Football/Futbol/Soccer thread

[Romo]

^Aww Rene Meulensteen - good coach but out of his depth as number one. There's a reason why Fergie hardly talks him up in his book. Wouldn't surprise me if United gave him a helping hand next Sunday.

[PorkChop]

^Aww Rene Meulensteen - good coach but out of his depth as number one. There's a reason why Fergie hardly talks him up in his book. Wouldn't surprise me if United gave him a helping hand next Sunday.

[Viazon]

The Ox is back.

[PorkChop]

Busy trolling on the PTF Twitter. Check it out.

I'm particularly proud of this:

[AkydefGoldberg]

Busy trolling on the PTF Twitter. Check it out.

I'm particularly proud of this:

Brilliant!

Sums up Chelsea's display - City missed Fernandinho and Aguero but defensive issues were capitalsied on by Jose's men. No parking the bus, could have won 2-0 at least. Would have loved City to win to shut up Jose's barbs at Pellegrini/City but great day for Arsenal. Two points ahead.

[Viazon]

Best possible result for Arsenal tonight. Two points clear at the top of the table.

[Romo]

Game of the week for sure next week is Arsenal - Liverpool, Liverpool have the chance to prove themselves as a top team!

[SKS]

Really missed Fernandinho today. Did not like the decision to start Dimichelis at midfield. I would have rather had Javi Garcia at center defensive mid with Dimichelis at center back. Nastasic was pretty poor today and the defense in general was very sloppy.

Starting both Dzeko and Negredo was also a mistake, both are too slow and similar to play with each other up front. I'd have rather had Jovetic start alongside one of them.

I felt we could have lost by more than one, very sloppy play and it was uncharacteristic. Nasri, Fernandinho, & Aguero need to get back healthy. Sure, we can beat teams like Spurs but we need to be at full strength if we want to take down the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona, etc. Again, I question Pellegrini's tactics today, but fair play to Chelsea, they were the stronger side.

[Romo]

Dimichelis

I can't remember if you are UK or not but on Match of the day they spoke about demichelis, and everything good Chelsea did he was at the centre of it being shit...

[PorkChop]

Right, Viazon, Prophet. February 8th - Liverpool vs Arsenal. Shit's gonna go down.

This is Andy Carroll's old Bebo: http://archive.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=4957197631. Read through it. Laugh. But, on February the 8th, his Bebo won't be as funny anymore for one of you. The loser of the Liverpool vs Arsenal game (either Viazon or Prophet) will have to change their avatar to this old picture of Carroll:

Spoiler:

Then, as part of the deal, you must:
1) If asked, claim that the photo is a recently taken selfie
2) Create a thread in the TV & Movies section, simply saying "my favourite film has to be the jungle book its an unreal movie" (this quote is on Carroll's profile)
3) After this, continue to post purely about The Jungle Book and also kebabs.

This will continue for a full week.

Note: If the Liverpool vs Arsenal game ends up a draw, it will be decided by which team had the most possession.

Gentlemen, this is happening.

Just making sure you don't forget

[SKS]

Dimichelis

I can't remember if you are UK or not but on Match of the day they spoke about demichelis, and everything good Chelsea did he was at the centre of it being shit...

Didn't watch MOTD so I'm not sure what they said but I'd agree, there was so much open space for Chelsea to attack. Fernandinho is fantastic at covering ground with his pace and closing down on attackers if need be, Demichelis is far too slow to be playing that type of role which is why I hated the decision to start him there.

[Romo]

Dimichelis

I can't remember if you are UK or not but on Match of the day they spoke about demichelis, and everything good Chelsea did he was at the centre of it being shit...

Didn't watch MOTD so I'm not sure what they said but I'd agree, there was so much open space for Chelsea to attack. Fernandinho is fantastic at covering ground with his pace and closing down on attackers if need be, Demichelis is far too slow to be playing that type of role which is why I hated the decision to start him there.

if you re-watch Chelsea's goal you'll see him next to Hazard on the left wing and then 4/5 seconds later Hazard is on the right wing making the play whilst demichelis was still stood walking on the right wing after Hazard went past him.

Hazard would be talked up alongside Messi, Ronaldo & Suarez if he scored more, he's insane!

[AkydefGoldberg]

Fernandinho/Aguero were big losses - didn't realise the former was even injured. Demichelis is a decent tackler but his lack of pace kills him. Chelsea should have won by more but didn't take advantage.

City's next 6 games are all winnable so I still have them as title favourites. But their defence needs working on ahead of Barca and for next season. That was one of Mancini's strengths admittedly

In other news, Swansea sack Michael Laudrup.

Shocked by the decision.

Sure, their form since the Capital One cup had seriously dipped but that was to be expected. It was a big achievement for them to win that trophy and be in the EL and reached the knock-out stages - that was down to Laudrup's management. I still think he would have done enough, with the return of Michu and other players, to get them safe and leave in the summer.

But as said on the previous page, it seems the relationship between Jenkins/Laudrup was probably at its end. There was the issue over transfer funds in the summer; Swansea not using Laudrup's agent for deals; and as soon as I heard Monk was moving into the coaching, sensed this could be coming but maybe not to soon.

I really worry for them if Monk is going to be in charge till the end of the season. Swansea have seemed to employ coaches on their style of play and I don't see many out there who can carry it on so it might be a case of changing philosophies to stay safe and beyond. Monk will do well initially but I don't think the players/Laudrup's relationship had broken down so intrigued by how he'll do.

[Daz]

Bit surprised to see Laudrup go. Swansea have been poor lately but with him in charge, I thought they'd turn it around. It seems the only team in that relegation fight who haven't changed managers at this point is Norwich.

[Romo]

With the money they spent in the summer and the lack of results coming from it i'm not surprised by the sacking

[PorkChop]

Vidic leaving United in the summer, the meltdown continues.

[prophet]

^

Be great if United miss out on the Champions League even more so now Vidic is off. They'll struggle to attract a decent replacement if they don't get into the top 4. I reckon they'd like to go for someone like Hummels but doubt he'd want to drop down to the Europa.

[Viazon]

I am really confident that Man U wont finish in the top four this. And I am really interested in seeing how many players will actually want to play for them if they aren't in the champions league.

[PorkChop]

I am really confident that Man U wont finish in the top four this. And I am really interested in seeing how many players will actually want to play for them if they aren't in the champions league.

I'm pretty confident about it, yeah. I'm sure that Rooney will leave at the end of the season too.

[AkydefGoldberg]

^

On Vidic leaving - have to say I'm disappointed we weren't able to keep him for another year. I always felt out of Rio/Vidic - it would be the former I'd let go as he was woeful at the start of the campaign. Vidic is only 32 but I think this is more of a personal decision - his family settled in Manchester but with SAF going, think some players will feel it's time for a fresh start. Vidic was immense in the 2008-2009 campaigns but grew stronger after his initial struggles in England. But the 2011 knee injury he suffered - he's never been the same since I feel. A beast of a defender in his prime.

Garay of Benfica has always been linked with us so possibly him as a replacement or Moyes might go for Phil Jagielka lol (he was actually linked with us at some point!).

Manchester United are Manchester United. It's not as if players will instantly say no to us despite us not being in the CL. Yes it'll be tricky to get the higher tier of players we will be after without CL but to suggest no-one will want to come is ludicrous. We're not Liverpool who've not had CL since 2008-ish so one season not being in it won't hurt us I feel.