The Football Thread

[DevilsOwn]

DeO's mid season/ end of year BPL Round-up

or i am too bored at office to work post

 

 

Who would have known. But this year seems to be one of the closest leagues in recent history.

 

Consider this, if Arsenal were to win their “game in hand” the league table would be -

 

Chelsea 45

Arsenal 44

United 43

 

The top 3 teams all a point from each other. Fergie still believes that in the end it will end up being a two horse race, and them two being United and Chelsea.

Well, I agree to the first bit, it shall be a two horse race. BUT, it wont be between the two teams mentioned above, it shall be United and Arsenal.

 

[Le Arse, have surely surprised me this year. I always liked their play, but something was missing. But this season they got one thing right. They let go of Adebayor. So rather than passing brilliantly in aim to get the ball to him, the Arsenal passing machine started to pass the ball to get to the goal. They have been scoring in heaps this season and that should be enough to get them to the top 2. Though with Cesc not being available now compounding to the long term absence of RvP, this might be a crucial time for them

 

United, says 'Whose Ronnie' we let go of our best attacking player (and another good player), Everone predicted doom and gloom. Then our defense gets decimated. So what happens? Certain Mr. Rooney finally steps up to the position of destroyer-in-charge for us. Midfielders play in defense. And Valencia, though surely not at Ronnie levels, starts to contribute with goals and assists. We are still a couple of players away from being all dominant again. But, we are getting into that part of the season when we get into top gear and, hopefully, get our complete defense back soon

 

Chelsea, hmm. No Drogba, no essien, no Anelka for a while. They have sorely missed Essien in the last couple of games. And even when he was around. They arent really as fearful as they generally want to be. Trying times ahead of them. What they do have though, is a lot of experience and confidence. But will that be enough over the next few months when the going gets tough. I have my doubts. Actually, if I were a (god forbid) a Chelsea fan, I would be secretly hoping Inter wins and the old-ish legs get some time off in the choked fixture list ahead.

 

The others – another huge surprise here. Cant mention Liverpool seperately as a top 4 team this year. This coming after the best season they have had in nearly a decade. But, unlike us, Liverpool havent been able to adjust to life without Alonso. Maybe this is due to the fact that they only have two world class players left. What this has done is give a lot of team a pretty realisitic shot at that coveted 4th CL spot.

 

City have a pretty good team, and now a manager who has won big earlier. Sparky hadnt as a coach. Thats a huge lift. And then again, a whole month of buying starts tomo and the Oil money shall be spent. A couple of defenders and City could be in serious mix. Maybe all those draws will become wins?

Spurs and Villa finish the other two, who finish the four fighting for fourth. (Thats an alliteration )

 

Unfortunately, though they have the squad strength to get their, its a question of mental strength. Its happened earlier, it can happen again. Great season followed by dropping cheap points near the end.

 

Spurs rise back from those Ramos infected days has been spectacular. Redknapp has done brilliantly with probably the second best young talent-pool in a single team (after Arsenal) in the league. But they have seldom scaled the heights that they aspire for.

Similarly, Villa. They have already done very well against the other top team. Were unlucky last time around against pool to lose. But its the other not so important games that they lose, motivation or concentration or both, in. Will this be costly in such a close scrap?

 

That and similar questions are the one that only the new year will answer. But one answer I can give now. Its going to be one HELL OF A GREAT SEASON!!!

[reddevilgautam]

its amazing to notice that United have scored just one goal less as compared to last season after 19 games, and after last night's game I am sure they would have scored more goals compared to the same time last year...

 

and people said we would not recover after losing ronaldo...

[DevilsOwn]

yeah, even i was sceptical. But Rooney has stepped up big and Valencia has also done his bit. so no big loss.

[Joy]

Me wants Messi to come to Old Trafford next season

 

I can't see Chelsea keep up with ManU and Arsenal as both teams have kicked into next gear , while Blues are still lingering in 3rd gear and dragging along the games to draws and a few wins.

 

With no Drogba , their main power house and main goal scorer , they are bound to struggle this Jan.

 

I agree it could be a two horse race but between Gunners and The Red Devils.

[theneurotoxin]

United miss Ronaldo most when not playing well,when the going is good there are many people that get goals even from midfield.Hopefully they will end up at top by having a good after christmas period like they normally do.

