Board 8 > Football/Soccer Stats and Discussion - Part One (New Season!)

(+) Yeah! (+)

the 2 blackburn fans on here, are you from blackburn?

cant wait for club football to start again, internationals are boooooooooooring

No, nowhere near Blackburn actually (South of London normally, Sheffield in term time).
I've always been a fan (briefly supported Liverpool when Shearer and Hendry had gone though). Like being the fan of a team who could potentially win wherever they go. Not so much in recent years though. <_<

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melikepizza posted...
the 2 blackburn fans on here, are you from blackburn?

cant wait for club football to start again, internationals are boooooooooooring

I am.


This is still my favourite impression of Wenger.

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Why is that? Maybe we could discuss it. What teams do you think are head and shoulders above Liverpool and why? I know that they had a really bad run before the end of last year and into this year, but it has been pretty clear since Dalglish's introduction that it's a completely different team than the one that fell apart.

Liverpool are not yet back on the United/City/Chelsea stratosphere, and they're worlds away from United and City in particular. Liverpool are a lot closer to Arsenal/Tottenham than they are the other three. The squads for both Manchester teams are just talent-loaded. Two world-class, experienced players at every single position. It's incredibly unfair honestly.

As for Aston Villa, Sp*rs, or Stoke finishing above Arsenal, what do you see that makes any of that look likely? Arsenal strengthened better than Sp*rs, who were already below them. Stoke have strengthened, but they will be tested MIGHTILY this year by playing in Europe. Something that can easily kill a team not used to it, and honestly Stoke just aren't good enough to finish above Arsenal. Yes, head to head they may be able to give us all the problems in the world, but yeah. Not happening.

And Aston Villa just have a light squad, IMO. Don't see them doing it either.

Beyond that, Arsenal have the superior manager and play superior football. I have faith that AW will get us sorted. Also, Mertesacker and Arteta are hardly 'mediocre'. No, they are not Cesc Fabregas quality, but as he's showing you at Barca, not a lot of people are. Na$ri had a total of six months of world class level football.


My top four still stands at: United > Chelsea > City > Arsenal and that's what I still think is going to happen.

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"It is important that supporters and everyone at the club remembers that the cannon on the chest is more important than anybody."

From: jck4332 | #453

oh my god this is the best thing ever

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"It is important that supporters and everyone at the club remembers that the cannon on the chest is more important than anybody."

Liverpool are not yet back on the United/City/Chelsea stratosphere, and they're worlds away from United and City in particular. Liverpool are a lot closer to Arsenal/Tottenham than they are the other three. The squads for both Manchester teams are just talent-loaded. Two world-class, experienced players at every single position. It's incredibly unfair honestly.

I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree then. While Manchester City definitely has a talent-laden team with a ton of individual stars they seem to lack the manager and tactics to truly bring them all together (although this year might see that change.) Manchester United doesn’t in particular have the greatest team with the most depth in the league, though they are full of good to great players, but they possess Fergie who is a motivational genius. Chelsea also possesses a great squad but I’m not seeing where any of these teams, with the exception of City, outclass Liverpool’s current Squad.

Liverpool has two legitimately good to great players at every position minus maybe left-back.

GK – Reina, Doni
LB – Enrique, Aurelio
CB1 – Carragher, Coates
CB2 – Agger , Skrtel
RB – Johnson, Kelly
Midfielders/Wingers – Gerrard, Adam, Lucas, Henderson, Downing, Rodriguez, Kuyt, Spearing
Strikers – Suarez, Carroll, Bellamy

Additionally Bellamy can be used wide and Kuyt can work as a striker as he’s shown some good chemistry thus far with Suarez. There are also some young players like Eccleston, Shelvey, Wilson, Flanagan, etc. that can step up. I can’t remember the team being so deep in a long time and to top it off we have Dalglish who commands the utmost respect. Ultimately we could use another winger and a striker but we won’t know for sure until we’ve played some more matches in our current state.

