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..

[The Special Juan]

liverpool basically have a 12 point gap because of their goal difference. Man U will not make up that ground in just 11 games.

I think United fans had written off their top 4 hopes ages ago.

At this point in time I no longer care about Champions League qualification it's an unrealistic target, we need to use the next 13+ plus games we have left to try and gel as a unit. Ferdinand, Vidic and most of all Giggs have been fantastic servants to the club but they shouldn't be anywhere near the first team any more, drop them completely, time to look to the future.

I see your point but I disagree - never give up, fight until the end but most importantly beat Citeh at home.

[Guest]

Did I just hear that right?

Chris Hughton: "This is our first season back in the Premier League."

[Hammersmith harrier]

liverpool basically have a 12 point gap because of their goal difference. Man U will not make up that ground in just 11 games.

I think United fans had written off their top 4 hopes ages ago.

At this point in time I no longer care about Champions League qualification it's an unrealistic target, we need to use the next 13+ plus games we have left to try and gel as a unit. Ferdinand, Vidic and most of all Giggs have been fantastic servants to the club but they shouldn't be anywhere near the first team any more, drop them completely, time to look to the future.

I see your point but I disagree - never give up, fight until the end but most importantly beat Citeh at home.

I see your point too, having seen us throw away an eight point lead with only five games left anything is possible but I actually think youth is the best of achieving that any way.

[The Special Juan]

liverpool basically have a 12 point gap because of their goal difference. Man U will not make up that ground in just 11 games.

I think United fans had written off their top 4 hopes ages ago.

At this point in time I no longer care about Champions League qualification it's an unrealistic target, we need to use the next 13+ plus games we have left to try and gel as a unit. Ferdinand, Vidic and most of all Giggs have been fantastic servants to the club but they shouldn't be anywhere near the first team any more, drop them completely, time to look to the future.

I see your point but I disagree - never give up, fight until the end but most importantly beat Citeh at home.

I see your point too, having seen us throw away an eight point lead with only five games left anything is possible but I actually think youth is the best of achieving that any way.

Maybe, it's a tough decision. On one hand Vidic is the captain and still the best defender at the club but on the other hand he'll be away at the end of the season. Aside from playing Jones and Smalling regularly at CB I don't know what other youth players Moyes can blood. Powell's out on loan and there aren't too many others about at the moment.

[Hammersmith harrier]

I think playing two of Jones, Evans or Smalling at centre back is the way forward to be honest with you, not sure what we gain from playing Vidic.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Michael Dawson is an atrocious, atrocious, atrocious football player. And Soldado ain't much better.

What a win!!!

Now have to use this as a turning point, can't do what we did after the City point and go and lose next week.

[Mad for Chelsea]

I should be rude about Norwich more often

they were excellent today, fully deserved their win

[John Cregan]

Norwich chief exec crying was funny. first of all, i just thought he was holding his head in shame about his continued public harassment of Chris Hughton.

Malky might have to unpack his suitcase!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Norwich chief exec crying was funny. first of all, i just thought he was holding his head in shame about his continued public harassment of Chris Hughton.

Malky might have to unpack his suitcase!

OK right this is wrong on pretty much every single level.

1. He was probably crying cos he had a family bereavement on Friday.
2. What public harassment of Chris Hughton? If you're talking about the interview in which he publicly backs Hughton that the media picked up on almost a week after it happened, then you're mistaken.
3. He's shown a heck of a lot more faith in Hughton than pretty much any board in this country has considering we've been utter dog Poopie for 18 months and have barely scored a goal all year.

Get your facts right before you slate Mr McNally please

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

And I thought RVW was magnificent today. Harried the CB's forcing numerous errors (one leading to the goal) and held the ball up well.

That's how he was performing before he got injured in October.

[Guest]

Norwich chief exec crying was funny. first of all, i just thought he was holding his head in shame about his continued public harassment of Chris Hughton.

Malky might have to unpack his suitcase!

what is wrong with you?!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Wow, talk about an overreaction to a fairly innocent comment! His comments have been open enough to interpretation to seem less than necessary about Hughton.

