The Soccer Thread

[davie]

There is a reason he's England's Number 1. I'd rather have his occasional rushes of blood than a keeper who's every move is a howler.

Care to share that reason with me? He's awful.

[calgaryballer]

Because the rest of our keepers fucking suck?

James > Almunia though

Pretty much.

Care to share that reason with me? He's awful.

But in the Premier League, how many keepers are better? Reina is probably the best. Cech is still pretty good, even if he has lost his ability to deal with high balls. Given is a great shot stopper, but is catching more and more flak for his ability to organize the defence.

Who else does that leave? VDS? Probably better than James even though Fergie is trying hard to replace him. I don't think Schwarzer and Friedel are any better than James. Robert Green and Paul Robinson are failed England #1's. Gomes seems to have settled a bit from his crazy ways and Craig Gordon will likely never justify the 10 mil purchase price.

Essentially, I feel James is a keeper who would easily rate in the Top 10 of the league, if not higher. Regardless of England's choices, this is a keeper who backstopped Pompey to the FA Cup and was the main backstop for an England team that easily won their group. Do I trust him or feel he's Top 10 in the World? Not at all. But I feel he's twice the keeper of Almunia and better than much of the Prem's keepers

If you disagree, maybe offer some ideas on who you think is better?

[davie]

But in the Premier League, how many keepers are better? Reina is probably the best. Cech is still pretty good, even if he has lost his ability to deal with high balls. Given is a great shot stopper, but is catching more and more flak for his ability to organize the defence.

Who else does that leave? VDS? Probably better than James even though Fergie is trying hard to replace him. I don't think Schwarzer and Friedel are any better than James. Robert Green and Paul Robinson are failed England #1's. Gomes seems to have settled a bit from his crazy ways and Craig Gordon will likely never justify the 10 mil purchase price.

Essentially, I feel James is a keeper who would easily rate in the Top 10 of the league, if not higher. Regardless of England's choices, this is a keeper who backstopped Pompey to the FA Cup and was the main backstop for an England team that easily won their group. Do I trust him or feel he's Top 10 in the World? Not at all. But I feel he's twice the keeper of Almunia and better than much of the Prem's keepers

If you disagree, maybe offer some ideas on who you think is better?

All I said was that he was known for never making howlers (sarcasm, someone might not have picked up on that) and asked you for the reason why he's England's number 1.

From your response, am I to understand that you think James is a definite top 10, possibly top 5, goalkeeper in the best ever league in the world ever?

And that he's England's number 1 because he's not as shit as Paul Robinson or Robert Green?

[davie]

Do you even watch football? Why in the fuck are you even asking this question?

It's as if your goal in life is to be a tosser of epic proportions.

Are you openly admitting that you think Almunia is better keeper than James? And if James isn't the best English keeper than who is? Ben 'fucking' Foster?

I asked the question in order to get an answer - that's what questions are for

To be a "tosser of epic proportions" has been my dream, ever since I heard the phrase used by a 12 year old many years ago. Isn't it everyones dream though? If you can't be a professional footballer, you might as well try to reach that second choice target of tosser of epic proportions.

You must be retarded if you thought my post was openly admitting that Spanish prick was better than the best English goalkeeper in the most awesome football division ever. I just wanted to let everyone know that David James is well known for his consistency and tremendous ability not to fuck up. Has Ben 'fucking' Foster upset you by causing Man Utd to drop points or something?

[BigHouseUSA]

Pretty much.



But in the Premier League, how many keepers are better? Reina is probably the best. Cech is still pretty good, even if he has lost his ability to deal with high balls. Given is a great shot stopper, but is catching more and more flak for his ability to organize the defence.

Who else does that leave? VDS? Probably better than James even though Fergie is trying hard to replace him. I don't think Schwarzer and Friedel are any better than James. Robert Green and Paul Robinson are failed England #1's. Gomes seems to have settled a bit from his crazy ways and Craig Gordon will likely never justify the 10 mil purchase price.

Essentially, I feel James is a keeper who would easily rate in the Top 10 of the league, if not higher. Regardless of England's choices, this is a keeper who backstopped Pompey to the FA Cup and was the main backstop for an England team that easily won their group. Do I trust him or feel he's Top 10 in the World? Not at all. But I feel he's twice the keeper of Almunia and better than much of the Prem's keepers

If you disagree, maybe offer some ideas on who you think is better?

I think you're shortchanging Howard, Schwarzer, and Friedel. All three make very few mistakes in comparison to James. On top of playing out of their minds a lot more frequently.

[Archer]

Andy Carroll got charged with assault today

This all stems back from when he glassed somebody in the face at a night club . I heard around here that three people have put in statements saying he did it unprovoked so the future may not be too bright for Carroll

[calgaryballer]

I think you're shortchanging Howard, Schwarzer, and Friedel. All three make very few mistakes in comparison to James. On top of playing out of their minds a lot more frequently.

