World Cup 2022 - Qatar

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Nov 09, 2022 9:24 pm

mister d wrote: Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:59 pm I DON’T AGREE WITH THAT! EVERYTHING I SAW BEFORE TODAY HAD PEPI AS #2 DEPTH AT WORST!

I’d lean toward Pepi over Morris because I like getting young guys with potential the experience to held them in the next World Cup. Think of guys like Julian Green or Yedlin… but seriously, you know what Morris is, and he is never going to be more than that. It’s why I was pissed when Wondo got called in. He was like 30. Right now, I think Morris brings more to the team than Pepi. Morris can be a tough, hard pressing wing or play in the 9. He can score some goals. Pepi is purely a target man, and he looked completely overmatched and useless in most of his appearances, and he has no plan B.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 7:18 am

How is it that this country doesn't have one 6'3" kid that can run through 3 guys and blast the ball. That's all we make. It's the entire youth setup. Miserable failure. What happened to Daryl dike. That guy showed up and fizzled faster than anyone I remember. I would prefer another Reyna (Claudio) or even a Bradley but I get that those are hard to develop... But a backup 9 that does one thing for 15 mins off the bench isn't. Yet zero in pipeline.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 7:22 am

HaulCitgo wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 7:18 am How is it that this country doesn't have one 6'3" kid that can run through 3 guys and blast the ball. That's all we make. It's the entire youth setup. Miserable failure. What happened to Daryl dike. That guy showed up and fizzled faster than anyone I remember.

String of injuries. He is still at West Brom. Just saw an article that he played his first game this week coming back from a 3 month injury

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 8:08 am

Steve of phpBB wrote: Wed Nov 09, 2022 3:58 pm Shit, even more new names ...

See, that right there is funny.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 8:11 am

HaulCitgo wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 7:18 am How is it that this country doesn't have one 6'3" kid that can run through 3 guys and blast the ball. That's all we make. It's the entire youth setup. Miserable failure. What happened to Daryl dike. That guy showed up and fizzled faster than anyone I remember. I would prefer another Reyna (Claudio) or even a Bradley but I get that those are hard to develop... But a backup 9 that does one thing for 15 mins off the bench isn't. Yet zero in pipeline.

Isn't that the problem? The kid that ends up being the striker only has to beat a bunch of failed strikers to get a shot off at the goalie until he gets to probably college.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 8:48 am

Not sure it gets much better in college. This is as high level as it gets but not quite the beautiful game. Probably the right time and place for direct play looks like a counter off a corner or free kick but this is American soccer. Speaking of failed strikers... Check out the "defending" from homie who has the conniption

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 10:46 am

HaulCitgo wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 7:18 amHow is it that this country doesn't have one 6'3" kid that can run through 3 guys and blast the ball.

I think Ferreira might be the most talented up front, but he's also tiny and suffers from the Jesus issue of being criticized for not finishing to the extent people completely ignore he's the one who got in position to not finish.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 10:49 am

mister d wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 10:46 am
HaulCitgo wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 7:18 amHow is it that this country doesn't have one 6'3" kid that can run through 3 guys and blast the ball.
I think Ferreira might be the most talented up front, but he's also tiny and suffers from the Jesus issue of being criticized for not finishing to the extent people completely ignore he's the one who got in position to not finish.

So the three day weekend he took for your sins wasn't "finishing"?

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 10:55 am

A_B wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 10:49 am
mister d wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 10:46 am
HaulCitgo wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 7:18 amHow is it that this country doesn't have one 6'3" kid that can run through 3 guys and blast the ball.
I think Ferreira might be the most talented up front, but he's also tiny and suffers from the Jesus issue of being criticized for not finishing to the extent people completely ignore he's the one who got in position to not finish.
So the three day weekend he took for your sins wasn't "finishing"?

I don't want to know what he was doing in there tbh.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 11:09 am

"Rising again?!? SMDH!"