As for Aston Villa, Sp*rs, or Stoke finishing above Arsenal, what do you see that makes any of that look likely? Arsenal strengthened better than Sp*rs, who were already below them. Stoke have strengthened, but they will be tested MIGHTILY this year by playing in Europe. Something that can easily kill a team not used to it, and honestly Stoke just aren't good enough to finish above Arsenal. Yes, head to head they may be able to give us all the problems in the world, but yeah. Not happening.

And Aston Villa just have a light squad, IMO. Don't see them doing it either.

Beyond that, Arsenal have the superior manager and play superior football. I have faith that AW will get us sorted. Also, Mertesacker and Arteta are hardly 'mediocre'. No, they are not Cesc Fabregas quality, but as he's showing you at Barca, not a lot of people are. Na$ri had a total of six months of world class level football.

I think the problem is that you’re overestimating Arsenal as a fan. Their squad is no stronger than Stoke, Tottenham or Villa and though the Spurs aren’t far behind Arsenal is by far the most injured team right now and it’s the key players missing. I know it’s hard to hear as I’ve had to go through it for the last two years but Arsenal is in for a very rough season if their start to the season is any indication.

My top four still stands at: United > Chelsea > City > Arsenal and that's what I still think is going to happen.

I’d guess at this being more likely:

City > United > Liverpool > Chelsea

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

Oh and R80 is back. Displayed some of his magic at Craven Cottage against Ghana. Here's a toast to one of the best footballers in history. ( '-')>c[_]

do_ob_tpkillr posted...
Oh and R80 is back. Displayed some of his magic at Craven Cottage against Ghana. Here's a toast to one of the best footballers in history. ( '-')>c[_]

Yeah he looked good against Ghana, and he's been playing really well for Flamengo. I hope he can come back into his old form. Ronaldinho is the greatest footballer of all time.

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

GO LIECHTENSTEIN!
Whoo!

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Oh, I am one yet many.

SuarezYNWA = Curt?

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"It is important that supporters and everyone at the club remembers that the cannon on the chest is more important than anybody."

Man U not having depth? Pfffff. You are ridiculous. Man U can field three entire XI's who can compete in the Premier League:

De Gea
Smalling-Ferdinand-Vidic-Evra
Anderson-Cleverley
Young-Nani
Hernandez-Rooney

Lindegaard
Rafael-Evans-Jones-Fabio
Carrick-Fletcher
Valencia-Park
Berbatov-Welbeck

Kuszczak
Vermijl-McGinty-Keane-Fryers
Gibson-Pogba-Giggs
Diouf-Macheda-Owen

You think Extha's overestimating Arsenal because he's a fan but YOU'RE overestimating Liverpool as a fan. I think Arsenal will make fourth, but we will need to buy more again come winter/next summer.

Yeah. SuarezYNWA = Curt. Was a 'Pool fan before and loves Ronaldinho. Disappeared after the Nederlands got beat by Spain like I said they would. =P

Welcome back buddy! :)

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"It is important that supporters and everyone at the club remembers that the cannon on the chest is more important than anybody."

Can't wait to see a new look Arsenal in action tonight. And Alexander Doni is awesome. And an Olympic squad with R80 (in renaissance; testing out against u23s) and Kaka (needs form; find form against u23s) as two of the three seniors sounds exciting.

Ryo8889 posted...
Man U not having depth? Pfffff. You are ridiculous. Man U can field three entire XI's who can compete in the Premier League:

De Gea
Smalling-Ferdinand-Vidic-Evra
Anderson-Cleverley
Young-Nani
Hernandez-Rooney

Lindegaard
Rafael-Evans-Jones-Fabio
Carrick-Fletcher
Valencia-Park
Berbatov-Welbeck

Kuszczak
Vermijl-McGinty-Keane-Fryers
Gibson-Pogba-Giggs
Diouf-Macheda-Owen

You think Extha's overestimating Arsenal because he's a fan but YOU'RE overestimating Liverpool as a fan. I think Arsenal will make fourth, but we will need to buy more again come winter/next summer.

