2012 - 2013 Football Thread!

I was agreeing with you about not bothering, then saying how people (you =/= you, but people reading the facts) aren't objective.

But ya I wasn't talking about you, Just hurriedly posted that sorry

Last edit: 2012-07-05 01:32:32

Don't count your apples before they've... grown

TS-Rupbar Sweden. July 05 2012 02:23. Posts 1053

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On July 05 2012 01:28 Neelia wrote:
Robin Van Persie will not extend his contract with Arsenal FC

This really saddens me. I do believe that Giroud has some exceptional potential, but other than RVP our only other world-class player is Sagna in my opinion. However, Arsenal has a young team and many of the players became better and better (Ramsey, Gibbs, Alex OC). Also, Wilshere will be coming back! The future is bright nonetheless : )

Freaky[x] Canada. July 05 2012 02:32. Posts 953

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actually wilshere is out for 10-12 weeks (misses the early part of the season) because he got a minor procedure done on his knee.

RVP has had the season of a lifetime and I hope he plays this season with arsenal whether he signs in the summer or not.

Aeroplaneoverthesea United Kingdom. July 05 2012 02:33. Posts 1669

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On July 05 2012 01:24 Stimp wrote:
Well well. It appears Van Persie has decided not to sign a new arsenal contract.

Show nested quote +

Haha. People need to stop thinking fifa rankings account for how pretty a result is, and only looks at cold hard facts. No matter how much you don't like england, they are consistent. Just because people don't like the stats don't make them a joke.

Consistent at what exactly? We made the Quarter Finals this time, we made the Ro16 at the World Cup, we didn't even qualify for Euro 2008.

So how does finishing outside the top 32, top 16 and top 8 mean we're even in the top four in Europe nevermind in the World?

Portugal managed Ro8 (Euro 08), Ro16 (WC), Ro4 (Euro 12)

That is quite clearly better than England's record.

Italy managed Ro8 (Euro 08), Ro32 (WC), Runner Up (Euro 12).

Again that's clearly better than England.

The rankings place far too weight on friendlies which are 100% meaningless in football at both club and international level.

And I'm fucking English for God's sake so why you would say I "don't like England" I've no idea.

Last edit: 2012-07-05 02:34:36

Stimp South Africa. July 05 2012 02:46. Posts 750

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On July 05 2012 02:33 Aeroplaneoverthesea wrote:

Show nested quote +

Don't feel like going into specific results. Italy lost/drew with some rather low ranked teams in 2010. Portugal BARELY qualified for the WC. France also.

You are also dismissing all the qualifying games. Which is where England don't really get beat. I don't see how England can magically fluke number 4 of a system based on results. While they lose to top 10 teams, they beat teams they are supposed to beat. Unbeaten in qualifying wasn't it ?

In the grand scheme of things, a loss in the wc to germany isn't going to dent their points as france/italy losing to minnows in the world cup.

Don't count your apples before they've... grown

Aeroplaneoverthesea United Kingdom. July 05 2012 03:12. Posts 1669

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On July 05 2012 02:46 Stimp wrote:

Show nested quote +

Italy lost/drew to teams in friendlies which mean nothing.

Most qualification games are played against really, really bad teams where winning should land you ever so slightly more than zero points.

England's group contained Wales (shit), Montenegro (slightly better than shit), Bulgaria (shit) and Switzerland (poor) and yet we still managed to draw three games which is pathetic.

Fifa Rankings are stupid, they don't work for the same reason TLPD is stupid (it isn't for BW but it doesn't work at all in Sc2) because all that matters in international football is how you place at major tournaments. No one gives a fuck about friendlies or qualifying (so long as you actually qualified) all that matters is how you finish in World Cup's, European Championships and Copa Americas.

England are fourth because we won a bunch of meaningless friendlies against small nations and Spain. Portugal and Italy are low because they played like crap in those friendlies but when the real thing came around you better believe they were a hell of a lot better than England. The Fifa Rankings doesn't appreciate that no one cares whether you can beat Spain in a friendly because it's terrible.

Last edit: 2012-07-05 03:15:39

RvB Netherlands. July 05 2012 03:27. Posts 1080

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On July 05 2012 01:28 Neelia wrote:
Robin Van Persie will not extend his contract with Arsenal FC

Rumour is that he will go to city, I hope not since city destroys so many careers.. I prefer him going to a different team but who
Knows what'll come out of this.

NuclearJudas July 05 2012 03:35. Posts 4215

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Fucking sad face that RvP won't extend. We should sell him asap, imo, so we can pick up some more players (Baines would be wonderful but unlikely). Giroud is a wonderful signing and will score some sweet goals.

Also, apparently Lúcio signed for Juventus. Sweet.

Last edit: 2012-07-05 03:42:16

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Rebs Pakistan. July 05 2012 03:53. Posts 3244

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On July 05 2012 02:32 Freaky[x] wrote:
actually wilshere is out for 10-12 weeks (misses the early part of the season) because he got a minor procedure done on his knee.

RVP has had the season of a lifetime and I hope he plays this season with arsenal whether he signs in the summer or not.

Not selling is absurd. He doesnt want to stay, there is no gaurantee of another similar performance next year with his head out of it. Running a risk that Arsenal might win something and convince him to stay vs getting money now. Id have the money now.

You always keep hearing stuff like what was it ehh.. "The Cannon on the Crest is, was and always will be bigger than any player at the club." or something to that effect.

