Disqus - Latest Comments for kat kid

Re: I Get Knocked Down But I Get Up Again

kat kid — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:00:23 -0000

Get well Gaffer. We like you.

Re: Effective Magic is Transcendent Nature

kat kid — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:44:48 -0000

fair, but at some point trophies mean something do they not? There are only three trophies worth having in the EPL and 1 of them is the FA Cup. It is the least important of the three (Premiership Title, Champion's League) but it is not for nothing. I think it has little effect on the product on the field, but much more in the boardrooms and terraces. Only 1 team wins the Premiership. Only 1 wins the FA Cup. It is not a "crappy consolation" IF the team is making strides in the other two areas. For Rafa, the FA Cup loss is more a symptom than the problem.

Re: Random Reflections from the Past Weekend of English Football

kat kid — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:04:47 -0000

gaff0

your health is the most important thing. you only get one shot at it.

take care

Re: 2006 Predictions, Part One

kat kid — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:45:45 -0000

No offense, but I never understood why you said they had a mountain to climb. I know hindsight is 20/20 but given the 2-0 aggregate lead I thought that Inter had to show an incredibly attacking form that they haven't and ultimately didn't ever deliver.

Re: Everton Misses Chance to Solidify 5th Place

kat kid — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:55:46 -0000

still nothing on the fulham prediction face plant?

I love ya, but that was a little too bold.

Re: Not-So-Bold Prediction: Arsenal Will Finish Trophyless

kat kid — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:23:06 -0000

gunners fans are annoying rich kids.

Re: Man United Leads the Premier League in Average Attendance

kat kid — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:30:05 -0000

gaffer-

Why are premier league stadiums not larger? I know this seems like a slightly stupid question considering the population difference between the US and UK, but college football stadiums are small if they are 50,000.

Is it just a size/space/population issue or am I missing something?

Re: Top 20 Best Supported Clubs in the Premier League | EPL Talk

kat kid — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:39:30 -0000

Good work Gaffer. But it isn't enough.

Now a ranking based on decibels and % singing support.

Then a ranking based on the average age of the supporter's jerseys (the bandwagon index).

Thanks!

Re: What Will FIFA 09 From EA Sports Look Like?

kat kid — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:54:57 -0000

I think I did find the cure to AIDS the other day. Strangely enough it was while playing FIFA08.

To wit: Hold LT + up on L Analog + BBA + down R Analog + Release LT + Hold RB + XXYBA

Re: Fergie Deserves Praise for Grooming Rooney and Ronaldo

kat kid — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:10:35 -0000

tim:

unfortunately, if players play through contact referees too often ignore it. Diving and faking injury are both huge stains on the game and are a big reason why Americans have trouble becoming interested. In defense, officials and referees bear some major responsibility in the problem as the players should not be officiating contests through their antics. Steps should be taken to punish rather severely those who are stretchered off only to heroically return some 20 seconds later and a yellow card should continue to be the punishment for diving with an advantage given only if there is a real scoring opportunity so that players who push through contact are not punished.

Re: Fulham Needs Victory Against Sunderland

kat kid — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:19:19 -0000

I have enormous respect for guys like McBride, Dempsey, Johnson and Bocanegra who took the challenge of Europe up. The MLS is still a joke even compared to the Mexican and South American leagues and to play Premiership ball is a great achievement and a help to the US Soccer team. Until the U.S. has more players like Dempsey and McBride and less like Landon and Taylor the international team will continue to be an embarrassment that is full of fancy little suburban bubble boys instead of tested footballers.

Re: Why this Welshman will be Supporting Portsmouth in the FA Cup Final

kat kid — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:19:54 -0000

I'm an American and the MLS came in to existence just as I was getting in to soccer. I chose Celtic to support because I was sick of everyone supporting the enormous clubs like Man U, Real Madrid, Inter, etc. and I absolutely fell in love with Henrik Larsson. It was pretty much impossible to watch games except for the odd European match on ESPN2 or fox sports but I would follow along.

