• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Football Thread 2014/15 |OT2| Wake Me Up, Yaya Sanogo

Status
Not open for further replies.
This American's Take (if anyone cares; why would you?)

I've always had an interest in EPL but it’s been very difficult to watch. Now that NBC is showing every game I thought it a good time to jump in feet first instead of just checking the tables once or twice a season. So, my impressions of the BLP since really paying attention to it the day after Man City lifted the trophy a few months ago.

Note: I always play with Chelsea in FIFA so I expected to just root for them this season. That plan kind of went out the window so I am a bit lost and will hopefully have a real rooting interest in a team soon enough.

Observation: The folks on this Board seem to have a rivalry but I don't see the legendary hate one expects between football clubs. It almost seems you all root for players more than teams, though the teams are still very important. Maybe that’s just because its preseason and the transfer window is open. Again, just an observation.

I am still reserving my opinion on Chelsea. They haven't been too easy to follow here in the states because most of the preseason games haven't been on television (that I could find.) I still lean slightly blue at the moment but I really want to see more Diego Costa and Luis. The Ramirez hate surprised me at first because how great he has been for me in FIFA; but real life Ramirez is nowhere near eRamirez. Also, it would be kind of cool to be a part of the reemergence or the official burying of Fernando Torres. It’s going to happen so why not get front row seats and enjoy the ride?

I was not expecting to like Liverpool as much as I do. I am amazed at how involved Sterling is and the impact he makes on the team. He seems to really care about playing well, improving his game, and improving his teammates. It’s hard not to root for him to succeed which then makes you want the rest of the team to do well. Gerrard is pretty classy and his teammates seem to seek him out for approval/acceptance. Sturridge is awesome and his quality around the net is amazing. I really enjoy watching Liverpool play, it’s very exciting football.

Man U seems to have a great team. I don't seem to understand why all the ManU fans are freaking out about picking up additional players. You have 38 games to focus on and the current lineup seems up for the challenge. Having not watched a single moment of Manchester United football last year it boggles my mind how Moyes didn't play Matta in a forward, creative role. Must have been infuriating to watch. I think ManU is the most creative side I've seen so far but I don’t see the consistency; maybe that will come. Their goals come in spurts but once they get momentum they are pretty much unstoppable. If LVG can get them playing together more consistently this squad could be the team at the top, especially since they just don’t have to put the same miles on their tires as everyone else who is in contention.

Arsenal seems to enjoy playing more than the other teams I have watched. The players seem to genuinely like playing football for Arsenal. I don't see the overall talent compared to the three squads above but it seems as a unit, the team is very good. With some defensive help the team could be great. I don't see them staying in the top 4, which is a shame because they really deserve to be. But in the end league talent probably wins out over their ability to work as a team. Then again, for about 2 months I thought Arsene was a nickname for Arsenal fans, not their coach, so really, wtf do I know?

Man City is about as depressing a club I've watched. They have so much damn talent but nobody seem to care nor really want to be out on the pitch. They are wholly unlikable at the moment for a new fan trying to choose a dance partner. No effort, no care, and no unity. I can't tell if this is part of the club culture or they know they only have to go through motions right now because most of their squad hasn't even seen the pitch yet. I want to enjoy watching them play because Ya Ya and Nasri seem like such talents and I haven't even seen them all in full strength, but I may just end up hating them if things don't change. I also think Nasri would be a great name to be used in a Tolkien novel.

Out of left field: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the most talented player I have seen this year. The dude is just godtier and I secretly wish he would come to work in a Liverpool jersey. Does this make me a Liverpool fan now? WTF?

Tl;dr
1a. Chelsea
1b. Liverpool
3. Man United
4. Arsenal
100. Man City
 

omgkitty

Member
samuelJayC: Höwedes, Gustavo & Carvalho are top of Arsenal's shortlist with 20 days of the window to go, reports @TeleFootball. http://t.co/DhmLzcrN3O

Very interesting, especially Howedes. Always thought it was strange we were never in for him, especially since he can play LB too. He fits in with the German contingent too, but not sure he can play in midfield and I don't think he'd want to sit on the bench. Carvalho seems to make the most sense to me.
 

El Topo

Member
You're buying Reus anyway bae, sooner or later.

Then we've spent less on Reus, Lewandowski and Götze than PSG on Luiz, lol. I know we have a good squad, but occasionally even we like some out-of-nowhere transfer muppetry.

Like Thiago last year, that was funny.
 

Meier

Member
Good for Diego Lopez. Milan aren't quite at their best these days, but that's still a very important club and he can easily play for a good 5 more years or more there.
 
Crazy that the season is so close to kicking off and United have yet to buy anyone since Shaw/Herrera.

There isn't so much as a lick of a story yet either.

Nor have we sold any of the deadwood.

A total shambles of a window. I shouldn't be but it still surprises me. Awful management of the club and nobody to be held to account.
 

Salvadora

Member
Höwedes? Ehhh.

Certainly didn't endear himself to me playing LB at the World Cup.
Nor have we sold any of the deadwood.

A total shambles of a window. I shouldn't be but it still surprises me. Awful management of the club and nobody to be held to account.
It's just very perplexing when you factor in the club's financial muscle and status.

