European: Lets Talk Football [Archive] - Page 10

honeykid

07-28-14, 09:19 PM

Even if Koeman can spend it or most of it, it usually takes time to gel a team together. That, and it's so much easier to find a couple of new pieces to a puzzle than it is to rebuild it completely. I don't know if they have anyone else coming through from the youth team, but, again, you can't throw a load of untried young players in and expect them to thrive all season. You also have to factor in that teams they're buying from know they're flush and need players. It's not going to be as cheap as it might've been.

When United did it (the "You can't win anything with kids" season), they still had Cantona, Schmiechel, Irwin and Keane in there. Not only great players, but mulitple winners with that team.

I know this isn't how football works and never has been. However, over the last 20 years or so Southampton have been the springboard for the careers of: Wayne Bridge, Alan Shearer, Jeff Kenna, Theo Walcott, Kenwyne Jones, Nathan Dyer, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Gareth Bale and Alex Oxlande-Chamberlin.

Two of those players went on to become the most expensive player in the world.

Chardee MacDennis

07-28-14, 09:25 PM

Yeah their academy is relentless. Doesn't stop churning out potential. Saints fans seem to rate Chambers pretty highly but with Clyne still there I don't think they'll miss him too much.

They still have a couple of decent players in Wanyama and Gaston Ramires. Can't see them sticking around too long though. There are some decent players out there that will help them get back to the level they were last season. Remy would be a start, if they're willing to take a risk on his health. They could do worse than loaning in a couple of youngster from bigger clubs like Gnabry or Ibe.

honeykid

07-29-14, 12:15 AM

Redknapp is adament that Remy couldn't have failed his medical.

It'll be interesting to see Wanyama partnered up with someone else. I've only seen him play a few times and he's solid, but I don't know how much more than that he is. He seems to have quite a rep though.

We'll just have to see how Ramires comes back from his injury.

Chardee MacDennis

07-29-14, 12:19 AM

I don't think Wanyama is anything special. But he's good enough for a PL club pushing for Europa league spots, which is what Southampton were last season but won't be this season.

Same with Ramires, I remember him being quite heavily linked with Liverpool when he went to Southampton. It all went downhill from there, It wasn't long into his first season there that he got benched. I remember reading a Southampton forum and a bunch of them called him Gashton Ramires.

Chardee MacDennis

07-29-14, 12:20 AM

And Redknapp is a wheeler dealer. There's no way he's going to come out and say there's something wrong with Remy. The fact that he's failed four medicals over the years proves that Redknapp is, again, talking s**t.

honeykid

07-29-14, 12:53 AM

Oh I know. Everyone knows who and what Harry is. ;)

Chardee MacDennis

07-29-14, 01:04 AM

Everyone but 'Arry :laugh:

If i wasn't at work I'd post a link to that "I'm a f**king football manager" video.

honeykid

07-30-14, 08:33 AM

Noises abound that Di Maria to PSG is as good as done.

Chardee MacDennis

07-30-14, 05:37 PM

Hopefully that means Cavani out. Arsene should bust the old cheque book out again and throw 35-40m at him.

christine

07-31-14, 02:55 AM

Happy about Rom coming back to Everton. He seems to be happy too

the samoan lawyer

07-31-14, 05:30 AM

Happy about Rom coming back to Everton. He seems to be happy too

Thats a great signing Christine.

christine

07-31-14, 06:12 AM

Certainly is, but he's going to have great expectations on those young shoulders cos it's a hell of a lot of money for us!
http://i4.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article7537681.ece/alternates/s2197/JS43082352.jpg

Chardee MacDennis

07-31-14, 07:27 AM

Great signing for Everton. Really happy for them.

That's almost 80mill Chelsea have managed to raise this window, 50 on a defender that can't defend and 30 on a striker they never use.

honeykid

07-31-14, 11:31 AM

Great signing for Everton. Really happy for them.

That's almost 80mill Chelsea have managed to raise this window, 50 on a defender that can't defend and 30 on a striker they never use.
I know, it's quite remarkable. Especially the mark up on Lukaku. He was £18M, but that was with add-ons. £11m is the rumoured price and, seeing how little he played, I doubt it was much more, which means they, at least, doubled their money. Excellent work.

A great buy for Everton, but that's a hell of a price.

Daniel M

08-08-14, 01:16 PM

Can't believe that the football season is starting again for me tonight, with Blackburn v Cardiff. Can't wait for it, so excited for this season, should be fun in the Championship actually winning some games and playing some good football instead of getting smashed every week. On paper we have two first team elevens that could win the Championship, but we need to get a settled eleven and tactic sorted. Apparently we're gonna bring in three more players too.

Won't mean much to most of you, but the team I would go for tonight: Marshall; Fabio, Connolly, Hudson, Brayford; Daehli, Whittingham, Eikrem, Burgstaller; Macheda, Jones

honeykid

08-08-14, 04:26 PM

-KhaN-

08-09-14, 01:52 PM

Serbian Super League starts today...30 minutes until Red Star game.I hope we can defend title.
This is older picture but I thought it would be nice to post it. :)http://www.novosti.rs/upload/images/2011//08/1808j/sp-zvezda.jpg

Chardee MacDennis

08-11-14, 04:44 AM

Chardee MacDennis

08-11-14, 04:48 AM

It'd be nice to see Macheda do well.

About to watch the second half of PSG/Reims. Ibra has already scored, dived for a penalty (which he had saved) and missed an open goal. Somehow, Reims are winning 2-1. :eek:

in other news, it appears that Vermaelen is going to Barca for £15m. Frankly, I think we've dodged a bullet. Can't understand why we were interested anyway. Don't we have enough injury-prone central defenders?

Vermaelen is nothing special but I think it's getting to the point now where you've actually got to start making some signings. You've been linked with players like Vidal, Di Maria and Hummels all window and it's looking less and less likely that you'll be getting anyone of that quality. Reminds a bit of last summer where you chased Thiago, Fabregas and Bale and ended up with Fellaini on the last day.

I think the fact that a CB as average as Vermaelen went for 15 million shows just how desperate teams are getting.

Unfortunately, having sold Vermaelen we now become one of those desperate teams looking for defensive reinforcements. It's looking like Wenger is going to try pick someone up that can cover a couple of positions. William Carvalho seems to tick all the boxes.

honeykid

08-11-14, 04:46 PM

I agree that it's looking a lot like last year now.. I was saying this to my physio last week. :D if you go back in this thread, you'll see both myself and Tacitus not expecting anyone like the star name and quality of Vidal or Di Maria. I was slightly surprised we got Shaw (I really did expect him to go to Chelsea) and Herrera.

Hummels (and Reus) keep being mentioned, but neither of them are going anywhere. Just like they didn't last season or the one before that.

According to Julien Lauren, the di Maria to PSG is unlikely because of PSG's FFP restrictions. They can loan, but can't buy unless they sell big and they aren't looking to sell big. Meanwhile, Real would much rather sell than loan. If this is true, then there's some chance that United could get di Maria. I don't think it's going to happen, though.

I also agree that Vermaelen going for the price he did (and between United and Barca) show the dearth of good centre back out there. I said during the world cup that it struck me that Brazil had the most expensive defensive pairing of all time. :eek: Brazil! And one of them was David Luiz.

Or, maybe, it's just a lack of good scouting? I know it's all about the money/merchandising, but I'd much rather United bought a good player with potential for £10m than a world famous player for £40m and, to that end, I'd make sure the scouting system was second to none.

We really need, at least, two defenders. A CB and another LB. Shaw is young and inexperienced and even if he performs brilliantly, burn out is real danger come the back end of the season. I think good cover, at least, is required.

Golgot

08-12-14, 11:14 AM

Or, maybe, it's just a lack of good scouting? I know it's all about the money/merchandising, but I'd much rather United bought a good player with potential for £10m than a world famous player for £40m and, to that end, I'd make sure the scouting system was second to none...

They need to get themselves on Footy Manager apparently (http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/12/why-clubs-football-manager-scouting-tool) ;)

honeykid

08-12-14, 04:01 PM

First mention of "the spray" in the commentary. Please let this stop after the weekend. We all know what it is, when and why it's used. No need to tell us.

honeykid

08-12-14, 06:05 PM

Blimey. The after game talk on ITV4 sounds desperate. Matt Smith called Cristiano CR7. Is that even legal over the age of 15? And on national tv? It wasn't even written, it was said! That's like saying "lol" rather than laughing. He should be sacked.

In other news, Real Madrid would be favourites for our (Premier League) league if they were in it. Really? Who'd have thunk that? Also, they play a lot of games over there.

Lastly, there were slightly less Madrid fans than Sevilla fans. But they can be forgiven as they're used to this. Last time they were in it, 2002. :facepalm:

I know they have to pitch their commentary and discussion at the casual viewer, but that shouldn't mean you can be wrong and say things like CR7.

Powdered Water

08-12-14, 09:52 PM

Alright buddy. I got the 16th on my calendar and it appears I may be able to just watch the game online through their own website. If not, then hopefully I'll be able to get a replay before too long. So what are you looking for early on? I mean, I know you want a win but do you expect your team to play a certain way. Does that make sense?

i'm ready for some proper footy! Who's with me!

honeykid

08-14-14, 01:53 PM

As I said, you join us at an interesting point in our history. After 20+ years of unparalleled success, we've just had our worst season for 25 years. We're in the second round of the League Cup for crying out loud. I'd forgotten just how early that's drawn it's been so long.

With Shaw out for 4 weeks, surely Van Gaal will go with the 3-5-2 that he's played for the pre-season games However, this system is new to the players and a quick passing team like Swansea, with two big strong forwards in Bony and Gomis playing up front I expect our back three to be pulled around and knocked about quite a lot. I fear De Gea (goalkeeper) is going to be kept busy.

Still, we're at home and we still expect to win.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Southampton move on over the season.

the samoan lawyer

08-15-14, 05:58 AM

honeykid

08-15-14, 11:47 PM

Shane Long for £12m. I honestly chuckled when I first read that. Then I looked for the decimal point. :D I think we can expect to see a lot of long balls over the top to a lone frontman in Southampton games this season.

Top 6? Not thought about it, but I'll go.

Chelsea
Man City
Arsenal
Man United
Liverpool
Tottenham

As a United fan, I might be expecting a little too much, but I really do think top 4 should be possible. That said, if Liverpool don't miss Suarez or, more importantly, don't concede like they did last season, then 4th and 5th could be swapped around. I think we can rule out any really big name signings for United now, so it'll be down to numbers. We really could do with this Rojo business being sorted asap. Given that we're expected to start with Tyler Blackett and Reece James against Swansea, it may well be a baptism of fire for them both. Just seen that van Persie won't be starting either. A tricky game just got a lot trickier.

christine

08-16-14, 03:55 AM

You missed out Everton Hun. We will be in the top 6 you wait and see :)

Tacitus

08-16-14, 06:11 AM

Yeah, I'd replace Tottingham with Everton on that list. Can't see Man Utd having a season like last year but they'll need to start spending soon. All the other big boys have strengthened.

I read yesterday of the Prem's other world class striker deserting that green and peasant land - Nicklas Bendtner has gone to Wolfsburg... presumably with a contract clause allowing him to join Real Madrid or Barcelona next year.

Chardee MacDennis

08-16-14, 10:48 AM

More of the same from United.

I know it may sound knee jerk, but if I was a United fan, and after 70 minutes I'd turned on to see 352 ditched, Fellaini and Fletcher as the midfield, Young at left back, Jones at right back and a 20 year old debutant at centre back I'd be a bit concerned.

BlueLion

08-16-14, 11:26 AM

Haha United.

Powdered Water

08-16-14, 12:20 PM

It turns out that there's a channel here that seems to be showing most if not all of the Premeir league games. I missed the first Man U game live (it will be sorta hard for me to watch live anyway, as they're on in the middle of the night here), but I should be able to see most of the games right in my living room.

So I'm not super smart or anything, but I'm guessing that's not exactly the opening to the season you were hoping for? :nope:

Golgot

08-16-14, 12:57 PM

Yeah, I'd replace Tottingham with Everton on that list.

Hey, we're taking Man U's place again by the looks ;)

(I had to wait for the final whistle to say that :D)

Tacitus

08-16-14, 01:29 PM

So I'm not super smart or anything, but I'm guessing that's not exactly the opening to the season you were hoping for? :nope:

Oh, I would say there were a fair few million hoping for that exact result. ;)

Golg - True! :D I'd say you need to strengthen as much as Man U have to, though.

The Arsenal / Palace match is about to kick off. Shame about Pulis for the Palace fans but I guess the stories about friction between him and the board were more than rumour. He's left them in the lurch as much as MO'N did with Villa a few years back.

Powdered Water

08-16-14, 02:01 PM

So how does the season work? Do you all play twice? Like a home and home? How many games are in the season?

