We Go Again! The 2014/15 Premier League Thread

[The Special Juan]

First topic message reminder :

Probably much easier to get motivated to play for AC Milan than QPR. But I agree with Crimey (for once ), Taarabt should be fired for misconduct if this is true.

[guildfordbat]

Stories doing the rounds today in certain papers (not sure of how reliable) that the Liverpool owners are considering sacking Rodgers. Would be interested in the opinions of other board members on this if true.

..

Perhaps they want to get Hodgson back.

[Guest]

Stories doing the rounds today in certain papers (not sure of how reliable) that the Liverpool owners are considering sacking Rodgers. Would be interested in the opinions of other board members on this if true.

..

Perhaps they want to get Hodgson back.

Maybe they'll ask Hick and Gillette to get back on board if we're being silly.

We have to wait and see if the return of Sturridge sparks and improvement in the team before considering axing Rodgers and even then, I wouldn't be too hard on him. We have a seemingly decent run of games coming up and that should be an indicator as to whether or not the owners need to take a closer look at things, but there's no-one out there who is available to do a better job that Rodgers so why thrown the club into turmoil. The owners haven't panicked before and I doubt they'll do it now.

We've had a couple of bad results in the league (and barring Chelsea so has everyone else) yet the press seem obsessed with the fact we've just lost to the best team in Europe and the best team playing in the Premiership this season...both games without our first choice striker.

[Crimey]

Yeah, I am not a huge Rodgers fan but sacking him would be ridiculous. I want to see the club have a long period of stability and sacking the manager would not bring this about, there isn't a particularly large pool of young, exciting managers with European experience and a track record of success just lying around either, which is the only real justified replacement.

Like Dolphin said, last year was a huge over-achievement and he shouldn't be judged against that, top four is the aim and top four is certainly still well within reach. Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton have all struggled so far this year and Southampton were in a similar position last year before dropping off, they have had a quite easy fixture list and they likely won't stay up there meaning with a typical Rodgers better second half to the season, top four is well within reach and would be a good achievement.

I'm not even sure we can really judge the Champions League results either, it's the first time he's managed in the Champions League, in a very tough group. I think while he put himself in the firing line with the selection for Madrid at the Bernabeau, I think it was justified. The first team players didn't deserve to start based on their performances, and the performance was actually decent, it also nearly led to a result at Chelsea. Losing to those two teams isn't a disaster. Neither is losing to Basel, who are a good side. Although it wasn't convincing, Ludogrets were beaten. Two more results and through, which would be a very good start to hopefully many years of Liverpool being in the Champions League.

I do think there is definitely been overreaction by the fans and the media and there is no crisis at Liverpool. There are a lot of new players, Sturridge has been out injured and just stuck in a bit of a rut. Rodgers has started slow most years as well, I'm certain it will pick up after the winter.

[The Special Juan]

Well atleast Chris Smalling is 100% fit again

That's good for when he signs for Arsenal in January

#Silvestre

[GSC]

Sturridges does his thigh again

So much for Liverpools special training plans

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Maybe Brendan doesn't know best?! #wellinever

[GSC]

Maybe injury is just a normal risk

[The Special Juan]

Nani's just done in Di Maria, probably out of spite.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

The Saints player Liverpool needed most was probably Clyne

[lfc91]

So sturridge out again.. Rodgers still has over 30 million worth of strikers at his disposal though, if they aren't up to the standard required, guess who's fault that is??

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

"@karlmatchett: Sturridge hasn't played since Aug, yet he still has more Premier League goals this season than Balotelli, Lambert and Fabio Borini combined."

Oof

[Fernando]

Wilfried Bony signs new contract at Swansea

[mystiroakey]

Shame... He was supposed to come back in time for the palace match.

[Guest]

Time to see who's willing to step up the plate. I'd still be willin to start Balotelli and Borini though. Two up top is the only way we're going to get goals. Sadly still don't think Lambert is up to the task (which, given the form of the other two, is saying something)

[mystiroakey]

I would forget a striker until sturridge is fit - lallana can play as a false 9.

pack the midfield until sturridge is fit.

sell balotelli in the transfer()for anything) and get someone else in- there are loads out there- berinihio could be bought with enough money or a cash plus borini swap deal.

[Stella]

Lambert should be ok, playing off Borini? Despite his criticism, he's a clever player. Has Lambert actually been given a good go yet?

