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    Mid Season Review

    Tweesus
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    Post by Tweesus Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:36 pm

    With it being roughly halfway through the season I thought it might be quite useful for osters to give a rough review of the leagues that they follow for the rest of us to peruse and comment on cheers

    Provide a brief description on each choice of course.

    Favourites for the title

    Chelsea, they'll find their recent form disquieting I think it’s a minor blip. Other notables are Man Utd and Arsenal; the former probably need to make a significant midfielder as a signing this month and the latter need to hope that they don't drop too many points in a tough four game run at the end of this month.

    Most improved team(s)

    Birmingham is the obvious choice. If you didn't know, they're recent run of form hasn't been bettered since 1906. What's truly remarkable is the players that this has been achieved with - primarily Bowyer (seen as past it two seasons ago), Hart (undoubtedly talented but he's been phenomenal for them this season) and Dann-Johnson (the central defensive partnership they signed in the summer from separate championship teams).

    Fulham as well deserve a mention. They havent' necessarily improved but last season was seen by many as a bit of a fluke.

    Also Burnley. But they'll probably still go down.

    Teams you think will be relegated

    Portsmouth (the Xerex of the EPL)
    Hull (Bullard's out for a while again and without him they're pants)
    Burnley (If Coyle leaves)

    Team(s) that have regressed

    Everton. They've had a few injuries though, with the most crucial of these being Arteta. They've also drawn a lot of games they should have won. Nevertheless, their form has been far from adequate. Moyes isn't under any sort of managerial threat though.

    Liverpool. The points shows this. They've been truly dreadful though. We all know how dull they were to watch before… well this season they've been even worse and they're points total flatters them!

    Top 3 players of the season so far

    Drogba and Cesc and shoe ins.

    Drogba has 14 goals and has been truly phenomenal in his application and endeavour.

    Cesc has 9 goals and 12 assists from 16 games.

    The third is a bit tougher but as I've gone for one from Chelsea and one from Arsenal, the other should be from Utd and for me, its been Giggs. He's got 11 assists I think + 3/4 goals. His recent form hasn't been so great but he hit a real rich vein back in September/October time.

    Most improved players of the season so far/talents emerging

    Particular players that I have noticed:

    Milner (Aston Villa)
    Ramsey (Arsenal)
    Tevez (Man City)
    Zamora (Fulham)
    Hart (Birmingham)
    Obertan (Man Utd)
    Lennon (Spurs)
    Reid (Sunderland)

    Probably others that I'll add later.

    Teams that you expect to improve over the next 5 months

    Man City have made a great start under Mancini - 3 wins, 3 clean sheets. They have a couple more easy games but then a run of 4 away games so we'll have to wait and see how they're doing after that.

    Now that Alberto 'Superman' Aquilani is 100% fit you'd expect Liverpool to start picking up results again too.

    Everton also must surely start to improve. They have the personnel.
    West Ham as well - they're afflicted by monetary worries but if the purchase of the club goes through they should have a bit to spend and they have a mid-table quality first team.

    Teams that will get worse

    Birmingham surely. If they carry on doing as well as they are they might even sneak into the last CL spot! They've got money to burn in the window and there's a serious risk that new signings might unbalance the finely tuned squad. They defence and central midfield shouldn't be touched by McCleish but I think he'll be spending a few $$$ on a striker and a winger.
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    Post by Kimbo Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:44 pm

    Obertan? How many league games has he started?
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    Post by Tweesus Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:49 pm

    Kimbo wrote:Obertan? How many league games has he started?

    Why should I care about how many league games he's started? He's in the 'emerging talent' section. He's come on as a sub in a fair number of the games and although he's a hell of a long way from the finished article, he's a hell of a lot better than Wellbeck.
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    Post by Ricardo Jol Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:50 pm

    Tweesus wrote:.....We all know how dull they were to watch before…

    Keep up the good work Tweeds but I noticed one thing. The p0-0l fans will kill you for this particulair sentence. In their eyes they've never seen any better and more beautiful football than the last couple of years from p0-0l.
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    Post by Kimbo Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:51 pm

    Tweesus wrote:
    Kimbo wrote:Obertan? How many league games has he started?

    Why should I care about how many league games he's started? He's in the 'emerging talent' section. He's come on as a sub in a fair number of the games and although he's a hell of a long way from the finished article, he's a hell of a lot better than Wellbeck.

