"The Force"
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P fan #1
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,415Posted 15 years ago #***Goal of the weekend***
Nedum Onuoha
Chelsea 0 Vs 3 Sunderland
Sunderlands opening goal, scored by Onouha on loan at Sunderland from Manchester City.
Lovely control with both feet slipping through the Chelsea defence before slotting past Petr Cech.
It was so good it had me shouting out loud!Onuoha, I've said it before and I'll say it again... Future England Captain.
Peace.
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P fan #1
Joined: May '05
Posts: 1,528Posted 15 years ago #
Sagna's goal this weekend was a welcome surprise! When Cesc scored, I actually started singing "We've Got Cesc Fabregas" at my computer screen.
What is up with City's boring style of play? Mancini lulling the fans to sleep? All the money paid for those players and they can't score a goal lately? A podcast I listen to, EPL Talk, mentioned that the team may threaten the club record with fewest goals scored at home. He mentioned only 10 were scored at home in the 06/07 season True?
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P fan #1
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,415Posted 15 years ago #Haha every season a stat comes out like City score fewer goals at home then last season or whatever.
Its only due to the amount of money that has been spent that people look more at what City are doing.Yes I've just had a look and that stat is true AND we conceded 16 at home haha meaning we had -6 for Home goal difference, which puts us 18th out of the 20 Premier League teams that season for home record.
From the 42 man squad from the 06/07 season only 5 players remain either still playing at the club or out on loan from the club. Which is a massive turnaround, as opposed to Arsenal who have 14 (out of a squad of 32 in the 06/07 Season) still playing at the club. Also we've had 4 or 5 managers in that time which doesnt breed stability.
Sagna's goal was good and a bit of a shock, Arsenal nearly threw it away tho!
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P fan #1
Joined: May '05
Posts: 1,528Posted 15 years ago #As you know, my historical knowledge of the EPL is very short. So thanks for giving me some perspective about how City is viewed. Is City normally a defensive minded squad throughout their history?
I must say that the EPL is truly an exciting League. The drama from week to week is immense. I wish I was in England to read the papers and watch the TV commentary, especially that show "Match of the Day" or something like that.
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P fan #1
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,415Posted 15 years ago #No I'd say we're more of an attacking/counter attacking team (but underdogs) this is probably the best/strongest our defence has been for a long time. We have gone through so many changes lately and each manager tries to shape the squad so you can end up with lots of different players with different styles and mentalities. We aspire to play like Arsenal but to be strong, hence signings like De Jong, Viera, Kompany, Boateng, Barry and Milner.
We want to play attractive football but we know that the Premier League is physical and some games you have to get stuck in with strong defensive teams such as Bolton and Stoke. So the team and the teams approach can change from game to game. For example we'd play a more defensive team against the likes of Chelsea and attack them on the counter. But if we were playing (for example) West Ham we'd have a more attacking set up. It also depends if you're playing at home (more attacking) or away (more defensive).
You have been spoilt Eso, this season has been really entertaining, Chelsea getting beaten 3 times, Man Utd dropping points. Promoted teams upsetting the bigger boys. You really can't predict the weekend results. Its still very open and Arsenal are slowly and quietly accumulating points. The league is changing from the "Big Four" to a slightly more open league.
Like I was saying the other day about the World Cup teams are getting more organised and there are some great managers in the League so anything can happen. The Premier League is in great health. Bolton are currently 5th on 19 points and Blackpool are 15th on 15 points. Thats 4 points (3 points for a win, 1 for a draw) seperating 10 teams i.e half the league which is great from a football fans view.
You'd love it in England Eso, you go to the shop and you get served by an Arsenal fan and end up talking about football for 10 mins. You see your mate and talk about "that" goal, you go to the pub and you get other football fans shouting at you lol. You go to watch the Village team on Sunday morning and you talk to the other fans about your Premier League teams game that day or the result the day before.
When your team loses these same fans give you banter but its all great fun.
Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2 are vital weekend viewing, football with a nice touch of humour.I was wearing my City shirt last week before the derby and a City fan who I'd never met started speaking to me about the upcoming derby game, you gotta love that.
Peace.
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P fan #1
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,415Posted 15 years ago #Good question.
Well football is definetly the biggest sport in England, myself I cannot stand Rugby. Cricket is only good when we're playing the Aussies (Yet again banter) so I guess it could be.
But we all unite as one, even non football fans when (usually when they're not a complete shambles) England play especially in big competitions.
But yes Football brings together a lot of people who prehaps you wouldnt speak to because you dont know their interests.
But football provides a common ground.
And I guess if there were other sports just as big we wouldnt have such a big community of friendly fans.So in the US with so many Sports, Leagues, Teams etc is there less of a connection with other fans?
I mean in England if you go to a pub to watch a game between 2 Premier League teams you could probably find about 6 different teams being represented by people in the pub. Do you get that much over there?
Or would you only get fans of the teams playing (any sport) and would there be a big rivalry?Dont get me wrong some fans hate other fans but generally its good vibes.
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P fan #1
Joined: May '05
Posts: 1,528Posted 15 years ago #I'm sure if I went to bars more often, I'd come across the same camaraderie. Maybe I'm just romanticizing the English game, but the atmosphere just appears more appealing to me. Sure tailgating for a Bears game is an awesome experience but that only happens 8 times a year. With baseball, there are too many games and the Cubs play the most day games of any team so you tend to miss a lot of the games because you're working.
But for me, the EPL season is perfect. It's stretched over the course of about 9 months. Several different types of competitions. I can only imagine sitting in a pub before the game just chatting it up about how Wilshere will dominate the game or how Fabregas will amaze us or how Vermaelen is one of the best center backs in the game. Then making our way to the game to chants songs all game and watch our team play their brand of football and simply be entertained for 2 hours or so. Then afterwards, regaling in the victory or drowning sorrows at the pub again. Sounds like the perfect Saturday evening to me. Considering that I've paid $200+ to sit in the nose bleed seats at Soldier Field for Bears games and about $100 to have nice seats at Wrigley Field for Cubs games, EPL games seem reasonably priced especially considering the festive atmosphere. I've sat and watched youtube videos people have shot while at Arsenal games. Simply amazing. I'm sure its the same at EVERY EPL stadium.
I need to make every effort to get over there, whether to visit or relocate. EPL just seems to have become my new calling. One of those things where you feel you just "have" to be there. But, sadly, it probably won;t happen unless I win the Lottery.
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