Euro 2012

[Cackalacky]

Frank Lampard ruled out for England with an injury:

Euro 2012: Frank Lampard ruled out of England squad by thigh injury | Football | The Guardian

This may actually be a blessing in disguise for England. Lampard and Gerrard have never geled together in the same side.

Now Jordan Henderson gets the call up. Liverpool now have Gerrard, Carroll, Downing, Henderson, and Johnson on the England team.......more than any other Premier club. I dont know how we finished in 8th....

 

[rock_knutne]

Now Jordan Henderson gets the call up. Liverpool now have Gerrard, Carroll, Downing, Henderson, and Johnson on the England team.......more than any other Premier club. I dont know how we finished in 8th....

Overrated IMO.

I also believe the massive influx of foreign players in to the Premiership has hurt England's national side. Young English talent are being denied a shot to develop at the highest level.

 

[Cackalacky]

Overrated IMO.

I also believe the massive influx of foreign players in to the Premiership has hurt England's national side. Young English talent are being denied a shot to develop at the highest level.

I dont know about "overated." Carroll and Henderson are young, Downing had a terrible year but has quality, Johnson has been solid and versatile for many years, just not exceptional nor healthy.

Liverpool certainly overpaid, but Carroll has been decribed as unplayable and I agree when his work rate is high and servable balls are supplied to him... Henderson looks like a young Steve Gerrard and I think he will be awesome in the near future. I believe Henderson is 21-22? This year he was consistently played out of position by Dalglish, but when he did play his natural CM position, he was very good and made exceptional passes and decisions.

 

[Cackalacky]

Anyone watch USA vs Brasil last night?

I admire the US federation for hiring a guy like Klinsman but the crop of talent in this country has a long way to go. Brasil just toyed with the USA and it's not even their top side.

Agree mostly. Our main fault IMO was Onyewu and Bocanegra. Onyewu was dreadful all night. Even his passes out of the back line were no where close to accurate. The only thing he did right was hit the post on that late header. Attacking, we looked great in the 2nd half and with Dempsey attacking was excellent. I dont care that we lost 4-1, it very well could have been 3-3 in the 85th minute minus some ridiculous saves. We lack the ability to press forward and attack but cover our asses on the counter. Brazil was excellent in the counter and we had no answer for Marcello or Neymar. I have noticed our inability to deal with free role players in the past and that seems to still be the case under Klinsman as well.

The US failed to deal with Brazil's high pressure as well. That really hurt us....

 

[Cackalacky]

Going to be real difficult for La Roja to repeat with David Villa out. Going to need Torres to get out of his funk in order to beat the Germans.

I think Spain will be "Proper ****ed" before ze germans get there....

 

[rock_knutne]

I dont know about "overated." Carroll and Henderson are young, Downing had a terrible year but has quality, Johnson has been solid and versatile for many years, just not exceptional nor healthy.

Liverpool certainly overpaid, but Carroll has been decribed as unplayable and I agree when his work rate is high and servable balls are supplied to him... Henderson looks like a young Steve Gerrard and I think he will be awesome in the near future. I believe Henderson is 21-22? This year he was consistently played out of position by Dalglish, but when he did play his natural CM position, he was very good and made exceptional passes and decisions.

I guess time will tell but Carroll and Downing have not lived up to the billing. I'll give you Henderson as he is young but look at the young players SAF has fielded at United, Welbeck and Jones were really good.

 

[rock_knutne]

Agree mostly. Our main fault IMO was Onyewu and Bocanegra. Onyewu was dreadful all night. Even his passes out of the back line were no where close to accurate. The only thing he did right was hit the post on that late header. Attacking, we looked great in the 2nd half and with Dempsey attacking was excellent. I dont care that we lost 4-1, it very well could have been 3-3 in the 85th minute minus some ridiculous saves. We lack the ability to press forward and attack but cover our asses on the counter. Brazil was excellent in the counter and we had no answer for Marcello or Neymar. I have noticed our inability to deal with free role players in the past and that seems to still be the case under Klinsman as well.

The US failed to deal with Brazil's high pressure as well. That really hurt us....

No doubt, you have to love the US's fighitng spirit, they never gave up and that's a direct reflection of Klinsman. That said, Brasil didn't field their strongest side.

Looking to the future, IMO, Klinsman will have the US being a regular in the knockout rounds of the World Cup, I think he's that good.

 

[rock_knutne]

LOL.......Italy's PM suggests pulling out of Euro 2012 and suspending all football in the country for 2 to 3 years to eliminate the corruption once and for all:

Italy's prime minister makes radical proposal in match-fixing scandal | Football | guardian.co.uk

The streets of Rome, Milan, Naples and Turin would turn in to complete chaos if they did this, big time riots would definitely happen.

