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Soccer Sunday: Your Running Commentary

RomaJuve (Getty Images Europe)

By JUSTIN FERGUSON

While the Third Round of the FA Cup and the first weekend of the Liga MX Clausura season wrap up Sunday, the headlining match will take place in Italy as Serie A’s top two clubs square off in Turin.

First-place Juventus hold a five-point lead over unbeaten, second-place AS Roma heading into Sunday’s clash at their home stadium, and they will be looking to avenge Roma’s 1-0 victory in their last meeting. Juve, who have won the back-to-back Serie A titles, could give themselves a major boost in their quest for a three-peat by earning their 10th consecutive victory and handing Roma their first of the season.

In England, London clubs Chelsea and West Ham United hit the road in FA Cup action against Championship-level clubs. West Ham look to end their dreadful run of form at Nottingham Forest, and Chelsea will try to keep their winning streak alive against Derby County. The day’s action from England will end at Old Trafford, where Manchester United host Swansea City, who they defeated in the first match of their English Premier League season.

In Mexico, the 2013 Clausura champions Club Leon travel to Atalante in the weekend’s final match. But before the defending champions take the field, Pumas will host Puebla in a Sunday afternoon matchup at Estadio Olimpico Universitario.

Enjoy the action. (Today’s TV schedule is after the jump):

7am – Nottingham Forest vs. West Ham United – Fox Sports 2/Fox Deportes

7:45am – St. Mirren vs. Celtic – Fox Soccer Plus

9:15am – Derby County vs. Chelsea – Fox Sports 1

10am – Barcelona vs. Elche – beIN Sport USA

11:30am – Manchester United vs. Swansea City – Fox Sports 1

12pm – Fiorentina vs. Livorno – beIN Sport USA

12pm – Osasuna vs. Espanyol – beIN Sport en Español

1pm – Pumas vs. Puebla – Univision

2pm – Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao – beIN Sport en Español

2:45pm – Juventus vs. Roma – beIN Sport USA

6pm – Atlante vs. Club Leon – Univision Deportes

Comments

  1. Just my opinion, but the death of Eusabio rates an obituary or tribute/compilation video on any soccer site worth its salt, something more than a few comments in the match-day thread.

    RIP

    Reply
  2. Man! Who did Benedict Rossi screw over to deserve his luck!?

    Looking like another long lay off from a cruciate ligament (right knee)

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    • damn that would be brutal if it was another ACL tear.

      3 times before 27, that’s just terrible.

      Well, its italys problem, not ours.
      If he suited up for the U.S. and we were hoping for him to lead our team into this years WC, and he tore his ACL right before? I’d be super disappointed. But since he’s not, meh.

      Reply
    • Remember how Ives had switch it over to where all the new comments appeared on top? Everyone got their panties in a bunch and now we are back to this system.

      Your comment was too funny BTW! haha

      Reply
  3. JOZY IS NOT VERY GOOD SO WE SHOULD START OTHER FORWARDS INSTEAD OF JOZY
    IM GLAD KILNSMAN DID NOT BRING HIM TO THE WORLD CUP SQUAD

    Reply
      • For all the hate I received by saying this would happen, this almost makes me happy, which is pretty sick.

        But what did ppl expect? “Oh, look how hard Jozy working” and “can’t you see he’s the best player on the team, it’s the service!” Well I’m sorry he’s not getting 8 clear cut chances to score a game and only 1 or 2, but never the less their clear cut.

        Fletcher scores. Did it for Barnsley, did it for wolves and now for Sunderland. And don’t expect to see Jozy paired with him much. Cellar dwellers don’t play with two strikers unless it’s a game they really think they can win at the end of the game.

        Hope to god Fletcher breaks a leg everyone, because even if he only scores 1 goal every three games, the strike rate will be better then Jozy’s and our starting WC forward will be riding the bench come WC time.

    • Sunderland should forget about all other competitions and focus in staying up.
      If Jozy had scored half the easy chances he’s had this season Sunderland wouldn’t be worried about relegation.

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      • I’m not going to list them, but there’ve been chances in at least 3 games before this one where he just totally bit it. Now, I’m more sympathetic to JA than a lot of people, but even he’d say he needs to do better on finishing.

