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.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

God how depressing would it be to be a QPR fan

Bunch of mercenaries, clearly haven't learnt from last time they came up

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Remember people still think harry Redknapp would've been a good England manager

[Hammersmith harrier]

Lets hope this is the start of a major turnaround and not just a flash in the pan, almost unrecognisable from the team that played two weeks ago.

[Crimey]

The context to United's good performance however is Tottenham beat QPR 4-0 a few weeks ago.

[Hammersmith harrier]

The context is that we scored only two goals in our first three games playing a horrific brand of slow directionless football.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I'm already looking forward to QPR getting relegated, falling foul of FFP and being fined a ridiculous amount/chucked out the league. Its gonna be glorious

[hampo17]

Do QPR know how to close down? Give me as much space and time as they're giving United and I could bag a few goals.

[FootballLight]

QPR just aren't made for the PL. They do look considerably worse than what the likes of Burnley do. Newcastle's performance against Southampton was better than this garbage. They've just had no work ethic whatsoever in this game and at 3-0 down, you wouldn't think that was about to change, nevermind what Harry Redknapp has to say. Matt Phillips' chance summed up their first half performance, weak, lack of quality and disappointing.

[FootballLight]

I've never actually thought that QPR had a bad side to begin with, they have some players with a good reputation such as Caulker and Isla for example, but if they don't put the effort in, then they'll just be the yo-yo team, like what WBA used to be. This calls for a Mike Bassett half time team talk, and then the effect of that. Their work rate on this particular day has been poor.

[GSC]

Strong performance from United so far in this relegation six pointer, lets see if they can cling on.

[kingraf]

So disconcerting to see Di Maria and Alonso producing man of the match performances while we lose another Madrid derby.

[kingraf]

Strong performance from United so far in this relegation six pointer, lets see if they can cling on.

If you want to finish top ten, you absolutely have to beat the relegation candidates

[FootballLight]

Lets give them credit, at least they've come away with a good strike on target that needed to be saved. However, they just need to aim to improve their goal difference now and try to make this a little bit more respectable. For QPR, its got to be 0-0 to this point.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Will Sturridge be back for when Liverpool play Utd? 

If so his pace/movement with sterling is gonna kill this Utd defence

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Lets give them credit, at least they've come away with a good strike on target that needed to be saved. However, they just need to aim to improve their goal difference now and try to make this a little bit more respectable. For QPR, its got to be 0-0 to this point.

I'm sure having a shot on target will make all those QPR fans happy travellers tonight

[kingraf]

Falcao has nice hair, but not as nice as Cavani.

Was that scuffed? Doesn't matter I guess

[Ent]

4-0.

Easy this.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Will Sturridge be back for when Liverpool play Utd? 

If so his pace/movement with sterling is gonna kill this Utd defence

I'm pretty sure our attack could kill their defence too, i'd expect a cagey game with both teams wary of giving anything away.

[GSC]

Should just about see United home. Tension lifting

[kingraf]

Would have been goal of the season...

[Ent]

Poor qpr here comes falcao.

[kingraf]

The new Utd blueprint
1 - Give it to Ángel
2 - profit from the ensuing chaos.

[GSC]

United fans rise as one to welcome Valencia to the field

[Hammersmith harrier]

It's only been QPR but it's a start, Januzaj needs to sort out his decision making or he'll go the way of Nani; all the talent in the world but with zero football intelligence.

[mystiroakey]

Decent play. Looked better. Opposition unimportant. Di Maria looks very good.

[GSC]

The new Utd blueprint
1 - Play QPR

[Ent]

Know di Maria will grab the headlines but I thought Herrera was excellent today.

Shines in a team that moves the ball where he can offer outlets and angles for link passes. Good goal too.

[Gerry SA]

CB still seems a concern. Young Blackett looks a very promising prospect. Problems remains that Blackett has to play along side clowns like Evans/Jones/Smalling. Pretty surprising that Luke Shaw didn't even come on as a sub. 

Herrera and Blind look a solid central pairing. Two players who can retain the ball. 

Up top so many options but RVP has lost in. No legs.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Know di Maria will grab the headlines but I thought Herrera was excellent today.

Shines in a team that moves the ball where he can offer outlets and angles for link passes. Good goal too.

Very early days but Herrera and Blind as the foundation in midfield is what we've needed for years now and despite his slight frame he doesn't look afraid to put himself about not that it's surprising being a former Bielsa player.