I never said that Manchester United didn't have depth; just that they don't have the greatest individual players or depth in the league. That team is a combination of talent and managerial ability -- as well as consistency (which falls under managerial ability.)

I would go so far as to say that I will guarantee that Arsenal will not finish top 4 this season. Too many teams improved while they got a lot worse.

ExThaNemesis posted...
Yeah. SuarezYNWA = Curt. Was a 'Pool fan before and loves Ronaldinho. Disappeared after the Nederlands got beat by Spain like I said they would. =P

Welcome back buddy! :)

I honestly have no idea what you are talking about.

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

Oh yeah. Gameday.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Swansea
Everton 1 - 2 Aston Villa
Manchester City 4 - 0 Wigan Athletic
Stoke 1 - 3 Liverpool
Sunderland 1 - 2 Chelsea
Wolverhampton 2 - 2 Tottenham
Bolton 0 - 3 Manchester United

City and United continue to dominate with Liverpool and Chelsea close behind. Arsenal continues their rough start to the season.

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

can't find a stream of the spurs game. hmm.

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ND

Jeez Luis! Haha get it.

Anyway...first half was pretty positive for Liverpool. They're not getting bullied and they're pretty much controlling the flow of play. Luisito trying maybe a bit too much. Shawcross is having a great game. I'm pretty upset at the penalty given...Carra clearly didn't drag him down, and he was elbowed in the head/body checked leading up to the call.

Hoping for a cracking second half from the reds. A good looked imminent in the build up to the half.

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

nice goal by sturridge

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ND

Aguero's such a fantastic player.

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Aguero absolutely ridiculous. Likely that he will lead the league in goals this season.

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

I don't think Stoke has had a shot on net all game. Liverpool in complete control...it's too bad they may lose because of a crap penalty call (while not having two in their own favor.)

Everything is there but the finish, c'mon boys.

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

That's the 4th handball in the box by Stoke not called. Terrible.

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

Suarez misses an absolute sitter.

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Arsenal 1 - 0 Swansea

Stoke 1 - 0 Liverpool


You were saying what, exactly SuarezYNWA?

Ryo8889 posted...
Arsenal 1 - 0 Swansea

Stoke 1 - 0 Liverpool


You were saying what, exactly SuarezYNWA?

Arsenal and Stoke were both gifted goals. Refs were pretty hard on Liverpool, but that's ok. Liverpool at least dominated a side much better than Swansea...

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

Yeah I saw, come on man. Arsenal weren't good but the only above average player on the Liverpool team today was Suarez.

Ryo8889 posted...
Yeah I saw, come on man. Arsenal weren't good but the only above average player on the Liverpool team today was Suarez.

I'm not saying that Liverpool were at their best. Adam was absolute rubbish with his passing and Henderson really should have put his chance(s) away, but they did dominate Stoke from start to finish. Stoke had 2 shots the entire match and neither were on goal. I'm not trying to make excuses for Liverpool as their finishing was horrible and they only have themselves to blame for that, but they were unlucky today.

It was an unfortunate result but there is a lot of good to draw from. Carragher really shouldn't be starting anymore, but we've got some injury issues at the back end right now.

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

There's no point in dominating a team and losing. I'm an Arsenal fan, I know this.

woo, a win

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ND

I know it's only Bolton, but ManUre really look unstoppable right now. I could be wrong about City winning the league, and ManU have a real shot at the champions league if they can keep this kind of play up.

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

I have a feeling Chelsea are gonna sneak up on the Manchester teams towards the end of the season and take it. People are disregarding them too quickly imo.

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Baltimore Ravens/Blackburn Rovers/Andy Murray/Lleyton Hewitt/England Fan

I can't see Chelsea taking it, I could see them deciding it with their matches against Manchester teams though.

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From: SuarezYNWA | #480
I know it's only Bolton, but ManUre really look unstoppable right now. I could be wrong about City winning the league, and ManU have a real shot at the champions league if they can keep this kind of play up.

