Happenstance Posted July 13, 2015 Posted July 13, 2015 I wouldnt be surprised if all the players Rodgers has already brought in were bought with the Sterling money.
Emerald Emblem Posted July 13, 2015 Posted July 13, 2015 United's business has been impressive the last few days, to think they're getting both Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin. Could this be the end for Carrick?
MadDog Posted July 13, 2015 Posted July 13, 2015 It's a great midfield on paper, I guess we'll have to wait and see if it works on the pitch.
Fierce_LiNk Posted July 13, 2015 Posted July 13, 2015 I never joke. But I am just a casual football fan, so what you've said makes sense. I think it just seemed worse because they were being linked with absolutely everyone under the sun. It just seems like everytime a team has spunked a lot of money on loads of players it hasn't worked (Tottenham, Liverpool). In theory Man U have strengthened their weaknesses, but who knows whether it'll work or not! They always get linked in with lots and lots of players. Some of the stories are true, some turn out to be false. Some of the rumours seem unbelievable at first but then end up happening (Di Maria last season, Mata, now Schweinsteiger) and some of the more believable rumours end up never happening (Sneijder coming a few years back, Vidal's saga last season). Spurs and Liverpool have brought in loads of players over the last few seasons and some have worked out and others haven't. The key when doing any bit of transfer business is assessing what the club needs and addressing that or looking who is out there to see who can strengthen the team. All the players coming in or who came in last season have improved us or will improve us - I'm 100% certain of that. Even the signings that I weren't sure about (Rojo and Blind) have proven to be good Man Utd players. I'm delighted that we have finally have various options in midfield now and what has been said to be a weak area for us could now arguably be our biggest strength...it wasn't that long ago that we were playing players like Giggs and Jones in central midfield...this is a huge, huge improvement. United's business has been impressive the last few days, to think they're getting both Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin. Could this be the end for Carrick? I don't think so. One player coming in doesn't necessarily signal the end for another at Utd, especially if they can still offer a lot to the club. Young outplayed Di Maria last season, so if anything it leads to increased competition which leads to better performance. You want competition for places. It's clear that there needs to be a better long-term solution for Carrick's position, or if he were to get injured. We had a ridiculous injury situation last season, so this now means that we have cover in a lot of crucial areas. Also...it wouldn't surprise me at all to see Carrick play a few games at centre-back. I think he could do a job there as his reading of the game is excellent. Wouldn't be the ideal first choice, because you really want players in their specialist positions, but it would be a good option to have if we don't manage to bring in a top quality centre back in to the club.
jayseven Posted July 13, 2015 Posted July 13, 2015 Man U's squad does look waaay better than it did when Fergie left. Still not really a patch on City or Chelsea - especially if De Gea does up and leave. Another sturdy defender, and a good season from a couple of the 2nd-seasoners, and united could do well. Arsenal's squad last season was really coming together by the end of it, and I think they'll prosper from now having a more 'tested' team. Looking forward to the new season! Argh so far away.
Charlie Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Arsenal's squad last season was really coming together by the end of it, and I think they'll prosper from now having a more 'tested' team. Arsenal still need a few more players if they want to challenge for the title. I think at least a DM, Coquelin has been brilliant but it remains to be seen whether he's just on fantastic form or he has turned into a world class DM. Backup/competition for him is needed as Arteta is getting on and Flamini is just Flamini. I also think another out and out striker would be useful. I love Giroud and think he's a great player but he's not up there with the likes of Diego Costa, Rooney (when he plays as a striker), or Sergio Aguero. I would say Arsenal's defence is sorted with Cech (signing of the summer), Monreal/Gibbs fighting for LB, Kos/Mert in CB (Mert is fantastic when he has a good DM in front of him as it means he won't ever need to be in a race to the ball) and then Debuchy at RB with Bellerin pushing through.
Fierce_LiNk Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 What the...Fabian Delph looks to have done a U-turn on his U-turn and will be going to City after all. What the fuck? Stupid move.
MadDog Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 What the...Fabian Delph looks to have done a U-turn on his U-turn and will be going to City after all. What the fuck? Stupid move. He'll be the next Jack Rodwell. He's going to ruin his career.
