Proper Football season 2014-2015 thread [Archive] - Page 3

The Captain

01-02-2015, 10:26 PM

I think you're stuck with it until May.

Then he'll join LA Galaxy.

...then go on loan to Man City and win the title.

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

Hah, wouldn't that be ironic. I see him going to either the Red Bulls, who just lost Henry, the Revolution with the John Henry Boston connection, or the Galaxy.

I started following Liverpool right before the 2005 Champions League started, as it was the first time all of the matches were being broadcast in the states that I had access to. Needless to say, I saw the very best Stevie and the Reds had to offer that season, in terms of drama and triumph. I was hooked.

I do think he really is suffering from a broken-heart over last year. Gerrard, say what you will about him, is always honest and I think when he looks at the team and all that has happened, knows he'll never get that close again during his playing career at Anfield. He can walk away knowing he really did give his all and that is no small feat. There have been some real dark days for Liverpool over the years and he has remained the one constant but I think it's time for them to embrace the new era.

Wouldn't it be nice to have him go out on top one more time though? Maybe the FA Cup or even somehow winning the Europa league and gaining Champions League status again despite their standing on the table. That just seems fitting for such a player.

Here's a fantastic article about the legacy of Stevie G:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/mar/13/steven-gerrard-liverpool?CMP=share_btn_tw

YNWA Steven Gerrard.

Take care all.

Old Manus

01-08-2015, 06:16 PM

RIP Andy Townshend

The nightmare is finally over.

Now all we need to do is get rid of Robbie Savage, Alan Shearer, Phil Neville, Roy Keane, Gareth Southgate, Danny Mills, Garth Crooks, Mark Lawrenson, Jason Robinson, Jamie Redknapp, Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand, then we've got a result. Sky Sports seem to be the only ones who have any idea (apart from Redknapp), and I have a feeling Thierry Henry will be pretty good.

Psychotic

01-08-2015, 06:43 PM

For me, Clive, Andy Townsend was the worst pundit but by the end of it he was so bad that he was good and this genuinely saddens me. I'll miss his "That's better" whenever a struggling England/English team string together a couple of passes. I still don't quite understand what "In and around the penalty area" means and I've already voice my thoughts on the classic "If anything he's hit that too well." But is there anything more fun during a dreary England game than playing Andy Townsend Cliché Bingo? Not for me, Clive.

Your list is a veritable rogue's gallery of the awful and the mundane, and although I can't believe I'm going to do it, I'm going to object to two ex Man United players being on that list. I enjoy Roy Keane's hateful venom well enough, but what really makes it fun is that he looks like he is about to chin Adrian Chiles or Gareth Southgate at any moment, and Chiles in particular looks terrified. I remember once when he did some stupid typical trademark cheesy joke and was like "what do you think of that Roy?" and he just got a death glare and stopped mid laugh. smurfing had me howling.

The other is Rio. He sounds like a smurfing knob but he provides little anecdotes about facing players that I don't often see other pundits doing and it's fascinating. Obviously he can't have a Hansen or Lawrenson length pundit career off the back of this but here's a good example from the World Cup about Sergio Busquets taking the piss out of Man United (which in turn makes me feel less dirty about praising the former United duo) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mVyE2RFndA

Loony BoB

01-08-2015, 06:46 PM

Still yet to enjoy any football commentary outside of Sky Sports to this day. I actually prefer random foreign commentators to ITV and BBC.

Formalhaut

01-08-2015, 08:07 PM

Is LA Galaxy the go-to American retirement home for aging footballers?

Old Manus

01-08-2015, 08:31 PM

You're thinking of Chelsea.

Bubba

01-09-2015, 08:30 AM

Psychotic

01-09-2015, 08:36 AM

Is LA Galaxy the go-to American retirement home for aging footballers?For me, Clive, the whole country is. If anything he's retired too well.

Formalhaut

01-09-2015, 03:34 PM

Sky Sports are the benchmark. If game coverage is on any other channel then I'll just tune in for kick-off. I've actually found myself watching the first hour of Monday night football to watch Gary Neville's insights then not bother to watch the game :p I'm still not convinced by Jamie Carragher. He can talk a lot of sense sometimes but I just can't get past the accent.

It seems me and Paul are on role-reversal at the minute because I need to say that Paul Scholes should not be a pundit. Again, he does talk sense but for some reason he sounds like he's either about to cry or start laughing maniacally.

I wish I had Sky Sports. A shame you have to pay for it, curses! I have to make do with the BBC Match of the Day coverage, which is fine for me, as I don't really have the time to watch an entire match!

Can someone give me some thoughts on Southampton? I'm genuinely shocked they are doing so well, I would never have thought they would be fourth. I'm really rooting for Southampton this season because of it.

Psychotic

01-09-2015, 03:49 PM

Already did back in August! ;)
Someone spare a thought for Southampton who got thoroughly smash and grabbed this summer. It's almost a tradition now for new premier league teams who did pretty well in their first season to be raided by the bigger teams.

I think Southampton did very, very well out of it, and got a lot more money than their players were worth. They'll be absolutely fine.Amusingly Robbie Savage predicted they'd be relegated.

Loony BoB

01-09-2015, 04:27 PM

On that note, let me just say that I may end up being right on the money with the latter part of this post. Swans have risen, though! By three places so far!

I just can't shake the feeling that the Saints are going to drop down the table from last season while the Swans will rise. Of course, I'll probably be quoted at the end of the season by Manus for all I know.

Old Manus

01-09-2015, 06:53 PM

Don't worry, you'll all be lampooned in the end.

Psychotic

01-10-2015, 04:52 PM

okay then guys i'm ready let's hear itno, let's hear it from you. Let's hear a full apology to Andy Carroll, admitting what a true hero of football he is and how you were wrong to besmirch him. Last year he scored against you and he got two assists too. Can't you see the only person you're harming is yourself? Can't you see you, yes, you, and your hatred and refusal to accept the big man has turned him into the Swanslayer? Open your heart to Big Andy. It is the only way to make it stop.Can't say you weren't warned. It's going to keep happening until you apologise.

Formalhaut

01-10-2015, 06:11 PM

It's been a very weird season, that's for sure. Liverpool is 8th, Arsenal 6th. If you looked at the seasons before, the top four or five were always a mix of Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool. Now look at it! I might be remembering wrong the last couple of seasons though: I'm not as massive a football fan as you guys are.

Old Manus

01-10-2015, 09:19 PM

61847

Old Manus

01-23-2015, 12:35 PM

RIP Adrian Chiles

With Roy Keane as well it looks like ITV is really making an effort to get rid of the dead wood. It's currently the worst sports coverage on television.

Loony BoB

01-23-2015, 12:36 PM

I can't remember if Mark Pougatch is any good. Is he any good?

Psychotic

01-23-2015, 01:19 PM

I can't remember if Mark Pougatch is any good. Is he any good?I've never even heard of him but I like his name.

What a rubbish transfer window. Bony is the only interesting move. Jermain Defoe? Should've stayed in America. Kyle Naughton? Shower of lols for Old Manus.

Old Manus

01-23-2015, 02:35 PM

trout really gripped me after the loss to Chelsea that I have already wiped from my mind.

"HAS BONY DEAL GONE SOUTH FOR SWANS?"
"SHOULD THEY HAVE SOLD HIM?"
"LOST MORE THAN JUST WILF BONY TO CITY?"

The dude is in the ACON. He wouldn't have played anyway.

Besides that, now Bafe Gomis is turning out to be a right pearler. Kicking up a stink because he wasn't starting every game in place of one of the league's top goalscorers, and now that we've made him first choice striker he's still whinging that he wants to leave (to world football heavyweights Crystal Palace, no less). Apparently he wangled himself a £8M signing-on fee, which was due to be paid alongside his regular wage (so we can cook the books and pay him huge money that would break our wage structure), so if he leaves we're going to have to give it all to him at once. Rumours abound that he was playing the scam from the start. At this point, if it's all true, he can sod off. I had a dream last week that he'd gone to Wigan.

Kyle Naughton, though, meh. We have a habit of taking average players from other teams and making them look good (Routledge, Sinclair, Allen), so maybe it will work. Paid too much money though. At the moment our full backs are Angel "I'm still 23 in my mind" Rangel, Neil "Remember when I was good?" Taylor, Jazz "Conference National" Richards and Dwight "I can't believe I've convinced people I'm a footballer" Tiendalli. We need 3 more Kyle Naughtons.

Psychotic

01-23-2015, 02:39 PM

We need 3 more Kyle Naughtons.This is it. This is the day Old Manus finally snapped.

