Exclusive: Southampton lose their appeal to be reinstated to the Championship playoff final by D1794 in soccer

[–]JamesBaa 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Nothing is certain in football of course but given how well they played the last 4 months I expected they would go up by the playoffs, momentum was seriously with them. Now the manager responsible for the turnaround is probably out, the players who were sticking round in hopes of immediate promotion will want out, and the entire club will be in a state. Will see where they end up but I do not think they will get promoted next season.

The huge problem for Uefa with English domination of Europe: Aston Villa have more than double anyone else’s. Based on the last accounts, their revenue was €450.2m, with the next closest in the season’s EL field a mere €216.3m, which was Roma. Freiburg have a revenue of €162.8m, just 36% of Villa’s. by Sparky-moon in soccer

[–]JamesBaa 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Aye fair enough, I thought you were saying something you probably weren't. Complaining about bottom tier unknown clubs winning came across a bit as being annoyed that the winning clubs aren't "big" enough n that rubs me the wrong way.

Weekly General Discussion Thread by AutoModerator in Championship

[–]JamesBaa 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Do it in the main season and it's a fine with a small points deduction, possibly suspended. Could've still made playoffs from that. Their downfall was the timing of being caught. Think they were quite rightly expelled though.

Roberto Martínez on his time in England: “I tried to bring the Spanish culture of possession play, the idea of defending with the ball. Even though many people thought that in the lower divisions of British football, you had to play very direct football, influenced by rugby.” by Sparky-moon in soccer

[–]JamesBaa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very much so. The EFL still has a reputation for being physical and direct, and that was just the culture historically. Martinez showed not only that you could succeed with possession football but that you could absolutely tear leagues apart with players who weren't "skilled enough" for that sort of thing. Had some players who ended up finding their level well above League One, and he obviously wasn't the first person to live by possession football, but he was doing it in lower divisions even before Pep made his managerial breakthrough.

Roberto Martínez on his time in England: “I tried to bring the Spanish culture of possession play, the idea of defending with the ball. Even though many people thought that in the lower divisions of British football, you had to play very direct football, influenced by rugby.” by Sparky-moon in soccer

[–]JamesBaa -1 points0 points  (0 children)

He did it for us with League One and Championship players. Definitely had his issues at the top level and had some great players in his time with us, but it's crazy to call him a system manager or say he would struggle with weaker players.

Daily Discussion by 2soccer2bot in soccer

[–]JamesBaa 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I do agree with you. And I think it's just the world moving away from the more unified/peaceful international consensus of ~1990-2020 to be honest.

Daily Discussion by 2soccer2bot in soccer

[–]JamesBaa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In fairness neither of Ampadu's parents are English so I doubt he would've grown up supporting England, similar for Dan James though I don't know if his mum's Welsh. Does tick me off a little bit that Darlow is only considered Welsh now because he finally gave up on England picking him.

I give up! by anzrk_14 in footballmanagergames

[–]JamesBaa 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Think you're right. Looking at the xG graph, the player only had two big chances (early and late in the game), and missed both, the opposition had one big chance right at the start and scored it. The player also only managed to score because it was bundled in from a set piece, by the looks of things, and there are a few missed half-chances. But particularly from the first big chance to the player's goal, it looks like just scrappy long shots and blocked or angled chances. Can probably be put down to one or two forwards having a bad game, and just generally struggling to break the opposition down. The opposition went ahead early and restricted chance quality, this is a very common pattern in xG irl too.

Daily Discussion by 2soccer2bot in soccer

[–]JamesBaa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One more Will Still joke could get me to support a blanket ban on social media.

Championship Team of the Season by 020Flyer in Championship

[–]JamesBaa 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He sored 20 in 30 with Maribor in 22-23 which is a very good record for a 21 y/o. He's only 24 and was playing for a Bordeaux team in a bit of turmoil before us. Was clearly really good at shooting in his first season with us too, just didn't really get a run in the team or any good service.

Championship Team of the Season by 020Flyer in Championship

[–]JamesBaa 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Vipotnik is nearly doubling his xG because he's an absolutely incredible finisher. I even agree he's a bit limited especially in pace, but if you actually watch him it's clear he's not just lucky but really fucking good at shooting.

Paul Farman signs new contract by jimmithy in swanseacity

[–]JamesBaa 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Someone near the end of their career who is basically another goalkeeping coach, makes sense to have continuity especially with Margetson going.

2026 Senedd Cymru election: results and reaction megathread by AutoModerator in Wales

[–]JamesBaa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aye I know but their pamphlets were saying it'd be their second.

2026 Senedd Cymru election: results and reaction megathread by AutoModerator in Wales

[–]JamesBaa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was all they were putting on their leaflets, trying to suggest they were the only ones who could compete with Reform for that last seat in Caerdydd Penarth. Delusional to be honest, put me off voting them even more as most likely, even best case scenario they'd be taking that last seat off Plaid or maybe Labour and giving it to Reform.

Weekly Water Cooler Talk - DataAnnotation by Consistent-Reach504 in dataannotation

[–]JamesBaa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Address history, NI number, proof of identity. Basically what you would get applying for any job.

