[Tapper]

D, on 12 July 2018 - 07:19 PM, said:

What's the deal with soccer players trying to score a goal without setting the field back up after a previous goal and while the other team is still celebrating? England did it in this game while Croatia was celebrating their goal, some other teams did it earlier in this WC, and it's apparently not uncommon overall. Like, there's obviously a rule against it because it is never allowed/counted, so why do they even try to do it, or pretend to do it? There's a better reason than that these athletes don't actually know the rules of their own sport, right?

I think there is a rule where a team cannot resume play if a player is on the pitch in an illegal position (at kick-off: in the opponent's half). It's why play cannot resume while a player is limping off once a free kick has been given/once a subsitution is made, but has to be paused until he's off the pitch. Players off the pitch don't count as being in illegal position: they positioned themselves out of play. Croatia's huddle was past the byline, so technically nothing would have prevented England from exploiting the situation if England was allowed to resume play by the ref - which they weren't.

[Tapper]

Macros, on 16 July 2018 - 07:08 AM, said:

Liverpool rumoured to be chasing Barca's number 2 Cilesson,. About time something has happened on the keeper front, would rather Alisson but anything is better than the two donkeys we currently have

I highly doubt it. The sample size to adequately judge him over the last two years is just too small.
My money is on Keylor Navas once Real Madrid signs Alisson (the keeper's apparent first choice club) or Courtois: he's early thirties with plenty of CL experience and would be made redundant at Real.

[Macros]

Would be happy with Navas too

[Malankazooie]

Okay guys, now that everyone's done with their postmortem re The World Cup. Do you all promise to be here at this spot, in one year, for the Women's World Cup (in France)? Pinky swear it, kay?

Do any of you soccer heads want to predict who will win the Women's World Cup next year? *WinkWinkNudgeNudge.

[Macros]

Holland or Spain

[D'rek]

Tapper, on 16 July 2018 - 08:11 AM, said:

D, on 12 July 2018 - 07:19 PM, said:

What's the deal with soccer players trying to score a goal without setting the field back up after a previous goal and while the other team is still celebrating? England did it in this game while Croatia was celebrating their goal, some other teams did it earlier in this WC, and it's apparently not uncommon overall. Like, there's obviously a rule against it because it is never allowed/counted, so why do they even try to do it, or pretend to do it? There's a better reason than that these athletes don't actually know the rules of their own sport, right?

I think there is a rule where a team cannot resume play if a player is on the pitch in an illegal position (at kick-off: in the opponent's half). It's why play cannot resume while a player is limping off once a free kick has been given/once a subsitution is made, but has to be paused until he's off the pitch. Players off the pitch don't count as being in illegal position: they positioned themselves out of play. Croatia's huddle was past the byline, so technically nothing would have prevented England from exploiting the situation if England was allowed to resume play by the ref - which they weren't.

Does the ref ever allow such a thing?

I can accept this or the earlier answers of that they're re-focusing themselves, but the way it looked from the footage it really seemed like the players were thinking they could "pull a fast one" and score a legit goal while Croatia was celebrating.

[Malankazooie]

The ref would never allow such a thing.You would see teams trying if all the time if they did. If you pay attention to the games and notice when this occurs, its always because time is running out and the losing team is trying to get the ball back into play as fast as possible.

@Macros Hahaha. I wan't what you've been drinking.

[amphibian]

Malankazooie, on 16 July 2018 - 01:15 PM, said:

Okay guys, now that everyone's done with their postmortem re The World Cup. Do you all promise to be here at this spot, in one year, for the Women's World Cup (in France)? Pinky swear it, kay?

Do any of you soccer heads want to predict who will win the Women's World Cup next year? *WinkWinkNudgeNudge.

Easy to say it'll be one of the top three, USA, Germany, or France. I think the USA will fall apart and give France a double in the final if the draw is right for that. The USA doesn't have a reliable tactical engine at this point and they can't out athlete everyone at most positions anymore.

[Gorefest]

Malankazooie, on 16 July 2018 - 01:15 PM, said:

Okay guys, now that everyone's done with their postmortem re The World Cup. Do you all promise to be here at this spot, in one year, for the Women's World Cup (in France)? Pinky swear it, kay?

Do any of you soccer heads want to predict who will win the Women's World Cup next year? *WinkWinkNudgeNudge.

The Netherlands!

[Malankazooie]

Thing is, I watched every match the US Women's National team played last year. They didn't even have their backups on the pitch for some of the matches (probably assessing talent), and were toying with teams, like outright embarrassing them to the point of it being uncomfortable to watch and feeling bad that the other team still had another half or 24 min still to play. They are deeeeeeeep! in talent. It's a forgone conclusion they will play in the final. It depends on how the groups are filled out of course, but I would guess US Women will play either Germany or France in the final.

[Gorefest]

You are aware that the Netherlands is the reigning European champion, I hope?

[Malankazooie]

Not aware of that. So, ok, Netherlands Woman's National team gets the honor of having their asses handed to them by the Americans. No sweat, just plug in who you think the first loser will be and we can call it a tourney.

[amphibian]

Malankazooie, on 16 July 2018 - 10:01 PM, said:

Thing is, I watched every match the US Women's National team played last year. They didn't even have their backups on the pitch for some of the matches (probably assessing talent), and were toying with teams, like outright embarrassing them to the point of it being uncomfortable to watch and feeling bad that the other team still had another half or 24 min still to play. They are deeeeeeeep! in talent. It's a forgone conclusion they will play in the final. It depends on how the groups are filled out of course, but I would guess US Women will play either Germany or France in the final.

I know the USA has been touring and whomping people, but it's not really with the same couple plans over and over. It's sorta a hodgepodge and that's good for overall talent development, but very bad for a focused tournament like the World Cup.

Pressure, better quality of opponents, and instinct make execution very difficult. If the Plan A and Plan B and Plan C aren't well honed and nearly bedrock instinct, things will go wrong. Spaces disappear, different looks are given, and smart opponents capitalize on mistakes.

That's why I think the USA might blow it.

[Tapper]

Macros, on 16 July 2018 - 12:50 PM, said:

Would be happy with Navas too

Well, the media now says Roma and liverpool have agreed a fee for Alisson - not sure he is worth that much money, but it does show Liverpool chases whomever is Klopp's first choice.

[Macros]

I had read we offered 62 and they wanted 66? (GBP)

Buy yah,when you consider Ederson was 40m for city and Curtoius a rumoured 31m THIS summer for real one must assume that Alisson had a long contract in place to force such a high price.
I'm always amazed when I remember that Button was 53m in 2001, way before the really silly money started in football.
Granted they got 17 years from the legend, but still massive money at the time(and would be now too at that)

[Tapper]

Macros, on 19 July 2018 - 05:43 AM, said:

I had read we offered 62 and they wanted 66? (GBP)

Buy yah,when you consider Ederson was 40m for city and Curtoius a rumoured 31m THIS summer for real one must assume that Alisson had a long contract in place to force such a high price.
I'm always amazed when I remember that Button was 53m in 2001, way before the really silly money started in football.
Granted they got 17 years from the legend, but still massive money at the time(and would be now too at that)

I think the difference was mostly in add-on targets and payment structure.

[Macros]

Deal agreed in principle anyway, up to the player/agent negotiations now

[Macros]

[Tapper]

Do we do a fantasy league this year?

[Macros]

I'll sort it now

Bored at work