*Official* English Football Season 2013-14

[Furball]

Liverpool's kit is horrid.

Completely unnecessary use of the word "kit".

 

[Nate]

I don't mind it tbh. It's different. Mind you I'm used to our away strip now too, so I may not be the best judge, haha.

Feels good to be back in the Top Four!

 

[Furball]

Don't get too used to it.

 

[sledger]

Michael Owen: Arsenal do not look top-four side - Telegraph

Is it just me, or is the standard of journalism undertaken by former players absolute pish?

Suggesting Arsenal don't look like a top 4 side is, of course, absolutely fair enough, but you would have thought that in order to publish something in a national newspaper you should at least get your facts right.

Facing the great Arsenal sides of the past was a thankless task. On the rare occasions when a pass would find its way through their midfield and land at your feet, Patrick Vieira and Emanuel Petit would turn and run at you while Tony Adams and Sol Campbell would put you in the crusher. Four giants would be on you...

I mean, even a casual armchair fan could probably tell you that those players never played in the same side as one another, and only two of them were still around when Arsenal really reached their peak.

He then goes on to say how Arsenal no longer have the firepower of Ian Wright, despite the fact that Wright played a very peripheral part in some of the success Arsenal had in the time he refers to, and no part in the majority of it. Him then claiming it'll be interesting to see how Arsenal do once they get a few injuries, conveniently ignoring upwards of 7 players are currently out injured, is also annoying.

Gah.

 

[Cabinet96]

The squad depth thing is a funny one. I'm of little doubt that our's isn't as strong as some of our rivals, but trying to use it against us after our good start, when we've had several starting players or key squad members injured in the period is a bit odd.

Really weird position the premier league is in at the moment, that some people can be saying a side isn't top four materiel, while others say the title is a possibility.

 

[grecian]

The squad depth thing is a funny one. I'm of little doubt that our's isn't as strong as some of our rivals, but trying to use it against us after our good start, when we've had several starting players or key squad members injured in the period is a bit odd.

Really weird position the premier league is in at the moment, that some people can be saying a side isn't top four materiel, while others say the title is a possibility.

Do hear a lot of people using it as a reason to talk you down, not sure I know that much about Arse reserves, but you seem to have decent cover at l-b, and in all positions in mid-field, strikers and the rest of the defence the problem?

Personally feel that a real problem of Wenger's management has always been rushing key-players back early. Sometimes it's just better to give 'em an extra couple of weeks and try to make do. Because even if they don't break down right away, struggling on with an injury puts strains on other parts of your body. At the moment you'd hope they don't majorly depend on one player, like they have done in the past with Henry, RVP and Fabregas.

I think Moyes is doing it wrong with RVP at the moment. Fergie would have let him rest, given confidence to the other forwards by making it known he trusts them, and Robin would probably be fully fit by now after the rest.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I think this will be a very good season with 5 realistic title challengers, Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea and 2 very good sides in Liverpool and Everton who may be able to gatecrash the top 4 if the others slip up for any reason. I don't for one minute believe that Liverpool or Everton can win the league this season but they may decide who will or won't as between them they have already beaten Chelsea and United and Everton are at City next weekend.

At the minute there are kneejerk reactions to all the bizarre goings on at various sides (namely Man U) but it is still way too early to write off any of the big 5.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Personally I'm a bit worried about the CDMs, I think they have a very real chance of winning the Premier League title - it's basically pick any one of four (I wrote this before I saw the above, but I don't think Spuds are a realistic chance). I think this year they might actually win something, particularly if they get Suarez in January. I don't think an exceptionally high points total will be required to win it this season - that helps the CDMs. As do their signings and the belief it gives them, which of course leads to more possible signings. With the new financial rules the CDMs are in a good place to be competing consistently for the next few years. They're going to be a major force sooner or later.

 

[sledger]

I think Moyes is doing it wrong with RVP at the moment. Fergie would have let him rest, given confidence to the other forwards by making it known he trusts them, and Robin would probably be fully fit by now after the rest.

