We Go Again! The Premier League thread

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

that's the golden boot wrapped up

[lfc91]

My main gripe with Origi is the fact that he wants 8-10 touches every time the gets the ball, which is usually followed by a simple pass he could have made with the 3rd touch. Slows everything down to much.(Plus it seems as if he couldn't hit a barn door with a shot gun).

[Trebs]

Firmino will come good for Liverpool in the end, I'm convinced of that. He showed some nice movement and creativity, but I'm thinking Firmino and Coutinho should play as twin AMs behind the striker (Benteke presumably).

[Crimey]

When everybody is fit it'll be really hard to think of the best XI I think, which hasn't been the case for a long time. I can't remember the last time I actually could look at the Liverpool bench and think we had two or three players who could change the game.

You could go:

Mignolet

Clyne - Skrtel - Sakho - Moreno

Henderson - Can

Sturridge - Firmino - Coutinho

Benteke

But already then Lucas, Milner, Lallana, Ings are all missing. With players like Ibe, Gomez, Origi, Allen also behind them. 

I think Milner has been a bit disappointing, but he does have some merits. His effort is second to none and I do think he's a good leader on the pitch, in the derby I think Can could have been sent off if it weren't for Milner. I think the main issues I have him with him at the moment is he isn't being direct enough, the cross against Southampton was fantastic, but too often he'll pick up the ball and run nowhere with it. But the main issue is how many fouls he's committing, he needs to be more clever when to put his foot in and when not to. I also felt like against Chelsea he actually played better than Can and I really like Can. I think the game did change with Milner coming off, but that was more to do with Benteke than it was to do with Milner. Can was poor though, wasn't good enough defensively and certainly not offensively. The team is definitely missing Henderson as none of the other central midfielders have his passing range unfortunately. 

[Dolphin Ziggler]

See, this is the problem with Liverpool having a poor spell. The minute they win a game the insanity creeps out.

[Ent]

That's 4/5 games not scoring and 3 in a row for United. Grim.

Rooney has been abysmal all season and I think it's time he was dropped, put martial up front (though he'll need a rest) and play young on the left.

I'd also drop mata and play valencia further forward.

Can't keep going on like this.

[Fernando]

It would be nice to Utd get back to their pacey football you needed to sort the defense but he's gone too defensive, Saw a stat saying Ozil & Cazorla had created as many chances as Utd as a combo .

Personally id like to see

--------Schneiderlin -- Herrera
Young -----------Mata ----------Memphis
-------------Martial

[Hero]

It would be nice to Utd get back to their pacey football you needed to sort the defense but he's gone too defensive, Saw a stat saying Ozil & Cazorla had created as many chances as Utd as a combo .

Personally id like to see

--------Schneiderlin -- Herrera
Young -----------Mata ----------Memphis
-------------Martial

That'd be the side I'd put out as well tbh with the two wide men being allowed to run with the ball at the defense.

[Fernando]

Tbh it's got the point where United should consider giving Wilson some forward time if Rooney isn't producing by this time & don't want to play Young/Memphis

Aston Villa have appointed Remi Garde as their new manager until the end of the 2018-19 season

[Alistair]

See, this is the problem with Liverpool having a poor spell. The minute they win a game the insanity creeps out.

This. Always this.

It's almost enough to make me want to stop watching football. One win against a mediocre, almost awful Chelsea side and they think they are on the rise. I'm just waiting for someone to say they can challenge for the top 4.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I don't think this side will flourish much with Young there. Who is he crossing an inswinging ball towards the backpost to?

Although I do find it funny that you're so one-eyed about Mata that you think the answer is Valencia, Ent. It made me smile.

If Rooney is playing he needs to be the 10. Young or Memphis on the left and Mata on the right. Herrera and Schneiderlin could be the duo as you don't need two holders in there.

Personally think the system could do with a change considering the personnel. 4-1-2-1-2, get Rooney and Martial working together. Rooney is fine to lead the line when a partner is stretching the defence and making gaps, but he cannot do it alone as he currently stands.

[Fernando]

No reason why they can't get top 4 with Chelsea a long way behind, Leicester & West Ham will inevitably drop back & Spurs always Frak up with about 3 weeks to go and finish 5th.

[Crimey]

Apologies for showing some positivity! I was saying the same things at the start of the season to be fair. Squad depth is something we've really lacked for a long time. Look at last season, off the bench we could only really rely on Ibe, Allen, Lambert? That's pretty atrocious. 

