Football 2014/15

[The Nal]

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.

Id add Kompany, Chiellini, Benatia at a stretch.

[pink_triangle]

Id add Kompany, Chiellini, Benatia at a stretch.

However all players that man utd could not get. It's easy talking about getting a top class centre back, but there aren't many to go around.

[eFestivals]

Id add Kompany, Chiellini, Benatia at a stretch.

Oh c'mon .... we're talking Vlaar. There's plenty of defenders in the Prem that match up to his level.

[The Nal]

However all players that man utd could not get. It's easy talking about getting a top class centre back, but there aren't many to go around.

Ah! Misread the "abroad" part. Thought we were just naming centre backs!

Oh c'mon .... we're talking Vlaar. There's plenty of defenders in the Prem that match up to his level.

But anyone would improve Utds central defence. Its Championship standard at the moment.

[ThomThomDrum]

So its the Milk Cup tonight!

I would like to see Liverpool use this game against Boro to get some of the new buys and fringe players some decent match time. I think the likes of Markovic and Can should be getting decent run outs and Enrique should get a spin out too.

It will be interesting to see who he plays up top. Id be inclined to go with who ever he has in mind for the derby at the weekend (unless Sturidge is due back for Everton), as they will need to develop a relationship/understanding if possible. Whatever happens God knows Liverpool need some form and confidence going into the Everton game.

Some interesting enough games happening.

Gunners V Saints,

Sunderland V Stoke

Swansea V Everton

and of course it will be interesting to see what the MK Dons do!

[eFestivals]

But anyone would improve Utds central defence. Its Championship standard at the moment.

Anyone would, yep.

Except LVG.

[eFestivals]

So its the Milk Cup tonight!

I would like to see Liverpool use this game against Boro to get some of the new buys and fringe players some decent match time. I think the likes of Markovic and Can should be getting decent run outs and Enrique should get a spin out too.

It will be interesting to see who he plays up top. Id be inclined to go with who ever he has in mind for the derby at the weekend (unless Sturidge is due back for Everton), as they will need to develop a relationship/understanding if possible. Whatever happens God knows Liverpool need some form and confidence going into the Everton game.

Some interesting enough games happening.

Gunners V Saints,

Sunderland V Stoke

Swansea V Everton

and of course it will be interesting to see what the MK Dons do!

from something I read earlier, it's the kids tonight and Rodgers doesn't much care if Liverpool go out as a result.

[ThomThomDrum]

from something I read earlier, it's the kids tonight and Rodgers doesn't much care if Liverpool go out as a result.

Really? Id maybe play some kids but the way Liverpool have been playing recently it could and should be used to try give some players nearer the first team and those in need of match time & confidence a run out. A team of kids getting spanked by a half decent Boro team does noting for anyone really

[TheGayTent]

Winston Reid

[oops there was another page]

Edited September 23, 2014 by TheGayTent

[pink_triangle]

Oh c'mon .... we're talking Vlaar. There's plenty of defenders in the Prem that match up to his level.

Although man u can't just go to city, Chelsea or arsenal and take their defenders. You look at the next level down and it's the likes of kaboul, jagieka, shawcross etc. Vlaar is better than all those in my view.

[ThomThomDrum]

Although man u can't just go to city, Chelsea or arsenal and take their defenders.

If City can do it to Arsenal players why can Utd not also do it?

[eFestivals]

Really? Id maybe play some kids but the way Liverpool have been playing recently it could and should be used to try give some players nearer the first team and those in need of match time & confidence a run out. A team of kids getting spanked by a half decent Boro team does noting for anyone really

it's to do with lots of injuries to (particularly) the midfield, combined with the games coming thick and fast at the mo perhaps tiring the players, combined with wanting the strongest possible team with everyone on top form for the derby at the weekend.

[eFestivals]

Although man u can't just go to city, Chelsea or arsenal and take their defenders. You look at the next level down and it's the likes of kaboul, jagieka, shawcross etc. Vlaar is better than all those in my view.

Nah. They all have similarly large flaws, tho sometimes in different ways.

Vlaar, for example, is slower than all of those, whilst any extra anticipation or defending skills he might have isn't more-than covering that off.

[pink_triangle]

If City can do it to Arsenal players why can Utd not also do it?

From memory arsenal have only lost sagna in the last couple of years who was out of contract. They tried to get vermaelen but I don't think arsenal wanted to sell domestically. I don't think metzelder or kocielney would give up champions league.

[ThomThomDrum]

it's to do with lots of injuries to (particularly) the midfield, combined with the games coming thick and fast at the mo perhaps tiring the players, combined with wanting the strongest possible team with everyone on top form for the derby at the weekend.

Yeah but they are not in form, and there are a handful of players that it could be argued could do with a run out more so than the kids

[ThomThomDrum]

From memory arsenal have only lost sagna in the last couple of years who was out of contract. They tried to get vermaelen but I don't think arsenal wanted to sell domestically. I don't think metzelder or kocielney would give up champions league.

Didnt they also take the likes of Nasri, Toure and Adebayor in years past?

edit - but yeah no CL for Utd may be an issue for some

Edited September 23, 2014 by ThomThomDrum

[eFestivals]

Yeah but they are not in form, and there are a handful of players that it could be argued could do with a run out more so than the kids

yeah, but they're probably midfielders you're thinking of - and there's a lot of them crocked at the mo, apparently.

So if he doesn't play the kids tonight, the kids might end up playing at the w/e.

Edited September 23, 2014 by eFestivals

[ThomThomDrum]

Oh and Clichy as well..............

[pink_triangle]

Didnt they also take the likes of Nasri, Toure and Adebayor in years past?

e

Yes, but you get the impression that the last couple of seasons things have changed, with only sagna leaving and bigger names coming in.

[ThomThomDrum]

Yes, but you get the impression that the last couple of seasons things have changed, with only sagna leaving and bigger names coming in.

The Clichy deal was only 3 years ago. Anyway, what Im getting at is to get players from other top clubs in England City splashed the cash and made Arsenal players chase the money. Now that Utd have started splashing the cash big time whats stopping them from going after who ever, where ever? Many a player joined City for the cash when they had no CL too.

[Gucci Piggy]

You guys forgot Sergio Ramos, too.

[adam1234]

Pique, bonucci, subotic, Varane, garay, all good centre halves too. There is plenty about

[pink_triangle]

Pique, bonucci, subotic, Varane, garay, all good centre halves too. There is plenty about

They are good centre backs, varane certainly has potential. However the quality of centre backs worldwide has gone down over recent years.

[LondonTom]

Woo West Ham have finally released some more images of the Olympic Stadium!

Still hiding the gaps and the stands mostly (especially the behind the goal stands ).

The wrap is supposedly going be an LED screen! Looks okish from the outside:

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20140923/west-ham-united-launch-club-london_2236884_4165994

Edited September 23, 2014 by LondonTom

[eFestivals]

as council tenants, do west ham have to pay a bedroom tax on any unoccupied seats?