    He's made 1 start in the league and come on as a sub 4 times. Woop dee fucking doo, what a prospect!
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    Post by Hlebagone Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:55 pm

    Song for most improved would be my two pence.
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    Post by stinger Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:56 pm

    Rodwell should get a mention too as an emerging talent, did reasonably well starting for Everton. And he's younger than Ramsey.
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    Post by Guest Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:02 pm

    Favourite's for the title

    Real Madrid

    ----------------Iker(free)

    Ramos($28M)--Pepe($32M)---Albiol($20.5M)--Marcelo(?)

    -----------------Alonso($48M)

    --------Lass($30.4M)-------------C.Ronaldo($128M)


    ------------------Kaka($96M)

    ----------Higuain($13.5M)----Benzema($48M)

    =$444.5M Says it all, the most expensively assembled team in the history of football and that's without Marcelo's transfer fee.

    the fact that they aren't top now is a minor miracle.

    Most improved team


    Mallorca, I'm sure at the start of the season
    most people picked them to finish in the bottom half of the table,
    maybe even getting relegated, now they are 4th and have a 100% record
    at home.

    Teams you think will be relegated

    Xerez
    Malaga
    Zaragoza

    Top 3 players of the season so far

    Navas
    Villa
    Ibra

    Most improved players of the season so far/talents emerging

    Improved:
    Borja

    Talent Emerging:
    Perotti & Pedro

    Teams that you expect to improve over the next 5 months

    Villarreal: This as already started
    Atletico: If they get a few good players in

    Teams that will get worse:

    Mallorca i just can't see them keeping up this form for the entire season


    Last edited by Messiah on Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:11 pm; edited 1 time in total
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    Post by Parks lives Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:08 pm

    I'd put Fletcher up as one of the players of the season.
    Certainly been our best player, with only Rooney and Giggs close to him.
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    Post by Jaime Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:13 pm

    La Liga:

    Favourites for the title

    I still think Barcelona are the favourites. There isn't much between Barça and Madrid and I guess we'll see what the month and a half or so of CAN does to the cules (their squad is soooooooooooooo small). Valencia look like they'll be hanging around if either start to slip up.

    Most improved team(s)

    I would say Mallorca is the obvious choice - they were flirting with relegation for a good bit of last season ended up very mid-table. Now this year, in spite of selling their first choice goalkeeper (Moya) and top goalscorer (Arango) they are 4th. Manzano is a top manager. Ale Also, Getafe, who avoided relegation last year on the last day of the season have had a very nice start to the year, just one point from the Europea League zone and all this without arguably their best player (Albin) for most of the season. Honourable mention to Sporting, specifically their defence. They were a shambles last year but the partnership of Botia-Gregory has been very good and Canella being fit has also helped. Juan Pablo is even right up there in the Zamora standings so you can see how much more solid defensively they are.

    Teams you think will be relegated

    Xerez which everyone could see before the season even started.

    Malaga look pretty bad, they are unbeaten in their last seven or something but just a single win. They have no money so every year they basically change the whole team with loan signings. It worked last year but this year they don't seem to have the right combination.

    I still think Almeria have a good chance to go down because they can't score and they can't defend but I'm going to say Racing who are in a similar boat but they have a terrible record in el Sardinero and usually if a team can't even get points at home they are in big trouble.

    Team(s) that have regressed

    Malaga who were in Europa League places this time last year and now are in the relegation zone. Racing, who were really solid defensively last year, have looked awful and are prime relegation candidates. Also Atletico who have had the worst start in years, even worse than 99-00 when they were relegated. Starting to accumulate some points without looking particularly convincing.

    Top 3 players of the season so far

    David Villa - top scorer in the league and really playing at a very high level.

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic - definitely adapting to la liga quickly scoring goals, giving assists. Even scored in a big game.

    Borja Valero - really been the mastermind behind Mallorca's good play. Scored four goals and five assists.

    Most improved players of the season so far/talents emerging

    Pedro (Barcelona) - just keeps scoring even though the cules on here don't trust him. Doh

    Iker Muniain (Athletic) - Only 16 but already scored some important goals and looks very comfortable in the first division.

    Borja Valero (Mallorca) - was good but not great with Mallorca two years ago, went to West Brom and didn't really set the world a light, but he has been in superb form for Mallorca.

    Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid) - not that he was unknown before but yet again he starts as a 'reserve' and has won himself a place in the XI. In spite of all the big name signings he is Real Madrid's top scorer.

    Jesus Navas (Sevilla) - always been a good player with loads of potential, has really come into his own this season and is even in the national team picture for the WC.

    Seydou Keita (Barcelona) - has had a fair number of opportunities with injuries to Iniesta and he has been delivering, i've been really impressed with him this term and he's scored some big goals.

    Teams that you expect to improve over the next 5 months

    Villarreal have already shown signs of resurgence, I think it was always going to take a little bit of time for the team to adjust to a new manager after Pellegrini was there for so long and injuries to key players (Cazorla, Senna, Gonzalo) have really been troublesome. But they look to be headed in the right direction.

    Zaragoza really have a nice set of players to be where they are: Ander, Lafita, Ayala, etc. If they can find a striker (poor Uche got hurt before the season even started) I think they will be fine.

    Espanyol because, well, somehow they always manage to come good the second half of the season.

    Teams that will get worse

    Mallorca, it's hard to imagine they will be able to sustain their high position in the table but I suppose you never know. Getafe are already on 27 points, you see it a lot after teams hit the 'magic' 35 point mark they sometimes drop off a bit. Probably Valladolid too now that they will be without Manucho because of the CAN. Almeria - a team with Goitom as their striker can't stay in 13th position for long.
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    Post by Jaime Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:16 pm

    @Messiah - don't use American dollars when reporting the transfer fees just to make them look bigger. Biggrin Also, Benzema is not in the XI so even though I know you want his big transfer fee in there, you should really take him out.
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    Post by bluenine Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:20 pm

    Serie A:
    Favourites for the title
    Can't see beyond Inter, unless Milan quickly buy a couple of class defenders.

    Most improved team(s)
    Parma, Bari, Napoli

    Teams you think will be relegated
    Thats a tough one, its a 6-club fight.
    Siena, most likely
    Catania, they are having a terrible season
    Livorno, you shouldn't ve sold Diamanti

    Team(s) that have regressed
    Lazio, Udinese

    Top 3 players of the season so far
    Vargas, Nesta, Totti

    Most improved players of the season so far/talents emerging
    Improved: Vargas (what a season he is having), Marchionni (Ha ha Juventus), Mannini

    Emerging Talents: Ranocchia, Bonucci, Biabiany, Candreva, Kjaer

    Teams that you expect to improve over the next 5 months
    Fiorentina, if they reinforce their squad as expected
    Udinese, they need to get their act together

    Teams that will get worse
    Milan, unless they buy some good defenders (and Nesta gets injured) they will drop like a stone in water
    Parma, they have had a good run, but no way can they stick on euro spots.


    Last edited by bluenine on Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:12 pm; edited 1 time in total
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    Post by Tweesus Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:20 pm

    Big thanks to the la liga followers ok

    @ hlebagone

    I almost mentioned Song but his improvement started last season really. He's kept it going this season and has probably improved slightly too, but it was last season that he 'emerged'

    @ parky

    I did think of fletcher but I haven;t seen Utd live that much this season and his impact can go unnoticed when you're just watching highlights.
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    Post by The Pröfessör Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:22 pm

    I have been impressed with Dan and Johnson(in particular) - the 2 Birmingam CBs.

    This is based on something like 5 games though, so i have to see more of them.

    EDIT: Oh and on Arsenal, i have been impressed with our young midfielders and RVP as a lone striker.


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    Post by Guest Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:24 pm

    Its the Universal Currency so why shouldn't i use it.

    Benzy was in the starting XI and will return their soon enough.

    Would put Higuain their, anyone who doesn't already regonize his talent is a fool, he has been one of the best players in la liga for two years now.
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    Post by Kroos Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:33 pm

    Favourites for the title

    bayern, 2nd schalke

    Most improved team(s)

    schalke
    leverkusen
    bayern

    Teams you think will be relegated

    nürnberg
    bochum
    hannover

    Team(s) that have regressed

    wolfsburg ( the best coach is gone)
    hertha (many key players leaved the club)

    Top 3 players of the season so far

    özil
    kroos
    hypia

    Most improved players of the season so far/talents emerging

    kiessling
    kroos
    boateng
    özil
    müller
    elia



    Teams that you expect to improve over the next 5 months

    wolfsburg
    stuttgart

    Teams that will get worse

    dortmund
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    Post by Since 1888 Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:53 pm

