Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
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The v2 Forum :: Sport :: Football :: Premier League
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Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
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Crimey- Admin
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Never in doubt :p
Giroud was excellent tonight
Giroud was excellent tonight
LastDamnation- Posts : 428
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Well this isn't right Giroud has been praised and it's been 3 minutes.
John where are you and your ball of hate.
John where are you and your ball of hate.
Fernando- Fernando
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Oh and Kos is boss, outmuscled benteke and agbonlahor all night
LastDamnation- Posts : 428
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
LastDamnation wrote:Oh and Kos is boss, outmuscled benteke and agbonlahor all night
Fernando- Fernando
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Fernando wrote:LastDamnation wrote:Oh and Kos is boss, outmuscled benteke and agbonlahor all night
- Spoiler:
Some defensive partnership!
Duty281- Posts : 34576
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Not saying they aren't a good partnership but the teams with the best defensive records often have a monopoly of possession. The Arsenal midfield deserves most of the credit for their defensive record as is the case with most team.
Hammersmith harrier- Posts : 12060
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
LastDamnation wrote:Oh and Kos is boss, outmuscled benteke and agbonlahor all night
Ah he ain't no michael turner buh
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
I'd rather have mertesacker and or Koscielney over Sergio Ramos who was voted as the best CB in the world along with Thiago Silva. I thought Nacho and Wilshere in particular were impressive and Giroud scored a goal but for me he was off with his passing today. Still works so hard in defense as well. The guy is a leader and brings a lot of intangibles to Arsenal and his goal numbers are pretty good. Always tracks back and press the ball up the pitch, I hate lazy Berbatov like Strikers that is why I am glad he is not on our squad and player like Giroud is. He is a very complete forward.
socal1976- Posts : 14212
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Hammersmith harrier wrote:Lets bring in foreign refs and destroy football as a contact sport even more, get a grip of yourself FFS.
I'd rather have Sgt. Schulz, Stevie Wonder, and the Florida Election Commission referee a match than Mike Dean or your average premier league referee. I am more lucid after 4 scotches, a steak dinner followed by 3 Cognacs than the dumb Twaats they find to officiate these matches. Although to be fair last two Arsenal matches the refs have been fair contrary to what we have seen over the course of the year. It doesn't matter Arsenal will win the title 12 on 11 for the rest of the season.
socal1976- Posts : 14212
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
The refs are bad for everyone, good teams win in spite of them.
Ent- Posts : 7337
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Fernando wrote:Well this isn't right Giroud has been praised and it's been 3 minutes.
John where are you and your ball of hate.
Everyone knows I don't rate him but credit to him for scoring. Look, against the poor to average sides, Arsenal can create a bagful of chances each game & Giroud can score & convert some of them. Against the best teams & defences, Giroud just can't score because he`s not given the chances on a plate.
Giroud has failed to score against Liverpool, Man U, Everton, Man City & Chelsea this season, out of the big boys. When a title is closely fought, you need a striker to be the difference maker in the big games that will ultimately decide the title. Giroud is not that & that's pretty simple to see from the stats.
As for Arsenal though, doing great & still holding the top spot. Deserve credit.
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Spot on John on Giroud. I think he's alright just not a prolific striker that will be the difference between winning and losing the league title. I know Chelsea don't have a prolific striker, but they make up for it with goals from Hazzard/Oscar/Willian/Lampard/Mata when he plays and heck, even Torres has scored a couple of goals. City's firepower is well known and that's why for me, they'll win the league.
Simple task though for Arsenal in the summer, sign a top class striker. Shouldn't be too difficult, with Ozil at the club and finally funds willing to be spent, they'll be an even stronger contender next year. I'd be looking at Higuain personally. They should have gone for him in the summer. I know he's only been at Napoli a season but I think a big transfer sum and Higuain himself will allow a move to take place.
Simple task though for Arsenal in the summer, sign a top class striker. Shouldn't be too difficult, with Ozil at the club and finally funds willing to be spent, they'll be an even stronger contender next year. I'd be looking at Higuain personally. They should have gone for him in the summer. I know he's only been at Napoli a season but I think a big transfer sum and Higuain himself will allow a move to take place.
Liam- Posts : 3574
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
socal1976 wrote:Hammersmith harrier wrote:Lets bring in foreign refs and destroy football as a contact sport even more, get a grip of yourself FFS.
