The Soccer Thread

Exile on Waveland · February 1, 2011

Liverpool fans ought to be ecstatic at their day today. Gaining basically Carrol (even at that ripoff price) and Suarez for a guy who hasn't been in form for over a year?

That's just smart business.

I am*. They traded two younger, happier (and likely healthier, despite Carroll's current injury) strikers for one. When on form, Torres is the best involved by far -- when in form, he's the best in the world -- but he hasn't been at his best for a long time. Will he ever be again? I have no idea, but it certainly looks like he's lost a step at this point (perhaps he'll regain it, he's by no means old). His finishing was still pretty clinical this year, but everything else . . . Carroll's fee was rather exorbitant, but his wages will be much less than Torres, so some money was saved there. They also had really no choice but to overpay.

Oh, I didn't dig up our earlier conversation, but just for the record before the new players debut: after only four games Dalglish has Liverpool in seventh, the highest they've been all season. Subjectively, they've also played a much more aesthetically pleasing style. Liverpool has already reaped dividends from the managerial switch.

*I should say I am from an unemotional perspective. Today was good business. But losing Torres -- previously my favorite player -- sucks.

USSoccer · February 1, 2011

http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/ea/24/0,,10265~9381098,00.jpg

Villa's kit is pretty badass. He's going to wear the #13 shirt.

USSoccer · February 1, 2011

Liverpool fans ought to be ecstatic at their day today. Gaining basically Carrol (even at that ripoff price) and Suarez for a guy who hasn't been in form for over a year?

That's just smart business.

I am*. They traded two younger, happier (and likely healthier, despite Carroll's current injury) strikers for one. When on form, Torres is the best involved by far -- when in form, he's the best in the world -- but he hasn't been at his best for a long time. Will he ever be again? I have no idea, but it certainly looks like he's lost a step at this point (perhaps he'll regain it, he's by no means old). His finishing was still pretty clinical this year, but everything else . . . Carroll's fee was rather exorbitant, but his wages will be much less than Torres, so some money was saved there. They also had really no choice but to overpay.

Oh, I didn't dig up our earlier conversation, but just for the record before the new players debut: after only four games Dalglish has Liverpool in seventh, the highest they've been all season. Subjectively, they've also played a much more aesthetically pleasing style. Liverpool has already reaped dividends from the managerial switch.

*I should say I am from an unemotional perspective. Today was good business. But losing Torres -- previously my favorite player -- sucks.

It's too bad they couldn't have pulled off a move for a central defender so that Carra and the Greek guy who's terrible don't have to play anymore.

Oh, and Charlie Adam. Would have been a nice complement to Gerrard (the other guy who's hurt all the time).

February 1, 2011

Oh, I didn't dig up our earlier conversation, but just for the record before the new players debut: after only four games Dalglish has Liverpool in seventh, the highest they've been all season. Subjectively, they've also played a much more aesthetically pleasing style. Liverpool has already reaped dividends from the managerial switch.

Just to play devils advocate on this...

As far as the points go, they're now either level on games played or have one more played than everyone else, whereas when Hodgson was canned, they had a game in hand on nearly everyone around them. Since then (after the Jan. 5 round of games), Liverpool has played four games, going 2-1-1, whereas nearly every other team has played either two or three. It's a lot easier to make up points when you're playing more games than the other teams, especially when the middle of the table is so tightly packed like it is this year (Liverpool is only six points ahead of Fulham, who is in 15th) and a good stretch can vault a team up the table. Also, all four games were against teams from the bottom half of the table.

The road win against Wolves was a good one, since Liverpool has sucked away from Anfield this year, and I can't comment on exactly how they've played since I've only seen highlights on FSC's weekly show. But it seems like it's a bit too early to say Dalglish has righted the ship.

Exile on Waveland · February 1, 2011

Oh, I didn't dig up our earlier conversation, but just for the record before the new players debut: after only four games Dalglish has Liverpool in seventh, the highest they've been all season. Subjectively, they've also played a much more aesthetically pleasing style. Liverpool has already reaped dividends from the managerial switch.

Just to play devils advocate on this...

As far as the points go, they're now either level on games played or have one more played than everyone else, whereas when Hodgson was canned, they had a game in hand on nearly everyone around them. Since then (after the Jan. 5 round of games), Liverpool has played four games, going 2-1-1, whereas nearly every other team has played either two or three. It's a lot easier to make up points when you're playing more games than the other teams, especially when the middle of the table is so tightly packed like it is this year (Liverpool is only six points ahead of Fulham, who is in 15th) and a good stretch can vault a team up the table. Also, all four games were against teams from the bottom half of the table.

The road win against Wolves was a good one, since Liverpool has sucked away from Anfield this year, and I can't comment on exactly how they've played since I've only seen highlights on FSC's weekly show. But it seems like it's a bit too early to say Dalglish has righted the ship.

