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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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801. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 17, 2012 at 01:40 PM (#4134004)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Is it bad if the coach looks younger than the ball boys? Even now he looks like he's about 15.

802. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: May 17, 2012 at 01:52 PM (#4134018)

Investors who are Nigerian or investors to Nigerians? There's a big difference!

Why limit yourself to one option?

803. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 01:54 PM (#4134021)

If Villa management are bound and determined to go sign somebody out of left field, this is as good as it could be; OGS has spent a lot of time around Sir Alex and did take Molde straight to a league title. But it's still a helluva reach.

Hopefully he'll bring Josh Gatt with him.

804. Swedish Chef Posted: May 17, 2012 at 02:02 PM (#4134028)

It's a gamble, but a gamble is vastly preferable to Sam Allardyce. So sign me up. And winning the Norwegian league with Molde is no small feat, not when RBK is around.

805. Mattbert Posted: May 17, 2012 at 02:03 PM (#4134031)

Wigan have granted permission for Liverpool to speak with Roberto Martinez regarding the managerial vacancy.

806. Grunthos Posted: May 17, 2012 at 02:12 PM (#4134036)

It's a gamble, but a gamble is vastly preferable to Sam Allardyce.

Or Steve Bruce, or Alan Curbishley, or Mick McCarthy, or Avram Grant, or...

You know, the more I think about the plausible alternatives, the more I like this idea. At the least, it is very unlikely to be boring.

807. CWS Keith plans to boo your show at the Apollo Posted: May 17, 2012 at 02:45 PM (#4134067)

Reading on twitter that Dalglish apparently refused the severance package, telling FSG to spend it on players. Not seeing any verification for it elsewhere, though.

808. Mattbert Posted: May 17, 2012 at 02:48 PM (#4134076)

That sounds plausible. It would be a very Kenny thing to do. He loves that club.

809. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 02:57 PM (#4134088)

That sounds plausible. It would be a very Kenny thing to do. He loves that club.

My favorite Dalglish moment was that game against Arsenal teh season before this last one when Arsenal took the lead with a minute in stoppage time and then Liverpool were gifted a last second penalty by Eboue and and Dalglish looked over at Wenger with his arms out and said something like, Can you believe this ####! as if this was the most fun you could possibly have, win or lose. Wenger, of course, then took a crap on the moment but the point still stands. The guy really seemed to love what he was doing and I'm sorry it turned out so poorly for him. The joy he had when he first took over Liverpool after Hodgson was just nowhere to be found this year. Maybe managing a mediocre Liverpool side was a hell of a lot more pressure than managing the likes of Macca and Rush and Barnes. Can you imagine anyone on this Liverpool team rapping? Besides Kuyt, of course...

810. Mattbert Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:02 PM (#4134092)

They shoulda kept Ryan Babel!

811. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:05 PM (#4134093)

The debt is going in the right direction and they've been aggressive about getting rid if the insane PIK's they had. At the end of this, if revenues stay level or increase (and I can't imagine why they won't unless Europe really is headed for Armageddeon), Man U is going to pay all that debt down, eventually. Of course, that debt really exists to pay the Glazers for owning the team so it's going to be a hell of a deal for them and the lenders who fronted the money. So the Glazers get the world's biggest sports team and all they had to do was risk destroying that club to do it. Lucky for them and for Man U fans it looks like it's going to work. I'm trying to figure out how to get Wells Fargo to do the same for me so I can start my Shooty FC project but they won't take my calls. Bastards.

Yeah. It's just the thing that annoys me is that they seemingly looked over the finances, and instead of trying to report what it actually means, just looked for the most convenient stick to beat the Glazer's with "Net debt up 26m!!! ZOMG!!"

It's just a pathetic excuse for journalism.

812. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:05 PM (#4134095)

They shoulda kept Ryan Babel!

Ha!

