The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thread - Page 24

mastershogun · 04-21-2009, 02:57 PM

Andrei Arshavin (36')
Andrei Arshavin (67')
Andrei Arshavin (70')
Andrei Arshavin (90')
too bad liverpool always manages a late extra-time goal to ruin things

TheRiddick · 04-20-2009, 04:41 PM

If you think ManU's youngsters are not that good by taking the game to Everton's squad, then I am not sure what game you were watching. Everton's first corner came in the 73rd minute, they had what, 2 shots on goal the entire game, while United had a few chances and one clear penalty denied (one of the "not as good" youngsters, BTW). FA Cup is not what it sued to be, United certainly didn't have to "have" the game in order to qualify for ECL next year and the pitch was terrible by any standard, why risk any of your best players. The only mistake Freguson made was sub Macheda in the end in the hopes that Berbatov will score the penalty kick. Did I ever say here just how much I dislike Berbatov?

Bubba - NJ · 04-21-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

The only mistake Freguson made was sub Macheda in the end in the hopes that Berbatov will score the penalty kick. Did I ever say here just how much I dislike Berbatov?

After that penalty kick , I can clearly see why you dislike Berbatov . And I state again that I'm no expert , I've only recently found these matches on live tv in NJ and I'm still trying to learn all the different rules for the many tournaments/Cups . I think I would rather miss the goal like Cahill did then hit a dribbler like Berbatov . It did seem to me that Everton were playing mostly defense with an occasional long ball attempt to Cahill .

TheRiddick · 04-20-2009, 04:46 PM

Oh, and I forgot to add that Ferguson most likely will have a loooooong talk with Foster and his idiotic thinking on the pitch, he put the team in jeopardy on two occasions with simply stupid and very childish decision making. Actually, for anyone even with half a brain those would not have been "decisions" to begin with. That was the only serious mistake Ferguson made, IMO.

TheRiddick · 04-21-2009, 03:51 PM

Just my thought, exactly. If I ever hear Benitez complain about other teams getting preferential treatment, I will hurl. Liverpool have been getting these "mystical" added minutes at the end of games for years now. Where did 7 minutes come from? Just 4 subs (add 2 minutes, standard, OK, maybe another 2minutes for stopages).

I want to see both Pogrebnyak and Zhirkov move over to EPL, Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko are proving that Russian youth academies can produce talent (my father-in-law used to be in charge of one in Moldova). I think these two will be picked up this summer and so will be Dzagoev (17 year old).

This is getting interesting with Chelsea-Everton coming up tomorrow. With United at pretty much full strength again, I do not think Portsmouth will be an issue for them (and hope Berbatov is benched). And Villa can benefit with the top 4 teams losing points. Probably the most interesting EPL finish in the past who knows how many years.

04-22-2009, 09:24 AM

Bloody hell! at the end of the match I was screaming DO NOT LET HIM HAVE THE EFFING BALL!!!!!!!!!!!! but NO one would listen to me... his screamers to the right side netting and his counter attack goals were spectacular... i wish they were against United, but good lord, Liverpool's defense has been shite the past 3 weeks.

TheRiddick · 04-21-2009, 10:33 PM

Berbatov is the direct opposite to what United stand for: he is lazy, doesn't try to get the ball back when he loses it, and with the exception of the Porto game doesn't track back to defend. I am simply tired of hearing people tell me that I "don't get Berbatov" and his play making ability, the fact is that with his arrival United went from top scoring team to barely scoring one, he was the only arival last summer and just much things have changed since. This season is on him and I can only be thankful to the defensive line that we are still on top of the league.

Isnt it scary when United youth academy brings the game to the 6th best team in the league? Fabio twins will be monsters in another season or two and Macheda will step up as well. I found it interesting that all of Macheda's passes were pinpoint on and had Wellback played better they would scored at least a couple. Wellback is OK, but once again showed he is a step too slow and a few pounds too light to play in EPL, at least for now. Too bad that Wellback could not reciprocate the precision of passes to Macheda, I'd love to see Macheda play for 90 minutes next to Ronaldo and Rooney.

Anyway, one down (Arsenal-Liverpool) and one to go (Chelsea-Everton), although I think Chelsea will win 2-0. United should be 2-0 as well, at least I hope they are.

