All-Purpose, Never-Ending Soccer Thread

I had heard this was in the works. I'm somewhat happy about it. He needs to get more playing time and there was no way that was going to happen at Man U.

 

Good call -- I really like Richardson. He doesn't have the pace of some of the other new guys, but he'll be a good one. Wes Brown can also make a case that he was better than Sol.

On FSC last night, the soccer analyst was killing the Walcott choice. He made some very good points, including the fact that Owen had a full year of EPL experience before he got picked at 18 years old, whereas Walcott hasn't even played.

 

I saw that, too.
I enjoy that show, but I think you can tell from that analyst's (nearly unintelligible) accent that he's not exactly predisposed to love England.
He said that if Owen and Rooney were 100 percent that he might see Walcott as a worthy gamble. I think his lack of Premiership experience is inconsequential. Lots of guys who'll do well at the World Cup have no Premiership experience. Walcott's time the Championship is of some value. Frankly, I think Walcott's inclusion suggests Sven might finally move Gerrard into more of an attacking position, similar to what he does with Liverpool. I think that's huge for England's chances.

 

Middlesborough thumped by Sevilla in UEFA Cup final, 4-0. I'm guessing this is a precursor to next week's Champion's League final.... Barca over Arsenal, big.... like 3-0, 3-1.

 

'Borough was outclassed or is it 'Borough were outclassed.

However, if the penalty is called on Navarro, when he barreled through Viduka in the box, the outcome might have been different.

A successful PK equalizes the match at 1-1, with approx. 15 minutes left.

 

Bobby McMahon ... quite possibly the only head on FSC worth listening to. How he keeps from throttling his FSW Report colleagues (Michelle Lissel excluded) is beyond me.

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You'll notice Timmy is only going on loan, not on a transfer like Barthez, Taibi and the other "problem" keepers before him. Add that to the fact that Van der Robot's contract runs out after next season and I wouldn't plan on Howard leaving ManYoo just yet.

What does concern me is the possible defense that he could have in front of him. So far, David Moyes 1) is trying to resign the central duo of David Weir and Alan Stubbs (combined age 96), Dos) decided not to turn Matteo Ferrari's loan into a full transfer, III) has yet to quell the possibility of Yobo moving to another club and Fo) is still putting faith in Gary Naysmith and Alessandro Pistone.

Tim could be a busy, busy boy next season.... :-X :-\

 

Well, United needs to sign another keeper, if only as cover for VDS. I don't think that any of their younger keepers are considered top prospects, but I don't follow that stuff closely. If that defense is healthy next year, it will be darned good for any keeper.

It's amazing how many careers turned on that game against Porto. There was the offsides call on the Man United goal which should have counted. Timmy spills a tough, but catchable free kick leading to the Porto win and earning his reputation as a keeper who commits high profile mistakes. The Special One then goes to the Chelski instead of Sven.

 

This Juve phone-tap scandal is threatening to engulf a lot more than just the Old Lady:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1773101,00.html
http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-5817849,00.html

Now Lazio, Fiorentina and Italy's World Cup referee are all under investigation.

 

Even more fun to be had ... Gigi Buffon is under investigation. Meanwhile, "Honest" Silvio Berlusconi demands Juve's last two Serie A titles be returned to their rightful owners - AC Milan.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-5819629,00.html
http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-5821611,00.html
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1774575,00.html

My favorite part:
"If found guilty of involvement in match-fixing, Juve could be stripped of their last two titles and demoted to Serie B."

 

On the bright side, Liverpool's FA Cup final victory over West Ham was as good as any match I've seen in a while.
Gerrard was ridiculously good. If Sven doesn't feature him for England, then the English will have their coach to blame.

 

Buffon is a big-time keeper. This could keep him off the roster since they may not want to waste a roster spot on a guy that is going to be indicted.

Amazing stuff going on.

 

Don't know if anyone else caught it in Trooper's links, but Italy's referees aren't even safe from the investigation.

I can't find any news on it elsewhere, but possibly the USA's Kevin Stott might be his replacement from the pool of alternates.