We Go Again! The 2014/15 Premier League Thread

[Ent]

Missed the game today great result!

City have bought terribly since they won the title in 11/12, 100s of millions and no real certain starters or class players introduced.

They've prospered in a relative decline of the pl, picking up the top players from the non top 4 and the sub elite Europeans was good enough as a base but they didn't kick on and it has showed in Europe and this season.

6 wins in a row for United, city, Spurs and Liverpool in that run.

Top 4 all but secured, big test next week against chelsea.

[Hammersmith harrier]

I reckon, yeah. To be honest, I'm not the biggest Rooney fan, but in the middle his industry and can do attitude is better rewarded. He's been an EPL pro for over a decade, and he's only broken 20 goals twice. Sure part of that is because managers spend large amounts of time playing him deeper, but that's because (I think) they agree with my diagnosis of him being better as a 10 than a 9.  

I think they probably know they can guarantee secondary goals and work rate, rather than thinking hes better there.

I've been thinking about this 20 goal a striker thing a bit and not sure if it's high on our list of priorities, if you have enough goalscorers in the team then that can in theory take a lot of pressure of the main striker. Rooney, Mata, Fellaini, Herrera and Young are all capable of scoring their fair share of goals as they have all shown in our recent good, also if you do play Rooney up top he'll easily score 20 times in a season but wouldn't the same pressure as say a Van Persie would.

Based on the assumption that neither Van Persie and Falcao are at Old Trafford next season.

[GSC]

I like Nasri to be fair. Attitude leaves something to be desired but hes very good going forward.

[Hero]

For me he's always been a great player when you're winning, not so much when you're chasing the game. Fair weather player.

[Guest]

Carver has a gameplan for tonight, so beware.....

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Carver has a gameplan for tonight, so beware.....

Turn up, bend over, leave?

[Guest]

Sounds about right

[Fernando]

Liverpool starting XI: Mignolet, Johnson, Can, Lovren, Moreno, Allen, Lucas, Henderson, Ibe, Coutinho, Sterling
LFC subs: Jones, Toure, Lambert, Manquillo, Borini, Brannagan, Markovic

Newcastle United starting XI: Krul, R.Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback, Anita, Abeid, Sissoko, Cabella, Obertan, Perez
NUFC subs: Elliot, Sterry, Gouffran, Gutierrez, Ameobi, Armstong, Riviere

[Crimey]

Not convinced by Can playing in a back four as a centre back, especially with Lovren as his partner. Coutinho is starting centrally as well, guess as a false 9 basically. Ibe and Sterling have a lot of pace so guessing that's the attack plan.

[Fernando]

Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle - Raheem Sterling

Newcastle to fold as usual

[GSC]

#praisethesystem

[NickisBHAFC]

Nice Finish by Sterling but a lot of credit to Henderson what a top pass that was.

[FootballLight]

See, they need to replace the older balance in their squad with a younger one. Which is what those kind of players do. Milner, Yaya, Nasri, Clichy, Kolarov are all likely to be gone, so too Demichelis, Dzeko, Navas, obviously Lampard. You move them out (all on big wages and many who will get a decent fee) and bring in younger players who are hungry

I see sense in what you are saying, however, you have lost a lot of experience from that team there. They are having to replace a lot of players. They need to keep Toure. He has carried the team this season and has done ok, not great, but his experience could be pivotal. All of them I wouldn't want to keep, but you can't just sell them all in one summer. Its just like a merry-go-round.

Id say its been the opposite. Hes been appalling, mainly in his attitude, and his become a "moments" player rather than a consistent game runner. He produces the odd bit of quality nowadays, but otherwise takes no responsibility on the field. He is the first name i'd shift out, endemic of the malaise that has hit City

I think 50% of this downfall has come from Toure's appearance in the ACON this season. He hasn't found his rhythm since he has come back but he is no different to the rest of the City players. He may not have been a good this season on the pitch, but his influence showed in January when he was missing. Someone with some experience to guide that team through.

