English Football Thread 2012/2013

[barmyarmy]

That all has to do with personnel there as well though.

Man Utd were extremely solid when they had Ferdinand at his prime and a Vidic who wasn't injured every couple of months. You can't expect someone like Jonny Evans to match them at their prime. At full back they again had better personnel like Evra at his peak and Neville and all, now a declining Evra and Rafael will never be as good as guys like them.

Arsenal the same, Adams and Campbell are of a different class to guys like Djourou and Vermaelen, Cole as well is much better.

Chelsea happen to have a clown in David Luiz at the back as well and a declining Terry. You can't expect a clown like him to be too good.

I don't think there's anything wrong with their defences, it's just they need better players there as opposed to the current inexperienced or declining guys they have there.

I think your post might suggest otherwise!

 

[thedon5]

I think your post might suggest otherwise!

By that I mean there's nothing wrong with their defensive systems as such (maybe with Arsenal), it's more just a lack of quality personnel.

By the tone in your post you made it sound like the drop in defensive quality was more due to teams placing less emphasis on being defensively sound. I'm trying to say that is not the case.

 

[BKB1991]

Tbf we had Wooton and Keane defending last night. Still our defensive problems have been well documented. Think Rafael has been pretty so far and could warrant being our no 1 RB.

 

[thedon5]

Tbf we had Wooton and Keane defending last night. Still our defensive problems have been well documented. Think Rafael has been pretty so far and could warrant being our no 1 RB.

If that's what you're into...

Your defending hasn't been good regardless though, you've conceded quite a few in the PL for example.

Rafael is your only real natural RB by the looks of it so if he can keep his form up he'd be a good choice.

 

[BKB1991]

Sshhhh

I really hope Anderson stays injury free, he does look like hes getting into some sort of form

 

[thedon5]

Anderson? The guy's so bad it's appalling. However it'd be good to see him finally living up to his potential I suppose. I remember this post from the first page in the thread.

a player being called better than Kaka and Ronaldhino by Dunga (Anderson)

Oh how unfortunate United are with the way he's turned out.

 

[BKB1991]

Well hes only got himself to blame. Hasnt really improved and if he had delivered to the expectations he could have been instant starter in United midfield by now. He has had glimpses of good form, just needs to stay fit for a season or so

 

[thedon5]

Yeah. Tbh when he arrived I was expecting big things from him too, though I thought some of the hype at the time was a bit too much.

Players that don't keep fit like him will never improve. Doesn't seem to have the right attitude either.

 

[shravi]

Dirk Kuyt - The Legend by ElAlonso on Vimeo

Miss him. Great video. Great memories.

 

[Haarithan]

Massive night ahead at Anfield. Given how Arsenal, Spurs and Everton have all dropped points off their respective fixtures, it's extremely vital we beat Newcastle to have even the slightest of chances off making the Top 4.

 

[Bevab]

You have hopes for a Top 4 spot?

 

[Haarithan]

Not really, no. Nevertheless the very sight of the likes of Spurs, Arsenal showing portraying inconsistent displays unlike last season does tempt me to give a slight thought bout it (Did add the 'slightest of chances' in my previous post for a reason).

 

[thedon5]

Not really, no. Nevertheless the very sight of the likes of Spurs, Arsenal showing portraying inconsistent displays unlike last season does tempt me to give a slight thought bout it (Did add the 'slightest of chances' in my previous post for a reason).

Arsenal and Spurs weren't inconsistent last year? They were. At this time last season I'm pretty sure Arsenal were still in the relegation zone and Spurs missed out on a top 4 spot due to their inconsistency at the end of the season. Neither team were great all last season, not by a long shot.

I don't think you have any chance whatsoever for a top 4 spot, but if you can pick up a good striker who can slot in seamlessly to your team you have a chance of 5th of 6th.

 

[shravi]

What a poor substitute performance by Shelvey. Should have won that game.

There is just not enough support going forward for Suarez. I am not talking about strikers, but just passing options once Suarez gets into the final third. Sterling played well but Suso, for all his talent, is simply not a winger (although, who else can Liverpool really play there?). Suarez had a great game, no doubt, but at times he just shot for no reason at all because he had nobody to pass to. I think Shelvey should start ahead of Sahin because he gets into goalscoring opportunities much more often. It's ridiculous how much Liverpool depend on Glen Johnson going forward. Without him, Liverpool lack ideas, pace, directness, and ball retention.

 

[ved_]

Damn, I was hoping for a Newcastle win. Suarez saved them from embarassment.