813. CWS Keith plans to boo your show at the Apollo Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:07 PM (#4134098)

I think I'd be okay with Martinez. Beyond playing an enjoyable, entertaining game, my concern with the new manager is whether he's got enough appeal so that players (particularly potential transfer targets) want to play for him. Of course, I think this only matters on the margins, and that playing in Europe and being able to offer good wages are far more important. According to ursus he's got at least some international contacts/network built up, so that's encouraging. Not really buying that the new manager has to be "experienced", although definitely concerned about FSG's ability to pick out the right guy.

Definitely a ballsy move if they do decide to go with Martinez, though. They'll be in for some major criticism, and I imagine the (fans') leash with him will be as short as it was with Hodgson.

814. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:10 PM (#4134104)

It's just a pathetic excuse for journalism.

I've noticed The Guardian doesn't do well reporting on the financial aspects of the sport. They're right to want to beat the Glazers with a stick, they just don't quite know which stick to use. Why they don't hire the Swiss Ramble guy to write those articles the way they hired Michael Cox to write the tactical analysis is beyond me. They have plenty of useless pundits they could fire to free up some cash for the Ramble guy (assuming he'd be amenable to the job).

815. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:32 PM (#4134125)

Not really buying that the new manager has to be "experienced", although definitely concerned about FSG's ability to pick out the right guy.

Well they are 1 for 2 in their hires for the baseball team so there's that.

I think Dalglish was the right hire for them even if the results weren't quite what they wanted. They needed someone who could keep the fans from losing their minds like, oh who was the team a few years ago, was it Newcastle? that just seemed to handle the most mundane tasks with a spectacular level of incompetence. I remember the fans carrying signs through the stands and all sorts of real nasty stuff.

I think Dalglish would have had a lot more success if not for some real stupidity on the part of people, notably Suarez. I just looked it up, they were 6th the day Suarez got banned for the racial abuse stuff, they were 15th in points from there on in. The simple loss of such a key player obviously was part of it but that incident really generated all manner of ill will and ugliness around the team. I don't think they were finishing top 4 but I wouldn't bet that they would have been a lot better the rest of the way without that ugliness.

816. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:34 PM (#4134127)

This is where I got the daily point totals, pretty neat little resource.

817. ursus arctos Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:36 PM (#4134131)

The general level of financial literacy in the UK is significantly below that in the US, which is saying something.

It's important to Ramble to keep his identity hidden, but it's also the case that the Guardian's readership wouldn't be able to follow most of his work. The only UK outlets that he could write for are the FT and The Economist.

818. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:40 PM (#4134134)

FPH's newest most hated enemy.

Mwahahahahaha!

819. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:43 PM (#4134138)

It's important to Ramble to keep his identity hidden

Didn't realize he was on the hush-hush.

820. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:49 PM (#4134141)

Transfer news:

Rene Adler moving from Leverkusen to Hamburg on a free.
AND MOTHER ####### MARTIN FULOP HAS BEEN RELEASED BY WEST BROM THAT LOUSY PIECE OF CRAP I HOPE A GOAT ##### HIM IN HIS MOUTH UNTIL HE SUFFOCATES AND THEN SHITS ON HIS DEAD ####### BODY!

Naw, but really, good luck to Mr. Fulop and his future endeavors in the Iceland 3rd division where he belongs.

821. Mattbert Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:52 PM (#4134146)

It's been so long, I don't even remember specifically why FPH hates Bayern so much. I just remember that he does. A lot.

822. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 03:54 PM (#4134150)

It's been so long, I don't even remember specifically why FPH hates Bayern so much. I just remember that he does. A lot.

Do people even need a reason? I was at a dinner party with Austrians last week and they all were laughing at Bayern getting their asses kicked by Dortmund.

That said, LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP. LET'S GO BAY-ERN...CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP.

823. Mattbert Posted: May 17, 2012 at 04:00 PM (#4134153)

Do people even need a reason?

Well, haters gonna hate I guess. But as I recall, FPH had very detailed grounds for the intensity of his fulminatory zeal.

824. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: May 17, 2012 at 04:02 PM (#4134156)

Do people even need a reason?

I'll defend a fan's right to irrationally hate a player/coach/exec/team for whatever reason, so generally speaking, no. But like Mattbert I am curious as to why you in particular hate Bayern.

825. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 17, 2012 at 04:06 PM (#4134161)

OK guys. Who forgot to give Shooty his medication?

826. Mattbert Posted: May 17, 2012 at 04:21 PM (#4134173)

Shooty is quite cunning about that; he's a veritable R.P. McMurphy that one.

827. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: May 17, 2012 at 04:21 PM (#4134174)

I'm sorry, but I can't come to the phone right now. I am too busy teaching Chelsea supporters to chant "Zieht den Bayern die Lederhosen aus."

828. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 04:37 PM (#4134192)

Stuff I did not know about Bayern.

The greatest soccer club in all the world.

829. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines Posted: May 17, 2012 at 04:38 PM (#4134195)

Fulop was a crazy good goalkeeper in FIFA 11. I was unable to score against his Ipswich team, playing with, yes, Arsenal, in my various attempts to work on different skills while winning 10-2 against lower league teams. And at the other end I was embarrassed by Jason "not Jason Roberts" Scotland.

830. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 04:46 PM (#4134202)

I'm just wondering where you find a pair so quickly in North London. I mean, can you get these at Tesco or something?

831. ursus arctos Posted: May 17, 2012 at 05:17 PM (#4134219)

Looks more like Ann Summers than Tesco.

832. Mattbert Posted: May 17, 2012 at 06:03 PM (#4134256)

Looks more like Ann Summers than Tesco.

The fella on the right does look like he might have a Rampant Rabbit stashed somewhere private.

833. Mattbert Posted: May 17, 2012 at 06:07 PM (#4134263)

I actually had a pair of lederhosen when I was a kid. Probably a touch on the snug side now.

834. ursus arctos Posted: May 17, 2012 at 06:14 PM (#4134270)

So did I.

They were a non-ironic gift from a cousin who was living in Germany. She also bought me my first soccer ball, so I figured we were even.

835. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 07:25 PM (#4134332)

Big trade in the MLS.

Juan Agudelo to Chivas.

Also, Liverpool chasing Pep and Capello wants to take over at Chelsea. Stay tuned!

836. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: May 17, 2012 at 08:24 PM (#4134401)

Good for Agudelo, he could never get out of the dog house in NY. The Red Bulls are really good this year. Chivas is... Chivas.

837. Mattbert Posted: May 17, 2012 at 08:32 PM (#4134407)

Klinsmann will be happy with that exchange, I'll wager. Hopefully it means more regular playing time for Agudelo and a chance to accelerate his development ahead of 2014.

838. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: May 17, 2012 at 08:49 PM (#4134427)

Klinsmann will be happy with that exchange, I'll wager.

Any coach would. He's been good enough to start for a while.

Also traded to Chivas was Danny Califf. Quite the season the Union have had. Best defender walks away, then trade away your best offensive player for peanuts, then trade away your captain.

839. Obi One Kenobi Nil

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 06:25 AM (#4134664)

I've noticed The Guardian doesn't do well reporting on the financial aspects of the sport.

Teh Graun doesn't do well in reporting the financial aspects of *anything*!

840. frannyzoo Posted: May 18, 2012 at 07:50 AM (#4134681)

Finding rooting interest for tomorrow is truly like trying to find something good in the 1939 Nazi/Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. After parsing much of the possible impact, I guess I have to root for Bayern to deny Chelsea CL football next year, leave the current EPL places for Europe intact and piss off whiny people like, uh, just about every Chelsea player and supporter I've ever heard/seen/spoken with.

So I'm going with Hitler here. Criminy, this is the sports reverse equivalent of Sophie's Choice. Capello, on the other hand:

Fabio Capello is interested in taking charge of Chelsea and will attend the club's Champions League final in Munich, according to ESPN sources.

