Football 2013-2014

[kaosmark2]

People said the same about Liverpool this time last year when they were 8th. Less than 40 games later and they're 2nd favourites for the league. Or this time last year when Chelski were 20 points + behind Utd in 4th. Arsenal were 5th.

Wenger had to go, the team needed ripping apart and the philosophy had to change. A mere 10 odd games later and Arsenal sign one player and are top of the league and its all rosey again.

Utd have a similar amount of points now as those teams did last season. More in some cases. Things can change very quickly in football.

As you mentioned above, the fact that hes ripped apart the setup means he will be given more time as its a total rebuild. But still, theres nothing to suggest he'll get it right.

But Fergie took a top 4 team and they finished 11th in his first season. Then 2nd, then 11th, then 13th! Lost 16 league games in the 89/90 season.

[TheGayTent]

Haven't Man Utd got one of the best away records in the league?

[eFestivals]

People said the same about Liverpool this time last year when they were 8th

only very stupid people - by this time last year they'd already hit the form they've kept for all this season.

And before that it was easy to see that something positive was happening.

There's nothing like either of those things to be seen at Utd. If anything they're getting worse.

Wenger had to go, the team needed ripping apart and the philosophy had to change. A mere 10 odd games later and Arsenal sign one player and are top of the league and its all rosey again.

again, only a view from the stupid. They were already ripping teams apart by the time Ozil joined.

Utd have a similar amount of points now as those teams did last season. More in some cases. Things can change very quickly in football.

WEell, yes, things CAN change quickly - as utd have shown us all this season.

As you mentioned above, the fact that hes ripped apart the setup means he will be given more time as its a total rebuild. But still, theres nothing to suggest he'll get it right.

it's that last bit for the why he has to go. There's nothing to suggest he's getting anything right.

But Fergie took a top 4 team and they finished 11th in his first season. Then 2nd, then 11th, then 13th! Lost 16 league games in the 89/90 season.

very different times, and a very different starting position for Utd. They weren't firmly fixed as a dominant team back then.

Still, I hope that Moyes does get the next 5 years, but no one is stupid enough to even give him another 6 months, surely?

[lharris92]

Lots of rumblings about losing the dressing room about Moyes. If there's any truth to that, he's gone, and soon.

[The Nal]

Haven't Man Utd got one of the best away records in the league?

[eFestivals]

Hes going to get it regardless.

£5 charity bet, that he's gone before next season's kick-off?

[eFestivals]

I'll take that bet Neil if it's open to others

I'll go with you if Nal doesn't want it.

(BTW, just to be clear, you'd be betting that he'll still be there. You'd be mad to do that! ).

Edited March 18, 2014 by eFestivals

[eFestivals]

I am clear - I can read

It's clear if my words are read in context; if they're read by themselves they say I'm betting on the opposite to what I mean.

I was just checking.

[eFestivals]

PS you can't be THAT confident if you're not prepared to take two bets on it.

I'm not really a betting man. At 48 years old I put my first ever bookies bet on just a few weeks ago.

It's a bit of fun, it's not about the money - winning lots or losing lots. And as it's a charity bet I can only (personally) lose!

[eFestivals]

Although you seem that confident that really you can only (personally) draw.

but when you play more than one game of chance (or skill) over your lifetime, the probability of losses along the way is massive.

Which is precisely why I'm only up for doing one bet. It's a bit of fun, and it's no fun to be throwing lots of money away, even if it's done slowly over time.

[DomDom1984]

I see Willian is starting again tonight for Chelsea.

Am I the only one who is completely unconvinced by this guy? All he ever seems to do is give the ball away. Decent up to the point where he's expected to actually release the ball, and then it all turns to shit.

[kaosmark2]

I thought he was good for Shakhtar a couple of the times I saw him, but I've not been impressed for Chelsea. He's had the odd good moment but it's not been often enough. I'm not convinced by his defensive work either, which is why Mourinho brought him in to oust Mata.

[The Nal]

£5 charity bet, that he's gone before next season's kick-off?

[DomDom1984]

Galatasaray with some serious kamikaze defending in this game. Three times John Terry has had nobody anywhere near him and it was only a matter of time before he played a part in a goal.

[CHRLY]

I see Willian is starting again tonight for Chelsea.

Am I the only one who is completely unconvinced by this guy? All he ever seems to do is give the ball away. Decent up to the point where he's expected to actually release the ball, and then it all turns to shit.

[pink_triangle]

there was a plan, tho it seems to have long ago been abandoned. I've mentioned this earlier this season.

[pink_triangle]

I see Willian is starting again tonight for Chelsea.

Am I the only one who is completely unconvinced by this guy? All he ever seems to do is give the ball away. Decent up to the point where he's expected to actually release the ball, and then it all turns to shit.

[DomDom1984]

Not sure Salah has had much of a chance to do anything. Willian has had a number of chances, a number of starts and actually sees a lot of the ball. His off the ball movement and positioning is top notch much of the time. He always makes himself ready and maybe Mourinho likes that and sees a future for him. He's 25 though, so he's not some whippersnapper. He should be a more complete package than he is.

Salah is someone who I've seen before and like. I'd like to see him with more starts under his belt.

[kaosmark2]

I'm really hating Chelsea's "buy to loan" transfer strategy, where they're hoovering up virtually every player they can, sending them out on loan for moderate fees to offset it all financially, except they can't play against them, and then they're only going to bother with playing them if they start getting looked at buy rivals. So many young talents that they're getting their claws into that they never bother playing.

[CHRLY]

I'm really hating Chelsea's "buy to loan" transfer strategy, where they're hoovering up virtually every player they can, sending them out on loan for moderate fees to offset it all financially, except they can't play against them, and then they're only going to bother with playing them if they start getting looked at buy rivals. So many young talents that they're getting their claws into that they never bother playing.

[pink_triangle]

Not sure Salah has had much of a chance to do anything. Willian has had a number of chances, a number of starts and actually sees a lot of the ball. His off the ball movement and positioning is top notch much of the time. He always makes himself ready and maybe Mourinho likes that and sees a future for him. He's 25 though, so he's not some whippersnapper. He should be a more complete package than he is.

Salah is someone who I've seen before and like. I'd like to see him with more starts under his belt.

[pink_triangle]

I'm really hating Chelsea's "buy to loan" transfer strategy, where they're hoovering up virtually every player they can, sending them out on loan for moderate fees to offset it all financially, except they can't play against them, and then they're only going to bother with playing them if they start getting looked at buy rivals. So many young talents that they're getting their claws into that they never bother playing.

[kaosmark2]

Wikipedia's count for Chelsea players on loan is 29. Utter disgrace IMO.

And as PT says, it affects other leagues as well.

[strummer77]

Although also didn't want Sturridge or Coutinhio apparently, so on transfer policy there is still something to prove.

[eFestivals]

I'm really hating Chelsea's "buy to loan" transfer strategy, where they're hoovering up virtually every player they can, sending them out on loan for moderate fees to offset it all financially, except they can't play against them, and then they're only going to bother with playing them if they start getting looked at buy rivals. So many young talents that they're getting their claws into that they never bother playing.

that's nothing.

Chelsea own half of the rights of half of the south American players who play in Europe.