Football The 2011/2012 Season Thread

[Everz]

Someones being hitting the pandapops.

 

[Lethul]

And he started sliding too early imo.

Agree, wasn't any need to slide

 

[Bahumat]

Cornokz been sniffing dogs bums again?

 

[Urgluf]

Lukaku looks knackered
I'm quite pleased with him though, thought he might just have achieved what he has from being hench but seems to have talent as well, his heading has been oddly shit though

Tbh, alot of the goals he scored for Anderlecht was because of his massive strenght. Often running after a deep ball, beating the defender on speed and strenght and then kicking the ball in. His heading has ALWAYS been very poor which is odd for his size..

 

[eksdee]

Arguably with Lukaku, his natural gifts with his strength and pace are the most important at his age. With his running and positioning you can see he has the mindset for the game and that there is certainly something there. He is undoubtedly a rough diamond, but I'm firmly of the belief that his first touch and heading ability can be developed - at least much more so than you could develop the physical strengths he possesses naturally. I think sometimes people forget that it's okay for an 18 year old to be unpolished.

Really hope to see more of McEachran after last night, he seems to get better and better every time he plays. So assured on the ball, made a great burst forward for the goal that was ruled offside and seems to have a few tricks up his sleeve for getting round a player too. Good delivery from corners also, something we've actually struggled a bit with recently - though less so with Mata now seemingly taking over (and doing a good job of) all the set pieces.

We have some outstanding central midfielders for England now with Wilshere, Cleverley and McEachran. Here's hoping they all fulfill their obvious promise to the max.

 

[Calaen]

Arguably with Lukaku, his natural gifts with his strength and pace are the most important at his age. With his running and positioning you can see he has the mindset for the game and that there is certainly something there. He is undoubtedly a rough diamond, but I'm firmly of the belief that his first touch and heading ability can be developed - at least much more so than you could develop the physical strengths he possesses naturally. I think sometimes people forget that it's okay for an 18 year old to be unpolished.

Really hope to see more of McEachran after last night, he seems to get better and better every time he plays. So assured on the ball, made a great burst forward for the goal that was ruled offside and seems to have a few tricks up his sleeve for getting round a player too. Good delivery from corners also, something we've actually struggled a bit with recently - though less so with Mata now seemingly taking over (and doing a good job of) all the set pieces.

We have some outstanding central midfielders for England now with Wilshere, Cleverley and McEachran. Here's hoping they all fulfill their obvious promise to the max.

Completely agree with you on all points, people are so quick to put the boot in. The amount of shit andy Carroll is getting is crazy, he's played a handful of games so far and while he hasn't scored the goals he was at Newcastle, Liverpool do themselves no favours when he does play by not playing to his strengths. I'm yet to see a decent cross into the box for Carroll from freekicks/corners or Open play. Downing who I thought was meant to provide the crosses is more concerned with scoring a goal than crossing!!!!

Daglish really needs to have formation practiced for when Carroll plays. Not simply telling people to lump the ball up to him. Newcastle scored alot of goals from him providing assists from intelligent set plays!!!

 

[eksdee]

Doesn't help that he plays Downing on the right all of the time, a position which is designed to encourage him to cut in. Inverted wingers may well be fashionable, but as you say, it in no way plays to Carroll's strengths. Arguably it limits Suarez also as it narrows the play, where Suarez is at his best exploiting space and stretching defences - hard to do with two wingers cutting inside all the time, clogging up the centre of the park.

 

[Keitanz]

It's going to be a tough one for Dalglish, I thought Bellamy and Suarez looked awesome together last night, but Carroll still has a lot to prove.. maybe a 4-3-3 is on the cards, that could be nice with Carroll in the middle and Suarez & Bellamy on the sides, not sure where Downing would fit in to that though, same with Kuyt..

 

[Ch3tan]

Off topic a bit, but fuck me the birtish press are mongs. Oh noes! Rugby players did some drinking shocker, and we are still talking about it a week later!

 

[eksdee]

Off topic a bit, but fuck me the birtish press are mongs. Oh noes! Rugby players did some drinking shocker, and we are still talking about it a week later!

Well considering all the sanctimonious bullshit given by rugby fans and players about how theirs is a 'gentleman's' sport while admonishing footballers and whoever else, it's not all that surprising the media is ready to jump on their back.

Personally I couldn't care either way, if people are stupid enough to see any type of sportsperson as a 'role model' then they're utter morons.

 

[Vladamir]

Unless its King David or Bran the Man

 

[Aoami]

Well considering all the sanctimonious bullshit given by rugby fans and players about how theirs is a 'gentleman's' sport while admonishing footballers and whoever else, it's not all that surprising the media is ready to jump on their back.

really? professional rugby players have always had a rep as big drinkers.

 

[Ch3tan]

What I was about to say. Rugby and drinking go hand in hand, yet they never seem to get in anywhere near as much trouble as footballers.

 

[Calaen]

It's going to be a tough one for Dalglish, I thought Bellamy and Suarez looked awesome together last night, but Carroll still has a lot to prove.. maybe a 4-3-3 is on the cards, that could be nice with Carroll in the middle and Suarez & Bellamy on the sides, not sure where Downing would fit in to that though, same with Kuyt..

