We Go Again! The Premier League thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

Would very much appreciate it if Utd stopped being poo thanks

Ta

[Fernando]

It'll be attractive to Jose. Build his own squad & spending a ridiculous amount of money.

[Ent]

Dunno, no real foundation to work with.

De gea the only world class player.

Smalling and schneiderlein solid pl players. Rooney is done at the highest level but still our best forward.

Not much else there.

[Guest]

Would have more time for Jose if he took something like the Villa or Sunderland job and built something memorable from that instead of waltzing into a big club and being told, "Go on son, spend what you f*cking like!"

[Crimey]

Is the squad that bad really? I think it's a long way off competing for the Champions League, but I think that's the case for all of the Premier League right now. I do think there's enough quality in there to challenge for the Premier League with the right management.

Goalkeepers
David De Gea has a good shout at being the best goalkeeper in the world currently. Sergio Romero is a good back up as well.

Defence
Chris Smalling is developing nicely. Luke Shaw, injury-permitting, is a good and young left back. Mattio Darmian will get better as he continues to adjust to the Premier League. Marcos Rojo is decent back up for left back and centre back. Phil Jones the same but for right back and centre back. Also got Borthwick-Johnson coming through who has looked pretty good. Daley Blind is also a very useful player for his versatility.

Midfield
Schneiderlin and Herrera are pretty good two to grow your midfield around. Both are young and talented. Carrick and Schweinsteiger are ageing but probably have one or two years left in them to be used and to pass on their knowledge. Depay may still develop, he is very young and new to England. Ashley Young isn't that bad as a back up for midfield and at full back, same goes for Antonio Valencia. They won't be starting obviously, but for legs and for cup games they'll be good enough. Jesse Lingard is developing pretty well. Juan Mata is still a good player, I think he needs the team to be built around him more than others, but even when he plays poorly he is capable of changing a game. Fellaini is probably bust. Even Januzaj may offer something yet, if he can get going again.

Forwards
This is where most work is needed. Wayne Rooney has to be phased out now, or at the very least have him drop deeper because he doesn't have the pace to play up front anymore. Anthony Martial hasn't looked too bad when playing as a striker and I imagine most coaches would like to work with a promising forward like him. Reinforcements are definitely needed though.

For me the quality of United's squad is definitely enough to be challenging for top four and probably the title. They're definitely in need of a top quality striker, a new centre back and probably a creative central midfielder, but they do have a decent spine that a new manager could build around.

I think Van Gaal is underachieving with the players he has, so that suggests top four is the very minimum the squad can achieve.

[Crimey]

Would have more time for Jose if he took something like the Villa or Sunderland job and built something memorable from that instead of waltzing into a big club and being told, "Go on son, spend what you f*cking like!"

It's 12 years ago now, but Mourinho did take a very much unfancied Porto side and won the Champions League with them, with minimal spending. He's a very different manager now, much more cautious and I'm not sure if knows how to recreate that kind of success without spending, but he has shown in his career that he can do it.

I think it would be fascinating to see some of the world's top managers take on a different task, to see if their skills achieved at the highest level of the game can be transferred to different circumstances. Just as it would be really interesting to see lower-team specialists like Pulis, Allardyce or Pardew be given a huge budget and European team and see if they can take their skills and transfer them to better circumstances. I'd actually expect to see the lower-league specialists be more successful in translating their skills to a higher level than I would be in the top managers being able to do as well with lesser sides.

[Fernando]

[Guest]

Desperate move bringing in Adebayor. The club has hit the wall & like many of Pardew's seasons, they seem to just peter out.

As for that Newcastle/Sunderland friendly, don't really see what the fuss is about. Both out the cup & have no game for quite a period. It's not as if it's the full first team anyway, good chance to get their new signings fully fit.

[guildfordbat]

Would have more time for Jose if he took something like the Villa or Sunderland job and built something memorable from that instead of waltzing into a big club and being told, "Go on son, spend what you f*cking like!"

It's 12 years ago now, but Mourinho did take a very much unfancied Porto side and won the Champions League with them, with minimal spending. He's a very different manager now, much more cautious and I'm not sure if knows how to recreate that kind of success without spending, but he has shown in his career that he can do it.

