Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

Superb by Mourinho. When are Liverpool at their most dangerous? The first thirty minutes of games; that is, generally, when they tear teams apart.

Not allowed to do that today, though, even against a very weakened Chelsea side. Liverpool didn't get a clear chance all game, and one costly, costly error gave Chelsea what they needed.

That and frustration, as Liverpool rapidly ran out of ideas and invention.

Back in City's hands now - another title won on goal difference?

[skyeman]

Went for a Sunderland, City win today and a draw Pool/Chelsea.

Never can get football right  

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Liverpool need to sort out there defence first and foremost

[Crimey]

I also think Liverpool were shown up for their lack of squad depth today.  They have something like 13 good players, the rest are either youth players or plain terrible (Aspas).  Unless they invest in the summer and buy 5 squad players, European football will take its toll and I'd be very surprised to see them back in the top 4 next season.

They'll buy players. Rodgers can be questioned in the transfer market slightly, but he won't be in the bargain bin as much this summer.

He seems to find a good player in about every four transfers he makes. I'm not very confident in him in the transfer market, Sturridge and Coutinho were fantastic signings, Mignolet a good one, other than that I have been thoroughly disappointed with his transfers. 

Allen, Borini, Aspas, Cissokho, Moses, Toure, Assaidi, Alberto, Sakho have all been poor or not really had much of a chance to impress.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Mourinho's the greatest defensive manager I've ever seen (that's a genuine compliment, not a backhanded one).  The way he sets up his team and ensures every single player has a role is pretty marvellous.  

However, it's very, very boring.  It's one of the main reasons I wouldn't have him at United; football, for the fans, is about enjoyment (as someone correctly said).  I couldn't pay to watch that every week.  Liverpool have been a revelation this season and I hope they go on and win it still.

Go back to May 2011, biggest game of the season at home to Chelsea, potential title decider, did we sit back and protect the 3 point lead we had in the title race, hell no we came out the blocks that day as a team on a mission. Park and Valencia destroyed Cole and Ivanovic with a combination of pace, power and guile, performances like that are to be enjoyed and remembered, had we sat back and contained Chelsea it would have been forgettable.

[Crimey]

Liverpool need to sort out there defence first and foremost

While we concede a lot of goals I think that pretty much goes with the territory of the kind of football that Rodgers wants the team to play. The back four of Johnson, Skrtel, Agger and Enrique was one of the best only two years ago. Since then they have never really all been fully fit together. That would be my preferred back four, but I think with the money spent on him, Rodgers will favour Sakho who I don't rate. For me a new left back would go nicely and that should be fine if we can keep the players fit.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

But then what of the Premier League's best player Flanagan?

[CFCNick]

Mourinho's the greatest defensive manager I've ever seen (that's a genuine compliment, not a backhanded one).  The way he sets up his team and ensures every single player has a role is pretty marvellous.  

However, it's very, very boring.  It's one of the main reasons I wouldn't have him at United; football, for the fans, is about enjoyment (as someone correctly said).  I couldn't pay to watch that every week.  Liverpool have been a revelation this season and I hope they go on and win it still.

Go back to May 2011, biggest game of the season at home to Chelsea, potential title decider, did we sit back and protect the 3 point lead we had in the title race, hell no we came out the blocks that day as a team on a mission. Park and Valencia destroyed Cole and Ivanovic with a combination of pace, power and guile, performances like that are to be enjoyed and remembered, had we sat back and contained Chelsea it would have been forgettable.

You didn't need to sit back. David Luiz slipped and let Hernandez score in the first 40 seconds. We should have never been in that title race. We nearly pulled an epic swindle but it wasn't ours to lose.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Mourinho's the greatest defensive manager I've ever seen (that's a genuine compliment, not a backhanded one).  The way he sets up his team and ensures every single player has a role is pretty marvellous.  

However, it's very, very boring.  It's one of the main reasons I wouldn't have him at United; football, for the fans, is about enjoyment (as someone correctly said).  I couldn't pay to watch that every week.  Liverpool have been a revelation this season and I hope they go on and win it still.

Go back to May 2011, biggest game of the season at home to Chelsea, potential title decider, did we sit back and protect the 3 point lead we had in the title race, hell no we came out the blocks that day as a team on a mission. Park and Valencia destroyed Cole and Ivanovic with a combination of pace, power and guile, performances like that are to be enjoyed and remembered, had we sat back and contained Chelsea it would have been forgettable.

You didn't need to sit back. David Luiz slipped and let Hernandez score in the first 40 seconds. We should have never been in that title race. We nearly pulled an epic swindle but it wasn't ours to lose.

The point still stands Nick, we lose that game we probably lose the title on goal difference, we didn't sit back and defend after scoring we went straight for the jugular something the fans wanted, something the fans enjoy.

[Duty281]

Fabio Borini is a lovely player.

Needs a chance at Liverpool next season and, I hope, for Italy at this World Cup.

Isn't he dreamy?

[kingraf]

Doody you need to stop rating players on their looks.

[Guest]

Fabio Borini is a lovely player.

Needs a chance at Liverpool next season and, I hope, for Italy at this World Cup.

