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The 2014-2015 Football Thread
- Thread starter Jaffa Cake
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Great win, great performance. Arsenal might not be a credible challenger for the title at this point, but they look well on their way to their usual top four finish. Chelsea still might fall away (though I doubt it), but Man City's title challenge is in trouble. Man Utd are also far from secure in the top four.
The story of the season is Southampton though. If they can secure a top four finish I think it could be one of the most impressive performances of the Premier League era.
I've heard nothing to suggest that the Higuain to Liverpool rumors have anything behind them. There's also no way Liverpool make the top four this season - a lot of clubs above them would have to choke badly for that to happen. It's possible, I suppose, but massively unlikely. I think the best Liverpool can hope for is fifth or sixth.
The story of the season is Southampton though. If they can secure a top four finish I think it could be one of the most impressive performances of the Premier League era.
I've heard nothing to suggest that the Higuain to Liverpool rumors have anything behind them. There's also no way Liverpool make the top four this season - a lot of clubs above them would have to choke badly for that to happen. It's possible, I suppose, but massively unlikely. I think the best Liverpool can hope for is fifth or sixth.
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If liverpool had gonzalo & stuzza yes there would be a very good chance. 5 points is not a massive choke lol
True, the points difference isn't huge. It's just a gut feeling. Man Utd did a deal with the footballing (red?) devils, they just get results even when they play like garbage (it helps that they spent a king's ransom in the summer). Southampton are flying, Arsenal are being Arsenal (always in the top 4) and even Spurs have a go-to man in Kane at the moment. 4th place is totally up for grabs and Liverpool are nowhere near the front of the line at the moment. I'll be shocked if they pull it off.
Sturridge - this is a bad, bad injury crisis. I wonder if a) he'll ever return to last season's form and b) he'll ever remain healthy again. I'm not counting on him at all until proven otherwise. Higuain - sounds great, but there's no guarantee (or even solid evidence) Liverpool will get him and no guarantee he'll do a job for Liverpool if he comes.
I will say this - right after I wrote him off Markovic starting playing some decent football. Well done to him for (at least temporarily) proving me wrong. I hope it continues. If only I could say the same about Borini and Balotelli. Lucas is currently playing well too, and that helps take pressure off Liverpool's defense.
By the way, not to be sectarian or anything but I have to stick two fingers up at ESPN's John Brewin. A pundit and dyed-in-the-wool Man Utd fan (and, to be fair, a Mancunian), he spent most of last season writing off Liverpool's great performances by saying that it mostly came down to Suarez and extra rest from a lack of Champion's League football. Fair enough, they were factors.
BUT....just the other day he was on the Second Captains podcast explaining Man Utd's recent bad performances in part by saying that the lack of Champions League means they aren't playing enough football and are therefore rusty and disorganized. WTF???? Which is it, Mr. Brewin? :roll eyes:
I think the reality is van Gaal is lucky he has no CL this season, as it would expose his side just as badly as Liverpool has been exposed this season. Had they faced Real Madrid in the group stages they'd have been shredded too.
BUT....just the other day he was on the Second Captains podcast explaining Man Utd's recent bad performances in part by saying that the lack of Champions League means they aren't playing enough football and are therefore rusty and disorganized. WTF???? Which is it, Mr. Brewin? :roll eyes:
I think the reality is van Gaal is lucky he has no CL this season, as it would expose his side just as badly as Liverpool has been exposed this season. Had they faced Real Madrid in the group stages they'd have been shredded too.
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Finally a big win in a big game. The lads suddenly realised they could play football and Wenger finally wakes up. Everyone put a shift in. Coquelin has been massive the last 2-3 games. Hopefully Wenger gives him a new contract. Cazorla has been immense since the Newcastle game. He and Chamberlain are keeping Walcott and Özil out of the starting XI. Ballerin and Monreal were good too.
On one hand i'm delighted with the win and more importantly the performance. On the other hand i absolutely loath that we've helped Moaninho
Anyway, we've played all the big boys away now (United exception). Hopefully we can at least get 7 out of 9pts in the return fixtures at the Emirates and at OT.
It seems LvG has picked his new beef opponent in Falcao. Same points tally as Moyse with a fraction of the money spent.
If he doesn't get top 4 this season, the media will have a field day.
On one hand i'm delighted with the win and more importantly the performance. On the other hand i absolutely loath that we've helped Moaninho
Anyway, we've played all the big boys away now (United exception). Hopefully we can at least get 7 out of 9pts in the return fixtures at the Emirates and at OT.
It seems LvG has picked his new beef opponent in Falcao. Same points tally as Moyse with a fraction of the money spent.
If he doesn't get top 4 this season, the media will have a field day.
I think the title's Arsenal's, now they've answered their defensive doubts
Well, either that or they'll be back to leaking goals again next week after putting up 1 good defensive display this season
I think the title's Arsenal's, now they've answered their defensive doubts
Well, either that or they'll be back to leaking goals again next week after putting up 1 good defensive display this season
they did look pretty solid.
i still like chelsea for the title though.
are the Saints under everyone's radar?
