5000-1 - The 2016/17 Premier League thread

by **Crimey** Sun 06 Nov 2016, 3:39 pm

First topic message reminder :

Also, considering mine and pretty much everybody's doubts Mane has been a fantastic signing.

by 1GrumpyGolfer Sat 04 Mar 2017, 1:38 pm

It looked to me that Zlatan caught Mings first in the incident where Mings stamped on his head. Nastiness all round and both should be dealt with severely by the FA although that will depend on the referee's report.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat 04 Mar 2017, 2:25 pm

The ref was as poor as Pogba today, who was as bad as Boruc was good

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat 04 Mar 2017, 2:26 pm

And why many of us who are not Man United fans have been confident that this team will not get top four

by Guest Sat 04 Mar 2017, 3:40 pm

A Burnley player handles the ball in the Swansea penalty area, the referee and officials somehow mistake it for a Swansea handball, and award Burnley a penalty, from which they score. As a Swansea player - how do you handle that piece of bent? officiating emotionally without physically assaulting the referee?

by **owen10ozzy** Sat 04 Mar 2017, 3:56 pm

Get rid of Karanka NOW!! 4 points adrift of the likes of Leicester etc after today...Hull & Swansea both looking much better after changes and with our biggest run in of fixtures over the next few weeks....I have & to be honest have had from the get go, zero confidence in Karanka being the man to keep us up. If Gibson hasn't lost his passion for the club (wouldn't blame him after all these years) then he he needs to bite the bullet and pull the trigger first thing monday morning..

Bring in Pearson immediatly...has shown he can keep a team up when the tide is against them (with no wins since mid decemeber it definitely is) plus he has ties to the club which means the fans will get right behind him and he knows what it means to the town.

by Guest Sat 04 Mar 2017, 3:58 pm

Feel for Boro fans in all honesty. You know as soon as you ship 2 goals the game is up.

by **owen10ozzy** Sat 04 Mar 2017, 4:22 pm

Two?! Soon as we ship one its game over...and the worst of it...soon as we go 1-0 up we know we will lose or draw at best as we just sit on the lead and pack the numbers in. Don't get me wrong, Karanka will always have a place in folklore for returning us to the top flight...but a Premier League manager he is not...took stubborn, too defensive and lacks the man management skills to get his players fighting for him.

by Guest Sat 04 Mar 2017, 4:22 pm

The Leicester players must have somehow ended up resenting Ranieri. There performance since his sacking prove it. Must have been something similar at Chelsea when Mourinho lost the dressing room.

by Guest Sat 04 Mar 2017, 4:54 pm

Looks like Allardyce found his feet at Crystal Palace and the Leicester players are now playing with purpose and effort after getting rid of Ranieri. Both Crystal Palace and Leicester have back to back wins. Favorites for relegation now: Sunderland, Hull, Middlesbrough. Crystal Palace, Leicester and Swansea look to be on an upward march away from relegation. "Justice" for Swansea eventually beating Burnley 3-2.

by Guest Sat 04 Mar 2017, 4:55 pm

Shocking results for that bottom 3. I don't see it changing from now

by GSC Sat 04 Mar 2017, 4:56 pm

Gibsons probably too conservative for his own good here. At least they'll go down the "right" way.

by GSC Sat 04 Mar 2017, 4:58 pm

Alexis Sanchez dropped for Arsenal.

That'll be him off in the summer, my moneys on Juve.

by **owen10ozzy** Sat 04 Mar 2017, 5:27 pm

What is going down the right way...I'm not one for sackings and am usually the first to say give a manager time, however Aitor has shown he hasn't the stomach for the fight, the footballing brain to make the necessary changes and more importantly hasn't the respect for the club or the fans to admit he's got it wrong and what he is doing isn't working.

“We’ve played since I have been in here with one striker. We train not one way but today was a normal decision.

That quote after today's game tells both fans and should tell Gibson all he needs to know. The man in the hot seat isn't going to change his ways regardless of what it means for the club. Get rid now or we will face a decade or longer away from the premier league...and perhaps even worse we will be ripe for an extreme fall for grace culminating in financial problems ala Portsmouth.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat 04 Mar 2017, 6:13 pm

Although I must admit, if I was him id ignore people who call for two strikers.