I find it shocking that Prandelli supports this:

Euro 2012: Cesare Prandelli would have 'no problem' if Italy pull out | Football | guardian.co.uk

 

[TheSunIsRising]

LOL.......Italy's PM suggests pulling out of Euro 2012 and suspending all football in the country for 2 to 3 years to eliminate the corruption once and for all:

Wow, all the corrupted Italian footballers would need to find a new trade to ply.

Now, what occupation could a corrupt individual with experience in Italian football take on for a few years in Italy where his 'skills' would be transferable. Oh wait, how about politics?? Good idea PM

 

[Cackalacky]

Wow, all the corrupted Italian footballers would need to find a new trade to ply.

Now, what occupation could a corrupt individual with experience in Italian football take on for a few years in Italy where his 'skills' would be transferable. Oh wait, how about politics?? Good idea PM

"I know not what you talk about...."

 

[rock_knutne]

Wow, all the corrupted Italian footballers would need to find a new trade to ply.

Now, what occupation could a corrupt individual with experience in Italian football take on for a few years in Italy where his 'skills' would be transferable. Oh wait, how about politics?? Good idea PM

Most of this BS happens in the lower divisions. A couple of players who found their way in to Serie A thought they could get away with it but that's definitely not the case. The Italian authorities are all over this stuff since "Calciopoli" in 2006.

 

[rock_knutne]

"I know not what you talk about...."

LMFAO.......that's classic!!

 

[Cackalacky]

I guess time will tell but Carroll and Downing have not lived up to the billing. I'll give you Henderson as he is young but look at the young players SAF has fielded at United, Welbeck and Jones were really good.

I have to admit that Kenny Dalglish's style of play did not supoprt either Carroll or Downing's presence on Liverpool, so I am holding judgement on both though I question whether they should have been purchased at all. Maybe with Mr. Rogers style they will be more well utilized. Time will tell.

Though 35 mil for Carroll looks paltry for what Chelseas paid for Torres and are about to shell out for Hulk....

 

[rock_knutne]

I have to admit that Kenny Dalglish's style of play did not supoprt either Carroll or Downing's presence on Liverpool, so I am holding judgement on both though I question whether they should have been purchased at all. Maybe with Mr. Rogers style they will be more well utilized. Time will tell.

Though 35 mil for Carroll looks paltry for what Chelseas paid for Torres and are about to shell out for Hulk....

Yeah........70mil pounds for Hulk and Hazard.

 

[rock_knutne]

We're just a week away from the opening matches:

Football fixtures | Football | guardian.co.uk

 

[Cackalacky]

Yeah........70mil pounds for Hulk and Hazard.

I forgot about Hazard.... dangggggg.

 

[rock_knutne]

I forgot about Hazard.... dangggggg.

This is the problem with football now. You have clubs like Chelsea and Man City paying ridiculous amounts of money for totally untested players which is making it almost impossible for other clubs to find a diamond in the rough because any player with a shred of potential is being priced too high.

I remember when Cristiano Ronaldo was a gamble at 12 mil pounds for SAF and United, nowadays that's chump change for the "sugar daddy" clubs.

 

[TheSunIsRising]

Most of this BS happens in the lower divisions. A couple of players who found their way in to Serie A thought they could get away with it but that's definitely not the case. The Italian authorities are all over this stuff since "Calciopoli" in 2006.

Haha,
You might want to read what I wrote again; I didn't say all Italian footballers are corrupt. No need to get your Azzurri panties bunched-up. I actually referenced the ones who are corrupt. Cackalacky got the inference towards Mr Milan (shamed ex-PM).

And, this latest issue has claimed/implicated the Manager of the Serie A championship club, captain of another Serie A club, and a National team defender, all from different clubs. That is kind of widespread, no?? If a story broke that indicated that Tom Coughlin (Giants HC), Matt Stafford (Lions captain), and Brian Cushing (All-Pro defender) were each involved in a match-fixing scandal, that would be a pretty big deal.


Ok, Cushing went to USC so probably no surprise on that one

Oh, and Stafford is from the SEC, so let me find another captain

Wait, Coughlin coached at BC (and was at the helm for the '93 debacle), so maybe that makes sense too

Screw-it, let me get some other examples....

 

[rock_knutne]

Haha,
You might want to read what I wrote again; I didn't say all Italian footballers are corrupt. No need to get your Azzurri panties bunched-up. I actually referenced the ones who are corrupt. Cackalacky got the inference towards Mr Milan (shamed ex-PM).

And, this latest issue has claimed/implicated the Manager of the Serie A championship club, captain of another Serie A club, and a National team defender, all from different clubs. That is kind of widespread, no?? If a story broke that indicated that Tom Coughlin (Giants HC), Matt Stafford (Lions captain), and Brian Cushing (All-Pro defender) were each involved in a match-fixing scandal, that would be a pretty big deal.


