Premier League 2022 - 23

[thegoat]

Funnily enough I said this yesterday. You could pick a ‘second’ eleven that would be an incredible team.

You really can’t .
The drop off on Saturday when the four substitutions were made was apparent. Pep knows this and will have to continue picking his best 11 to win the games early and then take the bigger names off . The FA Cup semi is the only match where City won’t start their strongest team .

[ryanb741]

If City win the league they'll do so by not many points. One can argue that with Haaland in the side this is City's greatest ever side (although they weren't firing on all cylinders earlier in the season). For sure if a young again Silva and Kompany was in the squad there wouldnt be any discussion. Regardless, this is a top class outfit that Arsenal are competing against and Arsenal have achieved their primary objective of CL football already.

Arsenal are not playing at the same level as City are now, but they were earlier in the season. Team performances go up and down and if a 'blip' is taking a point at Anfield (where City lost earlier this season) then I'll take that all day long.

The draw at West Ham wasn't great but West Ham are fighting for their lives, have lost only 1 of their last 8 games and these things happen. It is hard to predict the results - that's what's great about the Premier League. Both Arsenal and City have the title in their control and the draw at West Ham doesn't change much - Arsenal still need to avoid defeat at the Etihad regardless. And those people who think City will steamroller everyone - well they have to go to Brighton, Brentford etc. Not easy. And yes they beat Bayern but could have been behind several times and if Leicester had their shooting boots on they could have salvaged an unlikely draw on Saturday. City's title to lose. Arsenal's title also to lose. Let's see.

[bparker170]

I remember the ‘89 title race - Arsenal cruising with two on paper easy home games left - but lost to Derby and drew with Wimbledon in the space of 5 days- it meant we had to go to Liverpool and win by 2 clear goals - I remember the queue for Liverpool away tickets after the Wimbledon game and I said to my mate are we going to Anfield then? We both agreed it needed a miracle and we didn’t go…
So, moral is, never give up hope Gooners !

[Bluemoon7]

City’s 2nd team would have a good chance of winning the league, so playing Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday until the end of the season wouldn’t affect them much.

That’s a fallacy perpetuated by a lazy media and other clubs. Apparently we have a huge squad with world class players in every position. Our success isn’t down to great recruitment and coaching. We just buy success.

How many of our players, that hadn’t played in the premier league previously, did people really know about? I am sure that everyone had heard of Akanji, Dias, Laporte, Gomez, Perrone, Alvarez, and those other superstar kids that pad out our squad that are household names - Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand, Palmer. They just trip off the tongue and are instantly recognisable. We currently have a squad of 25 that includes three keepers, one of whom is almost 40 and three kids that have come through the academy. Not counting of course Phil F who many forget has been playing in the first team since he was 17.

If anyone really wants a laugh dig out the clip of Thompson and Merson on sky sports speaking about Kev De Bruyne when we bought him. That flop that failed at Chelsea. Nobody would touch Gundogan when we bought him because of his appalling injuries. Nathan Aka was a wasted of space when we bought him apparently. Possibly our best player this season but criminally overlooked. Jack Grealish a flop. John stones overrated. Kelvin Phillips a waste of space. Rodri who? We’re the cries when we bought him. Now probably the best pivot / holding midfielder in Europe. At some point the club may get some credit for good recruitment. Pep may get a bit of credit for being a half decent coach. Largest squad, not by a million miles…. World class players in every position, judge for yourselves…… highest wage bill, er…. Not even close.

[j17ykp]

The issue for me which they will need to overcome is to be utterly ruthless.

The recent city and Liverpool teams have been unrelenting in seeking out goals etc.

They wouldn’t of eased off after 20mins and being 2-0 up

[cyrusir]

That’s a fallacy perpetuated by a lazy media and other clubs. Apparently we have a huge squad with world class players in every position. Our success isn’t down to great recruitment and coaching. We just buy success.

How many of our players, that hadn’t played in the premier league previously, did people really know about? I am sure that everyone had heard of Akanji, Dias, Laporte, Gomez, Perrone, Alvarez, and those other superstar kids that pad out our squad that are household names - Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand, Palmer. They just trip off the tongue and are instantly recognisable. We currently have a squad of 25 that includes three keepers, one of whom is almost 40 and three kids that have come through the academy. Not counting of course Phil F who many forget has been playing in the first team since he was 17.

If anyone really wants a laugh dig out the clip of Thompson and Merson on sky sports speaking about Kev De Bruyne when we bought him. That flop that failed at Chelsea. Nobody would touch Gundogan when we bought him because of his appalling injuries. Nathan Aka was a wasted of space when we bought him apparently. Possibly our best player this season but criminally overlooked. Jack Grealish a flop. John stones overrated. Kelvin Phillips a waste of space. Rodri who? We’re the cries when we bought him. Now probably the best pivot / holding midfielder in Europe. At some point the club may get some credit for good recruitment. Pep may get a bit of credit for being a half decent coach. Largest squad, not by a million miles…. World class players in every position, judge for yourselves…… highest wage bill, er…. Not even close.

