^ Haha. You mistake getting it for accepting mediocrity. You can't replace Sir Alex, no, but you can't collapse right away like Moyes either. Do I expect to be in the top 4 every year? Yes. United has a team good enough for the top 4 currently. Why should we as United fans accept mediocrity? I will leave that to the pool fans. I won't be disappointed if we don't win the title but I will be disappointed if we don't give it a legitimate shot and don't make the top 4. If Klopp had the squad United has right now (plus one midfielder) he would be salivating over the prospect of winning multiple titles.

10/3/2013 8:06:43 PM

Quote :

"Why should we as United fans accept mediocrity?"

You don't have to accept it. It's far more entertaining if you don't, actually.

This United roster isn't as good as you think either.

Somebody already mentioned that RvP papered over a ton of the cracks, and Sir Alex could polish a turd possibly better than any coach in the history of sport.

It just goes to show how good he actually was, and how United aren't ever going to reclaim that kind of edge again.

10/3/2013 9:30:16 PM

^ haha ok. So you attribute winning the toughest league in the world to two people? In fact you are insinuating that these two people were so good that without them United finish outside the top 4? Ridiculous notion. You are blind if you don't see enough quality in the United squad to make top 4. Your last sentence just reeks of hope that David Moyes fails. The transition was always going to be difficult and on top of that Moyes had a tough start to deal with. Its the West Brom loss that has me and others questioning him. All I will say is United have been written off before and god would I love to see the reaction on your smug faces if we win the title this year. It would be better than any title win ever. Probably not happening after this start but write off United at your own peril, as always.

10/3/2013 9:43:06 PM

Right.

I never said United wouldn't finish top 4. You're completely making up arguments out of thin air at this point.

I've actually been defending him against your knee-jerk reactions from the previous page.

BRO, DO YOU EVEN READ?

10/3/2013 10:35:33 PM

^^It's "write off Fergie at your own peril."

10/4/2013 1:31:30 AM

Quote :

"You don't have to accept it. It's far more entertaining if you don't, actually."

LOL

10/4/2013 7:41:37 AM

10/4/2013 6:20:59 PM

Quote :

"Uefa is considering a radical overhaul of international football that would see national teams playing a new Nations League competition. The idea, floated at executive committee meetings that preceded aUefa meeting in Dubrovnik last month, would see Uefa using existing dates for friendlies in the international calendar to launch a new league involving all 54 member nations."

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/10/uefa-internationals-nations-league-friendlies

Thoughts? I think it could be kind of cool. We already have meaningless friendlies so its not like a meaningless competition is much different. My only problem with it is that the US would lose opportunities to play friendlies against UEFA teams.

10/10/2013 2:00:37 PM

The schedule is already so bloated and these guys get next to no time off.

I just don't see why the the player, or the club that owns them more importantly, would be too excited about adding a bunch of worthless matches to their legs and risking injury like that.

Euro and WC every other year is plenty of international competition IMO.

****

Anyone see the La Liga president say that matches have already been fixed and he anticipates more?

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/la-liga-president-warns-810-matches-will-be-fixed/427541-5-21.html

This further confirms my suspicions about that Real match. That shit was definitely rigged.

10/10/2013 3:28:11 PM

The way I understand it, they aren't adding games. They're just replacing dumb friendly international dates that nobody takes seriously with this competition.

The dumb thing is they're considering it because they've intentionally watered down their European Championship qualification process by adding more teams.

[Edited on October 10, 2013 at 3:56 PM. Reason : .]

10/10/2013 3:56:01 PM

Adding games would be ridiculous and they would never get away with it.

What happens with many friendlies though is that the top players typically are granted some off time and managers use those matches to blood in up and coming and fringe players.

If all of a sudden it's a "competition" then these players start facing pressure from their national team setups to show up and play. At that point you're not only damaging your next gen players but you are burning out your stars.

tl;dr Leave well enough alone

10/10/2013 4:22:21 PM

Are you reading what I said? They are not adding games.

