Might as well unleash this season's Premier League thread seeing as we're less than a week away from kick off. The Community Shield was a fun watch, Arsenal as much I hate to say it looked really good. And with Cech in their side it's an added protection to their defence which looked solid in its own right. On the other hand Chelsea looked really flat. I know it's only the Community Shield and it doesn't mean much but Chelsea didn't look like they could win that game for even a second in my opinion. Fabregas was poor and Hazard was practically invisible till he missed that sitter. Also, I'm not surprised to see Falcao is still shite. He was slipping 10 mins after coming on and provided nothing, exactly like last season. His first touch is still absolutely shambolic. So I'm glad we let him go, let Chelsea have a season of being disappointed by him. Also, this'll have deflated the notion of Chelsea fans that the special one could 'fix' him. And finally, Wenger's handshake snub on Mourinho was just beautiful. Can't wait for the real thing to get started this weekend!
"Who'll pick you up when you're spread too thin, when the walls you built are closing in around you? I found you...."
I had a bet on with someone for the game yesterday and I just really fancied Arsenal, I think unless they sign a top striker they won't be able to challenge for the title tho but a keeper like Cech will make the world of difference for them, great signing in my opinion.
I love the banter between Mourinho and Wenger tho, Jose is so petty when he loses, and sometimes when he wins as well. Falcao looked shit yesterday, he reminds me of Torres and how quickly he went down hill. As much as people say he has the ability to be able to cope with the PL I don't think he does, he just gets bullied off the ball all the time. Don't think Remy even got a touch in the 1st half? They had better get Costa fit as they could struggle if they rely on Falcao and Remy.
Really missed the football this pre season, roll on Saturday with Jeff Stelling on a Saturday afternoon!
Standard result for Utd, nothing special but 3 points! Keeper looked a bit dodgy in the first half but after he got settled seemed pretty ok, can't really judge him too much on today's result tho. Also it shows how much we need another centre back, Blind can't play there! I like the look of the new right back as well, he will only get better as well.
Something don't seem right at Chelsea as well for me, the past few games i've seem them play they just don't seem right and I can't put my finger on it. The squad is the same as last season as well, I don't think they'll walk the season like they did last time out. I still say, if Arsenal get a world class striker they could even challenge them more than City. Utd in my opinion are about 4 signings away from challenging for the title.
United were playing exactly like last season. I still don't understand why we're playing 4-2-3-1 when we have the players to play 4-3-3. Memphis was good in flashes but that #10 role is alien to him so it'll take him a while I guess. Don't even get me started as to why he's playing there. Schneiderlin was solid but the standout was Darmian, he was brilliant both defensively and going forward. Not one mistake and this was clearly visible when Tony V came on, we were totally exposed down the right hand side. Herrera needs to start every game IMO, him and Schweinsteiger were working well together when they came on and the team went to a 4-3-3. Smalling was brilliant as well, he's grown so much. Good to see. Can't wait for Rojo to return so Blind can stay as far away from that CB slot as possible. I'm happy with the three points but there are still some major concerns.
Chelsea were flat as hell today and have been for some time now including the end of last season. Swansea played brilliantly today and really should've got the three points. I really hope Chelsea are exposed this season, can't stand anymore of Mourinho and his constant whinging everytime something goes against him. Hopefully City will do something good for once and thump Chelsea next week. Also, watching Jefferson Montero own Ivanovic today was an absolute treat!
"Who'll pick you up when you're spread too thin, when the walls you built are closing in around you? I found you...."
United were playing exactly like last season. I still don't understand why we're playing 4-2-3-1 when we have the players to play 4-3-3. Memphis was good in flashes but that #10 role is alien to him so it'll take him a while I guess. Don't even get me started as to why he's playing there. Schneiderlin was solid but the standout was Darmian, he was brilliant both defensively and going forward. Not one mistake and this was clearly visible when Tony V came on, we were totally exposed down the right hand side. Herrera needs to start every game IMO, him and Schweinsteiger were working well together when they came on and the team went to a 4-3-3. Smalling was brilliant as well, he's grown so much. Good to see. Can't wait for Rojo to return so Blind can stay as far away from that CB slot as possible. I'm happy with the three points but there are still some major concerns.
