The Soccer Thread

[Jon]

Disappointing match against Man U and West Brom Saturday morning. I got out of the shower to see the official completely blow what should have been a pk and a red card, making it a 2-1 score and 11 v 10 West Brom advantage in the 1st half. Instead, Man U goes on to win 2-1. Really could have been their 1st loss.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Disappointing match against Man U and West Brom Saturday morning. I got out of the shower to see the official completely blow what should have been a pk and a red card, making it a 2-1 score and 11 v 10 West Brom advantage in the 1st half. Instead, Man U goes on to win 2-1. Really could have been their 1st loss.

Agreed. I thought West Brom more than held their own. They really should have gotten at least a point. Gary Neville is such a turd and should have been sent off for that challenge. SAF has such a strangehold over the referees, it's really amazing (I also realize the irony of this coming from a Chlesea fan). Ian Darke said that particular referee hadn't shown a red in 28 matches, or something close to that.

[USSoccer]

Disappointing match against Man U and West Brom Saturday morning. I got out of the shower to see the official completely blow what should have been a pk and a red card, making it a 2-1 score and 11 v 10 West Brom advantage in the 1st half. Instead, Man U goes on to win 2-1. Really could have been their 1st loss.

Agreed. I thought West Brom more than held their own. They really should have gotten at least a point. Gary Neville is such a turd and should have been sent off for that challenge. SAF has such a strangehold over the referees, it's really amazing (I also realize the irony of this coming from a Chlesea fan). Ian Darke said that particular referee hadn't shown a red in 28 matches, or something close to that.

 

When SAF admits post game that his own guy should have been sent off and a PK given, you know the ref's really blown the call. That said, this particular United vintage are odd to watch. I don't think they do anything particularly well, but they grind out results. Hernandez as instant offense off the bench is probably the best thing about them.

[wolf stansson]

Rumor roundup:

Jermaine Jones - Hoffenheim

Stuart Holden - if Coyle goes to Liverpool, Stu follows.

Dempsey - Liverpool, Wolfsburg.

Onyewu - Genoa, Twente.

Adrian Ruelas - Celtic

Feilhaber - Cruz Azul, Botafogo.

Altidore - Mainz 05, St Pauli.

 

Rumors are out there about Mikey, Landon and others but they're mostly summer transfer window possibilities. Jones, Feilhaber and Onyewu are definitely moving this month though. For those who don't know, Guzan got a loan to Hull already.

[wolf stansson]

Dempsey nets v West Brom.

[shnsajax]

While Arsenal drawing with City would normal be a let down for the day. Chelsea come back and lose to Wolves to make everything great once again. I hope they miss out on CL next season :twisted: .

[Guest]

While Arsenal drawing with City would normal be a let down for the day. Chelsea come back and lose to Wolves to make everything great once again. I hope they miss out on CL next season :twisted: .

 

Great day for Man U. Arsenal and City tie while both Chelsea and Tottenham lose.

[bukie]

While Arsenal drawing with City would normal be a let down for the day. Chelsea come back and lose to Wolves to make everything great once again. I hope they miss out on CL next season :twisted: .

Shame Spurs couldn't at least draw at Everton.

[Mark Priors Calves]

While Arsenal drawing with City would normal be a let down for the day. Chelsea come back and lose to Wolves to make everything great once again. I hope they miss out on CL next season :twisted: .

chelsea sucks

[Mark Priors Calves]

I created a separate thread for it in Cubs Discussion, but Man Utd is looking to play a game at Wrigley this summer.

[USSoccer]

I created a separate thread for it in Cubs Discussion, but Man Utd is looking to play a game at Wrigley this summer.

 

Wrigley isn't remotely big enough for a match

[wolf stansson]

I created a separate thread for it in Cubs Discussion, but Man Utd is looking to play a game at Wrigley this summer.

 

Wrigley isn't remotely big enough for a match

http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2011/1/3/1889286/manchester-united-in-my-wrigley-field-its-more-likely-than-you-think

[USSoccer]

I created a separate thread for it in Cubs Discussion, but Man Utd is looking to play a game at Wrigley this summer.

 

Wrigley isn't remotely big enough for a match

http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2011/1/3/1889286/manchester-united-in-my-wrigley-field-its-more-likely-than-you-think

 

Remember how narrow Spartan Stadium was when SJ played there? That was 69 yards wide.

 

Gooch to FC Twente loan is done. Good fit for him as they are still in 3 competitions, and he'll probably be 3rd choice there. He needs some PT ahead of next summer.

 

Wolf, if you're Bradley, how excited are you at running out a 5-man midfield of Holden, Jones, Bradley, Dempsey and Donovan?

[Guest]

So with the midfield depth it sounds like we have, is running a 4-5-1 the logical way to go at this point, rather than running out some mediocre at best second forward with Jozy?

