[Archived] Premier League Happenings

[Amo]

Is Moyes still pound-for-pound the best manager in the league?

At the time I posted it? Yes. I firmly believe Moyes was the PL's best manager for his success at Everton. While he never won a trophy there, he established them as a top-six side on a relatively small budget. In many ways, he seemed the natural successor to Fergie, and I can appreciate Man. Utd playing the long game, rather than drafting in a short-term option like Mourinho. It was bound to be a period of transition, but I'm surprised (and equally delighted) at the poor start he's made to his OT career.

[Majiball]

Do you think they'll make the top four?

[Amo]

Do you think they'll make the top four?

I think they'll just miss out on it. Everton will fade away at some point, but Spurs are still managing to be above Utd despite playing within themselves, and they have a lot more quality in their side. So, for me, it's four out of five (Arsenal, Chelsea, Man. City, Liverpool, Spurs) for the CL spots. United won't be far off, though.

[roversfan99]

Spurs team lacks balance and they can't seem to score. Lamela for example is a good player but they didn't need a right winger, they do need a left winger, whilst Soldado is not suited at all to their style. If Liverpool spend well in January, even they have a chance of sneaking 4th. 1st to 3rd is locked down for me.

I think we have seen this season how good a job Ferguson did in the last few years. Getting a team so fragile and lacking in quality in different areas to the title was a brilliant achievement.

I personally felt they should have gone all out for Klopp or Simeone, the latter has done a great building job in making Atletico Madrid a big power in Europe.

[Tom]

Think they will be comfy in the end today but United just look so beatable these days even at home

[DE.]

When was the last time United lost two in a row at Old Trafford?

[Waggy76]

Going down to the bookies to put a fiver on Steve Kean, being Man Utds next manager ....

They like a Scottish manager there !

[cn174]

When was the last time United lost two in a row at Old Trafford?

Dunno but hahahah

[DE.]

hilarious!

Last time they lost two at OT in a row was May 2002.

[RevidgeBlue]

Great to see the Red scum losing again.

I don't mind Moyes but every time you see and hear him speak he looks and sounds completely out of his depth in that job. Reminds me very much of Woy at Liverpool.

Hope they leave him in charge for a couple of years to knacker them up completely.

[Salgado Is A Hero]

[Stuart]

Personally I'm still very happy to see karma hasn't let up on Moyes.

He must be upset though at the horrifically offensive 'booing' from United fans. Let's hope the don't go as far as borderline-violently-abusive "Moyes Out" chanting or he might be suicidal. Maybe we'll get a soundbite or two from Brunei?

Rumour of Kean to replace Moyes anyone?

[Audax]

A lot of parity in the league, Stoke over Chelsea, Southampton draws Manchester City.

West Brom lost, they certainly had some bad calls against them early in the season.

And Crystal Palace has to be thought of as a player now.

[Majiball]

Arsenal V's Everton becomes an interesting one with todays results.

[perthblue02]

Personally I'm still very happy to see karma hasn't let up on Moyes.

He must be upset though at the horrifically offensive 'booing' from United fans. Let's hope the don't go as far as borderline-violently-abusive "Moyes Out" chanting or he might be suicidal. Maybe we'll get a soundbite or two from Brunei?

Rumour of Kean to replace Moyes anyone?

Wonder if he will walk out of a match 50 mins in , in disgust , when the nasty fans start.

Love the video Salgado, cheered me up no end , just hope there was extensive delays on the Motorway back down to Surrey for them as well.

[speeeeeeedie]

This seasons Premier League is extremely interesting. It isn't the 2 horse race it usually is at the top, nor is it the 5 horse race at the bottom.

Anyway I'm off to buy myself a Man U lamp for Christmas. It looks great in the middle of the table.

[chris_h]

An Allardyce team bending over for a 'big' club? Well I never.

[jodrell]

This seasons Premier League is extremely interesting. It isn't the 2 horse race it usually is at the top, nor is it the 5 horse race at the bottom.

Anyway I'm off to buy myself a Man U lamp for Christmas. It looks great in the middle of the table.

it looks better on the edge and falls off in May

[DanLad]

Refs were scared of Ferguson and United got a ludicrous amount of decisions in their favour as a result. Not just big decisions either. A series of small decisions (throw ins, free kicks etc) can keep pressure up on a team, or relieve pressure, that could lead to a goal. They're not getting these errant decisions any more (or as much) and, as a result, it turns out that they are not the wonderful side that they have been painted to be.

United should have got Mourinho in. He would have maintained the amazing ref bias, and he knew it, which is why he wanted to job.

[Amo]

Refs were scared of Ferguson and United got a ludicrous amount of decisions in their favour as a result. Not just big decisions either. A series of small decisions (throw ins, free kicks etc) can keep pressure up on a team, or relieve pressure, that could lead to a goal. Their not getting these errant decisions any more (or as much) and, as a result, it turns out that they are not the wonderful side that they have been painted to be.

I was thinking something similar last night.

"Fergie could get more out of the players" = Fergie had the officials in his pocket?

[DE.]

No, the opposition in the PL were simply scared to death of United whilst Ferguson was in charge. You could almost see teams collectively start to brown their boxers as the game entered the last ten minutes, inevitably leading to another late United goal. Fergie had some influence on the officials but nowhere near enough to make it count to the degree people claim. Fact is the fear factor that used to exist around United has gone, and now that veil has been lifted the mediocrity beneath has been exposed.

Hiring Moyes what a stupid, stupid decision.

[DanLad]

I think he had a huge influence.

In the scenario to which you refer teams tended to be worried in the last 10 mins as it was always one way traffic. When teams managed to clear their lines and look to relieve pressure the ref would blow up and give a free kick to Utd. If Utd didn't manage to notch during the course of this relentless assault the ref would then just award Utd a penalty anyway.

I recall the game at Ewood where the ref was going to allow 3 minutes of added on time, but Fergie insisted on 5 mins, so 5 mins were added on. I might be wrong about the actual minutes involved, but Fergie definitely got the additional time he insisted on. They were even joking about it on Match of the Day that night, rather than aghast at that level of undue influence that Fergie had. I think that this was indicative of how it was considered normal procedure for Fergie to get his way, especially against lesser teams. That is more than some influence, in my view.

[Amo]

Exactly. Never underestimate the psychological effect it would have on players knowing that just about every 50/50 decision will be ruled in United's favour.

[DE.]

I always cringe a bit when I read the United referee conspiracy nonsense. It reads like a Liverpool forum.

[thenodrog]

United should have got Mourinho in. He would have maintained the amazing ref bias, and he knew it, which is why he wanted to job.

1. Too big a difference in playing styles for the squad to adapt too.

2. Mu could never have outbid Chelsea for his services.