2016/2017 THE Premier League Thread

[GirlySports]

friday soccer??... what the....

[The Big Chill]

Great result! Can't wait to watch it later

[Senator Clay Davis]

So who feels like a dunce for saying West Ham were going to finish 5th this season? This guy does. I don't think Bilic will be canned yet, but they have been a massive disappointment this year, defense has been a disgrace.

[White Out 403]

Bilic is a bad coach.

[Senator Clay Davis]

City have been so pleasing to watch the last few weeks, even without Aguero. De Bruyne has looked like the best non-Messi/Ronaldo player in the world, he does everything at a high level and has a wonderful football IQ. They did start 5-0-0 last year, but their depth this year is much better.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

So who feels like a dunce for saying West Ham were going to finish 5th this season? This guy does. I don't think Bilic will be canned yet, but they have been a massive disappointment this year, defense has been a disgrace.

I don't agree that they're disappointing at all! One of the most entertaining things you can do these days is have a read through KUMB. Whether its the game thread from today or the state of the stadium its extremely entertaining.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

City have been so pleasing to watch the last few weeks, even without Aguero. De Bruyne has looked like the best non-Messi/Ronaldo player in the world, he does everything at a high level and has a wonderful football IQ. They did start 5-0-0 last year, but their depth this year is much better.

Tough stretch of games coming up

[devo22]

United very poor once again. Frustrating.

[St. Pats]

Different manager / new players / same garbage /going to be a long year again watching junk performances like that

[White Out 403]

wasn't expecting to see that result from united after their first couple games. not that im complaining.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

Different manager / new players / same garbage /going to be a long year again watching junk performances like that

Don't know. Mourinho isn't as stubborn and set in his ways as cloghead.

The question is will he just bench Rooney? You cannot continue to try and build this team to compete at the highest level around a player that can no longer compete at the highest level.

Other thing too was that De Gea/Smalling clash. I'm going to give De Gea the benefit of the doubt and assume he called for the ball. If not, that is on him. If so, it's on Smalling.

What was worrying afterwards was his reaction. A shrug and walked away. If that had been Schmeichel or say Khan you can be guaranteed they'd have roared for the ball, then gone right through them, and then ripped the CB a new one afterwards for not getting out of the way. They ruled their area. De Gea imo, in that area is a tad too passive.

Not a coaching problem, something the players need to take control of and sort out among themselves.

[devo22]

Stoke has been brutal so far this season. Hughes might be in trouble.

[Slava]

Rough one for Spurs today. Yeah, 1-0 and still undefeated is nice, but Dembele, Dier and Kane all left dinged up. I think that Dembele and Dier just had tweaks, but Kane could be worse. There are worries that he damaged his ankle ligaments.

Not good news, obviously. Vincent Janssen looks alright coming on as a sub here and there, but hasn't exactly lit the world on fire at Tottenham thus far. It's going to be interesting how things go while Kane is out. I suppose that Adebayor is out there for a free signing though!

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I'd like to say 3, with that win over Leicester. I can absolutely see a cultural difference between this club and the Moyes/Van Gaal ones. That confidence is back.

...

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by rubecube

...

haha, sigh. i get it, it was early--- but still I think they can return to that confidence. Still haven't had a chance to watch the game out, as I was playing in the Cochrane tourney.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Mourinho is destined to follow Moyes and Van Gaal out the door if he doesn't drop Rooney, and leaving him out of Europa League is not dropping him. Can he actually do it? I'm skeptical, but by the time he does it may already be too late. I'm sure it's part of why United fans badly wanted Guardiola, because he's ruthless and would drop Rooney without hesitation.

[devo22]

Since the media is FINALLY starting to call out Rooney for his pathetic performances, it's pretty much now or never.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Mourinho is destined to follow Moyes and Van Gaal out the door if he doesn't drop Rooney, and leaving him out of Europa League is not dropping him. Can he actually do it? I'm skeptical, but by the time he does it may already be too late. I'm sure it's part of why United fans badly wanted Guardiola, because he's ruthless and would drop Rooney without hesitation.

Rooney is basically Beckham at this point. He doesn't run (well), but is capable of sheer brilliance with a pass or shot. The problem is you could sometimes hide Beckham on the wing, and deal with no defense over there. Rooney has to play behind Ibra, who is also unbelievably slow. It is waaaayyy too early to panic, but something does need to change.

I'm not sure any United fan ever had any misgivings about getting Pep. He's been City bound since he left Barca.

[Senator Clay Davis]

See Pep knows how to react to English media overhype

https://vine.co/v/5nbJOHIvWv2

[devo22]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Rooney has to play behind Ibra, who is also unbelievably slow.

something that has really surprised me is how deep Ibra likes to drop. He's the better Rooney ... if you pair him with Rashford up front and support them from the wings, things would look pretty good IMO. But Ibra+Rooney simply doesn't work because they're operating in the same areas. I believe van Persie lamented the same in the Moyes season.