Official Ongoing Football/Soccer 2011/2012

[sambadeamigo]

They're one of the few clubs who are known for having middle class (i.e. American upper class) supporters. Craven Cottage is the only Premier League ground I've been to, but it's great. It does have a statue of Michael Jackson outside it now. Mohamed al-Fayed, the former Harrods owner, owns the club. Aside from the inexplicable MJ statue, he seems pretty well liked. Fulham made it to the final of the Europa League (like a second tier Champions League) in 2010. It was unexpected and pretty exciting to watch. They qualified for the Europa League this year because of their sportsmanship (I'm not shitting you). Their manager did just quit so they might be in turmoil.

[Spoilt Victorian Child]

They qualified for the Europa League this year because of their sportsmanship (I'm not shitting you).

Well that sounds perfect.

[KALM]

if you want a club you can follow with US players, you're down to germany and england (and again probably only england depending on how closely you wish to follow them). basically pick from one of these:

hannover- their captain is steve cherundolo, although he's nearing retirement age

nurnberg - timothy chandler

fulham - clint demspey (and a long history with american players)

everton - tim howard (and a similarly long history with american players)

aston villa - eric lichaj and potentially michael bradley if they decide to keep him

blackburn - maybe jermaine jones if they can keep him

tottenham - brad friedel, although this is in all likelihood his last season

bolton - stuart holden (who they voted their player of the season)

norwich city - zak whitbread

all of those clubs except for blackburn, bolton, and norwich finished in the top half of their leagues last season. all of them except for blackburn (and maybe norwich depending on how they adjust to the premier league) play a reasonably attractive game. none of them are akin to the yankees. some of those teams could revert to their not to distant histories of playing dire and cynical football depending on a coaching change, but i guess that's a risk with any club

[number none]

Bolton are a pretty nice side to watch these days. Norwich you've got the rollercoaster ride that is a promoted team's season, it'll be interesting at the very least

[Spoilt Victorian Child]

29 of 51 are Nordic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Fair_Play_ranking#UEFA_Fair_Play_winners

[pana]

nordic grass is mostly frozen so you have to get back on your feet pretty quickly

that saves the ref from having to give a lot of cards

fair play award is fundamentally unfair, basically

[Spoilt Victorian Child]

It's not actually supposed to matter whether the fouled player gets hurt, right?

[number none]

Well the punishment varies depending on how dangerous the tackle is perceived to be

[Spoilt Victorian Child]

Yeah but ideally if I go for a guy's knee I get a red card regardless of whether I miss or tear his ACL, right?

[number none]

Definitely. But refs are always influenced if it looks like someone has been really hurt.

[KALM]

and not just that, they usually tack on additional matches to the suspension after the game based on the severity of the resulting injury

[seriesfinale]

If/when Dempsey leaves it's going to be a true test of how much I really enjoy supporting Fulham (although it's strange to imagine them without at least one American on the team--it feels like they'd practically pick somebody up for the sake of it).

I think I'm in for the haul though now, I enjoy watching Duff and Hangeland and Zamora and Craven Cottage and as a fan of the stateside teams I was already a fan of I relate to their constant futile struggle against mediocrity too much.

Did I just put svc off the Whites?

[delgriffith]

I'm looking forward to Fulham-QPR matches this year.

[keykey]

adel is going to tear up the prem this year.

[delgriffith]

First non-Man Utd related Premiership match I ever went to was QPR-Nottingham Forest at Loftus Road in 1995 with my friend for his birthday. I won £5 because I bet his dad that it would be a 1-1 draw.

[KALM]

in the half a season that lawrie sanchez managed fulham, they were probably the ugliest premier league side i've watched that's ever avoided relegation. the cookie coleman years weren't as bad, but they weren't that much better either.

the risk associated with being a fulham fan is that mo one day replaces the departing manager with someone like that and the team become unwatchable again

[mites]

everyone root for everton. they are the best

[KALM]

just pick a few teams to keep an eye on early and make up your mind after seeing a few games of each of theirs

[Capital]

I think we can all agree this thread needs more Arsenal supporters

[VHGisdead]

I can't tell if you're serious but the biggest douche I know supports Arsenal so that's not happening here

[keykey]

I think we can all agree this thread needs more Arsenal supporters

nahhhhhh

[darkendofthestreet]

I'm not talking anyone else into being a Hammers fan, so many disappointed friends after this campaign. That's what you get with us I'm afraid.

[fraew]

about 2/3rds my team support arsenal...

[darkendofthestreet]

My team has 2 West Ham fans, 2 Arsenal fans, 2 Liverpool fans, a Villa supporter and a Derby supporter.

[iambic]

if you want a club you can follow with US players, you're down to germany and england (and again probably only england depending on how closely you wish to follow them).

I'm glad someone else pointed this out, because I was afraid someone like Toofer would shout at me if I suggested that limiting your choice of support to a team with regular American starters rules out 99% of European football clubs, and very nearly 100% of the ones you can watch regularly on TV.

[seriesfinale]

I'm looking forward to Fulham-QPR matches this year.

Same

And yeah, I'm nervous to see who replaces Hughes although I wasn't thrilled with his hire last year, I wanted Jol (of course: what the fuck do I know)

[Fed Ups]

I think we can all agree this thread needs more Stevenage supporters

[Fed Ups]

Interesting throw, awful commentary.

[deep space]

Oh how I love the transfer season. 3 months of speculation and rumours and 2 days of total disappointment.
Realistic hopes for Liverpool next season- top 4 finish, decent cup run, continue playing attractive attacking football, do the double on utd.

[iambic]

I can't keep track of the players Juventus have been linked with, but we've already got Pirlo, Ziegler, and Pazienza on free transfers, so it's not too bad so far. Inler seems likely to join, and either Lichtsteiner or Beck. why we are buying half the Swiss national team I don't know.

and we are being told we will have one big star from the likes of Rossi, Aguero, Pastore, Sanchez, Benzema, etc., but I remain doubtful.

I'll be happy just as long as we can ship out some of Amauri, Grosso, Martinez, Grygera, Motta, Tiago, Sissoko.. etc.

sigh