2013/2014 English Premier League Thread

[Locke]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

This guy was still playing??

The only thing I remembered about Rivaldo was his "brain hemmerage" incident during the 2002 World Cup.

I was thinking the same thing. Its an interesting article though, I learned a lot more about him. I always thought he was an arrogant, diving jerk but there was a lot more to him than that.

[Locke]

Wow. The FA is rather cheesed with Anelka...

The Football Association has asked FIFA to impose a worldwide ban on former West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka after he was found guilty of making an offensive gesture.

Anelka was banned for five games and fined £80,000 by the FA for performing the 'quenelle' gesture after scoring for Albion against West Ham in December.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...nicolas-anelka

Tigers or City?

The Football Association has confirmed that its Membership Committee has made a unanimous recommendation to the FA Council to reject Hull City's request to change their playing name to Hull Tigers from next season.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...to-hull-tigers

[d_phaneuf]

good for the FA on both counts

wish they had done the same for Cardiff when Tan changed their colours to Red

Hull are 110 years old, you don't change their name and lose that history

[Locke]

All is not united in United land.

Key Manchester United boardroom figures have now turned against David Moyes, as the prospect of the manager getting sacked has been properly raised for the first time, club sources have told ESPN FC.

Old Trafford sources also state it has been noted that Sir Alex Ferguson is no longer so vocally backing Moyes at boardroom level, although the former manager is not said to have turned against his replacement. It is also believed Moyes retains the backing of Sir Bobby Charlton.

Despite the poverty of recent performances, sources state that one of the most influential factors now has been financial concerns. A number of recently signed-up sponsors and commercial partners have reportedly let it be known to the club that they are less than enthused with now being linked to failure, especially since they specifically came on board because of the reputation for extreme success.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/17...anager?cc=5901

Ryan Giggs is not enthused to be working with Moyes. I dont want to post the whole article, but there are claims of a bust-up between Giggs and Moyes but they deny it.

United fanzine Red Issue claimed Giggs fell out with the under-fire manager over training methods, saying they did not fit with the club's attacking ethos.

Red Issue claimed Giggs had not attended a recent coaching meeting, saying it was “pointless, as Moyes doesn't listen.” It also said Giggs stormed out of a training session last week in frustration, quoting Giggs as saying: “Two hours of defensive practice? This is Manchester United for f--- sake.”

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/17...n-says?cc=5901

[devo22]

Good. It's a good sign that Ferguson's trust in Moyes seems to vanish. No way they fire him without Fergie being omay with it.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

Good. It's a good sign that Ferguson's trust in Moyes seems to vanish. No way they fire him without Fergie being omay with it.

I dont know what Ferguson saw in Moyes in the first place other than the fact that Everton never fired him.

[Addick]

Like father, like son.

Originally Posted by The Mirror

Footballer John Terry's Dad Head-Butted Man Outside Pub And Called Him A "F****** P***" Jury Is Told
17 March 2013
The Mirror
Anthony Bond

Ted Terry, 59, allegedly attacked railway worker Amarjit Talafair on March 22 last year after several hours drinking in the City of London.

Former England captain John Terry's father drunkenly head-butted a man outside a pub and called him a "f****** P***" in a dispute over a cigarette, a jury has heard.

Ted Terry, 59, allegedly attacked railway worker Amarjit Talafair on March 22 last year after several hours drinking in the City of London.

The Old Bailey heard that Terry was with co-defendants Stephen Niland, 36, and Tudor Musteata, 47, when someone asked Mr Talafair and his friend Scott Faal for a cigarette outside The Windsor pub.

When the complainant and his friend said they did not have cigarettes, they were followed and Terry allegedly shouted "F****** Paki, come here" before head-butting him beneath the nose.

Complete Article

[devo22]

I think it's easy for people to pile on Moyes now that it's pretty clear that he's not up for the job. But only a year ago, he was highly respected for what he achieved with Everton. Many - MANY! - fans wanted Moyes (me included), since he had proved to be able to work long-term and achieve a lot when you consider Evertons lack of financial muscle. But now it's become obvious that the United gig was too big of a challenge for him ... I feel he lacks knowledge of modern football. Always felt Evertons style under him was due to missing real quality and creativity in his squad, but now it's quite obvious that he really just hasn't adapted to modern football and is still stuck in the old days. Also numerous complaints about his training ... should've never fired Meulensteen.

