Futbol 2013-2014

[surfer]

Chelsea 4-0 Spurs
Benfica 3-1 Spurs
Arsenal home
Benfica away
Southhampton home
Liverpool away

I could see them eek out a draw or meaningless win at Benfica next Thursday, but other than that, I could easily see them not picking up any points at all this month.

[surfer]

Wow it's all happening at Villa Park

[roger.haddad.]

Apparently it was happening at Old Trafford too. Couldn't see the game, the streaming site I usually watch on decided to take a 90minute shit today.

[surfer]

I watched the first half, fairly entertaining, one pk, but I guess it all happened in the second half. Do you dare to dream Roger? Liverpool can do it I think. What an incredible story that would be if they could win the league.

re: Chelsea v. Villa, that straight red on Ramires was ugly. He couldve broken his shin. Deserves at least a 3 match ban. The Willian red (2nd yellow) was a bit soft but Chelsea really lost the plot after that.

re: Spurs. Good performance against the gunners and I think they deserved at least a draw, but too typical of earlier this year. lots of possession, some half chances, poor conversion, shockingly vulnerable on the counter, too open in midfield. I wasnt too disappointed by the result. Season is over now I'd like to play


_________________Lloris___________
Naughton____Kaboul_____Vert_______Fryers
________Sandro_______Paulinho________
Chadli orTownsend__Erikson________Lamela
__________Soldado or Ade___________

to see what we have going forward. We need to sell Rose or lend him out permanently. Most disappointing season by far in the 7 years I've been following the team. Lone highlight was winning at Old Trafford which is not even that much of a highlight anymore. Most uncertainty heading into an offseason since the Juande Ramos year.

[Alastair]

Lone highlight was winning at Old Trafford which is not even that much of a highlight anymore.

Jeez, they have one bad season...

[surfer]

Lone highlight was winning at Old Trafford which is not even that much of a highlight anymore.

Jeez, they have one bad season...

I have a friend who is an Inter fan, and we were both complaining about the seasons of our respective teams, both destined to fall short of the CL slots, and there was a bit of a pause, and I turn to him and say, "Hey at least you're not Milan", and he says "Hey at least you're not United!"

In all seriousness, I'd be interested to know what you think of Moyes, Alastair. I do like him as a person and manager, but it does seem like he's lost the players, and he's beginning to lose the board. Sunday felt like a turning point, despite the vocal support of the fans, which btw was very impressive. Very loyal fans. Moyes doesnt seem to be able to make in-match adjustments quickly. The team seems directionless and uninspired. Whether that is players quitting on the season, or players quitting on him, I dont know. But that performance against Liverpool in the 2nd half, and the one against Olympiakos, were pretty dire. RVP and Rooney dont look like they speak the same language anymore, Fellaini and Mata look lost in the wilderness. Rafael was the best player on Sunday for United I thought. (as an aside, the red card against Vidic was bullshit imo, Sturridge totally dove - but that's not to say they wouldnt have lost anyway)

Good to see you Alastair, hope you stick around for the World Cup this summer. I'll do another kicktip pick'em contest for the board.

[surfer]

But that performance against Olympiakos,

and they're all level on aggregate

edit: RvP hat trick, United ahead now

[surfer]

RVP and Rooney dont look like they speak the same language anymore.

Man Utd's second goal vs Olympiakos was the first pass between Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in the game.

[Alastair]

RVP and Rooney dont look like they speak the same language anymore.

Man Utd's second goal vs Olympiakos was the first pass between Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in the game.

Speaks volumes.

I don't get to see any Premier League matches live as I don't have FoxTel (pay TV), and going to the pub at 1am to see them there isn't really on with a young family, so the little I see of Man U these days is the European matches, as those are (usually) on free to air. Therefore I can't really comment on his tactical nous. I think Moyes was always going to have a difficult job in that the team was always going to be in need of a reshuffle this season, whether SAF stayed or not. He doesn't seem to have handled it too well, that's for sure, but I'm actually enjoying a season of taking a step back from the big stuff. So long as they do better next year. And they are in the QFs of the Champions League. Not many premier League clubs can say that this year

Have you seen "Class of '92", Surfer?

Looking forward to the World Cup. Australia will be lucky to score a goal, but I'm encouraged by their manager's dropping of some of the high-profile older players from his preliminary squads. There was a concern that Lucas Neill et al would get a valedictory World Cup rather than blooding new players for the future. When you've got absolutely no hope of getting out of your group I think you should be planning for the future rather than letting the old stagers have one more big trip.

[surfer]

Have you seen "Class of '92", Surfer?

No, I'd heard of it but then forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder. Have you seen it?

[roger.haddad.]

2 Juve games, 2 game winning Pirlo free kicks I missed due to studying. Good times.

[Alastair]

Have you seen "Class of '92", Surfer?

No, I'd heard of it but then forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder. Have you seen it?

I have. It is well worth your time. The guys speak frankly and entertainingly about their careers. Even Gary Neville and David Beckham come off well.

[Lao Tsu Ben]

2 Juve games, 2 game winning Pirlo free kicks I missed due to studying. Good times.

Yes, not very auspicious, considering that Lyon's defeat last year in White Hart Lane was due to two free kicks by Bale (at the end of both halves). We changed our keeper, at least.
Odds that we might do something against Juventus are very low, and even more so since important players are injured (Fofana, Umtiti, don't know if Grenier will be back). Time for Lacazette to step up if he wants to go to Brazil.

[surfer]

Chelsea 4-0 Spurs
Benfica 3-1 Spurs
Arsenal 1-0 Spurs
Benfica 2-2 Spurs
Southhampton home
Liverpool away

I could see them eek out a draw or meaningless win at Benfica next Thursday, but other than that, I could easily see them not picking up any points at all this month.

Updated to draw attention to my prognostication skillz

[roger.haddad.]

2 Juve games, 2 game winning Pirlo free kicks I missed due to studying. Good times.

Yes, not very auspicious, considering that Lyon's defeat last year in White Hart Lane was due to two free kicks by Bale (at the end of both halves). We changed our keeper, at least.
Odds that we might do something against Juventus are very low, and even more so since important players are injured (Fofana, Umtiti, don't know if Grenier will be back). Time for Lacazette to step up if he wants to go to Brazil.

I really liked Lyon's team a few years back and still find it crazy how drastically they dropped off the pace in the last few years. I know the PSG/Monaco factor is a big part of it but even prior to that era they just seemed to have lost the plot overnight. I suppose after winning Ligue 1 for what?.. 7 years in a row something had to give.

I'm just sort of hoping Ligue 1 doesn't turn into another La Liga with PSG and Monaco up top and the only battle is for 3rd. I'm also hoping for someone to decide that Marseille deserves more money also lol.

[roger.haddad.]

So Skrtel has more goals than Torres at this point, lol.

Crazy PL game day, bummed Marseille lost though.

[surfer]

Skrtel is really good with that bald ugly dome of his. Watched a bit of Chelsea v. Arsenal on Sat morning, but that was about it. Spurs win! I havent watched it yet, have it on DVR. I heard the Clasico was great.

[surfer]

Everton quietly pulling close to Arsenal for fourth place. 6 points back with a game in hand and a very close GD to Arsenal's. If they win the extra game, they'll be 3 points back before they play Arsenal at Goodison Park. So they could control their own destiny going into the home stretch.

[surfer]

Tim Sherwood's ring tone is a barking dog.

[Jacques Oger]

http://gfycat.com/WarpedThatFinnishspitz