Old Manus

01-23-2015, 03:21 PM

That was actually when I replaced my signature with a picture of Jason Scotland.

Old Manus

02-02-2015, 11:13 AM

Swansea City confirmed as the new Stoke

Psychotic

02-02-2015, 11:33 AM

Do you love Jonjo yet?

Bubba

02-02-2015, 12:45 PM

62408

Loony BoB

02-02-2015, 12:48 PM

You forgot "We're trying to get hold of Harry"

Psychotic

02-02-2015, 01:20 PM

FFP ruined the transfer window. It's been generally shit.

Old Manus

02-02-2015, 01:26 PM

I was starting to lose faith in him. He scored that goal for me personally, to remind me to never turn from him again.

Aerith's Knight

02-04-2015, 10:29 PM

62408

How am I supposed to get bingo with a 3x5 grid!? *shakes fist at sky*

Psychotic

02-10-2015, 04:15 PM

Well, Van Gaal just went full on Kevin Keegan/Rafa Benitez... against Sam Allardyce of all people. Bloody hell. I think he's really benefited from the usual suspects having atrocious seasons and he's not done enough with the resources he was given in the Summer.

Old Manus

02-10-2015, 04:41 PM

I love it. Coming with props and everything. Inviting all the journalists to take a copy. I'm half expecting him to start talking about milk bottles following the trawler.

Bubba

02-10-2015, 05:23 PM

He has a point though.

Psychotic

02-10-2015, 05:40 PM

Well yeah, but the correct response would've been a chuckle, saying "Sam Allardyce complaining about long ball? What next, Mourinho telling other teams to stop spending so much money?" and that would've been that, and he would've won kudos. Even "We're not really a long ball team, but we did switch tactics towards the end and it was successful as we salvaged a point on a ground where many other teams have come unstuck" if he wanted to play it straight (like his long ball loving team do lmao)

What you do not do is pre-prepare a pamphlet full of random statistics and diagrams, and then going on some half-baked rant insisting that you're not a long ball team so there you naughty bad man how dare you suggest a thing because it makes you look like a smurfing lunatic.

I mean don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but smurf me that's even more cringeworthy than the nonsense about "7 and a half" or "good technicians in the group" that Brendan spouts every week. At least he's just a harmless eccentric and not flipping out at random managers for minor perceived slights.

Bubba

02-10-2015, 08:20 PM

Hu uvvahca, Bcolrudel. Pid E tu pameaja oui yna dymgehk uid uv ouin ynca.

Loony BoB

02-10-2015, 08:26 PM

Oh, c'mon, it's Louis Van Gaal. At least he's living up to the crazy-man hype. What happened to Mourinho's arrogant antics? Oh, that's right, he went to Real Madrid. Never mind, then. :(

Psychotic

02-10-2015, 08:33 PM

Hu uvvahca, Bcolrudel. Pid E tu pameaja oui yna dymgehk uid uv ouin ynca.Huha dygah, pid ouin syhykan'c cdemm yh aspynnyccsahd!

Bubba

02-10-2015, 08:56 PM

Hu uvvahca, Bcolrudel. Pid E tu pameaja oui yna dymgehk uid uv ouin ynca.Huha dygah, pid ouin syhykan'c cdemm yh aspynnyccsahd!

Yd maycd uin days ech'd yh aspynnyccsahd! Fyed y sehida... oac ed ec.

Yc oui fana.

Loony BoB

02-10-2015, 09:03 PM

The only people who are embarrassing right now are the two numpties posting in Al Bhed in a freaking football thread. Speak English or gtfo.

Psychotic

02-10-2015, 09:08 PM

Speak English or gtfo.BNP supporter located. ;)

Loony BoB

02-10-2015, 09:17 PM

Again, it's a football thread. Speak English, minus politics, or gtfo.

Wait, that's probably just as much BNP as the earlier comment...

Aerith's Knight

02-10-2015, 09:29 PM

I didn't even recognize it as Al bhed. Cmon guys, Let's talk some FOOTBALL

Loony BoB

02-10-2015, 09:30 PM

Scudamore is all "£5.1b and we still can't get people to talk about our bloody matches in football threads."

Bubba

02-10-2015, 09:46 PM

The only people who are embarrassing right now are the two numpties posting in Al Bhed in a freaking Final Fantasy Forum. Speak English or gtfo.

Fixed :monster:

So speaketh the owner of EOFF.

Psychotic

02-10-2015, 09:57 PM

What a smurfing game that was. Emre Can is a smurfing monster.

oh and mario balotelli etc. etc. BUT EMRE CHAN THOUGH

Bubba

02-10-2015, 10:55 PM

Did you know that CHAN in al bhed is BEST?

As in, George Best. Man Utd legend.

Psychotic

02-11-2015, 10:27 AM

I have an elderly client who is a big United fan and regularly tells me all about how he used to see Best play and how he was there when United won the European Cup. Tells me Best was indeed the best of all time. He's very lonely so I haven't had the heart to tell him I'm a Liverpool fan. I actually think he thinks I support United because I know so much about the current squad and was having an in depth conversation about the development prospects of Blackett, McNair and Wilson. I'm just a football nerd, honest :shobon:

On the subject of development prospects, who needs Raheem Sterling anymore? He just got replaced! Have a prediction: Jordon Ibe will be in the England squad within a year. Old Manus will not be happy about it and insist Nathan Dyer is the One True King of Westeros. A front three of Sterling, Sturridge and Ibe makes me get entirely too excited for a Wednesday morning.

Loony BoB

02-11-2015, 08:36 PM

All three shots on goal tonight by United, as at half time, have been made by Smalling (both headers, both goals) and McNair (shot on the half volley, on target but too close to keeper). This is with RVP, Rooney, Januzaj, Falcao and Di Maria playing. Bizarre.

Rocket Edge

02-13-2015, 12:47 AM

Rooney should be playing up front. Drop Falcao or RVP. Clearly the ball isn't getting to the forwards enough with the system we play, and since Rooney tracks back anyway we might as well be playing with 10 men. I'd love to see the stats with how involved our two strikers are. For as much flack Fellani takes, I have a liking to him. Much like Paul's love for Shelvey before he left - it's eternal. He gives us something different and I think his passing is underrated honestly. 3 at the back kills the full backs bombing forward too. I was secretly happy Jones went off because IMO Smalling (larging :smug:) is our best CB.

The biggest problem is we can't get the ball to the forwards enough and Falcao & RVP don't seem to have the graft to do more than put away chances. Herrera would be very welcome too. I know Januzaj is a winger but I think the guy would offer more. He looks devoid of confidence at the moment. Pundits go on about it's an advantage to not have cup games as a distraction & a drain on fitness, which is true, but Adnan would be playing them instead of league games to bring up his confidence.

On a last note, I feel slightly sorry for Lambert leaving Villa. He's a good manager and had to go but he had nothing really to work with. The contradiction is Sean Dyche, but there can only be one Sean Dyche.

Loony BoB

02-13-2015, 08:32 AM

RVP is the one who should be dropped, for either Rooney moving up or alternatively Wilson coming in. LVG loves him too much, though. And yes to Januzaj, the kid showed he's happy to run at players recently and we need more of that from people who can actually get past said players (Mata, I'm looking at you - you don't get past the players, you just run at them xD). He and Di Maria have a similar problem of "no end product" at the moment when they get surrounded but don't pass it and end up getting the ball taken off them too easily. If they can just run past a couple of players, draw them in and get rid of the ball to someone else, they'd be doing a better job for us (and the forwards).

Psychotic

02-13-2015, 09:10 AM

RVP and Falcao are too similar in playing style, I think, dropping off the shoulder of the last man. Definitely drop one of them. I think Falcao at least shows a willingness to get around the pitch! I think Januzaj should go on loan to a team like Villa, which brings me onto...

I don't feel sorry for Lambert xD The football was a dirge. The likes of Guzan, Vlaar, Delph and Benteke are all very good players. He should've done more with them. At least scored goals or something!

Also as far as Shelvey goes, he's a really talented player. He just doesn't try as much as he should. He's like a less extreme Taarabt/Ben Arfa/Morrison etc.

Old Manus

02-13-2015, 09:37 AM

On a last note, I feel slightly sorry for Lambert leaving Villa. He's a good manager and had to go but he had nothing really to work with. :colbert: On paper Villa's team should be safely mid-table.

Loony BoB

02-13-2015, 10:57 AM

I think Januzaj should go on loan to a team like Villa
Just on this note: He was probably our most dangerous player on the pitch (aside from Smalling, apparently) and he's one of the few people in our team who will try to beat a man. I think he should be fine with us and continue to get more games. Apparently only two people had played more games at United before turning 20, and they were Ronaldo and Giggs. He's doing pretty well for himself, even if he isn't being lauded like he was last season (although I think that's a good thing, because he needed to not get too ahead of himself - needs to now focus on fine tuning and selflessness and he should be okay).