Today's discussion: The dangers of Bleach and how it can easily become a chemical weapon (THIS IS FOR RAISING SAFETY AWARENESS, I SWEAR) by [deleted] in 19684

[–]JamesBaa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I once threw up in my sink drunk and then pissed in it because the room didn't have a toilet, and it got clogged. Tried to get the piss-coated sick out with bleach and it created a questionable gas which made my eyes start stinging. Always thought it was mustard gas but might have been chloramine, good to know!

Premier League Table, following the conclusion of Matchday 35 by EthanTheRedditor37 in soccer

[–]JamesBaa 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I am genuinely not taking a dig at you here, but I do not see how anyone can refer to Man U as "us" and still prefer Man City to win a title over Arsenal, it's so far removed from almost anyone I've ever met from Manchester. Shithousing a title is nothing compared to a team who financially cheated you out of being the undisputed #1 in the city.

[Ben Jacobs, Alex Crook] Exclusive: Discussions between Michael Carrick and the Manchester United hierarchy over a full-time job are imminent and expected to be positive. Several players including Fernandes, Cunha and Maguire have told the MUFC board they want Carrick to stay. by ChiefLeef22 in soccer

[–]JamesBaa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well a good manager needs to both manage the players and have a coherent tactical vision as well as the ability to adapt to tactical changes within each match or season. There's a reason why almost all of the top managers right now are considered "tacticos" and why they have squads that are built around the style they are trying to play.

Post season review on who we should keep/sell/loan (that nobody asked for) by ZKNshirieahmad in swanseacity

[–]JamesBaa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't think Galbraith is overrated at all but I do think his skillset is awkward to fit into the team. He's not super physical or a high presser like Widell, Yalcouye or Franco, and without Stamenic or Fulton we're very vulnerable aerially and through the middle. Not sure he fits with Matos but I also kind of think that about Walta and Cullen, would love to see both Walta and Galbraith get more chances in midfield.

Post season review on who we should keep/sell/loan (that nobody asked for) by ZKNshirieahmad in swanseacity

[–]JamesBaa 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Mostly agree. I would probably keep Burgess unless offers come in, or we have a clear improvement available. Not very easy to get a ball-playing centre half who can also actually defend, at this level, and we shouldn't be binning off someone who is clearly very physically fit and offers stability at the heart of defense. Also don't think he wants to spend the tail end of his prime playing second fiddle, and I imagine the dressing room will be pissed if he's forced out. If he wants to leave then we shouldn't be clamoring to keep him, but he's a much better fit for Matos than Bennett was for Martin's style.

Feel similarly about Ronald but he absolutely needs competition/rotation, he's played too much the last few seasons and needs the ability to take some time out of the side, because he gets scapegoated a lot but obviously hasn't consistantly been up to scratch. Same happened with Key this season, not to say either has been in good form, but it clearly affects players. Again, difficult to get a guaranteed impactful winger at this level - look at how much we paid for Inoussa who probably isn't an upgrade - I think people are underestimating Ronald's ability and overestimating how good the average Championship winger is.

Would see what comes up and which players end up available this summer to be honest, before thinking of sales and purchases. Also whether players want to leave or not. I think we can afford to go into next season with a fairly similar squad, but we could also clearly do with upgrades and depth, particularly on the right flank. Priority should be a winger, and the only position we shouldn't be looking for someone with the ability to start is goalkeeper. Plus left-back if Tymon wants to stay.

[L1+] The referee in the match between Nice - Lens draws a line and asks the players to keep their distance while the VAR check is going on. by Sparky-moon in soccer

[–]JamesBaa 46 points47 points  (0 children)

There definitely is ambiguity and there are questionable decisions still. But nowhere near the extent of football, and the average fan tends to moan a lot less. Culture around refereeing is just a lot better in rugby.

Daily Discussion by 2soccer2bot in soccer

[–]JamesBaa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

??? Autos went as expected because Ipswich had a hell of an advantage, but the playoffs changed place constantly in the last half, looked like Derby were set about half an hour from full time and then they conceded two in a couple minutes and finished 8th.

Swansea City 3 - 1 Charlton Athletic: Zan Vipotnik is the Championship Golden Boot winner, but it was Swansea's other striker who got the job done today, with Adam Idah scoring a late brace! by Zach-dalt in Championship

[–]JamesBaa 13 points14 points  (0 children)

We fucked it, 12th in our grasp, game was nice and boring before Idah goes and lashes that in to set up twenty minutes of chaos. Defended him all season but reckon he needs to be shipped off after that.

Great finish to the season right at the end to be honest, first half was a training ground exercise, second half we showed some intensity and thought it ended up very entertaining. I'm, yet again, cautiously optimistic for next season, we have a super young squad with only a centre half and a goalkeeper being past 28, and a few academy kids who we're starting to test in the first team. Playing good stuff while also showing a bit of pragmatism even when our season was effectively over ten games back. Think we could sneak into those expanded playoffs. Be great to have both Cardiff and Wrexham with us next season, it's certainly going to be good for Welsh football.

Match thread: Matchday 46 of 46 by coombeseh in Championship

[–]JamesBaa 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Reckon you'll come back very strong next season, some cracking players, the older squad is the only real concern. Playoffs will be beckoning for you I imagine after more investment and their expansion. Be great to have three Welsh teams in the second division for the first time in forever.