Mass Effect 3: Demo Review

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:06:42 +0000

Gather round the fire boys, and I'll tell you the story of how I played the Mass Effect 3 demo haha

It was good, and showed alot of things I'll be looking forward to. First off graphics appear to be refined, especially lighting and armour. The HUD is also slightly revamped, for better I think. Same goes for the menu system, it just looks smoother in general. Technically, though, the frame rate was kinda disappointing, even if it's a game as big as Mass Effect - then again, keep in mind it's only the demo. It's 1.7GB, smaller than ME2's demo, so compression is likely the case here - full game should, theoretically, run better. Another aspect of the aesthetics is the character customization - I don't feel they did a good enough job for Fem Shepard. She still looks like a custom made character, and yes I realize the fans chose her appearance, but she doesn't have the same level of rendering and texture that default Male Shepard has - he stands out from custom made characters, she doesn't IMO. The customizing options are nearly identical to ME2, bar one or two more hairstyles - I still don't think it's a worthwhile feature, and TBF that's what Bioware tries to sell to gamers, that it's the jack of all trades action role-playing game.

Gameplay is pretty boss. First thing I noticed was the gun play - sounds and feels better. You can dodge roll too now, which is neat. Your two party members also have more biotics and techs at their disposal, which I can't stress how awesome that is - looking after my party was something I never bothered with in ME2, because characters were limited to two or three abilities. Now they are your equal. Not my equal, though, I was a freaking Vanguard bossing the shit out of Cannibals and Guards. Oh yeah. Speaking of Cannibals, new enemies that look like Scions, except less terrifying. Unfortunately, Husks are, ugh, back. I don't get it, aren't the Protheons/Collectors the only ones capable of transforming humans and other species into Husks and Abominations? I wiped those bastards out, so how the fuck do the Reapers have them now it aggravates me knowing they're back. Also, before I forget, your abilities now have longer and branching paths, ie. Concussive Shot has 3 levels before it splits into a further 3 levels with two different paths, kinda like how when you reached the last upgrade of an ability in ME2 it asks you if you'd like to evolve it into a stronger version that delivers more damage, or one that spreads out the damage in a wider radius.

The single player portion of the demo was divided into two, rather short I should say, parts:

A tutorial level much like the beginning of Mass Effect 2, when Shepard awakens and has to escape. It was decent. You meet Ashley Williams and James Vega, on top of assisting Anderson. I want to label the end of the mission cliche and corny, but the music holds me back from doing so. I think I'm going to love the OST for ME3.
Secondly a mission that takes place a bit later in the game, apparently. You team up with Wrex and Liara, and are asked to save a female Krogan who's being kept safe by Mordin. I'm not sure how this mission would play out if you killed Wrex in the first game, like I did. Maybe Grunt takes his place, who knows. This mission counter acts the first's lax course with a good chunk of action, including facing a big mech, but it was still pretty short.

I completed both in maybe 20 minutes.

The multiplayer is like what's already been mentioned: co-op, with two other players, and basically like a hord mode. I only played one game. Both of my teammates were higher ranked, yet they died fairly easily. We only made it to Wave 3, with me being the last man standing. At that point it wasn't just about clearing out the enemies, we also had to secure four tiny beacons. I died trying to arm the fourth one. I don't think I'll become invested with the multiplayer aspect of this game.

The Gilded Age?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:12:00 +0000

This is not a message of fear, or worry, or concern. It is simply thinking out loud.

This age that is being spoken of, has its establishment at the beginning of the current campaign.

A lacklustre preseason, in which most of the squad was not together. South Americans were gone on international duty most of the time. About half of the squad was absent during the preseason, filled with B team players we vaguely know. In the entirety of the preseason, there was one who we can genuinely say had a good time out, Thiago. There was not this sense of continuity beind held. Fabregas was signed in the middle of August, just prior to the first leg of the Super Cup. Sanchez did not join up until August 8th, almost three weeks after the preseason started. Constant traveling saw a fatigued squad emerge. Xavi and Puyol, our two captains, visibly tired at times during preseason. The Super Cup came and went, and we were salvaged only by Messi's brilliance, who looked unfit himself. In those two games, he had three goals and two assists on a 5-4 aggregate victory. It was the first time we conceded two goals against Mourinho's Madrid.

As the season began, there was promise. A 5-0 drubbing of Villarreal seemed to make for a much more promising victory than it has ultimately turned out to be (Villarreal are in the relegation zone at the moment). There was the uncharacteristic blemish of the 2-2 draw vs Sociedad, something most overlooked as an anamoly. Sanchez injured and out for two months, just as he was beginning to show promise. The 8-0 dismantling of Osasuna. A hard fought 2-2 draw with Milan and Valencia, a fair result on both occasions. There was the disheartening draw with Sevilla at home.

