Good ties for the away teams this week.
0-2, 0-4, 0-2, 0-1
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Good ties for the away teams this week.
0-2, 0-4, 0-2, 0-1
Yep. I agree with you. I honestly think that both Messi and Robben could have stayed on their feet if they had to, but because they felt contact they both knew that they would win a penalty and get the defender a red card.Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
Wow Steve, tell us what you really think :DQuote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
Seriously though you are 100% correct, if there is a genuine attempt to play the ball, even in a last man situation, give the free kick, even book the tackler, but don't send him (or her) off. It's little wonder strikers hit the ground if a defender coughs too loudly - this is what is ruining the game, less red cards for defenders for.... erm... well... defending, will result in less u-boat impressions from strikers and instantly make the game better.
Glad to see others agree.
The remaining question is if fans agree and a fair few players I have heard talk about it agree then why is nothing done about it.
The fact is its getting worse.
In Italy, both fans and media have complained about this but it didn't help !
Arse-nal vs Kroos :dozey:
http://www.newsbeast.gr/files/1/2014...L%20BAGERN.jpg
Actually the charts should be split between Arsenal 11 v Kroos and Arsenal 10 v Kroos. He is an outstanding player and I'd have him in the Arsenal side like a shot, especially for his ability to ignore 2 lines of 4 in front of him to put the round object in the ropey thing.
I agree with most if not all of what steve said too....but seriously Messi could have stayed on his feet? At the pace he was running at, the contact with his foot was definitely enough to trip anyone, atleast a stumble if not a fall...Quote:
Originally Posted by Brown, Jon Brow
And having watched most Barcelona games he has played in, I definitely know that he is not a diver, or a player trying to get people sent off (like Busquets or Alves are) and have seen him often shrug of tackles and get on with it without falling down or milking the moment.
This.Quote:
Originally Posted by Storm
I agree fully. Messi was knocked off his feet and could have only stumbled on for me. Messi doesn't ever tend to dive. I am not going to say he has never dived, but I have seen maybe games where he has honestly done all he can to stay on his feet.
Robben I thought not only could have stayed up but actually could have scored.
I am not accusing Messi of being a diver because he isn't.Quote:
Originally Posted by Storm
But I dislike how the modern footballer hardly ever attempts to stay on his feet. If Messi had tried to stay on his feet we would have seen a stumble before he fell over.
But saying that, Demichelis should have stayed on his feet more. :p
R. Sociedad-Barca 3-1 :eek:
balls :dozey:
Wow. Motivation seems to be an issue with the Barca players. Love watching Messi play but general play yesterday was poor. No other word for it.
La Liga may be slipping away.
A: Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Iceland, Latvia, Turkey, Czech Republic
B: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Andorra, Cyprus, Wales, Israel, Belgium
C: Spain, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Belarus, Slovakia, Ukraine
D: Germany, Gibraltar, Georgia, Scotland, Poland, Republic of Ireland
E: England, San Marino, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia, Switzerland
F: Greece, Faroe Islands, Northern Ireland, Finland, Romania, Hungary
G: Russia, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Austria, Sweden
H: Italy, Malta, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Norway, Croatia
I: Portugal, Albania, Armenia, Serbia, Denmark
:)
My views on the draw.
Group A - Netherlands have a chance of pretty much winning 10 of 10. While Czech's and Turkey will battle for the qualication spot and play off spot. Iceland should be 4th, with Latvia and Kazakhstan 5th and 6th
Group B - Belgium & Bosnia in the two spots. Wales & Israel battling for the play off. Cyprus and Andorra.
Group C - Spain & Ukraine against comfortably through I think. Slovakia to make the play offs, while the Belarus and Macedonia battle for 4th and Luxembourg should be 6th despite recent improvements.
Group D - Germany are going to win 10 of 10. Then I think Rep. Ireland will squeak 2nd just ahead of Poland and Scotland wont quite have enough and finish 4th. Georgia might grab a draw at home to one of these nations but should finish ahead of Gibraltar. Who will be tougher than San Marino/Andorra & Faroes for example but still might get a trashing by Germany.