I just caught the last half of the Everton game. Seems like a pretty good league so far. Would this be considered, like, the heavyweight league for football? I see several world cup players here already. Or is this just the top league in Britian?

Tacitus

08-16-14, 02:12 PM

Spain has overtaken it in terms of being able to attract the best players but it's definitely #2.

The Irish League is obviously number three. :p

Tacitus

08-16-14, 02:20 PM

From the BBC's ticker on the Arsenal/Palace match:

The vanishing spray is the gift that keeps on giving.

Referee Jonathan Moss can't get his can working as he attempts to mark out an Arsenal free-kick. He has a look down the nozzle, presses the button again and gets himself and the waiting Santi Cazorla in the face

Match of the day is an essential watch tonight! :D

honeykid

08-16-14, 09:44 PM

You missed out Everton Hun. We will be in the top 6 you wait and see :)
I had to choose between the two of you and I jumped for Spurs. You're right, though, you may well be top 6.
More of the same from United.

I know it may sound knee jerk, but if I was a United fan, and after 70 minutes I'd turned on to see 352 ditched, Fellaini and Fletcher as the midfield, Young at left back, Jones at right back and a 20 year old debutant at centre back I'd be a bit concerned.
It's not knee jerk. I think most of us have been worried for the last two or three weeks with the lack of transfer action and the mounting injury list. I wasn't bothered about us ditching 3-5-2 at half time, we don't have the players to play and, it could be argued, that the Premier League really doesn't suit it. However, I was terrified to see Lingard playing right wingback at the start. :eek: Needs must and all that, but you don't just pick a system and put players into it. If you don't have the players, change the system. It's not as if United would be unfamiliar with a 4-3-3 and 4-4-1-1 they played in the second half.

Haha United.
Yeah. Thanks for that. :p:D:(

It turns out that there's a channel here that seems to be showing most if not all of the Premeir league games. I missed the first Man U game live (it will be sorta hard for me to watch live anyway, as they're on in the middle of the night here), but I should be able to see most of the games right in my living room.
Excellent. Can you see other leagues as well?

So I'm not super smart or anything, but I'm guessing that's not exactly the opening to the season you were hoping for? :nope:
It wasn't, but it was closer to the one I feared once I saw our starting 11. We had good posession, but moved the ball too slowly and, defensively, we were caught out 3 or 4 times and that cost us twice. I see Ashley Young is getting some stick for it but, c'mon, he's an attacking forward playing at left back. I thought he did OK, considering. Whether United should be in that position at on the first day of the season is another matter, but it's not Young's fault.

I've heard people talking about how our big signing this season is/has been van Gaal, but I think our best signing could be someone replacing Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward. United's season could well sit between now and the the end of the transfer window. If we don't get in some quality and a few bodies, it's going to be a long season.

So how does the season work? Do you all play twice? Like a home and home? How many games are in the season?
Each team home and away, 38 games in all. August to May. Two domestic cup competitions are also played during the season on a knockout system and, for the top teams/teams that qualify, there's European football midweek, too. Sadly, that doesn't include United this season. :(

Spain has overtaken it in terms of being able to attract the best players but it's definitely #2.
Spain has definitely overtaken the Premier League in being able to attract the best players, but it's really two teams, rather than the league. Well, that and they pay a lot less tax. ;)

Chardee MacDennis

08-16-14, 10:09 PM

This will cheer you up Honey...

http://giant.gfycat.com/RevolvingObedientHyena.gif

honeykid

08-16-14, 10:18 PM

Yeah, I saw that. :sick::D

Tyler1

08-16-14, 10:48 PM

Arsenal still lacking a bit in certain areas (and Sanchez needs time to settle in), but all that matters is that we get the 3 points at the end of the day.

Chardee MacDennis

08-17-14, 12:50 AM

Sanchez was *******, but so was basically everyone in front of the defense. Thought Chambers was excellent again. What a signing he is turning out to be.

Just on Chambers, here's what a former Arsenal scout had to say about him a few years ago.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BuweHGDCIAEfo2n.jpg

3 points is 3 points and if Palace set up like that away from home they'll take a lot of points of teams in the top half of the table.

Tacitus

08-17-14, 03:53 AM

Spain has definitely overtaken the Premier League in being able to attract the best players, but it's really two teams, rather than the league. Well, that and they pay a lot less tax. ;)

Two teams is better than the Prem with none though. :p

There's a certain amount of more strength in depth in England but once Madrid or Barca notice a player, they'll go. I'd still far rather watch the English league and can't really blame the guys who leave for Spain.

At least they're going to some of the world's most glamorous clubs and not the utter mercenaries who end up at PSG or Monaco.

Really disappointed in MOTD last night. Not only are they still employing Shearer but (unless I'd dropped off) no mention of the silly string/vanishing spray incident at Selhurst. :(

-KhaN-

08-17-14, 10:33 AM

I think LVG needs to change this formation as soon as possible,even if you have 3 best defenders in the world this is hard tactic to use and let's be honest after Vidic and Ferdinand left you have bad defenders.Arsenal will again be 4th in my opinion I don't see them doing better than Chelsea,City or Liverpool.I'm watching Liverpool - Southampton game at the moment and I must say,that was a foul when Liverpool scored. Glad to see Tadic playing,he is crazy with the ball.

I can't wait for Chelsea game tomorrow...Can I go and predict first 11? :)
Courtois - Ivanovic,Cahill,Terry,Luis - Matic,Fabregas - Hazard,Schurrle,Oscar(Willian) - Costa(Drogba)

Also first 6:
1.Chelsea
2.Man.City
3.Liverpool
4.Arsenal
5.Man Utd
6.Everton

Chardee MacDennis

08-17-14, 05:38 PM

Chelsea
City
Arsenal
Liverpool/United (depending on how the transfer window ends)

christine

08-18-14, 03:37 PM

RIP James Alexander Gordon (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28844131) who read the footie results for 40 years.

When I left school back in 1975 I lived in France for a year and Radio 2 was the only English speaking station I could receive on my little radio. I used to knock off work to listen to him reading the results to see how my beloved Everton had done, hoping they'd won and Liverpool had lost. I'd look forward to that all Saturday . Funny to think that you could listen to the whole match live anywhere in the world now and facetime people anywhere, whereas back then the international phone calls were so expensive I only spoke to my mum and dad a handful of times all year. Don't half make you feel old :(

honeykid

08-20-14, 05:42 PM

Barcelona's appeal has been rejected and they're not allowed to buy anyone for the next two transfer windows. Lucky it was suspended this window (during the appeal) so they were able to completely restock their squad (and spending about £120m+). :rolleyes: God I hate the politics of UEFA/FIFA.

In other news, United can't sign anyone world class. Apparently this is news. Remind me who the last world class player we signed was? Cos I'm guessing Veron and that was 12 years ago and he wasn't the last in a long line of star names, either. I do think that something needs to be done about Woodward, though. One bad transfer window hurts badly, but three? Unacceptable. Either he can't do the job or the targets are unrealistic. If it's the latter, then those choices need to be shot down and/or quickly moved on from. Our squad is so poor in terms of quality now that it won't take too much to better it. Especially at the back and on the wings.

Tyler1

08-21-14, 10:36 AM

Balotelli to Liverpool?

Daniel M

08-21-14, 11:16 AM

Balotelli to Liverpool?

Looks like it. We need another striker in case Sturridge is injured, and whilst I do think Baloteli is slightly overrated, he's got a great goal record and £16m is a decent price. It'll be fun having a character like him anyway, I think he'll do well under Rodgers and enjoy playing with the likes of Sturridge and Sterling.

Daniel M

08-21-14, 11:32 AM

Absolutely shocking and disgusting news about Malky Mackay, seems like a nasty piece of work. Tan said we wouldn't think of him as a hero if we knew the truth, and he's right, so you can fully understand why he sacked him.

In July 2012, Cardiff signed South Korean international Kim Bo-kyung, but when Moody informed Mackay on July 12 that ‘five of the b******s including the player’ were arriving for talks, the reply from Mackay’s phone was: ‘Fkn chinkys.’ A further message says: ‘Fk it. There’s enough dogs in Cardiff for us all to go around.’

In reference to the prominent football agent, Phil Smith, a text states: ‘Go on, fat Phil. Nothing like a Jew that sees money slipping through his fingers’. The Israeli club, Maccabi Tel Aviv, are also referred to simply as ‘the Jews’.

A football official at another club is referred to as ‘a gay snake’ and ‘the homo’ and someone who is ‘not to be trusted’, while a French player is someone ‘who struck me as an independently minded young homo’.

An exchange with a young player who has a female agent makes reference to a sex act and states: ‘I hope she’s looking after your needs,’ the player is then told. ‘I bet you’d love a bounce on her falsies.’

On August 16, 2012, a list of players proposed by a French agent is forwarded, stating to Mackay that ‘he needs to rename his agency the All Blacks’. A separate text in reference to a list of French players states: ‘Not many white faces amongst that lot but worth considering.’

In a separate exchange a picture entitled ‘Black Monopoly’ is sent, with every square a ‘Go To Jail’ square. Of one African player, it is stated: ‘Doesn’t look like a good cv. And he’s Nigerian.’

http://oi60.tinypic.com/120rtcy.jpg

honeykid

08-22-14, 08:16 AM

Yeah, but it's all just banz, innit? :mad:

It's a strange thing, though, because he's not done anything wrong. Legally, I mean. I'm hearing about police action and what's going to happen, but he didn't say these things publically and he's entitled to his opinion and thoughts regardless of how unpalatble they are to others (and let's not forget that there's probably a lot of people who are saying how outraged they are who may well think similarly privately and/or have opinions others would also think poorly of) As much as we like to think we've done so much to change this way of thinking, the truth is that we've still got a long, long way to go.

Despite this, I think there's only one thing there that can be said to be racist and that's the quote "Not many white faces amongst that lot but worth considering." and if that's the level we're dealing with, while I not happy with it, it's not much when compared with people who have to deal with some really horrible racist stuff. I'm glad this is all being highlighted and stamped down on, but I don't think it should be put forward as some kind of high crime or something. It does all reek of a media desperate to whip it up into a story that'll run and run, filling up lots of space and selling advertising/copies/clicks.

Balotelli to Liverpool should be a good deal for both. Fans love him regardless of who they support because... Well, he's a bit mad, isn't he?:D I'll certainly be happy to see him back, even if it is playing for the Scousers. £16m is a good price for him, I think and, despite the red cards he'll pick up, he'll still play more than Suarez. :D

All that and I forgot to talk about Rojo. :D

Not a great deal to say. I think it's a good price considering the world cup he had, but you always should warn against buying someone off a good tournament. However, we're desperate in defence so even his Sporting levels should be good enough to help out. Especially with Shaw out for another 3 weeks.

If we're going to carry on with the 3-5-2, I really can't see why we've not gone with Cuadrado? He wants to go and they've said they'll sell. He's spent 2 seasons playing wingback and attacking midfield, so is used to the system. If we go 4-4-2 or 4-4-3, then he'd be the best winger we have at the club. And they're talking about £25m. Get him in. Surely even Woodward can do that deal.

babu

08-23-14, 05:59 PM

Angel Di Maria latest: Manchester United close to agreeing £48m package with Real Madrid for Argentine international (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/angel-di-maria-latest-manchester-united-close-to-agreeing-48m-package-with-real-madrid-for-argentine-international-9687699.html)

Real and United are very close in the valuation of the player. He will cost MORE THAN 60m euros, could be 70. He will wear number 7.

Cristiano told di María United is the club to go. Mendes is returning to Europe from Singapur to finalise deal. All very very close.

Panic buy it is seems, ManU still need several more world class player to be able to compete with the best in England I think. Meanwhile Benatia for Bayern looks like done deal (http://www.gazzetta.it/Calciomercato/23-08-2014/roma-bayern-sale-30-milioni-benatia-saluti-90222805436.shtml)

http://bilder.bild.de/fotos/aa-benatia_40428928-1408778824-37365434/Bild/2.bild.jpg

Powdered Water

08-23-14, 10:53 PM

The match is on here at 8:00 am my time tomorrow. Not sure if its live or not, but I'm looking forward to it. So what am I looking for HK? Didn't someone important get hurt in the first match? How is he?

honeykid

08-24-14, 09:06 AM

Honestly, I'm not sure, PW. This should be an easier game that last week, but then, we should've won last week and we didn't play well against Sunderland last season, either. Until van Gaal gets this team playing the way he wants them to, which is going to be a couple of months rather than a couple of weeks, it's going to be a difficult time for United. All that, and we really need to add quality to the squad in order to challenge for the title. It may be an anathema to an American, but if we can finish 4th this season, we'll have done really well.

Jesse Lingard was injured last week, but that was his league debut and he was being played out of position. He's still out. Sadly, our new midfielder Herrera is also out injured. We bought a defender this week, Marcos Rojo, but he still needs a work permit to play and so won't play today either.

