2012/13 Premier League discussion thread

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

The big one is about to begin once again lads. Hopefully week 1 will bring a lot of goals, controversy and maybe even a shock!

God I've missed Jeff Stelling and the boys!

Game on.

[Guest]

Do you think you have a shot at the title Ent?

[Ent]

Messed that situation up, saved by a rash tackle.

Hopefully no mess up this time

[Ent]

We'll be up there as fergie provides a good mentality and overall the league is fairly weak, but realistically I don't think we have a genuine chance. Overall play is very poor and unless we improve dramatically I can't see it.

[Ent]

Not the best penalty just glad it went in.

No doubt we will offer liverpool a chance in the next 15 mins.

Glad kagawa is off, not impressed so far.

[Ent]

Not even a foul there, sympathy card.

[Gregers]

United were very average today but fortunately had the ref in their pocket. Thought pool played pretty well

[Ent]

Agree we were poor but it's childish to say we had the ref on our side.

Really several moments of stupidity gave us the initiative- namely Shelvey.

[GSC]

I didn't have a problem with the ref today. Clear penalty and stupidity from Shelvey

[hampo17]

Ent you point out that the Shelvey moment, I would say to you Evans was very lucky in that incident. He actually went in two footed and had Shelvey stayed down and screamed like he did I think you could have seen Evans sent off as well. Then throw in the Van Persie booking which was very similar to Shelveys, lunging in without control and he only got a yellow. Halsay had a poor game.

However Liverpool outplayed United today and I'm taking the positives from that, the new system seems to be sinking in and if we play like that every week we'll beat most teams.

[GSC]

Evans was a booking at worst.

Shelvey jumped in, 2 feet off the ground, its as clear a red as you're likely to see.

Absolutely no problems with the ref today as a neutral.

[Beer]

Never a red card. Loved the fact he had a pop at Fergie as well.

[Guest]

Good performance from Arsenal and perhaps looked the better side? They certainly appear a lot more dogged than previous seasons. Could this be their year?

[Ent]

Halsey was fine, stop looking for excuses.

Evans was lucky not to be injured, you can read back in the thread for thoughts on the tackle.

As for the rvp one it was barely a foul.

[Guest]

the chanting from liverpool or Manchester united fans, was awful, heard what they were chanting on SSN, and it was dreadful what was sung, and they should be ashamed of themselves!

[Duty281]

the chanting from liverpool or Manchester united fans, was awful, heard what they were chanting on SSN, and it was dreadful what was sung, and they should be ashamed of themselves!

If Twitter is anything to go by, then Liverpool fans made aeroplane gestures and sang about Munich before United fans retaliated with chants about Heysel and Hillsborough. Not saying that's the gospel truth, just what I read on Twitter.

[The Special Juan]

the chanting from liverpool or Manchester united fans, was awful, heard what they were chanting on SSN, and it was dreadful what was sung, and they should be ashamed of themselves!

If Twitter is anything to go by, then Liverpool fans made aeroplane gestures and sang about Munich before United fans retaliated with chants about Heysel and Hillsborough. Not saying that's the gospel truth, just what I read on Twitter.

2 wrongs don't make a right.

[Ent]

No doubt both sets will claim the other started it, like a playground.

[hampo17]

Halsey was fine, stop looking for excuses.

Evans was lucky not to be injured, you can read back in the thread for thoughts on the tackle.

As for the rvp one it was barely a foul.

I've seen United fans on twitter and Facebook saying that Halsay had a poor game, I was with friends who are United fans during the game who said the same thing. Definition of a dangerous tackle is not having control, RVP lost control and was lucky that Suso got out of the way.

Spoiler:

That's a great angle of the tackle and shows that they where both as bad as each other.

[Ent]

They weren't similar, being that rvp cleanly won the ball.

It's childish to blame the ref, it was a clear red for Shelvey and even then Liverpool were on top - why not look at the dreadful defending that led to the penalty.

[liverbnz]

Halsey was rubbish. Anyone arguing otherwise has their head up their bum. Evans could have conceded 2 pens and should have been sent off for the 2 footed lunge on Shelvey. Plus there were countless attempts to take Sterlings legs away. United's penalty was soft as hell into the bargain. Even Gary Neville admitted United got all the decisions. That says everything.

The only decision he got right was to red card Shelvey.

[GSC]

Gary Neville's been a pretty neutral analyst.

United's pen was undoubtedly a pen

[liverbnz]

There was plenty of doubt about it.

And yes, Neville is neutral which is exactly my point.

[Ent]

Neville was being diplomatic, the ref wasn't perfect but he got the big decisions right.

Same old problems for Liverpool, can't score when on top and make errors at the back - why not worry about that rather than hope for hopeful penalties, can't believe you think Evans should have given away 2 and been sent off - deluded.

