English Football Thread 2012/2013

[Haarithan]

I think Butland made a mistake turning down Chelsea. Cech is getting on and they were clearly thinking long term.

Thibaut Courtois is already Chelsea's second choice or 'one for the future' and he's having a wondrous loan spell at Atletico. No way Butland was going to get a look ahead of Courtois. Right call.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Yeah at 22 he really should have accomplished more than playing in goal for a team currently sitting top of the Premiership by 7 points.

The guy makes ridiculous saves, as a keeper myself he makes saves I can only dream of, saves that only a select few can make. I remember everyone saying Cech was past it when he had a poor run, and no one mentions that Cassillas has been a bit dodgy for the last year. If you guys stick with him, and you know, support him, he could be one of the finest keepers in world football for years to come. All keepers make mistakes, it's just at the top clubs it gets amplified a lot more.

Ferguson was actually spot on when he said a lot of idiots don't have a clue what they're talking about when it comes to De Gea.

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I would even go as far as to say, name me 5-10 keepers in the world currently better than De Gea who are actually available for puchase? Then consider how old they are and their potential...

Even Hart has been a bit circumspect this year at times, but he's English so he doesn't get slated for every mistake like imported keepers do.

Fair points made there. To be fair to De Gea, the goal was largely Carrick's fault - he should never have been playing that pass. De Gea seemed to be completely undecided about what to do next though. If he can sort out the real clangers, then he'll have a long future at Utd.

I don't know if Schmeichel is involved in Man Utd's keeper set up (if not, why not) but if he is, De Gea should have one on one sessions with him. If De Gea can add some of Schmeichel's 'moves' to his repertoire, he'll be one heck of a keeper.

 

[Haarithan]

This guy deserves a knighthood, end of.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

What the hell is going on with our pitch?

 

[Skater]

What the hell is going on with our pitch?

You've had it for 10 seasons, it is bound to be a bit tired after that amount of use.

 

[Epic]

Sissoko, take a bow son!

 

[Bevab]

Sissoko, take a bow son!

Chelsea were just terrible. And Torres and Benitez seriously need to go.


FairPlay to Newcastle though, defensively they were quite good at times and Sissoko was just amazing. They deserved to win it in the end.

 

[Haarithan]

2 friggin million! Words cannot do justice to describe Pardeaux's brilliance in landing Sissoko!

 

[Bevab]

Pardew does the transfers at Newcastle? I didn't think it would be him.

 

[Umair7]

Today DE GEA proved me wrong he just need to concentrate

 

[puddleduck]

This is Mr Knee, let me introduce you to Mr Jerk.

 

[War]

I wonder if Benetiz will be sacked before the season is over because at this rate, its not inconceivable that they could fall out of a top 4 place. They better make terry player/coach after that, since i don't know which right minded quality manager, would want to manage chelsea under roman.

The relegation battle is getting interesting. I certainly feel Villa will go down, Benteke's brilliance can't keep them up. Not sure who else will drop between, wigan, qrp, southampton, reading though.

IMO United have already won the league too to be frank, no other team is playing well enough to catch them. And i wonder what Sir Hodgson thought watching Ferdinand today in the flesh @ craven cottage.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

You've had it for 10 seasons, it is bound to be a bit tired after that amount of use.

It hasn't been relaid for ten years? I could've sworn it had. If you're right, that explains a lot. Great timing though - we need a surface that's conducive to good passing for this title run in. Surely other teams haven't had their pitch relaid for ages as well - doesn't seem the other top teams have got much of a problem. Then again, Old Trafford is also used for Rugby and things isn't it?

As for those saying we've won the league, after seeing us blow eight points in two weeks, I'm not counting any chickens. We're in a wonderful position though and I reckon City will drop points tomorrow as well. Another bonus is Rooney's current goal rush.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

I wonder if Benetiz will be sacked before the season is over because at this rate, its not inconceivable that they could fall out of a top 4 place. They better make terry player/coach after that, since i don't know which right minded quality manager, would want to manage chelsea under roman.

The relegation battle is getting interesting. I certainly feel Villa will go down, Benteke's brilliance can't keep them up. Not sure who else will drop between, wigan, qrp, southampton, reading though.

IMO United have already won the league too to be frank, no other team is playing well enough to catch them. And i wonder what Sir Hodgson thought watching Ferdinand today in the flesh @ craven cottage.

Any of them. The thought process of "let's take that job and either win things or get a 3 million pay-out after 9 months work" is incredibly sane.

 

[puddleduck]

With each successive manager the reputation hit is far smaller as well. Fair to say that Di Matteo failed to get Chelsea through the Champs league group stage and was slipping down the table after a good start. AVB had similar issues and now Rafa is getting them to start games well but they're fading towards the end...

Hopefully someone at Chelsea will realise it's the likes of John Terry that need shifting and a new core of a team built. They won the Champions league without him afterall. No surprise that they again conceded a goal that was entirely down to him being completely committed to a challenge and then miles behind the proceeding counter attack