Gradually however, more and more cracks have seemed to surface. Away form has been deplorable this season, with one multi-goal away win, most recently against Malaga. This problem of away form has three reasons in my estimation.

1) As with most sides in La Liga, playing Barcelona at home (along with RM) are the marquee events for smaller clubs, like Granada. Prize showing in front of the home fans against players the world clamors for. Inspired, often their performances are elevated against the likes of Barcelona.

2) Motivation. As great as Josep is at stirring the men in the squad in cup ties and against big La Liga teams, he has found difficulty in getting us up against some of the smaller squads. The 0-1 wins against Hospitalet and Granada provide this precedent. Soon after, the infamous defeat at Getafe, where we were spurred on only after we conceded the winning goal. It would be preferable to play the likes of Madrid every game rather than against midtable and lower table opposition. Lately, there have been five consecutive games in which the team has conceded a goal.

3) Depth. Josep prefers a small squad, becuase there are a few dozen players who can seamlessly play the Barcelona way. This system is so finely balanced, that any disruption (a la Ibrahimovic) can provide clash with performances on the field and off. Now Keita is gone with Mali, and there are three players with long term injuries. The first team had widdled down from twenty players, to sixteen. Fourteen healthy outfield players. The team is supplemented with B team talent. They are in the B team for a reason. There may be brilliant performances here and there. What they lack is consistency that is required to be a first team player. I vouch that we require two more players to help with stability in the squad. God forbid if the Messiah went down for any extended amount of time. As the cliche goes, quantity is a quality of its own.

I believe that there will be some sort of devolution to come in the squad if these problems are not addressed. Whether it's a key injury, or continued draws away from home, there are necessary precautions that should be put in place to alleviate potential problems.

I also recognize the squad is in supreme harmony at the moment. If Josep needs any additional motivation to the squad to help it overcome its troubles (when not facing elite opposition), he will find a way. I trust in Josep, I trust in the players. I am not suggesting that our time is over, and that rebuilding needs to occur. These are all preemptive suggestions that could help us stay at the top for years to come. However, once you take away the shiny surface that sends the crowds into raptures, there is a slightly more metallic, less durable remainder that is not so appealling.

What do you all think of our curent squad and situation? What issues do you see with the squad, if any? Five points is definitely possible to make up on Madrid. Our prospects for cup competitions continue, with excellent possibilities to win another double.

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Where do we go from here?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:11:34 +0000

So. Here we are.

A brief recap: Luis Suarez said some things to Patrice Evra a while back. Based on testimonies, the FA decided that those things constituted racial abuse and suspended Suarez for eight games. In his first start after the ban, Suarez refused to shake Evra's hand, then had a shitty game before scoring a consolation. Evra jumped around celebrating right next to Suarez at the final whistle. Alex Ferguson called Suarez a "fucking disgrace" and suggested that the negative effect he's having on the image of the club mandated ceasing to employ him.

Throughout the process, the only one from Liverpool to speak publicly has been Kenny Dalglish, and he's remained bullish and unrepentant, maintaining that Suarez did not deserve the ban and that The Media (because it is clearly a single entity with a monolithic agenda) is to blame. For what exactly, I'm not sure, but he used the cute English phrase "bang out of order."

Obviously lots should have been done differently. There isn't any aspect of this I don't find regrettable and distasteful. But we can't can't change any of that. My question is: Where do we go from here?

I have some thoughts.

1. Someone besides Dalglish needs to speak on behalf of the club, particularly someone from the ownership group. The New York Times published a piece that I thought carried a lot of weight. Here are the opening and closing paragraphs:

Quote

If the Fenway Sports Group is to be the responsible team owner in soccer that it has proved to be in baseball, it needs to get hold of Liverpool, its club in England’s Premier League, and repair its global image fast.

. . .

It is time for John Henry and Tom Werner, leaders of the Fenway Group that controls Liverpool, to state clearly the direction the team will take on this issue.

2. When Henry or someone else speaks, s/he needs to accomplish two things. The first is to show some sort of sensitivity and nuanced understanding of racism. Partisan bullishness and witty quips have their place. That place is far, far away from discussions about racism. The second is to explain why Liverpool has handled this affair as it has. It's time for the organization to act like adults and not crouch behind this repugnant teenage victimization.

3. Someone needs to explain why the club doesn't take Ferguson's advice of terminating the employment of Suarez (and Dalglish). Ferguson is obviously being hypocritical in this instance, but that doesn't mean he's wrong. If it is because Suarez has a rational and sturdy case as to his innocence, fine. Then explain that. But surely someone in the PR department has realized that when the ostensibly neutral body of the FA decides Suarez is guilty, the rest of the world that doesn't have fan attachments to the club is likely to believe it? Dalglish has slyly insisted the process and the decision were incorrect, but refused to explain his reasoning. I am reminded of Joseph Smith's explanation as to the disappearance of the golden plates.