[liverbnz]

Pull your head out of your rear.

Evans went in 2 footed on Shelvey. Straight red for dangerous play.

He'd previously hauled Agger to the floor, much more obvious than Johnson on Valencia. He also tripped Suarez but he shouldn't even have been on the pitch at that stage.

The discussion is about the refs performance, no need for you to act as conductor.

Edit: Neville was not 'just being diplomatic'. He needn't have said anything as the question about the ref was directed at Redknapp and not him. He decided to chip in of his own accord.

[Ent]

Well you are wrong, which you will see when the result isn't stinging- how can a player who is fouled be sent off? He was tackling with 1 foot, with which he played the ball with his instep.

As Goethe penalty shouts behave, agger and he were tussling ad agger threw himself down, same with Suarez.

Shelvey could have been booked before his red,
Both suarez and sterling could have been booked for diving.

The red wasn't great but he was fair, stop complaining and look at your own inadequacies.

[liverbnz]

Please stop telling people what and what not to debate.

Evans left the ground and followed through 2 footed on Shelvey Shelvey also played the ball which is why it went behind Evans. He was sent off for his follow thorugh as should Evans have been.

Valencia also threw himself down under minimal contact if any. Evans caught Suarez clearly and Evans had both Agger's arms pulled around his back at one point.


I'm beginning to wonder if you even seen it now so I feel I may be wasting my time.

[Ent]

You are just seeing what you want to see because you lost.

Evans was tackling with 1 foot, with which he kicked the ball- the position of the other is irrelevant, you may have had a point if he had tackled somebody straight on like this but he didn't. Shelvey was off te ground over the ball and accidentally played it with his calf - it was a straight red and no complaints although plenty of time for continual swearing at a pensioner.

They were holding each other and agger flopped over, Suarez and Evans played the ball then the biggest cheat in the league threw himself over yet again.

Johnson slid in from behind and didn't get the ball, again no complaints.

Moaning about the ref (who was alright) is masking the issues - but continue with the delusions if you want.

[hampo17]

100% disagree with you Ent and I'm beginning to wonder if you're on a wind up. Suarez knocks the ball past Evans, there is then contact which he goes down under and it should have been a penalty. The Agger one you rarely see given so not fussed about that one, I posted a picture before that quite clearly shows Evans went in two footed with Shelvey if you chose to ignore that then fair enough but ignorance is not an excuse when there is clear evidence. I've actually watched the Valencia penalty a few times, and while it was a soft penalty it is Johnsons arm that makes contact with him, and it makes contact while Johnson is running so saying he slides in recklessly is just plain stupid.

Look at this way had those decisions gone against your team you'd be complaining. For certain United fans to say the red had a poor game speaks volumes.

[liverbnz]

I know exactly what I saw. Evans followed through with 2 feet off the ground [evidence provided] It's irrelevant if we got the ball with 1 foot. And Evans never even touched the ball when fouling Suarez which makes it patently clear to me that you are twisting it to suit yourself.

Spoiler:

[Ent]

Yeah Evans had already played the ball with the instep of his right foot at the point that picture is taken - it's just trying to manipulate things.

Thought Evans toed the ball then Suarez took yet another dive.

Penalty was clear, he slid in wrecklessly without getting the ball.

Anyway pretty clear we aren't going to agree, most neutrals on the thread have had no issue with the ref, but continue - all the refs fault.

If clear decisions went against us I wouldnt complain, especially if we brought it on ourselves and imploded.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Have to say seeing it on MOTD 2, it looks like a clear red for Shelvey completely reckless.

[Beer]

Have to say seeing it on MOTD 2, it looks like a clear red for Shelvey completely reckless.

You must be blind.

And the comment about swearing at a pensioner?

Poor Fergie.

[Ent]

In any other field no one would approve of a 20 year old swearing at a 70 year old.

Perception is everything, apathy will teach you more about football than zealotry - if you can be bothered to watch!

[Beer]

As they would wonder how demented and unhinged a 70 year old man is screaming at a 45 year old referee and tapping his watch furiously.

Swings and roundabouts.

[Lee]

This isn't any 70 year old man, It's Alex "Hair dryer" Ferguson

He shouts at 20 year old's all the time lol

[hampo17]

Shelvey has come out and apologised over those scenes. He explained that he feels Rio Ferdinand had a big say in him getting sent off.

[Beer]

Shelvey has come out and apologised over those scenes. He explained that he feels Rio Ferdinand had a big say in him getting sent off.

He definitely wasn't happy with Rio as it was quite clear what he was telling him.

[Lumbering_Jack]

Clear red for Shelvey, not sure how anyone could argue otherwise. The Evans one is a little more up in the air, could be a red but I wouldnt really argue either way.

