English (Barclay's) Premier League

[ProudNissanFreak]

This thread is for those of us who follow the EPL/BPL. I'm a MU fan - I've been following them since I was 6.

Currently top of the league with a big game against the Scousers tomorrow Pretty confident we'll win the league this year, not too concerned about the Gunners being 3 points off.

[RCA]

This needed to be created a long time ago. I love me some soccer but I don't follow it. I need it to show up on my daily TV experience and I will watch it, outside of that I won't wake up at 9-10am to watch most of the games. I actually hold any allegiance to any teams, but I use Chelsea A LOT in my FIFA Manager Modes so i guess I'm a Blue at heart.

PNF, how did you fall into soccer and EPL? Did you grow up on the other side of the pond?

[ProudNissanFreak]

I lived in Singapore for 6 years or so as a kid, and my friend's dad was a Red Devil and got me into it. I've been following them since, though I haven't had time to really watch the games until this year, which is nice. I'll wake up early if I have to for the games, even if it's 7 am. Our third loss of the season today was against Liverpool, which is disappointing. 3-1, blech. Hopefully Rio's back from injury soon and Ji-Sung and Valencia as well, especially with Nani taking a hit today and being stretchered off.

Home against Arsenal this weekend for FA cup semi's I think. Let's go United!

I also used to play for fun btw. Right winger/midfield were my positions.

[ThatGuyRoger]

I'b been a fan/followed Man U for the past few years, so I try and catch the games on tv when I can. Right now they are playing Chelsea in the Champions League, I must've been out of the loop with the Premier League, but when did Fernando Torres sign with Chelsea?

[BusyBadger]

I'm a MU fan - I've been following them since I was 6.

I can no longer associate with you.

[ProudNissanFreak]

I'b been a fan/followed Man U for the past few years, so I try and catch the games on tv when I can. Right now they are playing Chelsea in the Champions League, I must've been out of the loop with the Premier League, but when did Fernando Torres sign with Chelsea?

Ladyboy signed on the last day of the Jan window, only 1 goal so far... 50 million pounds for an actor is quite a bit Beat Schalke in the CL yesterday 2-0, should have been 10-0 if it weren't for Neuer's saves. Wish he would sign with us Rooney's back in tip top form and has a great partnership with Chica. Hate to say it, but I think Berbatov's days are numbered. Played carelessly in FA Cup semis!

I'm a MU fan - I've been following them since I was 6.

I can no longer associate with you.

LULZ. Why? Because your title hopes are gone? Loved the talk of winning the quadruple from Wenger, and one by one you were knocked out of each competition Credit to the Gooners for beating Barca in the first leg, but that's about it, haha :P

See you on Sunday

[BusyBadger]

Oh yeah? But, but...

Can't win them all, but you can avoid losing any. **cough** 2003-2004 **cough** I've got a feeling we won't be seeing that again for a looooong time.

People always talk about the mansion they would buy if they won the lotto. Me, I just want a penthouse...at Highbury.

[ProudNissanFreak]

True, but our only acceptable losses were at Wolves and Anfield (damn scousers!). I think we could have gone unbeaten otherwise. And I do agree, 03-04 won't be emulated anytime soon. Not gunna lie, that was pretty impressive ...sort of


I definitely didn't find the refereeing to be fair against Chelsea at the Bridge. Same for last year, the offside goal, that was ridiculous. A child would have recognized that and called it. Atkinson is a joke :|

Did you see Madrid vs Barca yesterday? So much s*** until Messi scored 2. It's over for RM, the final is set for United vs Barca. Schalke don't stand a chance of a comeback after playing like garbage at home. They'll be torn apart at Old Trafford

[serg-z32]

I'm a Newcastle United fan since 1999!.

Lol. I love the EPL...


I saw the Madrid/Barca game... It reminded me why I dont watch Spanish football, its so boring.
Mourinho needs to come back to the EPL. Lol. Just saying..

[BusyBadger]

Arsenal, One - nil.

How many times have I heard that score before. I never said they were exciting. Hell of a time for Ramsey to score his first goal in over a year though.

Looks like there's still some race left to be run.

[ProudNissanFreak]

Hate to say it, but you guys played well and kept possession. Chelsea on Sunday, confident of a win


...unless Atkinson is refereeing again.

[serg-z32]

damn it..

now were on the bottom half of the table.

[ProudNissanFreak]

Yeah, it sucks. All 4 CL semi final teams lost this weekend. United need to splurge big time on quality midfielders. Carrick's been amazing in the CL, but in PL games...he just sucks! Anderson isn't consistent enough, Fletcher's just getting back a little too late from his virus, and Schole's is banned for 4 more games, perfect.

Not much of a central midfield we have right now. Wingers are doing great, but we need central players desperately.

[serg-z32]

Not to mention Owen Hargreaves.
I hope Man Utd doesn't try to take Joey Barton from us.

