English Premier League 2015/2016

[Ed.]

Spurs winning the title is my dream outcome, but Leicester played hard games before and won, and as much as Leicester has a tough road ahead, Arsenal has an easy one. Arsenal will most likely not win the title, but they can catch up with Spurs.

I won't be surprised if somehow Arsenal manage to choke a couple games against weaker oppositions and eventually get caught up by Man Utd or West Ham.

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Leicester has 3 home games 2 while Tottenham only 2 home games.

Leicester does have some tougher matches, but I wouldn't say that much tougher. They both have Chelsea away, and Leicester also have Everton and Swansea at home who in the bottom half. Their matches vs. West Ham and Man U are tougher though.

With Tottenham, I can't say yet how tough the Newcastle match is because it depends if they're fighting for survival or not. Also need to keep in mind that Leicester is able to afford mistakes, Tottenham pretty much needs to win every single game, and how that Leicester fail to win 3 of the 5.

I think the key-match for Leicester is next week against West Ham. West Ham haven't lost in their last 7 matches. They should have no problem with Everton and Swansea.

Newcastle is the last match for Tottenham, by then most likely Newcastle will have relegated. Newcastle will still meet up Liverpool and Man City.

It's true Leicester can afford mistakes. However, a mistake in the last few matches going into title run may lead to a domino effect for the following matches especially for a team like Leicester which are not used to be under these circumstances. Although, their advantage is that Hotspurs are not used to give constant pressures as well.

I want to see Leicester to win EPL, like how Atletico stole La Liga from Real and Barcelona dominance or the likes of Dortmund, Stuttgart, Wolfsburg manage to steal from Bayern dominance.

 

[Wings]

Maybe this should go in a more general football thread but...

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/apr/10/leicester-title-momentum-sean-ingle
Studies suggest that much-mythologised ‘momentum’ determines results less often than is commonly assumed. A team’s underlying strength matters more

After accounting for team and opposition strength and doing some whizzy maths they reached a surprising conclusion. On average, sequences of consecutive wins and matches without a win end sooner than expected. In other words the momentum effect was negative.

...

As Taylor points out: “It’s a fascinating example of how natural cognitive biases may lead you to think one thing, while data-driven analysis may make randomness a more compelling explanation. And people prefer the former to the nebulous latter.”

 

[monster09]

Like I said few days back, only silver lining for ManUtd fans is emergence of few young players. Fosu Mensah was immense is what I read (glad I missed this game). He was impressive in every single game has has played. He isn't a full back though, either a CB or CDM.

 

[wera]

Fosu Mensah had a lot of tackles, after he was subbed, it all went to shit.

 

[monster09]

Fosu Mensah had a lot of tackles, after he was subbed, it all went to shit.

Just 18 year old. Played as RB, CB and also as LB already in his very short career.

IMO he should play as Defensive midfielder/box to box role. He played that role for U21s, very strong in tackle and has good ability to carry the ball. Sort of like Kante.

 

[ScottishInterista]

Reminds me of the transitions in diers career a bit

 

[Javier'sSon]

 

[Pajo]

Watched it yesterday. Hilarious shit

 

[Ronin]

Spurs winning the title is my dream outcome, but Leicester played hard games before and won, and as much as Leicester has a tough road ahead, Arsenal has an easy one. Arsenal will most likely not win the title, but they can catch up with Spurs.

Spurs are gonna be very hated if they manage to steal the title from Leicester.

 

[Kazaan]

Spurs are gonna be very hated if they manage to steal the title from Leicester.

Indeed. I think even Spurs fans are confused about what to feel If it was any other team and not Leicester, neutrals would be rooting for Spurs imo

 

[Bluenine]

Tham beating United to a pulp. Van Gaal will get hated on yet again

The problem is that Van Gaal seems to think that winning football games is a minor side effect of the process of establishing his maverick genius... most players are playing out of position. Looking at the line up, it is hard to imagine £250m (€350m!) was spent to build this in the last 2 seasons!

Maybe it is time for Van Gaal to go.

 

[monster09]

The problem is that Van Gaal seems to think that winning football games is a minor side effect of the process of establishing his maverick genius... most players are playing out of position. Looking at the line up, it is hard to imagine £250m (€350m!) was spent to build this in the last 2 seasons!

Maybe it is time for Van Gaal to go.

Rashford started as CF and Martial as LW which was fine but once Rashford was subbed out for Young, Young played as striker and Martial as LW, which was the WTF moment. When Fosu Mensah was injured and out on sidelines, Young was covering him as RB. *facepalm* moment.

