English Football Thread 2012/2013

[ste_mc_efc]

Well many people say MANUTD=One man team actually it is LFC=One man team (Suarez)

who has said united were a one man team this season?

 

[War]

I think this weekend we have seen why the title will either be won by United or City , basically because of their superior adaptability over their closest rivals Chelsea.

United can play either 4-3-1-2 diamond or play a very attacking 4-4-1-1 where the wingers run hard @ teams. While city can play their regular 4-2-2-2 or 3-5-2.

Chelsea for all the great skills of their front four attackers, really don't have an alternative formation to play & if one of those front four strikers get injured, it can mess up their season.

 

[thedon5]

Well they didn't have Mata last week and Moses came in well. Don't forget Ramires and Bertrand have played in that front four this season as well, Sturridge could fit in too.

Remember, it's Chelsea, squad depth isn't a problem.

I wouldn't call City's 3-5-2 at all that successful just yet, this is the first time it worked.

 

[War]

Well they didn't have Mata last week and Moses came in well. Don't forget Ramires and Bertrand have played in that front four this season as well, Sturridge could fit in too.

Remember, it's Chelsea, squad depth isn't a problem.

Yea i'm not questioning their depth, i'm just saying their attacking/fluid 4-2-3-1 system, is their main style. And although they have the squad to play it well the slight advantage the manchester clubs have over them, that may prove decisive come the end of the season - is their ability to play two different formations.

Torres is still a big problem for them, compared to the manchester clubs who have 4 solid strikers. Torres i'd say the he has improved (although not @ his liverpool peak anymore), but the media is on his back every weekend.

Then of course the ash cole transfer rumours is not going away. So the future of those two is a bit of issue for the blues going forward.

I wouldn't call City's 3-5-2 at all that successful just yet, this is the first time it worked.

It worked pretty ok in that 2-2 draw vs liverpool if i recall, along with in pre-season. To me its only a matter of time before they get it right, since they have always had the players to work it properly.

 

[thedon5]

With regards to the 3-5-2, I think a lot of the success City can have with that formation will rely on Maicon and how he can adapt to England. The left is fine with Clichy and Kolarov, but neither Richards or Zabaleta can play on the right and Milner didn't do it for me either.

Torres has amazing service, so it still shouldn't be a worry even if he can't hit great form.

Chelsea look great atm, but Man City still on top for me.

 

[shravi]

Haha, love it.

 

[Epic]

With regards to the 3-5-2, I think a lot of the success City can have with that formation will rely on Maicon and how he can adapt to England. The left is fine with Clichy and Kolarov, but neither Richards or Zabaleta can play on the right and Milner didn't do it for me either.

Torres has amazing service, so it still shouldn't be a worry even if he can't hit great form.

Chelsea look great atm, but Man City still on top for me.

I don't know about you guys, but I was left quite perplexed when Mancini went after Maicon of all people during the transfer window, especially considering he's past his peak and what not, it all makes sense now though. Solid wing-back he is.

-------------------------------Hart-------------------------------

-----------Richards---------Kompany(c)-------Lescott/Nastasic----

--Maicon-----------Yaya--------------Barry/Garcia---------Clichy--

----------------------------Silva/Nasri-----------------------------

--------------------Tevez--------------Aguero---------------------

Kick ass.

 

[War]

I don't know about you guys, but I was left quite perplexed when Mancini went after Maicon of all people during the transfer window, especially considering he's past his peak and what not, it all makes sense now though. Solid wing-back he is.

-------------------------------Hart-------------------------------

-----------Richards---------Kompany(c)-------Lescott/Nastasic----

--Maicon-----------Yaya--------------Barry/Garcia---------Clichy--

----------------------------Silva/Nasri-----------------------------

--------------------Tevez--------------Aguero---------------------

Kick ass.

Somehow i think Kolarov may be used @ left wing-back more often than Clichy if this formation is used more often.

 

[Epic]

Mancini will most likely rotate the two, but yes, Kolarov is way better going forward, Clichy can't cross for ----.

Why is this the season of poor defending? - ESPN FC

You were on about that the other day.

 

[shravi]

kerpluck off, City (if it's true). I'm genuinely worried. Suarez is a world class player and deserves to play in the Champions League and I'm sure we can't offer that to him for at least another 2-3 seasons. We can't get another player of his class without spending a fortune or reaching the Champions League (which as I mentioned won't happen for a few more seasons and would probably not happen at all without Suarez).

 

[War]

Mancini will most likely rotate the two, but yes, Kolarov is way better going forward, Clichy can't cross for ----.

Why is this the season of poor defending? - ESPN FC

You were on about that the other day.

Ye its obvious defending standards worldwide has taken a certain nosedive.

 

[War]

BBC Sport - Premier League clubs move closer to break-even rule

This could be significant for the future the premiership, especially for the big spending clubs.

 

[Epic]

kerpluck off, City (if it's true). I'm genuinely worried. Suarez is a world class player and deserves to play in the Champions League and I'm sure we can't offer that to him for at least another 2-3 seasons. We can't get another player of his class without spending a fortune or reaching the Champions League (which as I mentioned won't happen for a few more seasons and would probably not happen at all without Suarez).

It's not true(or I hope it's not, I like him at 'pool tbh)... don't worry.

 

[Haarithan]

kerpluck off, City (if it's true). I'm genuinely worried. Suarez is a world class player and deserves to play in the Champions League and I'm sure we can't offer that to him for at least another 2-3 seasons. We can't get another player of his class without spending a fortune or reaching the Champions League (which as I mentioned won't happen for a few more seasons and would probably not happen at all without Suarez).

Suarez on award and future - Liverpool FC

"I have a very long contract here and it's a dream come true to be playing at a club like Liverpool because, as I've said, as a boy I dreamt of playing for a team like this.

Now I'm here, it's all about enjoying myself and trying to be here for as many years as I can, because I'm at a club where I'm very happy, my family is happy, I've got fantastic teammates and a manager from whom I'm learning so much."

Rather relieving, but who knows? Surely not another Torres...?

"That's what the other clubs' fans need to do - get behind their own side and not just think about Suarez, because all that does is motivate me even more to do well."

Haha, brilliant.

------------

EDIT: And here's the boss himself

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini not interested in signing Luis Suarez

"It is not true, I don't know. We have a good team and we don't need to buy another player in January.

We can't buy Suarez or another player because we have four strikers and Suarez plays for Liverpool.

For two weeks we talk about Monaco, after (Pep) Guardiola, after another manager, now Suarez, now Mario (Balotelli)."

 

[shravi]

I know. I know. It really doesn't have to be City. Could be anyone in the Champions League. It will be hard for Liverpool to hang on to him.