Sunderland are a little goalshy, but Steven Fletcher has an uncanny knack of nicking a goal, while Connor Wickham ended last season well. If his form carries over, he could be a threat, too. It's a combative midfield and, depending on which formation we play, we'll run the risk of being outnumbered, but if Lee Catamole plays, there's also the chance he'll get sent off. He's known for it. :D He did score a scorcher last week, though.

The good news is that striker Robin van Persie is fit again, as is Valencia, who'll play on the right side of the pitch (midfield or defense, depending on the formation van Gaal chooses), if picked to play. But he's really a right sided midfielder.

One thing I would say, though, is last season (which was our worst for 25 years) it was our home form which cost us. Away from home, we were second in the league, I think. so it looks as if the pressure at home is causing a problem. Something that's carried on into this season.

One last thing, if Rooney scores today, he'll be the joint third highest goalscorer in the Premier League era.

As for signings, I'd love todays papers to be true (di Maria, Blind and de Jong) but I'll believe it when I see it. If we can get the second two, I'll let di Maria go. He's quality, but the other two are where we really need the bodies.

Powdered Water

08-24-14, 01:54 PM

Well, can't be too happy with a tie but United looked pretty slow at times today and if Sunderland had pushed a bit harder they might have been able to win. United appears to really need a playmaker or two. How do you feel about you new coach? I just heard he's like brand new and has a ton of money to sign guys with. Do you think he's spending in the right places so far?

-KhaN-

08-24-14, 02:48 PM

HK,I don't think this formation will work,at least not with these players.Its really risky,fast wings can destroy them,3(maybe decant) defenders can be stretched really easy.I just don't see this working out,maybe I'm wrong,only time will tell.Its not because I'm Chelsea fan,those are my honest thoughts. :)

Now...Ivanovic is having great start of season,first game he was part of 2 goal actions and scored one,now he assists for 1-0,he gave me a lot of points on Fantasy PL,first half was horrible,I think they don't need 5 players so close to each other,they often push each other,passes are slow and short...As soon as Jose changed that in second half by(I assume) telling them to play wider Chelsea started creating chances.Costa was not great but he scored again and that is important.I had same feeling when Mou won it for the first time.

Everton is so unlucky but I'm sure they will start wining very soon.Arsenal is just...As always,they talk big but then they fight for 4th position,I don't want them in 4th position,they look like they don't want to win titles or something,year after year same story...Give Everton a chance,I'm sure they will keep getting better players every year.

christine

08-24-14, 02:48 PM

... It'll be fun having a character like him anyway...

let's see if you're still saying that at the end of the season ;)

Disappointed at Everton's final score yesterday :(

honeykid

08-24-14, 05:37 PM

How do you feel about you new coach? I just heard he's like brand new and has a ton of money to sign guys with. Do you think he's spending in the right places so far?
The coach is quality. There were others out there that I'd have rather come, but of those available, I think he was the best option. He's said from the start that it takes about 3 months for the players to adjust to working with him and learning to do what he asks of them. It sounds a bit like an excuse, but if you look at his record it is the case. At Bayern he was nearly sacked in those first three months, but by the end of the season they ended up champions. While that won't happen with United this season, it does mean we shouldn't judge him by what's currently happening on the pitch. van Gaal isn't an instant fix coach and, while injuries mean we're not close to our best eleven, the truth is there's a lot of players at United that wouldn't have gotten close to the team five years ago.

The other big problem, IMO, is that he's playing the 3-5-2 so as to play both Rooney and van Persie, when a 4-3-3 is what he wants to play. As I've said a few times here, I'd go with a 4-3-1-2. That'd allow Rooney, van Persie and Mata to all play in their favoured positions and stop us getting overrun in midfield. For decades United have played with width and pace, but we don't have either atm, so trying to conform to a way of playing just for the sake of history or tradition isn't productive. Of course, I'm a bloke on a keyboard and he's Louis van Gaal, so I'll shut up. :D

As for the money available. That's the real question. How much is available? The reason the squad is in the state it is is because of a lack of investment. Ferguson (our manager from 1986-2013) always maintained that the Glazers (United's owners and, yes, the same family that own the Buckeneers in the US) had always given him the money to buy whoever he asked for. However, no one really believes that and if you look at the money he spent before the Glazers and after, you'll see a distinct difference in the money spent on individual players. Also, the Glazers are estimated to've taken £500m out of United since they took over (which they did using the club as leverage, loading the club with hundreds of millions of pounds of debt) so you can see where a lot of the money has gone in the last 10 years.

Is he spending it in the right places? I think he knows exactly what he wants and where he wants to spend money. What I don't know is how well the club can deal with the teams and players involved. Not only did we lose our manager two seasons ago, we lost our Chief Executive, too, and the guy in place now doesn't have the experience to do the job. This is the third transfer window in a row that we haven't gotten things done as we usually would. City have done it (again this year) as United usually did. Get your business done early. Despite my scepticism, it does seem as if the Di Maria deal might happen, but if it does, I'll bet it'll cost us more than it would've a month ago simply because there's only a week to go before the transfer window closes and you can't bring in any more players until January. We need defenders and, at least, another midfielder. Di Maria is a fantastic player. Truly world class and if we were playing a 4-3-3 he'd fit in perfectly. He has played centre midfield, but it's not the best use of his talents. However, it's possible that this is van Gaal's beginning to make the team the way he wants it, rather than the way it is. As I indicated, there's a lot of players at United who aren't of the ability we've come to expect in the last couple of decades and, IMO, even the quality players aren't necessarily what we need to play the way we (he) wants to.

HK,I don't think this formation will work,at least not with these players.Its really risky,fast wings can destroy them,3(maybe decant) defenders can be stretched really easy.I just don't see this working out,maybe I'm wrong,only time will tell.Its not because I'm Chelsea fan,those are my honest thoughts. :)
As I said, I think this is being forced on him a little, but I think you're right, a 3-5-2 won't be successful with these players. I've said before that I'm not convinced the formation can work well in the Premier League, simply because it's a very slow and precise way of playing and this league is more crash, bang, wallop. Also, the current vogue in the league is to play with one striker, meaning that three central defenders is overkill and you sacrifice a midfielder for it.

let's see if you're still saying that at the end of the season ;)

Disappointed at Everton's final score yesterday :(
I can't wait to see him back, but I do agree that Liverpool fans might want to wait until the end of the season before they decide if they're glad to have him or not. For £16m, I think it's a gamble worth taking, though, and if he does work out, he's the kind of player they'll absolutely love.

Powdered Water

08-25-14, 12:23 AM

I sure like the level of play I've seen so far. Much sharper passing and the defense is terrific at times. You can tell these folks play together quite a bit.

honeykid

08-25-14, 08:28 AM

This is early season. They're not up to match fitness yet and the new signings are settling in. The football will get better yet. :) Glad you're enjoying it.

As you've not seen us win yet, here's some great United scorelines of the last few years. None of these were great United teams, IMO, but they were good enough to win titles. Confidence is an amazing thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iknIFXZN4n8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vTXBFJWy8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc3g3GRtkC0

Lastly, the best Manchester derby I've ever seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn-HzJYTeQg

Golgot

08-26-14, 07:48 AM

Yeah unlucky there Christine, thought you had em!

PW, if you're looking for a team to adopt you could do worse than my beloved/accursed Spurs :) We generally specialise in conceding lots of goals and flamboyant self-combustion. Keeps it interesting ;)

Far to early to tell whether we're going to have one of our fun seasons (last season was pretty turgid), but Sunday's 4-0 made it look like our attacking young'uns are bedding in under the new manager...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVOD5twDR_0

And he even has some novel ideas about actually strengthening the defence too, the mad fool.

Found this very intriguing explanation (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/don-hutchison-no-wins-think-7668693) for our gritty opening game too...

And believe me, these little tricks still go on at all levels. I was working with Brad Freidel the other week and we were talking about Tottenham’s performance – or lack of one – at West Ham on the opening day of the season. I couldn’t believe how bad they were, having tipped them for top four.

Brad’s response was really interesting. He told me Sam Allardyce had let the grass on Upton Park grow an extra six inches and the Spurs players knew it from the first moment they walked out before the game. They couldn’t pass the ball properly because the grass was that bit longer and it was getting held up in the turf. They struggled all game because of it and were bailed out at the end with a last-minute winner.

*EDIT* For what it's worth 6 inches sounds a bit unlikely ;) But thought that whole bit on home ground trickery was intriguing :)

honeykid

08-26-14, 08:33 PM

Yeah, managers do all sorts of things with the ground and the surroundings to try and gain an advantage. Remember the towels at Stoke when it rained for Rory Delap? Long grass and cold dressing rooms are well worn tricks.

We've had some great times with Spurs. Of course, the difference is these were great United teams. No chance of doing this, atm. I look forward to the days when comebacks are United bread and butter, rather than going behind and fearing the worst.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11SaJa8dH4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwWD0jEI59M

A night to forget tonight. Great win for MK Dons, though. Is this worse than York City 95?

Golgot

08-26-14, 08:55 PM

Youch 4-0 to MK Dons? I see why you're visiting fond memories ;)

At least the Glazers have opened the window a bit. No slouches coming in. Suspect it's gonna be another disappointing season for you guys all told though. Been a while since you've had to rebuild.

(If it makes you feel any better, we'll probably fire Poch out of a cannon by Christmas :D)

honeykid

08-26-14, 09:38 PM

As I said earlier in the thread, if we make 4th we'll have done well this season.

Di Maria is a great player. Truly world class and I hope he settles well and quickly. I'm also hoping this is van Gaal looking towards next season already and playing 4-3-3. I think that's what he wants, but he'll have to get rid of two of our current attacking 3 to make it work. I think van Persie and Mata could be gone next season. My biggest gripe about van Gaal coming in was that it meant van Persie would stay. He's a wonderful player... When he's fit and he wants to play. Put those together and throw in his age and I'd have been sorely tempted to off load him this summer. Still, at least with van Gaal there we know he'll want to play this season.

Everyone's saying we've overpaid but, of course we've overpaid. Firstly, we're United. Secondly, we were the only team who could take him (we all know he'd have been at PSG for weeks were it not for FFP restrictions) and, thirdly, the window's nearly closed. Of course, if Shane Long is £12m and Ross McCormack £11m, then maybe he's the bargain of the century. :D

Samuel Eto'o to Everton on a 2 year deal. Christine, what do you think?

-KhaN-

08-28-14, 06:23 AM

You remember back when I talked about UEFA kicking my club Red Star Belgrade out of Champions League(and all UEFA competitions)because of financial problems?

Well,looks like finally club will get a owner,no more corrupt politicians at the club,no more bastards grabbing money,no more idiotic transfers...First candidate is Gazprom,they are our sponsors for 4 years now and honestly I don't have anything against it,we would dominate our league with ease,if we can win it with financial problems then wining it as a normal club would be simple.But...there is always a big but...I don't know what will be in that contract(to whoever they sell my love) I'm afraid of some corrupt contract,it shouldn't happen with big name buying club but still...With 10 years of corruption you are never 100%... Just wanted to update on that...We have 3 wins out of 3 games this year.Wish us luck. :)

It says bravely.
http://home.arcor.de/partenonac/Delije%20Koreo/full/Zvezda%20-%20PSV%2025.08.04%2004.jpg

christine

08-28-14, 06:48 AM

Samuel Eto'o to Everton on a 2 year deal. Christine, what do you think?

We're happy with him. Roberto is doing a decent job wheeling and dealing loans. Eto'o might be older but he knows where the back of the net is, so let's see. We could've done with him last Saturday with that lead we threw away.
Looking forward to seeing how he fits in. I like his cheeky grin too ;)

neiba

08-28-14, 07:51 AM

FC Porto fan here!

Champions League, here we go! :D

Brodinski

08-29-14, 06:12 PM

Di Maria is a great player. Truly world class and I hope he settles well and quickly.

Everyone's saying we've overpaid but, of course we've overpaid.?

Di Maria is a good player, but not of the class that'll keep the ship floating despite it being battered from all sides. Overpaid is a huge understatement here, but what's worrying is that this happened in all transfers under Woodward. Fellaini and Mata are good players, but not THAT good, lol. I ***** on Wenger every chance I get, but at least we got a winger of the same quality for half the price.

Tough times if you're a Man U supporter, because it's going to take a bit of time to challenge for the title again. About time, HA!

honeykid

08-29-14, 07:35 PM

I agree about Woodward, but we were never going to get Mata for anything other than a huge price because we're United and they're Chelsea. The Fellaini deal was, in all ways, a massive fail, to use the modern parlance.

We're not going to challenge for a good few seasons yet. We've been fearing Fergie leaving for years for this very reason. The fact that Gill went at the same time has made it all the worse and the fact that Woodward has no experience in this only exacerbates it.