RVW looks about as potent as Soldado to me, works hard but Hooper is so much more dangerous

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Wow, talk about an overreaction to a fairly innocent comment! His comments have been open enough to interpretation to seem less than necessary about Hughton.

RVW looks about as potent as Soldado to me, works hard but Hooper is so much more dangerous

I'm not saying RVW is the second coming or nothing, but its not like he's missing millions of clear cut chances a game, same with Hooper really. We never create for our strikers. Hooper's got more pace and is stronger, but he doesn't work as hard as RVW for me.

McNally clearly is right behind Hughton. He's had numerous chances to get rid, but hasn't. Of course he'd have other candidates in mind if he sacked Hughton, what club wouldn't have a plan B?! Media taking a few quotes, manipulating them, and blowing them out of context.

Still to say next weeks game at Villa is huge is a tad of an understatement. Mahoosive game

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I dunno what on earth possessed Bradley Johnson today. He was playing passes to Norwich players. It was amazing

[sportform]

United essentially need liverpool to lose 4 more games than they themselves lose in the run in e.g. if united lose 3 out of their remaining fixtures they would need liverpool to lose 7...

Or Man United could win the Champions League and Liverpool would miss out if they finish fourth. The last time that could happen. From 2015-16 one country can have five teams in it.

[mystiroakey]

United essentially need liverpool to lose 4 more games than they themselves lose in the run in e.g. if united lose 3 out of their remaining fixtures they would need liverpool to lose 7...

Or Man United could win the Champions League and Liverpool would miss out if they finish fourth.

how about we talk about what we are going to do when we win the lottery instead.

or what about what we would do on a date with Evangeline lilly,

Man U are not in the CL next year- lets face facts

[lfc91]

United essentially need liverpool to lose 4 more games than they themselves lose in the run in e.g. if united lose 3 out of their remaining fixtures they would need liverpool to lose 7...

Or Man United could win the Champions League and Liverpool would miss out if they finish fourth. The last time that could happen. From 2015-16 one country can have five teams in it.

Wouldnt be surprised if they pulled that of just to spite us! Not beyond the realms that we finish higher than 4th though and then that wouldnt be our problem.

[Ent]

No hope of us winning the cl unless we get a Porto type draw.

Even then we'd make a mess of it.

[mystiroakey]

But all things considered- United have a shot at 5th..

which in all fairness will give them some hope next year- remember that the winners of the UEFA cup will qualify for the cl...

So they could target that as well as a top 4 which may still be very tough, unless Liverpool get dissipated- which i hope they dont..

Henderson became a man today.

I hope him and gerrard play for england

[John Cregan]

Norwich chief exec crying was funny. first of all, i just thought he was holding his head in shame about his continued public harassment of Chris Hughton.

Malky might have to unpack his suitcase!

OK right this is wrong on pretty much every single level.

1. He was probably crying cos he had a family bereavement on Friday.
2. What public harassment of Chris Hughton? If you're talking about the interview in which he publicly backs Hughton that the media picked up on almost a week after it happened, then you're mistaken.
3. He's shown a heck of a lot more faith in Hughton than pretty much any board in this country has considering we've been utter dog Poopie for 18 months and have barely scored a goal all year.

Get your facts right before you slate Mr McNally please

"I think you have to be aware of the market and, I'll use that phrase again, it would be almost delinquent of the football club to not be aware of potential candidates if for any reason your manager left," he said.

That's what McNally said this week, following on from comments a couple of months ago when he basically said Hughton would be sacked as soon as they find themselves in the bottom 3, and i found it extremely disrespectful to Chris Hughton,who has done a superb job IMO.

How can you say he has shown faith in Chris Hughton with those public comments ?

Your point on No.3 that Norwich has been "utter dog poopie for 18 months" really shows that your opinions aren't really worth challenging. But i will anyway. 11th place last year was outstanding considering the relative resources of Norwich and were they to finish in their current position (14th) this season,that would be outstanding.

i didn't know McNally had a bereavement. I wouldn't have mocked the crying if i did.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Wow, talk about an overreaction to a fairly innocent comment! His comments have been open enough to interpretation to seem less than necessary about Hughton.