I think it would be fascinating to see some of the world's top managers take on a different task, to see if their skills achieved at the highest level of the game can be transferred to different circumstances. Just as it would be really interesting to see lower-team specialists like Pulis, Allardyce or Pardew be given a huge budget and European team and see if they can take their skills and transfer them to better circumstances. I'd actually expect to see the lower-league specialists be more successful in translating their skills to a higher level than I would be in the top managers being able to do as well with lesser sides.

Crimey - I appreciate football forty years ago was in some ways a different game but it's for his achievements at Derby and Forest, two relatively small clubs, that continue to make Clough stand out as one of the greats of club management.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

It just wouldnt happen now

[GSC]

Maybe not the Champions League, but the club currently leading the PL is up there.

[guildfordbat]

Thanks, GSC. You beat me to it.

[Crimey]

According to the Daily Mirror, Manchester United are worried that if Ryan Giggs is overlooked when Van Gaal leaves, then Giggs is going to leave. I get that it'll be a little bit sad for United to lose somebody who has been with them for close to 30 years, but at the same time he can't genuinely expect to hold the club to ransom to get a job he is severely under qualified for.

If he is so sure he should be managing Manchester United he should go prove himself as a manager elsewhere. Even if he does just okay, it'll always be tempting for United to go after him.

[Crimey]

Also John Moores has reportedly bought Everton. He is the former owner of the San Diego Padres. He is also 71.

[guildfordbat]

Also John Moores has reportedly bought Everton. He is the former owner of the San Diego Padres. He is also 71.

I think he or his family used to own Everton years ago.

[Crimey]

Also John Moores has reportedly bought Everton. He is the former owner of the San Diego Padres. He is also 71.

I think he or his family used to own Everton years ago.

Different John Moores.


The one you're thinking of is who the University is named after, he died 23 years ago.

[Guest]

According to the Daily Mirror, Manchester United are worried that if Ryan Giggs is overlooked when Van Gaal leaves, then Giggs is going to leave. I get that it'll be a little bit sad for United to lose somebody who has been with them for close to 30 years, but at the same time he can't genuinely expect to hold the club to ransom to get a job he is severely under qualified for.

If he is so sure he should be managing Manchester United he should go prove himself as a manager elsewhere. Even if he does just okay, it'll always be tempting for United to go after him.

We should use the Dutch model and anyone wanting to coach has to start from the bottom teaching the kids before progressing to the big leagues

[Crimey]

Harry Redknapp claims that Manchester United would be 5th or 6th under Sir Alex Ferguson with the current squad...what rubbish! They'd be at least top four and probably challenging for the title. The squad is lacking a superstar for sure, but there is a lot of talent in the squad.

[Crimey]

Supposedly Chelsea are interested in having Mark Hughes as their manager next season.

On the one hand it makes sense, he has been a relative success almost everywhere he has gone (excluding QPR), he's turned Stoke into quite an attractive looking side and has had a big budget before with Manchester City. He's also somewhat of a Chelsea hero, from his playing days.

On the other hand, his time with QPR was truly dreadful and does suggest that he has real flaws. It also, weirdly, might be hard to get from Stoke who are very much behind him and have given him the opportunity to create a really good squad and he will get more time and likely more freedom.

[Crimey]

Van Gaal has said if he loses to Derby, he thinks he could be sacked. It would surely be the last straw and for me more evidence that Van Gaal's heart isn't in it.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I'm going to Swansea away

I'm already questioning my sanity

[GSC]

Van Gaal has said if he loses to Derby, he thinks he could be sacked. It would surely be the last straw and for me more evidence that Van Gaal's heart isn't in it.

In proper context, he said hes been "sacked" 3 times already by the media and if he loses to Derby it could be #4.

[Guest]

Van Gaal has said if he loses to Derby, he thinks he could be sacked. It would surely be the last straw and for me more evidence that Van Gaal's heart isn't in it.

In proper context, he said hes been "sacked" 3 times already by the media and if he loses to Derby it could be #4.

However, his flippancy over being sacked my be seen as an indicator that he knows his days are numbered. He's lost the players, the fans, the media are circling like vultures...outside of Wenger, which other manager who's been in that position, certainly in the PL era, has had so much go against him and managed to remain in his job?

