World Cup and European leagues

[Spence]

I've mentioned before that I liken Chelsea and Arsenal to the Yankees and the Red Sox.

Isn't it more like Chelsea and ManU are the Sox and Yankees.  Arsenal doesn't recklessly spend money on their squad; they win with smarts.  Perhaps they are the A's?

Except Arsenal actually wins. Arsenal is more like the Lakers...they always seem to make the move they need to make to stay among the top clubs.

Liverpool is like the Celtics...used to be the best by far, then had a long stretch where they weren't, now looking to be back on the upswing again.

[Spence]

It's true that Liverpool are looking the best they've looked all season.  In part that's probably due to Rafa's letting up on the rotation of players.  I also like the new formation with Torres out in front of Babel, Gerrard, and Kuyt--sort of a 1-3-2-4.  And it was great to see Javier Mascherano's work ethic rewarded with his first EPL goal on Saturday.

The club have finally announced that Daniel Agger will not be back this season--he needs surgery on his foot--something many had long suspected.  The acquisition of Martin Skrtel seems to have been a help on defense.

They just have to focus on winning as much as they can, with Man U, the Merseyside derby, and then Arsenal coming up.  They managed to put a little space between themselves and Everton last weekend.  At this point, if they can stay in the top four and move up in the EPL standings that would be great. It's less than I hoped for at the beginning of the season but far better than I feared a month or two ago.

It's no secret, they need to improve on the wings, both in midfield and at the back. Several players need to go.

Atletico are rumored to be interested in Alonso and Reina. As good as they are, I'd be inclined to let them go if I could get Aguero and cash in return. Carson IMO is ready to play goal for Liverpool, Aguero would be a great threat as an attacking winger, and you could use the money (I'm guessing it would be 5M or more) toward signing someone like Aaron Lennon to man the other side. If they sign M'bia or someone similar, they can afford to let Alonso go.

Rafa wants Rafinha but Schalke are balking. They may just be trying to play for a bigger fee though, or maybe a swap for Kuyt.

Not as up on who the best young wingbacks are...Amorebiota of Bilbao is rumored to be a target. Obviously there will be a lot more chatter after the season.

[Greek Tragedy]

I hope people are not misinterpreting what I said--

I don't think I was.  I was just making MY opinion known! lol...

As for hatred.  I think I hated Arsenal because they were the main rivals to Man. Utd. prior to Chelsea going on a spending spree and buying up everyone and their mother.  I disliked, but respected, Jose Moreno, but didn't really like or respect Wenger.  So, when looking at Chelsea, they have players I like, Joe Cole, Lampard etc and Arsenal has a few that I don't mind.  But, Chelsea over spends...interestingly, I'm saying this as a Man. Utd. fan! lol...as for Arsenal, I think I don't like them as much because they have a hard time fielding any English players.  I'm not English, but for some reason that just bothers me.  They have developed some good players, but more often than not, they just go out and buy foreign players, kind of like Liverpool.  As a Red Devil fan, by level of hatred, it's Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool, and I don't even "hate" the latter.

I think part of the reason I admire Man. Utd. is because of their youth system and the players they've brought up.  The first time I saw the EPL  on Sports Channel America was before it was even called that, back in the late 80s, very early 90s.  I saw Giggs play and it was awesome!  So, I liked them since then, not just since they've been "good".  In fact, I think Man. City placed higher than they did the year I first saw the English Soccer League...

[Greek Tragedy]

Man Utd won 2-0 over Bolton, while Tottenham Hotspur tied Chelsea in a thriller, 4-4...not shown on FSC! lol...

So, I guess I wouldn't mind Chelsea taking all three points from Arsenal now that they've dropped two points today.

[ScotsFan]

while Tottenham Hotspur tied Chelsea in a thriller, 4-4...not shown on FSC! lol...

Joe Cole scored his 2nd goal of the match in the 80th minute to put Chelsea up 4-3 and that should have been game, set and match.  But, in almost a duplicate of match with Aston Villa earlier this season, the Blues give up a late goal and had to settle for a draw.  This time it was Keane in the 88th minute to spoil Chelsea's party!  Earlier in the year the Blues gave up a PK to Villa in stoppage time as they squandered yet another 4-3 lead late.  Can't say I wasn't pleased to see that result as I feel that the Blues are a bigger threat to ManU in their quest to repeat.