You may be right there, but at the same time, Utd really do desperately need him. They're looking really short on ideas, and he's one of the very few players they have that can create something from nothing and provides a serious threat. The one player they have who is genuinely world class in other words.

It's easy to say this at the moment, with them having a poor start, but it's beginning to look like a very clever move by Ferguson to get out when he did. I'm really tempting fate and being asked to proved wrong here, but you do wonder if Fergie did exceptionally well to get the best out of a squad made up of players that were predominantly over the hill/past their best (Evra, Ferdinand, Giggs, Scholes) or despite initial promise have never really lived up to their billing/look like the real deal (Jones, Anderson, Nani, Young, Welbeck, Cleverly, Valencia). They'll improve, no doubt, but apart from Van Persie, how many of their first XI would get into the starting lineup of Arsenal/City/Chelsea? Vidic and Fellaini perhaps...possibly De Gea and Rafael...

Edit: And possibly Carrick as well, so that's actually a fair few. Not a lot to get excited about in the rest of the squad though, i.e. the names I mentioned above.

 

[sledger]

Personally I'm a bit worried about the CDMs, I think they have a very real chance of winning the Premier League title - it's basically pick any one of four (I wrote this before I saw the above, but I don't think Spuds are a realistic chance). I think this year they might actually win something, particularly if they get Suarez in January. I don't think an exceptionally high points total will be required to win it this season - that helps the CDMs. As do their signings and the belief it gives them, which of course leads to more possible signings. With the new financial rules the CDMs are in a good place to be competing consistently for the next few years. They're going to be a major force sooner or later.

I nearly fell out of my chair reading that. In the (soon to be) ten years I've been a part of this site, that is probably the closest thing to admitting grudging admiration for Arsenal I have ever seen you post. I'm looking forward to seeing a flying swine outside my window in due course.

 

[Furball]

The squad depth thing is a funny one. I'm of little doubt that our's isn't as strong as some of our rivals, but trying to use it against us after our good start, when we've had several starting players or key squad members injured in the period is a bit odd.

Really weird position the premier league is in at the moment, that some people can be saying a side isn't top four materiel, while others say the title is a possibility.

Yeah, it's funny. On the Rangers forum I post on, aside from the fact that Wenger will always be criticised by someone regardless of what he does, the squad depth thing has already been brought up despite it already being severely tested this season and the team (so far) coming through with flying colours.

The one thing I suppose you could hold against Arsenal is that so far we've not played anyone good.

 

[Furball]

You may be right there, but at the same time, Utd really do desperately need him. They're looking really short on ideas, and he's one of the very few players they have that can create something from nothing and provides a serious threat. The one player they have who is genuinely world class in other words.

It's easy to say this at the moment, with them having a poor start, but it's beginning to look like a very clever move by Ferguson to get out when he did. I'm really tempting fate and being asked to proved wrong here, but you do wonder if Fergie did exceptionally well to get the best out of a squad made up of players that were predominantly over the hill/past their best (Evra, Ferdinand, Giggs, Scholes) or despite initial promise have never really lived up to their billing/look like the real deal (Jones, Anderson, Nani, Young, Welbeck, Cleverly, Valencia). They'll improve, no doubt, but apart from Van Persie, how many of their first XI would get into the starting lineup of Arsenal/City/Chelsea? Vidic and Fellaini perhaps...possibly De Gea and Rafael...

I don't think Ferguson was up to sticking it out for another 3-4 years that would be required to rebuild the side.

I can't remember if I mentioned it on here or not, but the other day I was thinking through who I would pick in a Premier League XI and who I'd supplement that XI with in terms of making a "best of" squad. In terms of the first XI, only RvP gets in the side, and I can only really think of Michael Carrick, and maybe Patrice Evra who would challenge for a place in the squad/on the bench. Which is incredible for a team like Man Utd.

 

[sledger]

Do hear a lot of people using it as a reason to talk you down, not sure I know that much about Arse reserves, but you seem to have decent cover at l-b, and in all positions in mid-field, strikers and the rest of the defence the problem?

