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.

[GSC]

Yeah, while Chelsea may have players with value to sell, they're unlikely to receive World Record fees for unwanted players too often.

[Hero]

Whilst I've often mocked him and his plaudits on here for the way they've made him out to be the best CM in the world, could there be a case for moving Ramsey into a more attacking position?
He knows where the goal is to give him his due.

[socal1976]

Wenger spends, no denying that, he just buys the wrong type of player. I can't believe the positivity on the Welbeck deal, basically you needed a top prolific striker, Sanchez isn't it, you went into the market again to get one & you signed Welbeck, pure comedy spending £50m & still not having the right striker. Welbeck wasn't good enough for a seventh placed United & he can't hit a barn door, now he's given the job of making the difference for Arsenal to help win a league. Midfield has been ignored defensively, fully expect the same kind of results away for Arsenal. I just look at Arsenal & see clone after clone after clone of pacey wide men like Sanchez, Welbeck, Walcott & Oxlade. Another year of league disappointment.

Well John, I tend to agree with you to a point in that I think our lack of a physical CM player and more important no back up for Kos or Mertesacker other than a young and promising chambers is a recipe for disaster. I don't know if I would call all these Arsenal players clones. Welbeck isn't a world beater but he is a good buy for 16 million. I was opposed to the deal when figures of 20-22 million were bandied about but at that price he is just about right. I think the team does have a fair bit of versatility. Ramsey isn't like Walcott, Walcott isn't like Giroud etc. The common thread is that they are players good on the ball and the team is geared for attacking football. But I do think Wenger made a mistake not adding a couple of grittier players he could have had on the cheap.

[The Special Juan]

Hero, do you think the loss of Kagawa will result in some sort of backlash from the Asian fans? He sold shirts.

[The Special Juan]

And Citeh will get around the whole "sponsors thing" by getting Sheikh-'n'-Bake's brother to sponsor their training ground for a billion a year or something.

[Crimey]

And Citeh will get around the whole "sponsors thing" by getting Sheikh-'n'-Bake's brother to sponsor their training ground for a billion a year or something.

Any deal like that will be blocked. The deal will have to be, basically, legitimate.

[The Special Juan]

And Citeh will get around the whole "sponsors thing" by getting Sheikh-'n'-Bake's brother to sponsor their training ground for a billion a year or something.

Any deal like that will be blocked. The deal will have to be, basically, legitimate.

Did they not sponsor the stadium for £600m or something?

[Hero]

Hero, do you think the loss of Kagawa will result in some sort of backlash from the Asian fans?  He sold shirts.

He sold shirts in Japan.
Falcao and Di Maria sell shirts across the planet.

[Crimey]

Now Arsenal have a really strong British core and Manchester United are predominantly a foreign side.

How times change.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Hero, do you think the loss of Kagawa will result in some sort of backlash from the Asian fans?  He sold shirts.

He sold shirts in Japan.
Falcao and Di Maria sell shirts across the planet.

Am sure he sold shirts 'outside' of Japan.

[Hero]

He dropped from 5th to 10th in the Premier League shirt sales last year, sure he'd have gone even further down if he'd have stayed.

[GSC]

Bull only has so much money hero.

[The Special Juan]

Arsenal and Liverpool are certainly flying the flag for young British talent. I think these things come in cycles though, unless you're Palace or Southampton and are constantly churning out good homegrown players.

[J.Benson II]

Now Arsenal have a really strong British core and Manchester United are predominantly a foreign side.

How times change.

I've noticed that too. I wonder what Fergie makes of it all since he tended to always want to mantain a British spine to his teams.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Arsenal and Liverpool are certainly flying the flag for young British talent.  I think these things come in cycles though, unless you're Palace or Southampton and are constantly churning out good homegrown players.

It comes in cycles for all clubs. Just like City once had a green patch and so did Boro.

I think Welbeck suits Arsenal down to the ground. He's pretty dissimilar to Walcott and Ox, who are pretty dissimilar to each other too, so I can't really agree with the clones statement.

[J.Benson II]

Welbeck had a few games last season for United as a CF and did quite well if I recall. Think it's a good signing for Arsenal. He's easily better than Sanogo and offers the movement and pace up front which is what Arsenal lack when Giroud plays.
I don't think he'll do a "Sturridge" and become a prolific goal scorer but I think he could turn out to be a good purchase. He also does have some similarites in style to Adebayor who shone at Arsenal.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Must make Welbeck the first Mancunian since Dixon to play for the Goners. Probably not going to cost £300k per week like Falcao

[GSC]

Sturridges spell at Bolton where he got a run of games up front was the making of him. If he didnt get that he'd probably be playing for a mid table side right now (granted he had 18 months at Chelsea stuck on the wing.

Could do the same for Welbeck. A run of games in your preferred position and the confidence boost that comes from a team that wants you can do a lot.

Likewise Cleverley. Could be a pretty good signing for Villa if Lambert puts his arm around him and rebuilds his confidence.

[mystiroakey]

Thank gawd for some of you.. Yes welbeck is a decent signing. 23 year old. Great attitude. Good worker. When up front scores goals. English, homegrown. He ticks the boxes.

[Crimey]

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/barclays-premier-league/23/blog/post/2002211/top-5-first-xi-costs-in-premier-league

Costs of the first eleven for the "big 5".

1. Manchester United - £262.5 million

2. Manchester City - £230.6 million

3. Chelsea - £190 million

4. Arsenal - £150.5 million

5. Liverpool - £125.6 million

Surprised to see Liverpool last, shows Arsenal do spend money, but perhaps without any results for the investment. Manchester United have now spent a ridiculous amount of money and there should be no excuses to not getting top four, really that is title challenging amount of money. Chelsea have a surprisingly cheap squad.