Oh, the ship isn't righted; it's just steadied (a bit). Further -- I suppose I should have shown my work -- while LFC went 2-1-1 against bottom half of the table teams, they were 0-3 against those sides with Hodgson in charge (with two of those losses coming at home).

wolf stansson · February 1, 2011

Charlie Davies to DC United?

wolf stansson · February 1, 2011

Villa's midfield is getting punked by United. Bradley can start for this team.

wolf stansson · February 1, 2011

Charlie Davies to DC United?

http://www.dcunited.com/press-release/2011/02/dc-united-statement-on-charlie-davies

USSoccer · February 1, 2011

Charlie Davies to DC United?
http://www.dcunited.com/press-release/2011/02/dc-united-statement-on-charlie-davies

I think it would be a fantastic move if he's healthy enough to play, which he should be, since he's been in some reserve games at Sochaux.

wolf stansson · February 2, 2011

Andy Najar is out.

http://www.diez.hn/Secciones/Legionarios/Jugadores/Andy-Najar/Noticias/Andy-Najar-jugara-con-Honduras

USSoccer · February 2, 2011

No one anywhere else is picking up the Najar thing. If he held a presser, someone else should have that up.

I think that Honduran site is making stuff up.

shnsajax · February 2, 2011

That site reminded me of a tabloid. I hope its a tabloid and thats not true.

wolf stansson · February 3, 2011

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2011/02/thursday_kickaround_fifa_ranki.html

Here's Goff's take on Najar. It's not final but he's closer to a decision according to his agent.

wolf stansson · February 3, 2011

Chuck D is in camp: http://www.dcunited.com/news/2011/02/united-in-fort-lauderdale-day-4

I've been very impressed with Ben Olsen's offseason moves. McCarty was sublime, getting rid of dead roster weight, getting Charlie etc. I love it. I'm buying a #9 kit the second he signs.

USSoccer · February 4, 2011

Chuck D is in camp: http://www.dcunited.com/news/2011/02/united-in-fort-lauderdale-day-4

I've been very impressed with Ben Olsen's offseason moves. McCarty was sublime, getting rid of dead roster weight, getting Charlie etc. I love it. I'm buying a #9 kit the second he signs.

If Chuck can play, DCU have a really good attacking group. Pontius, Quaranta, Najar, Dax and Chuck?

I'm going in for Direct Kick this year, too.

wolf stansson · February 4, 2011

Chuck D is in camp: http://www.dcunited.com/news/2011/02/united-in-fort-lauderdale-day-4

I've been very impressed with Ben Olsen's offseason moves. McCarty was sublime, getting rid of dead roster weight, getting Charlie etc. I love it. I'm buying a #9 kit the second he signs.

If Chuck can play, DCU have a really good attacking group. Pontius, Quaranta, Najar, Dax and Chuck?

I'm going in for Direct Kick this year, too.

They got Josh Wolff too I believe.

wolf stansson · February 4, 2011

Bad first day for Charlie.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2011/02/charlie_davies_begins_dc_unite.html

USSoccer · February 5, 2011

Chuck D is in camp: http://www.dcunited.com/news/2011/02/united-in-fort-lauderdale-day-4

I've been very impressed with Ben Olsen's offseason moves. McCarty was sublime, getting rid of dead roster weight, getting Charlie etc. I love it. I'm buying a #9 kit the second he signs.

If Chuck can play, DCU have a really good attacking group. Pontius, Quaranta, Najar, Dax and Chuck?

I'm going in for Direct Kick this year, too.
They got Josh Wolff too I believe.

As much as I enjoy making fun of Wolff, he's a good MLS player.

February 5, 2011

It's too bad Sunday's Liverpool-Chelsea match isn't at Anfield. It's always entertaining to hear home fans boo the hell out of a guy every single time he touches the ball.

Last time I heard it was for Gallas during Tottenham's game at Arsenal.

shnsajax · February 5, 2011

Theo Walcott scores 46 seconds into the match and Djourou scores two minutes later. Have fun coming back Newcastle without Carroll.

3-0 now, van Persie with the assist from Theo 10 minutes into the match.

shnsajax · February 5, 2011

4-0 26 miuntes in as van Persie gets the brace.

Bradley not in the 18 today for Villa.

USSoccer · February 5, 2011

Nice job, Arsenal. How do you blow a 4 goal lead in 30 minutes?

USSoccer · February 5, 2011

Clint equalizes as Fulham and Villa draw 2-2.

I think that makes 10 goals in all competitions. Does he have a shot at the Premier League Best XI?

shnsajax · February 5, 2011

Nice job, Arsenal. How do you blow a 4 goal lead in 30 minutes?

I thought I might have fucked up posting what I did. Pathetic showing, im getting frustrated with Wenger not wanting to spend to fix the problems.

USSoccer · February 5, 2011

Nice job, Arsenal. How do you blow a 4 goal lead in 30 minutes?

I thought I might have [expletive] up posting what I did. Pathetic showing, im getting frustrated with Wenger not wanting to spend to fix the problems.

I'm not even sure its a matter of spending, to be honest. He shouldn't have removed Walcott, and money can't solve the problems of players being stupid. They condeded two penalties and a wonder strike to level.

Obviously I'm biased here, but Arsenal are the kind of team that could use a Bradley or Jones or Dempsey. They need more fight in them, and those guys aren't all that costly. Clint is probably the priciest of the three. Arsenal have so, so much talent, but they fold at the worst times. So many of their players are soft. van Persie, Bentdner, Rosicky...all soft. They never really replaced Gallas as that leader in the back.

Look at United. They have less talent that like 5 other teams in the Prem, but the guys they have in the spine of the team are hardasses, and they never ever give up on a game.

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