And look how they're playing with him now. Is he any sort of leader? Even without his form, is he busting a gut to work for them? Is he worth his place currently? I'd say no to all of those things. At least Kompany tries and does lead, even when he personally isnt on form. Toure cares about Yaya Toure.

The whole team is out of form though. You can't just say Toure is a poor player because he isn't working for the team. Fair enough, he has played recently but he has with City. A positive is when he plays well, City play well. But when he doesn't play well, neither do City. He is the only leader they have in midfield really Man City.

[NickisBHAFC]

Newcastle fans with a brilliant chant

"You're nothing special we lose every week" 

Lot of time for that!

[GSC]

As great as Toure is when he's on, hes an absolute passenger when he isn't. And 2 of the last 4 seasons hes been a passenger. You cant build your midfield around a guy like that, and at past 30 its time to move on. To boot, hes not a great influence off the field.

Money will always be an influence on players City bring in, but they could do with bringing in a few younger players who actually want to be there.

[Guest]

We're shocking. I hope Mike Williamson gets a cruciate ASAP

[GSC]

We're shocking. I hope Mike Williamson gets a cruciate ASAP

Come on man, shouldn't joke about that stuff fella.

[FootballLight]

This Newcastle side are embarrassing sorry to say. They have some decent players, but they have stuck to their usual mid table mediocrity up until around the 25th game where they are always clear of relegation. Ok, they have a lot of injuries and do need to reshuffle the pack very often, but does that really give an excuse for their recent performances and results. Their team just looked so weak tonight, again yes they have injuries, but its not even looking like it will put up a fight.

I would have expected Perez, Cabella and Sissoko to do some real work on that Liverpool midfield and defence. Opening stages was positive, its just all gone to pot again after the first goal. Feel sorry for the Newcastle fans having to travel down there and even watch the game. Newcastle have given up all hope and accepted defeat.

Carver looks like the sort of character to absolutely rollock his side if they are playing poor. His stern facial expression says enough. I'm questioning if he does give them a bollocking anymore? Does he help increase the confidence? I think he could be a good manager at Newcastle, he needs to prove in these final 7 games that he can turn it around because I would like to see Carver have a good shot at that Newcastle job where he can sign his own players and have his own team.

[Hammersmith harrier]

What is you obsession with midfield leaders, something you could never describe Toure as being, he's good going forward in an advanced position but yesterday highlighted he has zero leadership ability. A central midfielder who doesn't play for the team, doesn't put the effort it and largely lets games pass him by can without doubt be said to be having an awful season.

[FootballLight]

And in response to the actual point, he is having an awful season, just like City. he is no different to the team. He plays badly, the team does. He plays well, the team does. I think that's as simple as it works. Great season for both him and City last season.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Is Lee mason blind or something? #stonewaller

[Guest]

Blatant pen

[Fernando]

Well that's a blatent penalty

[NickisBHAFC]

Poor referring decision 696467 of the season. Lee Mason should be banned.

[Fernando]

HT Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle

[Lowlandbrit]

Carver looks like the sort of character to absolutely rollock his side if they are playing poor. His stern facial expression says enough. I'm questioning if he does give them a bollocking anymore? Does he help increase the confidence? I think he could be a good manager at Newcastle, he needs to prove in these final 7 games that he can turn it around because I would like to see Carver have a good shot at that Newcastle job where he can sign his own players and have his own team.

I'm really not sure the ability to look sternly at the players that haven't shown any signs of life since you've been there is the main quality most clubs look for in a manager...

[Guest]

I would like to see Carver have a good shot at that Newcastle job where he can sign his own players and have his own team.

You must be joking

[Guest]

I echo that, Carver needs removing ASAP, so out of his depth. It's like two wins in 12+ games

[Fernando]

I don't think it's helps that Newcastle has gone into "Holiday Mode" and aren't exactly trying knowing their safe & not getting Europe.

He could be a decent manager but i suspect we'lll never know.

