The SOCCER Thread 2013/2014

[The Sandman]

Spain for ya.

[Guest Len B'stard]

Thing about Bale and Neymar is that a lot of money was invested in em so they're really pushed to perform, thats one of the things about the commercialization (for want of a better term) of football where the transfer fees and that get ridiculous, its pressure on the player, on the manager, on everybody.

Spain for ya.

You don't think Englands the same? Look at Ozil. Now admittedly he ain't exactly been on Baley/Neymarey type form but he's still done alright, for a first season...you wouldn't think it though for all the stick he's got.

[wasted]

Zlatan would be good in prem. he's not the type of creative player you build a team around but he'd be an asset in a team that is looking for the odd goal. like Chelsea or utd.

Ozil has been a flop. that kind of money he should be winning the prem for Arsenal. he's either injured, disappears in important games but he did have a few good games. but wasn't consistency his problem for Real too? he's not a battler.

Edited April 2, 2014 by wasted

[Guest Len B'stard]

I think he's a shit-hot player that'd be an asset to any team.

[wasted]

I don't think you can play him in a team plays possession and keeps the balls giving it to him to unlock the defense. but in a more 442 type formation, 451, holding the ball up, being in there for crosses. Zlat is going to be dangerous.

[Guest Len B'stard]

The problem with the boys up front these days is that they are rarely big lads anymore.

[wasted]

The problem with the boys up front these days is that they are rarely big lads anymore.

isn't that because lots of teams play possession, push up and keep ball in other teams half, then look for angles and openings. they are more like strikers all interchanging positions, fluid style. a big donkey up front is no use or not as effective in that style of play. Zlat or even Van P want it early, get over the shoulder, a cross. They want it in space, use their strength to work a shot.

the centre forward is kind of used still like Giroud in a 451/433 in counter attacking teams. or at least to get up the pitch. But teams seem reluctant to cross, cut inside. recycle it. In fact most teams defense start seems to be force them wide. if you can block up the middle and force Barca wide and limit them to crossing thats about as good as you can do.

but it does seem less and less get it wide, get it in. even utd seem to have slowed it down, where they get into oppo half then start trying to pass it around. but they don't have the players to do it. and lack pace at the back to cover.

Edited April 2, 2014 by wasted

[Tater Totts]

Barca have been banned from signing players for the next two transfer windows for breaking FIFA rules regarding U18 players

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26852466

Looks like they're fucked now, won't be able to sign a CB or GK to replace Puyol and Valdes.

[Guest Len B'stard]

The problem with the boys up front these days is that they are rarely big lads anymore.

isn't that because lots of teams play possession, push up and keep ball in other teams half, then look for angles and openings. they are more like strikers all interchanging positions, fluid style. a big donkey up front is no use or not as effective in that style of play.

True but a consequence of this is that a lot has gone into the perfecting of the art of the counter-attack and there's nothing quite like a big pacy bastard on the counter, people like Henry and Ronaldo (as he is now, not before) not exactly huge lads but they weren't these little scamps either, they can muscle people off the ball, inject pace and tear down the fuckin' flanks.

Barca have been banned from signing players for the next two transfer windows for breaking FIFA rules regarding U18 players

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26852466

Looks like they're fucked now, won't be able to sign a CB or GK to replace Puyol and Valdes.

Fuck offfffffffffffffffffff, really?!?! Thats fuckin' scandalous, they're handicapping the bastards. Mind you, it'd give the La Masia boys a bit of a run out. Still though, thats fuckin' bollocks.

[Tater Totts]

Jog on Len, they're not being handicapped, they are being punished for breaking the rules. Just like how Chelsea were banned for signing players after the Kakuta scandal.

Granted Barca will appeal and the ban will probably be overturned but it is nice to see teams getting punished for breaking the rules.

[wasted]

which is kind of what I was saying Zlatan would be good in a more 442 back to front team, not in a possession team where he would be expected to switch to left wing and may not have the creativity to really be a focus of that kind of team. match him with fast powerful wingers.

problem with barca is because they have the pace if you try to push up they do you even worse. only thing can try is to get a big boy to hold it up and play in some speedster like Theo. Or as Chelsea used to do, Drogba on the break after parking the bus. total defensive discipline with a Lampard deflected free kick.