[Fire Wolf]

Me wants Messi to come to Old Trafford next season

Me wants Monica Bellucci to jump into my bed on New Year's day

[Grimmjow]

[WhiteWolf]

 

 

 

 

hahahahh

[Nemo]

nice write up Devils.

it feels as if united's season has just begun and with roo and valencia in such form

 

the season so far has been highly addictive. Loads of ups and downs, absence of Zhirkov from the Chelsea team sheet in particular. Biggest surprise was Liverpool's capitulation, yes Alonso went but i doubt even an everton fan would have expected such a nadir after 2nd place finish last time.

 

I hope Roman opens up some purse strings of his.. the ban is still hanging over our heads and some reinforcements *couchaguerocough* *coughhamsikcough* are needed pronto.

[speedy]

thanks 4 the appreciation guys

[rad2689]

Just saw this -

 

Chelsea Ready To Land Villa

 

hope it's false

[Grimmjow]

come on baby CHILL chill chill...

[Nemo]

 

[zophar]

Just saw this -

 

Chelsea Ready To Land Villa

 

hope it's false

 

David Villa > Aguero ANYDAY OF THE WEEK!!!

 

if this is true i feel it will be like the Arshavin transfer of last year.. immediate impact !!

 

Who's coming with me to see Carlo Ancelotti run around the training ground naked??

[Dark_Knight]

 

David Villa > Aguero ANYDAY OF THE WEEK!!!

 

if this is true i feel it will be like the Arshavin transfer of last year.. immediate impact !!

 

Who's coming with me to see Carlo Ancelotti run around the training ground naked??

 

Nemo for sure

[shekdown]

Id encourage any and every football fan to watch this video, linked below, as its a passionate description and a passionate understanding of the sport, today, the sport we love, the sport we cheer, the sport that brings us together. The sport that is football.

 

 

After watching this video, I felt one thing and a very strong feeling, that too. Where is India? Why is India non-existent on the football world map? We are looking at the biggest population in the world and are you telling me that there arent 16 people who are talented enough to break into the elite group of the World Cup players? Are you telling out of over a billion, we cant find 11 players who will stand-out and say "Count me"? No, absolutely not. I will not believe it, no matter what you tell me. India has the quality, India has the potential, India SHOULD be playing in the up-coming world cup. But they are not!

 

The system is poor, it lacks depth, it lacks any sort of transparency, any sort of opportunity, any sort of window for growth. It lacks any kind of support, financial or marketing. It lacks stadiums, pitches, coaches, clubs, systems, training regimes, fans!

 

Can we do something about this? I think we can. We've see the IPL bring out the crowds for the cricket. Im sure a football league with the right marketing, right advertising and the right people who instigate it, will be a huge hit and it will be the start to make India a footballing super-power.

 

So members of IVG, So my dear footballing friends who passionately support your clubs, I believe we can make a difference. Let us go forth and help our country conquer the ultimate pinnacle in sporting. Let us have some country to genuinely cheer for, in an international competition. Let us have the wealth of talent to choose from. Let us say "That guy there, in that Real Madrid shirt, he used to play for my local club". Lets, together, start chipping in for Indian football.

 

If we feel we can add our 2 cents to this game, we can start a small community to help encourage local talents and help trigger a spark in a chain of unprecedented explosions to India's success in this sport.

 

 

 

 

Lets play football :cool:

[Nemo]

well the main problem is the pathetic govt administration that is running, nay ruining the sport. Pre 83, cricket, football and hockey all were near equal in popularity, Kapil's men won the cup and all changed and got cricket into limelight. BCCI also played smart and went independent of govt control.

 

we need pvt players in football to spruce it up. I try my effin best to watch I league and some times the matches are good but mostly i change channels after 15 mins.

 

sad, sad grounds.

no real eye catching play, almost all teams just lump the ball towards the opp goal, no ground passes and such comical defensive mistakes I know i have been spoiled by european football but still.

 

Another main problem is the lack of any profound fan base, except north east, kolkata and goa, there is virtually no support for any Indian club. Situation is highly sad in delhi. I remember being involved in a scuffle with some jat cricketers an year ago over the playing area, we were playing 5 a side football over in a corner and it was cutting in their boundary line :/

 

need less to say, we had to give way.

 

I dunno how the situation will improve, i want it to but have absolutely no idea

[Mel81x]

You know I'd be the first one in line to get an indian football team jersey if the national team just got its act together and played more constructive football. The leagues are in shambles and if you ever get the chance to go to Goa and watch some of the local league games then you'll see pandemonium at its best. I remember leaving the pitch wondering if the players were kicking the ball with their eyes closed or if they were just poor passers. They have even bought over a lot of African players to help inject some pace into the attack of these teams but sadly, there just isn't enough of a following nor support for the sport in India.

