2012/13 Premier League discussion thread part 4

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

We are now entering the business end of the season!

Now Utd more or less have the title sewn up it's all about the relegation scrap and the race for the Champions League spots.

Game on.

[NickisBHAFC]

Well fantastic 1st half of football by Sunderland and they concede 2 very soft goals.

You have to feel for Paolo!

[The Special Juan]

Yep, definite red card, but such is Zamora's fitness I'm surprised his leg didn't snap off when he raised it that high.

[The Special Juan]

Nice Scenglish accent Maloney

[CFCNick]

Rodallega is crap but I agree they've brought in and developed some good players.

If you think Rodallega is crap is love to have your opinion on Henri Camara.

[Duty281]

Mancini has had a whine about how missed signings cost City the title. Pathetic. £500 million for 1 PL on GD, and 1 FA Cup. A very sub-standard manager, nothing without money. Can't wait until City sack him, which they surely will, and the PL is minus a very over-hyped manager.

[Stella]

He's just trying to wind Fergie up. City are just as good 'on their day' but have not been as consistent. He needs to take blame for that.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Ollie Moy ‏@OllieMoy
Norwich are the only British that have played at the Emirates and not been beaten there. #AFC #NCFC

[GSC]

#norwichsnewclaimtofame

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Until Saturday

[TRUSSMAN66]

Mancini has been a great City Manager............

2nd and the FA cup is a good year..............Can't win the league every year as Utd fans will know..

When I started supporting City back in 1990........we were crap.....

City has become a new team in the last couple of years...

These things take time............

2 FA cups and a league title for City and a second and third is good return based on the past..

[Duty281]

Mancini has been a great City Manager............

2nd and the FA cup is a good year..............Can't win the league every year as Utd fans will know..

When I started supporting City back in 1990........we were crap.....

City has become a new team in the last couple of years...

These things take time............

2 FA cups and a league title for City and a second and third is good return based on the past..

He has more money than anyone in the World, and he still can't get past the group stages of the CL, and can't follow up the PL title again. Even the FA Cup won't make this any more than a mediocre season for City. Can't wait until United, a proper English club with heritage and history, put that useless band of mercenaries in their place...again!

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Mancini has been a great City Manager............

2nd and the FA cup is a good year..............Can't win the league every year as Utd fans will know..

When I started supporting City back in 1990........we were crap.....

City has become a new team in the last couple of years...

These things take time............

2 FA cups and a league title for City and a second and third is good return based on the past..

He has more money than anyone in the World, and he still can't get past the group stages of the CL, and can't follow up the PL title again. Even the FA Cup won't make this any more than a mediocre season for City. Can't wait until United, a proper English club with heritage and history, put that useless band of mercenaries in their place ...again!

This is just jingoistic, ill-thought out nonsense. All successful clubs are built on Money. Yes City are flush with Arab petroleum dollars, but United have managed to stay ahead of most of their rivals partly due to them growing a massive foreign fan base, and obtaining huge sponsorship deals from global partners such as the training ground deal announced with AON today.

It's lazy to tar all the City players as mercenaries' The likes of Kompany, Hart, Zabaleta, Milner, Silva, Aguero and even Yaya Toure all seem to be good pros who want to win. All top players get paid top whack, and it's not like United players are on the breadline, in fact they're 3rd biggest wage payers in the League.

The reality is that the top Premier league clubs are now more like multi-national companies, rather than reflecting local identity of where they are based.

[Duty281]

Mancini has been a great City Manager............

2nd and the FA cup is a good year..............Can't win the league every year as Utd fans will know..

When I started supporting City back in 1990........we were crap.....

City has become a new team in the last couple of years...

These things take time............

2 FA cups and a league title for City and a second and third is good return based on the past..

He has more money than anyone in the World, and he still can't get past the group stages of the CL, and can't follow up the PL title again. Even the FA Cup won't make this any more than a mediocre season for City. Can't wait until United, a proper English club with heritage and history, put that useless band of mercenaries in their place ...again!

This is just jingoistic, ill-thought out nonsense. All successful clubs are built on Money. Yes City are flush with Arab petroleum dollars, but United have managed to stay ahead of most of their rivals partly due to them growing a massive foreign fan base, and obtaining huge sponsorship deals from global partners such as the training ground deal announced with AON today.

It's lazy to tar all the City players as mercenaries' The likes of Kompany, Hart, Zabaleta, Milner, Silva, Aguero and even Yaya Toure all seem to be good pros who want to win. All top players get paid top whack, and it's not like United players are on the breadline, in fact they're 3rd biggest wage payers in the League.

