Tonight's football thread

[biara]

Arsenal struggling to break down naff teams (sorry palace but you weren't that good), Spurs, struggling to beat defensive teams but doing it (dangerous, not playing well and winning, is it your time??), Liverpool, worryingly good but only really played 1 good team. Man U, stuttering, Man City, defensively struggling but more than capable, Chelsea, fortunate win against another favourite yesterday and beginning to look ominous. Think it'll be a close league and reckon that all 6 will take points off each other but for once can actually see Arsenal winning some points against the other top sides. This weeks game Arsenal v Liverpool will say alot about both teams, whether either has potential. Outside bet is Spurs, if they come good, they could be awesome or Liverpool if they stay defensively solid. Intriguingly the league might be decided on who can win against teams like Southampton and Everton, the so called second rank sides.

[Alf]

Arsenal struggling to break down naff teams (sorry palace but you weren't that good), Spurs, struggling to beat defensive teams but doing it (dangerous, not playing well and winning, is it your time??), Liverpool, worryingly good but only really played 1 good team. Man U, stuttering, Man City, defensively struggling but more than capable, Chelsea, fortunate win against another favourite yesterday and beginning to look ominous. Think it'll be a close league and reckon that all 6 will take points off each other but for once can actually see Arsenal winning some points against the other top sides. This weeks game Arsenal v Liverpool will say alot about both teams, whether either has potential. Outside bet is Spurs, if they come good, they could be awesome or Liverpool if they stay defensively solid. Intriguingly the league might be decided on who can win against teams like Southampton and Everton, the so called second rank sides.

I think its between City, Arsenal and Chelsea this season. City were very impressive (up to the Hart cockup!) against Chelsea fielding a different setup to the one that beat United convincingly. I don't think Liverpool will last the pace and there are managerial issues at United.

[IainR]

I think its between City, Arsenal and Chelsea this season. City were very impressive (up to the Hart cockup!) against Chelsea fielding a different setup to the one that beat United convincingly. I don't think Liverpool will last the pace and there are managerial issues at United.

Can't see how you can pick city.. United are 2 points off having played City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

If United have managerial issues how come City don't when they spent how many millions again over the summer.

At the moment I'd go with Chelsea over anyone, but think it could be anyone from that top 6. It'll be interesting to see how Saints and Everton hold it together as at the moment we have 6 for 4 CL places... but if we all take points off each other and they keep getting points it could knock another of the big teams out of those places.

[Stolly]

I saw a top ten league positions for the 2013 calendar year a few weeks ago (but now can't find it google searching goddamit) but, at that time, it had Arsenal top (and 6 points clear) followed by Chelsea, Man U and then Liverpool in 4th. I doubt recent results will have changed things that much. For sure Arsenal and Liverpool are properly in the mix based on a really long run of form, and not just this season's form

[IainR]

I saw a top ten league positions for the 2013 calendar year a few weeks ago (but now can't find it google searching goddamit) but, at that time, it had Arsenal top (and 6 points clear) followed by Chelsea, Man U and then Liverpool in 4th. I doubt recent results will have changed things that much. For sure Arsenal and Liverpool are properly in the mix based on a really long run of form, and not just this season's form

Well thats skewed as it takes into account the last month of the season.. some teams have a lot to play for.. others nothing.. United won the league with 6 games to go... City collapsed.. Liverpool players were playing for their futures, Arsenal were in a desparate push to make the top 4...

Results when 10 games to go to win the title and playing in the latter stages of cups are a lot harder than 10 games to go , 7th in the league and out of all competitions..

[IainR]

Last 10 games...

City won 7 lost 3..

United won 7 lost 2 drawn 1..

Liverpool won 7 lost 2 drawn 1...

[Derby Tup]

11 mins of over-time? Presume Sir Alex left Moysie his stop-watch. Err, tick, tock...

[biara]

11 mins of over-time? Presume Sir Alex left Moysie his stop-watch. Err, tick, tock...

Serious injury to Robert Snodgrass, went off on stretcher in collar after being treated by Norwich medics and man U medics, hence the 12mins. Full credit to Lindegard (man u goalie) who turned him over putting him in the recovery position as he saw he was in trouble. Looked nasty!!

[Danbert Nocurry]

Last 10 games...

City won 7 lost 3..

United won 7 lost 2 drawn 1..

Liverpool won 7 lost 2 drawn 1...

If we look at this point of the season compared to the last two for City it doesn't look like we're in championship form.

2013/2014

Played 9 - Points = 16


2012/2013

Played 9 - Points = 21


2011/2012

Played 9 - Points = 25


However, what the stats don't show is that there were periods on Sunday when we really looked like a class act and Chelsea were struggling to cope with us ...... Silva was pulling all the second half strings, and the only way they could stop him was to clobber him, which they did !

I genuinely believe we are the best side in the league this year, and Mourinho does too, that's why he reacted the way he did after Torres's late winner earned them an unlikely victory.

[biara]

Went to man U v norwich last night, man u had a strong team out but were poor. They looked scared, yes, they scored 4, but many attacks were stopped and players went back on themselves slowing down the play. Too many wrong decisions taken by too many players.

Zaha, looked lost quite frankly, easily knocked off the ball and not really running at the norwich defence. Young was poor (again) even the new wonder boy Januzaj wasn't great. He was obviously trying to impress but loads of fancy tricks and not much end product. Defence was comfortable as Norwich were poor but midfield for Man u was disappointing.

Brightest players were hernanadez and buttner who had less tricks but more end product. After watching last night i can see why man city won and would expect chelsea to do the same. Yes, it was league cup but that wasn't a bad team they put out.......