If Moyes chose this bullshit formation and stuck with it through 4 awful games, there would have been riots already.

8/30/2014 4:12:03 PM

Burnley has a great philosophy.

8/30/2014 5:07:01 PM

I like Spurs this morning. Definitely in form and at home with a still settling Liverppol squad and especially back line, I like 3-2.

Do think they are improved and Lamela is definitely coming good but probably still fifth best top to bottom but a good start and they can push top four as is.

Haven't done my predictions yet but as hours pass and no DM is signed Arsenal will be fourth yet again.

[Edited on August 31, 2014 at 7:38 AM. Reason : just saw Costa... oh good I can hate him too. was worried after Luiz left.]

8/31/2014 7:32:37 AM

Quote :

"take it! take it! take it!"

8/31/2014 9:48:44 AM

Deserved scoreline. We were complete dog shit today.

Well played Pool.

8/31/2014 9:49:54 AM

Spurs should accept the £12m for Townsend yesterday.

8/31/2014 10:09:15 AM

I'd let him go for free at this point.

The key moment was when Chadli had that clear chance right before the half and didn't bury it. I think it would have been a different game in the 2nd half if that goes in.

8/31/2014 10:12:22 AM

Since I usually defend Sakho, I will step up and say he was the worst Liverpool player on the field by far today. Lovren wasn't exactly strong either. They need to stick with a pairing for a few games and at this point I'd rather see Skrtel/Lovren. Excited to have what looks like two very solid fullbacks in Moreno/Manquillo and I never want to see Johnson in a big game again.

Like I've been saying all preseason, I'm not worried about goals. Sterling/Balotelli missed some easy chances and it really should have been more than 3. This is without even using Coutinho and Lallana's still injured.


Spurs need more up top. Adebayor alone is not going to cut it.

8/31/2014 10:19:28 AM

Add a CF to the have to buy list.

Fourth at best.

8/31/2014 12:53:56 PM

arsenal will not sign a forward and have no attacking threat all season.

8/31/2014 1:00:53 PM

I am a big believer in youth and Wenger has a very good track record with young academy players.

8/31/2014 1:19:14 PM

I would at least start podolski or even Campbell over sanogo

8/31/2014 5:46:33 PM

Yeah, that was pretty awful from Sakho today.

Seriously, I'm a center-back myself, and trying to play an eye-of-the-needle pass when you're the last man is the kind of shit I do sometimes, because I've only been playing for like 7 years and am stupid and suck. But he should know better.

Other than that, I agree w/ aimorris's assessment. We've got tons of firepower and just need to settle on/have a competent CB partnership.

Also, I like our CL group.

8/31/2014 11:05:43 PM

Just realized Everton signed Eto'o and Chelsea signed Remy. Arsenal need to do something ASAP.

9/1/2014 2:01:01 AM

Falcao to United. Wat.

They are playing FIFA up there right now. What in Gods name is going on. Surely the end of RVP as a major player. Cant bench Rooney.

If they do get Carvalho, and they will because they will pay whatever the fuck Sporting asks for, Arsenal is finally dropping to fifth in a year they had cash and could've spent to push on..

** wow when City goes up 2-0 at the Emirates on the 13th its going to be even more toxic than last years opened. I almost feel bad for Wenger. He has simply lost touch with the modern game. Its almost unthinkably naive to have the money and clearly be able to lure top players (Sanchez and Ozil) but simply not want to or not think you need to.

[Edited on September 1, 2014 at 7:20 AM. Reason : FFS sanogo, who has never scored a competitive goal for the team is first choice striker]

9/1/2014 6:13:54 AM

Fuck Wenger. He's done this to himself.

9/1/2014 8:09:34 AM

United can sign Ronaldo, Robben, and Messi tomorrow and I'll still need to see results on the pitch before I get excited. That being said, apparently they're not fucking around.

9/1/2014 9:04:13 AM

Still need a true DCM. Can't wait until January for Strootman. Need Vidal or Carvalho now.



and if these prices are right on Falcao, Wenger should be fired on the spot.

[Edited on September 1, 2014 at 9:11 AM. Reason : wtf is he thinking]

9/1/2014 9:10:22 AM

also this:


https://vine.co/v/b1Z35Zq6Lhw

9/1/2014 9:19:07 AM

He's too busy refereeing a fucking charity match in Rome to be bothered with doing his job.

9/1/2014 9:55:00 AM

Sir Alex is a genius. He was saving his spending for rainy days.

9/1/2014 11:49:33 AM

Falcao makes more sense than Di Maria for United, in my opinion. Trade Welbeck/Chicharito and RVP if he's hurt for Falcao. It's vital to have at least two good strikers healthy. NyM410 didn't agree with me a few weeks ago when I said that..