Psychotic

02-13-2015, 11:13 AM

Interesting. Most United fans I know think he's regressed since the halcyon days of Davey M.

Loony BoB

02-13-2015, 12:12 PM

He has, but not by as much as some would say. It's easy to overrate a youngster - some might argue Wilson has regressed because he isn't scoring two in every game now. If he was performing better he'd probably have been poached by Real Madrid. :p But it's like blaming one person for last season's disaster - in the end, it was the team that fell, not an individual. This season the team is not performing well. At least with Januzaj you can get some exciting football before he buggers it up by not passing. Most players just make a rubbish pass without doing anything exciting first. Sadly, at the moment, this includes Di Maria. Young, Valencia, Wilson and Januzaj are the players I see as most exciting in our team at the moment. Shaw is surprisingly (well, for me, because I'd not seen him play much before he joined us) good when he's in the opposition third, too, I suppose. RVP has been rubbish. Falcao has been disappointing too, but at least he tries. Blind has been excellent. Mata shines on occasion and is generally frustrating other than that (the match where he skied/missed about 3-4 clear cut opportunities stands out to me).

Overall, Januzaj isn't doing that bad. We're doing well to win when we're playing poorly, but something has to give at some point. People are very, very quick to point at our defence when only Southampton and Chelsea have conceded fewer goals. In the end, it's our midfield that continues to disappoint and I do wonder how much of that is down to the new winger-less system that just doesn't lead to enjoyable football for me. It's like a knee-jerk reaction to last season when everything came in from crosses. We need to get a finer balance, a more flexible approach than "4-4-2 diamond" or "3-5-2 with wingbacks". If you played Di Maria and Januzaj on the two wings, I dare say you'd be causing some massively exciting games. They can cut in or stay wide and they are very capable at both options. Let's use that.

But eh, in the end, it's easy for us all to be critics here. I assume LVG has a plan that he's working towards and hopefully in the off season we'll see him make a team that he really does feel suits his system.

Psychotic

02-13-2015, 02:18 PM

Loony BoB

02-13-2015, 02:52 PM

Antonio Valencia is the least exciting footballer in the Premier League. xD Even Ben Mee and Wes Moore are more exciting than Valencia. He is actually the most one footed footballer on the planet and only has one thing that he does. Every single time he gets the ball, I guarantee you he will go to the right of the defender and try to go round the outside. If he isn't tackled at this point (rare, most defences have figured him out now) and manages to get past the left back, he'll put in a low drilled cross that won't clear the first man. Every single time.

Next United match you watch, look out for that!
I don't care because unlike last season, he's actually getting past the left back again. You say it like you're talking about last season - the games he has played this season, he's been good. I'm not sure what the difference is but he's able to beat his man again lately. Perhaps it becomes more noticeable when so few other people are actually doing that in our team, but when he is playing we are suddenly that much more dangerous down the right, you can definitely feel the difference. The alternatives this season haven't been great - although Rafael probably hasn't had enough match time to really compete. All our other players who have played in Valencia's position have been meh.

As for who should play, it's hard to say because there are a lot of different kinds of players who can all play excellently if the formation fits. The problem is that none of them are really playing well in the current formations. Makes me wonder if there is something in the water sometimes... we simply aren't playing up to scratch full stop. The understanding between players just isn't there yet. Personally, though...

Rooney - Wilson
Di Maria - Blind - Carrick - Januzaj
Young - Jones - Smalling - Rafael
De Gea

That'd probably be my first choice team. A year ago I'd never have imagined I'd have Young ahead of Rojo or Shaw at left back, it's utter madness. Falcao and RVP can interchange with Wilson, Mata can interchange with Rooney, Harrera and Fellaini can interchange with Carrick/Blind, and if needed Carrick (and Blind to a lesser extent) is capable of dropping back to help the central defence given Young and Rafael will move forward easily. Valencia can switch with either of Januzaj and Rafael, Shaw can interchange with Young who can also interchange with Di Maria, Rojo can interchange with the left side of the back four. 4-4-2, don't even care. The players in that side could, with a single tweak or substitution, adjust to various formations should the need arise. But definitely drop RVP at the very freakin' least. For all the flexibility LVG supposedly has and demands of his players, LVG seems to play the same 2-3 strategies and few of them are the kind that United fans are hungry for.

I suspect certain players are contracted to get x number of games per year given how LVG was surprised at the "commercial" side of the football club, and that's perhaps why we see the same big name players week in, week out despite their underperforming. At least Wilson and Januzaj are getting games, but I do feel they should be getting more games than their counterparts given how they are performing better than the big wage players in our club.

Rocket Edge

02-13-2015, 03:16 PM

If a striker has to be dropped it will be Falcao. He's already left him out a couple of times and it seems RVP is his main man almost. I like Falcao and how hard he works. I don't blame him for his under performing either, because when I see him he looks at sea with the defenses in the PL. I think it would change drastically with better service though, but counter attacking in Spain and 11 in the penalty box against West Ham when we get the ball is what he's not used to I'm guessing. Also, my god shut up big Sam. I want to like him but is there a bigger whinger in football management? They could lose a game 5-0 and still say they deserved to win and complain about the other team every time. Talk about insecurity in his job.

My first team is like Paul's:
De Gea
Valencia - Rojo - Smalling - Shaw/Young
Di Maria - Herrera - Fellani - Blind - Young/Januzaj
Rooney

Could throw in Mata & Falcao in there either and drop Young/Januzaj and push Herrera out wide. Valencia starting because he defends as good as Raf anyway. Valencia is extremely predictable but he still beats the player and we have gotten many a goal out of it, more than we can say than a lot of our players. Feel sorry for Nani with that.

Bottom line - something has to change. The only reason we are winning is because of the natural talent we have in the team. We realistically should be asking to win titles with the team we have. Imagine where we would be in the league under Mourinho for example?

Also: lol http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/557948/Romelu-Lukaku-quit-Everton-Chelsea

Loony BoB

02-13-2015, 04:18 PM

On the one hand, I think he's an idiot for saying that publically. On the other hand, it's refreshing honesty from a footballer who is saying what ever other guy his age is thinking, so I won't hold it against him.

Psychotic

02-13-2015, 05:53 PM

Read an interesting article about Lukaku and fatigue. Good quote:

To have played 211 senior matches before turning 21 is almost unprecedented in the modern game. Wayne Rooney, the obvious name who springs to mind, boasted 175, whilst Lionel Messi played a similar 173, including matches for Barcelona's B and C team. With eight playing months until Sterling reaches that age, his current total is 121. If Lukaku isn't close to breaking point, it would be a surprise.

Not really entirely related to that but I just found it interesting to account for his less-than-stellar performances of late! Was absolutely woeful in the derby. Then again, so was every player other than Can and Ibe and yes I'm going to mention them in every post ever from now on :love: until Ibe ends up being sold to Bolton or something I guess. Can's German so he's sorted until Real come a-knocking.

Aerith's Knight

02-14-2015, 01:19 PM

I'm agreeing that you never want RVP in your team. The dude is so overhyped that it's sad. I still believe he's the reason we didn't go to the final in the World Cup. Simply because we wouldn't have needed to waste a switch to get that limping little smurf out of the field.

He's the epitome of undependable. Throw em out and get Wilson in.

Old Manus

02-15-2015, 01:34 PM

>Tactics Tim

Loony BoB

02-16-2015, 10:23 AM

Let's just say I got a smile on my face when I heard he was injured for Monday's game.

Psychotic

02-16-2015, 10:31 AM

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/feb/15/louis-van-gaal-manchester-united-transfer-priority-creative-midfielder

Somewhere in Manchester, a solitary tear rolls down the beautifully chiseled cheek of Juan Mata.

Loony BoB

02-16-2015, 10:43 AM

Badly titled article. I'm pretty sure he's suggesting we need a "non-creative" midfielder, not a creative one. He mentioned that we have four creative players and that we need balance... if the Guardian thinks that means another creative player, uh... xD Also, Mata isn't much of a creative midfielder any more than the other guys.

I think we do have good creative players, just a bad formation and perhaps selection, and certainly the players haven't gelled perfectly on the pitch as of yet.

Also, Mata was played recently and he didn't create much, but others created for him. He spurned three clear cut chances. Skied them, missed them, fluffed them, whatever. I hope he comes good but I don't feel he compliments the other players in our team.

