5000-1 - The 2016/17 Premier League thread

[Dolphin Ziggler]

First topic message reminder :

The other thread is coming to an end and I think it's nice to have a new memory to take us through this year.

And with the new season starting today, what better time to refresh things and start again. The preamble of pre-season is over: 2016/17 LETS BE AVIN YA

[GSC]

Dunno, ENTs been doing a decent impression if he isn't.

[TRUSSMAN66]

Early days....3 points is nothing...

Much more life in both Manchester teams this year....Great game to watch..

[Ent]

Second half was good, first was a training exercise for city.

[GSC]

Might be uncomfortable for Bailly and Blind when they come to review that first goal.

[Guest]

Not surprised Pogba didn't show up either

[Ent]

A lot of United players were not at it in the first half (some in the second), Bailly and blind were two of them unfortunately and it cost us a simple goal.

[Ent]

Not surprised Pogba didn't show up either

He was very poor.

[GSC]

Way City moved the ball in the first half it probably wouldn't have made much difference who was playing CM.

[GSC]

Bravos error might have saved United from a proper tonking. Deflated City and gave United life before the half.

[Ent]

Woke United up more than anything.

First half only shaw and Fellaini were at it, second half everyone bar pogba was. Still didn't play well but could have easily equalised.

[GSC]

Benteke with his first Palace goal.

Arsenal behind to Southampton

[Guest]

After match interviews:
Mourinho: He is such a miserable git. If he believed the referee made two mistakes fair enough. But his whole tone is of a bad loser blaming everyone including his players (at least he didn't name them). I think he went overboard with his talk of bad errors and blame for his players and should have been a little more lenient with them - he has to motivate them for the next game. The BBC commentators were also saying in the first half the Man Utd players seemed to be playing with fear, were too defensive, trying to keep their shape and stop City playing rather than focusing on their own game. After going two goals down they started focusing on their own play and attack and improved greatly.

Guardiola He doesn't seem miserable at all (okay he won) but I was impressed with the way he defended his players, in particular the goalkeeper. When the interviewer pointed out the mistakes and asked Gaurdiola for his opinion, Guardiola focussed on the positives, that Bravo was instrumental in the good play in the first 35 odd minutes when City were tearing United to pieces to go two nil up, and that he was strong in character and played well afterwards, keeping United out towards the last ten minutes or so ... So boosting the morale of his players and not airing any grievances he may have had in public.

[dyrewolfe]

Ugh! Well that was a pretty grim first half. Only good points were the goals. Well worked Palace goal - set up Benteke very nicely. Great header by Ayala from our corner to equalise.

As to the rest - simply pants. Embarrassing to see Boro so utterly toothless in attack. Far too slow and predictable. Spending far too much time pointlessly passing it around in midfield. Too many big diagonal balls to the wide players, giving Palace plenty of time to mark them out of the game.

Valdes considerably the busier keeper. Made a good diving save from Townsend to stop a second. Don't think he could have done much about Benteke's header.

We only really started to play properly for the last 10 minutes and unsurprisingly it got us a goal. Hope we aren't going to rely too heavily on our defenders scoring from set pieces though.

Negredo had a good chance with just about the last kick of the game. Spent most of the time as a frustrated spectator though.

[dyrewolfe]

FFS!  

Less than 2 minutes into the 2nd half and Friend passes the ball to Zaha to gift him the easiest of goals...

We seem determined to give Palace all 3 points.

[Ent]

Didn't like mourinho speaking negatively about the players but as he said it's obvious, they played Poopie and got the hook at half time.

Guardiola was just talking nonsense about bravo.

[Guest]

Crazy scenes at the Olympic! Dolphin'll be seething.

[Guest]

Been a mess to the start of the season for WHU. Not entirely surprised to see this happening, adjusting to the new stadium is difficult enough, but then having the injuries too, has just made things even more difficult. Just needs time to settle down.

Mark Hughes will be under pressure soon, it's totally stagnated at the Britannia under him now

[Guest]

Stoke getting slapped.

[dyrewolfe]

Boro barely any better in the 2nd half. Think conceding again so soon knocked our confidence. Still distinctly 2nd best to Palace 90% of the time. Ayala coming closest to scoring again (another corner)...which tells you how pathetic our attacking play has been. Downing and Gibson also coming close with long-range efforts.

Introduction of De Roon and Ramirez into midfield has only improved things slightly.

Ref has been a joke too. Missed a blatant handball which should have given us a penalty and a stamp on Ramirez, which should have been at least a booking, if not a straight red.


EDIT:
-----------

Friend brought down in the area (well, maybe on the line) - ref gives a free-kick instead of a penalty. Just our luck.

In fairness our performance didn't merit a draw, much less a win. Karanka and the players have some serious re-thinking to do. You're in trouble when Crystal Palace out-class you for the majority of a game...AT HOME...

[Hero]

I hope Im considered one of the lesser blinkered Utd fans I thought it was a cracking derby. City were running riot in the first half, Lingaard for me in particular was poor, would like to see what his successful pass rate was as most went to City players. Rooney too was very wasteful in the final 3rd.
The goal certainly brought Utd back into a game that they should have been buried but the half time whistle came when Utd then had City on the ropes.
Rashford lifted Utd 2nd half and was surprising to see Pep parking the bus towards the end with defensive substitutes. Overall I'm disappointed for the game but for the first time in a few years I come away thinking Utd as a team can go toe to toe again with City.