Is that all it takes?

841. Swedish Chef Posted: May 18, 2012 at 08:02 AM (#4134685)

The managerial search, said Ayre, who recently had his contract extended at Liverpool, is based "on a whole range of things, from experience and ability, methodology, style of play, character traits. As we've seen in the past it is not just about the football. It is about how controlling some are compared to others. There's a particular process that fits part of the plan we are trying to put together. It has to be a manager who fits in all of that."

They want a great but submissive manager? Good luck with that...

842. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 08:04 AM (#4134688)

FSG seem to be making a right mess of appointing a new Liverpool manager as they appear to be trying to build a baseball style front office structure and hire a manager the same way they would hire a manager for the Red Sox as they have made a short list of 12 people and are having them interview for the job.

Yeah, I'm not sure they understand how this works, especially with managers already employed. It's like they're treating Rodgers and Martinez, etc. as if they were bench coaches or 3rd base coaches or something.

It doesn't look good for Arsenal keeping Van Persie. He's refused to sign a new contract and Arsenal have forbid him from speaking to the media about his status while he's at the Euros. Looks like they have 2 choices: sell him now or let him play out his contract and get nothing. The thought of Van Persie at City is a bit depressing, especially since they're already getting Hazard.

Spurs keep pushing for Vertonghen and Remy. Real Madrid are supposedly sniffing around Luka. Cash and Sahin, Real, cash and Sahin!

edit: Oh yeah, and Solskjaer is definitely interviewing for the Villa job.

843. Mattbert Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:11 AM (#4134711)

Real Madrid are supposedly sniffing around Luka. Cash and Sahin, Real, cash and Sahin!

Works for me. He's served the club well and deserves a better shot to win at the top level at this point in his career. I'd miss him, but sending him abroad (i.e. refusing to sell to a domestic rival) and getting a ready-made replacement in the deal would be perfect.

Therefore it's too good to be true, and what will actually happen is a drawn-out acrimonious saga that consumes the entire summer window and ends with Modric going to Chelsea on deadline day and Spurs spunking 15 million on Wes Hoolahan.

844. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:16 AM (#4134716)

Works for me. He's served the club well and deserves a better shot to win at the top level at this point in his career. I'd miss him, but sending him abroad (i.e. refusing to sell to a domestic rival) and getting a ready-made replacement in the deal would be perfect.

Agreed, I'd love for him to go to Real if he's gotta go. And if he's gotta go, do it quickly and line up a replacement.

Twitter is abuzz with speculation that Spurs have bought Loic Remy for 14 million pounds.

845. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:22 AM (#4134720)

The thought of Van Persie at City is a bit depressing, especially since they're already getting Hazard.

Is City really a likely destination for van Persie? They don't look to me like a team that lacks for talent at striker. I had vaguely thought that Barca or one of the big Italian sides would be a more likely destination.

And if he's gotta go, do it quickly and line up a replacement.

This seems to me like it's the key to the offseason in football. Because players don't have structured free agency and fixed contracts in the same way, you have to make decisions on your own players quickly in order to make use of the market.

846. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:33 AM (#4134730)

Is City really a likely destination for van Persie?

Those are the rumors. Juventus and City seem like his most likely destinations if Arsenal sell.

847. J. Sosa Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:34 AM (#4134734)

Re: Bayern

All those of sound conscience will be rooting for Chelsea (tic). One reason I hope Chelsea wins is that I think there is a non zero chance Roman loses interest if they win.

848. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:40 AM (#4134741)

All those of sound conscience will be rooting for Chelsea (tic). One reason I hope Chelsea wins is that I think there is a non zero chance Roman loses interest if they win.

Spurs fans have no conscience!

849. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:41 AM (#4134743)

Yes, there is no higher moral calling than hoping an insane criminal billionaire finally realizes his most treasured dream.

