MW 2/25-3/1: Cold, cold ground

SocrManiac

Tommy Seebach’s mustache
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Apr 15, 2006
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Very easy to root for the Karius redemption narrative here. Always thought he was class and too easy for his critics to forget how good he was befor his (admittedly horrible) self destruction.
I admittedly didn’t see him in Germany, but I’m not sure I’d describe his time at Liverpool as class. He was brought in to upgrade Mignolet’s ball playing ability (of which Migs had none), but never had the shot stopping prowess. I think we got exactly that- an upgrade with the feet and downgrade with the gloves. He didn’t have the protection of the later bulletproof spine and was left exposed.

Speaking for myself, knowing how badly his skull got rattled I have little angst toward him for the UCL final meltdown. I just don’t think he was a great keeper to begin with.
 

scott bankheadcase

I'm adequate!!
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Nov 1, 2006
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hoboken

smokin joe wood

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I know I’m about to beat a dead horse, but I was out coaching 3rd grade girls basketball, so I’m tired and frustrated clearly.

But look at this: Hazertz doesn’t even make contact with Richy. Ziyech absolutely lays him out. How could that be a yellow on anyone but Ziyech?

View: https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1629871581974372353/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1629871581974372353&currentTweetUser=NBCSportsSoccer

The NBC crew did a fantastic job showing the Havertz kickout and the ref not even looking at Ziyech when he reached for the first yellow: View: https://youtu.be/GLLe6tu3H-o?t=357
 

Kliq

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I agree with that the first yellow was for Havertz, not Ziyech. I also don't know why it's even a real discussion point given that Spurs won comfortably anyway.
 

scott bankheadcase

I'm adequate!!
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Nov 1, 2006
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The NBC crew did a fantastic job showing the Havertz kickout and the ref not even looking at Ziyech when he reached for the first yellow: View: https://youtu.be/GLLe6tu3H-o?t=357
I agree with that the first yellow was for Havertz, not Ziyech. I also don't know why it's even a real discussion point given that Spurs won comfortably anyway.
Yeah, I guess I’m just disagreeing with the ref. I think he makes the wrong call and Ziyech’s take down should have been the yellow. And then At least a second yellow for the slap (if we’re being consistent with other calls in the PL that’s a straight red).

I like to complain more about refs in a win than a loss. I just think it shows the inconsistency even more.

Also a large group of 9-year old girls not listening makes me irritable clearly.
 

SocrManiac

Tommy Seebach’s mustache
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Apr 15, 2006
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The discussion here is important if it happens at PMGOL. Another horrific refereeing display embarrassed the league. It didn’t influence the result for a change, so they can breathe a sigh of relief. The question is, will Webb be fixing these problems only on a results-oriented basis or might we see suspensions when the game isn’t materially affected?
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Tim Ream majestic in Fulham's FA Cup win over Leeds. Blocked Weston McKennie's first English goal off the line amongst other things, which was frankly rude.
 

Kliq

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Mar 31, 2013
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Tim Ream majestic in Fulham's FA Cup win over Leeds. Blocked Weston McKennie's first English goal off the line amongst other things, which was frankly rude.
Love the Fulham supporters chants of "REEEEAAAAAAMMMMM" whenever he makes a play.
 

Mighty Joe Young

The North remembers
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Sep 14, 2002
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does Toney get a lifetime ban like Peter Rose?
Unlikely - the longest ban (for betting violations ) was Joey Barton who ran up 1260 violations over 10 years with Burnley. His ban was 18 months - reduced to 13 on appeal.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64805502.amp

From the article: “In 2017, Joey Barton - then a Burnley player - was banned for 18 months, reduced to 13 on appeal, after admitting placing 1,260 football-related bets over a 10-year period.”

I could see Toney getting 6 months off.
 

Zososoxfan

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Jul 30, 2009
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Copied from Spurs thread:

Lineup for SHU FA Cup match is out:

Forster
Sanchez-Dier-Davies
Porro-Hoj-Sarr-Perisic
Lucas-Richy-Son

Pretty happy with that. The fact that the coaching staff thinks Lucas is a fit for the RW spot is baffling, but he's probably been a pretty good team player about his complete disappearance from the field, and against a low-level EPL side (I know SHU is in the Championship, but they're likely getting promoted) Lucas' dribbling skills may just work fine. I hope we get a lead and Danjuma comes on for Richy for the last 30 minutes.

Let's get 'em, COYS!!
 

Kliq

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Mar 31, 2013
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Copied from Spurs thread:

Lineup for SHU FA Cup match is out:

Forster
Sanchez-Dier-Davies
Porro-Hoj-Sarr-Perisic
Lucas-Richy-Son

Pretty happy with that. The fact that the coaching staff thinks Lucas is a fit for the RW spot is baffling, but he's probably been a pretty good team player about his complete disappearance from the field, and against a low-level EPL side (I know SHU is in the Championship, but they're likely getting promoted) Lucas' dribbling skills may just work fine. I hope we get a lead and Danjuma comes on for Richy for the last 30 minutes.

Let's get 'em, COYS!!
I'm still a Lucas guy and I'm excited to see him dust off the mothballs today.
 

Kliq

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Also, I apparently will NOT be seeing Lucas score a hat trick today, since ESPN+ seems unable to load the game both on desktop and mobile.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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Saka scores at 40’. Shame because Everton have had half the ball and have been the better side imo. 2 good chances in to Maupay who just can’t score. Saka otoh hit a bad angle shot that very few convert.
 