TheRiddick · 04-22-2009, 11:24 AM

If you watch Arshavin's goals (YouTube, although you may need to search in Russian language) in the past 2 seasons of the Russian Premier League you'll see just how skilled he is, some are spectacular. His link up with Pogrebnyak was as lethal as anything I've seen in Europe and if Arsenal buy Porgebnyak they can easily get rid of Bendtner and the like. What is strange is that Liverpool defense gave him tons of space, that actually is coach's error, IMO, no matter how much Benitez wants to put it on players, I'd be calling a defender or a midfielder over after the first goal and giving them a "personal" assignmnt of shadowing the guy no matter where he is on the pitch.

Bubba - NJ · 04-22-2009, 12:11 PM

I did notice how settled Macheda and the Fabio twins were when in posession of the ball . Highly skilled youngsters .

Jason · 04-23-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

His link up with Pogrebnyak was as lethal as anything I've seen in Europe

I was saying this very same thing talking with aldukes a day or 2 ago saying they looked lethal like Shevchenko and Rebrov at Dynamo Kiev. I always wonder about these kinds of dreamy partnerships, if you took them out of the machine they were playing in and plunked them, as a pair, into another team/machine/system, do they still perform dreamily? My pick of Russia in the Euros suffered big time when Progrebnyak went out injured right before the tournament, this much is certain.

Never got to see with Sheva and Rebrov but I second the motion to have Progrebnyak at Arsenal

TheRiddick · 04-22-2009, 02:45 PM

Interesting to see Berbatov missing from today's game, hopefully SAF had a good talk with him and explained the meaning of life for a United player to him and what it means to be one. Better yet, the rest of the players should explain it to him.

And with Carrick just scoring United's 2nd the game seems to be done with and Liverpool are back to second place. I'll be lighting up a nice cigar tonight.

TheRiddick · 04-23-2009, 11:55 AM

Pogrebnyak is a different player than Arshavin, style wise, but just as lethal. One is mostly a creator (AA), the other one is a finisher (Pogrebnyak).

And then there is Zhirkov, one of the best left wingers in the world today, only Robbrn can compete with him (when healthy).

aldukes · 04-23-2009, 12:16 PM

(I'm not sure ManU defense can deal with the Arsenal offense for 3 games in a row)

Good thing Arse plays no defense.

TheRiddick · 04-23-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aldukes

(I'm not sure ManU defense can deal with the Arsenal offense for 3 games in a row)

Good thing Arse plays no defense.

I am a United fan for the past 16 years now, so what do I know? Without AA playing in the 2 CL games we should be fine, IMO, especially now that the entire defensive line is back with room to spare (Wes Brown coming back). I am still worried about the front line, though, we still create a ton of chances and yet can only convert a few. I do hope Berbatov rides the bench for the rest of the campaign, we need all 11 on the pitch in every remaining game.

aldukes · 04-23-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

I am a United fan for the past 16 years now, so what do I know? Without AA playing in the 2 CL games we should be fine, IMO, especially now that the entire defensive line is back with room to spare (Wes Brown coming back). I am still worried about the front line, though, we still create a ton of chances and yet can only convert a few. I do hope Berbatov rides the bench for the rest of the campaign, we need all 11 on the pitch in every remaining game.

I'm not sure Rio is fit enough for the upcoming sched. Same with Wes Brown. I hate to say this, but Vidic is lost when Rio is out. Evra has been solid for pretty much the whole year- just a few bad games lately.

I think they should be safe in the Prem- but the CL should be interesting.

TheRiddick · 04-23-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aldukes

I'm not sure Rio is fit enough for the upcoming sched. Same with Wes Brown. I hate to say this, but Vidic is lost when Rio is out. Evra has been solid for pretty much the whole year- just a few bad games lately.

I think they should be safe in the Prem- but the CL should be interesting.

Have to disagree on Vidic having been playing either center back or left back all my life. Like I said above somewhere, once you start thinking your partner is not up to par (Evans in this case) your entire game changes whether you like it or not since you now think for two people and expect to bail the other out. Evans has shown great ability and promise for the future, but as can be seen lately, physical and mental fatigue did him in eventually. Last game they did really well without Rio, not that Portsmouth was giving them much to think about (just 2 shots on goal in second half). If anything, I'll take Vidic over Rio, Rio has made plenty of mistakes over last 2 seasons. Rio started his career playing attacker, he is a converted center back, although a great one.

Rio is fully fit at this point. Wes still needs a game or two to get up to full speed. Evra played 2-3 poor games, but I expect him to be up to it for the remaining ones. Plus, Fabio seems to be healthy and should help Evra out in some games. At least Anderson is back and Fletcher is healthy (can't recall the last game United lost with Fletcher starting).

