Soccer Thread

ProjectMaximus · April 09, 2019, 01:03:38 PM

Quote from: pierre on April 09, 2019, 12:16:14 PM
Quote from: JaxJersey-licious on April 09, 2019, 10:52:26 AM
So what is the vibe from actual Fulham fans about Khan's ownership compared to the previous owner? We're they just glad to get rid of him or was there any trepidation about the ownership change at the time?

My interaction has been limited to social media. But from what I have seen, there is much more animosity towards Tony Khan than to Shad.

Tony does player analytics right?

Adam White · April 09, 2019, 01:59:56 PM

Quote from: pierre on April 09, 2019, 12:16:14 PM
Quote from: JaxJersey-licious on April 09, 2019, 10:52:26 AM
So what is the vibe from actual Fulham fans about Khan's ownership compared to the previous owner? We're they just glad to get rid of him or was there any trepidation about the ownership change at the time?

My interaction has been limited to social media. But from what I have seen, there is much more animosity towards Tony Khan than to Shad.

Wasn't he really rude to the fans a few months ago?

JaxJersey-licious · July 26, 2020, 10:54:31 PM

So here we finally are with Fulham in the fight to get back to the EPL in the promotion playoff (or whatever it's properly called?) So fascinating that this is the only way you have anything like an American pro league playoff system in the league. Anyone like their chances for this final promotion spot?

Adam White · July 27, 2020, 04:25:56 AM

Quote from: JaxJersey-licious on July 26, 2020, 10:54:31 PM
So here we finally are with Fulham in the fight to get back to the EPL in the promotion playoff (or whatever it's properly called?) So fascinating that this is the only way you have anything like an American pro league playoff system in the league. Anyone like their chances for this final promotion spot?

To be fair, I've not watched too much soccer this season - even before the pandemic, the app I used to watch games with stopped working (it was likely not legal) - and I am not going to shell out the money required for SkySports and BT Sport. And I don't really keep up with the Championship.

All that said, you'd have to assume Fulham and Brentford are the most likely candidates for promotion, given they're both on 81 pts (8 pts clear of Cardiff and 11 pts clear of Swansea). Not looking too great for Brentford at the moment, having lost the first match to Swansea.

If I had a choice, I'd want to see Brentford promoted, given that they've not played in the top league since the 1950s (I don't think). Given that Brentford and Fulham are traditional rivals, I think it would be a great playoff final to see the two of them playing for promotion.

Pottsburg · July 27, 2020, 09:12:14 AM

I hope they don't make the playoff and then get relegated again. Khan has pissed me off beyond belief. Everything he supposedly does for this city is subsidized by us. Guy doesn't even pay a bed tax when he's in town.

JaxAvondale · July 27, 2020, 09:58:02 AM

Brentford has been awful for the last few matches. I think it is going to be Swansea vs. Fulham. I prefer Fulham back in the PL as I want to watch West Ham play an away match there.

Adam White · July 27, 2020, 10:48:36 AM

Quote from: JaxAvondale on July 27, 2020, 09:58:02 AM
Brentford has been awful for the last few matches. I think it is going to be Swansea vs. Fulham. I prefer Fulham back in the PL as I want to watch West Ham play an away match there.

If things had ever gone so *slightly* different, you could have had the opportunity to watch West Ham v Fulham in the Championship. Oh well, maybe next season.

JaxAvondale · July 27, 2020, 11:38:00 AM

Quote from: Adam White on July 27, 2020, 10:48:36 AM
Quote from: JaxAvondale on July 27, 2020, 09:58:02 AM
Brentford has been awful for the last few matches. I think it is going to be Swansea vs. Fulham. I prefer Fulham back in the PL as I want to watch West Ham play an away match there.

If things had ever gone so *slightly* different, you could have had the opportunity to watch West Ham v Fulham in the Championship. Oh well, maybe next season.

Haha! Your negativity isn't welcome in this thread, Adam!

It is a tough season for the hammers but we played much better after the break. Fix a few things defensively and we should be in the top half next season. It will be interesting to see what happens with my season tickets and when everybody will be able to return to their seats. I went to a match in February and wore a mask with no issues.

bl8jaxnative · July 27, 2020, 12:28:27 PM

Hope springs eternal, eh? Not sure that's gonna happen with David "Midtable" Moyes.

Playoffs are a crapshoot. Throw in Covid19 and it's even more so.

Next year is going to be a mess. Don't be surprised to see high energy / high press teams like Leeds, Liverpool, Southampton, etc fall apart by xmas if they don't change their approach. They have no summer break this year.

JaxAvondale · July 27, 2020, 01:10:24 PM

Moyes has been fine. Apparently, he spent some time at RB Leipzip after his first stint with West Ham and has a different approach to the game now. At this point, we the season starting in 6 weeks, I have no choice but to ride with Moyes.

I do think that the 20/2021 season is going to be wild. I don't see how they are going to play the EFL Cup this season with a compact schedule.

bl8jaxnative · July 29, 2020, 10:44:22 AM

Teams always have a choice when it comes to manager. Look at Watford axing Nigel Pearson w/ 2 games left even though he had dug them out of that hole and given them a chance to stay up.

And West Ham has shown they're more than happy to toss Moyes aside, bring him back only to toss him aside again. An 18 month deal isn't the sort of thing ya sign with a manager you want to keep around for long. And, IIRC, he's won less games w/ West Ham than any other manager in team history. Or did that win at Chelsea pull him off the absolute floor?

Anyway, nothing against him. Just doesn't have the sort of record nor history nor contract that would have me thinking anything other than him being a placekeeper while the club lands a long term target.

Ya, that tight schedule isn't going to help. My two-bits - and it may not turn out to be - is that without that summer break those legs that would be getting tired in March are going to tire in December ./ January. Maybe, maybe not.

Adam White · July 29, 2020, 12:53:04 PM

Quote from: bl8jaxnative on July 29, 2020, 10:44:22 AM
And, IIRC, he's won less games w/ West Ham than any other manager in team history. Or did that win at Chelsea pull him off the absolute floor?

I think Zola is the worst they've ever had (assuming you mean Moyes's cumulative win percentage). They've not had a lot of very "successful" managers, as a general rule - they have a *bit* of a tendency to bounce between the top two divisions.

Adam White · July 30, 2020, 02:43:21 AM

So, Brentford apparently are in the play-off final? Could be a Brentford v Fulham "West London derby" for promotion.

JaxJersey-licious · July 30, 2020, 08:04:18 PM

Quote from: Adam White on July 30, 2020, 02:43:21 AM
So, Brentford apparently are in the play-off final? Could be a Brentford v Fulham "West London derby" for promotion.

And it is! Wow has it really been decades since Brentford been in the top flight? Wonder when the last time they were this close?

And I wonder which team has the closest trip to Wembley, anyway?

Adam White · July 31, 2020, 03:53:53 AM

Quote from: JaxJersey-licious on July 30, 2020, 08:04:18 PM
Quote from: Adam White on July 30, 2020, 02:43:21 AM
So, Brentford apparently are in the play-off final? Could be a Brentford v Fulham "West London derby" for promotion.

And it is! Wow has it really been decades since Brentford been in the top flight? Wonder when the last time they were this close?

And I wonder which team has the closest trip to Wembley, anyway?

I could be wrong, but I think they've not been in the top flight since the 1940s. I don't think I've ever met a Brentford fan (that I know of), though I did work with a girl whose boyfriend at the time supported the club.