Luckily Van Gaal isn't meek and will speak out if he feels he is being hamstrung by Woodward.
 
mgZXEGN.jpg
Think they would be better off with Bahebeck. Dude's good.
 

Wes

venison crêpe
Quiche is a model poster and citizen of this planet. You should all endeavor to be more like him. Except the supporting Chelsea nonsense.
 
Benatia... can he play right back as well as centre back?

Expensive move considering the options in the squad... just wondering if its a sign Branna might be off.
 

Pennywise

Member
Then we've spent less on Reus, Lewandowski and Götze than PSG on Luiz, lol. I know we have a good squad, but occasionally even we like some out-of-nowhere transfer muppetry.

Like Thiago last year, that was funny.

Pls.
The money you gave Lewandowski directly isn't known, but it's gonna be high.
 
Is this a pun on my original post?

You suck.

lol nah. I remember some confusion about having had a drink = drinking water in the early mumble with Quiche. iirc, you said you hadnt been drinking for a long time, and then you said something about drinking water and Quiche called you out, saying you were drinking! This is a long time ago, I dont know why I remember it.
 

Jarnet87

Member
Nor have we sold any of the deadwood.

A total shambles of a window. I shouldn't be but it still surprises me. Awful management of the club and nobody to be held to account.

It's what happens when we don't have a director of football. Woodward doesn't have the knowledge or the experience, he knows sponsorship deals and money not players. van Gaal had to come in and properly evaluate the squad (which he did unlike Moyes) but it's made a very small remaining window to bring in players. We probably would have had a much better transfer window with Moyes still in charge, but then we'd still have Moyes.
 

sohois

Member
Massive fee at the time, especially due to the fact he is a GK. Don't see that getting beaten anytime soon.

De Gea would be the likely one, particularly if United can't return to the CL. I suppose in the unlikely event RM/Barca/PSG can persuade Neuer to move away he would command a greater fee, or Courtois away from Chelsea.
 

Hixx

Member
Quiche would never ask such an invasive question. Be more like Quiche hixx.

FM15? I had to tell him no.

I am pure of heart, Wes. If I hadn't said no, you would not have had this gracious gift. Lavish your praise upon me or I'll firebomb your caravan.

lol nah. I remember some confusion about having had a drink = drinking water in the early mumble with Quiche. iirc, you said you hadnt been drinking for a long time, and then you said something about drinking water and Quiche called you out, saying you were drinking! This is a long time ago, I dont know why I remember it.

English vernacular m987.

Drink is pretty much synonymous for booze. If someone says to me "I need a drink" I am always going to assume they want a pint, unless they're a bairn.
 

Salvadora

Member
De Gea would be the likely one, particularly if United can return to the CL. I suppose in the unlikely event RM/Barca/PSG can persuade Neuer to move away he would command a greater fee, or Courtois away from Chelsea.
De Gea only has 2 years left on his contract at the moment iirc, so he wouldn't go for that sort of fee.

If he signs a new one and Madrid/Barcelona come knocking I could definitely see it.
 

Lightning

Banned
samuelJayC: Höwedes, Gustavo & Carvalho are top of Arsenal's shortlist with 20 days of the window to go, reports @TeleFootball. http://t.co/DhmLzcrN3O

Very interesting, especially Howedes. Always thought it was strange we were never in for him, especially since he can play LB too. He fits in with the German contingent too, but not sure he can play in midfield and I don't think he'd want to sit on the bench. Carvalho seems to make the most sense to me.
Carvalho is the only one of those players I would want.
 
Thing is I don't know whether MU's shamble of transfer window is down to LVG or Woodward/Management.

I can definitely see LVG thinking that if Fergie could win a title with this lot, he can do the same. He does have an ego.
 

Salvadora

Member
Thing is I don't know whether MU's shamble of transfer window is down to LVG or Woodward/Management.

I can definitely see LVG thinking that if Fergie could win a title with this lot, he can do the same. He does have an ego.
This isn't a singular occurrence though.

There is a common denominator between this summer and last.
 
Balls to that, Modric is undroppable. My favorite player from last season. No ways about it, we need to stick to the 4-3-3 and hope a midfield of Modric - Kroos - James/Isco can (learn to) provide enough cover defensively. Hopefully Di Maria stays, we're in for 6 competitions and we need to rotate and the only thing better than squad depth is to have the AAA squad depth we have.

I really want to see this though, sometime:

Modric - Kroos - Isco
--Bale - James - CR7

I could see sparks flying between James and Isco... that is if the Madrid media don't find a way to pit them as sworn enemies -_-

that looks unbalanced as fuck
 
Thing is I don't know whether MU's shamble of transfer window is down to LVG or Woodward/Management.

I can definitely see LVG thinking that if Fergie could win a title with this lot, he can do the same. He does have an ego.

Definitely Woodward/management. The way he was last summer and this summer doesn't strike me as LvGs doing. He seems like a manager who knows what he wants
 

LAM09

Member
De Gea would be the likely one, particularly if United can't return to the CL. I suppose in the unlikely event RM/Barca/PSG can persuade Neuer to move away he would command a greater fee, or Courtois away from Chelsea.

I personally doubt De Gea would go for that much, and I can't see Neuer ever leaving Bayern. Courtois is the most likely to me, but I hope he does as well as Cech has at Chelsea.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom