Futbol 2013-2014

[surfer]

Berba's a good player, who he plays for is irrelevant. Not sure why you think Ox (has he ever played up top?) or an unproven 18 yr old is a better option behind Giroud. He would be a cost efficient buy, he's familiar with the league, he's already in London, and a perfect second option. Berbatov's hold up and link up play is excellent and would fit precisely with Arsenal's strengths: feeding attacking midfielders. I thought he's played very well this year when motivated, and considering who he's surrounded with. I doubt Atletico will let Costa leave mid-campaign, and on top of that he would cost $35 million iirc. Costa's more of a long term buy, Berba's a short-term fix.

[surfer]

Also, I posted my congrats to David on FB, so allow me Watt to extend them to you here, well deserved derby win on Sat, first half was fun, second half was dire. For the first 15 minutes I thought we might have a chance there.

[Lao Tsu Ben]

Not a subversive gesture, the meaning of which one wouldn't know, I assume.

On the other hand, you mind telling us about the meaning of this "quenelle"?

Sorry for the late answer. I feel uneasy speaking such a squeamish subject. First, it is a dish from Lyon, and then a gesture invented by a comedian which I thought meant something like "up your arse"; I didn't know before a few days ago that it was considered by some people as an inverted nazi salute, which Dieudonné, I think, denies while maintaining a certain ambiguity. Some stupid people anyway blatantly use it as an antisemitic gesture.

Watch this and be dismayed http://k00ls.overblog.com/2013/12/pour- ... 9mite.html .

[surfer]

Watch this and be dismayed http://k00ls.overblog.com/2013/12/pour- ... 9mite.html .

Wow, that's incredible, the sheer amount of images. Thanks for that (I think).

[Watt]

Berba's a good player, who he plays for is irrelevant. Not sure why you think Ox (has he ever played up top?) or an unproven 18 yr old is a better option behind Giroud. He would be a cost efficient buy, he's familiar with the league, he's already in London, and a perfect second option. Berbatov's hold up and link up play is excellent and would fit precisely with Arsenal's strengths: feeding attacking midfielders. I thought he's played very well this year when motivated, and considering who he's surrounded with. I doubt Atletico will let Costa leave mid-campaign, and on top of that he would cost $35 million iirc. Costa's more of a long term buy, Berba's a short-term fix.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that Ox was to play up top. All I meant was that his return will help to mitigate the loss of Walcott. As for Costa, it's not really up to Atletico. If Arsenal meets the release clause then it comes down to convincing Costa and his agent to move. I've heard recently that Costa is on something like 26k per week so we'd be able to offer him 4 times that, at least.

[Watt]

Also, I posted my congrats to David on FB, so allow me Watt to extend them to you here, well deserved derby win on Sat, first half was fun, second half was dire. For the first 15 minutes I thought we might have a chance there.

Cheers!

[surfer]

United knocked out of the League Cup by Sunderland, apparently they are in some sort of a "negative spiral" that will be difficult to extricate themselves from.

[P. Wretch]

United knocked out of the League Cup by Sunderland, apparently they are in some sort of a "negative spiral" that will be difficult to extricate themselves from.

Some statistcs. (I've never supported a football team, but over the last couple of decades have been exposed to too many 'glory supporters' who lived nowhere near Manchester - presumably a bit like the Yankees or the Chicago Bulls in the US.)

[surfer]

convincing Costa and his agent to move.

Transcribing Sid Lowe word-for-word from the Guardian podcast on Tues, "The way that Diego Costa has spoken to Atletico . . . over the last few months is that there is absolutely no way he goes in the winter transfer window. Not least because if you look at it logically from his point of view, why would you go now? Atletico are on the verge of a proper title challenge in Spain, and they are darkhorses for the Champions Laegue, he's playing brilliantly, and he's five months away from the World Cup, in which he'll almost certainly play for Spain in Brazil, there is absolutely no logical reason for him to run the risk of damaging that in any way (by switching teams and leagues / countries mid-season)."

If he keeps this up he'll make boatloads of money this summer. Absolutely no reason for him to go now. Makes no sense to me.

[roger.haddad.]

I supposed I've missed the window to complain about the officiating at the LFC/CFC game the other day so I'll let that go.

But I will say I'm surprised Defoe and Bradley decided to ply their trade in Toronto. I feel like they both had more to give over in europe still but of course money talks.

Pity about Walcott too, hope he bounces back well.

[surfer]

You will appreciate this Roger, Jonjo Shelvy's wife is expecting a baby girl, and they've decided to name her Jonjo Jr.

[surfer]

But I will say I'm surprised Defoe and Bradley decided to ply their trade in Toronto. I feel like they both had more to give over in europe still but of course money talks.