Internationally I obviously cheer for the U.S., but in recent times the fans of the U.S. that I've seen are so annoying, arrogant and misinformed that I am not sure I'll ever go to a World Cup. The lionizing of Landon Donovan is just infuriating. I hope Jozy Altidore, DeMarcus Beasley and Gooch can drown out the glow of the suburban heartthrob soon.

Re: Why this Welshman will be Supporting Portsmouth in the FA Cup Final

kat kid — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:51:33 -0000

donovan is the most skilled player in U.S. history?

I have no way to really verify that statement, but I find it shocking. Whatever metric you are using is really bizarre. Donovan plays against pathetic competition in MLS. go look at the "goals of the week for MLS" on footytube and then the goals of the week for a major league in Europe.

The level of competition is staggering. One thing we do know about Landon Donovan is that he is positively terrified of playing in Europe. Whether that is for some personal reason, a tactical reason or whatever, it doesn't really matter. Donovan has not sought out anywhere near the best competition available and has instead sought to stay in a market that lionizes him and strokes his undeserved ego.

I don't even find it a compelling argument that Donovan is the best player on THIS U.S. team, let alone in U.S. history, but that is fine for you to think. I've heard Donovan speak in Spanish on univision, that is fine but it really has no bearing on his appeal to U.S. latinos. The U.S., for a variety of reasons, has by far the largest population that roots against the country's team.

Re: Why this Welshman will be Supporting Portsmouth in the FA Cup Final

kat kid — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:02:11 -0000

Do you think that MLS is on the same standing as Mexico's league?

Listen, MLS is NEVER going to be even 1/5th as big as even Mexico's domestic league in terms of national interest because Mexico doesn't have 3 other national sports THAT THEY INVENTED.

I love soccer. I love watching it, I love playing it, I'm just beginning to apprentice at coaching it. The truth, as difficult as it is for many to accept, is that the best athletes in the U.S. have absolutely no interest in playing soccer. As long as soccer gets the runts of the litter it will never develop to a level that will be truly a reflection of the size and scope of the population of the U.S.

As for better players? I'd start with Tim Howard (or Guzan or Friedel), but to compare outfield to outfield I would say previously that Beasley has proven himself very capable in the Champions League and on current form, Bradley's kid.

To be fair, I have not studied Landon much (just the U.S./Mexico game and some random MLS highlights) I will try to stomach watching some MLS and watch your boy. Who knows, maybe I will come away as impressed as you.

Re: Full-Time Thoughts–Liverpool vs. Arsenal (Second Leg)

kat kid — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:47:09 -0000

well played coolio.

Arsenal fans are really annoying by the way.

Re: Manager of the Year–Semifinalists

kat kid — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:54:54 -0000

Why penalize the Knight just because he has the best team? Is it not the best coaching job to put yourself in great position to win a double?

Especially in light of Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter's (or Bayern for Christ sakes) collapse I think Fergie should get some credit. Being a big club is not a guarantee to success. The payroll and egos can just as easily explode as perform and these millionaire babies can make you look wise or foolish on a whim.

Re: PFA Award Nominees Released

kat kid — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:08:23 -0000

you know how to build the suspense Mikey!

when is the big final announcement on this one??

Re: Tiers of Leagues in Europe

kat kid — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:10:48 -0000

Why do the French and Portuguese Leagues get so much credit? They have similarly skewed lists of champions and outside of the Special One's foray, they have had little more success as of late than Celtic or Rangers in Europe.

England, Spain and Italy have some of the top clubs in the world and some serious depth.

Germany has tremendous depth, but no great teams.

All of the other leagues have 1-3 teams capable of advancing past the group stages in Europe but no real depth in real quality. Just because PSG was a G-14 club does not mean they are worth a crap.

If it were me:
Tier 1: England, Spain, Italy
Tier 2: Germany
Tier 3:, Holland, Portugal, France, Turkey, Scotland

Re: Return of the Setanta Puppets

kat kid — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:41:39 -0000

The Special One is absolutely hilarious in real or puppet form.

