The Football Thread - Season 2012/2013

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Nice close up of a 1D behind the goal then lol
 
fabs said:
No, unfortunately I have been to Loftus Rad for many years. I used to work in Westbourne Park and used to finish at 2pm on Saturdays. Regularly went to watch them in the Alan MacDonald era, happy days.

I don't think Kenny had a particularly good season last year and, given his tweets after Saturday's game, he's gone right down in my estimation. I think Green will come good and he wasn't the only o-ne to make mistakes over the weekend. Ben Foster, a keeper many QPR fans wanted, dropped the ball in the 6 yard box and it was only because Suarez was having a "couldn't hit a barn door" day that Liverpool didn't score. I'm still hoping Green will come good, we shall see.
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Ah, right. I used to live in Queens Park in the Alan MacDonald days. :wave:

What did Kenny say? I'm not on Twitter.

I hope the side come good, maybe it was just a case of a new team not gelling yet. Hopefully Nelsen and Boswinga will toughen the defence up too.

Hughes made some odd decisions...he played Cisse as a lone striker, which wasn't working. When he substituted him, most of the fans were expecting him to put two strikers on and change tactics...instead he just put Johnson in his place. Hmmmm. Johnson touched the ball once I think.
 
Ok predictions below I believe - Joe can you confirm the outstanding ones and if my guesses for yours were correct - I'll get the first scores up once these are confirmed and I've sorted the formulas - Fabs, Trigger anyone else want to join still - sure we can accept a couple of late ones if you wanted with suitable disqualification if you look like winning :p:

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akr said:
Ok predictions below I believe - Joe can you confirm the outstanding ones and if my guesses for yours were correct - I'll get the first scores up once these are confirmed and I've sorted the formulas - Fabs, Trigger anyone else want to join still - sure we can accept a couple of late ones if you wanted with suitable disqualification if you look like winning :p:

TPPredictions.PNG
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Yeah, I got back too late to get it done on Saturday, I'll try before the weekend.
 
Not a great performance from United tonight although that's taking nothing away from Everton. Fellaini had a fantastic match and although I did say I was worried about Carrick and Valencia in defence I've no idea why Vidic wasn't put on him for corners.

Anyway - defence wasn't too bad all things considered and De Gea did well. No excuses at the other end though. I thought Kagawa did well but Rooney and Nani were terrible.
 
What happened last night? Everton normaly start playing like that in January.
 
The Greek said:
What happened last night? Everton normaly start playing like that in January.
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Manchester united spent all their money on attacking options and suddenly realised they're way short on defensive cover; that's what happened :naughty:
 
TriggerHappy said:
Manchester united spent all their money on attacking options and suddenly realised they're way short on defensive cover; that's what happened :naughty:
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Sort of true but conceeding 1 away to Everton is no crime. It was the failure to break down a very resolute Everton at the other end that was the problem. Nani's poor decision making continues to frustrate me and Rooney was dissapointing to say the least.
 
Had a chuckle watching man u lose last night. Nani and rooney were really poor as you say phil, as for kagawa, I didn't really see anything creative from him as such, I mean, if he wasn't a new signing would you have even commented on him? I thought scholes was better than him throughout the game.

Watching fellaini though I couldn't help think that is what liverpool could use caroll for in their current setup. Fellaini isn't blessed with pace and effectively spent the whole game controlling the ball as a target and dishing it off to the more athletic players to run at united with. It was working brilliantly. Then when it mattered he used his size to smash a header in from a set piece because de gea was stopping everything going into the net. I think caroll could play that exact same way in rodgers plans.
 
dinners said:
Sort of true but conceeding 1 away to Everton is no crime. It was the failure to break down a very resolute Everton at the other end that was the problem. Nani's poor decision making continues to frustrate me and Rooney was dissapointing to say the least.
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It's certainly not a crime. Everton are a fantastic side and I'd happily have Moyes at Arsenal. The results he produces on a relative shoestring really are impressive.

I do think it's a genuine point though, Ferdinand certainly hasn't got long left in him and I wouldn't trust Jones, Smalling or Evans as a long term starting XI just yet. Add to that the fact that there's no cover for Rafael and Buttner has only just signed to cover Evra and there is a major shortcoming of United's defence. Certainly there was much more need to add defensive solidarity than attacking options. Midfield also lacks depth and I find it hard to believe Anderson cost £15m back in '07!

I'm going to go out there and say if things don't change drastically before September comes around or in the January transfer window, United could be looking at a 3rd or 4th spot finish.

