English Football Thread 2012/2013

[MasterBlaster76]

God, we were awful weren't we?

And I had to laugh at the commentator comparing our failure to win our first two group games to the Treble winning season; our group back then included Barcelona and Bayern Munich (I was watching the Treble winning season last night) - so it's hardly the same thing.

We're well and truly in the middle of a 'blip' - and we need the plastic lot to have one pretty soon, otherwise they could soon be out of sight. David Silva didn't look too good last night - if there's one player I'd deprive them of, it would be him.

Speaking of watching the old days, there was also some footage of the protests when Sky tried to buy us for ?650m. I wonder if they would've protested so loud if they could see the Glazers coming, and worse - these Arab businessmen pulling a pathetic club from midtable obscurity. We live and learn.

 

[puddleduck]

Man U's midfield is not good enough at the moment. Lacks someone to provide a bit of class in the middle. Tons of players who would complement a star well, but missing the player who just makes things happen. Your young backline with Vidic is good enough, and your strikeforce will score goals, but who will keep the ball and use it sensibly all game which simulatenously solidifies the defence and gives your strikeforce room to manoever?

Players like Silva, Iniesta, even Modric. They aren't amazing because they hit killer passes every second, their quality is in always being available to receive the ball and never giving it away. Eventually, chances come because these sorts of players link the play so well. At United it's all too reliant on pace down the flanks and playing with width. It was fine when Ronaldo would get 50 goals from there, and it worked last season because Nani suddenly became unplayable, but without that spark United will continue to look ordinary due to what is by their standards, an ordinary midfield.

Even last season, games were end to end with United. Far too often their midfield would be overrun and I put them winning the league solely down to Ferguson's sheer strength of will driving the team home. They would probably still do it again this year if it wasn't the fact that City have a stronger squad, and a far better midfield.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Man U's midfield is not good enough at the moment. Lacks someone to provide a bit of class in the middle. Tons of players who would complement a star well, but missing the player who just makes things happen. Your young backline with Vidic is good enough, and your strikeforce will score goals, but who will keep the ball and use it sensibly all game which simulatenously solidifies the defence and gives your strikeforce room to manoever?

Players like Silva, Iniesta, even Modric. They aren't amazing because they hit killer passes every second, their quality is in always being available to receive the ball and never giving it away. Eventually, chances come because these sorts of players link the play so well. At United it's all too reliant on pace down the flanks and playing with width. It was fine when Ronaldo would get 50 goals from there, and it worked last season because Nani suddenly became unplayable, but without that spark United will continue to look ordinary due to what is by their standards, an ordinary midfield.

Even last season, games were end to end with United. Far too often their midfield would be overrun and I put them winning the league solely down to Ferguson's sheer strength of will driving the team home. They would probably still do it again this year if it wasn't the fact that City have a stronger squad, and a far better midfield.

Yes - we need to sign a quality midfielder in January. If we can attract anyone, what with the exorbitant wage demands these days.

Glazers, sod off.

 

[puddleduck]

It's a crazy market. What's Wayne on now? Be interesting to see if Fergie does make any moves in the market, by then Man U will probably have won 9 on the bounce

This year I think is make or break for Spurs. If we don't get a top 4, I think we'll start to struggle to hold onto a few players and if that happens we'll struggle to bring in the sort of replacements that can allow us to challenge again for a while.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Rooney looked good in midfield I thought. Considering how adventurous he was, his pass completion was very good. His diagonal balls kept creating opportunities for Valencia on the wing but he didn't capitalise on it. Anderson was awful again though, and the wingers didn't do much either.

 

[BKB1991]

It's a crazy market. What's Wayne on now? Be interesting to see if Fergie does make any moves in the market, by then Man U will probably have won 9 on the bounce

This year I think is make or break for Spurs. If we don't get a top 4, I think we'll start to struggle to hold onto a few players and if that happens we'll struggle to bring in the sort of replacements that can allow us to challenge again for a while.