True but 1 game doesn't make a season. Arsenal have shipped the same amount of goals as Aston Villa, and they're 3 point off relegation!
I think the Saints are on everyone's radar, because despite being written off for a top 4 place because they hadn't played any big teams, we're now in the latter half of the season and they've actually improved on 4th!
Like I said above, Southampton is the biggest story in the league this season. If they can hang on to a top four place it will be a huge achievement - much more impressive than Chelsea or Man City winning the league or Man Utd/Liverpool/Spurs/Arsenal making the top four.
Speaking of penalties, Chelsea win a soft one against Liverpool in the first few minutes and that's the tie gone out the window for Liverpool. Chelsea can defend a 1-0 lead forever and Liverpool have little firepower. Get ready for three more halves of Mou's henchmen "resting with the ball."
Chelsea had zero shots on target in open play and 37% possession but they have a 1-1 draw at Anfield and are looking very comfortable in this tie for the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Classic Chelsea.
Chelsea had zero shots on target in open play and 37% possession but they have a 1-1 draw at Anfield and are looking very comfortable in this tie for the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Classic Chelsea.
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Not gonna happen. Why would Bale downgrade and United deserve everything thats coming to them if they let their best player leave.
Speaking of transfers, Gabriel Paulista might be on his way to the Emirates
i pretty much said the same thing when i was told of this by a high schooler i know. he he he.
he was adamant that he had heard just that though.
Just because Bale got boo'd for not passing to Ronaldo a few days ago does not mean he will be sold - I'm guessing that is the genesis of the rumor.
Yes but as it was Perez who was leading the boos, it might!
Real Madrid certainly operates outside reality, so you never know. I consider both moves very unlikely at the moment, but De Gea leaving Man Utd sounds even wackier than Bale leaving Madrid for Man Utd.
De Gea has (arguably) been Man U's best player for this season and the last, so it would seem strange to sell him, although they did sell Ronaldo!
De Gea doesn't seem to be trying to force a move though, where as Messi compared Ronaldo to a slave
EDIT: Two random comments I forgot to add earlier:
I recently watched both legs of Atleti vs Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey and Simeone's Atleti are wonderful to watch. Also great to see Torres scoring again, in big matches.
Diego Costa: Premier League's dirtiest player at the moment? All he ever does is wind up the opposition and he gets away with plenty of sneaky fouls.
Ronaldo went for world-record money and Man Utd knew they couldn't keep him forever because he wanted to go. That move was inevitable and it shows how Real and Barcalona operate by a different set of rules from everyone else.
The Spanish giants successfully market their culture, heritage etc etc. While also having virtually unlimited resources. Chelsea and Man City have more raw money to spend but are perceived as hollow by comparison. Man Utd also successfully market intangibles associated with the club, but (regardless of what they say) they don't have as much money nor (perhaps most crucially) do their owners really have the stomach to trade economic punches with Real/Barca/Man City/Chelsea. they want to make money, not spend it.
I recently watched both legs of Atleti vs Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey and Simeone's Atleti are wonderful to watch. Also great to see Torres scoring again, in big matches.
Diego Costa: Premier League's dirtiest player at the moment? All he ever does is wind up the opposition and he gets away with plenty of sneaky fouls.
De Gea has (arguably) been Man U's best player for this season and the last, so it would seem strange to sell him, although they did sell Ronaldo!
De Gea doesn't seem to be trying to force a move though, where as Messi compared Ronaldo to a slave
Ronaldo went for world-record money and Man Utd knew they couldn't keep him forever because he wanted to go. That move was inevitable and it shows how Real and Barcalona operate by a different set of rules from everyone else.
The Spanish giants successfully market their culture, heritage etc etc. While also having virtually unlimited resources. Chelsea and Man City have more raw money to spend but are perceived as hollow by comparison. Man Utd also successfully market intangibles associated with the club, but (regardless of what they say) they don't have as much money nor (perhaps most crucially) do their owners really have the stomach to trade economic punches with Real/Barca/Man City/Chelsea. they want to make money, not spend it.
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Well, the De Gea transfer rumours gain momentum:
http://metro.co.uk/2015/01/21/manch...agrees-terms-on-real-madrid-transfer-5031229/
http://metro.co.uk/2015/01/21/manch...agrees-terms-on-real-madrid-transfer-5031229/
Wouldn't blame De Gea if he left. He's their best player and Madrid have a goalkeeping hole that needs plugging. Also he would be heading back to his hometown.
Looks like Valdes was brought in as a contingency plan in case De Gea leaves.
Still think (rather know) United will regret it for at least 2-3 seasons.
Speaking of United, they've been forced into a replay by Cambridge United.
Looks like Valdes was brought in as a contingency plan in case De Gea leaves.
Still think (rather know) United will regret it for at least 2-3 seasons.
Speaking of United, they've been forced into a replay by Cambridge United.
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