akr
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The Football Thread - Season 2012/2013
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Been thinking but it's so difficult as I've enjoyed different eras for different reasons and some of my favourite years supporting United were when we were crap
I'll rule out the 70s and early 80s as I used to go with my Dad and just enjoyed games as a day out rather than understanding the implications of the 'season'.
Mid 80s to early 90s were my favourite 'times' supporting United (despite it still being the tail end of Liverpool's era) because it was me and my mates going every week home and away on the trains. Yes there was the violence and the fact football fans were treated like third rate citizens but it was a combination of my age plus the fun and adventure of it all that made it special. Add to that Mexico 86 and Italy 90 with England and it just escapsulates my whole informative footballing years I guess.
2 seasons stand out for me though in terms of favourite United seasons.
92/93
Growing up between Liverpool and Manchester - those 27 years without a title were hell for me and my family and made this Championship winning year very special. Having come so close the season before against Leeds made it all the more sweet. It felt so good and I'd waited so long for it that when I finally 'came down' I almost wished we hadn't won it and still had it to look forward to.
At 23 years and counting for Liverpool, and given his age, this why I understand Joe's troubled mind.
98/99
Despite the doubles and titles and double doubles or whatever they call them that followed, I remained the biggest pessimist in the world when it came to United. Whilst those around me got more and more excited by the possibility of the Treble, I just saw the potential for disappointment growing larger and larger as those last few crazy weeks played out. God knows how but it all panned out but part of me hopes never to have to go through all that again.
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The23rdman
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Whether you like Suarez or not, the good thing about him is that he never stops and never gives up. He wants to play every minute, and is not happy if he doesn't. That may be the thing that keeps him away from a club with more money, and so larger squads, and maybe Champions League, as he will play nearly every game for Liverpool. Would he do that for City? :shrug: Tevez doesn't, Aguero doesn't.
Interesting to see some some of the reporting of the Liverpool game, not well done for beating someone 5-0, but 'why don't they do it every week'. :bang: Let's enjoy the result eh mate.
Suarez was good for me in the FF, after recently replacing Defoe with Suarez.Sturridge may have been better if he had played both games last week. The same goes for Michu.
Bale gave a good return too with his excellent free kicks.
Oh I agree. Suarez's enthusiasm and will to play is wonderful. I can't see how he'd be happy anywhere as a squad player.
The23rdman
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So so painful a memory.
akr
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I was at that game - losing to Cardiff in Cardiff, hmmmm - bloody Tommy Williams, if he'd just crossed the ball....:bang: And the car broke down on the way home....
Think you'll actually go up this year, or the usual end of season collapse?
Edit - I am not going anywhere near that link!
akr
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Been thinking but it's so difficult as I've enjoyed different eras for different reasons and some of my favourite years supporting United were when we were crap
I'll rule out the 70s and early 80s as I used to go with my Dad and just enjoyed games as a day out rather than understanding the implications of the 'season'.
Mid 80s to early 90s were my favourite 'times' supporting United (despite it still being the tail end of Liverpool's era) because it was me and my mates going every week home and away on the trains. Yes there was the violence and the fact football fans were treated like third rate citizens but it was a combination of my age plus the fun and adventure of it all that made it special. Add to that Mexico 86 and Italy 90 with England and it just escapsulates my whole informative footballing years I guess.
2 seasons stand out for me though in terms of favourite United seasons.
92/93
Growing up between Liverpool and Manchester - those 27 years without a title were hell for me and my family and made this Championship winning year very special. Having come so close the season before against Leeds made it all the more sweet. It felt so good and I'd waited so long for it that when I finally 'came down' I almost wished we hadn't won it and still had it to look forward to.
At 23 years and counting for Liverpool, and given his age, this why I understand Joe's troubled mind.
98/99
Despite the doubles and titles and double doubles or whatever they call them that followed, I remained the biggest pessimist in the world when it came to United. Whilst those around me got more and more excited by the possibility of the Treble, I just saw the potential for disappointment growing larger and larger as those last few crazy weeks played out. God knows how but it all panned out but part of me hopes never to have to go through all that again.
Can certainly see both - 92/93 I think those long waits are the ones that really do it. Sadly I'm still waiting and suspect I will be for a very longtime!
mindcrime
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1984/85. Everton winning the league for the first time since 1969/70 season. Had an unstoppable team, and played some marvellous football. I'd been a regular since the 1977/78 season, so to finally witness something good happen was fantastic. And to be at Goodison for that Cup Winners' Cup semi final win over the mighty Bayern Munich, was the best night ever at the Old Lady.
cambsno
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Errrr... Ramsey at right midfield??? When will wenger learn??? Ramsey is not a right mid, why on earth play someone out of position when someone like chamberlain is available, or dare I say it, arsharvin or even theo on right and giroud up top??? 2-1 to bayern.
