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Anyone else amped? This is my first full season with Fox Soccer and Gol TV. Been live streaming games on ESPN3 too. I think I'm starting to have some vision issues from trying to focus on all the blurry digital. I don't know how I'm going to balance life, fishing, soccer, and the NFL. Definitely entertainment overload! My DVR is working overtime this weekend now that La Liga is kicking off. Hoping that Jose Marinho gives Real Madrid what they need to get past Barca aka the Spanish National Team. A healthy Kaka would help. Should be an interesting EPL season also. I hope Chelsea chokes but they look amazing. I'm looking forward to the Manchesters rivalry with the way city is spending. I hope United stick it to them good but they should have a couple great games. Definitely bummed that Everton decided they don't have the cash for Donovan. It was great to see how well he did in the couple months he was over there. I hope he ends up landing with someone but MLS is definitely going to do everything they can to keep them.
I think it will take another year for Man City to really start to gel. Too many new players to form a cohesive unit to challenge either man U or Chelsea. They do have an advantage of not playing in the Champions League which will give them a bit more rest for their EPL games. Mancini really has a challenge in managing the squad and keeping all his players happy with playing time. As an Arsenal supporter I do not have much hope that we can effectively challenge unless we get a better keeper. Donovan is an interesting question. He is probably better off being a big fish in a small pond rather than another good winger in the EPL. I am looking forward to a very interesting year!
Tottenham has been fun to watch so far. Man City is interesting and should be nasty as the season progresses. Both teams will give Sir Alex headaches. Liverpool is looking like a disappointment. Liking the effort Blackpool is making and hope they pull it off and survive. Chelsea is looking good right now, but I get the feeling Czech, Lampard, and Terry are past their prime and it will show as the season progresses. Hope to see more of that young French kid they showed last season (? some ruling keeps him from playing). He looked very exciting.
Tottenham has been fun to watch so far. Man City is interesting and should be nasty as the season progresses. Both teams will give Sir Alex headaches. Liverpool is looking like a disappointment. Liking the effort Blackpool is making and hope they pull it off and survive. Chelsea is looking good right now, but I get the feeling Czech, Lampard, and Terry are past their prime and it will show as the season progresses. Hope to see more of that young French kid they showed last season (? some ruling keeps him from playing). He looked very exciting.
Luds, I totally agree about Arsenal. The talent is there, but there is a big confidence issue. They looked downright scared to play Barcelona a few weeks ago.
Chelsea/Man U will be fun down the stretch. Love this time of year.
The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. ~John Buchan
Being an Arsenal fan it was hard to watch that first half of the second Barca game. I doubt they strung three passes together in the first half and at the end of the game they did not have a shot on goal.
Arsenal are going to have spend significantly if they want to stay in the top 4 of the EPL. The depth of the talent in the squad does not compare with Chelsea, Man U, Man City or dare I say it Spurs.
Being an Arsenal fan it was hard to watch that first half of the second Barca game. I doubt they strung three passes together in the first half and at the end of the game they did not have a shot on goal.
Arsenal are going to have spend significantly if they want to stay in the top 4 of the EPL. The depth of the talent in the squad does not compare with Chelsea, Man U, Man City or dare I say it Spurs.
Arsenal just needs one player in their defense that's worthy of a captains arm band and then i think they will be the best team in the league. Ok, maybe two tough defenders.
In theory they would have that if Vermaelen recovers fully from his injury. The problem that I see with the squad is that their lack of depth is appalling. There is no cover for Song in the defensive midfield role. Van Persie is subject to injuries and Arshavin is wildly inconsistent. If you are going to compete in four competitions you need quality players on the bench and Dennilson, Eboue, Vela, Squilliaci and Diaby have all shown they are not up to first team football at the highest levels of the EPL.
Arsenal has to get back to being tough like they were in the 90s, early 2000s if they want to get back to where they were. Too many soft, mentally and physically, guys right now, which I think comes from the top. They have a few players I like, mainly Song. A goalie would certainly help. And a replacement for Fabregas who is (or was) rumored to want out for Real Madrid. I don't buy into Wilkshire yet. The Brits tend to way over hype there own and it seams like there's always a guy like him that's the next big thing. Didn't the Barcelona coach say something along the lines of "we have Jack Wilshire's on our practice squad." This may be coming from a slightly biased Man. U. fan however.
Man. U v. Chelsea tomorrow (Barcelon Shakhtar too, but I don't think its on TV). Tottenham v. Real Madrid today. Hopefully Bale is fit. I love the Champions league.
Why can't I get FSC in HD???
"Remember, my friend, that knowledge is stronger than memory, and we should not trust the weaker" - Van Helsing
I agree totally with your analysis and views about the British press. They hype every player to death and always hype the national team to such levels that every tournament that does not result in a trophy is a massive disappointment. The other thing that effects England too much is the influence of their football association. The team would do better if they could pick the best eleven rather than have to guarantee certain players playing time.
It was a good game. Chelsea probably deserved a draw. Probably would have gotten at least that if enelka started over that waste of space torres. I just hope the continue to play him 90. He and drogba have 0 chemistry. Hernandez and rooney play well together. And giggs is still the man if not overworked. Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
The old man does it again. Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
His form was terrible a few weeks ago but he has been on fire the last few games. The highlight yesterday for me was Vandersar getting caught outside of the the 18 and successfully making a tackle and stopping Anelka.