Valencia dived for the pen, no doubt. As did Suarez, does he really need to flick his arse out everytime he falls over. I dont think I have seen a cheat as big as him. Shameful.

[Stella]

I was a bit surprised he sent him off as up until that point had let a couple of things go even though it was a red card tackle.

Utd were slow and couldn't pass for toffee but this is Utd and they do win when not playing well. Fergie has a way of doing this, which separates him from the rest.

As for Liverpool. They played well and will win sooner or later.......probably!

[Crimey]

As for Liverpool. They played well and will win sooner or later.......probably!

Been waiting for about 18 months now!

[Mike Selig]

For what it's worth:

- Shelvey = clear RC in today's game and rightfully so. Could have seriously injured Evans.

- Evans = a bit fortunate that Shelvey clattered him so badly. Both studs showing on impact with the player, so could have gone as well. Saved by the fact that Shelvey's tackle looked (much) worse, and Evans didn't go in with nearly so much momentum.

- Suarez shout = no penalty, defender just about got the ball, no way the ref could call that from there - you have to be 100% to give a pen.

- Valencia pen = correct decision, not a huge amount of contact, but undoubtedly contact and poor challenge from Johnson.

[Ent]

Straightforward win tonight for united, a few positives to take.

Newcastle will be losing sleep, not pressuring a defense with 2 appearances between them and no wingers to protect the fullbacks.

[Smirnoffpriest]

Good win for arsenal, shame about missd pen for giroud (damn u streakers!), but comfortable anyway. Its good to see our strength in depth, with good players playd coz they need gametime as they cant get into the team. In recent years we would have playd all 19 year olds and drawn the game as we didnt take it seriously.

[The Special Juan]

Not PL related but hilarious all the same:

http://www.lefigaro.fr/arts-expositions/2012/09/26/03015-20120926ARTFIG00633-la-vengeance-de-zidane-par-adel-abdessemed.php

[Beer]

Straightforward win tonight for united, a few positives to take.

Newcastle will be losing sleep, not pressuring a defense with 2 appearances between them and no wingers to protect the fullbacks.

No we won't.

We played a fairly young side in what is our 4th priority this year. We should of made the most of our earlier chances but that's life. No shame in losing to any United side.

[Smirnoffpriest]

Not PL related but hilarious all the same:

http://www.lefigaro.fr/arts-expositions/2012/09/26/03015-20120926ARTFIG00633-la-vengeance-de-zidane-par-adel-abdessemed.php

Only in France...

Though I would love to see a statue of Vinny Jones grabbing Gazza's pride and joy! LOL

[Ent]

Straightforward win tonight for united, a few positives to take.

Newcastle will be losing sleep, not pressuring a defense with 2 appearances between them and no wingers to protect the fullbacks.

No we won't.

We played a fairly young side in what is our 4th priority this year. We should of made the most of our earlier chances but that's life. No shame in losing to any United side.

You should be, very little pressure on a back four with virtually no experience and poor tactics to not try and expose them out wide.

I also confused what teams like everton and newcastle have to gain from resting players in September?

[Smirnoffpriest]

Straightforward win tonight for united, a few positives to take.

Newcastle will be losing sleep, not pressuring a defense with 2 appearances between them and no wingers to protect the fullbacks.

No we won't.

We played a fairly young side in what is our 4th priority this year. We should of made the most of our earlier chances but that's life. No shame in losing to any United side.

You should be, very little pressure on a back four with virtually no experience and poor tactics to not try and expose them out wide.

I also confused what teams like everton and newcastle have to gain from resting players in September?

I'd imagine the same thing teams like Arsenal and Man U have to gain

[Ent]

Straightforward win tonight for united, a few positives to take.

Newcastle will be losing sleep, not pressuring a defense with 2 appearances between them and no wingers to protect the fullbacks.

No we won't.

We played a fairly young side in what is our 4th priority this year. We should of made the most of our earlier chances but that's life. No shame in losing to any United side.

You should be, very little pressure on a back four with virtually no experience and poor tactics to not try and expose them out wide.

I also confused what teams like everton and newcastle have to gain from resting players in September?

I'd imagine the same thing teams like Arsenal and Man U have to gain

I shouldn't have to explain but I will, unites and arsenal have reserve players capable of winning these games and players who need games due to a large squad. They also play spurs and Chelsea (Liverpool and city last) this weekend where everton have Southampton and Newcastle reading. They will also be challenging for the league/cl places where Newcastle/everton will be aiming for uefa cup- which is a reward for winning this trophy...

It was stupidity of both sides to not field stronger teams.

[GSC]

Newcastle were within 1 game of the CL last season.

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