[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

Re: Festive Football Chat : Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:06 pm  

Nemanja wrote:

Arsenal fook up, then the hypocrite strikes again.

According to Wenger, Arsenal are only competing with Man United over 37 games, because of Wolves' team selection on Tuesday. Even with their full strength side out, I still expect we would have won comfortably. I mean, it's only a week ago after all when he played all kids in the Champions League, but there was no moaning from the French fool then.

He then complains that he lost ground in the title race because of Wolves' team, well last time I checked, even if Wolves had beaten United, Arsenal would still be the same amount of points behind Chelsea as they are this morning.

And then he has a pop at the fixture list, because he's got to have three games in a week, when Hull only have 2. I'm sorry, but if you can't beat Hull you don't deserve to be battling for the top 2.

You can always tell when the Arsenal haven't won a game - there's always a long whining sound coming from the Emirates.

Re: Festive Football Chat : Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:32 pm  

A mixed bag from Everton's teens tonight. I thought Agard looked pacey but ultimately lacking in quality, Coleman looked quality again as did Forshaw and Baxter in the middle.

The guy who really stood out was 17 year old centre half Shane Duffy. He is physically up to the Premier League now, his clattering the keeper from a corner was good to see, he looks a very good bet for the future. Tall, strong, good on the ball, great in the air and his positioning was fantastic.

Rodwell also had the best 6 minutes I've seen from an 18 year old in a long time before going off injured. Makes you wonder if the preparation is right at Goodison as thats not the first time a player has gone off with a muscle injury in the first few minutes of the game. The injury list is becoming a team that could make Europe in the Premier League. It's a shame because that looked like it was a game he would of completely dominated.

Re: Festive Football Chat : Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:37 pm  

I wouldn't call Bate measure of physicality in the premier league. You done alright, Bate done alright as well but it was generally a poor game, with only Krivets really looking good.

Re: Festive Football Chat : Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:44 pm  

tehTrunk's latest video on YouTube is brilliant.

Re: Festive Football Chat : Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:52 pm  

D.D, who do you suggest City sign as these 'leaders', then?

Other than your obvious ones, like Terry, Gerrard and Puyol, who do they bring in? Is it something you can bring in, or is it something you bring through, like, through the academy? Is it something a player can learn with age, or is it natural?

I think you saying your forwards can't move forward is harsh, you have arguably the best array of attacking talent in the league in terms of depth and versatility, but, there is something missing. You're in a similar but different situation to us, we have the leadership and the proven quality, but we have little depth and are heavily reliant upon two/three players producing the goods every week. You have a vast array of quality players, but it seems there is nobody to look to when things go wrong, when you need a moment of quality, a piece of inspiration, something the likes of Gerrard, Torres, Drogba etc., seem capable of doing quite regularly, especially when their team need it most, you seem to be lacking and that is to blame largely on Hughes' feet. Sure, Tevez, Robinho and Adebayor are great players individually, but they were all part of great attacks beforehand that already had those players, United had Rooney, Ronaldo etc., Arsenal probably less so than Madrid and United, but they still had Fabregas and Arshavin for his last months, with the likes of van Persie, too.

Re: Festive Football Chat : Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:53 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

I wouldn't call Bate measure of physicality in the premier league. You done alright, Bate done alright as well but it was generally a poor game, with only Krivets really looking good.

They are pants but there were a good few aerial threats in their side. They are a team that has drawn twice with Juventus in the Champions League group stages and who will are a two legged qualifier away from the Group Stages next year.

Just goes to show that there isn't an awful lot of quality in the Champions League. They need to think more about the qualifiers, possibly starting it later and having very few qualifiers in the group stages.

Re: Festive Football Chat : Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:55 pm  

The only thing wrong with Citeh is that they are managed by an arrogant fool relying on the fact that he was a half decent footballer. Hughes is a joke. Moyes or Redknapp would have a field day with the squad he's got.

Re: Festive Football Chat : Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:57 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

The only thing wrong with Citeh is that they are managed by an arrogant fool relying on the fact that he was a half decent footballer. Hughes is a joke. Moyes or Redknapp would have a field day with the squad he's got.

I think City lack the set piece taker for Moyes to get them to new heights.

Re: Festive Football Chat : Thu Dec 17, 2009 11:27 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

I think City lack the set piece taker for Moyes to get them to new heights.

He got Everton to the Champions League with free kicks alone you reckon

Wouldn't be a problem would it? He could spend £30m on Arteta.

I think Liverpool are ripe for the picking in the January window. Unless they turn it round completely and look certain for a top 4 finish next season, Torres is gone. I'd love to see City tempt Barca or Chelsea into a cheeky £60m bid.

Re: Festive Football Chat : Thu Dec 17, 2009 11:37 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

He got Everton to the Champions League qualifiers with free kicks alone you reckon

Wouldn't be a problem would it? He could spend £30m on Arteta.

I think Liverpool are ripe for the picking in the January window. Unless they turn it round completely and look certain for a top 4 finish next season, Torres is gone. I'd love to see City tempt Barca or Chelsea into a cheeky £60m bid.

Torres will be here next season, as will Gerrard, we'll be fine, I hope.

Delap and Arteta for a combined £50m, Moyes could take them to the top.