Football 2015/16

[Gucci Piggy]

I guess that's another to chalk up to the idea that Brazilians don't do well in the Prem - tho I don't think that idea really stands up.

Rafael was good, though. Pretty much the best RB in the league the other year when he played regularly.

He's better than Valencia, but Van Gaal's public reasoning for not playing Rafael was that a full back needs to defend, so I guess there was no way back for him under Van Gaal.

Bargain for Lyon anyway.

[kaosmark2]

Yeah, Rafael had his problems but was a good attacking fullback. Don't agree he was best in the league any season (Ivanovic/Zabaleta), but he's had more good periods than bad.

Edited August 4, 2015 by kaosmark2

[thetime]

Loved rafael but was a liability at times, didn't really progress from being a raw teenager.

Positional sense was awful, amount of goal United conceded because he would come into the middle rather than his actual position.

Didn't cut out the rashness in his games either, but gave everythingjust didn't use his head.

My only surprise is United didn't try and turn him into a winger.

LVG is bloody ruthless though, exactly want United needed at this time.

Edited August 4, 2015 by thetime

[pink_triangle]

I think sometimes playing in the best team makes some of these defenders eg Rafael and Cahill look a lot better than they are. Put them under real pressure and you start to see the cracks pretty quickly.

[kaosmark2]

I think Cahill's pretty good. Was very impressed with him season before last and first half of last season. Being in a strong defensive team helps of course.

[TheGayTent]

I hope Hernandez wants to come to West Ham...

Far more comfortable with that than Austin and his dodgy knee.

Edited August 4, 2015 by TheGayTent

[LondonTom]

I did it last year so I just renewed it now. Everyone who was in last year should just be able to click a rejoin button, but for those who didn't/can't:

 

481101-120410

Ah cheers! Did see I already joined when I set up my team!

 

Must remember to keep an eye on it this year!

 

I hope Hernandez wants to come to West Ham...

Far more comfortable with that than Austin and his dodgy knee.

Fits in with what we look for in a striker though

 

 

1000 years of the premier league simulated in FM 2015: http://www.pcgamer.com/1000-years-of-the-beautiful-game-simulated-in-football-manager-15/

 

Sheffield United have a lot to look to apparently

[luckysalt]

Just had a look at that FM2015 sim of next 1000 years.

 

Villa have been in all 23 years of prem league so far and will be in this the 24th.

 

But according to that sim, of the next 1000 years, Villa only play in the prem league 24 years of those 1000!

 

Grim times!!!

 

Man U only play 358 of the next 1000 years in the prem as well.

 

Whilst Chelsea just play 68 years of the 1000 in prem.

 

Crazy!

[The Nal]

I hope Hernandez wants to come to West Ham...

 

I would be surprised if LVG wil sell him at the minute. Would leave only Rooney, Depay and Wilson and the only forwards. And not strikers, "forwards".

[eFestivals]

I would be surprised if LVG wil sell him at the minute.

 

and yet I've not seen a single rumour that suggests he's staying, only ones over many months that suggest he's going.

 

Latest rumours are West Ham and Spurs.... and given the clear-out at Spurs, either they're doing an Arsenal and are getting tight for a few years to fund their stadium, or they'll be buying a striker.

[JoeyT]

I find the Hernandez situation quite strange.

 

Poor lad must have splinters in his arse!

 

He's only really ever been used as a sub and with that in mind his goals ratio is good considering the amount of minutes he's played!

[TheGayTent]

I would be surprised if LVG wil sell him at the minute. Would leave only Rooney, Depay and Wilson and the only forwards. And not strikers, "forwards".

Yes, I think he'd already be gone if Man Utd had bought a replacement. Wouldn't surprise me if there's already agreements in principle in place.

[TheGayTent]

Latest rumours are West Ham and Spurs.... and given the clear-out at Spurs, either they're doing an Arsenal and are getting tight for a few years to fund their stadium, or they'll be buying a striker.

Levy's MO says they'll buy a striker but not until one or both of Adebayor and Soldado have got suitable new homes. Clearly Villa (Sherwood) want Adebayor, but I guess the valuation differs between the two clubs.

[eFestivals]

Clearly Villa (Sherwood) want Adebayor, but I guess the valuation differs between the two clubs.

 

not sure about that, we all know he's an awkward git. Adebayor made comments earlier this summer that suggested he wasn't going to allow himself to be downgraded via either wages or the level of club he's at.

[TheGayTent]

What aren't you sure about?

[eFestivals]

What aren't you sure about?

 

whether Adebayor will be off to Villa. He's suggested he's going to dig his heels in and stay.

 

And to be fair to him, while he might end up training with the reserves because of that, it won't be too much different to last season where he got just eight games.

 

He doesn't seem to have a huge amount to lose by staying, as he doesn't seem that bothered about playing anyway.

[TheGayTent]

Oh, there's plenty of reasons why that deal won't happen, despite both clubs being agreeable to it in principle.

Edited August 5, 2015 by TheGayTent

[TheGayTent]

Like the sad man that I am, I'm currently getting excited at planning my next trip to Europe for a weekend of football. Not set in stone yet as tv fixtures aren't all announced, but looking at doing 3 german games, or 2 german and 1 dutch game in one weekend in November.

After all, looks like we want to go out of the Europa League given the squad we've sent to Romania...

[pink_triangle]

Like the sad man that I am, I'm currently getting excited at planning my next trip to Europe for a weekend of football. Not set in stone yet as tv fixtures aren't all announced, but looking at doing 3 german games, or 2 german and 1 dutch game in one weekend in November.

After all, looks like we want to go out of the Europa League given the squad we've sent to Romania...

Have you done any outside Europe? I would love to do south America one day.

[TheGayTent]

Have you done any outside Europe? I would love to do south America one day.

No, haven't done any football stadiums outside of Europe, not association football anyway.

Agree about South America - La Bombanera, El Monumental, and the Maracana are definitely on the to do list !

Probably best finish the 92 and then the remaining european ones I want to do first.

[The Nal]

I was at the Superclasico in River Plates Stadium. Utterly insane. The few hours before, during and after. Never seen anything like it.

 

Would love to get to La Bombonera one day.

[zahidf]

So predictions for golden boot? I reckon aguero

[TheGayTent]

Andy Carroll

[The Nal]

Costa if they can get him fit and keep him fit. 20 goals in 24 games last year and wasn't fit all season really. Hes had a hamstring injury for 2 years now. Bizarre.

[eFestivals]

Andy Carroll