[Hero]

First eleven yes they should be challenging but there's two faults with that, first is it's a squad game rather than a first eleven one, second is Utd have brought in 6 new first team players and a new manager whilst the others have simply added jigsaw pieces to weakened areas.

[Crimey]

First eleven yes they should be challenging but there's two faults with that, first is it's a squad game rather than a first eleven one, second is Utd have brought in 6 new first team players and a new manager whilst the others have simply added jigsaw pieces to weakened areas.

Less of a squad game when you're competing for two competitions max. The pressure on the squad will be to make sure all the big names are happy rather than it being stretched.

That is true but still think top four is a must.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Crimey does make a good point on the squad not being stretched too much this season for Utd.

[The Special Juan]

But you can't stop injuries from happening. Utd have played all of 4 games this season and have a ridiculous injury list.

[Ent]

Depends how quickly everyone settles and the team gels.

If the squad was like this mid July and everyone was got id say we should challenge for the league.

Should get top four. I think we will finish 3rd.

[Hammersmith harrier]

That is providing everbody stays fit, the squad has thus far been stretched and highlighted we lack depth beyond the first team. I expect us to make top four quite comfortably when we click into gear.

[Hero]

We've had 10 players on the injury list so far this season. Less stretched certainly over the number of games and it allows to be fresher for the big games but it's still a squad game when you're getting that number of injuries.

[Hero]

What the window has done for me has turned the corner.
Before it was all talk of terminal decline, doing a Liverpool and spending years in the wilderness etc, sure there will be bumps along the way and at times LVG's philosophy will leave heads scratching but the statement of intent has been made, a number of deadwood have left and hopefully the shoots of rejuvenation shall begin to grow.

[Crimey]

Yeah but the injury list had badly affected before you add Rojo, Blind, Di Maria and Falcao...four players.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Only one of those has been available so far and for one game

[Crimey]

Only one of those has been available so far and for one game

That's what I'm saying. Yeah Manchester United's squad looked thin because of injuries, but that was before you add the four more players they have signed. The squad is more than adequate even with a lot of injuries.

[socal1976]

United will be very strong once everyone settles. I picked them fourth but I could see them go as high as second. I think City will not be as strong as they were last year. Arsenal is in another battle for the top 4. Basically, I could see either of City, United, or Arsenal finishing 2-4'; and the title looks like it is Chelsea's for the having. Liverpool could move in and knock out either Arsenal or United for that 4th spot though. Can't see Everton or Spurs or anyone else getting in the top 5.

The big risk for United is spending all this money and what happens if it doesn't work. I think this is the most pivotal year for United in 2 decades. If they don't get top 4 and again lose out on 40-50 million pounds of revenue, and from my understanding their sponsorship deals would be reduced by a similar number after having spent 150 million some odd the last few windows could be disastrous. I think if Man U don't get top 4 this season they very well could pull a Liverpool of the eighties. However I actually think they will get there but this year is incredibly pivotal for the club. Falcao, Rooney, and RVP are no spring chickens either in a couple of years all three will most likely have to replaced.

[mystiroakey]

They have a years grace on the sponsorship deals. But it doesn't make it any less urgent to qualify this season for next.. CL money is going up by 20m to reach the knockouts.. So if they don't qualify the top 4 will have that extra to strengthen.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

I still honestly feel that Man U have not addressed the real problems within there squad, they should have concentrated on getting a couple of quality CBs.

It will be interesting as you havent looked too good so far playing 5-3-2. Is he going to stick with it or mix it up?

[The Special Juan]

They have a years grace on the sponsorship deals. But it doesn't make it any less urgent to qualify this season for next.. CL money is going up by 20m to reach the knockouts.. So if they don't qualify the top 4 will have that extra to strengthen.

That's what I thought. I think the new kit deal starts next season as they're still with Nike.

[Ent]

Easy saying get good centre backs but who?

Mangala 4th choice for France for £32 plus million.

Hummels not for sale.

Lack of quality defenders around at the moment.

Bought Rojo as a centre half so we've tried to address it.

[Crimey]

Lovren would have been good, but he might have been moving for Champions League football. Still expensive obviously though.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Every player has there price.

Am sure Hummels would have been sold if an £35mill + bid came in. Whether he wanted to join Man U is a different story.

[GSC]

United would've been aiming higher than Lovren

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

United would've been aiming higher than Lovren

And got Rojo

[Hero]

United would've been aiming higher than Lovren

And got WC finalist and WC team of the tournament Rojo

Fixed that for you.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

United would've been aiming higher than Lovren

And got WC finalist and WC team of the tournament Rojo

Fixed that for you.

[Crimey]

I still think Lovren is just as good, probably better, than the rest of the United defence, he would have undeniably improved the team.

[Hero]

At this stage of the season its hard to judge, Lovren obviously had a great season at Liverpool feeder club last season but has been very mixed so far this season looking very shaky v City (though City can make a lot of defenders shaky), Rojo hasn't even played yet, the Portuguese league is hardly the most watched league in the world so would be surprised if many people here can say they've watched him a fair amount.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Lovren is crap, Jose fonte is just as good

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Rojo hasn't even been cleared to play yet.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

At this stage of the season its hard to judge, Lovren obviously had a great season at Liverpool feeder club last season but has been very mixed so far this season looking very shaky v City (though City can make a lot of defenders shaky), Rojo hasn't even played yet, the Portuguese league is hardly the most watched league in the world so would be surprised if many people here can say they've watched him a fair amount.

What makes me laugh is Rojo nearly signed for Liverpools feeder team aswell.

[Hero]

Do either of your points have any bearing on anything?

[Ent]

Lovren has been all over the place in every game he has played this season.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Lovren has been all over the place in every game he has played this season.

Wouldn't go that far but he's not been at his best.

Still better then any Man U defender.

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