Football 2013-2014

[eFestivals]

So are Utd fans celebrating that as Utd back on form? Deluded.

Utd played the harrying game very well, but they created nothing and were extremely lucky to get Arsenal on a can't-pass-straight day.

It's put Utd back in the mix, but they won't stay there without a massive improvement in their play.

[The Nal]

So are Utd fans celebrating that as Utd back on form? Deluded.

Utd played the harrying game very well, but they created nothing and were extremely lucky to get Arsenal on a can't-pass-straight day.

It's put Utd back in the mix, but they won't stay there without a massive improvement in their play.

[thetime]

So are Utd fans celebrating that as Utd back on form? Deluded.Utd played the harrying game very well, but they created nothing and were extremely lucky to get Arsenal on a can't-pass-straight day.It's put Utd back in the mix, but they won't stay there without a massive improvement in their play.

[eFestivals]

No but slowly improving. Just like playing shite against Stoke but still winning was an improvement. Baby steps.

And those baby steps currently put Utd as not as good as Liverpool, when put in context.

Mostly it's the poor results of other teams that has made this weekend look so good for Utd.

[zahidf]

And those baby steps currently put Utd as not as good as Liverpool, when put in context.

Mostly it's the poor results of other teams that has made this weekend look so good for Utd.

[eFestivals]

Created nothing?

Sorry, created just one chance that they probably wouldn't have got if half the Arsenal squad hadn't have got ill overnight.

Given that Arsenal couldn't pass straight yesterday even when they had all the time in the world on the ball it's hard to say that the result would have been much different if they'd not got ill, but even so I reckon Utd got more than a bit lucky via that. Arsenal are a lesser team when missing both Rosicky and Mertesacker.

[eFestivals]

True, but those bad results are due to general problems with the teams, which may not go away.

I'd love for Man utd to get out of the top 4 this year, but is suspect they wil hang on in their. Their victory over Arsenal will give them enough confidence.

If the other teams keep fucking up as they have then it's gifting top 4 to

Utd, that's defo true.

But I find it as hard to see those other teams keep on being as bad as they're being no less than I see Utd improving by much.

[pink_triangle]

And those baby steps currently put Utd as not as good as Liverpool, when put in context.

Mostly it's the poor results of other teams that has made this weekend look so good for Utd.

[The Nal]

Arsenal are a lesser team when missing both Rosicky and Mertesacker.

[eFestivals]

The difference between man utd and Liverpool is 3 points, Man Utd have had a tougher start to the fixture list. If its so clear the man utd haven't been as good as Liverpool, why (taking away the Liverpool v man utd game, where home advantage could have been important) have they accumulated identical points. You say Man utd need a siginificant improvement but that depends a lot on what other teams at the top do. You look at the top 2 favourites at the start of the season and Man Utd are 1 point behind one and ahead of the other. I don't think there is an amazing team this season, so I don't think anyone needs to improve significantly to walk away with the title.

Who was being guessed at as the winners means naff all to anything.

And Utd's position against those other teams is more to do with those other teams failings than it is anything good about Utd - so while Utd might well make top four by the end of the season that'll be more down to luck than Utd being good if things carry on as they're going.

It's getting hard to think Utd won't make the top 4 now tho.... but Utd fans still need to keep their fingers crossed that City, Chelsea and Spurs don't get their shit together.

[eFestivals]

Thats football though. Vidic missed the 2nd half. Kompany is out for City etc. Clubs have to deal with it.

Oh, absolutely. Wenger specifically said before kick-off that it would be no excuse if they lost. But that still doesn't change the fact that Utd faced a weaker Arsenal than they otherwise would have done.

That was (in Moyes opinion, at least) the best team that Utd could have put out. Even if those two players hadn't missed yesterday it was still a way short of Arsenal's best given their current injury list (tho for arsenal, it's the same every season).

I was very impressed with Jones' energy yesterday; they missed him big time when he covered for Vidic in the 2nd half. Rosicky was a similar loss for Arsenal, I'd say.

Edited November 11, 2013 by eFestivals

[pink_triangle]

Who was being guessed at as the winners means naff all to anything.

And Utd's position against those other teams is more to do with those other teams failings than it is anything good about Utd - so while Utd might well make top four by the end of the season that'll be more down to luck than Utd being good if things carry on as they're going.