In short, Moyes needs to go. And that's coming from a guy that can be VERY patient ... but I don't even see a flicker of progress.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

I think it's easy for people to pile on Moyes now that it's pretty clear that he's not up for the job. But only a year ago, he was highly respected for what he achieved with Everton. Many - MANY! - fans wanted Moyes (me included), since he had proved to be able to work long-term and achieve a lot when you consider Evertons lack of financial muscle. But now it's become obvious that the United gig was too big of a challenge for him ... I feel he lacks knowledge of modern football. Always felt Evertons style under him was due to missing real quality and creativity in his squad, but now it's quite obvious that he really just hasn't adapted to modern football and is still stuck in the old days. Also numerous complaints about his training ... should've never fired Meulensteen.

In short, Moyes needs to go. And that's coming from a guy that can be VERY patient ... but I don't even see a flicker of progress.

Its always going to be tough when you change managers when looking for a long-term solution. I was very vocally against Brendan Rodgers when they initially hired him too, but obviously I have to eat some crow on that one.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Locke

Its always going to be tough when you change managers when looking for a long-term solution. I was very vocally against Brendan Rodgers when they initially hired him too, but obviously I have to eat some crow on that one.

yeah but with Rodgers you could see a plan ... a vision going forward. Obviously that takes time and you have to patient, but eventually you'll get the rewards. Another example is Red Bull Salzburg here in Austria: they hired a German coach last year, Roger Schmidt. There were horrible growing pains, including crashing out vs powerhouse Dudelingen (from Luxemburg I believe ...) in the CL qualifier, but Schmidt sticked to his plan. One year later they absolutely crushed Ajax in the EL (3-0 and 3-1), dominated Bayern in a 3-0 test win and after a 0-0 on the road vs Basel they now have a good chance of reaching the EL quarterfinal, which is huge for Austrian football. You should catch a game of them if you can, they are playing like Dortmund style-wise.

If I could see any progress like this under Moyes, I'd be patient. But even with all that attacking quality in the squad, it's horrible to watch and I feel this is a coaching issue for the most part (although a quality CM or two would help, obviously ...)

Gesendet von meinem GT-S5300 mit Tapatalk 2

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

yeah but with Rodgers you could see a plan ... a vision going forward. Obviously that takes time and you have to patient, but eventually you'll get the rewards. Another example is Red Bull Salzburg here in Austria: they hired a German coach last year, Roger Schmidt. There were horrible growing pains, including crashing out vs powerhouse Dudelingen (from Luxemburg I believe ...) in the CL qualifier, but Schmidt sticked to his plan. One year later they absolutely crushed Ajax in the EL (3-0 and 3-1), dominated Bayern in a 3-0 test win and after a 0-0 on the road vs Basel they now have a good chance of reaching the EL quarterfinal, which is huge for Austrian football. You should catch a game of them if you can, they are playing like Dortmund style-wise.

If I could see any progress like this under Moyes, I'd be patient. But even with all that attacking quality in the squad, it's horrible to watch and I feel this is a coaching issue for the most part (although a quality CM or two would help, obviously ...)

Gesendet von meinem GT-S5300 mit Tapatalk 2

I'm quoting this largely because of the 'Posted by Tapatalk' in German is awesome.

I've also heard that Red Bull Salzburg are the most loathed team in Europe?

There were always going to be problems with United's transition, I just think that David Moyes was a monumentally poor decision.

[cam_wmh]

I think Scholes or Giggs will have to manage in the interim.
Muelenstein should definitely be brought back, but I feel Fergie has to own a piece too.

Klopp, Van Gaal, Laudrupp, Cantona...

Speaking of wild cards getting manager jobs, AVB was hired today.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I think Scholes or Giggs will have to manage in the interim.
Muelenstein should definitely be brought back, but I feel Fergie has to own a piece too.

Klopp, Van Gaal, Laudrupp, Cantona...

Speaking of wild cards getting manager jobs, AVB was hired today.

And that makes more sense to me. United had good players, maybe not as great as they may have thought or wanted, but transitioning the club to a United Alumni (not named Steve Bruce) was the logical step.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Locke

And that makes more sense to me. United had good players, maybe not as great as they may have thought or wanted, but transitioning the club to a United Alumni (not named Steve Bruce) was the logical step.

Oh forgot, bring back Carlos Quieroz. He was a mastermind behind the 08 team.

