2010/2011 Premier League Thread

[chris_yk]

Originally Posted by Locke

This could jeopardize his Iron Man streak!!

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

You do have to feel bad for the guy, hes been injured for pretty much 3 consecutive years.

Sorry but I don't feel too bad for him....

[Coys1882]

Because he declared himself for England over Canada?

[Addick]

I could understand the hate for him if he was in my position: born and raised in Canada, developed - however poorly - by the Canadian development system, and judged based on my merit. However, I think the last two are different in Owen's case. I think his dad played a massive role in developing him as a footballer and Owen must have felt he owed this man a lot; a man who probably would have loved for his son to walk out for England. In addition, the 'wonderful' CSA also treated him like trash for players who fell in line for them. A lot of guys in his position would have told the CSA to walk on a lot earlier.

Also, I don't think the colour of his shirt affects the good he can do for football in this country. In fact, he probably can inspire more kids wearing an England shirt as England gets more exposure and plays bigger matches. Even on the sidelines he's probably done more than De Rosario has playing at his best.

I've actually given this a bit of though over the past few months. If I was a top footballer and given the option between Canada and England, I'd choose neither. I couldn't betray Canada because they, however poorly, developed me as a player but I couldn't legitimize the CSA either.

[ynwa03]

^ Soooo as a top footballer you'd just sit home and pass up the chance to play in a World Cup potentially?
I don't blame him, but i think he could have played for Canada based on principle. Canada has always been, and will always be in need of a bonafide world class player who can do something for the game in this country cause as it stands the state of the game is beyond poor.

If i was him, given that it would not change my standing or appeal to top European clubs, I would have played for Canada regardless of the CSA or how bad the national team is.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by ynwa03

^ Soooo as a top footballer you'd just sit home and pass up the chance to play in a World Cup potentially?
I don't blame him, but i think he could have played for Canada based on principle. Canada has always been, and will always be in need of a bonafide world class player who can do something for the game in this country cause as it stands the state of the game is beyond poor.

If i was him, given that it would not change my standing or appeal to top European clubs, I would have played for Canada regardless of the CSA or how bad the national team is.

Perhaps. I also don't believe that throwing one player like Owen Hargreaves into Canada's squad is going to magically make soccer a big deal here. I just don't. I understand it certainly wouldn't hurt, and could only help. He does have to think what's good for himself, and if he's good enough to make team England, then I don't see why it's such a crime. Also, maybe he's also attached to the country. I know despite being born in Canada and living here all my life, I might play for Poland if I played soccer rather than Canada.

Oh, and the Carroll jersey in your sig is spelt wrong. :P

[d_phaneuf]

I have no problem with what he did, the friends I know here who have watched soccer from an early age always watched a different national team than Canada. The ones with an England background watched England, German background watched Germany etc.

I am guessing he was somewhat the same way, and he becomes tied to the English team rather than the Canadian one which he probably never saw

and him being on Canada wouldn't have really changed any of the results over the past 10 years

[d_phaneuf]

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

Full results:

• Manchester United - 26%
• Ryanair - 23%
• British Gas - 22%
• McDonald's - 19%
• RBS - 17%
• Lloyds Bank - 16%
• Starbucks - 14%
• BT - 13%
• Sky - 13%
• easyJet - 10%
• Network Rail - 9%

Sky is far too low

[Addick]

Originally Posted by ynwa03

^ Soooo as a top footballer you'd just sit home and pass up the chance to play in a World Cup potentially?

I don't blame him, but i think he could have played for Canada based on principle. Canada has always been, and will always be in need of a bonafide world class player who can do something for the game in this country cause as it stands the state of the game is beyond poor.

It would probably be very tough and I hope I'd have enough strength to make the sacrifice. However, I wouldn't just stay home. During the interlull I'd do whatever I could to help do what I think the CSA neglects to do.

While a bonafide world-class star might do a lot for the team, it wouldn't be enough to save the game. I keep hearing that Canada needs to boost the popularity of the game and the number of people playing, bollocks! We have a ton of people playing and probably more registered players than some of the top footballing nations or at least smaller nations of which we should be rather envious. What we need is to boost the quality of the the large quantity of players that we develop.

[chris_yk]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I have no problem with what he did, the friends I know here who have watched soccer from an early age always watched a different national team than Canada. The ones with an England background watched England, German background watched Germany etc.

I am guessing he was somewhat the same way, and he becomes tied to the English team rather than the Canadian one which he probably never saw

and him being on Canada wouldn't have really changed any of the results over the past 10 years

The point is if a player like whoregreaves decided to play for Canada, it could have been a pull factor for other fence-leaning players such as Jonathan de Guzman, Asmir Begovic, Daniel Fernandes, Jacob Lensky, and probably David Hoillett... You definitely can't say that Canada wouldn't be a much better side with some or all of those players in the picture...

