Re: The Football Thread - 10/11

by LeFromage Sat 15 Jan 2011, 22:24

beamer wrote:Joe Cole is certainly an outstanding natural talent, but one of those players who has just never seemed to establish himself in one position. I guess he's ended up in wide positions most of the time due to not really having the physical presence for central midfield, you might think just behind the main striker would suit him but that hasn't really worked out either.

I think he was a bit unlucky in the timing of his career. If he'd been starting out in this day and age where technically gifted, physically slight midfielders have shown that their stature isn't a massive disadvantage to them playing in the middle of the park - think Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Wilshire, Modric, even Stuart Holden at Bolton's having a great season - Cole might've been allowed to play and develop in his natural position.

Unfortunately for him, he joined Chelsea just before Mourinho did and, successful though Jose undoubtedly is, he's all about a strong defence and solidarity in the middle of the park, first and foremost. His sides have always had the skilled players (luxury players?) shunted out to the wings, or on the bench.

And so Cole became a winger. Pretty decent one, but not a great one as he's never had electric pace and forced into tight spots out on the touchline where the best he could do was beat a man and sling the ball in rather under-utilised his great strength as a youngster, which was dribbling in the middle of the park and causing absolute mayhem in the business end of the pitch, cutting defences open right down the middle.

Anyway, I'd imagine his moment has passed. 29, still hasn't got his form back after a year out with a serious knee injury, playing for a struggling team - it's not going to happen, is it...?

by Guest Sat 15 Jan 2011, 23:54

by G.Wood Mon 17 Jan 2011, 03:23

qunts - picking on smerk is as challenging as bowling to Phil Hughes

by Gary 111 Tue 18 Jan 2011, 21:12

SO, what's the final verdict on Roy Hodgson then?

Worst 'pool manager since Barrymore?

by Henry Thu 20 Jan 2011, 03:09

Another great English talent as a youngster who has now become an over-hyped, overpaid knob who's achieved next to nothing in the game-

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/executive-lifestyle/jermaine-pennant-mislays-one-of-his-many-sports-cars/story-e6frg9zo-1225991490313

by Zat Thu 20 Jan 2011, 03:11

Spurs have taken a leaf out of the England cricket book, I believe. They've signed a SAffy.

by G.Wood Mon 24 Jan 2011, 04:07

STORY

A couple of sensitive new age poms then.

But it's good to see that GB is finally moving into the 21st century

by Zat Mon 24 Jan 2011, 04:31

I like the picture (and the caption) attached to that story RD.
The Football Thread - 10/11 - Page 21 Andygray-200x0

The caption: 'Andy Gray, pictured here playing for Everton...'
Wearing an Everton top, maybe, but I don't think he's playing much at all in that picture.

by Henry Mon 24 Jan 2011, 06:49

G.Wood wrote:STORY

A couple of sensitive new age poms then.

But it's good to see that GB is finally moving into the 21st century

Yeah, because Australia leads the way when it comes to stamping out sexism in sport.....

by Zat Mon 24 Jan 2011, 07:37

Oh look, it's Pavlov's dog...

by LeFromage Mon 24 Jan 2011, 19:49

Zat wrote:Oh look, it's Pavlov's dog...

That's a woof if ever there was one.

by Guest Mon 24 Jan 2011, 20:37

G.Wood wrote:STORY

A couple of sensitive new age poms then.

But it's good to see that GB is finally moving into the 21st century

Heh, tossers.

Can't imagine anything more will happen though, just a slap on the wrist and they'll be back in a week or so.

by Guest Mon 24 Jan 2011, 20:39

I found it quite weird that of all people to come out and condemn them Rio Ferdinand has been having a go at them and saying their views are prehistoric. My head nearly exploded with the irony of Rio Ferdinand calling someone prehistoric.

by Zat Mon 24 Jan 2011, 20:42

Dello wrote:
Zat wrote:Oh look, it's Pavlov's dog...

That's a woof if ever there was one.

More a ringing bell than a woof.

by G.Wood Mon 24 Jan 2011, 21:33

vilkrang wrote:I found it quite weird that of all people to come out and condemn them Rio Ferdinand has been having a go at them and saying their views are prehistoric. My head nearly exploded with the irony of Rio Ferdinand calling someone prehistoric.

