The College Dropout

Biggest problem is young English players don't play enough in the PL, CL and now in the national team. Forget Germany & Spain, we won't even get to the level we where at in the 90's / 00's.

 

Daniel Sturridge is 24 - only had 1 full season of first team action and has just the 15 caps. I don't think he's significantly less talented than a Muller. But his opportunities have been far less.

Bullet dodged there.

 

Gerrard announces his retirement. Fair play. Right time.

Atleast 2 years too late. As much as 4 years imo.

I never understand such comments about international retirement. He is a once great and still very good player that made himself available for selection. There was no contractual obligation to pick and start him continuously.

Lallana, Barkley.....

I'm interested to see what sort of player Barkley will be molded into, someone more attacking, or one dictating from further back. He's a rough, uncut diamond and an extraordinary talent.

I said this after WC10 - we needed to move on from the likes of Gerrard. In the last 4 years we haven't really done anything  that has justified having Gerrard and the like consistently starting for England.

 

 

I've got a question about recovery, and I'll ask you to bear with me while I provide some context.

 

When I was about 30, so eight years ago, one of the reasons I gave up playing football was because I'd play on Sunday and still feel sore on Wednesday, meaning the game would still be with me for more than half the week. At the time, I was skinny but lifestyle and fitness was really quite poor. So I put this poor recovery down to these two factors (plus getting older).

 

As mentioned previously, I've lost a stack of weight and a large part of that has been treadmill jogging. My diet's pretty good and I thought I was in decent shape. So I ran in our school cross country run on Friday - 3.7km along a gently hilly, dirt road. I did it in 17 minutes, meaning I was running at just under double what I do daily on the treadmill and on an obviously very different surface. (I had to step it out because I was running against students, and you've got no idea the honour at stake!)

 

After a nightly jog I'm sweaty but otherwise fine, but after this run I'm still aching on Monday night. Thighs (quads, hamstrings and whatever the outer side muscles are) and calves are sore to the touch and I can still feel them when I walk. I tried weights on Saturday - curls and extensions - but haven't done them since because they were so sore. Similarly I'm not game to jog on the treadmill until I'm moving a bit easier. I've been doing my daily yoga but not feeling like it's helping much.

 

One of my motivations for losing the weight was to play one more season of football, but this has really got me doubting if I want to do it. Can I expect this after-match soreness just because I'm 38 years old? What can you recommend to help with recovery? I take magnesium supplements already, but are there any other micronutrients that might help? Inreasing protein? Particular stretching or warmdown routines I might try?

 

It's really knocked me around that this is knocking me around so much. The missus has been suggesting fun runs and the like but f*** that for a joke if this is the result! Any advice would be welcome...

 

This is way out my health knowledge comfort zone but i'll give it a go.

 

1 thing I know about the body is any shock the system will result in pain. Therefore, running on a treadmill isn't great preparation for running outdoors. You want to run outdoors for races, that's how you should train. If you want to play football - you'll need to do similar exercises in the week. Not at the same intensity obviously but you need to keep your body used to the movements. Running outside, sprint intervals on grass - maybe some light ball work. Make sure you do all the proper stretching you need. If you can do that type of training twice a week then you play on Sunday, it should go some way to help the soreness. Your body will be more used / prepared for it. Your body doesn't get used to something if it only happens once a week.

 

After your sessions (the football and the other stuff) - chug a protein shake down your throat and consider having a cold shower. Cold showers supposedly help with lactic acid. I'd make sure to have a good amount of carbs and a good nights sleep before and after the game.

Anyone know how I would go about finding a personalised nutrition plan without actually paying a PT? Any good sites that are the next best thing?

I think it's best to educate yourself on nutrition. Set goals then set calories & macros needed to achieve such goals. From there you'll look at the types of foods needed to reach those goals.

 

The "bro foods" are a good start - but you need to know why all the bro's love em however.

Benzema complements the likes of Bale and Ronaldo very well, imho. I agree he's underrated, even the Real Madrid fans I know don't seem to like him much.

Don't understand why Madrid don't realise this. Likewise ADM.

 

They don't? They haven't sold him yet and only rumours that they're actually looking to bring someone in. I think they wouldn't have sold Higuain had they not realised this tbf.

