*Official* English Football Season 2013-14

[grecian]

Well we all know the arguments about his anticipation stopping attacks, more than making up for his lapses, but not for me, play him in mid-field. Would rather play Cahill and Terry, and I don't rate either.

 

[Pothas]

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.

Yeah agree entierly. Arsenal's huge problem last year was that they could not beat anyone good and I don't think that was down to a thin squad. It is why Ozil is such a massive buy, may well make the difference in those games.

 

[Furball]

Well we all know the arguments about his anticipation stopping attacks, more than making up for his lapses, but not for me, play him in mid-field. Would rather play Cahill and Terry, and I don't rate either.

I hate the "oh, he's not completely hopeless with the ball at his feet, play him in midfield" argument.

 

[Pothas]

I hate the "oh, he's not completely hopeless with the ball at his feet, play him in midfield" argument.

It is more 'he is liable to make an awful mistake that will cost you a game, put him in midfield argument.'

There is honestly nothing I hate more than a clodhopping central defender that cannot pass to save his life but there are reasons to not trust Luiz that goes beyond England having an outdated attitude.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Well we all know the arguments about his anticipation stopping attacks, more than making up for his lapses, but not for me, play him in mid-field. Would rather play Cahill and Terry, and I don't rate either.

Rate both them higher than Luiz and Terry is clearly not the player he was. Can understand why Mourinho was allegedly not keen on him.

To be honest a Prem XI is tough to do.

Cech
Walker
Kompany
Cahill
Baines
Toure
Wilshere
Eriksen
Ozil
Mata
RVP

Defence is hard to pick, no real stand out centre half to partner Kompany now that many have gone past their best or right back. Gone for a 4-2-3-1 and feel dirty leaving out Jaws.

Maybe the amount of problems picking this side shows why the league will be so good this year as balance in sides is difficult to find even when picking a best team.

 

[grecian]

I hate the "oh, he's not completely hopeless with the ball at his feet, play him in midfield" argument.

It's more he keeps on ****ing up at the back, play him in midfield, personally I'd not have him on the field at all, when you have Oscar and Ramires. Anyway i think we probably differ on his merits.

Speaking, as we were, of Arsenels injury woes, I just read on Twitter "Arsenal handed injury boost", thinking ooh who is that, Carlozora, Ox, Podolski, but oh no it's Tomas Rosicky.

 

[grecian]

Oh, I'll give it a go, I suppose

Cech
Zabaletta (I admit this is crap, but can't think of anyone better) Certainly not Johnson or Walker)
Kompany
Vidic (yeah I know he's never fit, but when he is he's a class apart)
Baines

Oscar
Yaya Toure
Ozil
Michu

Suarez
RVP

Not sure how they'll line up, and not much width, but Suarez and RVP like going wide. Probably should put Mata in for Michu, but he does score goals.

 

[Cabinet96]

Meh, Rosicky's pretty decent. Will also mean we have something of an attacking option on the bench for what will be a tough game. Finishing a game with four full backs might not work against Napoli, especially if we're behind or level.

 

[sledger]

Cahill

Nah, no way. He's not even one of the best centrebacks in London.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Nah, no way. He's not even one of the best centrebacks in London.

Always rated him from his Villa days, no real stand out candidate to partner Kompany.

I think there is a real lack of top quality defenders in the Premier and it will be shown in the champions league as I can't see our sides living with some of the top european sides.

 

[Pothas]

Yeah no way would I go with Cahill.

Lloris
Zabaleta
Kompany
Vidic
Baines
Yaya Toure
Dembele
Mata
Ozil
Suarez
Van Persie

Picking a side is certainy not easy, wanted a spot for Aguero but could not fit him in. Not entierly sure how that front 4 will fit, probably have to play Mata on the right and Suarez on the left which is not ideal but I think they all have to play.

Doubt many would go with Dembele but just love the power you would get from him and Toure together. Toure is a fantastic player but the fact he walks into any team without question shows that the league is a bit short on really top central midfieliders. Ikki to come in here and pick Gerrard obviously.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Safe to say there are more options up front than at the back. I was close to picking Dembele too.

I see Steve McClaren has the Derby job and for some reason Paul Simpson has got employed in football again.

 

[Pothas]

Don't like to do it but it is hard not to be a bit excited but Ross Barkley.

An awful lot to like about this Everton side, Chelsea solving their striker problem for them has certainly helped.

 

[Pothas]

God that was awful from Newcastle.

I knew I should have made Lukaku my fantasy football captain.

 

[Eds]

I reckon it's got to the stage where I'd consider picking Koscielny in a Premier League XI. I'd probably dismiss the idea fairly quickly and stick Vidic in, but it's certainly not laughable anymore.

 

[Furball]

I reckon it's got to the stage where I'd consider picking Koscielny in a Premier League XI. I'd probably dismiss the idea fairly quickly and stick Vidic in, but it's certainly not laughable anymore.

Kompany and Luiz are the only two centre halfs in the Premier League I'd take in front of him ftr.

 

[sledger]

If he can sort out his tendency to experience rushes of blood to the head he could be seriously good. Has all the attributes required of a good modern defender. Fast, agile, decent with and without the ball, strong but not lumbering, good positional sense and seems to read the game well. Just needs to improve his composure. Gives away a worrying amount of stupid fouls and gets sent off too often.

 

[Jarquis]

Quite a lot of his red cards have been wrong tbf. But yeah, I wouldn't take Gary Cahill at Arsenal so picking him in a premier league XI is a bit baffling.

 

[sledger]

****ing ITV showing the Celtic game instead of Arsenal tonight.

 

[Uppercut]

Vertonghen wouldn't be a bad shout. Bit of a compromise between Luiz and Vidic.

Arsenal's depth has only sort of been tested. They've had some players out and dealt really well with it but you hardly ever feel a thin squad in September, it's usually around December/January when it starts to become a problem. Even on paper they don't look too bad there though. For the opening day loss there was a huge Arteta-shaped hole but Flamini was a more useful signing than Wenger got credit for.