The 2013-2014 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

That Utd result displeases me.

The belief that SAF instilled in Man Utd is impressive, and it's still paying dividends. But Moyes doesn't seem to have the same spark, and I wonder how long it will last.

In my opinion, Man Utd have the 7th or 8th best first 11 in the league. But they have more fight in them than Newcastle or Tottenham, and better forwards.

EDIT: Biggest news of the day so far: Carlton Cole has done a goal.

Plenty of red cards already today as well, Stoke have two men sent off (plus Mark Hughes to the stands) and Tim Howard is off as well at Everton. Stoke and Everton have some work to do…

Arsenal are leaving it rather late against West Ham. Podolski is in action for the goners.

EDIT2: And as soon as I write that, Arsenal score through Walcott. Timely - but they really need three points here.

EDIT3: Whew, what a rescue from Podolski and Walcott!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Good performance from Liverpool, but not good enough to beat the Manchester PetroDollars. The strength and talent of their squad is simply second to none in the league, and frankly they have no excuse not winning the title this season.

Hard to feel bad about this loss, though Mignolet did make a mistake on the winner. Sterling should have earned Liverpool a draw anyway as well, we had our chances. He's young, and will bet better. I'm happy with the performance, expected to lose and am happy it was close. We did better than most.

I'm looking forward to hosting Man City at Anfield - they are definitely beatable, and Liverpool should expect a result in the return fixture.

 

[daneoni]

Some of the refereeing decisions there were head scratching. Why Agger doesn't get a game over Skrtel is beyond me. Liverpool still in the title race though.

Our win today proved really important. Glad Poldi and Walcott are back and firing.

Hopefully the Ramsey injuring isn't serious.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I suppose we're in the running on paper, but I don't see Liverpool as a real contender. Man City have the best squad and should win it. Arsenal look very strong this season and certainly have a very good chance - especially if they can beat Man City at the Emirates. Chelsea + Mourinho always means silverware is possible.

Everyone else is really just fighting for fourth, including Liverpool. I question whether Liverpool will be top of the league ever again this season. There is a long way to go yet though, so I suppose anything is possible.

Re: Skrtel. Consistency is a big problem with him, but so is his shirt-grabbing in the box. How he has avoided giving away a penalty so far is mystifying to me. Agger is a more consistent player IMO but Skrtel has superior physical tools and is younger - perhaps this is why Rogers picks him. We have an OK pool of defenders but in a perfect world we need a more consistent center back to anchor our defense. Perhaps young Sakho will develop into that? I'm skeptical but he has shown improvement and certainly possesses the stature.

One thing that does please me is the number of younger players we have out there in these big games. They are gaining experience now that may pay dividends in the future.

 

[daneoni]

Chelsea+Mou Version 1 always = silverware.

Version 2 is not so convincing. Could've easily dropped points today. They need a striker and if they don't get one in January then nothing is certain.

Liverpool need 1 or 2 bodies in to complete that spine. Or one or two players to hit form. They have the attack, just need to tweak the midfield and defence (I'm looking at you Skrtel)

The title on paper is City's to lose but even they are vulnerable.

Its definitely going to be interesting. And activity in the January window will potentially play a huge role in what happens in May.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

One thing about City that scares me is the lack of drama under Pellegrini. He really seems to have settled the culture at the club and gotten down to the business of bringing Man City's dizzying resources to bear on the league title, though they still look unready for a Champions League title.

Under Mancini it was a circus, though I suppose Tevez and Balotelli played big parts in that.

Once Manchester team fades just as the other emerges. Looks like Manchester are set to be the football capital of England for years to come, even if it comes by way of the Middle East.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Alex Bruce is immense. The goalpost he nutted is rated as 50/50 for Saturday.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

In a piece of news that I'm sure will surprise no one, Malky Mackay has been sacked.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I just hope Tan finds it extremely difficult to attract any real managerial talent. The Cardiff fans deserve a better owner, and anyone who comes in will be a stooge.

What do you think, Jaffa? Will we see a battered hat wafting its way from Hull to Cardiff? Or perhaps Sven will fancy it?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

What do you think, Jaffa? Will we see a battered hat wafting its way from Hull to Cardiff? Or perhaps Sven will fancy it?

