Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'

[mystiroakey]

First topic message reminder :

Not sure what's going to happen in t his game..

More bothered about watching what Ox can do again..

Its not a forgone conclusion for me.

I do think Moyesball is pretty decent against possession teams..

[Hammersmith harrier]

with liverpool and totenham both winning today the gap between 4th place and united has widened another 2 more points

Shouldn't you be more worried by your own team and how badly they played against a team woefully out of form and confidence?

[Guest]

 

https://vine.co/v/M7u7v6YVeHE

Awful own goal.

[NickisBHAFC]

It really is a terrible own goal. If someone did that in the School play ground it would be laughable, but in the Premiership it beggars belief.

[socal1976]

On a different note, is there an in built mental problem with the Arsenal squad, if they're challenging for the title they start to fall away come February but if they're challenging for 4th they kick into gear.

They are right there at the top with 2 of our 3 best attackers out injured. It was a terrible loss to lose both Aaron and Theo during the toughest stretches of games we have in the season. How good would city be without Aguero and Negredo or Chelsea without Oscar and Hazard. That being said I don't think Arsenal are going to win the title. But to claim that they have underperformed or choked is quite harsh. They have had really bad luck with injuries and this is the toughest stretch of their schedule the next two month. That being said they were awful in the weekend so Arsenal aren't exactly in great form either.

[Hammersmith harrier]

City have been without Aguero and Kompany for large parts of the season, for a team challenging for the title it really is no excuse to blame players missing.

[Duty281]

I thought Arsenal were rather weak tonight. Not a title-winning team by any stretch of the imagination.

United were there for the taking, but Arsenal didn't press high nor did they push forward with great urgency in the closing minutes. You can't advance an excuse that Arsenal are missing some players through injury - firstly, you don't need a fantastic attack to cut through that United defence, and secondly, Arsenal should have invested in January...but failed.

It's one point gained for United, the top four ambition was already out of the window and it's all about confidence-building for the Champions League - their only focus of the season.

It's two points dropped for Arsenal. With ambition like that, they'll only be fighting for 3rd place.

[socal1976]

I don't think this team has the title in them either although they are still a point away from the league leaders. Missing two out of your 3 best attackers has put an hamper on their attack. Look how crappy City played without Aguero and Kompany that proves my point Hammersmith does not disprove it. Everyone has injuries but it wouldn't be a stretch to say that Arsenal have had a bit of bad luck with them this year beyond what the other top teams have had. They missed an opportunity today for sure.

[Hammersmith harrier]

You only say that because it's what you want to see, Arsenals troubles haven't been near that of say Tottenham or dare I say it United. Injuries are never an excuse for bad form, it's just that time of year when the real challengers step up and the also rans fall away.

[Fernando]

Id say Man Citeh's form is down to a lack of Fernandinho. He does the dirty work so Yaya can get forward.

[NickisBHAFC]

Kolo Toure       

Nice finish by Sturridge, but what a pass by Gerrard.

That Fulham player is a complete idiot. Why on earth would you even think of doing that. Great pen by Gerrard.

After watching that, ill be very surprise if Liverpool don't get 4th and in that token if Fulham stay up. Did they sign Holtby on loan or on a permanent?

[socal1976]

You only say that because it's what you want to see, Arsenals troubles haven't been near that of say Tottenham or dare I say it United. Injuries are never an excuse for bad form, it's just that time of year when the real challengers step up and the also rans fall away.

It silly to argue that injuries don't affect a team's form. All teams have them but some injuries are more easily absorbed than others. Either way I am not excusing Arsenal poor form, they played like Poopie last weekend and didn't burn things up today either, but it certainly is a factor worth discussing. I don't think Arsenal will win the league, my preseason pick was for Chelsea to do it. I think we are a piece or two away but heading in the right direction. By the way Chelsea and City also are coming off poor performances not as bad as Arsenal's that is for sure but they aren't running away with anything just yet.

[Ent]

Have to say that as a united fan that is 2 points dropped.

2 sitters missed by rvp and arsenal had one chance from a set piece.

Also 2 very poor sides on display considering one team were top of the league at the weekend and one had 6 cl winners playing.

Also the 37 million and 42 million pound men were rubbish.

[Guest]

From Match of the Day: The Arsenal v Man Utd game looked good. It could have been 2-2. Inches away from scoring or connecting, good defensive performances. But commentators are saying it was a lousy match.

[socal1976]

Yeah Nore it was not a great match but there was some good action, Arsenal had a Kos header cleared off the line and forced DE Gea into a couple of great saves and Scz was lucky to stop RVP's header which went on to hit the post. It wasn't that bad of a match just that both teams lacked that final touch.

[Ent]

Was a poor game, arsenal didn't really offer much but had good possession given our midfield and only really created through corners.

We were poor given we had 6 cl winners on the pitch and rvp missed 2 sitters, should have been a straight forward win.

[Guest]

This is a sort of a "feel good" story: A Malaysian Everton Fan travels all the way from Malaysia to Britain to watch his first ever live match: the Everton v Crystal Palace match at Goodison Park - only for the match to be called off 40 minutes from the start:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26165285

[mystiroakey]

This is a sort of a "feel good" story:  A Malaysian Everton Fan travels all the way from Malaysia to Britain to watch his first ever live match: the Everton v Crystal Palace match at Goodison Park - only for the match to be called off 40 minutes from the start:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26165285

"However, shortly afterwards he wrote: "Sadly Everton v Palace match called off due to bad weather. Dream to watch EFC play will continue to be on hold."
That prompted club officials to try and track him down, with Everton press officer Helen Mayo eventually writing: "We've found him and are making sure he doesn't leave too disappointed, taking him to meet some of his heroes right now."