        OTOH, I would defend his production wrt assists, link-up, and hold-up play quite vociferously.

      • Jozy has missed a sitter in each of his last three appearances. And we’re not talking about half-chances–we’re talking about complete sitters–just a few yards out.

      • The last one (from last week) anyone could have missed. I’ve seen Tevez miss those little hooping tricky rebounds so I’m not as hard on him about those “Half Chances”.

      • there’s no discussing it with some posters. they’ve been posting Jozy’s last rites since before Poyet took over!

  4. So Man U knocked out of the FA Cup by Swansea at Old Trafford. David Moyes did not look so good after the game. Is it possible that Sir Alex arranged this mess to enhance his legacy? Or maybe to be called back at midseason to rescue a sinking ship?

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    • that’s hard to believe, knowing fergie (especially the ‘comeback’ part), but i’ve definitely thought the same thing about him leaving the team in less-than-desirable circumstances.

      i think it’s more likely that they’re just a mediocre team who were over-achieving under fergie.

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      • Probably Sir Alex truly thought Moyse was the man and in his heart hoped that Manchester United would be wildly successful in this first year of his retirement and that Man U would win the league championship, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Capital One cup. In other words, I am sure that the meek and humble Sir Alex is hoping that the team turns itself around under his hand-picked successor and is more successful than it was the past few years under him. Yep, I honestly believe that.

      • He’s panicking is what’s happening. He can’t help it. He sees the club struggling and he’s all Andy about it. He knows he needs to step back and let the club transition, but he can’t help himself from interfering anyways because he probably still feels he can and would be doing better. It’s like one person watching another person struggling to open a jar, and the first can’t restrain himself and yelps, “let me do it” or “give it here” and snatches the jar away

      • Mr Nate

        “i think it’s more likely that they’re just a mediocre team who were over-achieving under fergie”

        Take the team that just lost to Swansea and put either a healthy, in form RVP or a healthy in form motivated Rooney on it and you beat Swansea and a lot of other teams. Or better yet put both on the team.
        Players like them paper over a lot of cracks.

      • yeah, ‘mediocre’ was a poor choice of words. rather, any team who needs a rooney and/or van persie to beat swansea et al at home doesn’t sound like even a champions league-level team, much less english champions.

    • Idk how they expect Moyes to work things out there with Fergie’s presence hanging over the club and his head still.

      He’s a smart man and should know what sort of pressure he’s exerting on the situation by “advising” Moyes about personnel and still dictating the clubs direction from the top. Then he doesn’t even try to be Deseret about the situation, showing up in the stands completely visible to everyone in the Stadium. He could at least have the decency to hide in the shadows somewhere

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      • After the game and after showing Moyse, who truly looked ill, they showed Sir Alex and he was in a heavy discussion with a few other people. I could not see his face, but I am wondering if there a sly little grin 🙂

      • All you SAF and Moyes mind readers,

        Has Charles Xavier contacted you guys yet?

        If not I’m sure Magneto could protect you and your fellow mind reading mutants from the government as well and he can be unpleasant.

        Xavier is the shaven headed one in the wheel chair.

      • HAHA That’s exactly what I was thinking. These guys make up a rumor and then run wild with it.
        It must be hell living in their heads.

      • A rumor I’ve made up? It’s not even speculation that Fergie’s still holds a position in the club and that he speaks with Moyes regularly and “advises” him. Look it up. Must be hell being a moron, tbh.

      • Was there a press release on this or just something else the voices in your head told you? “He’s panicking is what’s happening. He can’t help it. He sees the club struggling and he’s all Andy about it. He knows he needs to step back and let the club transition, but he can’t help himself from interfering anyways because he probably still feels he can and would be doing better. It’s like one person watching another person struggling to open a jar, and the first can’t restrain himself and yelps, “let me do it” or “give it here” and snatches the jar away”

      • don’t know who is reading minds, but it doesn’t take much to be able to speculate how much pressure Moyes is under in the shadow of SAF, or the pressure any manager in Moyes’ position would be post SAF

      • meant to say that ferguson stated that he was not in favor of moyes as his successor. you guys are getting a little too deep in this conspiracy theory.