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cambsno said:
Ramsey gives a far greater defensive contribution which is needed against the Alaba-Ribery combo. 41% of their attacks come from that right side so Walcott's defensive work just won't cut it. That said I'd have played Cazorla there, Ramsey deep mid and jack the attacking mid. Very pleased to see theo lead the line though!
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TriggerHappy
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Actually looks like ITV had their line up wrong and Cazorla is on the right. There's a lot of interchange going on so it's hard to be sure.
cambsno
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If thats the case then no prob... doesnt really matter, a goal down already.
akr
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TriggerHappy
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cambsno said:
Give it a rest for Christ's sake. What type of fan are you? A **** one, that's what!
The Greek
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He does make a good point. The FA cup was the easier route to a trophy, and would have kept the fans off Wengers back, not the Arsenal money men tho.
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The Greek said:
That team was more than good enough to win that game and the players let themselves down. Had we played a full strength team, walked the match and then looked jaded today what would we be reading? The exact opposite about his team selection. Why didn't he rest a couple of crucial players against a lower opposition? He literally can't win. Getting let down time and again by his players and the club and being left to take 100% of the blame for an awful lot that isn't his fault.
The23rdman
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Um, they are his players though and if he's constantly being let down by them why not pick/buy some different ones?
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TriggerHappy
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The23rdman said:
Because our silent owner wants the money tucked away in the bank adding to the enterprise value and bumping up share price. We don't have £35m to waste on chaff like Carroll, despite what the papers and Gazidis want you to believe.
The Greek
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He is being let down by HIS signings, and HIS coaching, can't blame it on the previous manager.
Bring back George Graham lol
cambsno
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Thank you. Yes, a very winable game, and we could have won something. The chances of us beating BM were slim anyway, and again we look clueless. Wenger lost the plot yesterday, and I fail to see how anyone can think he is the man to take us forward.
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TriggerHappy
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People can't get carried away with this result though. Bayern were always the favourites. There's not a better team in the world out of possession, and they're right up there with the best when they're in possession.
Watch how deep and advanced every single one of their players moves when they're attacking and defending. Perfect coordination of 10 men working up and down the pitch without a chink in their shape. Not to mention how many homegrown players they have on the pitch. They really are doing something special, and there's no shame in losing to them.
Watch how deep and advanced every single one of their players moves when they're attacking and defending. Perfect coordination of 10 men working up and down the pitch without a chink in their shape. Not to mention how many homegrown players they have on the pitch. They really are doing something special, and there's no shame in losing to them.
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cambsno said:
Who's a better man to take us forward, that would actually come? It's all well and good saying he's lost his way, but who's better?
cambsno
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Exactly - a manager is there to motivate and inspire - little evidence of that. He bought the players... the defenders cant defend, Vermaelen is getting worse by the month, we are a one trick team. He still managed to waste £11m on Gervino, £6m on Santos, he seems unable to pick out talent like he used to. I would still say that man for man we are better than Spurs and Everton but trail Spurs and only just ahead of Everton. It IS the manager to blame.
cambsno
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Agree, losing to Bayern 2-0 is no shock or anything to be ashamed about. Its the decline of the club that is a concern. Far too many inept and lacklustre performances, no defensive nous (the 2nd Bayern goal was a joke). Yes, we have the odd game we look great but overall very poor this season.
Who else... well I dont know many managers outside England, and had never heard of Wenger before he came. Moyes, Laudrup and Martinez I would take from Prem.
cambsno
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How does that explain the many crap performances against worse teams than us. Bradford and blackburn especially? Did the owners tell him to field a weakened team against Blackburn?
joescrivens
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cambsno
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So, IMO how good is our team???
Keepers:
Szczesny - I like him, like his attitude but he is prone to some poor judgements. But, he is young. We have no other keepers, so need to get a decent reserve, unless we can sign a keeper like the Bayern one to become first choice - Szezesny can then fight for no.1 spot. Should have signed Given or Schwartzer a couple of years ago.
Defenders:
Our weakest area...
Sagna - Been awful this season, head is not there, needs to go. Shame as he was good a year or two ago.
Jenkinson - I like him and his attitude, young and willing, although is prone to rashness which is understandable. Prospect for future, could be first choice RB if we had a strong def but a very capable reserve
Gibbs - Good player but too injury prone, cannot be relied on.
Nacho - Too early to tell
Metersacker - Some good games but would not challenge any defs of the top 4 teams. Can be turned very quickly. Would keep as 3rd choice, maybe 2nd with right partner.
