Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

Superb by Mourinho. When are Liverpool at their most dangerous? The first thirty minutes of games; that is, generally, when they tear teams apart.

Not allowed to do that today, though, even against a very weakened Chelsea side. Liverpool didn't get a clear chance all game, and one costly, costly error gave Chelsea what they needed.

That and frustration, as Liverpool rapidly ran out of ideas and invention.

Back in City's hands now - another title won on goal difference?

[skyeman]

Some  criticism today over Mourinho tactics v Liverpool. Not sure what people wanted - for Chelsea to play an open match and be torn apart in the first 20 minutes?
OK, sometimes the way a side plays is not pretty or attractive and the game would be a poor spectacle if all teams played like this all the time.
 But there's plenty of ways of winning a football match - long ball, short passing, slow-slow-quick, soaking up the pressure, all-out attack. Managers get enough stick when their sides lose, so it does seem somewhat harsh to lay into them after a victory.

As always, if your team plays this way to get a result, then fastastic tactics. The opposistion lose to this style then negative stuff (but not good enough to beat it on the day}

For the neutral, Depends on the team in question in regards to the verdict and the expectation of the result. Who gave Chelsea much hope after Liverpools very impressive run?

For me yesterday was brilliant tactics from JM. And executed by his charges perfectly.

[compelling and rich]

Team of the Year : Cech, Shaw, Coleman, Kompany, Cahill, Lallana, Hazard, Yaya Toure, Gerrard, Suarez & Sturridge.

I would of gone Azpilicueta instead of Shaw & probably not Gerrard.

Fair team but I'd take Ramsey ahead of Gerrard and Silva ahead of Lallana.

agreed with your two swaps benson, kompany wouldnt be in my team though. purely in there on reputation. by his standards he's had a very poor year. terry and cahill been the best two cb this year

[Champagne_Socialist]

England need Terry at the world cup.

[J.Benson II]

Team of the Year : Cech, Shaw, Coleman, Kompany, Cahill, Lallana, Hazard, Yaya Toure, Gerrard, Suarez & Sturridge.

I would of gone Azpilicueta instead of Shaw & probably not Gerrard.

Fair team but I'd take Ramsey ahead of Gerrard and Silva ahead of Lallana.

agreed with your two swaps benson, kompany wouldnt be in my team though. purely in there on reputation. by his standards he's had a very poor year. terry and cahill been the best two cb this year

Yes, you are right. Kompany is in the team purely on his reputation. He's missed many games through injury and has been error prone in the games he did play. I've seen him get skinned quite a few times this season.
I mentioned in a previous thread that it would be plausible to have the entire back four made up of Chelsea players. Mertseacker is the other CB that potentially could have made the team had it not been for the heavy losses.
Sturridge ahead of Aguero up front due to having more playing time and his partnership with Suarez.

[skyeman]

Confidence can be huge for certain players. If the Pool don't win the PL, that could have an effect on Gerrard whether intentional or not for his WC performances.

Got to see his statements if they don't.

You can never believe the denial stuff.

[Duty281]

Confidence can be huge for certain players. If the Pool don't win the PL, that could have an effect on Gerrard whether intentional or not for his WC performances.

Got to see his statements if they don't.

You can never believe the denial stuff.

The effect it has could go both ways - if Liverpool don't win the league, Gerrard could go into a shell and be absolutely awful this World Cup.

Or it could be the spur that he needs to pull England forward to a brighter, happier place.

I think I know which one I prefer.

[mystiroakey]

That is exactly what worries me Skyeman.

That gerrard may inside feel so gutted and wont be able to pull it out WC time. And he will give it the denial stuff.

[skyeman]

Confidence can be huge for certain players. If the Pool don't win the PL, that could have an effect on Gerrard whether intentional or not for his WC performances.

Got to see his statements if they don't.

You can never believe the denial stuff.

The effect it has could go both ways - if Liverpool don't win the league, Gerrard could go into a shell and be absolutely awful this World Cup.

Or it could be the spur that he needs to pull England forward to a brighter, happier place.

I think I know which one I prefer.

Aye but who could tell?

