Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'

by GSC Tue 06 May 2014, 10:51 am

First topic message reminder :

I wouldn't be upset, if it were limited to League 2 and below, and had a quota of English players with an age cap.

by JamesLincs Sun 11 May 2014, 9:42 pm

already picking chelsea for next season and the season after that

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 11 May 2014, 9:42 pm

City only used 21 players in the CL last season anyways

Shaw is overpriced, but you've got yourself a left back for a decade (barring a injury). Worth it

by compelling and rich Sun 11 May 2014, 9:52 pm

the thing with the restriction in numbers is you still need at least 8 "home grown" players registered in your champions league squad

city are not exactly stacked with home grown players, people like richards, rodwell, sinclair who may have been moving on may now have to stay. it will be some of the foreign players who will miss out in the squad

by **Hero** Sun 11 May 2014, 9:53 pm

There's a difference between using and being able to choose between, limiting cover etc.

by Fernando Sun 11 May 2014, 10:00 pm

Id laugh if Southampton went Nah you're alright come back with a better offer.

by **Hero** Sun 11 May 2014, 10:03 pm

I expect them to, or for Chelsea to gazump Utd.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 11 May 2014, 10:09 pm

Id be blooming surprised if they didnt. Who accepts the first offer these days?

by **Hero** Sun 11 May 2014, 10:11 pm

I don't think it'll be the only offer from Utd this week either.
I expect LVG to be announced tomorrow and official bids to be put in for Kroos and Reus.

by The Fourth Lion Sun 11 May 2014, 10:19 pm

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Not how it works any more Fourth Lion, the winners are given 40 medals to distribute as they wish.

I hadn't seen that anywhere, but it doesn't surprise me. This isn't a criticism of City, rather a comment on the increasingly shallow values that the game has now.

I suppose the odd ones left over in the box will be given to the sponsors.

by Hammersmith harrier Sun 11 May 2014, 10:21 pm

Think that might cover staff and players but not entirely sure, only Buttner and Lindegaard of the sub 10 lot last year received a medal I believe.

by Guest Sun 11 May 2014, 10:26 pm

Southampton will bide their time, wait for the bidding war to start. £32m-£35m is what I'd expect it to spiral up towards. Ridiculous fee but expected for English talent.

by compelling and rich Sun 11 May 2014, 10:34 pm

not sure chelsea will be in the mix, unlike us they have to be careful with FFP, they have lost most seasons apart from champions league winning season and there biggest priority is a new striker.

id be suprised if they go big for a LB when they have a player who already has done very well there this season as well as spending big on a CF. suppose it depends on who they get rid of

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 11 May 2014, 11:22 pm

Bellamy gets Cardiff's last goal in the Prem. Torres scores his last ever goal in English football.

Depressing day for Ashley Cole. Unsure whether he'll ever play for Chelsea again, wont ever play for England again.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 11 May 2014, 11:24 pm

3rd lowest scorers in Prem history, quite the achievement that

Also think you have to go down to level 9 of the pyramid to find a team that's scored less goals than us this year.

If you're gonna get relegated, you might as well do it properly

by mystiroakey Sun 11 May 2014, 11:28 pm

somehow with the help of gayle in the last two draws we got above you lot on goals scored.

TP had no plans to keep gayle. I am hoping he has changed his mind.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 11 May 2014, 11:42 pm

mystiroakey wrote:somehow with the help of gayle in the last two draws we got above you lot on goals scored.

TP had no plans to keep gayle. I am hoping he has changed his mind.

If he hasn't, wouldn't mind us taking him on loan for a bit...

Also like the look of that Nahki Wells at 'Huddersfield

by 1GrumpyGolfer Mon 12 May 2014, 2:31 am

The Fourth Lion wrote:
Hammersmith harrier wrote:Not how it works any more Fourth Lion, the winners are given 40 medals to distribute as they wish.

I hadn't seen that anywhere, but it doesn't surprise me. This isn't a criticism of City, rather a comment on the increasingly shallow values that the game has now.

I suppose the odd ones left over in the box will be given to the sponsors.

