2013/2014 English Premier League Thread

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Young is just not good enough for a top club though, surely Janusaz in the wing plus Kagawa in the center is better than Young playing

even Zaha over Young if Moyes just has no time for Shinji

I think that may be your hate on Young speaking (his diving), and understandably so.
Young is better on the wing, than Kagawa has been in centre.
Really, a wash in disappointment for both.

[Locke]

Is there a reason why Hernandez doesnt get starts?

[devo22]

I was a HUGE fan of Shinji when he was at Dortmund and I was extremely happy when he signed for United, but he has been disappointing. He's not good enough on the wing and also has been underwhelming in the hole. Maybe he's just not a good fit for the EPL.

Originally Posted by Locke

Is there a reason why Hernandez doesnt get starts?

it just feels like the role of the joker fits him best. Very effective coming off the bench, sometimes disappointing when starting.

[The Big Chill]

Looks like Lucas is out for 6-8 weeks. That one hurts, as it basically leaves 3 fit CMs for a crucial stretch of the season, two of which haven't had much luck staying healthy themselves. Missing Flanagan, Agger, Sakho, Enrique, and Lucas right now. That's almost the starting back 5.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

it just feels like the role of the joker fits him best. Very effective coming off the bench, sometimes disappointing when starting.

I just always see him making a difference when he comes on and hes a legit striker. He doesnt have the same pedigree as Rooney/RvP by a long ways, but he should at the very least be 3rd choice.

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Looks like Lucas is out for 6-8 weeks. That one hurts, as it basically leaves 3 fit CMs for a crucial stretch of the season, two of which haven't had much luck staying healthy themselves. Missing Flanagan, Agger, Sakho, Enrique, and Lucas right now. That's almost the starting back 5.

Rodgers has got to spend some money in order to keep this team in the Top 4 hunt through the back half of the season with all of the injuries.

[Locke]

United trying to throw £40M at Mata? Should have bought Ozil for that kind of cake.

[d_phaneuf]

they didn't buy Ozil because they had Rooney/RVP to play in the middle

they are buying Mata but running in to the same issue, unless they think RVP is done for the year and one of the two leaves next year

he's too slow on the wing, I think this is a panic buy

[d_phaneuf]

Neville sums it up well here

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...its-philosophy

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I think that may be your hate on Young speaking (his diving), and understandably so.
Young is better on the wing, than Kagawa has been in centre.
Really, a wash in disappointment for both.

I know Shinji hasn't been great but has he been that bad?

I dont like Young in general but he hasn't been at United's level for at least 2 years in play, why not give Zaha a chance?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Neville sums it up well here

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...its-philosophy

He should tell Phil then.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

why not give Zaha a chance?

no United fan understands why

[Nuje]

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Neville sums it up well here

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...its-philosophy

I agree with Neville (as usual) and Carra there. RVP, Rooney, and Mata can't all play at the same time.

I find it really hard to believe Mourinho and Abramavich would be willing to sell a player of Mata's quality to United, unless they were getting something in return. The only player that makes sense to go the other way would be Rooney.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Nuje

Other than own goals, not often (ever?) Carragher one ups Nevs. He's pretty much spot on here though.

Just offer a pile of money to Gundogan, Reus and Pogba (sigh).

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Neville sums it up well here

Yeah, he makes some fantastic points that he wouldn't fit the philosophy of a team that is labouring in mid-division and who rarely seem to have their top two strikers available anyways.

Let's bring him in and change nothing. And besides he'll bring nothing to the table next season. Pure panic. Players like him are a dime a dozen.

Makes no sense from Chelsea pov. They should be standing on Utd's throat.

[Locke]

More on the Mata transfer, which sounds like a done deal.

Manchester United have made a £40million bid for Chelsea's Juan Mata through a third party, according to Sky Sports News sources.

Neither club have confirmed the offer but the playmaker missed training today and it appears that the first move has been made in what would be one of the biggest transfers of the season.

"United need quality, Mata needs to get out of the situation he is in and it would reinforce United for their meetings with (Chelsea's title rivals) Manchester City and Arsenal, which is clever from Jose Mourinho."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...seas-juan-mata

[devo22]

I think it actually makes sense for all parties involved.

United:
they need to make a splash and show their fans that they're willing to spend to turn this around. They lack creativity and Mata provides exactly that. It may also be the first step to finally get that change of philosophy. United is playing an outdated brand of football and they need a change badly. Mata could help in that regard.

Chelsea:
Mourinho obviously doesn't plan with Mata and being the evil genius that he can be when he's at his best, he knows that United will not play Chelsea again this season, but they'll still play City and Arsenal. Mata at United could therefore actually help Chelsea in their title hunt.

Mata:
he was the best Chelsea player in the last couple years and therefore it must be horrible for him to sit on the bench all the time. He knows that he goes into that United team immediately and will get lots of playing time, which he needs ahead of the World Cup. We all know Spain has a plethora of great offensive midfielders and sitting on the bench all the time is not an option for Mata if he plans to play a vital role in Brazil.

From Uniteds point of view it's still interesting. I can't imagine how they could get all of Rooney, van Persie and Mata into one working system, so maybe this deal is already a prelude to a Rooney transfer in the summer. If they can sell Rooney for top money and get someone like Reus (for Kagawa plus money), I'd be up for it for sure.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by devo22

From Uniteds point of view it's still interesting. I can't imagine how they could get all of Rooney, van Persie and Mata into one working system,

4-2-3-1. Play behind RvP with Rooney and Januzaj.
4-3-3 Straight up with Rooney and RvP

Besides, the way injuries are going that won't be a problem.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Bagor

4-2-3-1. Play behind RvP with Rooney and Januzaj.
4-3-3 Straight up with Rooney and RvP

Besides, the way injuries are going that won't be a problem.

The problem with that is that it pushes Mata out wide, where he isn't nearly as good.

I think Mata is a brilliant footballer, but I don't think it really solves United's issues. If they can continue to add players on top of the 40 million they are paying for Mata then it may be a great move, but if that is most of their budget then I don't think it's money well spent. Especially since United already have big money signings in Kagawa and Fellaini who have both played their best football in Mata's best position, but Moyes can't seem to get the best out of them.

[Lego Man]

As a Chelsea fan, it's sad to see this happen to such a quality player (this whole season for Mata has been weird to witness)... however at this point you have to trust what Mourinho planning to build and you can't exactly argue with results.

I don't know how I feel about Rooney coming back the other way... but it would sure make all other strikers expendable.

Too bad Lewandowski has a hard on for Bayern... I think he would fit perfectly into this team.