I am still worried about Spurs this weekend, United really need to start scoring like they did last season.

TheRiddick · 04-24-2009, 08:39 PM

Aldukes, where in Brooklyn do you play? I used to play for the corporate league, years ago, all major companies in Manhattan had a team back then. And usually weekends (both Sat and Sun) on Brighton Beach with a bunch of Russians, those wer epretty tough games ability level wise.

TheRiddick · 04-25-2009, 02:04 PM

Well, I thought it may be one of those days for United, plenty of ball and game control and some really good chances in first half with nothing to show. First goal was all Rio (no wonder I said above how much I prefer Vidic to him), second was all Rafael leaving Modric in acres of space (and he paid the price by being subbed, needs to concentrate more plus Modric owned him a number of times today).

Penalty? Only someone not playing the game can claim it was not, the only question was a red card or yellow. Gomes FIRST tripped Carrick and only then barely touched the ball with his finger tips, had it been in reverse (touch the ball first) we would not be discussing this at all as there would not be a penalty.

Nani will probably be gone this summer, have no idea how someone with so much talent can't make a simple pass. Berbatov actually crossed a few times into his own half to defend, a miracle! Ronaldo did so consistently after SAF's ripping him a new one last week, second game in the row now. Evra is playing the worst stretch of games (4 now?) in his carreer, have no idea what's going on in his head. No wonder United just bought a 17 year Brazilian for that spot, should be interesting next year.

Chelsea, although in full control of the game, got lucky in the end. Liverpool had an easy game, as much as I like Hull's spirit they were no match at all.

Bring on the Gunners!

reggiebuckeye · 04-25-2009, 02:21 PM

I'm not arguing whether it was a penalty or not. He did get the player first. My point is Tottenham stopped playing after that happened. They still had a 2-1 lead after that. They just gave up. Giving up 5 goals in a half is ridiculous.

As an Arsenal fan, I'm looking forward to seeing ManU this week.

TheRiddick · 04-25-2009, 04:41 PM

Spurs had what, 3 chances on goal in the first half? Converted two of them and only due to blatant mismarking by Rio (too lazy to take another step towards the ball and simply waiting for it to come to him) and then Rafael (leaving Modric all alone and doing I have no idea what in the middle of the box when Vidic was already there). United were in full control all game long with just a few exceptions, at least in the game I watched. Spurs didn't "give up", they were simply outplayed and out muscled, you can only play defense for so long and then your legs get tired eventually. Most of the play took place in Spurs half all day long, especially after the 2nd half started and they had 9 men behind the ball for 15+ minutes, why did anyone expect that pressure not to produce something once United plugged one of the outlets for Spurs' attacks (Nani's bad game) and then the other (Rafael)?

Keane was really quiet all game long, that should say something about the game in general and lack of opportunity in front for Spurs (Bent did have great effort on goal in the second half). Evra presented a few opportunities to Spurs, but that's about it, both goals came from his side of the pitch. Have no idea if Pavlyuchenko would have altered the game or not, but he wasn't even on the bench today, that was stupid, IMO. Tells me they came to play defense and take their chances, the result is exactly the one they deserved for the strategy selected, IMO. Italians are masters at that, but this is not Italian league.

If Gunners create just 4 chances next week, as they did with 'Pool, I am all for it

At least Ade and Van Persie should be back, although defense is still very suspect.

04-21-2009, 02:57 PM	#1
mastershogun Feeling at Home Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: having a cigar Posts: 521 Trading: (47)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr Andrei Arshavin (36') Andrei Arshavin (67') Andrei Arshavin (70') Andrei Arshavin (90') too bad liverpool always manages a late extra-time goal to ruin things

04-20-2009, 04:41 PM	#2
TheRiddick Non-believer Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Greg Location: Las Vegas Posts: 943 Trading: (7)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr If you think ManU's youngsters are not that good by taking the game to Everton's squad, then I am not sure what game you were watching. Everton's first corner came in the 73rd minute, they had what, 2 shots on goal the entire game, while United had a few chances and one clear penalty denied (one of the "not as good" youngsters, BTW). FA Cup is not what it sued to be, United certainly didn't have to "have" the game in order to qualify for ECL next year and the pitch was terrible by any standard, why risk any of your best players. The only mistake Freguson made was sub Macheda in the end in the hopes that Berbatov will score the penalty kick. Did I ever say here just how much I dislike Berbatov?

