We Go Again! The 2014/15 Premier League Thread

[Dolphin Ziggler]

First topic message reminder :

Well, as I started one for the Championship, it seems now is the time for the Premier League 2014/15 thread to begin!

We have all our teams, with Leicester, Burnley and QPR replacing Cardiff, Fulham and Norwich. Can City retain, can United break into the top four, how will Liverpool cope with Champions League football. All this and more can be discussed as we see how the transfers, the rumours, the World Cup and everything else make an impact on the Premier League before it all kicks off?

I'll open it up...the Telegraph, Sky Sports and others report Pochettino is top of Spurs' shortlist and could be unveiled in the next week. Thoughts? Sounds the perfect fit to me. Some suggesting he'll bring Rodriguez with him, although that sounds like immediate clutching to me.

[mystiroakey]

Is Morrison going to stick at QPR - Arry wants him doesn't he. This could be your biggest ever mistake bar the one you made buying carrol.

[compelling and rich]

letting morrison go will be a massive mistake, where have i heard that before    

so far morrison has proven nobody wrong

[mystiroakey]

best english talent in the game- maybe arry would be perfect for him

[Dolphin Ziggler]

He wasnt before, so I doubt he will be if he goes back. The lad has been welcomed back though, seems like it was just a plan to get him games whilst we went into Nolan only overdrive.

I'd imagine this will be the last season Nolan is a nailed on guy. Allardyce is likely gone at the end of the season anyway.

Defence I'm pretty happy with. Reid is arguably the best centre back outside the big boys and Tomkins is doing alright for himself lately. Demel probably on his last year, Cresswell is the only worry as he's stepping up and will bomb forward a lot more than usual for our full backs. Could rock the boat, but if Kouyate is finally the defensive midfielder we need then it looks rosy. He's the upgrade on Matt Taylor who was no frills but hard work. Not a lot to live up to in that regard! Taylor has gone to Burnley since we released him.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

[mystiroakey]

how embarrassing is that!!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

#wegoagain
#dontletthisslip

[Hero]

It isn't even correct either.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_football_clubs_in_England_by_major_honours_won

Utd 62
Liverpool 60

[CFCNick]

I thought Liverpool wasn't part of England???

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Don't worry. this is as bad http://instagram.com/p/qM-WZaHNes/

[Ent]

So united have just signed a £750 million pound 10 year deal with Adidas apparently.

[mystiroakey]

No wonder Man U have been trying to tie down so many Germans over the last couple of years... No joy and probably less now.

Anyway

Palace trying tgo buy 8m players like its normal for us!!

Caulker first and looks a done deal as the betting sites have suspended the move to palace..

Gylfi Sigurdsson is next on the list.

Did he play much last season- i cant really remember. Is he worth it, or at the least worth buying(as we have to pay over the odds)

[GSC]

Sigurdsson is a good player but I don't know if he'd fit under Pulis.

Kinda saw this before with Pulis, attempting to sign more skilful players, didn't really work.

[mystiroakey]

I am ging to remain positive GSC- It will work with palace, we arnt that completely one dimensional stoke team.

[Ent]

They've showed new dimensions under Hughes.

Inflation has occurred in the transfer market with new TV deal doubling the money - £8 million transfers for lower teams going to become the norm or more common anyway.

[mystiroakey]

we will see if pulis can push on -I would be wary to think hughes is this and pulis is that.

And football is moving forward in a more organised way it would seem if we look at chelsea, athleticos(one off team) and the world cup. The irony for England is that the first time we try the high press in recent years(bar that lunatic team under Scholari who took even that to another level)- no one else does and teams like Holland and Argentina looked like England from the last euros and world cup qualifying under hodgson and got far

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

It isn't even correct either.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_football_clubs_in_England_by_major_honours_won

Utd 62
Liverpool 60

Since whens the Charity Sheild a major honour please....

[Ent]

we will see if pulis can push on -I would be wary to think hughes is this and pulis is that.

And football is moving forward in a more organised way it would seem if we look at chelsea, athleticos(one off team) and the world cup. The irony for England is that the first time we try the high press in recent years(bar that lunatic team under Scholari who took even that to another level)- no one else does and teams like Holland and Argentina looked like England from the last euros and world cup qualifying under hodgson and got far

Yeah but they have 2 or 3 genuine world class players/superstars to support with that style. England are just like a league 2 side in the FA cup playing that way.

[FootballLight]

I won't say I'm glad the World Cup is over, but I'm thankful that we can get back into English Football league business once again. A lot of excitement is building up for this season, I can already tell. Plenty of money has so far been spent and plenty of big names have already made their way here, so I hope that continues to rise and we see a fantastic season in prospect.

