*Official* 09/10 EPL Thread

[Glory's Sun]

I think this is make or break time for Mark Hughes. After Citeh's game against the boo boys, citeh will either use that momentum and win games, or they'll continue to be pretenders and draw against everyone. Hopefully, they will continue to be pretenders.

Interesting week in the EPL though.. I've never seen so many missed penalties in one weekend. Even the mighty Cristiano missed one for Real.

United now only 2 points behind Chelscum. Could a weak and underdeveloped United team really walk away with the title??

[fatboss]

Three words............

PILE OF SHIT !!!!!!!!!
or
SEE YOU RAFA !!!!!!!!
or
MAYBE NEXT YEAR !!!!!!!!

Still early days I suppose, but it's so fucking sad that fourth place is the best I can hope for!

All yours Man Ure! Unless Chelski can beat you to the title.


FUCK IT!

[Glory's Sun]

Shit.. it's not looking to be United's title either.. horrible loss to Villa yesterday. Chelski lost so that was nice, but we could have pulled level. The gooners are too close for comfort.. I know that..

I was torn today, wanted to see a draw to be honest.

At least some of the anfield crowd is seeing what I've said about Rafa to be true now..he's worthless.

[Vaultboy]

I don't know how Arsenal won yesterday to be honest, but hey, I still don't know how we lost to United earlier this season either. Wenger will need to buy a striker this window, since we look lost up front without our true striker (RvP) or our holding-man (Bendtner).

Breathing down United's neck is always a good thing, but its only December.

[Glory's Sun]

Well, the table doesn't have any major changes, United still 3 down to the booboys, while Citeh put in another fantastically boring finish..

the real news is in the CL. The draw goes

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 DRAW
Stuttgart v Barcelona
Olympiakos v Bordeaux
Inter Milan v CHELSEA
Bayern Munich v Fiorentina
CSKA Moscow v Seville
Lyon v Real Madrid
FC Porto v ARSENAL
AC Milan v MAN UTD


So that means the Great One will return to Chelski, and Becks will be back at Old Trafford. I think Becks will receive a good reception, but the Red Army will secretly hope he chokes. AC Milan seem to have a knack for defeating United in the CL, so I'm hoping it doesn't happen this time.

The gooners seem to have the best draw, but make no mistake, Porto is dangerous.

[Vaultboy]

Originally Posted by guccilvr

The gooners seem to have the best draw, but make no mistake, Porto is dangerous.

Of the English teams yes, but I think Bordeaux will cruise past Olympiakos, and I'm watching Getafe dismantle Seville right now, so their tie with CSKA could go either way.

In OTHER news: Rafa might be out, Hughes definitely is, and I hope Arsenal can play United next weekend. That defense looks delicious.

[fatboss]

I give up!

That was about as poor a display as you're going to see all season.

Mind you, I haven't watched United on Match of the Day yet!

BWWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

If you don't laugh you'll go fuckin nuts!

[Glory's Sun]

Fergie swears he isn't buying anything in the transfer window, but he better buy some defense or United will find themselves 4th in the table. They've had massive injuries this season and that accounts for some of the issues, but the defensive slack is just killer.

We need a new Rio.

[Glory's Sun]

all hail United..

FLIP FLOP FLIP FLOP.

Injuries aside.. they just lack any sort of cohesion. I mean.. really.. losing to the fucking scum of Leeds?!?!

I guess the bright spot is that United isn't in as bad of shape as say, Pompey..

sad situation at Portsmouth..

[Vaultboy]

Hmm, thought I'd bump this thread.

Debt piling in front of Old Trafford's gates like snow, Benitez standing up from the dead (yet again), Vieira going to Citeh, and Arsenal going top. Never saw this January coming six weeks ago.

[Glory's Sun]

Men against boys..

[Vaultboy]

Not really. Chelsea were men against boys. This was just counterattacking and clinical finishing. Arsenal created enough chances, but what hurts is that we've been without a finisher for most of the season, and are playing with 6 midfielders, 4 of which are the same type of player. It says a lot that Walcott made a difference when he came on, considering he's been poor this season. Still, it hurts that Wenger's lost THE two home games that he would have wanted to win this, both by big margins.

[Glory's Sun]

Well considering the massive injuries and suspensions on the back line for United, and the midfield that is still a major issue, I say it was men against boys. Arsenal looked rattled after the first goal.They reverted back to their passing only game that has the fans frustrated for years. United beat them on their own counter game, and while the gooners did create some chances, they didn't do much in the final third with the exception of maybe 10 minutes in the second half.

You have Chelski next, and while I think the gooners are doomed, I'm going to cheer them on only for the sake of the title race.

[Vaultboy]

Originally Posted by guccilvr

Well considering the massive injuries and suspensions on the back line for United, and the midfield that is still a major issue, I say it was men against boys. Arsenal looked rattled after the first goal.They reverted back to their passing only game that has the fans frustrated for years. United beat them on their own counter game, and while the gooners did create some chances, they didn't do much in the final third with the exception of maybe 10 minutes in the second half.

