Premier League Fixtures 20/21 September 2014

Everyone did say you were doing a "spurs" but none of you pool fans were accepting that.

COTR wrote:Well we can safely conclude the summer transfer campaign was a disaster

Not for us!!!

Oohhhh...Man Utd to be above Liverpool tomorrow.

#orderrestored

Rosicky wrote:Everyone did say you were doing a "spurs" but none of you pool fans were accepting that.

And Gerrard cant handle 2 games in the week anymore. Rodgers should see this.

Isco Benny wrote:Everytime I see Diame play I am impressed. Left Wham on a free didnt he? Wonder why there werent more suitors. Seems a very good athletic hard pressing DM with good technique. When you consider a club like Arsenal are trying to get by with Arteta, its rather strange.

We have Diaby!!
Is there a point mentioning Arsenal in a post discussing transfer logic? I no longer expect anything competitive concerning squad development whilst Wenger is in charge.

So it's not finally their year

Luis wrote:

Fey wrote:Pardews comeback!!

Also..Southampton wont go down me thinks.

Nope, have to admit I got them very wrong in my pre season predictions. They did lose a lot of big players but I didn't consider how bad some of the sides are in this league - there's still a good 6-8 teams far worse then Saints.

Amazed no one has snapped Schneiderlin up, I know Spurs tried, he's class.

Snapped? That suggests he was easily available on a tempting fee.

I see him as the best DM in the league right now. Not much competition but his passing is super reliable and he's very smart defensively. Will be interesting to see who performs better out of Shneiderlin, Fernando and Matic this season. All looking really good so far.

Murray wrote:So it's not finally their year  

Aston Villa (Home)
West Ham (Away)
Everton (Home)
WBA (Home)
QPR (Away)
Hull (home)

Liverpool has a nice run on paper, should have been 14-16 points from 18 at least if you want to go for the title. So far 2 played. 0 points

The Pröfessör wrote:Boring 2nd half

Villa started well and made life difficult for us for most of the 1st half but a moment of class from Welbeck and Ozil changed the game in our favour. We suddenly started to pass the ball better and with purpose. Villa completely lost it in the space of 5 minutes.

I hope the Welbeck-Ozil link up is a sign of things to come

Welbeck-Ozil developing partnership is something to look forward too. The team should be built around it.

Really poor from Ramsey in the first 15-20 mins but stepped it up after that. Kinda randomly transformed back into a good player, with some very iffy moments thrown in. Still not quite back in form. Very disappointed to see how bad he was tactically even when his performance picked up. Left a poor Arteta alone and under pressure for so much of the match and played like a forward for long periods. Considering how good Villa can be on the counter it could have been very costly. Actually, when considering the yellow cards we got, it was needlessly costly.

stinger wrote:Scheiderlin ... to play alongside Ramsey I think Arsenal should look for a different kind of DM. Someone who's more mobile version of Arteta and Scheiderlin is more of Flamini type (just much better). Based on players I know well I would see someone like Bruno Soriano fitting well for Arsenal, just they would hope to get someone younger and probably better too.

What do you mean by that?

I prefer Flamini to Arteta and would love a taller more sophisticated upgrade. Arteta's passing to too slow and ponderous, Flamini's one touch/first time passes is a better fit for the team.

Di Caniooooo! wrote:Who knew that Big Sam can play good attacking football?

When Song gets proper match fit and up to speed with the team, you'll be a fairly entertaining side. Song has been overrated defensively because of his physique, but he's a very good playmaker especially for the fast paced PL.

shazlx wrote:

stinger wrote:Scheiderlin ... to play alongside Ramsey I think Arsenal should look for a different kind of DM. Someone who's more mobile version of Arteta and Scheiderlin is more of Flamini type (just much better). Based on players I know well I would see someone like Bruno Soriano fitting well for Arsenal, just they would hope to get someone younger and probably better too.

What do you mean by that?

I prefer Flamini to Arteta and would love a taller more sophisticated upgrade. Arteta's passing to too slow and ponderous, Flamini's one touch/first time passes is a better fit for the team.

I am not talking about passing here, more about positioning and positional discipline. I think someone like Matic, more of a DM playing in front of CBs would suit you better than someone who feels better in aggressive pressing game in Flamini/Schneiderlin/McCarthy mould. Ramsey covers plenty of ground himself and for me could use a different kind of pivote, just like Mertesacker was a good candidate to for partnership with Koscielny.

stinger wrote:

shazlx wrote:

stinger wrote:Scheiderlin ... to play alongside Ramsey I think Arsenal should look for a different kind of DM. Someone who's more mobile version of Arteta and Scheiderlin is more of Flamini type (just much better). Based on players I know well I would see someone like Bruno Soriano fitting well for Arsenal, just they would hope to get someone younger and probably better too.

What do you mean by that?

I prefer Flamini to Arteta and would love a taller more sophisticated upgrade. Arteta's passing to too slow and ponderous, Flamini's one touch/first time passes is a better fit for the team.

