[demonrail666]

Ben Arfa has been fantastic since starting for Newcastle and definitely deserves to be picked ahead of Malouda, a player I used to like a lot but who seems to have lost interest this past couple of seasons. I'd say France have about the same chance as England, overall: quarterfinals or semis at best.

Out of interest, have you seen anything of Joe Cole at Lille? West Ham are apparently looking at trying to sign him back. He's a legend there but seems to have struggled everywhere he's been to since. Just wondering how he did at Lille last season.

[h8kurdt]

So bloody Man Utd have been sniffing around at getting Baines from Everton. Let's just say I'm non too happy about it. Especially at their stupid offer of 15 mil. He's worth a hell of a lot more than that.

[h8kurdt]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Hahaha, classic photo.

You might want to embrace your inner geek for a bit, by having a look at this website. Too nerdy for words but life's too short to worry about that kind of thing ...

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/05/...-on-penalties/

Seriously, it's a great site if you're into the more tactical side of things and certainly goes into more detail and is better informed than most of the regular newspapers, and pretty much free of their usual hyperbole.

If you're (understandably) not into wading through the whole thing, here's its rather interesting conclusion about the final:

Despite losing the tie, Bayern won the tactical battle. The fluidity of their two deep midfielders meant they kept on creating good chances, while Muller’s positioning was a continual problem and something Chelsea never responded to. Roberto Di Matteo’s side defended much better against Barcelona (even if Pep Guardiola’s side also created chances), which was probably because they played with an extra holding midfielder in that match, rather than because of the selection problems in defence tonight.

Indeed, Chelsea’s last-ditch defending was superb – David Luiz and Gary Cahill played remarkably well considering both were injury doubts, while Ashley Cole’s ability to spot danger and react to it quickly was once again highly impressive. Petr Cech also starred in goal, and while Mikel couldn’t cover the entire space in front of the defence, he did his job manfully.

Just as in the Europa League final, the FA Cup final and the German Cup final, the more reactive side emerged victorious.

Great link btw!

[demonrail666]

Baines would be ideal for Man U but I agree, 15m is ridiculously low. Especially as he'd likely get them a few goals, too. Moyes should try and hold on to him at least until Ashley Cole runs out of steam and Chelsea come, will be willing to spend a fortune to get him.

[SonicBebs]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Hahaha, classic photo.

You might want to embrace your inner geek for a bit, by having a look at this website. Too nerdy for words but life's too short to worry about that kind of thing ...

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/05/...-on-penalties/

Seriously, it's a great site if you're into the more tactical side of things and certainly goes into more detail and is better informed than most of the regular newspapers, and pretty much free of their usual hyperbole.

If you're (understandably) not into wading through the whole thing, here's its rather interesting conclusion about the final:

Despite losing the tie, Bayern won the tactical battle. The fluidity of their two deep midfielders meant they kept on creating good chances, while Muller’s positioning was a continual problem and something Chelsea never responded to. Roberto Di Matteo’s side defended much better against Barcelona (even if Pep Guardiola’s side also created chances), which was probably because they played with an extra holding midfielder in that match, rather than because of the selection problems in defence tonight.

Indeed, Chelsea’s last-ditch defending was superb – David Luiz and Gary Cahill played remarkably well considering both were injury doubts, while Ashley Cole’s ability to spot danger and react to it quickly was once again highly impressive. Petr Cech also starred in goal, and while Mikel couldn’t cover the entire space in front of the defence, he did his job manfully.

Just as in the Europa League final, the FA Cup final and the German Cup final, the more reactive side emerged victorious.

you must spread some reputation around etc...

that is a wicked site.
will probably earn me a p45!

but it basically says the same as was said here earlier. If Bayern had finished their chances they would have hammered Chelsea. Ashley Cole played really well, and chelsea defended well

[SonicBebs]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Out of interest, have you seen anything of Joe Cole at Lille? West Ham are apparently looking at trying to sign him back. He's a legend there but seems to have struggled everywhere he's been to since. Just wondering how he did at Lille last season.

i think you'd do really well to sign joe cole. if he's given the role he's had at Lille in the centre (he played there at the end of his chelsea career and looked really really good) he'll do pretty well.

but would he be welcomed back by the fans?

[demonrail666]

He's worshipped by the fans. He's one of the few to go with no ill-feelings at all. Always got a cheer from West Ham whenever he played against them for Chelsea and Liverpool. The bigger problem for me would be if he's in any way suited to Allardyce's not exactly flair-friendly style.

[!@#$%!]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Hahaha, classic photo.

