Arsene Offseason

I don't see any replacement for Cesc F working out in the first season. But I have a higher opinion of him than most people, which I've expressed earlier.

So you've got Johnson in for the final squad, I take it ?

Is Johnson a genuine winger, and who else is one - Walcott, Lennon, Wright-Phillips ? And which ones can play on the right/left ? I assume Walcott and Lennon play on the right only. I don't include Gerrard in that list, he will start drifting no matter how wide you put him.

To me, the above is a most relevant question in order for Roma-like formation to be considered, even if Rooney is fully fit.
 
originally posted by .sasha:
I don't see any replacement for Cesc F working out in the first season. But I have a higher opinion of him than most people, which I've expressed earlier.

So you've got Johnson in for the final squad, I take it ?

Is Johnson a genuine winger, and who else is one - Walcott, Lennon, Wright-Phillips ? And which ones can play on the right/left ? I assume Walcott and Lennon play on the right only. I don't include Gerrard in that list, he will start drifting no matter how wide you put him.

To me, the above is a most relevant question in order for Roma-like formation to be considered, even if Rooney is fully fit.
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Johnson can play left or right. He's that English enigma, the left footed midfielder.

I liked him on the right for Man City to drift in left and shoot.

I'd drop Walcott and I think Arsenal should sell him. I also wouldn't take Wright-Phillips. I'd rather take Ashley Young.

My Roma-easque 6 would be:

Gerrard-Barry
Milner-Lampard-Johnson
Rooney

US team announced. Buddle and Findley going. Interesting call. I guess Bradley thinks that Altidore has matured enough as a player (obviously not as a person) to successfully hold up the ball and that he doesn't need Ching.
 
hey, I think you are absolutely right about Ashley Young. Whatever happened to him, not even in the preliminary squad.
 
originally posted by .sasha:
hey, I think you are absolutely right about Ashley Young. Whatever happened to him, not even in the preliminary squad.
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Capello hates him. Could be right and he is the kind of player that only thrives in the English game.

I'd take him before Lennon and certainly before Walcott and Wright-Phillips.
 
Oh, so it's about the actual sum. I figured that much.

Is there any truth to the rumours that I will be offered the Liverpool job? I can't reach my agent. My first move will be to sign Cesc, before Barca does.
 
You know I'm a fan of Vela. I hope he has a great WC and comes back full of confidence.

Dutch as the insiders outside shot?

I wouldn't mind placing a bet on the Ivory Coast. Really strong spine, except the keeper.
 
a brasil holland quarter final is basically inevitable. You tell me what happens.

you really think ivory coast gets out of that group ? very few things would make me happier, but i am just not comfortable making that call. I have not actually seen them play this year though. I suppose I could watch them play Japan at 6:20am tomorrow :-)
 
originally posted by .sasha:
a brasil holland quarter final is basically inevitable. You tell me what happens.

you really think ivory coast gets out of that group ? very few things would make me happier, but i am just not comfortable making that call. I have not actually seen them play this year though. I suppose I could watch them play Japan at 6:20am tomorrow :-)
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I did.

Look at the spine of the squad. Drogba-Toure-Zakora-Toure. That's strong. Drogba would love nothing more than to bring victory to an African nation. People forget how much heart he has and how dedicated he is to improving his home country and continent. When he is in the mood, he is unstoppable. In a 4-2-3-1 with Drogba leading the line you have plenty of choices for the 3 behind and then with Zakora and Toure operating from deep. The question, as always, is with who partners Toure in the back but especially the keeper.

With Drogba gone, they have no chance and I don't see another African team rising to the occasion.

How sad is it if 2 of the best 3 African players miss the first world cup in Africa.
 
In other unsurprising news, it was good to see Drogba play at all yesterday, but I gotta question the wisdom of that move. Brasil didn't look so great, either, but I'm waiting for the second outings to see how teams really look.

Mark Lipton
 
I think it was good to get Drogba out there, before the Brasil game.
 
One of the more wide open games I've seen this World Cup. Down to the end, both teams played like they believed that they could win. US showed the world in the 2nd half why they belonged there, but the poor refereeing ruined an otherwise interesting match. That last offside on the Altidore goal was just the icing on the cake. At least no spurious red cards were issued.

Mark Lipton
 
two of the worst officiating jobs of all time on the same day.

the ref in the USA-Slovenia game could not handle a high school game

the ref in the germany game seemed like he knew exactly what he was doing, which is even worse.

I never thought I'd see anything worse than Ivanov's outings in 2006; how wrong I was.
 
originally posted by .sasha:
two of the worst officiating jobs of all time on the same day.

the ref in the USA-Slovenia game could not handle a high school game

the ref in the germany game seemed like he knew exactly what he was doing, which is even worse.

I never thought I'd see anything worse than Ivanov's outings in 2006; how wrong I was.
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Little did you know what the officiating for today's Chile/Switzerland game was going to be like.
 
There I was in a beachside hotel in FL, glued to the TV inside and unwilling to venture out to the pool until I had satisfied myself that either: a) the US would advance despite horrendous officiating in their games or b) that I'd watched their last WC match this go-round. After the denial of Dempsey's goal, it just seemed that the Fates had decreed that It Was Not To Be when lightning struck... in stoppage time. The boys had better learn how to start games better or they have no hope of going deep into the knockout stage. South America looks like where it's at right now and Maradona looks less idiotic with each game.

Breathing regularly again,
Mark Lipton
 
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