I also have a question for the few who frequent this board.  Who on here isn't pulling for the Americans and Fulham to escape relagation?  They took a huge step with a win last weekend over Everton at the Cottage and now they face Newcastle which will be shown on FSC on Saturday.  If they could get another 3 points and Bolton could continue their struggles, Fulham could leap them and get closer to escaping the bottom 3.  Here's hoping Roy's Army keeps battling to the end!  Go Whites!!!

[sac]

Luke warm on Fulham, Feyed's had a long time to build the team he said he was going to, but they've made no progress in the last 3 or 4 seasons that I recall.

If they get relegated you might actually see the Americans play for clubs that have some ambition.  But if they escape, good for them and I hope the Americans play a big part in that.

[sac]

Good news for Fulham is they have matches with #15, #16, #17,  and #20, Reading, Birmingham, Sunderland and Derby.  They must get points from these games.

Bolton and Sunderland have much tougher finishes, so its doable for Fulham.

[Hoosier Titan]

I am pulling for the Americans on Fulham's side--it was nice to see the goal for McBride--but I also think some of them might get picked up by sides with a chance to go further if Fulham goes down.  It wasn't fun to see Clint Dempsey wasted in what was clearly an attempt (which failed) at a 0-0 draw when we went to Anfield.

A while back people were asking about who will qualify for the Champions League/Uefa Cup next year.  Here's what I found on the BBC--note that it is a week old so some things are out of date:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7292892.stm

It explains why, as things stand, Cardiff would not get one of the English spots in the Uefa Cup competition (basically, they're not English!).  There's another article describing talks the FA is holding on the subject:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/7294461.stm

Evidently when the Football Association of Wales formed the League of Wales in 1992, Cardiff, Swansea City, and Wrexham decided not to join, preferring to remain in English Football Leagues.  Uefa then decided they would not be allowed to compete in the FA cup of Wales, so they cannot qualify for Europe that way.  So, it looks like at the moment Cardiff is considered Welsh by the English FA and English by the Welsh FA and Uefa--crazy!  When the article was written, though, the English FA were reviewing their policy.  It seems unfair as it stands, and the Cardiff side plan to appeal should they win the FA Cup.

By the way, one of the written guidelines for qualification for the Champions League is this: "If a team wins the Champions League but finishes outside the top four, they will qualify for next season's Champions League, at the expense of the fourth-placed Premier League team."  That clearly applied to Liverpool after their 2005 victory. 

[Hoosier Titan]

Atletico are rumored to be interested in Alonso and Reina. As good as they are, I'd be inclined to let them go if I could get Aguero and cash in return. Carson IMO is ready to play goal for Liverpool,

Aagh...did you see Carson's performance against Portsmouth over the weekend?  He was culpable in both of Pompey's goals.  He came out much too far against Jermaine Defoe, and the other goal was a bizarre kick by Carson which hit Nigel Reo-Coker and then bounced back for an own goal.  I was willing to overlook Carson's performance against Croatia last fall when he was thrown in in place of Paul Robinson.  But selling Pepe Reina and playing Carson?  That would be suicide.

Thanks for letting me share. 

[joepieters]

I am pulling for the Americans on Fulham's side--it was nice to see the goal for McBride--but I also think some of them might get picked up by sides with a chance to go further if Fulham goes down.  It wasn't fun to see Clint Dempsey wasted in what was clearly an attempt (which failed) at a 0-0 draw when we went to Anfield.

It will be interesting to see what the Americans on Fulham decided to do if (and we are closing in quickly on when) Fulham is relegated.  I would suspect that Johnson & Dempsey will move to another top flight team in Europe - not sure about the others given their ages.  Perhaps they will come back to the MLS

[Spence]

Atletico are rumored to be interested in Alonso and Reina. As good as they are, I'd be inclined to let them go if I could get Aguero and cash in return. Carson IMO is ready to play goal for Liverpool,

Aagh...did you see Carson's performance against Portsmouth over the weekend?  He was culpable in both of Pompey's goals.  He came out much too far against Jermaine Defoe, and the other goal was a bizarre kick by Carson which hit Nigel Reo-Coker and then bounced back for an own goal.  I was willing to overlook Carson's performance against Croatia last fall when he was thrown in in place of Paul Robinson.  But selling Pepe Reina and playing Carson?  That would be suicide.

Thanks for letting me share. 

Fair criticism.

Carson wouldn't be the only option, but he's been a starting Premier League keeper for two years.

