The Soccer Thread

[Senser81]

Post your "2nd Tier Team"...guys who aren't the best of the best, but who still had fine seasons. Here is my team (all EPL guys...I would hate to put a Serie A guy on the team and be shot down by davie)

G – Mark Schwarzer, Fulham – career took a surprising upswing, made several spectacular saves in the 2nd half of the season.

SB - Jose Bosingwa, Chelsea – maybe he was already a big name, but IMO was Chelsea’s best defender

CB – Brede Hangeland, Fulham – dominant in the air, helped Fulham become a strong defensive team (for once).

CB – Nemanja Vidic, Man U – had to be the leader with Ferdinand missing significant time

SB – Paul Konchesky, Fulham – good all-around player, perhaps could get a look for the National squad.

CMF – Ashley Young, Aston Villa – outshone Gareth Barry as the Villian playmaker

CMF – Tim Cahill, Everton – added more consistency to his game, solid year

CMF – Stephen Ireland, Man City – always on the cusp of greatness, had a superb season

AMF – Tuncay Sanli, Middlesborough – poor Tuncay, always gave 110% but couldn’t keep Boro up

SS – Gabby Agbonlahor, Aston Villa – had the potential, finally broke out this year

CF –Kevin Davies, Bolton – good shooter quietly had a nice season for subpar side

 

[1ke]

Im sorry but Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick combined for 35+ Million is overpriced . They just bidded every other english team out of the water on both at the time .

*Well Chelsea wernt intrested so they outbidded everybody but Chelsea *

I disagree, I dont understand how those two are overpiced combined. Carrick has started in two Champions League Finals. And Hargreaves started one. And he started it at Fullback. If I recall correctly too, when Hargreaves sated he wanted out, it was United Hargreaves wanted to play for. I could be wrong, but that was a pretty simple signing for them.

Post your "2nd Tier Team"...guys who aren't the best of the best, but who still had fine seasons. Here is my team (all EPL guys...I would hate to put a Serie A guy on the team and be shot down by davie)

G – Mark Schwarzer, Fulham – career took a surprising upswing, made several spectacular saves in the 2nd half of the season.

SB - Jose Bosingwa, Chelsea – maybe he was already a big name, but IMO was Chelsea’s best defender

CB – Brede Hangeland, Fulham – dominant in the air, helped Fulham become a strong defensive team (for once).

CB – Nemanja Vidic, Man U – had to be the leader with Ferdinand missing significant time

SB – Paul Konchesky, Fulham – good all-around player, perhaps could get a look for the National squad.

CMF – Ashley Young, Aston Villa – outshone Gareth Barry as the Villian playmaker

CMF – Tim Cahill, Everton – added more consistency to his game, solid year

CMF – Stephen Ireland, Man City – always on the cusp of greatness, had a superb season

AMF – Tuncay Sanli, Middlesborough – poor Tuncay, always gave 110% but couldn’t keep Boro up

SS – Gabby Agbonlahor, Aston Villa – had the potential, finally broke out this year

CF –Kevin Davies, Bolton – good shooter quietly had a nice season for subpar side

Thats a fine list Senser. I gotta couple and a question. Qustion first, you dont think that Vidic is one of the best of the best. I think that this year he put his name in the shortlist for top defenders in the world.

A couple to add. Johan Elmander, Ashley Young absolutely, Hugo Rodallega at the end of the season, Arshavin was great, Giovanni from Hull, Xavi Alonso never gets credit, Carlton Cole from West Ham, And I thought Paul Robinson did a fine job of stopping his career free fall. Im sure theres more.

 

[1ke]

Sooo.. some breaking news kinda....

Gareth Barru has agreed to terms and signed with Manchester City.

And it appears that Real Madrid have gotten their man....well not that one but another one of their men....Ricky Kaka!!! Well see what happens.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5360176,00.html

 

[calgaryballer]

Thats a fine list Senser. I gotta couple and a question. Qustion first, you dont think that Vidic is one of the best of the best. I think that this year he put his name in the shortlist for top defenders in the world.

A couple to add. Johan Elmander, Ashley Young absolutely, Hugo Rodallega at the end of the season, Arshavin was great, Giovanni from Hull, Xavi Alonso never gets credit, Carlton Cole from West Ham, And I thought Paul Robinson did a fine job of stopping his career free fall. Im sure theres more.

Carlton Cole was a good call, would have been better save for his injury.

But...Johan Elmander...WTF? 5 goals for 11 million pounds?

 

[Archer]

I disagree, I dont understand how those two are overpiced combined. Carrick has started in two Champions League Finals. And Hargreaves started one. And he started it at Fullback. If I recall correctly too, when Hargreaves sated he wanted out, it was United Hargreaves wanted to play for. I could be wrong, but that was a pretty simple signing for them.

There not combined , i just did that cause they were two from the top of my head . How many games has Hargreaves played? If you cant see how he is overpriced then wow .

