Premier League 2015-16

[Fatboyfat 361]

I'm pretty certain Utd will be out of the top 6 come the end, as will Liverpool and Chelski. All of their hopes on Champions League next season would be to "seriously concentrate" on and win their relative European competitions, unlikely as that would seem. I reckon Tottenham will forfeit their Europa chances tho', as they have done previously, even when having no chance in the league.

[Siam Sam 964]

I'm pretty certain Utd will be out of the top 6 come the end, as will Liverpool and Chelski. All of their hopes on Champions League next season would be to "seriously concentrate" on and win their relative European competitions, unlikely as that would seem. I reckon Tottenham will forfeit their Europa chances tho', as they have done previously, even when having no chance in the league.

 

United have no chance of winning the UEFA Subsidiary Cup, sorry, I meant the Europa League. They probably won't get through to the next round in that competition.

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Great weekend for us gooners. Spurs bring home the bacon for wac at City.

[Fatboyfat 361]

United have no chance of winning the UEFA Subsidiary Cup, sorry, I meant the Europa League. They probably won't get through to the next round in that competition.

 

'Twas a tongue in cheek suggestion, although I think they will get past Mitjiwhatsitsname. I think they were the lot that ko'd Southampton,; Nothing exceptional from what I remember, and Southampton were really crap at the start of the season. Sod's law, we'll probably turn over Arsenal in the next league match, and all "will be well" with Van Gaal again. It does seem to be arranged that he will "walk" at the end of the season prior to the next appointment (Moaninho) though. I wonder whether Pochahontas at Spurs has been really sounded out, his stock is ever rising; My source suggests that my choice Laurent Blanc refused an interview for the gig.

Defence is getting desparately low on able bodies no, so I suppose it will be back to barely capable wingers doing the fullback duties again.

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

I think his style demands a lot of energy. He needs young players who buy into his philosophy. The older big name players United tend to buy may not be prepared to buy in. Mata is a great player, IMO, but didn't work hard enough for Jose. Silva is similar at City. Maybe United are going for a Busby Babe/class of 92 solution. Can it be done again in modern times over a long period ? I doubt it.

. I wonder whether Pochahontas at Spurs has been really sounded out, his stock is ever rising; .

[Fatboyfat 361]

Hi,

 

I think his style demands a lot of energy. He needs young players who buy into his philosophy. The older big name players United tend to buy may not be prepared to buy in. Mata is a great player, IMO, but didn't work hard enough for Jose. Silva is similar at City. Maybe United are going for a Busby Babe/class of 92 solution. Can it be done again in modern times over a long period ? I doubt it.

To achieve any kind of longevity I feel it has to be a combination of "club loyal" ex youth players combined with regular "marquee" signings and top players. Buying in stock alone, is not working for anyone at the moment in the long term. The top clubs are spending a fortune on facilities, recruitment and training for these youngsters, but seem loathe to introduce them into the senior side, unless there is a dire injury crisis.

 

United's average squad age is not much different to Tottenham. 3rd youngest in the league as opposed to the youngest. Liverpool have the 2nd youngest as a matter of interest, and Leicester have the oldest.

Edited February 16, 2016 by Fatboyfat

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Wayne Rooney out injured for 6 weeks. He will be out till next season if it's anything like the Arsenal injuries.

[Nightrider 340]

Hi,

 

Wayne Rooney out injured for 6 weeks. He will be out till next season if it's anything like the Arsenal injuries.

 

With a key player like Rooney out for 6 wks and LVG setting up the team in the manner he his doing , surely that's the end of any slender hope they had for a top 4 finish......!

[Fatboyfat 361]

With a key player like Rooney out for 6 wks and LVG setting up the team in the manner he his doing , surely that's the end of any slender hope they had for a top 4 finish......!

We should be able to deal with the loss of Rooney, and Martial probably can cover him in the short term, it is the rest of the players that are the problem, and LVG obstinacy the biggest problem of all. Shrewsbury could well be "licking their lips in anticipation" for Monday/Tuesday's game!

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Arsenal face a difficult game at Old Trafford against an in form Man Utd. Leicester face an interesting home game against Norwich who are fighting to stay up. Spurs have a home game against Swansea. Man City have a day out against Liverpool in the final of the League Cup. They had a great away win in the CL so should be in high spirits. The next few weeks should be good.

[Fatboyfat 361]

The next few weeks should be good.