I had a look at FourFourTwo StatsZone (free app on your iPhone) and it showed just how little penetration Man U offered. I think only 3 passes were made into Everton's box in the whole game. I can post screenshots if you like because it really was quite revealing!
 
TriggerHappy said:
It's certainly not a crime. Everton are a fantastic side and I'd happily have Moyes at Arsenal. The results he produces on a relative shoestring really are impressive.

I do think it's a genuine point though, Ferdinand certainly hasn't got long left in him and I wouldn't trust Jones, Smalling or Evans as a long term starting XI just yet. Add to that the fact that there's no cover for Rafael and Buttner has only just signed to cover Evra and there is a major shortcoming of United's defence. Certainly there was much more need to add defensive solidarity than attacking options. Midfield also lacks depth and I find it hard to believe Anderson cost £15m back in '07!

I'm going to go out there and say if things don't change drastically before September comes around or in the January transfer window, United could be looking at a 3rd or 4th spot finish.

I had a look at FourFourTwo StatsZone (free app on your iPhone) and it showed just how little penetration Man U offered. I think only 3 passes were made into Everton's box in the whole game. I can post screenshots if you like because it really was quite revealing!
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Some good points, but if I were ferguson, I would be breaking the bank for Modric!
 
TriggerHappy said:
I'm going to go out there and say if things don't change drastically before September comes around or in the January transfer window, United could be looking at a 3rd or 4th spot finish.
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After 1 game, against a tough side?? Man U could be 3rd if chelsea play well, but 4th, no way! None of Spurs, Arsenal or Liverpool are good enough to finish within 15 points of Man U (remember they finished 19 points ahead of us last year and have added to their team, rather than lost players).
 
yeah based on just 1 performance you can't really comment. I still think they'll be competing for the trophy, it's only one game.

If you based the performances on the first day then you'd have liverpool and TTFNAVP finishing in the bottom half of the table :lol:
 
joescrivens said:
as for kagawa, I didn't really see anything creative from him as such, I mean, if he wasn't a new signing would you have even commented on him? .
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Agreed - but being his league debut - that's why I did comment on him. It was interesting to see how he settled and where he fitted in.
 
TriggerHappy said:
It's certainly not a crime. Everton are a fantastic side and I'd happily have Moyes at Arsenal. The results he produces on a relative shoestring really are impressive.

I do think it's a genuine point though, Ferdinand certainly hasn't got long left in him and I wouldn't trust Jones, Smalling or Evans as a long term starting XI just yet. Add to that the fact that there's no cover for Rafael and Buttner has only just signed to cover Evra and there is a major shortcoming of United's defence. Certainly there was much more need to add defensive solidarity than attacking options.
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I think it would be more fair to judge this defence once they're available and playing. Evans was a long term starting XI player last season when we had so many out of action and he did a fantastic job. Smalling has shown his quality already and will be fine. Ferdinand had a better year last year in terms of his back problems which helped with Vidic not being available. Jones is a bit of a 'does a job anywhere' player which is handy.

On the whole I'm happy with the Centre Back situation providing everybody is available.

Full Back - that's a different issue.
 
akr said:
Ok predictions below I believe - Joe can you confirm the outstanding ones and if my guesses for yours were correct - I'll get the first scores up once these are confirmed and I've sorted the formulas - Fabs, Trigger anyone else want to join still - sure we can accept a couple of late ones if you wanted with suitable disqualification if you look like winning :p:

TPPredictions.PNG
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lol some of these are wrong:

1.Manure Nited - man U
2. FC Abu Dhabi - Man city
3. Chelski - Chelsea
4. The Team formerly known as Van Persie - arsenal
5. Rodgers Rampant Racists - liverpool
6. The Toon - newcastle
7. Lilywhites - Spurs
8. Wanabee Liverpool - everton
9. The mackams - sunderland
10. Large gammon FC - fulham
11. Fat Head United - west ham
12. Oatcake united - stoke
13. The Super Hoops - qpr
14. The richer Portsmouth - southampton
15. What's occuring FC? - swansea
16. Ashton from JLS Villa - aston villa
17. Pie town FC - wigan
18. Gervais United - reading
19. Partridge United - norwich
20. Adrian Childs FC - west brom
 
QPR on the brink of loaning Ricardo Carvalho...I'm beginning to wonder if they've just asked every player to join them!
 
joescrivens said:
lol some of these are wrong:

1.Manure Nited - man U
2. FC Abu Dhabi - Man city
3. Chelski - Chelsea
4. The Team formerly known as Van Persie - arsenal
5. Rodgers Rampant Racists - liverpool
6. The Toon - newcastle
7. Lilywhites - Spurs
8. Wanabee Liverpool - everton
9. The mackams - sunderland
10. Large gammon FC - fulham
11. Fat Head United - west ham
12. Oatcake united - stoke
13. The Super Hoops - qpr
14. The richer Portsmouth - southampton
15. What's occuring FC? - swansea
16. Ashton from JLS Villa - aston villa
17. Pie town FC - wigan
18. Gervais United - reading
19. Partridge United - norwich
20. Adrian Childs FC - west brom
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Thanks Joe, I assumed Fulham was Spurs but I gave up!
 