Fierce_LiNk Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 He'll be the next Jack Rodwell. He's going to ruin his career. He really is...it's so clear to see. Stupid, stupid signing. Although I support Man Utd, I don't agree with the whole notion of bigger teams hoovering up any talent and leaving them to rot on the benches or reserves. If he's going to go there and be a first team player every single week, then fine. But, I can't see him getting into that team. Bench warmer for sure. Rodwell's signing was ridiculous and Everton were quite right to take the money and run. Don't think they rated him THAT highly, tbh.
MadDog Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 He really is...it's so clear to see. Stupid, stupid signing. Although I support Man Utd, I don't agree with the whole notion of bigger teams hoovering up any talent and leaving them to rot on the benches or reserves. If he's going to go there and be a first team player every single week, then fine. But, I can't see him getting into that team. Bench warmer for sure. Rodwell's signing was ridiculous and Everton were quite right to take the money and run. Don't think they rated him THAT highly, tbh. I can understand it a little. In the sense that they're showing ambition and trying to break into one of the best teams in the league, but it's just a huge risk.
Fierce_LiNk Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 (edited) I can understand it a little. In the sense that they're showing ambition and trying to break into one of the best teams in the league, but it's just a huge risk. I get the whole ambition thing, but I think you need to be a truly special player to be able to break into the first team at these types of clubs. James Milner is slightly different because (although he is talented), he gave absolutely everything and learned how to deal with being rotated. He's a perfect squad player. It's sad because Delph looked like he was enjoying a good run in the England team and that only comes from playing every single week at club level. He won't be playing every single week at City, at least not for a prolonged period of time. If Benteke goes to Liverpool as well, that Villa side look really weak for next season. Edited July 17, 2015 by Fierce_LiNk
Emerald Emblem Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 It's stupid that City can splash the cash and effectively damage the national team further. Maybe Sterling will be different because you don't spend that much money just to buy a bench warmer, but Delph is going to rot there and defensive midfielders aren't something England are blessed with, most of our choices are in their twilight years and Delph was supposed to be a new hope. Fuck you Manchester City.
jayseven Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 That's a good point I hadn't considered previously... fuck.
Fierce_LiNk Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 Oh dear: RICHARDS CONVINCED DELPH TO LEAVE Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards, who now plays for Aston Villa, played a part in convincing Fabian Delph to leave the club. Delph signed a five-year contract with City on Friday, less than a week after he issued a strongly-worded statement to insist his future was with Villa. Delph told Man City TV: “Micah Richards told me that as far as he is concerned, this is the best club in the world and he had the time of his life here.” So, Villa new boy Micah Richards basically convinced Delph that City was the best club in the world...bet he's going to be very, very popular at Villa Park then, eh?
Ramar Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 Convenient to blame Richards, the man who publicly said the decision was Delph's and his alone. Too many snakes in the game now, all about money.
Fierce_LiNk Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 Convenient to blame Richards, the man who publicly said the decision was Delph's and his alone. Too many snakes in the game now, all about money. Yeah, last week they were saying that the reason Delph would be staying at Villa was because Richards essentially put him off going to City. Wonder what changed. You can't really get the truth these days. Too many media outlets saying opposing things. Transfer window = silly season.
dazzybee Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 Villa should've gone down last season, think they will this season, Sherwood is a joke and I'd be delighted to see him fail spectacularly. Be interesting to see Man U this season, not impressed at all with LVG and think it's hilarious that he was proclaimed as being someone who develops from within, how much has he spent? Still think their strike force and defence is weak/acerage, but I'm sure they'll spend another 100m to sort that out. Think benteke would be a good sig img for Liverpool. I actually think they're getting a reasonable squad together. Hopefully Rodgers will be the leveller and still see them struggle. And delph, what an embarrassing embarrassing man.
Ramar Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 Dazzy you forgot the part where you say Tottenham will win the league.
