Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

it certain Arsenal will be above Spurs Den no matter how much Arthur moans about it Arsenal will win league this season IMHO

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

There are unconfirmed reports flying about on twitter and facebook that Van Gaal has been sacked.

I am trying to find out more

I bet Spurs will finish above Arsenal

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

How much?

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Not sacked.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....ester-10641044

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

But he will be.....

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Not convinced he will be, yet

Don Howe died :(

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35171937

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Saddened to hear about Don Howe as he was massively respected throughout the game.:(

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Oh dear he is certainly losing it now.:D

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35166770

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

No he isn't, that was the most stage managed stunt I can remember, I think it might even go down well with the club's hierarchy

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Sorry but this United thing is absurd. They were top of the league just a month ago and they're hardly hopelessly adrift from the title race now. They've had a bad run of form but that happens to every team and the only real negative in the intervening time was crashing out the Champions League.

By all means if it's the style of play that is the problem then make that change but the United hierarchy were talking/leaking about a new contract offer a few weeks ago so I don't think it's that. It just seems to be a knee-jerk panic over a bad run of form!

It's a joke how reactionary and short-term football management is. United used to be one of the few bastions of sense in this regard but they seem to have fallen prone to it as well. No long-term planning, no patience. It seems that all the talk from United about patience went out of the window when they realised it meant not winning everything all the time.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

https://i.imgur.com/6sN5uL9.jpg :erm:

Source: https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/1/UK00003141842

---------- Post added at 02:16 ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 ----------

Also: The Sun tears LVG a new one

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CW8aW45WMAAtLPX.jpg

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Its definitely knee jerk because of a bad run of form. I can understand fans being frustrated by the style of play at the moment, but these are the same fans that want Mourinho as manager instead of Van Gaal. Do they really think the style of football will get better? Clearly they haven't watched any Mourinho managed sides.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Yup.

The thing is I am not sure Van Gaal is a good manager for United but I thought that at the start of the season and United did not. Unless a team is in crisis then they should be allowed to complete a season and then be judged on that. A entire season is the measure of a team and not any given snapshot.

It's far too common for managers, even ones like Wenger who've been around forever, to suddenly be judged on just a handful of games.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

I don't consider it a knee-jerk at all. £250m+ spent and what do we have other than a misfiring side who have lucked their way to not losing (imagine if we played Real or Bayern right now, it would be a bloodbath) in the games we've managed at least a point from, been beaten by much lesser sides who have simply wanted it more and completely deserted OT of our fear factor. We don't know what goes on behind the scenes but even the players seem bored. At least with Moyes he had the excuse of not being enough of a respected name to make top players play for him, as well as being inexperienced at the highest level but neither can be said for Van Gaal. Even Giggs comes as across as frustrated but wisely keeps his mouth shut.

I know nobody will ever adequately replace him but can you imagine SAF putting up with the mood around OT right now?

If it was down to me then Pep would be my choice which would obviously mean watching LVG drag United down for another 5 months.

Part of me hopes Stoke absolutely humiliate us today, help to seal his fate and that would likely mean Mourinho coming in. People point to his performance this year but are we forgetting what he did last season? He won't bring instant success but likely stability. Plus wherever he goes he gets success at the highest level. My only reservation is that he stays in one place for a few years then moves on, plus I'd want his desire to be United manager to emulate or improve on SAF's record but he feels to me like a spurned lover who claims he doesn't care about his ex and publicly tries to get back at her but secretly still has deep feelings and would love a reconciliation.

If Mourinho did take over then we'd kiss goodbye to Pep forever - I can't see him then going anywhere other than City and similar to Liverpool I'm not sure he'd ever be subsequently accepted at United

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Whether we like it or not football clubs have to answer to their shareholders and if they ain't happy then changes will be invariably made. as top football clubs are now big businesses with all that entails and when supporters are unhappy as well then there is only one decision to make.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Oh dear its seems the end is nigh now down at the Britannia.:D

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

21mins gone and 3-0 at the Etihad :D

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

can we end season now pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee our players don't care one bit all should be sacked

---------- Post added at 15:30 ---------- Previous post was at 15:29 ----------

easiest game City will ever have

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

What were people saying about Moyes?

https://i.imgur.com/ae8ZQd3.jpg

United have lost four straight competitive matches in a single season for the first time since November 1961.

