Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'

[monty junior]

First topic message reminder :

It is kind of weird CS that Duty considers us an elite club and the quality of players (that Wenger has signed) and our CL football as the main reasons, but then he considers Wenger a failure. It looks like a logical inconsistency to me. And I can't name 10 clubs in Europe bigger or better than we are.

Bigger - Manchester United, Liverpool, AC Milan
Better - Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich, Dortmund/Napoli.

There we go. The first three have better history and are a "bigger" club in that respect. The other seven are just...better.

Is that why Napoli got knocked of our CL group. Dortmund is nowhere near the team they were earlier in the year when we played in CL in terms of injuries and we split with them. If you really want to measure we have to look at criteria. If it is "better" I disagree certainly with regards to Dortmund and Napoli as of right now or throughout the season. Dortmund is behind Schalke and Leverkusen and neither one of those teams are all that mighty this year. Here are the teams if I am ranking the "better" aspect

1. Bayern
2. real
3. Barca
4. Chelsea
5. PSG
6. Juventus
7. Man City
8. Atleti
9. Arsenal

So Arsenal are in the top 10, even if you would rate Dortmund who is on the skids right now as being better, which I don't. Liverpool would have a fair shout right now at coming in ahead of us. That would still put us in the top 10 in terms of quality.

Dortmund are a fairly comfortable second now and are almost certainly in to the CL quarters. Depends what you regard as elite, for me the word elite is the very very best like Bayern, Real, Barca even Man U, teams who have a history of domestic and European domination. Arsenal are the level below, certainly no disgrace.

[mystiroakey]

Never change a winning side..,

Fergie did it all the time. BUt Moyes Aint no Fergie!

[Hammersmith harrier]

Moyes doesn't seem to know what to do in the big games, he doesn't set the team up to contain or attack, he tries to do a bit of both which doesn't work. Fergie did get it wrong from time to time but we had a clear gameplan each game, there's no balance in the team.

[mystiroakey]

On the plus side- united did have a good 20 min spell. 
Carrick played nicely. The lads tried- but yeah still no real system that can ever trouble the best..

when you look at players like fernadinhio, nasri, toure and the ball just sticks to there feet its just another level midfield..

But why was Toure given so much space all the time.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Never change a winning side..,

Fergie did it all the time. BUt Moyes Aint no Fergie!

He had his squad and knew exactly what role each and every one of them had, his use of Park is the perfect example, he was a big game player who would stick to his task no matter what. His performance against Chelsea in 2011 summed him up, he would run, run and run all day but when needed could pick out a telling pass, a containing player with a little bit of attacking flair. Now we look at Fellaini and Cleverley, what are their roles in the team exactly?

[mystiroakey]

well united did look a lot more organised with cleverley on. and fellani to his credit(as bad as his technique is- i mean he makes some english lumps look like messi- thats how bad his touch is) did really wind some of the citeh players up.

Kagawa just can't play PL games - fine in europe- not in the PL. he adds nothing at all.

[NickisBHAFC]

United were laughable tonight, just as laughable as Flamani as a player as whole.

Everton. Ross Barkley wow, if he doesn't start at the World Cup then i despair.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Nick's here

[mystiroakey]

Dolphs here.

right about time- sky about to show highlights of everton.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

You got my point, Mysti, if it isnt trolling then its sheer nonsense (well both) from the lad

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Wow Everton right on the tails of Arsenal for that fourth spot, 6 pts behind with an game in hand, Arsenal gotta go to Goodison yet...

If they lose to Citeh at the weekend then its on big time

[mystiroakey]

big time on. Come on everton.....

yes I am very fickle with my second team.. hahaha.

barkley scores a school lunch time special goal..