Sanches the same quality as Di Maria? Now I don't know about that.one.

neiba

08-29-14, 07:49 PM

Di Maria is a great player, no doubt! He played on Portugal before going to Madrid so I know him quite well... The thing is: will he adapt to english football? He is not very physically strong, it might not be the ideal way of playing to him! But I hope I'm wrong cause I really like him (though he never played on my team).

christine

08-30-14, 06:51 AM

Gamobs

08-30-14, 09:37 AM

American Football/Football/Rugby

Peeps fav?

Rugby for sure, this is way more spectacular than the two other sports, from my POV.

BlueLion

08-30-14, 10:54 AM

Torres has left. Chelsea are definitely taking the league this season.

honeykid

08-30-14, 11:21 AM

@Honeykid - hope you win today. I don't hate Man Utd like I do Liverpool, so seeing your team get beat by MK Dons didn't give me any kind of pleasure . Besides I have Wayne Rooney in my fantasy football team. I still like the lad :)
Well, like me you'll be disappointed now then. :D

Again, we're just too slow and there's not enough width atm. If/when this formation starts to click the width will sort itself out as the wingbacks will be more confident of the midfield keeping the ball and push forwards, but it's a possesion based system and it's not as direct or pacy as we (as United fans) have been used to see for, well, all my lifetime, at least. I know the 'chalk on the boots' winger doesn't really exist any more, but that's the kind of direct running that we're used to seeing, so this looks even slower.

I thought Mata was particularly poor today. Burnley were very well organised and played some good football, too. They deserved their point, however, I think we should had a penalty. Two, actually, but I can understand Foy not giving one for the push on Young, as he was on the wrong side to see it clearly and, well, it's Young.

Torres has left. Chelsea are definitely taking the league this season.
I think Chelsea are clear favourites for the league this year. You've got Remy joining now, as well, so we'll see how the Liverpool medical team do. ;) I think Remy is a good player and he certainly knows where the goal is. Torres out and Remy in? Sounds like good business to me.

Song to West Ham on loan and Agger back to Brondy, too.

BlueLion

08-30-14, 11:36 AM

I think Chelsea are clear favourites for the league this year. You've got Remy joining now, as well, so we'll see how the Liverpool medical team do. ;) I think Remy is a good player and he certainly knows where the goal is. Torres out and Remy in? Sounds like good business to me.

Last year's strikeforce: Torres, Eto'o, Ba
This season's: Costa, Drogba, Remy

good business indeed.

honeykid

08-30-14, 11:39 AM

Looks like we've got Blind in at United, as well. I'm hearing £14m, is that right? If so, that really is good business.

Sounds like Lee Cattermole is a foul away from getting sent off. Not even the end of the first half yet. :D

christine

08-30-14, 02:42 PM

Well, like me you'll be disappointed now then. :D.

:frustrated:

BlueLion

08-30-14, 03:08 PM

If only every game was this entertaining.

honeykid

08-30-14, 05:53 PM

Which game are you watching?

christine

08-30-14, 05:58 PM

Probably us getting beat :(

BlueLion

08-30-14, 06:18 PM

Which game are you watching?

The only bearable side from Liverpool vs the triumphant men of Josay Mooreenyo.

I think I have a man crush on Costa, such a deadly finisher. Ever since the Torres transfer I've decided not to get too excited about new signings, but wow. This guy is already a legend. Louis van Genius must already be pooping his pantaloons. But I'd guess Costa is the least of his worries right now.

Powdered Water

08-30-14, 07:36 PM

So how close is Manchester City to Man U? Is it like here and they're in the same city?

honeykid

08-30-14, 09:27 PM

Yep. Though City would argue they're the only team in Manchester. Everton and Liverpool are both in Liverpool, Aston Villa and West Bromich Albion are both in Birmingham, while Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham, Tottenham, QPR and Crystal Palace are all in London.

PW, if you get the chance to see the Everton v Chelsea game, check it out. I only saw the highlights, but it looked a great game.

Two wonderful goals today. Firstly from Agent Diouf (Mame Biram Diouf) and the volley from Wayne Routledge (which reminded me of the van Persie goal against Charlton all those years ago.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPszmjx18uY

Here's the Diouf goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDsyWP003SA

honeykid

08-31-14, 03:21 PM

Kagawa's gone back to Dortmund. £16m to us, £6m back two years later. Nicely done, Dortmund. Expecting Wellbeck and Cleverley to be going tomorrow.

I've just watched De Jong have a good game for AC Milan, so I guess any and all rumours of him going to United are/were rubbish.

christine

08-31-14, 05:48 PM

So how close is Manchester City to Man U? Is it like here and they're in the same city?

I don't mind you being a Man Utd or a City supporter but please don't support Liverpool!

Everton and Liverpool's grounds are less than a mile apart and Manchester's teams are less than 5 miles apart. In the Premier League, apart from the London teams and Swansea which is in Wales, there's only one team from the South of England (Southampton) , all the rest of them are Midlands and North of England.

auburntiger

08-31-14, 06:44 PM

College Auburn Tigers & Navy Midshipmen

NFL Dallas Cowboys

Powdered Water

08-31-14, 07:10 PM

There's a team called Crystal Palace? That seems a little smarmy. ;)

christine

09-01-14, 03:21 AM

There's a team called Crystal Palace? That seems a little smarmy. ;)

Haha! Some Premier League players could live in crystal palaces they get paid so much!

That team is named after a massive glass construction built for the Great Exhibition of the mid 1800s
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crystal_Palace"

Tacitus

09-01-14, 03:36 AM

The best named football club in the world (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimney_Corner_F.C.)...

neiba

09-01-14, 07:21 AM

Falcao going to ManUnited??? What's that???

Tacitus

09-01-14, 07:22 AM

Falcao going to ManUnited??? What's that???

This is what that is:

http://i.imgur.com/2TSPCxw.jpg

I wonder if Davey Moyes is grinning yet?

-KhaN-

09-01-14, 07:45 AM

Who needs defenders or mid...If they keep it up they will be hard team to defeat in Championship next year...I'm not even UTD fan but this is really irritating...Best transfer ever,they really needed the striker... :D

neiba

09-01-14, 09:53 AM

In the meantime, Wenger is in London in a charity match while Arsenal fans are begging for players... :p

BlueLion

09-01-14, 10:05 AM

Falcao going to ManUnited??? What's that???

Past his prime.

honeykid

09-01-14, 03:42 PM

I can't wait to see our team when everyone's fit. It's going to be like Newcastle under Keegan or Spurs with Ardiles. :D Defenders? We don't need no stinking defenders! ;)

Genuinely interested to see Falcao, though. God only knows what we've got there How's the injury? His desire? Where's he going to play? Maybe we'll sell Rooney to make way. :D

Tacitus

09-01-14, 03:51 PM

Looks like Welbeck's not going to Arsenal now, which must come as a relief to Man U fans. Convert him into a centre half and you're golden.

I thought that the Remy to Chelsea deal smacked of taking a good, cheap striker who'd strengthen their rivals out of the market and could say the same about Falcao. Without the cheap part.

Rock me Amadeus! :D

honeykid

09-01-14, 04:30 PM

I'd agree about Falcao were it not that I honestly don't think any other Premier League team was in for him.

I don't know that the Welbeck deal was every happening. Looks like Cleverley's not going to Villa unless he drops his wage demands. Borrini to QPR has collapsed for the same reason, apparently.

Tacitus

09-01-14, 05:54 PM

Well, well. Looks like the Welbeck deal is actually going ahead - 16mil for ... a squad man when everyone's fit? He's not even a like-for-like for the injured Giroud.

I guess the guy's always had promise and has suffered by being played out of position most of the time. It might be a great signing.

It might be Franny Jeffers all over again. ;)

honeykid

09-01-14, 06:02 PM

£16m? £6M, surely.

EDIT: Nope, just gone to a couple of sites and they're saying the same. £16m? Jesus. How could we turn that down? Especially with the spend this summer.

honeykid

09-01-14, 06:10 PM

Looks like Cleverley is staying at United. No to Everton and Villa, while Falcoa is still not done.

Tacitus

09-01-14, 06:23 PM

£16m? £6M, surely.

EDIT: Nope, just gone to a couple of sites and they're saying the same. £16m? Jesus. How could we turn that down? Especially with the spend this summer.

The English premium, I suppose. If he was any other nationality I'd say 8mil would be a fair price. The more I think about it, the more I figure it'll be a very interesting signing, especially when Giroud's fit.

He can't play both and keep Ozil, Sanchez, Wilshere, Ramsey, Diaby, Walcott and Arteta happy.

Unless Ozil and Walcott can become wing backs...

Wasn't 3-5-2 found out in the 90s?

honeykid

09-01-14, 07:50 PM

I think 3-5-2 is fine so long as you can play it well. However, as I've said, I'm not convinced that it can work in England because, regardless of what they like to pedal, it's not a possession game in England. It's about the final third.

Daniel M

09-01-14, 07:55 PM

But Van Gaal's 3-5-2 has hardly seen his side have that much possession, no one passes it quick enough either or creates anything. It has been more effective on the counter attack (v Spain).

But of course it's not all about possession, even though in general it helps it's obviously about how you use it, Rodgers promised tika-taka at Liverpool but we don't really play it at all, some of our stuffs beautiful, but we normally don't have that much possession and just counter attack because of the pace of Sturridge and Sterling, team's can't handle it :D

BlueLion

09-01-14, 07:56 PM

Wait, so this whole Falcao thing is actually not happening?

honeykid

09-01-14, 08:05 PM

I know that it's not working atm because the players can't play it. I still think he'll go 4-3-3 when he can make the team as he wants it, but for now he's trying to incorporate his best players. If they don't perform, however, I think we'll see a change to 4-4-2, probably in a diamond, much like Liverpool play.

While I was favouring a 4-1-3-2, I'm starting to think a deep 4-2-3-1 might work better. Of course, going back to a back 4 might solve those problems anyway.

honeykid

09-01-14, 08:08 PM

Wait, so this whole Falcao thing is actually not happening?
I don't think anyone's quite sure. However, if deals are done, but not quite finished they can get an extension.

honeykid

09-01-14, 09:26 PM

New look United?

http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/secondary/196891.jpg

Personally, I'd replace Rooney with Mata.

BlueLion

09-01-14, 10:33 PM

Wow, so Mata is left out of the starting eleven, again? Feel for the guy. He's such a hard worker too.

Tacitus

09-02-14, 06:51 AM

It all kinda falls apart on the right hand side but anyone's better than Valencia, no?

Anyway, far more importantly - The team with the second best name in the world (http://www.weldersfc.com/)!

My father says he turned out for them but I've always had the feeling that romance (ie: lying) got in the way. He is an ex Irish League player, to be fair. Brian. At the end of the day.

Daniel M

09-02-14, 07:06 AM

That's one of the most silly, unbalanced teams I have seen for such a good group of players. No idea why they didn't sign a single decent right sided player. I think a narrow 4-2-3-1 probably suits them most, with everyone fit:

---------------- De Gea

Rafael --- Jones --- Rojo --- Shaw

-----------Herrera --- Blind

----- Mata -- Rooney -- Di Maria

--------------Falcao/RVP

the samoan lawyer

09-02-14, 08:30 AM

neiba

09-02-14, 09:07 AM

Past his prime.

Well, we'll see... He was in a bad team and a bad championship... With the right partners he is still the most lethal striker in the world, specially inside the box!

Tacitus

09-02-14, 09:08 AM

My dad started off as a clerk in H&W (he came from a long line of shipyard workers but didn't like getting his hands dirty :p) so he may well have played for them in the 60s. I'm still calling lies until at least 3 people verify it though - He claims he's related to a famous Scottish footballer with the same surname (you'll know it ;)) so believability is kind of an issue with my old man.

the samoan lawyer

09-02-14, 10:12 AM

Nice claim to fame. :)

Tacitus

09-02-14, 10:44 AM

Nice claim to fame. :)

Bull**** though. ;)

honeykid

09-05-14, 08:55 PM

Seen this?

Footballer banned for 70 matches for sickening assault on referee

A footballer in Austria has been slapped with one of the longest suspensions in the history of the game: 70 matches.

When you hear the circumstances, however, the punishment meted out to Ismail Gunduz of fifth-division side SK Rum may not seem so draconian.

Gunduz had been given his marching orders for a second yellow card in the 86th minute of the match against SPLG Innsbruck, which SK Rum were actually leading 3-2 at the time.

Incensed, Gunduz turned to the referee and headbutted him - a blow so severe that the referee's lip burst open, pouring blood, forcing the match to be suspended as the official was taken to hospital.

As well as the suspension, a local paper called the Tiroler Tageszeitung reports that 26-year-old player was also sacked by SK Rum, while his club was fined 257 euros.

The player claimed that the punishment meted out to him is "madness", and claims that he will appeal on the grounds that it was a "misunderstanding", that he merely slipped.