All companies employ cunts. Steven Gerrard physically assaulted a d.j. for the crime of not liking Phil Collins. Andy Carroll sports a ponytail. If the team believes Suarez guilty of a singular case of racial abuse, but perhaps not deep-seeded racism, that's fine. But I'd like the matter discussed.

4. Besides poor dental hygiene, is there anything the English like more than moralizing about pieces of fabric on the bicep or handshakes?

5. I think Liverpool should try to win more games.

Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that when this:

hits home as accurate parody, it's time to readjust your strategy.

You may commence your ad hominem attacks on me now.
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Le French Forum on Tiki-Taka.org

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:44:06 +0000

After seven consecutive titles won by Olympique Lyonnais, a reinvigorated Bordeaux led by now les Bleus coach Laurent Blanc usurped seemingly perennial champions of Ligue 1 with the help of Gourcuff (also affectionately known as the 120938123 coming of Zidane). That season was the closest Marseille had been to the title since the 92/93 season and they came out even hungrier the next season with their first Ligue 1 title in over a decade with club icon Didier Deschamps at the helm. In the midst of this, Paris St. Germain churned out a few Coupe de France and made headlines with their recurring problems with hooligans but success eluded the capital club.

The takeover of Paris St. Germain by their new Qatari owners are set to change all this. They have been known as the "Manchester City" of France but many say they have chosen to invest more wisely and carefully than their English counterparts. They wasted no time in bringing the highly rated Argentinian Pastore from Palermo for a record 40 million euros along with Menez, Lugano, Gameiro, Sirigu and Sissoko just to name a few.

It's clear that their new owners demand success and expect it - fast. They appointed Leonardo as their sporting director, no doubt a man with tremendous influence who has succeeded in bringing several players from Italy into France which is not as common one might think. However there was still the problem of Kombouaré.

Not a terrible coach if we're judging by the standards of Ligue 1, but the new Qatari owners want glam and Kombouaré does not have the resume to fill that position. It was irrelevant that he led Valenciennes to top flight football and improved their standings in the table every season despite severe constraints on the club's budget - his name means nothing in Europe which meant he was next to useless for the heights that the club considers themselves worthy of.

Despite PSG holding a 3 point lead over their second place rivals, Kombouaré was officially fired approximately one hour before they brought in Ancelotti although talks were well in place before the news was leaked. Will Paris regret this decision come the end of the season? Or will Carlo find a way to plug in the gaps in the Parisien side and lead them to success?

And what of the other clubs? How will they hope to compete with PSG's massive budget? Will other Ligue 1 clubs become a feeder club for the capital club? The problem of Ligue 1's ability to hold onto talented youngsters has plagued the clubs since the arrival of billionaire owners and inhibited their capacity to maintain their squads. The likes of Hazard (twice the winner of Ligue 1's Young Player of the year award), M'vila, Sakho, Martin etc. are highly rated players outside of Europe and it's only a matter of time until their clubs will be forced to cash in.

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Top 10 Forwards At FC Barcelona of All Time - M...

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:56:37 +0000

Many world class forwards have graced the pitch for FC Barcelona. Current "World's Best Player", Leo Messi, being one of several legends of the game that have put on the blaugrana shirt. How do they rank compared to each other when taking into account their form while playing for the Catalan giants? It's difficult to argue against Leo Messi as the number one player on the list, but after that, it may not be as clear. This is my personal take on this (not so) simple task:

My top 10 list:

1. Messi - GOAT that he is. 209 goals, 87 assists.... and counting. And still so many years left!!!! Not even at 300 matches played yet, and he has the top spot on the FCB scorers list in his sight. He is not only sure to get that record with many years left to play, he's sure to shatter the record cementing his name in FCB history for decades to come.

2. Cruyff - A legend of the game, only fitting that he falls behind only Messi. An ability to create goals for others and score goals of his own accord. He was a brilliant passer of the ball who also scored when it was there for him. He played a similar role to what Messi is now playing for Barcelona, though Messi has shown he can create and score even more ruthlessly than Cruyff himself.... which is saying something. That being said, outside of Messi, no other player that has played on the front line for this historic club can compare to Johan Cruyff.

3. Kubala - This Hungarian sensation still holds the record for most goals scored in a single La LIga match by a single player: 7. He scored 194 goals in 256 matches. The Reason he gets 3rd in the list, above all others once you get passed the living legends of Messi and Cruyff, is due to the first full season he played for FCB, the 51/52 season: 39 goals in 28 matches! An astonishing goal average.

