The Association Football Thread

#3,401
#3,401
Roughneck said:
Could be worse, could Liverpool. Spending tons of money and still mid-table. Once a mighty club but have never won in the premier league era. I can't remember them ever really challenging for a title that often. They really fell off since they won the champions league.
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:crazy:
 
#3,402
#3,402
milohimself said:
Come again? IIRC Liverpool has at least made CL qualifications most of seasons out of the last 15 and finished 2nd at least a few times in that span.
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The last two or three years have been kind of disappointing. It's been several things. For one several other teams, most notably Man City and Spurs, have really elevated their level of play. Also, that core group from the mid part of the last decade for Liverpool just kind of got old. As a part of that, Steven Gerrard seems to have been hurt almost as much as he's been healthy for the past two years. They've got some promising young players, but they are still several big names away from becoming legit contenders for a top-4 spot on a consistent basis again, and the additional funds that come with qualifying for CL. Their finances should be helped some by having at least qualified for Europa League thanks to having won the Carling Cup.
 
#3,403
#3,403
bleedorange0037 said:
True, I also wish it was somebody other than City, but it's not like United, Chelsea and Arsenal aren't spending boatloads of money too, even if it isn't to THAT degree. IMO it will just be a good change of pace since it's been nearly two decades since somebody other than those 3 won the EPL. I actually had to look up who the last team aside from those 3 claimed a title, much to my shock, it was Blackburn Rovers. I would have never guessed that. Just looking at the table from that season, it's amazing how much some clubs fortunes have changed since that time.
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Just for fun..

Man City last four years:
$538,590,000 spent
$66,000,000 received

standing this season: 1st

Man United last four years:
$328,950,000 spent
$173,850,000 received

standing this season: 2nd

Arsenal last four years:
$140,100,000 spent
$208,050,000 received

standing this season: 3rd

Chelsea last four years:
$344,700,000 spent
$116,400,000 received

standing this season: 6th

Liverpool last four years:
$317,775,000 spent
$276,075,000 received

standing this season: 8th
 
#3,404
#3,404
I would love it if I was a City fan though. Must be eternally Christmas for them after so long in the shadows.
 
#3,405
#3,405
Yesterday was pretty poor, but can't make too much noise. City did play the better game overall (makes me want to vomit saying that).

I'll be a big Newcastle fan this weekend, praying for a draw.
 
#3,406
#3,406
milohimself said:
Come again? IIRC Liverpool has at least made CL qualifications most of seasons out of the last 15 and finished 2nd at least a few times in that span.
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I said since they last won the Champions league. They haven't always been bad but the last 2-3 seasons have been awful and the more money they spend, the worse it gets. They aren't even making the Europa League anymore. That's a free fall.
 
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#3,407
#3,407
Roughneck said:
I said since they last won the Champions league. They haven't always been bad but the last 2-3 seasons have been awful and the more money they spend, the worse it gets. They aren't even making the Europa League anymore. That's a free fall.
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They did this year, but not because of their league position. Thank God for the Carling Cup.
 
#3,410
#3,410
What an abysmal performance by Liverpool today. Thankfully there were quite a few reserves and that is most likely NOT the team that will be taking the field against Chelsea in the FA Cup Final.
 
#3,411
#3,411
The chelski Newcastle game is for a Europa league spot if I'm not mistaken.

Also, I think my brother might have finally urged me to be a spurs supporter. Seen a few games this year and I like the style.
 
#3,412
#3,412
milohimself said:
The chelski Newcastle game is for a Europa league spot if I'm not mistaken.

Also, I think my brother might have finally urged me to be a spurs supporter. Seen a few games this year and I like the style.
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Cross, cross, cross, cross, twenty crosses later. Goal.

Have fun with that.
 
#3,415
#3,415
volball625 said:
Cross, cross, cross, cross, twenty crosses later. Goal.

Have fun with that.
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That's pretty much the English game though. We get it, you don't care a whole lot for it. I'll concede that Barcelona play a very visually pleasing style, but it does take a special level of talent, coupled with less than stellar opposition (most of the time), to play like that on a game in and game out basis.

This quote from an article about the first leg of the CL semifinals made me think of sentiments you have voiced here on many occasions...

I wouldn't really call Chelsea-Barca a tug of war, because only one team was pulling. Barcelona racked up 79 percent of possessions and took 24 shots, with six on target. Frank Lampard looked terrified to venture into the Barcelona half, leading Chelsea's Juan Mata to comment, after the game, "This is not my idea of football. I like to have more of the ball and play, but today our game plan was a different one."

It's not really my idea of football either, and it wasn't the most entertaining match, obviously. But it is not the responsibility of other teams to act as runway lights for Barcelona's takeoffs and landings. For the last three years, Barca have run rampant over La Liga and Europe. And whenever anyone gets cynical and gets behind the ball, you'd think, to listen to Barca players and fans after the match, football dies a little bit.
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Here's the whole article. Five Lessons from the Champions League Semifinals' First Legs - The Triangle Blog - Grantland
 
#3,416
#3,416
milohimself said:
The chelski Newcastle game is for a Europa league spot if I'm not mistaken.

Also, I think my brother might have finally urged me to be a spurs supporter. Seen a few games this year and I like the style.
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Yuck, IMO.

May as well cheer for Fulham or Everton if you want to stay outside of the "big 4" (5 now with city), and be a US homer.
 
#3,417
#3,417
I sort of used an old Bill Simmons Page 2 article for help along the way. Having Bob Marley on the list of celeb supporters didn't hurt... :)

I have done plenty of cheering for Dempsey on the national team and will continue to do so.

Bottom line, making the occasional weekday morning trip to the pub with my brother and having a side to support is a good deal.
 
#3,418
#3,418
bleedorange0037 said:
That's pretty much the English game though. We get it, you don't care a whole lot for it. I'll concede that Barcelona play a very visually pleasing style, but it does take a special level of talent, coupled with less than stellar opposition (most of the time), to play like that on a game in and game out basis.

This quote from an article about the first leg of the CL semifinals made me think of sentiments you have voiced here on many occasions...



Here's the whole article. Five Lessons from the Champions League Semifinals' First Legs - The Triangle Blog - Grantland
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I appreciate what the EPL brings in terms of excitement from the fans. Atmosphere is absolutely amazing. Just don't care for the incessant crossing.

And I honestly don't have a problem with how Chelsea played the two legs. There is not a team in the world, maybe except for Real Madrid, that can play us straight over two legs and come out victorious. That strategy often gets you embarrassed, but with a little luck and opportunistic finishing, it can work
 
#3,419
#3,419
volball625 said:
I appreciate what the EPL brings in terms of excitement from the fans. Atmosphere is absolutely amazing. Just don't care for the incessant crossing.

And I honestly don't have a problem with how Chelsea played the two legs. There is not a team in the world, maybe except for Real Madrid, that can play us straight over two legs and come out victorious. That strategy often gets you embarrassed, but with a little luck and opportunistic finishing, it can work
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I'd like for Barcelona to draw a full strength Arsenal next year and put that to the test.
 
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