Isn't he dreamy?

Well he floated my boat last week Duty.

Temp-Bi-Guy!

[Duty281]

Damn.

If Borini scores a last minute winner against England this summer, I'm not going to mind too much.

[Duty281]

Fabio Borini is a lovely player.

Needs a chance at Liverpool next season and, I hope, for Italy at this World Cup.

Isn't he dreamy?

Well he floated my boat last week Duty.

Temp-Bi-Guy!

Ooooh, I say.   

[Guest]

Fabio Borini is a lovely player.

Needs a chance at Liverpool next season and, I hope, for Italy at this World Cup.

Isn't he dreamy?

Well he floated my boat last week Duty.

Temp-Bi-Guy!

Ooooh, I say.   

I did tweet his missus and told her to give him one from me.

[The Special Juan]

Mourinho's the greatest defensive manager I've ever seen (that's a genuine compliment, not a backhanded one).  The way he sets up his team and ensures every single player has a role is pretty marvellous.  

However, it's very, very boring.  It's one of the main reasons I wouldn't have him at United; football, for the fans, is about enjoyment (as someone correctly said).  I couldn't pay to watch that every week.  Liverpool have been a revelation this season and I hope they go on and win it still.

We don't play like that every week though.

That's true.  It'll be interesting to see how they line up against Atletico.

[Crimey]

Mourinho's the greatest defensive manager I've ever seen (that's a genuine compliment, not a backhanded one).  The way he sets up his team and ensures every single player has a role is pretty marvellous.  

However, it's very, very boring.  It's one of the main reasons I wouldn't have him at United; football, for the fans, is about enjoyment (as someone correctly said).  I couldn't pay to watch that every week.  Liverpool have been a revelation this season and I hope they go on and win it still.

We don't play like that every week though.

That's true.  It'll be interesting to see how they line up against Atletico.

Better than today because a win is necessary, I doubt they'll be wasting time immediately. They will sit back and defend for sure, but I think their performance will likely be much better and they will be set up better.

[NickisBHAFC]

What a weekend in the Prem and i miss most of it! However did see my first live ever Premership game and think i may of found a new favourite player in Danny Rose. Lovely header, wound up all the home fans, put in a good shift. My kind of player.

Liverpool may have blown the title.

Sunderland really have given themselves hope.

Ryan Giggs is a chap.

Southampton have handed 4th to Arsenal.

[J.Benson II]

Liverpool just have to dust themselves off and get a result in their next two games which they ought to.
Two wins should see them taking home the league as I can see City dropping points at Everton.

[skyeman]

Depends which Everton turn up?

From the last three games, hard to tell!

[GSC]

Liverpool were shocking defensively. Rodgers can't sit there and moan about Mourinho going all defense when he goes all attack I'm afraid. Chelsea looked threatening with almost every attack in the 2nd half and with a more potent striker probably would've.

[AberdeenSteve]

Talking about signings, and seeing as we are coming to the end of the season.

Whose been the signing of the season?

For me, I'll probably be judged for this, but I'd go to say Tony Pulis. I know he isn't a player, but when you talk about people making a difference then you can look no further than Pulis. When he took over Palace were certainties to go down, now they can dream of a top 10 finish. Inspired bit of business from Palace.

[skyeman]

And the thought of Liverpool winning the League   Just saying.

[J.Benson II]

Depends which Everton turn up?

From the last three games, hard to tell!

They seem to turn up against the better teams - they've beaten Chelsea, United and Arsenal at Goodison this year. A draw won't be good enough for City if Liverpool win their remaining two. I still think its Liverpool's title if they win their last two games even though its in City's hands now.

[GSC]

Now Mourinho can take it too far, and he did against Atletico midweek when Chelsea didn't bother attacking. But today he got more balanced and to be honest, Chelsea looked more threatening.

Too many times Gerrard would get it in space facing goal and either play it into a crowd or shoot straight at Schwarzer. Even ignoring the slip he was Liverpools worst player today.

[J.Benson II]

Talking about signings, and seeing as we are coming to the end of the season.

Whose been the signing of the season?

For me, I'll probably be judged for this, but I'd go to say Tony Pulis. I know he isn't a player, but when you talk about people making a difference then you can look no further than Pulis. When he took over Palace were certainties to go down, now they can dream of a top 10 finish. Inspired bit of business from Palace.

I can't think of a signing (in terms of only players) that has made a huge difference this season. Of course, they've been some good signings but not one that has stood out as really dramatically improving a team.

[westisbest]

Great end to the season.

3 teams that can still win the league.

And what 6/7 teams fighting to stay up.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Now Mourinho can take it too far, and he did against Atletico midweek when Chelsea didn't bother attacking. But today he got more balanced and to be honest, Chelsea looked more threatening.

Too many times Gerrard would get it in space facing goal and either play it into a crowd or shoot straight at Schwarzer. Even ignoring the slip he was Liverpools worst player today.