If the excuses reminded you of a certain Uruguayan by the name of Luis Suarez, then it certainly puts the Barcelona striker's punishment into perspective.

Needless to say, the local footballing authorities laughed off what we might dub the 'Suarez defence' and decided to throw the book at the player.

"The 70-match suspension is without precedent as far as we know, but it seemed proportionate to us given the gravity of the offence," said Horst Scherl, head of the Tyrolean FA's disciplary commission.

It does indeed, Herr Scherl. A couple of seasons banned from the game actually sounds relatively lenient considering that Gunduz was lucky not to end up in prison for his actions.
https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/footballer-banned-for-70-matches-for-sickening-assault-on-referee-112454781.html

neiba

09-06-14, 06:52 AM

He will probably never play again in his life! But his excuse is priceless.. "Oh, I'm sorry for bursting your lip with my head mr. referree, I just slipped!" :p

BlueLion

09-13-14, 04:07 PM

Diego Costa is on a roll.

neiba

09-14-14, 05:07 AM

Mourinho built a hell of a team this year!

honeykid

09-14-14, 01:45 PM

I agree. It looks like he's got his striker. They'd have won it last season if they'd had someone of Costa's quality. That said, if they didn't self destruct most seasons they'd have won it every season since 2010.

It's still early, but it doesn't look like last season was a one-off for Costa. A good reminder that some players develop later than others.

honeykid

09-14-14, 02:09 PM

I don't have Sky Sports, so I've not watched the game, but were we playing a back four? Saw the team sheet and thought it looked that way.

Looking forward to seeing the highlights tonight. Sounds like Di Maria ran the show.

Tacitus

09-14-14, 07:12 PM

Apparently it was a back four, but I didn't see the match either. I know it's only QPR but it must be a relief for LVG and his massive swingers to get that first win.

honeykid

09-14-14, 09:01 PM

Yeah, I watched the highlights and it was a back four. Still didn't look too solid according to Jermaine Jenas, but a clean sheet will do them the world of good. Nice to see Blackett still getting a game, too. As you said, it was only QPR and Harry, but four goals and a clean sheet will make everyone feel better. We said this season would be a bit 1996 Newcastle and, if they'd been better at the front, that might've been what we got today.

It's a good feeling. The players are coming back and it felt like the first day of the season today.

honeykid

09-15-14, 08:36 PM

An amazing game yesterday between AC Milan and Parma. Did anyone see it? How about this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNRE1ClE13Y

neiba

09-16-14, 05:55 AM

god, the defenders are just sleeping... it's not a surprise they let 5 goals in! :p

Powdered Water

09-27-14, 05:37 PM

Rooney gettin a little feisty today. How does that go over over there? Is there always a bunch of people that cry for him to remove his shirt for the team forever or does it mostly get taken in-stride? Anyway, needed that W today and they got it.

honeykid

09-28-14, 10:49 AM

Rooney's always been like that. He's a lot better than he used to be, but that was a certain red card. He's gotten a lot of slack over the years, partly for being England's golden boy and partly being at United, but he's good for a couple of those most seasons.

No one will want their player to never play again for something like that, though. Even other fans wouldn't call for anything like that. You need to do a lot worse before those calls start. Basically, like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_st29mlQwU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGq7VcaHoqo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwZuXuH-NwA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v0CdBqUmNA

Of course, if you were England captain back when the country expected to win things, you could get away with this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPp0teYYi70
Go to 30 seconds in.

the samoan lawyer

09-29-14, 09:04 AM

I think i lip-read Rooney saying "I went for the ball", yet the ball was on the ground and Rooney's boot was at the fella's waist! Big games coming up too so it will be a blow.

honeykid

09-29-14, 10:33 AM

We'll see. Surely Mata will play now, even though all signs point to VG not having much time for him. Mata can't play at pace, but he's a better #10 than Rooney.

Most the explanations I've heard for why he did it ring true, though which is we'll not know. When I saw it, I thought it was a professional foul that he decided to make too late. If that's the case, then it was a bad decision, as all the pundits made clear on Saturday night and Sunday, showing that United were well set defensively att.

Some great goals this weekend, weren't there? Pelle's was superb, while Dzeko made me jealous, again. Jags was a belter, but I think this might be the best of the lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djs_611SavA

the samoan lawyer

09-29-14, 11:13 AM

Not much is beating that strike!! Charlie Austin scored a cracker too. Not bad for a brickie!!

honeykid

09-29-14, 12:17 PM

I knew there was another really good goal this weekend. Yes, Austin's was quality.

christine

09-29-14, 02:11 PM

Yep Jag's goal was brilliant , but honestly we were terrible. We were lucky to get that draw

honeykid

09-29-14, 03:30 PM

I hope you're that bad next weekend then. ;)

Must be the weekend for good goals because Thomas Heurtaux has just scored a really good one for Udinese. A six foot defender scoring with an overhead kick in the six yard box. It's quality, too.

christine

09-29-14, 03:33 PM

I hope you're that bad next weekend ;)

Best not be! Bobby better be sorting them out during the week :p

honeykid

09-29-14, 03:35 PM

Considering the amount of goals you've shipped so far this season and our defence, it could be almost any score next weekend. :D

christine

09-29-14, 03:43 PM

Considering the amount of goals you've shipped so far this season and our defence, it could be almost any score next weekend. :D

That's just par for the course when you're an Evertonian !

Justin

09-30-14, 03:19 PM

Preparing a pizza for the Barça / PSG match.

honeykid

09-30-14, 03:54 PM

Talk of Blanc losing his job is PSG lose that game.

City are already one up.

And I see PSG are one up as well.

Justin

09-30-14, 04:02 PM

Messi evened it out, thankfully. Ninety seconds later. PSG are crippled without Ibrahimović.

honeykid

10-02-14, 09:07 AM

Crippled but beating a team which hadn't conceded a goal all season. Makes a difference when the team you're playing is half decent and trying, doesn't it? ;)

Powdered Water

10-05-14, 07:15 PM

NBCSN is doing a terrific job here on coverage for this league. I've only missed one game so far for United. Man they look quite a a bit different than just a few weeks ago. Any more rumors on some defensive help HK? And are you holding out hope that Ronaldo will return to United in 2015? Seems pretty unlikely to happen this year, but he sure has left the door open.

Tacitus

10-05-14, 07:50 PM

Today was quite fun - Playing referee between my Evertonian uncle and my Man Utd supporting cousin (his son). Poor match though.

Blind looks like a walking red card. ;)

honeykid

10-05-14, 08:02 PM

The team is certainly starting to come together. We still look really fragile at the back, but it's getting better and once the first team regulars start playing together more and more, it should really start to look good. We look fantastic going forward atm. There were times today we looked a bit like the old United marauding forward. Nice to see Falcao getting his first goal. Hopefully they'll start to flow soon for, as good as Everton were in the second half and the magnificent performance by De Gea, the truth is had the finishing been better, we'd have been out of sight by halftime.

There's not been much talk about defensive reinforcements. There's strong rumours that Dani Alves will come to the Premier League either in January or the summer. He's been one of the best right backs in the world but, at 31, he's obviously peaked and he's on big wages at Barca. There's talk of him coming to United, but I've also heard City are the preferred choice. Of course, it could also be contract renewal time for Alves and there's often talk of big players moving when those talks start. We'll have to wait and see.

I doubt Ronaldo will return and, tbh, it'd be money down the drain now. I'd love him to come back because he's brilliant, but that isn't where the money needs to be spent now. Last summer, perfect, and Ronaldo will improve any team in the world and, while he'd be 31 he's in phenomenal condition which, barring an injury I wouldn't expect to change, but considering how much he'd cost and his wages it isn't a deal which sounds like it'd make much sense. Of course, should the Glazers decide that we're going to go all Real Madrid now, who knows. That won't happen, while they need United to be successful, I suspect they'll stop spending as soon as that happens and start taking the money out again.

Still, great win today and a really good game to watch.

*EDIT* Are you mad? What do you want from a game? Perfect defences that don't make mistakes? ;) That's boring.

Blind is brilliant. I love him already. :D

the samoan lawyer

10-06-14, 08:40 AM

Fair play to McNair too. Played excellent the past 2 games and looks a real talent. Shaw was pretty awful i thought but it's clearly obvious he's not match fit. Once again, impressed by Di Maria and Falcao.

honeykid

10-06-14, 11:00 AM

Seeing Di Maria in particular makes it even more obvious just how lacking in world class talent we've been for 4 or 5 years. Of course, I'm saying that as someone who's not thought Rooney was world class for years and still isn't convinced by van Persie. I can see an arguement for Mata, but he's not played where he's best too often and isn't sure of his place. When you see how he set up Di Maria yesterday though, he should be. I don't know if Rooney could've seen the pass, but I doubt his first touch would've been anything like as good.

BTW, were any other United fans sat waiting for the penalty and then thought he'd save it? I wasn't sure, but you could feel that pen coming, but I wasn't that worried when he took it. I think it was De Gea more than Baines, though. De Gea just looked like he was going to save it.

Tacitus

10-06-14, 12:21 PM

Still, great win today and a really good game to watch.

*EDIT* Are you mad? What do you want from a game? Perfect defences that don't make mistakes? ;) That's boring.

Blind is brilliant. I love him already. :D

Even from a neutral's standpoint it was a poor match. Everton had nothing in the centre of the park and were content to play everything through their wingers for a target man who's clearly in awful form. Man U didn't even bother to use both their wide men (although when one of them is Valencia, I can see why they did it), gave the ball to de Maria in the hope that he'd do something constructive.

Apart from his corner taking, he's a special player though.

And yep, my cousin was confidently calling the penalty save as soon as the ref blew. ;)

Powdered Water

10-06-14, 08:29 PM

Yeah. Blind is terrific, that may have been the best pickup of all of them. I understand several players are on the mend. I didn't realize there were like, 5 guys out. Should be fun the rest of the way. So who's our hated rival? Is it City? Or is there an older crosstown rival? And when do we play them? And did I understand correctly that there's no games this week? More Champions league games this week or something?

BlueLion

10-06-14, 09:04 PM

Diego Costa. is. on. fire.

Also, those passes from Fabregas are just majestic

honeykid

10-06-14, 09:11 PM

Hated rivals? Leeds, Liverpool and City are the big three. Much of the late 80's and 90's were spent hating Arsenal, too.

Which you hate the most usually depends one when you started supporting and where you live. I support United because they were my dad's team. This was the 70's, so Leeds and Liverpool were the worst. The scousers are the most irritating because they were successful, but I honestly don't know which I hate more. When Leeds were in the Premier League and they played each other I used to just cheer every goal because it meant one of them had conceded. They're difficult games to watch for me. I'd much rather lose to City than Liverpool, but then, I don't have to put up with City fans crowing because I only know one. Others might disagree, but United v Liverpool is the biggest game in England.

We have two more games this month because we're not in the League Cup or in Europe and there's an International week. :( The big games for the rest of the year are Chelsea (at Home on Oct 26th), City (Away on Nov 2nd), Arsenal (Away on Nov 22nd) and Liverpool (Home Dec 14th). That's when we'll see where we are in relation to the best teams. I'm really looking forward to Southampton and Tottenham, too, as they both play good football and they should be cracking games.

There's no top flight football until the Oct 18th. England play on Thursday and Sunday. Neither game is particularly appealing, though. In fact, I don't think there are any interesting Internationals this week. Scotland V Georgia and Poland V Germany look about as exciting as it gets.

Tacitus

10-15-14, 06:02 AM

Holy bollocks, Norn Iron are top of their group! Not since the heady days when Sevilla were apparently interested in David Healy have we had such a run.

It'll all end in tears though.

the samoan lawyer

10-15-14, 08:23 AM

Holy bollocks, Norn Iron are top of their group! Not since the heady days when Sevilla were apparently interested in David Healy have we had such a run.

It'll all end in tears though.

Agreed. Should beat Faroes again and maybe Finland at home. Won't be enough. My advice? Enjoy it while it lasts.

honeykid

10-15-14, 12:11 PM

I saw the result last night and was going to come in here and say just how fantastic it was. Enjoy it. :)

Some of the results that've been coming in over this international break have been odd, though, haven't they?

Tacitus

10-15-14, 07:47 PM

I can remember Sammie D coming to stay around the time we beat Spain in 2006 and I managed to convince her that we were a footballing super power on the back of an evening in front of the TV explaining the offside rule and why David Healy was better than Beckham.

honeykid

10-26-14, 12:06 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXepe2f6778

I'm sure most/all of you have seen this by now. Eric Lamela's 'rebona' goal on Thursday. Best goal ever scored? No. However, when I saw it (after all the hype and OMG!!!! IT:S THE GREATEST GOAL EVA texts.etc) after marvelling at the skill, almost instantly the first thing that struck me was "Wow. I'm getting old." but what I should've thought was "wow. We've come a long way." I say that because here's how that goal would've been greeted in this country over the decades.

