2011/2012 English Premier League thread

[GirlySports]

Does anyone have a more crazed look than Balotelli? Just look into those eyes...there's no doubt he's insane.

[Jimmy Stang]

People who continuously dump on soccer (and low scoring draws) have obviously never seen a game like that.

[Barnet Flame]

Liverpool were fantastic.

Deserved 3 points.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

People who continuously dump on soccer (and low scoring draws) have obviously never seen a game like that.

I can't believe how athletic the players are today. How could they keep up that pace for 90+ minutes is insane!

[Saint Troy]

Jesus, just read the Gary Speed news, just awful.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

People who continuously dump on soccer (and low scoring draws) have obviously never seen a game like that.

Great weekend for the game. The Utd/Newcastle game and Liverpool/City were absolutely amazing. For different reasons mind you.

The Utd/Newcastle game was a clinic on defending against a superior opponent while the Liverpool game was the ultimate example of attacking soccer. Back and forth, pace, creativity, you name it.

Every player in Red was immense.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Does anyone have a more crazed look than Balotelli? Just look into those eyes...there's no doubt he's insane.

Even on the bench he looked insane. Its like a blank, hollow, empty gaze.

I just think he didnt want to play or something. He took two really stupid fouls. There was no need to haul Glen Johnson down and he just went and elbowed Skrtel in the face. He didnt jump, nothing, he made no attempt to play the ball. Hes lucky that wasnt a straight red.

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by Locke

Great weekend for the game. The Utd/Newcastle game and Liverpool/City were absolutely amazing. For different reasons mind you.

The Utd/Newcastle game was a clinic on defending against a superior opponent while the Liverpool game was the ultimate example of attacking soccer. Back and forth, pace, creativity, you name it.

Every player in Red was immense.

Agreed but the finishing could have been much better. This match could have been won but for poor finishing. Otherwise, it was a fantastic effort.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Krack Korn

Agreed but the finishing could have been much better. This match could have been won but for poor finishing. Otherwise, it was a fantastic effort.

Yeah, but thats been the story of the season. What I was happy with was the creativity and speed of the movement in the midfield, all season it has been slow and pedestrian, for some reason, yesterday it was fast and creative against arguably the top midfield in the league.

The finishing will come, or else Kenny will have to buy a guy who can bury it.

I remember rumours last season of them going after Mario Gomez, I wish that had happened. Last season he could barely hit the target, this season he's probably the hottest striker in the world.

[Locke]

Some whining from Mancini:

Balotelli was dismissed 18 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute for two bookable offences. Mancini had no argument with the first - for pulling back Glen Johnson - but was adamant the second for catching Martin Skrtel with an arm was unjustified.

"It is not correct, the [second] yellow card. I do not agree with this yellow card," said Mancini. "The referee didn't want to get a yellow card out, he did nothing for the yellow card.

"I think every time Mario does something many players provoke him. I think the referee gave a free-kick but didn't want to give a yellow card until all the Liverpool players complained. I watched the replay and for me it is nothing.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...telli-?cc=5901


I'll make two points on this topic:


1) If he had gotten a yellow for elbowing Skrtel then thats all well and good, what he shouldnt have done is initially pull Johnson back for no reason. Mancini agrees with that card, well that was just a stupid undisciplined play.



2) Mancini is obviously sticking up for Crazy Mario. The elbow on Skrtel is a clear yellow. The ball is in the air, Skrtel is going for it, Balotelli elbows him in the neck. The key here is; Balotelli never left his feet ergo he made no attempt to win the ball.

[Barnet Flame]

Mancini whines every time Money City drop a point.

I hope to hear plenty more of it in the future.

[reneehusky]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Krack Korn

Agreed but the finishing could have been much better. This match could have been won but for poor finishing. Otherwise, it was a fantastic effort.

I think it was a good game.. The game isn't boring because it had a fast phase.. The ball is pretty moving unlike in other game.. regarding the finishing I can't say that it was excellent but not bad at all.. As long as they won..

[d_phaneuf]

Liverpool's finishing has been poor but they have had some unbelievable keeping against them, especially at Anfield

the Hart save on Carroll was unbelievable, and Vorm made 2-3 saves in the last 10 minutes of their game to preserve the draw

they do need something though, Suarez creates all the chances and is too off balance to finish them, he either needs someone to create them for or someone to create them for him

Downing has to this point been a bust, Carroll is probably getting piled on too much now but he needs to be better, Henderson is a few years away from taking over games, Adam is what he is, Gerrard is entering RVP/King territory, and Lucas is a DM

they just spent a ton of money but they need to buy in January to make the push, they have a world class keeper, DM, and striker but outside of that they are a lot thinner than the rest of the top 6

Manchester x2 is a lock for the top 4 but the other 2 spots are up for grabs at this point, I would much prefer Liverpool over Woolwich or the Rent Boys to grab 4th behind United

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by reneehusky

I think it was a good game.. The game isn't boring because it had a fast phase.. The ball is pretty moving unlike in other game.. regarding the finishing I can't say that it was excellent but not bad at all.. As long as they won..

You shot who in the what now?

[Locke]

And, as a shock and surprise to absolutely no one:

Didier Drogba has turned down a new one-year deal with Chelsea, and his agent has revealed the Ivorian will "go where he is offered the most money".

"AC Milan came in for Didier on loan with an option to buy but I said 'no' straight away. Their offer did not interest us. At Didier's age, he has nothing left to prove as a player. He will go where he is offered the most money. It could be the United States, Russia, Qatar or somewhere else in Asia.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...payday?cc=5901

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Liverpool's finishing has been poor but they have had some unbelievable keeping against them, especially at Anfield

the Hart save on Carroll was unbelievable, and Vorm made 2-3 saves in the last 10 minutes of their game to preserve the draw

they do need something though, Suarez creates all the chances and is too off balance to finish them, he either needs someone to create them for or someone to create them for him

Downing has to this point been a bust, Carroll is probably getting piled on too much now but he needs to be better, Henderson is a few years away from taking over games, Adam is what he is, Gerrard is entering RVP/King territory, and Lucas is a DM

they just spent a ton of money but they need to buy in January to make the push, they have a world class keeper, DM, and striker but outside of that they are a lot thinner than the rest of the top 6

Manchester x2 is a lock for the top 4 but the other 2 spots are up for grabs at this point, I would much prefer Liverpool over Woolwich or the Rent Boys to grab 4th behind United

Liverpool are a good squad, but youre right, they are far from complete. They still have a lot of building to do. At the moment they've probably got a squad that will establish them in the Top 6 for the long term, but to be perenially in the top 4? Not yet.

[d_phaneuf]

sms_adrian Adrian Clarke
Back from #LFC team hotel in London and Lucas says he thinks he will be out for 6 months. Fearing the worst but has a knee scan tomorrow.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

sms_adrian Adrian Clarke
Back from #LFC team hotel in London and Lucas says he thinks he will be out for 6 months. Fearing the worst but has a knee scan tomorrow.

That is not good.

[KevanGuy]

Sunderland have parted company with manager Steve Bruce.

Bruce becomes the first Premier League manager to leave his job this season after two wins in the first 13 games.

Damn, hopefully this doesn't make them better.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15975008.stm

[d_phaneuf]

but he never walks away from anything!!!

except all the times in the past when he did