The English Football Thread

The Fascinating Turnip · 05-09-2010, 06:09 PM

Sorry to derail the thread, as this is particularly about english football, but Benfica just won the championship and people all over the country are celebrating.
So...

BENFICA!

right-track · 05-09-2010, 06:40 PM

The Portuguese Football Thread

The Fascinating Turnip · 05-09-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

The Portuguese Football Thread

I shall, I shall

Unknown Soldier · 05-10-2010, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

I can't help feeling that with Ronaldo, United would have had the player to make the difference. As he was last season.

Instead of actually trying to replace Ronaldo (almost impossible to do) they`ve had similiar players of lesser quality or better said not as complete as Ronaldo trying to fill the void he has left. Valencia an international quality player but lacks the goals of Ronaldo, Nani just doesn`t have the consistency and amount of tricks that Ronaldo does and Tosic (I know he`s on loan at Koln) I don`t think I`ve even seen him play, but mention him as he is considered a huge prospect in Serbia and will most likely be part of their WC squad.

I think Tevez should have been kept at all costs because here is a player of Maradona style qualities that can make the difference.

right-track · 05-10-2010, 06:14 AM

You forgot to add Gabriel Oberton. He has all the skill of Ronaldo, but has yet to learn how to use it. I also think Nani will go from strength to strength and expect him to shine next season.
When Ronaldo came to United he was as frustrating as Oberton and Nani, but he was quick to learn when to pass and when to dribble. Nani is almost there and Oberton has a way to go just yet. Gareth Bale?

Ferguson only sold Ronaldo because he wanted to leave.
Ferguson's plan to play Rooney in a more central position as a lone striker was (I believe) his intention this season anyway.
I don't think Tevez was ever in his his plans for this season, especially at the fee wanted to sign him. Owen was a Tevez replacement which speaks for itself.
Berbatov was there for back up and tactical options should Rooney become injured, or the need to play a 2 man forward line.

With Rooney up front and Ronaldo in the team, I believe United would have won the league weeks ago.

I've got a feeling Ferguson will make a serious attempt to buy Benzema from Madrid, along with a couple of midfielders.
Carrick could be the one he needs to replace, or at least demote in favour of a better defensive midfielder...

TheCunningStunt · 05-10-2010, 09:26 AM

If Nani played like he did in the last bit of the season for the whole campaign we would've won the league IMO.

He had talks with Fergie, a heart to heart about what he was doing wrong and what he was doing right etc.

And after it, he looked like a different player. I think he's now out of Ronaldo's shadow. This season we had Giggs playing from the left a lot of the time, Nani is our most tricky winger, Giggs has changed his style of play due to his age which is a real credit to him.

Dazza, Wazza and Nani are the key to our title hopes next year. I hope that Berbatovs time is up, despite being a big supporter of him whilst he's been here, I've conceded that we need someone with the balls to play for a big club. If he stays, I'll support him just like I have been doing.

loveissucide · 05-10-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

The Portuguese Football Thread

You could merge it with the Scottish Football Thread, and title it the Mickey Mouse Football Thread.

Unknown Soldier · 05-11-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loveissucide

You could merge it with the Scottish Football Thread, and title it the Mickey Mouse Football Thread.

The difference is, that the Scottish league is Mickey Mouse whereas the Portuguese league is decent enough and at least produces teams and players of great ability.

Bulldog · 05-14-2010, 04:12 AM

So the season's over, but that doesn't mean Jeff Stelling and co have run out of things to tell us about...

TheBig3 · 05-14-2010, 09:11 AM

Got this in my work email today. HBR does a "daily stat" mailing and for god knows what reason, I got this:

Quote:

MAY 14, 2010
New Zealand Poses Scant Threat
at World Cup

New Zealand's chances of winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup have been pegged at anywhere from 1,000:1 to 2,000:1, though the formerly debt-ridden national soccer team did manage to record its second consecutive annual surplus this year while achieving dominance in Oceania. The World Cup, starting June 11, will be an economic mega-event for host South Africa; more than 2 million tickets have been sold for the tourney's 64 games.

Source: 3news.co.nz

05-09-2010, 06:09 PM	#2781 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	Sorry to derail the thread, as this is particularly about english football, but Benfica just won the championship and people all over the country are celebrating. So... BENFICA!

05-09-2010, 06:40 PM	#2782 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	The Portuguese Football Thread

05-10-2010, 06:14 AM	#2785 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	You forgot to add Gabriel Oberton. He has all the skill of Ronaldo, but has yet to learn how to use it. I also think Nani will go from strength to strength and expect him to shine next season. When Ronaldo came to United he was as frustrating as Oberton and Nani, but he was quick to learn when to pass and when to dribble. Nani is almost there and Oberton has a way to go just yet. Gareth Bale? Ferguson only sold Ronaldo because he wanted to leave. Ferguson's plan to play Rooney in a more central position as a lone striker was (I believe) his intention this season anyway. I don't think Tevez was ever in his his plans for this season, especially at the fee wanted to sign him. Owen was a Tevez replacement which speaks for itself. Berbatov was there for back up and tactical options should Rooney become injured, or the need to play a 2 man forward line. With Rooney up front and Ronaldo in the team, I believe United would have won the league weeks ago. I've got a feeling Ferguson will make a serious attempt to buy Benzema from Madrid, along with a couple of midfielders. Carrick could be the one he needs to replace, or at least demote in favour of a better defensive midfielder...

05-10-2010, 09:26 AM	#2786 (permalink)
TheCunningStunt love will tear you apart Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 5,107	If Nani played like he did in the last bit of the season for the whole campaign we would've won the league IMO. He had talks with Fergie, a heart to heart about what he was doing wrong and what he was doing right etc. And after it, he looked like a different player. I think he's now out of Ronaldo's shadow. This season we had Giggs playing from the left a lot of the time, Nani is our most tricky winger, Giggs has changed his style of play due to his age which is a real credit to him. Dazza, Wazza and Nani are the key to our title hopes next year. I hope that Berbatovs time is up, despite being a big supporter of him whilst he's been here, I've conceded that we need someone with the balls to play for a big club. If he stays, I'll support him just like I have been doing.

05-14-2010, 04:12 AM	#2789 (permalink)
Bulldog why bother? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,840	So the season's over, but that doesn't mean Jeff Stelling and co have run out of things to tell us about...