Unless you are an Arsenal supporter methinks (hope I'm wrong wrt league; I'd like to see at least a 3 horse race, ideally 4, for the final week). My "spidey senses" though are suggesting it is time for the "traditional" collapse out of all competitions within a fortnight for them.

I see Leicester have already posted their 3 points last night.

[Siam Sam 964]

As I did with the Liverpool game last month, I actually think United are going to win today. It's been that sort of season - when you're least expecting them to get a result they get one. I've also decided to ease up on my criticism of Van Gaal. To be fair to him, even if the football isn't always attractive we are still in with a chance of winning two competitions and could still gate crash the top four if we win well today. If they beat the dippers in the next round of the Europa League then that will do wonders for the fans and their feelings towards Van Gaal and considering he has a 100% record against them, I can see that happening. I don't think I would be able to say this season hasn't been a success if we win one of the cup competitions we are still involved in although another season without Champions League football would be a disaster. But if they win a cup and manage to scrape top four then I think it would be rather harsh to still be calling for his head. I am an advocate of Mourinho but if it is true what people say about him and the chances he would give to the youth then I don't think this is the future for MUFC, we have a lot of promising youngsters coming through right now and this club has and always will be about nurturing the youth to become the stars of the future. In the likes of Jesse Lingard, James Wilson, Paddy McNair, Donald Love, Marcus Rashford, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson etc we have a lot of future stars all starting to make the first team and in my opinion they are the future and the best chance we have of building a side capable of challenging for the Premiership and Champions League again. Focus on the youth, even if that means we will still have to wait another three or four seasons for it all to come to fruition. As much as I admire Mourinho, I don't think he is as worried about the youth as much as the board and fans at United are and he'll want an open cheque book to put things right which isn't always the answer - City and Chelsea are doing their best to prove that at the moment.

Edited February 29, 2016 by Siam Sam

[wacmedia 277]

I see Leicester have already posted their 3 points last night.

 

Hi,

 

Arsenal were poor yesterday. Man Utds youngsters were good. Lets see how Rashford progresses. Both Utd and Arsenal have had plenty of promising young players who disappointed in the end.

[wacmedia 277]

I actually think United are going to win today. .

 

. In the likes of Jesse Lingard, James Wilson, Paddy McNair, Donald Love, Marcus Rashford, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson etc we have a lot of future stars all starting to make the first team and in my opinion they are the future and the best chance we have of building a side capable of challenging for the Premiership and Champions League again. Focus on the youth, even if that means we will still have to wait another three season for it all to come to fruition.

 

 

Hi,

 

Well called yesterday. I agree with your post. However, in these days there is no patience and Mourinho will probably be the call.

[Siam Sam 964]

 

 

Hi,

 

Well called yesterday. I agree with your post. However, in these days there is no patience and Mourinho will probably be the call.

 

And I agree with you too. The people pulling the strings at the big clubs want success to come quickly and there is no patience. It will be sad to see the youngsters overlooked for other signings but if they bring success I can't argue with that although I would rather there was a nucleus of home grown English players at United. If they move on and become great players elsewhere than that would be hard to accept even if we are successful. It could come back to haunt us.

[Fatboyfat 361]

We have had the Rashford scenario over and over again, and for some reason, inexplicable to me at times, they either get ignored and/or moved on, or their own egos do for them with all of the media hysteria that accompanies a goal or two scored. Macheda, Januzaj and Ravel Morrison spring to mind as recent sufferers; There were issues with Paul Pogba. Hopefully this will not be the case here with Rashford, but although a couple of years older, Martial is in effect the "direct" competition for him.

Leicester could well pull even further away with these midweek matches coming up, but I would expect a Pulis side to "kick the sh*t out of them though. It would be typical of United over the last two seasons to only end up with 1 point from Wednesday and Sundays games, against Watford and WBA, following a reasonable run of results.

 

I didn't see much of the Capital (League) Cup final last night; The internet/streaming was appalling in my location, and couldn't find it on any of the local channels. But I did see yet another major "cock-up" by Mignolet for the City goal. For a team that has credentials to be one of the top hitters, Scousehampton must have one of the worst keepers in the league. I can see yet another pillage sortie taking place with Southampton there for Forster in the summer. Unless we need him, of course, should the anticipated De Gea move go ahead. I think United's transfer procedure with Southampton is done in a far more ameniable manner than that of Liverpools'.