Coutinho would run him close, he was awful

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Signing of the season is hard. Eriksen is Spurs' best player, but he's not had enough of an impact on their position for it to count. Quiet but effective Fernandinho? Willian? Arguably Puncheon. I suppose Lukaku, Barry and McCarthy all look great bits of business.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

BONY BONY BONY BONY

[Crimey]

I think it's probably Fernandinho, but I think a lot will depend on what Manchester City end up with at the end of the season, as hindsight will make a huge difference. I think he's made their team much better balanced, he's basically performing about three roles and has made Yaya Toure much better than he was the year before. If Manchester City end up with only the Capitol One Cup though it won't look like he has made much difference as they will have barely improved.

Christian Eriksen has stood out in an awful season for Tottenham amongst some really bad first seasons for their signings, but he's only been good in short bursts and hasn't made much of an impact on their season really. 

Gareth Barry has been a really good signing but not sure that as a loan signing that he can really be judged as signing of the season. James McCarthy has done really well but not sure he's had an exceptional season, he's been a key reason why Martinez has been able to evolve Everton's style though, if they had Fellaini still instead I can't see it being as successful. Lukaku has been quite good, but not as good as he was the year before for West Brom and I'm not sure they will be desperate to get him back, particularly if there is a good forward on the market, Hernandez?

Alvaro Negredo looked dead on up until about Christmas, he has struggled in the second half of the season, suffered because of Aguero's injuries as their partnership was fantastic. 

Wilfried Bony is another that has had a good season but only really in bursts, not sure he suits Swansea's style either. 

This season hasn't been a good one for the new signings, so many have struggled.

[Guest]

Team of the Year : Cech, Shaw, Coleman, Kompany, Cahill, Lallana, Hazard, Yaya Toure, Gerrard, Suarez & Sturridge.

I would of gone Azpilicueta instead of Shaw & probably not Gerrard.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Cech?! I'd have gone a lot of keepers over him, Azpilicueta has been the best full back in the Prem so him over Shaw, otherwise thats pretty fair

[Champagne_Socialist]

Team of the Year : Cech, Shaw, Coleman, Kompany, Cahill, Lallana, Hazard, Yaya Toure, Gerrard, Suarez & Sturridge.

I would of gone Azpilicueta instead of Shaw & probably not Gerrard.

ramsey???

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Team of the Year : Cech, Shaw, Coleman, Kompany, Cahill, Lallana, Hazard, Yaya Toure, Gerrard, Suarez & Sturridge.

I would of gone Azpilicueta instead of Shaw & probably not Gerrard.

ramsey???

He's been injured too long really to be considered I'd say

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Cech ahead of Marshall is a joke

[NickisBHAFC]

Cech i am very surprised about that.

Maybe would of had Skirtel ahead of Kompany, but apart from that its fair enough.

[AberdeenSteve]

My team would have been;

Marshall
Coleman-Kompany-Koscielny-Azpilicueta
Hazard-Lallana-Toure-Fernandinho
Sturridge-Suarez

[GSC]

Easier to stand out as a keeper in a dump side

[skyeman]

Easier to stand out as a keeper in a dump side

Aye, so give it to David de Gea.

[GSC]

The same applies

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I wouldnt say Cech has had a better year than De Gea, Marshall, Mannone (to some extent), Chesney, Begovic, Krul. Hes been alright, but I wouldnt be surprised to see him replaced next year which indicates hes not been great.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Easier to stand out as a keeper in a dump side

Doesnt really matter if hes performed well though does it? Easier to score goals as a striker in a good side, doesnt mean Suarez is actually crap cos he'd have got half the goals if he'd been at Fulham

[skyeman]

de Gea has actually been the keeper that Fergie thought he would be after the shaky first season.

I think he could be one, if not the best in the world quite soon.

Robbie savage can then eat his hat. Again!!

[Gregers]

De Gea
Coleman Terry Kompany Azpilicueta
Hazard Yaya Matic Lallana
Suarez Sturridge

That would be mine, although not sure it would work as a real life team

[skyeman]

So for me. Utd have de Gea, Raphael, Mata, Rooney an RVP for top quality next season.

Five or six quality new players needed during the break. £150 mil should do it. Then the next best could make up quite a good subs bench.


PS Sell Fellaini for a tenner.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

If Allardyce stays we'll bid for Fellaini

[sportform]

I was not surprised that Liverpool lost today. They are a counter attacking team that hit other teams on the break with the likes of Sturridge, Suarez and Sterling. When up against a top defence they struggled to break it down.

Chelsea should have really won by more if Demba Ba had been able to put a few better placed passes through.

[sportform]

I love the way the so-called pundits said that Gerrard slipped when he clearly failed to control the ball. The experts won't say anything against the 'saintly' Steve. No wonder England never win anything. I can't wait for the World Cup when Gerrard drops back to take the ball of the centre back, fails to spot the simple pass, then looks to hoof the ball 50 yards down the pitch to not anyone.

[skyeman]

If Allardyce stays we'll bid for Fellaini

Hope Sam does and if so bid a score for Fellaini, that should outbid the others  

[Duty281]

Steve Gerrard, Gerrard,
He once ate 150 tubs of lard,
But he's still thinner than Frank Lampard,
Steve Gerrard, Gerrard.

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