Taylor Swift

Hear hear.

WHAT?! How do you judge whether a footballer is good or not unless he performs? And if I'm not mistaken, in this thread, you seem to be implying form is over a 'season' or more, not just five or ten games where players can hit purple patches. Are you saying Rooney is good just because? Without having any evidence to back up your claim since he's been poorer than his teammate, how can you justify this statement? Ludicrous, mate.

not surprised to see Kaka having more of the vote now, as opposed to before the game began when almost 66% voted Ronaldo.

Hoping Manyoo get raped. Honestly, that's the only thing I'm hoping for this season now - that they get bummed in every single competition they're alive in.

Fergie's gone if they win the Champions League this season tbh. He only ever stayed on because he wanted to win it again and I reckon if they have three good games, they're gonna win it and he's gonna go.

It's a good read actually and surprisingly, as we reach the end of the article, a few of his points really hit home. Go Oliver!!

He's quality. And he's an all-round striker. His game is not only about scoring goals, it's about making runs, holding the ball up and actually being a part of the attacking play (which is why Manyoo offloaded VRoy). I'd take him in a loan deal or something like him + £5m for Mickey.

He's a poor man's Lampard when he was at his best during his time at Leeds.

7 point lead!!!

Shocking, especially for a club like Arsenal. Wonder what Wenger thinks of the whole thing, especially considering the season they've had hasn't been one of their best.

Who thinks this has something to do with Freddy telling Roeder to keep Owen out of the side until the season's over so he can say to the FA in the summer 'look, he hasn't even played for us, he's not going to be playing for you' or am I just really cynical?

Edited :lol: 'Apologies for pictures being in black and white, we are suffering from technical difficulties'

Tbh mate, there's no doubt if our defence was considerably bolstered during the first or actually even during the second transfer window, we'd be in a better position than we are now. The fact that our defence can barely pass the ball out of our own half and that we've had to convert a midfielder into an extra defender says a lot.

Tbh, Bramble doesn't have any hope. SBR couldn't get him to fulfill his potential, and now two managers since then have been unable to accomplish the same thing with him. He's not good enough. Luque, on the other hand, well, I'd be prepared to give him a chance just because I'd rather £10m not go down the drain. In the end though, I believe coaching is the key. If a coach drills his players really well, what used to come unnaturally on the pitch (ie. making a timed run etc.) will become a natural habit. Just look at Frank Lampard as a great example of what good coaching can do to a player. He's been drilled to shoot, and obviously has been coached really well in his technique of smacking the ball, and that's why he gets the goals he gets. He's been drilled to hover around the penalty area and look for balls to strike at. Before, he rarely did this because it was unnatural but good coaching can change a lot.

Cried after losing to the Mancs in the FA Cup semis a couple of years back. Got all pumped up after Ameobi made it 3-1 and then when the horseface (iirc) made it 4-1, that was it, the tears came. I had genuinely hoped we would shock the world and make the final. There was just a feeling about that day, a feeling of pride that I felt before the game began. A feeling that we'd do something magical. Fuck me how wrong was I. Haven't been close to tears since and now, I barely flinch when we lose (especially this season). It's just apathy that I feel about the club atm. But like melanchronic said, one day, one day..

I actually agree. The lift that he would give the place would be massive. Even if he's been shown to not be the most tactically astute, at least he can motivate, which is more than what our current manager can do. He's also shown that he can handle the biggest of players and has their respect, which is quite important considering the fact that our two/three previous managers have 'lost' the dressing room (Roeder included).

If we had shown signs of progressing as a team, I would have happily accepted 10th place or wherever we're gonna end up at the end of this year. However, the fact of the matter is that Roeder's just stupid. He's out of his depth and has been shown to be on several occasions (hence the daft team selections and daft-er substitutions/changes). We've only performed well when we have our 'backs against the wall' and when Roeder has no alternative (ie. play the kids). He has no motivational abilities of any sort, which is aptly demonstrated by the fact that whenever we have a full team on, the players seem to think showing up is enough (today is a good example). We only play well when we're under immense pressure and that simply won't do. However, sacking him would just render the past couple of years a total waste which is why he should go back to his old job because he has shown a knack for developing young talent. Then at least there'll be a 'set-up' at the club that might be attractive for any manager - Fred can say 'look, we have a good academy, a decent academy coach, and setting up a scouting network' etc. Better than 'you have to start over and control everything here, have fun!' Minimal progress though it might be, progress it still is.

I came out of this thread looking good not that I wanted to mind you

Ours is only brought up so much because we haven't actually competed again since, and it was our chance at a trophy for the first time in 30 odd years. Manyoo will compete again next year, even if, as I'm hoping, they blow it this year.

That was your question to begin the thread. Then you waffled on about his performance at Chelsea. So what the fuck has he done you ask? He's won the UEFA Cup, the Champions League and a couple of league titles at Porto. That is an acceptable answer to your question, since it was so fucking open-ended, vague and followed up with a rant about his performance at Chelsea, cleverly disregarding his achievements at other clubs. After this other achievements, he then joined Chelsea, whom since then have won their first league title in 50 years, then repeated the win and are now within shouting distance of a 3rd straight league title. That's what he's done.

After today, Chelsea's back in it tbh. If they win the title Mourinho's a legend. No denying that.

what? > Do not want Manyoo to win the title, hate the bastards.

Get in Pompey!!

Cracking header by Taylor. Really nice finish by Martins. Good stuff.

Fabregas hits the bar.