Well, Phil Brown is currently gainfully employed at Southend United, and not doing too badly by all accounts - his charges are currently in the League Two play-off places.

Mind, if anyone knows how to manage a club with an odd Tan it's Phil Brown.

 

[daneoni]

Solskjaer is the name being thrown around as a potential replacement. I don't see the improvement in choice but who knows.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Solskjaer is the name being thrown around as a potential replacement. I don't see the improvement in choice but who knows.

You'd like to think he'd have more sense than that.

Nonetheless, at the time of posting he's the bookie's favourite to be appointed, with Sven and journeyman Turkish manager Yilmaz Vural the next two names in line.

 

[swiftaw]

I guess it's lucky that you have to have coaching certification to be a premier league manager else you would think that Tan would appoint himself, or his son, or his window washer,...

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I guess it's lucky that you have to have coaching certification to be a premier league manager else you would think that Tan would appoint himself, or his son, or his window washer,...

Said bookmaker currently has Tan at 33/1 to take the job himself.

Tim Sherwood is actually lacking the Uefa Pro Licence required to manage in the Premier League, although he has other badges and accreditations - he now has to sign up for the Pro Licence course at the earliest opportunity, which is March I believe. I guess Tan could always appoint himself and pay someone else to sit the coaching exams on his behalf or something.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Well, Phil Brown is currently gainfully employed at Southend United, and not doing too badly by all acounts - his charges are currently in the League Two play-off places.

Ah, I should have remembered that. I just came across a news item on him not too long ago. Still, the lure of the Best League in the World….

Mind, if anyone knows how to manage a club with an odd Tan it's Phil Brown.

Step aside, James Richardson.

Tim Sherwood is actually lacking the Uefa Pro Licence required to manage in the Premier League, although he has other badges and accreditations - he now has to sign up for the Pro Licence course at the earliest opportunity, which is March I believe.

Isn't that like captaining an oil tanker off Somalia while taking a course on commercial shipping command??

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Isn't that like captaining an oil tanker off Somalia while taking a course on commercial shipping command??

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Happybunny]

Some news for Mr Jaffa.

PEC Zwolle have signed Denis Mahmudov, he used to play for the top amateur club Excelsior’31. He has aready scored 19 goals this season, and this is a weak point with PEC lack of goals. Denis has moved up the rankings in amateur football since his debut in 2007.

 

[daneoni]

Palace why, you had all the chances.

*sigh*

Also, proof that Martin Jol wasn't the problem at Fulham. The players were/are.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Went alright, that.

 

[daneoni]

Happy for Huddlestone. About time.

On another note, Jozy Altidore...hmm...

 

[Jaffa Cake]

happy for huddlestone. About time.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Good day for the lads, Jaffa.

Fulham are obviously in a funk - for whatever reason, Jol and Fulham just didn't work well together. Whatever it is, Meulensteen needs to find out fast.

Fabio Borini collapsed and lost consciousness at halftime at the Sunderland-Cardiff match and was rushed to hospital, but the latest updates indicate he is OK. Apparently he (along with Adam Johnson and a couple other teammates) has been suffering from some sort of unspecified illness.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Fulham are obviously in a funk - for whatever reason, Jol and Fulham just didn't work well together. Whatever it is, Meulensteen needs to find out fast.

Fulham were awful today, and ventured into abysmal in the second half - devoid of ideas or fight. We meanwhile were mint.

Hopefully all is well with Fabio Borini - he's been released from hospital I believe.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Fulham were awful today, and ventured into abysmal in the second half - devoid of ideas or fight. We meanwhile were mint.

Hopefully all is well with Fabio Borini - he's been released from hospital I believe.

Two goals for Koren as well.

Fulham needed Dempsey today, they seem devoid of ideas as well as any semblance of motivation. Hull were certainly up for it and as soon as they smelled blood they ran up the score. That extra goal difference will become important later on.

Sounds like Borini has a virus, he probably just weakened himself by playing rather than resting and passed out as a result. At least it appears not to be anything serious.

 

[pivo6]

Fulham were awful today, and ventured into abysmal in the second half - devoid of ideas or fight. We meanwhile were mint.

Hopefully all is well with Fabio Borini - he's been released from hospital I believe.

Fulham gave up today. No other explanation. The new American owner better spend some £'s in January, or they'll be in the Championship next season.