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Wednesday, May 02, 2012

OT: Soccer Thread—May 2012

League all around will have their Champion decided! Bilbao or Atlético Madrid will reign over the Europa League! Chelsea tries to finally bring Roman a European Cup

And most important of all…West Ham drives for promotion!

RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: May 02, 2012 at 09:53 PM | 1485 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: soccer

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1. Eric in Madison Posted: May 02, 2012 at 10:18 PM (#4122212)

Big day for my Spurs. 4-1 win at Bolton, Chelsea loses to Newcastle at the Bridge. At Villa and home to Fullham left. Within 1 point of Arsenal for 3rd, which would be sweet, but unlikely.

All for naught if Chelsea wins the CL. What a nightmare that would be all around. And to see Modric on Chelsea next year will be especially brutal if they are defending the CL and Spurs are left out.

2. frannyzoo Posted: May 02, 2012 at 10:21 PM (#4122218)

To celebrate the fact that we have nothing to lose but our message board chains, I smash the State via the May thread by simply regurgitating my last point on the April-is-the-cruelest-month thread....besides, both Marx and Engels would hate the idea of billionaire Muscovites...

So, if I read it all correctly...Chelsea could just miss a FA Cup trophy this year, and entry into Europe via a UCL Final loss in Munich and/or placement in the final EPL table as sixth place team.

Sounds good to me. As one who dislikes Chelsea this is just about optimal. I don't like relying on 'Pool for anything these days, however.

3. Juan V Posted: May 02, 2012 at 11:01 PM (#4122256)

CAMPEONES, CAMPEONES, OE OE OEEEEEE!!!

4. CWS Keith plans to boo your show at the Apollo Posted: May 02, 2012 at 11:06 PM (#4122260)

Gigi Buffon's gaffe... unreal. Juventus didn't play particularly well, but I don't think Lecce even tested Buffon once (there was a scramble in the box off a set piece, but I don't know if an actual shot was registered there). Worse is that Lecce were down to ten men when they drew level.

Is Blackpool a fair comparison for Pescara's style of play? I've heard a few times about Zeman's unique style of play. I'm picturing a team that's a boatload of fun to watch (80 goals in Serie B this year! Next highest is 54.), but rather vulnerable to any type of counter-attack.

5. Swedish Chef Posted: May 03, 2012 at 01:34 AM (#4122317)

So, if I read it all correctly...Chelsea could just miss a FA Cup trophy this year, and entry into Europe via a UCL Final loss in Munich and/or placement in the final EPL table as sixth place team.

Let's answer in the right thread then. I've got bad news, this can't happen, if Liverpool win the FA Cup, the League Cup place (the least attractive one) will go to the 6th place PL team.

6. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 03, 2012 at 06:47 AM (#4122345)

Some background on Delio Rossi's meltdown.

7. Jerry Lumpe Rutherford (Dan Lee) Posted: May 03, 2012 at 06:53 AM (#4122346)

The AP says Bill Miller's bid for Rangers has been accepted in principle.

I still can't figure out how someone parlayed a towing company into that kind of cash. Maybe I should start a towing company so I can revive Chmel Blšany.

8. Jerry Lumpe Rutherford (Dan Lee) Posted: May 03, 2012 at 07:02 AM (#4122348)

Ah, I see. Bill Miller started a company that makes towing equipment. I had this mental image of a guy tooling around East Tennessee in a tow truck, then going home at night to a Scrooge McDuck-ian pile of gold doubloons.

9. Fancy Pants Handles lap changes with class Posted: May 03, 2012 at 07:41 AM (#4122354)

All for naught if Chelsea wins the CL. What a nightmare that would be all around. And to see Modric on Chelsea next year will be especially brutal if they are defending the CL and Spurs are left out.

As a Newcastle fan, I have already come to accept that I will have to root for Chelsea against Bayern, even though it will mean Newcastle misses out on the CL. Cause #### my luck.

10. frannyzoo Posted: May 03, 2012 at 08:04 AM (#4122361)

if Liverpool win the FA Cup, the League Cup place (the least attractive one) will go to the 6th place PL team.

Thanks...I guess I'll have to hope Chelsea do this year's Fulham and play somebody like Lech Poznan over two legs in July.

11. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 03, 2012 at 08:09 AM (#4122362)

The CL Final does have all the charm of a Nancy Grace v Bill O'Reilly mud wrestling match. I suppose I'll just hope Robben puts on a show. Taking out Real and then Chelsea will carry some satisfaction for him, I'd guess.