 

It seems to me whenever Real sign a new Galactico or big money signing - they let the footballing world know that players just below the Galactico level are available for the right price. I don't see Benzema going this season however as they are short on options upfront.

So who are England's two central midfielders now? Henderson and Wilshere?! Yikes.

We'll qualify for the Euros regardless now the whole of Europe basically gets to join in. They need international experience. All the young lads do.

Benzema complements the likes of Bale and Ronaldo very well, imho. I agree he's underrated, even the Real Madrid fans I know don't seem to like him much.

Don't understand why Madrid don't realise this. Likewise ADM.

Gerrard announces his retirement. Fair play. Right time.

Atleast 2 years too late. As much as 4 years imo.

Madrid are taking years off Alonso's career the way he has to do so much donkey work.

 

Benzema does well but they need another option.

                          Benzema

Ronaldo              James              Bale

                  Kroos      Khedira

 

 

Weaker than last seasons team, i expect that to be scoffed at but this isn't Fifa and the best teams will exploit the lack of defensive cover.

 

Last season's transfer policy was a step in the right direction. Isco, Bale, Illa, Carvahal but I don't like their business this season. Alonso needs replacing & Illa didn't look likely to make that step but he deserved a proper chance at it. Isco had a good season, why get another #10 when the formation deployed for most of the season didn't even include one?

 

 

In recent years he's brought through Varane and I guess Santon off the top of my head. I generally agree with the point and one of those is a truly exceptional talent.

Fatman will always try to make sure we have a team good enough for comfortable safety. And if not, he'll go again in January/kick Pardew out.

 

We'll never look to kick on however. Never. As soon as we have a good team with an ounce of depth. Someone will be sold.

Did a complete 180 on Debuchy. Ended the season as one of my favourite players. Wish him well with a serious club.

Problem for players like Ba & those who can't really cut it at the CL clubs in England, Spain and Germany but are still very good is that England aside few other teams in those leagues have the resources to buy a player on CL wages therefore there is only really Russia & Turkey left aside from the Middle East.

 

Shame really.

Why is it a shame? Players shouldn't be trading in Ajax for NUFC - but they do. Other nations should be able to build strong leagues/teams.

 

If you mean from a selfish POV then I agree.He'll be a loss to the league.

I just find it highly ironic. Why does Ronaldo et al think all these French and Dutch players who come from clubs where they are used to winning stuff flock to come and play at Newcastle? To enjoy the Northumbrian countryside?

Exactly this. We have players coming from AJAX to Newcastle United. A club with a more successful history, who win trophies and regularly play in Europe.

 

They join for money and to be in the best shop window to earn more money (and perhaps challenge for honours).

 

This is not aimed directly at Ronaldo. I've seen plenty of people with a PL + La Liga + a handful of other clubs as the only clubs worth having good players.

Perfect club for Ba, tbh. Turkey and Russia are definitely the spot for talented African strikers who would star in midtable sides, are motivated by money, would fail at top clubs, and still want a competitive league/environment. See: Sow, Emenike, N'Doye, Doumbia, Musa, etc. Add Ba now.

 

It's sad, like. I know they've been brought up with nothing and thus lean towards making as much as possible in their footballing window but all of them could have good careers in proper leagues at clubs with fans who'd revere them.

Think we under-rate those leagues tbf. They are hardly Scotland. They regularly put in decent shifts in Euro comps in those divisions. Win trophies. I don't see why playing for Aston Villa is a better look.

I'm strictly talking great moments.  Messi and co. are all more consistent, there's no argument there. If that's your definition of greatness, fair enough.

 

 

Galactic Madrid were not a great team.  We know that much. Barcelona are a brilliant team - probably better than the sum of it's parts.  Including Messi.

 

The #10 talk was in response to someone saying Messi was better than Zidane at everything except grace.  And that he could play the Xavi role.

Some under-rating of Zidane going on here like. Please YT Zidane vs Portugal Euro 2000 - this is how the best player in the world is supposed to lead his country. Helping his team mates raise their game.

 

 

Messi better than Zidane at everything except elegance? Ludicrous. Messi could never be the #10 Zidane was. YT Zidane vs Brazil 2006 With English Commentary itv Coverage - look how he's controlling that game and tell me Messi can do it.