The reality is that the top Premier league clubs are now more like multi-national companies, rather than reflecting local identity of where they are based.

Of course all clubs are successful through money. United have got their money through winning trophies, having a massive stadium, sponsorship and through TV rights. In turn, United are well-run off the field, with an excellent youth academy ensuring success for decades to come. City on the other hand have been made good through a rich man's dream. They have taken a short-cut to success, much like Chelsea, they have a poor youth academy and are maintaining that high level of success through the Sheikh's money. When he goes, the glory dies, the glory hunters disappear, and the club sinks.

[The Special Juan]

Mancini has been a great City Manager............

2nd and the FA cup is a good year..............Can't win the league every year as Utd fans will know..

When I started supporting City back in 1990........we were crap.....

City has become a new team in the last couple of years...

These things take time............

2 FA cups and a league title for City and a second and third is good return based on the past..

https://www.606v2.com/t37979-will-mancini-stop-city-defending-the-title

?

[GSC]

I think Mancini is a good manager, just not a great one. His European failings are not limited to City.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

**In reply to Duty's Post**

City are building for the future. You seem to know very little about City's youth academy. They are currently investing £100 million on an academy which has created construction jobs in Manchester during a recession, and has been based heavily on Barcelona's La Masia.

Like United have done previously, they are growing their brand name abroad to increase revenue, and it seems to be working. They sold out a post season friendly against Chelsea in St Louis in 20 minutes. They've also got experienced football people on the board such as Txiri Beguristain and Ferran Soriano.

[Imperial Ghosty]

There is a difference between building a team through the money of a rich owner and building a team through a good youth system and a good marketing plan.

[TRUSSMAN66]

Which youth system did Ashley young, Nani, Evra, Van Persie, Rooney, DeGea, Ferdinand, Vidic.....

Come through at Utd........................

[TRUSSMAN66]

Mancini has been a great City Manager............

2nd and the FA cup is a good year..............Can't win the league every year as Utd fans will know..

When I started supporting City back in 1990........we were crap.....

City has become a new team in the last couple of years...

These things take time............

2 FA cups and a league title for City and a second and third is good return based on the past..

https://www.606v2.com/t37979-will-mancini-stop-city-defending-the-title

?

I'd like a new manager for the reasons stated in the article...However not to detract from the job he's done....

just think his tactics have been found out..

He's been a great City manager.

[Duty281]

Which youth system did Ashley young, Nani, Evra, Van Persie, Rooney, DeGea, Ferdinand, Vidic.....

Come through at Utd........................

United have the best youth academy in England, and one of the best in Europe.

Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Danny Welbeck, Darren Fletcher, Tom Cleverley, Nicky Butt and Jonny Evans. If we want to go further back, there's Bobby Charlton, Duncan Edwards, and George Best. There's plenty more besides that as well.

[GSC]

United have the best youth academy in England, and one of the best in Europe.

Give me West Ham or Southampton off the top of my head.

[Duty281]

United have the best youth academy in England, and one of the best in Europe.

Give me West Ham or Southampton off the top of my head.

Blimey, forgotten about West Ham! Lampard, Carrick, Ferdinand, Joe Cole, and Glen Johnson. Plus the 1966 double of Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst I believe. Might have to change that to "United have one of the best academies in England!"

[Crimey]

Manchester United had the best youth academy in England...twenty years ago.

[GSC]

Manchester United had the best youth academy in England...twenty years ago.

This is more realistic.

[GG]

Manchester United had the best youth academy in England...twenty years ago.

Agree. Other clubs have caught up now.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Manchester United had the best youth academy in England...twenty years ago.

Another vote for Crimey! I'd say Southampton have had the best recent track record (last five years) of producing talent.

[The Special Juan]

Palace!

[The Special Juan]

No shame in losing to a worldie of a goal.

[GSC]

Another meh performance a worry. RVP so out of form.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Can someone explain the point of Danny Welbeck to me? I don't get it, what is he meant to be?!

[The Special Juan]

Doesn't matter a jot, we're going to limp over the line

[Duty281]

So-so from United. They just didn't look interested, mind you nor did City for the most part. Bit of a dull game, United probably won't dwell on this for too long, City will be happy with their consolation.

[Duty281]

Can someone explain the point of Danny Welbeck to me? I don't get it, what is he meant to be?!

I think he was meant to be a striker, but his finishing isn't PL standard, so now he's a winger. He's not suited there either though because he can't cross!