We need a Vidal kind of player if we're looking for a midfielder. Blind has been fantastic and Herrera has been good too, but I still feel we're missing that real star-quality box to box player (or at least a formation that works for our midfield options).

Psychotic

02-16-2015, 11:02 AM

I have decided that Vidal is your own personal Wesley Sneijder.

Loony BoB

02-16-2015, 11:07 AM

It wasn't just me (I say "wasn't" as we need a player like Vidal but it's getting to the point that his age will work against him in future transfer windows, so while I'd welcome him, I'm uncertain if he is the best option for long term plans). Vidal has some of the longest transfer threads in the various United forums. It got pretty mental, poems and all that, even at the point of transfer deadline day after pretty much everyone had agreed it wasn't going to happen. "BUT WILL IT HAPPEN???" Muppetry at it's finest, but seriously Vidal is a beast and he would have helped us endlessly this season if we'd have got him in. Not too many footballers like him (in quality and style) these days, even less when you try and establish who is actually available.

Psychotic

02-16-2015, 11:23 AM

Oh, Vidal is United's Reus then.

United Summer signing prediction: The Pog's coming home.

Loony BoB

02-16-2015, 11:28 AM

I have wondered about Pogba, but I don't think he would return "to stay". I think he'd just head off to Real Madrid or something given the opportunity. Would gratefully eat my words should it happen, though, and would probably be okay with Pogba spending about three years with us if he's still going to be as awesome as people say he is. Will have to look at his stats again... but that can wait 'til after the season is over, we still have football going on right now!

Psychotic

02-16-2015, 11:29 AM

Maybe I meant Pavel Pogrebnyak :colbert:

Loony BoB

02-16-2015, 11:30 AM

Maybe Pogba is my nickname for Pavel Pogrebnyak...

Psychotic

02-16-2015, 11:32 AM

Maybe Pavel Pogrebnyak is my nickname for Kieran Richardson :doublecolbert:

Loony BoB

02-16-2015, 11:35 AM

Maybe your face is a nickname for Kieran Richardson. :jess:

Psychotic

02-16-2015, 11:36 AM

I had to wonder what Kieran Richardson was even doing these days. "He's probably on the bench at Aston Villa or Stoke or something" I thought, and lo and behold he's struggling to get into the Villa starting XI. Which brings us nicely back around onto Tactics Tim!

Loony BoB

02-16-2015, 11:38 AM

Kieran being kept out by Cleverley, eh?

Aerith's Knight

02-18-2015, 07:45 PM

Man, every Man. United game I watch, it's always like watching a battle. Yes, they win, but I never have the feeling they win easily.

Of course, I usually watch the matches with the more difficult teams, so that may be it.

Crop

02-19-2015, 07:06 AM

Of course, I usually watch the matches with the more difficult teams, so that may be it.

It's not.

Aerith's Knight

02-21-2015, 03:46 PM

Wonderful play by RvP again. 3 shots, 0 on goal.

Way to be the pride of our nation man.

Psychotic

02-21-2015, 04:52 PM

And then the back up pride of the Netherlands, Ron Vlaar, goes and gets himself sent off. The future is evidently not orange.

Aerith's Knight

02-21-2015, 04:54 PM

It's a sad day for orange football everywhere.

Ah well, I'll enjoy liverpool sucking the premier league until they recover in 12 years or so.

Psychotic

02-21-2015, 05:56 PM

Going to smurfing regret saying this as it's tempting fate but: Unbeaten in 17 games, so you don't really have much to enjoy right now. :greenie:

Old Manus

02-21-2015, 06:04 PM

i'm starting to worry if this erection will ever be quelled

Psychotic

02-21-2015, 06:09 PM

Imagine coming home to find Iain Dowie and Dirk Kuyt ploughing like it's going out of style on your kitchen counters.

Aerith's Knight

02-21-2015, 06:22 PM

Going to smurfing regret saying this as it's tempting fate but: Unbeaten in 17 games, so you don't really have much to enjoy right now. :greenie:

Ah, if they lose the next match, I'm so going to enjoy this comment. Mostly because I was just messing with you.

Old Manus

02-21-2015, 06:25 PM

Imagine coming home to find Iain Dowie and Dirk Kuyt ploughing like it's going out of style on your kitchen counters.

why does this only make me harder :ohdear:

Bubba

02-22-2015, 10:06 AM

Well that's the best I've seen Utd play in a long time. Typical that we'd get beat but I suppose all the games we got something from but deserved nothing... we were due that.

Looking forwad to Southampton v Liverpool later. I hope both teams lose.

Aerith's Knight

02-22-2015, 11:08 AM

Honestly, I like to put the blame at RvP (the little whiny smurf), but let's be honest, Rooney was awful in that game. The amount of missed passes and lost ball control is simply embarrassing.

edit: I have to say, that was a pretty good match with Everton and Leicester. Lot's of action, and well-matched.

Psychotic

02-22-2015, 10:29 PM

hey AK how's your boy koeman now :cool:

Anyway guys important business: What was the best wrestling move of the weekend?

https://vine.co/v/OQhh17a5zPB this delightful suplex

https://vine.co/v/OQr9ZvJ3KAD or this Liverpool fan getting the Rock Bottom?

Personally I like the first one and I hope to see that happening in the Prem, but the Rock Bottom is not without its charm.

Aerith's Knight

02-23-2015, 06:55 PM

hey AK how's your boy koeman now :cool:

It's a very bad week for Orange players. Tim Krul getting beat up by Manchester City.. oy.

https://vine.co/v/OQhh17a5zPB this delightful suplex

This wins. This will always win. It's a player SUPLEXING ANOTHER PLAYER. xD

Old Manus

02-23-2015, 08:57 PM

Dat suplex. Classic Sunday league. Except it's not Sunday league.

Also, the Qatar 2022 farce continues. Will it be in winter? Will it be in summer? Will Sol Campbell predict that gay people will come home in coffins? All we know is that football loses. Any more corruption scandals and we'll end up like cricket

Aerith's Knight

02-23-2015, 09:22 PM

Qatar 2022 is just ridiculous. How can anyone think its a good place for a World Cup? Countries had to spend months training in intense heat to be able to stand BRAZIL. Qatar is way worse. And their plan to build AC in stadia? That's not how engineering works, you can't just throw money at it and all problems will go away. Probably it will fail after a week and the World cup will be on hold.

Smurfing ridiculous.

Bubba

02-24-2015, 08:16 AM

Really hoping Man City get dicked in their own back yard tonight.

Psychotic

02-24-2015, 08:21 AM

Really hoping Man City get dicked in their own back yard tonight.I hope City win 6-5, 5 Suarez goals and 6 Messi Own Goals.

Bubba

02-24-2015, 08:25 AM

Really hoping Man City get dicked in their own back yard tonight.I hope City win 6-5, 5 Suarez goals and 6 Messi Own Goals.

That's a winning bet right there.

I'm going for a far less likely 2-2 draw. 2 for Aguero, 2 for Messi and a 4th minute broken leg for Suarez.

Psychotic

02-24-2015, 08:38 AM

What utter rubbish. Everyone knows it would take at least six minutes of Samir Nasri stamping to break Suarez's titanium leg implants.

Loony BoB

02-24-2015, 10:31 AM

Not to mention he'd get bitten a few times on the way.

Bubba

02-24-2015, 10:43 AM

What utter rubbish. Everyone knows it would take at least six minutes of Samir Nasri stamping to break Suarez's titanium leg implants.

Can you confirm your source regarding Suarez's titanium leg?

I heard the titanium was implanted elsewhere in his body.

63115

Old Manus

02-24-2015, 11:00 AM

Is Rocket Edge doing a charliepanayi this week? I want to gloat, god damn it :colbert:

Aerith's Knight

02-24-2015, 05:00 PM

Really hoping Man City get dicked in their own back yard tonight.

Wait, huh? I thought the game was not till saturday?

Psychotic

02-24-2015, 05:10 PM

Really hoping Man City get dicked in their own back yard tonight.

Wait, huh? I thought the game was not till saturday?THE GAME IS ALWAYS AFOOT

Loony BoB

02-24-2015, 05:11 PM

City play Barcelona tonight. CL football is always during the week (except maybe the final? I forget).

Psychotic

02-24-2015, 08:05 PM

I hope City win 6-5, 5 Suarez goals and 6 Messi Own Goals.One down, 10 to go...

EDIT: NINE MORE LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN

Also Fuck me Messi is delicious to watch. I feel dirty for saying so but I can't help but be in awe of his skill.

Rocket Edge

02-25-2015, 01:17 PM

Congrats Manus.