RVW looks about as potent as Soldado to me, works hard but Hooper is so much more dangerous

McNally clearly is right behind Hughton. He's had numerous chances to get rid, but hasn't. Of course he'd have other candidates in mind if he sacked Hughton, what club wouldn't have a plan B?! Media taking a few quotes, manipulating them, and blowing them out of context.

Just got to come out and do it properly, if hes gonna speak to the media (which arguably should be very rare) he needs to give a proper message

[Hammersmith harrier]

I don't think they offer enough protection to the defence to be honest Mysti and that would be asking for trouble against Italy and Uruguay. We need at least one midfielder with defensive awareness. Only Newcastle in the top half of the table have a worse defensive record than Liverpool, the brilliance of S&S is covering how much they're lacking elsewhere.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Wow, talk about an overreaction to a fairly innocent comment! His comments have been open enough to interpretation to seem less than necessary about Hughton.

RVW looks about as potent as Soldado to me, works hard but Hooper is so much more dangerous

McNally clearly is right behind Hughton. He's had numerous chances to get rid, but hasn't. Of course he'd have other candidates in mind if he sacked Hughton, what club wouldn't have a plan B?! Media taking a few quotes, manipulating them, and blowing them out of context.

Just got to come out and do it properly, if hes gonna speak to the media (which arguably should be very rare) he needs to give a proper message

Well if you listen to the whole interview he gives that message, just doesn't do it in the sound bites the media want

[mystiroakey]

well the problem with that Harrier is that if we do go for Carrick then Gerard still starts-

henderson is the box to box we need. we need a link player. without him- S@S wouldn't be as effective..

[lfc91]

I don't think they offer enough protection to the defence to be honest Mysti and that would be asking for trouble against Italy and Uruguay. We need at least one midfielder with defensive awareness. Only Newcastle in the top half of the table have a worse defensive record than Liverpool, the brilliance of S&S is covering how much they're lacking elsewhere.

Its not even that the players lack ability, our starting four defenders today are all good-very good players in my eyes. Its just that at times the entire team look completely clueless on how they should be defending. But like you say the attacking play has covered that up to an extent. Bottom line though is i dont care how close a game is just as long as we win it!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Norwich chief exec crying was funny. first of all, i just thought he was holding his head in shame about his continued public harassment of Chris Hughton.

Malky might have to unpack his suitcase!

OK right this is wrong on pretty much every single level.

1. He was probably crying cos he had a family bereavement on Friday.
2. What public harassment of Chris Hughton? If you're talking about the interview in which he publicly backs Hughton that the media picked up on almost a week after it happened, then you're mistaken.
3. He's shown a heck of a lot more faith in Hughton than pretty much any board in this country has considering we've been utter dog Poopie for 18 months and have barely scored a goal all year.

Get your facts right before you slate Mr McNally please

"I think you have to be aware of the market and, I'll use that phrase again, it would be almost delinquent of the football club to not be aware of potential candidates if for any reason your manager left," he said.

That's what McNally said this week, following on from comments a couple of months ago when he basically said Hughton would be sacked as soon as they find themselves in the bottom 3, and i found it extremely disrespectful to Chris Hughton,who has done a superb job IMO.

How can you say he has shown faith in Chris Hughton with those public comments ?  

Your point on No.3 that Norwich has been "utter dog poopie for 18 months" really shows that your opinions aren't really worth challenging. But i will anyway. 11th place last year was outstanding considering the relative resources of Norwich and were they to finish in their current position (14th) this season,that would be outstanding.

i didn't know McNally had a bereavement. I wouldn't have mocked the crying if i did.

I've watched us week in week out for two years under Hughton, and trust me when I say this, we've been rubbish for the majority of it. Don't let one win against Spurs fool you.

Hughton should've gone long ago (for me, he's taken us backwards from the Lambert days despite huge investment) but he hasn't cos the board and McNally have shown amazing faith in him. A lot more than what other clubs have in their manager (Fulham especially). Sure on the face of it 11th last year was amazing but in reality we were very close to going down (some would say its lucky we faced two sides with nothing to play for near the end of the year, I don't buy that myself).