Also I don't see why challenging for top four is ridiculous? Liverpool are four points off of top four and it's November! Absolutely ludicrous if that wasn't the aim for Liverpool, with Chelsea messing up so badly this is the year you'd expect Liverpool to fancy it. I mean Liverpool, despite being really poor last year nearly got in top four, I'd say there's definitely been improvement this year, so getting a bit closer to it should be expected.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

To be honest, Liverpool havent looked good under Klopp until Chelsea (and only parts), and were probably lucky to be scheduled for a game against a side so terrified of playing football and with players who have told reporters they would rather lose games than win under Mourinho.

I need more convincing just yet. I am however very happy for Benteke and thought his impact was what won the game.

[Crimey]

To be honest, Liverpool havent looked good under Klopp until Chelsea, and were probably lucky to be scheduled for a game against a side so terrified of playing football and with players who have told reporters they would rather lose games than win under Mourinho.

I need more convincing just yet.

They haven't looked bad at all though for me, decent against Tottenham and Southampton, fairly good with an inexperienced side against Bournemouth and then good against Chelsea. Across the season as a whole, both under Rodgers and Klopp I think Liverpool have been better than last season and again Liverpool got close to top four last season. I also think the squad is better than last season. Sure, Sterling is a pretty big loss, but even with injuries I feel more confident that there are options off of the bench to change the game than I have for several years. 

I'm not expecting miracles from Klopp, but I also don't think top four would be a miracle at this stage. Only lost two games so far this year, the defence (set pieces aside) looks a lot better recently and I'm hoping scoring three against Chelsea will give the team confidence to stop overthinking things in front of goal as much.

[Guest]

I don't think the answer is wide men of Young & Depay, one who can't even get in the England squad anymore & the other, just dropped by Holland, for being atrocious & unable to work for the team. As for hoping Rooney gets dropped, delusional if you think that is happening anytime soon.

i saw the united scouts at the WBA game looking at Mahrez

[socal1976]

Honestly, this is much different than 2013 when Arsenal lead most of the year and city won. Arsenal is benefitting finally from stability in terms of personnel and management. They have added big buys in recent years but just a quality guy or two each season to add firepower to an already strong core of young players that have been developing together for years. We are still very inconsistent at times but those woeful results and performance are much fewer and farther between. I want to see how the guys perform at Munich and in the NLD, but I think we are probably second favorite to win it this year. In 2013, Arsenal was getting creamed whenever they played a big side and while they were winning it was clear that in terms of balance and talent their was a big gap between us and City/Chelsea, even Liverpool thumped us that year. Right now on paper we have the most balanced, stable, and as much talent as anyone maybe with the exception of City.

United seem to be the worst megamillion dollar investment since the Hindenburg airship. I mean they are just a few points back but frankly I think a bit flattered by that. City are the big threat but they aren't as strong in my mind as their past championship teams and we are better, much better. Chelsea are awful, Liverpool are not a squad that currently can challenge for a title. And the Cinderella squads like a Leiscster or West Ham don't have the fire power or staying power with deep enough squads to compete.

[socal1976]

I love the Jose and Chelsea saga, frankly couldn't happen to a bunch of nicer guys. If not for the three points stolen by the thug Costa they would be a point above the drop zone. I can't see this being anything but a player revolt. It isn't injuries like some have claimed City and Arsenal have had worse injuries this year. It isn't the refs if anything the shameful conduct of Chelsea this season by Costa combined with the diving of their other players and faking injuries to get opponents cards has not been punished enough. In my mind there is only one answer and that is a player revolt.

You don't go from having all this talent and being the champions to performing so poorly in so many different areas overnight if the manager and players aren't involved in some dissension and controversy. Jose's style of man management like himself is polarizing from what I get players either love it or hate it. When he is winning everything in sight those who don't like his antics and his self love in the locker room or his style have to keep quiet. But when you start losing the patience of the fans, the management, the media, and players for his polarizing ways wanes exponentially.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hazard, is looking at the way he treated players like Mata and Schurrle and isn't defensive. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people were upset with his loyalty to Ivanovic. Or if players haven't started questioning his approach to substitutions or lineups or playing philosophy. People are only willing to follow a charismatic and controversial dictator if winning is involved. Once your not winning then the charisma wears off and now questions arise and loyalty only exists to the extent you fear the boss. And as he loses more and his hold on the crown weakens well it only breeds more subtle and subconscious sabotage as the fear factor starts to go away.

[Ent]

I don't think this side will flourish much with Young there. Who is he crossing an inswinging ball towards the backpost to?

Although I do find it funny that you're so one-eyed about Mata that you think the answer is Valencia, Ent. It made me smile.