United lost a Premier League game on Boxing Day for the first time since 2002 (1-3 at Middlesbrough) and only for the second time overall in the top flight (P22 W18 D2 L2).

Louis van Gaal's side have averaged just 1.22 goals per game in the league this season (22 goals in 18 games) - United's lowest average in a league campaign since 1989-90 (1.21)

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

As Arsenal title hopes go up in smoke, police suspect arsene

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

So many Spurs fans are saying Arsenal's title hopes are over. We're still 2nd. If ours are over so is everyone else other than Leicester.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Yes but in fairness, Arsenal are famous for bottling.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Well that's inconsistent Arsenal for you so join the club....

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Word is doing the rounds that Mourinho may avoid United and aim for the England job which would obviously help keep good relations with Chelsea should he ever go back there. Can't see it being likely though as I'm not sure the irregularity of England games would be enough for him.

Also some are suggesting if United bump off LVG they might appoint Giggs again to keep the door open for Guardiola at the end of the season. Fans would be a lot more patient and forgiving of Giggs if he fails to turn things around, likely to be similar to Forest showing almost unlimited patience towards Brian Clough.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

If they do sack him that's what I hope will happen Giggs > Guardiola.

Really disappointed yesterday, no desire from the team and then even less from Van Gaal in his interview after the game. Saying you might walk away from the job...that's the fighting spirit a club needs from their manager! No wonder the players show no fight if that's what the manager is saying

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Sources on Twitter (make of that what you will) are saying Giggs took training at Carrington this morning, no sign of LVG.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

He is cracking under the pressure a bit. It's a shame because I don't think he deserves the treatment he is getting from them. Football journalists act is if they're courageous truth-seekers nailing corrupt politicians and they often seem to treat managers with utter contempt. LVG was right he deserved an apology for the way all the papers treated the sacking as a foregone conclusion and the petty way they responded to it, i.e the Sun's back page saying they're not sorry, was disgraceful imo.

Still he has to handle it better than that.

The whole over the top nature of the game now is depressing. Arsenal were awful yesterday as well but the reaction to the result is ridiculous. Arsenal are now pathetic bottlers, managed by an incompetent fraud, who are out of the title race. You can't lose football games anymore without it being a crisis where serious questions need to be asked. No wonder LVG is under pressure.

Teams lose games, they lose form. You can't have a team winning without someone else losing. We have to get better at accepting these basic facts.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Yeah apparently LVG is at a meeting in Old Trafford discussing his future. I think they've been more than patient with Louis, certainly more patient than they were with Moyes. Did hear whispers that Giggs would replace LVG as manager until summer, so they can try and woo Guardiola to United instead of City.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Assistants take charge on a quite regular basis l hear at training sessions.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Much better long-term planning than getting Mourinho in IMO.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Its too late to get Pep now as its signed and sealed....

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

I don't really see what the hype is around Pep. I think he'd be horribly exposed at United as a man that's merely been in charge of two world beating teams at the right time. Took charge of a Bayern team fresh off a treble and just getting better.

In my opinion and I hope it's not entirely true but Pep managing in the Premier League is Villas-Boas waiting to happen again.

As for Arsenal, they do indeed tend to just back off the title with poor results around this time but it's different this year. They're still the major team in the driving seat besides City. Usually you'd have two clear cut title challengers by now but it's still wide open for those spots.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

According to twitter and the Mail on Sunday, LVG will resign if they lose to Chelsea tomorrow night. Which leaves me torn, as I want LVG out but at the same time, I don't want Chelsea to win.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

he be at city not united

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Yep that's got to be his choice. A team with unlimited spending power. Even so it should be known by now, the Premier League can make careers or it can break them. City aren't guaranteed success either but they're in a more favourable position than United and need far less work done to achieve goals.