Interesting match was Liverpool/City. Best I've seen Liverpool look in a long time and one of the best games I've seen an EPL team turn in this year. They moved the ball great and very fast. They had great balance between defense and attack. Missing Gerrard seemed to actually help them in this game. The little guy they had replacing him played a more conservative and predictable holding mid and it helped the team click nicely.
As for ManU, I didn't think they looked all that good.....just better than Chelsea. Their ball movement and possession is somewhat slow and purposeful, particularly through midfield. Probably they will beat Schlake, and Barca take Madrid, but I suspect ManU will have trouble again with Barcelona's suffocating midfield defensive pressure.
Chelsea's situation is grim. Tons of power and skill, but no imagination. Too predictable a team. They need a midfield player who confuses the defense...a D Silva or Nani type of guy. Probably they hoped Rameriz would be it, but he seems more of a Kaolu/Malouda slasher type. I was surprised Benayoun didn't get time in that game in place of Anelka.
United is flawed and its definately not their best team in recent years (but with a legit shot at a triple that's tough to say) and i wouldn't pick them against barcalona. but i'd give them a fighter's chance at a "neutral" (home) site for the final, especially the way Vidic (if he doesn't get suspended for accumulation of yellows for the final) and Van Der Sar are playing and with Rio Ferdinand getting healthy - tough defense and counter attacking. Referee will probably have a big impact on that game.
chelsea just seams to be making poor decisions lately. the torres deal could set them back alot if he doesn't come around, especially since drogba will probably want out at season's end. if they had spend that money on Suarez (a guy who actually showed up for the World Cup) instead, things might look alot different right now.
Last edited by Clogston29; 04-27-2011 at 07:14 AM..
"Remember, my friend, that knowledge is stronger than memory, and we should not trust the weaker" - Van Helsing
Shalke did not look too impressive yesterday. Strange that they made it this far.
Barcelona - Madrid should be great today. Perfect timing for Verizon to add FSC in HD to the lineup. Noticed it was added half way through the United game yesterday. Made my day for sure.
"Remember, my friend, that knowledge is stronger than memory, and we should not trust the weaker" - Van Helsing
Shalke did not look too impressive yesterday. Strange that they made it this far.
Barcelona - Madrid should be great today. Perfect timing for Verizon to add FSC in HD to the lineup. Noticed it was added half way through the United game yesterday. Made my day for sure.
Yeah Josh. Shalke 04 has been interesting to watch and definitely a surprise that they made it so far. I can't get over their keeper. His size reminds me of Schmeichel. He is able to get his outlet throws past mid field with ease which is insane.
I'm still furious over RM v. Barca. Say what you will about Mourinho and the defensive/counter attack style of Madrid but there is no way to make an argument that Barca didn't ruin that game. Welll.....maybe Barca and the officials. The straight red was rediculous even if it was Pepe! Barca players grabbing their faces after every challenge and writhing while on the ground made me sick. It's embarrassing that IMO the best team in the world would behave that way. Pedro was the player that made me the most ill. If he's eligible for the final I hope Scholes puts his studs through his nuts. The only thing that was comforting at all was that Messi didn't behave that way. His second goal was beautiful.
The only way the return leg of Madrid Barca will be watchable is if the ref shows yellow for players attempting to influence decisions early on with those rediculous surround the ref tactics.
As pissed as I am at least I can take comfort that I'm not an Arsenal fan.
i had chance to watch both the barca/ madrid and united/ schalke games this week. besides messi, the first was terrible. the second much better, but disappointed in schalke.
barca/madrid was a theatrical mess. is that how those teams usually play?? it was nice to see united after that. good to see guys just taking fouls without complaints and just getting up again. the schalke goalie was the balls. united should have had 3 goals in the first half. impressed with the giggs header save. and another in the first where he just stonewalled someone from united on a break.
any idea how long fox soccer will be offered in the basic cable packages?? perfect timing for games, 8 pm home from work eating dinner, drinking a few beers.
Big one on saturday. Its my daughter's first B-day, so I'll be DVR'ing it.
Hopefully my man Giggs can put aside his considerable distractions and get it done one more time. He's really doing all he can to live up to the George Best comparisons I guess
"Remember, my friend, that knowledge is stronger than memory, and we should not trust the weaker" - Van Helsing
Hit gillette today. Pretty cool to see Torres, Villa, Alonso, Casillas, Reyna, Pique, Ramos etc. In person. They destroyed the US who was resting players for the gold cup though they clearly have no depth. Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
I don't know how I'm going to balance life, fishing, soccer, and the NFL. Definitely entertainment overload! My DVR is working overtime this weekend now that La Liga is kicking off. Hoping that Jose Marinho gives Real Madrid what they need to get past Barca aka the Spanish National Team. A healthy Kaka would help. 
Should be an interesting EPL season also. I hope Chelsea chokes but they look amazing. I'm looking forward to the Manchesters rivalry with the way city is spending. I hope United stick it to them good but they should have a couple great games. 
Definitely bummed that Everton decided they don't have the cash for Donovan. It was great to see how well he did in the couple months he was over there. I hope he ends up landing with someone but MLS is definitely going to do everything they can to keep them.
Hybrid Mode