Chris Hughton really isn't the man to take us forward. He might keep us up this year, but with the investment in the summer, we really shouldn't be in the mess we're in right now

[Hammersmith harrier]

We're not going to be playing an open and expansive game so midfield cover is a must.

[mystiroakey]

We're not going to be playing an open and expansive game so midfield cover is a must.

true- but its not the way I would play..

maybe there is a case for playing gerrard , carrick and henderson.. but its really not the shape i want

i would much rather have a 3-1 front with Henderson and gerrard behind .

If we write the tourney off and just say- lets play some seriously good attacking footie I would be much happier.

Roy is going to try and keep that no lose competitive record up(in 90 mins)

[John Cregan]

Olly,

Perhaps it's the exhuberance of youth,but i admire your completely unrealistic expectations for Norwich City if you think "Hughton should've gone long ago".

[Mat]

And I thought RVW was magnificent today. Harried the CB's forcing numerous errors (one leading to the goal) and held the ball up well.

That's how he was performing before he got injured in October.

He did play well but I'd want a bit more than running around and hold-up play for what you paid for him. You could have got the same with Big Vic, but for less money and more goals   

[mystiroakey]

Houghton and Big sam are showing why the majority of the time its stupid to get rid of a manager.

Olly is just reactionary - as all off us can be when its about our own clubs

[John Cregan]

Houghton and Big sam are showing why the majority of the time its stupid to get rid of a manager.

Olly is just reactionary - as all off us can be when its about our own clubs

It's for that reason id like to see Cardiff,WBA & Fulham go down.............

[mystiroakey]

well i think sunderlands appointment of Poyet on reflection was ok. Palaces obviously was the pick of the Changes

I think at the other end- it was insane to get rid of AVB as well though. But i am pretty much alone on that one on here. But maybe after recent results some will change there minds

[John Cregan]

well i think sunderlands appointment of Poyet on reflection was ok. Palaces obviously was the pick of the Changes

I think at the other end- it was insane to get rid of AVB as well though. But i am pretty much alone on that one on here. But maybe after recent results some will change there minds

Di Canio shouldn't be allowed manage,so that was fine and while i thought Palace were hasty, Pulis has proven to be fantastic. The sacking of Steve Clarke, to me, sticks out as one of the worst decisions i've seen in years. 8th last year and doing reasonably well this year.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Look everyone knows my views on Hughton, its not reactionary, its been my view for ages. I think I can expect a lot better than what I've paid to see for 18-24 months now.

And yes Mat that's true, but my point is we don't create for our strikers so I've given up expecting 15+ goal seasons from them under this current regime, so am looking more at overall impact.

[Hammersmith harrier]

We're not going to be playing an open and expansive game so midfield cover is a must.

true- but its not the way I would play..

maybe there is a case for playing gerrard , carrick and henderson.. but its really not the shape i want

i would much rather have a 3-1 front with Henderson and gerrard behind .

If we write the tourney off and just say- lets play some seriously good attacking footie I would be much happier.

Roy is going to try and keep that no lose competitive record up(in 90 mins)

It's a big step up going from looking good against Swansea to performing like that against Italy, what is telling is how Henderson hasn't performed that well against the better teams in the league.

[mystiroakey]

Totemham and Everton???

[mystiroakey]

And didn't he also perform v arsenal,,

Swansea totally out run napoli as well..

if we play that 10 men behind the ball v Italy this time i will be supporting Holland,

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Houghton and Big sam are showing why the majority of the time its stupid to get rid of a manager.

Olly is just reactionary - as all off us can be when its about our own clubs

Were far from safe yet Mysti my man, don't think today's result justifies the clubs faith in Hughton. If we can push on over the coming month, then they shall be, but we had that chance post Hull win and didn't take it.

[GSC]

I disagree Myst. West Brom would've been relegated if they hasn't ditched Matteo for Woy. West Ham sticking with Grant didn't work out.

Sometimes a manager is just out of his depth and freshening up helps everyone. Big Sam obviously knows how to survive in the PL, Hughton always seemed more of a Championship level manager to me.

