2015/2016 Barclays Premier League Thread - Page 57 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bagor · 01-30-2016, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addick

I caught the end of the Colchester v Spurs match and I like Colchester's ground. Not very pretty but a modern ground with traditional form yet no faux-historicism. The 10,00 strong were probably louder than the contingent at the Emirates...

Don't know about the new one but I was at Layer Road on a Wednesday night with a Col U friend back in around 2001ish on a trip down from Norwich to see them play Swindon. As real (human) as it gets with hot pies and an in ground bookmaker that handwrites your bet on biro at the back of a wooden shed.

As for the crowd. It's a bunch of Essex boys. You just got that sense that every one of them could buy and sell you.

Slava · 01-30-2016, 05:40 PM

I had hoped Spurs would seal the deal for Berahino this month. While it could happen, who knows what the value should be. He is cup tied...which I thought would decrease his value a couple weeks ago, and not playing PL at all. Then today he scores both WBA goals, so who knows. Rumour has it Spurs completed a deal for Moussa Dembele from Fulham today and he was completing a medical. Cue the "There are only two Mous(s)a Dembeles..." songs at WHL!

Senator Clay Davis · 01-31-2016, 11:41 AM

devo22 · 01-31-2016, 12:05 PM

Chelsea won't renew Terrys contract.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...t-Chelsea.html

cam_wmh · 01-31-2016, 11:15 PM

Well that's a darn shame

Senator Clay Davis · 02-01-2016, 07:13 AM

Pep to City is done.

Quote:

Club statement: 1 February 2016

Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalized contractual negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC Head Coach for the 2016/17 EPL season onwards.

The contract is for three years. These negotiations were a re-commencement of discussions that were curtailed in 2012.

Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the Club wishes to make its decision public to remove the unnecessary burden of speculation.

Manuel, who is fully supportive of the decision to make this communication, is entirely focused on achieving his targets for the season ahead and retains the respect and commitment of all involved with the leadership of the Club.

https://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-new...ary/1454330178

cam_wmh · 02-01-2016, 07:15 AM

####

Locke · 02-01-2016, 08:14 AM

No great surprise, probably the team most ready to compete and we all know that Pep isnt a builder.

I'm sure the dumptrucks full of cash helped too.

devo22 · 02-01-2016, 08:34 AM

shocker.

SuperMatt18 · 02-01-2016, 08:58 AM

Oh look the fantastic super coach Pep taking over another team that is in prime position to win and that has no financial constraints.

What a great coach

Locke · 02-01-2016, 09:16 AM

I think this is going to expose Pep really. Hes always coaching 'one of the best teams in the world' and you could say that they were among the best because he was coaching them but I think that would be disingenuous.

City might be the most ready to compete in England, but I dont think thats saying all that much.

Will he make them better? Yeah, probably but more due to his ability to attract top players more than anything else.

Bagor · 02-01-2016, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

No great surprise, probably the team most ready to compete and we all know that Pep isnt a builder.

Can you explain how he didn't have a major hand in building his Barcelona team? And you are aware that city is the oldest team in the PL?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Will he make them better? Yeah, probably but more due to his ability to attract top players more than anything else.

This is a pathetic attempt to cover your arse. So if he fails he's been exposed as a fraud and you are so right and if he succeeds, it's all down to the talent available. Sure...

devo22 · 02-01-2016, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bagor

Can you explain how he didn't have a major hand in building his Barcelona team? And you are aware that city is the oldest team in the PL?

this is the team which lost to Man United in the CL semifinals in 2008 and which Guardiola then effectively inherited from Rijkard:

Valdes in goal
Puyol, Milito, Abidal, Marquez, Sylvinho and Zambrotta in defense
Iniesta, Xavi, Yaya Toure, Ronaldinho and Deco in midfield
Messi, Eto'o, Henry and Bojan in attack

yeah, what a terrible team, that really needed A LOT of rebuilding

in all seriousness, this has become Guardiolas MO. He took over Bayern right after they won the treble with Heynckes, now he again chooses the team where he has the least work ahead of him. I can't hold that against him, it's understandable really. But let's not pretend Guardiola is a team builder because he really isn't.