  5. Swansea bounces Man Untied from the FA Cup after Fabio gets the ketchup coupon. Still time for Moyes and Bob Bradley to switch clubs…

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  6. Don’t know if there are many portuguese readers on this site, but Eusebio passed away today. Huge icon, wish I got to see him play in his prime.

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    • I completely agree Eusebio or the Black Panther/Black Pearl was an amazing player. Unfortunately, all I saw were clips, but I knew people who watched him play and said that he was simply amazing. At points, he completely carried the team. He played for Portugal, but he was the first world class African player (Mozambique was Portuguese colonial property during his time, so played for Portugal).

      Reply
    • No way is Beasley the best LB in the pool.He shouldn’t be our starter for much longer.For starters Eric Lichaj has been playing LB the past couple weeks.Tim Ream has gotten some starts there for Bolton this season.Finally Greg Garza got the start at LB yesterday for Tijuana and looks to have displaced Castillo.Greg is a tank that has the motor to get up and down the wing.Hes the kind of fullback Klinsi likes to utilize.

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      • I agree that he isn’t the best LB. He’s still horrible defensively. Truly, he is. He doesn’t have the discipline of being brought up as a defender to stay concentrated on his positional awarness for 90 min. Despite what we’ve seen in some games in the USMNT, he’ll slip I know it.

        I wouldn’t say Lichaj for LB, but I know Fabian Johnson is still the best guy there. The problem Jurgen faces is that everyone likes Beas and he’s been captain and respected and until he has reason enough to drop him, he can’t. Garza is great I agree, but the problem with him is that this will be the only time frame he’s had as a starter and that’s not enough time for a player to be able to say he should start.

        Tim Ream I’d like to see in camp again though. Wonder how he’d look for us at LB

    • This 5 man defense is NOT worked for Puebla all day. The attackers just aren’t dynamic enough to cause trouble, which leads to their defense being exposed whenever they have a failed counter. I enjoy being able to see Beas go from his own touch line to into the opponents box, but their attacks already always broken up and then their exposed completely. Pumas has been on the front foot all since the opening

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      • Wow. Puebla with a chance to put the ball into an open net in 82nd to make it 2-1 Pumas and the guy finds the side netting.

      • Wowwww. In the 93rd, last minute the keeper takes a Puebla player down off a bad back pass and it’s a PK! Chance to tie for Puebla

      • And it’s tied. Carlos Sanchez, the Uruguayan ties it up. I’m pissed if I’m a Pumas fan, they absolutely gave the game away, thinking they’d won already

  7. Jozy getting the assist is something, brings him to 6 assist across all competitions and 1 goal. that is a team high number of assists. Fletcher is at 3 goals and no assists.

    looking forward to the Roma game. crossing my fingers MB gets the start.

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    • +1

      Jozy is doing more for the offense than the entire midfield…Would love to see Bradley/Jones move to Sunderland and help him out.

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      • since their win over Southampton in the beginning of November in the C1Cup when Jozy assisted both goals, they are 5-4-4 in all comps I think, all under Poyet (not sure when he took over but it’s around that time), that’s not bad on a changing team.

        anyway, do you think Sunderland’s midfield could use an MB or JJ? together on the Nats it’s not like they’ve been some amazing pairing, maybe just one of them would fit better there in our fantasy world of soccer. I do believe either one would help address that team’s biggest problem which is linking into the final 3rd so chances can be created

    • Stop with such logistical things like statistics.
      Jozy has 1 goal, Fletcher has 3 – so Fletcher > Jozy.
      Jozy can’t score against a lower league team so he sucks.

      Reply
  8. hopefully EJ brings some serious game to DCU and gets in a groove and finds his zone before brasil. we are going to need both he and altidore playing at their best this summer. fortunately jozy can find a higher gear on a moments notice, but EJ needs to be firing on all cylanders choc full of confidence going into brasil, to be at his best.

    Reply
      • He hasn’t supplanted EJ yet.

        I agree he’s immensely more talented, but he hasn’t produced in a USMNT shirt yet like EJ’s done.

      • I like EJ as our super sub to come in and mix it up with his speed and physical play. Even if that means we see him at LW.