[mystiroakey]

I think Liverpool have serious issues in midfield rather than up front.

Gerard's lack of influence is more key than what others are making out. The normal response is - we have lost Suarez and sturridge is injured.

Liverpool need to retain the ball better.

I hope to exploit it on sunday.

[kwinigolfer]

Hey mysti,
I'd imagine Liverpool's biggest problem is their owners who still think they're owning a franchise. Their Boston model recently has been build a strong team, dismantle it, get a new manager, rebuild, repeat.
You can do that in American sports because there's no real penalty for being crap for a year, but Football is more of a meritocracy; perhaps they'll get the message if they're out of Europe by Xmas and struggling in mid-table the rest of the season.

Balotelli was always going to end in tears and sure Henry & Werner regard Gerrard as being expendable - and Gerrard himself looks thoroughly cheesed off. As does Rodgers, so it might well be that both exit stage left.

[mystiroakey]

Hey,
Yeah dem americans!

I think one wants to buy palace. I am not a fan of the person. He is being fined in the NBA for not paying the minimum wages..

I used to watch some basketball. But come season end you just get teams throwing matches left right and centre to come as low as possible to get better draft picks.(or so it appears)

[kwinigolfer]

Can't imagine how anyone could get away with not paying according to player contracts, but still - what team?

Time for British owners to take back the Prem.

Can't stand pro b'ball (tho the Spurs at their best are terrific).

[mystiroakey]

The 76ers. Josh Harris.

[kwinigolfer]

What a pillock!

[mystiroakey]

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/crystal-palace-philadelphia-76ers-tanking-josh-harris

I feel like he only wants to buy palace to flip it at a later point. Not sure he understands how hard it is to stay in the premier league. Yes if palace stay in the PL for 5 years they could double in value. But unless we spend a bit we will be a championship team again.

[Guest]

I see Rodgers is lining up Saido Berahino to sort out his problems in January. £15m.

[guildfordbat]

Lambert should be ok, playing off Borini? Despite his criticism, he's a clever player. Has Lambert actually been given a good go yet?

I too like Lambert. As well as finding the back of the onion bag himself at Southampton last season, he very often seemed to make or at least be involved with the goals scored by team mates. However, I always thought he would struggle for a starting place at Liverpool, even before they signed Balotelli.

[guildfordbat]

Of the games today, from a neutral's perspective I think the most intriguing is West Ham's encounter away at Everton. Find that one very hard to call. Should be an indicator as to West Ham's progress this season and whether they can keep their fine form going.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

We have 5 out injured, our 5 best players this season. Everton are a banker sadly. No Sakho, Valencia, Downing, Song or Kouyate

[Fernando]

Citeh 0-1 Swansea - Bony

[Fernando]

Chelsea 1-0 WBA - Diego Costa

[Guest]

Stoke

[Fernando]

Stoke 0-1 Burnley - Danny Ings

[Fernando]

Stoke 0-2 Burnley - Danny Ings

[kingraf]

This Citeh team is pathetic.

[Fernando]

Well that bit you in the ass Raf

Manchester City 1-1 Swansea - Stevan Jovetic

[kingraf]

F.uck!! We'll come back though
#We'reGoingToEurope

[Guest]

long afternoon for WBA ahead

[Fernando]

Everton 1-0 West Ham United -Romelu Lukaku

[Fernando]

RED CARD
Claudio Yacob - WBA

[Guest]

feel for ryan taylor. looks like its his knee.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Getting mugged here. Ref missing everything, lino missing Lukaku offside. Should be no score and Everton with 10 men

[mystiroakey]

F.uck!! We'll come back though
#We'reGoingToEurope

Who are you supporting today?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

He's a Swans fan, born and bred

[kingraf]

Today? I've always supported Swansea, since Fernando chose it at random for me two months ago.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Today? I've always supported Swansea, since the dawn of time, when men were men and by god I could drink 6 pints and drive my car straight into a church and we'd laugh a hearty laugh.

Corrected

[kingraf]

Cheers Chris, that's what I meant to type.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I've got your back Raf, don't worry

[kingraf]

XX

[mystiroakey]

Today? I've always supported Swansea, since Fernando chose it at random for me two months ago.

[Fernando]

Manchester City 2-1 Swansea - Yaya Toure

[Fernando]

Everton 1-1 West Ham United - Mauro Zarate

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