Aye, it's like Mudge criticising someone for being racist

by beamer Mon 24 Jan 2011, 21:45

vilkrang wrote:Can't imagine anything more will happen though, just a slap on the wrist and they'll be back in a week or so.

As opposed to Ron Atkinson (racist comment) and Rodney Marsh (bad taste joke) who were seemingly kicked out for good. If that's the case it's obviously not considered in the same league as what those two did, and they would have been considered equally indispensible in their time.

by Guest Mon 24 Jan 2011, 22:38

beamer wrote:
vilkrang wrote:Can't imagine anything more will happen though, just a slap on the wrist and they'll be back in a week or so.
As opposed to Ron Atkinson (racist comment) and Rodney Marsh (bad taste joke) who were seemingly kicked out for good. If that's the case it's obviously not considered in the same league as what those two did, and they would have been considered equally indispensible in their time.

I'm not saying whether or not they should get kicked out, they seem like pricks so it wouldn't bother me at all, just saying I don't expect them to be kicked out this time.

In other news I just went to the BBC homepage and saw "Bolton 4 - 0 Chelsea" (might still be there if you are quick), pissed myself laughing until I clicked the link and saw that it was just a mistake and Chelsea had won 4-0. Damn you BBC.

by G.Wood Mon 24 Jan 2011, 22:44

At least you knew for a second what it felt like to think that Bolton had smashed Chelsea. Some people never have that.

by Guest Mon 24 Jan 2011, 22:53

True. And I have seen Wolves beat both Liverpool and Chelsea this season, so have had a lot to laugh at recently. I was being greedy.

My Mum is a Wolves fan and apparently was strangled by a Forest fan when she was younger. Perhaps I am destined to kill her or some sh!t.

by LeFromage Mon 24 Jan 2011, 23:54

vilkrang wrote:
beamer wrote:
vilkrang wrote:Can't imagine anything more will happen though, just a slap on the wrist and they'll be back in a week or so.
As opposed to Ron Atkinson (racist comment) and Rodney Marsh (bad taste joke) who were seemingly kicked out for good. If that's the case it's obviously not considered in the same league as what those two did, and they would have been considered equally indispensible in their time.
I'm not saying whether or not they should get kicked out, they seem like pricks so it wouldn't bother me at all, just saying I don't expect them to be kicked out this time.

Casual sexism is nothing more than a storm in a teacup though.

Once Big Ron referred to a player as a "lazy, thick n*gger", there was really no way back.

by JKLever Tue 25 Jan 2011, 22:17

Ipswich go down 3-0 in the 2nd leg in a bit of an alamo job. I'll take a 3-1 over 2 legs given I feared a cricket score on aggregate a week ago.

Blackpool blow a 2-0 lead against United. IMO, they'll be the most ordinary champions in the last decade. And to be honest they've strolled the Prem.

by beamer Tue 25 Jan 2011, 22:22

JKLever wrote:IMO, they'll be the most ordinary champions in the last decade. And to be honest they've strolled the Prem.

Certainly the most ordinary unbeaten champions... just feels like they're not going to lose now, even though they've got Chelsea twice and I think Arsenal away still to play. How many points have they pulled out of the bag when all seemed lost? And their rivals have handed them a comfortable lead with silly results.

The word "strolled" is certainly appropriate for Berbatov, 13 goals in 8 games now, just think what he could do with a bit of effort!

by LeFromage Tue 25 Jan 2011, 22:30

JKLever wrote:

Blackpool blow a 2-0 lead against United. IMO, they'll be the most ordinary champions in the last decade. And to be honest they've strolled the Prem.

2-0 up AND then a stonewall penalty denied.

United'll win the Prem - they've had all the luck this season. Like they do most seasons...

by Guest Tue 25 Jan 2011, 22:41

Aye, the qunts. Makes me annoyed that I didn't put every single ounce of energy I had into hating and laughing at them when they weren't doing so well a few years ago.

I mean I did a little but... it wasn't enough....

by JGK Tue 25 Jan 2011, 23:08

Meanwhile, Socceroos to play Japan in the Asian Cup final.

I can feel a hunj on the Japs coming up.

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