2015/2016 Barclays Premier League Thread

[d_phaneuf]

Spurs would be a cockerel

since a cannon doesn't work they should have just put gunnersauras there

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by devo22

sure. He's an idiot who deserves to be punished. But he doesn't deserve to be locked away for 6 years when you compare it to other English celebrities. Rolf Harris was sentenced to 5 years and 9 months in 2014 for molesting children in 12 cases. Max Clifford was sentenced to 8 years for molesting children in 8 cases. Stuart Hall was sentenced to 5 years in 2013 for molesting children in 13 cases. All of these asshats molested children who were younger than 10 years. I don't see any consistency here and have no idea how Johnson can get the same or even worse punishment than those #######s. Does he deserve jail time? Of course. But 6 years is pretty crazy.

Nm. Misread what was posted.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Mightyfire89

What the hell is wrong with you?

What part of his analysis do you disagree with?

[Mightyfire89]

I misread that post. My bad.

[devo22]

best United news I've read all season

Luke Shaw is set to finally start first-team training at Manchester United next week as he bids to make an appearance before the end of the season.

Shaw expects to return within the next seven to ten days and is hopeful of playing some part for Louis van Gaal before the end of the campaign, as he steps up his recovery from a broken leg. The England defender has not played since September since suffering a double fracture of his right leg in the Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven but has made good progress in his rehabilitation at Carrington.

Roy Hodgson is keeping a close eye on Shaw's recovery, after suggesting he would be under consideration for Euro 2016 if he becomes available, but it is still thought unlikely at this stage that he will feature. United will give the 20-year-old a specially tailored fitness programme over the summer to ensure he is ready for the start of next season.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/...n-to-training/

[Locke]

I think thats just good news in general. I'm no England, United or even Shaw fan, but that kid got a raw deal and injuries on that level to talented players is a shame.

So good luck to him. I hope hes fit for the Euros.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by devo22

best United news I've read all season

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/...n-to-training/

Great news for Shaw, but United fans must cringe at the thought of Hodgson having access to him while still on the path to full fitness. It seems a certainty that if United release him to the England squad that Roy will play him 90 minutes every game until he picks up a muscle injury or two.

[devo22]

yeah. Too be honest I hope United throw a wrench into Hodgsons plans here, the key is clearly to guarantee Shaws longterm fitness. Even if he does recover quickly and gets to play some United games in late April or May, I definitely don't want him at the Euros. Better to take the whole summer to prepare for next season.

[d_phaneuf]

I hope he doesnt get called up for his health going forward, he needs a specific plan for the summer and it shouldnt include the Euro's

from an England perspective he's going to be the LB at the next 4 or 5 tournaments, no point to rush him now

[devo22]

Aston Villa have finally brought Rémi Garde’s disastrous reign as manager to an end by announcing the Frenchman has left his post by mutual consent.

Eric Black will take temporary charge of the team, with the club releasing the following statement on Tuesday night: “Rémi Garde has today left Aston Villa by mutual consent. The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Rémi for all his efforts during a difficult period and wish him well in the future.”

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...mutual-consent

looks like they'll try to bring in Nigel Pearson as replacement. Not that it matters - not even Guardiola could save them from relegation.

[Slava]

^ sure it was a disastrous 20 games, but it's not like things were going swimmingly with Sherwood in place. That team just isn't good enough.

[devo22]

exactly. Sherwood had 1 win in 11, Garde had 2 in 20. Simply shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic.

[devo22]

City are about to sign Marc Andre ter Stegen ... and keep Joe Hart. According to the Telegraph.

Manchester City are on the verge of clinching an agreement to sign Marc-André ter Stegen from Barcelona ahead of Liverpool.

Both City and Liverpool are understood to have made bids for Ter Stegen, but the 23-year-old favours teaming up with incoming manager Pep Guardiola in Manchester.

It is believed City will pay in the region of £20 million to land Ter Stegen and he will compete with Joe Hart for the number one spot next season, with Willy Caballero set to leave.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/...-marc-andre-t/

[d_phaneuf]

Pep likes to play from the back and with a keeper who will move up, Hart is a very good goalie but he's a statue in his own box and his distribution isn't great

[Senator Clay Davis]

Probably not true...well maybe the China part.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is demanding £600,000 a week to come to the Barclays Premier League.

The figures have been revealed to Sportsmail for the striker who will leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in the summer.

'We would like to sign him, but the money is crazy,' said a deal insider. 'We get that he would be a significant capture, but is he really worth that money — and at the age of 34?'

Ibrahimovic has also been talking to teams in China, where it is believed they have offered him £1million a week to be their poster boy, but he does not wish to move to the Far East.

Instead he has told English clubs to double the salary he earns in Paris, where he has taken the French champions to another title.

Ibrahimovic is keen to come to England but it would mean one club forking out the biggest wages ever paid in this country. He is believed to be unhappy with the tax demands in the UK.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz44Wgjpnw5

[Slava]

Insane. I had heard West Ham were in hot pursuit, but there's no way they could afford that kind of money, right?

[d_phaneuf]

lol what....

I bet Alli is counting the hours before his trip to Anfield on Saturday and the chance to go head-to-head with Jordan Henderson to prove who should be England’s main man in midfield.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/...ds-young-guns/

so much wrong with that Stevie, most importantly being that they play different positions

[cam_wmh]

why does Gerrard put himself on a pedestal for England? he was mediocre.
Slippy rarely sees the field, if Scholes:
a) was played where he should've been
b) hadn't retired

[Bagor]

I also think there is an issue of respect here. For the last 10 years Wayne has been entertaining England fans – he’s become our greatest goalscorer – and it was not that long ago there were questions about where the next Rooney was coming from. Well the real one is still here with plenty to offer. When talking about world class players at our disposal, he has been one of the shining lights for years. Now there are those who’d leave him out. Where is the loyalty to one of the greatest players, not just of our generation, but in English history? Why do so many people want to finish him? You wouldn’t get this abroad where the greatest servants are adored and urged to keep going as long as possible.

Is he seriously suggesting Rooney should go based on loyalty and sentiment? Because it sure as hell isn't based on current form or previous tournament form?

And shame on Aragones for dropping Raul for the 2008 Euros when he was then Spain's leading scorer. That one really backfired.

[Imported_Aussie]

Rooney should go, but I wouldn't have him starting. Kane and Vardy are both playing too well to leave out. Vardy can play well in a wide position too, whereas Rooney needs to be more central to be most effective.

This would be my starting XI

Hart
Clyne
Rose
Cahill
Smalling
Dier
Henderson
Alli
Vardy
Welbeck
Kane


Kane central, 2 wingers-cum-strikers, Alli in the hole, Dier and Henderson hold the central midfield, Clyne and Rose get forward.

Clyne vs Walker is close, but I think Clyne edges it for me as he is better defensively and someone has to cover for Cahill's lack of footspeed. In time, Stones takes Cahill's spot, but he hasn't looked ready, and opting for Jagielka instead is a like for like swap.