Man City are a team that should be winning the Premier League and should be winning the Champions League.

I'd be pretty mortified for Pellegrini to win either only to be out of a job come the seasons end. Then again it's not unheard of, Pep to Bayern being an example.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

The Arsenal burn out has started.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Whereas spuds simply never shine bright enough to fizzle out, damp squib of a club

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

No its just one of their inconsistent matches.;)

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Or maybe they were outplayed by a better team.....

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Yes you are right yet again Sir...:)

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

He was at training, just arrived a little later.:)

Plenty of effort today, hit the bar & post in first 25 minutes. A lack of real quality from both sides truth to tell. :(

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

LVG job still hangs precariously by a thread in my humble opinion as the endemic fault lines are still there.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

No fan of Leeds but good on them for making a stand on the ridiculous situation with TV games.

STORY HERE

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Pavel Srnicek dies aged 47

Can't image how his family have been over Christmas.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

R.I.P Pav a very good goalkeeper

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

So sad to hear of his death.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

A mate of mine who went along reckoned United's performance in the game was perhaps the absolute best it will ever be under the current 'philosophy'. Which is pretty dire when you consider it was at OT and against a Chelsea side going through such poor form.

He got the impression that LVG was desperate to hold on to his job so threw his slow and defensive ideas out of the window for one game and ordered the team to go back to 'Fergie-football'. Admirable I guess but unlikely to be a long-term solution as it's clearly going against what he wants from United and if his heart isn't in it then we'll just get worse.

SAF was known for venting his anger at the press but it was always controlled and you could tell they'd usually come away slightly intimidated. Van Gaal has become a laughing stock with the paps now, they just don't take him seriously and I don't blame them.

I really can't see him doing anything worthwhile at United now, despite the public statements it feels like he's close to losing the dressing room. If May comes around and we end up with the FA Cup or by way of a miracle the PL I'll happily eat my words.

As per the banner at the Chelsea game, LVG = Leave, Vanish, Go.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

It was a much improved performance and the support from the fans throughout the game was tremendous. The sad fact is that even if we had both Pep and Jose at the helm together this current team is just not good enough and hasn't been for at least two years before Fergie left, winning the league in his last season was a bit of a fluke and due in no small way to other teams corpsing.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Yes there are certainly not many you could call world class in their side now and even spending big money will not solve that for a fair while now as there are other big clubs in the world who chase the paucity of real world class players who are available at astronomical fees now.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Newcastle just couldn't score. For Arsenal to win 1-0 only solidifies the theory champions grind out a poor performance into a win. Consistency will win Arsenal the league. If they get something against all the lesser teams anyway.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Decent second half at OT today, nice bit of skill from Rooney but Fabianski very nearly scored with the last touch of tha game.:shocked:

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Well its three points for you which has been a rarity lately.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

About time Sheringham was sacked, getting tired of Stevenage dropping points.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

You better keep that on hold until you get to our place.;)

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

I got quite emotional watching this. Nearly came over all unnecessary

http://www.claretandhugh.info/video-...hammer-speaks/

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Sadly I only remember him from his time as United manager, it was a bit of a failure, no doubt due in part to the fact he seemed to come across as a very decent but mild mannered chap who some of the players ran rings around. :(

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

When and where is that den? I don't think I can take it any longer.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Arsenal have to buy in the window. To keep up the pressure at the top. They cannot rely on Giroud all the time

---------- Post added at 21:48 ---------- Previous post was at 21:07 ----------

According to ESPN. Spurs are chasing sign a player called Lavessi from PSG
As he is unhappy at PSG

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

It was the stuff about the stadium that got me, first time it ever sunk in that we won't be going there anymore soon. Frank did seem like a decent old boy though

