Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Wed May 30, 2012 4:17 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Grass roots soccer in Spain is just as competetive as it is in many other countries, including the UK. The big difference I've noticed is that the kids here play a lot of 5-a-side (futbol sala) and really work on their first touch and quick passing. Up until around 12 or 13 years old contact is virtually non-existent but that leads to players milking it to the point that some of the fouls at teenage and open age are as soft as your pocket.

sounds a bit like the french system where no football is played at school but within the confines of the local club whether it be a club from an inner city or a village club - a typical village club in a village of say, 500 inhabitants may well have four or five teams going from the senior side down to the 'poussains' or nippers starting at about 7 years of age each being coached by senior or past players - there are loads of junior tournaments in the season along with the leagues with maybe ten teams each playing against each other with 11 per side for 15 minutes each half or whatever - the training sessions are all about developing the individual skills - it's a great system with discipline or should I say, self-discipline high on the agenda which is basically an extension of how the average french kid is brought up

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Wed May 30, 2012 6:19 pm  

John_D wrote:

Good grief. Do we still have to bring this up whenever a player from the Far East signs for a Premier League club? There are some good players from that way out y'know, much like there are in every other part of the world.

(general rant, not aimed at Saddened! in particular)

In how many cases is it not an issue though? How many Far Eastern players have genuinely been a presence in the Premier League?

I've been reading about the Kagawa bid today and United's Commercial Director admits they have to sign players from certain regions to support the commercial work there, but then in the next sentance claims Kagawa isn't one of those players.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Wed May 30, 2012 6:38 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

In how many cases is it not an issue though? How many Far Eastern players have genuinely been a presence in the Premier League?

I've been reading about the Kagawa bid today and United's Commercial Director admits they have to sign players from certain regions to support the commercial work there, but then in the next sentance claims Kagawa isn't one of those players.

Buying for the sake of it ? Quite dumb even from Man Utd.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Wed May 30, 2012 6:48 pm  

Dead Man Walking wrote:

Buying for the sake of it ? Quite dumb even from Man Utd.

aye, clearly no need for a midfield at United

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Wed May 30, 2012 7:11 pm  

I like Rodgers. Fresh, young, tactically sound, great ethos, plays to win and knows how modern day football works. I wouldn't say no to Allen or Sigurdsson too. Looking forward.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Wed May 30, 2012 7:32 pm  

Did Robert Martínez turn Liverpool down or did he fail the interview? He pledges his loyalty to Latics days after trying to leave them.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Wed May 30, 2012 7:49 pm  

This will be the Liverpool owners throwing in the towel on ever challenging for the title, then.

For Liverpool to be back at the top with the [new] elite of English football, they need to invest at least about £150m in the team. A proven, top quality coach (like a Mourinho, Guardiola or Hiddink) would demand that kind of transfer kitty. Rodgers won't. And, what's more, Rodgers isn't a big enough name in global footballing circles to attract the caliber of player Liverpool would need anyway. He's more used to rummaging through the Poundland shops for bargains than going to Harvey Nics to know you're buying the real deal.

Appointing a hungry, young, talented coach and making a moderate investment in players might work in the rarified world of US sports, but it's a path to mid-table mediocrity in top flight English football.

The best Liverpool can hope for is that Rodgers pulls some rabbits out of the transfer hat, gets the limited players he has playing effective football, and maybe sneak the 4th Champions League place.

And as a Liverpool fan I'm gutted.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Wed May 30, 2012 8:32 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Did Robert Martínez turn Liverpool down or did he fail the interview? He pledges his loyalty to Latics days after trying to leave them.

Martinez was clearly the number one choice for Liverpool, no matter what they'll no doubt say now they've got Rodgers. He was identified early as the man they wanted but during the negotiations he refused to accept the off the field set up Liverpool have planned. They are going for a three tier Director of Football system apparently. One in charge of the general direction and strategic planning for the club, one focused on identifying players and the coach who takes the players he's given and moulds them into a consistent style of football defined by the DOF. Sounds very continental and you can't blame Martinez for not wanting any part of it.

Liverpool didn't get round to formerly offering Martinez the job, so will now deny he was first choice. We will get a week full of press releases about him being their man, when clearly he was still working on Swansea's transfers early in the week with no idea he'd be offered the manager's job at Liverpool.

I can't understand the reaction of the Liverpool fans to the news. I have a few mates who are Liverpool fans and they are acting all offended that the owners have put such a lowly name in charge of their great club. A lot online say they wanted a bigger fish, a Mourinho etc. Rodgers seems a very astute coach who will drastically improve the way Liverpool are playing. The Dalgleish appologists used to come on here and allege they were playing well every week, but they were absolutely appalling last season. The thing with Rodgers is he seems to have a really good eye for a player, an attribute which looks unlikely to be given the chance to shine at Anfield.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Wed May 30, 2012 9:00 pm  

Looks like Fwank could be out of the Euro's. Good job we have Henderson on standby

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Wed May 30, 2012 9:03 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

In how many cases is it not an issue though? How many Far Eastern players have genuinely been a presence in the Premier League?

I've been reading about the Kagawa bid today and United's Commercial Director admits they have to sign players from certain regions to support the commercial work there, but then in the next sentance claims Kagawa isn't one of those players.

I think some people have the wrong idea about Asians and their loyalty to clubs with Asian players. Do people really think South Koreans are mad Arsenal fans because Chu-Young plays for them? I bet more people 'hate' Arsenal now than like them, simply because they've wasted a year of his career benching him. Then they have the nerve to go and play a friendly in Seoul this summer in an embarrassing attempt to 'cash in'. They're very fortunate that his military service has been delayed, as they would probably be even more angered if it was to be his last season in Europe.

For me, Kagawa is an outstanding player, easily good enough to play for any big club in the world. The potential 'growth' in the club's fanbase is an added bonus, but really doesn't come into consideration when you're talking about a player that talented.