We Go Again! The 2014/15 Premier League Thread

[Liam]

First topic message reminder :

such a shame Strootman got injured before the world cup. Think he'd be at the club otherwise. He should have been here last summer along with thiago but we ballsed it up and ended up with fellaini.

[mystiroakey]

Should Arsenal make a biggish bid for welbeck?

22m or so. They really need a striker.

Man u also have to think about balancing the books at some point. If they fail to get in the CL this or next season there sponsership deals go down by almost a half.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Not for me Mysti. Wouldn't make sense long term to bring Welbeck in. Would probably want a four yeal deal on around £100k a week, so looking at splashing out around £40 million for a six month solution.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Welbeck or Giroud...John?

[mystiroakey]

Welbeck would have re sale value mate he isn't that old..

Peak on average is 28. He is 24..

[socal1976]

Should Arsenal make a biggish bid for welbeck?

22m or so. They really need a striker.

Man u also have to think about balancing the books at some point. If they fail to get in the CL this or next season there sponsership deals go down by almost a half.

Welbeck is a good player I can't see how he is worth 22million. I would rather have Javi Hernandez. But he could do a job for Arsenal as a back up striker and part time winger, but not in that price range.

[westisbest]

Isn't Zigic being in line for an Arsenal move

[socal1976]

Isn't Zigic being in line for an Arsenal move

Yes I read that online as well, if that is the case then start planning the parade route now.

[mystiroakey]

The problem is united wont sell Welbeck cheap to a rival. As a player he must be worth 15-20 m, so you have to pay over the odds.- he is only 24 and a proven goal scorer when he plays up front.

[mystiroakey]

Zigic- the giant!! we shall see

[GSC]

Welbeck would offer versatility to Arsenal in being able to be useless both up front and on the wing.

[hampo17]

The problem is united wont sell Welbeck cheap to a rival. As a player he must be worth 15-20 m, so you have to pay over the odds.- he is only 24 and a proven goal scorer when he plays up front.

Welbeck is as fair from a proven goal scorer as you're likely to see playing at a top club. I've always thought he's overrated personally, puts in a shift but that's it, reminds me a lot of Dirk Kuyt.

[mystiroakey]

He scored 1 in 1 last season playing up front.

[GSC]

Well thats an amazing sample size.

[mystiroakey]

9 goals in 9 games up front.

He is allways shifted out left. Which is fair enough. Due the man u's options . but that is far from being the least proven player up front.

Hampo looks at him like kuyt.. Well he can only remember games he played on the left..

[hampo17]

Did he not get chances playing on the left then? 20 goals in almost 100 league appearances for United tells you he isn't a natural goalscorer.

[mystiroakey]

Its quite a stat though isn't it... When he has played up front.

On the left he plays like a winger.

Moyes 433 ended up allways being a 442 with welbeck playing on the wing and defending half the game.

Look welbeck isn't the best player in the world . but I would seriously be thinking about him if I was at arsenal .

[hampo17]

Why? Could promote a youth player to play back up and use Sanchez up top with Sanogo on the bench. No point splashing £20m on a player they don't desperately need.

[Duty281]

The Zigic to Arsenal rumours were, I believe, started by the Daily Mail - just like the Welbeck to Arsenal rumours.

In other words, they should not be believed.

[mystiroakey]

Why? Could promote a youth player to play back up and use Sanchez up top with Sanogo on the bench. No point splashing £20m on a player they don't desperately need.

I think when Walcott is fit he will get his shot again.

He has the best goals per minute ratio of any English player over the last few years..

If arsenal feel they need a striker I would consider it. The shouts are coming . who else is better.. Well it isn't the 33 year old giant. I would rather the English version tbh(crouch)

[mystiroakey]

Duty when I made the post I didn't hear any rumours. It was just a thought .

Wenger has said 'no' when asked if he has been in talks with either.

[mystiroakey]

Angel's news conference is dire. So awkward....

[CFCNick]

I'm glad Costa has been declared fit for the weekend. We haven't scored since he got injured.

[Crimey]

The Zigic move would be like a Football Manager move, when you're really desperate so just scour the free market and sign the first recognisable name you see.

[NickisBHAFC]

The Zigic move would be like a Football Manager move, when you're really desperate so just scour the free market and sign the first recognisable name you see.

I would rather just play a youth team striker than sign that big waste of space.

