The Football Thread - Season 2014/2015

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cambsno said:
Arsenal playing with 10 men! Sanogo ffs!!
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Was there today, he was totally lost, and to be fair, Wilshire wasn't much better - he holds onto the ball far too long. Was very impressed with Calum Chambers, he reads the game so well for someone so young.

Zonal defending - What about the zone on the back post ? Numpties.... Rambo to the rescue again :)
 
Lucky Arsenal today, but then getting a result when you're not playing so well is all that matters. ;)

Utd were quite poor. Just got ripped apart on MotD. :eek: Like they said on TV, may be a blessing in disguise to prompt the money men at Utd to splash the cash. It will have to be a load of cash though to make up for no Champions League for any quality prospective targets. It is the problem Liverpool have had for the last few years. It can be done, but it's not easy.

Can't wait to see how Liverpool start tomorrow. :)
 
redhed17 said:
Utd were quite poor. Just got ripped apart on MotD. :eek: Like they said on TV, may be a blessing in disguise to prompt the money men at Utd to splash the cash.
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Not much in the way of expectation from me at this stage but certainly interesting times ahead.

LVG certainly has a job to do - In house terms I think he's inherited a 'doer-upper'

Defence was missing today quite literally - Ferdinand, Evra & Vidic all gone - Shaw, Rafael, Jones, Valencia injured.

Good to see the likes of Tyler Blackett and Reece James getting some experience of late but you know you've issues when you give a forward (Jesse Lingard) his debut in defence alongside Ashley Young and even Lingard goes off injured.

It will be interesting to see if anythings happens over the next couple of weeks although it's going to be a longer term build.
 
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If there are no positive moves into the transfer market, and they have left it very late, then I fear it will take a lot longer to 'doer up'. ;) :LOL:

Utd have needed quality for a few years, and after all the players that left since the end of last season, it was obvious money had to be spent. If it was the belief of the Utd hierarchy that LvG would somehow transform players in a big way, then they were living in dreamland.

After being late into the market last year, you would think they would have learnt their lesson. :rolleyes:

Interesting times indeed. ;)
 
redhed17 said:
If there are no positive moves into the transfer market, and they have left it very late, then I fear it will take a lot longer to 'doer up'. ;) :LOL:

Utd have needed quality for a few years, and after all the players that left since the end of last season, it was obvious money had to be spent. If it was the belief of the Utd hierarchy that LvG would somehow transform players in a big way, then they were living in dreamland.

After being late into the market last year, you would think they would have learnt their lesson. :rolleyes:

Interesting times indeed. ;)
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You don't need to tell me. ;)

Our midfield has been lacking since 2008. Fergie did amazingly well if the truth be told.

When I say LVG got a a 'doer up' - I mean from the ground up.

We're moving to a different planet in terms of income so Woodward needs to take advantage and bring in some quality.

Yesterday's press conference - he said that he was going to give players a couple of weeks before deciding and then went on to say it will only take 24hrs to sign players.

Up front - I'm happy.

Defence - we need a couple at least although Shaw is a good start albeit long term.

Midfield (over and above Herrera who looks a class act) we should be going all out for Vidal unless Strootman is lined up after he recovers. Di Maria would offer quality options too.

As I said earlier - No real expectations from me this season. Hopefully we'll be allowed to talk in terms of projects, progress or moving in the right direction and people can focus on City, Chelsea and Arsenal instead. For us it's all about moving forward and rebuilding and not necessarily in this transfer window.
 
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dinners said:
it will only take 24hrs to sign players.
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In theory. ;) While Liverpool have been pretty quick this summer getting players in, (lots of players :rolleyes:) the latest one, Alberto Moreno, took over a month to get sorted. :eek: And he only signed yesterday.

Rodgers obviously wanted him, and was willing to play the long game. And of course had the time to do it. Fingers crossed the wait will have been worth it. :)
 
Jelster said:
Was there today, he was totally lost, and to be fair, Wilshire wasn't much better - he holds onto the ball far too long. Was very impressed with Calum Chambers, he reads the game so well for someone so young.

