robsblubot

it is. City and Liverpool come to mind. Quality is tested, and is the most needed, against stronger opposition in decisive moments. We did come short in both moments, and that's a fact. We can hope for something better or do something about it. I like Kiernan move, and expect another striker/FW in the same mould to drastically improve our changes next season.

It's going to be a "fun" ride watching all these teenagers learn to play football and become adults one day. BTW, Estevao just scored a wonder goal against Gremio in the south so away from home -- tying the match too. Commentators are calling him Neymar-like talent as in same skill on the ball. For the record, I consider Neymar skill on the ball second only to Messi; it's everything else in him that hindered his career, which happens very often with younger players too.

I agree. It's completely unheard of because it's a very risky approach for a big club -- so much so that it isn't done. The lack of CL for and for such a long time is risky on its own. So, basically we shot ourselves in the food, and as result have been walking around on crutches, but we need to feel good because it's all part of a plan? sorry, I'm not that much a believer. Also, potential is just what the word means, a possibility of something. I feel some are using the word potential as (almost) certainty, which couldn't be farther from the true. It's very possible, even likely, that many of our signing end up nothing better than good PL players in the future. e.g. not providing the competitive advantage many here expect. And to emphasize my point, United had a very poor season -- still better than ours given they've got silverware -- but I'd not count on them being out of contention next season.

So, apparently it's OK to spend *billions* to become a top6 side in the PL? I think we deserve a medal for such an achievement. 🙂 Seriously tho, I think folks are ignoring United and Tottenham struggles last season; I fully expect at least United to be much much stronger in the upcoming season.

Fair enough that you had him in a list, but did you *know* about him? Have you watched him play? know his characteristics? Is he a big fish in a very small pond considering Corinthians level of play today or he's really the big deal? Like I've mentioned before, I skim thru these list to see if I spot someone I know, but it's not something I like doing: research potential players we could potentially sign.

Never heard of him. 😅 Fluminense above is the "geriatric" team of the Brazilian league; Marcelo former Real Madrid, now carrying a fat belly, is the left-back. Fluminense is dead last in the standings for that reason.

Not exactly about the particular issue being discussed, but that's one of the few points between right and left that I find to be a a bit nuanced. Excess labor supply would naturally pressure wages lower, so limiting immigration make labor more scarce, and in turn more valuable. This is a historical weakness of the left here in the US. On the other hand, the right completely ignores any form of automation and blame immigrants for everything.

Stand by a what I said heh. I don’t think past achievements matter one bit do they? Did you not concur this was one of the worst Brazilian sides, so why past achievements should matter for the US team? I was only referring to the level of play on display esp quality shown in the final third. In the at regard they did not deserve any better.

TBF, like I've said before, I'm not against such bets. This is the position where you have to get creative otherwise you will just watch the likes of City and Madrid get the players you want. I just disagree we can go into the PL with him and Jackson, and potentially Nkunku (hopefully injury free for a season) who needs to cover the left wing as well with the rumored departure of Carney. We need another attacker and not another kid. I mean that is if we don't want to watch grass grow again.

😆 USMNT was the worst team in this competition excluding Bolivia of course... and Bolivia, like I said, can only play above 3km high. They managed to lose to Panama and in a game they needed to win against an Uruguay who did not have that much to play for, did not get their goalie to work at all. It was a pretty poor display, and I understand Pulisic as he can't say what he really thinks, the obvious fact he plays alone, but announcers should know better; blame the coach all you want, but their attack is a desert. Pulisic often has to drop back thru the middle to get things going to, which puts him too far from the opposition goal. USMNT is really an awful team and the results only reflect that.

Vini has been playing like shit, so not sure it's such a big loss. Arguably a PK call on him in the first half tho. Was watching him closely today: great player for sure, just nowhere near CR7 and Messi, and that won't change with time-that tight control Naymar has just isn't there. tbf it's a new coach and there is no team yet -- colombia were better from start to finish. James sits on the bench for Sao Paulo FC in Brazil and dominated against all these PL mids. Luis Diaz was really a handful as well. Endrik looked better in 10 min than Vini and Rodrygo all match. Good game tho, esp if you support colombia. Uruguay are slight favs esp with Bielsa at the helm, but I still think it's more like a 50/50... and, like much of the south, I'm very far from being a staunch Brazil fan. I'm so sick of these "old school" brazilian coaches tho... not even toing to go about their tactics -- that should be self-evident given that not a single Brazil manager crosses the border -- but just their demeanor, attire, and complaining about ridiculous things during the entire match... embarrassing.

Oscar joined us when he was 20yo. When you assume all younger players improve, remember Oscar.

Specially because he's been bitching about his contract/signing a new deal. Suspect this signing works as a message as well.

Looks like a solid signing and a player who the manager trusts to execute his ideas on the pitch. Good luck!

However promising he may be, the club has to think about competing in the PL. I don't yet see any movement that *guarantees* a better outcome next season. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Another interesting thing about the deal is that it's a 5y contract; which means it will end when he's 23-24yo.

yes, but you have to act quickly when you spot talent like that; he's got skill on the ball that makes those special CBs, and it appears the personality to back it. I'd definitely be all over that. e.g. he will never become available once he moves to Madrid.

Considering the Supreme Court ruling, perhaps Biden is also not fully using the power of the office? I mean, the immunity ruling also affects Biden as current president. I mean he put do-nothing Garland in charge, so not holding my breath.

I count one solid CB, 2 decent, 2 fairly poor, and one who never plays. It also does not stop us from buying any promising youngster who casts a shadow, so why would CB be any different? We let Andreas go for no good reason eh.

The manager does not think so, and he's the guy who has to convince the players "to suffer" for the better good (of the team). If he's a player the manager trusts, and is attainable which appears to be the case, why not? we need options with different characteristics.

wow that's dug up from the 1950s. 😆 I'd suggest it's the opposite nowadays I think the plan is pretty self-evident and it's really not the first time I've seen it done. I don't believe this approach for a big club because you lose too much during the process as you hinder the development of these players because they don't have the leadership and experience that provide the foundation necessary to fully develop the younger players. That's why I like getting a couple/few players who are at their peaks, like KDH, to help make the team more robust -- increases the chances of CL and in turn not losing talent (current and future) due to lacking CL football.

It's absolutely NOT irrelevant. Not in life and evidently not in football either. It affects athleticism, mentality, and to lesser degree, skill. Never seen a team filled with 19-21 players win shit. 🤷‍♂️

Very much like adding a CM, and Kiernan may have the manager's trust, so it makes sense. I understand we don't have Europe, but I just dislike the idea of having players with pretty much guaranteed spots in the starting XI however well they play; gotta have some competition within the team. That does not only improve match performance, but training too. I'm relaly not a fan of Isak -- he can finish, but he's just too slow for the modern game IMO. For me Jackson is the better footballer even today.

He only plays well for Colombia. I think the reason is that the whole team plays for him and he's simply not good enough for a big team to do the same. Yeah they are always somewhat strong; they often have gaping holes in the squad tho, which makes them less of favorites against Arg and Bra, but I like their style. South of Brazil is a big fan of Uruguay in general.

Maybe... 😉 and if so, my point exactly.

Ironically these debates showcase the absolute LEAST important qualities of a candidate. 🙄 How likable, elegant, eloquent matters little to nothing when running a country. The most important are the ability to pick the right people for the job, and working well with them. Of course, common sense comes a long way as well as logical thinking. Being a decent human being who respects the rule of law would be a nice bonus. 🙂 All of which would make an unconscious Biden, on a ventilator, still the far better candidate eh.