Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'

[Ent]

First topic message reminder :

Mancini was terrible, how I wish he was still there.

Should have walked the league the last 2 years with the squad he had and gotten out of his cl groups.

[FootballLight]

Lets take a look, who exactly will Roy Hodgson pick in the England squad? Lallana, Rodriguez, Lambert, Johnson, Ox (CM) are all possible. Anymore for anymore? Oxlade Chaimberlin - (without putting any early pressure on him after one game! ) Could he be a Lampard/Gerrard replacement? Potential is there after very early signs anyway. But it's only CP I suppose. Lets see when he consistently plays in the midfield and if he delivers against the top teams.


Martin Keown, at Emirates Stadium for 5 live Sport
Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace
"As a youngster Oxlade-Chamberlain played in central midfield and he wants to play there, and that's where he is. There's an obvious enjoyment - he feels he belongs in the Arsenal midfield. When he gets a chance he wants to show what he can do, and he has done so today. Playing more advanced, he capitalises on any confidence he has.

"There has been such quality finishing from Arsenal today."

Well said.

[The Special Juan]

Playing purely as a 4-4-2 or any variant on it, I'd see it as:

de Gea over Mignolet
Flanagan over Rafael
Vidic over Agger (who's never fit)
Skrtel over any other Utd CB
Evra over this week's Liverpool LB
Sterling over any Utd RM
Carrick over Henderson
Gerrard over Cleverley (close one though )
Mata over whoever plays LM
Rooney and Suarez up front

6 v 5. If I changed the formation, I'd change who goes in and who gets left out.

[compelling and rich]

cleverly's not our first choice to be fair, its fellaini and while he's unlikely to win any more votes, he's not as rubbish as people make out. he's simply not suited to united and partnership with carrick is poor. but he proved at everton he's a decent player if you play to his strengths

[mystiroakey]

Tbh I cant even see an argument between the sides here compelling. I am sure everyone can admit that both squads are similar?

There really isnt much in them man for man.

[mystiroakey]

Anyway back to the game.

Well played palace. Nice to see we went for it abit and tried to play more once we went 1 down.

The ox goit behind us 3 times and scored twice. Without him I am not sure how they would have got goals..
That is why Arsenal are so good. They have the players in midfield that can play intricate and then when they are up against defensive set ups and that doesnt work they have in Ox and Walcott players that can get behind defences.

Well done both teams..

Fair scoreline and fair representation of the gulf in sides

[compelling and rich]

Tbh I cant even see an argument between the sides here compelling. I am sure everyone can admit that both squads are similar?

There really isnt much in them man for man.

if they are so similar why did we finish 27 points above them last season? the only reason we are close this season is our incompetent manager

we all knew losing fergie would weaken us buts theres not a chance he's 34 points difference (27 last season to liverpools 7 point lead currently)

[hampo17]

Tbh I cant even see an argument between the sides here compelling. I am sure everyone can admit that both squads are similar?

There really isnt much in them man for man.

if they are so similar why did we finish 27 points above them last season? the only reason we are close this season is our incompetent manager

we all knew losing fergie would weaken us buts theres not a chance he's 34 points difference (27 last season to liverpools 7 point lead currently)

We also had a new manager in charge last season that was trying to implement a new style of play which took some time for the players to adapt. Now he has his own players in they are flourishing. I would say that Fergie was worth about 10 points a season, due to him having the fear of the players, I don't think Moyes has this.

[mystiroakey]

Liverpools players have come on leaps and bounds , man u,s youth has regressed.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Good, we haven't had this discussion for a week or two   

De Gea > 2 Mignolets
Rafael/Johnson
Vidic
Agger
Evra
Carrick
Gerrard
Mata
Januzaj
Rooney
Suarez

I consider De Gea the best keeper in the league, I don't know if I would have Mignolet in my top 5 (De Gea, Lloris, Krul, Hart, Cech)

[lfc91]

Tbh I cant even see an argument between the sides here compelling. I am sure everyone can admit that both squads are similar?