Zonal defending - What about the zone on the back post ? Numpties.... Rambo to the rescue again :)
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A few easy freekicks given when the arsenal players fall over easily, one which led to a goal. Wiltshire would be a much better player if he stayed on his feet instead of diving at the first opportunity. Quite liked the look of Alexis, arsenal squad looked quite good, not sure about depth. Girould looked good when he came on, nice runs, but the other striker looked poor. Ramsey looked good, Arteta looked agricultural. I think with Arsenal it'll be all about how they can keep the main players fit.
I think they'll be a strong force at the start of the season, fade again as winter comes in.
 
redhed17 said:
Utd have needed quality for a few years....
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Which Utd are you talking about? The one that won the league in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and by a huge margin in 2013?
 
StewartR said:
Which Utd are you talking about? The one that won the league in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and by a huge margin in 2013?
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That's the one.

When I say needing quality - I'm talking about central midfield. It's no secret that we won things in spite of needing to improve that area and now we've also defensive issues to address.
 
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dinners said:
That's the one.

When I say needing quality - I'm talking about central midfield. It's no secret that we won things in spite of needing to improve that area and now we've also defensive issues to address.
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Yup. Giggs/carrick and gulp cleverly back in 2013 midfield. Hell, Fergie talked about Rooney in midfield.

Defence lost evra/vidic/Ferdinand.

I'd say you need quality.
 
First game of the season so not getting carried away with results and performances, apart from Chambers all were poor but happy with 3 points against a well organised Palace.

IMHO, Arsenal haven't strengthen just replaced some of the player's that have left the club. Very clever man that Arsene, fools people with his tricks better than Dynamo the magician .

Once he signs a CB CM and a forward (ain't going to happen) then and only then can we can say Arsenal are in with a shout.
 
The problem with Wilshire (and a number of Arsenal players) is that they hold onto the ball for too long, get tackled, get injured. Cazorla yesterday was the one who was moving the ball quickly, Rambo admitted he had a poor game, and I was actually pleased to see Wilshire go off, he slows our game down far too much.

Chambers looks wise above his years, he seems to read the game so well for someone so young, a future Tony Adams I reckon. Have to agree that we are a striker, DM and another CB away from a league winning squad. That said, it was our first win on opening day for quite some time.

Man Utd won the PL in 2012/13 because the other didn't challenge them, that simple. That squad was never good enough, but Fergie did his thing and got the best out of them. I was on the train with a few guys on their way back from Old Trafford last night and they agree that they need 5 or 6 signings to get anywhere near making a challenge. The thing that gets me with LVG is that he only tends to hang around for about 3 years, and it will take anybody that long to rebuild Utd. And with performances like yesterday, gone are the days of players queuing up to join....
 
Jelster said:
Man Utd won the PL in 2012/13 because the other didn't challenge them, that simple. That squad was never good enough, but Fergie did his thing and got the best out of them. I was on the train with a few guys on their way back from Old Trafford last night and they agree that they need 5 or 6 signings to get anywhere near making a challenge.
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We could also do with a few going out too.
 
Jelster said:
The thing that gets me with LVG is that he only tends to hang around for about 3 years, and it will take anybody that long to rebuild Utd. And with performances like yesterday, gone are the days of players queuing up to join....
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Since the glazers came in, I've said that my interest in United will decrease further when they went down the route of foreign management too. It may be naive of me, but having LVG there for 3 years with the prospect of Giggs taking over keeps me interested.
 