Like I said, Liverpool aren't in their stratosphere. It will be City/United all season but I think Chelsea will catch City if something goes wrong there, like they get killed by Man United and fall too far behind them they'll just quit trying and Chelsea will catch them. It's happened to us like four times.

Also, 2/3 strikers on my fantasy teams got hat tricks today. Aw yeah.

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"It is important that supporters and everyone at the club remembers that the cannon on the chest is more important than anybody."

I dunno, it's a long season. I just get the feeling City will burn out sometime.

Also, for us Brits, there is a new Dispatches, Channel 4 on Monday: 'The truth about drugs in football'. Looks quite interesting.

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Baltimore Ravens/Blackburn Rovers/Andy Murray/Lleyton Hewitt/England Fan

Chelsea have done good in strengthening maybe their weakest position(midfield creativity) so I'm sure they will be a threat. I think Man City will end every game with at least one goal, if you just look at their strikeforce, coupled with playmakers like Silva and Nasri and eventually Yaya Toure.

Chelsea are definitely the third best team on paper.

It remains to be seen what AVB can do with the talent he has, but I certainly don't think they'll be able to top United.

I think United are going to give them a lesson at OT next weekend.

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"It is important that supporters and everyone at the club remembers that the cannon on the chest is more important than anybody."

Howard Webb, so bad.

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Howard Webb, Howard Webb
HOWARD WEBB IS F***ING S***!

Howard Webb is f***ing s***.

You know what the hilarious thing about that chant is? The first time I ever heard it was from United fans at Old Trafford. HEH.

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"It is important that supporters and everyone at the club remembers that the cannon on the chest is more important than anybody."

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/406x498/sep_11/zp_124368320SM021_Arsenal_Trai_698.jpg?ic=7f3b3dT

hahahahahaha

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"It is important that supporters and everyone at the club remembers that the cannon on the chest is more important than anybody."

sum cl predix

Chelsea 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen
RC Genk 1-2 Valencia
Olympiacos 2-0 Olympique Marseille
Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Arsenal
FC Porto 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
APOEL 0-1 Zenit St. Petersburg
FC Barcelona 5-1 AC Milan
Viktora Plzen 0-1 BATE Borisov

Chelsea 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen
RC Genk 0-3 Valencia
Olympiacos 1-1 Olympique Marseille
Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
FC Porto 3-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
APOEL 0-1 Zenit St. Petersburg
FC Barcelona 2-3 AC Milan
Viktora Plzen 1-1 BATE Borisov

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

Shakhtar will surprise a lot of people tonight I think. They're a lot better than most thing.

Also, who the **** are Viktora Plzen and BATE Borisov? Never heard of them in my life.

FIFA 12 Demo out today, playing it now. Graphics are pretty decent. Glad they put in Ultimate Team in the actual game this year.

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Champions of Czech Republic and Belarus respectively.

Aguero in La Liga "Only Barcelona and Real Madrid have good players"
Aguero goes to Premier League "OMG he's soooo dreamy"

FIFA 2 demo just for gold?

I feel like Barcelona is heavily overrated right now. All of the top teams can give them a real challenge right now.

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Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
You'll Never Walk Alone

Wide open first half, some really great football. Theo's pass and Robin's finish were both world class and I love SZCZ's reaction to the goal.

COME ON ARSENAL!

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"It is important that supporters and everyone at the club remembers that the cannon on the chest is more important than anybody."

From: SuarezYNWA | #496
I feel like Barcelona is heavily overrated right now. All of the top teams can give them a real challenge right now.

I feel like they're being slowly figured out. It's just that defending the style that they play at takes SO MUCH EFFORT and 100% concentration for 100% of the time that it wears teams down. If Pato had a better first touch Milan could've been 2-0 up.

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"It is important that supporters and everyone at the club remembers that the cannon on the chest is more important than anybody."

Genk!
Sad the Dutch team I follow will probably never get into Europe in my lifetime.

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Closed.

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