Official Football Thread - 11/12

[DanWS]

I can't believe how much Torres has fallen off. It's depressing to see him these days. How he still gets into the Spain team before Soldado I'll never know.

[mecuryball]

Tbh....In some ways he is right.Like me and Lello touched on,the players clearly do not fit the system. Ease them in while building. Don't have 3 ok players in the system and expect the others to just pick it up when they donot even know the basics of that system.

AVB can't work magic with the players at his disposal,most of them are not in form or past their best years,and most importantly,does not fit the new system,he can't make them start playing well in this system overnight, or just go on a shopping spree in one transfer window to bring in the right players for his system,thats why he is trying to get as much as he can out of the current bunch.he first have to clearout some dead wood in the squad,then slowly bring in new players that will compliment his style of play...this things takes time.
You guys should view this as a transitional period.every club goes through one,mostly after management change.

be patient. I think he'll come good with time.

[Innovation]

I agree with pretty much everything you said. I just hope AVB gets that time. He also needs the support of the fans. Some of them need to back their manager and stop calling for him to be sacked!

[momentsgolden]

^Couldnt agree more. Realism trumps idealism in football. Just look at Barca and Real for example.

Real Madrid should win the La Liga. I am a HUGE fan of Mourinho since he seems to be the only coach (maybe Carlos Querioz as well) who can stop the Barcelona machine. I hate the club's hypocrisy ( we dont but players mantra), cockiness (usually leveled against Reds) and the pain of those defeats (i'm only human). El Classico is shaping up to be not only a classic but the coming out party of a new Real Madrid.

What happened to Bayen? Two loses in a row at home in the local league The way they played against City and Napoli and their form at the start of the season had convinced me they were top contendors. Oh well, still think they can take on the best and wouldnt mind them winning the final at home. Great players there.

Man United is a team in crisis. The way i approach games with cautious optimisim instead of reckless expectation is humbling. But i guess it works out well in the end as you begin to enjoy (correction: experience) EVERY game instead of the "big ones."

At Menzo- i do, sometimes, have a look at Italy. Inter really is in a rut right now. Sad and sort of impressive decline since Mourinho.

David Beckham, for all his detractors, has been a dominant and great ambassador of football. Played well for United and integral part of the Class of 92, went to La Liga, sold shirts, played at right back and won the title. Five years in the states, great sucess (commercially and otherwise) and now won his first and maybe last title. dunno, i like him now. A lot.

On another note, Zimbabwe won against south Africa and i now support Bidvest Wits.

[Innovation]

I agree 100% FreeDoom, but what bugs me is AVB keeps saying that this "philosophy" of attractive, attacking football is something the club will "defend to the death". I don't see him giving in, especially how Roman also wants this style of football. Surely he should realise it's not working and give AVB a little kick up the arse and tell him to play to our strengths. John Terry playing in a high line? Lmao.

[Innovation]

It is not that I do not want us playing that kind of football and I think it is a great thing to work towards. But no one becomes that way over night, really need to be taking steps before leaps. An Terry really has probably made more mistakes this season than his whole Chelsea career.

Yup. I'd also love us to play that football, but we can't with this team. Who knows when he'll finally realise that. Probably when it's too late and Roman has had enough.

[mecuryball]

@FreeDoom,I understand your points,but AVB isnt experienced enough to do what the likes of SAF does.I dont think he can manage a defensive team right now,its either attack or nothing,just like Guadiola.he's still very young,and has a lot to learn.
maybe with a good defensive minded assistant coach(which i think Chelsea lack at present) he could improve the defending.

[Innovation]

I caught the last 10 mins of the Tottenham game. PAOK defended with everything they had, quite literally. I think the goal Defoe scored should have counted, very controversial to disallow it.

Great 10 minutes from a neutral point of view!

[SajN]

Real Madrid should win the La Liga. I am a HUGE fan of Mourinho since he seems to be the only coach (maybe Carlos Querioz as well) who can stop the Barcelona machine. I hate the club's hypocrisy ( we dont but players mantra), cockiness (usually leveled against Reds) and the pain of those defeats (i'm only human). El Classico is shaping up to be not only a classic but the coming out party of a new Real Madrid.\

I really hope so, RM is more aggressive and more skilled now but my greatest fear is that they panic in the classico, it always happens to them. But what makes me feel positive is that they've played them so many times last year that they kinda got used to it (the super cup match proves it) so i'm just hoping for the best....

God please let us football fans witness a great competitive match and may be the better team win.

And a clean match.

[Innovation]

Totally forgot about the United vs Palace game. Well played Palace! Fair enough Utd played their youngsters but that's still an impressive victory! Fair play to them, it's nice to see.

[momentsgolden]

ddnt watch the game. Damn!

God please let us football fans witness a great competitive match and may be the better team win.

And a clean match.

This. Wishful thinkin though... just saying

[cityfan31]

ddnt watch the game. Damn!

God please let us football fans witness a great competitive match and may be the better team win.

And a clean match.

This. Wishful thinkin though... just saying

Mate do you know the score? Palace won.

[momentsgolden]

Mate do you know the score? Palace won.

Its not the score that is galling. It is this section from a report

MANCHESTER UNITED VERDICT: All in all, it was probably their worst day since Leeds won at Old Trafford in the FA Cup in January 2010. As Ferguson accepted, they did not even test Palace goalkeeper Price in the first half and, when Antonio Valencia then broke clear, he missed the target. Only Morrison, who twice came close, actually looked like scoring in open play and, of the starting 11, perhaps only Chris Smalling turned in a decent display. Macheda was strangely deployed on the left wing for the first half, before faring better as a striker but the majority dented their chances of featuring in their near future,

And the worst part

Naming and shaming would be a lengthy process, but the initial inquest should begin with Jonny Evans, the stand-in captain leading by the wrong sort of example by being partially culpable for both goals.

Disappointing.

[xRas]

Can't be suprised, The team had no chemistry at all.. the only players to put a real effort in where smalling, park and valencia



evans needs to leave...




Oh and lol Liverpool givin Chelsea a woopin, Again

[SajN]

I wouldn't 1-2 be a Manchester United fan at the moment. Let me make that Crystal clear to you