English Football Thread 2012/2013

[JBlues08]

Looks like the signing of Torres and Luiz had an impact. Anelka played superbly well and Drogba, well, being the recent Drogba. The back four was good, if not, solid. Nonetheless, it was an entertaining game from start to finish and a great performance overall along with the win.

Thought it would have been one of those days as we hit the post about 3-5 times during the game but thankfully, it did not turn out that way. And with this win, we at least got revenge on Sunderland after their big win at the Bridge!

Now, I hope Man City and Spurs drop points in their game tomorrow.

 

[Auwais]

?35 million for Carroll? Are Liverpool out of their fricking minds lol, I wouldn't value him at ?15 million. Yes he is good and it will hurt us having him gone, but we've coped these last 6 games without him and we will carry on coping, just that we now have ?35 million extra for the summer to really get some quality up front.

Indeed. Ashley must be laughing his ass off.

 

[ARay]

Arsenal and Everton are always matches which I find difficult to watch.
Everton are my favourite underdog team. I enjoy watching Arsenal for their playing style.
Nevertheless I should say Felliani was solid. I lost count of the times he robbed possession of Arsenal.

 

[War]

?35 million for Carroll? Are Liverpool out of their fricking minds lol, I wouldn't value him at ?15 million. Yes he is good and it will hurt us having him gone, but we've coped these last 6 games without him and we will carry on coping, just that we now have ?35 million extra for the summer to really get some quality up front.

Which so called "quality" striker would want to go to Newcastle though next season?. I dont see to much available in premier league foreign or English who would want to do that TBH.

Overall although the price for Carroll is indeed wayyy over the top. We just gotta accept that the English transfer market is overblown compared to other parts of the Europe. Players being bought ahead of their value is common now.

Given how rich some English clubs are these days. The significance & prestige that used to come with only the games truly great players being amongst the highest transfers, has lost its hype unfortunately. So i wont dwell on that.

But as an Englishman i expect Carroll to prove his worth fairly soon. Just like how a young unproven Wayne Rooney proved his worth when Ferguson bought him from Everton.

 

[mattfb]

?35 million for Carroll? Are Liverpool out of their fricking minds lol, I wouldn't value him at ?15 million. Yes he is good and it will hurt us having him gone, but we've coped these last 6 games without him and we will carry on coping, just that we now have ?35 million extra for the summer to really get some quality up front.

And we'll probably have around the same money, maybe a bit more, to add to our squad in the summer. It's not like we forked out for this transfer.

 

[Auwais]

1 - Cristiano Ronaldo ?80m
2 - Zlatan Ibrahimović ?56.5m
3 - Kak? ?56m
4 - Fernando Torres ?50m
5 - Zinedine Zidane ?45m
6 - Lu?s Figo ?37m
7 - Hern?n Crespo ?35.5m
8 - Andy Carroll ?35m
9 - David Villa ?34.2m
10 - Gianluigi Buffon ?32.6m

 

[Bevab]

Unbelievable. Footballers better than him have been even cheaper.

 

[Highlander999]

Indeed. Ashley must be laughing his ass off.

Just hope he doesn't go and blow it all in a casino, though apparently it has been promised to be used this summer

Which so called "quality" striker would want to go to Newcastle though next season?. I dont see to much available in premier league foreign or English who would want to do that TBH.

End of the day we aren't looking for someone like Torres or Rooney to join Newcastle, all we want are two solid attackers up front, the sort of level Davies or Crouch are. Not superstars but more then enough to put goals away in the Premiership, we have the quality in midfield to create enough chances, it's just Ameobi, Best and Lovenkrands are Championship level and Ranger is too young.

But as an Englishman i expect Carroll to prove his worth fairly soon. Just like how a young unproven Wayne Rooney proved his worth when Ferguson bought him from Everton.

I'm not sure with Carroll, I have a feeling he might go off the rails, he enjoys the rich lifestyle too much

And we'll probably have around the same money, maybe a bit more, to add to our squad in the summer. It's not like we forked out for this transfer.

Yeah but you lost Torres and you gained Suarez and Carroll who is out for 5 weeks anyway. I'd personally keep Torres over those two.

 

[Bevab]

Somethin' is better than nothin'.

Anyway, hope Newcastle make some good signings like Ben Arfa with the money.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

I wrote two articles on how Liverpool and Chelsea may lineup now, and analysing different formations:

How will Chelsea lineup with their new signings? | hoofitup

How will Liverpool lineup with their new signings? | hoofitup

Any comments on it would be appreciated

 

[JBlues08]

I wrote two articles on how Liverpool and Chelsea may lineup now, and analysing different formations:

How will Chelsea lineup with their new signings? | hoofitup

How will Liverpool lineup with their new signings? | hoofitup

Any comments on it would be appreciated

Regarding the lineup for Chelsea this weekend, I was actually thinking Ancelotti shouldn't try playing a new system with Torres in it this weekend. The reason being that is that it may backfire and in a high stakes game like this one, it is risky. I would say put Torres on the bench and bring him on when necessary.

