(Football) Soccer thread (English Premier League, Champions League)

[Jonesy]

An El Clasico on steroids! it'll definitely be a game to watch

[scruffynick]

Juve for me, had a few finals stolen from them when they were the top dogs......maybe now their underdogs they can pull of a Dortmund 97 or real 98.....should have won it in 03 at old Trafford too.......but I just think a barca real final would get destroyed by cheating play acting etc.....I enjoyed last week as the cheating was minimal

[Nick6771]

Ok so who's going to finish 18th? 'ull, Slumerland or the Toon?

For purely childish reasons I'd have to go with Newcastle.

[Jonesy]

So the top of the table is looking pretty much sorted, the bottom of the table is looking interesting though... Newcastle possibly to get relegated??

[scruffynick]

Wearing a tiger face mask on Sunday......laugh me stones off if Newcastle went down. And if big sam sends them down after the way he was treated by Newcastle.....even better!!! For once want United to lose as it means nowt anyway as top 4 is done, so let brucey have the win as boy he responsible for some if United's greatest ever moments (including May favorite United moment ever, 93 Sheffield Wednesday.....never jumped as high in my life when that went in)

[scruffynick]

Nearly there.....Just over a week to go and we all start again!

[TheGameChanger]

Hopefully United get a Central Defender in the next few days.

[Jonesy]

Excited this thread is coming back! can't wait for the league to start!

[The Arsenal]

[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1438336938' post='12052676']
Excited this thread is coming back! can't wait for the league to start!
[/quote]Likewise, I'm hoping this is finally the year Arsenal ends the PL drought...11 seasons is long enough.

[The Arsenal]

[quote name='jrharden' timestamp='1409535385' post='10042479']
I agree, Wegner seems to want to doom himself. There are just a few holes, but glaring holes, that need to be filled and Wegner won't pull the trigger.
[/quote][quote name='jrharden' timestamp='1409502595' post='10040333']
As an Arsenal fan, I am very concerned with the lack of a striker. Sanogo just doesn't do it for me and I keep asking where is Podolski?

Chelsea scared me yesterday and Liverpool looked good this morning.
[/quote]I know this was posted almost a year ago, but what do you think of the reports of Arsenal potentially closing on Benzema or Lewandowski? Sanchez was a great signing last year, but he's not a striker and we've definitely needed a prolific striker since van Persie left. Also, Cech was a steal, but I still think Ospina could become solid...I would leave if I was going to be benched, so I won't be surprised if he leaves for another offer.

[scruffynick]

[quote name='The Arsenal' timestamp='1438395447' post='12057698']
[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1438336938' post='12052676']
Excited this thread is coming back! can't wait for the league to start!
[/quote]Likewise, I'm hoping this is finally the year Arsenal ends the PL drought...11 seasons is long enough.
[/quote]
Can't see past Chelsea again, top 4 will stay the same but it's going to be very close til May!

[mtgrizinmn]

[quote name='The Arsenal' timestamp='1438395510' post='12057710'][quote name='jrharden' timestamp='1409535385' post='10042479']
I agree, Wegner seems to want to doom himself. There are just a few holes, but glaring holes, that need to be filled and Wegner won't pull the trigger.
[/quote][quote name='jrharden' timestamp='1409502595' post='10040333']
As an Arsenal fan, I am very concerned with the lack of a striker. Sanogo just doesn't do it for me and I keep asking where is Podolski?

Chelsea scared me yesterday and Liverpool looked good this morning.
[/quote]I know this was posted almost a year ago, but what do you think of the reports of Arsenal potentially closing on Benzema or Lewandowski? Sanchez was a great signing last year, but he's not a striker and we've definitely needed a prolific striker since van Persie left. Also, Cech was a steal, but I still think Ospina could become solid...I would leave if I was going to be benched, so I won't be surprised if he leaves for another offer.[/quote]
I try not to get too excited about signings until they actually happen. I agree Cech was a good signing, but felt that Ospina was playing very well for us. With Schezny out on loan I don't think Wegner can let him leave.

