Football 2014/15

[ThomThomDrum]

I think it's likely Man Utd will score at least two, which means to get a result we'll need to score two (obviously). We've not managed that on many occasions as Old Trafford in the last 50 years...still "it's a funny old game"

But West Ham managed at the weekend something that they have not done on many occasions (only 5 times in my life time!) and beat Liverpool in the league and if there is ever a Utd side you could score multiple goals on its got to be this one, irrespective of the venue being OT

[The Nal]

Don't forget 2 of the goals shouldn't have stood yesterday.

Which two? The peno obviously but the others were ok?

I was going say something say something similar. He was like a school kid going around

Yep but as I've said, work rate, unreal. Leading by example. Look at him here trying to get back. The fact he shouldn't have to do it is irrelevant.

Also check out Smalling's attempt to get back.

http://youtu.be/qe8Vv-9NTx0

Edited September 22, 2014 by The Nal

[thetime]

Which two? The peno obviously but the others were ok?

Rafael gives refs a descision to make, it used to be exscused because of his age. His still making mistakes and his positional sense is the worst I've seen from a full back.

His sending offs against Chelsea and Bayern were exactly the same, making rash challenges.

For me he is the weak link in the side.

[TheGayTent]

But West Ham managed at the weekend something that they have not done on many occasions (only 5 times in my life time!) and beat Liverpool in the league and if there is ever a Utd side you could score multiple goals on its got to be this one, irrespective of the venue being OT

5 times in 14 attempts. Pretty good record I think.

Wish I was somewhere near as young as you!

[TheGayTent]

Fuck - Kouyate is out for 6 weeks...big blow that.

[ThomThomDrum]

5 times in 14 attempts. Pretty good record I think.

Wish I was somewhere near as young as you!

Sorry!

I dont know what stat I heard on the box on TV so on Sat!?? I thought I heard something about 5 league wins since the late 70s. Must have been 8 wins. Had to look it up as there. Although they have only won 5 in the last 28 from what I see not 14. Im i reading it wrong?

Edit - You were looking just a WH home games were you?

Edited September 22, 2014 by ThomThomDrum

[TheGayTent]

Sorry!

I dont know what stat I heard on the box on TV so on Sat!?? I thought I heard something about 5 league wins since the 8late 70s. Must have been 8 wins. Had to look it up as there. Although they have only won 5 in the last 28 from what I see not 14. Im i reading it wrong?

You said home games. [No you didn't! Sorry, for some reason thought you had - my mistake!] It's 5 in the last 14 home league games I think. Which would make 5 wins in the last 28 league games (as we haven't won at Anfield in over 50 years)

3-1 Sep 14

3-1 Feb 11

1-0 Jan 08

1-0 Nov 99

2-1 Sep 98

The others are 2 draws and 7 defeats. Making 14 in total.

The 14 games at Anfield show Liverpool winning 11 with 3 draws. Liverpool scoring 33 and conceding just 5...

Edited September 22, 2014 by TheGayTent

[eFestivals]

United going forward look frightening at times.

and yet a lot less frightening and effective than last season's Liverpool, and with a worse defence.

It's a false dawn. Given how Leicester and Burnley have taken points from them, no one will roll over for them.

[thetime]

and yet a lot less frightening and effective than last season's Liverpool, and with a worse defence.

It's a false dawn. Given how Leicester and Burnley have taken points from them, no one will roll over for them.

It's going to be an interesting season for 4th, the 4 in contention on paper are going to drop an awful lot of points.

May well be the lowest 4th place total for a while.

[eFestivals]

I see that Utd now don't want to sign skippy as it will upset the new 'stars'.

But they do want Vlaar. Good luck with that

[pink_triangle]

I see that Utd now don't want to sign skippy as it will upset the new 'stars'.

But they do want Vlaar. Good luck with that

Whats wrong with Vlaar? I think he has done a good job at villa and I think he would imporve the defence of liverpool, man u or spurs.

While he has made mistakes he has been playing for a club (generally) competing towards the bottom end of the season, while trying to introduce young/inexpereinced players.

