SOCCER SPORT !

[shameless]

not surprised you have kept your head down Raza after todays draw , of course City just go marching on , we completely dominated United

[litlmn]

I know I’m fairly new to soccer, but why do you bench your best players? I thought that was a universal no-no...


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[Raza]

not surprised you have kept your head down Raza after todays draw , of course City just go marching on , we completely dominated United

I've been ill, actually. The penalty call was a joke; another ultra soft penalty given against Liverpool. If that's a foul, then every player should be sent off every match.

[meijlinder]

I know I’m fairly new to soccer, but why do you bench your best players? I thought that was a universal no-no...


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Given how many games are played, no one can play every game. I had no problem with LFC's rotation today

[Raza]

Given how many games are played, no one can play every game. I had no problem with LFC's rotation today

Players do need to be rotated. Chelsea, for example, didn't rotate, and they lost to one of the most out of form teams in the league, despite making offensive subs as early as halftime.

[Raza]

Liverpool drew Porto for the knockout stage of the CL. They're certainly not pushovers, but considering some of the other second place teams, I'll take it.

Full draw and predictions here:
http://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-cham...l-at-barcelona

[litlmn]

Players do need to be rotated. Chelsea, for example, didn't rotate, and they lost to one of the most out of form teams in the league, despite making offensive subs as early as halftime.

I guess you're right. I was thinking more in the context of NFL/College football, but I guess with more games it more like NBA/MLB.

[meijlinder]

I guess you're right. I was thinking more in the context of NFL/College football, but I guess with more games it more like NBA/MLB.

No player in the NFL plays every snap, so at most 30-35 min of action per game. Granted it's different types of physicallity but still... Also always a week inbetween games (apart from TNF) where the PL can play 3 games in 7-8 days. In addition since the Am.football has fewer games per season, each game gets more important. I'm sure coaches would've liked to be able to rotate more than they do to keep players fresh, but one loss can derail an entire season in a way it doesn't in the PL .

[Raza]

I guess you're right. I was thinking more in the context of NFL/College football, but I guess with more games it more like NBA/MLB.

The strain on soccer players is different from a lot of other sports. Football players take a beating, but they play less of the game and there's more time between matches (usually--there are times when soccer players only play once a week, but definitely not during this period, with midweek EPL matches, Champions League for some teams, and the FA Cup). There's a lot less physical impact, but they're running constantly; some players run near a marathon in the 90 minutes. The midfield players and fullbacks are more like MLB pitchers; they need the rest after a match. Central defenders run less, so they can be rotated less often; keepers are the same deal. Strikers depend on the type of striker. Less mobile strikers, who basically only play as part of attacks can play more often, but players like Roberto Firmino, who is always tracking back and taking part in defense, need more rest. Klopp's pressing style (though it's been less of a constant press this season) requires more out of the players than counter-attacking or possession styles (akin to Barcelona's/Spain's national team's style, which is meant to dominate possession and wear out the other team). Chelsea's another high intensity team, so is City (though they've been steamrolling pretty much everyone; they make it look easy).

[93EXCivic]

Well I am seeing reports that Ashley and Stavely have agreed to a sale.

I am crossing every body part hoping it is true.

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