We do need a proven striker to help out, and it hard when you read things that say they have enough money to buy just about anyone, and they don't make any moves. It makes me think that Wegner sees something that we don't.

Overall we should finish top four, but I'll wait to see about a push for 1st until I've seen them in action.

[JWells]

Could use a few more guys in my fantasy league. Code is : 1056936-257124

[mtgrizinmn]

[quote name='JWells' timestamp='1438865351' post='12088602']
Could use a few more guys in my fantasy league. Code is : 1056936-257124
[/quote]

I'll join. I started a tread looking to see if anyone was interested in a WRX one, but got no takers.

[BVIChester]

Looking forward to the season starting again. Feels like its been an age. Terrible viewing times here in NZ but their Premier League Pass that allows you to watch whole matches again whenever you want is a god send.

As a Palace fan its been a very good summer. Obv the signing of Cabaye being the highlight. We have a really strong attacking team going forward. Couple of worries are having such a young strike force with Wickham (needs to now prove himself) and Bamford and our defence that has over performed the last couple of years. A terrible first 7 games as well but there really arent that many easy games now.

Should be a great year.

[mac94]

Chelsea need some help up front because right now they're scoring is pathetic. If Costa is out for an extended time they have no shot at competing.

[Jonesy]

Very excited and nervous for this season, United fan here, I'm also concerned with what's happening up front in United, Rooney might have to step up to the plate and score goals like it's nobody's business... Only one way to tell for all these teams and that's to just get stuck in to the season!

[scruffynick]

[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1438949447' post='12094754']
Very excited and nervous for this season, United fan here, I'm also concerned with what's happening up front in United, Rooney might have to step up to the plate and score goals like it's nobody's business... Only one way to tell for all these teams and that's to just get stuck in to the season!
[/quote]
More bothered about no de gea......it's a shambles a day before the season kicks off that United are playing a keeper that has played 45 minutes thus far. Had all summer to sort out de gea and di Maria, had no euros and world cup too! I just can't get me head round van gaal not buying at least 1 centre half either........hoping he's got something up his sleeve worth ed

[i*windows]

[quote name='JWells' timestamp='1438865351' post='12088602']
Could use a few more guys in my fantasy league. Code is : 1056936-257124
[/quote]

I'm in, Bavarian bantams

[scruffynick]

Busy morning......daughter at Reebok (Bolton ground) for gymnastics at 9, then straight to a party (for 5 year olds) at 10.30.......Will be leaving for a quick pint before heading off the Old Trafford for 12.45........ooohhhh the buzz of a new season and what awaits over the next 9 months!

[TheGameChanger]

My Current 11 for Manchester United for Tonight's Game

Johnstone
Valencia-Smalling-Jones-Shaw
Herrera-Carrick-Schneiderlin
Mata - Rooney - Memphis

However I think LVG will go with Blind instead of Smalling.

[mnplayer]

I'm sure Jose will play the same team he played practically all of last season. I'm a bit worried that everyone in the top 4 has gotten better except Chelsea. We've seen teams the past couple of years think they can win the league with the same squad and that hasn't happened. Should be a fun season. Looks like there are four teams with legitimate title chances. Jose will probably start Remy but I'd like to see Falcao; he's looked better than Remy in preseason.

Courtois
Ivanovic Cahill Terry Azpilicueta
Fabregas Matic
Willian Oscar Hazard
Falcao

[TheGameChanger]

[quote name='mnplayer' timestamp='1439005019' post='12099504']
I'm sure Jose will play the same team he played practically all of last season. I'm a bit worried that everyone in the top 4 has gotten better except Chelsea. We've seen teams the past couple of years think they can win the league with the same squad and that hasn't happened. Should be a fun season. Looks like there are four teams with legitimate title chances. Jose will probably start Remy but I'd like to see [b]Falcao[/b]; he's looked better than Remy in preseason.