Chelsea were flat as hell today and have been for some time now including the end of last season. Swansea played brilliantly today and really should've got the three points. I really hope Chelsea are exposed this season, can't stand anymore of Mourinho and his constant whinging everytime something goes against him. Hopefully City will do something good for once and thump Chelsea next week. Also, watching Jefferson Montero own Ivanovic today was an absolute treat!
I've been one of Smallings biggest critics over the past few seasons, but there was glimmers of why we bought him for that much last season and today he played really well. The way LVG has been speaking he wants a left footed and right footed central defence so it looks like Rojo will be partnering Smalling when he's back fit, like you say Blind needs to get away from there! Loved watching Schweinsteiger boss that midfield, he might be knocking on a bit but we have needed that kind of player since Keane left. I think Memphis could do well in that #10 role, he was floating around today but always wanted the ball which is good to see, he's got that arrogance about him as well which Ronaldo has.
Ivanovic knows he had a game today for sure, he was ragged all over! And he's one of the best right backs in the Premiership! City and Chelsea need to draw next week, them 2 need to drop as many points as possible for us to get a chance in the top four again as I think Liverpool will come back good this season as well, does pain me to say that! I think they have bought really well, it's just their keeper and defence where they look weak
Just picked up United's away jerseys, both the white and the black one. These new Adidas kits are absolute class. I wasn't planning to get it this year but after watching the Villa game last night I just had to. They look great!
Also picked up the new Barça jersey, the die hard Barça fans I understand don't really like the horizontal stripes but it's a very good looking shirt.
"Who'll pick you up when you're spread too thin, when the walls you built are closing in around you? I found you...."
Just picked up United's away jerseys, both the white and the black one. These new Adidas kits are absolute class. I wasn't planning to get it this year but after watching the Villa game last night I just had to. They look great!
Also picked up the new Barça jersey, the die hard Barça fans I understand don't really like the horizontal stripes but it's a very good looking shirt.
The last United shirt I got was when we first signed Ronaldo and I got the white away shirt with his name on the back, got to admit I am tempted with the new white one myself, it does look really nice!
After watching the Villa game last night, I might have to eat my own words about Blind playing at centre back, he was outstanding! The back 4 look pretty solid and will only get better by playing week in week out with each other. Hopefully LVG will start playing Januzzi more now, he is a better option playing behind Rooney then Memphis who should be left on the wing. Rooney needs to start firing them in soon, he's playing up front in his prefered position and he looked terrible last night. sort of underlines the need for another striker.
Just picked up United's away jerseys, both the white and the black one. These new Adidas kits are absolute class. I wasn't planning to get it this year but after watching the Villa game last night I just had to. They look great!
Also picked up the new Barça jersey, the die hard Barça fans I understand don't really like the horizontal stripes but it's a very good looking shirt.
The last United shirt I got was when we first signed Ronaldo and I got the white away shirt with his name on the back, got to admit I am tempted with the new white one myself, it does look really nice!
After watching the Villa game last night, I might have to eat my own words about Blind playing at centre back, he was outstanding! The back 4 look pretty solid and will only get better by playing week in week out with each other. Hopefully LVG will start playing Januzzi more now, he is a better option playing behind Rooney then Memphis who should be left on the wing. Rooney needs to start firing them in soon, he's playing up front in his prefered position and he looked terrible last night. sort of underlines the need for another striker.
Agreed, the back 4 were as solid as I've seen them in years. Darmian is probably the best RB in the league, I mean nothing was getting past him, nothing! I really like the fact that Blind wasn't bogged down by all the criticism and doubts over his ability to play CB, great performance by him too and Smalling and Shaw were really good as always, Smalling in particular.