 

If we spent 40% of what is spent on cricket, gave the sport a little precedence and set our goals in a progressive manner by winning the small leagues first and then setting our sights on the World Cup at some point, I don't think its unlikely that we can be an Asian force to reckon with. Its sad that countries like S.Korea, Japan and alot of the Middle Eastern teams (but they eat and breathe football) are producing quality players with such small populations but we just aren't cutting what is needed to get to where we need to be. I partially blame the media for promoting cricket with so much pzazz and neglecting all the other sports that we could offer until someone goes and does something big on their own steam and then the entire nation goes "Oh we won what?".

 

Its sad but the other sport I remember us being good at was hockey and look where we are today.

 

On a totally different note, I really hope Villa doesn't come to the premier league at the moment because he really isn't required in it at the moment.

[shekdown]

well the main problem is the pathetic govt administration that is running, nay ruining the sport. Pre 83, cricket, football and hockey all were near equal in popularity, Kapil's men won the cup and all changed and got cricket into limelight. BCCI also played smart and went independent of govt control.

 

we need pvt players in football to spruce it up. I try my effin best to watch I league and some times the matches are good but mostly i change channels after 15 mins.

 

sad, sad grounds.

no real eye catching play, almost all teams just lump the ball towards the opp goal, no ground passes and such comical defensive mistakes I know i have been spoiled by european football but still.

 

Another main problem is the lack of any profound fan base, except north east, kolkata and goa, there is virtually no support for any Indian club. Situation is highly sad in delhi. I remember being involved in a scuffle with some jat cricketers an year ago over the playing area, we were playing 5 a side football over in a corner and it was cutting in their boundary line :/

 

need less to say, we had to give way.

 

I dunno how the situation will improve, i want it to but have absolutely no idea

 

 

You know I'd be the first one in line to get an indian football team jersey if the national team just got its act together and played more constructive football. The leagues are in shambles and if you ever get the chance to go to Goa and watch some of the local league games then you'll see pandemonium at its best. I remember leaving the pitch wondering if the players were kicking the ball with their eyes closed or if they were just poor passers. They have even bought over a lot of African players to help inject some pace into the attack of these teams but sadly, there just isn't enough of a following nor support for the sport in India.

 

If we spent 40% of what is spent on cricket, gave the sport a little precedence and set our goals in a progressive manner by winning the small leagues first and then setting our sights on the World Cup at some point, I don't think its unlikely that we can be an Asian force to reckon with. Its sad that countries like S.Korea, Japan and alot of the Middle Eastern teams (but they eat and breathe football) are producing quality players with such small populations but we just aren't cutting what is needed to get to where we need to be. I partially blame the media for promoting cricket with so much pzazz and neglecting all the other sports that we could offer until someone goes and does something big on their own steam and then the entire nation goes "Oh we won what?".

 

Its sad but the other sport I remember us being good at was hockey and look where we are today.

 

On a totally different note, I really hope Villa doesn't come to the premier league at the moment because he really isn't required in it at the moment.

 

You guys have both hit the nail on the head. While almost all people suggest that the Indian league should be advertised better and developed better to encourage more viewers, I have thought of a different idea. Its not revloutionary, but I think it will go a long way in securing a firm foothold in the development of football in India.

 

Id say the sport itself lacks passionate support in our country, more than just the Indian league. I suggest the sport needs to be encourage.

 

Encourage Ram, Rahim or Robert next door to watch the EPL, watch La Liga or watch any football league of his choice. Just encourage the following of any form of football. Play FIFA on your console or handheld, play Pro Evo, play Free Kick taker on the basic mobile. All of this. Everything goes a smart, but long way to encouraging the sport. The upcoming football WC is a huge opportunity to encourage the nation to get into the real global sport. If we can contribute by asking all people to follow the world cup or cheer certain teams, it will always help. Ask them to cheer the favourites for the WC. Newbies only like to see their team win and score goals. Ask them to switch sides to the winning team, before they can understand fully the passion and love in following just 1 team. I think, if we do manage this, football as a sport will develop popularity in India.

 

And this will attract private players, as they can earn money. There would start our little revolution, that will help us go a long way.

[speedy]

thank u all 4 sharing these wonderful thoughts.

god bless football in India.