Lingard as AM and Mata as RW
Young as CF and Martial as LW.

 

[monster09]

Our new Macheda scored again against West Ham in the FA cup quarter finals.

That his 6th goal in 11 games and Macheda scored 5 goals in 5 years at ManUtd.

 

[thatdude]

Our new Macheda scored again against West Ham in the FA cup quarter finals.

That his 6th goal in 11 games and Macheda scored 5 goals in 5 years at ManUtd.

I'm assuming this is supposed to be an "I told you so" post for someone on this forum. I wouldn't get too carried away if I were you. At this age anything can happen. Imagine Mourinho comes in this summer for example and doesn't play him outside of the Cup matches, completely stagnating his growth.

Just because he's not a Macheda, doesn't mean he still can't turn into the next Januzaj. Let's hope his development doesn't become derailed by whoever replaces Van Gaal this summer.

Whoever comes in will have to decide between Martial, Rooney & Rashford as their preferred CF. None of the 3 are capable of leading a side fighting for a trophy IMO. Rooney would have to become the Rooney of 3-4 years ago. I have a feeling a prime age CF purchase is a distinct possibility and I'm not sure where that leaves Rashford.

The best thing for your young talent is actually keeping Van Gaal, but it's probably not whats best for Manchester United.

 

[monster09]

I'm assuming this is supposed to be an "I told you so" post for someone on this forum. I wouldn't get too carried away if I were you. At this age anything can happen. Imagine Mourinho comes in this summer for example and doesn't play him outside of the Cup matches, completely stagnating his growth.

Just because he's not a Macheda, doesn't mean he still can't turn into the next Januzaj. Let's hope his development doesn't become derailed by whoever replaces Van Gaal this summer.

Whoever comes in will have to decide between Martial, Rooney & Rashford as their preferred CF. None of the 3 are capable of leading a side fighting for a trophy IMO. Rooney would have to become the Rooney of 3-4 years ago. I have a feeling a prime age CF purchase is a distinct possibility and I'm not sure where that leaves Rashford.

The best thing for your young talent is actually keeping Van Gaal, but it's probably not whats best for Manchester United.

Post is not "I told you so" more like "I'm irritated when every young player is compared with Macheda".

Not sure what you mean by turning into Januzaj as he is still young player and make couple of very bad decisions like going out on loan to Dortmund and taking the piss in u21 game by trying to score directly from corners. Him and Pereira and both are not involved in the squad as coaches think they have attitude issue.

On Rashford, he has the talent and physical presence. He is strong and very quick off the mark. If not at ManUtd, he will be playing in PL for sure.

If Jose becomes manager then it shouldn't be a problem. Jose's problem is promoting young players from academy, not not playing youngsters. Rashford, Fsou Mensah are already part of first team so they should be in the squad next season. Problems might be for players like Tuanzebe, Ro Shaun Williams who are yet to play for first team.

Martial, Rashford, Fosu Mensah, Shaw are all young players and playing for first team, so I don't think next manager will drop players like Rashford and Mensah to U21s or U18s.

 

[Bluenine]

I'm assuming this is supposed to be an "I told you so" post for someone on this forum. I wouldn't get too carried away if I were you. At this age anything can happen. Imagine Mourinho comes in this summer for example and doesn't play him outside of the Cup matches, completely stagnating his growth.

I don't see Mourinho at Man Utd next season... Man Utd are more likely to promote Giggs.

My best guess for Mourinho's next destination is PSG. They can pay him more than anyone else plus give him a huge transfer chest, and Mou likes that kind of challenge - he will have a chance to win his 5th different league as well as his 3rd CL at a different club, both records.

 

[.h.]

Don't know if I ever said I don't like him I think he's a good young player. My point is simply you can't claim him to be a guaranteed top class player after 10 matches. It's like England fans asking for Neville to manage england

 

[monster09]

I don't see Mourinho at Man Utd next season... Man Utd are more likely to promote Giggs.

My best guess for Mourinho's next destination is PSG. They can pay him more than anyone else plus give him a huge transfer chest, and Mou likes that kind of challenge - he will have a chance to win his 5th different league as well as his 3rd CL at a different club, both records.

As per Jose's interview PSG should be last club he will be taking.

"It’s a matter of thinking, to come to a good decision and finalising it. In the summer everyone will know what my next club will be.

"I’ll take my ideas to where they are wanted. I want to be at a place where I’m wanted. I want to work at a club with responsibility, in a hard league and where there are no easy objectives. That doesn't leave many options."