[John Cregan]

Houghton and Big sam are showing why the majority of the time its stupid to get rid of a manager.

Olly is just reactionary - as all off us can be when its about our own clubs

Were far from safe yet Mysti my man, don't think today's result justifies the clubs faith in Hughton. If we can push on over the coming month, then they shall be, but we had that chance post Hull win and didn't take it.

5 points from 5 games since the Hull win. Didn't lose any ground and still have a nice cushion. Wouldn't like to work for you Olly!

[GSC]

Losing to Cardiff and West Ham generally doesn't inspire confidence

[John Cregan]

Losing to Cardiff and West Ham generally doesn't inspire confidence

And you are conveniently leaving out a draw and win against Man City & Spurs. Maybe every manager whose team loses to Cardiff & West Ham in the same season should be sacked ?

[The Special Juan]

I was watching Sunday Supplement for 5 minutes this morning and they said Meulensteen was fired because of Ray Wilkins rather than Fulham's performances, or something along those lines. Is there any truth to that?

[mystiroakey]

Thoughts on Morrison?


west hams turn around hasn't been the return of Carroll but actually coincided with Morrison going on loan..who although looks by far the best hammer, could have affected the dressing room?

[John Cregan]

Thoughts on Morrison?


west hams turn around hasn't been the return of Carroll but actually coincided with Morrison going on loan..who although looks by far the best hammer, could have affected the dressing room?

Sounds like the lad could be a bit tricky to handle. Pity,he's got talent.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Losing to Cardiff and West Ham generally doesn't inspire confidence

And you are conveniently leaving out a draw and win against Man City & Spurs.  Maybe every manager whose team loses to Cardiff & West Ham in the same season should be sacked ?

Today was a great win, but I've seen these "great" wins a few times this season, and they've often been followed by disappointing runs of results against teams around us (lest we forget we somehow failed to beat Fulham on three occasions already this year). Villa away, Stoke home next two games. Need to be taking at least 4 points from those games.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Wow, talk about an overreaction to a fairly innocent comment! His comments have been open enough to interpretation to seem less than necessary about Hughton.

RVW looks about as potent as Soldado to me, works hard but Hooper is so much more dangerous

McNally clearly is right behind Hughton. He's had numerous chances to get rid, but hasn't. Of course he'd have other candidates in mind if he sacked Hughton, what club wouldn't have a plan B?! Media taking a few quotes, manipulating them, and blowing them out of context.

Just got to come out and do it properly, if hes gonna speak to the media (which arguably should be very rare) he needs to give a proper message

Well if you listen to the whole interview he gives that message, just doesn't do it in the sound bites the media want

So he does enough to give both negative and positive soundbites considering where your interest lies? Basically, hes covered his back for any eventuality

[westisbest]

Big big game next sunday.

No goals in 4 games now.

Pretty worrying times.
Benteke needs to buck his ideas up.
Needs to make runs in font of defenders and not standing behind them.
Today and Cardiff was the same.

Lambert made a big error not playing Gardner at the start of the season.

These guys like KEA/Sylla, Bacuna at right back, when we have a decnt right back,on the bench.
Feel sorry for Lowton.

Again, not using Albrighton, who has been our best player for a while.

Guzan has gone off the boil for a while.


Its days like today when i wish i supported another club, one where i'm not frustrated every week.
I know thats not the right thing to say, but annoyed at my team.

I do feel there is light at the end of the tunnel, but we need to make sure is a small tunnel and get to the light quickly.

Jesus whats it come to.

[John Cregan]

Losing to Cardiff and West Ham generally doesn't inspire confidence

And you are conveniently leaving out a draw and win against Man City & Spurs.  Maybe every manager whose team loses to Cardiff & West Ham in the same season should be sacked ?

Today was a great win, but I've seen these "great" wins a few times this season, and they've often been followed by disappointing runs of results against teams around us (lest we forget we somehow failed to beat Fulham on three occasions already this year). Villa away, Stoke home next two games. Need to be taking at least 4 points from those games.

"At least 4 points"..........With all due respect, with that sort of attitude,supporting Norwich City in the Premier League is going to leave you continually disappointed.

[Sponsored content]