Re: Manchester City Wins FA Youth Cup

kat kid — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:01:45 -0000

As an American I am often perplexed by the concerns of British football fans. There is too much money in football, but there seems to be no major voices calling for the types of revenue sharing or salary caps in U.S. sports.

Prices of tickets are too high and there are too many foreigners in the game, but the sport is more watched and the product on the field, better than ever.

People complain about the style of football AND about the substance of the standings.

People complain about a 39th game, people complain about adding in video replay, people complain about the ineptitude of referees.

No one seems to complain about what I believe is the number 1 problem Americans have with the sport, which is the diving/play-acting. If keeping youth players is such a foundational part of club/regional identity and the home town boy etc., then change the rules to allow no transfers until 18 or 19 with strict territorial rights for players/clubs. If you want to work on the competitive imbalance, then push for a reverse table ordered draft and a promotion draft for the new teams up from the championship, or revenue sharing or salary caps.

There seems to be an incredible amount of whining on a whole host of issues surrounding the EPL and no one who seems willing to provide any sort of possible solutions. Everyone feels empowered to bitch, but petrified of bucking tradition, so completely unable to change anything for the better.

Annoying to say the least for this American.

Re: Derby County Cancels U.S. Summer Tour Plans

kat kid — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:07:44 -0000

I'm crushed. Derby continues to dissapoint.

Re: Manchester City Wins FA Youth Cup

kat kid — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:56:22 -0000

God Bless Simon. Diving has to be severely dealt with both in-game and afterwards.

The NFL has done this with violent hits (although many would say not enough) and I think the EPL could learn a lot about enforcement of player conduct and league financial structure/competitive balance from American leagues.

That said, the 39th game to me is a minor issue compaired to the other ones facing the game. I understand that there was a visceral reaction partly because of all the other problems and that the 39th game became emblematic of the uncaring/self-interested executive and the growing distance between the fans and the players/game.

My problem is the exceedingly annoying embrace of all the good that has come through the globalization of the game that is coupled with opposition with any move that is any further to the types of reforms that have led to the undeniable quality of players like Ronaldo, Cantona, Drogba, Adebayor, Henry etc. wanting to come to the league in the first place.

People seem to be advocating a return to a time when players came down the pub after the game and blah, blah, blah. Fine, then don't hammer Arsene for keeping a small squad and posting net gains in the transfer window amid a few trophyless seasons, stop celebrating all those expensive and talented foreign players on your squad and replace them with Div. 1/2 players or members of your youth team, start boycotting the European competitions because of the competitive imbalance they create with their millions of dollars etc., etc.

I'm sick of seeing everyone rail against any positive development in the game as a step away from the times when the boys from the factory used to lace 'em up for a saturday game in the sun, and then buy the newest kit for their team for every member of their family, lament the lack of big signings in the transfer window, and call for a coach's head for not winning a trophy.

Re: Manchester City Wins FA Youth Cup

kat kid — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:07:59 -0000

Kyle's reading comprehension is lacking. I was saying that the arguments listed were perplexing. That is why they followed this sentence:
"As an American I am often perplexed by the concerns of British football fans."

Instead of trying to impress everyone by regurgitating the Econ 110 lecture you just got out of, maybe you could try actually reading what other people write before spouting off.

Re: If Only Home Supporters Could Behave Like Away Fans

kat kid — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:47:31 -0000

Football supporters in England are much less rowdy/loud than college football fans in the U.S.

Football ultras around the world are much more creative/rowdy/violent than any other supporters, but at what cost?

Re: Should the Premiership Have Playoffs?

kat kid — Sun, 04 May 2008 23:37:32 -0000

BillE Shears is right. Any sport that indulges a majority of the league making the playoffs crosses the line from competition to a coach's reason for continued employment. Too often teams of the 8-12 clubs would provide an excuse for mediocrity.

If you cannot reach the top 8, then really you have no business winning the trophy.