I am not talking about passing here, more about positioning and positional discipline. I think someone like Matic, more of a DM playing in front of CBs would suit you better than someone who feels better in aggressive pressing game in Flamini/Schneiderlin/McCarthy mould. Ramsey covers plenty of ground himself and for me could use a different kind of pivote, just like Mertesacker was a good candidate to for partnership with Koscielny.

Fair enough. But for me, Arsenal just look better with an aggressive DM. Flamini's only weakness for the team is his rashness, collecting yellow cards, and his diminishing athleticism.
I would also guess Schneiderlin would more likely sit back at Arsenal as he wouldn't be playing with a Wayama beside him.

shazlx wrote:

stinger wrote:

shazlx wrote:

stinger wrote:Scheiderlin ... to play alongside Ramsey I think Arsenal should look for a different kind of DM. Someone who's more mobile version of Arteta and Scheiderlin is more of Flamini type (just much better). Based on players I know well I would see someone like Bruno Soriano fitting well for Arsenal, just they would hope to get someone younger and probably better too.

What do you mean by that?

I prefer Flamini to Arteta and would love a taller more sophisticated upgrade. Arteta's passing to too slow and ponderous, Flamini's one touch/first time passes is a better fit for the team.

I am not talking about passing here, more about positioning and positional discipline. I think someone like Matic, more of a DM playing in front of CBs would suit you better than someone who feels better in aggressive pressing game in Flamini/Schneiderlin/McCarthy mould. Ramsey covers plenty of ground himself and for me could use a different kind of pivote, just like Mertesacker was a good candidate to for partnership with Koscielny.

Fair enough. But for me, Arsenal just look better with an aggressive DM. Flamini's only weakness for the team is his rashness, collecting yellow cards, and his diminishing athleticism.
I would also guess Schneiderlin would more likely sit back at Arsenal as he wouldn't be playing with a Wayama beside him.

You never know how comfortable he would feel with it, he is also playing ahead of Cork when they both are together on the pitch. Schneiderlin plays ahead of Wanyama because he is better passer and more of attacking threat, but he is playing ahead of Cork because Cork (at least according to Southamptons fans - I was checking a few times their forum because of Boruc) has better positional sense and discipline.

Weird that Liverpool are still shipping goals.

Rosicky wrote:Everyone did say you were doing a "spurs" but none of you pool fans were accepting that.

They'll steady the ship quicker than we did though, as the system is in place alongside the manager and the backing of the board. Unlike Spurs, they wont push the panic button and sack Rodgers, because actually its pretty normal to - y'know - expect there will be a period of instability and inconsistency when your best player leaves, you buy some new players and you play games midweek. Its only because expectations in football are completely fucked that any of this should even come as a surprise.

stinger wrote:

Isco Benny wrote:

Luis wrote:

Fey wrote:Pardews comeback!!

Also..Southampton wont go down me thinks.

Nope, have to admit I got them very wrong in my pre season predictions. They did lose a lot of big players but I didn't consider how bad some of the sides are in this league - there's still a good 6-8 teams far worse then Saints.

Amazed no one has snapped Schneiderlin up, I know Spurs tried, he's class.

By snapping up, you mean paying 27mill for him? If Liverpool hadnt already paid them 50million for three players they may have sold him. In the end they didnt need to. Perhaps next season. I agree though, he is class. Would have been perfect for Arsenal in particular, but obviously not at that fee they were touting as minimum.

Stinger, agree with you. Diame is a box to box type. Everton would have been great destination for him, as wasnt he at Wigan under Martinez?

Yes, I think he was the one who bought him from. Actually I didn't know Diame started his professional career in Spain.

Also a big fan of Scheiderlin (looking at Southampton I also rate more Cork than Wanyama), but to play alongside Ramsey I think Arsenal should look for a different kind of DM. Someone who's more mobile version of Arteta and Scheiderlin is more of Flamini type (just much better). Based on players I know well I would see someone like Bruno Soriano fitting well for Arsenal, just they would hope to get someone younger and probably better too.

There was also the little matter of Schneiderlin choosing Spurs over Arsenal as to why Arsenal should probably look elsewhere....

I imagine Rodgers will at least take responsibility for signing the players.

Isco Benny wrote:

Rosicky wrote:Everyone did say you were doing a "spurs" but none of you pool fans were accepting that.

They'll steady the ship quicker than we did though, as the system is in place alongside the manager and the backing of the board. Unlike Spurs, they wont push the panic button and sack Rodgers, because actually its pretty normal to - y'know - expect there will be a period of instability and inconsistency when your best player leaves, you buy some new players and you play games midweek. Its only because expectations in football are completely fucked that any of this should even come as a surprise.

Well the thing is, Liverpool shipped a lot of goals and didn't control the midfield so much last season. They kept the play of the counter and aggressively tried to keep the play in attack.

Its looking like the same this season but no Saurez to make the attack unplayable the system might not work. They might not steady the ship as quick as they'll need to if they need to adjust to a new system plus the Euro fatigue.