Group E - (trying not to be biased :p ). I do think England will win the group, probably with a 8 wins 2 draws record. I think we might slip in Slovenia and Switzerland are always tough. Switzerland to join us and Slovenia to pip Estonia to 3rd. Lithuania 5th and San Marino leaking goals again. I want England to achieve our first 10-0 win since 1964 against San Marino this time.
Group F - (Oh no Gadjo Hungary again.... :eek: ). Anyway I see Greece winning this group and then anyone of 4 getting 2nd and the play off place. I will go for Hungary 2nd, Romania 3rd just over Northern Ireland and Finland 5th. Faroe Islands should be easy to brush aside.
Group G - Sweden to pip Russia to top, but both to go through. Play off to Austria just about after edging out Montenegro and Moldova and Liechtenstein at the bottom.
Group H - Italy and Croatia easily. Bulgaria and Norway then Azerbaijan and Malta.
Group I - (Minus France) Portugal then Denmark getting the automatic places and Serbia getting a Play Off. Armenia and Albania rounding out the group.
Should be less nerve racking this time hopefully.
I made my predictions before I read yours Steve, either football is way to predictable, or great minds think alike. Group F was the only real difference I had to what you proposed.
A. Nedtherlands way ahead of Turkey and the Czechs (I went for Turkey, but wont be surprised if it is the other way around) Iceland a creditable 4th with Latvia and the Kazaks 5 and 6
b. Belgium from Bosnnia with Wales 3rd ahead of Israel with Cyprus and Andorra
c. Spain through first, but not as easily through as is usually the case, Ukraine next, followed by Macedonia and Slovakia (or vice-versa) with Belarus and Luxembourg
D. Germasny cofortable ahead of Rep Ireland, then Poland, an improving Scotland and a gap back to Georgia and Gibraltar way off the pace (I would dearly love to see the Scots at least make a play-off)
E. England should be comfortable, as long as they dont draw too many Slovenia and Switzerland will be 2-3 or 3-2, with Estonia and Lithuania and Sam Marino in 6th
F. Hardest group to predict with 5 of the six teams able to finish in the top 2. Some logic would say that the order might be Greece, Finland, Romania, Hungary, Nth Ireland, but these five might just as easily be completely reversed all that is certain is that the poor little Faeros will be 6th
G. Sweden to head Russia with Austria 3rd then Montenegro, Moldova and Liechtenstein
H. Italy ahead of Croatia with Norway and Bulgaria trying for a play off spot with Azerbaijan and Malta bringing up the rear.
I. Portugal should head Denmark, but maybe not. 3rd for Serbia then Armenia and Albania
Yup.
I think most team sports are quite predictable in a way.
These qualifiers are going to be a task of doing the basics. Not many shocks, just a means to get to the finals. That said I still enjoy international football, World Cup especially with the clashing of styles.
With the increased number of countries playing football in Europe (54), its always on the cards that they needed to increase numbers in the finals. Otherwise really you get 12 guaranteed qualifiers every time with 5-10 battling for the remainder. At least now countries like Scotland, Wales, Hungary, Romania etc.... have a better shot at it.
Important that the "bigger" nations don't just think of themselves. For a lot of countries they have a chance to make finals and improve.
On a side not. Its weird that France are going into Group I to play scheduled games, despite them not counting.
I mean now on the way to the Finals they play friendlies against Serbia, Armenia & Albania. The point was to play something like competitive games in the build up. Surely actual friendlies v non Europe nations would be more challenging. Most Euro hosts play top African or South American sides.
Anyway all very strange.
Strange also that France are the first to benefit from this considering Platini is UEFA president.
Yer the timing of this idea is strangely beneficial to the French, but.....Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
On the whole I think it is a good idea, as often the host nation is under-prepared. It kinda depends on how the other teams in the group view the France matches, if they do what I would do as a manager and play a reserve strength team against France giving the French an easy win and resting your own best players, then France will not benefit much. But if they view it as a group game and play their top 11, then the French will be better prepared for the Euro's
I get that feeling too :(Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
Unless Atletico get on form again (they lost 0-3 too!) and beat Real next week, and Barca win away at the Bernabeu, this year is gone..Surprisingly, I had not many hopes for CL this year but they might go further there.
