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redruM

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United fan right here. Not sure what you mean by your comment, "where have the United fans gone?"...it's not like we had a soccer thread on here for the current season. I'd also like to add that United currently leads the EPL in attendance and has had amazing away support that has been audible on tv broadcast, so I think United fans have been sticking around.

 

I know everyone else is enjoying the rocky season for United, as they should, but I'm still optimistic about the future and direction of the club. SAF stepping down was always going to mean that a transitional period would have to happen. I believe Moyes is the right man for the job and I am happy with him thus far. He came in and had multiple conversations with SAF's backroom staff and when it was clear they weren't the right for him, he let them go. It's not like he went in and just cleared them all out without doing his due diligence.

 

I also like that Moyes gave the players a chance to prove themselves to him. Of course some fans wish he went out and revamped the squad right away but I like that he allowed the players to make an impression on him, rather than just take second hand info from others about them.

 

He's already started to clear out the dead wood with Anderson and Fabio gone and Nani and Chicharito likely to leave this summer. Evra and Ferdinand are expected to leave and despite their importance in the past, they are clearly past their primes. Vidic leaving hurts but Evans and Jones have really proven themselves and Smalling to a lesser extent. I'd expect them to buy a new CB this summer but Michael Keane may be ready to start breaking into the squad. It's going to be an important summer but I'm looking forward to what Moyes does now that he's had a year at United.

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United fan right here. Not sure what you mean by your comment, "where have the United fans gone?"...it's not like we had a soccer thread on here for the current season. I'd also like to add that United currently leads the EPL in attendance and has had amazing away support that has been audible on tv broadcast, so I think United fans have been sticking around.

You know your team sucks when attendance is your best argument. It reminds me of a Hockey team on the other side of the Hudson. :giggle:

 

I have started to follow the EPL more closely because of the NBC coverage and I am tired of watching German soccer on low quality streams that keep breaking down. I've jumped on the Arsenal bandwagon because of the 5 German players is has now, especially Özil and Mertesacker, who used to play for my Home team (Werder Bremen). Its defiantly an exciting race right now. I just don't want to see Chelsea or Man. City winning it as I hate those sugar daddy clubs.

Fox has purchased the US Bundesliga rights as of the 15/16 season, so I hope they will have similar coverage as the EPL is getting on NBC

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You know your team sucks when attendance is your best argument. It reminds me of a Hockey team on the other side of the Hudson. :giggle:

 

I have started to follow the EPL more closely because of the NBC coverage and I am tired of watching German soccer on low quality streams that keep breaking down. I've jumped on the Arsenal bandwagon because of the 5 German players is has now, especially Özil and Mertesacker, who used to play for my Home team (Werder Bremen). Its defiantly an exciting race right now. I just don't want to see Chelsea or Man. City winning it as I hate those sugar daddy clubs.

Fox has purchased the US Bundesliga rights as of the 15/16 season, so I hope they will have similar coverage as the EPL is getting on NBC

Well I only brought up the attendance after the cheapshot in the original post trying to say that United fans have abandoned ship. I'll just throw in this shot at Arsenal.

 

I'm looking forward to the Bundesliga on Fox. I know a lot of people hate Fox's soccer coverage - I agree to some extent in that I love the personalities but they rarely discuss tactics. I hope they get better when they start their coverage of the Bundesliga.

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I always cheer against United because it's the natural thing for anyone who isn't a fan of them to do (just like going against the Yankees or Cowboys).  But even I found the way that they lost today (to last place Fulham no less) to be wrenching.  It made me think of some Devils games where we've had our hearts ripped out right at the end (like last Friday).

 

So 6 months after Fergusen leaves and ARSENAL are Top of The TABLE!
Where have all the United fns gone??

It's kind of funny that Arsenal took such a big arse-kicking right after this.  They didn't instill much confidence heading into this week's matchup with Bayern.

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I always cheer against United because it's the natural thing for anyone who isn't a fan of them to do (just like going against the Yankees or Cowboys).  But even I found the way that they lost today (to last place Fulham no less) to be wrenching.  It made me think of some Devils games where we've had our hearts ripped out right at the end (like last Friday).

Seems to be typical for United this year, happened so many times I've lost count. I feel bad for de Gea, he's fantastic but his teammates have left him out to dry so many times this year. United dominated the game today an insane amount but careless defending from Fletcher and Vidic and Fulham took advantage of it. Didn't help that RVP missed a tip in in the 1st half too. I'm looking forward to the squad overhaul this summer though if they don't qualify for Europe (which seems very likely) it will be hard to attract players.

 

Great race at the top of the table though. Chelsea 56, Arsenal 55, City 54, and Liverpool 50 all have a chance. At this point in time I think City will take it but it should be a fantastic finish. Should be a fun finish at the bottom too. I hope Hull City stays up, I love watching the 3-5-2. Also have to say from watching a handful of Crystal Palace games home and away, it seems like their fans are always ready to party. Their mascots are hilarious too.