The United result has been many games coming. With 'Pool away to go this season I'd put them as favourites for fourth based on current form. We still also have Chelsea away. We just can't afford to drop points against teams we're supposed to beat.

It's such a shame & frustrating that City can't get it together in the CL. It's an advert for the PL, and they're making it look like we have a weak league. Never exactly been fans of Barca FC either.

Psychotic

02-25-2015, 04:28 PM

Don't forget we have Europa commitments though!

Old Manus

02-26-2015, 10:44 AM

The Barclays Premier League

Psychotic

02-26-2015, 10:46 AM

Glad to see we have Owen Coyle with us at EoFF.

Old Manus

02-26-2015, 11:36 AM

I'm wearing my shorts and knee-high socks right now.

Aerith's Knight

02-26-2015, 06:45 PM

Gheh, I'm watching Fox sports international so I can see the Premier league and Europa league, and because of some British stuff they don't air the english commentary. So you have a dutch commentary to it all, and I don't know if the guy knows it's not that well watched (pay to watch the premier league for dutch people), but the commentators get snarky.

I mean, the stuff they say sometimes, I just grin and think this is much better than the official one. I mean, the sheer number of times they made fun of Balotelli in Liverpool - Besiktas is just awesome.

Psychotic

02-26-2015, 06:50 PM

Aerith's Knight

02-26-2015, 07:48 PM

I mean, the stuff they say sometimes, I just grin and think this is much better than the official one. I mean, the sheer number of times they made fun of Balotelli in Liverpool - Besiktas is just awesome.Racist.

If shooting 20 meters above the goal is a racial thing... :P I think you're just mad Liverpool lost.

Bubba

02-27-2015, 08:37 AM

Don't forget we have Europa commitments though!

;)

Aerith's Knight

02-28-2015, 04:44 PM

Watching the Man. Un. - Sunderland game and they gave a red card to the wrong guy. :p

Psychotic

03-01-2015, 01:55 PM

Liverpool v Man City is the best fixture in the Premier League. None of this Mourinho bus parking bollocks, just two teams endlessly attacking the fuck out of each other. 2-1 up against the champions, 10 minutes left, go defensive? Do we bollocks. Went even more attacking if possible. Absolutely visceral and exhilarating. And it blows my mind because we'd been so turgid and insipid against Besiktas and now just two days on we fucking explode all over City.

What a privilege to watch the wizard that is Philippe Coutinho. Absolutely delicious technique, flicks, vision and ball control. And that goal. I thought Henderson's was special, but that. Fuck me. Oomph.

Aerith's Knight

03-01-2015, 03:45 PM

The two goals of Liverpool were a pleasure to watch. It's what I think is lacking these days, decent shooting from a distance, not all this fancy pancy stuff until they get to within 2m of the goalkeeper.

Bubba

03-01-2015, 11:14 PM

On performances. Top 4 should be

Chelsea
Man City
Liverpool
Arsenal

if we snide a champions league slot it will be thoroughly undeserved.

Crop

03-02-2015, 02:27 AM

Are we finally going to get the 3 red battle for third and fourth that we asked for months ago?

Loony BoB

03-04-2015, 09:35 PM

Really looking forward to the vine/gifs of LVG celebrating facing Giggs who totally blanks him like he's on the other side, usually it's the opposite with LVG blanking our goals.

Psychotic

03-04-2015, 09:44 PM

Really looking forward to the vine/gifs of LVG celebrating facing Giggs who totally blanks him like he's on the other side, usually it's the opposite with LVG blanking our goals.No vine/gif but it's on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79rTv74jZwk

Bubba

03-04-2015, 10:56 PM

Yeah, saw it on Twitter before. Giggs obviously thought he was a nutter. He's right

Good wins for all the top six tonight. One of those nights where you can't afford to drop any points. Meanwhile, what the fuck has happened to Martinez and Everton. Didn't they finish fifth last year?

Also, our next away game is one I am definitely not looking forward to. Especially now Sturridge is back and scoring.

Loony BoB

03-04-2015, 11:08 PM

Really? I can't wait. It's been too long since we last faced a team brave enough to play anything but camp'n'counter. Our record against top sides this year isn't too shabby overall - only lost to City and Southampton. It's not like we're worse than we were at the start of the season.

Psychotic

03-04-2015, 11:28 PM

Sturridge wasn't in great form tonight. He scored, but he had a first touch like rubber and was giving away niggly fouls, and on top form would've had a hat trick at least. Right now it's Coutinho and Henderson you want to watch out for. The latter is playing like a young Stevie G right now. 2 fantastic goals in 2 games now, and an absolute peach of an assist for Sturridge.

Psychotic

03-05-2015, 11:07 AM

Oh no, spitting. Won't somebody think of the children? :ohdear: Ban them for six years or something.

Bubba

03-05-2015, 11:30 AM

Oh no, spitting. Won't somebody think of the children? :ohdear: Ban them for six years or something.

I unfortunately exposed myself to good old Robbie Savage for a few minutes last night. During which time he was saying "Spittin' is the werrrst thing you can do on a football pitch!" I dunno, I think I'd rather someone spat in my face than purposely snap my lower leg in half.

I think Johnny Evans may have provoked him even though he only spat near him. Cisse clearly spat in Evans' face which I think was worse. Either way, a six match ban seems a little harsh. If spitting is a red card offense then retrospectively give them a red card punishment. 3 games for both of them. That's it.

Psychotic

03-05-2015, 11:37 AM

Any ban seems harsh. It's just spitting, who actually gives a monkey's? It was funny and entertaining, and though I can't claim to have had the dubious pleasure of watching the rest of the by all accounts turgid match itself, it sounds like this was the most interesting part of it! That and the return of Jonas, unlimited respect for that man.

Old Manus

03-05-2015, 12:10 PM

Can't wait for Sky Sports to wheel on Ruud Gullit for his reaction.

EDIT: Oh wait, that was Rijkaard

The Captain

03-06-2015, 11:04 PM

At this point as a Liverpool fan, I have only 5 real goals left for the season:

Win the FA Cup for Stevie
Beat Man Utd
Beat Chelsea
Finish in the Top 4 (Very possible if the above two happen)
Further establish the young players.

It has become obvious that Stevie is no longer a starter for our club as his age and lack of pace does not suit our quick counter game so hopefully Rodgers now deploys him as an impact sub, to bring in that touch of class and calm needed in our remaining matches. If we make it to the final, then certainly, he should be considered for the start but otherwise the Hendo-Allen combo has been fantastic of late. Can likewise has been a real gem and I cannot wait to see what he looks like in the midfield next year.

The season is coming to a boil quite nicely. Maybe even Chelsea can slip up and give us a title race but otherwise, everything else looks too close to call at the moment.

Take care all.

Psychotic

03-06-2015, 11:07 PM

My goal for the season is to make Old Manus finally admit the truth: Dennis Bergkamp was not and never will be fit to lace Luis Suarez's boots. That or, I dunno, beat West Brom or something.

Aerith's Knight

03-07-2015, 10:50 AM

Dennis Bergkamp was not and never will be fit to lace Luis Suarez's boots.

Don't make me cut you, m8. o_o ... :p (did I do that right?)

Also, just watching the Chelsea-Leichester game, Man, Leichester should pay their keeper more. Could've easily been 5-0 or more.

Psychotic

03-07-2015, 10:54 AM

Hey man all I'm saying is that there's only one Dutch guy called Dennis for me <3

Aerith's Knight

03-07-2015, 08:02 PM

Awww, almost makes me not remember this for the rest of my days, so that when we're 80 and looking at each other when Liverpool finally wins the cup, I will look at you and say "u wot m8?"... almost.

Honestly, Bergkamp played in England in a period where the Premier league did not air in the Netherlands, so I never really saw him play. Couldn't care less.

Old Manus

03-07-2015, 09:53 PM

not even rising

Bubba

03-07-2015, 10:45 PM

Rising.

Could care less.

http://youtu.be/om7O0MFkmpw

Psychotic

03-07-2015, 10:54 PM

not even risinglook all I'm saying is that Bergkamp was a one trick pony. Now don't get me wrong, it was a bloody good trick - bring the ball under ridiculous close control - but Suarez could do everything Bergkamp could do (see goals v Newcastle and Norwich last season for example) and actually run at a speed of greater than 3mph, be one of the best free kick takers in the world, dribble past numerous players at a time and didn't shit out of taking penalties. There's no shame in admitting his superiority. Now, if you wanted to do a Suarez v Le Tissier debate, that would be a tricky one. Le Tissier could do all that trout despite being as slow as Bergkamp.

