English (and other British lower league) Football Discussion
[quote=Stretford End]
Come on QPR!!!
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Tried that last week with N/castle and did'nt work. Never mind, 2nd is still a dam good year althought I picked us to come 3rd behind Chelsea and City. Just need three top players in the summer. AF was in Germany last night watching Shinji Kagawa in the final. Sounds hopeful.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Kotahitanga. We are one.
Prophetic words from myself posted before the game!
That was just MAD! It wasn't football, it was pure human theatre.
Honestly, I could't believe what i was seeing - from City, from QPR, from Barton, from Mancini. QPR were bloody amazing but City without Yaya really struggled to put quality attacks together - and of course panic set in (on & off the pitch). Whilst Cisse and Mackies' goals had me out of my seat screaming, I didn't think it was over, but the longer it went, the more hope i had. With 10 to go I said to my son if City score, they'll get a second. Even into injury time I sensed that would still be the case. Momentum. So when Dzeko scored I had a very bad feeling, and so it panned out.
Did City deserve the title? Hard to argue based on either the stats (2 wins over United, more goals scored, less conceded) and some quality football at times. Points aside (19 clear of 3rd placed Arse), I think United have plenty of room for improvement & must address a number of issues. However today was City's day.
Kotahitanga. We are one.
Can Uncle Alex really continue???... RM really gets up his nose..lol .......@ least u guys r in Champions League
Awkward season for United, but finishing second hasn't killed them in the past. It'll be interesting to see how the off-season goes. Any transfer targets, chaps?
Awkward season for United, but finishing second hasn't killed them in the past. It'll be interesting to see how the off-season goes. Any transfer targets, chaps?
City were the best team this season but they nearly blew it. Finishing 2nd will only make Utd more determined next season.
AF was in Germany 2 days ago looking at one of Borussia Dortmund players.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Did laugh at this.
I hope you're in good Kompany. I can imagine this is a difficult time for United fans. Don't take it to Hart. Yaya gotta keep your head up. It wont be De Jong before you're smiling again. Look for the Silva lining. It may sound a bit Clichy but you'll be okay.
Reaction to new home shirt? Gingham? Really?
Kotahitanga. We are one.
GM as a sponsor. That will help for sure.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Kagawa. ok. Who else?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Powell
Still think a ball winning midfielder would do nicely.
Powell is an 18 year old English lad. I'd call that a bit of a punt/investment for the future. He'll play Reserves mostly next season. Perhaps he'll come on. Welbeck has, Jones less so, Cleverley ? There's Anderson but SAF didn't seem to have much faith in him after the first month of the season last year. Are we going to rely on Scholes/Giggs midfield AGAIN!? Schweinsteiger.
Kotahitanga. We are one.
Hope you don't mind me posting this here. My mate is selling some books on trademe which might interest Man Utd fans at real cheap prices. Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Robbie Savage who started at United. He also has Gary Nevilles book - Red. I've read them all apart from the Scholes one. The Robbie Savage book is actually quite good even though most people think he's a nob. Theres some interesting stories of when he was in the 1992 Youth Cup winning team and the initiations they had to go through when they broke into the first team.
So any of you Man U fans gonna buy shares in the club?
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
Yeah right! One tenth the value of Glazer shares, Cayman Islands registered, and no expectation of dividend.
Sound investment?
Next phase of the end, more like.
Kotahitanga. We are one.
Fair enough, I'm sure heaps of fans would think the lure of owning a piece of the club isn't worth the costs of it. On the other hand there are also probably plenty who would buy shares just because they can.
Seems like the Glazers are the anti-Mansour or Abrahamovich - taking a really successful, wealthy club and running it into the ground. Still, at least they aren't Venkys. Or making you change the colour of your home shirt like those guys who bought Cardiff City.
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
RVP says will not sign another contract for Arsenal so AF is going for him. As good as he is I would not pay big money as he is too injury prone.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Oi ManU! That's hardly bloody fair is it? 11 professional top flight footballers against five women and a bloke who were in their prime in the 1980s.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jul/18/manchester-united-amazulu-south-africa
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
So the opposition were about the same age as Scholes & Giggs? Seems legit.
New away shirt? Better or worse than last year's black and blue hoops? Don't the marketing people want to sell away shirts? Both insipid in my view.
Kotahitanga. We are one.
Bloody Glazers...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jul/31/glazers-manchester-united-takeovers
Kotahitanga. We are one.
So, RVP....well, well.
How will his fitness hold up? How many games/goals does he need to give us? Given the strikeforce of Wazza, Danny, Hernandez, combinations will be interesting. Thoughts?
Kotahitanga. We are one.
So, RVP....well, well.
How will his fitness hold up? How many games/goals does he need to give us? Given the strikeforce of Wazza, Danny, Hernandez, combinations will be interesting. Thoughts?
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
When you generally play mid week as well as weekends you needs the numbers.
Supporter For Ever - Keep The Faith - Foundation Member - Never Lets FAX Get In The Way Of A Good Yarn
Yeah I get that, but shouldn't you address the thinnest area of your squad first?
