EPL 2007 Thread

[HaemishM]

DA-AAAA-AAA-AAMMMMMN.

[WayAbvPar]

This is not EPL, but he does play for Palermo and I just thought this was an awesome reflex goal (happened about 30 minutes before this post):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3rDqcPQ-94

That was sweet! I might be able to do that myself.

In a video game.

Maybe.


Football season  (and now hockey season) has really curtailed my ability to watch many EPL games. I just don't have enough time to watch everything I want. I really need to be independently wealthy so I can wile away my life in front of the TV and PC.

[sigil]

Just to prove  that not all European football is sweet blessed perfection, I present to you Mr. Paul Robinson, against Croatia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohf4m94Yrwk

Leave it to a Spurs player to fuck it up. *shakes head*


Maybe  he just really wants to see the Borat movie and got distracted , not seeing the invisible gopher in front of him.

[Tale]

Match highlights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buxAgsSTs5Q

England suck, but Robinson had a really good first half and the awkward bounce on that backpass was really a freak event. Defenders are told never to aim a backpass between the posts. The worst a missed backpass should do is go over for a corner.

[sigil]

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Ok, so it wasn't that good of a story, but that's not important, either.

Euro 2008 looks a little more interesting now.  Ijust hope Robinson's confidence will be up by this weekend. Spurs can't afford to have a letdown right now.

[rk47]

it's safe to say England won't win Euro/WC in 50 years time. I'm willing to bet on it. They don't have the luck and good leader on the pitch. THeir boss can't even come up with a good tactic and the players can't take penalties.

[HaemishM]

Did anyone catch the Chelsea v. Reading match this weekend? That was some strange ass shit. For those who missed it:

In the first 30 seconds, the Chelsea goalie (Peter Cech) gets clocked in the face. He looked hurt, but was moving around. They took him off and subbed in their backup goalie, Cudicini. He plays the whole game. Both halves are saddled with a large amount of stoppage time, because guys are going down left and right. Both sides get a man sent off in separate incidents and are down to ten men. The second half had 4 minutes of stoppage time, and in the 93rd minute, there's a free kick to Chelsea's net. Cudicini goes up for the ball, knocking it out, only to be slammed quite hard in the face in mid-air. He falls backwards limp, bangs his head on the pitch and just lies there. I mean, totally still. There was no movement out of him. He was a stone, dead still. They cart him off, and because they are out of subs, and their 3rd goalie isn't dressed (and they couldn't sub him in anyway), John Terry pulls off his shirt, puts on the goalie sweater and gloves and plays the last minute of time (which is over the 100th minute) as the goalie, while Drogba comes back to take Terry's center half position.

Turns out, Cudicini was fine, he went to the hospital for X-Rays and was discharged. But Cech, who was moving around, had to have surgery for a depressed skull fracture. And Cudicini may not be able to make a Champions League start on Wednesday, and Cech definitely can't.

That was a weird game, but pretty exciting too.

[sigil]

I was  watching the Tide this weekend. . . I'll have to catch that on replay.

Reading are definitely leaving their mark this year, for better or worse. ;)


Tottenham =

They should have gotten from Villa.

[rk47]

I watched that CHelsea match with a buddy of mine who's really into gambling. What a tense match, my friend won a under 2.5 goals bet but he sweated it out after seeing Cech walking off the pitch in 30 seconds.

Reading really proved to be a tough nut to crack and I think Mourinho had a right to be pissed at Hunt's challenge. And Cudicini's injury was icing on the cake for my anti-Chelsea friend. He's salivating at Barcelona's chances to win at Stamford Bridge, I'm about to place a bet on it as well since it sounds just too good to be true. :-D

[HaemishM]

You're in England right?

The fact that you can just bet at any old bookie on the corner for EPL games just tickles me to no end. The NFL refuses to even acknowledge betting on games, yet every news outlet covering it will give the points spreads in their coverage.

Reading is a lot better team than anyone should expect them to be. They are fun to watch, with Doyle and Sidwell and some of the other running players they got. Watford are almost as fun to watch, though they aren't as good, because they just run at everybody. Sheffleld United, however, are a sad spectacle and look destined to return to the Championship.

[rk47]

I'm in one of those old colonies, Singapore.
Government only legalizes their own bookie...which pays poorly compared to illegal ones. But at least they take my $10 compared to minimum of $100 with illegal ones.

