2011-2012 European Football Thread.

[gallden]

True enough. I've been especially impressed with Johnson and how he's been able to turn things around. Unfortunately, I think he's been passed on the England depth chart by both Richards and Walker at this point. Tough competition for the RB slot.

I don't know if you caught it, but the Men in Blazers were talking about Liverpool in their last pod and Rog mentioned Skrtel, something to the effect of "He looks like a guy who'd wear a t-shirt saying 'I'd rather be ethnic cleansing.'" Just about choked on my breakfast I was laughing so hard.

I've never listened to that podcast at all. But skrtel does look crazy like a bad guy in Ronin or 24.

[Basketeer]

Man this break is killing me. Just a few more days until the real matches start up again.

[Basketeer]

Great start for Newcastle. Goals from Cisse and Jonas put Toon up on Wolves. Should hold. Line-up much stronger with Cabaye and Tiote back.

Let's go Bolton! Hold Chelsea!

Rooting for Spurs over Arsenal. Would keep Newcastle in 4th if current results hold.

Looks like 4th and 5th to be contested between Chelsea, Newcastle, Arsenal, and Liverpool down the stretch. Spot in Europe would be fantastic for Pardew and Co.

EPL really ought to have two guaranteed Europa spots (in addition to 3 guaranteed and 1 qualifying CL spots.) Even 6th best team in PL is better than top 2-3 in most European leagues.

[Basketeer]

Looks like I spoke too soon. Wolves-Newcastle tied at 2... :/ Could use a goal from Ba right about now!

And Chelsea has put the nail in the coffin, gone up 3-0 on Bolton.

[Basketeer]

Spurs looking much the stronger team. Adebayor is playing out of his mind the past few weeks. What a great season he's had.

Arsenal will need to do some serious evaluating at the end of the season. Maybe it's time for Wenger to go? Though the losses of Cesc, Nasri, and Wilshere have certainly devastated their midfield this season. Getting Jack back next year will be a big addition and allow Song to sit back and play in his best position right in front of the defense. He's been too high up the pitch this year. Still a lot of young potential with Walcott, Wilshere, Ramsey, Gervinho and Oxlade-Chamberlain. If they manage to get Hazard and/or Podolski in the offseason, they'll be sittin' pretty. Assuming they don't lose RVP, which is not out of the realm of possibilities...

Though what they really need is some help on defense.

[Basketeer]

Wow, Arsenal strikes back with goals from Van Persie and Sagna. Tied at 2 at the half.

I'm just going to stop commenting mid-game.


Where you guys at? I feel like I'm talking to myself here!

[McNulty]

Am I the only one watching the Carling Cup final? Great match.

[gallden]

Some nervy moments there.

[atom_25]

Entertaining weekend. Props to Cardiff to battling like they did but in the end glad that Liverpool won and in likelyhood opening up a Euro Spot, which should go to 6th/7th place in the BPL. Arsenal's midfield was crazy good.

And closer to my heart, Newcastle put in another very abject display against Wolves. I am not really sure what to make of the game but it was a very disjointed performance from us and it looked like we had not kicked a ball in about a month. No meaningful possession, players not in good positions, and very half-hearted performance at home against a team we should be beating, or at least out playing. I get the feeling that we are playing with house money a bit in terms of our league position, but hope recent performances are not a sign that the effort that was there the first part of the season is not going to be there the last two months. On the bright side, some good finishing for both of our goals.

[gallden]

Hey guys if your watching espn2 saturday for the early game I'll be there, it's Liverpool vs Arsenal we are sat on the Anfield Rd end about 7 or eight rows up!!! I'll be the one that's taller than everyone else.

[Remember The Alomar]

Hey guys if your watching espn2 saturday for the early game I'll be there, it's Liverpool vs Arsenal we are sat on the Anfield Rd end about 7 or eight rows up!!! I'll be the one that's taller than everyone else.

That's awesome. Have a great time.

[Scrat1]

I know most around here aren't into international friendlies, but I still can't believe there aren't any comments on USA's victory over Italy.

Looks like Serie A is treating Bradley well. Composure to spare. Fabian Johnson looked solid, especially going forward, but I'm still not a fan of Williams.

Shea had better have a good game soon or he's going to lose his spot. It'll be interesting to see what the team looks like once Chandler, Donovan and Holden are all back in the mix.

Can't wait for qualifiers.

[atom_25]

I know most around here aren't into international friendlies, but I still can't believe there aren't any comments on USA's victory over Italy.

Looks like Serie A is treating Bradley well. Composure to spare. Fabian Johnson looked solid, especially going forward, but I'm still not a fan of Williams.

Shea had better have a good game soon or he's going to lose his spot. It'll be interesting to see what the team looks like once Chandler, Donovan and Holden are all back in the mix.

Can't wait for qualifiers.

From what I saw (from about 60 minute mark on) it was a very promising performance. I would have liked to see a bit more possession but a goal up against a better team that was not bad considering they had to defend with pretty much all hands on deck.

[atom_25]

Hey guys if your watching espn2 saturday for the early game I'll be there, it's Liverpool vs Arsenal we are sat on the Anfield Rd end about 7 or eight rows up!!! I'll be the one that's taller than everyone else.

Nice. I have a friend going to Newcastle- Liverpool in March and if you were gonna pick a rawkus match to go to this year, Andy Carrol's first game back Tyneside would probably in there.

And lol at the taller than everyone else. So true. I just ordered a hoodie from the club shop and I usually wear a Large or XL, so I ordered a XXL to make sure it fit and low and behold it comes up halfway to my elbows and feels like it is squeezing the life out of me. Have a good time.

[Basketeer]

I know most around here aren't into international friendlies, but I still can't believe there aren't any comments on USA's victory over Italy.

Looks like Serie A is treating Bradley well. Composure to spare. Fabian Johnson looked solid, especially going forward, but I'm still not a fan of Williams.

Shea had better have a good game soon or he's going to lose his spot. It'll be interesting to see what the team looks like once Chandler, Donovan and Holden are all back in the mix.

Can't wait for qualifiers.

Great performance all-around by USMNT. It wasn't Italy's A-squad (more like their A- squad)...but it wasn't USA's either (no Donovan, Chandler, Holden, Onyewu, Torres).

Michael Bradley was easily the star of the game. MONSTER performance as holding midfielder. Excellent composure on the ball. Anyone who thought he was only in the lineup because his daddy was coach looks mighty dumb now, the kid is a force.

Johnson was very impressive at left back and I'd much rather see him there than Chandler going forward. Chandler is just so much better on the right side.

Agree about Shea, he's been lackluster the past several performances. But he's still young and adjusting to the pace of the international game. Guys like Johnson and Chandler are young too, but play against quality opponents each week. Shea only plays against MLS (which isn't bad...but isn't the Bundesliga). When Chandler gets back, I could still see him taking LB spot and Johnson taking Shea's spot at LW.

Danny Williams was out of position at RW. I'd like to see him at DM, his natural position. But it'll be tough for him, Edu looked damn good last night. Probably his best game since the World Cup.

I was so pissed at Altidore in the first half, he had such a crap performance. Played like a beast in the 2nd half. I still think he's not a lone striker, not capable of holding-up play on his own and needs a strike partner to be most efficient. But in that 2nd half he had some beautiful hold-up play.

Howard strong, once again.