The Soccer thread

[roy11 3,968]

On 6/21/2022 at 6:24 PM, layzie said:

That's pretty much my take on it too. It's annoying but will likely cop the $7. I actually just started a new phone plan with Optus so a little miffed at the timing but it's for all the improvement there's been.

I demand this though Roy. No more mandatory 60 second ads! They have them even in 9 min highlight packs now. Surely a 5 second skip option at very least!

Optus just added La Liga to their package, which makes Optus sport that little bit more appealing, whilst also making KAYO that little bit more unappealing as a year long option.

[layzie 34,339]

2 hours ago, roy11 said:

Optus just added La Liga to their package, which makes Optus sport that little bit more appealing, whilst also making KAYO that little bit more unappealing as a year long option.

Certainly a plus. 

[roy11 3,968]

On 5/20/2022 at 1:14 PM, roy11 said:

When Lampard was appointed at Everton they were in 16th place, they'll end up in 16th place. It may sound like I have an agenda, but if he sees out his contract at Everton I will be very surprised. Happy everton remain in the league as they are more of a rabble than my mob (United). 

Villa rested players this morning, clearly Stevie wants to help Liverpool but he still has Mings as his first choice CB so don't expect any favours there aha. 

"Frank Lampard has warned that #EFC could face another relegation battle after the club lost 4-0 to MLS side Minnesota United in pre-season."

Already panicking, love it.

[Macca 17,113]

Great news on La Liga re Optus vision

I used to get for free now it's $7 a month Less than 2 bucks a week is a small price to pay

Edited July 27, 2022 by Macca

[Macca 17,113]

Charity Shield on at 2am

Man City vs Liverpool to be played at Leicester (Wembley is booked for the Women's Euro Final tomorrow ... England vs Germany)

Currently watching Atletico Madrid vs Man Utd friendly from Oslo, Norway! Man Utd went down 1-0 after a late winner from Felix

Earlier, Arsenal put 6 past Seville in another friendly ... Jesus scored a hat trick (he gets around a bit)

[layzie 34,339]

On 7/27/2022 at 9:52 AM, Macca said:

Great news on La Liga re Optus vision

I used to get for free now it's $7 a month Less than 2 bucks a week is a small price to pay

It definitely is a small price at the end of the day. Just have less advertising and don't bump up my phone bill yet Optus!

[roy11 3,968]

Ok let's have it for the PL 

Champion:
Runner Up:
Third & Fourth Spot:
Relegated:

Golden Boot:
First Manager Sacked:

[roy11 3,968]

Just now, roy11 said:

Ok let's have it for the PL 

Champion:
Runner Up:
Third & Fourth Spot:
Relegated:

Golden Boot:
First Manager Sacked:

Champion: Man City
Runner Up: Liverpool
Third & Fourth Spot: Tottenham, Chelsea
Relegated: Everton, Fulham, Bournemouth    

Golden Boot: Haaland
First Manager Sacked: Lampard

 

[layzie 34,339]

4 hours ago, roy11 said:

Champion: Man City
Runner Up: Liverpool
Third & Fourth Spot: Tottenham, Chelsea
Relegated: Everton, Fulham, Bournemouth    

Golden Boot: Haaland
First Manager Sacked: Lampard

 

Champion: Man City

Runner Up: Liverpool

Third: Chelsea

Fourth: Tottenham

Relegation: Bournemouth, Fulham, Brentford

Golden Boot: Salah

First Manager Sacked: I know you're not a fan Roy but I have to agree. Everton to start poorly, Lumpy to get sacked before the Toffees gain stability and avoid relegation like they always do. 

Best newcomer: Haaland, generational talent. 

 

[roy11 3,968]

22 minutes ago, layzie said:

Everton to start poorly

If you look at the current squad, when everyone is fit a front 3 of Gordon DCL McNeill seems decent enough.

BUT Dominic Calvert-Lewin injured, they sold Richarlison and the Only current fit senior Forward is Rondon. - YIKES (Id rather play a 17 yo from their academy Francis Okoronkwo who could be a baller)

Who knows what their best midfield combination is but the following back 6 does not fill you with a lot of hope ahah

Vinagre Godfrey Mina Tarkowski Patterson
Pickford

 

Edited August 4, 2022 by roy11
typo

[layzie 34,339]

4 hours ago, roy11 said:

If you look at the current squad, when everyone is fit a front 3 of Gordon DCL McNeill seems decent enough.

BUT Dominic Calvert-Lewin injured, they sold Richarlison and the Only current fit senior Forward is Rondon. - YIKES (Id rather play a 17 yo from their academy Francis Okoronkwo who could be a baller)

Who knows what their best midfield combination is but the following back 6 does not fill you with a lot of hope ahah

Vinagre Godfrey Mina Tarkowski Patterson
Pickford

 

Yeah it's certainly not striking fear in the hearts of Premier League midfields anytime soon.

Expecting United to be better this year too. Martial back is a plus, he and Rashford understand each other's game. 

[roy11 3,968]

5 minutes ago, layzie said:

Yeah it's certainly not striking fear in the hearts of Premier League midfields anytime soon.

Expecting United to be better this year too. Martial back is a plus, he and Rashford understand each other's game. 

Martial done a hammy apparently. Good thing we’ve been slow on transfers!

[layzie 34,339]

1 minute ago, roy11 said:

Martial done a hammy apparently. Good thing we’ve been slow on transfers!

