Any REAL football fans here? (Page 24)

Check it again, there were two other players that appeared to be off sides, not Henry. 

Agreed, though.  The angles must have been just perfect for two people to miss something so blatant.

Very interesting discussion on the Henry handball, guys, thanks. It's nice to see the footy thread so active.

I didn't see the replay until this morning on Mike and Mike.  Sheesh, what a mess. Really unfortunate that football only gets this kind of focus here in the US when it's something negative like this. But really, officials make mistakes in every sport. You just know the refs involved are just sick about this.

I'd be interested to see that schematic of the play mentioned in the last post if you wouldn't mind posting a link.

But what about the Linesman.  I think I can see him on the far side of the field.  He appears to have had a dead on look at the infraction.

I think the graphic is showing his view of the infraction is supposedly blocked by the keeper.

Being somewhat of a purist when I watch the beautiful game it annoys me no end when winning managers think they deserve it when they have played nothing but negative soccer and scored a goal by complete chance....yes, I am talk ing about Steve Bruce...what an idiot...he is quoted as saying he cant remember Arsenal carving them open and his team deserved the win...so Eduaro scuffing his shot, Rosicky forcing a save, Ramsey's shot on goal...several other chances in the second half - was he in the bathroom?....what was he watching...Blunderland scored on their only shot on goal...from 6 yards ( about the only range where Bent is effective by the way)....it would be refreshing for him to sheepishly take the win but admit they were out classed...but no....he thinks they deserved the win...genius!

Happens week in week out in the EPL....blind managers....

On topic.....no reply..both officials were unsighted...part of the game.....talk to me about Maradona's hand of God for a replay and then we can discuss changing rules etc....

If the Irish really wanted to qualify they should have won their home leg and not lost it.

World Cup draw is today.

Should be interesting to say the least. 

Will the US get into another Group of Death?  Will their be more than one Group of Death this year?  Is there more or less parity in the WC than in the past?

Only time will tell and the first step happens today.

Hard to avoid some sort of group of death since all the teams the qualify are usually there on merit ( except for France :-) ....Overall I think its a weaker world cup - Euro teams are down except Spain....Argies struggled in qualifying and other traditionally strong teams are not that impressive...said it before - location and timing....possibly the first win for an African or Asian team....

Maybe so...the Argies have used 75+ players in qualifying, have a loon for a coach and if you look at the quality they have its all small attacking players...none at the back...Gabi Heinze?!...really?..while I see Messi as the best player in the world...I would not be fearful of drawing them in the tournament...they just dont have that fear factor this year.

I would argue that Brazil is not that strong either....Dunga is a pragmatic coach and the current crop of Brazilians..........sorry.mind went somewhere else when I typed that!........are not in the same mold as prior teams..not since Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Kaka, cafu etc have they had a team filled with stars all over the field that could hurt you....they were not dominant in SA qualifying....yes they win - but even the US can play with them

This.  I agree.  There just doesn't seem to be any really big powerhouses that appear to be the run away favorites. 

I also agree that it might be a first win for an African or Asian team.  I've been leaning African over the past month or so. 

I wonder if this parity is due to the increase of these continents participating in the Super Leagues in Europe, therefore strengthening the smaller countries (minnows), but potentially weakening the bigger countries by not having ALL of their players playing in the big clubs.

Thoughts?

Not sure...one thought is the lack of youth development world wide...youth players tend to be forced into senior teams very early in development and if they dont succeed, find themselves a nomad in the lower divisions or lesser leagues around the world. The need for success in the senior team does not lend itself to giving young players time to succeed and develop - theory #1

#2 - Borderless soccer - meaning there are now no real problems for players to play outside their native country...so there are plenty of options for instant player impact outside of developing players in your system for managers. I think it dilutes the quality since style becomes a conglomeration of many cultures and influences...south american/african/asian/european etc.....

Meaning - traditional Italian catenaccio is gone, total football from the Dutch, even some of the South american flair is gone I think....its all become average!

Just my random 0.02c

Well, the draw's out. Funny headline on espn.com--"US gets tough draw, but avoids the Group of Death".

(world cup.JPG)

Interesting you say that.

2 and 3 WC's ago, I was talking to friends about how the US doesn't have a style.  Because so many of the US players play/played outside of the US, they adopted the style of the country they were playing in.  At that time, the countries still had THEIR style.

Like you said, South America, primarily Brazil was fluid, beautiful.  Italian's would bunker but could still play attractive ball.  Germany was regimented but long ball and one shot.  England was England.  Portugal would be surrounding the ref and complaining (ok, so that is a bit of a joke, but you get my drift) but if you looked at and look at the style of play of the US then and now, it is that amalgam of styles. 

I guess you could say that International Play has been Americanized in that it is affected by the cross pollinating of styles into various countries.  Become a melting pot.

Maybe that is a stretch, but that is my thoughts.

BTW, should be an interesting first round for the US.  There should be NO reason they don't go through, BUT it is the US. 

Donovan to Everton for 3 month loan?

Interesting.

Bad match up for him...he is not physical and Moyes likes his players to play with that edge. I'd like to see him at a better club but he has been a bit tarnished lately with the failure of his German exploits etc...still he may have matured and he would have Howard to help him...

Off to England next week...thinking of taking my 11 yr old ( girl) to a Leeds game...too early for her to learn the finer words of the english language maybe? :-)

Happy Holidays and enough the feast of EPL over the next 2 weeks!

Gotta agree with you.  He is not a physical player, he relies more on his pace and touch than anything else.  And Germany did not do him any favors, that is for certain.

Going to see a Leeds U match.  Cool.  My cousins are LUFC fans.  They live about 10 miles from the grounds.  Now there is a club that did themselves in but are working quite hard to make a come back.  How many more years till they make it to the top again?  I'm thinking it is still another 5.

Have fun my friend. 

Didn't get to see the game, but congrats to your Cavs.

Rafa will be gone before the end of the EPL season.

So.

Landycakes is on loan to Everton for three months.  Should be interesting.  I hope he at least gets a little playing time to stay fit.

The US is ranked 14th.  I think that is too high.  Not that I put too much faith in the global FIFA rankings.  I personally don't think we should be in the top 20.  Just my own 2 cents.

Thoughts?