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As a Liverpool fan, it's been a fun ride.  This team can score with anyone in the EPL, perhaps in the world this year, and with home games still to come vs Man City and Chelsea, there's still a lot of room for Liverpool to make some noise.  If we get any kind of road game consistency over the last couple months of the season (other than @United, Liverpool should be favored in all their remaining road games), I have no doubt Liverpool will be going to the Champions League and can challenge for the EPL title.

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It's kind of funny that Arsenal took such a big arse-kicking right after this.  They didn't instill much confidence heading into this week's matchup with Bayern.

 

Wow that was some serious bad timing, Arsenal was so bad v. Liverpool, it was quite embarrassing....

Wenger screwed up not picking up a striker during the tranfer window, Giroud is a nice player, but CHelsea, Liverpool, Man city, all have at least 2 strikers that are better than the Gunners #1. thats is not good...

As for the Man U support, I can only go by FB, last year there were United posts almost daily, this year, its gone quiet!!!

Hopefuly Liverpool was a wake up call, I have condfidence they willshow well v. Bayern...

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  • 1 month later...

The title race has become really interesting after this weekend. Chelsea on top with 66 points in 30 matches followed by Liverpool and Arsenal with 62 points in 29 matches, and City with 60 points in 27 matches. Could be an amazing finish.

Also, just 6 points separates 12th thru 20th. Fulham and Cardiff have played one more match than most teams they are trailing and being the bottom 2 seem like favorites to go down. Sunderland has only played 27 matches so far so they still have a chance to escape.

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I do have to admit when it comes to United, I am really questioning whether Moyes is capable or not. All season I've supported him even when I disagreed with his stone age tactics. There were two reasons for this. First, SAF selected him personally. That right there is enough for me. Secondly, I've done a lot of reading since last spring and learned a lot about his background, knowledge, passion, drive, and scouting procedures - all of which left me with nothing but the utmost respect for him.

When SAF said last season that it is time for us to stand by our new manager, I said to myself that no matter what, Moyes deserves at least 2-3 years to revamp the squad in his image. I felt this way up until about a month ago when I started to question whether or not he should get that much time - perhaps just til the midway point of next season, and if no progress has been shown then it would be time to part ways. After yesterday's embarrassing loss against Liverpool at Old Trafford, I'm doubting whether or not he should even get that much time. There's no shame in losing against a very talented team like Liverpool but it seemed like the majority of the players had no passion or drive. I have to wonder about the divide between the players and staff. There are rumors that Moyes and Giggs had a falling out recently too.

 

I'm really not sure what the future holds. Moyes has so much talent available to attack thru the center of the pitch yet seems insistent on mindless wing play and having players cover space and not support each other. Will he be willing to adapt? Will United stand by him and allow him to mold the squad in the summer?

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I know this isn't EPL per se, but how about Olympiacos on the verge of eliminating United from the CL? One away goal will probably get it done, but Greek clubs and the national team always **** the bed in the UK. I would kill to have a Greek club in the quaterfinals

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I know this isn't EPL per se, but how about Olympiacos on the verge of eliminating United from the CL? One away goal will probably get it done, but Greek clubs and the national team always **** the bed in the UK. I would kill to have a Greek club in the quaterfinals

At this point it wouldn't shock me, given how bad United looked in the 1st leg and the way they've played at home this year. My biggest worry heading into the match is United actually does try to attack, ends up scoring 3 goals but in the process gets exploited on the counter attack.

 

Apparently the next 3 matches (Olympiakos, West Ham, and City) could seal Moyes' fate. Rumors that the board is turning against him and that SAF, while not giving up on him, has no longer been a vocal supporter of him. Sources are saying they are inquiring about Louis van Gaal as the replacement which would be great imo.

Edited by thefiestygoat
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  • 5 weeks later...

Here we go with the magic championship scenarios:

 

http://www.playoffmagic.com/epl/

 

Basically:

If Liverpool wins out, they win the cup. 

@Norwich, Chelsea, @Crystal Palace, Newcastle

 

If Man City wins out and Liverpool fails to win any of their last four games, Man City wins the EPL:

Sunderland (up 1-0 at ~half time), West Brom, @Crystal Palace, @Everton, Aston Villa, West Ham

 

For Chelsea to win the cup, they need both Liverpool and Man City to slip up at least one more time than they do.

Sunderland, @Liverpool, Norwich, @Cardiff City

 

For Everton, the road to 4th can be done by winning out (they have a game in hand on Arsenal and are 2 points back), but the champions cup would require major fails from all three teams above them.  Two wins from Liverpool eliminates them from consideration.