I'd rather have Sgt. Schulz, Stevie Wonder, and the Florida Election Commission referee a match than Mike Dean or your average premier league referee. I am more lucid after 4 scotches, a steak dinner followed by 3 Cognacs than the dumb Twaats they find to officiate these matches. Although to be fair last two Arsenal matches the refs have been fair contrary to what we have seen over the course of the year. It doesn't matter Arsenal will win the title 12 on 11 for the rest of the season.
I think its time you just stopped talking about them mate.
Arsernal are top , its good times
mystiroakey- Posts : 32472
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
mystiroakey wrote:socal1976 wrote:Hammersmith harrier wrote:Lets bring in foreign refs and destroy football as a contact sport even more, get a grip of yourself FFS.
I'd rather have Sgt. Schulz, Stevie Wonder, and the Florida Election Commission referee a match than Mike Dean or your average premier league referee. I am more lucid after 4 scotches, a steak dinner followed by 3 Cognacs than the dumb Twaats they find to officiate these matches. Although to be fair last two Arsenal matches the refs have been fair contrary to what we have seen over the course of the year. It doesn't matter Arsenal will win the title 12 on 11 for the rest of the season.
I think its time you just stopped talking about them mate.
Arsernal are top , its good times
We would be about 6 or 7 points up if not for some of the worst officiating I have witnessed in my life. But it is not about Arsenal. Last week Stoke and Newcastle were jobbed, I am no Stoke fan and I don't think Liverpool is a title contender, I just have a low tolerance for this crap. And as others have mentioned who have watched this league I am left scratching my head at how poor the officiating has been this year, even the media has been mentioning how bizarre some of the decisions have been. Now I know mistakes will happen at any level, and I know it is a difficult job. There is a certain error rate that is natural, normal, and tolerable; this year's premier league has not fallen in this standard deviation. And in a league where a handful of points separate the top six and the bottom six or seven this substandard officiating very well may decide the title and relegaton and champion's league places. Cliches of it all evens out in the end just aren't true. I don't want to see anyone whether they be Arsenal, Stoke, or whoever get jobbed by substandard officiating; unfortunately the way these keystone cop officials are working we very well may have a title and relegation decided by dubious calls and that is the last thing I want.
socal1976- Posts : 14212
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
ok dude i have heard it before. And I just dont agree. Its a tough job and they are trying there best. They need help not slagging off. It is getting a bit boring hearing this over and over again mate.
mystiroakey- Posts : 32472
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Stoke didn't lose by one goal though so you could argue Liverpool still would have won. Either, it's getting boring now.
hampo17- Admin
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
socal complaining about refs? stop the press!!! your boring now, and so is persecution complex of arsenal fans
compelling and rich- Posts : 6084
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
I am done with the topic, lets just hope they get their act together.
socal1976- Posts : 14212
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
It's almost as if these refs only get one look at an incident in real-time, before making a split-second decision, whilst those of us lounging on our sofas get treated to multiple angles and slow-motion.
Oh.
Oh.
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Liam wrote:Spot on John on Giroud.
Well, I have pretty much analysed him to death over the past year
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
The same argument has been made over Suarez and flat track bully this year. I'm not sure what top strikers arent. Giroud isnt world, world class, but hes arguably the best striker in London. The good strikers go up north apparently.
Dolphin Ziggler- Dolphin
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Please for the love of god sack Hughton already. Please
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
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Don't worry Jonas is going to save you Olly
#AllHailJonas
#AllHailJonas
Fernando- Fernando
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Fernando wrote:Don't worry Jonas is going to save you Olly
#AllHailJonas
Spiderman
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Best strikers in London is a good topic.
1. Murray
2. Torres
3. Carroll
4. Giroud
5. Berba
1. Murray
2. Torres
3. Carroll
4. Giroud
5. Berba
mystiroakey- Posts : 32472
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Think I might start watching bowls instead
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mystiroakey- Posts : 32472
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Fulham have 1 clean sheet in 16, only 3 all season.
Yet we haven't even looked like creating a chance.
It's so bad all you can do is laugh
Yet we haven't even looked like creating a chance.
It's so bad all you can do is laugh
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
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That bad olly.
Who would you go for?
Malky?
Who would you go for?
Malky?
mystiroakey- Posts : 32472
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Least its home to Hull next Olly, Hughton wins his big games and Hull can't have a good day without the owner ruining it
Dolphin Ziggler- Dolphin
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I dunno who I'd go for Mysti, but it absolutely cannot get any worse than what we have right now. We're going down, quickly, under Hughton.