You might want to embrace your inner geek for a bit, by having a look at this website. Too nerdy for words but life's too short to worry about that kind of thing ...

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/05/...-on-penalties/

Seriously, it's a great site if you're into the more tactical side of things and certainly goes into more detail and is better informed than most of the regular newspapers, and pretty much free of their usual hyperbole.

If you're (understandably) not into wading through the whole thing, here's its rather interesting conclusion about the final:

Despite losing the tie, Bayern won the tactical battle. The fluidity of their two deep midfielders meant they kept on creating good chances, while Muller’s positioning was a continual problem and something Chelsea never responded to. Roberto Di Matteo’s side defended much better against Barcelona (even if Pep Guardiola’s side also created chances), which was probably because they played with an extra holding midfielder in that match, rather than because of the selection problems in defence tonight.

Indeed, Chelsea’s last-ditch defending was superb – David Luiz and Gary Cahill played remarkably well considering both were injury doubts, while Ashley Cole’s ability to spot danger and react to it quickly was once again highly impressive. Petr Cech also starred in goal, and while Mikel couldn’t cover the entire space in front of the defence, he did his job manfully.

Just as in the Europa League final, the FA Cup final and the German Cup final, the more reactive side emerged victorious.

Ah, thanks for that, great site, just what I needed. Bookmarked for life. I love their reading of Mueller's role. Brilliant.

[demonrail666]

It's a great site. You'll no doubt come across it on there anyway in time, but you might find this a good read.

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/04/...ix-point-lead/

[!@#$%!]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

It's a great site. You'll no doubt come across it on there anyway in time, but you might find this a good read.

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/04/...ix-point-lead/

thanks. i remember that game as very frustrating, like having a 3-day case of constipation (sorta). horrid! now i understand better why.

also, finally this shit lets me spread more deserved rep. about time!

--

im gonna be looking at that site a lot during the euros.

[demonrail666]

 

So Joey Barton gets a twelve match ban. Surely no club will be interested in him now. If he really was that good on the pitch he might've been able to ride it (as Cantona and Di Canio did with similar bans) but I've never seen him as anything other than a mid-table journeyman, at best. He just isn't worth the hassle.

Also, saw this on the Footballspeak site. Purely speculative, obviously, but it's their Euro 2012 pre-tournament dream team, based on the squads for the qualified teams. Some I'd agree with, some I wouldn't but an interesting choice, nonetheless. They've gone for a 4-5-1 formation, with a defensive midfielder:

GK - Joe Hart (England/Man City)
RB - Phillip Lahm (Germany/Bayern Munich)
CB - Georgio Chiellini (Italy/Juventus)
CB - Gerard Pique (Spain/Barcelona)
LB - Daniel Agger (Denmark/Liverpool)
DM - Bastian Schweinstieger (Germany/Bayern Munich)
LM - Christiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid)
CM - Andres Iniesta (Spain/Barcelona)
CM - Xavi (Spain/Barcelona)
RM - Franck Ribery (France/Bayern Munich)
ST - Robin Van Persie (Holland/Arsenal)

I agree with the formation and haven't seen enough of some players to say either way (Chiellini and Lahm) but would definitely replace Agger with Ashley Cole. I don't know about the midfield though. Schweinsteiger seems a bit wasted in the defensive midfield role (where does he play for Bayern?) but don't know who I'd have there in his place (Busquets?). I'd still want Schweinsteiger to play. I'm just not sure where or who I'd have him replace. I'm still not sure about Ribery and Iniesta seems to have had a dip in form so I might replace him, too. Xavi and C Ronaldo pretty much pick themselves (although I'd have Ronaldo on the Right and maybe switch Ribery to the Left) and I have to agree with their choice of Van Persie. Maybe Neuer for Hart but I've no problem with either choice.

Anyway, obviously just a bit of fun, really.

[demonrail666]

Norway v England

Can't really draw any conclusions from a friendly like this, although it being Hodgeson's first game in charge lent it a little more significance than usual. Despite England fielding a quite second-string side, I didn't see anything tonight to make me change my overall thoughts either way about their chances in the Euros. Very average against a pretty poor Norway. Only real points of optimism were Ashley Young and seeing Oxlade-Chamberlain for 10 minutes at the end. And I'm wondering if Phil Jones isn't better suited to midfield than he is defence.