No doubt Pep is the best coach in the world, and the transfers have been pretty good as well, chelsea have a bigger squad of first team players but id put city as having the next strongest bench strength. The reason you are accused of buying success is because you have, the managers havent come cheap, nor have the players, and thats reflected here:

https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/...rs-in-10-years

What city have done however is been smarter about it than some of the other teams that have spent nearly as much and they deserve credit for that.

[MakeColdplayHistory]

https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/...rs-in-10-years

Everton... 8th highest net spend in Europe and on the brink of relegation. I fear for them if they do go down.

[David_D]

Are hand ball decisions made with the toss of a coin?! Maguire yesterday and TAA tonight. I thought the rule had been simplified to remove subjectivity. Apparently not!

[cyrusir]

Are hand ball decisions made with the toss of a coin?! Maguire yesterday and TAA tonight. I thought the rule had been simplified to remove subjectivity. Apparently not!

I have to say I thought that would be disallowed

[learningtofly]

I have to say I thought that would be disallowed

Me too. I’m completely mystified as to how that clumsy oaf Maguire got away with it yesterday, too.

[Ivan Drago]

It’s handball to me too and I’m a red.


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[Boss13]

Hand ball all day long.
I think I heard in commentary they said it’s too far back in time before the goal was scored.
How can it be? I have no idea!

[Middo]

If VAR was a car if would have been back to the dealers for a full refund long ago.

[David_D]

Hand ball all day long.
I think I heard in commentary they said it’s too far back in time before the goal was scored.
How can it be? I have no idea!

Heard that but what does that even mean? It was a key part of the build up to the goal!

[TaketheCannoli]

Because it’s Nited and Bin Dippers innit.

Are hand ball decisions made with the toss of a coin?! Maguire yesterday and TAA tonight. I thought the rule had been simplified to remove subjectivity. Apparently not!

[zippy]

I see Man City have been given approval for an extra 7000 seats and a hotel at the Emptyhad, I'm sure the local schools and societies will be delighted at the prospect of receiving even more free tickets in an attempt to fill the stadium.

[thegoat]

I see Man City have been given approval for an extra 7000 seats and a hotel at the Emptyhad, I'm sure the local schools and societies will be delighted at the prospect of receiving even more free tickets in an attempt to fill the stadium.

Oh , how we guffawed at the originality .
Maybe we could fill the empty seats with trophies .

[Space Traveller]

It was a definite handball in the Leeds Liverpool game. It would be a disgrace if it wasn’t against Leeds, but as it was, it’s hilarious.

[zippy]

Oh , how we guffawed at the originality .
Maybe we could fill the empty seats with trophies .

Well one things for certain, the European Cup won't have the opportunity to sit in the numerous empty seats.

[TaketheCannoli]

🤣🤣

Oh , how we guffawed at the originality .
Maybe we could fill the empty seats with trophies .

[Gareth-W]

Me too. I’m completely mystified as to how that clumsy oaf Maguire got away with it yesterday, too.

I'm always amazed how he steals a wage even sitting on the bench. Total liability of a player that United need to get shot off (for any bid whatsover!)

[learningtofly]

I'm always amazed how he steals a wage even sitting on the bench. Total liability of a player that United need to get shot off (for any bid whatsover!)

Check out his "reels" on YouTube. Hysterical.

[Gareth-W]

Check out his "reels" on YouTube. Hysterical.

Indeed, a total plank!

My own favourite;

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RlFXWcfbH48

[TaketheCannoli]

£220k a week apparently.

I'm always amazed how he steals a wage even sitting on the bench. Total liability of a player that United need to get shot off (for any bid whatsover!)

[Chewitt13]

Whilst we all laugh at McGuire, he will do well in a team that defends deep.

He was good for united when we were a counter attacking team, he only became poor when he was asked to defend the halfway line

That's why he is still good for England

When he is sold in the summer, betcha Newcastle and Tottenham are in the bidding for him

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[TaketheCannoli]

To be honest I said we should consider this a few months ago and was laughed at by my F&F. He didn’t become a bad player overnight. You’re absolutely right in what you say.

Whilst we all laugh at McGuire, he will do well in a team that defends deep.

He was good for united when we were a counter attacking team, he only became poor when he was asked to defend the halfway line

That's why he is still good for England

When he is sold in the summer, betcha Newcastle and Tottenham are in the bidding for him

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[R0bertb00th]

Maguire is a scapegoat

It’s not his fault the club paid £80m
And gave him the armband - he’s always turned out for Utd and faced the media which I admire

Yes he’s not a patch on Martinez or varane but is that his fault???