4. Rivaldo - Some will call him a midfield player, I don't, as he truly played a forward position for FC Barcelona. This was the first FC Barcelona player I remember being wow'ed by fully and emotionally. Part of that is because I was finally old enough to really understand what I was seeing, and part of it was because the guy was just so amazingly good. His stats back up this selection, but his stats don't tell the story at all of how good he was. Anyone who has seen his hat-trick on the final day of the 2000/2001 season against Valencia to win La Liga knows what a special player Rivaldo was for the club. Number 4 on this list, and no regrets.

5. Cesar - He currently holds the record: 235 goals in official competitions to top our club list of goal scorers by a long shot..... at least until Messi catches him sometime next season. That took him 351 matches though, which is why he's not top of this particular list of mine. If some of the players above him had 351 matches with the club, they too would have 235 goals or more.

(Side Note: Kubala and Cesar in the 51/52 season combined for 68 goals in all competitions! They won the league with a GD of +49 (30 game season).)

6. Eto'o - I love Eto'o. What a pure scoring talent. So athletic, such a deadly nose for goal. If not for his knee injuries, he'd be well above his already amazing 130 goals in just 5 seasons played with FC Barcelona. Many will put players like Ronaldinho and the other top Brazilian talent we've had above Eto'o, and I think that's a mistake (bar Rivaldo at number 4 of my list). If Eto'o were Brazilian, people would call him a legend, and he'd have at least 1 world cup as a top scorer golden boot in the tournament... but he's not Brazilian, so there you go.

7. Ronaldinho - Yes, Ronaldinho finally gets into my list AFTER Eto'o. At his peak, he was legendary, no question. Something about his last seasons, and his faults, keeps me from giving him a higher rank in my list. Despite all he did for FC Barcelona, and has done in the game, I'm always left with a feeling of "what could have been" with him. I feel he could have been in the greatest ever debates, but due to his own lack of effort and determination, he fell short. The talent was there.

8. Suarez - Also from the "Kubala" era in the 50's at FC Barcelona, and went on to really make a name for himself at Inter in the 60's. One of Spain's greatest players historically, and while much of that was once he had already moved on to play club football at Inter, there is no question that he was already on his way to being a great during his 6 or 7 seasons at FC Barcelona. A powerful shot, play making ability, and intelligent team play mark his style on the pitch.

9. Ronaldo - I know it was only a single season for FC Barcelona, but what a season it was. He's lower on the list than he might be for others that make up these lists due to the simple fact that it was only a single season at the club. The power of this player, the will to score at all costs, the danger posed to the opposition's defenders was unmatched. What a season it was.

10a. Stoichkov - This guy is about far more than just his goals, which only total about 80 or 90. He was a Golden Ball winner for FC Barcelona, and brought amazing passion to the pitch (sometimes misguided in stomping a referee or some other naughty behavior). He was a forward that also knew how to create for others. He could play anywhere on the front line as well.

10b. Mariano Martin - If not for a knee injury that turned off the goal scoring far too early for this player, he would have been a legend and topped the club scoring charts. From the 41/42 season, he had 3 amazing seasons in which he scored over a goal a game with 71 goals in 66 games. If not for that knee injury in the following season while playing for Catalonia in a friendly match... who knows what he would have done.

I know, that's a top 11. I couldn't decide between the last two for that 10th spot, not wanting to leave either of them out of the list. There are a ton of other players who could probably make it into that 10th spot as well.... but hey, that's my choice and I'm sticking to it.

Some notable absences from my list:
Maradona doesn't make my list. Injuries kept him from being at his best for us, and he left too quickly to go to Napoli.
Romario also doesn't make my list. Not enough time for me at the club. The only way short 1 or 2 season players make my list is if one of those seasons was an ultra special season, like Ronaldo.

Santos vs Barcelona - CWC 2011 Final

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 04:05:11 +0000

Santos vs Barcelona - FIFA Club World Cup 2011 - Final

Santos part by (it's a) me (,Mario)

This is the game that brazilian football fans have been waiting for months, maybe years. The CWC final and its equivalents from the past are seen in Brazil as an epic chance for the glory of beating european giants in a serious competition. Victories like Flamengo's against Liverpool in 1981 and São Paulo's against Barça in 1993 (is that right?) are still celebrated decades later, and treated as important pieces of these clubs' histories. We know the europeans don't care about that competition as much as we do, but we like to kick their asses either way. This match in particular is really special, because Santos' got two of the most promising brazilian youngsters of the decade, the best brazilian coach in the last 5 years, and they'll be facing this Barça, one of the best teams of all-time. Realistic people know Santos has very limited chances of winning, but they'll probably be satisfied if they at least give Barça a good fight, like Estudiantes two years ago.