Defoe is the walking definition of flat-track bully. Ok against Europa sides when given the ball in midfield and running at defenders. Link up play is non existant, too short for crosses, cant play with back to goal. Averages 139 offsides per match. Lethal shooter in the box. He'll do great in MLS, because he can put the ball in the back of the net. Surprised a bottom table team didnt take a flier on him.

Bradley is more of a mystery to me, Roma apparently wanted to keep him.

[roger.haddad.]

Jonjo Jr sounds like an 2-D platformer from the 80's.

Yeah I mean I don't really rate Defoe myself but I just figured when given playing time he put up numbers that I thought a lower tier team might be interested enough in but again, doubt anyone else will pay him like Toronto.

Bradley I am a bit bummed about because he apparently had offers from Bologna or Verona and either would have def. been better options for him sporting wise but he's chasing the money just like Dempsey. I'm not saying getting payed is bad but the dude is only 26 and can more than likely come back [to MLS] whenever he feels like it. I read that thing where Garcia said he wanted him to stay, the next thing he said was "but he wanted to play..." so I imagine they didn't try too hard. Strootman is killing it in the middle and they just brought in another guy I've never heard of in the same position so the leaving part I get, the destination just reeks of greed and lack of drive.

[surfer]

Lethal shooter in the box.

Defoe (73')

"Jermaine Defoe, he scores when he wants, he scores when he wants."

Nice way for him to go out today.

[surfer]

Wow that was ridiculous. Liverpool's matches have become must watch for me.

[roger.haddad.]

Me too. Such a stark contrast to the last few years. What a game. And Marseille/Roma/Juve won also, fun times.

Really good to see Sturridge back and getting one for himself as well. I didn't see the first Suarez goal but the second one was fantastic. The game also made me appreciate the progress seeing Adam on the other team. It was like a bad acid flashback.

Not sure what to think about the penalty either, I mean the contact was there but Sterling did go down a bit soft, like he was waiting for it knowing he was at an impossible angle anyway.

[surfer]

The Sterling penalty was not a penalty for me, sorry. He barely touched him on the shoulder. But otherwise a good match from Raheem who is maturing before our eyes. Gerard seemed to confuse the middle a bit, with Henderson taking a backseat.

Spurs played their worst 45 minutes of the year so far in the first half against Palace. Second half was alright. They got lucky on the missed PK, probably one of the worst misses of a penalty I've ever seen.

Atletico - Barca was a decent match despite the scoreless draw. Impressed by how much ATM press the ball, and yet still sit fairly deep. Very organized at the back. Their forwards and midfielders work insanely hard pressuring the ball. Atletico really dominated large portions of this match, had the better high-quality chances. They look really good. No reason why they couldnt win the CL or La Liga imo.

Nacho Monreal isnt a real person, he's a leftover Pynchon character.

[roger.haddad.]

Another shady penalty, and a poor result. Gah, it had to happen sometime. Someone needs to tell Gerrard he can't protect the backline if he can't run. Had much more fun watching Juve and Samp scoring goals left and right. Watching them take Serie A by the balls the last few months makes me that much sadder they won't be in the knockout stages of the UCL.

I can feel the top four starting to slip away, but I'm also jaded by years of disappointment lol, besides, I've been writing off Spurs since the week 6 and here they come a bunch of wins on the trot. I could see anyone from Liverpool to Newcastle taking 4th, which, if I'm honest, is why I like this league so much. Hopefully Liverpool hangs on to it and hopefully they bring some guys in before the winter window closes.

[surfer]

And now the table starts to stratiate. Title contenders: City, Chelsea, Arsenal. 4th place contenders: Liverpool, Spurs, Everton. Mid-table: Newcastle, Southampton, United. Then you have 11 teams within 6 points of relegation, which is amazing. I didnt watch Liverpool, or Chelsea / United. I did watch Timmy's Spurs, which beat a struggling Swansea side. I guess I always assume Swansea is going to string together a few wins, but they are in bad form lately. Spurs looked OK, again they are having trouble with physical forwards like Bony. They need to get Vertonghen back, Dawson and Rose get exposed too easily. Sherwood did change up the 4-4-2 by going with a DM in a 4-3-3 (or possibly 4-1-4-1), which helped, and I suppose is what they will trot out for City. Eriksen was my MOTM along with Ade. Eriksen is turning into a Van der Vaart type of #10, very creative, setting up Ade, putting in great crosses and taking free kicks.

Next week gets very interesting with the Merseyside derby, and Spurs taking on City. I cant wait for the derby. The City match is going to be the real test for Spurs. They havent really played anyone good since Sherwood took over, with the exception of Arsenal, and they failed that test. We'll see if this really is a rejuvenated side. Spurs have one of the worst records against the top 8, their only win was against United. Really need to get at least a point.

[surfer]

Guardian is reporting Juan Mata to ManU for 40 million pounds.