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
Sure, wide players and 2 of those 4 strikers looks good but Zuckerkorn is right. The blingingly obvious gaping wide, drive a truck thru it hole has always been the organising midfielder who was already at the top of their game with 3-4 good years still left at the top; the real target was always Schneider or Modra. Current options: Scholes and Giggs now only bit part players; Fletcher likewise. Carrick plays too deep IMO without enough probing intent, Jones isn't it; Kagawa? It would be a big ask, but clearly SAF is hopeful. Then there are Cleverly and Anderson - not quite ready or never will be ready in SAF's view (but I like both of them).
Berbatov to the Arse is the latest gossip out of UK. Now for his likely price tag, that's not a bad piece of business for Wenger.
Still worry about sending Fabio DaSilva out on loan as left back cover behind Evra is as thin as mountain air.
Kotahitanga. We are one.
Lot's of striking talent now, would Fergusson ever think of using Rooney in a CM role? He's got all the necessary qualities, stamina, vision, hard worker. Possibly formation 4-2-3-1? Back three aside Evra can be any combo of Smalling/Jones/Rafael/Vidic/Ferdinand/Evans.
De Gea/Lindegaard
Smalling Vidic Ferdinand Evra
Carrick Scholes/Cleverley/Ando
Valencia/Nani Kagawa Rooney/Young
RVP/Rooney
Would think he'd play Rooney behind RVP.
Fuck this stupid game
Course he would! Rooney is wasted wide and why play your top forward as a CM?! Showed real desperation when he did it in one game last season. If RVP is injured, Welbeck or Hernandez sits at the top; or Wazza. Kagawa has to earn a spot at this point. Reckon he's battling with Cleverly or Anderson for that playmaking midfield role between Carrick and Rooney; with Carrick holding mid.
Kotahitanga. We are one.
Well done Everton; fully deserved.
Thoughts on Man U:
DISAPPOINMENTS:
SAF for continuing to play experienced players out of position, rather than younger players who ahve been around long enough (ie Carrick and Valencia in the backline; instead of Rafael and Wootton);
Why was Carrick marking Fellaini at that corner? Why not our best aerial defender - Vidic?
Nani - needs to step up
Rooney - lost possession far too often
Ashley Young's predictability when playing on the left; always propping and crossing on his right foot
The apparent inability of anyone to get on the end of any of Evra's crosses
Medical/sports science staff: simultaneous injuries to Smalling, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans. All of these were on pre-season tour weren't they? Were they injured on tour or not given the break they needed?
Far too few shots at goal with that amount of possession.
WTF?
Imminent signing of Henriquez (18 year old Chilean striker from Universidad); we need another striker?! Berbatov and Macheda are still on our books, let alone Chicha, Rooney, Welbeck, RVP, Kagawa
Buttner left back. OK, so Fabio really is that far down the pecking order? Rafa, Jones, Smalling could all cover left back too?
POSITIVES
Kagawa - fantastic first game. Got a real eye for the accurate through ball and weighted them well; comfortable on both feet.
Anderson - bit of cut and thrust and willing to creat space to shoot
Vidic playing again
De Gea
Kotahitanga. We are one.
Untd lost it not Everton won it. Early days.
Supporter For Ever - Keep The Faith - Foundation Member - Never Lets FAX Get In The Way Of A Good Yarn
Untd lost it not Everton won it. Early days.
Not sure I fully agree with that. 1st half Everton could have scored 2/3 if it were not for De Gea. As mentioned early days.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Everton hit woodwork 2-3 times and De Gea made a few good saves. Blues deserved the win. Face up to it Blew.
Kotahitanga. We are one.
Everton hit woodwork 2-3 times and De Gea made a few good saves. Blues deserved the win. Face up to it Blew.
Supporter For Ever - Keep The Faith - Foundation Member - Never Lets FAX Get In The Way Of A Good Yarn
So the Fulham game. Great changes: Anderson and Cleverly organising midfield; Rafael back at rigt back (but he has to learn to stay on his feet when defending for goodness sake!) Valencia at right wing; Kagawa in behind RVP. Looks like Nani and Young will be the option on the left (but both look like they are long way from their best). Playing 4231 I don't really want to see Welbeck, Chicha or Rooney in that wide left forward role so need somoone to step up and own it. Carrick shown wanting in the backline again - just the little things but consistently; but don't understand if Evans is fit enough to sit on the bench why he wouldn't start?
Kotahitanga. We are one.
Both Evra and Rafael are good going forward but are poor defenders. Second time I've seen Kagawa and am impressed. Sharp with great first touch.De Gea to blame for Fulhams second goal. On his day Nani is one of the best players in the EPL but his attitude will be his downfall. AF will dump him if he carries on like he has late last season and this season so far. Rooney also needs a rocket.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Both Evra and Rafael are good going forward but are poor defenders. Second time I've seen Kagawa and am impressed. Sharp with great first touch.De Gea to blame for Fulhams second goal. On his day Nani is one of the best players in the EPL but his attitude will be his downfall. AF will dump him if he carries on like he has late last season and this season so far. Rooney also needs a rocket.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Yep, with you on all that Leggy.
Kotahitanga. We are one.
The Saints at St Mary's. They will be encouraged by their performance v City but surely we'll take the three here. No Rooney so perhaps some game time for Hernandez? Hopeful Evans willl be good to start.
No more business in the transfer window, apart from offloading Berba to Fulham, as Fiorentina/Juventus looks to have fallen through.
Kotahitanga. We are one.
