Live from the super league hq
@steve8 posted:For those that follow the sport, what do you think of this European Super League idea that is being thrown around? A league of the richest teams in Europe with no relegation? ManUre and Barca have stated they are interested. What a surprise. Money grubbing owners.
Shitty idea that will die a glorious death.
Lasted all of 2 days - good example of how not to on every level
Assuming it is dead, I am very pleased.
@arsenal4ever posted:The proposed Super League appears to be dying (I hope). Man City has pulled out; Chelsea is expected to do the same. Nothing like a money grab to unite the fans. American owners, among others and not surprisingly, are in favor of the SL. Kroenke (Arsenal), Glazer (ManU), and Liverpool (Fenway Group) should be kicked out of the EPL.
Ahem. Chelsea was first, Man City followed shortly after that. Not that it absolves Chelsea of any wrongdoing and I wasn't surprised City bailed as PSG wasn't even part of the league and they have the same ownership.
As much as I'd like to blame those American owners that's not the whole story. Agnelli is Italian, Laporta and Perez Rodriguez are Spanish and as you like to point out frequently there are Russians and Middle Eastern (read
il) ownerships also. Greed is the common factor among them all but they seriously underestimated the backlash.
The best part of this so far is Ed Woodward resigning from ManUre but he won't be the last. Chelsea fans are calling for Bruce Buck to resign, which I'd like to support but I have a nasty feeling that would mean the wicked witch of west London would get his job.
The best quote I've seen on this subject
"Arsenal and Tottenham being picked was like Bananaman and Dangermouse being summoned to The Avengers."
I think it is a goner at this point. All six EPL teams have pulled out at this point.
I get the feeling I am watching Chelsea's season come crashing down. Losing to Arsenal in the PL game a few days ago was poor and leaves them in the weakest position between them, Leicester and Liverpool for the last two CL spots. A spot they don't need of course if they can beat Man City in the final but beating them 3 times in a row?? After two games in a row without a single goal?
Great goal by Tielemans to give Leicester the FA Cup and hand the Blues their second consecutive FA Cup final loss. Also a couple of great saves by Schmeichel late in the game.
I'm really mixed on Tuchel. No question he's got the defence in order but his insistence on always playing that useless mofo in the middle of the field continues to piss me off. Nor does he seem to have any idea who should play up top other than Mount. He gives Giroud scraps of playing time and refuses to even give Abraham a chance who will no doubt want to leave this summer.
On another subject, it will be interesting to see how UEFA is going to penalize Barca, Real Madrid and Juve for their continued insistence on a super league. A ban on CL football next season? I think that would be warranted.
Despite their best efforts Chelsea manage to qualify for the CL next year. Thanks to Tottenham, no less. The fore-mentioned mofo in midfield once again poor but hardly alone.
Great that Aguero scored two goals in his last PL game...assuming the reports about him signing with Barcelona are accurate. So it looks like Kane will will be the high dollar replacement for him at City.
Good on West Ham for qualifying for the Europa League.
Next up are the finales for Serie A and Ligue 1. Here's hoping Lille can take the title in France.
Congrats Steve and Chelsea. Was happy to see them win. Kante was awesome and that goal was sweet. What do you think of Mendy? He always looks good when I watch
Pretty dreary set of games today. Southgate is fluffing his lines. Grealish, Walker and/or Trippier should be starting , and after two weak performances, Kane should be dropped for Calvert-Lewin...James and Sterling dropped as well. A 'spirited' Scottish performance masked poor team selection today.
France looking solid of course, and I'm not surprised by Italy's strong showing, although it seems some people are.... Looking forward to Portugal/Germany tomorrow...i see Portugal taking this one and a dispirited exit for the worst thing to happen to German style, Joachim Lowe...somebody give this guy a make over. Gotta love North Macedonia's huffing and puffing, I wish they got a result. And I am rooting for the Belgians, something about this team for a neutral that inspires. Lukaku is out of his head right now, and with a fit Debruyne....
And I getting it, parking the bus and waiting for a counter is pragmatic, but fuck that, somebody dump Sweden out now.
Finally, Christian Erikson....love you bro, I'm happy your alive.
And Belgium bows out once again. Time is running out on their golden era.
Not to discount the Danes but I like England's chances of being in the final. Jabe, any second thoughts on your comments about Southgate's team selection or the dropping of Sterling and Kane?
Don't feel bad, I was saying the same a couple of weeks ago as well as dissing Shaw.
Expect England to put up another clean sheet in the semis and then lose 5-1 in the final because England.
It will be different this time!!
@steve8 posted:It will be different this time!!
Sounds like Leafs fans!
@steve8 posted:Not to discount the Danes but I like England's chances of being in the final. Jabe, any second thoughts on your comments about Southgate's team selection or the dropping of Sterling and Kane?
Ha! I am sure Southgate feels a huge sense of vindication (as well he should...5 clean sheets and all), but was it really too much to ask more of Kane? He was WAY off the pace for the first three and was deservedly pulled from that one game. As a world class poacher/striker, you kinda felt his time was coming, tho and I'm glad it has.
Sterling is a different matter. I think he has come in for unfair criticism over the years, and the horrible racial abuse he has dealt with is despicable. He is a very, very good player, but he could be a great player, and I think that is where a lot of fans frustrations lie. It seems that through all of his clever moves, darting runs, jinxes, and leaving piles of defenders in his wake, it seems far too often his final touch deserts him at the end of it all, or only to fire clear over the bar, or some other error.
I can't see the Danes going any further. They are solid and its been huge how far they've made it, but England have too much fire power. And they are playing as a team, not a bunch of high priced egos firing shots from 25 yards out. 3-0 to England today.
That was a tense match yesterday. Another benefit of 100% mandated telework, I've been able to catch most of the matches, and there've been some good ones. England 3-2 Italy
And the run into the box and fall down routine saves England
Sterling has never dived
I've also thought for a long time that if a penalty kick is saved, the taker should not be allowed to score on the rebound; instead having to pass the ball to a teammate.
Italy 2-0
Really looking forward to the final on Sunday! I think we'll drink a bunch of Italian wine, right steve8?
With both teams playing solid defense, I'm thinking 1-0 in AET. I like England's ability to bring in some really good playmakers after the 75th minute, like Sancho, Rashford, Foden, and Grealish. Though I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them starting over Saka. But Saka does do more tracking back than any of those guys, so he may stay in the lineup to start.
@azwiese posted:With both teams playing solid defense, I'm thinking 1-0 in AET. I like England's ability to bring in some really good playmakers after the 75th minute, like Sancho, Rashford, Foden, and Grealish. Though I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them starting over Saka. But Saka does do more tracking back than any of those guys, so he may stay in the lineup to start.
There seems no chance to me that Sancho is playing at all.
Same ol' England. Another 55 years ?
@arsenal4ever posted:Same ol' England. Another 55 years ?
Hope so. Go Scotland. Oh...well...no hope there. 
@jcocktosten posted:There seems no chance to me that Sancho is playing at all.
Or playing well. Great Italian wines last night
Southgate managed that game poorly. Waited too long to start making changes and then subbed a sub (Henderson) off just before the penalties. His experience would have been a benefit rather than having 3 inexperienced players taking the penalties. But to be clear I'm not blaming those three (well maybe Rashford because he plays for ManUre) and the reactions from the ignorant, boorish racists have been disgraceful. English football fans are among the worst in the world. As UB40 once sang, "I'm a British subject, not proud of it".
Futronic and I were discussing the speculation about Jorginho winning the Ballon D'Or this year. Totally ridiculous imho but I have to admit it could happen. Lewandoski would be a better choice.