Segun Oluwaniyi

Manchester U have a real lack of quality and depth in midfield, defence, and the goalkeeper. People often say this about the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, but they also have many players in these positions who are only slightly above average or aging in these positions given their status.

I know the players have changed, but I feel as though Everton have had the same team for almost ten years now. Always competitive.

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/08/20/newcastle-2-1-tottenham-pardew-switches-formation-ben-arfa-excels-in-both-systems/ That's the one rule in every sport I've ever played or watched. You cannot touch officials aggressively and if you do so, the penalties will be harsh. Pardew violated and will be correctly punished.

Decent match=commentator must pontificate about the qualities of the Premier League.

Bordeaux 1-0. Another goal for Obraniak. Not the wonder goal like last week, but still he's a really classy player. City really ought to bring Balo on. No idea why anyone would have Dzeko in front of him. He provides all the physicality, while actually being a great technical footballer as well.

Exactly, he hasn't been a holding player for at least 2 years, Arteta is miles better than him at that job i'm not sure why people label him as a DM. He hasn't been one for ages. True enough, but Arsenal still lack sheer physicality, really throughout that team, but especially in the centre of midfield. They aren't sharp enough with their passing to mask it, imo. Giroud will be very useful for them, doing a much better job of what Chamakh and Bendtner have tried to provide in the past, but he cannot lead them over the course of a campaign with the consistency of Van Persie. I don't think Podolski is as much of a goal scorer as his record indicates. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I think it is true.

Ramis is horrendous.

That was ridiculously simple.

If Bertrand is an academy player, than so are the likes of Mikel Obi. Bertrand, like most every young player at the big English clubs, was bought for a fee at a young age from a club in a lower financial position.

I cannot believe Chelsea are starting Ryan Bertrand on the wing against Wigan. Is everyone else unfit? Ferreira along with Hilario must be close with/have info on someone high at that club. Both keep picking up fat cheques despite retiring three years ago.

I think he was. Commentators were mentioning that Shola pulled up and he replaced him.

No vex, man. I'm just trying to put the game in terms the guy might understand.

The point guard is definitely Cabaye or Tiote, but the point is still somewhat valid. Ben Arfa is the one player in our team who is different from the rest. He regularly does things none of the other ten would think of trying. We need to give him space to operate and lead the team forward. He won't ask for the ball the majority of the time, but when he does, it should be given to him. Something is coming. Average performance, but a great result against a side that will be a direct rival if things go to plan. Two moments of brilliance from two people that will need to carry us on at least three fronts this season.

It's generally bad whenever he is dwelling on the ball, imo. His passing becomes wayward when he given more time to think.

One problem for me is that there is no real pace in this team at all outside of Santon. Our front four are all quite mobile, but none are particularly quick an Ba quite honestly looks slow.

HBA seems to be playing centrally quite a bit.

Completely unnecessary situation to injure yourself in. No need.

The Emirates pitch still likes massive.

I forgot Diaby was alive. If he can be anything like he used to be, it would be vital for Arsenal. Very good player, though quite temperamental. They need him and Wilshere to have a season that betrays their past injury history

Been linked with Cheik M'Benge (Spelling?) in the press over the past day or so. Weren't we linked with him last year? M'Bengue is a left back, though. Not an alternative to Tiote, but definitely better than Andre Santos.

Ligue 1 has an official youtube channel now that shows highlights and goals from every match. Is there any reason we cannot post these videos here? Is there an reason England cannot do this?

Don't understand how anyone can limit RVP's achievements to that time frame, tbh. He's had serious injury problems, but generally he's been extremely productive whenever he's been on the pitch since 2006, which has been a large amount of time. He has been one of the world's best for some time. I don't see how you can say Arsenal have 'broadly the same team" (leffe) when they have lost their two best performers and least replaceable players from last season. I don't rate our squad that highly. We only have two forwards of a good enough standard, one of whom has a knee problem that was bad enough to put off the likes of Stoke, both of whom may be leaving for a month. Our central midfield is very good, but we lack depth on the wing, even if Marveaux is fit, and that is not something we can be sure of at all. Frankly, I think our defence is inadequate for one attempting to enter the Champions League and compete at the highest level. Coloccini is a standout. Santon is extremely talented, but has been inconsistent throughout his career. Taylor is injury prone and has never shown himself to be good enough over a long period of time. He definitely can improve and I have high hopes for him, but we may be depending on him to be something he is not. Simpson, Perch and Williamson are average footballers that fit in well here, but will not help us push on.

Yes, Rennes. I specifically remember we were linked to Albin Ebondo of Toulouse and M'Bia, but in the end signed Nolan and Ryan Taylor at a much lower price. The masses were displeased. It was another event in that depressing January where we lost N'Zogbia and Given. Marseille signed him for twelve million euro, anyway, back when we had money. I don't think he was ever worth that personally, so it was good to stay away.

I have a feeling this move will go very well for Barton and OM. He needs to get out England, definitely. The atmosphere around him is too poisonous in that country.

Money. M'Bia is a very talented footballer and a physical monster, but not all there mentally. He still makes some very questionable decisions on the pitch, is prone to major errors, and has a poor attitude at times. He's still a massive improvement over Clint Hill. Temperamental, highly paid, and a mercenary; the perfect QPR player.