A lack of striker cover shouldn't be much of a problem, it's just that pretty much literally everyone in the squad who can play in that position is out injured. A combination of Giroud, Podolski, Bendtner Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain should be fine imo, since Arsenal only play with one man up front. If Ozil stays fit you could see any one of those scoring a decent return of goals. Though appreciably you'd rather the latter three didn't do anything other than filling in up front every now and again.

Defensive concerns are probably the most predominant. Jenkinson is a perfectly decent reserve at right back, and Vermaelen despite looking dodgy last year is more than good enough as another backup. Sagna being the other reserve centreback is something I'm not entirely convinced of, but it's better than relying on Squillaci. Flamini could also fill in as a full back if need be.

On the whole I think the squad is a bit thin, but it probably does have enough versatility to cover all but the worst plague of injuries. The quality of that versatility however...

 

[sledger]

I don't think Ferguson was up to sticking it out for another 3-4 years that would be required to rebuild the side.

I can't remember if I mentioned it on here or not, but the other day I was thinking through who I would pick in a Premier League XI and who I'd supplement that XI with in terms of making a "best of" squad. In terms of the first XI, only RvP gets in the side, and I can only really think of Michael Carrick, and maybe Patrice Evra who would challenge for a place in the squad/on the bench. Which is incredible for a team like Man Utd.

A Premiership XI is quite an interesting thought actually. Had a quick go off the top of my head, and found it really hard to pick a team that would allow me to incorporate Mata, Cazorla, Ozil, Suarez and Van Persie.

Not sure who else I would have as definite starters either. Kompany and Yaya Toure probably. Baines perhaps.

 

[Furball]

A lack of striker cover shouldn't be much of a problem, it's just that pretty much literally everyone in the squad who can play in that position is out injured. A combination of Giroud, Podolski, Bendtner Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain should be fine imo, since Arsenal only play with one man up front. If Ozil stays fit you could see any one of those scoring a decent return of goals. Though appreciably you'd rather the latter three didn't do anything other than filling in up front every now and again.

Defensive concerns are probably the most predominant. Jenkinson is a perfectly decent reserve at right back, and Vermaelen despite looking dodgy last year is more than good enough as another backup. Sagna being the other reserve centreback is something I'm not entirely convinced of, but it's better than relying on Squillaci. Flamini could also fill in as a full back if need be.

On the whole I think the squad is a bit thin, but it probably does have enough versatility to cover all but the worst plague of injuries. The quality of that versatility however...

Sagna's fine as a reserve centre half. The overall quality of centre half in European football is pretty dreadful anyway, the last thing Wenger should be doing is spending £8m on a guy who'll be cover.

 

[sledger]

Sagna's fine as a reserve centre half. The overall quality of centre half in European football is pretty dreadful anyway, the last thing Wenger should be doing is spending £8m on a guy who'll be cover.

I never thought Djourou was that bad either though. Always thought he would be a serviceable reserve. Was horribly susceptible to the ball over the top, but he wasn't dreadful imo. Mind you, I may just think that because he was made to look competent by some of the other dross he was partnered with over his tenure (Squillaci, Senderos, Silvestre and Cygan etc...)

 

[Furball]

A Premiership XI is quite an interesting thought actually. Had a quick go off the top of my head, and found it really hard to pick a team that would allow me to incorporate Mata, Cazorla, Ozil, Suarez and Van Persie.

Not sure who else I would have as definite starters either. Kompany and Yaya Toure probably. Baines perhaps.

I'd go

Cech

Zabaleta
Kompany
David Luiz
Cole

Yaya Toure
Ramsey (best player in the league on current form)

Silva
Özil
Cazorla

RvP

 

[grecian]

I'd go

Cech

Zabaleta
Kompany
David Luiz
Cole

Yaya Toure
Ramsey (best player in the league on current form)

Silva
Özil
Cazorla

RvP

Honestly is David Luiz the most polarising player in football nowadays?

 

[Furball]

I rate him really, really highly. I think he's a tremendous player.

 

[sledger]

Just not a Premiership centreback imo. Good footballer though.

He's a bit of a footballing Michael Vaughan in some ways. I.e. when he plays well he looks fantastic, but when he makes an error he looks really really bad.