A lot of Everton's key defensive players are old though; Howard, Distin, Jagelika & Barry and you can tell age is now affecting their performance. Wonder who's gonna replace them?

A lot of Everton's key defensive players are old though; Howard, Distin, Jagelika & Barry and you can tell age is now affecting their performance. Wonder who's gonna replace them?

 

That's the issue isn't it? They should have addressed the problem in the summer, but they spent their money on Lukaku.

Well we certainly had that result coming to us, draws at Spurs/Stoke set the alarm bells ringing. We actually played a better, faster-paced first half than we have for a few months but this ridiculous second half crumbling mentality has cost us again. #FFSlads

That's a fantastic result for Southampton, its great how their defence kept out all those expensive Man United attackers!

 

Van Gaal seemed so dour in the interview after, is he normally that bad? :lol:

Man Utd were awful, and they have been for a while. Getting through games on sheer luck, that luck can't last forever. I'm slightly biased being a Liverpool fan of course. But they were truly turgid today, all the pre-match build up was about the attack.. and well, it was awful.

 

Southampton played for the point and to see if they could nick a winner (which they did), but Man Utd were just terrible. I don't know how Van Gaal gets away with minimal flack, why no Falcao? You don't pay a man £300k a week to have a rest when he's not even injured, then bring Fellaini on as a target man when you need a goal. Utterly baffling. As was the decision to play Di Maria as a centre forward. Throws 3rd and 4th wide open.

LVG and Moyes have the EXACT same points this time last year.

LVG and Moyes have the EXACT same points this time last year.

 

Shows how much weaker the top half is this year then (or the improvement of the bottom half).

Shows how much weaker the top half is this year then (or the improvement of the bottom half).

 

I think it's a fact of Arsenal, Spurs & Liverpool having horrid starts. And Man Utd aswell, but they recovered first out of everyone.

 

The difference between Moyes & Van Gaal though, is that at least in the games Man Utd look to have some sort of control. They rarely used to under Moyes. I think there's a substantial difference between the two as it was clear Moyes lost the dressing room fairly early on.

If Villa get relegated I can't see them returning the premier league anytime soon.

If Villa get relegated I can't see them returning the premier league anytime soon.

 

Actually, I think they'd probably come back stronger. Its a massive club and I'm sure the owner would actually put his hands in his pockets to ensure a swift return!

 

They'd be more likely to do a Newcastle rather than a Leeds.

 

Who do people think will get the final two Champions League spots?

 

Southampton

Arsenal

West Ham United

Liverpool

Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur

 

 

Discuss who you think it might be.

 

 

Who do people think will get the final two Champions League spots?

 

Southampton

Arsenal

West Ham United

Liverpool

Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur

Discuss who you think it might be.

 

Putting my sensible hat on right now I will say Arsenal & Manchester United. In that order too.

 

I don't think West Ham have enough to last the distance personally. Hoping Liverpool continue their good form, and Sturridge might be the difference. Not holding my breath though, cos I think we might expect too much of him too soon.

Chelsea

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool.

 

Liverpool have been rather undwerwhelming this season but their form has improved recently, If Alexis Sanchez gets injured for Arsenal then the fall of them would be rather amusing. I think Liverpool will snatch fourth and Sturridge will be the main reason for that

Chelsea

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool.

 

Liverpool have been rather undwerwhelming this season but their form has improved recently, If Alexis Sanchez gets injured for Arsenal then the fall of them would be rather amusing. I think Liverpool will snatch fourth and Sturridge will be the main reason for that

 

Main thing for Liverpool is we're playing much better now. Hopefully we will sneak under the radar because everyone still thinks we're shit, when in actual fact we're not that bad.

 

Thing with Arsenal is they're fine against the lesser teams, but Wenger loses the plot in the big games. Be interesting to see what happens against Man City at the weekend. Sanchez is absolute class though. He looks much better being the main man rather than a sideshow of Messi.

Had Sanchez joined Liverpool it would be interesting to see the comparison in both of the teams.

Had Sanchez joined Liverpool it would be interesting to see the comparison in both of the teams.

 

Would have suited Liverpool brilliantly, as he's just like Suarez although not quite as good. Problem is we played with such weird tactical adjustments earlier in the season that I'm not sure anyone would have been able to help.

Apparently Ibe has been recalled by Liverpool from Derby, he'd just hit the best run of form since he'd been here as well and he'd finally locked his place in the starting line-up. Not sure what Liverpool's reasoning is for it considering I doubt he's going to be starting in the first-team and he's already cup-tied thanks to Derby as well. It just seems to be negative for all 3 parties - Ibe not getting regular matches and development, Liverpool not getting the advantages of that and Derby losing out on a fantastic player. Is Rodgers just throwing all the dice he has to try and turn things around?

Apparently Ibe has been recalled by Liverpool from Derby, he'd just hit the best run of form since he'd been here as well and he'd finally locked his place in the starting line-up. Not sure what Liverpool's reasoning is for it considering I doubt he's going to be starting in the first-team and he's already cup-tied thanks to Derby as well. It just seems to be negative for all 3 parties - Ibe not getting regular matches and development, Liverpool not getting the advantages of that and Derby losing out on a fantastic player. Is Rodgers just throwing all the dice he has to try and turn things around?

 

Probably because we need players with pace to suit our game. I think if we progress in all the competitions we're in, there's something like 34 games we could potentially play. And Liverpool don't want to be in a situation where we play Sturridge up front on Thursday & Sunday every week. If we're serious about sustaining a challenge in three competitions and Top 4, then we need more players with pace as our whole team just improves.

 

Either that or he'll go out on loan to a Premier League team. Don't think that will happen though, expect he will be on the bench at the weekend, and almost certainly come on at some point.

Top 4 race heating up, wonder who will be the first to drop away? My money is on Spurs.

Probably Tottenham, I think also.

 

Leicester City could probably be further behind in the relegation battle with their upcoming fixtures with Man Utd, Everton, Arsenal and Chelsea in their next four out of five games.