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Norway v England

Can't really draw any conclusions from a friendly like this, although it being Hodgeson's first game in charge lent it a little more significance than usual. Despite England fielding a quite second-string side, I didn't see anything tonight to make me change my overall thoughts either way about their chances in the Euros. Very average against a pretty poor Norway. Only real points of optimism were Ashley Young and seeing Oxlade-Chamberlain for 10 minutes at the end. And I'm wondering if Phil Jones isn't better suited to midfield than he is defence.

Listen, the official mood of the Euro 2012 Championships is Pessimism (C)
The only conclusion we are allowed to draw from tonights game is that we have done well to not sink further into the mire, so if you dare express anything other than complete despair you will be deported at dawn.

Oxlade Chamberlain appears to be our main hope - this after a few good sub appearances for Arsenal, whilst when hes started he's been mostly poor (understandably, he is still a boy).

The best chance we have of doing anything is playing like Greece did in 2004 and shutting up shop and hoping for a miracle.

[demonrail666]

Oh, if anything I'm even more pessimistic now. The problem is the second string we put out today isn't that inferior to our likely first 11 so if they struggled, I don't see it being much different when the 'superstars' arrive. We're shit. It's that simple.

I'm with you, I want Hodgeson pumping Zorba the Greek non-stop out of the team bus stereo.

[SonicBebs]

I thought leighton baines played really well, which was nice as ive never had faith in him. And carroll and young linked nicely at times too. I think this was the first time they have played together in that formation so thats promising

I thought phil jones looked really bad and nervous. Micah Richards must be going spare...

[Bertrand]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Out of interest, have you seen anything of Joe Cole at Lille? West Ham are apparently looking at trying to sign him back. He's a legend there but seems to have struggled everywhere he's been to since. Just wondering how he did at Lille last season.

Well I haven't seen that many games.
For Lille, I seem to remember only one, during which he played 20-30 minutes.
He could be seen, he didn't act like a superstar casted with a bunch of no-goods and helped the team.
I saw other snippets, and he looked good. I didn't expect that from him. I thought he'd either collapse or cause problems (big talent, big ego, that connection).

Too young to be compared to Robert Pires when he went to Villareal, but close.

His stay might have done him good.

[Bertrand]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

GK - Joe Hart (England/Man City)
RB - Phillip Lahm (Germany/Bayern Munich)
CB - Georgio Chiellini (Italy/Juventus)
CB - Gerard Pique (Spain/Barcelona)
LB - Daniel Agger (Denmark/Liverpool)
DM - Bastian Schweinstieger (Germany/Bayern Munich)
LM - Christiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid)
CM - Andres Iniesta (Spain/Barcelona)
CM - Xavi (Spain/Barcelona)
RM - Franck Ribery (France/Bayern Munich)
ST - Robin Van Persie (Holland/Arsenal)

That looks like Euro 2008 dream team prior to the kick off (apart from Hart and Agger). Or 2004. Since Ribéry died a year later.

They've played it too safe.

[demonrail666]

Originally Posted by Bertrand

Well I haven't seen that many games.
For Lille, I seem to remember only one, during which he played 20-30 minutes.
He could be seen, he didn't act like a superstar casted with a bunch of no-goods and helped the team.
I saw other snippets, and he looked good. I didn't expect that from him. I thought he'd either collapse or cause problems (big talent, big ego, that connection).

Too young to be compared to Robert Pires when he went to Villareal, but close.

His stay might have done him good.

I've never thought of Cole as a particularly egotistical guy , not a troublemaker at all, as far as I know. (I make both claims relative to other footballers, obviously.) His big problem has always been the massive hype he received early in his career, which he's never really lived up to. He is incredibly talented and technically very good, but he goes missing in games and a lot of coaches struggle to find a place for him in their set-up. He needs the kind of free role that Messi gets without really being good enough to warrant it. I'd like to see him back at West Ham, though. It's still the only club that I think has really taken him to its heart (he came out of their Academy).

Originally Posted by Bertrand

That looks like Euro 2008 dream team prior to the kick off (apart from Hart and Agger). Or 2004. Since Ribéry died a year later.

They've played it too safe.

I agree that it seems a bit out of date, but then I'd replace Agger with Ashley Cole, which is dragging things even further back into the past.

Ribery's another of those players I have to respect but can only remember seeing play really well maybe once or twice. (see also Ibrahimovic)

[demonrail666]

Originally Posted by SonicBebs

Micah Richards must be going spare...

There must be something about Micah Richards we don't know. Fans and pundits seem mostly united in wondering why he wasn't selected but it can't just be coincidence that neither Cappello, Mancini and now Hodgeson have shown much faith in him.

[SonicBebs]

He is good friends with joey barton