The amount of strikers isnt the problem

by GSC Sat 04 Mar 2017, 6:45 pm

Welbecks still alive. Who knew

by **owen10ozzy** Sat 04 Mar 2017, 8:30 pm

It is when he calls for the midfield to sit so deep...we have little pace except Traore who doesnt start that much...Ramirez plays then 10 role...but finds himself isolated from Leadbitter and Clayton because they are deep..thus Ramirez goes looking for the ball and then leaves whichever one striker is playing isolated up top. Negredo isnt a one up top striker..stuani isnt a wide man..Gestede showed nothing yet was signed..just baffling decisions all around.

If he doesnt want to play two strikers no problem...but give the midfield men licence to get forward. The whole midfield no matter who plays always looks stifled/handcuffed...that isnt a problem with players it comes from the set up of the team

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 04 Mar 2017, 9:33 pm

I'd give a lot more credence to your calls for Karanka to go if you weren't calling for Nigel Pearson, a man who took Derby to their worst goalscoring run in decades this season, to replace him

Pearson certainly won't get you attacking more

by westisbest Sat 04 Mar 2017, 10:32 pm

Did very well to keep Leicester up, so has that in his locker.

by GSC Sat 04 Mar 2017, 11:28 pm

Murphy and Keown on tv at 11 is enough to put anyone to sleep.

by westisbest Sat 04 Mar 2017, 11:32 pm

Bring back Hanson and Lawro.
For me not been the same since they left.

Get rid of Lineker to.

by GSC Sat 04 Mar 2017, 11:43 pm

I like Lineker but the BBCs pundits are either extremely dire or clown acts like Savage.

Shearers improved to be fair.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 05 Mar 2017, 12:20 am

I like both Murphy and Keown, but neither are gonna come across as lively on a brief show of analysis like MOTD.

Both are interesting on radio, as is Jenas, but TV and the sparse times makes them dry performers.

by Breadvan Sun 05 Mar 2017, 10:17 am

If only Huw Jenkins had appointed Clement before Bradley, I swear the Swans would've be sat in mid table amongst the teams on 33 odd points but the U.S owners wanted "their man" in. BB talked a good game but difference in performances is huge compared to last year.

by **Crimey** Mon 06 Mar 2017, 9:51 am

Great result at the weekend, but the real test is Burnley because we've shown time and time again that we can beat the top sides.

by lfc91 Mon 06 Mar 2017, 10:06 am

Burnley only picked up 2 points on the road all season and Liverpool coming off an impressive win over a top 4 rival, so get your money on a Burnley win!

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Mon 06 Mar 2017, 9:15 pm

You can't make mistakes against the top sides. We do, especially as they have let us have the ball a bit then pounced

by Guest Mon 06 Mar 2017, 9:28 pm

Chelsea are too good for the premiership this season - they are running away with the league. To imagine the media including the BBC mounted a scare campaign indicating that Conte was favourite for the sack earlier in the season, with only one or two games to "prove" himself, seems ridiculous. It will be interesting to see how Chelsea manage in Europe next season.

by **Crimey** Tue 07 Mar 2017, 9:23 am

Like Leicester last year, they have been blessed with no injuries, no other major side have managed to go so long without picking up any real injuries. Since they swapped to a back three they've been able to play the same side week in week our pretty much consistently. Costa and Matic have dropped out a couple of times but that's about it, which is incredible really. A combination of the lack of European football, a less intense style and good fitness coaches has been one of the key factors in Chelsea winning the league this year.

by Hammersmith harrier Tue 07 Mar 2017, 9:52 am

Crimey wrote:Like Leicester last year, they have been blessed with no injuries, no other major side have managed to go so long without picking up any real injuries. Since they swapped to a back three they've been able to play the same side week in week our pretty much consistently. Costa and Matic have dropped out a couple of times but that's about it, which is incredible really. A combination of the lack of European football, a less intense style and good fitness coaches has been one of the key factors in Chelsea winning the league this year.