Commentary on one of the US channels during the preparation of the trophy presentation said that those that had 5 appearances would get a medal. But that's from a commentator so who knows how accurate that is.

by CFCNick Mon 12 May 2014, 8:02 am

Martin Tyler mentioned during the game yesterday that Richards hasn't played enough games to get a medal.

by CFCNick Mon 12 May 2014, 8:07 am

compelling and rich wrote:not sure chelsea will be in the mix, unlike us they have to be careful with FFP, they have lost most seasons apart from champions league winning season and there biggest priority is a new striker.

id be suprised if they go big for a LB when they have a player who already has done very well there this season as well as spending big on a CF. suppose it depends on who they get rid of

Yep. Before the Mata deal we were only going to scrape inside the limit by £5-10m. Then we got Matic.

We will have funds from selling one or two but we only need a striker. We'd have walked the league if we a real predator up top. Bloody Torres had a spell where he didn't have a shot for five games!!!!

by **Crimey** Mon 12 May 2014, 9:13 am

£27 million for Luke Shaw is ridiculously overpriced, even taking into account his age. Remember the last talented, England's left back for the next ten years...Wayne Bridge.

by compelling and rich Mon 12 May 2014, 9:34 am

bridge went backwards because he wasnt given the playing time, he was always a number two behind cole and even then when he moved on at city he wasnt first choice. shaw will get plenty of game time if he goes OT

i also never remember bridge looking as good as shaw has so far at his age

by GSC Mon 12 May 2014, 9:42 am

Tbh, if City come in its a no brainer for Shaw really. Chelsea seem to be priced out at 30m.

Ridiculous money for a LB mind.

by compelling and rich Mon 12 May 2014, 9:45 am

city already have two decent LB and are struggling to meet FFP, cant see why they would spend 30m on a third

by GSC Mon 12 May 2014, 9:54 am

Because FFP is a waste of time. Clichy and Kolarov arent long term solutions

by compelling and rich Mon 12 May 2014, 10:02 am

if city are going to spend big somewhere it will be CB, koloarov is only 28 and has improved recently. but there isnt many places city need big improvements. i dont think we'll see much of them in the transfer market other than a CB who sounds like it could be mangala

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 12 May 2014, 10:09 am

Everybody wants to join City though don't they GSC, no other clubs come into players minds other than being a mercenary for money.

by GSC Mon 12 May 2014, 10:12 am

City also have CL, more stability (who thought we'd ever say that) and greater chance of short and long term success

by **Crimey** Mon 12 May 2014, 10:25 am

Liverpool have made an offer for Adam Lallana. BBC not reporting how much, but you would expect it to be £20m+

Hopefully tie it up quickly otherwise can see a bidding war starting now. Took one day for Southampton to be bombarded it seems.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 12 May 2014, 10:27 am

I don't think City will ever have more stability than us, you're basing it all on one bad season when we had a manager who wasn't up to it.

by Ent Mon 12 May 2014, 10:43 am

Tbh 27 million should be getting you established world class in most positions, definitely in defense.

This deal will make him one of the most expensive teenagers, defenders and (I think) 2nd most expensive fullback ever after Alves.

Looks great if he turns out to be a good full back for 10+ years, looks terrible if he doesn't.

You could pick up someone in their mid 20s for half that then repeat the trick in 5 years time and spend the same money.

Fingers crossed anyway.

by GSC Mon 12 May 2014, 11:36 am

Right now City do. Regardless of what you think of Moyes, United have shown they're just like everybody else in that regard.

Lallana seems overkill imo, doesn't really address any areas that cost Liverpool the title.

by **Crimey** Mon 12 May 2014, 11:47 am

He addresses what will be the biggest problem next year though which is depth. I think the defensive problems are exaggerated by the media, struggled with injuries defensively, Chelsea and Manchester City have had a settled back four for much of the year.

by GSC Mon 12 May 2014, 11:51 am

Maybe but you'd be surprised if Southampton are selling for under 20m so thats expensive depth.

Ultimately Liverpool scored 1 less goal than City but conceded 13 more. Thats the problem area. Against Chelsea, they barely got out of their own half, but they looked like scoring every time imo. Some of its mentality, but its also coaching and organisation. Some basic errors cost Liverpool the title.

by **Crimey** Mon 12 May 2014, 11:58 am

Lallana would go straight into the first eleven you would think, he fits perfectly into the style and systems that Liverpool have been playing as well, he's also English so another homegrown player and a growing contingent of English stars. Then you have Coutinho, Allen and Lucas as depth. One of the big problems was a lack of options from the bench, with injuries there was often only one realistic option to come on as a substitute.

