Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sat Nov 27, 2010 9:32 pm  

Lethul wrote:

Except with the premierleague, the reason other teams have "caught up" is because the big 2, have pleatued (sp) and have probably even gone backwards. It might be closer at the top of the worlds best league but the overall quality is going backwards. At least in spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid play quality football in search of the title whereas in the worlds best league we will have man united and chelsea, yet again, fighting for the title by grinding out 1-0 long ball wins vs the Bolton and West Hams

Do you know why that is? Do you think Barca and Madrid could play suave football every week if they were coming up against sides like Stoke, Everton and Fulham? Sides in Spain don't play physical stuff like that, so Barca and Madrid rarely have to resort to a Plan B or C, which is what Man United and Chelsea can do exceptionally well. It doesn't mean Spain is the best because they don't resort to physical football, as I believe the league eventually will, it just means that the league, at the moment at least, is looking to push the boundaries tactically, whereas England is trying to push the boundaries physically. There aren't many boundaries to push in either aspect of the game, it just so happens to be that the football played in la liga is, generally, much better to watch, but it doesn't necessarily make it better.

I believe if every side from the Premier League played every side from Spain twice over the course of the season, the English sides would come out better off. That doesn't mean to say I think England is better, I just feel English sides could do the tactical stuff better than the Spanish could do the physical stuff.

Still, I don't feel the quality of the league in general has gone backwards, I feel Liverpool have gone backwards, but, other than that, I feel the top sides are still just as strong.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:21 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

Do you know why that is? Do you think Barca and Madrid could play suave football every week if they were coming up against sides like Stoke, Everton and Fulham? Sides in Spain don't play physical stuff like that, so Barca and Madrid rarely have to resort to a Plan B or C, which is what Man United and Chelsea can do exceptionally well. It doesn't mean Spain is the best because they don't resort to physical football, as I believe the league eventually will, it just means that the league, at the moment at least, is looking to push the boundaries tactically, whereas England is trying to push the boundaries physically. There aren't many boundaries to push in either aspect of the game, it just so happens to be that the football played in la liga is, generally, much better to watch, but it doesn't necessarily make it better.
I believe if every side from the Premier League played every side from Spain twice over the course of the season, the English sides would come out better off. That doesn't mean to say I think England is better, I just feel English sides could do the tactical stuff better than the Spanish could do the physical stuff. Still, I don't feel the quality of the league in general has gone backwards, I feel Liverpool have gone backwards, but, other than that, I feel the top sides are still just as strong.

Apart from the highlighted, that post is spot on Robbie.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 28, 2010 2:47 am  

Catalancs wrote:

Apart from the highlighted, that post is spot on Robbie.

Chelsea and Man United simply aren't as strong as they have been in the recent past. Mourinho's Chelsea would beat Ancelotti's and Ronaldo is a huge loss for United.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:31 am  

Lord God Jose Mourinho wrote:

Chelsea and Man United simply aren't as strong as they have been in the recent past. Mourinho's Chelsea would beat Ancelotti's and Ronaldo is a huge loss for United.

Agreed. If Ronaldo was still at the club we'd be on our way to our 5th title on the bounce with ease.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 28, 2010 8:58 am  

Catalancs wrote:

Apart from the highlighted, that post is spot on Robbie.

Odd as it sounds, I actually think quite a few English sides have it well within themselves to 'play', they are just managed by managers that limit them due to their own inability to coach. I'd definitely say the standard of management/coaching is higher in Spain, largely because I believe they're much more modern and less prone to give in to media fallacies.

Still, my favourite league is probably the Bundesliga. I feel the quality of football is a great mix between athleticism and skill, whilst the matches are utterly unpredictable. It is still a league dominated by one side (much like Italy since Juve went down the pan), but I think it's probably the most underrated league in the world, whilst the level of domestic-produced players is exceptionally high, yet hasn't really been tapped into by the rest of Europe.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 28, 2010 1:00 pm  

Have to say Espanyol are playing some great football this year. They went to Madrid and beat Atletico 3-2 last night scoring some great goals and playing really attractive football in the process. At this rate the Catalan derby matches should be crackers this season.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 28, 2010 5:32 pm  

Lord God Jose Mourinho wrote:

I can't believe how quickly 2nd place becomes joint top when United are 2nd.

not needed now.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 28, 2010 5:54 pm  

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 28, 2010 6:16 pm  

Man Utd v Liverpool in F.A cup

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 28, 2010 6:16 pm  

FA Cup draw:
Manchester United v Liverpool
... the rest