    Favorites for the title

    It's a toss up really and still very much a possibility for Twente, PSV and Ajax. Only those 3 teams have enough quality. PSV are the biggest favorites I believe. I don't really fancy their squad too much but they seem to be very stable this year. Nothing mind blowing as well I may add. Twente is still a very realistic possibility, they have class players like Ruiz and Stoch, experience in Perez, Boschker and N'Kufo and a decentish defence. They are way better to watch then PSV mainly due flair players like Ruiz, Stoch and Perez. Ajax is a bit behind those two but they could make a run. Clearly behind these 2 as favorites though.

    Most Improved Teams

    Without a shadow of a doubt it's Heracles Almelo. They really do have a pretty shit squad, but their coach Verbeek - who failed at Feyenoord - is doing a really good job. They have a decent tall striker but I can't remember any brilliant player from the team. Credits to Heracles, I think they are 6th right now while the last few years they barely managed to escape relegation.
    VVV has done well, but Honda is gone which was their sole reason for being that high up at 9th place. (Plus a huge failure game by Sparta). Utrecht has done alright but with their money that is barely a huge surprise to me.

    Teams you think will be relegated

    RKC Waalwijk - to shit, no money, no fans, almost bankrupt. Pretty blank future to be honest.
    Willem II - I was hoping they'd long gone by now. Terrible fans, no decent player to be seen and a hugely annoying coach.
    Other spot is a toss up between ADO den Haag, Roda JC (god I hope so), Sparta and NEC.

    Team(s) that have regressed

    Groningen are pretty bland this year after years of fighting for European places. They haven't properly replaced Berg who went to HSV.
    Heerenveen are probably even worse, for year after year there was European football but with the loss of Pranjic they just doesn't have any creativity. Doesn't help that the coach is a total numb.
    NEC are very shit this year but they just have a shit squad who overachieved for a half a year. Vloet is a decent coach though so they should stay up.

    Top 3 players of the season so far

    Probably Ruiz, Suarez and no fucking clue.
    And I don't think Suarez has been anything special. Almost no stand out performers this year. Suarez misses waaaaay too many chances and is mentally a weak player. Ruiz has made some big goals this year and he does seem to have a lot of skill. I could name someone like Falkenburg but it seems wrong to put a player from Sparta in it...since they have been pretty shit and all that.

    Most improved players of the season so far/talents emerging

    Breakthrough season for Falkenburg. He wasn't a big scorer last year when he still played a lot. This year he has an eye for coming in the box at the right time. Strootman and Viergever were the other talents under 21 who are regulars at Sparta, still Falkenburg has been most eye-popping.
    Miroslav Stoch has been a revelation for Twente. On loan from Chelsea he seems to score a decent amount of goals. He might be a bit predictable, but at least predictable with skill instead of Babel's kind of predictable.
    Alderweireld has been a decent defender for Ajax forming a nice partnership with Vertonghen. He still makes the occasional mistake but that comes with experience.
    Bas Dost as said earlier has been a good striker for Heracles and Mertens for Utrecht has been a good little player.

    Teams that you expect to improve over the next 5 months

    Heerenveen and Groningen still have enough quality to be midtable. I really hope Sparta starting to play decent football. In my eyes they still have enough talent for stable midtable position.

    Teams that will get worse
    VVV, without Honda they are nothing.
    Heracles, it would be most surprising if they didn't.
    AZ, bleak future for them really. No money anymore
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    Post by Parks lives Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:56 pm

    Top 3 players of the season so far

    özil
    kroos
    hypia


    Is that last one Sami Hyypia? As in the 36 year old too slow for the Premier league Sami Hyypia?

    Who was also 4th choice at Liverpool.
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    Post by Axeslammer Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:29 pm

    Since 1888 wrote:
    Top 3 players of the season so far

    Probably Ruiz, Suarez and no fucking clue.
    And I don't think Suarez has been anything special.

    Dzsudzsak must have slipped your mind, he's 100% certain one of the top 3 (maybe even the best) players of the Eredivisie so far.

    Suarez looks less special than previously, but that's because he's become a team-player instead of a Little Cry Boy soloist.

