The Football Thread 2011/12

[Codename 47]

I find it amazing that Chelsea are signing all these players without even having a confirmed manager, what if the guy Roman finally brings in doesn't fancy playing one of these mega-signings? Or decides on a formation that leaves a big star on the bench (again)? That could get awkward

I'm probably using too much logic here But you'd like to think that Abram has been in constant dialog with the man he's got lined up to replace RDM - if not just to ask "Do you fancy having Hulk or Hazard here". Sucks for AVB though, because this is exactly the sort of changes that he knew Chelsea needed but was never given the chance to introduce himself.

It's crazy though. Chelsea did need this overhaul but they are spending huge amounts of money and I think it will continue to be honest (i can't see them getting much back from sales to be honest). Who knows, maybe FFP was really introduced to encourage certain clubs to go on mad spending sprees

[GrinWithoutaKat]

Looks so odd! I'm used to seeind old photos of ex-Liverpool becoming Swansea managers/players with the likes of Toshack and Molby, but didn't think I'd ever see it the other way around.

[GrinWithoutaKat]

This is brilliant news!

http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/ ... 50,00.html

Can't copy and paste, but basically:

A clause has been agreed that stops Liverpool bidding for any Swansea players for 12 months. I was getting a tad nervous about reports he'd be after Allen and Williams (although I'd have happily taken £10 million for Sinclair).

Hopefully this means he'll be given a good reception when he returns, unlike Martinez who did his best to rip us apart when he went.

[Zellery]

So, Grant Holt wants to leave Norwich. Maybe he'll follow Lambert to Villa.

That's what an article was suggesting the other day.

[Prototype]

Michael Johnson's been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

[Christopher]

Michael Johnson's been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

Good to see he is up to something I guess.

[Prototype]

Michael Johnson's been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

Good to see he is up to something I guess.

[Kanbei]

So there we go, we've signed Hulk as well now (£38M apparently).

Bids for Captain America, Thor and Iron Man incoming as well?

[SandyCoin]

So there we go, we've signed Hulk as well now (£38M apparently).

Bids for Captain America, Thor and Iron Man incoming as well?

That's reminded me that now whenever Chelsea play we will now get close ups of people in Hulk masks, Sideshow bob wigs and Roman Abramovich sprawled out in his chair at every opportunity

[Christopher]

I hope Rogers throws Aquaman a life line.

[Zellery]

I hope Rogers throws Aquaman a life line.

You need to learn how to spell your Manager's name now he's officially signed mate.

It's Rodgers.

[bear]

I hope Rogers throws Aquaman a life line.

You need to learn how to spell your Manager's name now he's officially signed mate.

It's Rodgers.

It's Mr. Rodgers to you.

[Superking]

This is brilliant news!

http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/ ... 50,00.html

Can't copy and paste, but basically:

A clause has been agreed that stops Liverpool bidding for any Swansea players for 12 months. I was getting a tad nervous about reports he'd be after Allen and Williams (although I'd have happily taken £10 million for Sinclair).

Hopefully this means he'll be given a good reception when he returns, unlike Martinez who did his best to rip us apart when he went.

I get the feeling the guy has genuine affection for Swansea so it would be a shame if he got a bad reception.

Thought Rodgers came across really well in the press conference. The only real doubt tbh is the fact he hasn't managed a club with the immense pressure/unrealistic expectations of Liverpool. Still that would be the case with any young manager. Quite excited to see if he can get us playing the right kind of footie. I actually think we have at least the foundations to do it. Obviously we're short in a few places but our back 4 and keeper at least should be able to adapt (aside from Jamie just strawberry floating hoof it Carragher of course) and I think Kenny was at least trying to get us to part attacking football so yeah. Just hope the fans and owners give him time.

[Christopher]

He'll get the "d" when I feel he has earnt it.

[Shadow]

Could you imagine if Aquaman became a top player for us next season after being frozen out by three successive managers? What a farce that would be.

[Christopher]

Could you imagine if Aquaman became a top player for us next season after being frozen out by three successive managers? What a farce that would be.

He wasn't really frozen out by Benitez though, he was injured for most of that season and when he played, he played well.

[GrinWithoutaKat]

Rodgers will give everyone a chance. I know he gets genuinely annoyed when people say certain clubs don't have the players to play passing football. It's just a matter of getting them comfortable with it. We have players that used to play on the mudbath that was the vetch pitch in league two, now up alongside people like Xavi on passing completion tables. I don't think big Andy needs to worry either. He does like having a big forward in the squad. Since January he'd apparently been watching Zigic at Birmingham, and Lacina Traore. Plus he brought in Priskin on loan for the end of the 10/11 season.

[Shadow]

^^ Yup! I play in a 5 a side league, on small pitches there's a necessity to play a quick passing game, I as a total amatuer, can play a snappy game when required. Now expand that to a pro player at any level and you realise that they're obviously capable of quick, close passing, they just don't do it because they've been coached otherwise.

[ladybayred]

^^ Yup! I play in a 5 a side league, on small pitches there's a necessity to play a quick passing game, I as a total amatuer, can play a snappy game when required. Now expand that to a pro player at any level and you realise that they're obviously capable of quick, close passing, they just don't do it because they've been coached otherwise.

Arguably its not the passing thats the difficult part (or even controlling the ball) its the generating the off the ball movement. Swansea and Barca aren't amazing at retaining possession because their players can simply pass better it is becuase they are coached to be constantly on the move either into space to receive a pass or to drag defensive players out of position so other team mates can exploit the space left behind.

I just hope the Liverpool squad buy into his ethos and are prepared to put the work in on the training ground to get this right.

[Zellery]

Looking forward to seeing Downing, Spearing and Henderson play like Barcelona do.