All Van Gaal needs now is the "backing of the board" and he may as well pack it in

[Guest]

The board or hierarchy above & below him, is in as much mess. Points to the reason, why no decisions are being made. They've dithered for far too long, missed the opportunity with Jose, so now they've just got to sit & wait until the summer. If they miss out on top 4, the club is basically back to July/August 2014.

[Hero]

Hearing a rumour that Daniel Sturridge is not actually injured but is wanting to retire due to his growing faith.

[GSC]

Ringing doors asking people if they want to let Jesus into their hearts is just part of his mini preseason.

[Guest]

John Terry leaving Chelsea this summer

[Duty281]

The finest defender of a generation.

[GSC]

Probably about time. Had a mini resurgence a couple of years ago, but they have to compromise for his lack of mobility these days. Also a delicate influence in the locker room for a new manager to navigate.

Regardless of being a first class twonk, still a Chelsea great however you spin it.

[Hammersmith harrier]

The finest defender of a generation.

Of course he is, not even the finest Chelsea defender of his generation.

[GSC]

Its difficult to compare Terry and Rio even as CBs, they had entirely different styles. There was definitely an extended period where he was a world class CB however.

(I'm also assuming the other Chelsea defender you refer to is Ashley, however heading the JT/Rio debate off at the pass)

[westisbest]

Best centre backs ive seen in the prem are Adams, McGrath, Bould, Teale, Pallister, Bruce etc.

Ok so im going back a while.
Although they played the game when it was played by men, not these guys that play now.

They were a joy to watch.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Rio was the best England have had in a long, long time.

[Hammersmith harrier]

I actually refer to Carvalho who was the lynchpin in that Chelsea defence.

[Stella]

Best centre backs ive seen in the prem are Adams, McGrath, Bould, Teale, Pallister, Bruce etc.

Ok so im going back a while.
Although they played the game when it was played by men, not these guys that play now.

They were a joy to watch.

Adams, along with Ferdinand, Terry and Campbell have been the three best English CB's in the prem era, imho.

[Fernando]

Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed he will leave at the end of the season with Pep Guardiola taking over

Confirmed by Citeh

[Guest]

Enter Pep Guardiola on a three year deal this summer

[Fernando]

It's a shame to see Manuel going brought some much needed stability to Citeh. Be interesting to see if the players decide to stop playing for him now.

[Guest]

Doubt it, league title within reach & the champions league draw has opened up for them. If anything, they'd want to prove to Pep, that they are good enough to remain at the club.

[Crimey]

Strong rumours now that Pellegrini will join Chelsea.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Best option they have

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Doubt it, league title within reach & the champions league draw has opened up for them. If anything, they'd want to prove to Pep, that they are good enough to remain at the club.

If the players like Pellegrini they'll want to prove a point for him, if not I can't see them really putting too much effort in. Would imagine Pep will do that majority of his evaluating once he's coached the majority of the players (obviously he's not gonna keep the bum ones)

[Crimey]

I see a fairly big clear out coming this summer at City. 

Yaya Toure will probably leave, can certainly see Navas, Bony, Fernando, Clichy all going as well.

[Guest]

six years as manager & won five leagues has pep. Taken easy street again in my opinion, regardless of a clear out needed of the bench players.

[Hero]

He's lost a total of 19 league games in his managerial career, as many as the amount of trophies he's won as manager.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

six years as manager & won five leagues has pep. Taken easy street again in my opinion, regardless of a clear out needed of the bench players.  

If you're in his position, why would you do anything else?

[westisbest]

Be good test for him after city to take a lower position club, to see if he can get them up the top on a permanant basis.

Rather than taking the top teams.

Although cant see him doing it, although that would be an interesting test.

[GSC]

Pep can get City to that top level that Pellegrini fell short of. To be honest I wouldn't go for Manuel if I were Chelsea. Nice guy but he's not near the top bracket of managers.

[Breadvan]

I'm going to Swansea away

I'm already questioning my sanity

Enjoy the nice novelty of being in the away end, directly behind the goal. Not in the gods either...

[Guest]

Some good games on tonight and at first glance the only one I can see being televised is West Ham/Villa.

[Stella]

No game really stands out. Leicester v Liverpool is one that could be entertaining?

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