The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread - - - - - - - Part 16

[Hunter Rider]

I think Everton have a chance. They'll need to bring in some players in January but yesterday, I think they should have beat City. You can say what you want about all the possession City had in the second half but they only equalized on a foolish penalty by Fellaini.

Agreed on needing to add in January and if they do they could have a shot, I also think the same goes for Liverpool if they get the investment in the window.

Nah I still think Arsene will get Arsenal there, we seem to go through this every year where they lose a home game, everyone predicts the end is nigh, but whether it be an Arsenal players brilliance or another team bottling it, they're always there. People bang on about Everton's great start, but Arsenal are only 2 points off them, they're only 5 points off third. Noone outside the top two has any consistancy and even the top 2 aren't up to much (performance wise). It's a strange, strange season.

Usually I'd agree but this doesn't feel like the more recent Arsenal struggles where they play great stuff but sloppily concede. In this current run the team looks totally flat, I can think of at least three games where they barely registered an attack and the fans really have turned this time which is understandable. There's no doubt Wenger can turn it around if he gets some investment in January but right now Arsenal look disheartened in general.

 

[Darthphere]

Another thing from the United-Reading match that no one seemed to mention was that IMO Ashley Young had a fantastic match. Hopefully he can put out performances like that consistently.

 

[kit1982]

Usually I'd agree but this doesn't feel like the more recent Arsenal struggles where they play great stuff but sloppily concede. In this current run the team looks totally flat, I can think of at least three games where they barely registered an attack and the fans really have turned this time which is understandable. There's no doubt Wenger can turn it around if he gets some investment in January but right now Arsenal look disheartened in general.

Besides Liverpool (if they spend in January) I can't see any team putting together a run thats going to pull them clear of the chasing pack. I can't see Everton's run lasting they seem to be falling into a run of draws and their fixture list isn't getting any easier. It's just too open, only a few weeks ago Norwich were down, now they're level on points with Liverpool. Arsenal showed earlier in the season they are capable of playing like title contenders, I don't see that from anyone else.

 

[ttotheusher]

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,12602_8307632,00.html

Well, as much as some you don't like Gareth Bale, this was nice.

 

[spidey-dude]

Besides Liverpool (if they spend in January) I can't see any team putting together a run thats going to pull them clear of the chasing pack. I can't see Everton's run lasting they seem to be falling into a run of draws and their fixture list isn't getting any easier. It's just too open, only a few weeks ago Norwich were down, now they're level on points with Liverpool. Arsenal showed earlier in the season they are capable of playing like title contenders, I don't see that from anyone else.

you have more faith in Liverpool than I do at the moment!

 

[kit1982]

I think a poacher will make all the difference Spidey, I must confess to not being the biggest Rodgers fan and I think when people talk about Kenny's Liverpool last year they grossly exagerate his teams deficiency's. But I think a goalscorer and if Pepe finds his form you have a very good side, you'd be the only side outside of Arsenal that wouldn't bottle it if you have a chance of getting into the top 4 IMO.

tto-yeh saw that this morning top bloke...... for a diving chimp

 

[Van Petrol]

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,12602_8307632,00.html

Well, as much as some you don't like Gareth Bale, this was nice.

Lovely gesture from Spurs!

 

[spidey-dude]

I've just spent about 10 mins laughing at this

I love the simpsons joke and crack it at every opportunity I'm surprised I didn't think of it myself

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

So let me get this right John terry is out injured for a few weeks, and now Kate Middleton announces she's pregnant........................hmmmmmm

 

[aNarcHy2day]

So let me get this right John terry is out injured for a few weeks, and now Kate Middleton announces she's pregnant........................hmmmmmm

 

[TheFuture]

The "special" aspect of the Chelsea fanbase are really pushing themselves to the forefront these days.

 

[B]

Even though I personally consider the Europa League a waste of time & space, I don't really like that City have seemingly sent a team to Dortmund with the idea that they have nothing to play for.

I don't believe they have that many injuries & suspensions that explains their bench with the exception of maybe David Silva.

I feel sorry for any of the fans that paid hundreds of pounds to go over to Germany to see them.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Another thing from the United-Reading match that no one seemed to mention was that IMO Ashley Young had a fantastic match. Hopefully he can put out performances like that consistently.

Yeah he had a good first half but he is still not good enough to be a regular starter for United IMO.

Besides Liverpool (if they spend in January) I can't see any team putting together a run thats going to pull them clear of the chasing pack. I can't see Everton's run lasting they seem to be falling into a run of draws and their fixture list isn't getting any easier. It's just too open, only a few weeks ago Norwich were down, now they're level on points with Liverpool. Arsenal showed earlier in the season they are capable of playing like title contenders, I don't see that from anyone else.

I think Evertone could surprise people if they got a couple of decent additions as well, I mean they are struggling to turn good performances into 3 points right now but they aren't losing very often either. I agree that Arsenal could turn it around talent-wise, I'm just getting a negative vibe in general from the club right now that would concern me if I was an Arsenal fan.

Even though I personally consider the Europa League a waste of time & space, I don't really like that City have seemingly sent a team to Dortmund with the idea that they have nothing to play for.

I don't believe they have that many injuries & suspensions that explains their bench with the exception of maybe David Silva.

I feel sorry for any of the fans that paid hundreds of pounds to go over to Germany to see them.

They played most of their main players apart from Silva and Yaya, they even brough Aguero and Zabaleta on, in truth they were simply outplayed again by a very good Dortmund side that even rested a few.