Honestly I dont even know anymore what Arsenal can do to keep their teams together as legit contendors.

Freaky[x] Canada. July 05 2012 04:15. Posts 953

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arsenal need to keep their team intact. I have yet to see the first XI to be somewhat unchanged since 2005. No stability = no title contention. (unless you pay 1 billion pounds)

WArped United Kingdom. July 05 2012 08:07. Posts 4681

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Arsenal have joined Spurs and are both now feeder clubs for the best teams in Europe; scout out the talent, make them stars and they all eventually want to leave because there's no title and trophy at the end of the season. Man City don't need scouts, they just have the money to offer these guys £X00,000 a week once they reach the prime of their careers, same with Chelsea, same with Barca and Real. It's the harsh reality that club football has become. Sometimes even ECL football isn't enough to keep some of these guys, which is unfortunate.

Last edit: 2012-07-05 08:10:29

Aeroplaneoverthesea United Kingdom. July 05 2012 09:03. Posts 1669

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RVP was phenomenal last season but he spends most years out injured for half the time. Who's to say he won't do the same this season? It wouldn't be the worst thing for Arsenal to cash in if they spend well (they won't though, they'll buy another load of skillful losers and keep finishing 3rd/4th).

soujiro_ Uruguay. July 05 2012 09:45. Posts 3741

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libertadores final about to start
boca vs corinthians in brazil

+ Show Spoiler +

ace hwaiting!!

Hoon Brazil. July 05 2012 09:47. Posts 827

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On July 05 2012 09:45 soujiro_ wrote:
libertadores final about to start
boca vs corinthians in brazil

+ Show Spoiler +

As a guy from Uruguay, who are you cheering for?

SEn Fanclub: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=170834

soujiro_ Uruguay. July 05 2012 09:54. Posts 3741

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id like to see falcioni missing another chance at winning the libertadores

ace hwaiting!!

Sanctimonius United Kingdom. July 05 2012 10:52. Posts 842

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Really wonder how they will deal with RvP this year. Sell now and cash in on what was the best season of his life? The guy is 29 and unlikely to maintain his form, based on previous years, plus he is injury prone - is this past him or was he simply lucky this year?

Or does Wenger keep him and run the risk of him leaving for free next year? He could bank on the idea that a front three of him, Giroud and Podolski get Arsenal somewhere this year and with an improved season RvP could be convinced to stay - a year is a long, long time in football. But if he does go, i want him to go sooner rather than later with a clear road ahead re. signings, we can't have the same as last year after Cesc and Nasri left and it seemed like it just hadn't been planned for in any way.

So, if he goes, what next for Arsenal? Do they replace RvP or try to get by with two unproven strikers, one he doesn't want to ever try and another two he doesn't want to use anymore? Or maybe Bendtner will get his chance back in the team. Should they use the money to reinforce elsewhere? Still waiting to see what happens with M'Vila, that seems to have fallen off the news.

You live the life you choose.

Neelia Germany. July 05 2012 14:40. Posts 599

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On July 05 2012 10:52 Sanctimonius wrote:
Really wonder how they will deal with RvP this year. Sell now and cash in on what was the best season of his life? The guy is 29 and unlikely to maintain his form, based on previous years, plus he is injury prone - is this past him or was he simply lucky this year?

Or does Wenger keep him and run the risk of him leaving for free next year? He could bank on the idea that a front three of him, Giroud and Podolski get Arsenal somewhere this year and with an improved season RvP could be convinced to stay - a year is a long, long time in football. But if he does go, i want him to go sooner rather than later with a clear road ahead re. signings, we can't have the same as last year after Cesc and Nasri left and it seemed like it just hadn't been planned for in any way.

I think with the timing of events (Wenger and Hill-Wood saying they don't want to sell him just a few days ago) and his statement (judging by the response from Arsenal I'd guess they were not informed in any way he'll publish something like that) he is trying to force his way out this summer.

I think for the Club it'd have been a good idea to keep him another season and support Giroud and Podolski with settling in and getting used to the Premier League and have a proven striker to fall back on. (And buy a decent replacement next summer, if one of the two above doesn't acclimate well) But well, after his statement which imo showed a huge lack of respect for the club I think he has burned to many bridges to stay another year. :/

I just hope they can sell him to an club outside of EPL but well, Man City seems to be his next destination. ._.

Pretty disappointed, not by the fact he wants to leave but about how he's approaching it.

Edit: With RVP leaving it seems pretty likely that Theo Walcott is off too, will be interesting to see who/if more players will be brought in.

Last edit: 2012-07-05 15:14:02

tekos44 France. July 05 2012 16:58. Posts 146

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Apparently Lloris is going to leave Lyon for Arsenal, 17/18m€ fee, as Lyon is actively looking for a new GK
Best signing of the year for AFC if it happens, it will really change everything about their defence, confidence between GK and centre-backs is key and didn't exist last year

He's not at all the likes of Nasri when it comes to behaviour. He was captain of the french team during the euro because he was one of the few reliable, thoughtful players we had

On another topic, the 2 candidates we know of for the french team manager job are Deschamps and ... Zidane

Ysellian Netherlands. July 05 2012 17:33. Posts 3841

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I think RvP is making a big mistake here. Unless he goes to Barcelona, who frankly don't need him, there is no guarantee for prizes. He isn't young anymore and with his injury problems he'll likely have trouble to shine anywhere else.

sharkie Austria. July 05 2012 17:42. Posts 2167

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Lloris to Arsenal would be awesome!