Football 2013-2014

[kaosmark2]

Like Fergie did, Moyes won't get much and he knows it.

With Felleni in the squad, Cleverley is now a bit-part player - which is all he ever should have been anyway.

I caught the last 20 minutes of the match last night and there was some wonderful play from Utd ... but against a clearly tiring side, and Utd still managed to concede a goal. I'm not sure that too much can be read from that game.

[TheGayTent]

Cleverley has attributes?

[kaosmark2]

Ha - I'm not a fan either!

But yes he does. His ball retention, his pass success rate, are very very good when compared to most. Plus he is very good at finding space - which is a difficult art.

He isn't very good at the more headline grabbing skills mind.

I don't rate him particularly, and have said so before, but the reasons mentioned are exactly why Fergie, Hodgson, and Moyes have picked him so much.

[TheGayTent]

I disagree about him being very good at finding space. He's not bad at it, but once he's found that I don't think he uses it particularly well. He certainly doesn't create space for others.

My confusion about him is more in comparison to Kagawa, who's also an excellent passer but can do more beyond that. There must be a reason why he doesn't get a huge number of games.

[kaosmark2]

Going back to the original point - what he is in the team for and what Fellaini is in the team for, are very different things.

[strummer77]

Phil is out until the end of October. Bugger. Although with Suarez coming back, the damage is somewhat limited. Moses, Sturridge, Aspas for Southampton and then Moses Sturridge Suarez thereafter.

[pink_triangle]

Great win for Arsenal today, the Ramsey goal machine cant stop at present, would be nice to see a few of those goals for wales!

Also nice to see a Chelsea home loss, still early days but Im far from convinced with the balance of their squad. They say managers should never go back and maybe the special one isn't the miracle worker that some may think. Mourinio ended up alienating several players at Madrid and I think theres a risk he could do the same with players like Mata.

[kaosmark2]

Very important win for Arsenal as well, takes a bit of the pressure off having an away win under their belt in the hardest group around.

Napoli's win over Dortmund makes things a bit more interesting. It's hard to see Marseille recovering to get the 8+ points needed to qualify but they still won't be easy for the other teams to get points off, though Weidenfeller's suspension opens up a bit more of a chance of them getting a result at Dortmund in a fortnight.

[eFestivals]

Also nice to see a Chelsea home loss

am I right in thinking that Basle have done pretty well against English teams in recent years, or is my memory playing tricks?

I'm thinking that they've either beaten or drawn with both of Man Utd and Liverpool in fairly recent seasons.

[pink_triangle]

am I right in thinking that Basle have done pretty well against English teams in recent years, or is my memory playing tricks?

I'm thinking that they've either beaten or drawn with both of Man Utd and Liverpool in fairly recent seasons.

[thetime]

am I right in thinking that Basle have done pretty well against English teams in recent years, or is my memory playing tricks?

I'm thinking that they've either beaten or drawn with both of Man Utd and Liverpool in fairly recent seasons.

[eFestivals]

They beat utd a couple of years ago, the year we didn't qualify for the knock out stage.

Thanks. I have a feeling that they stuffed L'pool a year or two before that as well (I think in the UEFA/Europa, tho might have been the Chumps).

I have a feeling that both L'pool and Utd approached playing Basle as an easy victory, and got a bit of a shock. Looks like much the same happened last night too, going by Moaniho's substitutions.

[TheGayTent]

Liverpool drew twice with Basel in the Champions League back in 2002

[eFestivals]

Liverpool drew twice with Basel in the Champions League back in 2002

blimey, was it that long ago?

Ah well, even less reason for Chelsea to have cocked up last night then.

[thetime]

blimey, was it that long ago?

Ah well, even less reason for Chelsea to have cocked up last night then.

[kaosmark2]

Yeah, but 2002 was back when Newcastle were in the Champs. We're talking serious time ago.

[pink_triangle]

Wrexham were last in Europe in 1995 and it definitely wasn't the champions league.

[thetime]

Wrexham were last in Europe in 1995 and it definitely wasn't the champions league.

Edited September 19, 2013 by thetime

[5co77ie]

Jacko's leaving Fulham then

about time but to replace the statue with Al Fayed again is a backward step.

And the World Cup in Winter? Will Glastonbury be showing it?

[eFestivals]

but to replace the statue with Al Fayed again is a backward step.

it's ok ... give it a couple of years and they can remove that one without offending anyone.

[Bobs]

Interesting to see City comprehensively win the other night, there's one thing for certain, and that's that Pellegrini knows how to win in Europe, they'll prove hard to beat!

What a crucial win for Arsenal too, just out of interest, who do you see as the biggest threat? Napoli or Dortmund? cause the other result might be good or bad depending on which way you see it.

And Basle, well how many times to English times have to see, that they're dangerous if handled incorrectly, Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea Spurs, and nearly Middlesbrough struggled over the last 10 years.

Feel an honourable mention for Celtic too, they were so unlucky last night, they were by far the better team!

[kaosmark2]

What a crucial win for Arsenal too, just out of interest, who do you see as the biggest threat? Napoli or Dortmund? cause the other result might be good or bad depending on which way you see it.

[pink_triangle]

Are they not allowed to enter the welsh fa cup now? I remember united playing wrexham in there European cup winner cup winning run 1990/1991.

[Jackmypie]

Going to my first home game of the season today against QPR. Fingers crossed. Will be very happy with a draw!

[kaosmark2]

Cockw*nk.

Some excellent play going forward and in midfield, but HBA, Cabaye and Cisse all looked off the boil so we didn't capitalise as much as we could have done. Anita and Remy were superb, but you can't win a game if only half your players are on form (unless one of those is HBA).

So many problems defensively though. Looked vulnerable at set pieces AGAIN, and Debuchy at fault for both the other 2 goals and targeted heavily. I'd thought he looked excellent for France in the Euros and for Lille in the European games I'd seen them in, but he's only had the occasional game in the Prem where he's looked comfortable defending.

Not starting panic stations yet though. Was delighted about our result last week, but if you'd asked me 10 days ago whether I'd take 3 points from the 2 games, or at the start of the season 7 from 5, I'd have been happy with either of those.

Lots of talk across the web about how Liverpool look toothless without Coutinho, but I wonder whether Suarez will be able to add some bite in again. I do like and rate Coutinho but I think he drifts in and out of games a lot.

Big victory for West Brom. First goals for 2 of their CAMs, attacking contribution from Anichebe, and having a victory under the belt is so important.