[wasted]

Jog on Len, they're not being handicapped, they are being punished for breaking the rules. Just like how Chelsea were banned for signing players after the Kakuta scandal.

Granted Barca will appeal and the ban will probably be overturned but it is nice to see teams getting punished for breaking the rules.

but it's U18 level, just means now never really know. doubt it will make much difference. must have a few players at Barca.

[The Sandman]

Hope those youth players they signed were worth it then

[Guest Len B'stard]

Have you seen some of the quality out of their youth system though?

[Tater Totts]

Jog on Len, they're not being handicapped, they are being punished for breaking the rules. Just like how Chelsea were banned for signing players after the Kakuta scandal.

Granted Barca will appeal and the ban will probably be overturned but it is nice to see teams getting punished for breaking the rules.

but it's U18 level, just means now never really know. doubt it will make much difference. must have a few players at Barca.

It doesn't matter what level it is at, there aren't several different transfer windows based on age and as a result if they broke the rules regarding signing any players regardless of their age they should be banned as a result. That means a transfer embargo at all levels, buying and selling.

Have you seen some of the quality out of their youth system though?

And realistically the ban won't affect them too much as they already have enough quality throughout the team to cover.

Just makes me laugh that the Barca president said they were allocating 100m to sign new players this summer and this happens

But lets be realistic here, the ban will be overturned on appeal.

[Guest Len B'stard]

And interesting question though, for all you here, if you were in charge of Barca what positions do you believe need someone new in em...and who would you go for in those positions.

[Tater Totts]

GK: Ter Stegen (deal has allegedly already been agreed)

CB: Jan Vertonghen/ Hummels

RB: Piszcezek

Edited April 2, 2014 by Tater Totts

[The Sandman]

GK: Ter Stegen (deal has allegedly already been agreed)

CB: Jan Vertonghen/ Hummels

RB: Piszcezek

Bingo.

Or keep Valdes, which looks unlikely given his desire to leave.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2014/03/07/4667426/barcelona-agree-99-million-ter-stegen-transfer

Aye, all appears to be sealed on that front.

[Tater Totts]

Problem is Barca have agreed a few deals already such as Stegen and Halilovic, but it makes no sense for FIFA to allow the transfers to be completed with this ban in place as their registrations would change in the Summer window which is against the ban.

Valdes is out for 7 months so they need to get a new keeper even if he does now stay.

Guess the appeal will have to be conducted quite quickly?

[The Sandman]

If I remember in past, sometimes previously agreed deals were allowed to go through: but no other. Wonder what they'll do on this front. Yeah, Valdes won't be back for ages - I still think they could convince him if they can't sign Ter Stegen.

Keeper-wise, they only have 38yo Pinto, and Olazábal at 24, who has near exclusively played B team football.

[Tater Totts]

Heard Pinto was leaving at the end of the season but also been confirmed that if Valdes can't find a club due to his injury Barca will offer him a new contract, question is would that could as signing a new player as he will be a free agent in the summer.

[The Sandman]

I think as long as he doesn't "leave" per se, it's not a problem.

Talking from FM experience there.

[Guest Len B'stard]

Pinto got a few arses flapping last night, doing a bit of a Szcezny. I really hate when keepers do that fuckin' cavalier shit, OK, we get it, you're cool and unruffled but try not and go so far into proving that shit that you end up making an arse of yourself and the team.

[Tater Totts]

Lenny who would you sign if you were Barca coach?

Also the ban might not start until after the summer allowing them to sign players this summer before the ban starts in Jan, makes sense as other teams have been allowed a grace period.

FIFA claim it involved 10 players illegally signed over a four year period so not like a one off.

[Guest Len B'stard]

Well Puyol needs replacing right? another defender too...GK obviously...and I'd probably think about doing something about Xavi too. As for who specifically, i dunno man, I'm terrible at this kinda thing. Kompany in place of Puyol, maybe try and drag Yaya Toure back, I dunno, they do need something though, holding midfielder, i dunno.