They're far from unbeatable: Napoli have made that point crystal clear today. They're doing the business against average to mediocre Prem teams and that's to their credit. But they can be neutralized with a sound gameplan (it doesn't need to be ultra defensive/park the bus type stuff either).
With Dortmund dropping points in Cyprus, they're looking pretty good to book their place in the knockout phase. Impressive.
I think that's an argument that can be made for lots of leagues. You have to beat the smaller/weaker teams and eventually duke it out with other teams at the top (the number which varies from league to league): that's usually where the difference comes from.
Watching Tottenham's game vs Real and it's hard not to be impressed with their display and Poch's tactical approach. Jose has his own in this type of game and it's worked for him. Yet, there is something to say about a more progressive style that can be just as solid and organized at the back, but more expansive offensively, which beyond mere containment, gives a team a genuine shot at winning. The same applied to Napoli, the deeper we got into their game vs City. Putting in Llorente next to Kane today was a smart move also: lots of room for him to maneuver and be dangerous. If Spurs have gotten over this Wembley thing for good, they're going to be a team to watch this season again: they're somewhat incognito right now behind the Manchester clubs, but they're in a good position to make a move, if they can go on a run.
SAF showed many times that you need to amass points against the mooks and just hold your own against the big teams - especially away. So you can certainly win the league without stopping city. Things like away draws at Liverpool are also completely great because thats points dropped at home for them.
English teams in the Champions League: 🏆🔝 Group A: Man Utd🔝 Group C: Chelsea🔝 Group E: Liverpool🔝 Group F: Man City🔝 Group H: Spurs pic.twitter.com/eFaEIXupWN— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) October 18, 2017 English teams in the Champions League so far: P13 W10 D3 L0 GF40 GA8🔥 pic.twitter.com/Qdyi1drJfl— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 18, 2017
I'm pretty sure that's roughly Jose's plan this season. He's going to load up (point wise) on the bottom 13-14 teams as much as possible (both home and away). And against the top 6, he'll look for United to get as much victories he can get at home, leaving him content with draws in away matches vs the top 6 as is his custom (and as we saw again vs Pool recently). The same strategy is sound for most leagues around Europe, where depending on the league we're looking at anywhere from a top 2 to 6, who battle it out between themselves for the title and top spots, while the rest of the teams are mere fodder for those teams at the top to get as much points as they can...
Big Sam is interested in the USA job. www.skysports.com/football/news/17253/11086490/ex-england-boss-sam-allardyce-interested-in-usa-job
On the football side of things, may not be a bad match up. Not sure if this was already posted, but French Football thinks Laurent Blanc is also interested.
The way US football plays - very workmanlike, with little to no flash, especially offensively - the argument could be made for Allardyce, I guess. Plus we know he'd solidify the backline as well. But the cons are numerous and IMO, deciding factors why he shouldn't be seriously considered also. Starting with the fact that Big Sam is not the type of guy who relies on and bloods youth all that much (and that is the most important point any incoming manager will have to insure). Also, he's obviously a guy who has skeletons in his closet (and quite a few of them): if he thinks the English media is ruthless, he'd be in for a rude awakening on this side of the pond. I say no thanks to Big Sam. Would not necessarily reject Blanc off hand, but not sure he'd be the perfect choice either. That's why I really hope that the fed will really take their time on this. First, no sense in making a choice before we know who the guy at the top will be for the foreseeable future (and that does not happen until early next year). After that, the guy we want is a guy for the long term, who will work with the next 4yrs in mind, with the team competing in the Olympics, Gold Cups and ultimately WC 2022 qualifiers and reaching it's peak in Qatar. The next appointment is crucial and it can't be botched.
I would say wait until the election in February. Have an interim in there, and then in February separate US Soccer from MLS And USL so that you have different entities. With a new president/new TD/new coach, then you can revamp this whole thing.
This was an extraordinary rant when I read it last night, courtesy Claudio Reyna, one of the greatest American soccer players of all time IMHO: http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/10...scerates-us-soccer-as-arrogant-and-obnoxious/ Claudio is absolutely right.
Koeman admits he may be in trouble.... www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/11086722/everton-manager-ronald-koeman-admits-he-is-maybe-in-crisis .... yet got the dreaded vote of confidence from the Everton board. www.bbc.com/sport/football/41670426
Atletico held to a nil draw by qarabag. Whatever happened to both Atletico and Dortmund? Both are under performing this season.
Peach of a goal from Dzeko at Stamford Bridge to tie it all up vs Chelsea. People can say whatever they want about Kante, but it's clear that Chelsea have a problem without him. Dzeko with another. It's 2-3 Roma now...
Hazard coming up big this game: 3-3. The absence of Kante is not the only issue, but it does play some part in some of the other issues as well. The defense has looked fragile also, but not having Kante as that security blanket in front of it, only exacerbates the problems there IMO. Noticeably, I might add...
Even with him the defense has been a liability dating back to last season after our crazy win streak. Cahill has GOT to go and this team needs to get organized again. Hasn't been pretty for some time.
Landon Donovan is considering running for president of US Soccer. www.bleacherreport.com/articles/2739449-landon-donovan-reportedly-considering-running-for-us-soccer-president An interesting move and one I could get behind, provided he surrounds himself with competent people (especially on the administrative level). From a sporting point of view, he could provide some fresh ideas and a dynamism, both which are needed badly.
the bold bit is all I saw and thought well shiiite why not, he can't do much worse than that other guy!!!!