Isco Benny wrote:

stinger wrote:

Isco Benny wrote:

Luis wrote:

Fey wrote:Pardews comeback!!

Also..Southampton wont go down me thinks.

Nope, have to admit I got them very wrong in my pre season predictions. They did lose a lot of big players but I didn't consider how bad some of the sides are in this league - there's still a good 6-8 teams far worse then Saints.

Amazed no one has snapped Schneiderlin up, I know Spurs tried, he's class.

By snapping up, you mean paying 27mill for him? If Liverpool hadnt already paid them 50million for three players they may have sold him. In the end they didnt need to. Perhaps next season. I agree though, he is class. Would have been perfect for Arsenal in particular, but obviously not at that fee they were touting as minimum.

Stinger, agree with you. Diame is a box to box type. Everton would have been great destination for him, as wasnt he at Wigan under Martinez?

Yes, I think he was the one who bought him from. Actually I didn't know Diame started his professional career in Spain.

Also a big fan of Scheiderlin (looking at Southampton I also rate more Cork than Wanyama), but to play alongside Ramsey I think Arsenal should look for a different kind of DM. Someone who's more mobile version of Arteta and Scheiderlin is more of Flamini type (just much better). Based on players I know well I would see someone like Bruno Soriano fitting well for Arsenal, just they would hope to get someone younger and probably better too.

There was also the little matter of Schneiderlin choosing Spurs over Arsenal as to why Arsenal should probably look elsewhere....

Jest? Footballers get transferred to rival clubs and it works out so why would a failed transfer to a rival club make a difference at all.

shazlx wrote:

Isco Benny wrote:

stinger wrote:

Isco Benny wrote:

Luis wrote:

Fey wrote:Pardews comeback!!

Also..Southampton wont go down me thinks.

Nope, have to admit I got them very wrong in my pre season predictions. They did lose a lot of big players but I didn't consider how bad some of the sides are in this league - there's still a good 6-8 teams far worse then Saints.

Amazed no one has snapped Schneiderlin up, I know Spurs tried, he's class.

By snapping up, you mean paying 27mill for him? If Liverpool hadnt already paid them 50million for three players they may have sold him. In the end they didnt need to. Perhaps next season. I agree though, he is class. Would have been perfect for Arsenal in particular, but obviously not at that fee they were touting as minimum.

Stinger, agree with you. Diame is a box to box type. Everton would have been great destination for him, as wasnt he at Wigan under Martinez?

Yes, I think he was the one who bought him from. Actually I didn't know Diame started his professional career in Spain.

Also a big fan of Scheiderlin (looking at Southampton I also rate more Cork than Wanyama), but to play alongside Ramsey I think Arsenal should look for a different kind of DM. Someone who's more mobile version of Arteta and Scheiderlin is more of Flamini type (just much better). Based on players I know well I would see someone like Bruno Soriano fitting well for Arsenal, just they would hope to get someone younger and probably better too.

There was also the little matter of Schneiderlin choosing Spurs over Arsenal as to why Arsenal should probably look elsewhere....

Jest? Footballers get transferred to rival clubs and it works out so why would a failed transfer to a rival club make a difference at all.

Yes, it was jest.

Kimbo wrote:Armchair fans are the ones doing most to help the club, the stadium should be empty.

True.

Hodgson only got the sack because only 20k turned up to a Europa league game at Anfield.


The second fans don't show, that hits the club right in the coffers. If the Sports Direct at St. James's Park Stadium is still full week after week, then Ashley doesn't feel that much pressure to change.

Deluded F*ck wrote:

Kimbo wrote:Armchair fans are the ones doing most to help the club, the stadium should be empty.

True.

Hodgson only got the sack because only 20k turned up to a Europa league game at Anfield.


The second fans don't show, that hits the club right in the coffers. If the Sports Direct at St. James's Park Stadium is still full week after week, then Ashley doesn't feel that much pressure to change.

It remains funny.

To be fair it stopped getting called that a couple years ago.

Wish I could be arsed to find all the posts I've made over the years saying Downing should be played central. Always had the skills for that role and lost the winger pace ages ago

Thumbs up for Downing  lets is him do it more often

Liverpool is still lethal going forward, but they need both Sturridge and Sterling there to create that chaos.
Their poor results lately have come without Sturridge.
Their midfield, defence and goalie aren't anything special, their explosive attack however ...

Also, what happened to Coutinho this year?

He's just that sort of player I reckon. He'll tear teams up for a few months a season and be poor the rest of the time.

Falcao and van Persie already combined better than RVP together with Rooney for many months. 1:0 for MU after 10 minutes.

Btw, yesterday I was looking for some old articles at Zonalmarking.net and found this:

ZonalMarking wrote:It’s also worth considering whether Falcao is happy playing in a duo – for Porto and Atletico he’s thrived as a lone striker, and considering his game is all about movement, he seems constrained when he has a strike partner restricting his space.

At least against Leicester it doesn't seem to be a problem though.