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Premier League 2017/18

steve

Well-Known Member
Oct 21, 2003
3,503
1,767
With the exception of their full backs, I think they are looking almost like the perfect balance and blend all round the pitch Steve, I have to say. They'll never swarm over teams in the early stages like a Guardiola team, but they won't look as fragile either. They may not have City's depth of quality attacking options but in Mkhitaryan they have the best AM IMO, in Pogba they have the best "8" and Lukaku they have a real bully of a 9. When you add the craft of Mata, the pace of Rashford and Martial it means they are able to be both pragmatic and threatening in transition, a good combination. They can win games in a variety of ways and protect them too, with players like Matic and Herrera, good footballing 6's.

I think the two Manchester clubs will be ahead of everyone this year personally and I think Mourinho will edge it.

Protecting games they'll be great at I agree but not sure I quite rate the players in the same way you do. Watching them today, a Swans team with Llorente would've given them real problems, add a Siggy to that and I would've fancied them.
That United team may have won the league a few years ago but the competition from the rest is so much stronger now and I just don't see enough guile about them. Will be interesting to see it play out.
 

Hakkz

Svensk hetsporre
Jul 6, 2012
8,196
17,270
I find it interesting that so many teams are trying to play 3 at the back even if they dont have the players for it.
 

slartibartfast

Grunge baby forever
Oct 21, 2012
18,320
33,955
Protecting games they'll be great at I agree but not sure I quite rate the players in the same way you do. Watching them today, a Swans team with Llorente would've given them real problems, add a Siggy to that and I would've fancied them.
That United team may have won the league a few years ago but the competition from the rest is so much stronger now and I just don't see enough guile about them. Will be interesting to see it play out.
Agree. They've just won 4.0 against a team that narrowly avoided relegation last season and have lost their best player. Not exactly an indication of good they are.
Some of the crap the media come out with after just a few games is laughable.
This time last season Chelsea were pathetic and Man City were gonna walk it with Man U chasing them. How'd that work out?
Edit And we were not given a cat in hells chance of getting top 4, same as now, despite being the only team that has chased the leaders for 2 seasons on the bounce. Pricks.
 

thinktank

Hmmm...
Sep 28, 2004
45,893
68,893
Stoke are fucking clueless up front. May as well bring crouchy on on 60mins and keep sticking it on his head.
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,562
Last minute off Giroud's left bollock
Last minute off Giroud's left bollock following a cross that the officials didn't see had gone out of play, if last season's sneaky wins are anything to go by.
 

glospur

Well-Known Member
May 19, 2015
2,608
9,806
If Hugo was to leave in the next few years, I wouldn't mind at all if Butland was the next keeper we look to.

Every time I've seen him at both Birmingham and Stoke he's looked seriously impressive imo. It's too bad he got that serious injury when he did because he looked like he was ready to really push on and be one of the best in the League and establish himself as Englands no. 1.
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,562
If Hugo was to leave in the next few years, I wouldn't mind at all if Butland was the next keeper we look to.

Every time I've seen him at both Birmingham and Stoke he's looked seriously impressive imo. It's too bad he got that serious injury when he did because he looked like he was ready to really push on and be one of the best in the League and establish himself as Englands no. 1.
Assuming he stays fit, I think Butland will be number one in Russia next summer.
 
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