In my opinion, this should replace the Carling Cup and should be a separate trophy, a Champions' League within the Premier League type of thing.

Tradition and the weight of 38 games should grant the trophy to the regular season winner, the FA cup and this competition could open the door to more competition, but a club like Newcastle have NO business in the Champion's League next year especially when you talk about extending the season an entire month for a club like Man. Utd. or Chelsea which would then have four cup competitions in addition to the regular Premier League fixtures on its plate. It is simply too much.

8 teams Single game knock-out first round
Semi-Finals and Finals two legs

Re: Tell Us How EPL Talk Can Improve

kat kid — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:02:52 -0000

1. Love the site.
2. MORE POSTS!
3. MORE RUMORS!
4. MORE RE-CAPS OF GAMES! (many of us are cheap and rely on the absolutely awful mbm's/recaps/gamecasts/footytube's to see stuff
5. Please Christ all mighty update ChampionsLeagueTalk more
6. More tactical discussions/analysis: This is the biggest thing lacking throughout the entire world of soccer/football coverage. It is mind boggling as it seems as though the vast majority of soccer/football fans are interested enough in tactics-focused recaps and discussions of players formations and match-ups as well as styles of teams and various strategies relative successes in the tables (this would extend to La Liga/Serie A/Champion's League etc.), yet very few outlets even the "serious" and "important" ones put much of any sort of effort in to covering this.
7. More discussion of Euro 2008/Olympics (I assume there will be once they kick off)
8. More off-season/preview in-depth evaluations/discussions of entire first-team/substitute rosters highlighting key players/impact players/big transfers/players that don't belong or playing out of position/players that are too old or not premier league quality.
9. MORE CONTENT!
10. Love the football ground stuff, love the controversial discussions of innovations, love the shirt reveals, love "I'm on Setanta Sports", love the blog, love the podcasts.

Re: Tell Us How EPL Talk Can Improve

kat kid — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:04:04 -0000

Also, could you cover Celtic? somewhere? just like on occasion?

Re: Fulham Would Be Mad Not To Visit America This Summer

kat kid — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:41:28 -0000

"We woudn’t mind being taken advantage of — trust me."

My, my Gaffer. Speak for yourself. You seem as tart as an 11th grader asked to prom by the captain of the football team.

That said, Fulham have captured my cold, black heart and I think I may well adopt them as my EPL team. I will still enjoy the freedom of a neutral, but they inspired me with that magnificent climb from the drop this year.

Re: Champions League Final Press Coverage Is Too Excessive

kat kid — Mon, 19 May 2008 10:22:40 -0000

I'm pretty sure Super Bowl coverage is more sickening as it is two weeks long, with non-stop coverage interviews and mindless analyzing.

Re: Chelsea Fans Voted Worst Behaved By Premier League

kat kid — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:45:28 -0000

Rangers and Chelsea are one in the same. Embarrassing stupid, racist and drunken support from both. It is absolutely abhorrent the way they have treated Avram Grant and typical of their small minds.

Re: Champions League Final TV Schedule: UK, US and India

kat kid — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:38:19 -0000

with some buddies in HD over beers.

God bless summer.

Re: Manchester United–The Champions of Europe | EPL Talk

kat kid — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:35:01 -0000

Chelsea were an embarrassment with their lack of sportsmanship. Cole especially. Ronaldo disappeared after his goal as Essien stepped up. His penalty miss was awful. Terry slipped, but still inexcusable at such a crucial moment. The only true save came from Van de Sar after coming close twice and Terry's mistake doomed Chelsea.

United was lucky to escape the second half even, they made some great runs in extra time, Ronaldo's miss gifted Chelsea and then Terry's miss started things anew.

Terrific game for a neutral and amazing finish.

Well Done (except for the pitch).

Re: ESPN Deserves Praise For Excellent Champions League Coverage

kat kid — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:44:09 -0000

the HD was brilliant. Smyth was annoying. Seedorf was nice. the game was fantastic (drama, drama, drama) and the pitch was AWFUL. If you watched in HD you saw how poor the pitch was and I can't believe that it didn't take more blame for Terry's miss.