And then, you finally have the opportunity to watch John Terry celebrate together with Ashley Cole. Every neutral can get behind that.

850. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:45 AM (#4134749)

Come on, Shooty, you can't get behind wholehearted Chelsea hate? You can do this, man.

851. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:49 AM (#4134754)

Come on, Shooty, you can't get behind wholehearted Chelsea hate? You can do this, man.

You are confused, sir. I hate Chelsea and Juventus most of all! I will be 100% behind Bayern Saturday for self-interested reasons, but even if the game didn't affect Spurs, I still would be lukewarmly rooting for Bayern. I just cannot hope for good things to happen to Chelsea as they are currently constructed.

852. Randy Jones

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:55 AM (#4134763)

Seriously, I can understand hating Bayern and I generally root against them, but I can't ever root for Chelsea to win anything. Ever. The more sorrow heaped on Terry and Cole and the rest of the toolbags on that team, as well as Abramovich, the better.

853. Mattbert Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:58 AM (#4134768)

Chuck Felsea. Chuck them hard, and chuck them long.

And still nobody has articulated any objective reasons for why someone without a strong Bundesliga rooting interest should despise Bayern. I will temporarily support them with a clear conscience until such time as I am dissuaded.

854. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 10:03 AM (#4134774)

The French media refers to Harry Redknapp as "Dirty Harry" which I find hilarious. Why did that never occur to me? Maybe because Harry seems more like a perp Dirty Harry would pistol whip while drinking bad coffee from a paper cup and muttering something about Mexicans.

855. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 10:09 AM (#4134780)

Let's not forget there are 5 other huge games this weekend:

1. Torino hosts Modena and can clinch promotion with a win but probably a draw will be good enough.
2. Hibs vs. Hearts in the first all Edinburgh Scottish Cup Final in over a 100 years. ######-A!
3. Some other team from somewhere in London against some beach town playing for something or other.
4. Juventus and Napoli battle for the Italian Cup and Juventus tries to complete the undefeated domestic double.
5. Montpellier try to finish off PSG as they take on Auxerre.

856. Obi One Kenobi Nil

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 11:53 AM (#4134915)

The French media refers to Harry Redknapp as "Dirty Harry" which I find hilarious. Why did that never occur to me? Maybe because Harry seems more like a perp Dirty Harry would pistol whip while drinking bad coffee from a paper cup and muttering something about Mexicans.

Maybe they think he's into doing the rusty trombone or something.

(Now try and get *that* mental image out of your head!)

857. zack Posted: May 18, 2012 at 11:59 AM (#4134923)

I'll probably be rooting for Bayern. Despite hating them for much longer than Chelsea I just can't get behind that team, and I'd rather a Bundesliga team won.

Legitimatish reasons to hate Bayern, even though I have no idea what I'm talking about:

-#### your four-stars ########
-General Bavarian annoyance (the CSU, Bavarian exceptionalism, generally being the Texas of Germany)
-Being vary much the Yankees of the BL, with the titles and the money and especially being the "establishment" team
-The bandwagon
-Bayerndusel

But compared to big clubs of other leagues I don't know that they're particularly bad.

858. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 12:14 PM (#4134950)

Roma and some other team heading to Wrigley.

I love the last two sentences of this small article:

AS Roma has won three Serie A titles, nine Coppa Italia titles and two Supercoppa Italiana titles.

Zaglebie Lubin competes in Poland's top division, the Ekstraklasa.

At some point, are there going to be diminishing returns for all these Euro clubs touring the States?

859. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 12:17 PM (#4134955)

But I don't have 30 dollars!

So I guess I won't be watching this qualifier.

860. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 12:23 PM (#4134962)

Grant Holt has put in a transfer request. Seriously.

861. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 12:49 PM (#4134995)

I would like to welcome my new Al Jazeera overlords!