On the one hand, I agree with what you're saying. But on the other, we're going to have international games/dates no matter what. Why not try to create some kind of interest? I don't think the creation of a "competition" is going to mean full strength XI for every single weekend either. It just creates a competition environment for untested players, youth players, fringe players, etc.

Handled the right way (by NOT ADDING GAMES) I don't see how this is a terrible idea. Unless you just really like not paying attention to meaningless friendlies now and don't want things to change.

I would rather see CONCACAF do something like this than have a Gold Cup every 2 years, honestly.

[Edited on October 10, 2013 at 4:26 PM. Reason : .]

10/10/2013 4:26:03 PM

Quote :

"Are you reading what I said? They are not adding games."

Quote :

"Adding games would be ridiculous and they would never get away with it."

I'm not sure you're reading what I'm saying. I've understood that from the first post... where you explicitly mentioned it. I'm agreeing with you. They didn't even entertain that because it would get shot down instantly.

Quote :

"The schedule is already so bloated and these guys get next to no time off. I just don't see why the the player, or the club that owns them more importantly, would be too excited about adding a bunch of worthless matches to their legs and risking injury like that. Euro and WC every other year is plenty of international competition IMO."

Instead of saying "these guys", I should have said "star players" and it would have been a better post.

sidenote:I'm not as big on international soccer as club so it probably doesn't matter to me quite as much as those that feel more passionate about that aspect of the game, which i completely understand.

[Edited on October 10, 2013 at 4:45 PM. Reason : .]

10/10/2013 4:39:40 PM

Fair enough. Sounds like you're arguing for no international dates period though, which isn't going to happen.


Can't remember where or how long ago it was but I do remember a discussion on TWW about international soccer and how interest has been dropping. I'm not against something to try to revive some of that. The only thing I don't like about it is that a UEFA competition most likely means no more UEFA friendlies for the US.

10/10/2013 4:55:06 PM

Those are about the only ones I get interested in anymore.

It's pretty cool to watch us play Belgium or Germany, but I can't drum up the same enthusiasm for Nicaragua or Egypt etc.

Also speaking of UEFA, I saw today where if/when England qualifies they plan on playing a tune up match in Miami with the US right before the WC. Assuming they don't get drawn together again of course.

[Edited on October 10, 2013 at 5:02 PM. Reason : It'd be cool if Bob could do us a favor and go ahead and get rid of Ghana too]

10/10/2013 5:01:09 PM

^ Didn't know about a potential warm up match in Miami. That would be awesome to go to!

10/11/2013 12:06:50 AM

Quote :

"Hearing USA-England friendly would take place in May in Washington DC area if it happens."

according to Grant Wahl, it'd be in DC

10/11/2013 8:21:35 AM

Taking a half day PTO today in front of 3-day weekend to watch qualifiers. Can't wait!

10/11/2013 8:33:02 AM

^^ He may have better sources.

Fox Soccer Daily is where I heard that yesterday and they mentioned Miami is where England is going to set up home base before the cup. Also mentioned Woy had already flown over once to begin preparations.

10/11/2013 9:02:27 AM

Think it came partly out of that interview Klinsmann had where he discussed England training in Miami pre-World Cup and that they were in talks for a friendly. People must have assumed the friendly would take place where England was training.

10/11/2013 9:14:56 AM

No Arsenal players starting for England. Wilshere dropped for Townsend apparently.

Kind of rooting for Montenegro.

[Edited on October 11, 2013 at 11:33 AM. Reason : Well Townsend for Milner really]

10/11/2013 11:29:56 AM

England are picking Miami as a training base. Yes nothing wrong with a bunch of rich and egoistic premier league footballers with a history of amazing discipline training in Miami. Its not like England have a bunch of indulgent bastards like Germany. They will be in bed by 10pm and will be raring to go for the World Cup!

