Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'something'

[Crimey]

First topic message reminder :

A place to discuss things all Premier League.

[compelling and rich]

cant say ive ever really rated defoe, for all this talk of proven goal scorer he has only ever in his career scored 20+ in a season twice and thats in all competitions. 20 is the bench mark for most forwards let alone a poacher who offers little else other than scoring. he cant play up front on his own as he has zero link up play so need a striker with him (like crouch) to provide for him

he's a decent enough player, but for me he's never good enough for a club who wants to challenge for the top 4

[J.Benson II]

I don't really rate him that highly too, but he is someone who should be used more for any team that are struggling to score goals, which Spurs are.

[mystiroakey]

Madrid going for Lewandowski.

That could help out Liverpool keeping suraez, or at least the PL. I cant see madrid buying both!!

[mystiroakey]

Defoe is a goal scorer.

Tottenham haven't been scoring goals in the PL

Defoe hasn't been playing enough

Soldado is a goal scorer,

he has played loads of PL games

He has been out of form

He played to many games

Tottenham had a great defensive record for some time that hid there issues for many games especially in europe(but then defoe was scoring there as did soldado last game)

It then caught up on them and they shipped 14 goals to citeh, liverpool and West ham!!!!) yet didn't score one goal.

anyone saying that Tottenham strength is in the midfield has lost the plot when it comes to football. Success comes from scoring goals and conceding few goals

Having no plan b and being a stubborn manager can be a massive negative

AVB got sacked

The maths works.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Yet they won Premier League away games on he bounce whilst not being in their groove, comfortably got through the Europa League group stages and are up to pace with the top four in a weird season. All this in a period where they have made huge squad changes. Arsenal just shipped 6 at City remember (with Aguero off injured) and a win on Wednesday and they're in the semis of the league cup.

New manager is walking into a dream job.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I don't think AVB is a very good manager, and I think Spurs getting rid of him makes sense in that in my eyes he just is overrated.

However the main problem at Spurs has never been, and will never be the manager. It's Daniel Levy

[mystiroakey]

However arsernal scored 3 goals plus very unlucky not to have more(2 50/50 offside goals and a 50/50 pen shout)

They threatened Citeh- they went at citeh, they were in the game at citeh. The games couldn't have been different

[J.Benson II]

Yet they won Premier League away games on he bounce whilst not being in their groove, comfortably got through the Europa League group stages and are up to pace with the top four in a weird season. All this in a period where they have made huge squad changes. Arsenal just shipped 6 at City remember (with Aguero off injured) and a win on Wednesday and they're in the semis of the league cup.

New manager is walking into a dream job.

With Levy in charge I wouldnt call it a dream job.
Yes, Spurs won two away games on the bounce but both were against relegation fodder.
Qualifying out of the group stages of the Europa League by beating the mighty Moldovan champions and a team bottom of the Russian League.   
Got spanked at home by West Ham, a team struggling to score.
Arsenal got beat by three clear goals against City (with Koscielny off injured) in a game that wasnt finished as a contest until the 85th minute.
Spurs got beat by six clear goals in a game where they failed to muster a single shot on target. Something they also failed to do at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

Not sure how anyone can defend Spurs this season. Save for one or two performances, they have been shocking. A minus six goal difference tells you everything.

[Guest]

Madrid going for Lewandowski.

but then Lewandowski is quoted saying, ''I'd vote for Ribery to win the Ballon D'or. He deserves it & offers more to a team, not only offensively but defensively too.''

Not sure Cristiano would want a future teammate saying this   

I don't believe any reports regarding where Lewandowski is going, not after being confirmed to join Bayern months ago.

[mystiroakey]

yes but he is just sticking up for the players at Germany's best club,

Pl players would bang on about Suarez more than players in spain or germany

[J.Benson II]

If Munich or Madrid get Lewandowski, it will unsettle Benzema or Mandzukic and they will probably want to leave.
I wonder if PL teams that need a CF like Chelsea or Arsenal will make a move for them.

