*Official* English Football Season 2011-12

[sledger]

Yeah and Spurs allowing him to just roam wherever the **** he wants has been so detrimental to them the last few months.

Jordi Alba been linked with Barcelona all year, he would not be cheap but probably half the price of Bale.

Would say he'd definitely be a better fit for their team as well to be honest. I'd unquestionably go for him over Bale if I were them.

 

[Furball]

If they get Bale or Jordi Alba I reckon it spells the end for Dani Alves.

Abidal's been an enormous miss for Barca, and Bale or Alba don't really replace him.

 

[Pup Clarke]

If they get Bale or Jordi Alba I reckon it spells the end for Dani Alves.

Eh? Doesn't Alves play on the right?

 

[Furball]

Eh? Doesn't Alves play on the right?

He does, but I think Alves plus Bale/Alba are too attacking. A lot of Barcelona's defensive strength has relied on Abidal's athleticism and the fact that he's not as attack minded as Alves.

 

[Uppercut]

The whole backline rotates towards whichever player goes forward. So you can have one defensive and one attacking full-back with a bias down one side, or two balanced full-backs that split the duties equally. Two attacking full-backs tends to leave you exposed, like when Evra and Rafael started against Everton. Fergie was probably looking to counter Everton's usual bus-parking job at Old Trafford but Moyes (rightly) switched tactics completely and attacked from the start.

 

[Uppercut]

Kompany player of the season then.

After years of ranting about defenders not getting enough credit in these awards I think this one should've gone to RVP. Kompany's been really good but he's missed a few games this season, I think he was even better last year, just wasn't so widely noticed in a less successful team.

 

[sledger]

Yeah...not quite sure how Van Persie didn't walk away with this one to be honest, but oh well.

 

[The Sean]

Kompany player of the season then.

After years of ranting about defenders not getting enough credit in these awards I think this one should've gone to RVP. Kompany's been really good but he's missed a few games this season, I think he was even better last year, just wasn't so widely noticed in a less successful team.

Yeah...not quite sure how Van Persie didn't walk away with this one to be honest, but oh well.

I'm with the in-laws so not watching TV - what award is this? The PFA and FWA awards both went to RVP.

EDIT - is it the Barclay's award? If so, giving it to a defender isn't new, as I'm pretty sure Vidic has won that one twice.

 

[Furball]

I'm with the in-laws so not watching TV - what award is this? The PFA and FWA awards both went to RVP.

EDIT - is it the Barclay's award? If so, giving it to a defender isn't new, as I'm pretty sure Vidic has won that one twice.

I think it's the Premier League award.

 

[Jarquis]

RVP with daylight second IMO

 

[Pothas]

The whole backline rotates towards whichever player goes forward. So you can have one defensive and one attacking full-back with a bias down one side, or two balanced full-backs that split the duties equally. Two attacking full-backs tends to leave you exposed, like when Evra and Rafael started against Everton. Fergie was probably looking to counter Everton's usual bus-parking job at Old Trafford but Moyes (rightly) switched tactics completely and attacked from the start.

Guess a fair amount depends on if Barcelona continue to experiment with a back 3 or go back to the back four with one very attacking full back. I mean fairly often Alves did not play evan as a nominal full-back last year, be interesting to see what direction Vilanova takes them in.

Out of Interest did you read Jonathan Wilsons article about Guardiola and the end of great sides a few weeks ago? Was great stuff although may have over done it just a little in places.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Come on Towwwwn.

 

[sledger]

Ok then, so winner/3rd & 4th place/relegation predictions?

I'll go for:

Winner: City

3rd Place: Arsenal

4th Place: Spurs

Relegated: Bolton

Hopefully am not tempting fate with some of those. Would rather Newcastle finish 4th and QPR go down, but can't see Bolton beating Stoke somehow, and I doubt Spurs will fail to beat Fulham either.

Arsenal better get their arses in gear though, need to really get the job done here.

Exciting last day of the season though, can't remember the last time the final day had so much riding on it.

 

[Furball]

Guess a fair amount depends on if Barcelona continue to experiment with a back 3 or go back to the back four with one very attacking full back. I mean fairly often Alves did not play evan as a nominal full-back last year, be interesting to see what direction Vilanova takes them in.

Out of Interest did you read Jonathan Wilsons article about Guardiola and the end of great sides a few weeks ago? Was great stuff although may have over done it just a little in places.

Yeah, bizarrely I found it through a Harsha Bogle article on cricinfo.

 

[Uppercut]

Guess a fair amount depends on if Barcelona continue to experiment with a back 3 or go back to the back four with one very attacking full back. I mean fairly often Alves did not play evan as a nominal full-back last year, be interesting to see what direction Vilanova takes them in.

Out of Interest did you read Jonathan Wilsons article about Guardiola and the end of great sides a few weeks ago? Was great stuff although may have over done it just a little in places.

Just read it now. Great stuff.

 

[Furball]

At what point will City bottle it?

 

[Burgey]

As with the majority of the planet, really hoping City mess it up and United get it done.

 

[GIMH]

Come on Citeh!!!

 

[BoyBrumby]

Pretty sure Citeh will do it. Far more concerned about the Arse. Suspect we'll be relying on Bryan beating the Chavs to be sure of CL football next season.

Following sledge's lead:

Winner: Citeh

3rd Place: Spurts

4th Place: The Arse

Relegated: QPR

Notlob to beat Stoke and send the Hoops back down.

 

[marc71178]

Citeh
Arsenal
Newcastle

QPR