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 11:14 am

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/socce ... -omissions

Basically, sounds like Pepi was being compared to Sargent... Dutch league is wide open, Championship... isn't. Sargent is scoring in game-type situations that are seen as more closely aligned to what they'll see in Qatar. I assume that same filter is being used with Pefok. Though that might just be a form thing, where I guess Haji Wright beat him out. Ferreira was obviously never in doubt.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 11:32 am

Isn't the level of competition in the Netherlands higher than the Championship (and >>> MLS)? Like its just getting too cute to match player against player and pick one when that first matchup is possibly/probably your top two options at striker.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 11:39 am

Well, first off, these aren't "my" points to argue, I was just distilling what I read in the article. Secondly, it's not so much the level he is discussing, it's the style of play. And, again, this is GGG's brain, but I think he is very much looking at the group stage and picking players he wants to match-up in certain situations. So, no, he's not just rank ordering his positional players and picking the highest EA sports rating guys.

The Championship, by the way, is certainly below the Eredivisie, but above MLS in terms of overall level. All three are top 15 in the world, at least according to comparison ranking sites I've checked before. Though, some ranking sites only list the top league in each country, which obviously leaves out the Championship in that discussion.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 11:50 am

I read the same thing you did so I wasn't arguing with you, just the logic. Like how can a guy be playing throughout qualifiers and in-form with his club (5 goals in 8 or 9 matches) but now miss? By playing in the Netherlands was he automatically out of consideration?

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 11:58 am

HaulCitgo wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 7:18 am How is it that this country doesn't have one 6'3" kid that can run through 3 guys and blast the ball. That's all we make.

I think those guys are playing football and basketball.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 12:00 pm

And then choose haji wright? How many caps does that guy have. Does he have any chemistry at all with any of the players? Obviously the guy can play but how do you go the entire two years prior and not give the guy a chance and then somehow decide he's who you're gonna bring along? Don't you have to see him do it for you and not some unknown league?

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 12:02 pm

He has BFF chemistry with Pulisic which I have a hard time believing wasn't a factor.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 12:03 pm

Christ, I forgot Pepi was eligible for Mexico too. That’s shit.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 12:05 pm

sancarlos wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 11:58 am
HaulCitgo wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 7:18 am How is it that this country doesn't have one 6'3" kid that can run through 3 guys and blast the ball. That's all we make.
I think those guys are playing football and basketball.

Well yes. This is the answer. It's also the reason its lunacy for the youth teams to rely on pace and size. It's not elite. It's just the best of the rest. Truly gifted speed and power still works but those guys are playing strong safety. Will say it's changing. There are some NFL names on a few of the top teams in town.

Post by **Shirley** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 12:48 pm

The mention of Dike got me searching for this. It never gets old. Just listen to this shot.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 2:49 pm

Except for strikers, playmakers and centerbacks, these guys have it all

Pruitt3 · Post by **Pruitt3** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 3:35 pm

Party!!!!

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 5:11 pm

Listened to the MiB live show interviewing GGG after the announcement. He said Pefok's game is playing in a two-striker formation and attacking high crosses at the near post, which doesn't fit in the system. He also pointed out Pefok hasn't scored in 10 games.

Eredivisie is probably a more skilled league than Championship, but I think Championship is probably a tougher league to play in. More physical, more mentally demanding etc... I'd rather have a guy scoring in Championship than in Eredivisie. I haven't seen him play outside of his USMNT caps, but Pepi seems really one dimensional, and if he isn't getting service, he is a waste of a player. I was hoping Pepi would develop into a guy you have to bring, but he didn't yet, so I'm not upset leaving him off.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 9:59 am

This is great

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 12:07 pm

That is a great video. ESPN should learn from that. Id have much sooner seen a 30 minute video highlighting the various hometowns.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 12:12 pm

That was very cool. I wonder who the people were that held the shirts, it’d be great if they were relatives or friends. Much easier to do in a geographically small country.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 12:15 pm

The Sybian wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 5:11 pmEredivisie is probably a more skilled league than Championship, but I think Championship is probably a tougher league to play in. More physical, more mentally demanding etc...

In terms of skill vs physicality, where does CONCACAF fall? Like how is Pepi a top option in qualifying but not when the level of opponent skill increases exponentially?

