Re: The Football Thread - 2011/12 (II)

[horace]

I'm still chuckling at the thought of Horrie listening to BBC Worldwide.

Still trying to tune in for news about the centre of the universe from your colonial outpost H old boy?

...agree JKL...tis not without irony...but also listen to Deutsche Wella..

...the older I get the more I enjoy radio...

[tricycle]

Is China Radio International a clincher?

Hmmm. Interesting signings by Chelsea. Marin and now Hazard for 32m. Strange that he's gone with a club without a manager.Who sold the club to him and explained how he would fit in tactically? Some suit?

Hazard is potentially out of this world but Marin is not too shabby either. Bags of talent and just 23. They're also rumoured to be planning a 30m bid for Hulk, which wouldn't be a bad move if the midfield and attack is to be full of waifs. I've not seen much of him but seems a bit Julio Baptista-y. Apparenty he can play right wing like Baptista.

With Ramires, Mata, Torres, Hazard, Marin, Hulk they've potentially got something a bit exciting. Mata, Hazard, Marin and trusty old Lamps could, in theory, create a shit load of goals for Torres. They've all got world class assist records.

Whether it be Hulk or someone else they need another striker (Higuain? - would be devastating in Prem), a right back and potentially a water carrier. I'd like to see Lampard play this role more in the future as he loses some of his attacking vitality. He is a pretty tidy, intelligent, superbly tatically disciplined (see Barca/Bayern) and will still chip in with goals and assist plenty. I see absolutely no reason why he couldn't play this role as well as, say, Deschamps. He's more than good enough IMO.

Exciting times at Chelsea high. Could be a real force next season, depending on what happens with their manager.

*mutters* f*cking pisses me off that he didn't go to Arsenal though*mutters*

Marin is good, hasn't had the same hype train as Hazard, but he's top quality. He's lightweight, and that's an issue, and it would be a wonder if he's a regular at Chelsea. What a shitty transfer by him.

Can't see why Higuain would leave his comfy cushion at Madrid and join Chelsea, the odds are Madrid would've bought themselves closer, with another signing, to a CL than Chelsea.

[LeFromage]

They're also rumoured to be planning a 30m bid for Hulk, which wouldn't be a bad move if the midfield and attack is to be full of waifs. I've not seen much of him but seems a bit Julio Baptista-y. Apparenty he can play right wing like Baptista.

Can play right wing? Pretty much does play right wing, sharing the responsibilty with Belluschi and being one of those in fashion 'inverted' cack-footed type winger forwardy things. He can play anywhere attacking, IMO.

Hazard has been veering quite a bit left in his advances forward this last season, what with Joe Cole wrecking the right side... so they could iron out careers together at Chelsea in the same team. With Torres up front, it could be quite an exciting combination and I must say I'm pleased that players of this calibre could be coming to our shores.

I think Hazard wanted assurances that he'd be playing in the number 10 role through the middle before he settled on his club. He's served his apprenticeship out on the left wing, now want to be the main man.

Which should prove interesting as Juan Mata wants to play central too.

As Lara says, f*ck knows who gave Hazard assurances as to how he would fit in tactically, as Chelsea don't have a manager - just some interim bloke who'd play eleven defenders if he could.

Hulk? Overpriced. Overrated. And possibly over here. I guess they'd use him right up top as he's a massive unit and they don't have Drogba anymore.

Then again, Torres has been assured that he'll be first choice striker next season. By whom? The guy who picks the team: Abramovich.

[LeFromage]

I'd like to see Lampard play this role (water carrier)more in the future as he loses some of his attacking vitality. He is a pretty tidy, intelligent, superbly tatically disciplined (see Barca/Bayern) and will still chip in with goals and assist plenty. I see absolutely no reason why he couldn't play this role as well as, say, Deschamps. He's more than good enough IMO.

That's Frank's position now. Should be starting for England in the Euros there too. Bollocks to Gerrard - he's never had the positional discipline to play centre mid.

Lampard has easily adapted his game to suit his diminishing physical power and taken to the deep lying playmaker role like a duck to water. He could be another Pirlo if Chelsea use him right. He'll need some legs alongside him - Ramires or Mikel.

[JKLever]

Dellos gone all super fwank on us ffs...

[LeFromage]

He's still a fat wanker, but he's played well since Chelsea moved him back into the trenches. Can't deny that, or the next step is denying the Holocaust.

[taipan]

Dellos gone all super fwank on us ffs...

I feel sick.

[JKLever]

Bigging up big fwank, 'naming' all and sundry as his 'picks' and thinking someone who has bowled less than 100 overs is overworked and needs a rest.

Bloke is losing it.

[LeFromage]

Can't lose what you never had.

[taipan]

Bigging up big fwank, 'naming' all and sundry as his 'picks' and thinking someone who has bowled less than 100 overs is overworked and needs a rest.

Bloke is losing it.

"Diapers" was the start of the rot.

[LeFromage]

Holocaust deniers.