Michael Carrick is a good passer but he was never a 14 million + talent , he wasnt even an England regular or even close in his West Ham or Tottenham days (if im not mistaken) . The best he managed was bench appearences. And of course Hargreaves wanted to go to Man Utd , everybody does , sit there be part of the system or even worse and you still pick up free trophies and shitloads of money , im not blaming them .... but Arsenal also showed intrest in Carrick until Man utd offered something way Over the top and Wenger just held his hands up and accepted he couldnt offer that for somebody like Carrick .

Btw , simply playing in a champions league final doesnt make you an auto success. David May was on the bench for Man United in the 99 Champions League final , there is no way that you can seriously tell me David May was a talented footballer ... im sorry but you cant.

 

[Senser81]

Thats a fine list Senser. I gotta couple and a question. Qustion first, you dont think that Vidic is one of the best of the best. I think that this year he put his name in the shortlist for top defenders in the world.

A couple to add. Johan Elmander, Ashley Young absolutely, Hugo Rodallega at the end of the season, Arshavin was great, Giovanni from Hull, Xavi Alonso never gets credit, Carlton Cole from West Ham, And I thought Paul Robinson did a fine job of stopping his career free fall. Im sure theres more.

I think Vidic has been much-maligned the last couple years, usually being blamed for any defensive lapse by ManU. I agree that this year he became an elite defender.

I was impressed with Giovanni, but he couldn't really stop Hull from having a huge lull in the middle part of the campaign. Robinson did prolong his career, but I don't think he was even close to Schwarzer's level. Kinda the same with Carlton Cole...had some nice moments but...

 

[davie]

I stand corrected. Cannavaro definitely would have gotten to that one, then dribbled downfield and scored the equalizer.

Don't hate Cannavaro just because you don't know anything about defending.

How can they be overpriced and overrated? They've been consistently good the past few years, no? I can think of about 15 other teams that fit the 'overpriced and overrated' tag better.

Good to know that you'll happily keep up the retarded comments. Happy retards are less prone to violence.

Well when I spend 29.1 million on a centre half I'd like him to cost me 29.1million, not a Champions League final.

When I spent 60million on two strikers I want more than an average of 10 goals a season from each of them.

But if you want to spend almost 90 million (+ ridiculous wages) on three players to have them cost you major titles and underperform horribly then good for you.

Post your "2nd Tier Team"...guys who aren't the best of the best, but who still had fine seasons. Here is my team (all EPL guys...I would hate to put a Serie A guy on the team and be shot down by davie)

G – Mark Schwarzer, Fulham – career took a surprising upswing, made several spectacular saves in the 2nd half of the season.

SB - Jose Bosingwa, Chelsea – maybe he was already a big name, but IMO was Chelsea’s best defender

CB – Brede Hangeland, Fulham – dominant in the air, helped Fulham become a strong defensive team (for once).

CB – Nemanja Vidic, Man U – had to be the leader with Ferdinand missing significant time

SB – Paul Konchesky, Fulham – good all-around player, perhaps could get a look for the National squad.

CMF – Ashley Young, Aston Villa – outshone Gareth Barry as the Villian playmaker

CMF – Tim Cahill, Everton – added more consistency to his game, solid year

CMF – Stephen Ireland, Man City – always on the cusp of greatness, had a superb season

AMF – Tuncay Sanli, Middlesborough – poor Tuncay, always gave 110% but couldn’t keep Boro up

SS – Gabby Agbonlahor, Aston Villa – had the potential, finally broke out this year

CF –Kevin Davies, Bolton – good shooter quietly had a nice season for subpar side

Who wants a team full of players who are only going to have 1 good season in their careers?

Kevin Davies is the most physically dominant hold up centre forward in the league, possibly the world. He's been Bolton's player of the year for 2 years running.

How is Tim Cahill "2nd tier"? He's a quality midfielder who can play upfront too.

Pundits over here referred to Ashley Young as "little Messi", comments like that make me think some of the EPL players are overrated.

 

[Senser81]

Don't hate Cannavaro just because you don't know anything about defending.

Riiight....Cannavaro has set the world on fire at Real Madrid. Silly me.

Who wants a team full of players who are only going to have 1 good season in their careers?

What is your motivation for constantly posting negative crap? Do you not understand the point of anything? The soccer thread at MM was much better than VSN's, simply because you weren't posting in it.

Pundits over here referred to Ashley Young as "little Messi", comments like that make me think some of the EPL players are overrated.

Some EPL players are overrated?! Really?

 

[davie]

Riiight....Cannavaro has set the world on fire at Real Madrid. Silly me.



What is your motivation for constantly posting negative crap? Do you not understand the point of anything? The soccer thread at MM was much better than VSN's, simply because you weren't posting in it.



Some EPL players are overrated?! Really?

Surrounded by retards and yes in the worst form of his career, playing in front of "locker room cancer" Casillas.

My mistake, I should have said a lot of the EPL retards are horribly overrated, considering Messi will probably go down as one of the best ever and Ashley Young will be remembered as the Aston Villa player who got his dick out on webcam.

Go back to MM's soccer thread then. Or try actually watching and playing football to get a real understanding of it, rather than just sitting around thinking about how much you love me all day.

 

[Senser81]

My mistake, I should have said a lot of the EPL retards are horribly overrated, considering Messi will probably go down as one of the best ever and Ashley Young will be remembered as the Aston Villa player who got his dick out on webcam.