 

[B]

They played most of their main players apart from Silva and Yaya, they even brough Aguero and Zabaleta on, in truth they were simply outplayed again by a very good Dortmund side that even rested a few.

I dunno to me they seemed to be missing a handful of players you see starting for them quite regularly & their bench was filled with reserve/under 18 players mostly.

I'm not sure what their injury situation is though however they seemed to be missing quite alot of players that often feature including probably their 2 most influential players in Yaya Toure & David Silva. Then there was the likes of Milner, Kolarov, Clichy, Kolo Toure & Rodwell.

Dortmund are a very strong side, good in possession, quick players, strong players, agile players & they play essentially ruthlessly efficiently.. as you'd expect from a German side. There aren't really any teams going through thus far that I think are unbeatable. I think they are all capable of winning it. Arguably Malaga is the weakest side, however even they aren't pushovers.

 

[aNarcHy2day]

I didn't really watch the match, just read a bit of the commentary on the web. I don't know if Mancini really could've won the match or not even if he wanted given how good Dortmund are, but the line-up definitely wasn't the strongest he could put out there. I mean, everyone knows how ordinary City tends to be when Yaya is not on the pitch even with their mouth-watering array of attacking talent up-front- just go back to January 2012!

And he'd know the Europa would surely harm his domestic title saving ambitions- I don't care whatever bull***** he feeds the press!

 

[bapi]

Yeah, they tried to win that game but Silva and Yaya mean like 80% of our performance. We used our best players yesterday but Mancini in Europe is Mancini in Europe - useless. After our home match against Dortmund Mancini said that he knows what the problem is and will solve it quickly... and what happened? If Pep will want to join us Mancini will be sacked after this season, I'm sure.

 

[aNarcHy2day]

For all of his successes at Barca, I do think Pep is a tad bit overrated!

 

[Harry_Lime02]

For all of his successes at Barca, I do think Pep is a tad bit overrated!

I kinda agree. I'm not saying he's not a good manager, but I think most people could've done a job with a side that good, particularly someone who was brought through the club and is extremely well-respected there. His next job will be a better gauge of his ability.

 

[aNarcHy2day]

Also, new rumours surfacing of an United interest in Gotze. I'm pretty sure its a whole lot of crap, but a Nani for Gotze deal could interest both parties?

 

[kit1982]

For all of his successes at Barca, I do think Pep is a tad bit overrated!

Agreed, I think the guys proved he's a fantastic coach but as a man manager I have reservations if he'd be able to handle a dressing room with big personalities. You look at the way he happily pissed off Ibra and Villa in favour of moulding everything around Messi, I don't think the boys in the Chelsea dressing room for instance would be buying into that.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I dunno to me they seemed to be missing a handful of players you see starting for them quite regularly & their bench was filled with reserve/under 18 players mostly.

I'm not sure what their injury situation is though however they seemed to be missing quite alot of players that often feature including probably their 2 most influential players in Yaya Toure & David Silva. Then there was the likes of Milner, Kolarov, Clichy, Kolo Toure & Rodwell.

Dortmund are a very strong side, good in possession, quick players, strong players, agile players & they play essentially ruthlessly efficiently.. as you'd expect from a German side. There aren't really any teams going through thus far that I think are unbeatable. I think they are all capable of winning it. Arguably Malaga is the weakest side, however even they aren't pushovers.

I'm pretty sure the 4 I bolded are all injured. the thing is when you field Tevez, Dzeko, Aguero, Balotelli, Nasri, Kompany etc...you should compete better than they did, that is a strong enough line-up to give any team a game but other than Tevez no one seemed up to takinhg Dortmund on.

I agree no one looks unbeatable although Barca are once again looking ominous as the season progressess. For us I don't think the CL is a realisitc goal though, I just want us to win the league and finally make it to another FA Cup final.

Also, new rumours surfacing of an United interest in Gotze. I'm pretty sure its a whole lot of crap, but a Nani for Gotze deal could interest both parties?

Agreed, I think the guys proved he's a fantastic coach but as a man manager I have reservations if he'd be able to handle a dressing room with big personalities. You look at the way he happily pissed off Ibra and Villa in favour of moulding everything around Messi, I don't think the boys in the Chelsea dressing room for instance would be buying into that.

The thing is by the time he gets to Chelsea chances are Lamapard, Cole and Terry will have joined Drogba in the exit lane and he'll not have to deal with the clubs power brokers as I don't see Mata, Oscar, Mikel etc...being that type.

 

[kit1982]

The thing is by the time he gets to Chelsea chances are Lamapard, Cole and Terry will have joined Drogba in the exit lane and he'll not have to deal with the clubs power brokers as I don't see Mata, Oscar, Mikel etc...being that type.

I was just using the current Chelsea dressing room as an example, my point is I don't think Pep could control a powerful dressing room hence why I don't rate him as highly as some. He's really ticked off Villa, Ibra and others in his time there, I personally think he got lucky that Messi's injury record is amazing. Imagine if he'd done an ACL or was out for 6 months and Pep had to rely on the guys he's been messing around?

 

[wobbly]

That's where Mourhinho was the boss. He knew exactly when to stroke ego's and when to deflate them.

 

[aNarcHy2day]

Terry would pro'lly still be there, though. I expect him to complete his career there.

I personally believe that the only Chelsea team Pep will take on is one without a certain Fernando Torres! He wouldn't want anything to do with him!

 

[ttotheusher]

United were yawn worthy tonight...such a flat game, 1 moment of magic for the goal and that was it. Turned over to the Celtic game if I'm honest!