I'm really happy we got to see Memphis on the wing and I'm happy Januzaj got the goal, will do his confidence a world of good. Though that pass from Mata was just brilliant!
Rooney was shambolic last night and has been ever since the Spurs game last season. The sad thing is LvG will never drop him and won't get in a top quality striker because that'd mean the end of Rooney playing up top. Anyway I hope he finds some form soon. But still, 2 wins out of 2 and 2 clean sheets along the way is nothing to scoff at. Good start!
"Who'll pick you up when you're spread too thin, when the walls you built are closing in around you? I found you...."
I know we are only a couple of games into the season but something's not right at Chelsea, it's basically the same team as last year but they just seem so flat. When I saw the squad they put against City yesterday I checked the odds at William Hill then stuck £50 on City just to win I was that confident. Mourhinio's tactics was just wrong, Ramires should never have been in that attacking role and should have been swapped with Fabregas who was playing too deep and wasn't backing up the defence. Very surprised Costa kept his cool as well, expected him to get sent off the way he was acting, love it when Chelsea lose tho, Mourhnio is such a sore loser. All this bollocks about the physio is just laughable.
Arsenal scrapping through with a win, Chelsea losing again and Liverpool getting thumped at home to West Ham. Good start to the weekend. Hopefully United can get the job done tomorrow against Swansea, it's going to be a tough game though.
Btw Chelsea now have just 4 points from 4 games.
"Who'll pick you up when you're spread too thin, when the walls you built are closing in around you? I found you...."
Was suprised at the results yesterday, not bothered doing a coupon this season yet because the results are that all over the place. It's always nice when Liverpool lose like that as well, was saying to my mate only on friday that their defence is still very shaky and he was taking the piss out of me for praising Smalling and Blind in defence when they have Lovern and Skrtel, jesus!
I love the job Pulis and Padrew have done at Palace, the signings they have brought in have really worked for them. Swansea will get us later I reckon, certainly a good test for the defence tho as Gomis is a big presence up front.
Typical, couldn't capitalise on this opportunity. Rooney and Romero were absolutely shit. We need a proper goalkeeper(both goals could've easily been saved) and a striker. Dire performance to be honest. It's a worrying sign when Luke Shaw is your only attacking threat. Can't really say much more than that.
"Who'll pick you up when you're spread too thin, when the walls you built are closing in around you? I found you...."
Typical, couldn't capitalise on this opportunity. Rooney and Romero were absolutely shit. We need a proper goalkeeper(both goals could've easily been saved) and a striker. Dire performance to be honest. It's a worrying sign when Luke Shaw is your only attacking threat. Can't really say much more than that.
Thought in the first 15 minutes we looked good, passed it well and looked in control then we just run out of ideas, players was just running around like headless chickens in the Swansea box. Blind's passing was poor, Rooney needs to take his chances quickly and not fumble around in the box when he has a chance
I hope this defeat right before the transfer window shows LVG that players are still needed, and I hope his arrogance of thinking that he can work miracles with this team are realised. First proper test of Romero today and one of them shots could have easily been saved, the first goal he did try but the header was just too good. I do hope we go all out and buy a striker tho, I don't like the idea of Rooney up front myself, always liked him in that deeper forward role and he can always play further forward when needed in a game.
LvG seemingly does the most bizarre things and then he comes out with brilliant press conferences like this and manages to get me on his side again. What is this madness!
I don't even care if we challenge for the title this year, just please thrash Liverpool. COME ON LOUIS VAN GAAL'S ARMY!
"Who'll pick you up when you're spread too thin, when the walls you built are closing in around you? I found you...."
Shite first half, did have it down as a draw before the game, just didn't fancy us winning it at all. Game changed with Young coming on, never thought i'd hear myself ever say that! Cracking goal by Benteke tho, corker of a goal, not a bad goal by Martial as well.
What the fuck is going on at Chelsea? After watching them in pre season a few times they haven't seemed right, it's practically the same team that won the title so easy last season as well. Jose has to take the flack for this! I do love it when he gets rattled tho