Fox, Al Jazeera, whatever. What blows for me is FSC.tv having Serie A and Premier League games in the same place was very convenient, especially with Torino on the verge of promotion. Now I might have to pay for 2 ####### internet packages. In a larger political sense, I wonder how average Joe American is going to react to buying their soccer coverage from Al Jazeera, if it will emphasize the "foreign-ness" of the sport and turn people off. It'll be interesting.

862. Baldrick Posted: May 18, 2012 at 01:07 PM (#4135014)

I desperately want no one to win this game. I really detest Chelsea and don't want them to ever reach their dreams. My dislike of Bayern is lower, though still quite real. And they're such an easy team to hate.

The fact that a Champions League spot is on the line makes it all the more difficult. Because a Chelsea win hurts Spurs who I ALSO don't like. And my sense of justice in the world just makes me intuitively like the idea that a team shouldn't really be allowed to celebrate finishing 4th. There's something poetically right about that possible result: if the promise all season that 4th would be sufficient is revoked at the last minute.

It's a problem with being an adopted fan of the sport who dislike entitlement. Basically any team with any chance of winning any major competition is *always* going to irritate me. I manage to root for Barca, but even there I totally get the annoyance of 'more than a team' and the like. I rooted for City to win the title, but mostly just because I love the way that their nouveau riche status provokes fans of the more established clubs. And because it prevented United from winning another title.

In the end, I have to support Bayern. Lesser of three or four evils, I guess.

863. JuanGone..except1game Posted: May 18, 2012 at 03:39 PM (#4135174)

Your teams all have poopy pants!

/Go Chelsea!

864. puck Posted: May 18, 2012 at 03:49 PM (#4135197)

Let's not forget there are 5 other huge games this weekend

If Torino and the Scottish Cup are huge games, then there is also the Mexico Primera League final Sunday night at 9 eastern, on Telefutura. Santos Laguna v. Monterrey.

1st leg was last night, it ended 1-1. Sunday's game is in Torreon (Santos's home). The 1-1 draw was a good result for Santos despite allowing an injury time PK. It's a rematch of the CCL final (in that, Monterrey prevailed 3-2 aggr; it was 2-0 Monterrey in Mont., 2-1 Santos in Torreon) and also the 2010 Apertura final (Monterrey 5-3 aggr; 3-2 Santos in Torreon, 3-0 Mont. in Monterrey).

These teams finished 1-2 in the Clausura and are also the highest scoring teams in the league. The Chilean Humberto Suazo is Monterrey's star striker; he's supported by Aldo De Nigris, who gets caps for Mexico. Santos's attack is led by Darwin Quintero, Daniel Luduena and leading scorer Orribe Peralta. Herculez Gomez is also on Santos and has come in as a sub in 3 of their 5 games so far in the Liguilla.

Santos has been runner-up in Liguilla finals 3 times in the last couple years, I think.

865. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: May 18, 2012 at 04:17 PM (#4135243)

Chelsea and Bayern are both hateable, but only one of them has John Terry.

At some point, are there going to be diminishing returns for all these Euro clubs touring the States?

Except for the SuperClubs or popular Mexican clubs, I think so.

866. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: May 18, 2012 at 04:18 PM (#4135245)

Grant Holt has put in a transfer request. Seriously.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you but what is wrong with this? The guy is 30 years old and just had a career year. If he's ever going to cash in, now is the time.

867. ursus arctos Posted: May 18, 2012 at 04:40 PM (#4135292)

I think you need to look at alternatives for the pre-season tour market.

For a club like Zaglebie, those essentially consist of staying home or playing before a few hundred bemused tourists in someplace like the Austrian Alps or the Turkish Coast. Wrigley is far superior from every possible angle, with the possible exception of getting ready for next season.

868. Swedish Chef Posted: May 18, 2012 at 04:47 PM (#4135300)

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you but what is wrong with this? The guy is 30 years old and just had a career year. If he's ever going to cash in, now is the time.