I'd even take Malky, at least he'd install some passion and fight into the players, along with organisation. Don't even care if it is defensive
I'd even take Malky, at least he'd install some passion and fight into the players, along with organisation. Don't even care if it is defensive
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Big game at the weekend for you.. That could be his final game.
mystiroakey- Posts : 32472
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Least its home to Hull next Olly, Hughton wins his big games and Hull can't have a good day without the owner ruining it
That's the thing though ain't it. He wins these games, and the board kid themselves he will keep us up. I remember the reaction to the Palace home win, everyone should've been ecstatic with the win, in a crucial game, but everyone was just like meh, cos we know he'll keep his job.
We need a change, and sharpish. Don't even care who comes in, it's that bad
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Olly wrote:Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Least its home to Hull next Olly, Hughton wins his big games and Hull can't have a good day without the owner ruining it
That's the thing though ain't it. He wins these games, and the board kid themselves he will keep us up. I remember the reaction to the Palace home win, everyone should've been ecstatic with the win, in a crucial game, but everyone was just like meh, cos we know he'll keep his job.
We need a change, and sharpish. Don't even care who comes in, it's that bad
Having lost to yourself, Stoke, Palace, Fulham, Hull and drawn at home with Sunderland, I'd take a big game manager. 6 pointers were not just named that for Sky Sports, there is a semblance of truth to it.
I dont know if there are three clubs worse than Norwich in this division, but I don't know if you'll go down either cos the ties you need to win you have.
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Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Olly wrote:Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Least its home to Hull next Olly, Hughton wins his big games and Hull can't have a good day without the owner ruining it
That's the thing though ain't it. He wins these games, and the board kid themselves he will keep us up. I remember the reaction to the Palace home win, everyone should've been ecstatic with the win, in a crucial game, but everyone was just like meh, cos we know he'll keep his job.
We need a change, and sharpish. Don't even care who comes in, it's that bad
Having lost to yourself, Stoke, Palace, Fulham, Hull and drawn at home with Sunderland, I'd take a big game manager. 6 pointers were not just named that for Sky Sports, there is a semblance of truth to it.
I dont know if there are three clubs worse than Norwich in this division, but I don't know if you'll go down either cos the ties you need to win you have.
We've lost at home to Villa, Fulham, drew with Swansea, Cardiff, drew with Sunderland. We don't always win these games with teams around us. We're screwed unless we change sharpish
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Oh we drew with Swansea and Villa too. Its a tight season, it wont be a big tally to stay up, i'd say better the devil you know at this stage
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Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Oh we drew with Swansea and Villa too. Its a tight season, it wont be a big tally to stay up, i'd say better the devil you know at this stage
Well the devil I know is taking us down, and pretty much every Norwich fan thinks the same.
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You're one of about 6 teams who probably think relegation is likely.
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It confuses me with fans of teams such as Norwich, Wigan, Sunderland etc...there seems to be this ideal that every season they must be climbing higher and higher and if they aren't then sack the manager and bring in someone else. Now I know that Norwich aren't bad when it comes to sacking managers...and usually do it under the right circumstance...yet I fear the board may well end up replacing Hughton because of the dissent shown from the stands.
The premier league is the toughest and most competitive top league in the World with very little difference between finishing 10th and being in a relegation dog fight - something which is more applicable this year than any other in it's history.
Now of course Norwich and other teams alike don't want to be mired round the bottom of the table but I think some things need to be put into context:
In the two previous Premier League seasons Norwich have amassed 47 (11-12) & 45 (12-13) points respectively;
This year they have taken 20 from their first 21 games; not quite half way but not far from it.
By this stage in the last 2 seasons they had 22 & 25 points...so again not vastly different. Lest we forget that this season has been a lot tougher and more inconsistent across the board, it isn't surprising to hear they have slightly less (the case for probably 70% of the teams in the league).
The grass always seems greener on the other side...as seen by other managerial changes it isn't always the case. I can abide that being a Middlesbrough fan who was glad to see the back of McClaren after all his negative tactics! Southampton (now in a slump with 2 wins in 9) Sunderland, Fulham, Stoke...all teams which don't look particularly better for the changes made. I think Norwich have enough about them to avoid the drop;
They have picked up 18 points from a possible 33 against teams from 10th down...so they certainly know how to beat those around them. The question will be can they do it away from Carrow Road.