Bubba

03-08-2015, 12:50 AM

Bergkamp was an exceptional footballer. Control level... -1 Cantona. That is the biggest compliment I can pay him. He scored some silky goals (the one against Newcastle was ridiculous) but I have to question his worth ethic. He had Berbatov-equivalent dedication.

I see your Bergkamp and I raise you... a Cantona.

Luis Suarez should be quarantined and has all the footballing ability of a one-legged Carlton Palmer.

Loony BoB

03-08-2015, 10:49 AM

Wasn't Bergkamp a keeper or something?

Psychotic

03-08-2015, 11:10 AM

Yes, but I fail to see why we can't compare the two! Courtois has only scored 0 goals this season and therefore is an inferior player to Leroy Fer (4). Fact.

Aerith's Knight

03-08-2015, 11:42 AM

Could care less.

http://youtu.be/om7O0MFkmpw

That was an error of fast typing and being late to leave. I'm actually quite aware of this misconception.

Bubba

03-09-2015, 04:16 PM

If Arsenal come out attacking tonight then this won't even go to a replay. I hate the way we're playing at the minute. Any team who put us under pressure and have good movement going forward, will win.

I'm not even putting a bet on tonight (I can't bet on us to lose) as I reckon Arsenal will get through by two clear goals.

Psychotic

03-09-2015, 04:21 PM

As Arsenal and Man United are two of the most boring teams in the Premier League I'm guessing it's going to be an all out snoozefest.

Old Manus

03-09-2015, 05:10 PM

I'm not even putting a bet on tonight (I can't bet on us to lose)Come to the dark side. The last time I backed us to lose was against United the other week.

Bubba

03-09-2015, 06:52 PM

I'm not even putting a bet on tonight (I can't bet on us to lose)Come to the dark side. The last time I backed us to lose was against United the other week.

I just can't bring myself to do it. I might plump for a draw and hope for the best.

Aerith's Knight

03-09-2015, 07:08 PM

As Arsenal and Man United are two of the most boring teams in the Premier League I'm guessing it's going to be an all out snoozefest.

Unlike the amazing "pass the ball" contest Liverpool is having in opponent team keeper areas. I agree they don't give overwhelming victories, but then again, very few teams give excellent performances.

I saw a Crystal Palace game the other day, against hmm.. Newcastle, I think. Now that was a match. Power, attacking, shots on goal. Great match.

Psychotic

03-09-2015, 07:11 PM

Nah, Arsenal are the boring pass the ball team. Liverpool are the ones that run at 100mph at you.

Aerith's Knight

03-09-2015, 09:39 PM

Nah, Arsenal are the boring pass the ball team. Liverpool are the ones that run at 100mph at you.

Hah, I just watched the Liverpool vs Everton, and I think you may have shot 1 ball (not even counting if its at the goal) for every 10 minutes Liverpool spend in the last 25% of the field on Everton's half.

That was horrendous. I liked the one against Arsenal though.

Yellow_Magic

03-09-2015, 10:07 PM

...Nacho Man?

Loony BoB

03-09-2015, 10:13 PM

Man oh man, this game. It's possibly the best I've seen us play this season, but we're losing. Go figure!

Psychotic

03-09-2015, 10:35 PM

Loony BoB

03-09-2015, 10:37 PM

As Arsenal and Man United are two of the most boring teams in the Premier League I'm guessing it's going to be an all out snoozefest.welp :shobon:

tbf United are probably the worst divers in the league so you can't say it wasn't coming. Hope the ref books Rooney for not stfuing and screaming about every single decision next.
I think Januzaj was a dive, although I detest shirt grabbing I can only accept that it is apparently legal despite the rules because it happens to everyone, by everyone. Obviously it's still against the rules if you grab the shirt of the referee, though! But I don't think ADM was a dive. It was going down a bit soft, but it wasn't a dive, because he was twisted from the arm grab, you can't run when that happens. Ref had no view of it though as it happened from the opposite side.

ADM is an exaggerator, though, to be sure. He rolled around like an idiot beforehand and it was embarrassing.

Still think we've been the better team overall though. Frustrating.

EDIT: Just going back to shirt pulling, I really do think they should just hold their hands up and make shirt-grabbing legal so we don't have to get so pissed off about it. Then the clubs and manufacturers can do what they did in rugby and make shirts so damned tight and slippery you can't get a good grip on them at all to counter that.

Psychotic

03-09-2015, 10:44 PM

The arm grab was a foul, but then I've always said something can be both a foul and a dive.

Need a gif of that ref's face xD

oh and fat.gfycat.com/GenuineScentedHamadryad.gif (got away with it)

Yellow_Magic

03-09-2015, 11:19 PM

Not gonna lie: Cheered Welbeck for a solid minute before remembering he wasn't a Utd player anymore.

Bubba

03-10-2015, 12:52 PM

Sending off was a joke. I agree with both yellow cards for diving but Di Maria just lightly tugging his shirt to get his attention... that was ridiculous.

I know Wah wah you can't touch the ref wah wah! But this is fine apparently...

63529

I agree there definitely should have been a sending off last night. It just should have been Bellerin not Di Maria.

I'm frankly astounded that the entire footballing press are sucking on Michael Oliver's shlong this morning when the biggest two decisions of the game he got wrong.

Loony BoB

03-15-2015, 06:53 PM

Best we've performed all season. Shame Coloccini got sent off in the Everton game as he'll miss games against Arsenal and Liverpool. Stop making it easy for the other teams! :p

Still, really good to get a gap between us and the other teams although we could still be 5th next Monday if we aren't at the top of our game vs. Liverpool. Gotta keep this momentum going. Perhaps Swansea can do us a favour tomorrow!

Psychotic

03-15-2015, 07:00 PM

Stupid Ashley Young ruining a genius celebration!

Old Manus

03-15-2015, 08:37 PM

It seems we're playing Liverpool every other week. We haven't done United any favours so far this season and I can't see it starting now either.

Psychotic

03-16-2015, 11:18 AM

Newcastle dressing room, 15th March 2015.

John Carver: Fabio! What do you think you're playing at, getting sent off like that?!
Fabio Coloccini: But boss-
John Carver: NO! Don't you know what you've done?! You've let me down, you've let this football club down, but worst of all you've let Manchester United down!

Swansea dressing room, 16th March 2015
Garry Monk: Alright lads, I know a lot of people think we've not got much left to play for this season. No chance of going down, no chance of Europe. They're wrong. We're going to do Manchester United a favour. We're going to thump Liverpool and get United into the Champions League. I know, I know. I have no connection to United and Brendan Rodgers is my mentor. It doesn't matter. I am a Man United loyalist.
Jonjo Shelvey: That's right boss! Even though I am a Liverpool legend who certain intelligent and handsome Liverpool fans never wanted to leave and cry their eyes out nightly at my loss, I will do my best to secure all three points for the glorious Red Devils!

Loony BoB

03-16-2015, 11:27 AM

Exactly.

Oh, and what did Ashley do? I didn't notice him.

Also...

1. Chelsea - Name on the Trophy
2. Man City - 58 points
3. Arsenal - 57 points
4. Man Utd - 56 points
5. Liverpool 51 points, game in hand, so maybe 54

Damn, that's close. Never would have guessed we'd be sitting two points off second at this point. Was really confused when LVG said that and had to double check. Huh. So we are. So next weekend we could be 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th. Tight competition!

Psychotic

03-16-2015, 12:06 PM

He just stood in the way of the best camera trying to hug Rooney as he was falling over and then no sooner had he hit the floor than that goon was standing over him. Just wait 10 seconds and then do all the usual hugging and kissing stuff! Let the man work!

United will be alright and finish top 4. I think the issues with Van Persie and Di Maria have been blessings in disguise. As I think I said earlier in this thread, Carrick, Herrera and Mata in one midfield is sexy as fuck, and now LVG isn't trying to cram the team full of strikers it's going to purr.

Loony BoB

03-16-2015, 12:18 PM

Only problem there is that RVP and ADM will be available again. The latter next week almost certainly. Do we bring him back in? Eh... hard to say. I like Carrick + Herrera in midfield, definitely. I think Young/Blind on the left is great. I think Di Maria's biggest problem is that he takes too much time rather than just going for it. He seems to be a bit flatter than Mata, Januzaj and Valencia.

Bubba

03-16-2015, 12:26 PM

It's as tight as I've seen it at the top. I still think we'll struggle to keep pace considering we have trips to Liverpool and Chelsea. City and Arsenal still to visit Old Trafford too. I'm just happy we seem to be playing well at the minute. But unlucky with results (we played those Welsh turd-merchants Swansea off the park) until Sunday.