This whole speech is beautiful, but Santos hasn't shown anything in the last 5 months - and especially against Kashiwa - that could justify a more rational optimism. Ganso has been injured for most of the last 4 or 5 months, same with Elano. Léo is still not entirely recovered from injury and after Alex Sandro was sold, Santos' got no reliable LB. Plus Adriano - yeah, they've got one too! -, Santos' best midfielder defensively, is injured and didn't even travel to Japan. The kid could be one hell of a help against a midfield like Barça's. Elano and Ganso came back only a few weeks ago, Léo probably won't play, and Henrique replaced Adriano. Other factor that deserves to be mentioned is the fact that Barça is in the middle of their season. Santos' season is nearly over now, after more than 80 matches, I would presume. Neymar himself played like 73 matches this year.

Santos' ain't exactly a defensive side, but I expect them to play a counter-attack-based game tomorrow. They know Barça will have at least 60% and they know they won't have the energy or even the players to pressure Barça upfront like Real did, so it's best to accept that and at least try not to expose the defenders. Expose the defenders... that's the most dangerous thing that could happen to Santos. Danilo is a beast, but the other 3 defenders are kinda slow and will be destroyed if not protected and covered well. Basically, I think Muricy will try to hold the defense tight and hope for something magical from Ganso, Neymar or Borges in a counter-attack or something like that. Ganso in particular worries me. He's not at his best, both physically and technically, and wasn't even close to being influential enough against Kashiwa or in the two or three Brasileiro matches he played before this competition. And the thought of him facing Busquets, a guy who can stop Özil and make it look easy, is quite scary. Same with Neymar facing Puyol on that left flank, even though I know he can cause great harm if offered space. I don't know, maybe Muricy will surprise everyone and come up with a 3-CBs defense? We'll see.

Rafael Cabral

Danilo - Edu Dracena - Bruno Rodrigo - Durval

Henrique - Arouca

Elano - Ganso - Neymar

Borges

Something like this would please me

Barça part by Vickery

As a sportsman, you usually want to win for prestige, recognition, glory. You want to win to make your teammates, coaches, fans, family happy and proud of your achievements. Sometimes though, you just get the added motivation and desire to do more. And I'm not talking about finals, big games and the like here. No, I'm talking about the kind of motivation you wish weren't there, but now that there is, it drives you even more. For FC Barcelona, that kind of motivation has been present lately quite a bit. Earlier in the year Eric Abidal was diagnosed with a liver tumor and he came back to win the Champions League final in London. A few weeks ago, Tito Vilanova, Pep Guardiola's trusted second man, had a similar kind of operation, only on his parotid gland. He came back last Saturday to see the team win a crucial Clasico in the league. David Villa won't be with the team on Sunday physically, but mentally he most certainly will. And these boys will do everything in their power to win it for him, since it's the only title the Asturian striker hasn't yet won in his illustrious career.

On the playing front, Barcelona are a bit more decimated than they would've liked going into the game with Santos. With the long term absences of Villa and Afellay, Alexis Sanchez is doubtful for the game after picking up a slight knock in the game against Al-Sadd. Puyol, Mascherano and Pedro all got slight knocks in that game as well, but they are relatively unscathed. Having said that, the lineup could look like this:

Valdés

Puyol - Piqué - Abidal

Busquets

Dani Alves - Xavi - Iniesta - Cesc

Messi - Pedro

The worry would obviously be a lack of a more focal up front with Villa injured and Alexis doubtful, but the intention will be to dominate possession and to stop the ball from reaching Ganso, Neymar or Borges.

El Clasico Match Preview

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:30:16 +0000

Match Preview on the forums. Topic Thread: LINK

From Risto - REAL MADRID

How's it going boys? It's time for the Clásico!

With around 24 hours left before the game, one name is on Real Madrid's fans' lips: Lassana Diarra. Wait! What?! Lassana Diarra? Lassana 'Lass' Diarra? The oh-so-useless body that Mou never used last season is now guaranteed a place in the team. And not only that, but his role is going to decide a lot about how the game will go. Wow. That's a huge role for someone who's considered a left-over in Mourinho's franchise.

Okay, maybe I am overreacting here, but Lass is going to be huge in this game. If Arbeloa is unable to play as the right back, Lass will play there, leaving a gap to the midfield in Mourinho's big-game-four-three-three. He essentially has only Coentrão to fill that gap on the midfield (who, frankly, could play as the right back, which would be, however, risky).

The boys at zonalmarking made an interesting point about the game: for years it hasn't been this difficult to predict the line-ups. Barcelona have several options, and so does Mourinho. The most important thing about this game is the fact that Real Madrid do not have to win this game, while it's essential for Barcelona to do so. Mourinho will definitely settle for a draw, but the Madridistas will also. With the league divided so greatly to the two Clásicos, six points after the first one is a nasty lead.

