Football 2015/16

[Gucci Piggy]

Spurs have signed Alderweireld but I dunno if there's anyone else. It's Spurs anyway, they'll be shite. Ryan Mason will start every game and he should still be at Donny. Should have signed Cabaye or Sissoko or someone so they have a real midfielder who isn't 15 years old or a complete fraud like Paulinho.

[Gucci Piggy]

Also I read that Barca wanna keep Pedro until after the Super Cup because Messi and Neymar aren't available for it but I dunno how true that is.

[eFestivals]

So ... the Charity Shield tomorrow.... who's gonna win?

 

I'm gonna go for Arsenal, on the basis that last time Moaniho slagged off Wenger (just as he's done again recently) and said something like "he's not a winner" it was Wenger who was holding silverware at the end of the season while Moaniho held nothing.

[Celery]

So ... the Charity Shield tomorrow.... who's gonna win?

 

I'm gonna go for Arsenal, on the basis that last time Moaniho slagged off Wenger (just as he's done again recently) and said something like "he's not a winner" it was Wenger who was holding silverware at the end of the season while Moaniho held nothing.

I reckon Arsenal 2:1. They're about a week ahead in their prep and have looked decent pre-season whereas we've looked very patchy and defensively sloppy. I wouldn't say the Community Shield is worthwhile silverware though - it's just a glorified pre-season friendly. The real test of Arsenal's worth is on 19th September when they play us away. 12 competitive games unbeaten now for Jose against Arsene i believe. 

[Gucci Piggy]

1-1 with Arsenal winning on pens

[kaosmark2]

I think everyone's overegging Chelsea and underestimating City. If Chelsea had had the injuries to Terry/Fabregas/Hazard/Costa that City had to Kompany/Toure/Silva/Aguero things would have played out very differently. I also think suggesting that City's big players lost their form permanently - when they were coming off an intense world cup and were constantly either injured or coming back from injury - is hugely premature.

 

City's exits are also all of squad players, yes Milner will be a loss but none of the others made more than passing impact. In contrast, while Di Maria's form fell to shite after his house was broken into and he got injured, he was one of their star players and a huge name on the teamsheet, while De Gea probably earned them more points than any other 3 players in the team put together. Add Sterling into their attack and Delph as a direct replacement for Milner and I think they're still basically the force they have been for years. The only concern I'd have is the manner of Kompany's loss of form made it appear more likely to be more than just a bad patch.

 

I really think it's a 3-horse race with Man U probably getting a moderately comfortable 4th.

[Wooderson]

If De Gea leaves will Utd go for Loris?

[thetime]

If De Gea leaves will Utd go for Loris?

Rumours are that cillesen has already been agreed.

Pinch of salt though.

[Gucci Piggy]

That's a fun downgrade

[thetime]

That's a fun downgrade

Do you watch Ajax? I tend to reserve judgement until I've seen them.

Saying that if you don't get Neur everyone's a downgrade.

[Gucci Piggy]

Do you watch Ajax? I tend to reserve judgement until I've seen them.

Saying that if you don't get Neur everyone's a downgrade.

Judging purely on the world cup to be fair

[thetime]

Judging purely on the world cup to be fair

He had a good world cup didn't he? last 5 games only let the 1 in.

Although no idea how he would fare in the premier league, lloris would be a better bet as he's used to the league.

[pink_triangle]

So ... the Charity Shield tomorrow.... who's gonna win?

 

I'm gonna go for Arsenal, on the basis that last time Moaniho slagged off Wenger (just as he's done again recently) and said something like "he's not a winner" it was Wenger who was holding silverware at the end of the season while Moaniho held nothing.

The charity shield is one of those games that I couldn't care less about, Im not sure I have ever watched more than 10 minutes of the game and wouldn't have a clue who has won it in recent years. I will go for arsenal on penalties with cech making the vital save.

 

 

I think everyone's overegging Chelsea and underestimating City. If Chelsea had had the injuries to Terry/Fabregas/Hazard/Costa that City had to Kompany/Toure/Silva/Aguero things would have played out very differently. I also think suggesting that City's big players lost their form permanently - when they were coming off an intense world cup and were constantly either injured or coming back from injury - is hugely premature.

 

City's exits are also all of squad players, yes Milner will be a loss but none of the others made more than passing impact. In contrast, while Di Maria's form fell to shite after his house was broken into and he got injured, he was one of their star players and a huge name on the teamsheet, while De Gea probably earned them more points than any other 3 players in the team put together. Add Sterling into their attack and Delph as a direct replacement for Milner and I think they're still basically the force they have been for years. The only concern I'd have is the manner of Kompany's loss of form made it appear more likely to be more than just a bad patch.

