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English Premier League thread

Look what Barton did to Dabo several years ago to a fellow team mate, a few other examples are the times when as mentioned above he almost blinded a team mate with a cigar, assaulted a 15 year old Everton fan and the list goes on…

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cfdh_edmundo said:
I also think its a bit of a misnomer to dismiss the 6-1 as just being down to a red card and some late goals, that sort of victory against a team like Man utd who had a very good record at home before the game, can only be done by a team on top of its form.
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I think you can dismiss it as a one off - just like when United beat arsenal 8 to 2.

It was 3-1 going into stoppage time. United then, somewhat inexplicably, gave up.

I think football is all about one off matches. That's what makes it so compelling. One week a team loses 1-0 against a 'weaker' opponent, the next week they beat a top opponent by a few goals.

That's why the league doesn't lie - win it and you're the best team in it. Hence City do deserve to win the league, but I don't get all the negativity towards the team that tied them on points, and the only difference in goals for and against can came from 10 minutes of football across 38 matches...
 
matt1288 said:
Look what Barton did to Dabo several years ago to a fellow team mate, a few other examples are the times when as mentioned above he almost blinded a team mate with a cigar, assaulted a 15 year old Everton fan and the list goes on…

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Were any of those on field or during a game (Legitimately asking here, don't know all the details). If not then a fair disciplinary hearing wouldn't "know" about those, or bring them into the decision making for this incident. Off the field or non football related matters shouldn't be used to decide a punishment, at least in my opinion. That being said, he's still a cunt.
 
Beachryan, i think only United fans will doubt a single second that Man City played the better football throughout the season.
They scored most goals and conceded least of all. They led the table for most of the season, then seemed to throw it away and made a spectacular come back. On top of that they beat Man Utd twice. In fact it is very simple: if United would have won one of those matches they would have been champions (even a draw would have been enough), but they lost those two vital matches. I agree that the 1-6 can be seen as a freak result, but IMO United failed far more spectacularly in the away match. That was the decisive match and i don't think United even had a shot on goal (i might be wrong, but the fact that i have that impression says it all). United didn't even try to win that match. City did.

Based on that decisive match alone City deserved the title United certainly didn't. United fans are not used to loose out last minute and even less to the archetypical loosers City...but i think you should try and get used to it. Ferguson didn't exactly helped with all he said about the noisy neighbours...

I think Man Utd need to overhaul their squad and buy several quality players, because the current crop simply is not up to their standards...There are rumours that they will buy Dortmunds Kagawa, that would be a perfect player for them.
 
Overhaul? Aren't you exaggerating a bit there? We do need to replace a couple old ones but I certainly don't think we need an overhaul. We've got some quality young players already and all we need is one or two to add to the squad and we should be set. What United obviously need is an excellent physio. Too many injuries this season and something needs to be done about it.
 
I don't think it's that much of an overstatement to say the squad needs an overhaul. With the exception of Rooney and a fully-fit Vidic, who in your first team would get into say the City team, or the Madrid team, or the Bayern team? Maybe Valencia or Nani might run their players close. I know a lot of people have been saying De Gea's the best young keeper in Europe, but I don't really see it, to me he still looks very unconvincing. I actually think Lindegaard was more stable than him in goal, certainly in the European matches I saw. I'm not even convinced that De Gea was that great at Atletico, he was a competant keeper but not really a world beater, I would say Courtois has looked better than him in his first season at Atletico. In central defence you've got Ferdinand, who really is living on borrowed time, it's fine to have players as old as him in reserve, but you cannot rely on him being able to play twice a week (ie Europe and the league) over the course of the season. Vidic is still a world class defender, but I think Evans is a backup player at best - he's not like say Thiago Silva, Pique, Kompany or say Carvalho from around 2006. Maybe Smalling will come good over time, and maybe Vidic will recover well from his injuries and not pick up any more knocks, but you could really do with signing a top class center back (the likes of Hummels or Subotic). Your wing backs are probably the weakest aspect of your team, even more than central midfield - Evra has looked incompetent at defending for getting on for three years now, the Brazilian twins don't look spectacular, and Jones isnt a natural full back. Whereas the big European teams have players like Dani Alves, Contraeo, Lahm etc you dont have any full back like that, top class and at the peak of their ability. Your wingers are ok, Valencia, Nani and Young (as back up) are all decent enough. Central midfield is a massive problem for you. Assuming Fletcher's gone, and bearing in mind the age of Scholes and Giggs (who Fergie seems to think is a central midfielder now) means they are not the players they were 4-5 years ago and simply cant play week after week, the options arent great. Carrick is ok, but again time isnt really on his side and he really needs a world class player playing with him week after week. Anderson's conversion from a more attacking player (at Porto) into a defensive player hasnt worked at all and while Cleverly might have potential again you need a proven player there for the here and now. Upfront Rooney is clearly good enough, and with Hernandez (assuming he recovers to his 2010-11 level) and to a lesser extent Wellbeck in reserve you are probably ok, although if Berbatov and Owen both leave it would make sense to get another striker if you intend to challenge in Europe and Domestically. Looking at the ages of players in your squad, you do need to sign quite a few players at their peak in key positions in my opinion.
 
