The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thread

Gentlemen ( I use that term very loosely... Jason....) for your discussion:


A war of words has broken out between Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Stoke manager Tony Pulis over the physical nature of football

The Gunners boss accused some Stoke players of being 'cowards' and attempting to deliberately injure his team during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

But Pulis has hit back, stating his players are just "honest and committed".

Do you think Wenger has a point? Should players receive greater protection? Are referees doing enough to deal with late tackles and challenges from behind?

Do you think the laws have gone too far already and offer too much protection to players? Do you believe there is a place for a more physical approach and tough tackling is just part of the game?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

Gentlemen ( I use that term very loosely... Jason....) for your discussion:


A war of words has broken out between Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Stoke manager Tony Pulis over the physical nature of football

The Gunners boss accused some Stoke players of being 'cowards' and attempting to deliberately injure his team during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

But Pulis has hit back, stating his players are just "honest and committed".

Do you think Wenger has a point? Should players receive greater protection? Are referees doing enough to deal with late tackles and challenges from behind?

Do you think the laws have gone too far already and offer too much protection to players? Do you believe there is a place for a more physical approach and tough tackling is just part of the game?

Plain and simple Venga is a ***** and his players follow suit. I causes me no joy to say that, I love their devotion to the beautiful game and the players and coach are top notch but they have no leader, no iron man defensive holding mid to push them on when things are going poorly.

They have plenty of awesome players. These guys will urge their teammates on when things are going well but when they get down, they ALL get down. Not one player will hold his head and fist up and challenge his mates with positive encouragement. Gallas' technique is to scream psychotically.

I said Wenger is a good manager, he obviously has an eye for talent, is somewhat tactically astute and is a decent man manager. HOWEVER, he's an arrogant whining punk. He is the star and apparently he won't add that man that drives them on, he wants to be the special one. And he is always whining, merciful heavens shut this man up.

Could not agree with Jason any more.. Did AW think that going on the road into a brand new Prem Side, would be easy. Did he not think that Stoke would play agressive, and try to make things happen. Did he want to be awarded the points just b/c he is Arsenal and they are Stoke. They should just lay down to his superstars and be honored to play them. What a freaking crock.

This is England. Guess what, you get hard fouls, space closes down with a crunch. The game is not getting too agressive. In fact I think they are blowing way to many whistles. Most often somone goes flying you get a foul, all ball or not. I like how in England the officials seem to give warnings and keep track of players. Terrible fouls are booked, but for the most part you can tell when player x has used up all his credit, or when the next foul is going to get a card. WE DO NOT want what seemed to happen in the last WC and a bit in Euro where officials were on such a short leash, cards were flying teams were down 1 or 2 men for no real good reason.

I also think Jason has a great point on the Arsenal 'enforcer'. Would you tackle from behind in the midfield against a Roy Keane United.. Well you might do it once, but no more.

Wenger and Arsenal are a bunch of Puffs. Apparently they read a bit too much press and figured that they would just walk into the top 2 this year. Much like our esteemed friends from Lpool found out last year.. You need to collect 3 pts every week, draws and horrible losses don't get you there.

Lpool seems to have learned that lesson so far. Arsenal, same team that fell apart last year... I hope Stoke circles the trip to the Emerites and gives them another thrashing.

you bastages make me smile on the inside! I really despise Wenger, the majority of the Arsenal team, and wish they would lose enough to not make it in the top 4. They make some slick passes, clever runs, but if Jamie Carragher so much as touches you, fall the hell over... Every team has their "enforcer" Liverpool has Carra, and Skrtel, Man U has Rio and Vidic, Chelsea has Terry, Arsenal? has william gallas who likes to scream. Big reason they will not do well this season. The only person on Arsenal's team that I have respect for? Theo Walcott. The kid plays hard. He wants to win, but he's a kid. I think Wenger wants Cesc Fabregas to be his leader to be his Steven Gerrard/FrankLampard.... don't see it. Fabregas is just too quiet. not physically passionate. oh well. Funny, you make a great point about how pool has learned you have to win all the points week in, week out and see where you stand at the end of the season. Arsenal... not so much.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

The only person on Arsenal's team that I have respect for? Theo Walcott.

Take a look at Bacary Sagna, he should turn out to be something special. I have yet to see him crack a smile, he is a footballing cyborg.

kinda like martin skrtel? the man eats nails. The only emotion I ever saw from him was when he jacked up his knee against City...

get barry to cut his hair that stuff skeers me.

[Jdbwolverines]

The last thing I want to see is EPL become like the NFL. You can barely tackle the quarterback or a receiver anymore without i being a flag or a fine. One of the reasons the the Premiership is the best league in the world is because it is a hard, tough league. If you can't hack it out there, go play in Italy or France or somewhere.

[Don Fernando]

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

The only person on Arsenal's team that I have respect for? Theo Walcott. The kid plays hard. He wants to win

hey hey, what about my fellow Dutchie Van Persie? Although he came from the wrong team (Feyenoord) and plays for the wrong team now, I think he's a great player, skilled as hell.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

hey hey, what about my fellow Dutchie Van Persie? Although he came from the wrong team (Feyenoord) and plays for the wrong team now, I think he's a great player, skilled as hell.

Dirk Kuyt is no slouch. And he plays for the right team now.

Pnoon 1 ---- Don Fernando 0
Van Persie is certainly talented.. I just don't much care for him... too much priss.