Barcelona have proven under Guardiola to be the best with their backs against the wall, but now they face a completely different kind of challenge: a very confident and well-playing Madrid side that doesn't have to be afraid of losing because they will still remain the leaders... and also a furious crowd. I honest to god can't remember the last time Madrid went to a home Clásico with a point-advantage, let alone six. That's a huge factor.

Mourinho has seemed to learn from his mistakes and has been very quiet about all this, making sure not to make it too easy to get motivated for the Barcelona squad. The players have learned their lesson from last season's first Clásico, and the practice matches from this year. They know how, at least in theory, to win this game. They can play a more relaxed game of football with hopefully huge support from the home crowd.

Bullet points about the game:

What will Messi do, and what will Mourinho do to stop him? With Fàbregas and Alexis, they have more firepower, which might actually work well for Real. Now they have to defend a team, not one man, so stuff like the Villa-Albiol penalty accident will not happen.
How long can Madrid press? It's obvious they'll come out like street dogs, run the hearts out of their chests, but they have to cool down and wrap it up. Some Spanish experts say they'll press hard for the first 30 minutes, and then shut the blocks.
The first goal. Gosh, first goal, it's such a cliché. But still. Madrid can't allow Barcelona to score the first one which they definitely want early on. Madrid need to be cool in front of the net, because both teams will get great chances to score (I think the level of finishing will ultimately decide this game).
Midfield. Khedira needs to shut down Xavi like he has shown he can, and Lass needs to deal with Iniesta. They need to make room for Alonso to protect the defence and launch the counter-attacks.

CASILLAS

ARBELOA - PEPE - RAMOS - MARCELO

ALONSO

LASSANA - SAMI KHEDIRA

DI MARÍA - BENZEMA - RONALDO

----------------------------------

From Cam - FC BARCELONA

Saturday we play a retarded repulsive reeking redeemed Real Madrid. Those Madridistas are first place in the league with a six point lead over FC Barcelona. Their forwards are in superb form. Their midfield is disjointed yet effective. The back line is solid. How are we to go about this?

Barcelona looks more vulnerable than ever on the road this season. The team has suffered three 2-2 away draws to Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad. All the goals Barcelona have conceded this year have been away from Camp Nou.

Fortunately, everyone except Ibrahim Afellay are available for selection. This is the opportunity Josep must take. If Barcelona prevails, the deficit is cut to three points and the campaign is right back on track. A draw sees the status quo prevail, and would surely be a moral victory for Madrid. Defeat sees those wretched wasteful Whites taking a nine point lead. Nine points would look like an insurmountable total to eclipse.

How to go about dismantling miserable mad mortifying Mourinho and his rag tag bunch of hooligans?

Josep will surely want to stick to the traditional 4-3-3 or a 4-1-2-1-2. A three man back would open up the field for Madrid endlessly every time they retrieve possession. Their defensive line will be a high one. This year they look impressive with the space they close down. An Abidal, Pique and Puyol combination would simply not be enough against the pace of Ronaldo, Benzema and Di Maria.

In midfield, it looks increasingly likely that Mourinho will play detrimental Diarra, astute Alonso (respect) and klusterfuck Khedira. This would surely be to stifle Barcelona's midfield creativity. Lass especially has endless energy and is a dogged pursuer of the ball. Ramos and Pepe have plenty of pace and crazy at the back to hamper the slashing runs into the box. Marcelo will team up with Ronaldo to make bombing runs down the left hand side in an attempt to overwhelm Alves and pen Alexis deep in our own half.

We'll use standard tactics to combat this, and rely on the collective understanding and brilliance of the team to unlock this badly built breaking Bernabeu fortress.

Abidal - Pique - Puyol - Alves at the back. Alves dominated Ronaldo in the Spanish Super Cup, and if Madrid get behind, look for Ronaldo to attempt his hero tactics once again. Plays right into our hands. Pique - Puyol are solid at the back, with the aging Tarzan still an ever present and calming force in the side. Piquenbauer to initiate attacks from the back, hopefully bringing pressure to the Madrid midfield and pulling them out of position. Abidal has dat pace for Di Maria, albeit he has looked a bit out of form as of late.

Busquets - Iniesta - Xavi are the standard three for this side. Busquets with the incredible vision and reading of the game to protect the back before they realize it. Xaviesta. That's all I need to say there.

Villa - Messi - Alexis. Villa is a force to be reckoned with in big games. His dipping pile driver in August was astonishing. He is a man for the big moments, and will work nail and tooth to help the side. Messi needs to be more active in this game. What I mean by more active is moving into space to receive the ball, not standing still and expecting it as he usually does. Alexis has a great work ethic and he was good in his debut against the side. Perhaps he will switch wings with Villa, as he looks amazing on the left.