Only losers put in transfer requests, the trick is to make yourself impossible at the club and when they unload you to a new club (and a shiny new massive contract) you hit them up for a loyalty bonus worth a couple of hundred thousand (that wouldn't be due in case of a transfer request). Ask Joey Barton how it's done.

869. vortex of dissipation Posted: May 18, 2012 at 05:05 PM (#4135321)

Chelsea is probably my least favorite club in the EPL, but I find it pretty much impossible to root for a German team over an English team at any time...

870. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: May 18, 2012 at 05:25 PM (#4135330)

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you but what is wrong with this? The guy is 30 years old and just had a career year. If he's ever going to cash in, now is the time.

There's nothing wrong with it, it just comes out of leftfield. I wonder who tapped him up?

871. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: May 18, 2012 at 06:02 PM (#4135355)

I wonder who tapped him up?

I saw a tweet by a Sky Sports reporter that Holt initiated it completely on his own, that no team had asked about him, making it even more strange.

The request got denied anyway, so he's not going anywhere.

872. Flynn Posted: May 18, 2012 at 06:47 PM (#4135389)

Proof that times have changed:

ESPN Classic in the UK are showing some European games. Lots of finals and semifinals. I just watched Dundee United beat Roma 2-0 in a European Cup semi final. Crikey.

The Arabs got screwed in the return leg, which was suspiciously played at 3 pm in the sun, something Scottish people don't know exists.

873. Borussia, Du bist so wunderschön! (Mark Edward) Posted: May 18, 2012 at 08:54 PM (#4135460)

Roma and some other team heading to Wrigley.

Even though I know it's a friendly and all, I kind of got excited about the idea of catching a game at either Wrigley or the Cell. Keith & I talked about this match up, and we are less than impressed. I figure I'll go if:
- it's a nice day & tickets are cheap, or
- Roma has signed Dempsey and/or Bradley by then.
The game should draw well, there was a good turnout for a meaningless Poland-USA friendly a few years back. I'd much rather see Legia or Wisla in Zaglebie's place though.

But I don't have 30 dollars!

Also, this is lame. Same thing happened when the US played Honduras during the 2010 qualifiers. We went to the Globe Pub & payed like a $10 cover fee. Probably just do that again, it was a fun atmosphere.

874. Baldrick Posted: May 18, 2012 at 09:05 PM (#4135471)

Chelsea and Bayern are both hateable, but only one of them has John Terry.

Yeah, that's pretty much where I'm at.

875. Rafael Bellylard: Built like a Fielder Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:05 AM (#4135658)

Blackpool off the goalie and the post. Bad luck and bad defense.

876. Mattbert Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:17 AM (#4135663)

Lovely move and a really good chance for Blackpool, but the final ball was just half a step behind Phillips which allowed the defender to recover and pressure him enough that the shot was limp.

And now Phillips is in again on a terrible error but curls his shot wide.

Goodness me.

877. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:23 AM (#4135664)

This seems like an easy game for a neutral to pick a side. You have the mildly insane pressing and attacking underdogs with the creamsicle-themed kit from a random small town against the boring London favorites with the obnoxious and litigious manager.

Am I missing anything? RB's feelings, I guess?

Maybe you could say that Blackpool showed they can't really compete in the EPL playing this style with this talent, and so they wouldn't add much to big league. That's not enough to balance out the creamsicle thing, for me.

878. I am going to be Frank Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:23 AM (#4135665)

I had no idea Blackpool was in the running for promotion - I figured after they got rid of Adam and Vaughan they would be mid-table at best.

879. Rafael Bellylard: Built like a Fielder Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:29 AM (#4135667)

Blackpool's EPL experience was only marred by one thing; their inability to stop their opponents from scoring in the last 10 minutes of their matches. I don't remember the exact numbers, but had the matches ended at 80 minutes, Blackpool would have had something like 12 more points, and have been comfortably outside the relegation zone.

880. Swedish Chef Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:34 AM (#4135671)

Am I missing anything? RB's feelings, I guess?