[rk47]

Ahahhah what can i say , we got pwed 
oh well, I lost twenty bucks...my friend lost half a grand  there goes 1/3 of his paycheck

[sigil]

As soon as I heard that the reserve had followed Jose from Porto, i was confident that he'd do an outstanding job.

Ronaldihno was completely shut down this match. Has he lost his touch?

Messi kept making Cole look silly. Barca had outside play , but weak up the middle. Chelsea the other way around. The difference? You can get a shot on goal much easier with that one or two chances in front. Drogba proved that easily enough. Especially great considering he looked like he was going to fall over three or four times after he was escorted off the field.


Spurs play Bestika today. Here's hoping their run of good play in UEFA continues.

[HaemishM]

Liverpool limps through a victory against Bordeaux. If it wasn't for their weak Group, I'd be afraid the Reds wouldn't make it past this phase of the Champions League. They really have been mediocre this season at the best of times.

[sigil]

Tottenham 2-nil over Bestikas. Could have been 5.

Bestikas were shit though. but  I won't look a road win in the mouth.

[Luxor]

Not a bad bit of skill during the Champions League this week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SDWYOywhws

[HaemishM]

Ho-ly Shiiiiiiittttttttttttttt.

[HaemishM]

Fucking Liverpool. The first Premier League game for Liverpool I catch this weekend, and they lollygag their way through the game. They looked completely flat, and Man U. didn't look that much better. Why is Garcia still playing? Why is he starting? He's not that good and he sure has a whiny look on his face whenever he fucks up. But almost the whole team just seemed like they couldn't be arsed to be there, other than Sissoko and Carragher and Kuyt. Maybe Hyppia. Benitez needs to settle on a lineup and work them like dogs.

[sigil]

Reading got a resounding welcome to the Premiership. Hopefully they'll  shrug off that drubbing quickly.

Spurs make the headlines again. When Jol told Defoe he needed to play hungry, I don't think he had biting the other team in mind ;)



Bon Apetit 

Still bitter about the  Dynamo game against Chivas.  They got jobbed again out there.

[HaemishM]

Damn, looks like I should have watched that game instead of the Arsenal/Reading game. But I keep expecting Spurs to reach the relegation zone any day now, so I don't watch them.

Reading looked decent, much better than that scoreline would indicate. But Arsenal was just so much better at every level of the field. Fabregas is an assist machine.

[sigil]

Barring a  massive change in form from  Liverpool, Spurs will finish ahead of them this year.   Don't mistake a slow developing of Chemistry for ineptitude. ;)

They will be in the upper third of the table by  December.

[eldaec]

Barring a  massive change in form from  Liverpool, Spurs will finish ahead of them this year.   Don't mistake a slow developing of Chemistry for ineptitude. ;)

They will be in the upper third of the table by  December.

Watching Liverpool is as bad as watching England right now - but I suspect our form will come around eventually, and I'd be shocked if we don't make it back up to at least forth; but either way Spurs won't be challenging for the forth champion's league spot - instead based on what we've seen so far it'll be Bolton(!) who push the big 3 + Chelsea to the end the season, unfortunately they do deserve their 3rd place so far. Or possibly even Villa - O'Neill might be an irritating wanker, but he really is that good a manager.

Spurs are going to have an awkward season, they overperformed last season to such an extent that they've started to set unreasonable expectations. Given the way teams around them have changed in the summer, Spurs should consider 6th place a successful season.

[sigil]

It's still unsettled. There's people up in the top that will not be there, come  February, let alone May. I'm looking at you Bolton.

I think top six is about what they should end up, but the schedule at the end should favor them. I wouldn't be horribly shocked if they repeated a top five, sneak in at four, owing to  an uneven season from  the usual also rans and a top four, than to  Spurs excellence.


I'm not saying I'm expecting it, just that I could see it if things work out well in  springtime. I wouldn't be surpised  with a 7-9 finish either.