Re: Chelsea Fires Avram Grant After 8 Months as Manager

kat kid — Sat, 24 May 2008 15:13:06 -0000

SHHHHHHHHOCKING!

Re: Javier Mascherano And The Seven Nation Army

kat kid — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:40:13 -0000

Italy in Germany World Cup was all over it.

Re: Capello’s England Continue to Stutter in Unconvincing USA Win

kat kid — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:56:20 -0000

Shocking that when the stage was big, Landon was cowering under his bed.

Re: Release Dates For 08/09 Premier League Shirts

kat kid — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:20:48 -0000

Dave-

No offense, but that picture has been the most interesting thing posted on this site in a while.

Euro 2008 can't start soon enough.

Re: Football And Sexy Women: A Match Made In Heaven

kat kid — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:23:33 -0000

Standard British women, except with much fitter bodies.

Re: Capello’s England Continue to Stutter in Unconvincing USA Win

kat kid — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:58:12 -0000

"Don’t you think he would’ve liked to get his 100th cap at Wembley in a game against his Galaxy teammate?"

Michael- To be honest, I don't. I think he has shown an undeniable pattern of shying away from competition that he thinks he cannot best. The fact that anyone (Kartik) would shower praise on him for elevating the US without examining his penchant for becoming the invisible man at the first hint of resistance are missing the bigger picture about his impact on the team. No one should be arguing that Landon doesn't have an enormous impact on the team. We are just arguing that the importance of Landon is both troubling tactically (this is the best talent? Really?) and mentally for the team. When the team looks up to Landon as a team leader (and he hasn't shied away from the American press which coddles him, or the hilarious foil of the Mexican press which he plays as a fool) then we are left to examine the possible impact of such a leader. I would say, the evidence is strong that he is not an effective one.

More about the game though:

The service of Beasley and Adu needs to be seriously addressed. When you can't manage to put a ball in the box over a two man wall on set
pieces, you should be embarrassed at any level, on any stage.

That said, the pace of Beasley was probably the best thing going and is troubling considering that he is completely out of form. Eddie Johnson missed a gaping net which could've evened the score and is a further indictment of him and Fulham's strange fixation on US players (CHEAP!). Onyewu was much better than expected considering he hasn't sniffed a pitch in months, although he still managed to plod through a Brit for a free kick just outside the box. I don't blame the Gerrard goal on him as the pass from Barry was class. Edu was unbelievably poor and was abused on the ball and almost gave up a break that lead to a third goal in his short stint. Eddie Lewis, Hejduk were probably the best performers and they were subs. The keepers are both solid, with Guzan getting the nod in my mind, but with the Defense so lacking and the midfield and forwards so uninspiring (outside of superman Landon Donovan!!!) I think they will be tested mightily unless things get better.

Re: How England Or The United States Can Win The 2018 World Cup Bid

kat kid — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:10:05 -0000

Saying that the US are "minnows" is fine when discussing the relative success of the national team and the domestic league.

But do yourself a favor and peruse www.worldstadiums.com and see how many stadia over 50,000 there are in the U.S. and how many there are in the U.K. or any European country for that matter.

The variety, location and size of venues (with the interest and population to support them) in the U.S. is unparalleled until China starts building stadiums, but even then the relative wealth and diversity of nationalities is laughable.

The U.S. will sell out or approach capacity for every game. Why? Because Italian Americans will be rooting for Italy. French Americans/ Canadians will be rooting for France. Swedish-Americans will be rooting for Sweden. Latinos for Spain/Mexico. Many of all ethnicities for Brasil etc. etc. Outside of Europe where the relative location allows for all of the big European countries to be well represented, the U.S. is by itself in this regard.

There are obviously many reasons to host it elsewhere, but the US has some things going for it. Further, the idea that the US should "rally behind" England's bid is strange. The US wants a bid, if it doesn't get it then it may or may not have a secondary preference.