The lulz were had

We're left with the strongest formation we can conceive:

Valdes

Alves - Puyol - Pique - Abidal

Busquets

Xavi - Iniesta

Messi

Alexis ----------------Villa

Subs: Pinto, Cesc, Pedro, Keita, Mascherano, Adriano, Thiago.

Visca el Barça!

Fuck you Real Madrid. I hope we embarrass yall like 6-2 and manita. Though I am not expecting it.

--------------

Topic Thread: LINK

Basel vs Manchester United

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:48:23 +0000

Not many predicted, I don't think anyone did, Manchester United would have to at least draw away to Basel, in Switzerland, to stand a chance of progressing through to the last 16. Not the most familiar of territories for Manchester United, who have not replicated their domestic form to Champions League form. Instead, we've seen some subdued performances from The Red Devils, and most of that is primarily down to Sir Alex Ferguson's squad rotation policy, which, in truth, has hindered Manchester United's progress. However, in essence, they should be top of the table, without any excuses. Manchester United currently lie behind Benfica, with 9 points, on goal difference, while Basel are a point adrift. This game could go either way, Manchester United or even Basel have a chance of topping the group. This is not the Champions League predicament you expected them to face at the start of the season.

It's unbelievable how much Manchester United has changed as a team since the 1-6 defeat to their arch rivals, Manchester City. Prior to the defeat, they were playing fluid, free flowing, attacking football, which was the best you could possibly get out of this current side (debatable), but they had a very leaky defence, most blame should be on the two central midfielders, Anderson and Cleverley, who have left masses of space for the opposition to exploit, which ironically didn't go noticed until Manchester United faced Basel at Old Trafford, in the breath taking 3-3 draw, but Cleverley wasn't present. Currently, Manchester United aren't playing the best of football, far from it, but they're getting the results which is the most important thing. As opposed to the beautiful elegance of their football at the start of this season, we're witnessing a lot of labour, just grinding out the win, showcasing the steel that makes Manchester United, well, Manchester United.

de Gea

Smalling - Vidic - Ferdinand - Evra

Jones

Fletcher - Giggs

Nani - Rooney - Park

David de Gea is expected to return in goal, after being rested against Aston Villa. Since the Bolton game away from home, which Manchester United comfortably won 5-0, the young Spaniard's confidence has risen to new heights; who would've thought that? He's gone on to make some crucial saves, just take a look at the last few games, where he has made some world class saves. Put all of that aside, it doesn't matter what you've done or what potential you have, de Gea simply has to put all nerves to one side, arguably this is his biggest game in a Manchester United shirt, based on circumstances alone. At right back, the ever so reliable, Chris Smalling. Smalling has flourished as a right back, showing how versatile and valuable an asset he is. On the other end, Patrice Evra, who has looked a shadow of his former self for quite some time, hasn't performed consistently enough in the Champions League, he simply has to deliver. At the heart of the defence, Nemanja Vidic, who has been sorely missed, and Rio Ferdinand, who looks more confident and solid with Vidic by his side. Not expecting them, especially the former, to lose any aerial duels, with the way they've performed over the past few games. Destitute of authority? Not any more.

With the absence of Michael Carrick, which is a big blow considering he was Manchester United's best player last month, Phil Jones is the ideal man to take his role, which is where he essentially started off as with Blackburn (as a defensive midfielder). Performed considerably well against Aston Villa, scoring his first career goal with Manchester United. To partner him: Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs. Fletcher's industry is essential in a game of this magnitude, and, well, Giggs... something tells me he's going to be the creator in the middle of the park. It's not the most creative midfield on display, but the industry that Jones and Fletcher offer will help Manchester United's midfield battle. A 4-4-2 simply cannot be deployed, unless you want to get outnumbered, which we've seen far too many teams over the past three seasons, if you're a Manchester United fan.

Finally, Luis Nani to attack down the right. The Portuguese delivery (not corners) specialist has been reignited after his impressive performance against Benfica. He simply has to start, you need quality in abundance in this game, and there's no one better than Nani down the right, simple as. On the left, the ever so industrious, Park Ji-Sung. Park has degraded in quality, he performs extremely well in big games, which is one of the main reasons he has to start, but when he has faced inferior opposition this season - he has flattered to deceive. The lone striker, Wayne Rooney, will have to be on his best behaviour. No need for stupidity, no over exuberance. Hasn't scored for 9 games in the league, his midfield transition hasn't done him any favours, but has shown glimpses of the quality he showed in 09/10. Expect him to lead the line efficiently.