[Fernando]

Well that's an absolute shocker

Taylor misses the ball leaves Sterling 6 yards out on goal no one within 5 yards and puts it wide LOL

[Fernando]

Fabio "Geordie Slayer" Borini on for Jordon Ibe

[NickisBHAFC]

Yeah can't see Carver staying on as newcastle manager, but could go down the Sherwood way like Spurs and if a job comes available next season could be in with a shout, would probably more likely be Championship mind.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I would like to see Carver have a good shot at that Newcastle job where he can sign his own players and have his own team.

You must be joking

I 100% agree with FL #toonrelegationparty2015/16

[Fernando]

Jonas on for Obertan

Lovely reception from the Liverpool fans for Jonas.

[Fernando]

Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle - Joe Allen

You know your Poopie when this happens.

[Guest]

We're shocking. I hope Mike Williamson gets a cruciate ASAP

Come on man, shouldn't joke about that stuff fella.

In both knees, absolutely shocking

[Fernando]

Armstrong on for Abeid.

[Fernando]

Moussa Sissoko sent off for 2 yellows. Should of been a straight red tbh.

[Crimey]

Decent performance, could have been 5 or 6, but at the same time Newcastle should have had a penalty when it was only 1-0. Great play, poor final ball basically.

[Stella]

Can Liverpool catch City?

[Crimey]

Relying on City keeping up their awful form, but I saw a fairly good set of results, which whilst still being realistic, so Liverpool losing to Chelsea and drawing a game or two, where Liverpool could still pip City to the fourth spot.

[Crimey]

Also Carver got it completely wrong tonight, he seemed to try and set Newcastle out to stretch the pitch out, which is madness because it only gives more space for Sterling, Coutinho and Henderson.

[Hero]

How a year changes things in football.
This time last year as a Utd fan I was weighing up which of City or Liverpool would be the least depressing for me to win the title (I chose City and was glad when they did).
This year it's looking between the two for the 4th spot and I think I'll plump for City again.

[Guest]

Why are Newcastle on Sky again vs Spurs this weekend? Have Sky not realised that we're sh*t, we can't score & that we don't wish to see Williamson embarrass himself anymore.

[Guest]

Last three Sky games for the Toon

Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
Man City 5-0 Newcastle

[Hammersmith harrier]

How a year changes things in football.
This time last year as a Utd fan I was weighing up which of City or Liverpool would be the least depressing for me to win the title (I chose City and was glad when they did).
This year it's looking between the two for the 4th spot and I think I'll plump for City again.

As long as we finish above them both Hero I don't mind, if we can get above Arsenal which is more than possible then I think we can call it a fairly successful season in the context of last years catastrophe.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

We're on TV on Sunday against City, John. Just think of the mauling we're gonna get. I deserve this after slating you lot for taking it easy in the second half of the season, Allardyce has done the same and thats why hes on the edge

[Hero]

How a year changes things in football.
This time last year as a Utd fan I was weighing up which of City or Liverpool would be the least depressing for me to win the title (I chose City and was glad when they did).
This year it's looking between the two for the 4th spot and I think I'll plump for City again.

As long as we finish above them both Hero I don't mind, if we can get above Arsenal which is more than possible then I think we can call it a fairly successful season in the context of last years catastrophe.

If we ended up above Arsenal for the 2nd spot then it's a bloody fantastic season, though Nick and SAF may disagree.

[westisbest]

We're on TV on Sunday against City, John. Just think of the mauling we're gonna get. I deserve this after slating you lot for taking it easy in the second half of the season, Allardyce has done the same and thats why hes on the edge

We're on sky away to City sasturday week.

I actually fancy us to get a point.
Would'nt have said that at the start of the year.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

We're on TV on Sunday against City, John. Just think of the mauling we're gonna get. I deserve this after slating you lot for taking it easy in the second half of the season, Allardyce has done the same and thats why hes on the edge

We're on sky away to City sasturday week.

I actually fancy us to get a point.
Would'nt have said that at the start of the year.

I bloody hope so

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