I mean if you think about it Man Utd managed 89 points this season (9 points more than last season and they were champions), therefore I disagree about a major overhaul, I think Man Utd this season were unlucky with injuries, some stupid managerial decisions from Fergie in my opinion, and of course the undeniable growth of City's squad. United do need some new signings though if they want to match City and other teams in the UCL (Real Madrid & Barca for example).
 
Think you underrated a lot of our squad their Edmundo but I can understand that looking from the outside.

Rafael is a good RB and potentially brilliant, he has the occasional brainfart but for a young lad that's nothing to cry about along with all the 'youth', I think you'll be surprised at when suddenly 2-3 hit another level over a Summer (won't necessarily be this year) at just good our team is, the same thing shocked a lot of people back in 06.
 
gerd said:
(i might be wrong, but the fact that i have that impression says it all). United didn't even try to win that match. City did.

Based on that decisive match alone City deserved the title United certainly didn't. United fans are not used to loose out last minute and even less to the archetypical loosers City...but i think you should try and get used to it. Ferguson didn't exactly helped with all he said about the noisy neighbours...

I think Man Utd need to overhaul their squad and buy several quality players, because the current crop simply is not up to their standards...There are rumours that they will buy Dortmunds Kagawa, that would be a perfect player for them.
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Sigh, I know you have a thing against United, I just think it's lazy and generic to say how much better City were across the 38 games, when the two would have IDENTICAL records aside from 10 minutes of football. And I think United were pretty crap this year - I'm just trying to point out City haven't been amazing since November, and then again for the last 5 matches of the season. It's lost in the lazy narrative of the year, which seems to be City were incredible all year, United were sh*t and yet both ended with 89 points. It makes no sense, and screams of ABU-ism.

As to the Derby - I agree. I posted on the United thread BEFORE kick off when I saw the lineups that Fergie had lost his bollocks, and we had just given away the league. To this day I have no idea how Ji Sung Park got on that pitch, and I never will.

Anyway, I've said countless times City have the best first XI, the best squad and were the best team in the country - so should have won the league. I just don't understand people who in the same breath say United were terrible and are finished - they have the same number of points.

And finally, my question to all others: United finished 20 points above Arsenal, who are likely to lose their best player. In the summer, Mancini has already said he wants to spend record amounts to strengthen City. So next year, United will maybe pick up a few young, reasonably talented 'cheap' buys, but City will undoubtedly spend a 2 or 3 times as much (incl. wages).

So next year, and every year in the forseeable future, City are going to walk the league. I mean, they finished 30 odd points above Chelsea, 20 points above Arsenal and United are unable to strengthen in the same way. I can realistically see City being 10 or 15 points above everyone else next year.

At that point will you care about spend?
 
For all those that don't care about how precariously premier league clubs are run, don't read this link. For those that do, this is fascinating/ terrifying: (note it's for last season, 10/11, as 11/12 figures aren't available yet)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/23/premier-league-accounts-profit-debt

Only 3 teams in the entire league had wages less than 50% of their revenue (which is typically 'healthy' for a football club). Collectively, the teams lost almost £400m, despite record revenues of over £3bn. Not the way to run a business, or any long term vision.
 
Barton suspension 12 games. Good. Don't wanna see that a**hole on the pitch.
 
beachryan said:
Sigh, I know you have a thing against United
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Beachryan, you are a sensible guy with very good posts. I like to discuss with you, although sometimes we don't agree. Why write such things? I thought that this nonsense had vanished together with RunEdge.

This started because i once had the stupidity to out myself as a former United fan. It is not because you are a former fan of a club that you have something against a club.
I hope we can leave this behind us now: i don't have anything against United, it's just that (roughly) since Cantona's departure i don't like their type of football. I know this is very subjective, but it is my opinion.

I still think City deserved the title because IMO they played the better football at the beginning and at the end of season. IMO United never was outstanding. I know they had exactly the same amount of points and that should be considered a huge achievement by United and Ferguson. I think i'm objective enough to recongnize that, but don't ask me to be raving mad about the kind of football they played.

IMO United have a winners mentality but a lack of creative players. City are the opposite: they have an abundance of creative players, but they still lack that winners mentality that United have and this despite the fact that in the end they did win.

Here is a danger for City: the fact that they somehow did win in the end may mask the fact that basically once again they kind of choked. I'm not sure that they realize this lack of winners mentality and i'm not sure that in their case, winning the title will solve this problem.

Believe it or not: i want United to have a strong team because i want to see clubs who are able to challenge City in the future. I don't want to see City become champions for 10 seasons in a row, not even 3...i want a close competition where 5 or 6 clubs can become champions.
 