The premier league is the toughest and most competitive top league in the World with very little difference between finishing 10th and being in a relegation dog fight - something which is more applicable this year than any other in it's history.
Now of course Norwich and other teams alike don't want to be mired round the bottom of the table but I think some things need to be put into context:
In the two previous Premier League seasons Norwich have amassed 47 (11-12) & 45 (12-13) points respectively;
This year they have taken 20 from their first 21 games; not quite half way but not far from it.
By this stage in the last 2 seasons they had 22 & 25 points...so again not vastly different. Lest we forget that this season has been a lot tougher and more inconsistent across the board, it isn't surprising to hear they have slightly less (the case for probably 70% of the teams in the league).
The grass always seems greener on the other side...as seen by other managerial changes it isn't always the case. I can abide that being a Middlesbrough fan who was glad to see the back of McClaren after all his negative tactics! Southampton (now in a slump with 2 wins in 9) Sunderland, Fulham, Stoke...all teams which don't look particularly better for the changes made. I think Norwich have enough about them to avoid the drop;
They have picked up 18 points from a possible 33 against teams from 10th down...so they certainly know how to beat those around them. The question will be can they do it away from Carrow Road.
Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
So the only team that truly looks better from the change is Palace?
And to be honest i dont even think its about Pulis. I think its more about losing Holloway.
in regards to your 22 and 25 pts point- 5 points more is huge at this point and would propel Norwich into 9th spot.
sometimes a manager change can get you one or two honeymoon wins.
Then things normally go back to how there were before.
The truth is though. 1 or 2 extra wins is the difference between staying up or going down.
And to be honest i dont even think its about Pulis. I think its more about losing Holloway.
in regards to your 22 and 25 pts point- 5 points more is huge at this point and would propel Norwich into 9th spot.
sometimes a manager change can get you one or two honeymoon wins.
Then things normally go back to how there were before.
The truth is though. 1 or 2 extra wins is the difference between staying up or going down.
mystiroakey- Posts : 32472
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
mystiroakey wrote:Best strikers in London is a good topic.
1. Murray
2. Torres
3. Carroll
4. Giroud
5. Berba
What? Everyone knows Giroud is the best striker in London, how does Giroud score more and assist more than Torres the last two years and basically the other strikers you listed and finish 4th?
socal1976- Posts : 14212
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Depends if he wins the big games down the line? If Hughton gets a decent points haul from the teams around him then dont sack him. Cos a new guy might come in and beat Newcastle in the cup, but then he loses to West Ham at home and things aren't so grand.
I would argue against including Southampton, not merely because its been a year but also because they have become a better side for their change.
I'm not adverse to change, Fulham needed it even if it hasnt worked cos Jol's team looked so bad. Stoke look better, same position but evolution is occurring, but it does seem nowadays that managers are only allowed good times and not bad ones.
I would argue against including Southampton, not merely because its been a year but also because they have become a better side for their change.
I'm not adverse to change, Fulham needed it even if it hasnt worked cos Jol's team looked so bad. Stoke look better, same position but evolution is occurring, but it does seem nowadays that managers are only allowed good times and not bad ones.
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
owen10ozzy wrote:It confuses me with fans of teams such as Norwich, Wigan, Sunderland etc...there seems to be this ideal that every season they must be climbing higher and higher and if they aren't then sack the manager and bring in someone else. Now I know that Norwich aren't bad when it comes to sacking managers...and usually do it under the right circumstance...yet I fear the board may well end up replacing Hughton because of the dissent shown from the stands.
The premier league is the toughest and most competitive top league in the World with very little difference between finishing 10th and being in a relegation dog fight - something which is more applicable this year than any other in it's history.
Now of course Norwich and other teams alike don't want to be mired round the bottom of the table but I think some things need to be put into context:
In the two previous Premier League seasons Norwich have amassed 47 (11-12) & 45 (12-13) points respectively;
This year they have taken 20 from their first 21 games; not quite half way but not far from it.
By this stage in the last 2 seasons they had 22 & 25 points...so again not vastly different. Lest we forget that this season has been a lot tougher and more inconsistent across the board, it isn't surprising to hear they have slightly less (the case for probably 70% of the teams in the league).
The grass always seems greener on the other side...as seen by other managerial changes it isn't always the case. I can abide that being a Middlesbrough fan who was glad to see the back of McClaren after all his negative tactics! Southampton (now in a slump with 2 wins in 9) Sunderland, Fulham, Stoke...all teams which don't look particularly better for the changes made. I think Norwich have enough about them to avoid the drop;
They have picked up 18 points from a possible 33 against teams from 10th down...so they certainly know how to beat those around them. The question will be can they do it away from Carrow Road.