Moyes stepped in, and was part of some pretty drastic management changes in addition to himself. Bring back some stability.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont know what Ferguson saw in Moyes in the first place other than the fact that Everton never fired him.

I think maybe Ferguson assumed that Moyes simply was a tactical genius, and only employed a typical mid-table British manager style because Everton are a mid-table team. At that style, there was really none better than him it seems. Maybe he thought that Moyes would adjust accordingly to managing a big club and employ tactics fitting of such a team. Hilariously, he has not done that, and the worst fears of Man United fans have been realized; David Moyes has, in just 8 months, transformed United into what Everton had been the entire time under his tenure. They have the exact same record as Everton 29 games in last year, the same goals for, and 1 less goal against. Moyes might see it as an improvement but...

The best part (for me, but I'm loving this) is that Moyes almost certainly believes that he is simply unlucky rather than incompetent or at least in way over his head. He probably thinks that his hard work resulted in him getting his dream job, and now he's being punished for something that's not even his fault. If he thought that the tactics simply don't work at that level, he would have made adjustments by now. He hasn't though. Unfortunately for United fans, the only thing that can be done is ridding your club of him ASAP (if they can afford to financially). They are going to get worse instead of better under "David Moyes: Tactical genius". Liverpool wouldn't be where they are if they had hung onto Roy Hodgson (hell, they might have even been relegated!!!). Us Liverpool fans joked about Moyes being like your Hodgson. Now, it has been months since we've even seen that as a joke. The resemblance is uncanny! They both have absolutely 0 ability for taking ANY blame for mistakes they make. If they can't do it publicly, that's only a slight problem as it might display an arrogant image. If they can't do it privately though, especially to themselves, it means they will just stay the course. Surely no Man United fan wants that.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Nuje

Surely no Man United fan wants that.

true. Actually the fans have been on the "fire Moyes" train for quite a while already. There's a poll at RedCafe asking if Moyes should stay or be sacked. Nearly 92 % want him gone. Plus it's telling how many players have been reported to be highly critical. I think he doesn't have a long leash anymore. If they crash out tomorrow vs the Greeks, it could all be over soon.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Locke

I've also heard that Red Bull Salzburg are the most loathed team in Europe?

I wouldn't go that far, but yeah, a lot of people hate them because Mateschitz gave them the Cardiff treatment when Red Bull took over - they changed the team colours and everything. People here in Salzburg are pretty torn on this. There's the group that thinks that Red Bull stole their team and their tradition, and there's the group that doesn't care that much because the club wouldn't have survived financially if not for Red Bull. There's some interesting dynamics involved ... the first group founded a new club (much like some Manchester United fans did when Glazer took over) with the original colours. They started in 7th league I think and are now close to get to the 2nd level. The problem with that club is that they are quite hostile and violent ... there have been a couple clubs that called off their home games vs them and accepted an automatic 3:0 loss because they didn't want the away fans to come and riot.

I'm more in the second group ... hate that they changed the colours, but at the end of the day, the club would have been dead. Thanks to Red Bull taking over, I have seen live matches against Bayern (twice), Arsenal, Schalke (all test matches), Manchester City, Juventus, Valencia, Lazio and Ajax (all Euro League), just to name a few. You don't normally see those clubs here in Austria, so I'll gladly take that.

Sorry for off-topic

[d_phaneuf]

I think Moyes gets another year

but Klopp would be the interesting name, especially if they do end up bring in Kroos + Gundogan + ______ this summer

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I think Moyes gets another year

but Klopp would be the interesting name, especially if they do end up bring in Kroos + Gundogan + ______ this summer

My question is what makes United fans think that Klopp would want to take the job? I suppose he may be tired of losing his top players (which he is somewhat responsible for their high level of play) to Bayern and other places. However you would figure that with this success Klopp basically has full say in everything that happens that's football related (unless there is a large financial limitation). At Old Trafford, there is virtually no way that he would be afforded the same freedom, especially with Ferguson still on the board.

On a similar note, would Kroos and Gundogan be willing to go to a club who aren't playing champions league football? There are a high number of champions league clubs who could very much benefit from adding those players, so they certainly wouldn't feel like Manchester United are the best choice in that situation.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I think Moyes gets another year

but Klopp would be the interesting name, especially if they do end up bring in Kroos + Gundogan + ______ this summer

Hummels. Hummels is the one you're missing.