Vermaelen - Two years ago, the best CB in the Prem imo, but been awful overall for a year or so. At moment 3rd choice at best.
Koscielny - Again, a few good games but too inconsistent and too many errors. 4th choice at best, get rid.
Squillachi & Santos - Waste of space
Mids:
Some very good players but we are missing a really dominant Viera/Yaya/Lampard type player. Schneijder anyone???
Wilshire - Best CM in the Prem, and would get into Barca team, easily!!!
Arteta - Good solid player with experience
Diaby - Too injury prone - not that good either. Sell (if we can!)
Cazorla - Too hit and miss, although 1st season. Sometimes looks amazing (although from memory it seems to be against weaker teams, goes missing in big games).
Chamberlain - Great player for future, great for bench but also to keep others on toes.
Rosicky - Injury prone, can look good but a bench warmer at best.
Ramsey - Natural replacement for Arteta or Wilshire, nothing more at moment
Coquelin - Like much of what I have seen. Would like to see him given more chances. Players like Arteta and Cazorla are not in fear of being dropped.
Arshavin - Needs to go, although as we have him, he should have been given another last chance or 2 in the Cazorla role.
Atts:
Giroud - I do like him, he gives 100% and often makes things happen. Finishing could be better, but Henry was pretty poor at the start too!
Theo - Along with Wilshire, the only other player who could get into Man U or Man C side.
Podolski - A bit like Cazorla, some very good performances, should he be played more as a striker at times??
Gervinho - Complete waste of space - doesnt look up when passing, cant shoot and generally crap!
I would like to see a goal poacher type player as an option up front (Bent anyone, Ba would have been ok too). I know we dont play 442, but a winger or 2 would be a nice option as our mids all favour central positions.
Keepers:
Szczesny - I like him, like his attitude but he is prone to some poor judgements. But, he is young. We have no other keepers, so need to get a decent reserve, unless we can sign a keeper like the Bayern one to become first choice - Szezesny can then fight for no.1 spot. Should have signed Given or Schwartzer a couple of years ago.
Defenders:
Our weakest area...
Sagna - Been awful this season, head is not there, needs to go. Shame as he was good a year or two ago.
Jenkinson - I like him and his attitude, young and willing, although is prone to rashness which is understandable. Prospect for future, could be first choice RB if we had a strong def but a very capable reserve
Gibbs - Good player but too injury prone, cannot be relied on.
Nacho - Too early to tell
Metersacker - Some good games but would not challenge any defs of the top 4 teams. Can be turned very quickly. Would keep as 3rd choice, maybe 2nd with right partner.
Vermaelen - Two years ago, the best CB in the Prem imo, but been awful overall for a year or so. At moment 3rd choice at best.
Koscielny - Again, a few good games but too inconsistent and too many errors. 4th choice at best, get rid.
Squillachi & Santos - Waste of space
Mids:
Some very good players but we are missing a really dominant Viera/Yaya/Lampard type player. Schneijder anyone???
Wilshire - Best CM in the Prem, and would get into Barca team, easily!!!
Arteta - Good solid player with experience
Diaby - Too injury prone - not that good either. Sell (if we can!)
Cazorla - Too hit and miss, although 1st season. Sometimes looks amazing (although from memory it seems to be against weaker teams, goes missing in big games).
Chamberlain - Great player for future, great for bench but also to keep others on toes.
Rosicky - Injury prone, can look good but a bench warmer at best.
Ramsey - Natural replacement for Arteta or Wilshire, nothing more at moment
Coquelin - Like much of what I have seen. Would like to see him given more chances. Players like Arteta and Cazorla are not in fear of being dropped.
Arshavin - Needs to go, although as we have him, he should have been given another last chance or 2 in the Cazorla role.
Atts:
Giroud - I do like him, he gives 100% and often makes things happen. Finishing could be better, but Henry was pretty poor at the start too!
Theo - Along with Wilshire, the only other player who could get into Man U or Man C side.
Podolski - A bit like Cazorla, some very good performances, should he be played more as a striker at times??
Gervinho - Complete waste of space - doesnt look up when passing, cant shoot and generally crap!
I would like to see a goal poacher type player as an option up front (Bent anyone, Ba would have been ok too). I know we dont play 442, but a winger or 2 would be a nice option as our mids all favour central positions.
akr
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Give it a season or two and he'll have made his mind up between Chelsea, City and Barca
The Greek
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gaz_jameison
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Any Millwall fans on here hahahaha! :-D
akr
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You've got to be joking - 11th in the League first season back up, after getting promoted at the first attempt, and you want him gone for someone with no PL experience. Big Sam maybe many things, but you are unlikely to go down with him, his football is not all bad.
With that attitude you have the makings of a Billionaire Premier League chairman!
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