 

I really think it's a 3-horse race with Man U probably getting a moderately comfortable 4th.

Agreed, the difference between Chelsea and city is minimal. Chelsea are nowhere near the premiership greats that some were making them out to be, while city aren't past it either.

 

 

He had a good world cup didn't he? last 5 games only let the 1 in.

Although no idea how he would fare in the premier league, lloris would be a better bet as he's used to the league.

I don't watch may Ajax games and doubt many people in this country do either. I cant remember Holland letting in many goals in the last world cup. I may be being unfair but part of me doubts the character of a player who took so well being susbtitued for a penalty shoot out in a big world cup game. Imagine if someone tried to do the same to Schmeichel, Kahn or Buffon.

[eFestivals]

Utd desperate to spunk huge amounts of money on iffy players for the 2nd summer on the trot by the look of things, as rumours of a Bale-out loom large.

 

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/595419/Manchester-United-world-record-swoop-Real-Madrid-Gareth-Bale-louis-van-gaal

[thetime]

Utd desperate to spunk huge amounts of money on iffy players for the 2nd summer on the trot by the look of things, as rumours of a Bale-out loom large.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/595419/Manchester-United-world-record-swoop-Real-Madrid-Gareth-Bale-louis-van-gaal

Must be a slow rumour day if bale comes up again.

[Gucci Piggy]

Bale iffy?

[eFestivals]

Bale iffy?

At the suggested price, yes.

[thetime]

At the suggested price, yes.

Once the de gea and di Maria deals go through, United will be looking at a net spend of 9m/10m.

I know you Liverpool fans love a bit of net spend.

But no, bale is a Big fat no.

[WS_Jack_III]

Koasmark2

How are you feeling with a week until Newcastle's first game?

I'm a little worried still. Wijnaldum is the only signing who i think is ready to play in the Prem so that's one player differnt to last season.

They have been nothing but awful in preseason.

Who would you start up top? I think i would start Cisse still. Aarons gives me hope, maybe a top 3 of Aarons, Cisse and maybe Perez.

Edited August 2, 2015 by WS_Jack_III

[Wooderson]

Once the de gea and di Maria deals go through, United will be looking at a net spend of 9m/10m.

I know you Liverpool fans love a bit of net spend.

But no, bale is a Big fat no.

LFC a selling club. Net spend has been central to our transfer dealings for 7 or 8 seasons now.

[kaosmark2]

Koasmark2

How are you feeling with a week until Newcastle's first game?

I'm a little worried still. Wijnaldum is the only signing who i think is ready to play in the Prem so that's one player differnt to last season.

They have been nothing but awful in preseason.

Who would you start up top? I think i would start Cisse still. Aarons gives me hope, maybe a top 3 of Aarons, Cisse and maybe Perez.

I'm feeling OK. I like our signings, Mitrovic in particular. My worry is CB. Mitrovic/Perez/Cisse are all good striking options, Siem De Jong can slot in behind nicely. Siem/Perez/Wijnaldum behind Cisse/Mitrovic looks class to me. It's just whether we can get 2 good CBs out of all our sketchy options.

[Wooderson]

Maureen. Horrible c**t.

[pink_triangle]

Utd desperate to spunk huge amounts of money on iffy players for the 2nd summer on the trot by the look of things, as rumours of a Bale-out loom large.

 

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/595419/Manchester-United-world-record-swoop-Real-Madrid-Gareth-Bale-louis-van-gaal

With recent commercial deal, a return to champions league football and a big saving on the wage bill, its hard for me to see there not being huge spending still to come. Last seasons slight improvement was largely down to the players already there playing better, as opposed to the ones who arrived. It will be interesting to see if this seasons recruits will make more of an impact (its hard for me to see them making less) but also if those who came last season will be stronger after a season of adaptation and a longer summer.

I think the days of the old Trafford youth ranks conveyer belt are probably over and Man Utd will just look to achieve success through huge spending. While the great young players will always rise to the top, I have a feeling that the likes of Brown, O shea, Fletcher, Evans etc will not be given the cnance to become solid squad players.

[Wooderson]

While the great young players will always rise to the top, I have a feeling that the likes of Brown, O shea, Fletcher, Evans etc will not be given the cnance to become solid squad players.

?

[Gucci Piggy]

Assume he means the players of that quality that they bring through now won't be given the chance.