I don't think you can realistically fit all 5 of Rooney, RVP, Falcao, Di Maria, and Mata into the starting lineup if they're healthy though. Seems weird to put a baller (likely Mata) on the bench when you have such shit at the other side of the field.

9/1/2014 12:13:10 PM

It's doable

9/1/2014 12:30:11 PM

Actually all of this makes sense for building quality depth.


Rooney and Mata can play the same primary position at ACM.

RVP and Falcao play the same position, and my guess is Falcao is meant to be cover if/when RVP gets hurt.

Welbeck isn't a goal threat, so he gets knocked down a peg or two.

Among just the four of Rooney/RVP/Falcao/Mata, you have a rotation of pretty strong attack that covers well for injury with little to no drop-off.


A player like Di Maria doesn't come available often, and when he does, you snatch him up. Di Maria can play anywhere behind the front 2. That's not conjecture, it's been evidenced by his performance for RM and in the World Cup over the past 2 years. ADM is essentially playing the Arjen Robben role - a left footed speedster with tremendous skill that can play anywhere across the front line.

I personally can't wait to see the Di Maria to Falcao goal train that's about to rain down on the BPL.

At CM United have got Carrick/Herrera/Blind/Fletcher/FelLOLaini - could do with one more to push Fletch and FeLOLlers down a peg until Strootman comes in January, but I'll take it.

At the back, which is the most worrying to me, are Jones/Rojo/Evans/Smalling/Blind/Blackett/Keane -> seriously could do with another senior name, but not sure who at this point.

At wingback, Rafael/Shaw/Januzaj/Tony V/Young will have to do... keeping in mind that Blind, Di Maria, and Rojo can all put in a shift there.


Honestly, after typing all of this out, I'm less worried that LVG will find a way to put it all together. Even if the formation changes from 3-5-2 to something else, he's gone out and got (or kept) players that can cover multiple positions across the board (save RVP and Falcao). Once people start coming back from injury, United will be scary.

9/1/2014 12:49:20 PM

Quote :

"Falcao makes more sense than Di Maria for United, in my opinion. Trade Welbeck/Chicharito and RVP if he's hurt for Falcao. It's vital to have at least two good strikers healthy. NyM410 didn't agree with me a few weeks ago when I said that.."

I don't remember disagreeing with that but I'm sure I did. If RVP stays first choice, surely Mata is dropped?

In any case latest is Welbeck to Arsenal, possibly on loan. A window that started so promisingly ended as such a pathetic shitshow. United did the same thing in reverse.

I am being too hard on Arsenals squad. They can still finish Top Four but they needed to push on and make three signings that were there to be made and they could have absolutely challenged for the title.

And in hindsight letting Cesc go to Chelsea at that price is unforgivable given what they didn't spend on later...

9/1/2014 1:35:06 PM

I don't really disagree with the depth argument and it's a no brainer to get Di Maria if you can get him. It just seems to me that with no European fixtures to worry about, this was a good opportunity to strengthen their starting XI first and not worry so much about depth until later. Now they're just stockpiling superstars in positions where they already existed.

It's nice to be able to spend those transfer fees and ridiculous wages so at least they're not sitting on all of it like Arsenal.

I mean, I guess you didn't technically disagree but this was the exchange:

Me: But who's playing if Giroud isn't? Sanogo?
You: Walcott or Sanchez can play up top. Arsenal will never play two strikers.

[Edited on September 1, 2014 at 1:40 PM. Reason : ^]

9/1/2014 1:36:57 PM

yeah... Welbeck to Arsenal..... uh, a goal scoring striker is what you need

9/1/2014 1:37:47 PM

To be fair, I hated on the RVP pickup for the same reasons (they already had Rooney) and he won you the league.

9/1/2014 1:41:06 PM

Honestly I think United would've contended for the top 4 without Falcao and ADM, assuming they hit their gear. It would have come down to the wire, and depended on no more injuries of course. Now with those two signed, i think there is a possibility of winning it.

9/1/2014 2:01:54 PM

wazza31 exposed?!?!

9/1/2014 2:11:48 PM

*bang bang*

[Edited on September 1, 2014 at 2:25 PM. Reason : also please note I said *possibility*]

9/1/2014 2:24:28 PM

Quote :

"In any case latest is Welbeck to Arsenal, possibly on loan. A window that started so promisingly ended as such a pathetic shitshow. United did the same thing in reverse."

Agree, United fans' reaction this transfer window

https://vine.co/v/hw3IllDgh9D

9/1/2014 2:24:46 PM

LVG: "Daley is a great reader of the game, he has played under my philosophy over a number of years + will be a great addition to the team."