Agree with the other comments he walks into most teams in the top half if not top 4

And those who say stealing a wage ?
- Phil Jones aka the new Duncan Edwards


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[zelig]

Agree with the other comments he walks into most teams in the top half if not top 4

That’s nonsense. No way he’d get in Arsenal, Man City or Newcastle back 4.

He’s slow to turn, lacks pace when he does & his situational awareness is way below what you’d expect of a premier league centre back.

Granted, he’s playing in a (high line) system that he’s not equipped to deal with. Maybe that’s why he flourished at Leicester where they had little possession, sat in & hit on the counter.

But many teams play a high line now. If he cannot adapt he should move to a team that defends deep?

z

[xxnick1975]

That’s nonsense. No way he’d get in Arsenal, Man City or Newcastle back 4.

He’s slow to turn, lacks pace when he does & his situational awareness is way below what you’d expect of a premier league centre back.

Granted, he’s playing in a (high line) system that he’s not equipped to deal with. Maybe that’s why he flourished at Leicester where they had little possession, sat in & hit on the counter.

But many teams play a high line now. If he cannot adapt he should move to a team that defends deep?

z

Rob said top half, excluding top 4 so....

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[ryanb741]

To be fair Maguire would get in the Chelsea team. As a number 9.....

[zelig]

Rob said top half, excluding top 4 so....

I’’d put that in my top 10, if not top 3 misinterpretations…
So…

z

[Gareth-W]

To be fair Maguire would get in the Chelsea team. As a number 9.....

Bingo!

And just about the only club daft enough to sign him…….

[BillyCasper]

Bingo!

And just about the only club daft enough to sign him…….

Maguire is identified as being a LCB. Interestingly EtH is absolutely adamant that he is not and he will only play HM as a RCB and prefer Shaw at LCB.

I reckon Maguire will end up at somewhere like Villa or Newcastle or even Italy and maybe undergo a Smallingesque renaissance.


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[thegoat]

Someone needs to give Steve Bruce a job quickly .
He would take all Uniteds cast offs before you could say dodgy brown envelopes

[TaketheCannoli]

Brucie isn't savvy enough for the brown envelope approach, he'd take the players but would overpay massively for them! When he was at Hull they were in relegation trouble and had all but one CB out injured. He asked Fergie if he could borrow a CB for the rest of the season but as they were skint he didn't want to pay their wages. Fergie wasn't having that. He did lend him a CB (can't remember who it was - David May maybe?) but Hull had to pay his wages.

First game in, CB did him hamstring and was out for the season. Brucie asked Fergie if he would take him back as they could barely afford to pay his wages anyway never mind when he's not even playing. Fergie's response? Foxtrot Oscar.

Someone needs to give Steve Bruce a job quickly .
He would take all Uniteds cast offs before you could say dodgy brown envelopes

[demonloop]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65308511

Manchester City have submitted a planning application for a £300m expansion of Etihad Stadium.

The club want to increase the current capacity of 53,400 to 60,000 by expanding the North Stand.

Proposals include a sky bar overlooking the pitch and a stadium roof walk experience.

A 3,000-capacity fan zone, new club shop and museum, and 400-bed hotel have also been proposed in the application to Manchester City Council.

[TaketheCannoli]

Fantastic. At Newcastle I believe we have owners with this kind of vision and intent, our achilleas heel will be where our stadium is currently. Of course, we'd be able to create a small NUFC City akin to the Etihad campus if we moved to an out of town location.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65308511

Manchester City have submitted a planning application for a £300m expansion of Etihad Stadium.

The club want to increase the current capacity of 53,400 to 60,000 by expanding the North Stand.

Proposals include a sky bar overlooking the pitch and a stadium roof walk experience.

A 3,000-capacity fan zone, new club shop and museum, and 400-bed hotel have also been proposed in the application to Manchester City Council.

[Space Traveller]

That’s nonsense. No way he’d get in Arsenal, Man City or Newcastle back 4.

He’s slow to turn, lacks pace when he does & his situational awareness is way below what you’d expect of a premier league centre back.

Granted, he’s playing in a (high line) system that he’s not equipped to deal with. Maybe that’s why he flourished at Leicester where they had little possession, sat in & hit on the counter.

But many teams play a high line now. If he cannot adapt he should move to a team that defends deep?

z

There's no way he's getting into the Villa team ahead of Mings or Konsa, either. Mings has been reborn under Emery.

[Foxy100]

[/QUOTE]I reckon Maguire will end up at somewhere like Villa[/QUOTE]

Ahahahahahahahahaha!