      • I’m trying to remember if it was a start or of the bench where he came in and played as a LW and sucked. I think it was a start in a friendly. I know he had the one start against Guatemala and looked good enough, but yeah as a sub on the LW I wouldn’t mind, especially late in games

      • I’m pretty sure EJ has been our best forward the last two years, that’s why he’s led our forwards in team appearances and goals. So AJ has 2 years of catching up to do.

      • Seriously? EJ has 5 goals to Jozy’s 8 this year. More assists too. Last I checked Ej didn’t set any record streaks either. Jozy may have been MIA for Klinsman in 2012 but Johnson still only scored twice and tied Jozy in assists. Meh.

  9. And Jozy with the assist on SAFC’s third. Both ESPN fc and Safc.com commentary suggest Jozy’s pass set up the goal so not a MLS or hockey assist.

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    • Yes and to the 80′ sub. “Debut goal for El Hadji Ba. Great team effort in the build-up as Altidore picked up Johnson’s pass and turned it into the path of the chasing Ba. Sunderland 3 Carlisle United 1.”

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  10. Oh well, he must be really tortured by his performance. No confidence. “Colback and Ba link up well in the middle. Colback sees Johnson in space on the left and threads it through. The wingers sends the ball forward and Altidore misses the chance to shoot for around 3 yards out.”

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  11. He must be doing something right; he has not been substitued, but “Bardsley swept the ball into the box and the ball is knocked down to Altidore inside the six yard box, who takes too long and the keeper denies him a chance at goal.”

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    • And according to safe.com… “the wingers send the ball forward and Altidore misses the chance to shoot for around 3 yards out.” Well that’s incredibly clear. Did he miss a “sitter”, did Johnson just whip in a “hopeful” ball or..?

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  12. So, how is Jozy doing?

    Seems to me that is in MAJOR trouble.

    He is a head case and looks like he is getting the better of himself. Too bad really.

    Reply
    • Relax. He’s starting, generally playing well in a top league. He’s just in a goal scoring slump. It happens, especially at a club like SAFC. Youre not even watching this match are you?

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      • This is some professional level homerism. He just lost his starting spot in the league matches. And he just didn’t score against probably the easiest team they’ll play all year. He missed several easy chances including a sitter.

        He’s been an abject failure at this point. He’s been so poor his teammates refuse to pass to him in many cases now.

      • You didn’t even see the game, yet you’re commenting as if you know everything about it. That tells me everything I need to know about the value of your opinion.

      • No, I didn’t watch the game. The reason being; I couldn’t.

        Did you guys get to actually watch the game? I was under the impression that NO ONE was watching, unless you were actually at the stadium.

        I think you were trying to take a jab at me, no? Well, it didn’t work man. 😉

      • I have to disagree. It is major trouble.

        1) It’s half way through the season. Time to shine is diminishing and slipping away…
        2) He has missed several chances in numerous games that he simply shouldn’t have missed. Yes, some were only “half-chances” (or however you would like to label them) but at least two of them should have been put away. He is a multi-million dollar professional athlete, whose responsibility on his team is to score goals. He isn’t doing that and has enough time and chances to show that he can.
        3) His teammates and supporters of the club simply don’t care for him. You see it on the field and you can read about it off of it.
        4) Despite his physical attributes he doesn’t make enough out of them on the field. He is good at drawing fouls but he needs to fight a little more, give that “extra” to make more for himself. If you remember the first game of the season against Fulham that is what I am talking about.
        5) This is about as easy as it’s going to get as far as competition goes. He simply can’t afford not scoring in a game like this one.

        Look, I am one of Jozy’s biggest supporters. I think he is all class and would tear it up with a better team but he needs to do better. He simply needs to change his mindset. You can see it during games. He gets frustrated and his game drops, usually leading to a foul or stupid card.

      • 1. knee jerk reaction given no one else on that team is doing anything. Fletcher has 3 goals but no assists, for example.

        2. yes, yes he did. he is in a slump and lacking confidence. but as Nicol said on espnfc, every striker misses sitters. it’s going to happen. but every single analyst agrees this slump is nowhere near the end of the world.