[Nuje]

I think it would have to be a group of better players that would have to do it (and collaborate before-hand). For now, increasing the popularity of the sport here will only do good (great we now have 3 MLS teams), and see where that takes it. Just leave it alone. As I said up there, I'd probably play for Poland. It doesn't mean it would be an easy decision for me (if I played any good football in my life at all, lol). Speaking of Poland, how about Klose and Podolski? I'm a bit iffy about how I feel about the Klose situation, but considering the country there (and the fact that his dad lived there for Miroslav's whole life, and he himself moved there around age 7). Podolski wanted to play for Poland, but they foolishly expressed no interest in having him, so Germany welcomed him with open arms. At the end of the day, I'm not complaining about it.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Nuje

For now, increasing the popularity of the sport here will only do good (great we now have 3 MLS teams), and see where that takes it. Just leave it alone.

If we leave it alone we'll be waiting a very long time. Just look at TFC, it has taken them 5 years to get serious about their academy; proof that professional clubs will serve their needs first with everything else coming second. Even with them coming 'on-track', it will still only help a small portion of players in that city. If we want to see results across the country any time soon, we will need to utilize other measures as well. While focusing a great deal of attention of a professional league is not of my preferred solution, it can be a part of the solution Canada adopts. However, it cannot be our only hope and much, much more work needs to be done and tools used.

[Locke]

I harbour no ill will against Hargreaves. Pick England over Canada, who could blame him?

I guess my only beef with Hargreaves is the fact that he is the reference point for soccer in this city and sometimes even the country and after a while you get sick of hearing his name. Much like Beckham. I'm sick of hearing about him and hes not even from here.

Other than that, CSA is complete clownshoes, him bailing to go to England I had zero problem with, partiuclarly after Team Canada cut him on more than 2 occasions and then only wanted him after England had asked.

Now, him leaving Bayern Munich for Manchester United? Now that was a dick move.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Locke

Now, him leaving Bayern Munich for Manchester United? Now that was a dick move.

Funny enough, I told him to his face exactly that. England over Canada, I see it. But Man United, wtf were you thinking? Good guy though he had a laugh over it.

[Locke]

Wow, haha, oh man....

Al Fayed was a close friend of the late pop star and chose to honour Jackson by placing a statue of the singer outside Fulham's ground in West London.

"Why is it bizarre?" Al Fayed asked. "Football fans love it. If some stupid fans don't understand and appreciate such a gift they can go to hell.

"I don't want them to be fans. If they don't understand and don't believe in things I believe in they can go to Chelsea, they can go to anywhere else.

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

Hell or Chelsea? Same difference....

[d_phaneuf]

the FA has absolutely lost the plot today

Rooney getting suspended because the camera heard him swear is embarrassing, so many problems with it, he swear's at refs with nothing, if it's parents complaining about children hearing it than those parents should be banned from taking their children out in public ever

just terrible

[Locke]

That seems like a really dumb reason to suspend anyone. If you want the appearance of 'doing something' then fine him. But to suspend someone for swearing? Have you heard the language on the field? Its not just soccer, any sport, who cares?

[d_phaneuf]

yep, its ok for Ashley Cole to shoot a kid in the locker room

but Wayne Rooney can't swear around a lens, even though 100% of the players have sworn on the pitch at some point, and most do it every game

[NBC]

What they are saying over here is that he deliberately sought out the nearest camera and delivered his mini expletive-laden tirade not once but twice. It is a bit more nuanced then simply a TV camera catching what he said.

Or at least that is what pundits here are saying.

[TopChed]

Originally Posted by Locke

Wow, haha, oh man....

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

Hell or Chelsea? Same difference....

Haha.. I think I'd be leaning towards hell, that is one ugly statue.

[d_phaneuf]

"Honestly, I think I'm the best [English midfielder]," Barton told the French magazine So Foot. "Luka Modric and Samir Nasri are very good, but in terms of English players... well, Jack Wilshere isn't bad, but Frank Lampard's on the way down and Steven Gerrard's been injured a lot."

Barton saved his most withering remarks for Barry. "Did you see the game against Germany at the World Cup?" he asked. "If you watch the fourth goal, when [Mesut] Ozil was up against Barry, it was like the hare and the tortoise.

"Barry's got a very good agent," Barton offered as an explanation for the player's success. "He's also discreet and always agrees with the manager. He's like the guy who sits in the front row and listens to the teacher. I certainly don't lose any sleep when I play against him."

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...r-2264160.html

can't really argue with much he says, except for the part about him being the best English midfielder, but he is pretty spot on about the rest