v Cahill as well, since Clint does everything Cahill does and a lot of things he can't. His international CV is the best we've ever had. Cahill is a hard worker and good in the air, but can't create something from nothing like Deuce. In 4 years, Clint's going to be in the team photo with Landon as far as best American outfield players in history. Ironic, I guess, that they seem to really not like each other very much. They're probably the two best attacking players we've ever produced.

[wolf stansson]

Ironic, I guess, that they seem to really not like each other very much. They're probably the two best attacking players we've ever produced.

Where do you get that sense from?

[USSoccer]

Ironic, I guess, that they seem to really not like each other very much. They're probably the two best attacking players we've ever produced.

Where do you get that sense from?

 

I think it's probably more a case of Landon disliking Clint than the other way around, but have you ever seen LD run over to Dempsey to celebrate? I've never heard LD give him any love in interviews, and during Deuce's slump last May/June LD didn't say ish to support him.

 

My completely baseless theory is that LD is a little jealous/frustrated of Deuce's rep, publicity and marketing hype, especially after 2006 LD was ripped to shreds and Deuce was beatified.

 

EDIT: It also may have to do with the fact that they come from completely different backgrounds and have very different personalities. LD was the brightest star of Bradenton. Deuce, notsomuch.

[wolf stansson]

have you ever seen LD run over to Dempsey to celebrate?

other than my last avatar with LD on Clint's back from the confed's cup? I haven't really noticed. After the world cup draw, Nike did the evening with Landon thing and they were complimentary of each other there. I could see them not being best buds just based on how Clint never seems to shy from calling people out and Landons perceived sensitivity but I doubt it's much of an issue.

[USSoccer]

have you ever seen LD run over to Dempsey to celebrate?

other than my last avatar with LD on Clint's back from the confed's cup? I haven't really noticed. After the world cup draw, Nike did the evening with Landon thing and they were complimentary of each other there. I could see them not being best buds just based on how Clint never seems to shy from calling people out and Landons perceived sensitivity but I doubt it's much of an issue.

 

Your avatar was Clint on LD's back after the 2nd goal, isn't it?

 

I don't think it's an issue on field or anything. Its probably like you said, they aren't best buds off the field.

 

I didn't see the Nike thing so maybe I'm wrong on point here.

[wolf stansson]

Oh btw, the Beasley rumor going around is that he's Terrying some Glasgow gangster's lady.

 

I like the new term.

 

 

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/dhohulin/capt4life.jpg

[Jon]

Don't think it was posted, but Davies had elbow surgery last week. That was expected, though, so I doubt it does anything to change how quickly he's thinking about returning.

[shnsajax]

Don't think it was posted, but Davies had elbow surgery last week. That was expected, though, so I doubt it does anything to change how quickly he's thinking about returning.

 

Still planning on the end of the month I am assuming/hoping.