Football/Futbol/Soccer thread

[Viazon]

[Kyle]

I don't get Lewandowski joining Bayern. Why would you join your biggest rival?

Money plays a factor but apparently Madrid made a bid that was OK for Dortmund but he refused. TBH, any player would consider Bayern especially with Guardiola at the helm. They're coasting to a league title whilst hot favourites to retain the CL crown.

I suppose. Bayern are tremendous and with Lewandowski there it will be almost unfair. Ribery, Roben, Muller, Lew, Gotze, Schweinsteiger, Javi, Lahm, Alaba, NEUER. That's just sick.

[PorkChop]

Posting this here as there's a lot of Brits in this thread - is there anything more depressing than Sunday nights on British television? There's never anything good on.

Anyway back on topic, it was fun to see West Ham get trashed. I think they might be in big trouble tbh.

[prophet]

Reckon Big Sam is for the off this week, Redknapp to replace him.

Arsenal need a striker don't they? Could do worse than Demba Ba.

[Romo]

Reckon Big Sam is for the off this week, Redknapp to replace him.

Arsenal need a striker don't they? Could do worse than Demba Ba.

If he goes, Redknapp won't replace him, QPR likely to go up, Redknapp will want to spend money and West Ham won't since they wasted money on Carroll.

[PorkChop]

It's hard to think that Liverpool and West Ham paid a combined 50 million for Andy Carroll. He's shite.

[prophet]

Reckon Big Sam is for the off this week, Redknapp to replace him.

Arsenal need a striker don't they? Could do worse than Demba Ba.

If he goes, Redknapp won't replace him, QPR likely to go up, Redknapp will want to spend money and West Ham won't since they wasted money on Carroll.

I thought that but the way QPR play(ing) they're not the dead certs everyone assumes them to be.

[AkydefGoldberg]

Meh, the same old tripe of performance. No real confidence, creativity or inventiveness.

Alexander Buttner, yes, he was our best player today.

Swansea's keeper had not alot to do besides pick the ball out of the net and besides a spell in the first half where we upped the tempo and tried to make head-way in the box, it fizzled out without an attempt on goal.

Buttner's assist was beautiful and he had other decent crosses but one of them in the second half, ended on the other side of the pitch so inconsistency but I'd start him on Tuesday.

Swansea's second goal, but Bony had a free-header. Evans stood gaping, should have tightened up on Bony as he had Buttner covering him but Evans struggles without Rio/Vidic holding his hand. He's an experienced player out of our back four after Rio went off and he needs to stamp some sort of authority and organisation.

Fabio's sending off was harsh, maybe a booking but understandable. He was leaving the decision to the ref to send him off but tbf, he's a lad who has hardly played and/or been given a look in by Moyes so he was probably trying to impress but if backfired.

Kagawa, again, had few glimpses when CENTRALLY but Moyes plays him on the left when Rooney is injured. Welbeck was poor behind the man and would have been more effect on the left.

Same old performances and results atm. Moyes saying he's not intending to buy makes me extremely worried about a top four spot. It will be hard to buy yes, but from the end of the transfer window to now, I assume and hope he has been looking, scouting for players not involved in the CL e.g Strootman or Coentrao who would be worth a go.

[Romo]

Coentrao is reckless and isn't going to solve your defensive problems or your attacking ones,

[Romo]

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has announced he's going to be leaving Borussia Monchengladbach which all but confirms he'll be joining Barca in the summer.

[AkydefGoldberg]

^What's he like? Is he comfortable on the ball?

Looks like Pepe Reina will move to Napoli permanently unless they sign him aswell and let De Stegen grow into the long-term role slowly?

[Romo]

^What's he like? Is he comfortable on the ball?

Looks like Pepe Reina will move to Napoli permanently unless they sign him aswell and let De Stegen grow into the long-term role slowly?

He'd be the #1 keeper for German if it wasn't for Manuel Neuer, he's only 21 so he'll get there one day... Did do this though so i'm guessing alot of work will go into pre season for his footwork

[SKS]

It's January 8th and United already have 3 losses this year

[Romo]

Thomas Hitzlsperger becomes the first former premier league player to official come out as gay today, I believe the only other player in the world to come out is Robbie Rodgers from the US.

Full story here

[PorkChop]

It's January 8th and United already have 3 losses this year

Really puts things into perspective. They've fallen so far without Ferguson.

Also, respect to Hitzlsperger - Villa legend.

[PorkChop]

Sorry to piss you off Prophet and Daz, but Villa are apparently closing in on a 2 million deal for Nahki Wells and also after Wes Hoolahan (who has just handed in a transfer request). Don't hurt me

[Romo]

Sorry to piss you off Prophet and Daz, but Villa are apparently closing in on a 2 million deal for Nahki Wells and also after Wes Hoolahan (who has just handed in a transfer request). Don't hurt me

Doesn't seem to surprise me about Hoolahan, every time I see him he is on the bench for Norwich and the guy quality, I mean they play Elmander ahead of him and anybody who has watched him in the past few years knows how bad he is, he got like 12 goals in 3 years for Bolton

[PorkChop]

Sorry to piss you off Prophet and Daz, but Villa are apparently closing in on a 2 million deal for Nahki Wells and also after Wes Hoolahan (who has just handed in a transfer request). Don't hurt me

Doesn't seem to surprise me about Hoolahan, every time I see him he is on the bench for Norwich and the guy quality, I mean they play Elmander ahead of him and anybody who has watched him in the past few years knows how bad he is, he got like 12 goals in 3 years for Bolton

I don't know much about him tbh, other than he's an attacking midfielder which is what Villa desperately need right now.

[Daz]

Frankly, I'd gladly get rid of Hoolahan. Good at times, anonymous at others. He's a player you have to shape the whole team around and if he's having a bad game, which is more often than his good games to be perfectly honest, it'll cost you. He's lightweight, loses the ball to easily in key areas, which have proved to be costly for us in the past. His passing at times is atrocious, his decision making is baffling. He'll keep the ball far too long, trying to take it around every player when he has four or five better options staring him in the face. More often that not, I've seen him run into a crowd of players when he's got a acres of space to move into. He doesn't score many, and his assist record for Norwich really isn't all it's cracked up to be, despite often being called our most creative player who can unlock defences. He's one of the most frustrating players you'll ever see. He can dribble a 120 yards, sideways, without ever moving forward. Frankly, Jonny Howson is a far better player in his role, and I think now RVW's fit, he could easily fill the role Hoolahan plays. He's stronger on the ball, a far more intelligent player and a better passer.

As far as I'm concerned, Villa are welcome to him.

[Romo]

Frankly, I'd gladly get rid of Hoolahan. Good at times, anonymous at others. He's a player you have to shape the whole team around and if he's having a bad game, which is more often than his good games to be perfectly honest, it'll cost you. He's lightweight, loses the ball to easily in key areas, which have proved to be costly for us in the past. His passing at times is atrocious, his decision making is baffling. He'll keep the ball far too long, trying to take it around every player when he has four or five better options staring him in the face. More often that not, I've seen him run into a crowd of players when he's got a acres of space to move into. He doesn't score many, and his assist record for Norwich really isn't all it's cracked up to be, despite often being called our most creative player who can unlock defences. He's one of the most frustrating players you'll ever see. He can dribble a 120 yards, sideways, without ever moving forward. Frankly, Jonny Howson is a far better player in his role, and I think now RVW's fit, he could easily fill the role Hoolahan plays. He's stronger on the ball, a far more intelligent player and a better passer.

As far as I'm concerned, Villa are welcome to him.

unrelated question.... Are you sick of the sick of Elmander yet?