Pre 1990's - Fancy dan. That's it. He'd be a fancy dan and we hated fancy dans. Ex pro's would've been talking about he'd disrespected his opponents and how, "In my day we wouldn't have stood for that." You can guarantee that he'd have been kicked from pillar to post for the rest of the game/season/career.

Mid 90- Mid 00's - He hasn't got a left/right foot. To my shame, this is still my first thought and, a lot of the time, I think it's true. It's also what I said after seeing this goal. :D

Last 6 or 7 years - OMG!!!!! TOTES AMAZBALLS!!!!! IT'S THE BESTEST GOAL EVS!!!!!!!

BTW, if you go to wiki and look at rebona, you'll see the Spurs fans have been at work. :D

Tacitus

10-26-14, 05:42 AM

Pft. Shows he doesn't train enough on his right foot. Bad coaching. :p

Bloody fancy Dan. ;)

I'm old...

christine

10-26-14, 06:17 AM

Fell like I should give a little mention to the team that's 10 mins away from us - Bristol City who are top of the Sky Bet League 1 (the 3rd division to us oldies). After the appointment of Steve Cotterill last season they managed to climb out out of the relegation zone that would've meant a drop of two leagues in two seasons. This season they've played 15 games with 9 wins 6 draws and no losses. The fans are loving it and good for them!

honeykid

10-26-14, 01:47 PM

Just caught up with the United game. Have we started with van Persie over Falcao again? Stop it, VG. The more I see of him, the more I think the rumour about Fergie not being interested in him for the majority of his career due to his psychological make up is true. It also shows the gamble Fergie took (which was successful) really was a gamble.

Please let him have a blinding second half now I've slagged him off again. :D

honeykid

10-26-14, 03:11 PM

Well, not a blinding second half, but I'll take it. :D

Very happy with the result. I thought we'd do well to keep Chelsea down to 3 goals regardless of the result. Of course, we were lucky that they only had Drogba up front, but still, very pleased.

3 points off 4th place after about a quarter of the season? I'll take it. True, we've had an easy run so far and we'd have expected to've taken more points, but we'll improve through the season (hopefully) so top 4 should be OK.

christine

10-26-14, 03:31 PM

not a bad result for you Hun. Happy with ours too :)

BlueLion

10-26-14, 04:04 PM

Di Maria dived. Disgraceful.

honeykid

10-26-14, 05:59 PM

I've not seen it, but if he did, good. It's about time we got some calls against Chelsea. Just a shame it hasn't come when we have a chance of the title.

I'll watch MotD2 later to see the games, but from your comment I take you won, Christine? :)

-KhaN-

10-26-14, 08:18 PM

After game like this and many more I saw as a fan of Chelsea over years...This is disgraceful and (sorry if I understood wrong) you really say its okay for him to dive like a little ****?You are proud of that?Also penalty on Ivanovic?Would you be proud of getting point on dives in your "good"years?

christine

10-26-14, 08:20 PM

honeykid

10-26-14, 09:27 PM

Di Maria dived. Disgraceful.

After game like this and many more I saw as a fan of Chelsea over years...This is disgraceful and (sorry if I understood wrong) you really say its okay for him to dive like a little ****?You are proud of that?Also penalty on Ivanovic?Would you be proud of getting point on dives in your "good"years?
Firstly, it's not a dive. Ivanovic shouldn't have been sent off because, unless it was for the number of fouls he'd committed, it's wasn't a bookable offence. But it's not a dive as Ivanovic clearly clips his heels.

However, to answer the point, no, you understood me fine. Considering the number of bad calls United have had against Chelsea (most of them vital, too) I'd be more than happy for him to dive to get something.

I wish players were booked and penalties given for holding in the area. Shawcross had one given against him last weekend and the shock on people's faces was clear to see. It happens at almost every corner kick and many freekicks, but they're hardly ever given. I felt sorry for him, but you can't complain about it if it's given, IMO.

However, when I was watching the highlights they mentioned that both Terry and Ivanovic had been fouled. Ivanovic is clearly fouled (though whether it was seen or not by the ref is another thing) but it's also clear that Terry wasn't fouled as it's impossible to foul Terry as he's a complete cnut. Bit like Leeds or Liverpool players.

3-1 our kid!
Yes, I've just finished watching MotD2. Good goals, but especially Eto'o's two. His second is aesthetically pleasing, but I really liked the first goal. Wonderful pass and move football finishing with a great header.

I see Falcao was injured, so I take my slight rant at VG and van Persie back. :D Excellent performance by de Gea again. I said it before the season, but he's going to be the player of the year for United.

Lastly, how badly does Russell Brand want to flog his bloody book?

christine

10-27-14, 05:13 AM

shocking to hear of the murder of Senzo Meyiwa , the South African goalie and captain. Very sad for his family and for South Aficsn football . Such a senseless waste of a life.

-KhaN-

10-27-14, 06:19 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1sO8Q7B0oc

First of all,look at him acting as if he is in pain,so pathetic,I don't see any kind of contact,if you have better video please post it.There was also penalty on Ivanovic.And Honey,I'm Chelsea fan,we should have penalty every game for what they did to us against Barca that night in London,even that semi-finals where we became champions were ref's game...If Ivanovic made a foul here then every corner is a penalty...

EDIT:Btw we all know what everyone thinks about UTD and ref's so please don't even try...

BlueLion

10-27-14, 10:46 AM

What's funny though is that United were celebrating as if they'd won the Champions League. :D

honeykid

10-27-14, 11:58 AM

shocking to hear of the murder of Senzo Meyiwa , the South African goalie and captain. Very sad for his family and for South Aficsn football . Such a senseless waste of a life.
I read this last night, but I didn't see that he'd been murdered. Only that he'd been shot at his g/f's place. Very sad, either way, of course.

As for the foul. I don't have any other video, but on MotD2 last night, they showed an angle which showed his heels being clipped. It probably wasn't intentional, but it was a foul. The play acting I'm not defending at all, but (sadly) that's expected and Di Maria, in particular, has a reputation for it. I'm not sure what the edit is about, but if it's the refs and United, run along, we've heard it all before. Do United get calls that other teams don't? Sure. Do United get calls no other team gets? No. Big teams get more calls and especially at home. It's called home field advantage and when you have tens of thousands of people telling you to do/not do something, you're more likely to be swayed and if you don't, you're more likely to the next time. It's why players surround the ref and argue every single call (even throw ins) and why managers do the same. It's all about getting an advantage and hoping to influence the next call. Maybe you'll get a freekick you shouldn't have had. Maybe an offside call will go your way or a penalty? We all know that if a ref doesn't give a penalty that otherwise looks a certainty, he'll usually give one for the next tap he can, regardless of the fact it's much less of a penalty than the one he denied. It's just the way it is. Refs don't usually give second yellows for silly fouls unless there's been a good number of them. How many times have you seen someone get away with a foul that was worse than the one they got a card for earlier? That's how it is and until refs can apply the rules without everyone getting on their case for awarding 10 penalties a game and sending off 5 players (all of which would be the players fault, as the refs are just enforcing the laws of the game) that's the way it'll stay.

As for the reaction? Are you kidding me? I thought we'd get spanked on Sunday. I thought three goals were a certainty, regardless of the result. To hold you to a set piece goal and then get an equalizer? Fantastic. It might be a case of how the mighty have fallen, but atm, that's how it feels. You're Chelsea, you know how that feels. Think of your entire history bar the last 10 years. :p:D

Plus, late minute goals are always exciting and it's nice to see them back at Old Trafford. :D

-KhaN-

10-27-14, 12:33 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjIV-O1ZbFE
Here I found best angle,probably the one you also saw,I just wonder if they gave something like this for Chels how would you react? He clipped his heals?Are you for real!?Then next time winds blows we need to stop ****ing game because Di Maria will fly off...Ivanovic was pulled down with arm around his neck and reff didnt give penalty,cry baby got touched and its a foul,rofl...You talk so much about history,glory,titles but in the end this is what it comes to,wishing ref to give you points...I wouldn't talk about it,but you said you are good with ref giving you points so yea...

Yea we know how it is...our entire history...But I guess when we win title we can let you win next game so you can fight for Europa League,don't turn in another history channel...

honeykid

10-27-14, 01:33 PM

Ooooh, are those grapes sour, my friend?

Are you saying he doesn't clip his heels (which is a foul) or that he does and shouldn't go down (despite it being a foul)?

I don't know why you're still banging on about Ivanovic, I don't think anyone anywhere has said he wasn't dragged down. As a Chelsea fan I wouldn't be too mouthy about getting advantages/points from refereeing decisions. I can think of 3 points inparticular which you got against us from freekick that wasn't a foul and from which the Drogba header which scored was offside. It happens. It's not nice when it happens against you. I also don't remember going on about our history/glory/titles, either.

I was pretty confident you'd win the title this season before a ball was kicked. You're the best team in the league. City will be second, while either Arsenal or United will be third, the other fourth. I would put Arsenal third, but when don't they finish 4th? I'll take Europa League next season, but I think we should be able to make top 4.

-KhaN-

10-27-14, 02:22 PM

Im just responding to what you said,you did start talking about our history and you said you are okay with diving...I know we will win this,with ease but I don't like these things...

Powdered Water

11-02-14, 12:45 PM

Man, I know United is off to their worst start points wise in 24 years but they gotta feel good about today. I thought they were gonna steal another point like they did last week. Now that Rooney is back it should be really interesting to see if they can continue to grow together. Blind in the middle of the field just looks like he's always been there. How long does United have him for HK? Is there a way to keep him permanently?

christine

11-02-14, 01:00 PM

They'll be very unhappy losing against City tho PW. The rivalry in the North West is intense!

Powdered Water

11-02-14, 01:08 PM

Probably true. Fans often miss the positives though. I'm looking at things from a long way away too. So by default almost, I can easily be more objective. Lots of games left too.

honeykid

11-03-14, 12:18 AM

Blind in the middle of the field just looks like he's always been there. How long does United have him for HK? Is there a way to keep him permanently?
Blind is our player. So long as we want him and he has a contract, he's a United player. Obviously if he wants out, then contracts are worth nothing, as a player will engineer a move by hook or by crook and a club will usually sell a player who doesn't want to be there so as not to affect team morale but, essensially, he's ours until we don't want him or he doesn't want us.

They'll be very unhappy losing against City tho PW. The rivalry in the North West is intense!
Yeah, it's never good to lose to City, but today wasn't too bad, bar the actual pain of losing to them. :D With our current squads and expectations, this was a game I think many expected us to lose (not something that's happened too often in my lifetime) and to lose by only one goal helped too, I think.

Considering our last two games have been Chelsea and City, to concede two goals and get a point is quite pleasing, though I say that with caution. A Mournho team will usually take a point away against a rival (and, despite our position, I think he'd still see a point as a decent result, though not a good one) and City could've torn us apart had they been in form. I expected to get beaten in both and to've conceded lots of goals as well. Even if we'd won both, I'd have expected it to be 4-3 rather than 1-0.

Despite Smallings stupid sending off (completely his fault for both and totally warrented) we still got a little lucky today, as City should've had two penalties and, while I think the Yaya Toure foul was a foul, I also think he stuck his leg out to knowing Rojo would run into it, everyone else seems to think it's a stone cold penalty. So that's three. But we seem to be on the right track and, if we can get everyone fit and playing at the same time, we should start to see a good deal of improvement in the new year.

Rojo's dislocated shoulder means we can expect to see one or two of the youth team playing again. A settled back four is what we really need now.

Nice to see Tom Heaton have a great game yesterday, just because he's a former United kid. Some of the saves he made against Arsenal were fantastic.

Powdered Water

11-23-14, 12:00 PM

What a game yesterday. Rooney and Di Maria look to have really figured some things out. Defensively United was just terrific. I admit, I was yelling at them for a bit until they finally broke the Arsenal attack and got up 2-0. That could be a season maker right there.

honeykid

11-23-14, 02:22 PM

I'll comment later, but for now.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3Ef0ytCMAAw2Rv.png
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3EqJXyIIAEpr7E.jpg
Is Sheldon an Arsenal fan?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3EiWTzCEAA74sn.jpg

christine

11-23-14, 03:38 PM

The London teams have been good to me this weekend ;)

BlueLion

11-23-14, 05:24 PM

Jose Mourinho, Jose Mourinho, Jose Mourinho!

gandalf26

11-23-14, 05:34 PM

No way Jose!

honeykid

11-23-14, 07:59 PM

In this cruel, monied world of the super rich, occasionally there's a beautiful story out there.

Rayo Vallecano to pay for evicted 85-year-old's rent

Spanish club to help elderly woman who lost her home.

Rayo Vallecano are to do something quite extraordinary: the Spanish club have vowed to pay for an elderly lady's rent after she was evicted from her home.

Carmen Martinez Ayuso, from the Vallecas district of Madrid, lost her home near the club's stadium and her story certainly had an impact.