12. Mattbert Posted: May 03, 2012 at 09:23 AM (#4122381)

Papa Cisse's goals really needed Alan Partridge doing the commentary. Holy f**k.

Modric scored a peach of an opener at Bolton too.

13. Mattbert Posted: May 03, 2012 at 09:46 AM (#4122391)

Some background on Delio Rossi's meltdown.

So he comes off as the good guy in all of this? (Sort of.) Man, Serie A is fantastic.

14. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 03, 2012 at 10:07 AM (#4122406)

Huh. Foxsoccer.tv has classic matches available for viewing now. Tehy've got an old Man U v Man City game up and a couple of old Tottenham v Chelsea.

15. CWS Keith plans to boo your show at the Apollo Posted: May 03, 2012 at 10:19 AM (#4122416)

They're not full matches -- just those half-hour segments that are occasionally on FSC. Still, they've been adding more and more content over the past six months. It's well worth the $20 per month.

16. zack Posted: May 03, 2012 at 10:21 AM (#4122419)

Is Blackpool a fair comparison for Pescara's style of play? I've heard a few times about Zeman's unique style of play. I'm picturing a team that's a boatload of fun to watch (80 goals in Serie B this year! Next highest is 54.), but rather vulnerable to any type of counter-attack.

Delfini! I haven't paid any attention to serie b this year, that's a serious ascent from their reformation. I have no answers to your questions, so maybe check Ze man's personal website?

Spoiler alert, it's zeman.org. Zeman.org!

17. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: May 03, 2012 at 10:37 AM (#4122439)

Man, Serie A is fantastic.

It really is bizarre. I still can't get over that story with the Genoa players and the shirts. I mean, there's just so much that's crazy about it.

18. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 03, 2012 at 10:40 AM (#4122446)

No Pescara bandwagon jumpers around here, dammit! (Torino and Pescara meet up on the 12th in a game that could decide the Serie B title, by they way. Torino has allo0wed the fewest goals and Pescara has scored the most. Should be interesting and, since it's the lone late game, I'm assuming there will be streams available.)

19. zack Posted: May 03, 2012 at 10:43 AM (#4122453)

You're just pissed because Abruzzo is obviously so much more indie than yet another northern city-state.

20. The Kentucky Gentleman, Mark Edward Posted: May 03, 2012 at 11:04 AM (#4122474)

Papa Cisse's goals really needed Alan Partridge doing the commentary. Holy f**k.

Oh man. I just watched that skit last night. Hilarious.

Shooty, what did you think of Kamil Glik's play for Torino this season? He was named to Poland's preliminary roster for the Euros. Polish fans seem to hate him, though Polish fans seemingly hate every Polish player not named Rafa Wolski*.

*- Admittedly Rafa Wolski is awesome.

21. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 03, 2012 at 11:36 AM (#4122506)

You're just pissed because Abruzzo is obviously so much more indie than yet another northern city-state.

Meh. We'll just pay them off Castel di Sangro style.

Shooty, what did you think of Kamil Glik's play for Torino this season? He was named to Poland's preliminary roster for the Euros. Polish fans seem to hate him, though Polish fans seemingly hate every Polish player not named Rafa Wolski*.

Unfortunately, I really can't say. I've only been able to watch 6 or 7 of the games and, often when I do get a stream, it's tough to pick out the individual players. The only guys I've been able to form an opinion of are Bianchi and Ogbonna. Bianchi because he's always involved in the attack and Ogbonna--and it's embarassing to say this--because he's black and easy to pick out on a blurry stream. They really ####### need to get promoted so I can watch the games properly.

22. jmurph Posted: May 03, 2012 at 12:03 PM (#4122530)

Bianchi was a perfectly cromulent player for pre-rich Manchester City. I was bummed when they let him go (at the time; things have obviously changed).

Plus he kills in the 2008 version of Football Manager I'm still playing.

23. PepTech Posted: May 03, 2012 at 12:07 PM (#4122537)

So it's no Cisse, but this was a pretty nice goal...I believe the kids these days call that "well struck".

24. Mattbert Posted: May 03, 2012 at 12:55 PM (#4122580)

That is what the kids these days call a thunderbastard.

And some ___________ defending.

25. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 03, 2012 at 01:06 PM (#4122585)

Kyle Walker signed a new 5 year deal with Spurs. I like it--as good as he is, he still can get a lot better. He sometimes puts his head down and just runs forward no matter what's going on around him and sometimes his crossing is laughably bad. He has a bit of a temper, too, which leads him to trying to become a one-man team. If he gets a little more savvy, he's going to be a killer RB. That free kick he took against Blackburn was the best one any Spurs player took this season. It was probably the best free kick I saw from any game this season, actually.

26. Mattbert Posted: May 03, 2012 at 01:22 PM (#4122597)

It's the first time Spurs have scored a direct free kick in like two friggin' years, so yeah it was pretty much the best by definition.

I still think it caught a very slight deflection on the way over/around the wall, but it was a great hit nonetheless. Sort of like Benny's wonder goal against Everton.

27. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 03, 2012 at 03:28 PM (#4122749)

West Ham taking it to Cardiff so far.

28. CWS Keith plans to boo your show at the Apollo Posted: May 03, 2012 at 04:01 PM (#4122795)

Damn -- Marco Di Vaio might be coming to MLS (Montreal). Even at his age, that's a pretty sweet 'get' for the league.

29. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: May 03, 2012 at 04:07 PM (#4122805)

West Ham taking it to Cardiff so far.

Fear not, they'll blow it.

30. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: May 03, 2012 at 04:49 PM (#4122853)

Nice win for West Ham, although it would be substantially nicer if they used the away goals rule in promotion playoffs. On the plus side, they rarely gave up more than 2 at home this year, so hopefully they can force extra time at the least.

31. Fancy Pants Handles lap changes with class Posted: May 03, 2012 at 05:24 PM (#4122877)

Nice win for West Ham, although it would be substantially nicer if they used the away goals rule in promotion playoffs.

I keep repeating this, in the hopes that people will eventually pick it up, not holding my breath though:

The away goals rule does not work in your favour if you win the away leg to nil, even if you score 17 goals. If the away goals rule were in effect, there would be exactly zero ways for West Ham to advance on away goals.

32. Mattbert Posted: May 03, 2012 at 09:45 PM (#4123087)

Oh dear, I just saw that Buffon miscue. High comedy.

33. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 04, 2012 at 12:07 PM (#4123449)

A mixed bag for Liverpool's finances

With their new kit deal it seems the only way they're going to increase revenues relative to the other clubs going forward is to make the Champions League. On the other hand, FSG has done a good job eliminating debt and interest expense and getting rid of a lot of costs before FFP comes into effect. Hopefully Swiss Ramble will take their balance sheet and income statement apart. As it stand now they're closer to Tottenham and Man City in revenues than they are to Arsenal and Chelsea and Man U with Man City, of course, being a special case. Also, it seems like they're going to follow the Tottenham path of trying to make up for a relatively smaller stadium by ratcheting up ticket prices.

Oh, and hey, they play in kind of a big game tomorrow!

34. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 04, 2012 at 12:11 PM (#4123452)

I should have known Swiss Ramble would be on the case

35. DA Baracus Posted: May 04, 2012 at 12:18 PM (#4123460)

Swiss Ramble really needs to hit the More button in his posts. That front page is awful.

36. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 04, 2012 at 12:35 PM (#4123472)

Swiss Ramble really needs to hit the More button in his posts. That front page is awful.

Those are long articles, indeed. Whenever I read those articles about EPL teams, I'm always struck by just how awful Aston Villa's #'s are when he shows graphs of revenue and wages, etc. Be careful, Ellis Short, be very careful.

37. DA Baracus Posted: May 04, 2012 at 12:40 PM (#4123474)

I should say, I enjoy Swiss Ramble. But no one should have to hit the page down button 10 times or strain their finger on the mouse wheel to get to the second article on the page.

Whenever I read those articles about EPL teams, I'm always struck by just how awful Aston Villa's #'s are when he shows graphs of revenue and wages, etc.

Well, it's Randy Lerner. He's terrible at the whole "run a sports team" thing. He's one of those owners that an educated fan can realistically say they'd do a better job than.

38. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 04, 2012 at 12:40 PM (#4123475)

Flat out awesome.

Game of the year, so far, even without video.

39. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 04, 2012 at 12:42 PM (#4123476)

Well, it's Randy Lerner. He's terrible at the whole "run a sports team" thing. He's one of those owners that an educated fan can realistically say they'd do a better job than.

It must be nice to crap away that much money on a relegation battle...

40. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 04, 2012 at 12:49 PM (#4123482)

You London/England folks...does Chelsea actually have a shot at buying the Battersea Power Station? It would be a hell of a venue for a stadium, but I imagine there could be a lot interesting non-sport uses for it, too.

41. ursus arctos Posted: May 04, 2012 at 12:59 PM (#4123490)

They've been trying to sell it for yonks.

The planning permission and renovation expense hurdles are very high, but it would be instantly iconic if they somehow pulled it off. HOK/Populous are supposed to have done some preliminary plans several years ago.

Swiss Ramble assumes that most readers print his pieces out, and is probably right about that.

42. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: May 04, 2012 at 01:06 PM (#4123495)

Making a stadium out of Battersea would be awesome. According to Wikipedia, one of the more recent owners was "a consortium including Alton Towers Ltd, which proposed an indoor theme park, based around Britain's industrial history." That sounds like a pretty grim concept for a theme park.

43. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 04, 2012 at 01:11 PM (#4123499)

The planning permission and renovation expense hurdles are very high, but it would be instantly iconic if they somehow pulled it off. HOK/Populous are supposed to have done some preliminary plans several years ago.

It won't count against FFP, so I guess it's just a matter of how much money Abramovich wants to spend and if he's getting killed on his Russian oil stocks...Then again, if the man can afford a 600 million Euro yacht, he can probably throw a pittance at a venerable London fixer-upper.

44. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 04, 2012 at 01:12 PM (#4123501)

That sounds like a pretty grim concept for a theme park.

Ooh, the Child Labor laser-light show would have been spectacular!

45. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 04, 2012 at 01:15 PM (#4123506)

By the way, ursus, RB and I will definitely be at Kinsale's for the final weekend games. There could be 7 or 8 intriguing games going on at once.

46. Mattbert Posted: May 04, 2012 at 01:16 PM (#4123507)

The planning permission and renovation expense hurdles are very high, but it would be instantly iconic if they somehow pulled it off.

My former employer has been involved at that site for quite some time, and I can confirm that those hurdles are indeed very high.

47. Mattbert Posted: May 04, 2012 at 01:21 PM (#4123515)

It would be awesome if they kept the four stacks as the corners of a football ground there. Unfortunately, they are full of bats and, I believe, scheduled to be imploded at some point if they can ever get that through planning. Not sure if the footprint works anyway. Oh well. Maybe they could build replicas; a colossal waste of money...but cool!

48. ursus arctos Posted: May 04, 2012 at 01:21 PM (#4123517)

Good to know gentlemen.

As I've decided not to go to Krakow for a firm thing, I may very well see you there.

49. DA Baracus Posted: May 04, 2012 at 02:01 PM (#4123555)

It must be nice to crap away that much money on a relegation battle...

I guess he doesn't want to play favorites between Aston Villa and the Browns.

50. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: May 04, 2012 at 04:38 PM (#4123658)

Blackpool should have scored way more than 1 goal in that game. Hope it doesn't come back to bite them in the return leg.

51. DA Baracus Posted: May 04, 2012 at 06:04 PM (#4123696)

Player in Norway sent off for protesting against penalty – awarded to him. And it gets better from there.

52. PepTech Posted: May 04, 2012 at 06:23 PM (#4123705)

Huh - that's the kind of thing Shooty normally links to... ;)

53. DA Baracus Posted: May 04, 2012 at 06:32 PM (#4123708)

D-oh. 2 liter of Coke to Shooty.

54. President of the David Eckstein Fan Club Posted: May 04, 2012 at 07:17 PM (#4123730)

The ref sounds like a winner

55. frannyzoo Posted: May 04, 2012 at 09:17 PM (#4123828)

Bundesliga position are locked, both top and bottom (although Hertha could leap Cologne to at least get to the playoff). So let's go to Bund 2...

St. Pauli needs some help on the last day of the season, as current promotion play-off place holder Fortuna Dusseldorf hosts Duisberg. I kinda miss the scruffy, LA Raiders-esque, madness of St. Pauli in Bundesliga and hope they somehow scrape through. Sunday's final game against Paderborn should be pretty good, especially if some good news should come out of Dusseldorf during the game. Otherwise, there will be some sad pirates in Hamburg. And nobody likes a sad pirate. Or, in Germany, a sad Pirate Party.