[NickisBHAFC]

Fantastic win for City, but to be negative it means **** all.

Cracking goal by Sergio though!

[Ent]

Well united were crap today, welbeck had some good touches first half and jones was decent.

That aside shocking, pro players who can't pass the ball a few yards to each other, terrible set piece delivery (goal aside) and laughable defending.

Ashley young and Valencia bye bye, they can't do any of the basics a winger should be able to.

Don't mind losing but a half decent performance would have been appreciated.

[Liam]

Utd have been decent all season but since Madrid it seems they've had the stuffing knocked out of them. I think unfortunately, RVP has hit a real bad run of form although I actually think he's played well the last couple of games, just hasn't put it in the back of the net.

Rooney was ok as was Young but Giggs had a poor night, as did Rafael, Welbeck. I'm amazed Kagawa didn't start along with Nani. Young hasn't played well this season and Welbeck just isn't a winger. Would have preferred to have seen Kagawa and Nani on the wings and Cleverly in the middle.

Going into Stoke, i'd go for:

De Gea

Rafael Evans Jones Evra

Carrick Cleverly

Nani Rooney Kagawa

RVP

[Ent]

Thought Rooney was awful, rafael not great going forward but he's improved defensively this season and is undoubtably first choice now.

Was a normal rvp performance, he's a class act and even when not playing well holds the ball up and links play well.

Welbeck isn't a winger but he had been superb in several games out wide and got the nod, but he was constantly chasing back rather than having a good starting position and let aguero run off him shortly after he'd taken a knock.

Young is a brutal footballer, not played well for us since his first month at the club. At least nani occassionally has a good game.

[The Special Juan]

The team's were very even last night and settled only by a great goal. City were rubbish last night, Utd were just as bad. If Utd are needing some players out, how many do they need changed?

[Ent]

New set of wingers and a centre midfielder, also should shed the squad dead wood like Anderson.

[GSC]

I disagree that City were rubbish, it was a pretty good away performance, they kept United at arms length. United just looked devoid of ideas and threat. Welbeck on the left is a failed experiment.

United need to revamp their central midfield area and its not a new revelation.

[Ent]

Welbeck played on the right and had been playing very well there. A
Better option than Valencia and more able than nani to match up against a 3 man midfield.

City were ok without creating much, the better side.

[Liam]

I'd be looking to get rid of:

Lindegaar
Anderson
Valencia
Vidic
Young (Possibly, not sure yet)

That'll help the wage books quite a bit. We should be looking at people like:

Isco
Muniain

Along with Zaha coming in (Replace one of the wingers) we would have young vibrant side with plenty of quality. A cm is a priority and even though Isco plays slightly further forward, I think he can do a job such as Modric does. Size doesn't matter in midfield these days.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

The goalline technology "Hawkeye" was approved for use next season, today by the Premier League.

This is the one where the ref wears the wrist watch/strap thing, and within 1/2 seconds it alerts them as to whether to ball has crossed the line or not.

Good efficient system, and doesn't detract from the game.

[nasisillmatic]

It's about time. This should have been introduced years ago.

[JamesLincs]

hello??

todays preds,

arsenal 3-1 norwich
aston villa 1-1 fulham
everton 2-1 qpr
reading 1-2 liverpool
southampton 3-1 west ham

sunday,

newcastle 1-0 sunderland
stoke 0-2 man utd

fa cup,

wigan 1-1 millwall (wigan to win on pens)
chelsea 2-3 man city

[Duty281]

Predictions then:

Today

Arsenal 2-0 Norwich
Aston Villa 2-1 Fulham
Everton 1-2 QPR
Reading 1-1 Liverpool
Southampton 2-0 West Ham

Sunday

Newcastle 1-1 Sunderland
Stoke 1-4 Man Utd

[Guest]

Arsenal 4 Norwich 1
A Villa 2 Fulham 1
Everton 3 QPR 1
Reading 1 Liverpool 3
Southampton 2 West Ham 1

Newcastle 2 Sunderland 1
Stoke 0 Man Utd 2

[Bull]

Arsenal 5-0 norwich
aston villa 1-2 fulham
everton 3-1 qpr
reading 1-3 liverpool
southampton 2-1 west ham

sunday,

newcastle 1-2 sunderland
stoke 0-2 man utd

fa cup,

wigan 2-1 millwall
chelsea 2-0 man city

[Guest]

I'll set up a Super Six style prediction league next season if you guys are interested?

[westisbest]

I will be, if we're still in the prem

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