There really isnt much in them man for man.

if they are so similar why did we finish 27 points above them last season? the only reason we are close this season is our incompetent manager

we all knew losing fergie would weaken us buts theres not a chance he's 34 points difference (27 last season to liverpools 7 point lead currently)

Probably because you had possibly the greatest manager in history in charge, who knew your squad inside out, where as we had a new manager who was unproven at the top.

[mystiroakey]

Anyone brave enough to call tommorows game?

[Ent]

Suarez form and rvp being out injured has probably accounted for a lot of the points difference.

Also who cares? Chelsea and city are who we should be aiming to be better than.

[FootballLight]

De Gea > Mignolet
Rafael > Johnson
Vidic > Skrtel
Jones < Sakho
Evra < Enrique
Carrick < Gerrard
Henderson > Man U CM
Mata > Sturridge
Rooney > Coutinho
Januzaj = Sterling
RVP < Suarez

So close, but I think (without counting) Man U edge it?

[Ent]

Anyone brave enough to call tommorows game?

City by 2. 3-1 or 2-0

[Dolphin Ziggler]

City by 2

[mystiroakey]

draw

2-2

[The Special Juan]

City by 1 goal, more if it's an early goal. If Chelsea have to chase the game after 10 minutes it could get quite messy for them as we know how good City are on the counter attack.

[Mat]

WBA shouldn't worry, they have Anichebe...

Definitely onside, game feels a little flat. Liverpool not really grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck yet. Yacob and Mulumbu are good but a lack of quality around them to capitalise on their good work.

Fantastic from Suarez, not only would most players not try that, certainly almost all strikers would have gone for a hopeless shot there.

Gotta be honest Crimey, I said exactly the same at half time when someone by me said bring on the Big Vic. I've now seen him score twice, which is two more than I ever expected him to score.

Can already see what Mel is trying to do with our style of play which is encouraging. Vydra's too lightweight to play by himself and Berahino is still learning, so going to have to rely on Anichebe for at least bringing our midfield into play. Get Morrison back in for Gera and we should have enough about us.

Was quite disappointed with Liverpool to be honest, to a degree we stopped you playing I guess with Mulumbu/Yacob breaking a lot of the play up but they didn't seem to move the ball nearly as quickly as they can do. Toure is an awful centre back, nearly as bad as Lugano!

[LastDamnation]

Lets take a look, who exactly will Roy Hodgson pick in the England squad? Lallana, Rodriguez, Lambert, Johnson, Ox (CM) are all possible. Anymore for anymore? Oxlade Chaimberlin - (without putting any early pressure on him after one game! ) Could he be a Lampard/Gerrard replacement? Potential is there after very early signs anyway. But it's only CP I suppose. Lets see when he consistently plays in the midfield and if he delivers against the top teams.


Martin Keown, at Emirates Stadium for 5 live Sport
Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace
"As a youngster Oxlade-Chamberlain played in central midfield and he wants to play there, and that's where he is. There's an obvious enjoyment - he feels he belongs in the Arsenal midfield. When he gets a chance he wants to show what he can do, and he has done so today. Playing more advanced, he capitalises on any confidence he has.

"There has been such quality finishing from Arsenal today."

Well said.

Even being out for half the season, he was still a shoe-in for the world cup (barring further injury obviously)

[TRUSSMAN66]

Worried about tomorrow night with our back 4.........Have a feeling Chelsea will do us on the break............0-2...........We are made for Chelsea..

Gonna miss our star centre forward.........too

Time also to take Arsenal seriously now...........City apart from the 2nd minute sending off game always struggle there and Arsenal always seem to finish seasons strongly .

Hope they keep it up..........If we don't win it.. I'd hate for knobbo Moronho to win it for Chelsea..

[Duty281]

Well done Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Gotta fancy City for tomorrow the way they're playing at present.

[TRUSSMAN66]

Love it If we won...........Love it If he celebrated right behind the Chelsea dug out..

Have a feeling Oscar or Hazard will dive in the box though and get a soft penalty..

[Duty281]

The way I see it, Mourinho is going to park the bus - just like he did against United and Arsenal. That'll just play right into City's hands.