Possibly. Those three do play behind much better defences that James has as well. I think there is something to be said about a guy who has held more clean sheets than any other keeper in Premier League history. Obviously, James has been around a long time, but that doesn't explain everything. Just to fuel the fire, here is how I'd rate Premier League keepers, based on each squads #1

Tier 1
1. Reina
2. Cech

Tier 2
3. Jaaskalinen (forgot him in my original post, hugely underrated)

Tier 3
4. Howard
5. Hart
6. Friedel
7. Given
8. James

Tier 4
9. Schwarzer
10. van der Sar
11. Kirkland
12. Green
13. Gomes

Tier 5
14. Robinson
15. Myhill (been really impressed by him of late)
16. Henessy/Hahnemann
17. Gordon

Tier 6
18. Sorenson
19. Jensen

Tier 100
20. Almunia

I struggled with the middle guys, basically 6-12. As a former Newcastle guy, I love Shay Given, but I've been less than impressed this whole season with his play. I kind of felt VDS should be higher, just because he wins so damn much

Sorenson should also probably be higher, considering Stoke are such a solid defensive team. Could probably bump him as high as 15

[1ke]

No, in fact I hope Foster continues to be the huge bumbling idiot he portrays on match day. Fuck Man U.

Ouch Heels, just ouch.

Although Foster can go....as matter of fact I thnk he would be perfect for Nott Forest.

[BigHouseUSA]

Possibly. Those three do play behind much better defences that James has as well. I think there is something to be said about a guy who has held more clean sheets than any other keeper in Premier League history. Obviously, James has been around a long time, but that doesn't explain everything. Just to fuel the fire, here is how I'd rate Premier League keepers, based on each squads #1

Tier 1
1. Reina
2. Cech

Tier 2
3. Jaaskalinen (forgot him in my original post, hugely underrated)

Tier 3
4. Howard
5. Hart
6. Friedel
7. Given
8. James

Tier 4
9. Schwarzer
10. van der Sar
11. Kirkland
12. Green
13. Gomes

Tier 5
14. Robinson
15. Myhill (been really impressed by him of late)
16. Henessy/Hahnemann
17. Gordon

Tier 6
18. Sorenson
19. Jensen

Tier 100
20. Almunia

I struggled with the middle guys, basically 6-12. As a former Newcastle guy, I love Shay Given, but I've been less than impressed this whole season with his play. I kind of felt VDS should be higher, just because he wins so damn much

Sorenson should also probably be higher, considering Stoke are such a solid defensive team. Could probably bump him as high as 15

I like the list, but there's a few changes I'd make.

Tier 1
1. Reina
2. Cech
3. Given

Tier 2
4. Howard
5. Friedel
6. Hart
7. Schwarzer
8. van der Sar

Tier 4
9. James
10. Jaaskalinen
11. Gomes
12. Kirland
13. Green

Tier 5
14. Robinson
15. Myhill
16. Sorenson
17. Henessy/Hahnemann
18. Gordon

Tier 6
19. Jensen

Tier 100
20. Almunia

I haven't noticed much out of Jaaskalinen to put him that high, but I do think he's pretty good. Like you mentioned, I think Sorenson has played well enough this season to be higher. I had to put Given in the first tier too, solely because if I didn't put him in for his minor faults then I wouldn't be able to Cech in. Given's struggled as of late, but he was pretty immense a the beginning of the season.

[calgaryballer]

I just find every time I watch Arsenal/United/Chelsea play Bolton, Jussi is the guy that makes it a 2-0 game instead of a 7-0 thrashing. His shot stopping is immense, he doesn't struggle with crosses and he seems to have a good rapport with Cahill in front of him.

[Archer]

I just find every time I watch Arsenal/United/Chelsea play Bolton, Jussi is the guy that makes it a 2-0 game instead of a 7-0 thrashing. His shot stopping is immense, he doesn't struggle with crosses and he seems to have a good rapport with Cahill in front of him.

Well that's done for the year now. I feel bad for the guy possibly losing his England spot over such a freak thing

[davie]

I suppose some people in here are excited at the thought of Marouane(sp?) Chamakh coming to make the best league ever possibly even better.

[calgaryballer]

Just as excited as I was when Toni returned to Italy!

I used to think I had you figured out, but now you apparently just hate the Premier League. I guess I'll have to watch more Italian football, where the champ is all but crowned.

[Archer]

Just as excited as I was when Toni returned to Italy!

I used to think I had you figured out, but now you apparently just hate the Premier League. I guess I'll have to watch more Italian football, where the champ is all but crowned.

It's nothing new

[Archer]

Newcastle got raped by Derby tonight

FML. Horrible sports week so far