        3. that is complete conjecture. have you talked to supporters outside of fans on twitter or any other off-line forum? Howard specifically does not have twitter because of the tr0ll$. as for his teammates, are you in the locker room? do you know, for a FACT, that they dislike him? we can all speculate and draw conclusions because they appear to be avoiding passing to him, but it by no means is fact.

        4. i agree and disagree. he bossed the defender on his disallowed Arsenal goal, he bossed Terry on his Chelsea goal, and of course he bosses Capdevila on his goal in the Confeds Cup in ’09. so i think he has shown he uses his physicality for big goals. but i do agree because i’d like to see it even more.

        5. hard to argue with that one. but i still don’t think it spells, “MAJOR trouble” as you say.

        we can all agree his mindset needs to change. but the guy has been with his club for half a season and people are already freaking out. chill out, recognize he leads the team in assists and that his goals will come. this is the same argument we heard when he was not scoring for the US, and we all know how that turned out once he broke the barrier.

        US fans need to learn patience and have some faith. that does not mean not challenging him, but it means not throwing out phrases like “MAJOR trouble” when a player is in a bit of a rut.

      • (disclaimer, you will see this post twice because the first one was moderated…)

        1. knee j3rk reaction given no one else on that team is doing anything. Fletcher has 3 goals but no assists, for example.

        2. yes, yes he did. he is in a slump and lacking confidence. but as Nicol said on espnfc, every striker misses sitters. it’s going to happen. but every single analyst agrees this slump is nowhere near the end of the world.

        3. that is complete conjecture. have you talked to supporters outside of fans on twitter or any other off-line forum? if not, out of all fans on twitter, how many would you say you’ve had direct conversation with? i’d hope at least a couple thousand otherwise your sample size is statically insignificant. Howard specifically does not have twitter because of the tr0ll$. as for his teammates, are you in the locker room? do you know, for a FACT, that they dislike him? we can all speculate and draw conclusions because they appear to be avoiding passing to him, but it by no means is fact.

        4. i agree and disagree. he bossed the defender on his disallowed Arsenal goal, he bossed Terry on his Chelsea goal, and of course he bossed Capdevila on his goal in the Confeds Cup in ’09. so i think he has shown he uses his physicality for big goals. but i do agree because i’d like to see it even more.

        5. hard to argue with that one. but i still don’t think it spells, “MAJOR trouble” as you say.

        we can all agree his mindset needs to change. but the guy has been with his club for half a season and people are already freaking out. chill out, recognize he leads the team in assists and that his goals will come. this is the same argument we heard when he was not scoring for the US, and we all know how that turned out once he broke the barrier.

        US fans need to learn patience and have some faith. that does not mean not challenging him, but it means not throwing out phrases like “MAJOR trouble” when a player is in a bit of a rut.

      • I hear you man.

        I am very relaxed. It’s too damn hot to be otherwise! (I live in South America).

        As for the Sunderland fans, just go to their Facebook page, message boards, comment sections on anything Sunderland and you will get an idea. I agree that it isn’t all their fans but it’s enough to get an idea. They simply can’t stand him.

        As for this being only half a season in with a new team; the argument doesn’t hold enough water in this sports environment. If he doesn’t performance, he sits and will be out. That is the reality. If I am not mistakes, he is one of the highest paid players on the team. He needs to prove his worth and thus far, it hasn’t been there.

        The honest truth, from me, is that I couldn’t really care less about Sunderland. As long as he performs for the USMNT, I am happy! 🙂

      • that’s the thing, social media is not a big enough population size. we know, as a fact, that people who complain online are always the ones who are the most upset. but the rest hardly ever post because they are content or they are happy. there was a fantastic study on this in the world of politics and online posters.

      • Daniel – i think you missed the point. no one is happy he is missing sitters, but that does not mean the hate him. he still has created 6 goals and scored one himself.

        it’s not a hard point to understand. some angry fans ranting on facebook is hardly conclusive evidence. that’s the point.

      • People on social media are opinionated. I wouldn’t necessarily say negative. Jozy can consistently score against younger subpar talent. He has never proved the ability to consistently create or score on the top level. I’m not going to be too critical because not many Americans can. I do think there are younger strikers in the pool who will pass Jozy by next cycle. I think Jozy will be a career top league, bottom team striker or a consistent threat in a lower league. He isn’t going to reach the ceiling we once thought he could.