It's getting hard to think Utd won't make the top 4 now tho.... but Utd fans still need to keep their fingers crossed that City, Chelsea and Spurs don't get their shit together.

[LondonTom]

I agree, I couldn't care less if ex wrexham players celebrate against us. Once they leave us their duty is to help their new club whether its to our detriment or not.

[eFestivals]

I would disagree that the perception at the start of the season is irrelevant as its based on the strength of squad

Nope - as this season is showing, it's based only in a wrong perception of squad strength.

I think your letting your hope (I agree it would be funny if the finished 5th as well) of Man Utd failure to cloud your judgement. Man Utd are a flawed team fighting against several other flawed teams for the title. Whatever you say about Man Utds form it has been good enough to keep them within 3 points of everyone apart from Arsenal.

While I've certainly had a hope of them finishing outside the top 4, I've not got carried away with that. They started poorly and they're still playing poorly, even tho they've been picking up the points more recently.

Chelsea, City and Spurs have results-wise gone pretty poorly, but their play has been (overall) better than Utd (apart from Chelsea). I'm not sure that Spurs are going to start scoring (same old Spurs lol), but I see them as improving to pick up the points they've been missing as the season goes on - while I'm finding it hard to see where Utd's improvement will come from.

But it's Utd, and they're well-versed in picking up the points from poor play, so I really wouldn't be surprised if they do OK in the end.

I can't see anyone but Arsenal winning it tho. Rooney wants to hope that they'll fade come March, but they've done the exact opposite in the last few seasons - finished very strongly.

Edited November 11, 2013 by eFestivals

[pink_triangle]

Nope - as this season is showing, it's based only in a wrong perception of squad strength.

While I've certainly had a hope of them finishing outside the top 4, I've not got carried away with that. They started poorly and they're still playing poorly, even tho they've been picking up the points more recently.

Chelsea, City and Spurs have results-wise gone pretty poorly, but their play has been (overall) better than Utd (apart from Chelsea). I'm not sure that Spurs are going to start scoring (same old Spurs lol), but I see them as improving to pick up the points they've been missing as the season goes on - while I'm finding it hard to see where Utd's improvement will come from.

But it's Utd, and they're well-versed in picking up the points from poor play, so I really wouldn't be surprised if they do OK in the end.

I can't see anyone but Arsenal winning it tho. Rooney wants to hope that they'll fade come March, but they've done the exact opposite in the last few seasons - finished very strongly.

[The Nal]

Oh, absolutely. Wenger specifically said before kick-off that it would be no excuse if they lost. But that still doesn't change the fact that Utd faced a weaker Arsenal than they otherwise would have done.

That was (in Moyes opinion, at least) the best team that Utd could have put out. Even if those two players hadn't missed yesterday it was still a way short of Arsenal's best given their current injury list (tho for arsenal, it's the same every season).

I was very impressed with Jones' energy yesterday; they missed him big time when he covered for Vidic in the 2nd half. Rosicky was a similar loss for Arsenal, I'd say.

Edited November 11, 2013 by The Nal

[kaosmark2]

And whats going on at Chelski? Haven't seen a Mourinho team play like that before really. Lesser teams playing fearlessly against them at home.

[thetime]

Surprised no mention of Micah Richards dive on here.

It was a bit ridiculous.

[The Nal]

So bad its funny

[eFestivals]

So bad its funny

- 10/10.

[LondonTom]

Worst dive ever!

Edited November 11, 2013 by LondonTom

[The Nal]

Worst dive ever!

[pink_triangle]

Mexico and Uruguay as good as through to world cup at the expense of New Zealand and Jordan. Im personally happy that these 2 teams will be in Brazil.

I hope they are joined by France, Romania, Sweden and Iceland from the Euros

[kaosmark2]

WBA requesting refs allowed to view video replays before making penalty decisions.

I hope this doesn't go through, or if it does, it's through the introduction of a video ref like in Rugby. Otherwise whenever a team appeals for a penalty the ref will have to stop and look, it could even become a game-slowing tactic.

[The Nal]

WBA requesting refs allowed to view video replays before making penalty decisions.

I hope this doesn't go through, or if it does, it's through the introduction of a video ref like in Rugby. Otherwise whenever a team appeals for a penalty the ref will have to stop and look, it could even become a game-slowing tactic.