Fierce_LiNk Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 Villa should've gone down last season, think they will this season, Sherwood is a joke and I'd be delighted to see him fail spectacularly. Be interesting to see Man U this season, not impressed at all with LVG and think it's hilarious that he was proclaimed as being someone who develops from within, how much has he spent? Still think their strike force and defence is weak/acerage, but I'm sure they'll spend another 100m to sort that out. Think benteke would be a good sig img for Liverpool. I actually think they're getting a reasonable squad together. Hopefully Rodgers will be the leveller and still see them struggle. And delph, what an embarrassing embarrassing man. Bit harsh on Sherwood that. I don't think he's a bad guy at all. Villa need a complete revamp and they need someone with a bit of grit to be able to do that. If he keeps them up next season, then that's a job well done because they're not a great team at all. LvG is a great manager (dodgy substitutions aside) and he worked well with what we had last season. It was a shambles in terms of injuries, but he achieved his goal of getting us back into the top four. As for the part about developing from within, he did that. We played the likes of McNair, Blackett and Wilson last season. Also, he introduced Pereira for the first time and Lingard before he got a fairly serious injury. On top of that, he gave a chance to our existing players, allowing Jones and Smalling to develop (even though they basically took it in turns to get injured) and he revitalised Ashley Young's career. I can't fault him for giving the existing players a chance and the likes of McNair in particular really benefited from playing quite a lot of games last season. I think the balance is just right, tbh. The days are gone where you can field an entire team from the youth academy and expect to challenge on all fronts and win trophies. You need a balance. Realistically, you're not going to be able to turn every youth product into a megastar, but giving them opportunities is important, both for the club and national team. I think he respects that. Plus, he's not afraid to bench players if they don't perform. How many of us expected Ashley Young to keep Di Maria out of the side last season? Bringing in players doesn't automatically mean that they'll start. If anything, it should provide competition for places, because the last thing you want is a team becoming complacent.
dazzybee Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 Dazzy you forgot the part where you say Tottenham will win the league. Goes without saying!! As for Sherwood... the man is an absolute snake, vile, insidious man!! And awful too, so I can easily see Villa getting relegated. Especially if he takes Ade and Townsend off us (PLEASE!)
Phube Posted July 18, 2015 Author Posted July 18, 2015 I just found out that Villa will lose money on Delph, they paid Leeds 8 million plus sell on fees! Oh Villa you do make me laugh! Oh and Spurs have been denied a ground split in 2017. Fascinating close season so far...
Emerald Emblem Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 Cambiasso rejects new Leicester City deal - BBC Sport How was it to have such a decorated footballer for a season @Phube? It's good he made the decision as soon as possible to help give you time to fill the void he'll certainly leave.
Phube Posted July 21, 2015 Author Posted July 21, 2015 (edited) Cambiasso rejects new Leicester City deal - BBC Sport How was it to have such a decorated footballer for a season @Phube? It's good he made the decision as soon as possible to help give you time to fill the void he'll certainly leave. Amazing... and gutted... but footballing life goes on. Our midfield is a bit sparse as it is, now quite tragic! Supposedly we're interested in Chelsea's Oriol Romeu, which would be a step in the right direction... Edited July 21, 2015 by Phube
Mokong Posted July 26, 2015 Posted July 26, 2015 I know the Euro 2016 qualification hasnt even finished yet but what do peeps here think of the Qualification groups drawn yesterday for World Cup 2018 (ignoring the whole controversy with the hosts being Russia ) We (Rep of Ireland) got a decent group I think. Not the group I was hoping for but also certainly not the group I was fearing getting either. Group D Wales Austria Serbia Rep of Ireland Moldova Georgia First of all well done to Wales on the recent top form, getting to top 10 in the rankings and Pot 1 of the draw. While I dont think it'll be an easy game at all I was actually hoping for either Wales or Romania from Pot 1 for our Group. Mainly glad we didnt get Germany again also, was happy when I saw them get drawn in Group C and I knew they were then not in the pot when drawing for our group Rest of our group wont be easy either. Austria and Serbia we may struggle with and Georgia nearly upset us in the Euro 2016 qualifiers. Moldova we've never played before but they'll prolly be the team considered to be an "easy 6 points" hopefully. I think it could be a very open group and hopefully that works in our favour England and Scotland drawn together should be interesting. I do believe this is the first time they've been drawn in the same Qualification group (for World Cup at least not sure about Euros) should make for a couple of interesting derby games. Group F England Slovakia Scotland Slovenia Lithuania Malta Think that's a decent draw for both England and Scotland, barring Slovakia causing any upsets I reckon the games between England and Scotland could be what decides 1st and 2nd place Northern Ireland get drawn with Germany, N.Ireland doing very well in current Euro 2016 qualification but I think this World Cup qualification could be harder especially with Germany in there. Czech Republic and Norway could be difficult matches too. Group C Germany Czech Republic Northern Ireland Norway Azerbaijan San Marino
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