The TT Football Club

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by PED

Excellent point, for evidence just look at what AVB is doing at Spurs without all the politics.

Hell, I'd love to see Lampard in red and white as he's got the winning mindset but I think he'd slow down play too much. We're already having to fight against Diaby doing that.

Just saw MOTD, the analysis they do is usually pretty poor compared to Sky, but they had a nice piece about Lampard highlighting how he looked to get rid of the ball quickly, with a compilation of his first time volley passes from todays game. Might be worth a look on the iPlayer if you're interested.

God knows where we would be without him and Mata this year.

[PED]

I'll definitely check it out. I totally rate Lampard, he's won everything but the wc so he k kwa what's he's doing.


I'm not betting on Ross' spurs folding this year, they looked good today.

[norbac]

Gutsy, gutsy Gunners.

Sagna had a nice game, hopefully this is a trend.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by PED

I'll definitely check it out. I totally rate Lampard, he's won everything but the wc so he k kwa what's he's doing.

I'm not betting on Ross' spurs folding this year, they looked good today.

I'm with you there, with 12 or so games to go they look to be getting stronger, it's usually the opposite for them. I think it's getting fairly tight overall, with the City loss we are only 4 points behind them for second. At the start of the season it was unthinkable that the top 2 wouldn't be made up of the Manchester clubs. Spurs are just one behind Chelsea, Arsenal seem to be hitting form. If Everton get a big win at Man Utd tomorrow, they will have momentum too.

I think these next few months are huge for what will happen in the League over the next few years. Chelsea finishing outside the top 4 for the second year in a row, making it hard to attract players, the manager we want etc.. Spurs making it again, with more Champions League football and the money could catapult them into potential title challengers down the road. Everton, it could be what allows them to keep Moyes and Fellaini, which is big. I'm not too sure how it would affect Arsenal, they seem to have a good business model so i'm sure they would be prepared, should they miss out.

[Ross K]

Echoing some of the above, yes, it looks to be hotting up a bit. Spurs have done well thus far, but I don't like the gooners breathing down our necks situation. I also don't think Liverpool are to be discarded. Could all be turning tighter and tenser very shortly.

[Cesc Fabregas]

Originally Posted by norbac

Gutsy, gutsy Gunners.

Sagna had a nice game, hopefully this is a trend.

The Sun gave him 5 out of 10!

[PureAlph4]

Surely the Lampard situation could only be to do with 'player power.' It seemed that certain previous managers were somewhat undermined from within by the central core of players (i.e Terry, Lampard, Drogba), who naturally would benchmark any new experience against the hugely successful and harmonious Mourinho years.

From an outsiders perspective all you ever hear is what a model professional Lampard is (and his prolonged success supports this), but perhaps Abramovich just wants to clear the decks in terms of removing all the entrenched influential personalities from the dressing room to both appear to make the job more appealing to a big name manager (i.e does not have to contend with a powerful player lobby from day one), while making it clear to everyone else at the club what will happen to anyone else who presumes to see themselves as more than employees with pre-defined roles.

I do shudder to think how well Lampard might do were he to end up at United. I think his goal yesterday encapsulates how his experience can rub off well on younger players. He could have blasted it (as 95% of players would have) and the shot would have been faster, but a more 'saveable' height for the keeper, yet instead he sacrificed power and stabbed it along the ground and the keeper couldn't get there, even though it wasn't near the corner.

[PureAlph4]

Originally Posted by Cesc Fabregas

The Sun gave him 5 out of 10!

Yeah, he had an immense game.

He played fantastically for France vs Germany mid-week, and that seems to have bumped him out of his recent poor form. For once an international friendly works for the best!

Looks like Santos' move to Gremio is done!

[Swerve]

Any Liverpool fans in here? Is there nothing more frustrating than watching these guys play!? Last week we played a great game against City. First 45 yesterday we keep the pressure on West Brom. Albion don't even get their first shot on goal until the 70th minute but then score on their next two chances. Stevie misses a penalty. I mean this is so difficult to watch! Reina is spotty, Agger can't mark anyone to save his life. Set pieces are a nightmare. Carra is in the best form out of all the CBs. Enrique has no right foot or vision. Glen Johnson would rather dance around at th edge of the box than put a cross in. At least Hendo & Downing don't look like crap anymore. Hopefully when Sturridge returns next week all will be better. Screw international friendlies.

[Ross K]

Not sure quite how Juve managed that scoreline. Thought Celtic were a bit unlucky. Also thought Juve were pretty poor.

[PED]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Not sure quite how Juve managed that scoreline. Thought Celtic were a bit unlucky. Also thought Juve were pretty poor.