I'd just like to see Liverpool field a team where if they're playing someone good, you don't feel like they have to have a clean sheet to win.

[Spence]

I hope people are not misinterpreting what I said--

I don't think I was.  I was just making MY opinion known! lol...

As for hatred.  I think I hated Arsenal because they were the main rivals to Man. Utd. prior to Chelsea going on a spending spree and buying up everyone and their mother.  I disliked, but respected, Jose Moreno, but didn't really like or respect Wenger.  So, when looking at Chelsea, they have players I like, Joe Cole, Lampard etc and Arsenal has a few that I don't mind.  But, Chelsea over spends...interestingly, I'm saying this as a Man. Utd. fan! lol...as for Arsenal, I think I don't like them as much because they have a hard time fielding any English players.  I'm not English, but for some reason that just bothers me.  They have developed some good players, but more often than not, they just go out and buy foreign players, kind of like Liverpool.  As a Red Devil fan, by level of hatred, it's Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool, and I don't even "hate" the latter.

Arsenal doesn't sign English players (for the most part) by design. Wenger feels the English young boys are overpriced and overrated, and in my opinion he's right.

I have no problem with signing English players, I have no problem with not. Most of Liverpool's best signings lately have not been from the UK or Ireland (Torres, Mascherano, Babel). I'd be thrilled if Liverpool signed Britain's Aaron Lennon for a reasonable fee.

But look at the England national team and tell me who Liverpool should sign that they have a shot at? Bridge? Lescott? Downing? Barry? Woodgate?

Downing isn't going anywhere, he's been asked before. Barry doesn't do anything Gerrard can't do better. Lescott, maybe. I think they made a run at Bridge last window. Woodgate? No, thanks.

From the U21s, Onuoha from Man City might be an option.
Daniel Sturridge obviously would be nice.

[Hoosier Titan]

The shortage of top quality English players is certainly a matter of deep concern in England.  There's currently a lot of soul-searching going on about what to do about it.  At present, the fans seem happy with the big clubs hiring foreign players as long as the football is good.  Most analysts seem to think it will take a commitment (read:  investment in) to building up youth programs across the country.

I took a quick look at the rosters of Man U and Liverpool.  Liverpool has 4 English players:  Gerrard, Carragher (both Scousers!), Pennant, and Crouch.  Among the top 22 or so, Man U has 8 Englishmen.  Is that a significant difference?  I'm fine with a good mix of international players, but the lack of depth is troubling when international matches come along.

Speaking of international matches, has everyone seen the news that the US will play England at Wembley on May 28?

[Spence]

The shortage of top quality English players is certainly a matter of deep concern in England.  There's currently a lot of soul-searching going on about what to do about it.  At present, the fans seem happy with the big clubs hiring foreign players as long as the football is good.  Most analysts seem to think it will take a commitment (read:  investment in) to building up youth programs across the country.

I took a quick look at the rosters of Man U and Liverpool.  Liverpool has 4 English players:  Gerrard, Carragher (both Scousers!), Pennant, and Crouch.  Among the top 22 or so, Man U has 8 Englishmen.  Is that a significant difference?  I'm fine with a good mix of international players, but the lack of depth is troubling when international matches come along.

Speaking of international matches, has everyone seen the news that the US will play England at Wembley on May 28?

Man U is the more popular club in England (and pretty much everywhere) so I don't think it's a great surprise that they have more English. But I don't think Carrick for example is any better than Alonso or Mascherano.

It wouldn't bother me if Crouch got shipped out on transfer, especially if they were to use the money to buy a wide player.

One concerning thing is if you look at the U-xx teams in England, there are very few Liverpool players on them. But the top club is the major concern, so until they get squared away I've got no real problems with it.

[Greek Tragedy]

Man U is the more popular club in England (and pretty much everywhere) so I don't think it's a great surprise that they have more English.

I don't think this argument holds any weight.  In fact, being one of the more popular clubs in England (bigger and better), they'd have LESS English players considering they'd have the power and money to buy basically any foreign player they want, like Chelsea. 

I'm not talking just the present, but over the years, Man. Utd. has brought up a lot of very good English players.  The bottom line is that you want to buy the best players to make your team the best it can be.  The Red Devils just happen to buy English players and their youth system, in the past, have been loaded by English players...I don't think they purposely go out and bye English players, that's just how it happens and I think they should be proud of that, if that's on purpose or not.