2014/15 Barclay's Premier League Thread

[Locke]

Didnt see that coming.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Locke

Didnt see that coming.

This United team desperately needs a holder. Blind is not him.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

This United team desperately needs a holder. Blind is not him.

Will Herrera's goal get him a real place in the side?

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Locke

Will Herrera's goal get him a real place in the side?

LVG still managing?


What a flattering score for him today.

[devo22]

wow, that was pathetic.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

wow, that was pathetic.

It was a 3-1 win, it was brilliant, they're working on LvG's extension as we speak.

[Bagor]

That Rooney penalty was weird.

I played it back frame by frame and there is zero contact feet to feet. Unsure as whether or not he clipped his heel with his hand but it looked like a flat out dive to me with zero contact.

What makes it weird is that the Preston keeper made absolutely no appeal or remonstrations about either the yellow or the penalty. Just accepted it.

The Herrera goal I suppose was technically correct in that Rooney wasn't technically interfering but you see the keeper with his eye on him and not commit to the dive until the ball goes past Rooney.

Good to see Falcao dragged off.

[d_phaneuf]

http://zippy.gfycat.com/HalfCrispArchaeopteryx.webm

[d_phaneuf]

Ashley must be working with the boys in training

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Bagor

What makes it weird is that the Preston keeper made absolutely no appeal or remonstrations about either the yellow or the penalty.

because in that situation it's just not important whether it's a dive or not. The keeper simply was too late, that's a penalty every time and it just doesn't matter whether there's a lot of contact or not. It's a penalty and a yellow, no doubt about it. Is it a dive? Yes. But in that case I'm not even furious because if he gets to his ankle, it could be pretty bad. (EDIT: actually, in replay it looks like a pretty bad dive, so ... I stand corrected ^^)

United were lucky ... the Herrera goal shouldn't have counted if you ask me. Rooney was offside and although he didn't touch the ball, you could easily claim that he had an influence on that goal. But the ref also helped PNE because there's no doubt in my mind that at least one of them should have been sent off. There were some really bad challenges on their part and at least the one guy should have got a second yellow.

Bad game, good result. As always. Herrera scored a goal and was one of the better players, that should staple him to the bench for a while. Meanwhile, Falcao was atrocious once again, so that will earn him a few more starts, I think.

[d_phaneuf]

Super Kev should have been off on that foul on Smalling I think it was

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by devo22

because in that situation it's just not important whether it's a dive or not. The keeper simply was too late, that's a penalty every time and it just doesn't matter whether there's a lot of contact or not

What I'm saying is I don't see where the contact is?

I'm assuming given the lack of appeal there is contact. I just can't see it. Is it with the foot or hand?

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Super Kev should have been off on that foul on Smalling I think it was

No kidding, he even looked ready to walk.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Super Kev should have been off on that foul on Smalling I think it was

he even had that guilty school boy look. Smalling sure jumped up fast to label that tackle a yellow, but PNE got pretty lucky.

[devo22]

great piece by Paul Parker. I agree 100 percent.

United's boss is a proven winner in the past, but he seems to believe that the key to that was a team structure which crushes the life out of player after player. They have structure, but no style. Angel Di Maria has been completely curbed, looking nothing like the player he was a few months ago. Talented, clever players like Juan Mata and Ander Herrera have been sidelined - and worse, seen the midfield spot they should be making their own handed to Wayne Rooney instead.

Rooney needs to be in the front line for United, not bludgeoning his way through the midfield - and that's what he's doing. It's all brute strength, as far away from the guile and finesse that Herrera or Mata could provide as it's possible to imagine.

That really says a lot about Van Gaal. He's made United a team that are tough to beat, sure. But that's it. That's your lot. There's no fear factor, no excitement. When even Preston are confident to go all-out at United, you realise how far they've fallen.

There was a time when opponents were terrorised by United. Even if they went ahead, they'd know what to expect: constant attacking, constant harrying, a fast, creative unit coming at them in high-tempo waves. The Red Devils were like a herd of elephants stampeding through trees until not a single one was left standing.

And now, they're nothing but a brutish, organised side who are difficult to break down. A team whose player of the season is David De Gea. The goalkeeper! For United's player of the season not to be a striker or a midfielder is almost shameful - clubs who stave off relegation are the ones whose heroes are keepers and centre-backs, not clubs making a run on the Champions League.

I'm not the only one thinking this way. Fans have been grumbling about the playing style, and even Tommy Docherty chipped in this week to question it. It makes me think back to the days of Dave Sexton, who got fired in 1981 despite United flying high in the league - simply because the board at the time couldn't accept the way the team played under him.

Van Gaal won't share Sexton's fate - and as long as United finish in the top four, he'll have at least until Christmas to continue trying to make things work.

I think the way their season has gone United will finish in the top four - they're riding their luck, and they've still got one or two exceptional players who can get them out of trouble. But it's beginning to feel like it'll happen despite Van Gaal, not because of him.

https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs...105409408.html

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

great piece by Paul Parker. I agree 100 percent.

https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs...105409408.html

Its funny because I'm pretty sure I said exactly the same thing when they hired him and it was attributed as being Liverpool's sour grapes.

I saw the guy coach Bayern, Real and Holland, his teams win in spite of him rather than because of him because they're good teams, he prefers organization to creativity and wants his players to be robots rather than people.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Locke

Its funny because I'm pretty sure I said exactly the same thing when they hired him and it was attributed as being Liverpool's sour grapes.

Maybe you did, but it wasn't on this forum.

Yeah, can't argue with that Parker piece. He is simply stating what the whole world is witnessing. The intimidation factor is non existant. ANY team believes now United are there for the taking.

Funny was talking about Tommy Doc with a Scots buddy today. Was too young to realise until today that he got fired for breach of contract (aka having a go with the Physio's wife). In charge of one of United's most important ever victories.

[devo22]

[Locke]

Well Liverpool have a tough matchup tomorrow and are unlikely to be able to take advantage.

At least Chelsea drew with Burnley.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

Well Liverpool have a tough matchup tomorrow and are unlikely to be able to take advantage.

At least Chelsea drew with Burnley.

Man City make up 2 points. Don't think anyone here likes Chelsea but that referee against Chelsea today was a disgrace.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Man City make up 2 points. Don't think anyone here likes Chelsea but that referee against Chelsea today was a disgrace.

I cant say, I didnt see it.