You've just managed to completely miss the point, which isn't your fault, nobody outside of Norwich fans in their right mind would watch us enough to realise this, but this has been coming for well over a year now.
Last season we relied on being solid defensively, which we were prepared to accept, and we were fairly decent at it. Although post Christmas, we had an outrageous dip in form, and little was done from the management team to arrest it. We flirted with relegation, but we got lucky to face a WBA side on the beach and save ourselves. But there was a serious issue with our attack, we didn't score enough goals consistently, and we barely created a thing. This was put down to the players we had, which was a reasonable explanation (although in hindsight completely wrong)
Now the summer came, pretty much every Norwich fan said they were willing to give Hughton a chance to fix the attacking issues, he'd kept us up and earnt it. We were now externally debt free meaning he had a transfer kitty like no other manager has ever seen at our club. To his credit he used it well, bring in players of undoubted quality like Hooper, RVW, Fer, Redmond etc. He'd spent near enough £30 million pounds, the board came out and said Top 10 was the target, but they also wanted to see progression on the field. The fans expectations of course rose seeing this, and not unreasonably so I'd say. With 12th and 11th placed finishes the seasons before, and with the additions to the squad, it's clear it's more than good enough.
And then the season started, and we started off and not really much changed. We lost at Hull 1-0, they had 10 men for 70 odd minutes. People moaned, but most were still giving time to Hughton, to allow the team to gel, not always gonna get instant results. But it's never really got better, at any point, we won away at West Brom early December, and most saw this as our chance to pull away, maybe things had turned, but this is how we've gone since. Draw at home to Swansea (ok), draw away to Sunderland (not really ok), LOST AT HOME TO FULHAM (unacceptable), then lost at home to Utd, drew away to Palace, drew at home to Fulham (cup), lost away at Everton and lost away at Fulham tonight. That set of results is simply unacceptable, and the performances in these games barring the Utd game have been utterly dreadful, we've been devoid of any attacking creativeness, our defence is a shambles, and we're sinking fast.
Hughton's tactical decisions in these games are hopeless, shown by this fact. In his one and a half year tenure (what 60-70 odd games), we've only come from behind to win 2 games. Two games. And one of them it took a dodgy penalty to get us going (against West Ham). Then there's his substitutions, which baffle nearly every time, and are backed up by this stat, we are the only team in the Premier League to yet to have a goal scored by a substitute. The man cannot tactical influence the outcome of a game. That's quite a major deficiancy.
You know what the worst part of this all is? Hughton has brought in the players like Hooper and RVW, yet instead of moulding his team round them, he's trying to fit them into his system (whatever that maybe), when it's pretty clear they don't fit a one up top striker formation. There is no confidence in the team, no passion, we're far too passive, I could go on.
He's a nice man, and he does his best, but at the end of the day his best is simply nowhere near good enough. His time was up a long time ago, the board have already shown ridiculous amounts of patience with him (if he'd have been WBA manager, he'd have gone last year!), but unless they wake up and smell the coffee we will be joining the Boro in the Championship next season.
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
To be honest bar a freak ten game run in the Autumn of last year, it's been pretty much all bad times for Hughton.
I didn't even mention the fact we lost at home to a non league side in the cup last year ffs
I didn't even mention the fact we lost at home to a non league side in the cup last year ffs
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
And on those strikers, I'd take Carroll over every striker in London, but Giroud wouldn't work in a team outside of the top 6, 7 or 8. Giroud is a better player, but I wouldn't want to see him in the trenches with me.
For all sides, currently, I'd have Giroud, Carroll, Soldado, Torres, Eto'o. I just like Soldado's touch and movement, if Tottenham don't work it out with him then he'll score bucketloads when he moves.
If Adebayor could be motivated for a long period of time then I might have him over all of them. But he cant.
For all sides, currently, I'd have Giroud, Carroll, Soldado, Torres, Eto'o. I just like Soldado's touch and movement, if Tottenham don't work it out with him then he'll score bucketloads when he moves.
If Adebayor could be motivated for a long period of time then I might have him over all of them. But he cant.
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
mystiroakey wrote:So the only team that truly looks better from the change is Palace?
