ponsaelius

I like it if it's replacing friendlies.

I think it's the whole thing. Those that have come back, those that won't make the leap, those that have gone and got lost. Looking at the squad for this game and basically the whole lot is MLS based. Now the MLS is perhaps a good system for football in the US giving past failed leagues, and as much as I hate it I can totally understand why it is the way it is. But if you have this structure and salary cap there needs to be an acceptance that this structurally restricts the level and limits the potential of players. Even with an improved youth program, the aim has to be on jettisoning players to Europe ASAP.

There’s not much evidence for that though. Of all the players who have returned from Europe, Bradley’s the only one who might realistically be playing in a top European league. Guzan and Altidore might be bouncing around the Eredivisie or Scotland. Howard was already finished, Dempsey came back before for the last World Cup and his form really hasn’t dropped for the U.S. since then, and Bedoya never really stuck even when he was in France. In fact, I’d argue that having more MLS-based players has elevated the play of the rest of the teams in the confederation relative to the U.S. and that’s what’s made a big difference this cycle. Well I think that supports my point. All the teams have MLS players. It's levelled the playing field. You need players to be playing and thriving in any European leagues to have an edge over your opponents. Pulisic looks streets ahead of anybody else because he's been kept away from MLS and the entire system. I'm sure it's only one issue but it's got to be relevant. MLS in its current guise might have a lot of positives but it is not a league that will push these players to the required level. Get them the fuck out of there.

The American players goinf back to MLS for the easy life has not done this side any favours whatsoever. In fact I'd directly attribute it to the problems.

Im not trying to rub it in man but that post is so bad Sorry for all the US fans on here

Temporary stands are used in many countries and are safer than they look. Much better idea to do this, retain the old facade and then downsize after the tournament than build a new white elephant from scratch. Ural will not fill 35k ever.

Aye, maybe calling him shite is harsh. I like his attitude but looks like a £6 million striker.

Good shout

Never seen a player score a goal and in the process convince me further how shite he is.

Ohh Christian Atsu he is so wonderful When he scores a goal, its so beautiful, magical When he runs down the wing he's as fast as lightning, it's frightening And it makes all the Geordies sing Something like that

It's Celtic's Scott Sinclair song with Atsu's name in his place.

Didn't miss a game through injury last season and scored 15 goals. Supposedly only out for 6 weeks so he'll be back by January. He can't trap a bag of cement though and runs in a weird lumpy manner. Good in the air and effective for certain teams but you basically have to play through him to get a return.

Wouldn't thank you for Benteke. Think he's shite personally. Crocked as well.

I didn't think Merino was that good.

Good point. We desperately need investment in key areas of the pitch. Very frustrating.

I get the feeling Shelvey was genuinely offended watching his inch perfect ball get absolutely fucking butchered into the net. Shelvey cooked a perfect steak and Joselu put ketchup on it like a motherfucker.

Thought we were poor off the ball and some sloppy defensive play. Lucky to be level really. Liverpool have some class players though.

If the lad genuinely had a migraine then he'd have been in no fit state to play.

Steele got a 4 year deal :lol:

He signed a 3 year deal didn't he? Can't even really afford to sack him.

They genuinely have League One standard players getting a game. Vaughan, Steele, Honeyman, Gooch.

Crumpy Gunt really is the most miserable bastard imagineable, like. Spending his evening watching a ressies game so he can whinge about it all night. He's making me reconsider my attitude. Like Scrooge being shown the ghost of fandom future.

Perhaps because we are playing against a man-marking side with some big players we felt there wasn't the same advantage to be gained from swinging it directly in?

I know people say that but there's a lot to be said for first impressions. Not very often wrong in my opinion. Could see Merino was a player the first time he got hold of the ball for us. This guy was giving me opposite vibes from the off.