Let's face it, Manchester United should've qualified into the last 16 last week, when they faced Benfica at Old Trafford, or even earlier. The enduring problems with regards to Ferguson tweaking the formation and personnel has done The Red Devils no favour. Now, even if they do qualify, they can potentially face the likes of Barcelona or Real Madrid. What Manchester United have shown over and over again, is that they are more than resilient, they can bounce right back up from an upset. Sit tight, folks, because it's going to be a bumpy 90 + mins of football you will witness on Wednesday night, far from predictable, too.

Was Sugar Ray Robinson The Greatest?

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:14:10 +0000

Easily. When you look over the course of everything an athlete could do in their sport Ray has to be the one who had it all. I.e. if we're talking football I'd debate that Messi isn't near the best player in the world because he's not exactly going to be the best defending corners, making tackles or goalkeeping. Where Robinson had it all. He scored knockouts going forwards, on the back foot, via combinations, 1 hit counter punches, if he couldn't get the KO he could outbox anyone. In the inside with wars, on the outside behind the jab. He made everything look beautiful too. He comes from a dancing background, when he's in the ring he used to glide, he didn't step or plod like other fighters do. He had one of the hardest and smooth left hooks around which was his best punch, but his right hand was deadly too, all set up behind a stiff jab. Despite his finer qualities he was also blessed with one of the best chins in the sport. His versatility in skill and style is second to none, I know there are great athletes in other sports but it's hard to think of one that combines athletic and technical prowess and assets to such effect and aethstetics.

He fought 200 times,he scored over 100 KOs, he won 173 fights and most of his losses came when he was a 40 year old man on his last legs. It took 40 pro fights before he lost, many boxers these days don't even compile 40 bouts. He was unbeaten as an amateur so if you add that to his pro career he was in the ring 125 times before he tasted defeat and that was to one of the best Middleweights of all time, Jake LaMotta - the Raging Bull (who Ray beat 5(!) times in his career). He fought everyone and anyone, at any weight. Not many people know this but he was about to win the Light Heavyweight title but had to retire due to heat exhaustion, he was well up on points when he had to withdraw - a 3 weight champion in those days would've been something really special. The only reason why he moved up to Middleweight at first is because there were no welterweights crazy enough to get into the ring with him, remember those days there were only the main weight classes no super or juniors to make it easy and only one title - the fight game was controlled by the Mafia so it was almost impossible for anyone who wasn't involved with them to get a crack at the title. Ray never flirted with temptation of doing so and managed to get several title fights because they couldn't afford to ignore him despite belonging to an unfavoured minority group. He fought with basically no notice on many occasions too, having 2 or 3 weeks rest before fights and getting straight back into it, we'd never hear of any good athlete performing week in week out like that in this kind of a sport today.

Rivalries. Most of his rival's have built their legacy around fighting him, which is impressive enough, but the thing is that he had long series of fights against the best in the business. Just having a quick skim through his record on wiki he had LaMotta x6, Basilio x3, Kid Gavilan x2, Basora x2, Randy Turpin x2, Bobo Olson x3, Gene Fullmer x4, Fritzie Zivic etc etc. Then he fought other greats like Rocky Graziano, Joey Maxim, Henry Armstrong and others, the only 2 people I can think of who he didn't fight and I think he'd probably have beaten both of them. Those are Marcel Cerdan and Tony Zale. I'm not sure why the latter never happened but Cerdan died in a plane accident and I'm sure they'd have crossed paths otherwise. Many of those fighters are considered the best in a golden era of welterweights and middleweights - i.e. if they were alive now Sergio Martínez would be getting his arse kicked. There's surprisingly quite a lot of full length video footage of these guys in their prime and from a lot of what I've seen I can't say I would disagree.

He suffered knockdowns, got up and won. Same goes if he lost a fight, he'd secure a rematch and win it. Nobody beat him twice his IQ was so high there wasn't a strategy anyone could think up to defy him a second time if he slipped up the first. His adaptibility meant it was impossible to set a gameplan to beat him.

That aside, he is the protoype for a modern day sports star (or celebrity in general) long before his times. He was a ruthless businessmen, a born entertainer, a handsome chap, articulate and a showman. He's credited with inventing the concept of an entourage and the term was coined for him. He had his own midget for christ sake.

The second is an interview where it shows that hook I mentioned earlier and the third is part one of him and LaMotta discussing their championship bout, the second and 3rd are available on youtube if you look for them.

I could go on forever about him and his legacy in and outside of the ring. I think that there should be a film made out about him to immortalise him in folklore. He's spoken about in the entertainment and sporting world, but over time his relevance has diminished where people are more likely to remember LaMotta due to Raging Bull or Graziano because of Somebody Up There Loves Me etc.

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The above article/post was taken from "The Greatest" thread and can be located here: http://www.tiki-taka...4-the-greatest/

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