[HaemishM]

From what I've seen, Spurs just aren't that good. Of course, I've not seen Liverpool provide that much either. Bolton, however, looks a whole lot better than I thought they were going to be. Portsmouth is my dark horse sleeper (mainly because James has been giving me mad points in fantasy at goal) and I think provided Kanu and the rest of their strikers don't implode before season's end, they could push those top 4 spots. I think Villa is going to fade, because the team has been carrying Angel, who has made at least 3 unforced, bonehead errors in every game I've seen of him this season. I keep waiting for the greatness everyone seems to think he has to show, and he just keeps looking like an idiot. Baros is similarly not top quality anymore. Agbonlehor (sp.) is going to be good, but he's too young to carry that team. I'm hoping Reading keeps at least a top 10-12 finish, as I love their scrappiness. But based on their last game against Arsenal, I'm not sure they can stay that high.

[sigil]

Spurs have looked much better as of the past  couple of weeks.

There was a definite grinding of the gears in Spurs machine but  it looks like it's starting to come together.

 To those that follow outside of Europe,  An invitation to Copa Libertadores may be given next year to the US  Open Cup winner. In addition to the  spots that may be up for grabs in the  new MLS/MFL  competition. Details are still being worked out. Probably announced at MLS Cup, along with the new National coach (money's on Pekerman with a Bradley Assist)  More meaningful competition can only be good for soccer in America.

[Jobu]

Every year it's, "Could this be the season for Spurs?". And every year they get their answer. It used to be they could hold on to the fact that they were the second best club in London. Not so much anymore.

[sigil]

I'm not expecting Spurs to  :be: the best team in London. I am expecting them to be better than their start implied and to finish top 7 maybe top 5.  I'd only be disappointed with a them out of the top ten and a bad run in UEFA.

[eldaec]

it'll be Bolton(!) who push the big 3 + Chelsea to the end the season, .... Or possibly even Villa

Now you see just how good I am at jinxing teams? Muahahahah!

Every team except Liverpool will play great next week.

That ought to do it.

[sigil]

I watched the second leg of MLS first round last night, and did my errands in the am. One good game, one great game last night.

Having said that, Bolton got to experience Wayne Rooney waking up to the fact that he's Wayne fucking Rooney.



Spurs, ah well. Lennon has to start making  shots, but  we were at the disadvantage most of the game. To Watford. :(

I like Demerit, hopefully he'll start to get  national team time in the near future, whenever the national team starts playing after the new coach hire.

[HaemishM]

Both the Liverpool and Man. U games were good games to watch. Unless you were a Wanderer's fan that is. Bolton looked lost the first half and Man. U. just looked unstoppable. Crisp passing, good shooting. Liverpool looked like the team they are supposed to be, and even though they lost, at least Villa gave a good reckoning of themselves. The goals Liverpool scored were just fantastic goals instead of let-offs by Villa.

I'm ecstatic that Setanta Sports is going to be running Liverpool's Champions League game against Bordeaux this week. My Tivo is on fire with goodness.  :-D

[sigil]

US accepted an invite to Copa America, which after  the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Add in the new MLS / Mexican Football league, and Thursday night  MLS on the deuce, and  there's going to be a :lot: of soccer on the tube this summer.


Latest rumor is Jurgen with one of the top MLS guys as an assistant. That'd be a pretty sexy choice.

Ok EPL. Hammers finally win. any bets on when they win again? Will they recover or be threatened by relegation?

[Jobu]

US accepted an invite to Copa America, which after  the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Add in the new MLS / Mexican Football league, and Thursday night  MLS on the deuce, and  there's going to be a :lot: of soccer on the tube this summer.

Badass. And in a strange related harbinger of the upswelling of soccer support in the US... I saw a David Beckham cologne at Macy's this weekend. 

[Hoax]

Champion's League group phase is basically done, who would have thought one of the only teams still in the balance would be Barca?  Looking forward to the knockout rounds when things finally get interesting.

[HaemishM]

Liverpool played decently yesterday against a really shitty Bordeaux team. Of course, it didn't hurt that one of their players went apeshit and headbutted John-Arne Riise to get sent off. Stupid, stupid man. Hell of a hit too, blood and everything.

[Hoax]

I'm hoping Arsenal loses today, (on espn2, 11:30).  Right now of the contested 2nd spots here are my wishful picks.

Barca over Werder Bremen, because Barca plays wonderful football, German teams are typically boring.

Sporting over Inter, because I dislike Italian teams for the most part, although Sporting has played poorly so far.

Porto over Arsenal because any time English football fails on a world stage I find it hilarious, also fuck Arsenal.