I'd be happy with a point next Sunday but we're definitely capable of nicking all three.

Psychotic

03-16-2015, 08:14 PM

Oh my god the Liverpool website interviewed Lee Trundle :love:

but you have to fucking pay to view it what the shit is that :colbert:

Aerith's Knight

03-16-2015, 08:21 PM

Oh my god the Liverpool website interviewed Lee Trundle :love:

but you have to smurfing pay to view it what the trout is that :colbert:

They wish to spare the world the interview, and only torment the masochists that pay for it. Public service, I'd say.

Psychotic

03-16-2015, 08:23 PM

what kind of god forsaken monster are you that you don't love lee trundle

dennis

seriously

what is wrong with you

seek help

Loony BoB

03-16-2015, 09:46 PM

Gotta say, Swansea play some good football. Quiet game though.

Aerith's Knight

03-16-2015, 09:57 PM

what kind of god forsaken monster are you that you don't love lee trundle

dennis

seriously

what is wrong with you

seek help

Honestly, I don't even know who this is. Just thought it might annoy you. Payback for treating Aerith like crap.

Also, Swansea is playing really well, not giving up any chances.

Psychotic

03-16-2015, 10:03 PM

Don't think Swansea have been as good as the commentators have been making out. Liverpool definitely been utter wank though.

Loony BoB

03-16-2015, 10:05 PM

Haven't been listening to the commentators. xD They haven't been amazing, but they've kept ball very well and their chances have been the better ones. I was expecting more from Liverpool, perhaps. Still, a team that underperforms first half often picks up for the second, so we'll see what happens next!

EDIT: Moreno's play today: Foul, shake head, shake head again, shake head again, repeat.

Psychotic

03-16-2015, 10:08 PM

Problem with Liverpool is Sturridge up front. I don't like it with this formation, he's too isolated. Sterling as a false nine is much better, dropping between the lines. He's also not suited to that wide position in this formation. We need Jordon Ibe back!

Aerith's Knight

03-16-2015, 10:14 PM

You need Dennis Bergkamp, admit it.

Loony BoB

03-16-2015, 10:19 PM

I've found Liverpool have really been the better side in the past ten or so minutes. Swansea have looked really tired and that incredible pass accuracy is all gone as they keep passing it to players who simply aren't there. Gerrard about to come on. It's pretty much tailor made for him.

Psychotic

03-16-2015, 10:20 PM

I dunno. I don't think Swansea have dropped off. And I still think Liverpool are kinda paff xD

Also PSYCHIC BoB

Psychotic

03-16-2015, 10:28 PM

Brendan Rodgers only has one goal celebration and it's just so shit. He starts pumping his fist in the air and all around, while the other one remains in his pocket the entire time. He looks like a tit to begin with, let alone when he's standing there like that xD

Aerith's Knight

03-16-2015, 10:49 PM

Time wasting on Liverpool.. sad. So sad. I always imagine clubs to be above that, to try and get that extra goal.

Old Manus

03-16-2015, 10:52 PM

how many smurfing looping deflection goals have we conceded this season i mean what the smurf

3

Lee Trundle banterNot even this holds back my tears

Loony BoB

03-16-2015, 11:10 PM

Predictable second half really. Dang. xD Ah well. Hopefully United can do the job next weekend, but for me, Sunday's game could go any way. 3-0, 0-3, 0-0, 3-3, dunno. I think United are just starting to really get into things, while Liverpool could have lost to a team with more energy in that second half we saw tonight. Here's hoping next week's game is at least an entertaining one.

Psychotic

03-16-2015, 11:18 PM

What did it was that tactical shift by Rodgers. Gerrard on, Henderson pushed forward to make supporting runs into the box to Sturridge, problem solved. That and I guess the players actually smurfing pressed, didn't mitrout every god damn pass and also stopped committing an endless foul spree.

As for Sunday, think you could well see a stalemate. Joe Allen is in a ridiculous vein of form right now and has been turning in MotM after MotM performance. Tonight was another, but more notable was the way he controlled Yaya Toure in the City victory. Herrera-Carrick axis will be neutralised by Allen-Henderson and I think it'll be a bit dull and cagey. Maybe a moment of magic from someone like Coutinho or Ashley Young (yes really) will settle it, maybe it'll be 0-0.

Old Manus

03-16-2015, 11:28 PM

mishit

Psychotic

03-16-2015, 11:30 PM

https://vine.co/v/OV1BTQL2njT

Joe "Welsh Zidane" Allen.

Bubba

03-17-2015, 12:18 AM

Why have I just seen a vine of a village idiot stumbling twice over a football?

Psychotic

03-17-2015, 08:45 AM

What do you mean, "why"? It's the football thread. What else were you expecting to see?

Bubba

03-17-2015, 09:07 AM

Good point. It's nice to see a little comic relief instead of the usual silky skills we see on vines.

Joe Allen is a decent midfielder but that's it. Kind of a like a slightly-improved Tom Cleverley.

Old Manus

03-17-2015, 11:07 AM

Carroll-esque (except he kept control of the ball)

Psychotic

03-17-2015, 11:11 AM

Actually held off five Swansea players, that's the beauty of it.

Loony BoB

03-17-2015, 11:14 AM

That reminds me.

lkUIam18h5c

Shame about that final pass, but I loved watching that.

Psychotic

03-17-2015, 11:41 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31917573

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

WHY DOES HE ALWAYS DO THIS

WHY BEFORE A UNITED GAME YOU STUPID FUCK

Every time he comes out with shit like this we promptly get absolutely tonked the next game. United to win 5-0.

Loony BoB

03-17-2015, 11:49 AM

Let's look at the facts, Psy.

2015
Liverpool: 32/36 points
Chelsea: 27/36 points

Chelsea are dropping points more and more regularly as the season goes on, while Liverpool keep getting more and more consistent points. You guys have still yet to play Chelsea as well, and if you won that, well... this could be Liverpool's year.

Psychotic

03-17-2015, 11:51 AM

If the Premier League started on Friday and ended today, Aston Villa would be champions, so...

Loony BoB

03-17-2015, 11:58 AM

In all seriousness, Liverpool should end up in the CL spots going by trends and current points, but a lot will ride on Sunday's result. United definitely have the toughest run-in, having to face all four other top-five sides, although Arsenal will have to play all but City as well. City have it pretty easy. Manchester derby aside, they have already got Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool matches out of the way, although they still have Tottenham and Southampton.

I'm sure no matter what happens, a few teams will slip up against bottom-ten sides, too.

Bubba

03-17-2015, 12:21 PM

Also, if the league started today and ended on Friday, Arsenal would be champions.

Who would have thought that, eh?

Old Manus

03-17-2015, 12:30 PM

Let's look at the facts, Psy.

63612

Psychotic

03-17-2015, 12:31 PM

That man is apparently in the frame for the City job! Well, when you want success in Europe...

Aerith's Knight

03-18-2015, 05:57 PM

I was watching Chelsea-Southampton, and I have to wonder why Oscar always has a look on his face which makes me wonder if he has some type of mental deficiency.

Aerith's Knight

03-20-2015, 02:04 PM

Crap, I'm going to be on a trip during the Liverpool-Man united game. I really wanted to see that live.

Psychotic

03-20-2015, 02:29 PM

Let me save you the bother: There's going to be lots of saltiness, snarkiness and people mysteriously vanishing from this thread...iness.

That or it's a draw and then we all kind of sheepishly say "good game :shobon:" because we don't really know what to do with ourselves.

Bubba

03-20-2015, 02:32 PM

Don't worry, MOTD2 will have extensive highlights of Liverpool getting spanked.

OH YES! TRASH TALKING HAS BEGUN!

Psychotic

03-20-2015, 02:38 PM

Think you'll find Wayne Rooney is the only one getting spanked (http://www.standard.co.uk/news/rooney-admits-sex-with-a-granny-6952363.html).

03-20-2015, 03:49 PM

Tapes obtained by the paper showed Rooney arriving with an unnamed Liverpool player.

Scott Carson, no question.

03-20-2015, 03:50 PM

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Scott+Carson+T_G8QF8bYeKm.jpg

age 22

Psychotic

03-20-2015, 03:58 PM

Champions League winners' medal holder.

Crop

03-21-2015, 12:35 AM

There is no doubt in my mind that it will be 3-1 to Utd.

I'll be back after the game to bask in your awe.

Old Manus

03-21-2015, 06:41 PM

guys

what is going on

bafetimbi gomis scored

Bubba

03-22-2015, 01:21 AM

We're going to run riot tomorrow. I'm gonna go one better Crop and say 4-1 Utd. Fellaini will be the scourge of Merseyside.