Ok, Cushing went to USC so probably no surprise on that one

Oh, and Stafford is from the SEC, so let me find another captain

Wait, Coughlin coached at BC (and was at the helm for the '93 debacle), so maybe that makes sense too

Screw-it, let me get some other examples....

Trust me, my shorts aren't bunched up at all.

BTW, Juve coach Antonio Conte has not been charged with anything, same with Juve FB Bonnuci.

Also, to clarify my earlier point, the bulk of these players being implicated came up through the lower divisions where curruption is a real problem.

 

[irishrecruiting]

I have to admit that Kenny Dalglish's style of play did not supoprt either Carroll or Downing's presence on Liverpool, so I am holding judgement on both though I question whether they should have been purchased at all. Maybe with Mr. Rogers style they will be more well utilized. Time will tell.

Though 35 mil for Carroll looks paltry for what Chelseas paid for Torres and are about to shell out for Hulk....

Carroll was a stud until he left Newcastle for Liverpool, injured. Dalglish's style did not fit Carroll, and injuries/supporting cast didn't exactly help him. He's still young. 23 years old doesn't sound like someone who can be said to not have lived up to his billing.

His price was only because Newcastle didn't want to let go of him. Who could blame Mike Ashley? If a club throws 35 mill. pounds at me, I'm taking it for a 21 year old. Carroll has plenty of time to prove his worth. Downing is just a dud.

 

[rock_knutne]

Well, I now know the Italians have a real shot at winning this tournament........scandal at home and a dismal 3-0 defeat the other day to Russia puts them right on schedule with how they enter a major event.

 

[Cackalacky]

We need to have a poll as to how many legs Nigel DeJong is going to break.....

 

[rock_knutne]

I find it hard to believe that Uncle "Woy" refuses to pick Rio Ferdinand for the England squad:

Euro 2012: Gary Cahill out of England squad but still no Rio Ferdinand | Football | The Guardian

 

[Cackalacky]

Yeah, he just picked another Liverpool youngster, Kelly. He must of just had a constant boner while he was the Red's coach for 6 months....

 

[rock_knutne]

We need to have a poll as to how many legs Nigel DeJong is going to break.....

He didn't do nearly enough "leg breaking" during the WC final against Spain. Although, you get within a yard of a Spainish player and they fall over like they've been shot.

 

[mgriff]

I'll tell you exactly why he won't pick Rio for the squad; because Rio won't listen to him and his "hoof the ****ing ball up the pitch" tactics. Rio is a ball playing central defender, the same as Daniel Agger at Liverpool. Uncle Woy doesn't like his CBs playing the ball out from the back. He told Daniel Agger, arguably the most technical center back in the PL, and I quote, to "get the ****ing ball up the pitch" when he played it from the back.

The man is an absolute nightmare. The worst case scenario is England do well with Woy's negative football and he's around for the next World Cup, but I hope they crash and burn like they should with such a **** manager, and move on to someone else. Unbelievable.

“What do you mean by that? In 35 years how many clubs have I had.


“What do you mean do my methods translate? They have translated from ­Halmsteds to Malmo to Orebo to Neuchatel Xamax to the Swiss national team.


“So I find the question ­insulting. To suggest that, because I have moved from one club to another, that the methods which have stood me in good stead for 35 years and made me one of the most ­respected coaches in Europe don’t suddenly work, is very hard to believe.

Look at that brilliant list of clubs on there. Horrid, the man is horrid! I still have nightmares that he managed LFC.

 

[Cackalacky]

I'll tell you exactly why he won't pick Rio for the squad; because Rio won't listen to him and his "hoof the ****ing ball up the pitch" tactics. Rio is a ball playing central defender, the same as Daniel Agger at Liverpool. Uncle Woy doesn't like his CBs playing the ball out from the back. He told Daniel Agger, arguably the most technical center back in the PL, and I quote, to "get the ****ing ball up the pitch" when he played it from the back.

The man is an absolute nightmare. The worst case scenario is England do well with Woy's negative football and he's around for the next World Cup, but I hope they crash and burn like they should with such a **** manager, and move on to someone else. Unbelievable.

“What do you mean by that? In 35 years how many clubs have I had.


“What do you mean do my methods translate? They have translated from *Halmsteds to Malmo to Orebo to Neuchatel Xamax to the Swiss national team.


“So I find the question *insulting. To suggest that, because I have moved from one club to another, that the methods which have stood me in good stead for 35 years and made me one of the most *respected coaches in Europe don’t suddenly work, is very hard to believe.

Look at that brilliant list of clubs on there. Horrid, the man is horrid! I still have nightmares that he managed LFC.