Mehtab said:
What does it suppose to mean?
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He put in a transfer request about a week ago so I guess he's moving from Norwich to another club.

(Should read: I have loved my three years at the club and it saddens me to write this, but want you to hear it from me first.)
 
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Swansea may have got Laudrup which would a good coup, interesting how much an impression Swansea have made on the continent to attract a manager like Laudrup who will continue their 'Style'.
 
RDM gets 2 years for Chelsea , which translates sacked, by winter transfer window. Arry is asked to move on... what a day! Mutd tell Nani to sign or jog on, Bale will be a perfect fit there. (VDV-MOD take ur pick the fruits are ripe n ready )


On other news Premier League sold the rights to show the games for 1.5bn more than last time. No more ESPN UK ... More £££ let the transfersssssssss begin :APPLAUD:
 
YoungGun_UK said:
Swansea may have got Laudrup which would a good coup, interesting how much an impression Swansea have made on the continent to attract a manager like Laudrup who will continue their 'Style'.
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Whilst its not yet confirmed, I hear Laudrup is going to sign on the dotted line tomorrow. Usually, Huw Jenkins is very coy with the media and doesn't let on about certain developments at the club unless they are concrete, but the board have already told SSN about talks having taken place and word is going around that it's more or less a done deal, just the formalities to conclude.

A great coup, and hopefully he'll continue the style, and hopefully improve on it, particularly more of a potent attacking threat. Graham is a good striker but last season was his first in the Premier League and we need a proven goalscorer who can bang 20+ goals a season. Hopefully Laudrup would have several contacts abroad who could help bring a goal grabber in? Also, I've forgotten that bloke from Norn Iron who scuttled off to Scouseland already, what was his name again? :SMUG:
 
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I hope i'm wrong, because i've become very, very fond of Swansea and their magnificent football.

But if they take Laudrup as a manager, he will be sacked before Christmas and Swansea will be in the relegation zone. IMO Laudrup is a very overrated manager. He was a fantastic player, but not every fantastic player is a good manager.
 
We'll see how it goes. Some guy posted on a Jack forum about Laudrup's spell at Mallorca, which was regarded in his words as "FAIL", but to be fair the club were in a deep financial mess, resulting in several players leaving, plus they fired his assistant which led to his own resignation. There's also the spell in Russia too which didn't work out well. But on the flipside, he did moderately well with Getafe.

People said our previous manager wouldn't lead the club to success because he got fired in one job and jumped ship from another, but look what happened.
 
He was not that good at Getafe.
But i see your point about Rodgers...it could well be that Laudrup does well. I certainly hope so. I want to see that kind of football for years to come.

Do you think Rodgers will do well with Liverpool?
 
beachryan said:
I think you can dismiss it as a one off - just like when United beat arsenal 8 to 2.

It was 3-1 going into stoppage time. United then, somewhat inexplicably, gave up.

I think football is all about one off matches. That's what makes it so compelling. One week a team loses 1-0 against a 'weaker' opponent, the next week they beat a top opponent by a few goals.

That's why the league doesn't lie - win it and you're the best team in it. Hence City do deserve to win the league, but I don't get all the negativity towards the team that tied them on points, and the only difference in goals for and against can came from 10 minutes of football across 38 matches...
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City finished +8 GD, not +5/6

Besides, you came to our place and didn't even have a single shot on goal. We played some mesmerising stuff over the season. The same can't be said for Utd.
As soon as I saw West Brom dominate you in midfield, when you got a lucky A. Young winner, early in the season, I was very confident of winning the league (or at least finishing above Utd). Luckily for you Scholes came back. If he hadn't we'd have run away with it. I'm glad we didn't tho. That final day was pure sex.
 
YoungGun_UK said:
We'll be back to win our trophy so don't get to attached to it. ;))
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I'm quite convinced about that, but then you will have to play better football than the 2 last seasons. Man Utd's football was pretty dire in those seasons, even if your end results were fantastic.

I have a hunch (and i hope it's true) that some clubs will be stronger this season: Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and perhaps even Spurs.

On the other hand, Man Utd have Kagawa. Possibly the best transfer in the EPL.
 
I disagree with that Gerd, we were far too 'gung-ho' for the early part of the season. 3-0 against Spurs, 8-2, against Arsenal, 5-0 against Bolton and 3-1 against Chelsea.

A style which was pretty much we'll score 'more than you' unfortunately we ended up paying the price when City beat us 6-1, I mean after that their was no way we wee going to continue playing 'that way' and after we'd lost one of the best CBs in the world in Vidic to injury we needed 'go back to basics' after a defeat like that.

I think we had 'patches' of great football throughout the season but agreed nothing sustained but that's more to do with injuries and not being able to play a consistent line-up.

and with all that said we bottled it, we were 8 points clear at the end and should quite possibly have cruised over the finish line.
 
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