[wvcbxl]

Gooch to FC Twente loan is done. Good fit for him as they are still in 3 competitions, and he'll probably be 3rd choice there. He needs some PT ahead of next summer.

 

FC Twente is coached by Michel Preud'homme, who knows Onyewu very well from their time at Standard Liège.

My guess is Gooch will be getting a lot of playing time from him if the deal goes through.

The Dutch media seem to still be sceptical today, citing only the Washington Post as the source of the rumour.

[Exile on Waveland]

So with the midfield depth it sounds like we have, is running a 4-5-1 the logical way to go at this point, rather than running out some mediocre at best second forward with Jozy?

 

That seems the obvious solution. The only other option would seem to be a 4-4-2 with Donovan/Dempsey up top with Altidore (which might inevitably transition into ostensibly a 4-5-1 anyway). I'd say the latter is possible because there's a good chance one, or both, will be limited as wide midfielders by 2012.

[shnsajax]

Eugene Starikov got called up to the US camp.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Hogsdon is out at Liverpool.

[shnsajax]

Hogsdon is out at Liverpool.

 

Guess that will eliminate any chance of Dempsey to Liverpool.

[USSoccer]

Hogsdon is out at Liverpool.

 

 

Liverpool fans are delusional idiots.

[USSoccer]

Love the FA Cup. Newcastle are barfing all over themselves at some pissant League 2 side, and Leeds nearly knocked off Arsenal at the Emirates today.

[Exile on Waveland]

Hogsdon is out at Liverpool.

 

 

Liverpool fans are delusional idiots.

 

Yeah, Hodgson was clearly doing a bang-up job this year. And LFC fans really expect to win the league this year.

[USSoccer]

Hogsdon is out at Liverpool.

 

 

Liverpool fans are delusional idiots.

 

Yeah, Hodgson was clearly doing a bang-up job this year. And LFC fans really expect to win the league this year.

 

He didn't adjust well, but they were bitching about him after like 3 games! He came in after the World Cup, IIRC, and didn't have much of a chance to rework a completely overrated roster.

 

The pressure from the Kop was over the top and unwarranted.

[Exile on Waveland]

Hogsdon is out at Liverpool.

 

 

Liverpool fans are delusional idiots.

 

Yeah, Hodgson was clearly doing a bang-up job this year. And LFC fans really expect to win the league this year.

 

He didn't adjust well, but they were bitching about him after like 3 games! He came in after the World Cup, IIRC, and didn't have much of a chance to rework a completely overrated roster.

 

The pressure from the Kop was over the top and unwarranted.

 

The pressure from the Kop is probably always over the top -- pretty much goes with the territory with the clubs. Hodgson didn't have much chance to rework the roster; but his reworking included bringing in the likes of Christian Poulson and Paul Konchesky while shipping out Alberto Aquilani. I'd say it's a real good thing he didn't have more time.

 

The squad isn't the best -- though I don't think any but the top-5 have more talent -- but Hodgson failed. Even with the deficiencies (lack of wingers, no second striker, shoddy defensive fullbacks), there is no excuse for this LFC squad to be in twelfth, four points off the drop zone, with home losses to Northampton Town, Wolves, and Blackpool. Plus, the abysmal and dire performances, Hodgson believing he's still at Fulhum (defending deep even at home against poor sides), his misuse of players (Torres-as-target-man, Meireles out wide, etc.), and Dusty Baker-esque press conferences. He had to go.

[USSoccer]

The pressure from the Kop is probably always over the top -- pretty much goes with the territory with the clubs. Hodgson didn't have much chance to rework the roster; but his reworking included bringing in the likes of Christian Poulson and Paul Konchesky while shipping out Alberto Aquilani. I'd say it's a real good thing he didn't have more time.

 

The squad isn't the best -- though I don't think any but the top-5 have more talent -- but Hodgson failed. Even with the deficiencies (lack of wingers, no second striker, shoddy defensive fullbacks), there is no excuse for this LFC squad to be in twelfth, four points off the drop zone, with home losses to Northampton Town, Wolves, and Blackpool. Plus, the abysmal and dire performances, Hodgson believing he's still at Fulhum (defending deep even at home against poor sides), his misuse of players (Torres-as-target-man, Meireles out wide, etc.), and Dusty Baker-esque press conferences. He had to go.

 

I agree with a lot of this, but look at the roster and look at the list of overpaid, underachieving players on it. Has Torres been any good in the last season and a half? Yeah, he was hurt, but he's allegedly been healthy for a bit now, and looks a shell of the guy who tore up the league two seasons ago. Jamie Carragher stopped being useful around 4 years ago. Glen Johnson is a nice attacking back but can't defend worth a damn. Gerrard has been hurty and poor.

 

I don't think Dalglish is going to work miracles with this group, either. The fanbase need to adjust their expectations and be patient.