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Utd fans abused Fergie last night according to the Guardian

Cos what's he ever done for them

[Guest]

Wenger will go after the F.A Cup, it's time. They look mentally & physically gone now. As for United, truly embarrassing. There's no understanding of formation, no direction of improvement & Moyes continues to sit there looking clueless. Love it how he worked on a formation all week & then it went to pieces after 1 minute & the formation after 5 mins. Fellaini was abysmal, Rafael emphatically terrible & Cleverley moved to the right wing....  

Great result for Everton, I wasn't expecting anything from the game after seeing us vs Palace. The contrast between a team with something to play for & a team wanting the summer could not be more evident last night. Some cracking games coming up in that race for fourth.

[kingraf]

Confession time - I've bet against United in almost every game they've played this season, but because of betting odds... I've made an absolute killing
#ThankYouMoyes

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

The almighty Nodge have a better home record than Utd this season!

Where have all the Arsenal fans gone?

[mystiroakey]

The almighty Nodge have a better home record than Utd this season!

Where have all the Arsenal fans gone?

I have jumped ship hehe..

sod em..

Up the Palace(first)- Its in my blood - will never waiver

Everton and Southampton my No 2's

And liverpool for the PL.

[Stella]

Will Fellaini get a ban after last nights elbow?

As for the game. The men beat the boys.

[GSC]

No, he was booked

[Stella]

No, he was booked

Aah, so now because the ref saw it, nothing more can happen? Lucky boy!

[GSC]

I can't bring myself to support Liverpool for the title.

[mystiroakey]

Whys that GSC?

Who are you rooting for?

[GSC]

Rather City.

Too many unlikable people at Liverpool.

Likewise, Chelsea are a very unlovable club under Jose

[mystiroakey]

I have to support a team that incorporates English players.

When ever milner comes on he looks really good and could aid many teams yet rarely plays(understandable from citeh's pov as they have so much quality), and then what is going on with lescott and rodwell?
at least barry is out on loan

[Ent]

City or Chelsea for me, we aren't competitive and they've won it recently so I don't mind them as much.

How pathetic united have been all season is summed up by the first goal.

2 centre halfs watch dzeko head down a ball uncontested.

Evra just stands and watches winger, neither making a challenge, showing him the line or blocking a pass. Winger doesn't double up.

All our midfielders stand and watch as all their midfielders are goal side of them.

Cleverly just stands and watches silva run into the box, fellaini lets him run away from him.

Jones runs away from the ball leaving a huge gap.

Nobody tracks dzeko when Nasri shoots.

All in all one of the worst goals you will ever see conceded.

[mystiroakey]

The problem was tbh that rafael made the challenge and thgen no one took his place tracking the right.

Not really sure why rafael wasnt on djeko and why jones didnt block nasri. But anyway - bad defending and players not fitting in for others out of position

[Liam]

Just a mess really at utd. Last night showed why the squad has need reinforcement for some time. Fergie squeezed every last ounce out of Rio and Evra last season, and even then I thought Evra was poor. Last night they were quite frankly rubbish and clearly past it, so not much Moyes can do although I think he should have stuck with Buttner considering he'll probably be playing against Bayern.

We have zero dynamism in midfield with Fellaini and Carrick, both far too static with no drive in them at all. Compare that to City with Toure and Fernandihno. We realistically need 2 cm's in the summer, one box-to-box kind and one creative. Ideally, they are Gundongan and Kroos but the chances of getting those two are slim to say the least.

We have no pace on the wings apart from Januzaj who I can only assume is being rested for Bayern. Two players who fit the bill for me are Greizeman and Reus but again I can't see us getting either. The more games that pass, the more I just can't see the logic in keeping Moyes on. There's been zero improvement and although the squad is probably barely a 4th placed side there is no reason why we should be getting cast aside like we have been all season by the top 4 teams.

[Ent]

For a team that won the championship and then spent 64 million on players losing 10 games in the league is just terrible.

Just so many poorly performing and generally useless players.

Ferguson got so much more out of these players, the likes of Hernandez barely plays and he scored nearly 20 goals last season.