But if Mourinho attacks and trusts in the talent he has at his disposal, the result may just turn out differently.

[mystiroakey]

LOL has trussman just decided to support MAN CITEH!!

lol- you are classic. Just started your support I see!

[TRUSSMAN66]

I supported them in the championship and 1st division..........Supported them since my Keele days from 1989 onwards..........Uwe Rosler, David white, Goater, Peter reid, Steve mcmahon ....etc..

Used to go to Maine road.....

Nice try though...........Starting supporting them because of all the red a**holes at Keele..

[Bull]

What do you mean by red aholes?

[mystiroakey]

Yeah yeah yeah..

[TRUSSMAN66]

You must be a Chelsea fan.......hence the Jose love.........

[mystiroakey]

That is sacrilegious fella........I am PALACE......SUPER SUPER PALACE.....

[TRUSSMAN66]

You have my sympathies..

[mystiroakey]

I will pass thanks..

Palace are a great club to support.

[LastDamnation]

Not really sure what the best result is for us tomorrow, probably a draw. City look most dangerous at the moment but I think chelsea will click at some point and City's defence will surely start to cost them with the tough away games they have in the rest of the season.

[Fernando]

Think Chelsea may pinch in on the break against Citeh, Be interested to see if the Kompany/Demichilis partnership is up for it.


Man Utd Vs Liverpool wise

----------De Gea
Johnson - Vidic - Skrtel -- Enrique
-------Gerrard - Lucas/Henderson
Mata ------------------Coutinho or Januzaj ( Not entirely sure on that one)
-------Suarez - Rooney

Man Utd 4/5 - 6/7 Liverpool - Depends who you prefer on Coutinho/Januzaj

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Lucas or Henderson over Carrick? I'll have what you're having mate, clearly it turns Poopie into gold

[Fernando]

Lucas or Henderson over Carrick? I'll have what you're having mate, clearly it turns Poopie into gold

Says the man that chose Evra over Enrique.

Evra is everything bad about United at the moment, The amount of times he lets people wander in behind him is ridiculous. Also Gerrard > Carrick @ Passing so you need a DM like Lucas is the common consensus in football nowadays

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Bit of a laughable comparison that one.

Enrique isnt that good. Evra actually has shown himself to be alright this year, at least to Enrique's level (who is also not particularly rated by his own manager, clearly). Scapegoat targeting for me, their problems definitely havent been at left back. A little exposed by genuine pace, but I think the fact Enrique hasnt been playing much is making him seen as a better player than he is. By no means great, but by no means bad.

And Carrick is a better "DM" than Lucas. In fact, I think Carrick is better at the role Gerrard is trying to play, Gerrard is just a fantastic footballer so can play that role and exert himself forward. A team of both of them would be very good back there.

[Hammersmith harrier]

I think Gerrard and Carrick are easily the best central midfielders available at the two clubs, Lucas and Henderson don't come close, you don't go from being the best in the league to being below those two.

[lfc91]

Bit of a laughable comparison that one.

Enrique isnt that good. Evra actually has shown himself to be alright this year, at least to Enrique's level (who is also not particularly rated by his own manager, clearly). Scapegoat targeting for me, their problems definitely havent been at left back. A little exposed by genuine pace, but I think the fact Enrique hasnt been playing much is making him seen as a better player than he is. By no means great, but by no means bad.

And Carrick is a better "DM" than Lucas. In fact, I think Carrick is better at the role Gerrard is trying to play, Gerrard is just a fantastic footballer so can play that role and exert himself forward. A team of both of them would be very good back there.

Enrique has been injured for about 2 months now which is why he hasnt been playing (not because BR doesnt think hes good enough).

[LastDamnation]

I think Gerrard and Carrick are easily the best central midfielders available at the two clubs, Lucas and Henderson don't come close, you don't go from being the best in the league to being below those two.

Best in the league?

[lfc91]

I think Gerrard and Carrick are easily the best central midfielders available at the two clubs, Lucas and Henderson don't come close, you don't go from being the best in the league to being below those two.