[Lara Lara Laughs]

They're also rumoured to be planning a 30m bid for Hulk, which wouldn't be a bad move if the midfield and attack is to be full of waifs. I've not seen much of him but seems a bit Julio Baptista-y. Apparenty he can play right wing like Baptista.

Can play right wing? Pretty much does play right wing, sharing the responsibilty with Belluschi and being one of those in fashion 'inverted' cack-footed type winger forwardy things. He can play anywhere attacking, IMO.

Hazard has been veering quite a bit left in his advances forward this last season, what with Joe Cole wrecking the right side... so they could iron out careers together at Chelsea in the same team. With Torres up front, it could be quite an exciting combination and I must say I'm pleased that players of this calibre could be coming to our shores.

Hulk? Overpriced. Overrated. And possibly over here. I guess they'd use him right up top as he's a massive unit and they don't have Drogba anymore.

Grrrrr. HULK SMASH!

[LeFromage]

There you go, I've given Lampard the Dello seal of approval and that's well and truly ruined him.

Injured.

Jordan Henderson on stand by.

World teetering on axis.

[Chivalry Augustus]

Looks like Man Utd are closing in on the bargain of the summer - Shinji Kagawa at £12.5m. They'll make that back in shirt sales alone before the season even starts. And they get an excellent player, too. Unsure where he'll fit into United's system, mind you.

[LeFromage]

Looks like Man Utd are closing in on the bargain of the summer - Shinji Kagawa at £12.5m. They'll make that back in shirt sales alone before the season even starts. And they get an excellent player, too. Unsure where he'll fit into United's system, mind you.

Mmmm. When Carlos Queiroz was assistant manager, United had some tactical flexibility and toyed with various "European" formations, but Fergie's a dyed in the wool 4-4-2 man. I doubt he's about to change.

So unless Kagawa's going to play as a withdrawn second striker (which he could do, but I'd say he's more of an attacking midfielder), he'll probably have to come inside off one of the wings. Which, again, he could do, but isn't really making the most of a player who operates best in the centre of the action.

[tricycle]

Good deal for both teams price wise considering what Borussia coughed up for him originally. Maybe a bit more would've been better after the Reus buy.

Now for his inevitable transformation to Ji Sung Park.

[Chivalry Augustus]

Dortmund's tactics aren't exactly brutally confined to the 4-2-3-1. Forward of the two holding midfielders (well, one-and-a-half, usually one of them is a bit more expansive), there's a lot of freedom and dynamism, especially on the counter.

I've seen Kagawa play right, left and centre, sometimes within the same game (whether in a free role or not, I dunno. That's up to the Kloppmeister). In the Man Utd team, he's much more likely to play central, but not in a role where he can be positive enough to make an impact. He could well be a flop if not used properly.

In terms of the money, the sales of Barrios and Kagawa combined will cover for the Reus money. Dortmund are lucky really that they've signed Kagawa's replacement, before he has even left the club.

[DJ_Smerk]

Brendan Rodgers signs a 3 year contract to be Liverpool manager.

Well I f*cking never.

FFFFFFFFSSSSSSSSSSS.

[LeFromage]

What next for the Swans?

Guardiola?

[DJ_Smerk]

AVB would be nice. But we'll probably get McLeish.

FFS.

[Brass Monkey]

I think Hazard wanted assurances that he'd be playing in the number 10 role through the middle before he settled on his club. He's served his apprenticeship out on the left wing, now want to be the main man.

Which should prove interesting as Juan Mata wants to play central too.

As Lara says, f*ck knows who gave Hazard assurances as to how he would fit in tactically, as Chelsea don't have a manager - just some interim bloke who'd play eleven defenders if he could.

Hulk? Overpriced. Overrated. And possibly over here. I guess they'd use him right up top as he's a massive unit and they don't have Drogba anymore.

Then again, Torres has been assured that he'll be first choice striker next season. By whom? The guy who picks the team: Abramovich.

Aye, I heard that whole Hazard tactics shit today... mentalus. Mentarello. Stick him up there, then... Mata's gash... Torres can play in a two(although probably not with Hazard ironically).

As for the Hulkster... isn't overpriced and overrated the same thing? I probably agree but he's still an exciting prospect... he definitely won't get lost in the Prem.. he has too many attributes that work in our style of play.

[Brass Monkey]

Bigging up big fwank, 'naming' all and sundry as his 'picks' and thinking someone who has bowled less than 100 overs is overworked and needs a rest.

Bloke is losing it.

Aye damn straight. If I knew his address I'd call a f*cking ambulance for him.

[Brass Monkey]

That's Frank's position now. Should be starting for England in the Euros there too. Bollocks to Gerrard - he's never had the positional discipline to play centre mid.

I'd stick Gerrard up front with Ashley Young. I'm a maverick that's not really a maverick at all.

[LeFromage]

You're Goose.

I'm Iceman.

Actually, I'm probably Meg Ryan, but for the purposes of this fantasy: you can be my wingman anytime.

[Brass Monkey]

Why're you Meg Ryan? You don't mean Kelly McGillis do you?

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