2011-2012 European Football Thread.

[gallden]

Oh Dear. Got it all wrong today.

[atom_25]

I did not see all of your game, but I am not sure what Daglish was thinking setting out the team like that. How can he not play Kuyt? Got something against the Dutch? Or is Liverpool just that bad away from home? All that said, if Defoe can figure out how to score again (which looks like he is) watch out for Spurs this season. I am not a huge Parker fan but he will help them and if Bale can get back to anywhere near where he was, they should be a cinch for 4th after the Manchester teams and Chelsea.

Is it too soon to write Arsenal out of the top 10? They have been awful since Christmas of last year, lost 2 of their best players, and can not score anywhere consistently enough to cover for their awful defending, their best defender is a crock, and best midfielder is out at least another month plus. Not to mention they are one Van Persie injury away, which tends to happen, from being imo a second tier side. Shocking and enjoyable for everyone but their fans.

So is Manchester United gonna wrap this thing up before the end of Winter? Starting to look that way, despite two more players going off injured. Rooney may score 40 this season in the league.

[gallden]

The tactics were completely wrong for this match. Kuyt seems out of favor right now and I'm not sure why. Henderson offers a little going forward but his defensive liabilities were on display Sunday. I would play a better RB than Skrtel did. Skrtel needed the cover Kuyt offers to deal with 'the new Messi' Charlie Adam is a glorified pub football player. Meireles and Aquilani both started for their respective clubs, Chelsea and Milan, but we've deemed them surplus to requirements. We seem to have no identity when Carroll plays is it pass and move or is it hit the ball long to Carroll. Very frustrating. This side desperately needs Gerrard back.

[atom_25]

I was never a Henderson fan. You think Gerrard has anything left? Not to gloat but I think you guys missed out on Marveaux, the French dude. He is just getting into the first team now after they have been nursing him back after being out most of last season. He looks a real player. He had an assist and was awarded a penalty in our Carling Cup match against Forrest yesterday. How has Enrique got on? I saw him get outmuscled by Defoe over the weekend.

[gallden]

Gerrard when fit walks straight into the team. Hopefully his groin is finally sorted. I find Enrique trying to dribble around the whole right side of opposing teams. But on the whole I'm quite happy with him. To be fair tottenham out muscled, played, manged our whole side.

[Bosibus]

Everton has quietly put together a nice streak since that ridiculous match against QPR but the next 5 is going to be the end of that. In order, ManC, Liverpool, Chelsea, Fulham, and then ManU. I am pretty pumped for both the Liverpool and Chelsea match though.

[atom_25]

Everton has quietly put together a nice streak since that ridiculous match against QPR but the next 5 is going to be the end of that. In order, ManC, Liverpool, Chelsea, Fulham, and then ManU. I am pretty pumped for both the Liverpool and Chelsea match though.

This season has been weird like that. Everton and Man United are both historically slow starters and both have gotten off the mark pretty quick this year. I have noticed one thing about scheduling this year, it seems that just about every team has all their though matches right in a row. I don't know why that is, but it definitely seems that way. I have counted at least 5 teams that have to play the Manchesters in successive weeks. Who is playing up front for Everton? Anybody you would suggest from them fantasy wise (other than Cahill who has been disappointing fantasy wise this season)?

[gallden]

This season has been weird like that. Everton and Man United are both historically slow starters and both have gotten off the mark pretty quick this year. I have noticed one thing about scheduling this year, it seems that just about every team has all their though matches right in a row. I don't know why that is, but it definitely seems that way. I have counted at least 5 teams that have to play the Manchesters in successive weeks. Who is playing up front for Everton? Anybody you would suggest from them fantasy wise (other than Cahill who has been disappointing fantasy wise this season)?

I think it's because any team can take points off of each other. The league is far more competitive these past few seasons than I remember it being before. There are really no easy matches.

[Bosibus]

This season has been weird like that. Everton and Man United are both historically slow starters and both have gotten off the mark pretty quick this year. I have noticed one thing about scheduling this year, it seems that just about every team has all their though matches right in a row. I don't know why that is, but it definitely seems that way. I have counted at least 5 teams that have to play the Manchesters in successive weeks. Who is playing up front for Everton? Anybody you would suggest from them fantasy wise (other than Cahill who has been disappointing fantasy wise this season)?

Fantasy wise absolutely not. Moyes and Saha have something going on between each other and even though I like Moyes as manager, I dislike his stubborness when it comes to players at times. If Saha and Moyes figure their problem out, I would absolutely think Saha has great potential on the front in fantasy, but I imagine he may be riding someone's bench at the moment. For right now, Moyes is toying with the front with Vellios and Straq who in my opinion do not have value in fantasy at all. As far as Cahill, from the games I have watched he is taking shots on goal but they have not been failling, I would ride him out for a few more weeks before deciding to sit if you were thinking.

[nevadaO]

Amazing that Stoke held Man U to a single goal in a 1-1 draw. Good for them.

And of course a 3-1 victory for the lads over Blackburn is excellent.

[Skeletor]

Amazing that Stoke held Man U to a single goal in a 1-1 draw. Good for them.

And of course a 3-1 victory for the lads over Blackburn is excellent.

Having Rooney and Hernandez out certainly helped.

[gallden]

Stoke are a decent side as I've said I hate when we play them. And we've drawn them away in the league cup.

[Remember The Alomar]

I was afraid to look at this thread after the Tottenham disaster. Got the result yesterday, but I'm feeling quite down on the chances of a top four finish.

[nevadaO]

Having Rooney and Hernandez out certainly helped.

Sure, but it's still impressive.

[atom_25]

Did someone say top 4? I know it is not likely to last too much longer but I am sure enjoying our start to the season. I was nervous with our player turnover but the buoyed by our new French legion Newcastle has been terrific. Defensively losing Enrique hurts but we are better along the back line than we have been since the Woodgate days. Coloccini gets no national press but is a terrific player and Steven Taylor is looking good if he can stay healthy for the bulk of the season. It helps having Tiote as the midfield destroyer to help out. Cabaye is freaking awesome. If he were playing for a sky six team, he would be getting plaudits for days as he is every bit the player of Modric, Miereles, etc. I think Best, Ba, and Ben Arfa can really do a job as our primary forward options as all three offer something a bit different and together you are starting to see what they can do with more game time and chance to gel. We made Blackburn look like a recreational side and could have easily hit them for 6 or so. I just hope we can keep it up and stay healthy. Very exciting team right now.