Hodgson has to make the decision on what he thinks he sees for the best. Just hope the good Gerrard turns up.

[GSC]

Tbh Gerrard won't be as good for England so itll get blamed either way

[skyeman]

That is exactly what worries me Skyeman.

That gerrard may inside feel so gutted and wont be able to pull it out WC time. And he will give it the denial stuff.

Me too. Hodgson has some added dilemma's if this scenario happens. Managers do earn thier corn at times.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I see AFC Wimbledon got docked three points for fielding an ineligible player

Sunderland take note...

[mystiroakey]

As long as he doesn't make a mistake, defends well, passes well, doesnt do too many hollywood passes but is effective 3 in 10 or so when he does - he will do fine.

our chances to get to a quarter or even a semi do not rest on him. but very much on players like cahil, (hopefully terry), sterling, rooney, sturridge, etc

What we need from stevie is to be consistent and organise the team as any captain should.

[mystiroakey]

I see AFC Wimbledon got docked three points for fielding an ineligible player

Sunderland take note...

west ham as well.

But they just dont seem to dock points in the PL.

[skyeman]

Tbh Gerrard won't be as good for England so itll get blamed either way

Probably right, if they don't get out of the group. It will be mentioned in the media for sure.

[TRUSSMAN66]

Anyone else getting tired of this Portuguese idiot ??.......

I should be grateful as my team beats Everton surely we'll take the title but he is just a complete knob..

Still think Liverpool win it though.............Been a City fan since I came over in 89 and have marvelled at the way we can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory over the years,

[mystiroakey]

why would you support that team

[skyeman]

Fergie upset millions of other teams fans, he got quite some stick. But it was hard to argue with his sucess. He knew he was the best and at times was a bit more classy than JM. JM has had some sucess too, but he gets a lot more flak.

It can only be the unfettered arrogance and the risque comments. But he still does not care what others think. Very driven individual.

[mystiroakey]

I love JM and respect Fergie bar the stuff he wrote in his book once he left. Fergie for me was never lovable- but I loved his football and his skills, he would be picking teams months in advance. And it worked. He was the best squad manager in the game.

[skyeman]

"We are a team that tried to win the game, in a sporting manner, they parked two buses"

Not pleased is Rodgers  

[GSC]

Think Brendan lost his composure along with his team. Palace might sell blood.

[mystiroakey]

sell or smell.

Selhurst isn't a vampire market yet mate!

[GSC]

haha.

But yeah you got the sense Chelsea got to Liverpool on Sunday. Palace can do a similar job if Liverpool can't get mentally back in the groove.

[mystiroakey]

The palace players still do look up for it. Yes we were outclassed yesterday but losing 2-0 isnt that bad. Pulis is a very sincere person and manager- He has intergrety , so yes as much as I would like to see liverpool win the league. I think we may have a chance in shutting them out.

There is no giving up mentality in the players eyes.

Even though summer is close and bar jed no one else will be at the WC.

[GSC]

Tbh I thought Palace were a bit tame yesterday. At 2-0 you never felt Palace really were any great threat to get back into it. City cruised.

[mystiroakey]

once we are 1-0 down we had no chance- how can we chase the game!!

The only thing i wanted was to shut them out second half after the bad first half and they did that. Which tells me pulis gave them a bit of a talking to. He hates conceding goals- its like it physically hurts the man

[GSC]

At the same time, there was never any great desire from Palace to push for the draw. They were content.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Think Brendan lost his composure along with his team. Palace might sell blood.

Came across quite petulant in his post match quotes, and he didn't have an answer to Chelsea's stubborn defence.

Suarez has been off form for a few weeks now IMO right at the wrong time

[mystiroakey]

At the same time, there was never any great desire from Palace to push for the draw. They were content.

thats the thing- pulis would have said shut up shop and not get battered rather than go for the draw and get battered 5-0

[mystiroakey]

Think Brendan lost his composure along with his team. Palace might sell blood.

Came across quite petulant in his post match quotes, and he didn't have an answer to Chelsea's stubborn defence.