67YAZ

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Following online...and Grimsby is up 2-0 at St Marys?!? What a shitshow for Southampton. Marsch was right to walk away from that offer.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Saka scores at 40’. Shame because Everton have had half the ball and have been the better side imo. 2 good chances in to Maupay who just can’t score. Saka otoh hit a bad angle shot that very few convert.
With Maupay you replace and probably even exceed Richy's shithousery, but you don't even get close talentwise alas.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Commentators are so silly, "this half-rotated side doesn't look as good at they normally do, disappointing".
 

lars10

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Jul 31, 2007
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Saka scores at 40’. Shame because Everton have had half the ball and have been the better side imo. 2 good chances in to Maupay who just can’t score. Saka otoh hit a bad angle shot that very few convert.
What was the percentage of possession in the first half? Because it's 68%-32% now. I agree that Everton had a couple good chances in the first half..but most of their time was spent defending, very competently, no?

With a decent striker and another mid they could be pretty decent if they continue to keep their discipline and shape.
 

allstonite

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Review is ruining sports. Sure he was slightly clipped by Jota but “clear and obvious” has lost all meaning
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
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Mar 24, 2008
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Saka scores at 40’. Shame because Everton have had half the ball and have been the better side imo. 2 good chances in to Maupay who just can’t score. Saka otoh hit a bad angle shot that very few convert.
So I am probably biased as you, but the other way. I thought that in the first half that Arsenal looked the better side, but Everton was showing they could very similarly steal the game like they did the first one through strong defending and just a couple counters where if they could get one through and park the bus they'd have a chance.

Nice to see Arsenal instead completely open up a game at home that they should absolutely be winning. Saka's first goal with his weak foot was beautiful.
 

Zososoxfan

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Too lazy to start a new gamethread...

I know most people are likely paying attention to today’s Clásico, but the other semifinal of the Copa kicked off last night. Osasuna topped Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at El Sadar last night. What the game lacked in quality was made up for in speed, aggression, and physicality. There no real dirty plays, but several players left the field bloodied. With so many players on both teams from Pamplona, it’s not surprising. Osasuna just had more difference makers on the wings who could eliminate one or more defenders on the dribble. Case in point- Abde’s very nice winner.
There's a friggin Superclasico today, as Barca-Real meet in the Copa semis first leg. Both teams suffering a dip in form the past week. Visca Barca!!
 

wonderland

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Jul 20, 2005
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Interesting to say Real is suffering a dip in form. Yeah they drew against Atletico but beat Liverpool on the road 5-2 and win their two la liga matches by a combined score of 6-0.
 

Zososoxfan

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Interesting to say Real is suffering a dip in form. Yeah they drew against Atletico but beat Liverpool on the road 5-2 and win their two la liga matches by a combined score of 6-0.
You failed to mention that Atleti was playing with 10 men, and scored first. In Real-land, that's a dip, especially when they had an opening to make up significant ground in the Liga race.
 

rguilmar

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Jul 16, 2005
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As an ABRM (Anybody but Real Madrid) fan, they have been incredibly frustrating to watch under Ancelloti. They rarely look particularly dominant. They pretty much sit back for the first 15-20 minutes to see how the game is flowing before kicking it into gear. They almost always look beatable yet they almost always win. It’s infuriating.

I’m not sure who has more pressure here. Anything can happen in the Champions League, and it is Real Madrid, but if they lose this tie then they might very well go trophyless, at least for the ones that matter in Madrid. For all their missteps, Barca have the Supercopa and have a decent lead in La Liga.

We are guaranteed a Basque* team in the final. A Barca victory would again put the King in the uncomfortable position of being roundly booed by both sets of fans before kickoff in Seville, the most “pro-Spanish” city of them all.

*Pamplona, Irún in Basque, is technically in Navarre but has historically been considered Basque and is the traditional capital of sorts to the Basque people. Many people speak Basque and there were Basque flags all over El Sadar yesterday.
 

Zososoxfan

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Lineups are out. Madrid:

Vini-Benz-Valverde (he may play more as a tip of a diamond MF)
Kroos-Camavinga-Modric
Nacho-Rudiger-Militao-Carvajal
Courtois

Barca:

Gavi-Torres-Raphinha
FDJ-Busi-Kessie
Balde-Alonso-Kounde-Araujo
MATS

Alonso is guaranteed to bone Barca. The guy is just not up to snuff for big matches like this. No Lewa hurts. Can't believe they let Memphis AND Auba go. VISCA BARCA nonetheless!
 

rguilmar

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Jul 16, 2005
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Lineups are out. Madrid:

Vini-Benz-Valverde (he may play more as a tip of a diamond MF)
Kroos-Camavinga-Modric
Nacho-Rudiger-Militao-Carvajal
Courtois

Barca:

Gavi-Torres-Raphinha
FDJ-Busi-Kessie
Balde-Alonso-Kounde-Araujo
MATS

Alonso is guaranteed to bone Barca. The guy is just not up to snuff for big matches like this. No Lewa hurts. Can't believe they let Memphis AND Auba go. VISCA BARCA nonetheless!
The Spanish Football Podcast’s pod today was called “The Worst Clásico We’ve Ever Seen?” Note it’s a question not a statement, but the fact that it’s even a question is indicative.

Barca won 1-0 and that’s all that truly matters I suppose.
 

Zososoxfan

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Barca posted their lowest possession percentage in a match (35%) in 8 years! Good old Barca, leaning on [checks notes]...their airtight defense, and taking their limited chances?!??