awesome dawson
Mitchell Thomas
Vintage Zidane clip..
Vintage Zidane clip..
Any chance we can send him back? not really needed is he.
Any chance we can send him back? not really needed is he.
hahahaha just remembered that he is due to come into the team too
Funny thing is, although it might be romantic and nostalgic, certain eras have certain strengths. There was a lot of defensive greats in the mid- to late 90's, while the years after that was dominated by great midfielders. Nowadays seems to be an all-time low in regards of defenders. Except maybe Van Dijk, I would be hard pressed to quickly fill the back 4 in a cheating game of Championship Manager. Good thing is, I think we will see quite a lot of weird scorelines this season. In fact, there's not an abundance of fantastic strikers (prime) either, come to think of it. We are lucky to have one, but dare I say not at the same level as pre-injuries.It makes me laugh because after a 6-1 and 7-2 in our last two games, all I can think is
- Against a team with Reguilon +attacking RB, Lo Celso and Ndombele in midfield, Son, Kane, Bale up front and a bench with Lamela, Bergwijn, Lucas, Dele, Vinicius
Someone this season is going to get completely smashed and taken apart ..
Funny thing is, although it might be romantic and nostalgic, certain eras have certain strengths. There was a lot of defensive greats in the mid- to late 90's, while the years after that was dominated by great midfielders. Nowadays seems to be an all-time low in regards of defenders. Except maybe Van Dijk, I would be hard pressed to quickly fill the back 4 in a cheating game of Championship Manager. Good thing is, I think we will see quite a lot of weird scorelines this season. In fact, there's not an abundance of fantastic strikers (prime) either, come to think of it. We are lucky to have one, but dare I say not at the same level as pre-injuries.
I tip my hat to you good sir, that is a splendid analysis. Still, regarding roles you have to have an understanding at the back, not necessarily the sole defensive monster. Many things have been tried, including the obsolete sweeper, it still comes down to having a great pair and even better, a great line. Like the fantastic backlines of 90's AC Milan and Man Utd, even (hark, spit) Arsenal. Admittedly the focus on the game was different, but still. If Sol had stayed, think of the impenetrable defense we could have had with a healthy King. None of those exists today, not even the types. I believe the last great defensive pair (that I know of, and of course in a totally unbiased opinion) was for us with Verthongen and Alderweireld, and even that's a stretch.Part of it stems from the blurring of roles in the modern game. A defender cannot solely be a monster at the back anymore - he has to be able to bring the ball out with both feet, pass into spaces, see the plays, participate in the buildup. Likewise, the striker has to drop deep, participate in the buildup, press the opponent, keep the ball moving.
A lot of specialization in football has been sacrificed for a raising of the general standard of play. What that has produced are excellent generalists, but only a few really notable specialists, or renowned practitioners of their art. The modern defender is a player like Todibo from Barcelona - good playmaker, good technical player, but only an acceptable defender. That makes it harder for them to hone their skills at the latter.
It also has to do with more general awareness of tactics and systems across football - in modern discourse, fans and players alike understand that systems are what enable players to thrive or struggle.The space for and recognition of individual mavericks is much reduced, and the coach really is king.
Spot on.Part of it stems from the blurring of roles in the modern game. A defender cannot solely be a monster at the back anymore - he has to be able to bring the ball out with both feet, pass into spaces, see the plays, participate in the buildup. Likewise, the striker has to drop deep, participate in the buildup, press the opponent, keep the ball moving.
A lot of specialization in football has been sacrificed for a raising of the general standard of play. What that has produced are excellent generalists, but only a few really notable specialists, or renowned practitioners of their art. The modern defender is a player like Todibo from Barcelona - good playmaker, good technical player, but only an acceptable defender. That makes it harder for them to hone their skills at the latter.
It also has to do with more general awareness of tactics and systems across football - in modern discourse, fans and players alike understand that systems are what enable players to thrive or struggle.The space for and recognition of individual mavericks is much reduced, and the coach really is king.
That would do very well please and thank you.What are people expecting from Bale this season? Stats-wise. His presence alone has lifted the whole place and but are your views on the following 3 stats:
- Games
- Goals
- Assists
Personally I’m not at all sure what to expect but I’m going for 28 games, 15 goals, 10 assists
I think that's a stretch. If he could get 20 points total (goals and assist), that would be extremely good. Even Kane and Lewandowski will struggle to reach almost 1 goal/assist per game.What are people expecting from Bale this season? Stats-wise. His presence alone has lifted the whole place and but are your views on the following 3 stats:
- Games
- Goals
- Assists
Personally I’m not at all sure what to expect but I’m going for 28 games, 15 goals, 10 assists
Where true love is concerned, all objectivity goes out the window.That would do very well please and thank you.
I find it difficult to think straight when it comes to Bale. So difficult to judge his most recent seasons, so difficult to judge how returning to us will impact him, so difficult to logically evaluate something so emotional. Just thinking about him getting on the ball for the first time makes me all tingly jolly excited. How am I supposed to have anything other than outrageous expectations.
Just want to see him in action. See him in our shirt again. In a way just get out started, enjoy it and start talking about him playing football for us rather than him having signed.
I hadn't thought of the heart sign. Will he make the heart sign? At us? Do you think he really likes us back? Can someone pass him a note with a little heart drawn on it signed by all of us. He's so dreamy. Do you really think he likes us? Oh he couldn't, could he. But what if he does? Will he score us goals?Where true love is concerned, all objectivity goes out the window.
*makes heart sign*
Bale's a lot better than Son.I think that's a stretch. If he could get 20 points total (goals and assist), that would be extremely good. Even Kane and Lewandowski will struggle to reach almost 1 goal/assist per game.
For reference Son had a combined 26 goals and assists in 36 games last season, which is his most prolific season for us.