Spurs are my second favourite team in England, and you are spot on about players leaving if they dont manage a CL spot. Reckon they should do it, they have been very consistent after losing to the Manchester sides early on.

Also anyone else get the feeling Bale is just destined for United in a few years? I have a feeling he will eventually end up there

 

[Haarithan]

Also anyone else get the feeling Bale is just destined for United in a few years? I have a feeling he will eventually end up there

Yeah, the Toon jersey would indeed look nice on him.

 

[JBlues08]

This year I think is make or break for Spurs. If we don't get a top 4, I think we'll start to struggle to hold onto a few players and if that happens we'll struggle to bring in the sort of replacements that can allow us to challenge again for a while.

And not to mention, Harry will probably become the next England manager after Euro 2012. IF he does leave for England, I do think Spurs should go for David Moyes as the replacement.

 

[puddleduck]

Also anyone else get the feeling Bale is just destined for United in a few years? I have a feeling he will eventually end up there

Well I know someone who went to school with Bale and one of his mates is apparently still really good mates with Bale. He said that Gareth, unlike most narrow minded English footballers, does actually dream of playing abroad. Spain or Italy are the two countries he dreams of playing in. He'd be ideal for Real Madrid and would probably do the right job at left back for Barca. Still, life can change rapidly, and who knows where he'll end up

Here's hoping we don't fall apart at some point, as both Arsenal and Liverpool are gonna be putting serious pressure on Spurs. Assuming Newcastle will fall away at some point of course!

Indeed Jblues, almost included that caveat myself. I do think if we miss 4th this year Harry could well leave. I think he would know that he would never have as strong a squad with which to achieve at Spurs ever again, and if he hadn't managed it with this one, there would be no further he could take us. Not like Harry doesn't have previous with shooting off when he's had enough.

 

[shravi]

Newcastle's next 4 matches in the league are Everton, City, United and Chelsea so I expect Liverpool/Tottenham to move into the top 4 after that.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Well I know someone who went to school with Bale and one of his mates is apparently still really good mates with Bale. He said that Gareth, unlike most narrow minded English footballers, does actually dream of playing abroad. Spain or Italy are the two countries he dreams of playing in. He'd be ideal for Real Madrid and would probably do the right job at left back for Barca. Still, life can change rapidly, and who knows where he'll end up

Here's hoping we don't fall apart at some point, as both Arsenal and Liverpool are gonna be putting serious pressure on Spurs. Assuming Newcastle will fall away at some point of course!

Indeed Jblues, almost included that caveat myself. I do think if we miss 4th this year Harry could well leave. I think he would know that he would never have as strong a squad with which to achieve at Spurs ever again, and if he hadn't managed it with this one, there would be no further he could take us. Not like Harry doesn't have previous with shooting off when he's had enough.

Bale would tear the Serie A apart. The whole league is crying out for a great winger. Everyone plays so narrow that he would run riot. Just look how successful Napoli have been by playing with width.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Sky Sports doing a Fergie XI to commemorate his 25 years at the club. Mine would probably be:

Schmeichel
Neville - Vidic - Ferdinand - Irwin
Ronaldo - Keane - Scholes - Giggs
Cole - Yorke​

Robson was probably a better player than Scholes but I can't not pick Scholes as he was my favourite Utd player. Cantona was such a huge aura and so influential but ultimately I think the Cole-Yorke partnership was better.

 

[War]

I would have RVN and Rooney as my front two.

 

[Auwais]

I'd probably sneak Stam in ahead of Vidic. Just.

 

[puddleduck]

Robson was probably a better player than Scholes but I can't not pick Scholes as he was my favourite Utd player.

Don't know that he was. A different player certainly, knew how to tackle for starters, but almost anyone who played with Scholes and a vast portion of people who played against him, rate him as one of the best players they played against. One of my favourite ever players despite not supporting Man U

Gotta be Cantona and Rooney up front. Absolute potential to be a liability, but would be fun finding out ha