The club have now vowed to cover the 85-year-old's rent after she found herself out of her home - an apartment she has lived in for 50 years.

Rayo coach Paco Jemez said in a club statement: "Of course it touches us. The worst thing that could happen to a family is getting thrown out of your home, especially when you consider she had been living there for 50 years.

"We won't stand idly by, of course we are going to do something to help. We are going to help this woman, not just me, but the coaching staff, the players, the club.

"We are going to search for a place where she can live with dignity."

Jemez explained that the elderly lady was evicted from her home after her son used it as collateral on a loan that he was subsequently unable to pay.

A banner held up at Vallecas Stadium during the club's most recent match also read: "Rayo against evictions".

It is an incredible gesture from the club, which has one of the smallest budgets in La Liga.

According to AP, Rayo ran a budget of just seven million euros last season, compared to the 580 million euros of Real Madrid.
https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/rayo-vallecano-to-pay-for-evicted-85-year-old-s-rent-145409588.html

honeykid

11-30-14, 09:00 PM

A good win for United this weekend. Only Hull and at home, I know, but I've not heard or seen anything which indicates that we had any problem at all. Even when we spanked QPR earlier in the season there were a couple of really good chances for them. There didn't seem to be any for Hull.

I know van Persie's goal is the one that's gotten most people excited, but I preferred Rooney's. It's a lovely looking goal.

Anyone seen Bruno Peres' goal in the Turin derby?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njbzIvFUP10

That's a defender, BTW.

the samoan lawyer

12-01-14, 09:23 AM

Reminds me of myself. ahem.

Good to see a bit of form for United. Still lots to work on but at least defensively we are looking a bit more solid.

honeykid

12-06-14, 07:49 PM

Unlucky Everton. I don't know what the commentator was on about when he said City deserved it. Looked more like you were robbed to me. One City player should've been sent off (possibly/probably 2) and the penalty they scored from was a soft pen to say the least. Didn't look like a penalty at any stage to me. Then you get a man booked for diving in the centre circle for being fouled in a similar way the ref gave a penalty for. Bad day at the office.

Powdered Water

12-07-14, 01:44 PM

Big game tomorrow HK. You have any pre game rituals for this sort of thing? Maybe sacrifice a goat or something? Or would that be wrong?

Choo Yao Chuen

12-07-14, 03:37 PM

What football are we talking here? American, English or Aussie???

honeykid

12-07-14, 06:00 PM

Big game tomorrow HK. You have any pre game rituals for this sort of thing? Maybe sacrifice a goat or something? Or would that be wrong?
I don't have any rituals, though I do prefer to watch important games on my own. If I start the game with someone, I don't mind too much (though I stil prefer to be on my own) but I hate it when someone/people come round.

Should be a good marker for where we are atm. Southampton are a good team, though their midfield's going to be a lot weaker with Ward-Prowse and, more importantly, Schneiderlin out through injury. Weaker, but not weak, as Wanyama is still there and Davis is a decent player, too.

A great result for Stoke, too. It really should've been 4-0 because that offside call was ridiculous wasn't it?

christine

12-07-14, 06:22 PM

Not happy with that penalty given yesterday in our match with Man City

honeykid

12-07-14, 08:13 PM

As I said before, I think you were robbed.

West Ham 3rd? It's a funny old game. ;)

christine

12-08-14, 06:51 AM

sorry I missed you saying that. West Ham 3rd tho, makes a change! great win for them yesterday

christine

12-14-14, 03:49 PM

woo HK what a win! Thanks for crushing the Redsh*te ;)

the samoan lawyer

12-15-14, 09:14 AM

Optimus

12-15-14, 09:17 AM

Lot of people saying we were lucky to beat Liverpool. I don't see it that way at all. Yes, they had several chances, especially Sterling and De Gea certainly kept us in it but we were certainly the better team and had chances ourselves.

Good luck tonight Christine.
I wouldn't say you where lucky at all. Liverpool have been very poor this season and have no fear factor about them at all. If Arsenal beat them the weekend I think a Rodgers could be in trouble.

honeykid

12-15-14, 10:03 AM

How sweet it is. After the last couple of seasons that felt really good. I did worry slightly when I saw the Liverpool attack, simply because we were playing three at the back with Carrick as one of them and I feared the movement would be too much. That was rarely the case and, when it was, their finishing was usually poor. De Gea had a great game (I predicted he'd be our most important player at the start of the season, not that that wasn't obvious) but his best saves, IMO, came once Balotelli came on. He may not have scored, but he was much better than Sterling. Not that it should come as a surprise, but there's such feeling against Balotelli. When you see some of the saves he's forced, I think he could be forgiven for thinking he'd have 3 or 4 more goals and the pressure wouldn't be so great.

If Liverpool play like that against Arsenal they can expect more of the same. Arsenal won't lose possession anything like as easily United did and with their defence playing so poorly, Arsenal could run riot.

More luck for Chelsea with the refs. Well, I say luck, it's not is it, it's home advantage and being a big club. However, even with that advantage taken into consideration, how they finished with everyone on the pitch I don't know. Huddlestone's tackle was nasty, but I think it probably came from the, understandable, frustration of Chris Foy and his terribe performance/successful attempts to make the game about him.

Spurs also got a little lucky with Lamela not seeing red. Either for two yellows or a straight red for that elbow. Surely a top four club will come in for Bony? So long as he doesn't have any off-field problems and has the personality for a big club, he's absolute quality.

Nice win for Burnley too and another good game and a penalty save for Heaton. Nice to see an ex-United kid still playing so well. Should Southampton start to worry? That's four or five in a row they've lost and, IIRC, the previous couple of wins weren't exactly convincing, either.

Everton should be OK tonight. QPR aren't good away.

Dortmund. What's going on there? In fact, there's some big names at the bottom of the Bundesliga with Bremen and Stuttgart making up the bottom three. Granted none of them have been cut adrift or anything, but 15 games in and it's no longer a blip or run of bad luck. Those three teams must be gagging for the Christmas break and the transfer window.

Lastly, PSG lost their first game of the season and are second and a point behind Bielsa's Marseille. Even sweeter that they lost to Guingamp, who I just love because their stadium holds more people than live in the town. That's optimism. :D

Powdered Water

12-27-14, 01:03 AM

Man... United is looking good. Any truth to the rumor that Diego Costa has to wear those gloves in order to contain his jazz hands?

honeykid

12-27-14, 07:17 PM

Yeah, we're still not great in defence, but then no one beyond the top two is and, maybe, just Chelsea, but we're starting to keep possession the way VG wants. I still don't like to see us with three at the back, but if we can make it work, then fine. Looking sharp upfront though, now that van Persie has decided to turn up. If we can get him and Falcao firing, the second half of the season could be very enjoyable for us United fans.

Young has had a good couple of games. Let's see how long that continues.

Refs had a nightmare this week though, didn't they?

Don't forget there's another game tomorrow (Sunday) then another Thursday and the Cup on Saturday/Sunday.

Tacitus

12-27-14, 07:46 PM

So Milan have signed Torres only to loan him out to Atletico, with Cerci going in the opposite direction? Italian player ownership never fails to confuse me. :rolleyes:

Torres was a fine player once but when injury robbed him of his acceleration he couldn't adapt...

Also, Palace have sacked Colin. Shame that. :p

christine

12-28-14, 12:12 PM

for gods sake Everton can we not have a third humiliation :(

Last night's discussion between brother returning home to Liverpool and my sons to see which match they're going up to see : it'd be nice to see one in which we'll win if we're going all the way up there to watch it, yeah but you might as well stick a pin in the fixture list ....
Everton - past masters of unpredictability for years

christine

12-28-14, 02:10 PM

this is not good for us :(

honeykid

12-29-14, 05:13 PM

When do individual mistakes start becoming Martinez repeating Wigan, christine?

A poor second half for United against Spurs. It should've been done with in the first half, but it wasn't to be. I don't expect United to challenge this season, but they're keeping up the pretence. That being the case, it's these games that you have to win, especially with the top two dropping points.

Three games for Cisse's elbow? Or will they tack another one for the previous attempts?

Anyone else enjoy Mourinho's Sir Alex impression yesterday? Everyone's against them, it's a media campaign, pundits, fans, the FA, everyone. I thought it was great. He sounded just like the great man himself.

neiba

12-29-14, 07:36 PM

Just a small off-topic:

Happy 77th birthday to the best chairman in the history of football, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa a.k.a. The Pope.

honeykid

01-01-15, 09:26 PM

Another couple of games today with some really poor reffing... And I'm not even including the handball in the Stoke/United game.

Poor Leicester. I know you get nothing at the bottom of the league and, rarely, anything at Anfield, but those decisions were attrocious. To come back and score two excellent goals is a credit to them, but also an indication, I suspect as I only saw the highlights, of how much better they were than a poor Liverpool.

Everton are really looking poor atm. Has Lukaku disappeared or is he just not getting any service?

Fantastic win for Spurs. Golgot must still be out celebrating. :)

christine

01-02-15, 01:22 PM

When do individual mistakes start becoming Martinez repeating Wigan, christine?.

Well the golden boy is certainly losing his lustre. The players haven't gelled at all in any of the games over Christmas, and it's worrying :(
I've been an Evertonian since taking my first breath, but they're not an easy team to follow.

honeykid

01-02-15, 05:34 PM

I know a few Evertonians were worried when he brought Kone and Alcaraz in. I think both have been out injured for a long time, but Kone can do it, though whether at a level you'd expect Everton to play at I doubt, and I've yet to see Alcaraz have a good game, though I don't think I've seen him play a full game.

They look disorganised, which was often how Wigan looked under him, though I think you've quite a few injuries at the back, haven't you? Plus, Distin, Jags and say it quietly, Howard, aren't getting any younger.

honeykid

01-04-15, 08:35 PM

No big shocks in the FA Cup this weekend and not a great chance tomorrow either. I know QPR lost to Sheffield United, but that's not really a shock, is it? Quite a few scares and poor performances though, but they all came though in the end.

I meant to say before, does anyone know how Man City got around signing Lampard before Jan 3rd? I knew they'd get it done because, well, they're a big club and have lots of money and that's how football works, but what was the reason given for him being able to play against Sunderland on Jan 1st? I knew he'd have a big influence the moment I heard that he couldn't play (because I'd already assumed that they'd get around it) but to come on and score the winner, having been 2-0 up against Sunderland. FYL, Sunderland, but you knew it'd happen.

honeykid

01-08-15, 12:51 AM

the samoan lawyer

01-08-15, 08:55 AM

I see Gerrard's showing his usual class. :rolleyes: Great player and an Anfield legend, but it ends there doesn't it?

Also, does anyone believe for a second that Messi will leave Barcelona for Chelsea?

I know. Such a waste of a rumour. Same goes with Robben joining United. HK what do you make of Valdes potentially signing? Bit random for me although i'm not complaining.

honeykid

01-08-15, 09:17 AM

It's an odd one. On the face of it, of course, it makes sense. But I can't help but wonder what it means for De Gea. Does Valdes want to play second fiddle to him? I can't see that. I know he's getting over a bad injury, but I doubt second keeper at United is the most attractive offer available to him. If it's all as it looks, then great. We've got a brilliant young keeper and a very experienced back up. If not, then we'll have to wait and see what occurs in the summer.

the samoan lawyer

01-08-15, 09:27 AM

honeykid

01-08-15, 10:22 AM

If he's off in the summer, then it's not a bad deal and it'd make sense that he signed now. I thought he was a little suspect towards the end of his time at Barca, but maybe his mind wasn't there. I know a few people who have never been convinced by him and think that the Barca/Spain style made him look a lot better than he is.

christine

01-08-15, 11:28 AM

I meant to say before, does anyone know how Man City got around signing Lampard before Jan 3rd? I knew they'd get it done because, well, they're a big club and have lots of money and that's how football works, but what was the reason given for him being able to play against Sunderland on Jan 1st? I knew he'd have a big influence the moment I heard that he couldn't play (because I'd already assumed that they'd get around it) but to come on and score the winner, having been 2-0 up against Sunderland. FYL, Sunderland, but you knew it'd happen.

My son said that the other day. Did you find out any more?

Everton only squeaked through to a replay. Funny if we get through (which on recent performance is lookingf very dodgy) we could be playing Bristol City. I'd never say I'd be quaking in my boots about that in the past but City are on a roll, and midweek the big lad Matt Smith who's on loan from Fulham scored 4 goals including a cracking last one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYXxAaKIShQ

let's see what Tues brings , but can't say I'm confident :(

honeykid

01-09-15, 01:26 AM

I've not looked, but I've not seen it mentioned anywhere either. It was flagged up about a week before the game, at which point you knew it was going to happen, but I've not seen or heard anything since. Even when he took the field in the game I didn't hear any mention of it. I guess it doesn't 'fit the narrative'.

