Re: Football Chat Thread PART II : Sat Dec 07, 2013 5:14 pm  

Smiggs wrote:

Go on Moyes, he's tearing it up.

I know those within United have made all the right noises about giving Moyes time, however, can the PLC side of United really allow United's league season to just collapse without making any move to rectify things?

With even the top 4 looking like a bit of a tall order, you have to wonder how many more poor results Moyes can afford - Add to this that the transfer window is coming and with United obviously needing major investment in new players, will the board feel comfortable handing over major funds to a man who presently looks out of his depth?

Re: Football Chat Thread PART II : Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:12 pm  

While Moyes didn't help himself in the transfer window Fergie left him with problems...which got overlooked when they were winning.

Re: Football Chat Thread PART II : Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:32 pm  

duke street 10 wrote:

While Moyes didn't help himself in the transfer window Fergie left him with problems...which got overlooked when they were winning.

I agree.... Whoever took over would have been stitched up, because of Ferguson's incompetence in the transfer market over the last few years - Every man and his dog has known they have been lacking in midfield, yet he refused to do anything about it, going for short term fixes like signing Van Persie, dragging Scholes out of retirement and over-using an aging Ryan Giggs, instead of making the necessary signings.

I just wonder if the American owners will hold their nerve and allow a struggling manager to do the big spending that is needed - It looks increasingly like David Moyes is going to be the scapegoat for the club's penny pinching of Ferguson's final years.

Re: Football Chat Thread PART II : Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:33 pm  

duke street 10 wrote:

While Moyes didn't help himself in the transfer window Fergie left him with problems...which got overlooked when they were winning.

Moyes isn't good enough.

Re: Football Chat Thread PART II : Sun Dec 08, 2013 7:23 pm  

Cracking Arsenal-Everton game today.... Highlighted just how open the title race is this year. While Arsenal can be great to watch, you have to wonder do they have the steel to see out a full season on top of the table. Saying that, with Man City and Chelsea being so inconsistent, you really have to wonder if a Suarez-inspired Liverpool or even a difficult-to-beat Everton could yet shock a few people?

Just an add on from today though.... If England want to make a serious footballing impact in Brazil next summer, then surely Ross Barkley has to be incorporated into the system somehow - He proved today he has the talent to be a serious star and showed himself to be head and shoulders above the overhyped Jack Wilshere.

Re: Football Chat Thread PART II : Mon Dec 09, 2013 1:04 am  

Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

Just an add on from today though.... If England want to make a serious footballing impact in Brazil next summer, then surely Ross Barkley has to be incorporated into the system somehow - He proved today he has the talent to be a serious star and showed himself to be head and shoulders above the overhyped Jack Wilshere.

Indeed he was. He is an utterly sensational player. I have never seen an English player so comfortable on the ball, doesn't seem to matter what situation he is in when he gets it, it just seems so easy to him, so natural. There is some naivety there for sure, but that's what your central midfielders are for. I fear the World Cup team has already been picked. Hodgson doens't seem to want to change any of the old guard, so the likes of Lampard and Gerrard will be in familiar hands on knees with sad face poses come the 1st knockout stage at best. Why not just go for it and give Barkley the chance? Hopefully the old losers are injured when it comes to Brazil.

I must admit to being a little concerned that he's playing this well now. I'd have taken a quiet Nov/Dec/Jan so he doesn't get snapped up by City, Chelsea or United.

Re: Football Chat Thread PART II : Mon Dec 09, 2013 1:08 am  

Seems Everton have another young star in George Green, who is being likened to Rooney. Anyone seem him play?

Re: Football Chat Thread PART II : Mon Dec 09, 2013 1:19 am  

Saddened! wrote:

Indeed he was. He is an utterly sensational player. I have never seen an English player so comfortable on the ball, doesn't seem to matter what situation he is in when he gets it, it just seems so easy to him, so natural. There is some naivety there for sure, but that's what your central midfielders are for. I fear the World Cup team has already been picked. Hodgson doens't seem to want to change any of the old guard, so the likes of Lampard and Gerrard will be in familiar hands on knees with sad face poses come the 1st knockout stage at best. Why not just go for it and give Barkley the chance? Hopefully the old losers are injured when it comes to Brazil.

I must admit to being a little concerned that he's playing this well now. I'd have taken a quiet Nov/Dec/Jan so he doesn't get snapped up by City, Chelsea or United.

Barkley is clearly a sensational prospect, but there are quite a few holes to the argument of 'throw him in now'.

Roy has been working with a crop of players for a few years now, he near enough has his team, style and 'options' decided now, especially with only one friendly before the pre-tournament friendlies.

Barkley has started the season exceptionally well, but it's a huge risk to just throw him in the side and completely reshape the team. Is Barkley good enough to play? Yes. Is it a great decision to just throw him in the side without any prep/experience? Not really. If he was a forward or a winger, I'd be leaning towards yes, but midfield is easily the most important position on the international stage, and it wouldn't be good to just throw Barkley in there if he isn't understanding of what the manager wants from him.

I do believe in throwing youngsters in and I'm sick of Gerrard, Lampard etc., but for Barkley's own performance and for the manager's alleged planning, it wouldn't make a lot of sense. If he carries on getting better and reaches the level where he can't be dropped, where he has to be in the squad, then so be it, but it's a lot to expect from a player beginning his career at the highest level.

Re: Football Chat Thread PART II : Mon Dec 09, 2013 5:35 am  

duke street 10 wrote:

While Moyes didn't help himself in the transfer window Fergie left him with problems...which got overlooked when they were winning.

Apparently Moyes will only sign players that he's seen play live at least 5 times. As he was still looking at players for Everton until he joined United, none of United's existing targets, apart from Fabregas, met that criteria.

With so many teams still feeling they can win the league but still not sure of CL qualification, all with obvious weaknesses needing to be addressed, and with the additional Sky money available, I think the January transfer window will turn into a feeding frenzy. Expect some major signings and a few mad gambles. Quiet it wont be.

Re: Football Chat Thread PART II : Mon Dec 09, 2013 1:02 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

Indeed, those brandisihing the 'group of death' excuses already confuse me a little. If England beat Costa Rica and draw with the other two we could end up going through. Italy aren't unbeatable and if anything Italian football is a bit of a mess. Uruguay are a good attacking side, but if we can't score against them we don't deserve to be in the competition in the first place.

The biggest danger is England drawing all 3 games.

Which is quite possible with Roy Hodgson in charge. He's a terribly negative manager well out of his depth managing on the whole some of our weakest international players especially in the attacking areas.

If we reach the 2nd round, I would class it is a success as that group willbe tricky, especially with the climate and having two South American teams in there.