The SNH Football thread

[Muncey]

Muncey

I meant to mention Xavi to say that Fabregas is going to take his spot now that he is older, in that sence. Xavi has just been too good to neglect but now it's becomming a physical issue. So the opening he was expecting three years ago might come now. He's been played in that other fake 9 role too much imo.
Not that he has fallen through per se, he just hasn't been able to show that he is among the best from that position imo.

Hazards already registered as no.10 next year so thats pretty much him sorted for us.

One of the few aspects of Hazard I respect was when he went out and critisized Mourinhos playing style.
I believe that if Hazard is clever, he will try and cement his position at Chelsea and that the shirt number might have a calming effect, but that he now has a credible excuse ready if critics thinks he isn't developing into one of the very best and can just blame Mourinhos style. It's a question how long and if Mourinho could accept that.

I still think at 27 and with the transfer ban they need to bring in a few younger midfielders.. I think they'll do some heavy offloading and bring in a lot of younger talent this window. Presume the appeal will only push it back past this window.

I agree with Hazard, we'd be wise to build a team round him I reckon.

[hubb]

bring in a few younger midfielders

Fair point no doubt, but I reckon they have midfielders in the youth department that will get that chance instead.
+ there's a few players Luis Enrique might bring with him from Celta.

I don't see a lot of potential midfielders 'available' who'd understand the system and weren't directly in competition with Barca apart from a few like Pjanic, Cazorla (sorry Arsenal) or Moutinho (super expensive).
They want players of a specific height, ratio of succesfull passes and so on.

[ehbes]

just another reason to hate Wilbon that fat tnuc

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/06/michael ... -klinsmann

[lazyalf]

Ribéry is out for the World Cup. I'm not even sure it's a bad thing for us since we've been playing a lot better collectively without him lately. Griezmann looks a very promising replacement. And Benzema will have to pass the ball to someone else

[hubb]

^ Yes

And I wont miss his behaviour the guy is a piece of shit

[lazyalf]

We actually have two men down: Ribéry and Grenier. Theyll be replaced by Cabella and Schneiderlin respectively.

I heard about Schneiderlin only recently, little known in France since he almost started his professional career directly in Southampton, a lot of people watching the PL said he deserved to go to Brazil, but I've never seen him play. Is he any good?

[Muncey]

Mate just text me, someone whos normally quite reliable has said Fabregas is close to a Chelsea move... take that for what its worth, someone i know knows someone whos said they think its close lol.

I'm still not confident its a realistic move.


Edit; scrap that.. Hes off to Arsenal

https://vine.co/v/M6aaTZAeUTJ

[hubb]

Schneiderlin is pretty good and a team player.

BUT nowhere near either Gonalons (wtf is he injured?), Pogba or Matuidi for the defensive mid spot imo.

Grenier

Such a shame I hope his career doesn't end up mirroring Gourcuffs.
There's just a lot of similarities I'm afraid.

[hubb]

Edit; scrap that.. Hes off to Arsenal

https://vine.co/v/M6aaTZAeUTJ

ok

[Muncey]

Reus World Cup looks over, limping off crying.

[lazyalf]

Afaik Gonalons isn't injured, he was on the reserve list as well. Now that you mention it, you're quite right, he's probably a step ahead of Schneiderlin.

Deschamps said he picked the two players mainly based on the similarity of their profile compared to the injured ones. Makes sense for Ribéry/Cabella, a little less for Grenier/Schneiderlin maybe? We'll see.

Anyway I can't wait till the World Cup starts! Again, I see this Ribéry injury as a blessing in disguise for us - with Nasri staying at home as well that's two dickheads less in the group, which can only be a good thing for us since our steady downfall over the last decade has largely been due imo to a mentality/spirits issue - basically, guys lacking fighting spirit and humility. Sure enough, both are currently amongst our top players, but they've never really lived up to their expectations in the national team (except for Ribéry in 2006 but that was more of a breakthrough thing back then).

[ehbes]

jozy scored two goals in one match. i think this is a sign we're gonna win the whole thing

[Forum]

Such a shame I hope his career doesn't end up mirroring Gourcuffs.
There's just a lot of similarities I'm afraid.

And both will continue to be linked with Arsenal every summer until the day they die

[Riddles]

interesting that 2 of FIFAs sponsors have spoken about the Qatar world cup, wonder if it will actually do anything though.

[Forum]

Looking forward to the world cup and all, just a shame that Koscielny is probably the only Arsenal player that will play a major part

[lazyalf]

Looking forward to the world cup and all, just a shame that Koscielny is probably the only Arsenal player that will play a major part

Koscielny will be on the bench. Deschamps has opted for the pair Varane-Sakho since the second leg of the playoffs against Ukraine. But Giroud might just be that shining Arsenal player you're looking for - he's been amongst the best French players during the three friendly test matches and now it looks like with Ribéry down, Deschamps is going to put him as the starting 9, with Benzema on the left, taking Ribéry's spot.

Our goals from yesterday:



It was against an incredibly weak Jamaica but still. Hadn't had such a large score since... I dunno I can't even remember!

This is looking good for us. Our attacking players are all on top form, got a pretty decent midfield with Matuidi-Cabaye-Pogba, the defense ain't half bad either, the group spirit seems excellent.

Bring on Thursday and Brazil-Croatia!!!

[ora_blu]

Looking forward to the world cup and all, just a shame that Koscielny is probably the only Arsenal player that will play a major part

?

Mertesacker, Özil and Podolski will probably all go into the tournament as starters...

[Forum]

I havnt seen any of Germany recently but Mertesacker and Podolski havn't been first choice for a fair while?

[ora_blu]

Mertesacker has played pretty much every game recently and since Reus is out injured, Podolski will get a lot of minutes

[hubb]

yeah what ora said, plus Øzil will have to show something or become a mockery soonish imo

Draxler might take that spot though.
___-----


If you're into betting then Switzerland going through is almost guaranteed btw.