English football thread no 2

[Dell19]

I haven't really seen him play that much so I will not comment yet. Anyway I predicted the correct score

 

[col]

Ronaldo? A lot of ability - but a lot to learn. At present he seems more concerned with a few showy tricks rather than making the right decision. But then he IS only young and trying hard to impress. He needs to realise that he doesnt need to prove anything just play well for the team. He also needs to appreciate that throwing himself to the ground doesnt cut much ice in the Premiership. He may become a great player in time but he is far from the finished article. He reminds me of Giggs in his early days.

 

[Mega Tsunami]

Good summary, col. I think he has the skills necessary to ‘do the business’ but whether he has the mental ability to go on and do what Giggs did, only time will tell.
I don’t think he should have started a game just yet. (although Sir Alex knows slightly more about football than me )

 

[prettyvacant]

Originally posted by col
a midfield of Ronaldo, D-D, Kleberson, Solskaer isnt going to frighten anyone.

a. would frighten Utd board? loads of dosh for a combination of youth and defensive midfileders (with the exception of Solskaer , who everytime I see him get the ball in a wide position does less with it tham Beckham would have - but then again is likely to score more?)

b. surely this line up only signifies rotation against a weaker team

 

[col]

Scholes is going to need a hernia operation soon and will be out of action for 5 weeks or so. He is increasingly the key ManU player these days. When he came on against Wolves, the whole midfield tightened up. He always is available to receive the ball and rarely loses it even in the tightest situation.

 

[willemvanoranje]

I had a guy in my class that needed a hernia operation....when he was recovered he got into an car-accident, and he thinks he has a hernia again....speaking of bad luck

 

[phoenix_night]

Southampton 1 - 0 Manchester United

 

[col]

 

[Suppersalmon]

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

 

[Dell19]

What fun football can be Now 2 weeks until the next games, but at least the season has only just started...

 

[Darkness]

Great own goal by Lauren. I actually needed the replay to notice it was an own goal (I was only watching with half my attention on the game). I thought it was one of Arsenals' strikers scoring an excellent goal....

 

[Lambert Simnel]

Originally posted by col
Scholes is going to need a hernia operation soon and will be out of action for 5 weeks or so. He is increasingly the key ManU player these days. When he came on against Wolves, the whole midfield tightened up. He always is available to receive the ball and rarely loses it even in the tightest situation.

The Southampton game proves your comments are spot on, Col. While I thought the United defense played well, the midfield was desperately uncreative. Perhaps losing Beckham does hurt if Scholes and Solskjaer are both unavailable...

How much longer do you think Fergie will keep giving Forlan chances ? With both him and Seba, it was very much as if Fergie wasn't prepared to admit he could have possibly made a mistake in buying them. I give him credit for having the courage to keep faith in his decisions, but Forlan looked (not for the first time) out of his depth against Southampton, IMHO. Out of your depth against Southampton ? Kind of says it all, doesn't it ?

 

[Dell19]

A few topics:

Champions league games this week - Should be interesting to see whether Nistelrooy continues to score in the Champions league

Early form: Southampton and Portsmouth continue to get the results although neither team has had to play any big team away except for when Portsmouth played Arsenal, but that result can be blamed on internationals. At the other end Middlesboro seem to be struggling this season. Perhaps the loss of Geremi has made a difference.

The Pardew saga - Not sure who to blame really. Apparently Reading were unwilling to pay high wages and West Ham should have the better long term prospects, but Pardew still left Reading without agreement and whilst Reading were playing well.

 

[prettyvacant]

Originally posted by Dell19
The Pardew saga -

During the summer Pardew critised D Connolly because, he said, he wasnt commited to Reading. Connolly went to W Ham.

ironic or what

 

[Dell19]

Yeah but didn't Connolly play for Wimbledon?

 

[prettyvacant]

Originally posted by Dell19
Yeah but didn't Connolly play for Wimbledon?

yes he did. Pardew was talking to him about joining Reading but Connolly chose W Ham and was criticised by Pardew for doing so.

PS at last I can mention Ipswich. Bottom of the table without a win yet 21,000 people turned up and the atmosphere was fantastic. 2-1 and could have been 6. Merson was excellent although faded a bit unsurprisingly and Samways looked good too.

Edit: Last night: Ipswich 2 - Walsall 1 M and S play for Walsall.

 

[Dell19]

I read how West Brom were being praised for starting so well in the first division this year after not spending too much last year and whilst this is sensible, they may find that this simply achieves them another promotion to the premiership and another relegation as well. At least other teams have had more of a go at trying to stay in the premiership...

 

[Lambert Simnel]

It's a tricky business though, the decision whether to spend enough to stay in the top flight. Ipswich did, and and should have been on fairly sure ground for doing so after their 4th place finish. However, they still got relegated, went into receivership, and have had to sell or release most of their good players. Basically, it looks liek a sort of "back to square 1" deal for the Tractor Boys, having to build up the team to be good enough to get promoted all over again.

I think the West Brom / Wolves approach is a lot more sensible, though maybe Portsmouth have got it right most of all - basically keep the same team, but drag in a few older players who have the top level experienece and can still deliver (thus disqualifying Incey...)

 

[Lambert Simnel]

Any thoughts on the penalties from last weekend ? Which was the worst - Pires blatantly cheating, but maybe a difficult call for the referee, or the Southampton - Wolves one where there's no-one near the guy when he falls over, and any contact must have been outside the area ?

I'd vote for the Pires one, but then again, I don't like Arsenal...

 

[Dell19]

I can't decide since they were practically identical.