You have Chelski next, and while I think the gooners are doomed, I'm going to cheer them on only for the sake of the title race.

You do realise that Rooney was the difference, right? Without the work he put in, it was down to an Almunia own goal. Look at the chances Arshavin spurned.

Arsenal have equal if not greater injuries this season. United's have just been concentrated in the backline, whereas Arsenal have had injuries in every position. It says much that they're still in the race, even though the best Arsenal lineup on paper hasn't been put out once this season.

[Glory's Sun]

I'm not saying that Arsenal haven't done well despite injuries, and while Rooney had another massive game, I was pleased with the work of the midfield for United. It wasn't classic old guard style midfield, but it was better. If Ferdinand and Vidic had been healthy, we would easily have seen a 5-0 thrashing.

It wasn't an Almunia own goal, he had horrible positioning on the play and Nani (for once) showed some real magic and put it in the corner. The only reason it even looks like an own goal is because Alumnia had no other chance of stopping the ball because of his horrible positioning on the play.

What's with Clichy and the entire team allowing Park to run nearly half a field without even a mark or attempted tackle? That's they type of play that shows there is still a lot of maturity that needs to happen in the Gooner locker room if they are ever going to bring the EPL title home again.

[Vaultboy]

i cant beleive this thread is so dead, and we have probably the most exciting EPL run-in in the last decade.

Chelski and Man United with a healthy lead, but a more demanding remaining fixture list than Arsenal. City equal with Liverpool for fourth, but breathing down Arsenal's neck with 2 games in hand.

[Glory's Sun]

Arsenal may have saved their title hopes with the last win.

Stupid Stupid Nani. Had he not have been so STUPID, United probably would have won that game and taken the title race lead.

Big problems for Chelski with Ashley Cole out for 3 months (will he be ready for the WC??) and the drama of John the teamplayer Terry.

[Glory's Sun]

Huzzah for Wazza. Valencia showed why Fergie purchased him yesterday. Kid was simply brilliant on the flank. United still have some backline issues, but I'm pleased with the way the game went overall yesterday..with the exception of Carrick being sent off for such a petty crime.

Looking forward to the home leg on March 10th. Should be a cracking atmosphere inside OT.

[Strange Famous]

No one is talking about Portsmouth?

[Glory's Sun]

no. we're not. it's too embarrassing to talk about.

[Vaultboy]

well, things just got a little more interesting at the top.

[Glory's Sun]

embarrassing display by United. Everton are on the upswing, and we're seeing that Donovan is good, but, that was just poor by United.

[Vaultboy]

Seeing Ramsey lower leg dangle like that deflated my whole evening. I'm fking distraught. The win doesn't make even up for it in the least. The lads worked hard tonight though. And you could see the team spirit at the end. They believe they have it in them to win the title, and as a team I'm sure they'll support Ramsey.

[Glory's Sun]

the Carling Cup is kinda pointless for me.

At least everyone who said United wouldn't win any silverware this season can stuff it..

on with the title race. (the most important piece of silverware there is)

[Glory's Sun]

Well, Owen is out for the remainder of the season. He wasn't spectacular, but he did allow Fergie to rotate and rest players up front. This is going to kill his chances with Capello. I'd like to see Owen in the lineup even as a secondary player just because he's lethal if he gets the ball in the box. The Three Lions are going to miss him, but if Wazza stays on form they should be fine.

I think it's safe to say that while Berba is pure class, he just doesn't fit United. Look for Fergie to move him (at a loss) and get another young gun to play inside of Valencia.

1 point back of the dirty blues.. can a tattered and put together United team take the title?

[Glory's Sun]

Where's everyone at?

The title race is amazingly tight..

[Vaultboy]

Yeah, I'm also a bit concerned at the lack of activity on this thread.

I must say, as an Arsenal fan, that I'm relishing being in the race in March. I missed this feeling. I'm obviously hoping that Man Utd and Chelsea drop points against each other and Pool, Spuds or Citeh, since I'm pretty sure we'll drop points against Citeh and maybe one of the relegation contenders. The games against Burnley and Hull had me chewing off my hand - something any Arsenal is used to, but the stress will be worthwhile if we can end up winning the EPL.

I wonder if it worth giving Ladbrokes a call to see what odds they give on the EPL being awarded on Goal Difference. I think there's a fair chance it could go down to that.

[Vaultboy]

Oh noes! There goes the Gunners' last hope of winning the title. Unless Man Utd and Chelsea can let us in a third time.

[Glory's Sun]

I don't know what the hell United were doing last night, but the late winner by Bayern stings a bit. They better tighten that shit up for the next leg.

I'm a bit worried about Wazza and his ankle. I'm hearing it shouldn't be too serious, but ankles are funny things. Get a seemingly harmless knock and next thing you know, you're out for a month.

[Glory's Sun]

shit.

Wazza is out 2-4 weeks. Horrible timing with Chelscum coming up.