Back to the original point:

Gaffer. Seriously?

Re: FIFA Votes For Quotas On Foreign Players

kat kid — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:29:47 -0000

Yes. Poor, starving Portugal. I think the fact that England has two other national sports has something to do with it.

Why are there so many top French or Italian footballers? Are these countries poor?

Why has an African nation never won a World Cup? Could anyone match their desire?

You are being a simpleton. This will no doubt hurt England, but their loss of footballing stature has more to do with the diffusion of interest in the game (and thus developing talent) and less to do with their GDP.

Re: Euro 2008 Group C Predictions

kat kid — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:17:39 -0000

wow. Italy is old and sucky. Who'd a thunk it?

Re: Euro 2008 Group C Predictions

kat kid — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:46:37 -0000

Speaking of Messi, I watched the Argentina demolition exposition of Mexico and Messi was absolutely electric. If he can stay healthy, best player in the world. He was changing direction and pace better than me on my xbox.

Re: Julie Foudy: You Are ESPN’s Weakest Link, Goodbye!

kat kid — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:35:57 -0000

meh, Barry Glendenning of the Guardian picked Russia to go to the Finals and extolled the virtues of Gomez as the German scoring machine of the tourney.

There is a reason why people aimlessly bet on first goals and golden boots. They are difficult to predict. Take her to task for something tangible, back it up with a funny youtube of her making an ass of herself or concede that YOU, Gaffer, are making an ass of YOURself.

I think the pre/post match stuff has been mostly fluff (as with virtually every pre/post match report of any sport on TV ever unless you are so unbelievably biased due to an extreme interest in your team's game or win) but Foudy hasn't deserved to be pulled out for ridicule in my mind. She is much better than the crap ESPN has thrown out in the past and is better than Smyth. Sheesh.

Re: The Cure For Obsessed Soccer Fans

kat kid — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:59:29 -0000

could you write up a post a day highlighting the other sites? It would help me go there.

Re: Raymond Domenech Should Be Fired

kat kid — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:37:27 -0000

Clichy Mexes Gallas Adibal

Viera

Ribery Malouda
Nasri

Benzema

Henry

Re: Football And The Decline Of The Western Civilization

kat kid — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:56:56 -0000

1) Gaffer you sound more like Grandpa
2) Why don't we wait until C. Ronaldo, Messi, et al can be judged in history the same way that we now judge Picasso/Pele
3) Your article underlies the point that SpursFan makes: our culture has not been debased, it has been transformed and largely for the better in terms of the availability of information and the rapid increases in technology and human athletic achievement. One of the effects of this is the shortening of our attention spans, and thus, the need for ever shortening intervals of re-evaluation and melancholic or celebratory insta-nostalgia (see: I love the 80's, 90's and now even more ridiculously the 00's! We can't even make it through a whole decade now without creaming over ourselves about the recent past).

Gaffer, we love you but the grumpiness and sentimentality is not much appreciated.

Re: Join The 2008/2009 Fantasy Premier League

kat kid — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:51:29 -0000

KatKid'sHoopdeHoops in the house!

Re: Bored By The EPL’s Big Four

kat kid — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:19:12 -0000

I'm going with Aston Villa from now on. Martin O'Neil was a great manager for Celtic and he has done a fine job in B'ham.

Plus my 6v6 summer team has Aston Villa rip-off jerseys. As good a reason as any.

Re: Is The Premier League Becoming A Home For Mercenaries? | EPL Talk

kat kid — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:22:39 -0000

Oh for the old days when players still worked in factories and were paid pence on the pound!

good lord, enough already.

Re: Poll: Landon Donovan Heading To The EPL? | EPL Talk

kat kid — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:30:41 -0000

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that Fulham has expressed interest?

Re: Spot The Difference: New Rangers Away Shirt vs 1980-83 England Home Shirt

kat kid — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:59:23 -0000

Huns love empire.