[mystiroakey]

Moyes didn't look well in that last post match interview.. Maybe this job was allways a poisoned chalice.

he needs out as much as united need him out tbh.

I dont buy the concept of given him another 100 plus mill to spend.

take the pressure of him as he looks really ill and accept the team isn't a top side or get rid and bring in a man that has a very clear vision on his own style management. hopefully a player that can coerce his own players along with him. moyes picked the wrong man in fellani.

[Ent]

Well we all knew that, he's useless.

God knows why he signed him.

[NickisBHAFC]

I would love it if Liverpool won the league, either them or Arsenal.

Citeh 100% not, they have stupid amount of money and they should be walking the league. 

Chelsea, do like Jose, but i find the whole club a bit arrogant. 

Arsenal, funny to watch them screw up, but they do things the right way.

Liverpool, brilliant to watch, Rodgers has done a brilliant job since day one and knows what he wanted to do. I think this season has gone way better than expected and his "project" is ahead of schedule. Also funny that he can prove his critics wrong. Steven Gerrard also deserves a premership medal IMO.

[mystiroakey]

Hernandez last season was awesome- he was part of so many come backs.

It seems like a lifetime away. But do you lot remember how many times united went behind and then brought it back and won second half. It happened countless times last year. tactical genius really. The first halfs showing that the team may not have been amazing- but then fergie sussed out the playing style and made the adjustments needed to beat the team from analysing the half. Hernadez was on his way to becoming the new Olle Gunner.

[mystiroakey]

I would love it if Liverpool won the league, either them or Arsenal.

Citeh 100% not, they have stupid amount of money and they should be walking the league. 

Chelsea, do like Jose, but i find the whole club a bit arrogant. 

Arsenal, funny to watch them screw up, but they do things the right way.

Liverpool, brilliant to watch, Rodgers has done a brilliant job since day one and knows what he wanted to do. I think this season has gone way better than expected and his "project" is ahead of schedule. Also funny that he can prove his critics wrong. Steven Gerrard also deserves a premership medal IMO.

decent post for me. 

GSC that isnt a wum or nonsense. Nick can talk sense.. Unless its about palace and then FEEL FREE to berate the poor championship fans soul

[Dolphin Ziggler]

He CAN talk sense. Its just he often doesnt.

Personally, I want City to win the league, if not then Chelsea. They are still easily the best two teams in the league.

[socal1976]

The almighty Nodge have a better home record than Utd this season!

Where have all the Arsenal fans gone?

We are still here, where have you gone Olly.

Terrible performance by the gunners. That second goal was a bit of bad luck that could have been avoided if someone tracked the run from the edge of the box. Flamini was late in covering the run but pretty unfortunate Scz smacked the ball off his leg and back into the goal. A pretty tough break.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Kind of break bad defending deserves though

[socal1976]

Arsenal in big trouble right now, just 6 point in front of Everton with Everton holding a game in hand and Arsenal having to go to Goodison park still. This season should have never been a fight for 4th but frankly, and no one will like me saying there has been a huge amount of injuries to our best players. Arsene better figure out why it is this keeps happening over and over again.

[socal1976]

Kind of break bad defending deserves though

I agree, Flamini or someone needed to track that simple 1-2 run from the edge of the box I mean everyone could see that move developing from a mile away.

[mystiroakey]

well look you have been in much worse positions and still got top 4. still huge favs for it. swansea allways play better v passing teams.

[socal1976]

well look you have been in much worse positions and still got top 4. still huge favs for it. swansea allways play better v passing teams.

I am kind of scratching my head at why Giroud was subbed for Sanago and why Wenger didn't bring on an extra defender late in the game like he has in past matches. I think frankly we need to get Ozil and Ramsey back, at many times in that match we just didn't look like we had any ideas. Podolski needs to be out there as he got us back in the match singlehandedly. I don't know why Arsene does play him more. He has one of the best left foots in the world, still can run, and is strong and industrious whenever I have watched him.