[socal1976]

I agree, no need for zigic, and I am sorry but Welbeck is no Dirk Kuyt. Kuyt is a much better footballer than Welbeck at least at comparable ages. I think Welbeck could be a player one day but I don't see him as being a player that is worth 20 plus million pounds at least not yet and maybe never. I like the idea of giving Theo another go when he gets back. He really has developed good poise in goal scoring situations and has matured to more than just a speed burner. He has become a better passer as well over the years something that people don't give him credit for. If we can bring in a player of quality I would say make the buy at whatever price Arsenal can afford, but we need world class or near world class players to fight Chelsea, City, Bayern, Barca, and Real. Welbeck isn't going to do much for us in those matchups that have troubled us in the past.

[mystiroakey]

[westisbest]

The Zigic rumour was floating about when I was up in Brum at the weekend.

Couple of my bluenose mates were saying about it.

Anyway his kids are settled there. Would be funny(for a non gooner) if he did go.

[J.Benson II]

I agree, no need for zigic, and I am sorry but Welbeck is no Dirk Kuyt. Kuyt is a much better footballer than Welbeck at least at comparable ages. I think Welbeck could be a player one day but I don't see him as being a player that is worth 20 plus million pounds at least not yet and maybe never. I like the idea of giving Theo another go when he gets back. He really has developed good poise in goal scoring situations and has matured to more than just a speed burner. He has become a better passer as well over the years something that people don't give him credit for. If we can bring in a player of quality I would say make the buy at whatever price Arsenal can afford, but we need world class or near world class players to fight Chelsea, City, Bayern, Barca, and Real. Welbeck isn't going to do much for us in those matchups that have troubled us in the past.

I think Welbeck would be a good option for Arsenal. Fast, strong, decent ability, good hold up play and will improve his finishing if given a regular run as a CF (which he would at Arsenal). Offers something different as well.

[socal1976]

J. Benson, he could be a good squad player but maybe one of the young guys Gnabry, Akpom, (don't laugh now) Sanogo could also be good squad players and not come with a 20million price tag.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Read that Harry Redknapp been offered a new two year deal. Redknapp said he probably won't read the contract, and will just sign it. Pretty sure he said under oath he couldn't read anyway/

[The Special Juan]

"Angel di Maria starts for Man Utd along with Mata, Rooney and Van Persie."

I would normally type #PrayForBurnley but I type #PrayForUtd these days...

[Fernando]

Manchester United starting XI: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Blackett, Valencia, Young, Fletcher, Di Maria, Mata, Rooney, Van Persie.
Burnley XI v Man Utd: Heaton; Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mee; Arfield, Jones, Marney, Taylor; Ings, Jutkiewicz

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Looks like Mata and Di Maria are going to be playing in the centre of midfield. Very positive from Van Gaal, but could leave Fletcher with a lot of defensive responsibilities.

[mystiroakey]

united to win big today 0-3

false dawn to follow.

[Fernando]

----------De Gear
----Jones --Evans --Blackett
Valencia -ADM -Fletcher --Young
------------Mata
--------RVP ----Rooney

Be interesting to see how 4-4-2 goes against that because Burnley aren't great but it will give them a good chance of making gaps against the wing backs.

[The Special Juan]

Got to love the old 3-1-6 formation.

[Ent]

Well that's the team I predicted earlier in the week.

Fingers crossed it works.

[Ent]

Sigh, phil jones.

He'll never learn.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Almost got punished. Great free kick from David Jones.

[Guest]

Welbeck or Giroud...John?

I only just seen this. Definitely Giroud. At least he can score goals vs minnows, Welbeck just has legs & doesn't really know what he's doing, anywhere inside or outside a penalty box.

United are a mess at the back, against top sides it won't be pretty. Di Maria looking lively

[mystiroakey]

Nothing has changed has it...

And its not going to. Its time to take man u of my coupons. But every game there odds get bigger and bigger

[The Special Juan]

Di Maria aside this has been crap again.

[mystiroakey]

What exactly has di Maria done bar spay some wayward balls. Young has been more effective on that side.

[Ent]

Well that's a penalty.

Mata needs to come off.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Pretty even first half. Thought Trippier was lucky not to give away a pen for the push on Young.

Di Maria's looked decent. RVP looks lethargic again. Playing the deeper role doesn't suit Mata, but United don't have too many other options.

[mystiroakey]

RVP doesnt need to play full stop. They do not have enough of a back bone in midfield to play 2 strikers. They cant keep the ball. Only young has offered anything. A telling reflection of the ability of united.

4411. Mata 10, rooney 9... 4 defenders 4 midfielders . Simple basic stuff and they will beat teams like this.

[Ent]

It was a certain penalty.

This is meant to be matas best position.

[CFCNick]

50/50 on the pen. Young being who he is makes that 90/10 in Burnley's favour.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

RVP is infuriating

[The Special Juan]

What exactly has di Maria done bar spay some wayward balls. Young has been more effective on that side.

I thought he hit some great through balls.

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