Locke · 02-01-2016, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bagor

Can you explain how he didn't have a major hand in building his Barcelona team? And you are aware that city is the oldest team in the PL?

This is a pathetic attempt to cover your arse. So if he fails he's been exposed as a fraud and you are so right and if he succeeds, it's all down to the talent available. Sure...

I sense a tad bit of hostility, and cover my ass? From what? Him succeeding? City were going to do well with or without him my ass requires no cover there. They're currently second without Pep, however could they manage without him?

Its no secret that I've personally never been convinced that Pep is God's gift to coaching.

At Barca he was gifted with a solid core group that were already there as well as another group coming up from the youth team that he'd already been working with and its not like he was taking on some poor team with no money or decent players that was fighting a relegation battle, they came in 3rd.

Ditto for Bayern and now ditto again for City.

He takes on teams that have no financial constraints, and established core and are already doing well and goes from there.

He isnt there to build a dynasty and he isnt in it for the long haul. Hes expressly said as much.

Slava · 02-01-2016, 01:41 PM

I know this is a little off-topic given that its deadline day, but there aren't really any deals at this point. I should note that deal I posted earlier (Dembele #2 to Spurs) went off the rails because Spurs didn't want to loan him back.

Anyway, this was posted in a Spurs forum about Arsenals insane luck in the FA Cup draws:

Arsenal:-
2015/2016
Sunderland -H-
Burnley -H-
Hull City -H-

2014/2015
Hull -H-
Brighton -A-
Boro-H-
Utd -A-
Reading -Wembley-
Villa -Wembley-

2013/3014 (Didn't leave London once)
Spurs -H-
Coventry -H-
Liverpool -H-
Everton -H-
Wigan -Wembley-
Hull -Wembley-

Not many big games there, and this year they've played no one to get this far.

devo22 · 02-01-2016, 01:43 PM

don't see a problem there. If you beat Spurs, Liverpool and Everton like they did in 2013-14, you deserve the title. Last year was obviously easier with just one "big" game (at OT), but oh well

Slava · 02-01-2016, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devo22

don't see a problem there. If you beat Spurs, Liverpool and Everton like they did in 2013-14, you deserve the title. Last year was obviously easier with just one "big" game (at OT), but oh well

Yeah I look at that year and think it was fine, personally, but the run in between and this year is crazy. Pretty insane that since that game against Everton in 2013-14 though they've only had one difficult game. Meanwhile this round you have Spurs/Palace and Chelsea/City, and that follows a number of other PL teams playing quality PL teams.

I know its luck of the draw, but that is quite a run they've had.

Arsenal14 · 02-01-2016, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

Anyway, this was posted in a Spurs forum about Arsenals insane luck in the FA Cup draws:

... (list snipped)...

Not many big games there, and this year they've played no one to get this far.

Well, if the other top teams would make it farther in the Cup we'd play them instead of teams like Hull or Villa in the Finals! Besides, we make up for it in Champions League where we keep getting Barcelona and Bayern

Slava · 02-01-2016, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arsenal14

Well, if the other top teams would make it farther in the Cup we'd play them instead of teams like Hull or Villa in the Finals! Besides, we make up for it in Champions League where we keep getting Barcelona and Bayern

You're totally right. Although it is the Emirates FA Cup

Bagor · 02-01-2016, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devo22

this is the team which lost to Man United in the CL semifinals in 2008 and which Guardiola then effectively inherited from Rijkard:

Valdes in goal
Puyol, Milito, Abidal, Marquez, Sylvinho and Zambrotta in defense
Iniesta, Xavi, Yaya Toure, Ronaldinho and Deco in midfield
Messi, Eto'o, Henry and Bojan in attack

yeah, what a terrible team, that really needed A LOT of rebuilding

You're making my point for me.

Which is. He took an unsuccessful team that had won sweet fata all and turned them into a dynasty. And, just for fun he got rid of Deco and Ronaldinho (and more) in the process.

Lucky Pep, inheriting that bunch of winners.

Let me ask you this. Are you suggesting that Barca would have gone from a trophy less season to a first ever Spanish treble regardless of who was in charge? It's as simple as that.