Crystal Palace (Everton trailing 1-0 at half), Man U, @Southampton, Man City, @Hull

 

Arsenal is probably too far gone to win the cup...if Liverpool wins again they're done...but the battle for 4th is on.  If Everton falls to CP today, then Arsenal regains control over 4th place...win and in.

@Hull, Newcastle, West Brom, @Norwich

 

Meanwhile, on the relegation side, the safety number currently sits at 42...anyone above that point number is safe (which is Stoke City and above).  CP's schedule remaining is brutal, but if they hold on and beat Everton that puts them at 40, which should be more than enough to survive.  It really does not look good for Cardiff, Sunderland, Fulham, or Norwich...point wise, those are the four teams most in danger of relegation, but basically anyone below Stoke needs to be on their toes for the last month of the season.

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Yeah looks like the winner of Chelsea & Liverpool will win the EPL, the Liverpool ManCity game was very exciting.

After Everton's inplosion at CP I think Arsenal will find a way to 4th.

I think Fulham has the easiest sched of the bottom 5, so I think they will find a way out of the drop zone...

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Arsenal looks to be at full strength now...if they play like they did at Hull, more or less, than I think they can win the 4th place.  They have the easier schedule by far, although I suspect Man U will simply be playing out the string.

 

Sunderland is playing like a team posessed, I think they can escape relegation if they keep this up.  Meanwhile I don't like Norwich, Fulham or Cardiff's chances.

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Norwich has ManU Chelsea & Arsenal, they are screwed!

And Sunderland has a game at hand...

Arsenal looked so much better w/ Ramsey, I'm really starting to think he is the straw on that team.

Not sure who to root for in Champs league. Hate Chelsea & Bayern, dopnot know Athletico... and no real love for Real.. But I guess I'll root for Bale...

Joe & Evan were talking 2 weeks ago about what can be done to stop teams from tanking in the NBA, etc. European soccer has figured it out!! Donot award them a high draft pick relegate them!!

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I have some mixed feeling about Moyes being sacked. It had to be done but I do feel for him despite the nice compensation package he is getting. He's a solid manager and seems like a great guy but was completely out of his element at a club as big as United. I hope he can find a place at a mid table club in the EPL or even go to Germany, which I've read he's always wanted to do eventually. His tactics don't suit modern football, especially at a club that has plenty of quality to attack like United, but I can see him taking an underdog side over with his style and having success like he did with Everton for all those years.

 

A lot of speculation that Louis van Gaal could be the next manager and hold the position for 2 years or so while Frank de Boer gets groomed for the role long term.

 

Seems inevitable that Liverpool wins the league now. The battle for 4th between Arsenal and Everton is interesting. Relegation battle has really heated up with Sunderland taking 4 of 6 points against City and Chelsea recently. I'd bet on Fulham, Cardiff, and Norwich going down.

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Champs league depresses me this year. Don't have any love for Bayern, but I'm probably rooting for them. Hate Chelsea, City, and PSG, for obvious reasons. Also hate the fascist ultras both the Madrid clubs have (and I'm not a Barca fan). Would have loved to see Dortmund get through. At least the Noveau Riche clubs see to be blowing the Prem. I can get behind the Scousers winning it, even with Suarez.

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The title is Citys to lose. It has been for a long time IMO.

 

If they get past Everton away i think they win it on goal difference over Liverpool.

 

Chelsea Shat the ben with that loss to Sunderland, at which point i nearlt threw my TV through the window onto the one i had previosuly thrown out the window after the Crystal Palace defeat.

 

Cant see Chlesea winning the Champions league. Then again with Jose in charge anything is possible.

 

It was nice to spoil Liverpools party yesterday. Jose the master tactician strikes again. Although he seesm better prepared agaisnt the top clubs than anyone at the bottom.

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Such a disappointment, Chelsea got a huge lucky break.  One slip by Gerrard changed the entire complexion of the game. 

 

All Liverpool can do now is win their last two games and hope someone else can do some damage to Man City. 

 

On the relegation side, 38 points is the safety line right now, so Swansea is now officially safe, and a bunch others are close.  If Sunderland wins their game in hand, Norwich, Cardiff, and Fulton are each a loss away from going down.

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Sunderland has been huge the last feew weeks, people had them dead and burried a long time ago, but it looks like they will probably survive to play again next year. & Crystal palace has been on a nice run as well, upto 10th I beleive.

Arsenal will end up in 4th as Everton choked their chacnes away...

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I see Everton stealing a point from City, especially at home. No one has been able to do what they needed to when they controlled their own destiny, and I don't see City bucking that trend, especially against an Everton team that, while they've made some mistakes recently, has a ton of pride, enough talent, and something to play for. IMO if Liverpool can do what they're supposed to (big if, since they're arguably the least talented of the top 3), it's still theirs to lose, even if City has the mathematical edge now.

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