Courtois
Ivanovic Cahill Terry Azpilicueta
Fabregas Matic
Willian Oscar Hazard
Falcao
[/quote]

Falcao wasn't as bad as people made out last season. Think he'll have a good season.

[Golfingfanatic]

Falcao is all about self-confidence. if Mourinho gets him to feel welcomed and self-confident then watchout bpl defenders

[scruffynick]

That was dull.....boy it was hot, never been to Old Trafford in shorts before! Needed a few drinks after, but a win is a win and United looked comfortable in the end......we're 3 points better off than last season, in fact United didn't have 3 points till the 4th game!

[TheGameChanger]

[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1439052777' post='12101116']
That was dull.....boy it was hot, never been to Old Trafford in shorts before! Needed a few drinks after, but a win is a win and United looked comfortable in the end......we're 3 points better off than last season, in fact United didn't have 3 points till the 4th game!
[/quote]

Smalling was outstanding.

[scruffynick]

[quote name='TheGameChanger' timestamp='1439086151' post='12103324']
[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1439052777' post='12101116']
That was dull.....boy it was hot, never been to Old Trafford in shorts before! Needed a few drinks after, but a win is a win and United looked comfortable in the end......we're 3 points better off than last season, in fact United didn't have 3 points till the 4th game!
[/quote]

Smalling was outstanding.
[/quote]
He was, looks very good now.......thought the new right back played well to. Overall ok, but it was that hot both sets of players really struggled! But chuffed with a win

[TheGameChanger]

[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1439105282' post='12104118']
[quote name='TheGameChanger' timestamp='1439086151' post='12103324']
[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1439052777' post='12101116']
That was dull.....boy it was hot, never been to Old Trafford in shorts before! Needed a few drinks after, but a win is a win and United looked comfortable in the end......we're 3 points better off than last season, in fact United didn't have 3 points till the 4th game!
[/quote]

Smalling was outstanding.
[/quote]
He was, looks very good now.......thought the new right back played well to. Overall ok, but it was that hot both sets of players really struggled! But chuffed with a win
[/quote]

Need to get a good CB to go with Smalling. Rojo is alright. However he seems to missing. I Don't rate Jones. I Would love Hummels however I Doubt he'll leave Dortmund.

[Jonesy]

[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1438959870' post='12095604']
[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1438949447' post='12094754']
Very excited and nervous for this season, United fan here, I'm also concerned with what's happening up front in United, Rooney might have to step up to the plate and score goals like it's nobody's business... Only one way to tell for all these teams and that's to just get stuck in to the season!
[/quote]
More bothered about no de gea......it's a shambles a day before the season kicks off that United are playing a keeper that has played 45 minutes thus far. Had all summer to sort out de gea and di Maria, had no euros and world cup too! I just can't get me head round van gaal not buying at least 1 centre half either........hoping he's got something up his sleeve worth ed
[/quote]

Is De Gea staying now? Heard something about him staying on the radio the other day?

[scruffynick]

[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1439373037' post='12122068']
[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1438959870' post='12095604']
[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1438949447' post='12094754']
Very excited and nervous for this season, United fan here, I'm also concerned with what's happening up front in United, Rooney might have to step up to the plate and score goals like it's nobody's business... Only one way to tell for all these teams and that's to just get stuck in to the season!
[/quote]
More bothered about no de gea......it's a shambles a day before the season kicks off that United are playing a keeper that has played 45 minutes thus far. Had all summer to sort out de gea and di Maria, had no euros and world cup too! I just can't get me head round van gaal not buying at least 1 centre half either........hoping he's got something up his sleeve worth ed
[/quote]

Is De Gea staying now? Heard something about him staying on the radio the other day?
[/quote]
Your guess is good as mine.......sky sports reporting the argie defender from Valencia is very close as is Pedro......would be very happy if both come before Friday if true of course. Don't believe anything till a player is holding a shirt at Old Trafford these days