Surely now the World Cup is over, there isn't going to be more talk on England's failure this time around? The simplest answer is, they didn't play badly in any of their 3 games, they just lacked a real philosophy to go and win the game. You could tell that both Italy and Uruguay were going to score the first goal, because they were set up to play and attack England. Hodgson would have done better with a counter-attacking style or put the opposition on the back foot early doors, like Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, but he played it all wrong. Numerous times, England were faced with a problem in their games and failed to deal with it as players and coaching staff. For example, vs Italy, Baines and Rooney failed to deal with a strong right hand side for Italy. Uruguay were just silly errors in the midfield and no talking at the back that lost us the game. Costa Rica we didn't have any problems because it was a nothing game. Sick of talking on England's World Cup now.

[mystiroakey]

we will see if pulis can push on -I would be wary to think hughes is this and pulis is that.

And football is moving forward in a more organised way it would seem if we look at chelsea, athleticos(one off team) and the world cup. The irony for England is that the first time we try the high press in recent years(bar that lunatic team under Scholari who took even that to another level)- no one else does and teams like Holland and Argentina looked like England from the last euros and world cup qualifying under hodgson and got far

Yeah but they have 2 or 3 genuine world class players/superstars to support with that style. England are just like a league 2 side in the FA cup playing that way.

thats not exactly close to being fair or true ent,

[kingraf]

I was pleasantly surprised to see Ozil covered 14km in last nights final. Are 75th minute substitutions a thing of the past for him now, or was it a one night only thing.

[mystiroakey]

best player on the pitch last night Graf.

Every arsernal Attacking M is going to have to put a shift in though just to get in the team..

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Ozil was the best player on the pitch? Behave, he wasnt in the top 10! Since January he's been too happy to cruise through games for me.

[mystiroakey]

he was last night!! and not only my man of the match- i think he was the official man of the match as well

[mystiroakey]

its crazy bu i think people just look at ozil and only see his bad.

he set up the most chances for Germany during the world cup and made the most passes.

I am sure its just english PL viewers and media that dont believe he is worth the 40m asernal shelled out on him. Which to be fair he wasnt last season. But he had a good world cup- he is recieving harsh critizim

[GSC]

Nick thinking Ozil is terrible is all the persuading I need that hes quality.

[mystiroakey]

actually was boateng MOTM.

well anyway- look i think ozil has played all right- i think his mistakes are magnified by the British public.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

My problem with him is that he does a lot of lovely stuff but has had little end product for a chunk of the year. He does a lot of stuff that if he were doing in the middle of the park would be great, but hes meant to be having more impact on games in the position hes in.

I think he'll come good again, but really shirked a lot after his initial start and hasnt proved anything yet.

[FootballLight]

its crazy bu i think people just look at ozil and only see his bad.

he set up the most chances for Germany during the world cup and made the most passes.

I am sure its just english PL viewers and media that dont believe he is worth the 40m asernal shelled out on him. Which to be fair he wasnt last season. But he had a good world cup- he is recieving harsh critizim

They only see bad because one half of the season he was poor and looked out of form. Just remember, it had taken Mertesacker 2 seasons or so to find his prime at Arsenal, he worked wonders alongside Koscielny last season, but maybe not as well previously. It always takes time for Germans to settle unless they are alongside 2/3 members of their national side/country/former club. He played a part, but he didn't stand out imo. He wasn't bad, wasn't great, just the average German player, which is still top class when you compare their whole all round team performance to most of the others. £42.5m was certainly overpriced on last seasons performance only. But as I've said, it takes time for him to gel with the rhythm of the team and the new players, it always seems to take Germans longer to adapt unless they are with many other from their national country. But I'm sure in the next season, 2 or maybe even 3 he will prove just why he is worth £42.5m. Because, no player is worth what the club paid for in one season, no way. It takes them seasons to adapt and then, over a long period of time, you can see their effect and just why you splashed that much on him.

A nice little saying in football, "The longer you keep a player when recently signed, the more he shows why he is worth the money you paid for him." Never forget that statement.

[FootballLight]

The main thing I notice with Ozil is that he is almost the uncovered hero of the Arsenal side. There are plenty of factors as to why he maybe wasn't as good as what "£42.5m players" should be. For example:
1. Ok yes, maybe he struggled for fitness near the end of the season, but for years he has experienced a winter break through the majority of December and some on January, allowing his body to recover more and to come back a fresher player in mid January.

2. As I've said earlier, if Germans aren't alongside their companions, it may take them a while to settle in to the rhythm of new team mates - even Mertesacker can't be 4 people in one!

3. The time he has spent there has been one whole season. To get players that are valued at that price, it will take time for them to repay all of that money back in terms of quality, if you understand what I'm saying. So whether that is £10m per season or £20m per season, over time, you will soon reap the benefits Arsenal fans, no panic.