TriggerHappy said:
QPR on the brink of loaning Ricardo Carvalho...I'm beginning to wonder if they've just asked every player to join them!
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Well any defender, yes! I'd be delighted to get him, and Dawson in defence. Our defence remains our weakest element so I'm glad we appear to be trying to address it. Last year first game of the season we had Danny Gabiddon and Fitz Hall in central defence - the difference for us is amazing even to be linked with these sorts of players.
 
Season prediction league - week 1 table. Joe leads.. :help: :)

Long way to go :)

TpLeagueWeek1.JPG
 
joescrivens said:
Wait. Are you adding up the score each week cumulatively? Or just the final result?
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Final result only, but will update roughly weekly when I can so we can see how we are doing.
 
akr said:
Well any defender, yes! I'd be delighted to get him, and Dawson in defence. Our defence remains our weakest element so I'm glad we appear to be trying to address it. Last year first game of the season we had Danny Gabiddon and Fitz Hall in central defence - the difference for us is amazing even to be linked with these sorts of players.
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Haha not just defence. I read today you're making enquiries into signing Defoe too! I can hardly imagine spurs would let him go with such a shortage though.
 
PMK said:
They've purchased 20 players in a year. It's unbelievable!
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That's Mark Hughes for you though isn't it - sign every player you possibly can on the basis that a few will work out leaving the rest hanging about on high wages ?
 
PMK said:
They've purchased 20 players in a year. It's unbelievable!
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Purchased 20, I'm not sure. We've got a sizeable amount on free transfers \ loans and have sold \ let lots of players go this summer. either way it's not really that surprising if you consider we have just come up from the Championship and are trying to turn the squad into a PL one from what we had before at the same time as getting a new manager and new rich owners.

I imagine after this transfer window things will settle down as the squad will be pretty much done then.

You do realise (until we sign Dawson - if we do) that we've only spent £5m on transfer fees so far this window.

I will admit our wage bill may be a little high however it would be interesting to see where we were compared to other teams in the Premier League.
 
akr said:
I will admit our wage bill may be a little high however it would be interesting to see where we were compared to other teams in the Premier League.
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In 2011 you spent £29.7m on wages, which was 183 percent of the £16.2m club turnover.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...cost-of-joining-the-Premier-League-elite.html

Presumably with the big names they've brought in since those figures, the costs can only increase. I imagine the ambition is to rapidly grow the fan base, and so revenue, so that it becomes self-sustaining but that's a big ask.

Compare that with Man City and they spend £174m on wages, which is 114 percent of their revenue.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18248540

Arsenal and Man U spend around the 40 percent mark of total revenue on player wages.

(obviously these figures are all from last year and will change with any new signings)
 
TriggerHappy said:
In 2011 you spent £29.7m on wages, which was 183 percent of the £16.2m club turnover.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...cost-of-joining-the-Premier-League-elite.html

Presumably with the big names they've brought in since those figures, the costs can only increase. I imagine the ambition is to rapidly grow the fan base, and so revenue, so that it becomes self-sustaining but that's a big ask.

Compare that with Man City and they spend £174m on wages, which is 114 percent of their revenue.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18248540

Arsenal and Man U spend around the 40 percent mark of total revenue on player wages.

(obviously these figures are all from last year and will change with any new signings)
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Read a few articles with those stats - we seem popular bashing boys with the press at present :)

The wages do worry me, but I can't do anything about it so after many years out of the Prem I'm going to sit back and enjoy the ride (5-0 thrashings apart) and see where it takes us. Am actually looking forward the the transfer window closing, we are linked with every player under the sun currently.
 
Thought the Hearts v Liverpool match was on TV tonight but it seems not.

Anyway - 0:0 approaching half time at Tynecastle.

I know Liverpool have rested players but Hearts are a far cry from the team they were last year.
 
ITV4 down here (not in Scotland?)
 
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