9/1/2014 3:40:36 PM

https://vine.co/v/OBUDqr9FItl

9/1/2014 3:47:21 PM

LOL just saw that on twitter

[Edited on September 1, 2014 at 4:08 PM. Reason : Welbeck to Arsenal according to Alan Smith]

9/1/2014 4:08:08 PM

Arsenal should sign the dildo so the can have more penetration up front

9/1/2014 4:55:48 PM

Dildo to Spurs.

Per Vine.

9/1/2014 5:15:21 PM

"Fuck her right in the pussy" has made a few appearances it seems.

9/1/2014 6:11:41 PM

CB situation insanity. Window as a whole wasn't as bad as I've made out but its kind of crazy that Chambers/Monreal are the third choice CBs.

Chambers will be an England stalwart for a decade but he isn't ready to step in yet I the CL or high level PL.

Needed to do better.

9/1/2014 6:35:48 PM

Just getting back from vacation, what have I missed?

As happy as I am with United getting Falcao, I am absolutely gutted Welbeck has left. I hope he scores plenty of goals, will miss the guy. United lad till the end though.

Also I am not buying into the whole defense is crap yet. Herrera and Carrick are the two best midfielders United has, without them a slow defense consisting of Smalling and Evans can only do so much. With Blind, Rojo, and Shaw I fully expect the defense to start playing better. Sure the defense could have used someone like Banatia but there is enough young talent to forge a good defense once they understand Van Gaal's system and adapt to it.

Overall this was a very good transfer window. Could have used someone like Vidal instead of Falcao but Juve weren't selling and Monoco were. This team will be scary in december when they have had time to work together. I expect a 4th place finish at the very least and a title challenge next year.

[Edited on September 1, 2014 at 8:40 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on September 1, 2014 at 8:43 PM. Reason : .]

9/1/2014 8:39:01 PM

Rojo is quite average and Blind will get physically bossed in this league. That attack, though, is probably the best third best in the world behind Real and Barca..

And if LVG sticks with 3-5-2 now he's a fucking idiot.

[Edited on September 1, 2014 at 8:53 PM. Reason : x]

9/1/2014 8:52:26 PM

^ You could have said the same about Vidic & Evra when they both signed for United. They were virtually unheard of. No Rojo and Blind aren't world class players but they have plenty of time left to develop into very reliable and very good players. I will reserve my judgement for when I actually see them play consistently.

9/1/2014 9:07:27 PM

I like the Welbeck signing.

Not signing another CB and not buying Cesc back was ridiculous, though.

9/1/2014 10:48:10 PM

I find it so interesting that Arsenal fans, including myself, are basically outraged but most of the media thinks they had a very good summer. I guess it comes down to the fact that they did most business early so Sanchez, Chambers and Debuchy (who I wasn't a fan of but looks a huge upgrade on recent years Sagna so far) barely feel like they were this window.

Still hate being so thin at the back and having no Arteta/Flamini replacement.

9/2/2014 7:56:05 AM

It wasn't a terrible window but I didn't really get the vibe media thinks it was an amazing window or anything. I guess it depends on how much you rate Welbeck. All I know is Chelsea owned the fuck out of this window.

I'm very pleased with Liverpool's business. It's not the best of any PL team by any means but I think they accomplished most of what they wanted to do - build some depth, clear some high earners, and find some deals. The only thing I wish they could have done was get another GK to challenge Mignolet. Vorm would have been perfect.

I was hoping Financial Fair Play would do was make transfer fees and wages more transparent but that hasn't happened at all. It's frustrating seeing a transfer price for a player range almost $10m different, depending on where you're reading about it. And there's no source that gives any kind of accurate wages for a team.

9/2/2014 8:20:11 AM

FFP is a sham. Teams will get around it by this loan for a year with an option to buy shit.

[Edited on September 2, 2014 at 8:37 AM. Reason : .]

9/2/2014 8:36:48 AM

Well yeah, I know it's all bullshit. I'm just talking about the actual disclosure of information. I'd like to know exactly how much a player costs and what he's getting paid.

9/2/2014 8:45:48 AM

I've mentioned it before but what City did this year is absurd. Every big player took a base wage cut on their extensions but got easily attainable bonuses that dwarf their actual wages.

There is no point in even having FFP in all honesty.

9/2/2014 8:50:52 AM

Chelsea is going to run away with it if Costa stays fit. Mourinho addressed every weakness in that team from last year and then some. I think they can very easily do the double or even the treble depending on Loic Remy's form.

9/2/2014 10:42:16 AM

All of the LOLs. Every international break. I swear... Put Jack in a bubble suit FFS.

@Iandennisbbc: Danny Welbeck picked up a knock in training. Unlikely to be risked v Norway on Wed. Commentary on @bbc5live #bbcfootball

9/2/2014 12:16:44 PM