[mystiroakey]

I think Benzema is going any way

[socal1976]

Why they don't play Defoe, I don't know, why he keeps playing Lennon who is just worthless I don't know. And who the __ck is Chahdli? Capoue as you your central defender? The guy is a disaster that being said I hope he manages spurs for at least a few more years. He wasted the Bale money and bought a bunch of squad players that were not any better than the ones he had with the exception of Eriksen and Pauhlino. He should have just bought 3 great players with the money.

Defoe is becoming massively overrated through lack of play-time, a similar thing happened to Joe Cole during the end of his Chelsea days. He's seen as the answer to all Tottenham's prayers, but it's simply not the case. Clearly Tottenham's strength lies in midfield, so AVB doesn't want to weaken the midfield by playing two up top, but Defoe isn't any good as a lone striker as he struggles to hold the ball up to let his team mates join in.

Lennon was probably Tottenham's biggest attacking threat last night, and last season he was very good as well, he's the best winger Tottenham have, and is better to get the best out of Soldado than Townsend, Lamela or Chadli. Capoue is obviously at centre back because of an injury crisis, and he's also played centre back plenty of times before in his career, it's not just AVB being odd.

It's quite hard to say that he should have been "3 great players", who? They had a lot of money, they'd have been overpriced with any top players. Who was even available for them to target? The squad was in massive need of reinforcements, it could, perhaps should have happened over a few seasons but the squad really needed every player that was bought other than perhaps Capoue, but he is very highly rated so they probably didn't want to pass up on him at a fairly cheap price. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, all but Chadli and Chirches were considered some of the most promising and exciting players in the world, it's not like he bought Charlie Adam and Danny Graham. They bought players who had proven themselves on an international level but also had a lot of scope to improve and get better.

Lennon has never been any teams biggest attacking player. He is just plain awful, he is that rare premier league players who has all the pace and dribbling skills in the world but he can neither shoot nor cross the ball. I really don't know how he has become an England international, in my mind one f the most overrated players in history. He is like Gervinho minus the goals and assists that Gervinho would provide from time to time. My brother played in Spurs youth system and watches them religiously, he is the one who tells me Lennon is awful and after watching him a few dozen times over the years I totally agree. The only thing Lennon threatens when he has the ball is a fan holding a cup of tea in the tenth row of the stands.

None of these players were quote proven to the extent you claim or he wouldn't be able to get them for 10-15 million. A real manager would not have bought so many holding midfielders and might have added a real world class defender. It s no joke trying to incorporate 7 new players into a new team and league. And Defoe and dempsey are two players that he could of used that he just let go or benched. I guarantee you they would have scored more than Soldado at this point.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

So short term, isnt it? And says nothing of the team Spurs are and real life expectations.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25409755

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan is "extremely upset" after manager Malky Mackay said he was hoping to recruit three new players in the January transfer window.

"The overspending of £15m has upset Tan Sri greatly, resulting in the removal of Iain Moody as head of recruitment. As such, he has stated that not a single penny will be made available in January.

[NickisBHAFC]

Mackay needs to leave Cardiff. He is a great manager and that club is being wrecked by the idiotic owners.

West Brom wouldn't be a bad move for him, dodgy club to go to though, they seem to sack you even if you do a superb job.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

You're a real swinging pendulum

[NickisBHAFC]

huh?

[Crimey]

Can't see Mackay staying there long, they made a lot of funds available but clearly their owner is a bit odd and Mackay will be ware of this, think Norwick are a possibility in the future, as are teams like Southampton, Sunderland or others around that size.

[NickisBHAFC]

Yeah Mackay would be perfect for Norwich. Got a lot of time for Hughton but he seems to me as he has taken them as far as he can. They need a new fresh manager to take them forward and isn't Mackay a former player for them?

Southampton need to keep there manager for as long as they can. He is awesome.

[Guest]

mysti - apparently we look set to snap up Zaha on loan. Interesting move, if it happens. I don't see where he fits in.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

If Ben Arfa isn't disciplined enough then I can't see how Zaha plays. Swansea would be ideal in my eyes, even more so now Dyer is injured

[Crimey]

Yeah Mackay would be perfect for Norwich. Got a lot of time for Hughton but he seems to me as he has taken them as far as he can. They need a new fresh manager to take them forward and isn't Mackay a former player for them?

