The on topic thread

[Fryer Tuck]

Nice of the BBC to release their names. Idiots.

Sounds like just after speed bump and the councils on our side, they could just purchase the land but we aren't at that stage yet. Pretty sure decking over the tracks was sorted out ages ago.

It is a slow process but it was always going to be, theres no rush.

Great. Combined with your avatar, I just read this in Roman's voice. It's cool, no rush, we will get this done.

It was always going to happen when you try to reclaim land for the grounds, but I'm sure a peaceful resolution that everyone can be happy with will come about.

 

[Kompany]

Kompany are you surprised Hazard made the team ahead of superstars Isco, Bale and Asensio?

I said I think Hazard wouldn't "walk into" a team competing with CR, Bale and Isco for 2 positions. I then repeated that I didn't say he wouldn't play.

Why is this so hard to understand? Real last season were amazing and I can imagine that Hazard, in that team, could be left on the bench. This season is a total different story, but Real and its players deserve some credit after winning 3 CLs in 4 seasons now they're struggling. Like I said, Hazard had a terrible season too 2 years ago and we're not judging him on that season either. If CR is really past it (although leaving him on the bench for Hazard would be a different issue) or especially if Bale is indeed a write-off, then sure, I can imagine Real going for him in the summer.

Great Hazard made this XI but this team has CR playing centrally and I don't think that would happen at Real. Definitely not permanently.

 

[Gosha]

I said I think Hazard wouldn't "walk into" a team competing with CR, Bale and Isco for 2 positions. I then repeated that I didn't say he wouldn't play.

Why is this so hard to understand? Real last season were amazing and I can imagine that Hazard, in that team, could be left on the bench. This season is a total different story, but Real and its players deserve some credit after winning 3 CLs in 4 seasons now they're struggling. Like I said, Hazard had a terrible season too 2 years ago and we're not judging him on that season either. If CR is really past it (although leaving him on the bench for Hazard would be a different issue) or especially if Bale is indeed a write-off, then sure, I can imagine Real going for him in the summer.

Great Hazard made this XI but this team has CR playing centrally and I don't think that would happen at Real. Definitely not permanently.

Woah. Settle down. I just thought you’d be surprised Hazard could make this side considering you were talking down his chances of starting for Real Madrid and Barcelona. KdB also made it. I’m sure that surprises you too considering you said he would have the same issues as Eden. And I’m sure you’re also surprised that De Gea and Kane (the two players that you named that would walk in to Real Madrid’s side) are nowhere to be seen.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

"A record 8.8m votes were cast to decide the XI, with users deciding on their preferred formation from a shortlist of 50 players chosen by the UEFA.com editorial team."

So it's a fans picked team, a popularity contest. Lucky no gooners were nominated then.

 

[Gosha]

That makes Hazard’s spot in that side even more remarkable. You’d think a popularity contest would have Neymar in there considering he is one of the most marketable players on the planet but the overwhelming majority have opted for Hazard. Wow. That is impressive. Go Eden.

 

[Gosha]

And the fans obviously have credibility given that they were able to overlook Neymar for Hazard. Eden isn’t a popular player at all. He doesn’t have a fancy haircut, earrings or tattoos and isn’t from a “trendy” football country like Spain or Brazil, so their choice must be based purely on 2017 performances and not popularity. Crazy.

It’s about time Hazard got some worldwide recognition. Well done to KdB as well. The two Belgians are in a World XI voted by 8.8 million people. Outstanding effort.

 

[Bojan KantKick]

 

[SM]

Beat ya to it.

 

[Magma]

of course it's a fans vote, it's not 11 la liga players.

 

[Kompany]

Woah. Settle down. I just thought you’d be surprised Hazard could make this side considering you were talking down his chances of starting for Real Madrid and Barcelona. KdB also made it. I’m sure that surprises you too considering you said he would have the same issues as Eden. And I’m sure you’re also surprised that De Gea and Kane (the two players that you named that would walk in to Real Madrid’s side) are nowhere to be seen.

This is a best XI that has no DM and central striker in a front 3. Let's take reality over a fantasy XI here. A current best XI would always have De Gea over Buffon and would, in that lineup, play with a proper striker, which would be Kane. Why I said that those 2 would walk into Real's XI is for the obvious reason that they're clear improvements on what Real have now in those positions.

If Bale is done at the highest level, Hazard would be too.

What I said about KDB was this. His Man City form is amazing, but he hasn't been the same player for Belgium lately. At City he's playing under a superb manager in a system that he seems to be made for, and he has a leading status within the team. I said that under different circumstances, he may not be as good as he is at City. Is that so hard to imagine? How many players shone at Arsenal for example and failed at Barcelona? Environments matter. It's simple. When these players can't bring their club form to the national side, then it is possible that they may not bring their form to a club like Real or Barcelona. I'd love to be wrong though.

That makes Hazard’s spot in that side even more remarkable. You’d think a popularity contest would have Neymar in there considering he is one of the most marketable players on the planet but the overwhelming majority have opted for Hazard. Wow. That is impressive. Go Eden.

And the fans obviously have credibility given that they were able to overlook Neymar for Hazard. Eden isn’t a popular player at all. He doesn’t have a fancy haircut, earrings or tattoos and isn’t from a “trendy” football country like Spain or Brazil, so their choice must be based purely on 2017 performances and not popularity. Crazy.

It’s about time Hazard got some worldwide recognition. Well done to KdB as well. The two Belgians are in a World XI voted by 8.8 million people. Outstanding effort.