Hope you're taking note you scouse :bou::bou::bou::bou:s. This will be a footballing lesson!

Psychotic

03-22-2015, 03:22 PM

Playing the exact same line up against Swansea and whaddya know? Same thing happens as against Swansea! Only United can actually finish chances. Not at the races at all. Second half should be better and hopefully we'll do the same tactical rejig we did with Swansea with Gerrard coming on, but it's going to take a penalty or free kick to get back into this one. If we don't, United may well make it 2 on the counter.

Psychotic

03-22-2015, 03:36 PM

Stevie what the smurf xD disregard all words I said, game over.

For Bubba, this is literally Steven Gerrard:
bOp1J_JUY2w

Loony BoB

03-22-2015, 04:30 PM

Never a dull moment in that game, bloody 'ell.

Bubba

03-22-2015, 04:37 PM

LET'S GO KILL SOMETHING!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Great performance. Liverpool played very well with ten men but we took our foot off the gas second half. Still...

63650

Also, I've never been so happy with Rooney missing a penalty...

63651

That's paid for a new lawnmower for the house. A lawnmower I will christen 'Juan'.

Today is a good day.

Loony BoB

03-23-2015, 08:41 AM

Old Manus

03-23-2015, 11:04 AM

They love that shit in Spain, though.

Psychotic

03-23-2015, 11:26 AM

I can't claim to have watched since its heyday in the 90's when it was the previous holder of Bestest League in the World, but I couldn't watch Serie A on Football Italia. It was like American football with all the stop starting. I once counted how many free kicks had been given in a five minute period and it was 7. Maybe it's changed but bloody hell it was awful to watch.

Aerith's Knight

03-23-2015, 09:35 PM

I watched Barca vs. Real last night. I just want to leave a note saying that it was the dirtiest game I've seen in a long, long time and if this is what it takes to be the best, it's disgusting and I'd rather not. Diving, overacting, shoulderbarging, pushing, shirt pulling, blatantly disrespecting the ref, calling for cards... this is stuff I see in Premier League games. But not to that extent. Damned near every minute. Half the players were lucky to stay on the pitch. Iniesta was the one that was most sure-fire a sending off for me, but of course that was never going to happen.

That was the only game I could see live in Hungary, and I tell you, at the end of the game I said: "What's the point of winning, if you're going to play like that?"

There's nothing that pisses me off more than acting and time-wasting, since I'm watching for smurfing entertainment, not because I want one to win.

Old Manus

04-01-2015, 04:08 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32141469

The hype train has been repainted and is being wheeled back into service

Aerith's Knight

04-02-2015, 10:37 PM

Dutch hype train derailed, exploded, and showered fiery hot pieces on the corpse of our winning football team.

It's been 31 years since the last time we weren't qualified. I didn't think we could sink lower than going from WC finals to thrown out in the group stages, but smurf it, they're going to do it anyway.

Psychotic

04-04-2015, 07:04 PM

Every time something like this happens I wonder if it's enough to do a reverse Panayi and draw him back from the voids of time. Alas.

in other news

http://gfycat.com/GeneralAptAfricanmolesnake

fuck me

Bubba

04-04-2015, 09:41 PM

I've never seen a ball hit as hard as that in my entire life. Ridiculous.

Aerith's Knight

04-05-2015, 11:16 AM

It was a good hit though. Highlight of the year.

Old Manus

04-07-2015, 09:39 AM

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say I never understand the huge deal whenever this type of goal is scored. I mean, yeah, it takes some skill (and balls) to loop it over the keeper from that distance, but he was standing waaaay off his line, outside of the penalty area even. It's not particularly difficult for someone who's played a bit of football before to hoof a ball into the net from the halfway line. You see this kind of goal down the park every Sunday. I don't think it's as good a goal as an edge-of-the-area top corner screamer, for example.

That, and it was Charlie Adam.

Psychotic

04-07-2015, 09:45 AM

"Blame the goalkeeper, he's too far off his line."

"Chelsea midfielders just stood off him and let him try it."

"It's just a hit and hope from there."

"Adam has tried it before. It was always going to work eventually."

"It's part-skill, but also a great deal of luck involved."

Charlie Adam scored from 59 yards. Why do people have to try and suck the joy out of everything?Joy sucker. :colbert:

Old Manus

04-07-2015, 11:06 AM

Besides,

I've never seen a ball hit as hard as that in my entire life. Ridiculous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__94_NleNes

Psychotic

04-07-2015, 11:27 AM

This is what happens when you don't get in the way of those.

tx8tMiaNawI

Definitely a harder hit than Adam's.

Bubba

04-07-2015, 12:15 PM

No skill at all involved for that Riise free kick. The wind just took it towards the end.

Also, very pleased that City got beat last night. I've resigned myself to the fact that they will beat us at Old Trafgord this Sunday. Whenever there is a game on when I fly back from holiday we always lose. Especially now we've won five in a row and City appear to be struggling... it's definitely gonna be an away win.

Psychotic

04-07-2015, 12:38 PM

Makes you wonder why Paul "25% as good as Steven Gerrard" Scholes couldn't do it when he tried, what with the wind and all...

Old Manus

04-07-2015, 03:25 PM

>implying based Gylfi isn't worth 5 Scholeses and 10 Gerrards

Psychotic

04-07-2015, 03:26 PM

He's worth the earth to me, absolutely killing in my work fantasy football team. (sorry EoFF I just don't have the rivalry here to care about it :shobon:)

04-07-2015, 03:54 PM

Definitely a harder hit than Adam's.

unfair comparison, the whale was on the pitch, the ball was clearly trying desperately to escape its fate of being eradicated from this world by a superior human being

Bubba

04-10-2015, 02:30 PM

Utd flying, five league wins on the trot. City lost four away games on the bounce. Utd fans on Twitter really excited for the game. And the final nail in the coffin, Robbie Savage going into detail about how Utd will win this weekend. So glad I'm gonna miss us getting mauled when I fly back this Sunday.

I don't mind us getting beat if City deserve it. I just won't be able to cope if Mark 'let's give Utd's opponents a load of penalties' Clattenberg fucks us over again.

Aerith's Knight

04-12-2015, 04:16 PM

Derby certainly is starting off interestingly. Two goals, tied, although I'd say Manchester city is getting past the defense of Utd. way too easily for it to be an even game.

I do wonder if they'll tire themselves out doing that.

edit: One goal that was obviously offside, but then again, Utd. would've won either way.

Bubba

04-12-2015, 07:35 PM

God I love being wrong!

Aerith's Knight

04-12-2015, 07:57 PM

Either way, it was a great game. So much action.

Bubba

04-13-2015, 08:11 PM

Quality finish from Sterling. Can't wait to see him in Madrid white in a few months :p

Psychotic

04-13-2015, 08:16 PM

Might want to watch the Spanish equivalent of the League Cup then!

Aerith's Knight

04-18-2015, 06:07 PM

Do English referees get regular eye exams?

Great goal by Chelsea. Also remind me why they lined up Falcao again?

Psychotic

04-18-2015, 06:35 PM

I also reckon Swansea will be embroiled in a relegation battle because they are a poo team comprised entirely of poo. If they sell Bony, Leicester will finish above them. QUOTE ME IN THE END OF THE YEAR POST.look at what might've been old manus

LOOK UPON IT AND THANK LEANNE WOOD IT TOOK UNTIL JANUARY

i was looking through the thread to find it and i said lovren had the potential to be one of the best CBs in the league, i am fucking getting shredded

MissH

04-18-2015, 06:59 PM

Falcao just isn't working out at United. He's made too many mistakes and not enough good ppay to even things out.

United were by far the stronger team until about 5 minutes before the Chelsea goal came in.

Regardless of today's result, United are making huge strides towards where we want to be. I finally have hope as a United fan!

Aerith's Knight

04-18-2015, 07:06 PM

Psychotic

04-18-2015, 07:08 PM

I finally have hope as a United fan!You've all truly suffered.

MissH

04-18-2015, 07:15 PM

I agree Man. United is going where it supposed to be going, but for the love of god, I hope they put Rooney in the forward position again, and switch Falcao for Blind. A strong midfield to create chances is what they need.

I wouldn't mind cheering for Chelsea, but they've been boring as smurfie smurf this game. I've seen a counter or three, but if they've had more than 33% possession I will be surprised.

Withou a doubt Rooney is best up front. Unfortunately with the injuries we've picked up, we weren't able to put out our first choice team. Saying that, even without Blind,Carrick etc, those first 30 mins or so we were on fire. And we have had great possesion and some good chances throughout the game. Just isn't going to be our day today.