Sibdane

Good play, Lukaku.

Now I'm nervous.

COYB

How long until next season? Until the end when he's had 2.5 seasons under his belt? You bash Lukaku after he's done more in one game than McGeady has all season; Europa or PL; this season or last. You're so willing to give your favorites time but not Lukaku. You have an obvious agenda against him. It's so crazy that you talk about how everyone jumps on the Lukaku bandwagon after one good game. Well, we're still waiting on McGeady's one good game. He's 28, he shouldn't take this long to settle. We didn't buy him "for the future."

Then I guess Naismith isn't either. I followed that post because you make light of Lukaku's age but fail to realize that he's so much further along than Naismith was at 21, but you don't bring up Naismith on every thread like you do Lukaku.

For someone who talks about technical ability all the time and a certain player's lack of it, you fail to point out that Naismith is lacking in that department as well. P.S. Naismith is 27.

Well, at least this is the Lukaku thread.

1. Arsenal - respect that Wenger built his team the right way, though I do get annoyed by his excuses sometimes 2. Man City - Like Formby said, they've suffered awhile, and we usually play well against them. 3. - 4. Chelsea and ManU - can't stand either manager, their players, or all the whining/diving. Equal in terms on annoyance, and seeing either lose gives me great satisfaction. 5. Liverpool - No brainer.

I agree with you in that it should be a bookable offense. I mean, what are they all yelling at him that one person can't do? "ref, ref, book him, ref, ref, ref" It has to be intimidating to be surrounded by that. I'm losing my fascination with the game because of all the bullshit that goes on now. I don't remember it being like this even 5 years ago... and I'm talking about everything -- the corruption, diving, whining, etc. Maybe I'm just now starting to notice it.

Then that is just annoying. The FA is okay fining managers for speaking out against referees, why not fine them some more, since they love money so much.

I don't understand why their isn't a rule where the captains are the only ones who can talk to the ref during the match. It's really puts too much pressure on the ref when the entire team surrounds him.

Get in, Silva!

Yeah, I'm hoping Chelsea loses as well.

They really are a great club. One can't help but respect them and their fans.

Sounds like the rest of the team. I don't really think he's been that bad -- definitely better than McGeady so far.

I've heard it's both! (From this forum)

Barkley aside, Naismith's passes are the result of frantic decision-making. He doesn't have any composure.

I think they can go back and forth although it's considered more of a loan situation. A lot of MLS teams have USL teams now. It's a lot like La Liga's 1st and 2nd division where you'll see Barcelona and Barcelona B.

Promotion/relegation isn't going to work in MLS right now. Teams need to grow more popular and develop more hardcore fanbases, otherwise you'll see folks jumping ship; there are just too many fair-weather fans as it stands. Sad, but true. I actually like the parity of MLS because it makes each game more unpredictable; every team has a chance. I get the romanticism that the role of underdog brings, but I prefer fairness and equal playing fields. Good form is more apparent in MLS. The salary cap will continuously increase through the years and eventually each team will be able to bring in top talent from over the globe. We need to build a sustainable foundation first.

The problem with Naismith is he's playing in a position where he is expected to create chances for other players too, and he just doesn't really offer that ability.

Saw that while browsing Reddit one day. I thought someone had given the forum a facelift at first.

I actually agree with this. I love his determination and grit, but he doesn't really offer much more than that to me.

A team like Southampton winning the league would be a sign of parity. We tried having no salary cap before and it didn't work. If there's no salary cap then you have the same teams winning the championship a la the Yankees (or Chelsea, Citeh, ManU). I agree that part of the problem with baseball is the number of games. It's overwhelming on ESPN during baseball season.

I really don't think the NASL will last much longer unless they somehow merge with MLS. MLS is already recognized as the first "division," and I just can't see the USA having two Division 1 leagues. It's becoming more attractive to own a USL team because of the possibility of moving into MLS. Salary caps work here because parity is a big deal to fans and it makes the league more fun to watch. If it was such a hindrance to success then you would see the other pro sports leagues failing. I think MLB may be the only US pro sport left without a salary cap, and it's slowly losing the interest of fans.

Everton 2 - 0 Newcastle Lukaku