[mystiroakey]

poldiski really shone out didnt he.

even wilshire all though not been brilliant this season gets in the face of the opposition.. has a bit of grit, not many of your players bar ramsey have that tbh. thas all you need a bit of fight- get a bit dirty sometimes..wind the opoosition up..

[Atila]

I would love it if Liverpool won the league, either them or Arsenal.

Citeh 100% not, they have stupid amount of money and they should be walking the league. 

Chelsea, do like Jose, but i find the whole club a bit arrogant. 

Arsenal, funny to watch them screw up, but they do things the right way.

Liverpool, brilliant to watch, Rodgers has done a brilliant job since day one and knows what he wanted to do. I think this season has gone way better than expected and his "project" is ahead of schedule. Also funny that he can prove his critics wrong. Steven Gerrard also deserves a premership medal IMO.

I wonder how good Liverpool will be next season if they don't win the title this year. I feel that they have overachieved this year just like in 2009 when they finished second to United with only 2 defeats. I could be wrong though and they could be serious title contenders for the next few years. Next year should be interesting.

[socal1976]

poldiski really shone out didnt he.

even wilshire all though not been brilliant this season gets in the face of the opposition.. has a bit of grit, not many of your players bar ramsey have that tbh. thas all you need a bit of fight- get a bit dirty sometimes..wind the opoosition up..

We desperately need to improve our form and get some of these players that are out in the mix and with enough match experience to win the FA cup and secure the Champions league. On current form I could see us losing to Wigan or hull, we haven't played a really good match since Everton and that was the first good match we had played in awhile.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

If I had any confidence in Arsenal rectifying their problems in the summer then I'd still be perfectly fine with this season. But it really is 50/50 with them whether they'll get the right business done

[compelling and rich]

lets face it this supposed title challenging arsenal team are lucky to get fourth this year, any other year and they'd be well out of it because of uniteds form. and even last years spurs side would have pipped them as for large parts this season they have been awful

i want chelsea to win the league, even despite my hatred of mourinho. its still better than city (whom lots of my mates are) and certainly better than liverpool. theres not a single chelsea fan i know, so if they won it, i can at least sit t'up north in peace

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I dont accept that and I dont even like Arsenal

[Ent]

Hernandez last season was awesome- he was part of so many come backs.

It seems like a lifetime away. But do you lot remember how many times united went behind and then brought it back and won second half. It happened countless times last year. tactical genius really. The first halfs showing that the team may not have been amazing- but then fergie sussed out the playing style and made the adjustments needed to beat the team from analysing the half. Hernadez was on his way to becoming the new Olle Gunner.

Ferguson got more out of every player except Rooney. They didn't all get old or become bad players over night. It's ridiculous.

[Liam]

ent,

ferdinand
vidic
evra

old players who are past it and looked past it last season. the writing was on the wall with these 3, and they've been badly exposed this season, especially evra.

I'd say Carrick has been dissapointing this season also. We lack a robson/keane in the middle along with a scholes, positions that should have been sorted a long time ago and now we're paying for it. We have no chance of getting Kroos/Gundongen in the summer imo. I think we missed a trick this summer by not getting Strootman. Until his injury he has been outstanding for roma this season and is exactly the player utd needed, plus he's only young.

[compelling and rich]

vidic barely played last season and rio was already showing massive signs of ageing (spurs game anyone). and evra has looked poor for a few seasons, so not sure how suddenly our form is due down to them. seems people keep trying to make excuses for moyes incompetence

[Dolphin Ziggler]

You've just made some for him. I do think it was obvious Rio, Vidic and Evra werent up to it. But Moyes wanted to assess his squad, combined with the transfers in the summer being poorly handled it all went a bit wrong. Give it time.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

West Ham pick the same team that watched Man United beat them on Saturday. Awful

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