      • Daniel – but you are responding to a conversation in which usaalltheway was speaking about all the negative talk on social media mediums. i simply stated that is not enough to make a blanket statement like all Sunderland fans hate Jozy.

        as for your point, when did i say he has? we all agree he needs to be doing more, but it is not the end of the world. or as usaalltheway put it originally (and the reason i even responded), “MAJOR trouble.”

        that is hyperbole, IMO. and again, he still has a team high 6 assists. so out of everyone on his team, he appears to be actually creating goals more than anyone else. problem is, he isn’t finishing his chances are clinically as we all would have hoped. is that good? no, but it’s not the end of the world. and outside of angry US fans posting on blogs, facebook, etc., every professional journalist seems to be of the opinion that it’s not the end of the world. to me, that seems like more objective analysis. he will need to turn it around, but lets give him a full season before feeding him to the wolves.

        as for the last thing you said, i can’t stand people writing off players based on half a season at the age of 24. he has a good 10 years left in his career!

      • question for Daniel – how good did you think he could be, exactly? he is still on pace to potentially do some amazing things in his career. have you given up on him already? are you that uncertain of your own opinions of him as a player because he has not torn up the ell on the worst team in the league during his first couple of months back in the league while dealing with 3 managers, some frustrating misses, and who knows what else?

      • +1, i would just correct that, regarding jozy’s return to form with the usmnt:

        ‘he was not scoring for the US, and we all know how that turned out once’ klinsmann changed up the formation and tactics. if sunderland can do the same thing, jozy will start scoring again.

      • that is true, but JK has gone back to his 4-2-3-1 since then as well. it took the 4-4-2 to get him going again, but it’s not like JK has stuck with that formation for 100% of the games since.

        but i do agree, a change of formation seems smart. and while they played a League One team today, it was a 3-1 win in a 4-4-2. some people will argue until they are blue in their face regarding a relegation zone team playing a 4-4-2, but i’d give it a shot. clearly what they have been doing is not working.

      • i was talking about the change from the 4-3-3, and, more importantly, the tactical change from a possession-based slow buildup to a fast-paced chance-oriented game.

        and i think klinsmann has pretty much stuck to an attacking 4-4-1-1 (which can look like a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2) ever since then.

      • Nate – good point, i actually forgot (or blocked out) the games when we were using a 4-3-3 to no avail. either way, agree completely about the tactical change to a more attacking style having the biggest impact.

  13. Jozy has had two attempts and both failed. “Altidore chases forward and latches onto a cross into the box. He pokes the ball forward and Fleming is there to scoop the effort with ease.”

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      • It is and Jozy had another game where he holds the ball beautifully and even got a nice assist. Sunderlands mid is terrible, cant imagine the standings without his holdup play. If Bradley can’t sniff the field today vs Juve I’d really like to see him try and help out Jozy in Sunderland.

      • Drew,

        “If Bradley can’t sniff the field” you must not be watching roma at all. He has played and played well all season for a quality team with a deep midfield. There is no need to feel embarrassed about wanting him to move to Sunderland as I am embarrassed enough for you

      • No need to get upset, It’s apparent you didn’t read my comment. Keyword was “if,” and that is considering he doesn’t start vs the best team in Italy right now. Bradley’s quality was never in question, I’d just prefer he went somewhere he is valued. I bet Sunderland is wishing they would have offered more this summer while they sit at the bottom of the table.

      • I’m cool with MB being the 4th man to rotate in for pjanic, strootman or de rossi as needed… so long as he keeps getting plenty of PT.

        Roma has arguably one of the top half dozen midfields in the world.

        On the other hand, it would kind of be fun to see what MB could do at Sunderland. Could potentially turn that entire team around.

      • assuming that Roma does not “value” bradley because he does not play against Juve is dumb. Roma probably seriously values 35 or so players as members of the first team (all with different roles and expectations for how and when they contribute). bradley is probably valued somewhere around #15 in their entire program. that is nothing to sneeze at and considering the strength of the club, I hope you understand that not starting against Juventus is not the end of the world for a US player.