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 12:22 pm

mister d wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 12:15 pm
The Sybian wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 5:11 pmEredivisie is probably a more skilled league than Championship, but I think Championship is probably a tougher league to play in. More physical, more mentally demanding etc...
In terms of skill vs physicality, where does CONCACAF fall? Like how is Pepi a top option in qualifying but not when the level of opponent skill increases exponentially?

Much lower in the skill department, infinitely higher in the dark arts and dirty play. My assumption is Championship is much more difficult to succeed than CONCACAF, but more likely to get shit kicked out of your legs in CONCACAF. And much more likely to get brained with a battery or soaked with a bag of urine.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 2:07 pm

That’s my point. If you need Pepi to get you through qualifying how is he suddenly not tough enough for the World Cup?

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 2:12 pm

They wanted to see what they had since they had few good options. Turns out they didnt have a finished product

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 4:32 pm

mister d wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 2:07 pm That’s my point. If you need Pepi to get you through qualifying how is he suddenly not tough enough for the World Cup?

Pepi looked like he had some potential at first, then when we saw more, we saw he isn’t good enough yet. He went to a relegation bound team in Germany and was fucking awful and couldn’t get onto the field in a horrible team. He didn’t earn a spot on this roster. I hold some hope he will improve, but right now, he isn’t good enough.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:31 pm

But it’s gonna hurt the next time we try to get some dual citizen to commit to us right?

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:44 pm

A_B wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:31 pm But it’s gonna hurt the next time we try to get some dual citizen to commit to us right?

I haven’t committed to either side, yet.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:57 pm

sancarlos wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:44 pm
A_B wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:31 pm But it’s gonna hurt the next time we try to get some dual citizen to commit to us right?
I haven’t committed to either side, yet.

There's room for you!

Timori chose England over Canada, didn't get selected
Mitrovic chose Serbia over Canada, didn't get selected

HAHA

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Fri Nov 11, 2022 6:02 pm

Shaq Moore is from Atlanta? No buzz. Went to IMG. Worked for him but that can't be the best choice for a soccer phenom.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/en.as.com/ ... utType=amp

Played in Spanish leagues no breakthrough heads to mls and plays with unquestioned starting cb by default so he goes to Qatar. On radar obviously but belief must have been low. Lot of not in squad. https://www.transfermarkt.us/shaq-moore ... in_id/3505

Baloney · Post by **Baloney** » Sat Nov 12, 2022 9:19 am

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Sat Nov 12, 2022 12:20 pm

So I was reading up on Gilbert Gress in the wiki. In 1966 he was excluded from the French World Cup team, because he wouldn’t cut his long hair.

I am old enough to remember when longish hair was a big deal. A guy I knew was was excluded from our Lttle League all-star team because he wouldn’t cut his hair.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Sat Nov 12, 2022 12:53 pm

sancarlos wrote: Sat Nov 12, 2022 12:20 pm

I am old enough to remember when longish hair was a big deal. A guy I knew was was excluded from our Lttle League all-star team because he wouldn’t cut his hair.

Was it Don Mattingly?

Tom 1860 · Post by **Tom 1860** » Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:17 pm

Wales have released their official FIFA World Cup 2022 song video

They have gone for a very political option, which is especially nationalistic and touching on areas that sports generally avoids at all costs.

Here are the lyrics in English - It is clear we Welsh have felt quite oppressed:

You don't remember Macsen,
nobody knows him.
One thousand and six hundred years,
a time too long to remember.
When Magnus Maximus left Wales,
in the year 383,
leaving us a whole nation,
and today - look at us!

We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here.

Let the wind blow from the East,
let the storm roar from the sea,
let the lightning split the heavens,
and the thunder shout "encore!"
Let the tears of the faint-hearted flow,
and the servile lick the floor.
Despite the blackness around us,
we are ready for the breaking of the dawn!

We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here.

We remember that Macsen the Emperor
left our country in one whole piece.
And we shall shout before the nations,
"We'll be here until Judgement Day!"
Despite every Dic Siôn Dafydd,
despite old Maggie and her crew,
we'll be here until the end of time,
and the Welsh language will be alive!

We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything...

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sat Nov 12, 2022 4:17 pm

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