Great to see an experienced German team doubling up and having to kick in order to stop our 17 year old winger.
Was thinking the same thing. Must be pretty tired after olympics and the last game. Can see him coming off just after half time for Carroll.
It's been a really good quality game so far today; Bayer are a good team and to see Sterling put a goal like that away was amazing. I can see us not buying any wingers and persisting with Sterling instead because of his obvious natural quality. We've been guilty of perhaps being a bit sloppy up front with Suarez so far, but he's played a lot of games recently, so he's probably a bit tired.
] Bluff, now that I've been conned into signing up ESPN for a year I might as well make use of it. Name me a college 'football' team to follow. One with history and a bit of class like our ol' soccer team [/QUOTE] By the way Bluff wasn't taking the proverbial with the above request. College football is shown on ESPN so thought I might as well get into it as I hear it's better to watch than the pro game: maybe that's just in person. Would have to record it but at least I'll be getting my money's worth! Maybe you don't follow it!
Yup! Think if we can use Sterling as an impact sub without overexposure and add another multi-disciplined forward to this fluid forward line I'd be happy. Start introducing what we have not go searching for it elsewhere.
I agree we have plenty of options in the front 3 so why buy more? We have Gerrard, Sterling, Downing, Suarez, Borini and Carroll as well as Pacheco and Cole as back up. There's also Morgan and Suso if we are really short. But if you take the first 6 that I mentioned then surely that's enough.
Hmm a team with class, you looking for lots of titles or a team that is always there and about? I dont watch it much but being from Tennessee, the University of Tennessee, they go BONKERS for the college footy there. Other teams could be Notre Dame, Michigan, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida St, Nebraska, USC, Florida, Auburn, LSU, Alabama ( might be a good shout that one actually)
Few half time thoughts: Fantastic goal from Raheem. Few mins late and I started up the stream right after he scored and they were playing the replays... over the grainy internet feed was trying to make out who it was... why does Suarez look so dark was my first thought? Brilliant start from the lad... although he seems to have got quiet in the last 15 minutes. Talking of Suarez- he doesn't seem to be giving much effort today... either that or he's just having an off day- he's being dispossessed really easy and doesn't seem very sharp. Reina is another one who doesn't seem to be quite ready for the season... I noticed it against Gomel too... he's not conceeding goals- but his decision making and reflexs don't seem to be up to his high standards... If Leverkusen could finish would be a bit different score right now. Gerrard- has anyone else noticed (not just this match but in general) sometimes when Gerrard makes a strike, or long pass- his body posture and direction of foot makes it look like he is passing one direction- but the ball goes in a completely different direction? I've noticed that many times in the past- earlier in this game it happened again... looked like he was hitting into the box- but the ball went sideways... and right to one of our players so I know it was intended. It's quite bizarre though. Stevie is doing quite decent today... as is Lucas, Shelvey, etc. Defense looks a little shakey at times though. Good game... we're playing well... possession is nice... I'm not convinced we're quite the finished article yet though- there are some flaws still... and yes, I know this is a friendly in pre-season so not totally representative of what we'll see.
Not to get political- but I find it bizarre here in America that "Medical Care" is not considered a basic human right- and any attempt at the government to provide it is "evil socialism" - yet we have socialized sports- government run/funded (mostly) universities have these big sports teams- that due to their presence completely undermimes the ability of any small non major league sports team from being financially viable. It's very rare for a minor league sports team to stay in business for more than 4 or 5 years here because "socialized sports" takes over the role that lower league clubs would in Europe.