Hard league, no easy objectives everything that's not at PSG. In La Liga at least he had 4-6 tough games, in French league he will have 0.

Jose to United is reported by almost all the main media including Di Marzio. If Giggs is appointed then scenes will be very ugly. If we were successful then it was ok but after 3 years of not winning anything and slipping down the slope it's very very dangerous to appoint Giggs.

It's only few ex players who are campaigning for Giggs.

 

[thatdude]

Post is not "I told you so" more like "I'm irritated when every young player is compared with Macheda".

Not sure what you mean by turning into Januzaj as he is still young player and make couple of very bad decisions like going out on loan to Dortmund and taking the piss in u21 game by trying to score directly from corners. Him and Pereira and both are not involved in the squad as coaches think they have attitude issue.

On Rashford, he has the talent and physical presence. He is strong and very quick off the mark. If not at ManUtd, he will be playing in PL for sure.

If Jose becomes manager then it shouldn't be a problem. Jose's problem is promoting young players from academy, not not playing youngsters. Rashford, Fsou Mensah are already part of first team so they should be in the squad next season. Problems might be for players like Tuanzebe, Ro Shaun Williams who are yet to play for first team.

Martial, Rashford, Fosu Mensah, Shaw are all young players and playing for first team, so I don't think next manager will drop players like Rashford and Mensah to U21s or U18s.

You're not sure what I mean by the next Januzaj? Come on man, you know exactly what I mean. The guys development has stalled. He went to a club that gives young players a chance all the time and couldn't get a league start. Does that mean his careers over? No but he's not quite the golden boy Man Utd fans thought he was.

I'm not saying that Rashford will necessarily have these problems. I'm just saying a great start to a career is just that, a start. He will most likely be a PL player at the least, but so is Bojan and he's still considered a flop because of a stellar start to his career. All I'm saying is I wouldn't count any chickens yet. I also don't think developing a player at Man Utd so he can have a solid career somewhere else in the league is really the desired result.

As for Mourinho, I was really using him as an example of coach that has a win now mentality and won't play a bunch of teenagers. Until he arrives though it's pointless to argue what he may or may not do.

 

[monster09]

Don't know if I ever said I don't like him I think he's a good young player. My point is simply you can't claim him to be a guaranteed top class player after 10 matches. It's like England fans asking for Neville to manage england

I don't think anyone said he will be a top class player. IIRC you said he will be playing in 2nd division in 3 years time and I said he will be PL player if not at ManUtd.

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You're not sure what I mean by the next Januzaj? Come on man, you know exactly what I mean. The guys development has stalled. He went to a club that gives young players a chance all the time and couldn't get a league start. Does that mean his careers over? No but he's not quite the golden boy Man Utd fans thought he was

.

Like I said, it was a wrong move. Club is known for playing young players, not someone else's young player. Dortmund had no incentive to play him, he was not theirs, if he improves also they won't get anything. They didn't have a point to play him when they have youngsters they own. Januzaj was signed for a squad role and he was that. It was cheapest deal Dortmund could wish for and they got one. It made sense for them but made 0 sense for player and ManUtd.

I'm not saying that Rashford will necessarily have these problems. I'm just saying a great start to a career is just that, a start. He will most likely be a PL player at the least, but so is Bojan and he's still considered a flop because of a stellar start to his career. All I'm saying is I wouldn't count any chickens yet. I also don't think developing a player at Man Utd so he can have a solid career somewhere else in the league is really the desired result.

I can say confidently that I never said Rashford will be a star player. Since the game against Arsenal I said he will be a PL player if not a player at ManUtd and I'm still repeating the same point.

Even if he just becomes a squad player at ManUtd then it's a success. Clubs pay more than 10 Million for squad players so we will be saving lot of money. For example, ManUtd of the past always had squad players from the academy. Brown, O'Shea, Fletcher, Evans, Phil Neville and there are many more. It saves club lot of money to sign players just to fill squad.

Fosu Mensah cost nothing, Rojo cost 16 Million pounds. Most ManUtd fans would love to see Fosu Mensah playing than Rojo. Likewise, if Rashford can just become squad player also it's a success.

As for Mourinho, I was really using him as an example of coach that has a win now mentality and won't play a bunch of teenagers. Until he arrives though it's pointless to argue what he may or may not do.

I agree that Mourinho is not a good coach when it comes to promoting players from academy to first team but he has a decent record of playing youngsters who are already part of first team. Yeah for now it's pointless argument on what Jose might do when it's not even 100% that he will ManUtd manager.