Tight game at Anfield. Draw maybe the fair result, but thankfully Liverpool got off to a winning start. :)

Amazing pinpoint pass from Henderson :eek: to Sterling to pass the ball into the net. :clap:
 
it was very tense in there at times today, i thought we would settle down after a goal and we did but totaly came off the gas when coming out for the second half, sturridge seemed to spend most of the match hanging round waiting for passes to get to him but there was a lot of interceptions today, better when we went into a diamond after lambert came on, 3 points is 3 points, think we will have to step up the gas to get points form city next monday
 
Brendan Mulachy said:
it was very tense in there at times today, i thought we would settle down after a goal and we did but totaly came off the gas when coming out for the second half, sturridge seemed to spend most of the match hanging round waiting for passes to get to him but there was a lot of interceptions today, better when we went into a diamond after lambert came on, 3 points is 3 points, think we will have to step up the gas to get points form city next monday
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We saw what Suarez brought today - urgency. The selection of Lucas over Can or Allen was madness, IMO. It was the safe option, but he just slows us down too much. I fear for Gerrard too. He looks ponderous, but it may be just a hangover.
 
The23rdman said:
We saw what Suarez brought today - urgency. The selection of Lucas over Can or Allen was madness, IMO. It was the safe option, but he just slows us down too much. I fear for Gerrard too. He looks ponderous, but it may be just a hangover.
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I saw the game (half asleep after nights on my iPad). Lucas shouldn't have started. They a looked a bit off it truth be told.

The more I think on it...Eto'o might be a good buy for a season....until origi is back.

Sterling looks like the real deal. I actually thought the pass for his goal was made by Gerrard which is probably the best compliment I can give him. Lovren looks like a good bit of business.

Saints looked good. I think they'll be ok!
 
Sir SR said:
I saw the game (half asleep after nights on my iPad). Lucas shouldn't have started. They a looked a bit off it truth be told.

The more I think on it...Eto'o might be a good buy for a season....until origi is back.

Sterling looks like the real deal. I actually thought the pass for his goal was made by Gerrard which is probably the best compliment I can give him. Lovren looks like a good bit of business.

Saints looked good. I think they'll be ok!
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There must be a better option than Eto'o...

Yes, Henderson's pass was sublime - he's getting better. I thought Manquillo did okay too, but Johnson was poor. Yes, Lovren did okay. Southampton pressed well, but we lacked the spark and barely won midfield. Allen helped, but I'd target see Can in there because he's a beast.

Markovic is the one I'm eager to see along with Lallana.
 
As is the way, with 1st match of the season, some good points and bad points for Liverpool. Very impressed with Lovren, especially his passes, out of defence. Disappointed with Johnson, wasn't impressed last season, but I really fear for him this season. The freak of nature, that is Suarez, will be missed but I'm confident with the current SAS. One thing is sure, we'll have to really up our game, for next week at City.
 
The23rdman said:
but Johnson was poor.
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he was...pity i coudnt scream out too much , i was in the next box to his today:exit:

thought lovran had a good game, got a bit of stick from the southampton supporters every time he touched the ball in the first half
 
Anyone else think Krul was to blame for 2nd City goal? Why oh why do keepers now push the ball back into play? When I was a kid it was all about turning it round the post or to the side - never used to see keepers in the 80s pushing the ball back into pen area?
 
Very good display by Chel$ki I'm sad to say. They went 1 down to an early goal from Burnley, and hopes of an upset started, but the lead only lasted 3 minutes for a Costa equaliser. Four minutes after that and possibly a pass of the season contender already from Fabregas. :clap: Ball comes across to him on the edge of the box, looks like he is going to shoot, but then pings a pass through the defence for Schurrle to run onto and score from six yards.

Chel$ki have been the best out of what I have seen over the weekend, closely followed by Cit€h. :( Chel$ki were at about 60% and won quite easily. Still, a long way to go. :)

BTW, how come Chel$ki's World Cup winner was ready to play, and indeed score, while others weren't? :thinking:
 
Let's not get to carried away, it was against Barnsley not Barcelona (no disrespect to Barnsley) nice easy game to kick off the season and nailed on 3 points for Chelsea.

Saying that, Chelsea are my tip for the premier league this season and the bookies favourite, and they generally get it right.
 