Awesome against a championship who actually bossed you in the second half? I'm sorry but Bellamy just does not cut it anymore, his season in the championship last year was proof. Yes he's a great player on a free transfer, but him over Carroll in the team no chance.

Downing needs to be played on the left and told to cross the god damn ball

 

[Calaen]

What I was about to say. Rugby and drinking go hand in hand, yet they never seem to get in anywhere near as much trouble as footballers.

I know listening to the sky journo constantly trying to get some sort of information out of them this morning made my skin crawl. Martin, told him they had played another game since the incident and that they had moved on.

 

[Keitanz]

Awesome against a championship who actually bossed you in the second half? I'm sorry but Bellamy just does not cut it anymore, his season in the championship last year was proof. Yes he's a great player on a free transfer, but him over Carroll in the team no chance.

Downing needs to be played on the left and told to cross the god damn ball

A few weeks ago Carroll played against a League 1 team and didn't impress at all.. Brighton were very good last night and they will be in the Prem within 18 months.

We just seem to be really slow and ugly with Carroll playing.. I personally don't think Suarez and Carroll are a good partnership either, time will tell though.. but yeah I agree about Downing, he will soon though, we have no one else to play on the right really, apart from Henderson.. who always comes in side and gets yelled at by Lucas but Gerrard is probably going to play on the right now..

 

[Aoami]

Cricket is known as the gentleman's sport, yet shane warne could often be seen having a cheeky fag on the boundary at the rose bowl when he was meant to be fielding.

 

[eksdee]

Unless its King David or Bran the Man

I said sportsmen, worshiping gods is simply expected.

 

[eksdee]

Back on Fifa 12 again - I'm going to give Ultimate Team a proper go this year. I've apparently 'been playing' since Fifa 10, but I think I made a team and never played a single game. Still, it meant I got some free packs and stuff and I actually have a semi decent side:

Considering selling/trading Totti though.

Anyone else going to play or played in previous years? Is it actually any good? Seems like a cool concept.

 

[Everz]

A few weeks ago Carroll played against a League 1 team and didn't impress at all.. Brighton were very good last night and they will be in the Prem within 18 months.

We just seem to be really slow and ugly with Carroll playing.. I personally don't think Suarez and Carroll are a good partnership either, time will tell though.. but yeah I agree about Downing, he will soon though, we have no one else to play on the right really, apart from Henderson.. who always comes in side and gets yelled at by Lucas but Gerrard is probably going to play on the right now..

No they won't, If you know anything about the Championship is that the teams who come up from League One always overachieve in their first season.

 

[Calaen]

No they won't, If you know anything about the Championship is that the teams who come up from League One always overachieve in their first season.

Then their better players get poached and they are back to square one

 

[eksdee]

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the verge of making history with Molde | Amy Lawrence | Football | guardian.co.uk

Good to see Solskjaer is doing well.

 

[Calaen]

Yup!

 

[Wazzerphuk]

You know why? Cos he loves and plays and uses FM to help him. *smug*

 

[Keitanz]

No they won't, If you know anything about the Championship is that the teams who come up from League One always overachieve in their first season.

Apart from the fact Brighton have a very nice stadium and quite a good manager

 

[Ch3tan]

Yes, and the championship is a very long season, Brighton will be very lucky to make the play offs. Still can't like past West Ham and Leicester for the automatic places. Southampton may make the play-off's to, but I think they'll drop off.

 

[Everz]

Having been in the CCC for most of my Wolves supporting life I can safely say it is the hardest division to get out of and the most unpredictable.

Remember Cardiff 5 years ago? 12 points (or was it more georgie ?) clear and they blew it and ended up not getting promoted. Us a couple years ago when we blew the lead aswell.. same for many other clubs. Oh and Keitanz.. a stadium don't mean shit.. Blackpools ground was a shithole and they got promoted.

Just because your in the top6 currently doesn't ever guarantee you will be in the promotion mix. You will only win and get promoted with consistency and luck.. and form going into the March period.

My tips for promotion

1. Southampton (momentum for L1, solid side, good manager)
2. Middlesborough (consistent, solid side)

and as punt on the outside for the play-offs?

Derby.

 

[georgie]

fo

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Apart from the fact Brighton have a very nice stadium and quite a good manager

They also spent a lot of money getting players that could have played at higher levels.

 

[ileks]

Having been in the CCC for most of my Wolves supporting life I can safely say it is the hardest division to get out of and the most unpredictable.

Remember Cardiff 5 years ago? 12 points (or was it more georgie ?) clear and they blew it and ended up not getting promoted. Us a couple years ago when we blew the lead aswell.. same for many other clubs. Oh and Keitanz.. a stadium don't mean shit.. Blackpools ground was a shithole and they got promoted.

Just because your in the top6 currently doesn't ever guarantee you will be in the promotion mix. You will only win and get promoted with consistency and luck.. and form going into the March period.

My tips for promotion

1. Southampton (momentum for L1, solid side, good manager)
2. Middlesborough (consistent, solid side)

and as punt on the outside for the play-offs?

Derby.

I agree, Brighton will drop off by christmas imo. Unfortunatly I can't see West ham not going straight up. Hopefully Leeds and Southampton will go up with them.