04-20-2009, 04:46 PM	#4
TheRiddick Non-believer Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Greg Location: Las Vegas Posts: 943 Trading: (7)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr Oh, and I forgot to add that Ferguson most likely will have a loooooong talk with Foster and his idiotic thinking on the pitch, he put the team in jeopardy on two occasions with simply stupid and very childish decision making. Actually, for anyone even with half a brain those would not have been "decisions" to begin with. That was the only serious mistake Ferguson made, IMO.

04-21-2009, 03:51 PM	#5
TheRiddick Non-believer Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Greg Location: Las Vegas Posts: 943 Trading: (7)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr Just my thought, exactly. If I ever hear Benitez complain about other teams getting preferential treatment, I will hurl. Liverpool have been getting these "mystical" added minutes at the end of games for years now. Where did 7 minutes come from? Just 4 subs (add 2 minutes, standard, OK, maybe another 2minutes for stopages). I want to see both Pogrebnyak and Zhirkov move over to EPL, Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko are proving that Russian youth academies can produce talent (my father-in-law used to be in charge of one in Moldova). I think these two will be picked up this summer and so will be Dzagoev (17 year old). This is getting interesting with Chelsea-Everton coming up tomorrow. With United at pretty much full strength again, I do not think Portsmouth will be an issue for them (and hope Berbatov is benched). And Villa can benefit with the top 4 teams losing points. Probably the most interesting EPL finish in the past who knows how many years.

04-22-2009, 09:24 AM	#6
theycallmedan'lboone Guest Posts: n/a	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr Bloody hell! at the end of the match I was screaming DO NOT LET HIM HAVE THE EFFING BALL!!!!!!!!!!!! but NO one would listen to me... his screamers to the right side netting and his counter attack goals were spectacular... i wish they were against United, but good lord, Liverpool's defense has been shite the past 3 weeks.

04-21-2009, 10:33 PM	#7
TheRiddick Non-believer Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Greg Location: Las Vegas Posts: 943 Trading: (7)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr Berbatov is the direct opposite to what United stand for: he is lazy, doesn't try to get the ball back when he loses it, and with the exception of the Porto game doesn't track back to defend. I am simply tired of hearing people tell me that I "don't get Berbatov" and his play making ability, the fact is that with his arrival United went from top scoring team to barely scoring one, he was the only arival last summer and just much things have changed since. This season is on him and I can only be thankful to the defensive line that we are still on top of the league. Isnt it scary when United youth academy brings the game to the 6th best team in the league? Fabio twins will be monsters in another season or two and Macheda will step up as well. I found it interesting that all of Macheda's passes were pinpoint on and had Wellback played better they would scored at least a couple. Wellback is OK, but once again showed he is a step too slow and a few pounds too light to play in EPL, at least for now. Too bad that Wellback could not reciprocate the precision of passes to Macheda, I'd love to see Macheda play for 90 minutes next to Ronaldo and Rooney. Anyway, one down (Arsenal-Liverpool) and one to go (Chelsea-Everton), although I think Chelsea will win 2-0. United should be 2-0 as well, at least I hope they are.

04-22-2009, 11:24 AM	#8
TheRiddick Non-believer Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Greg Location: Las Vegas Posts: 943 Trading: (7)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr If you watch Arshavin's goals (YouTube, although you may need to search in Russian language) in the past 2 seasons of the Russian Premier League you'll see just how skilled he is, some are spectacular. His link up with Pogrebnyak was as lethal as anything I've seen in Europe and if Arsenal buy Porgebnyak they can easily get rid of Bendtner and the like. What is strange is that Liverpool defense gave him tons of space, that actually is coach's error, IMO, no matter how much Benitez wants to put it on players, I'd be calling a defender or a midfielder over after the first goal and giving them a "personal" assignmnt of shadowing the guy no matter where he is on the pitch.

04-22-2009, 12:11 PM	#9
Bubba - NJ Deep Cherry Finish Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Rolf Location: Tatooine Posts: 780 Trading: (4)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr I did notice how settled Macheda and the Fabio twins were when in posession of the ball . Highly skilled youngsters . __________________ Royale with cheese

04-22-2009, 02:45 PM	#11
TheRiddick Non-believer Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Greg Location: Las Vegas Posts: 943 Trading: (7)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr Interesting to see Berbatov missing from today's game, hopefully SAF had a good talk with him and explained the meaning of life for a United player to him and what it means to be one. Better yet, the rest of the players should explain it to him. And with Carrick just scoring United's 2nd the game seems to be done with and Liverpool are back to second place. I'll be lighting up a nice cigar tonight.