And to be honest i dont even think its about Pulis. I think its more about losing Holloway.
in regards to your 22 and 25 pts point- 5 points more is huge at this point and would propel Norwich into 9th spot.
sometimes a manager change can get you one or two honeymoon wins.
Then things normally go back to how there were before.
The truth is though. 1 or 2 extra wins is the difference between staying up or going down
I get what you mean mystir - and your right one or two wins is the difference between staying up and going down. 5 points difference in points at this stage compared to last season is a big difference yet on the whole everyone is in the same boat this year. Very few teams have the same or better points total than they did last Jan because the league has been so inconsistent...when looking at it from that perspective Norwich are no worse off than they were.
Honeymoon periods can occur - ala Pochettino & Pullis...yet they can also fail miserably...Poyet has hardly had one (though they look a little more solid now) and I wouldn't say Fulham look any better to be honest.
1 or two wins will be the difference this year and they are likely going to come against the teams in and around that relegation zone..Norwich have shown they are more capable than most in picking up those said wins and that for me would be enough to stick with him for the time being.
Last edited by owen10ozzy on Tue 14 Jan - 22:44; edited 1 time in total
Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
owen10ozzy wrote:It confuses me with fans of teams such as Norwich, Wigan, Sunderland etc...there seems to be this ideal that every season they must be climbing higher and higher and if they aren't then sack the manager and bring in someone else. Now I know that Norwich aren't bad when it comes to sacking managers...and usually do it under the right circumstance...yet I fear the board may well end up replacing Hughton because of the dissent shown from the stands.
The premier league is the toughest and most competitive top league in the World with very little difference between finishing 10th and being in a relegation dog fight - something which is more applicable this year than any other in it's history.
Now of course Norwich and other teams alike don't want to be mired round the bottom of the table but I think some things need to be put into context:
In the two previous Premier League seasons Norwich have amassed 47 (11-12) & 45 (12-13) points respectively;
This year they have taken 20 from their first 21 games; not quite half way but not far from it.
By this stage in the last 2 seasons they had 22 & 25 points...so again not vastly different. Lest we forget that this season has been a lot tougher and more inconsistent across the board, it isn't surprising to hear they have slightly less (the case for probably 70% of the teams in the league).
The grass always seems greener on the other side...as seen by other managerial changes it isn't always the case. I can abide that being a Middlesbrough fan who was glad to see the back of McClaren after all his negative tactics! Southampton (now in a slump with 2 wins in 9) Sunderland, Fulham, Stoke...all teams which don't look particularly better for the changes made. I think Norwich have enough about them to avoid the drop;
They have picked up 18 points from a possible 33 against teams from 10th down...so they certainly know how to beat those around them. The question will be can they do it away from Carrow Road.
I agree I mean Sunderland and Palace aren't just a manager away from being in Europe. They don't have the money and or the players. I think the boards are stuck in a situation where they don't have the money to buy better players so they try changing the manager because that is all they can do to be proactive. The problem with that type of thinking is that it is often counter-productive to building a team from the ground up which is what these clubs have to do. Southampton is a good model if you can't compete in the transfer market you have to do it through the academy and stable management. But teams that are in the relegation zone feel like they need to do something and the only thing they can do is sack the manager.
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
And Southampton have spent a lot of money too. Dont let that be forgotten, Southampton have been able to throw money at players too. Including when theyve kept good players like Lallana even though they were in the Championship, they've always had money to stave off the bids.
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Re: Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'
Oh Olly - I'm not saying Hughton shouldn't go...what I'm saying is that I don't think a knee jerking sacking right now is what is needed. Lets face it 17 games is a long time in this league...go on a 6 game run and you can be popping into the top half of the table such are the small differences this season.
For me whilst he is of course not performing in his role as manager (nor are the team themselves mind), given the style of football and where they are in comparison to budget spent etc....he has shown he is capable of getting the points in the '6 pointers'...that for me suggests you'd be best sticking by him until the end of the season and then going from there.
Who knows by Feb (with games against Hull, Cardiff & West Ham...also Spurs @H where you tend do well) you could be sitting pretty 10 points from relegation!
For me whilst he is of course not performing in his role as manager (nor are the team themselves mind), given the style of football and where they are in comparison to budget spent etc....he has shown he is capable of getting the points in the '6 pointers'...that for me suggests you'd be best sticking by him until the end of the season and then going from there.
Who knows by Feb (with games against Hull, Cardiff & West Ham...also Spurs @H where you tend do well) you could be sitting pretty 10 points from relegation!
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