If Rooney is playing he needs to be the 10. Young or Memphis on the left and Mata on the right. Herrera and Schneiderlin could be the duo as you don't need two holders in there.

Personally think the system could do with a change considering the personnel.  4-1-2-1-2, get Rooney and Martial working together. Rooney is fine to lead the line when a partner is stretching the defence and making gaps, but he cannot do it alone as he currently stands.

If play young as he really did nothing wrong and is reliable, depay is being punished for poor form and attitude.

Mata has been poor, very poor for the last 5 games- valencia isn't my favourite player but he is direct and has some pace still (lost a yard or two imo).

Get a few guys willing to take on their men and put some crosses in- has to be worth a go giving the current form.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Scrape top four, thank LVG for some stability and then move on at the end of the season.

Arsenal have a chance thanks to the dire "quality" of United and Chelsea. Blitz out of the CL and they could do it; something I find depressing.

[Fernando]

Spurs 1-0 Villa - Dembele

2 mins - Clark just got out-muscled.

[Hero]

Depay for me is suffering from the LVG factor that Di Maria also fell foul of. It's like bringing Salvador Dali in and then asking him to only paint by numbers. Out of the straitjacket Di Maria's showing once again his class and I suspect Memphis unshackled will be the same.
Young wise I was never a fan of him but he showed last year he can certainly put a shift in and was one of Utds best players in another mediocre season. He's not the long term answer but with a side that currently plays in 1st gear then to use a pair of wingers that have pace, a physical striker and Mata back in his preferred AM role is the system Id currently look to use. The problem is it'd give players freedom and more of a gung-ho attack which is the complete opposite to the rigid possession based game they're currently using.

[NickisBHAFC]

Dele Ali with a cracking finish. Another English player doing well, always what everyone likes to see! Good signing for Tottenham that.

[Fernando]

Mike Dean spotted celebrating another Spurs goal Guess had a £5 on Dembele 1st scorer.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

If Villa just decide to not play Gestede then I kinda do hope they go down.

[GSC]

Depay for me is suffering from the LVG factor that Di Maria also fell foul of. It's like bringing Salvador Dali in and then asking him to only paint by numbers. Out of the straitjacket Di Maria's showing once again his class and I suspect Memphis unshackled will be the same.
Young wise I was never a fan of him but he showed last year he can certainly put a shift in and was one of Utds best players in another mediocre season. He's not the long term answer but with a side that currently plays in 1st gear then to use a pair of wingers that have pace, a physical striker and Mata back in his preferred AM role is the system Id currently look to use. The problem is it'd give players freedom and more of a gung-ho attack which is the complete opposite to the rigid possession based game they're currently using.

Playing risk free football doesn't mesh with risk takers like Di Maria after all. Depay has more issues than just that, but he's a young player being asked to go against his instincts.

[Fernando]

Spurs 2-1 Villa - Ayew

Villa getting back into this.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Villa have fought to get into this, but Spurs have also gone to sleep

[Fernando]

And that's why Spurs always fk up top 4

Gestede goes close after Lloris goes walkies.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Kane looks awful

[Fernando]

#Michu2.0

[GSC]

#HarryKaneback2earthtour2015-16

[Hero]

Depay for me is suffering from the LVG factor that Di Maria also fell foul of. It's like bringing Salvador Dali in and then asking him to only paint by numbers. Out of the straitjacket Di Maria's showing once again his class and I suspect Memphis unshackled will be the same.
Young wise I was never a fan of him but he showed last year he can certainly put a shift in and was one of Utds best players in another mediocre season. He's not the long term answer but with a side that currently plays in 1st gear then to use a pair of wingers that have pace, a physical striker and Mata back in his preferred AM role is the system Id currently look to use. The problem is it'd give players freedom and more of a gung-ho attack which is the complete opposite to the rigid possession based game they're currently using.

Playing risk free football doesn't mesh with risk takers like Di Maria after all. Depay has more issues than just that, but he's a young player being asked to go against his instincts.

If you're not wanting to play risky football and go for possession, why then spunk £59m on Di Maria and then another £25m on Memphis who are both 'free spirits', buy players who fit the system better!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Well, that won me £40 so I don't mind him shutting me up! Still think he has looked poor (and not just his face)

[GSC]

Di Maria was a vanity signing.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Odds on Roy Hodgson calling up this Josh Onomuh because he's a CM for spurs? I say 50/50

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Di Maria was a vanity signing.