Southampton need to keep there manager for as long as they can. He is awesome.

I don't see Pochettino being sacked (although things can change in weeks), I see him moving on for pastures new to a bigger club, most likely abroad. Think Southampton have picked a manager in the same way they're picking their players. Great players who are moving to a club to try and springboard themselves into bigger heights, see Ramirez, Osvaldo, Wanyama, Lovren etc. Think the manager is in a similar position. Short-termism? Probably, but I think it could work if they can replace those that leave with similar players with similar ambitions and their academy continues to produce gems.

[Liam]

don't see why Pochettino would want to leave Southampton any time soon. Young, exiting squad of real talent realistically pushing for a top 6 finish. They don't need money so no need to sell best players and there's a real chance to build on this season in the summer transfer market and strengthen even more.

On Mackay, feel for him. How Tan can suggest Malky over spent is beyond me. Every bit of money that goes out of the club is seen by Tan before it does leave. As the owner, you don't let 15m of your own money leave the club without you knowing. He's just trying to force Mackay out of the club and bring in a lucrative manager. I get the sense he's seen the chance to force Malky out with the vacancy at WBA and with Villas Boas out of a job, its the type of manager I think Tan wants. He's truly bonkers and ruining the football club.

[mystiroakey]

mysti - apparently we look set to snap up Zaha on loan. Interesting move, if it happens. I don't see where he fits in.

well there is a reason he is going to you. He is a very good player,

dont think of him just as a RW either- very effective in the middle and on the left

[Born Slippy]

Would be a slightly odd move as I can't see him starting for Newcastle. Has looked very raw in the brief cameos he has been given for United. I'd have thought going on loan to a lower - middle table side where he would play week in week out would be far better for his development.

[GSC]

Worthwhile punt. Potential match winner, but needs consistency with talent

[compelling and rich]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25409755

cardiff only going one way for me, my tip for relegation even after a good start. the owner is utterly clueless and this kind of thing spreads through the fans to the players. if i was mackay now id jump ship before he gets pushed, the first slight blip and he'll be out with this guy

hull also have to be carelful that all the protests around the name change and unhappiness at the board doesn't spread to the players

[mystiroakey]

I don't think you lot have seen zaha play to be honest.

He is a much better and more effective player than the majority of man u's midfield .

I have heard the below about him

'he isn't starting there because he was banging moyes daughter.

Zaha hates it at united now and keeps coming back to Croydon every chance he can after moyes found out about it. Moyes hates him with passion. Zaha asked to go to a London club, but moyes is pushing him to go to a place even further away from his friends and family'

I am not saying the above is true, but something I have been told , can't tell you the source obviously...

[compelling and rich]

no sympathy for him if thats the case, were paying him a shed load of money to play football, he's hardly moved from a different country. he moved about an hours flight away

when he has been given a chance (not much i admit) he's hardly grabbed it. he's looked woeful at times just running into blind allies all the time. this isnt the championship anymore and simply being quick isnt enough. defenders are miles higher standard in the prem and for me that's what he's struggling with.

he will get time and a loan move would be good for him, couldnt care less if its further away from london. he goes where we tell him

[Crimey]

He denied having ever met Moyes' daughter.

[compelling and rich]

I don't think you lot have seen zaha play to be honest.

He is a much better and more effective player than the majority of man u's midfield .

I have heard the below about him

'he isn't starting there because he was banging moyes daughter.

Zaha hates it at united now and keeps coming back to Croydon every chance he can after moyes found out about it. Moyes hates him with passion. Zaha asked to go to a London club, but moyes is pushing him to go to a place even further away from his friends and family'

I am not saying the above is true, but something I have been told , can't tell you the source obviously...

what prove have you of this? doing well in the championship isnt prove of him being more effective than proven prem players, even the much maligned cleverely has done it in the prem for wigan, which is more than zaha has done

[mystiroakey]

zaha hasn't  been giving a chance to play.

but did you watch palace last year, do you watch the under 21's?