Suarez has been off form for a few weeks now IMO right at the wrong time

in the few games before they were lucky that sterling was on fire. but none of them could do it against chelsea.

wrong timing for Sturridge as well.

Its not unlucky though- it is what it is. Whowever wins will have deserved it. Arsenal had the form and injuries issues but are now back. We cant call them unlucky. Liverpool if they finish second have still been immense. It is something to seriously be proud of but gutting because they almost had it in there grasp

[GSC]

2-0 is largely the same to 5-0 in Palaces position. Why not go for a famous point.

[mystiroakey]

2-0 is largely the same to 5-0 in Palaces position. Why not go for a famous point.

I dunno - its something about pullis.

To be fair though he did put gayle, ince and murry on. So maybe we did go for it- but just couldn't break this great team down.

We are not in the same class . Its that simple.

However if they didnt score early and toure wasn't on fire I think we would have sneaked the draw.

yes yes its all ifs and buts isnt it. but still!

[skyeman]

2-0 is largely the same to 5-0 in Palaces position. Why not go for a famous point.

Agree. The same result. You just lose by less.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

If it goes down to goal difference then Pulis could be a hero

[mystiroakey]

2-0 is largely the same to 5-0 in Palaces position. Why not go for a famous point.

Agree. The same result. You just lose by less.

well it looks like the title will be decided on goal difference and possibly the teams that go down as well.

but look as i have recently added- he did put our most attacking players on second half

[mystiroakey]

If it goes down to goal difference then Pulis could be a hero

Pulis is already a HERO  king:   

[TRUSSMAN66]

If it goes down to goal difference then Pulis could be a hero

Pulis is already a HERO  king:   

Bit of a stinker too isn't he..........He'll keep you up but you won't enjoy the ride.

[mystiroakey]

oh we have enjoyed the ride- you clearly havent watched us play or spoken to any palace fans bar me and have ignored everything I have said.

[Liam]

I can only see Palace improving even more under Pulis. Get's to bring in his own players again in the summer, and we've seen already he knows what he's doing in the market bringing in Ledley and Ince for example. Also the return og JONIESTA!!

[TRUSSMAN66]

oh we have enjoyed the ride- you clearly havent watched us play or spoken to any palace fans bar me and have ignored everything I have said.

I've seen Palace play.............Though you are easy to ignore ..

[GSC]

Ince has been a waste of time.

Tbh, Stoke largely proved the limit of Pulis regardless of money. Hughes has taken them further.

[mystiroakey]

not really considering pulis may beat stoke to tenth!

[TRUSSMAN66]

Pulis.........Kick them about...Ten men behind the ball......Do them on the break....

Got the job done in fairness to him........

[mystiroakey]

Why is it you have to diminish everything Truss.


Ince may look to have been a waste of time- BUt pulis really likes him and wants to sign him. He says the lads that arnt playing(especially speronis number 2 and ince) have been seriously pushing the others in training.

we need that hungry squad.

[TRUSSMAN66]

Don't have pops that aren't justified !!

I gave him credit for keeping you up........Just don't like his "Brand" of football.

[GSC]

Tbh Myst, in a year or two you'll likely agree. Stoke fans certainly did.

[mystiroakey]

i have said that allready mate- but the ride this year has been great.

and i also have hope that he is moving forward as a coach as well. we are playing a better brand than stoke did- bolaise and punch have really allowed us to attack with intent when we get the chance

[skyeman]

2-0 is largely the same to 5-0 in Palaces position. Why not go for a famous point.

Agree. The same result. You just lose by less.

well it looks like the title will be decided on goal difference and possibly the teams that go down as well.

but look as i have recently added- he did put our most attacking players on second half

Good point.

But at this stage for certain teams?

[skyeman]

Pulis.........Kick them about...Ten men behind the ball......Do them on the break....

Got the job done in fairness to him........

I love a back-handed compliment  

[Dolphin Ziggler]

The brand of football line, ie "I saw something once and never let it cross my mind it could be different"

[mystiroakey]

Pulis.........Kick them about...Ten men behind the ball......Do them on the break....

Got the job done in fairness to him........

I love a back-handed compliment  

yeah its fine when it isnt against your team

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