You keep saying that he was the best in the league, but age does catch up on everyone. Maybe hes just naturally declining with age. Think certain posters (myself included) were taking a midfield pairing as opposed to individual, which leads to picking the liverpool CM over united.(for some anyway)

[The Fourth Lion]

Think Chelsea may pinch in on the break against Citeh, Be interested to see if the Kompany/Demichilis partnership is up for it.

But will Chelsea be able to "pinch it on the break" four or five times in order to outscore City..? That's the key question. Chelsea's strikers haven't exactly been prolific this season, have they..?

If City's attack clicks.........

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Bit of a laughable comparison that one.

Enrique isnt that good. Evra actually has shown himself to be alright this year, at least to Enrique's level (who is also not particularly rated by his own manager, clearly). Scapegoat targeting for me, their problems definitely havent been at left back. A little exposed by genuine pace, but I think the fact Enrique hasnt been playing much is making him seen as a better player than he is. By no means great, but by no means bad.

And Carrick is a better "DM" than Lucas. In fact, I think Carrick is better at the role Gerrard is trying to play, Gerrard is just a fantastic footballer so can play that role and exert himself forward. A team of both of them would be very good back there.

Enrique has been injured for about 2 months now which is why he hasnt been playing (not because BR doesnt think hes good enough).

Aye, another reason I wouldnt consider him. But Rodgers never showed much faith in his previously, seems to stand out for me as a position he's tinkered with more than any other.

[lfc91]

Bit of a laughable comparison that one.

Enrique isnt that good. Evra actually has shown himself to be alright this year, at least to Enrique's level (who is also not particularly rated by his own manager, clearly). Scapegoat targeting for me, their problems definitely havent been at left back. A little exposed by genuine pace, but I think the fact Enrique hasnt been playing much is making him seen as a better player than he is. By no means great, but by no means bad.

And Carrick is a better "DM" than Lucas. In fact, I think Carrick is better at the role Gerrard is trying to play, Gerrard is just a fantastic footballer so can play that role and exert himself forward. A team of both of them would be very good back there.

Enrique has been injured for about 2 months now which is why he hasnt been playing (not because BR doesnt think hes good enough).

Aye, another reason I wouldnt consider him. But Rodgers never showed much faith in his previously, seems to stand out for me as a position he's tinkered with more than any other.

Not quite sure where you get that view from. Speaking as someone who watches them week in week out i can say with some certainty that any time enrique has been fit he has been that first choice left back without a shadow of a doubt! No issues at all with you choosing evra over him in a joint team, but to suggest he has not been first choice/the manager has little faith in him is, in my opinion, way of the mark.

[lfc91]

Also, if we arent counting players currently out with injury in this joint 11 i would have to change my time from having 2 liverpool centre backs to 1 of each. Because currently our only 2 fit CBs are skrtle and toure, and toure has, for me, crossed the line from not quite good enough to flat out poor!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

It just seems to me that Enrique, who I quite like, has been one of about 6 left backs used. Seem to even remember him having a stint higher up the pitch. And the world and Harry Redknapp's wife knew Rodgers wanted one in the summer window. Maybe thats just injury prone-ness, and Rodgers guarding against it. Interesting to hear that hes considered first choice overall, hes certainly solid but just seemed non-existent at times

Either way, I think Evra was getting a hard deal in the comparison.

[Trebs]

De Gea
Johnson Evans Skrtel Evra
Gerrard Carrick
Suarez Rooney Januzaj
Sturridge

Excluding the likes of Mata, RVP as I'm going only on contributions this season. Evans has been by a long way United's best defender.

[mystiroakey]

There is one position everyone is forgetting.

The most important one.

Who manages the team??

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Oh, I'd pick Moyes.

[mystiroakey]

Id pick you over Moyes.

[Born Slippy]

Probably play 4-2-3-1 as follows:

De Gea

Rafael
Skrtel
Evans
Evra

Gerrard
Carrick

Mata
Rooney
Suarez

Van Persie

Obviously if picking purely on current form a lot of the United players would come out.

If playing 442 it would be the same back 4 and CM. Mata on the left and Sterling on the right with Rooney and Suarez upfront.

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