We can bang on about coaching, tactics and everything else but that is the major contributor, worth noting their upsurge coincided with the European comps starting up.

by **Hero** Tue 07 Mar 2017, 10:32 am

That's clearly what Utd are planning for next season then...

by Mad for Chelsea Tue 07 Mar 2017, 10:42 am

Hammersmith harrier wrote:
Crimey wrote:Like Leicester last year, they have been blessed with no injuries, no other major side have managed to go so long without picking up any real injuries. Since they swapped to a back three they've been able to play the same side week in week our pretty much consistently. Costa and Matic have dropped out a couple of times but that's about it, which is incredible really. A combination of the lack of European football, a less intense style and good fitness coaches has been one of the key factors in Chelsea winning the league this year.

We can bang on about coaching, tactics and everything else but that is the major contributor, worth noting their upsurge coincided with the European comps starting up.

Well yes, but it also coincided with the tactical switch to 3 at the back. IMO that was a bigger factor. However it's very true that the lack of European football (and an early exit in the ~~League~~ Whatever-it's-called-now Cup) has helped massively. As said, we've been able to play pretty much the same side week-in week-out, with the only consistent changes being Matic/Fabregas and Pedro/Willian, with Costa missing a few through injury at one point.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Tue 07 Mar 2017, 10:56 am

And no end of skill and cracking performances too. Hazard, Azpilicueta and Kante have been fantastic, and Costa driven and clinical.

by Hammersmith harrier Tue 07 Mar 2017, 11:33 am

They've been fantastic having no European football to worry about, if they perform to a similar level next year whilst in the Champions league then i'll agree.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Tue 07 Mar 2017, 12:36 pm

They're in sparkling form, and convincingly ahead of everyone. I'd be guessing top two again next year.

by **Hero** Tue 07 Mar 2017, 12:51 pm

Wonder just how crap Liverpool would have been this season then without early cup exits and no Europe.

by wadey101 Tue 07 Mar 2017, 1:51 pm

I imagine it's the fact that Chelsea have been practically injury free that's the main reason they are so far ahead.

Liverpool losing Coutinho, Mane and Sturridge for large periods of the season has clearly affected them whereas Chelsea have practically been able to name the same team for most matches.

Man City and Arsenal have both been affected by big injuries as well which has hampered their challenges.

It's ok saying these teams should have big enough squads to cope but when you can practically play your first team week in week out it makes a massive difference

by **Crimey** Thu 09 Mar 2017, 9:31 am

LA Galaxy have made an offer to make Ibrahimovic the highest paid player in the MLS. Suspect he may leave at the end of the season, especially if United don't make it back into the Champions League.

Then MUFC will have to think about signing a big name striker really as I don't think Martial or Rashford is ready and Rooney is likely also off. They'd struggle to attract Griezmann without Champions League football. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see them go after Harry Kane.

by Ent Thu 09 Mar 2017, 9:36 am

As good as Kane is I'm not sure his all round game offers enough and I can only imagine what Spurs would be asking for him.

by Scott is Back Thu 09 Mar 2017, 9:54 am

I would take Harry Kane in a heartbeat, and i still think we could attract Griezman without Champions League football.

by Hammersmith harrier Thu 09 Mar 2017, 10:00 am

I don't think we'd struggle to attract anyone because of Champions League football, it's pull is massively over rated.

by Ent Thu 09 Mar 2017, 10:12 am

Scott is Back wrote:I would take Harry Kane in a heartbeat, and i still think we could attract Griezman without Champions League football.

Spurs would be after a world record fee imo, not worth it.

Cl very important, players want to play in it. The likes of griezman would have his pick of clubs.

by **Crimey** Thu 09 Mar 2017, 10:15 am

I don't think it's pull is overrated at all.

Antoine Griezmann is a top class forward in a world which currently lacks top class forwards. If he was available, every top club in the world would sit up and take notice. Manchester United can compete financially but so can the other clubs and when Griezmann is being faced with potentially not playing the most important club competition in the world is going to be a major deciding factor.

by Scott is Back Thu 09 Mar 2017, 10:17 am

Ent wrote:
Scott is Back wrote:I would take Harry Kane in a heartbeat, and i still think we could attract Griezman without Champions League football.