Romania managed a 2-2 at Budapest playing like $h1t, then beat them easily 3-0 at Bucharest... and after that Hungary managed to concede 8 goals against the Netherlands in a single match :laugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
Olympiacos 1 - 0 Man Utd !
Where's ody ? :p:
Jeez Manchester United look boring and clueless. :crazy:Quote:
Originally Posted by pino
2-0 :eek:
2 - 0 :D :laugh:
2-0. :dozey:
shots on target: 8-1 :laugh:
Man Utd = :cat: :z :crazy:
Honestly, I can't understand they carry on with Moyes. Probably they want to show that United is a serious Club :s
MaU succumbed to Olympoo :crazy: :D
English Clubs lost 2-0, 2-0, 2-0
Of course its the strongest league in the world. :laugh:
Before anyone asks I am English and believe the Premier League is the most entertaining to watch, but how people can argue its the strongest is beyond me.
Hopefully for us here Chelsea can beat Galatasary. Or at least score a goal. :dozey:
I thought Moyes would do OK at the start of the season (not winning the league like Fergi but maybe champions league easy enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by pino
At this rate they will finish 10th and be out of Europe.
Sadly Moyes either needs to buy 10 superstars in summer, or he is going to get the sack. One or other.
I can't remember when was last time, I saw United playing so bad. Not heart, no motivation, nothing at all...
I don't think anyone believes it is the strongest any more. It was arguable the best league in Europe around 2007 - 2009 but nowhere near now. It certainly is the best brand though.Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
United are awful. Moyes has apparently worked more on physical training, perhaps maybe work on some passing????
Ody :beer:
and I read in the newspaper an article today with the headline "Rooney's skills at negotiating table are dwarfed by his skills on the pitch"
:laugh: what a sales pitch?
I like MU so I think this defeat is the best thing that could happen to them. I hope they don't go through.
I don't want to find out how wrong could a match against Bayern go, for instance.
Being a born and bred Liverpool supporter I think MU tribulations are absolutely hilarious. They are going through the same sort of lull that most clubs experience when a long time (and I hate too say this) and quite brilliant manager steps aside. You have to remember that Moyes inherited the team, and even though they were defending champions, many of them have certainly surpassed their shelf lives.
As a scouser I would love United to fall into the trap of blaming Moyes and replace him for next season, as this will further spiral the club down. Davis is a good manager, you cant keep a club like Everton near the top of the table without knowing your stuff. Before anyone says "yes, but... look where Everton are without him - Roberto Martinez is exceptional.
If MU are still struggling next season, then point the finger at the boss, at least allow him to build his own team first.
Go Schalke!
Balls * 2 :dozey:
But he doesn't have the cash to replace all the dead wood - 60M max spend p.a. it seems. That'll get him 2-3 top line players assuming the rats (with dutch names) don't jump ship! He has to replace Ferdinand and Vidic for a start - Smalling and Jones appear not to have filled the roles they were bought for!Quote:
Originally Posted by anfield5
You are absolutely correct, which further underlines the need for MU to have a manager who can build a team around young players rather than one who needs to buy over-priced Euro players. Again I would say that Moyes is the man for the job. Also this is the way most long-term success is achieved, it is how Ferguson built his dynasty, it is how Liverpool dominated the 70's and 80's.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mintexmemory
I know I am being idealistic to a degree and there is a need, even a demand for immediate success in top class football, but well run clubs (and traditionally MU has been one) do tend to look at the big picture and to the future.
Just look at certain clubs in the EPL, who change managers at least once per season, and spend uber-millions on players - they have the occasional good season, but on the whole they don't achieve much - Chelsea is a great example. Since Abramovich has taken over they have had 11 managers in 10 seasons, spent 713 million pounds on 72 players and have been moderately successful. Compare this to MU in the same period and the difference is quite startling
Endless balls :dozey:
yeah :\
and I was hoping Chelsea lose to make all 4 "English" teams in trouble...