The Greek said:
Let's not get to carried away, it was against Barnsley not Barcelona (no disrespect to Barnsley)
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Getting their name wrong may not be the best way to show 'no disrespect'. ;) :rolleyes: :LOL:

I don't know what it is about Chel$ki, but I can't get excited watching them. I don't know whether it is a subconscious thing because of the money, or I just don't like the way the play. :thinking:
 
[QUOTE=";):rolleyes::LOL:

I don't know what it is about Chel$ki, but I can't get excited watching them. I don't know whether it is a subconscious thing because of the money, or I just don't like the way the play. :thinking:[/QUOTE]

For me it's the money thing and I mainly blame Chelsea for today's crazy transfer fees and wages. Arrogant owner and manager don't help either.
 
redhed17 said:
I don't know what it is about Chel$ki, but I can't get excited watching them. I don't know whether it is a subconscious thing because of the money, or I just don't like the way the play. :thinking:
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The Greek said:
I don't know what it is about Chel$ki, but I can't get excited watching them. I don't know whether it is a subconscious thing because of the money, or I just don't like the way the play. :thinking:
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Sounds like Chelsea played well last night although I didn't watch the game.

As for not getting excited by them - I can't say I'm ever excited watching 'other' teams.

That said - I'm not excited watching my own team of late :)
 
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Super Mario, eh? Who'd have thunked it!
 
The23rdman said:
It's virtually a done deal.
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Yeah, noticed that just before you posted it ;)
It bugged me how our media still felt the need to report on him after he'd gone abroad again. I'm sure we'll be hearing all about suarez this year ;)
 
new2me said:
Yeah, noticed that just before you posted it ;)
It bugged me how our media still felt the need to report on him after he'd gone abroad again. I'm sure we'll be hearing all about suarez this year ;)
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Every single time Liverpool play. ;)
 
Balotelli. :eek: No, please no. :mad:

Get rid of one extremely talented player with a penchant for getting into trouble, for someone less talented but equally liable to get into trouble on, and in Balotelli's case, off the pitch. And whereas Suarez seemingly got on with his fellow players, and didn't cause trouble, at least in the dressing room, ;) and got on with the manager, the same can't be said of Balotelli.

Love him or hate him, Suarez always gave 100% and wanted to play every minute of every game. He had a will to win stronger than any player I have seen. Occasionally he may have crossed the line, but I'd rather have someone with those positive traits, than someone not bothered half the time.

If Balotelli was a good buy, Milan would not want to sell, there would be potential buyers queuing up, and he would be sold for a lot more than Milan bought him for, but none of that is apparent with Balotelli, which rings some alarm bells for me.

A few years of getting the Liverpool dressing room settled, positive and pushing in the right direction could be ruined by Balotelli. Hopefully not if it goes though, but it is not a bet I would be making. :thinking:

Let the Balotelli media circus begin. And be a sideshow to disrupt any title ambitions. :(
 
redhed17 said:
Balotelli. :eek: No, please no. :mad:

Get rid of one extremely talented player with a penchant for getting into trouble, for someone less talented but equally liable to get into trouble on, and in Balotelli's case, off the pitch. And whereas Suarez seemingly got on with his fellow players, and didn't cause trouble, at least in the dressing room, ;) and got on with the manager, the same can't be said of Balotelli.

Love him or hate him, Suarez always gave 100% and wanted to play every minute of every game. He had a will to win stronger than any player I have seen. Occasionally he may have crossed the line, but I'd rather have someone with those positive traits, than someone not bothered half the time.

If Balotelli was a good buy, Milan would not want to sell, there would be potential buyers queuing up, and he would be sold for a lot more than Milan bought him for, but none of that is apparent with Balotelli, which rings some alarm bells for me.

A few years of getting the Liverpool dressing room settled, positive and pushing in the right direction could be ruined by Balotelli. Hopefully not if it goes though, but it is not a bet I would be making. :thinking:

Let the Balotelli media circus begin. And be a sideshow to disrupt any title ambitions. :(
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Clubs sell players all the time. Remember Studge? Coutinho? If anyone can tame Mario it's BR and Steve Peters. If not we sell him on. Worth a gamble in my eyes.
 
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