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

The 16th of this month at Home Park.:)

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

I'm hoping a loss this weekend will be the end of Teddy. I'd rather we'd stuck with Westley now. Mind you, look at last season we started like this yet went on an incredible run after new year. Why they have to struggle pre Christmas is beyond me.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

The fat Spanish waiter departs....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35226296

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Another victim of Ronaldo's ego trip.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Yes sadly the players have all the power now and that's not good for the game in the long run.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

RIP John Roberts. :(

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

The internet went into meltdown in the North East this morning as it appeared Newcastle United had the audacity to table a £19 million offer for Lacazette

Newcastle and Lyon were swift to deny it on both sides

Later news suggest Newcastle upped the offer to £22 million and Lyon accepted only for Lacazette to decline talks.

No idea what's really happening but the sheer cheek of it all seems very strange from Newcastle. £50 million in the summer and now this. Newcastle seem intent to smash their transfer record as well as spend huge amounts of money in comparison to their league position. Although their budget is pretty significant and are massively underachieving.

Sources refuse to say the deal is over and Newcastle are willing to offer him ridiculous wages. It's pretty clear money isn't a factor and his position in the French team is a more important part of this. CL football for a top team in the summer for him.

Likelihood - 0/10 pure craziness, smokescreen bid? or will we see Newcastle make a ridiculous offer for Ibrahimovic tomorrow

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

http://www.itv.com/news/london/2016-...ismissal-case/

I hope that Eva, wins. What Chelsea did to her was disgrace. Instead of the directors of this great club over riding Mourinho.

He may be a great manager, but it was deplorable what he did. IF, a player is injured, then it should be a the discretion of the team doctor, to go onto the pitch.

If its proven by TV, that the referee, has signalled the medics on. That's it. I have a strange funny feeling that the Chelsea owner will settle out of court over this

They allowed this to happened.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Mohamed Elneny set to sign for Arsenal, leaked by his team mate Albian Ajeti whom is now on trial at Newcastle.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Arsenal do like their bargain basement signings that's for sure.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Swansea City appoint Alan Curtis as manager until the end of the season.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...-end-of-season

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Bwhahahahaha great goal

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Yaya Toure is throwing a fit after not winning African player of the year. Threw a fit when Manchester City didn't wish him a happy birthday too didn't he?

The annoying part in that article was the failed attempt to drag Messi and Ronaldo comparisons into it to justify it.

:rolleyes:

Which would be ok if it was true. Failing to note Madrid won both the Champions League and copa del rey to Barcelona's Spanish Super cup. Also forgetting Ronaldo was European top scorer and won the European Super cup in the lead up to the award.

Naturally given Barcelona's trophy wins in the season gone it makes sense Messi would regain the crown this year. It seems Yaya thinks they should give out the award every time a trophy changes hands and not at the turn of the year :confused:

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Well we might be pretty dreadful currently but watching Man Utd is like watching paint dry.:sleep::sleep:

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

At least you are sat at home nice and dry. I am on the tram going home from OT, soaked through, dour performance from both sides.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Said it last week, I'll say it again. No, I'll shout it this time.

SHERINGHAM NEEDS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

By heck you are a glutton for punishment old boy.:)

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

My my The Swans have sunk a long way lately.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/35031859

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Extremely harsh penalty decision against Leicester today, Spurs were very lucky to get a replay!

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Yes it was a terrible decision.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

As expected. Messi is Ballon D'or

I wonder if Yaya has figured it out yet.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Newcastle agree £12m fee for Swans midfielder.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35290127

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

12 hours after Newcastle sign French midfielder Henri Saivet.

Not going into massive detail but it finally looks like Mike is listening to the criticism and actually willing to take note of where things have gone wrong, the main criticism was trying to fashion a team out of 11 inexperienced prospects from Europe, notably France. Lee Charnley and Graham Carr are the biggest culprits.

Despite the current woes, the excitement at Newcastle can only grow as they continue to take massive strides in the transfer window and throw their considerable transfer kitty around.