56. Fancy Pants Handles lap changes with class Posted: May 05, 2012 at 06:37 AM (#4124011)

Well, I am obviously pulling for SCP... It's kind of amazing that they are in with a shot at promotion at all. The goal before the season was basically 'avoid relegation'.

Plus, if they actually make it up to the 1. BL, they will be odds on to set the record for fewest points ever. And they just build a new stadium, with lots of drama surrounding it... which is still woefully small for the BL.

57. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 07:34 AM (#4124016)

A lower leagues question: How did FC United make the Evo-Stik playoffs? According to the table they finished one place off a playoff spot. Did a team in front of them get punished for something?

Big day in Sheffield today!

58. Fancy Pants Handles lap changes with class Posted: May 05, 2012 at 07:46 AM (#4124017)

59. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 08:37 AM (#4124021)

"Northwich Victoria were expelled from the Northern Premier League after being found guilty of failing to comply with League Rules relating to financial matters; on appeal this was reduced to relegation from the Premier Division."

Financial doping in the Northern Premier League. Tsk tsk.

Norwich have been the better team so far, surprisingly. Arsenal should have been called for at least one penalty, too. Good to see Wenger in top water bottle tossing form.

60. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 08:59 AM (#4124026)

Well, that should have been Ramsey's second yellow. Arsenal are skating on their luck right now.

61. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:03 AM (#4124027)

Grant Holt is playing incredibly in this game. ####### hell.

62. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:05 AM (#4124028)

Hoolahan, or Hoolagan? Huh?

63. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:07 AM (#4124030)

Aaron Ramsey's horrible day comes to an end. Ox on for him.

64. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:14 AM (#4124032)

Chamakh coming in. His hair is as gross as ever.

65. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:16 AM (#4124034)

Arsenal get the goal that has been coming for a while. Van Persie, of course.

66. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:18 AM (#4124035)

No excuse that Arseal aren't down to ten men, Ramsey should have been sent off. Arenal have to keep their foot on the accelerator though, they need the win, not the draw.

67. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:19 AM (#4124036)

Finally, Pilkington comes on. Norwich really need him out there right now.

68. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:23 AM (#4124039)

Norwich should have had this game out of sight. They had 3-4 tremendous chances in about 15 minutes.

This is getting chippy.

69. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:24 AM (#4124042)

Well crap.

70. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:30 AM (#4124044)

Morison!!!!!!!!!!!

71. frannyzoo Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:30 AM (#4124045)

That was very, VERY cool! Norwich are fun to watch.

72. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:32 AM (#4124046)

This game is freaking insane.

73. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:33 AM (#4124047)

Jesus Norwich, tighten your #### up!

74. frannyzoo Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:34 AM (#4124048)

Norwich has three strikers right now, and some damned tired defenders.

75. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:36 AM (#4124049)

Norwich doesn't really have a defensive plan beyond "desperately lunge in front of the ball st the last minute" do they?

76. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:39 AM (#4124051)

I think I've pooped myself.

77. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:40 AM (#4124052)

And suddenly, third place is back in the hands of Tottenham. Odds on them screwing it up?

78. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:40 AM (#4124053)

A jerky handshake from Wenger. I wonder how he'll blame this on the refs since the biggest calls went their way.

79. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:40 AM (#4124054)

Great game, well deserved point for Norwich.

HUGE chance for Tottenham and Newcastle.

80. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:41 AM (#4124055)

Odds on them screwing it up?

They're good enough that I won't sleep much tonight. Good result for Newcastle and even Chelsea, too.

81. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:42 AM (#4124056)

Is anyone in the EPL going to truly win anything? City and United have alternated giving away the title while Tottenham and Arsenal have done their part to give away the last spot in the CL.

82. frannyzoo Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:42 AM (#4124057)

Okay Newcastle, now do you have much to play for v. City tomorrow?

83. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:42 AM (#4124058)

Wow. Tomorrow's going to be incredible.

84. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:45 AM (#4124059)

Okay Newcastle, now do you have much to play for v. City tomorrow?

They need a draw, at least. If they get the point, they've got a good chance at 4th since Arsenal are away to West Brom which is a tough game. If they can just stay 1 point back, then a win the last game coupled with an Arsenal draw at West Brom gets it done for them. Of course, this assumes Spurs take care of business against a crap Villa side, but Spurs being Spurs...

85. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:49 AM (#4124060)

Has Holt played himself onto the Euro squad? It's not like the English are flush with strikers with Rooney suspended.

86. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: May 05, 2012 at 09:54 AM (#4124064)

Has Holt played himself onto the Euro squad? It's not like the English are flush with strikers with Rooney suspended.

I think he's better than Darren Bent. It'll be interesting to see if Hodgson brings in Holt or Crouchaldinho into the squad.

87. frannyzoo Posted: May 05, 2012 at 10:11 AM (#4124071)

More importantly, Pescara is now up 0-3 and looks better and better for automatic promotion. They would be loads of fun in Serie A, right down to the stupid dolphin mascot.

88. Mattbert Posted: May 05, 2012 at 10:57 AM (#4124092)

Atrocious defending from Arsenal aside, that was a sensational goal for Norwich's equalizer. The through ball clipped in by Jonny Howson with the outside of his foot was a peach and then Morison's first time finish buried right across the keeper and in at the far corner. I wonder if Koscielny regrets sort of ambling back and not putting any real pressure on Morison. Whoopsie.

89. Fancy Pants Handles lap changes with class Posted: May 05, 2012 at 11:12 AM (#4124098)

Freiburg are getting a bit of a pounding in Dortmund's coronation game.

Dortmund are going to finish with 81 points, and 28 consecutive games without a loss. Both are German records.

Also looks like Hertha will be the team that gets a shot at staying up. Köln are doomed.

90. frannyzoo Posted: May 05, 2012 at 11:48 AM (#4124109)

Wednesday keeps out, or so it appears late, their Sheffield neighbors from automatic promotion. Would be nice to have both join up in the Championship though, and United should very much beat the others in the playoffs.

91. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: May 05, 2012 at 12:19 PM (#4124126)

For all of you looking for something to do after the FA Cup Final today, I highly--hugely, in fact--recommend seeing The Avengers. Just awesome.

92. puck Posted: May 05, 2012 at 12:48 PM (#4124145)

and United should very much beat the others in the playoffs

They will play Stevenage, right? They drew Stevenage a week ago at home, I have no idea if that was a flukey result or what.

(Stevenage is that team that forced the 2nd leg on Spurs in the FA Cup. They were promoted this season and were promoted to League Two the season before, so they're one of those fast risers [along w/Crawley Town]. I've been following their 2nd half progress as they hired the MLS Rapids former coach. They had a very Rapids-like record under Gary Smith, with lots of draws.)

93. frannyzoo Posted: May 05, 2012 at 01:09 PM (#4124157)

puck: I'm basing the Sheffield United comment solely on name recognition and high point differential vis-a-vis the others (ala West Ham, I guess). If Stevenage is to be the underdog spoiler of a joint Sheffield promotion, I'm all over that.

Nice through ball for the Chelsea goal, but the word "shambolic" comes to mind in terms of 'Pool defending there.

94. Richard Posted: May 05, 2012 at 01:15 PM (#4124161)

Sheffield United are not going to win the playoffs. They are going to reach the final, and lose, again.

They equalled the record for highest points by a non promoted team today. They have lost 3 strikers in the last 2 weeks - one to a red card today, one to a season ending injury, and one to a jail sentence. They have nothing left.

95. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 05, 2012 at 01:25 PM (#4124169)

Jesus, Drogba does like Wembley.

96. Swedish Chef Posted: May 05, 2012 at 01:31 PM (#4124175)

puck: I'm basing the Sheffield United comment solely on name recognition and high point differential vis-a-vis the others (ala West Ham, I guess).

The guy that scored 29 goals for them this season was sentenced to five years for rape two weeks ago.

97. puck Posted: May 05, 2012 at 01:39 PM (#4124184)

#96: Wow.

The Guardian liveblog is funny. "Andy Carroll?!"

98. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 05, 2012 at 01:49 PM (#4124191)

This is unreal, Carroll has completely turned this game in Liverpool's favor. It really feels like Chelsea are desperately hanging on.

99. frannyzoo Posted: May 05, 2012 at 01:50 PM (#4124193)

I think Chelsea's gone into "we're playing Barcelona mode." As for Sheffield United, thanks for the gruesome updates. I stand very corrected..now watch them get promoted anyway.

100. Fancy Pants Handles lap changes with class Posted: May 05, 2012 at 01:52 PM (#4124196)

I think Chelsea's gone into "we're playing Barcelona mode."

Wejj, when you are playing all-time great players like Andy Carroll, how else can you possibly react?

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Wednesday, May 02, 2012

OT: Soccer Thread—May 2012

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