10/12/2013 1:54:56 AM

Bump for Round 3 of the Group Stage

Tweet of the Day from CR7:

10/22/2013 12:02:35 PM

He's entering Michael Jackson territory.

[Edited on October 22, 2013 at 12:14 PM. Reason : .]

10/22/2013 12:13:33 PM

Lost in Translation? Don't think so. lol

10/22/2013 12:17:00 PM

That's gotta be a hack or he's just hilarious.

10/22/2013 1:17:54 PM

Or maybe he's stoned...

10/22/2013 1:25:26 PM

Quote :

"WORST TROLL EVER"

10/22/2013 1:27:00 PM

Some good matches on today

The two big ones of course:
Milan vs. Barca
Arsenal vs Dortmund

I will def. be watching Arsenal vs. Dortmund later tonight. Both teams should have plenty of chances and I expect goals. 3-2 to Arsenal for me but I can see a 2-2 draw.

1-1 in Milan vs. Barca and maybe Milan sneaking a 2-1 win. Barca always struggle away from home in the champions league and I expect Milan to be fairly sound defensively in this one.

10/22/2013 1:31:06 PM

Porto -1 (+107) looks too good to be true

might sprinkle a little something on that

EDIT: After looking at the team sheet, Barca should work Milan in this one. Not a very strong side put out by the Italians all the key players in for FCB. 3-1 or 2-0.

[Edited on October 22, 2013 at 1:59 PM. Reason : .]

10/22/2013 1:39:37 PM

Milan strike first! And Torres actually scores.

10/22/2013 2:57:27 PM

U Mad?

10/22/2013 3:02:23 PM

Dortmund is just a fantastic club. Absolutely fantastic. Their fans are the best, hands down.

10/22/2013 3:04:42 PM

Arsenal Dortmund game on TV anywhere?

10/22/2013 3:04:49 PM

probably on fox soccer. Will be very surprised if it isn't....

10/22/2013 3:05:52 PM

Nope.

Fox, in all its wisdom, put Celtic/Ajax on instead.

10/22/2013 3:06:55 PM

Costa just owned Vienna.

Wow fox is just poor. I hope they lose the champions league next year to NBC/ESPN.

[Edited on October 22, 2013 at 3:08 PM. Reason : .]

10/22/2013 3:07:49 PM

Arsenal is on Fox Soccer Plus

1536 on TWC

10/22/2013 3:10:35 PM

Costa with his first CL goal, in his first CL start, on his first CL shot on target. Take a bow son.

10/22/2013 3:11:10 PM

Messi scores.

10/22/2013 3:11:35 PM

Dortmund goal. Ramsey getting a bit too cocky there, bad mistake.

10/22/2013 3:12:16 PM

Weidenfeloller

10/22/2013 3:26:51 PM

Another mistake. This time by Widenfeller and Arsenal profits.

10/22/2013 3:29:40 PM

Good sub by Wenger. Dortmund has contained Ozil and with Santi in there might just be more space. This is the problem for Arsenal. The bigger teams will just contain Ozil and try to force Ramsey/Wilshere to be the play makers. Ramsey has stepped up and a rotation with Santi in obviously helps though. Lets see what happens now.

10/22/2013 4:02:56 PM

Making an instant impact. Arsenal playing much better.

10/22/2013 4:09:45 PM

Dortmund from out of nowhere. Lewandowski

10/22/2013 4:24:23 PM

Vorsprung durch Efficiency!

10/22/2013 4:26:05 PM

Deserved loss for playing so negatively 2/3 of game even though second goal was against run of play.

10/22/2013 4:34:00 PM

Good performance from Arsenal to be fair. Just as expected. Still have a 3 point advantage over Napoli and Dortmund in the group. Just need to do the job against Napoli and Marseille now.

10/22/2013 4:37:11 PM

Learn how to edit a fucking post wazza

10/22/2013 4:40:03 PM