Spurs would be after a world record fee imo, not worth it.

Cl very important, players want to play in it. The likes of griezman would have his pick of clubs.

3 years in the prem, scoring between 20-30 goals, you can see why they would demand that kind of fee, but at such a young age, i think he would be worth the (relatively low) risk.

CL is important, but i agree that its draw is overrated, Griezman would have his pick of clubs, but regardless of the current position in the league Utd are still one of the biggest clubs in the world, who are currently in a rebuilding phase, he is a life long Utd fan, best friends with Pogba...there are a lot of factors than can outweigh not playing 1 (hopefully) season of not playing champions league.

by GSC Thu 09 Mar 2017, 10:18 am

If I'm Kane I'm not sure I'm interested in United either way. That hasn't looked like a step up for a few years now.

Money talks, the CL used to be a much bigger proportion of turnover than it is nowadays

by Beer Thu 09 Mar 2017, 10:19 am

wadey101 wrote:
Liverpool losing Coutinho, Mane and Sturridge for large periods of the season has clearly affected them whereas Chelsea have practically been able to name the same team for most matches.

And their inability to beat bang average sides like Leicester, Hull, Swansea, Sunderland & Bournemouth.

Liverpool are not good enough to challenge for the title, simple. You can have a great record against the Top 4 sides, means nothing if you can't beat the bottom three.

by Ent Thu 09 Mar 2017, 10:26 am

Scott is Back wrote:
Ent wrote:
Scott is Back wrote:I would take Harry Kane in a heartbeat, and i still think we could attract Griezman without Champions League football.

Spurs would be after a world record fee imo, not worth it.

Cl very important, players want to play in it. The likes of griezman would have his pick of clubs.

3 years in the prem, scoring between 20-30 goals, you can see why they would demand that kind of fee, but at such a young age, i think he would be worth the (relatively low) risk.

CL is important, but i agree that its draw is overrated, Griezman would have his pick of clubs, but regardless of the current position in the league Utd are still one of the biggest clubs in the world, who are currently in a rebuilding phase, he is a life long Utd fan, best friends with Pogba...there are a lot of factors than can outweigh not playing 1 (hopefully) season of not playing champions league.

If United don't get it this season that is missing out 3 years in 4, it's not a one year blip. You might get the odd clown like pogba signing for big money but I have doubts a player would choose us over real, barca, bayern etc if they are an option and we aren't in cl.

Kane good finisher, all round game lacking - not worth a huge fee and doubt Spurs would sell.

by **Afro** Thu 09 Mar 2017, 10:37 am

I don't agree that Kane's all round game is lacking. I think that's exactly what makes him a good striker.

On Griezmann, its not going to be CL football or not that decides whether he moves to United. He has already come out and said that he looks at the Premier League, and England in general, and it doesn't appeal to him.

by Ent Thu 09 Mar 2017, 10:53 am

His finishing makes him such a good striker, been incredible this season - almost shearer like clean hits. Think is all round game is below average.

Players and their agents talk, you'd cope with England if you could earn a bucket load and challenge for the big trophies every year.

Equally if you don't fancy England the club trying to sign you not being a cl regular isn't going to help change your mind.

by Hammersmith harrier Thu 09 Mar 2017, 12:18 pm

Crimey wrote:I don't think it's pull is overrated at all.

Antoine Griezmann is a top class forward in a world which currently lacks top class forwards. If he was available, every top club in the world would sit up and take notice. Manchester United can compete financially but so can the other clubs and when Griezmann is being faced with potentially not playing the most important club competition in the world is going to be a major deciding factor.

Money talks and it's the primary incentive of almost all footballers, the Champions league used to have all the teams who could offer big money, it no longer has.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Thu 09 Mar 2017, 12:24 pm

Kane scores goals, a huge component of what United will need. He's a world class striker, and I'm not a big Spurs fan if that isn't obvious. I'd also see him staying rather than choosing Man United.

Be difficult. Kane would suit Mourinho, he works hard and defends from the front too.

Who else is a possible? Are Bayern bored of Leeandowski? I'd love to see them try take Sanchez

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