Was Matt Smith part of the Fulham youth FA Cup team? His name seems familiar and I don't mean just because of the ITV presenter. :D

Anything seems possible at Barcelona atm. Suarez might leave, Messi might go to Chelsea or PSG and he's only staying because of a deathbed promise to Tito Vilanova, their young Dutch keeper might be off.... Isn't there a transfer ban in place at Barca? It's lucky that the people coming up with this crap have forgotten this. Maybe they think they'll win the appeal and that's why they're still carrying on with these stories? What's that? They've already lost the appeal? Ah.... :rolleyes:

I'm jealous of our noisy neighbours. Looks like they're going to get Bony. Even at £30m I'm jealous. I really do think he's the real deal. Of course, if they get him and he's a huge flop I'll laugh and point. But, atm, I'm jealous.

Another faux pas from Gordon Taylor. :facepalm: It's not that he's used Hillsborough as a comparison, it's that the two aren't comparable. Not because one's the tragic death of 96 people while the other is a rape. Nor is it that one was a cover up and one wasn't. It's that one has had a trial, been found guilty, served his sentence (well, part of it, but that's not his problem) lost his appeal and is currently trying to get his case reviewed (I think) whereas the other was denied a proper investigation and justice at every opportunity while being publically blamed for what happened. That's why it's wrong, Mr. Taylor.

Daniel M

01-09-15, 10:10 AM

Cardiff have turned back to blue. Can't believe it. Going tomorrow against Fulham, going to be an amazing atmosphere.

honeykid

01-09-15, 10:13 AM

Really? Has this just happened? I saw that Tan was giving it serious consideration, but I hadn't heard that news. I'm pleased for the fans if this is the case.

Daniel M

01-09-15, 10:16 AM

Yep officially announced a few moments ago. I was waiting for the proper announcement as I thought it was too good to be true. We've got special dispensation from the league to play in blue at home for the rest of the season, starting tomorrow :D

honeykid

01-09-15, 11:13 AM

I wonder if getting relegated had anything to do with it. It's trickier to claim it's lucky after being relegated. :D

christine

01-09-15, 11:33 AM

Cardiff have turned back to blue. Can't believe it. Going tomorrow against Fulham, going to be an amazing atmosphere.

Hurray! Blue is the best ;)

HK - Matt Smith came from the Cheltenham youth team and got to Fulham via Oldham and Leeds.
..and yeah Gordon Taylor. It beggars belief the eejits who run football :rolleyes:

Powdered Water

01-10-15, 05:00 PM

Southampton is gonna get clobbered tomorrow. Yeah, I said it.

christine

01-10-15, 05:32 PM

Relieved at today's result for Everton . Phew ;)

honeykid

01-11-15, 04:24 AM

Southampton is gonna get clobbered tomorrow. Yeah, I said it.
It's certainly possible, but I doubt it. I can see us winning 3-1. There again, I can see us losing by the same result. That's been the fun of being a United fan for the last couple of seasons. Frankly, I preferred it when I was pretty sure we were going to win. :D Those were a good 20+ years. :yup: I really want United to get this team fit and playing so we can see what we've really got. I think the summer will be a lot easier if we can decide who to release and where we need new./better players.

Good wins for Palace and Burnley today. :up: and good goals at Burnley and Swansea. Cracking goal from Andy Carrol. Probably an England call up awaits. :rolleyes:

Another good game for Heaton, too, in goal for Burnley. Lots of ex-United youth players on show today, too. Matty James, Tom Lawrence, David Jones, Danny Simpson, Michael Keane (though he's still ours as he's on loan)

A good draw for Everton, too, Christine. I'm sure you'll be pleased with it. Though, as predicted, City blew a hatful of chances. They really do miss Aguero's finishing. Mangala once again showing why United, and a good few other teams, weren't prepared to pull the trigger last season and buy him up for big money. He may well come good, he certainly has potential, but £31m is a lot to pay for someone in their early 20's who's making mistakes in many games. Of course, City can afford to do so and take the hit if they're wrong.

Sad news about Junior Malanda. who died in a car crash aged just 20.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30764513

christine

01-13-15, 06:44 PM

My god what a game! 9-8 on penalties (I managed to watch it HK) I could cry!
I'm proud of our Blue boys tonight even tho they've lost, they played with spirit and guts. Poor Robles hitting the bar with his penalty, my heart goes out to him.

Choo Yao Chuen

01-14-15, 12:13 AM

Steven Gerrard is coming to the US!!!! Hoooray!!!!!!

honeykid

01-14-15, 06:32 AM

I didn't manage to stay awake for the game and I was pretty sad about that when I woke up this morning and saw the result. Must've been a hell of a game for the fans. I like Adrian throwing his gloves down just as he starts his run up for the last penalty.

neiba

01-18-15, 07:44 AM

What's happening to Falcao? He finally arrives at a giant team and he stops playing?

christine

01-18-15, 09:19 AM

What's happening to Falcao? He finally arrives at a giant team and he stops playing?

Rumours Brendan Rodgers is after him for Liverpool

honeykid

01-19-15, 10:18 AM

He's injured most of the time. His knee was always going to be a problem and, while I think he'll come good if played, he's not doing it atm. Should've had a couple of goals at the weekend but it just wasn't his day. His form, atm, reminds me a bit of Forlan when he joined. He's forcing great saves or just missing. The movement's great and he's getting chances, though. If they can get him on less wages and he can stay injury free, I think he'll stay. His age is a problem for me, too.

Good win for United but, again, we've had to rely on De Gea a little more than we'd want to against a QPR. Shame Rio didn't play, he'd have made it much easier for us. :D

Cracking win for Palace again. 2-0 down with both goals being dodgy at best, to come back, away from home and in those conditions it's a good sign. Hull must be really starting to worry.

Brilliant win for Chelsea. Sometimes you see the best, playing at their best against a team which is just a little off the pace and, when you do, those are the games you get. Some of those goals looked like training ground stuff. Wonderful stuff.

I see Hatem Ben Arfa has one more chance to get his move to Nice legalised with an appeal tomorrow, I think. FIFA are including an Under-21 game at Newcastle as a first class game. The FA in England say it wasn't, but if FIFA stick with the decision, then he'd have already played for 2 teams this season making him ineligable for Nice this season and his contract would be voided, I think. He'd be a free agent again, but only able to play in England. Odd, but that's how I heard it.

Strange to see Wenger going on about how his defence has made their point and proved their critics wrong after a very good team performance against City. Maybe I'm wrong, but while people were saying the Arsenal defence wasn't good enough against the best teams, it was the fact that Wenger played the way they always played which was both the main reason his defence was so exposed and which was the most criticised reason for those loses. I think we've all heard Arsenal fans and pundits saying for years that he won't change his style of play and that's why they almost always lose those games. Well, he finally changed and, look at that, it works like they'd always hoped it would first time. Will he really show he can adapt and buy a proper defensive midfielder next? Yeah, I know. :)

The comedy soap opera that is Leeds United continues apace with Massimo Cellino's appeal being denied. He's officially deemed not a fit and proper person to run a football club. Is he the first person to fail this test? All sorts of buffoons pass it and turn the clubs into basket cases whilst ripping out the fittings to make as much as possible. Despite this, he'll be able to continue as owner after April 10th as he'll have been seen to've served his time or something like that. I can't remember the actual wording. Puts it all into perspective really, doesn't it? We know this is the case, but when you actually see it happen.... :( Even at Leeds.

Strangely, the best game I saw this weekend was the very entertaining 2-1 between OM and Guingamp. No one scored until the last 10 minutes, but even before then it'd been thoroughly entertaining.

christine

01-20-15, 08:12 AM

Everton::D :mad::bored::o:mad::eek::sick:

all the emotions but mainly resignation

the samoan lawyer

01-20-15, 08:28 AM

Everton::D :mad::bored::o:mad::eek::sick:

all the emotions but mainly resignation

What's your take on Mirallas last night Christine?

honeykid

01-20-15, 09:47 AM

Martinez said that Mirallas felt thought his hamstring was tender and that's why he was subbed at half time. Usually I'd be cynical, but unless he was having a shocker or Martinez changed formation at halftime, I doubt a penalty miss would be enough for him to be subbed. Any idea why Baines ceded to Mirallas?

christine

01-20-15, 10:04 AM

Sam - he's a bloody plonker :(
HK absolutely no idea why Baines let him go ahead. Miralles must've had a rush of blood to his head :rolleyes:
Martinez says he's not making an issue about it, but I wouldn't like to have been in the dressing room after the match. You can't tell me there wouldn't be recriminations!

honeykid

01-20-15, 10:11 AM

There seems to be rumblings that Miralles is to leave in the summer anyway, but I doubt last night has done anything on either side to keep him there.

the samoan lawyer

01-20-15, 10:15 AM

So much being made of the issue now but as HK said, why did Baines let him take it? He didn't put up much of a protest. And surely the captain (can't remember who that was, Jags?) could have stepped in?

honeykid

01-23-15, 12:41 PM

Martin Odegaard has gone to Real. Everyone was after this kid, United, Real, Bayern, Barca, just about everyone. He's only just 16, but they've all been after him for nearly two years and he's trained with United and Bayern when both were trying to sign him.

Looking forward to tonight. I wonder if 'the romance of the cup' will get to blossom. I hope not. :D

EDIT:

Didn't realise it was 20 years since this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo2aUfwPQvs

Interesting interview on the BBC website, too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30916435

honeykid

01-25-15, 01:22 PM

Well that was an eventful 4th round, wasn't it? I'm not expecting anything today, the day after the big teams usually win as they've been put on notice, but there's still a possibility that Arsenal could go from beating Man City to losing to Brighton. Don't think they will, but Brighton are much more in the second half than they were the first. Half an hour to go, but I think another Arsenal goal would kill it. If not, it looks like a cracking second half.

That draw doesn't look so bad now. :)

*Arsenal have just scored a third. I think that'll be it*

Congrats to Bradford and Middlesborough. I purposely didn't watch or listen to anything yesterday so I could watch MOTD without knowing what'd happen. Great stuff.

Yet another great comeback for Palace, too.

christine

01-25-15, 01:38 PM

Eventful, yes! It's what makes the FA cup so entertaining. The one result we were all hoping for here today we didn't get in the end. West Ham managed to score one against Bristol City , a real shame as City were all over the Hammers in the first half. Feel sorry for the City supporters but they can hold their heads up cos their team gave their best.

honeykid

01-25-15, 01:40 PM

I really thought a thrid Arsenal goal would kill Brighton off, but they've come back. The tackles are flying in and they're still attacking. It's good to see.

the samoan lawyer

01-26-15, 08:52 AM

That display from United was abysmal. One of the worst i have ever seen them play. Jones seriously needs to go. I'm fairly confident I am better than him. Despite all this though, we are now on of the favourites to win the cup.

Fabulous

01-27-15, 05:48 PM

With the two favorites being knocked out (Chelsea & Man City), it looks like Arsenal becomes the favorite. That's just great...

honeykid

01-30-15, 01:16 PM

Some lesser/underdog stories, congratulations and a little transfer news.

Firstly, well done to Walsaw for reaching their first ever Wembley final. To my shame I only found out about this a couple of nights ago, when they went through, but it's great to hear this stuff. I really like the Football League Cup (Johnstone's Paint Trophy) as a competition. Bristol City are also through, but they've been there and done that a few times already, so I'm hoping for a Walsall win.

As you've probably heard, it was poor old Mali who lost out in the drawing of lots to qualify for the quarter finals of the African Cup of Nations. TBH, I was hoping that both games from the group would have the same result, so that both places had to be drawn. It's a horrible way to do it and they've said it'll be the last time. Not that it helps Mali this time.

Robert Huth has been banned for 2 games for Stoke and fined £15,000 for comments he made on social media about gender reassignment. Anyone know what he actually said? I'm sure it's out there, but can't be arsed to look. :D

Another injury for United with Carrick out for four weeks. :( Considering how much improvement there was in the team when he came back in (and the indifference of the last few games), this could be a worry. Strap in for the next couple of weeks.

Darren Fletcher is having a medical at West Ham, so it looks like he'll be off. I'd heard that there were problems with the amount of money he wasn't getting from United, so I don't know if that's now been sorted out.

Burnley are saying that Danny Ings won't go in the transfer window, but apparently Liverpool are willing to leave him there for the rest of the season but buy him now, as he's out of contract in the summer.

I'm slightly surprised to see that Roma have let Mattia Destro move to AC Milan on loan. I'd think Milan are delighted.

Also moving on loan is Scott Sinclair, who's gone to Villa for the rest of the season. A good move for everyone concerned, I'd think. I never really understood why City wanted him. Didn't they pay £12m for him? That was :eek: even back then when he was playing well.

Lastly, a great story about a Salford City player who's signed for United. It's weird and we'll see if he plays, but it's a great story, anyway.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31064087