Bummer, looked decent in those friendlies.

[Macca 17,113]

Champion: Liverpool

Runner up: Man City

3rd Chelsea

4th Tottenham

Relegated: Bournemouth, Fulham, Brentford

Golden Boot: Harry Kane 

First Manager Sacked: Pass

Over to ...

@Grapeviney

@Dee Zephyr

@Winners at last

[Macca 17,113]

I often wonder why the EPL doesn't start their season with a few blockbuster match-ups

But lots of interesting games coming up nonetheless

Great to have Nottingham Forest back in the top flight (along with Leeds joining the fray last season)

My Hammers will once again be aiming for a top 8 finish but I'd like to see West Ham make a concerted effort at the cup competitions (that includes the Europa Conference League) ... hoping that Antonio can have an injury free season too

The fan friendly 9.30pm (Oz time) games sees a reasonable line up of match-ups for the first 2 or 3 months (those particular games start at 10.30pm in October)

[roy11 3,968]

19 hours ago, Macca said:

I often wonder why the EPL doesn't start their season with a few blockbuster match-ups

But lots of interesting games coming up nonetheless

Great to have Nottingham Forest back in the top flight (along with Leeds joining the fray last season)

My Hammers will once again be aiming for a top 8 finish but I'd like to see West Ham make a concerted effort at the cup competitions (that includes the Europa Conference League) ... hoping that Antonio can have an injury free season too

The fan friendly 9.30pm (Oz time) games sees a reasonable line up of match-ups for the first 2 or 3 months (those particular games start at 10.30pm in October)

Give it a few weeks and Scamacca will be starting over Antonio, good purchase for West Ham

[Macca 17,113]

2 minutes ago, roy11 said:

Give it a few weeks and Scamacca will be starting over Antonio, good purchase for West Ham

Oh, ok

I often get right into the EPL later on ... that would be way different if I followed a title contender

Would love to take a point off Man City in the early hours on Monday so am hoping that City are slow out of the blocks (hoping!!!)

And how could I not embrace a player named ScaMacca?  My kind of player, roy!!

[Macca 17,113]

Well it all kicked off this morning

9.30pm game tonight is Fulham vs Liverpool

 

[Macca 17,113]

Fulham go ahead of Liverpool 2-1 with 20 minutes left.  Who would have thought? 

Klopp pacing on the sidelines nervously

Still time for the Reds if they're good enough

[Macca 17,113]

Erik ten Hag is having a torrid intro as the new manager of Man Utd

Down 2 nil at home to Brighton! (half time)

[layzie 34,339]

Big opening weekend. Knee-jerk thought but if I could change my golden boot choice to Haaland right now I would. This guy is one scary unit! Pace, power, elite finisher with both feet, holds the ball up well with his 195cm frame. The service he'll get from this midfield will be like xmas every game and he'll probably lay off a bunch of goals too. Will be the complete Centre Forward. 

[roy11 3,968]

7 hours ago, layzie said:

Big opening weekend. Knee-jerk thought but if I could change my golden boot choice to Haaland right now I would. This guy is one scary unit! Pace, power, elite finisher with both feet, holds the ball up well with his 195cm frame. The service he'll get from this midfield will be like xmas every game and he'll probably lay off a bunch of goals too. Will be the complete Centre Forward. 

The man is a machine but does break down from time to time.

Meanwhile my bunch, end of the season it was clear what was needed, haven't signed players for those positions, serve up more dross. Fantastic! aha

[layzie 34,339]

14 hours ago, roy11 said:

The man is a machine but does break down from time to time.

Meanwhile my bunch, end of the season it was clear what was needed, haven't signed players for those positions, serve up more dross. Fantastic! aha

The defending was just an extension of the Rangnick setup, things should definitely improve as the season goes on but that was really disappointing from United at home. 

[roy11 3,968]

1 hour ago, layzie said:

The defending was just an extension of the Rangnick setup, things should definitely improve as the season goes on but that was really disappointing from United at home. 

This will be a transitional season with many bumps in the road but an average performance to begin with. 

EtH wants the fullbacks to push up and become inverted to add to the midfield but the issue then Fred/McTominay need to cover space and screen the Centre backs. Fred/McTominay are box to box midfielders - so neither can really pass the ball that well or screen the area appropriately. On several occasions Fred pressed  when he shouldnt have which created far too much space that Brighton manipulated. Additionally, with the lack of passing attributes they failed to link playing out from the back to the more attacking players which meant we were easily countered and the forwards didnt get involved. 

[layzie 34,339]

8 hours ago, roy11 said:

This will be a transitional season with many bumps in the road but an average performance to begin with. 

EtH wants the fullbacks to push up and become inverted to add to the midfield but the issue then Fred/McTominay need to cover space and screen the Centre backs. Fred/McTominay are box to box midfielders - so neither can really pass the ball that well or screen the area appropriately. On several occasions Fred pressed  when he shouldnt have which created far too much space that Brighton manipulated. Additionally, with the lack of passing attributes they failed to link playing out from the back to the more attacking players which meant we were easily countered and the forwards didnt get involved. 

This kind of approach definitely take time and you really need fullbacks who are up and down the pitch all day. It's the new times, never thought fullbacks would fetch the kind if money they do these days. 

Not that they were playing much towards the end but guys like Pogba and Mata leaving means some passing ability out the door. Expecting some more signings there though.