Mings finally has some decent players around him allowing him to do his thing and a manager who knows what he's doing. Maybe Maguire could come in as back-up but I doubt he's what Emory will be looking for.

[Space Traveller]

Fantastic. At Newcastle I believe we have owners with this kind of vision and intent, our achilleas heel will be where our stadium is currently. Of course, we'd be able to create a small NUFC City akin to the Etihad campus if we moved to an out of town location.

I hope Newcastle never move, it's the best away trip in the Premier League. It's great that the ground is right in the city centre, much better than some soulless bowl next to an out of town retail park or industrial estate.

[NigeG]

I hope Newcastle never move, it's the best away trip in the Premier League. It's great that the ground is right in the city centre, much better than some soulless bowl next to an out of town retail park or industrial estate.

Mostly agree with you. Apart from the endless flights of stairs to top of the stadium


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[TaketheCannoli]

I love the stadium and its unique position in the city centre. I don't want us to leave but would accept if we had to for progression reasons. We've had outline planning permission granted to extend the Gallowgate end for around another 6000 seats (taking it to almost 59000) but it would be ridiculously difficult and expensive to achieve. There's a public street and road outside, an office complex across the road and a metro line underneath so quite a design and build challenge. The East Stand (the lowest one) can't be taken any higher as the street behind is listed. We tried that in the 90s and failed.

The Milburn and SJH stands are already very high so I doubt that could be a solution.

I hope Newcastle never move, it's the best away trip in the Premier League. It's great that the ground is right in the city centre, much better than some soulless bowl next to an out of town retail park or industrial estate.

[BSB]

Mostly agree with you. Apart from the endless flights of stairs to top of the stadium


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Just queue for the lifts. Much easier.

[thegoat]

Brucie isn't savvy enough for the brown envelope approach, he'd take the players but would overpay massively for them! When he was at Hull they were in relegation trouble and had all but one CB out injured. He asked Fergie if he could borrow a CB for the rest of the season but as they were skint he didn't want to pay their wages. Fergie wasn't having that. He did lend him a CB (can't remember who it was - David May maybe?) but Hull had to pay his wages.

First game in, CB did him hamstring and was out for the season. Brucie asked Fergie if he would take him back as they could barely afford to pay his wages anyway never mind when he's not even playing. Fergie's response? Foxtrot Oscar.

Typical of Ferguson that.
Reminds me of the time he had his horses in a stud owned by Trevor Hemings, the Preston North End chairman , who also employed his son Darren as manager . When Ferguson jr was given the heave ho after a run of terrible results Daddy responded by pulling his three loan players back from Preston and also told his old mate Tony Pulis to do the same with his loanees .
Hemmings ( who used to be very friendly with Ferguson ) reacted by telling him to come and collect his horses too . A couple of horse boxes were dispatched to the stud a couple of days later only to find the two horses tied up to a lamppost outside the grounds .
He met his match that day .

[demonloop]

Dominos reaction to the Etihad news :-)

https://twitter.com/dominos_uk/status/1648237893062672387?s=46&t=xPC3Np8KwiSS-yUkCKpIBQ

[sevvy]

Typical of Ferguson that.
Reminds me of the time he had his horses in a stud owned by Trevor Hemings, the Preston North End chairman , who also employed his son Darren as manager . When Ferguson jr was given the heave ho after a run of terrible results Daddy responded by pulling his three loan players back from Preston and also told his old mate Tony Pulis to do the same with his loanees .
Hemmings ( who used to be very friendly with Ferguson ) reacted by telling him to come and collect his horses too . A couple of horse boxes were dispatched to the stud a couple of days later only to find the two horses tied up to a lamppost outside the grounds .
He met his match that day .

As he did with Magnier and MacManus over Rock of Gibraltar. No doubting his credentials and reputation as a manger but he just comes across as a good old fashioned bully.

[R0bertb00th]

That’s nonsense. No way he’d get in Arsenal, Man City or Newcastle back 4.

He’s slow to turn, lacks pace when he does & his situational awareness is way below what you’d expect of a premier league centre back.

Granted, he’s playing in a (high line) system that he’s not equipped to deal with. Maybe that’s why he flourished at Leicester where they had little possession, sat in & hit on the counter.

But many teams play a high line now. If he cannot adapt he should move to a team that defends deep?

z

I meant he doesnt get in the top 4 teams but most the others in the top half I imagine would be interested - he is certainly suited to a counter attacking team hence why I think he does well for England and was decent at Leicester etc



by no means am I a fan Im just pointing out he is an easy target when there are far worse nicking a living at the club

[David_D]

Interesting to see what the "experts" thought at the start of the season!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62354857

[Martylaa]

Guess it’s not just De Gea then haha.

What a finish.


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[ryanb741]

Rob Holding vs Haaland next week. Its going to be a massacre