I think they should have extended the courtesy to the Saff London massive as well.. Maybe laid on a party with strippers, lager and Jager bombs..

That story will grow like wild fire in Malaysia... Everton may steal the Asian United support

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Steady on

[Stella]

Entertaining game at Fulham. Terrible defending for the penalty, but a great penalty under pressure from Gerrard. What a pass for their first goal as well. Not the execution, more the vision, after getting up off his arris.

[sodhat]

Anyone else surprised that Chico Flores made it through the match without going down holding his face after being hit with a strong gust of wind?

[Guest]

Nice to see that whilst Suarez isn't getting on the score sheet, his contribution to the team is still absolutely top notch. You tend to worry about players like that who, if they fail to score, go right off the boil are about as much use as t!ts on a snake.

Thankfully we've got Sturridge taking up the mantle of scoring and should injury strike, Kolo and Martin who, at this rate, should knock in another 15 goals between them.

Just need them to be at the right end of the pitch.

[Stella]

Suarez normally gets involved when the ball's in the oppositions half. Love watching him play, great energy as well as skill.

[Guest]

Seen him putting in a shift in defence too this season or more than one occasion. Mind you, I think Rodgers quickly identified that the back four were our weak link and had ensured that, where possible, we have people helping out as much as possible.

[Stella]

Shame, cause your keeper looks good, well he has been when I've seen him.

[Guest]

He's had a few wobbles and he's reliant on punching the ball far too much for my liking but that's part of the modern game I'm afraid. Don't think he marshall's the troops as well as Reina did in his pomp but his shot stopping on the whole is very good. Just think his decision making re coming out for balls needs to improve.

Reina says he wants to stay in Italy so I wish him the best. As a kid I played in goal so I have a bit of a soft spot for keepers in general, however, I'm not saddened by his loss as I think his replacement is young enough and good enough to make the necessary improvements. He just needs to command his area a little more.

[compelling and rich]

morrison "englands next superstar" now playing in the champonship, probably will end up playing most of his career there with his attitude

[GSC]

Quality prospect, garbage person

[GSC]

Makes sense for QPR though, majorly underperforming under everyones favorite england manager

[sodhat]

Where did you hear Morrison had gone? No news on the West Ham site.

[GSC]

Sky

He'll sign on friday so the loan covers the playoffs

[sodhat]

I guess we'll see then.

I wouldn't necessarily let him go because he's a good player. But then again eventually I hope he gets the message that it doesn't matter how good you are, if you're a man sausage you'll fall by the wayside.

[GSC]

Must've acted out fairly recently otherwise they'd have bit Fulhams hand off

[sodhat]

Well he's supposedly been saying he's injured but the physio believes he can play. My main worry is that he'll depreciate in saleable value if he goes down to QPR. If he's going to be a nobhead then I want as much money as possible to give someone else the problem.

[sodhat]

And I noticed on FM 2014 that he doesn't really develop much as a player. They have written into the game that he doesn't work hard and has attitude issues...

[NickisBHAFC]

Morrison joins a list of young English players who's attitude is appalling. Quite worrying actually.

[GSC]

I think if hes loaned out at this point, then his value is effectively in the toilet

[westisbest]

Sky

He'll sign on friday so the loan covers the playoffs

 
Which is where they will end up I feel.
 
Burnley to take second, or a late Forest charge to sneak second spot.

[compelling and rich]

Morrison joins a list of young English players who's attitude is appalling. Quite worrying actually.

i agree with this, its seems soon as they get a bit of profile they think they've made it. thought sturridge was going to be another but he seems to have got his head down under rodgers. but you look at talent thats come through been really exicting then doesnt improve like you would expect, its a worrying trend but then again we do live in a society where people want to be famous over actually being skilled at anything

[sodhat]

I think if hes loaned out at this point, then his value is effectively in the toilet

Well we only paid £500k for him. I'm pretty sure Big Sam eats that much every match day so we can probably swallow the loss in value.

Glad we didn't sell him to Fulham still. We can't be strengthening other sh!t teams.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Morrison joins a list of young English players who's attitude is appalling. Quite worrying actually.

List em then

[GSC]

Anyone want to bet me Zaha makes that list?

[Stella]

Rooney? or is that being harsh?

[Guest]

JUNIOR HOILET

[westisbest]

Nial Ranger

[GSC]

I'm not sure Ranger has an attitude problem. More a lack of a brain.

[Fernando]

JUNIOR HOILET

He's Canadian?

[Guest]

JUNIOR HOILET

He's Canadian?

Well, you learn something every day...however, I stand by my assertion that he's a tw*t

[Duty281]

Morrison joins a list of young English players who's attitude is appalling. Quite worrying actually.

Like who? Zaha possibly, Rodwell yes (lack of ambition) and...?

[Gregers]

Frimpong springs to mind (played youth football for england)

Zaha, Rodwell, Sturridge (pre-Rodgers)

[sodhat]

Is Zaha that bad?

Bit cocky but all he (allegedly) did was dip his wick...

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