It was individual mistakes, they made about 20 more than the next nearest top four finish. I think the defence will be better once a settled back four is decided on, my choice would be Johnson, Skrtel, Agger and Enrique or a new left back. If that can stay fit than I think it's a very good back four. Sakho, Toure, Kelly and Flanagan as back up. I don't want the club to throw money at the defence because I don't new personnel is the answer, I think the exact opposite is true, needs some stability.

I would be happy with a transfer window that increased depth in all areas:

New forward as back up, I would keep Borini but Aspas will likely be sold, need back up to Suarez and Sturridge.
New central midfielder - Lallana plus one holding midfielder possibly, with a diamond there are four central midfielders, if Rodgers uses it next season, some more depth will be key.
Possibly replace Enrique. I like Enrique but his injuries are becoming more of an issue.

I think 3 or 4 players wouldn't be a bad window, I am wary of disrupting the balance of the squad which was fantastic last season. I know a big squad is perhaps needed to cover the added games, but I would prefer to see a talented core squad than a less talented wider squad.

by NickisBHAFC Mon 12 May 2014, 12:00 pm

City win the league, disgrace. Soo many forgien players, spent stupid amount of money. Can't imagine many neutral fans are happy.

Tony Pulis keeping up an average Championship team in style. Manager of the season for me.

United jokers of the season.

by GSC Mon 12 May 2014, 1:54 pm

Seems Reus has already shot down a United move.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/12/marco-reus-manchester-united-borussia-dortmund?CMP=twt_gu

by Ent Mon 12 May 2014, 2:32 pm

Fair play to him, I wouldn't join united either unless I supported them.

However, if united out a package together, perhaps with kagawa - Dortmund might accept and it may not be all down to him.

Lot of ifs and buts.

Real shame as he is a brilliant player and great to watch.

by **Hero** Mon 12 May 2014, 2:51 pm

He's the perfect poster boy for the no7 shirt too. I'd still be moving heaven and earth to try and bring him in.

by compelling and rich Mon 12 May 2014, 2:58 pm

wba sacked mel, not messing around this season are west brom

by GSC Mon 12 May 2014, 3:06 pm

They were my darkhorses for relegation this season, will be again next season under Hughton

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon 12 May 2014, 3:29 pm

Please please let them appoint Hughton

by **Mat** Mon 12 May 2014, 4:15 pm

Where's Nick? I thought he'd have started the Justice for Steve Clarke campaign posts by now.

by GSC Mon 12 May 2014, 4:19 pm

I kinda want Brighton to hire Clarke

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon 12 May 2014, 4:37 pm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10825244/Crystal-Palace-to-make-5m-summer-bid-for-Norwich-City-goalkeeper-John-Ruddy.html

And so it begins...

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Mon 12 May 2014, 4:47 pm

They always tell me how well WBA are run. Peace knows his stuff. Such a clever club.

by Duty281 Mon 12 May 2014, 4:48 pm

I have no clue why West Brom appointed such a bang average manager in the first place. Back to Spain you go.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Mon 12 May 2014, 4:54 pm

To be fair to him, he kept them up. He had to adapt to a new squad in a new league in a new country and do the hardest job. He could only implement short term measures as long term plans clearly were on hold. We don't know how good a manager Mel is, but we do know that he did what was required of him immediately.

by Rowley Mon 12 May 2014, 4:59 pm

Tend to agree Dolphin, taking over a team mid season is never easy. My guess would be his brief was to keep them up. Given he has acheived that can't help but feel he deserved a little longer at the helm.

by Atila Mon 12 May 2014, 5:04 pm

Daily Mail is saying that Luke Shaw is going to United.

by mystiroakey Mon 12 May 2014, 5:04 pm

Olly wrote:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10825244/Crystal-Palace-to-make-5m-summer-bid-for-Norwich-City-goalkeeper-John-Ruddy.html

And so it begins...

What is it with TP.

he has been saying how good hennesey and speroni are for ages..

Speroni has another 2 years minimum in him at the top level and Hennessey is a great no.2. Yet I think TP wants speroni out!

Why are we going to use that much of our budget on a goalie.

TP loves clean sheets... But please worry about some back up defenders first FFS

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