    It's because the rest of the Ajax forwards are pants, that he's not on 20+ assists already.

    Having said that, it can be argued that my favourite (bias warning, bias warning !) De Zeeuw also has had a very good first half. I don't think there's a single player who has made such a positive impact on his team, even when he has a lesser match.

    Works also the other way around : without him AZ are a shambles and the much praised Schaars has been found out to be a fraud.
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    Post by Ricardo Jol Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:09 pm

    Parks lives wrote:Top 3 players of the season so far

    özil
    kroos
    hypia


    Is that last one Sami Hyypia? As in the 36 year old too slow for the Premier league Sami Hyypia?

    Who was also 4th choice at Liverpool.

    no it's Hyypia who won them the Champions League and Uefa Cup! and that's more than, let say, Manchester United won in this decenium in Europe! Ale
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    Post by Axeslammer Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:39 pm

    Ricardo Wetzel wrote:
    Parks lives wrote:Top 3 players of the season so far

    özil
    kroos
    hypia


    Is that last one Sami Hyypia? As in the 36 year old too slow for the Premier league Sami Hyypia?

    Who was also 4th choice at Liverpool.

    no it's Hyypia who won them the Champions League and Uefa Cup! and that's more than, let say, Manchester United won in this decenium in Europe! Ale

    Tssk, there I was thinking it was Willem II's Sami Hyypia Wink
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    Post by Chris 23* Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:59 pm

    Most improved players of the season so far/talents emerging:

    David N'gog ! cheers
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    Post by Tweesus Wed Jan 06, 2010 5:02 pm

    lol!

    Keep it serious please. N'Gog is an average footballer. He'll never develop into anything beyond a decent squad player.
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    Post by Matt_AFC Wed Jan 06, 2010 5:07 pm

    most improved player alex song
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    Post by OrangeSky Wed Jan 06, 2010 5:09 pm

    I will disregard the Suarez comments. Very Happy

    Ligue 1:

    Favorites for the title

    Girondins de Bordeaux. They have improved in some areas, and kept the things that worked for them last season as well. They are flying so high on the table, and I expect them to maintain their lead.

    Most Improved Teams

    Montpellier, who have come from Ligue 2 and have climbed to the 3rd place on the table. They don't have any real stars, they haven't invested tons of money, but somehow they have managed to play beautiful football and continue to pull off results. Just incredible to watch them this season.
    Lille, who have improved so much just within this season. They started off very slow, and had trouble understanding each other but they have really turned things around. They have been trashing teams as of late, and have climbed to second place.

    Teams you think will be relegated

    Grenoble, Boulogne and Le Mans. It's hard to stay up when your a newly promoted side, and I think these sides are struggling. Le Mans are just below the drop zone, and I think from what I have seen that they will go down.

    Team(s) that have regressed

    Marseille. I'm still struggling to understand why Gerets is not in charge this season. That c**t did a much better job last season, and I think that they are inconsisent and sloppy this season. There isn't much of a title race in France, because of well tactics have been butchered this season.
    If Marseille fans have been disappointed with their team's performances this season, then Lyon fans must just be in shambles by their team's performance this season. They haven't figured out what works for them this season, and their Champions League achievements have been ruined by their domestic setbacks. Just dreadful performance by most of their players.
    Nice. Sometimes you have to sell your star player to bring in funds to improve some of the positions on your side, Nice chose not to do that this summer. They were so worried about keeping certain players, and that was a mistake IMO. They are just above the drop zone, and have managed to regress so much from last season.

    Top 3 players of the season so far

    Chamakh has been a revelation this season, alongside the star from last season Gourcuff.
    I would go with Lisandro as well, just because Lyon is a mess doesn't mean that has stopped him from achieving so much this season.

    Most improved players of the season so far/talents emerging

    Gervinho, Lille (my favorite)
    Nene, Monaco
    Yohan Cabaye (Lille)
    Eden Hazard (Lille)
    Mamadou Sakho (PSG)
    Just to name a few

    Teams that you expect to improve over the next 5 months

    St Etienne
    AS Monaco
    Toulouse


    Teams that will get worse

    I honestly don't know. I don't expect anyone to really get much worse, but the likes of Lyon/Marseille to improve their records, which should allow for smaller teams to fall on the table a bit.

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      Current date/time is Sat Nov 02, 2024 7:23 am