  14. Iago Aspas will play as CF. Time to prove himself in the English game. I can’t see him sticking around if he fails today. Great player in Spain, but has been out of position in England, and has been hurt, or invisible.

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  15. “Altidore is one-on-one with keeper Fleming after breaking away from the watch of the United backline, he was through on goal but fired the ball right at the stopper.”

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  16. This Chelsea vs Derby County game, the Derby players have Foresight; Wisdom on the back of their jerseys. Is that a promotion for the insurance group sponsor or am I seeing things?

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  17. Sunderland playing two forwards which is good for Jozy, but shambolic midfield of Celustka, Gardner, Johnson and Larssen. Got to be the worst midfield posted by any BPL club this season.

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  18. Jozy starting against league one(bottom half) Carlisle United, if he can’t score against them then it might really be time to worry.

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  19. Rumors are swirling with an AJ move to Stoke.
    For me it’s better than the rumored move to Celtic since he will play better competion, but the things I have against this transfer or any in particular are:

    1. It’s a January transfer which don’t always usually work out
    2.Jozy’s predicament has me worried about a move to a team like Stoke. There’s better service in Stoke than Sunderland but not too significant. I worry AJ would fall in the dams situation as Jozy with a team with lack of service.
    3. Number 2 can be put aside if you think AJ seems a little better at creating his own chances.
    4. I think a stay at AZ is better for AJ for the World Cup. And if he stays and keeps having the monster season he’s having and does well at the World Cup, bigger and better options will open up.
    5. But that’s just my 2 cents.

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    • That is interesting. I think Stoke would be an excellent fit for Bacon. But also talk that Stoke is close to signing Mame Diouf from Hannover, although Diouf is a pure striker (and IMO excellent) and probably Stoke could use both Diouf and Bacon. But let’s not forger that Dortmund is lurking in the background urgently trying to find Lewandoski’s replacement and probably for Marco Reus, who, sadly, probably will be leaving af WC 2014 for England, maybe Spain. Bacon might be on BVB’s radar, and apparently Diouf already is.

      Anyone have any rumors on Juan Agudelo. I would not be surprised to see him end up in Germany.

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      • Replacing Lewandowski after a good half season at AZ seems way too big a stretch for me. I’d assume they would be looking for a more proven pedigree.

      • yeah, i agree concerning Lewandoski. Dortmund no doubt will splash the cash to bring in a proven striker. That said, Dortmund has proved to be adept at finding young players and bringing them in a developing their talent. And that is what I meant about a possible departure of Reus, who generally plays as an attacking midfielder, which I guess is Bacon’s best position, isn’t it? All that said, it is still debatable whether Bacon is good enough for Dortmund (or, I might add, to be a starter for the USMNT). And, actually, he is not as young as most players at his level that Dortmund bring in.

      • British online papers had him arriving at Stoke yesterday and included pictures at the airport.

        I don’t want to see Juan A and Aron both at Stoke. One would suffer.

        On Jozy at Sunderland vs Aron at Stoke and service …. the difference between the two is Aron can create his own shot and Jozy must rely on others to create for him

      • I’m pretty sure we’re past the point of arguing that Jozy isn’t scoring because he isn’t getting service. Jozy isn’t scoring because of Jozy. Bacon may overtake him.

      • You are? Have you been watching Sunderland? I don’t really agree. Should he have had quick twitch tap in the other day? Sure. By and large Sunderland has nothing flowing through the midfield. You can extoll the virtues of Seb Larsson all you want, I can count the number of good balls to Jozy in the box this season on 2 hands at most. Usually when Sunderland looks dangerous it’s through Jozy or Borini… otherwise it’s been a huge disappointment from giac and johnson, ki and company firing random blasts into the crowd at innoportune times.

  20. I am currently watching the Nottingham Forest v West Ham game.

    One Mr. Eric Lichaj is playing quite nicely at LB. A few well-timed, highly accurate passes up the left flank into the attacking third and one beautifully timed run himself into the box that would have resulted in a goal had the men in the box made a better effort.

    He plays RB. He plays LB. He passes well. He is fast and gets the starts for his team. Why is it again that he shouldn’t be call in to camps? Given the current fullback situation for the USMNT, I find that not calling him up to be strange and confusing.

    And yet, others still call for Chandler…

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