Any REAL football fans here? (Page 66)

Where is everybody?

No more footy talk. 

Everton are above Man U.

That's all that matters.

Amen to that!!!

Yay!  Love seeing your posts.  They are always good. 

Agreed on the quality of the EPL this year.  Wonder if the Euro Cup had an effect on the quality of play last year?  Maybe a bit?  Who knows.  Then again, I'm not certain other leagues suffered as much. 

I honestly do not think El Tri will make it to the WC.  And if they do, they have a LOT of work to do.  Part of me hopes they don't.  And I really felt bad for Panama.  Talk about a complete and gut wrenching 180 in just a few minutes.  Wow.  I really don't think Mexico deserves to go, BUT those are the rules.

MLS was a big downer for me this year, mainily because of the incredibly poor performance by the Fire.  Just hired their 4th manager in 5 years.  Friggen revolving door.  Only good thing out of the season was Mike MaGee and his MVP season, which he deserves.  He is the only reason we made it as far as we did.  Otherwise we would have been as bad as DC United.

Finally, Klinsy really is going to have his hands full come WC squad picking time.  Dempsey has fallen WAY out of favor (dumb move to MLS in many opinion, mine included) and Jozy is struggling in the EPL.  Had a chuckle at the Men in Blazers the other day saying he does better when the stripes are horizontal instead of vertical and should just lay down in front of the box to change their direction in his next match.  That young lad really does go through ups and downs.

That is not a bad idea, and yes, our back line is our biggest weakness right now.  Some of the play back there is just so lackluster.  They really look like they don't know what they are doing and have not played in the back before.

Beasley was ok, and found a resurgence this year, but just lacks pace.  I miss someone with the physical presence of Gooch in the back but his days are done.  I'm just not impressed with the others in the back.  I don't get the hardworking backline feeling that we used to have.

All that said, I still can't wait for the WC.  I just love the tournemant.

I really am pulling for Egypt to pull off some type of miracle match today.  I know it isn't going to happen, but I was really pulling for them.  Would do so much for their country to help unite them, even if just a little bit.

That and I was really pulling for Bob.  If they don't make it, he is gone.  But will probably get picked up by someone else, hopefully in Europe.

Rats.

So now how long till Bradley is out and the question on my mind is, where will he land?

I think what he did with what he had to work with was nothing short of miraculous.  A country whose pro league is suspended so few if any of the players were ever match fit.  I feel bad.  That said, what he did there politically was also remarkable.  Shown walking in some of the demonstrations, visiting people in the hospital after they were injured, etc.  I know he now wants to go to Europe.  World soccer talk says Norway looks like his next destination.  http://worldsoccertalk.com/2013/11/21/after-egypt-decides-not-to-renew-bob-bradleys-contract-bradleys-next-job-may-be-in-norway/ 

I'll definitely be awake for that match Scouse derby.  I might be riding my trainer but I'll be watching it.    I really hope my boys in red continue their progress.  I love seeing Coutinho's impact on the game. You can see how his creativeness in the forward middle area really drives the other team bonkers and free's up the likes of Suarez and Sturridge.  Those two have become a magical pair that could truly have a massive impact on the club.  BTW: I still hate Suarez but I can't deny what he is doing on the pitch.

El Tri got in by the skin of their teeth.  They should be thanking us for at least the next 4 years.  I wonder if it will change some of the animosity that has been displayed by them to the US?

The next big date is December 6th.  Selection day.  Should be VERY interesting.

One more day till the WC selection.  With the US in Pod 3, it is VERY likely we will be in a very difficult group. 

Watching the draw now.  Biting fingernails.

And we have Germany, Ghana and Portugal.  Ouch.  This is NOT going to be easy.

I read yesterday that the 2010 WC had an average FIFA ranking of 26.  This year it is 21.1.  This is going to be one tough WC.

Terrible draw for the US.
No exactly a stellar group for England, with the #6 and #7 ranked teams in the world.

Can't freaking wait!!!!

If you go on average ranking, Group D is the hardest as the average FIFA rank in the group is 14.  Not easy by any means.  The US average is 15.25.  The two highest ranking groups in the draw.  Really wish we had been in H.    That group B, though, is going to be something to watch.

You can bet your sweet patootie that I'm loving this season so far.  Depending on what happens this afternoon, we could be sitting top of the table at Christmas for the first time since 1997!  Now they finished 4th that year but would do wonders to their psyche. 

It is also interesting to see how bunched up everyone is at the top.  Still anyone's league to win...... or lose.

This sums it up perfectly.  I was thinking the same thing a week or so ago. 

And some of the free kicks have been unreal.  The one Suarez did against Everton was unbelievable.  It literally was the only place he could put it for a score.  And he really has been electric.  Amazing what scoring goals will do to smooth over past transgressions.  LOL!  The biter reigns supreme. 

Wow.  It has been a long time since the top was this contested.  Looks like 74-75 was the last time (http://worldsoccertalk.com/2013/12/24/the-last-time-the-english-football-top-flight-was-this-close-was-christmas-1974/) and I believe Derby County wound up winning that year so they came from outside of the top group.  Then again, that was when Clough killed Leeds. 

Well, my be joining the thread...

My passion for football as been renewed a bit.  Played a bit in HS and LOVED IT back then.  Watched "Soccer Made in Germany" religiously.  Even indoor when STL had the Steamers...  

I have found more and more to watch on NBC sports network which is cool... and even playing a bit of FIFA 14.

I guess I default to MU as "my team" without any real reason other than popularity.  I'm sure I will figure out who I like more that I watch.  Right now?  I just like watching games - any games - without much favoritism.

ManUre?!?!?!?!  That's like cheering for the Yankees (patooey!). 

Well, I could have taken the easy route and just pick the team with the best record and go with them!  MU is stinky this year...  much like the Yankees will be, I suppose.