Barclay's Premier League discussion '13-'14

No Mata  

As I said in the Bale thread, Spurs missed two clear cut chances aside from the PK and with some better decision making from Lennon, could have had a couple more chances. The team is still gelling and it will get better as the game goes on. Sigurdsson had a poor game and I'd like to see Holtby getting out there.

More ruthless finishing, no...not even that, even halfway decent finishing and Spurs win this game 3-0. Not concerned at all, it's 3 points and they're well deserved.

Only thing I'm concerned with is the defending near the end by Tottenham. Quite poor. Before that, I don't think Crystal Palace had a shot before the 60th minute or so. Tottenham's ability to win the ball back in the midfield with the likes of Paulinho, Dembele, and Capoue is brilliant.

I think Tottenham will improve anyhow, but I'm fairly happy with the performance and 3 points away from home on the first matchday in a team featuring 4 new players over the course of the game is a fantastic result.

On to Barca

Why's chat still closed btw?

No Mata in Chelsea Starting XI......screw you Mourinho sincerely my fantasy team ffs

Gil wrote:Capoue is a monster. What was Wenger thinking lmao?

I think it's unfair to label Spurs uncreative when they're missing their two most creative midfielders.

Creativity is overrated in the PL tbh. Look at United for example.

Completely agree.... look at every PL winners in existence.

All powerful units with goalscoring midfielders, dangerous wingers and quality forwards.

Creativity really means quite little in this league.

Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; De Bruyne, Oscar, Hazard; Torres.

McGregor; Figueroa, Elmohamady, Chester, Davies; Meyler, Koren, Brady, Aluko, Sagbo; Graham.

Mata getting ostracized. de Bruyne starting

Also Wenger not even trying for Capoue is an absolute joke.

He's the player Arsenal need. Strong, good on the ball, great tackler, and more than willing to sit back deep and cover for Arteta. Not to mention he can play as an emergency CB as well. All for 9.5 million pounds.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

Gil wrote:Capoue is a monster. What was Wenger thinking lmao?

I think it's unfair to label Spurs uncreative when they're missing their two most creative midfielders.

Creativity is overrated in the PL tbh. Look at United for example.

Completely agree.... look at every PL winners in existence.

All powerful units with goalscoring midfielders, dangerous wingers and quality forwards.

Creativity really means quite little in this league.

Perhaps this is what AVB was referring to when he mentioned this summer that in his tenure with Chelsea and early with Spurs he "did not respect the culture of English football" (paraphrasing).

If Tottenham aren't going to have a creative influence though (which is harsh, Sigurdsson, Chadli and Lennon can all be creative in their own ways as well as Holtby), they need to play quicker. Tottenham was a bit slow today for my liking.

Gil wrote:Why's chat still closed btw?

No idea, sending a message to the special one I guess.

Carrick isn't creative?

CBarca wrote:

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

Gil wrote:Capoue is a monster. What was Wenger thinking lmao?

I think it's unfair to label Spurs uncreative when they're missing their two most creative midfielders.

Creativity is overrated in the PL tbh. Look at United for example.

Completely agree.... look at every PL winners in existence.

All powerful units with goalscoring midfielders, dangerous wingers and quality forwards.

Creativity really means quite little in this league.

Perhaps this is what AVB was referring to when he mentioned this summer that in his tenure with Chelsea and early with Spurs he "did not respect the culture of English football" (paraphrasing).

If Tottenham aren't going to have a creative influence though (which is harsh, Sigurdsson, Chadli and Lennon can all be creative in their own ways as well as Holtby), they need to play quicker. Tottenham was a bit slow today for my liking.

This is the key point, as we gel and our pace of play picks up we will have no creativity problems at all, then it'll just be about finishing and protecting the back line.

We have the potential to be the fastest technically gifted team in the Premier League. If we stay healthy we will be able to challenge for the title. However, there are still a few depth issues I'd like to take care of before the window closes to say that with complete confidence.

Luiz not getting risk for his move to Barca

lmao Mata being ostracised by Mou. Guess he wants nothing related with Madrid

Yohan Modric wrote:Carrick isn't creative?

I would say he is more dictating then creative if that makes sense, Carrick controls the pace and play of the game and keeps the rhythm of the team.

I dislike Danny Rose at LB. BAE is on the way out and it seems AVB prefers Rose. While I'm not in any way shape or form against BAE leaving (always thought of him as a fairly average LB who was OK defensively and didn't offer much offensively), I'm not exactly convinced with Rose either. Defensively he's not the greatest and he's decent going forward. I think in time he'll get better but he's a weak link in this Tottenham team.

To me BAE being ready to be shipped out and Rose starting right now is an indication to me that Spurs are going to make the Bale for cash + Coentrao deal pretty soon here. In which case the LB spot will go from a weak link to a fairly strong position as I think Coentrao is a great player.

Spurs buy either Willian or Lamela for the RW position after Bale is sold and the Spurs team will look fantastic.

Yohan Modric wrote:Carrick isn't creative?

I can't remember any effect Carrick had on yesterdays game outside of decent work as a DM. I'm sure he probably led the team in passes or pass %, but thinking back on the game I can't remember him having any real effect outside of his DM duties.

Obviously I could be wrong, but just thinking back I can't think of any moment that stand out.

Mata has been injured for about 3 weeks now. He only played 1 pre season match and is nowhere near fit.

halamadrid2 wrote:lmao Mata being ostracised by Mou. Guess he wants nothing related with Madrid

inb4RooneyMataswapstories

CBarca wrote:I dislike Danny Rose at LB. BAE is on the way out and it seems AVB prefers Rose. While I'm not in any way shape or form against BAE leaving (always thought of him as a fairly average LB who was OK defensively and didn't offer much offensively), I'm not exactly convinced with Rose either. Defensively he's not the greatest and he's decent going forward. I think in time he'll get better but he's a weak link in this Tottenham team.

To me BAE being ready to be shipped out and Rose starting right now is an indication to me that Spurs are going to make the Bale for cash + Coentrao deal pretty soon here. In which case the LB spot will go from a weak link to a fairly strong position as I think Coentrao is a great player.

Spurs buy either Willian or Lamela for the RW position after Bale is sold and the Spurs team will look fantastic.

Yeah, I thought Rose had a fairly decent game, but not the quality of player this team demands if they are serious about the Champions League. I was once again reminded why I'm not a fan of Lennon.

I think Mou just hates anything that has to do with Spain Show how bad Lukaku has been...

No Lulaku ??? Mou ffs you're destroying my fantasy team.  

lmaoooo Torres just got knock da **ck out


Lampard

Wow, that was stupid by the goalie  

Penalty saved.

Lampard  , should of went to MLS.