for display only
Big Blue Interactive The Corner Forum  
Back to the Corner

Archived Thread

NFT: Premier League: Man U and Liverpool's struggles

dpinzow : 8/30/2015 1:10 pm
It is distinctly possible that neither Man United or Liverpool finish in the top 4 for the first time since 1981. Man U's problems are more easily correctable but they are short a striker, defensive reinforcements and a goalkeeper when De Gea leaves. They could get the striker and the defensive reinforcements because they are swimming in money but GK looks to be a problem all season without De Gea (unless a miracle happens and he stays). A great goalkeeper like De Gea wins you 10-12 points per season but a bad goalkeeper costs you almost the same. I think Man U will go outside the box and put in a bid for Peter Schmeichel's kid Kasper at Leicester within a year

Liverpool is much harder to figure out. On paper they should be good but it seems like Rodgers shuffles the deck every week with the formation and some of the players do not know their set roles. They're missing Sturridge which is a huge minus because Benteke can't do it all by himself up there. They don't know where or how to play Emre Can who is their best midfielder and constantly change his role. The back four is actually OK once they get rid of Lovren and put Sakho back there
Arsenal  
natefit : 8/30/2015 1:35 pm : link
desperately need a striker and Spurs have all kinds of problems as well. Its looking like theres City and theres everyone else at this early juncture.
I wasn't impressed by Man U at all  
nyjuggernaut2 : 8/30/2015 1:36 pm : link
when they played my Spurs earlier this month.
Man U will be alright  
moespree : 8/30/2015 3:03 pm : link
They need a striker and they need Rooney to take more than one shot as he did today. They won't win the league though because no one is catching Man City who might win by 10+ points. As for goalkeeper, I'd wager top dollar they at some point in the next 12 months purchase either Bernd Leno or Jasper Cillessen. Probably Cillessen.

As for Liverpool, you've seen peak Rodgers. He won't get any better as a manager and in my opinion has been overrated for some time. He got the acclaim because of the massive 13-14 seasons Suárez and Sturridge had. With Suarez gone and Sturridge oft injured there has been no duplicate success. In my mind he does not maximize the players he has skill sets and tries to fit them into spots that minimize their skill sets. Also he's slow to react to what's happening in the game in making on the fly tactical changes.

As for the rest of the league, Spurs once again are disappointing. How long can Martinez underperform at Everton? It took them extra time last week just to not get bounced by League 1 Barnsley in a domestic cup game. They were down 2-0 in that game as well. As for Arsenal, well they're typical Arsenal in my mind. Good team, top 4 finish, but nothing special and league title again.
*no league title again  
moespree : 8/30/2015 3:05 pm : link
For Arsenal, I mean.
Rodgers is maddening  
Joey in VA : 8/30/2015 3:23 pm : link
Why Can isn't starting at DM with Hendo (when healthy) and Milner in the midfield is really perplexing. Firmino and Coutinho can be great as long as they have room and Benteke up front does that for them, but the midfield has been a mess save for when Can came on against Arsenal. Lucas just doesn't do anything for me and why Lovren gets the nod over Sakho time and again is just absurd.
Joey, I couldn't agree more.  
scouser : 8/30/2015 5:24 pm : link
Rodgers seems to be chasing his tail. Yesterday, he switches to a 3 man back during the game. Shades of last season's melt down. If he does falter and has to be replaced I hope it's sooner than later or another season will be lost.
Well both Henry and Werner  
moespree : 8/30/2015 9:43 pm : link
Have had positive things to say in the past about Carlo Ancelotti. Although personally I think if Rodgers is replaced it's going to be by Frank de Boer from Ajax. I don't think there would be any serious discussions about replacing him though until late 2015. Ideally you'd want to do it before the January transfer window, to try to let the manager get a player or two he wants. We'll see. I think he'll hold his job for the season.
Back to the Corner