Trying so hard to make your point again. Neymar may be marketable but Hazard not popular? Come on, he's an extremely likeable guy on and off the field. He's not a diver, generally gets on with it after being kicked, he's modest in interviews, praises teammates, has many friends in the game, he's always smiling and joking around, doesn't take himself serious... KDB is quieter and shy, but there's nothing about his personality or style of play that would put people off.

And you're conveniently forgetting that Neymar plays for PSG in a league with very few followers, while Hazard plays for a big club in the world's most popular league.

Also, just reading now Hazard will extend his contract at Chelsea. That can only mean that Real doesn't really want him. Hazard has been talking about Real for almost his entire career. I think Real will stick to CR for another season and then go for Neymar. It'll be crazy money but I can't imagine Neymar staying in Paris for the whole peak of his career. He will want the move and then it'll happen.

 

[Gosha]

This is a best XI that has no DM and central striker in a front 3. Let's take reality over a fantasy XI here. A current best XI would always have De Gea over Buffon and would, in that lineup, play with a proper striker, which would be Kane. Why I said that those 2 would walk into Real's XI is for the obvious reason that they're clear improvements on what Real have now in those positions

I’m too pissed to read this essay. Reel it in son. The overwhelming majority are against you on this one. Next time you say Hazard or KdB wouldn’t walk into Barcelona or Real Madrid’s XI chuck it in the unpopular opinions thread.

Cheers

 

[Gosha]

 

[Latro]

 

[Thistle]

Scumbags, hope they get what they deserve. Good by the club to continue investigating.

 

[moomba]

I know it was different times but some of those allegations are really shocking.

 

[chef]

Hopefully they get what they deserve.

 

[Kompany]

I’m too pissed to read this essay. Reel it in son. The overwhelming majority are against you on this one. Next time you say Hazard or KdB wouldn’t walk into Barcelona or Real Madrid’s XI chuck it in the unpopular opinions thread.

Cheers

Sure, many here may disagree and that's fine, you know. Ask fans in Spain and you'll get different opinions. Ask Belgians and you'll hear other things again. I expressed and thoroughly explained my personal view and trying to have a decent discussion with you clearly was a mistake. Your LMAOs, LOLs and "I'm too pissed to read this essay" don't exactly make your argument any better.

Look, Belgians are generally modest. I can't even say too much about the French speaking community because we Flemish know more about the Dutch than we know about the Walloons, but while we're obviously delighted with what our players are achieving at the moment, we will always keep our feet on the ground. I can tell you that Belgian fans and pundits in particular believe something similar to what I told you. We see and love what they've done, but we also see what they haven't done (yet). And there's nothing extraordinary about it.

 

[Zidane98]

Something doesn't seem right with the Belgian NT. Looks great on paper but doesn't translate into performances on the park. I guess it is a case of too many individual egos. I wouldn't judge Hazard on his NT performances tbh. And going back to the original convo he walks into the current RM XI ahead of Bale / Isco / Asensio / CR7 in the wing / attacking midfield positions. Great player.

 

[Established1870]

Something doesn't seem right with the Belgian NT. Looks great on paper but doesn't translate into performances on the park. I guess it is a case of too many individual egos. I wouldn't judge Hazard on his NT performances tbh. And going back to the original convo he walks into the current RM XI ahead of Bale / Isco / Asensio / CR7 in the wing / attacking midfield positions. Great player.

Belgium don't click because they can't gel as a team despite the world class talent and they have Roberto Martinez as manager.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Rix gets to add racist to his sexual predator rap sheet. His mother would be so proud.

 

[Kompany]

I haven't made up my mind yet about Martinez but Belgium's a small country with an FA that has financial limitations, which means there are coaches who are just too expensive. Van Gaal was approached and he was interested, but he was still fuming about the way he was handled in Manchester and decided to stay unemployed to make Utd pay him entirely. https://www.express.co.uk/sport/foo...aal-Belgium-Jose-Mourinho-Premier-League-news

As for the egos... Possibly. Off the field they get along great. Belgium's been a bit obsessed with having a positive atmosphere in the NT because when we were shit, nobody enjoyed being there but now you'd start wondering if maybe it's all a bit too much feelgood and not enough focus on becoming stronger.

There's been a rumour that Hazard and KDB don't like playing with Lukaku. That surfaced during the last Euros. I also think Hazard and KDB don't work in the same team. KDB wants to move the ball around quickly while Hazard wants many touches and slows down play. In particular Hazard has been largely underwhelming for Belgium. No real complaints about KDB really, although we're waiting for him to bring his current City form to the NT. In the end I think a lot has to do with the mentality, a complex cultural thing where Belgians don't believe enough in themselves or lack a certain form of patriotism that other NTs have. Historically we've been at our best as underdogs, when we're looked down at by the Dutch or French, but we can easily underwhelm when we're expected to win.

 

[Cruyff14]

I hope this is true.

 

[Zidane98]

I hope this is true.

Wouldn't you prefer a younger modern day manager in it for the long term? Ancelotti won't be in it for the long haul.

 

[Latro]

Wouldn't you prefer a younger modern day manager in it for the long term? Ancelotti won't be in it for the long haul.

 

[ADL9798]

According to former England midfielder Dyer, he was paid more for Newcastle 15 years ago than one of the top players at Spurs earns now. "I spoke to a Tottenham player towards the end of last season," Dyer said on BBC Radio 5 Live on Friday evening.

"He’s a full international, regular for his country and regular for his team. He told me what he was on wages wise and I was on more money than him at Newcastle in 2002. This is a player now at Tottenham, who came second in the league, who is a full international in 2017 and he isn’t on what I was on at Newcastle in 2002."