However, on the other hand, Ancelotti can play both Drogba and Torres upfront together and employ a midfield diamond(like you suggested) but with Anelka at the tip of the diamond rather than Kalou. Let Anelka play a deeper role to link the play as he did this brilliantly last night against Sunderland.

Another possible option would actually dropping Drogba to the bench due to his recent form and play Torres upfront with Anelka supporting him.

On the back four, if Luiz is going to play alongside Terry, then Ivanovic might play at Right Back instead of Bosingwa. The former is much better defensively although the latter is better at going forward to provide option when attacking. This would probably depends on who play in midfield and upfront.

As for Liverpool, since Carroll is not available just yet, how do you think they will lineup this weekend? Suarez might play upfront on his own or perhaps Suarez and Kuyt upfront together in a 4-4-2. Not too sure about this just yet IMO. Liverpool's game tonight against Stoke City may give an indication on this.

Overall, the two articles were good and interesting. KIU.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Regarding the lineup for Chelsea this weekend, I was actually thinking Ancelotti shouldn't try playing a new system with Torres in it this weekend. The reason being that is that it may backfire and in a high stakes game like this one, it is risky. I would say put Torres on the bench and bring him on when necessary.

However, on the other hand, Ancelotti can play both Drogba and Torres upfront together and employ a midfield diamond(like you suggested) but with Anelka at the tip of the diamond rather than Kalou. Let Anelka play a deeper role to link the play as he did this brilliantly last night against Sunderland.

On the back four, if Luiz is going to play alongside Terry, then Ivanovic might play at Right Back instead of Bosingwa. The former is much better defensively although the latter is better at going forward to provide option when attacking. This would probably depends on who play in midfield and upfront.

As for Liverpool, since Carroll is not available just yet, how do you think they will lineup this weekend? Suarez might play upfront on his own or perhaps Suarez and Kuyt upfront together in a 4-4-2. Not too sure about this just yet IMO. Liverpool's game tonight against Stoke City may give an indication on this.

Overall, the two articles were good and interesting. KIU.

That is true, but on the other hand, this is a must win game for Chelsea - every game has become a must win game, so Torres must start. Yeh Anelka did look good at the tip, but can Ancelotti afford to play Torres, Drogba and Anelka in the same XI? It sounds surreal. Whilst Ivanovic is better than Bosingwa defensively, and I am a fan of Ivanovic, it makes much more sense to play Bosingwa if they employ a diamond. He gets forward more and will provide necessary width in attack.

There are quite a lot of options available for Liverpool. I think it will be a 4-3-3 with Suarez and Kuyt flanking Ngog, keeping the midfield trio going. If Suarez isn't on the wing then he'll play as a lone forward (isn't ideal for him) and Maxi and Kuyt will flank him. That's my guess.

 

[JBlues08]

That is true, but on the other hand, this is a must win game for Chelsea - every game has become a must win game, so Torres must start. Yeh Anelka did look good at the tip, but can Ancelotti afford to play Torres, Drogba and Anelka in the same XI? It sounds surreal. Whilst Ivanovic is better than Bosingwa defensively, and I am a fan of Ivanovic, it makes much more sense to play Bosingwa if they employ a diamond. He gets forward more and will provide necessary width in attack.

There are quite a lot of options available for Liverpool. I think it will be a 4-3-3 with Suarez and Kuyt flanking Ngog, keeping the midfield trio going. If Suarez isn't on the wing then he'll play as a lone forward (isn't ideal for him) and Maxi and Kuyt will flank him. That's my guess.

As much as we want to win the title again, I think finishing in the top 4 is the main priority at the moment IMO.

Anyway, playing the trio of Torres, Drogba and Anelka is mouthwatering and it might work or maybe it won't.

And I definitely agree with the Bosingwa option. If Ancelotti does employ a midfield diamond, then Bosingwa is the best option to play at Right Back. If that is the case, then Ivanovic might still play at centre back with Terry. Luiz will most likely start on the bench then.

By the way, Gary Neville has retired from all football with immediate effect.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

LFC team: Reina, Kelly, Soto, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Lucas, Meireles, Aurelio, Gerrard, Kuyt.

Didn't expect that haha.

 

[War]

End of the day we aren't looking for someone like Torres or Rooney to join Newcastle, all we want are two solid attackers up front, the sort of level Davies or Crouch are. Not superstars but more then enough to put goals away in the Premiership, we have the quality in midfield to create enough chances, it's just Ameobi, Best and Lovenkrands are Championship level and Ranger is too young.

Ye. But the only way i can see such a player going to Newcastle next season is if you stay up. Since with Carroll you may struggle to score goals & conceivably could suddenly get into a relegation dog fight.

I'm not sure with Carroll, I have a feeling he might go off the rails, he enjoys the rich lifestyle too much

For England sake we should hope not. Id back Sir Kenny to keep him in check though.