And any midfielder that can seem to adequately replace Aribo in Gio (and the press') mind will get a good long look from other clubs. But those are pretty big boots to fill. If Nigeria have a long run might be good for Sands, but maybe not for Gers.
I can’t imagine the speed of thought is above Sands. The fields (some) might play rough and getting used to. But the biggest challenge is always the semi-butcher nature of the league and get ready to pass and leap, pass and leap, look out for cheap shots and expect there will be some unfair, rough play on your and you can’t let it get inside your head.
Is this true? The Championship and even Prem are rougher, in a way. The players are just as big if not bigger - and are a bit faster/quicker and those that want to take you out do it just as nastily, if not more so. In the SPL, in general, you have a split-second more to get your boot out of the way. The SPL can be ugly due to a very fast drop-off of skill outside the top end, but I've not seen particularly compelling set of stats that suggest it's more dangerous/has more cheap shots (that, of course, is usually down to refereeing) - there are pitch issues sometimes and the difference between OF/Hampden/Fir and Hamilton's plastic rug is huge. But I bet if you took the average # of games our guys in the SPL missed due to injury, and comped them to the US German or EPL players, you wouldn't find it broke all that badly for the SPL. It's for sure an uglier game in terms of tactics and skill level, but I wonder if there's really a higher break rate. The thing about Aribo is he's just playing really well right now and is in a lot of EPL team's sites, if rumors are trusted. So they will also be aware of how his stand-in fares. (Kamara also has eyes on him, so pairing the Gers midfield is an opportunity to get your name on some more watch lists right now.)
Sure, there are plenty of brutes, but I do hear the "SPL is so dangerous" schtick all the time and wonder if it's backed up by stats. Could well be, but just going off memory I think of more players (Holden, Arfa, Haaland, Cech, Mason, Jiminez...) badly hurt in ELP, but that's probably because I pay more attention to EPL. Not to derail the thread but I do wonder if there's any good stats on injury/minute by leauge.
Only 1 of the instigators was English. Johnny Evans- Northern Ireland Roy Keane- Ireland Stephen Hunt- Ireland David Luiz- Brazil Nigel (the butcher) de Jong- Holland Gary Cahill- England David Luiz- Brazil
I read one time, a few years back, the two most "dangerous" leagues defined by their disciplinary records was the Brasileiro and Primeria in Portugal. I can't remember the exact metrics / data used but it mentioned % of tackles that resulted in yellows and reds, average numbers of cautions per match, and a few other data points..... The SPL wasn't even close to the top 10. Need to find that article...... I remember the top 10 was mostly South American leagues with the Russian and Israeli Premier League.
I'd be curious to see the metrics as well, but I'm not sure that cards/disciplinary records would be all that informative. The fact that a league issues more cards per tackle or per match doesn't necessarily mean the tackles are more dangerous. On the contrary, it could mean that the refs protect the players more, which could result in less dangerous play.
Right into the fray... 🆕 Tonight's #RangersFC team to face Aberdeen.👉 Full Team News: https://t.co/6K7oINVpF7 pic.twitter.com/FnxSj6PAPR— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 18, 2022
Bru. Read. My. Posts. Love freis (also, this is to be read in a slightly-buzzed-at-the-bar-before-the-game jocular mates voice, not a I-seriously-think-I'm-all-that asshat voice. I now am considering stage directions with all my posts, David Mamet style. As you were.)
And for those who want to become SPL nerds in the next few months - the oppo: 🆕 | Here is how we line up for our first game of 2022 against Rangers at Pittodrie. 📺 Sign up for live match coverage on RedTV // https://t.co/BneOnAIFSWCOYR! #StandFree pic.twitter.com/PmDPrtuN2p— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) January 18, 2022
Christian to score 18 goals today on national TV earning himself a national team call up. Sands won't be at fault for any.
Ligue 1 - Fanatiz Serie A/CL - Paramount La Liga/Bundesliga/Championship - ESPN SPL is B/R live? I don't have it in me to subscribe to anymore streaming services for various leagues
It has been a minute since I've watched the SPL. Let's just say this is a little bit lower in class from the Laudrup and gascoigne days.