With Reading, Swansea and Norwich there is already a surplus of lovable underdogs in prem. There is little grim and gritty urban dystopia*, so West Ham fills a niche.

*) Yeah, a bit out of date, and the Olympics is making it even more so.

881. Mattbert Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:39 AM (#4135674)

I prefer the Tangerines' style of play, and their manager is a hoot. And vortex is a lifetime fan.

On the other hand, Big Sam is unintentionally hilarious in his own way. And of course there's RB, Phil, scotto, etc.

Basically, I will be happy enough no matter who wins.

882. Mattbert Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:40 AM (#4135675)

Bad mistake in midfield by Blackpool, but that's a great ball over the top and a fine finish by Cole. Vaz Te should have stuck in a second there.

883. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:41 AM (#4135677)

Am I missing anything? RB's feelings, I guess?

And Phil's, of course. But come on, say what you will about the Glazers, and the Sheikh and Roman and all the rest, no one tops the David's for pure strangeness in ownership. The EPL needs that. Two guys who dress like this and made their money selling edible panties and porno starring one of their wives. That's great!

884. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:41 AM (#4135678)

Phil! I can't root against Phil's happiness.

(I also like the urban dystopia point and the Big Sam is ridiculous point.

Ok, happily neutral again.

885. Swedish Chef Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:47 AM (#4135679)

It's a pity for West Ham fans that they can't very well fire Sam after promotion.

886. Mattbert Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:48 AM (#4135680)

If you are on the Twitters, @TheBig_Sam is a must follow. Fabulous parody account, especially if you read everything aloud in your head with his voice and accent.

887. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: May 19, 2012 at 10:50 AM (#4135684)

There is little grim and gritty urban dystopia*, so West Ham fills a niche.

I have three words for you: Hard as hell!

888. Mattbert Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:05 AM (#4135690)

Wow! Almost a carbon copy of the first goal, but for Blackpool!

And it's none other than Thomas Ince who scores it. You can't make this stuff up.

EDIT: Olly's reaction to that goal was top class.

889. Rafael Bellylard: Built like a Fielder Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:06 AM (#4135693)

That was just flat pretty.

890. Mattbert Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:09 AM (#4135695)

Oh, Dobbie. You've got to hit that after the first touch.

891. Mattbert Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:15 AM (#4135698)

Faubert looks like he's been tucking away a few pies this year.

892. Jeffo has an El Camino full of Rampage Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:18 AM (#4135700)

Hammers may start running out of players if these injuries keep happening.

893. Rafael Bellylard: Built like a Fielder Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:24 AM (#4135704)

Well....I coulda done that.

894. CWS Keith plans to boo your show at the Apollo Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:28 AM (#4135708)

The decision for who to root for in this game is an easy one. How could you root against the team with the Fila jerseys? Fila! For a good portion of the '90s, I'm pretty sure I had a hideous looking green-and-purple Milwaukee Bucks Fila coat. Damn did I get good wear out of that thing.

895. Mattbert Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:34 AM (#4135711)

Dobbie should stick to house elfing if he's going to keep scuffing presentable chances.

896. Mattbert Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:38 AM (#4135714)

Nolan volleys off the bar! Almost a brilliant goal. What a game this is.

897. Rafael Bellylard: Built like a Fielder Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:38 AM (#4135715)

This is the part of the game that scares me as a Blackpool fan. They always seem to give up a goal about now in a close game.

898. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:40 AM (#4135716)

The total lack of pace on these two sides is striking. It's like they're counterattacking in a pool of jello.

899. I am going to be Frank Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:44 AM (#4135721)

Volleys off the bar notwithstanding what exactly does Nolan offer? I was at a Hammers game in the fall and the fans can't stand him either.

Wow! Can they hold on?

900. Mattbert Posted: May 19, 2012 at 11:46 AM (#4135725)

The total lack of pace on these two sides is striking. It's like they're counterattacking in a pool of jello.

Blackpool's wingers are reasonably quick.

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