English Football Thread 2012/2013

[Ollie_H]

Yep, Evans isn't a Utd player - we should've kept Brown or O'Shea and given him to Sunderland!

No we should have kept Pique and sold the rest. Maybe kept O'Shea.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

No we should have kept Pique and sold the rest. Maybe kept O'Shea.

Yeah, we should definitely have kept Pique - an unusual lack of foresight from Sir Alex there.

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I really don't think Sneijder is the right man. Utd play a 4-4-2 and should continue playing that formation considering the players they have. They need a central midfielder. Sneijder's not that, he's more of a number 10 but really comes closer to an actual forward than a playmaker.

We also need a midfield general - we've never really replaced Keano.

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Not really his fault when the defence was so woeful.

Probably the worst Man Utd performance I've ever seen. Genuinely awful. No creativity from midfield in the 1st half, which has been a serious problem since Cleverley's injury; Evans' foul was utterly stupid and the organisation in the 2nd half was non-existent.

.

I wouldn't have had De Gea at fault for any of the goals to be honest.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

To be fair to Evans, he has been pretty good in all the other games. He was just awful on the weekend though.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Well, that was a nice easy win against Aldershot - and I know it was only League Two opposition, but I thought Berbatov showed a level of commitment and energy that are often lacking - it's time for him to come back into the first team. I mean, surely he shouldn't be behind Welbeck as well as Hernandez in the pecking order at Old Trafford?

 

[thedon5]

Berbatov is still a great player. He should be Utd's second choice striker if not third.

Tbh I don't really think there are many players SAF could sign that would perfectly fit into the team. I agree Sneijder probably wouldn't fit, but honestly, who really would?

De Gea wasn't at fault for the goals, but had he been at his best, he could've stopped atleast a couple of the goals with some great saves.

 

[War]

And what about the 4 other strikers at the club? It would be a pointless signing as it's not the player Utd need and it would cost a huge deal of money.

The other 4 striker will obviously will restricted to substitute roles. But its not as if alll four of them are regulars either.

Only Hernandez and Welbeck are getting regular starts in big league and CL matches. Of these two Hernandez is the only proven one ATM, given that Welbeck regardless of his early signs of talent is still unproven.

Owen is playing sparingly, while Berbatov hardly gets a look in.

So regardless of the money, Sneijder is the mid-fielder United wanted. I cannot see which other mid-fielder who was possibly available in Europe or around the world, which United could have bought instead, which makes you suggest the Sneijder was "not the player Utd need".

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Even if he was the only one available, it doesn't mean Utd should sign him. They need a central midfielder. He's, if anything, more of a forward! There's no point spending 40m on a player that isn't a right fit for the squad. You have to take into account the players already at the club and the system being played. Why, when he's made such huge improvements, throw Welbeck back down the order? And anyway, Utd probably don't have the money to spend for Sneijder.

Utd's problems are creativity from deep. They have players to finish off moves but not to start them.

 

[JBlues08]

Even if he was the only one available, it doesn't mean Utd should sign him. They need a central midfielder. He's, if anything, more of a forward! There's no point spending 40m on a player that isn't a right fit for the squad. You have to take into account the players already at the club and the system being played. Why, when he's made such huge improvements, throw Welbeck back down the order? And anyway, Utd probably don't have the money to spend for Sneijder.

Utd's problems are creativity from deep. They have players to finish off moves but not to start them.

What about Ever Banega? IIRC, someone mentioned him in this thread before.

Also, I was actually wondering if SAF is looking to get an experienced left back and right back. Evra's isn't getting any younger and his form has dipped a lot in recent months. I know there are Fabio and Rafael but those two seem to get injured more often than not.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Regarding Berbatov, I am amazed that he isn't rocking the boat (going by the lack of stories about it) - he doesn't come across as the sort of player who'd be happy warming the bench.

Everton at Goodison next - not what we really needed after the City debacle.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

What about Ever Banega? IIRC, someone mentioned him in this thread before.

Also, I was actually wondering if SAF is looking to get an experienced left back and right back. Evra's isn't getting any younger and his form has dipped a lot in recent months. I know there are Fabio and Rafael but those two seem to get injured more often than not.

Banega is a good shout. Clever passer who has patience as a playmaker. Still believe that Modric is the best suited player.

As for Evra, there's no way Fergie would let him go. He absolutely loves him.

 

[Ollie_H]

I was watching Man United vs Tottenham on ESPN Classic today from the 08/09 season, and I was wondering what the opinions are on the stronger United side is. This seasons side, or the 08/09 side.

The 08/09 side had Tevez, Rooney, Berbatov and Ronaldo as the attacking options when I was watching, one of them may have come off the bench, but they were all playing together at some point during the game. And to me, even 3 years ago, I reckon that side was better than the current one.

Whilst the standard of alot of sides might have gone up, Tottenham being one, I think the standard of some of the (old) Top 4 sides has actually gone down which is one of the reasons there are now probably 6/7 sides fighting for the Top 4.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, at a squeeze you could include a side like Everton(although chances decreasing)/Newcastle (on current form)/Stoke(who were shrewd in the TM and are already in the Europa league, don't see them getting Top 4, but they are a threat now).

 

[Dr. Pepper]

The Utd side from around 07 to 09 was one of the best sides I've seen. Fluid, versatile players who were absolutely lethal on the counter attack. The thing then was that there was no set side. It changed every week depending on the opposition and the formation would regularly change. They could afford to do that because everyone was so versatile. They could go from a 4-4-2 to 4-6-0 each week.

 

[Haarithan]

2008-09 United the better side by a country mile.

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Finally, my wish has been fulfilled - Liverpool come back from behind to win a game away from home after ages. Guess it happened last against Trabzonspor in the Europa League last season. Who else but Suarez could relieve us of that jinx!

 

[shravi]

Nutmeg! What a player!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

I still say, if Hargreaves would have not been injured at all he would have been the solution to our midfield problem. Anyways we need to get someone like Modric or Javi Martinez or maybe even Ganso or Hamsik.