[Fatboyfat 361]

Well midweek matches done and thankfully I was wrong about United, hardly a convincing win though; But it does put us level on points with City in 4th spot, (albeit they have a game in hand), and still in with a chance of CL qualification. West Ham are talking in those terms too! I did suggest that Leicester might pull away midweek, but hardly expected it would be with them only getting a draw, and the other 3 losing! Arsenal's traditional implosion is looking almost complete, but with a possible lifeline in Hull maybe having no interest in the FA cup. I had Swansea as my 3rd team for the drop (Villa and Norwich look doomed already), and that win will have done them the world of good. I still feel that the two NE teams will eventually pull clear, but Newcastle are treading a fine line and Fat Sam has still to get the Mackems firing, and they are now 6 points adrift.

 

I would expect the North London "hatefest" to end up as a draw with the early KO on Saturday, which will help neither team really. Leicester have potentially a tough match away to Watford, and United have to deal with Pulis' cloggers away; So City could benefit with an easy game against "Shit" Villa!

[Siam Sam 964]

How important cold that Mata goal last night turn out to be? Three points desperately needed to level with City in fourth place although they have a game in hand. Ten games to go, gate crashing the top four is now a possibility again. Wins against West Brom and City this month and it's highly likely.........come on United!

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Spurs looked all over the place, but West Ham is a difficult away game. Swansea have a great record against Arsenal and Man Utd but they were lucky last night with the ref calls and Arsenal hitting the woodwork on a regular basis. I thought Bournemouth were going to go down but they have proved better than I'd imagined. I'm happy that they look likely to stay up.

[Fatboyfat 361]

With no real malice intended, I think Newcastle could do with a drop down to the Championship for a season or two, to sort themselves out and get rid of that "toxic" owner if possible. They could be really knackered squad wise too, with a Britexit vote in the referendum!

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

West Ham are the team of the week with great wins over Spurs and Everton. I felt Arsenal had the beating of Spurs until Coquelin did that strange tackle. Still the ref didn't send off Dier for what should have been a second yellow card. Strange call ! Leicester City are now in the driving seat after a hard earned win at Watford. Few will begrudge them victory if they hang on, but City are still in the race. I feel they have been on the wrong end of many bad calls by the officials this season and maybe the League want a new name on the trophy ?

[Fatboyfat 361]

Have just finished watching Leicester beat Newcastle, (touch of insommnia!), and I really think they are going to do it now. City basically blew their game in hand, and the traditional Arsenal implosion, around this time of year, is almost complete now too. Tottenham look the only threat really, and I don't think that they will gain that much ground. Whichever of those two win it, our tipping prowess as a whole forum, is piss poor, going on the Votes at the beginning of the thread.

Actually, I wanted to vote for Leicester, but the option wasn't there

[wacmedia 277]

Whichever of those two win it, our tipping prowess as a whole forum, is piss poor, going on the Votes at the beginning of the thread.

Actually, I wanted to vote for Leicester, but the option wasn't there

 

Hi,

 

Nice one. I've been very busy lately and have seen very little football. It does now look between Leicester and Spurs and I hope Leicester get over the line. It's been a very strange season so I request forgiveness for not having Leicester on the list. Johan Cruyff has died. One of the all time greats. RIP.

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Good weekend for Leicester as they win and Spurs are held at Liverpool. I think a draw at Anfield is a good result for most teams but may not be enough for Spurs at this time. Man Utd are lucky to beat Everton but are still in the race for a CL place. LVG is a big name in the recent history of football and I feel he will be given a way out, which maintains his dignity, if Man Utd decide they need a change. There is talk of a Director of Football at the Dutch FA, and that might prove valuable for all concerned. Man Utd wouldn't want to be seen treating an icon of the European game in a disrespectful way. They have their image to worry about, also.

[Nightrider 340]

Hi,

 

Good weekend for Leicester as they win and Spurs are held at Liverpool. I think a draw at Anfield is a good result for most teams but may not be enough for Spurs at this time. Man Utd are lucky to beat Everton but are still in the race for a CL place. LVG is a big name in the recent history of football and I feel he will be given a way out, which maintains his dignity, if Man Utd decide they need a change. There is talk of a Director of Football at the Dutch FA, and that might prove valuable for all concerned. Man Utd wouldn't want to be seen treating an icon of the European game in a disrespectful way. They have their image to worry about, also.

 

LOL......That went out of the window the day they signed LVG......!