[Guest]

Lucas you pillock.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Embarrassed today. Defending was pathetic, but the football was the least of the problems. Fighting in every corner of the ground, one way or another. Ironic seeing the police calmly sat outside after the game, ironic because they missed all the problems by not entering the stadium.

[GSC]

My concern Johnny-Five would be City under Pep have more levels to find, United and Jose should have less of a transition to make on paper, and City were largely the better side away from home already.

Jose had to pull out every trick he had in Spain to rein in Peps Barca, underhand or otherwise, be interested to see if he edges that way again.

[Ent]

City won't be as good as barca, just the way Bayern weren't.

Both teams can/should improve. Next Derby will be interesting too.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Was just on 606 (radio show). Was weirdly enjoyable and nervewracking!

[Ent]

Missed it, were you discussing the fighting in the ground?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Aye, yeah. Lack of real segregation is a huge issue.

[Guest]

Was just on 606 (radio show). Was weirdly enjoyable and nervewracking!

I called into TalkSport a few years back. The stage fright nearly killed me!

[Ent]

Aye, yeah. Lack of real segregation is a huge issue.

Suppose that is because it wasn't designed to be a football stadium.

Thought it was west ham fans fighting amongst themselves.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

There was one I saw of that, but that kind of doesnt worry me because it was obviously two mardy blokes and it can happen anywhere. But not having a real bank of stewards or segregation between away and home fans is daft.

Its not really anything to do with the design. Its a bank of stewards or police. We had it for years at Upton Park. You dont let opposing fans get close.

[Crimey]

Great performance today, one big mistake aside was a thoroughly impressive performance with very few holes. Lallana was fantastic, three goals (including his goal for England) so far this season so he may finally be adding more goals to his game. 

I doubted the signing of Sadio Mane, but he's been fantastic. The deal looks even better when you see Bolasie and Sissoko go for similar money.

[Guest]

Looks like Leicester won't be challenging this year & I don't even think it's too early on that call. They've been pretty poor. I didn't even get the policy of signing Slimani, knowing they would lose him & Mahrez in January/February.

[Guest]

Could Ranieri be the first man sacked in the Premiership?  They are below Hull, Burnley and Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and West Bromwich and only two points from relegation.  Worrying times indeed.  Factor in the additional travelling and games in Europe, then I think they are really going to struggle this year.

[ ]

[Guest]

Chelsea have just had a mare

Swansea 2-1 Chelsea

[Fernando]

Chelsea blowing their 1-0 lead in 2 mins after Courtois gifts a penalty then Cahill robbed of the ball by Fer as he dawdled on the ball.

[Ent]

The referees are completely Poopie this season, need to sort them out rather than handing out directives to be polite to them.

[Guest]

What's with all this overplaying of the football these days?

[Ent]

Cos you know it benefits you over th corse of the season, doesn't it...

[Holymiky]

Brilliant come back from us even though we shouldn't have ever been behind.

Dominant first half then second half started badly, glad to see Costa is firing and we fought back into the game though. Even though we should have won i'll take a draw away at the Liberty.

[Guest]

Great performance today, one big mistake aside was a thoroughly impressive performance with very few holes. Lallana was fantastic, three goals (including his goal for England) so far this season so he may finally be adding more goals to his game. 

I doubted the signing of Sadio Mane, but he's been fantastic. The deal looks even better when you see Bolasie and Sissoko go for similar money.

Consistency is the key...thankfully we've started putting away more of the chances we're creating and but for some sloppy finishing and good goalkeeping we could have had 7-8. Thought Sturridge had a very good game indeed and did a wee bit more of the dirty work Klopp likes everyone to chip in with. Happy with the result and of course Man Utd lost (which made the wife unbearable but I don't give a shiny one!)

[Guest]

Lukaku hat-trick

[Fernando]

Fanta Pubes being destroyed

[Guest]

Fanta Pubes being destroyed

What has the (very welcome) death of Ed Sheeran got to do with football?

[Crimey]

I do wonder whether Moyes has lost it now. He just seems completely broken, I expect he'll be sacked before the end of the season.

[Fernando]

Fanta Pubes being destroyed

What has the (very welcome) death of Ed Sheeran got to do with football?

I said Fanta not Irn Bru Dave

[Ent]

I do wonder whether Moyes has lost it now. He just seems completely broken, I expect he'll be sacked before the end of the season.

Lost what?

He was terrible from the start at United, completely clueless.

[dyrewolfe]

Fanta Pubes being destroyed

What has the (very welcome) death of Ed Sheeran got to do with football?

I said Fanta not Irn Bru Dave

Well Moyes is Scottish...as is Irn Bru (even if it is actually made in Ashby de la Zouche or something).

Lost what?

He was terrible from the start at United, completely clueless.

Yes, but don't forget what a stellar job he did at Everton all those years...

[Fernando]

John Terry out of liverpool game, Cahill & David Luiz sounds a fun pairing

[Crimey]

I do wonder whether Moyes has lost it now. He just seems completely broken, I expect he'll be sacked before the end of the season.

Lost what?

He was terrible from the start at United, completely clueless.

Whatever got him through the successful decade he spent at Everton. You'd think Sunderland would be his level, but he just doesn't seem to have the same tactical nous anymore.

[Crimey]

John Terry out of liverpool game, Cahill & David Luiz sounds a fun pairing

Gary Cahill could be out as well, so Ivanovic-Luiz may start.

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