 

All the Barca players - as much as I love them, they are "system players". I think Iniesta is the closest thing we have to Zidane but his game works brilliantly within the system the rest of the team is benefiting from - all on the same page.

 

I do think Messi's the better player. Sometimes I think Iniesta is a better player. But Zidane's "greater". If I could pick 1 to lead my side into a WC final - i'd pick Zizou.

 

Messi will be more like Xavi when he slows down imo. His passing and vision even now are on that level, he just has less need to use it. Zidane is really nothing better than Messi imo, I totally get him being more enjoyable to watch in terms of his style but Messi has done things I thought were impossible, whereas Zidane has done wonderful and difficult things and made it look graceful.

 

I don't think he will. He doesn't have that same appreciation of his team-mates as Xavi or Zidane. He holds on to the ball far longer than is necessary these days. I was lucky enough to see Messi in the flesh this season, it was the first time I noticed it and again more pronounced at the World Cup. He's not looking for his team-mates straight away like Zidane would.

I just hate that WC success gets so much praise than beaten the best in the CL, which is a much higher level these days especially.

 

Also while we are on the subject of Zidane being better, what a lot of people have forgotten is the very same Zidane was kept quiet in a CL final by Paul Lambert.

 

Because it didn't happen on the international stage it doesn't matter apparently.....

 

Vladimir Smicer has scored in a CL Final. We can play this game all night. There's genuinely (in my lifetime) not a WC final equivalent. When a man's scored 3 goals in world cup Final's we are going to remember.

 

The thing with Messi is he's a part of the greatest club side we've ever seen. A club side so good, it basically won 2 CL's, 2 Euro's & a WC. The best player yes but also in the best team.

 

Walcott is one of their best players no doubt. Big blow for Arsenal and England. Real pace. If teams play deep you play into the other lads strengths.

Wham signing Enner Valencia for £12m. No thanks.

You just don't pay £12m for a player who plays in Mexico and has only had 2 or 3 good games at any sort of competitive level.

 

I'm sure the West Ham owners are determined to make the club bust.

 

25 as well. Could be a master stroke, could be well suited to the prem and will do a fantastic job for them, but to me just stinks of World Cup hype quadrupling a players value and some mug paying it. Hope it's the latter of course.

It's all World Cup hype, I doubt they knew about him before hand, hence why he's only just joined the Mexican team instead of signing directly for them.

 

Gyan mark 2

 

Gyan's a solid player imo.

For me the whole effort things is more down to his demeanor than his play. He does walk around a bit a look a little disinterested at times, but he's been doing that for a while now, once he gets the balls he's just as explosive and amazing to watch. I also prefer watching him on the right than anywhere else, but it's crazy to think that he could have won the World Cup having played in that sort of reserved way.

 

I dunno, he's still the best I've seen and that's all that anyone can ever really say anyway imo.

 

We can argue the Messi/Maradona/Pele debate until the end of time, but it's never going to be a fact is it?

 

To me, Messi is the greatest of all time, he's the greatest I've seen, by some way. It's all opinion based and can never be decided, but then I guess that's what makes the debate so interesting (well, sometimes at least).

 

Michael Jordan,

Michael Schumacher Argument

Need to see it to believe it.

 

Only those that were fortunately enough to watch Pele And Mara knew how good they were. Messi lacks the passion imo, he is up there in terms of technique and skill but lacks the leadership and passion for me. He doesnt lead his teams to greater heights like most  big game winners. Even ordinary people who only watches football for the world cup thought he is an average player, meaning he didnt play well enough to separate himself from the rest clearly.

 

Interesting that you brought up those two.For me, football is moreofa team sport than the other two's sports. I know due to his own quality - Schumacher was able to get the 2nd or 3rd best cars by a distance competing for titles. Don't know about the Bulls.

 

 

Messi doesn't elevate his team-mates. That I am sure of. Neither does Cronaldo tbf. From what I read/heard Pele /Maradona certainly had that ability.

 

 

Harsh criticism you may think but the context with which we're talking about him is about whether he's the greatest ever. He was a disappointment at this tournament IMO. Mitigating factors, yes, but he didn't excel at all.

 

That's it for me.