Again, Ashley Young ISN'T "Little Messi"?! I wish I had your knowledge of soccer, because I would have believed Young was at worst Messi's equal...thanks for the continuous updates on this situation.

As an aside, is it really possible for someone to be "Little Messi"? Would that make Ashley Young 3 feet tall then?

 

[davie]

Again, Ashley Young ISN'T "Little Messi"?! I wish I had your knowledge of soccer, because I would have believed Young was at worst Messi's equal...thanks for the continuous updates on this situation.

As an aside, is it really possible for someone to be "Little Messi"? Would that make Ashley Young 3 feet tall then?

It's an example of the kind of things that get said over here by pundits and commentators.

"Jamie Carragher is the best defender in the world over the last 5 years"

I'm so lucky I get to watch little Messi and the world's best, most consistent defender among other massive talents.

 

[Senser81]

It's an example of the kind of things that get said over here by pundits and commentators.

"Jamie Carragher is the best defender in the world over the last 5 years"

Agree, that can't be right. Cannavaro has been the best defender in the world over the last 5 years.

What's your point? No one is arguing with you. Ashley Young is nowhere near the player as Lionel Messi. Should I hate soccer now, like you do?

 

[Bigpapa42]

It's an example of the kind of things that get said over here by pundits and commentators.

"Jamie Carragher is the best defender in the world over the last 5 years"

I'm so lucky I get to watch little Messi and the world's best, most consistent defender among other massive talents.

Its called hype. It happens in sports. If it bothers you to that extent, you might want to avoid sports as a whole...

 

[Archer]

Agree, that can't be right. Cannavaro has been the best defender in the world over the last 5 years.

What's your point? No one is arguing with you. Ashley Young is nowhere near the player as Lionel Messi. Should I hate soccer now, like you do?

Hes trying to make the point that alot of english pundits say shit like "Young and co are better than any young talent in other leagues " , "Jaime Carragher is the best defender in the last 5 years" .

It can get annoying but i choose to ignore it , Davie just had a hardon for Italian football

Im sure that kind of hype is the same in most countries

 

[Archer]

Serie A is going down in flames.

Some rumours and news:
-Steve Bruce new manager of Sunderland: He changed Birmingham's season around so I expect good things from Sunderland this season with the money they have now.
-Tevez goes to City - apparently this all depends on whether Real signs Kaka or not. Real will go after Tevez if Kaka bid is unsuccessful. But Tevez will definitely leave Man Utd
-Ancelotti wants to trade Essien for Pirlo and Seedorf. I would personally kick his ass if this happens and then cry afterwards.
-Zhirkov very very close in becoming a new Chelsea signing.
-Kaka.Nuff said.
-Lorik Cana to Arsenal?
-RM will pursue Xabi Alonso and David Villa in the off season.

He was the Wigan manager last season

 

[davie]

Agree, that can't be right. Cannavaro has been the best defender in the world over the last 5 years.

What's your point? No one is arguing with you. Ashley Young is nowhere near the player as Lionel Messi. Should I hate soccer now, like you do?

I don't hate it. It's the best sport in the world.

I was giving examples of things that have been said on television over here about players who are overrated.

Why do you keep referring to Cannavaro? He won player of the tournament for the last world cup. Is it just because he's played badly alongside Sergio Ramos?

 

[davie]

Its called hype. It happens in sports. If it bothers you to that extent, you might want to avoid sports as a whole...

Or I could call it retarded and have my own opinions?

 

[Archer]

Right but he did remarkable things at Birmingham, basically turned their season around.

They were up and down all the time , hardly a remarkble job

He turned Wigan round but with Birmingham he was very meh

 

[Senser81]

Why do you keep referring to Cannavaro? He won player of the tournament for the last world cup. Is it just because he's played badly alongside Sergio Ramos?

I thought Zidane won the player of the tournament?

I thought Cannavaro was deserving of the award, though. He played extremely well in the World Cup. I think its rare that a defender could get so much acclaim in a tournament, but Cannavaro was THAT good in the World Cup. He was like Deion Sanders intercepting passes.

I don't know why he struggled so much with Real Madrid. It appeared to me that he had an aggressive, gambling style. It worked for Italy in part because he had Buffon as his keeper. IMO, Casilles is probably as good as Buffon, so I don't know what is holding Cannavaro back.

 

[calgaryballer]

Serie A is going down in flames.

Some rumours and news:
-Steve Bruce new manager of Sunderland: He changed Birmingham's season around so I expect good things from Sunderland this season with the money they have now.
-Tevez goes to City - apparently this all depends on whether Real signs Kaka or not. Real will go after Tevez if Kaka bid is unsuccessful. But Tevez will definitely leave Man Utd
-Ancelotti wants to trade Essien for Pirlo and Seedorf. I would personally kick his ass if this happens and then cry afterwards.
-Zhirkov very very close in becoming a new Chelsea signing.
-Kaka.Nuff said.
-Lorik Cana to Arsenal?
-RM will pursue Xabi Alonso and David Villa in the off season.

If Ancellotti dumps Essien, he is immediately the stupidest person alive