4. Finally - I mentioned the "uncovered hero". Yes, he may not have been at his best coming to the close of the season, but, he still made his little runs beyond the striker, opening up more space for players, he was still able to find the pass to create a chance, even if it wasn't an assist or goal, he still managed to draw 1/2 players towards him, creating even more space, because even if he isn't at his best, he is probably Arsenal's biggest threat, so he must be tracked. Every player makes mistakes, so forget about penalty misses etc like that. He is still one of the PL's best players and has still offered a lot to that team that is almost invisible to the "fan-eye" as it is somewhat called.

Anyone agree?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Not me. A lot of excuse making for someone who is a wonderful player, but went missing a tad. It will happen, he'll come good, cos class remains, but that was a poor opening season

[LastDamnation]

Not me. A lot of excuse making for someone who is a wonderful player, but went missing a tad. It will happen, he'll come good, cos class remains, but that was a poor opening season

Took us to the top of the league when fit, outstanding in the key FA cup games against Liverpool and Everton, to say he's had a poor season is ludicrous.

He wasn't as good when he returned from injury as with Walcott and Ramsey out there weren't enough runners to play to his strengths. He'd also look a lot better if Giroud converted more chances...

[Dolphin Ziggler]

For a player of his quality I think it was poor. Which is a compliment really

[GSC]

Ozils conditioning is generally poor with a winter break.

[compelling and rich]

Not me. A lot of excuse making for someone who is a wonderful player, but went missing a tad. It will happen, he'll come good, cos class remains, but that was a poor opening season

Took us to the top of the league when fit, outstanding in the key FA cup games against Liverpool and Everton, to say he's had a poor season is ludicrous.

He wasn't as good when he returned from injury as with Walcott and Ramsey out there weren't enough runners to play to his strengths. He'd also look a lot better if Giroud converted more chances...

thought that was best midfielder in the world ramsey?   wish gunners would make there minds up

[Duty281]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10966187/Premier-League-TV-schedule-Sky-Sports-and-BT-Sport-announce-early-season-live-fixtures.html

Televised fixtures announced. BT have got United's first game, and Palace have got a televised game on the first week...that'll please Mysti!

[NickisBHAFC]

Ozil was awful last night IMO. Think everyone in the pub agreed with me! But I agree with Chris. He was class on arrival. Then after Christmas just became a passenger much like he was at Madrid.

[J.Benson II]

Ozil was okay yesterday. Not as good as he is capable of being but certainly not awful either.

[GSC]

A playmaker like Ozil thrives on movement ahead of him. Once Walcott got hurt there wasn't much for him to play in behind.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Doesn't help when he's stuck out on the wing tbf, clearly doesn't have the physicality or pace for it and drifts inside.

[LastDamnation]

Ozil was awful last night IMO. Think everyone in the pub agreed with me! But I agree with Chris. He was class on arrival. Then after Christmas just became a passenger much like he was at Madrid.

awful...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A93GU6h5ENU

[compelling and rich]

i thought ozil was one of the poorer german players, disappointed me more often than not during the tournament. a out and out attacking player in the best team at the tournament should be doing a lot more in my opinion

[Hammersmith harrier]

Oh yes the legendary excuse for a poor performance by trying to vindicate it with a youtube video, those 5 minutes are just a small portion of the 120 minute, should have been subbed after the hour in my opinion.

[LastDamnation]

Oh yes the legendary excuse for a poor performance by trying to vindicate it with a youtube video, those 5 minutes are just a small portion of the 120 minute, should have been subbed after the hour in my opinion.

Pretty sure using footage of things he actually did is more of a vindication than saying he was "poor" without any elaboration

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Arsenal fans are really touchy on Ozil, which is pretty telling

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Arsenal fans are really touchy on Ozil, which is pretty telling

Could say the same about Carroll... 

[NickisBHAFC]

Yeah i must say, the Arsenal fans on here are very touchy. 

Me and Chris are agreeing on things!

[Duty281]

Arsenal fans keep getting picked off on this board. Azania, then C_S...who's next?

[Guest]

I`m not going to lie, Ozil did pretty much nothing all tournament. He worked for the team & showed some nice moments but all in all, he was average. The thing with Ozil is & GSC stated it, without a runner ahead of him or a striker with great movement, you don't get the best out of Ozil. At Madrid he had Ronaldo or Benzema & racked up the assists & looked world class. At Arsenal he has the stationery Giroud to deal with & his poor movement. Countless times Ozil would receive the ball, look up & see Giroud back to goal, instead of running in behind & he became frustrated. Ozil is about penetration through delivering pinpoint balls, he can't do that at Arsenal or with someone like Klose in the national side, who lacks pace & Muller who`s not a genuine no.9. Sanchez playing in the no.9 role might help Ozil significantly, especially on the break. I expect Ozil to improve massively this year & you always need to give a foreigner a good season to adapt, especially someone who`s physical attributes aren't suited immediately to the demands of the EPL.

[Fernando]

Only Me,LD & SoCal to go.

If im going im taking several of you   unts down with me   

[Sponsored content]