I had it on while on a conference call, the game wasn't as lopsided as the score, Juve, just picked them off sniper style when the bhoys threw caution to the wind in the last 15 minutes.

I hate to to pull against the PL but I'm hoping Real deals out a smack down tomorrow on the "freckled demon" and his teammates tomorrow.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by Feña14

The one you want to watch is Matri at Cagliari, he finishes half chances for fun!

Interesting looking back to a post from 2010 about Matri, he's been brilliant this season. I've always been a fan, it's great to see him doing it on a bigger stage.

[Breaker]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Not sure quite how Juve managed that scoreline. Thought Celtic were a bit unlucky. Also thought Juve were pretty poor.

That's the Italian style though isn't it, didn't think Juve were out of their comfort zone at all throughout and knew they could set up to counter without much worry. Maybe Celtic surprised them a bit with their play but there were only maybe 1 or 2 clear cut chances they really allowed and they fell to defenders.

[PureAlph4]

Originally Posted by Breaker

That's the Italian style though isn't it, didn't think Juve were out of their comfort zone at all throughout and knew they could set up to counter without much worry. Maybe Celtic surprised them a bit with their play but there were only maybe 1 or 2 clear cut chances they really allowed and they fell to defenders.

Yeah - it's actually quite impressive to see a team that sets out with a conservative gameplan, and can actually defend properly, while being able to exhibit real technical quality on the break. Don't see it too often nowadays (at least if you mostly watch PL).

I was impressed by Celtic, though. They clearly just lacked the technical quality in the final third (Juve closed them down quickly only in the final third, and Celtic players couldn't hold it), anyone who could beat a man (when they played Arsenal a few years ago in CL qualifying they had McGeady and Maloney), and the finishing.

[finalfantasy7]

As a juve fan, we did play bad most off the game we couldnt put 5 passes together, lost it too many times without being pressured.

Celtic did nothing, just 1 header and thats it, everything else they did ended u comfortably in buffon hands. They did play faster but nothing came out of it.

I did miss first 30mins of first half, I absolutely hate the commentators, they were just AWFUL, completely biased - trying to claim every tug was a peno.
What Lichtsteiner did happens in every game, honestly they fell down like girls.

Celtic didnt deserve to lose 3-0, but thats a typical italian performance - Clinical,
Barzagli was great man of match, only cost us 300,000euros

[BlackSilver]

PSG was damn solid today. Crispy defence, blocking all the attempts of Valencia from the sides, no space in the middle. nobody of them able to do anything. Pastore was sharp with his passing, Lavezzi and Lucas playing well. Ibrahimovic, of course played badly once more in an important match. Ancelotti made the team retreat to much in the second half for my taste.
Anyway, best match that I remember they playing

[NickC]

Originally Posted by Feña14

Interesting looking back to a post from 2010 about Matri, he's been brilliant this season. I've always been a fan, it's great to see him doing it on a bigger stage.

I remember that exact post. And yeah he's been excellent. He was good today too.

Damn, to think that was 3 years ago though....Amazing what's happened in football between then and now.

What's happening to us all? Are we getting old or something?

For what it's worth, I scored a goal the other day playing keeper in a 6-a-side indoor game on an old roller hockey rink, made a save with my foot which flew over everyone and caught the opposing keeper off his line. I then got to play on the wing in the next round and my with first touch I turned a trick on the defender in such style that he looked an idiot and ended up flat on the floor.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by PED

I had it on while on a conference call, the game wasn't as lopsided as the score, Juve, just picked them off sniper style when the bhoys threw caution to the wind in the last 15 minutes.

I hate to to pull against the PL but I'm hoping Real deals out a smack down tomorrow on the "freckled demon" and his teammates tomorrow.

Yes, Juve deserved the win, I just thought 3-0 was a little harsh. Plus I wasn't overly impressed by the Italians... I don't know, when I think of Juventus, I just recall the legends that have played for them in the past (Del Piero, Baggio, Zidane - such geniuses!) and kind of have high expectations... maybe like how people from other countries view Liverpool perhaps?

Really looking forward to Man U VS Real. Will be fascinating to see how it plays out. So much hinges on this, and not least for Jose M. And BTW, would be nice if Rooney could step up to the plate and emphatically deliver on the big stage. Doesn't seem to do it consistently enough for me considering his rep and all the hype. That said, I know full well he can be world class... every now and then.

[PED]

Surprised Valencia isn't starting for Utd. Pretty brave lineup with RvP, Rooney, Welbeck and Kagawa

[norbac]

I predict a couple of goalless draws for the two legs of Man U/RM. RM through on penalties.