He didnt need to be though, did he? I think if Van Gaal leaves at the end of the season his successor will be annoyed not to have Di Maria.

[NickisBHAFC]

Kane with a fantastic 3rd.

Hasn't hit last seasons heights, but still looks a very good premiership forward.

[Guest]

Di Maria is not even playing well for PSG, already questions about his place in the team. Never been convinced, he's a player of near world class levels or consistent enough. Just a flashy player, who has moments of brilliance, followed by going missing. That Madrid season was fantastic, but heavily aided by the opposition being fixated with the first season of having to face Bale, Benzema & Ronaldo. Could Giggs of got more from Di Maria, I doubt, seeing as the player himself never wanted to be there in the first place, his family were unhappy & his lacked the physical attributes for the league.

[sirfredperry]

So disgusted with the way Spurs were playing in the second half that I left 10 mins early and missed the Kane goal. Tip-tapping it around at the back until someone made a mistake and playing oh so slowly. No hope of a top-four finish playing this way.

[westisbest]

Dolph.

Gestede has been pretty poor lately.

Was going to watch the game last night, but a 5 hour delay at Knock airport changed that.

Saw the highlights on sky, we had some.good chances, but poor defending again.

New boss has his work cut out for him to say the least.

Very tough first game.
Will see how the season goes under him.

[Guest]

Think Aston Villa will finally go this year.

Andros Townsend had a row with a fitness coach last night, post-match, so I'd expect him to join Southampton or Newcastle this January, ahead of the Euro's.

[Alistair]

Depay for me is suffering from the LVG factor that Di Maria also fell foul of. It's like bringing Salvador Dali in and then asking him to only paint by numbers. Out of the straitjacket Di Maria's showing once again his class.

No he's not. The first 5 games he was superb, since then he's been woeful. Goes missing in games and the French press are already getting on his case.

Basically, it's his United career in a PSG shirt.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'm still confused why Di Maria was never played by United in the position he flourished in for Real. 

Could Giggs or any new manager get more from him? Likely he could, and he'd rather have had the chance to do it too. Rather than that Schweiny's retirement tour

[Guest]

I'm still confused why Di Maria was never played by United in the position he flourished in for Real. 

Could Giggs or any new manager get more from him? Likely he could, and he'd rather have had the chance to do it too. Rather than that Schweiny's retirement tour

Just excuses. If Di Maria was such a talent, he'd find ways to become effective, that's what the top players do, regardless of position. As I said before, how could Giggs of got more from Di Maria, when the player had no interest in being at the club & didn't want the transfer. No motivation to succeed.

Never rated Di Maria, he's simply a 'moments of genius' player, followed by going AWOL. That season at Madrid elevated him to such a level, but I still put it down to the opposition being solely focused on tying down Benzema, Ronaldo & Bale, that they just left ADM to express himself at will & he exploited it to the max.

[Guest]

It seems Van Gaal is single minded in how his team must play - rather than getting the most out of his players the players have to adapt to his system and the "jobs" he gives them.  He seems wasteful of talent at his disposal but he moves them on quickly when they are still worth something.  I think he will last the three years of his contract and Giggs will be the next manager.

[GSC]

Di Maria was protected centrally by Madrid to the point where he could freelance and run into the space left when Ronaldo cut inside.

Cant do that so much in a more physical league where the other CMs are Carrick, Herrera, Fellaini etc.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

The excuse of having one season in the prem and probably not playing in the position he showed he was best at? Di Maria was good until LVG got scared by the Leicester game. How could Giggs have got better out of him? Releasing the shackles, playing attacking football, not trying to grind out top 4? He wasn't amazing, but he's an option a new manager would loved to have had, I think that's reasonably undeniable.

He was also pretty good in the World Cup.

He could have done it with Carrick and Schneiderlin though.

[Fernando]

Bournemouth: Federici, Smith, Francis, Distin, Daniels, Ritchie, Surman, Gosling, Stanislas, Arter, King.

Subs: Boruc, Cook, Rantie, MacDonald, Kermorgant, Tomlin, Bennett.

Newcastle: Elliot, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett, Sissoko, Anita, Wijnaldum, Tiote, Mitrovic, Perez.

Subs: Cisse, De Jong, Gouffran, Lascelles, Thauvin, Woodman, Mbabu.


If Newcastle can't beat Bournemouth with that side their is no hope for them.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Andre wisdom up against jefferson Montero today - this ain't gonna be pretty folks

[Nico the gman]

Bournemouth 68% possession 20 shots and only 5 on target, they are in huge trouble this early on in the season.

[Sponsored content]