Shelvey is the first Newcastle United bought Premier League player since 2010 and the first in what is a stride to finally return an experience foundation at Newcastle before adding foreign prospects.

A team with one of Europe's most promising strikers in Mitrovic, one of the most sought after youngsters now in the Premier League in Ayoze Perez whom has a first touch like a god. French prospect Sissoko, a player with the sheer quality of Wijnaldum, Dutch international right back Daryl Janmaat, one of the most promising CB's in European football Chancel Mbemba... The end result thus far? Just above Aston Villa. Unacceptable and without being big headed, Newcastle should be in the top 10 with a team like that on paper. By no means challenging for Europe but more than comfortable.

Everything that's went wrong is due to the above policy of fashioning a team out of great individual players that are coming into a team already full of inexperience players with very similar circumstances to themselves.

Charlie Austin and Andros Townsend to conclude £35 million's worth of business this month and that'll set Newcastle up for another rise so they can fall so much further.

What shocks me most is that of the many mistakes that have been made at this club, players are actually still willing to come.

PS. Michael Owen ''Newcastle won't be able to conclude any deals before United visit on Tuesday'' Top pundit

MUFC to win 2-0 tonight. Lack of goals by both clubs but Newcastle's defending gives United the massive edge over us. If United somehow lose to the third worst defence in the league that's missing their Centre Back then Van Gaal has to go, he just has to. Dinosaur management without a clue in the world.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Oh don't we just love supporting our beloved football teams.:)

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

£2 million for him, £10 million for his British passport.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

:)

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

What a shocking decision , never a penalty . Rooney and Mike the ref where having a very cosy chat before kick off, wonder what was said. :rolleyes:

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

At least someone scored :shocked:

Also not sure if still a correct stat but that's the first time in 10-11 games United have scored in the first half. The Penalty might come to mean nothing yet knowing our dire defence so wouldn't make a big deal of it unless it finishes as it is.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Yes being unbiased it certainly was a dreadful decision that's for sure.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

To be fair after seeing it at half time a case can be made for a penalty. Rather than giving a penalty for blocking with the arm I think he's given that for a deliberate handball in which I think the ref has a case.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

It was a definite penalty, very good decision from the ref. He had his arm up in the air, an unnatural position no matter what Robbie Savage says, and stopped the ball going towards goal.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Surprised the ref didn't even it up when he had the chance, a valid shout at the other end.

Might need to hook Fellaini before he goes for an early bath.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Sorry but if you give penalties for that you will end up giving 20 penalties per match.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

I don't think he's actually given it for just the block, which then would be dubious, if you see it from the alt angles it's as if Mbemba deliberately tries to handball it and Afro just gets their first. So Intent and the block for the penalty.

Afro is having a shocker though. Vital saves from De Gea tonight.

I could understand one of these teams being daft on the ball but from Man Utd? Feel like it's always Fellaini's fault.

---------- Post added at 21:10 ---------- Previous post was at 20:54 ----------

WWE

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Wow Rooney finally delivers.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

15 minute period there where Rooney at the edge of the half was screaming for United to actually try get out of their half. Newcastle had a good 5-6 chances to score and didn't take them.

Ah well, that's that.

Apparently not, what a hit son. Catches smalling, no keeper in the world is getting that.

Two teams that couldn't score have pulled off the game of the season. What a rollercoaster.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Draw right result there but Man Utd missed 2 absolute sitters

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

You could say that about the one against Smalling ;) It was a definite penalty, more incidents like that should be penalties too.

Should've won the game comfortably. Lingard, Fellaini and Rooney all missing sitters. At least it was entertaining

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Yes the press certainly cannot come out with the remark of that LVG's teams are boring as this was one of the games of the season.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Well this game may make last nights look boring, the pace is relentless, just wonder who's hamstrings will go first.

Re: Football Season 2015/2016
 

Minolet is useless.:(