[mystiroakey]

He denied having ever met Moyes' daughter.

where have all the rumours come from?

nothing public has been said

[compelling and rich]

zaha hasn't  been giving a chance to play.

but did you watch palace last year, do you watch the under 21's?

saw him at times for palace and wasn't convinced he was united quality, the only game he was ironically was probably against us (although it was a weakened united team). he wastes so much by over doing things when ive seen him. liked that he was willing to take a risks but didnt seem to have a good enough footballing mind to choose when to do it. to be fair ronaldo did this a lot when he first joined but even then ronaldo looked to have real special talent. he's young and has time on his side but all i keep hearing is bad rumors about his attitude and moyes reluctance to play him would back up that something isnt right

[Guest]

mysti - we know u love zaha but he hast proven anything in the EPL or in training it appears under Moyes'. Hes a great talent but needs games, not sub roles n impact jobs.

He doesnt get in the newcastle side whatsoever. Pardew finally got round to understanding our problems of carrying the passengers of the side & swiftly removed them. It then followed by us winning 4 out of 6 or whatever n him getting manager of the month. As it's been said, if HBA is on the bench, Zaha will be joining him. doesnt make much sense that move for me. I will take him happily enough but he doesnt start. He wouldnt even get in the middle with tiote or cabaye & remy needs a big strong ameobi next to him. Thats what NUFC needs, a replacement for ameobi & coloccini before we begin with wingers.

zaha should go to a lower ranked team, even back to palace or indeed a swansea.

[compelling and rich]

agreed john that if he isnt getting first team football theres no point in him going there

think he needs prem football though, someone like WBA, west ham with no downing or indeed swansea now dyer is out

[mystiroakey]

I want him to be loaned. I was just telling you lads the rumours as to why he is not being picked.

If he goes Newcastle I want him to play, otherwise there is no point him going.

Zaha did 12:39:49not have a bad attitude and I think his performance in the play offs when he is going elsewhere is testament of that.

There is clearly an issue between him and moyes.

[Mat]

Mackay needs to leave Cardiff. He is a great manager and that club is being wrecked by the idiotic owners.

West Brom wouldn't be a bad move for him, dodgy club to go to though, they seem to sack you even if you do a superb job.

Hardly a dodgy club to go to, we didn't sack Mowbray despite him taking us down with our worst Premier League points tally and finish. Clarke got sacked because he was doing the same thing as Mowbray, taking us down. Your telling me you'd be happy to have Garcia still at the poor man's Albion if he'd won 7 games all year? Same for when we sacked Di Matteo.

I'd like Mackay and I'm sure he'd get plenty of time as long as he was doing a good job and not making the same mistakes every game like Clarke was.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

He denied having ever met Moyes' daughter.

where have all the rumours come from?

nothing public has been said

He tweeted about it before swiftly removing said tweets

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Ideally Zaha could of come here when Snoddy/Pilks/Bennett went down for a month or two but loans aren't allowed. Zaha and Redderz on the wings would be bare flames

[mystiroakey]

Tbh I think palace should just buy him back.

But then I doubt he is the pulis type if player..

He will provbally end up getting a couple of stoke rejects in the window

[GSC]

@bbcsport_david: BREAKING: Tan tells Mackay resign or be sacked. Tan emailed explosive letter to Mackay on Mon listing grievances. Story across BBC now #ccfc

Unbelievable Jeff

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Unbelievable. Actually unbelievable

[Guest]

Idiotic owners - Hope Cardiff get relegated, which will probably happen anyway, if they refuse to buy players in the window. Only a desperate out of work manager would take that job on with no money to spend & owners like this.

[GSC]

Quit and forfeit 30 months pay

Or be sacked and get paid

Toughie

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Quit and forfeit 30 months pay

Or be sacked and get paid

Toughie

Vincent Tan doing his best to one up the Hull owner it seems

[Fernando]

The "Fit and Proper" Person test fails again

[GSC]

Funny, Tans prepared to spend to sack his manager but not to bolster his squad

[Guest]

Can imagine Malky's on peanuts though in terms of money in relation to other top flight managers. Still, shocking treatment of a manager who bought you into this league after years of failure. It will end in tears for Tan in the long run.

[GSC]

Tans probably banking on someone taking Malkay off his hands with West Brom lurking.

Though its hard to see Pearce pay for someone who will shortly be free

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