04-23-2009, 11:55 AM	#12
TheRiddick Non-believer Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Greg Location: Las Vegas Posts: 943 Trading: (7)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr Pogrebnyak is a different player than Arshavin, style wise, but just as lethal. One is mostly a creator (AA), the other one is a finisher (Pogrebnyak). And then there is Zhirkov, one of the best left wingers in the world today, only Robbrn can compete with him (when healthy).

04-23-2009, 12:16 PM	#13
aldukes Mr. Me Too Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 213 Trading: (3)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr (I'm not sure ManU defense can deal with the Arsenal offense for 3 games in a row) Good thing Arse plays no defense.

04-24-2009, 08:39 PM	#17
TheRiddick Non-believer Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Greg Location: Las Vegas Posts: 943 Trading: (7)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr Aldukes, where in Brooklyn do you play? I used to play for the corporate league, years ago, all major companies in Manhattan had a team back then. And usually weekends (both Sat and Sun) on Brighton Beach with a bunch of Russians, those wer epretty tough games ability level wise.

04-25-2009, 02:04 PM	#18
TheRiddick Non-believer Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Greg Location: Las Vegas Posts: 943 Trading: (7)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr Well, I thought it may be one of those days for United, plenty of ball and game control and some really good chances in first half with nothing to show. First goal was all Rio (no wonder I said above how much I prefer Vidic to him), second was all Rafael leaving Modric in acres of space (and he paid the price by being subbed, needs to concentrate more plus Modric owned him a number of times today). Penalty? Only someone not playing the game can claim it was not, the only question was a red card or yellow. Gomes FIRST tripped Carrick and only then barely touched the ball with his finger tips, had it been in reverse (touch the ball first) we would not be discussing this at all as there would not be a penalty. Nani will probably be gone this summer, have no idea how someone with so much talent can't make a simple pass. Berbatov actually crossed a few times into his own half to defend, a miracle! Ronaldo did so consistently after SAF's ripping him a new one last week, second game in the row now. Evra is playing the worst stretch of games (4 now?) in his carreer, have no idea what's going on in his head. No wonder United just bought a 17 year Brazilian for that spot, should be interesting next year. Chelsea, although in full control of the game, got lucky in the end. Liverpool had an easy game, as much as I like Hull's spirit they were no match at all. Bring on the Gunners!

04-25-2009, 02:21 PM	#19
reggiebuckeye Exploring all slopes Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ummm Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 348 Trading: (17)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr I'm not arguing whether it was a penalty or not. He did get the player first. My point is Tottenham stopped playing after that happened. They still had a 2-1 lead after that. They just gave up. Giving up 5 goals in a half is ridiculous. As an Arsenal fan, I'm looking forward to seeing ManU this week. __________________ Exploring new slopes everyday.

04-25-2009, 04:41 PM	#20
TheRiddick Non-believer Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Greg Location: Las Vegas Posts: 943 Trading: (7)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr Spurs had what, 3 chances on goal in the first half? Converted two of them and only due to blatant mismarking by Rio (too lazy to take another step towards the ball and simply waiting for it to come to him) and then Rafael (leaving Modric all alone and doing I have no idea what in the middle of the box when Vidic was already there). United were in full control all game long with just a few exceptions, at least in the game I watched. Spurs didn't "give up", they were simply outplayed and out muscled, you can only play defense for so long and then your legs get tired eventually. Most of the play took place in Spurs half all day long, especially after the 2nd half started and they had 9 men behind the ball for 15+ minutes, why did anyone expect that pressure not to produce something once United plugged one of the outlets for Spurs' attacks (Nani's bad game) and then the other (Rafael)? Keane was really quiet all game long, that should say something about the game in general and lack of opportunity in front for Spurs (Bent did have great effort on goal in the second half). Evra presented a few opportunities to Spurs, but that's about it, both goals came from his side of the pitch. Have no idea if Pavlyuchenko would have altered the game or not, but he wasn't even on the bench today, that was stupid, IMO. Tells me they came to play defense and take their chances, the result is exactly the one they deserved for the strategy selected, IMO. Italians are masters at that, but this is not Italian league. If Gunners create just 4 chances next week, as they did with 'Pool, I am all for it At least Ade and Van Persie should be back, although defense is still very suspect.