[ProudNissanFreak]

We'd rather have Tiote I think Brilliant goal vs Arsenal few weeks back

Supposedly we're trying to get Sneijder here, which would be lovely. Modric would be a boost too, but Redknapp will never sell him

[serg-z32]

Noez!. You can't have Mr T!.... you can have Guthrie and we'll take Macheda since he wont probably wont play with Man Utd next season anyways.... Lol

Sneijder would be a terrific buy... How do you feel about Niko Kranjcar ( I had to google his name, lol) ???
He could be a good sub for clutch games. I think that's what Man Utd is looking in some game, creativity.

[ProudNissanFreak]

As much potential as Macheda has with United, I really don't think he'll get much game time. Chicha and Rooney will always have first priority because of their partnership with Berbatov on the bench and Owen...well, I think his playing days are over. Welbeck's also returning, and idk about Diouf.

Kranjcar would be a good buy as well. We need an attacking midfield, rather than a holding midfield. Carrick never gets forward, and while Fletcher does on occasion, he's rarely influential up there. We're definitely lacking creativity, and as much of a legend Scholes is to us, he's become reckless with his challenges this season. Maybe a bench man, but not a regular.

I haven't really followed Newcastle's stuff, but aren't you guys in need of a striker after Carroll left?

Edit: Would also LOVE to see someone like van der Vaart play for us. What a game changer he's been for Spurs.

[serg-z32]

I wouldn't actually mind seeing Macheda in a Toon shirt... he few times he has been giving playing time at Man United, he looked decent. More so then some of our own strikers we currently have.
Yea, we are desperately short on strikers. The sell of Carroll was hard to take, he was our number 9!
We did get a striker in after the sell of Carroll... we somehow managed to beat numerous clubs and capture a massive legend.. Shefki Kuqi.
We currently have no real goal threat... I cant believe i'm saying this... but Shola Ameobi is our number one striker, yet he ALWAY gets hurt. Peter Lovenkrands is not a center forward, he does a decent job of running around and pputting pressure on the oposition. Nile Ranger is a rookie and anything he does this season is learning experience.


Now on to Man United...
Like I said before, creativity is one what they have been lacking in the middle of the pitch. Sholes looked to have been feeling the void on the first half of the season.. but now just gone bonkers. Lol.
To be quite honest, I dont think Rafael would work in Man United... granted he is top class and like you pointed out, a game changer. Isn't he more of a second striker then a midfielder?. Rooney fills that spot behind the main striker, plus Rooney can go wide at time and so can Hernandez. When Rooney is the main centre forward, you have Berbatov to play behind him. Just my opinion...

[ProudNissanFreak]

Bwahahha, Kuqi. The man's been to so many clubs it's ridiculous! Yeah, hopefully you guys can get someone in this summer!

s*** - I mean, City's apparently in the bid for Sneijder too and trying to get de Jong to influence him, but I think he'd rather go to a club that wins something every year

We just made a huge bid for a winger at Udinese apparently as well, another City target, but we've got to splurge big time, but carefully on our midfield. Rooney's loving his new role and it's certainly showing nearly every game in terms of results. Berba's just too slow, to be honest. Great striker when he gets the chance, but too slow, especially on counter attacks.

Then we've got out GK issue with VDS retiring. Too bad Neuer won't join I honestly would rather have Steklenberg or Lloris anyways. I just don't want any mistakes like we had after Schmeicle left. Bleh, summer signings have got me worked up!

In other news, I'm considering going to DC to watch them play against Barca this July!

[serg-z32]

Lol. He's just plain awful... Oh yea, I forgot to mention Leon Best. Championship goalscorer at best... If we do keep him, I dont see why he wont be a good sub.

Who isn't linked with a move to City? lol. Footballers now just move for the money... and City have the funds to make anyone think twice about going somewhere else.

What Berba is good at is holding up play and slowing the game down. Man United look like going at 100mph without him on the pitch... Lol.
VDS reitiring is going to be no bueno for United.. Didnt you guys just buy Lindegaard?

[ProudNissanFreak]

Yeah, we bought Lindegaard, but he looks like the new #2 Gk and recently was out for 5 weeks after surgery. This whole GK hunt has me worried, I hope we find one soon, and a damn good one at that. I heard Reina might come to OT, but I don't want him. Good GK, but not as good as others out there.

Good game today against Schalke, 4-1, 6-1 on aggregate. Finals vs Barca, I hope we win. It's going to be one hell of a match, but I don't want a repeat of '09.

[serg-z32]

I dont see Reina leaving Anfield... maybe he would have left In January, but after all the new changes and things looking up at Liverpool, I dont think he will leave. Hmm... a keeper good enough for the Red Devils... IDK, that's a tough one. You mentioned Lloris already... Long shot, but what about Buffon? Sir Alex Ferguson hasn't done well picking up young keepers, right?

[ProudNissanFreak]

Nope, he sure hasn't. Target De Geae of Atletico Madrid, but he's unsure he wants to leave Spain. Only 20 y/o and a quality keeper!

[ProudNissanFreak]

YEAHHHHH BITCHESSSS #19 ON THE WAY!