[thetime]

I see that Utd now don't want to sign skippy as it will upset the new 'stars'.

But they do want Vlaar. Good luck with that

You been reading the beeb gossip page again? It's called gossip for a reason.

[TheGayTent]

Whats wrong with Vlaar? I think he would imporve the defence of liverpool, man u or spurs.

.

Agreed

[eFestivals]

You been reading the beeb gossip page again? It's called gossip for a reason.

it's recently become the first place that Utd PRs are published tho, before they've even been released. Surely you've noticed that?

Whats wrong with Vlaar?

I don't really have much of a personal opinion, but remember reading an article shortly after the world cup which was something like "the world cup stars to avoid", and Vlaar featured highly.

[Andre91]

Vlaar would be a great signing for any team in the league. I really thought LVG would have gone for him this summer, especially after the World Cup he had.

[mrtourette]

I remember Vlaar being fairly poor for Villa in a number of games over the last season or so, although it would be hard to shine in that team. He had a good tournament, not as great as a lot people made out though, but solid.

[mrtourette]

Vlaar would be a great signing for any team in the league. I really thought LVG would have gone for him this summer, especially after the World Cup he had.

No he wouldn't. Given Man Utd's obvious deficiencies in that area, how comparatively cheap Vlaar would be and the fact that they already have a working relationship it seems like an obvious signing, and yet it still didnlt happen. I guess Van Gaal is well aware of Vlaar's limitations and the fact that his perfomances at the World Cup were over-hyped.

EDIT: Basically what scruffylovemonster said.

Edited September 23, 2014 by mrtourette

[pink_triangle]

I don't really have much of a personal opinion, but remember reading an article shortly after the world cup which was something like "the world cup stars to avoid", and Vlaar featured highly.

Well I guess journalist have been known to get things wrong, just like the rest of us mere mortals.

[pink_triangle]

No he wouldn't. Given Man Utd's obvious deficiencies in that area, how comparatively cheap Vlaar would be and the fact that they already have a working relationship it seems like an obvious signing, and yet it still didnlt happen. I guess Van Gaal is well aware of Vlaar's limitations and the fact that his perfomances at the World Cup were over-hyped.

EDIT: Basically what scruffylovemonster said.

Maybe they dont get on, maybe LVG is looking for a different type of centre back. I dont think you can assume because an international manager doesnt bring a player in when he gets a club job, that he doesnt rate him.

I see Vlaar as a centre back who held togehter an inexpereinced villa defence which could have easily headed for relegation. He then held together a medicore dutch defence in the world cup. Of course he has made mistakes but he has had to do double the work of the majority of top centre backs (who have also made mistakes) in the premiership.

[eFestivals]

Well I guess journalist have been known to get things wrong, just like the rest of us mere mortals.

quite possible, tho when i read it I thought it was quite a well considered piece.

I've tried to find it by googling this morning, and failed.

[mrtourette]

Maybe they dont get on, maybe LVG is looking for a different type of centre back. I dont think you can assume because an international manager doesnt bring a player in when he gets a club job, that he doesnt rate him.

I think it's safe to assume that van Gaal doesn't see him as a "great signing for any team in the league".

[mrtourette]

quite possible, tho when i read it I thought it was quite a well considered piece.

I've tried to find it by googling this morning, and failed.

I think I read something similar on F365, and yes it had Vlaar as one of those players not to judge purely on a reasonable World Cup campaign given how slow and clunky he'd looked over the previous two years.

[LondonTom]

Fuck - Kouyate is out for 6 weeks...big blow that.

Realism has sharply set back in with that news!

[adam1234]

Vlaar > Evans, smalling and Jones

So I think he would improve Utds back line slightly. I've not really had enough chance to judge young Blackett yet. However Vlarr is not the first class centre halve they are desperate for.

[pink_triangle]

Vlaar > Evans, smalling and Jones

So I think he would improve Utds back line slightly. I've not really had enough chance to judge young Blackett yet. However Vlarr is not the first class centre halve they are desperate for.

The trouble is that there aren't too many first class centre backs around. When I think about great centre backs abroad there is Hummels, thiago Silva and then I'm struggling.