Whoa, Whoa, .....easy buddy.... tell us how you relly feel! I concur totally BTW. Roy is stuck in the "long ball" strategy plagueing English football while Brendan Rogers has embraced "total football." This article sums it up nicely. I personally am excited to see someone looking at English football in this manner. And for someone to beat Arsenal, Man City, and hold Liverpool to a draw and a loss with a squad of Swansea's calibre makes me very intrigued about his summer signings and next season. Liverpool need to keep Skrtle and Agger for sure.
YNWA!
Brendan Rodgers’ Tactical Approach: How Liverpool adapt to Tiki-Taka?

 

[TheSunIsRising]

I'll tell you exactly why he won't pick Rio for the squad; because Rio won't listen to him and his "hoof the ****ing ball up the pitch" tactics. Rio is a ball playing central defender, the same as Daniel Agger at Liverpool. Uncle Woy doesn't like his CBs playing the ball out from the back. He told Daniel Agger, arguably the most technical center back in the PL, and I quote, to "get the ****ing ball up the pitch" when he played it from the back.

The man is an absolute nightmare. The worst case scenario is England do well with Woy's negative football and he's around for the next World Cup, but I hope they crash and burn like they should with such a **** manager, and move on to someone else. Unbelievable.

“What do you mean by that? In 35 years how many clubs have I had.


“What do you mean do my methods translate? They have translated from *Halmsteds to Malmo to Orebo to Neuchatel Xamax to the Swiss national team.


“So I find the question *insulting. To suggest that, because I have moved from one club to another, that the methods which have stood me in good stead for 35 years and made me one of the most *respected coaches in Europe don’t suddenly work, is very hard to believe.

Look at that brilliant list of clubs on there. Horrid, the man is horrid! I still have nightmares that he managed LFC.

LOL, he's like the Elizabeth Taylor of football coaches. Roy would say she was VERY good at marriage; look how many husbands she married.

 

[mgriff]

I like the Elizabeth Taylor reference! The man thinks he's accomplished something. Great job getting Fulham to the Europa League final, but **** me he plays some horrid footie.

Brendan is intriguing, and I just can't believe they sacked KK for an unproven manager. I thought they were going to get a big name because if not, Kenny should have gotten another year. He made a lot of mistakes but I just can't understand sacking him for BR. Easy to understand why they sacked him, but with his legendary status, not easy for me to understand the appointment. I'm excited about him, I won't lie, I just think it's so risky.

Now my whining aside I like BR and his ethos. He plays how LFC is supposed to play, did an incredible job with Swans this year, but LFC is a huuuuuge step up. This is a massive gamble but I'll get behind him like a proper supporter should. He's got my backing but if things turn south I think the heat will be on him relatively quickly, and I don't mean from myself.

He's traveled, got the connections, and seems to be the next evolution in the British manager cycle, I just hope he lives up to his billing. I'm sick of sucking.

 

[Cackalacky]

I like the Elizabeth Taylor reference! The man thinks he's accomplished something. Great job getting Fulham to the Europa League final, but **** me he plays some horrid footie.

Brendan is intriguing, and I just can't believe they sacked KK for an unproven manager. I thought they were going to get a big name because if not, Kenny should have gotten another year. He made a lot of mistakes but I just can't understand sacking him for BR. Easy to understand why they sacked him, but with his legendary status, not easy for me to understand the appointment. I'm excited about him, I won't lie, I just think it's so risky.

Now my whining aside I like BR and his ethos. He plays how LFC is supposed to play, did an incredible job with Swans this year, but LFC is a huuuuuge step up. This is a massive gamble but I'll get behind him like a proper supporter should. He's got my backing but if things turn south I think the heat will be on him relatively quickly, and I don't mean from myself.

He's traveled, got the connections, and seems to be the next evolution in the British manager cycle, I just hope he lives up to his billing. I'm sick of sucking.

If I am not mistaken, he worked his way up to Chelsea's reserve manager under Mourihno?
Had a poor spell at some lower team as gaffer (Norwich?), then on to Swansea. Did you read the link? That alone has me excited if he can pull it off. I personally have never really looked at football in that manner of roles and zones with a constantly changing formation. I agree its a risk and he will have as much time as maybe Roy did. Liverpool better come out on fire and not drop points or it will go south quickly for sure.

I recently read an article on the evolution of the English game which basically lead to the 4-4-2 formation and long ball approach (ie winger play into a hold up man). This, IMO is one of the major weaknesses of the english style (of which the USMNT has adopted and fallen into over the years). I am so glad I never hav to see another long ball delivered to Brian Ching ever again....

If Roy goes this route (which based on his squad selection he most likwly will), England wont make it out of the group.