[whocares]

Blind is clearly a step up from fletcher and cleverley. need to see how he will cope with faster forwards. I wonder if there is any room for Fellaini in this team now?

[The Special Juan]

Work rate levels;

Shane Long, High, Medium, Low, Leroy Fer >>>>>> Mata

fixed that for you

Is Ozil above or below Mata?

[The Special Juan]

A couple of points from yesterday:

1) QPR were guff so I'm not taking much from that game. If the team play that well more often than not then I'll take notice.

2) Blind and Rojo were solid, Di Maria was excellent but the best buy will be Herrera. I think his composure on the ball is brilliant and if he's put beside a powerhouse then things will be looking up.

3) It's obvious that LVG has to play 4-4-2 every week. United have pretty much played that way for 25 years, barring the odd 4-3-3, so it makes sense to carry it on.

4) Someone else mentioned it but Lloris and his sweeper-keeper antics have given other keepers false hope. What de Gea was doing I have no idea.

[GSC]

4-4-2 is fine against small sides. Whether it holds up vs Chelsea or Citeh is another question

[Hammersmith harrier]

Depends on how we go about playing the top teams, whether we set up to contain or if we set up to go out and win. With our still shaky defence think we'd be better off going for it, we tended to get caught in the middle a bit under Fergie in his final few years.

[Hero]

It's not a standard 4-4-2 though is it as that implies the flat midfield with more width, this was a diamond 4 with Blind the anchor and Mata the AM.

[Guest]

You won't know where this United side is, until the Everton game. That will be the first test, with the new system & signings. QPR were atrocious, totally wrong game plan in allowing United to dictate everything. Attacking wise, United look pretty awesome, however, even yesterday, QPR showed in glimpses that United's back-line is average & get easily nervous under pressure. Not sure about Blind, not the quickest & could see him getting out-powered, especially in big games against Yaya' types. Early days but it's promising for United, let's not forget, it's only about getting top 4, which I see them scoring their way too that target, seeing as Liverpool have gone backwards.

[J.Benson II]

QPR are sh1te. Shouldn't have even got promoted given that Derby out played them in the play off final.
United ought to be good with the amount they spent. Hard to judge them yet seeing as they would have won that game easily last season under even Moyes' team.

[Hero]

Whilst QPR are obviously a poor side and it's too early to judge on a Utd comeback what the result will do is boost confidence from the depths it's sunk to. The new players coming in and a few games where they're beating sides will start to give OT a fear factor again.

[kingraf]

So, does Mata or RvP get told to grab a seat? Utd didn't spend all that effort to make Falcao a benchwarmer.

[J.Benson II]

RVP probably will get dropped. Looks somewhat shot of both ability and confidence.
Mata disappears against decent teams but is the better option at the moment.

[Hero]

Mata does continue to find the net which is what is saving him at present. I think Persie's getting into Ledley King territory where he needs to have a good rest between games to have any sort of impact, being out of Europe and the League Cup was obviously part of the masterplan to not overplay him *cough

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Blind is the signing that will see Carrick eased out in time. However, in big games those two could be a fantastic base of possession and passing.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Blind is the signing that will see Carrick eased out in time. However, in big games those two could be a fantastic base of possession and passing.

I can see it now..........Blind and Carrick. The new Xavi and Iniesta

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Woah, don't be stingy, they're the new Allen and Hendo...real class

[The Special Juan]

Carrick > Xavi, I'm not even joking.

[Ent]

Tougher challenges to come but at a good start.

The team will get better together the more they play together.

Back four will hopefully be better protected by the midfield and will grow in confidence.

Really looking forward to the next game.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Tougher challenges to come but at a good start.

The team will get better together the more they play together.

Back four will hopefully be better protected by the midfield and will grow in confidence.

Really looking forward to the next game.

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH ENT

[Hammersmith harrier]

The formation we played yesterday we seemed to have a clear plan something we haven't had since Fergie left so it was pleasing even if it was only QPR. In particular the midfield three seemed to complement each other really well; Blind mopping up, receiving the ball and moving it on quickly, Herrera doing similar but more creative with the ball and Di Maria running at pace.

It was amazing to finally see a midfielder play one touch football and I think Herrera is going to be a fabulous player for us, boundless energy and was very incisive with his passing. Makes a huge difference to have a player aware of everything around him which led to the Rooney goal, he didn't need to take a touch and look around, he knew exactly what he wanted to do before he received the ball.

[NickisBHAFC]

Hull vs West Ham tonight. #ThankYouSky

[Ent]

Living up to its billing.

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