2019/20 Soccer Thread

Godzilla Blitz wrote:

Honest question: Do people care about the Carabo Cup? From watching Klopp's interview about the scheduling, it felt like he was disappointed that Liverpool won.

Or does caring about it have to do with your club's success, so smaller teams might care if they do well, but larger teams like Liverpool generally treat it like an annoying mosquito?

The problem with the Carabo cup is it's not the FA Cup.
That is keeps changing its name.
That it has a two leg semi final? Or did they change that.
That it's still not the FA Cup.
I'm sure there are more reasons but ya. It's the 2nd cup in an already crowded schedule.

Partly was happy to see Arsenal go out vs Liverpool as it always creates a fixture pile up. Never want to lose but also have to be pragmatic.

I don't care much about the Carabao Cup.

I care even less about the World Club Cup.

Godzilla Blitz wrote:

Honest question: Do people care about the Carabo Cup? From watching Klopp's interview about the scheduling, it felt like he was disappointed that Liverpool won.

Or does caring about it have to do with your club's success, so smaller teams might care if they do well, but larger teams like Liverpool generally treat it like an annoying mosquito?

I only care to the extent of Newcastle's chances of winning it and would love to see it abolished, like France is doing.

The only really good argument I've seen for it to continue us it's basically an indirect form if revenue sharing from EPL clubs to those in lower leagues that get drawn against clubs in higher divisions.

But I think Liverpool should play reserve/youth sides in both those matches and give their first team players and staff a break to help then in their title chase.

What on earth is happening in the Chelsea-Ajax game?

Second half has had four goals, two sendings off and VAR checks and five subs and... four minutes of added time. That seems about five minutes light.

I care about the Carabao cup in so far as it's a chance to see how the promising youngsters are doing against presumably tougher opposition on average than a u23 match (obviously that wouldn't be the case anymore if everyone fielded a youth side).

jowner wrote:

In laughable Arsenal news. Apparently Emery had the players vote for a captain. Result? Xhaka.

So they voted a guy who might not be a regular starter. Face Palm.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has been stripped of his captaincy and left out of the Gunners' Europa League game against Portugal's Vitoria, manager Unai Emery has confirmed. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will skipper the club in his place.

Well when Emery does get sacked he really can only blame himself.

Y'know, five years ago, if I was playing FM and Arsene Wenger got fired from Arsenal, only to end up at Bayern Munich, I would've rolled my eyes and said something about how video games still aren't particularly realistic.

Prederick wrote:

Y'know, five years ago, if I was playing FM and Arsene Wenger got fired from Arsenal, only to end up at Bayern Munich, I would've rolled my eyes and said something about how video games still aren't particularly realistic.

It even kinda makes sense if they wanna wait until the summer.

Wenger the new placeholder manager.

I mean, it will be VERY funny for us to be sitting here in February and saying "the thing with Bayern is, they always try to walk it in."

Prederick wrote:

I mean, it will be VERY funny for us to be sitting here in February and saying "the thing with Bayern is, they always try to walk it in."

Especially if Mourinho is at Arsenal taking them back to their pre-Wenger philosophical roots.

Arsenal being described as a defensive side was the most confusing part of 'Fever Pitch'.

I think they actually broke the EPL.

The VAR review that just happened to take the Sheffield goal off the board is not a sport I want to watch.

jowner wrote:

I think they actually broke the EPL.

The VAR review that just happened to take the Sheffield goal off the board is not a sport I want to watch.

Not the first one that I've thought was too close for anyone to really want overturned. I'd propose implementing a margin for error on offside reviews, where the player needs to be at least three inches (or whatever) offside to make the call. Or something.

We already have a general rule for that. When in doubt, allow it.

Spurs losing points... Again. What a shock.

Fedaykin98 wrote:
jowner wrote:

I think they actually broke the EPL.

The VAR review that just happened to take the Sheffield goal off the board is not a sport I want to watch.

Not the first one that I've thought was too close for anyone to really want overturned. I'd propose implementing a margin for error on offside reviews, where the player needs to be at least three inches (or whatever) offside to make the call. Or something.

Considering it was in the build up + marginal you would think common sense would be not to go that far back and be that nitpicky.

It really just doesn't add any positive viewing value. I'm not sure how they thought this would be a good idea.

Newcastle are a point above Spurs.

Sorbicol wrote:

Newcastle are a point above Spurs.

Bruce has actually been doing a decent job, though our defenders outscoring the rest of the team 7-4 is a bit worrying.

This is Unai's 50th game.

He should probably be sacked but not sure if the current management setup want to mid season.

If this was Chelsea Roman probably sacks him after the UEFA Cup last season.

I did not have Leicester being clearly better than Arsenal this season.

And I know I say this a lot, but if I saw this table in FM, I'd roll my eyes and post something about unrealistic video games.

Isn’t it crazy? And only 4 points separates 5th place from 16th place. That’s nuts!

Liverpool 3 - 0 Man City with about 25 minute to play. Good game, some very ofd VAR decisions and Claudio Bravo probably not playing for City again after this one. Scott Carson to the rescue?

Edit. Final score Liverpool 3 - 1 Man City. Liverpool 8 points clear of Leicester in second and 9 ahead of City who are in 4th, who in turn are 8 points clear of Sheffield United in 5th.

It’s going to be another one of those seasons I think.

As with last year, I imagine things will be decided during that god-awful run at the turn of the year.

Is anyone surprised that Ronaldo reportedly left the stadium after getting subbed?

On the other hand, while I might think that getting subbed should be no big thing, it clearly is and it's not like anyone would have the balls to sub Messi for anything less than grievous injury or that the score is already 6-0 and he's hit four.

Prederick wrote:

On the other hand, while I might think that getting subbed should be no big thing, it clearly is and it's not like anyone would have the balls to sub Messi for anything less than grievous injury or that the score is already 6-0 and he's hit four.

I mean obviously the issue at stake here is ego, but unless one of the strengths of the man being taken off is specifically stamina it just makes sense that even a messi or ronaldo who's been playing for an hour or more is often going to perform worse than someone somewhat less talented (obvs depends how much less talented but still) but with fresh legs.

England's 7-0 win tonight against Montenegro featured an own goal meaning that the current standings for England's all time top scorer are tied again:

Wayne Rooney (53)
Own Goal (53)

One qualifying game left on Sunday, which gives OG a big chance to go into next year's Euros with sole control of the lead.

I'm way too optimistic about Canada' chances tomorrow against the USA. Optimism never ends well.

I mean, there has never been a better time to be INCREDIBLY confident about Canada vs. this USMNT.

Prederick wrote:

I mean, there has never been a better time to be INCREDIBLY confident about Canada vs. this USMNT.

"Like" wasn't really the correct characterization of my response to this post, but I clicked it very quickly.

I have zero confidence in Berhalter. I’m hopeful that the US can fall so fast that he gets fired quickly and we still have enough time to bring in a real coach for the World Cup.

Go Canada!

Godzilla Blitz wrote:

I have zero confidence in Berhalter. I’m hopeful that the US can fall so fast that he gets fired quickly and we still have enough time to bring in a real coach for the World Cup.

Go Canada!

Best case for you guys is he gets sacked before preparation for the Hex so he can't screw that up.

10 minutes... So nervous. We need to win this to get into the Hex.