The 2015-2016 EPL Discussion Thread

[Brahvocado]

Quote: Originally Posted by Leon

Reviving this semi old post to respond: Of course defence wins you championships, but to label United a defensive team is outright wrong. The reason we have the best defence in the league (statistically speaking) is because we dominate possession and because of what LVG started last year to build the club's foundation back up. There hasn't been a game this season where we parked the bus, which is what you would usually call a defensive side. The reason you guys were "boring, boring Chelsea" is because -- bar most of last year -- for all the attacking talent you guys had, Chelsea would still resort to parking the bus. That bus finally broke down and, well, you're entertaining for relegation reasons. United are boring because for all our ball hogging, we still can't seem to create chances consistently despite some pretty great passers in our midfield. I don't like possession without chance creation but I really can't be too mad when results are being achieved. Would I prefer a more gung-ho style? Hell yes. Our manager isn't that though, so I'd think fans would meet him halfway. LVG says he'll get it right, then I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Historically speaking though, it is whose who succeed him that reap the benefits of the foundation he lays. And just to add to the Eva/Hazard news, this has surely got to be the reveal as to who betrayed Mourinho. PLEASE!

Actually don't disagree too much with anything you said. However, you absolutely do not need to park the bus to be a defensive side. Spain doesn't park the bus, and they are 100% a defensive team. It's just defense via ball possession rather than defense via bus parking.

Anyway, like you said, LVG's successors are usually the ones that reap all the benefits. It's been quite a long time since his last personal success.

I was more just relishing the fact that United have (even if it ends up being temporary), abandoned everything that made them United in favor of getting results, and have largely become the thing they have hated.

[Leon]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brahvocado

Actually don't disagree too much with anything you said. However, you absolutely do not need to park the bus to be a defensive side. Spain doesn't park the bus, and they are 100% a defensive team. It's just defense via ball possession rather than defense via bus parking. Anyway, like you said, LVG's successors are usually the ones that reap all the benefits. It's been quite a long time since his last personal success. I was more just relishing the fact that United have (even if it ends up being temporary), abandoned everything that made them United in favor of getting results, and have largely become the thing they have hated.

It's basically semantics if that were the case. Best form of defence is attack, or in this case, keeping the ball from the opposition etc etc.

LVG won the league, what, 5 years ago? It's not THAT long.

It's a stretch to say United have abandoned their identity, since everything else is still distinctly United (academy player in match day squad; promoting youth; supplementing with "world class" players). Attacking football is still what the club requires -- we're just not doing a very good job at the moment.

[Brahvocado]

5 years is a long time for a manager of his stature.

The youth aspect is obviously important, but you can't say after 25 years of SAF that exciting, attacking football isn't a major cornerstone of your club. It's not just that you guys aren't doing a good job of attacking, you're clearly being coached to be conservative first, everything else second.

Also, my cat could manage Bayern Munich to a league title, and he's an idiot even by cat standards.

[Leon]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brahvocado

5 years is a long time for a manager of his stature. The youth aspect is obviously important, but you can't say after 25 years of SAF that exciting, attacking football isn't a major cornerstone of your club. It's not just that you guys aren't doing a good job of attacking, you're clearly being coached to be conservative first, everything else second. Also, my cat could manage Bayern Munich to a league title, and he's an idiot even by cat standards.

It IS a cornerstone, ever since the Busby era. And there's no doubt we are playing safety first; I believe a huge part of that was the Leicester match last year which ended 5-3 in their favour.

LVG had to rebuild Bayern, so your cat probably couldn't do that from where LVG started. He, once again, laid the foundations for the Bayern of today. Just about every Bayern fan knows they owe a lot of their current success to LVG. And the only reason he hasn't had personal honours is because he took the Netherlands job after his stint with Bayern.

[Brahvocado]

Quote: Originally Posted by Leon

It IS a cornerstone, ever since the Busby era. And there's no doubt we are playing safety first; I believe a huge part of that was the Leicester match last year which ended 5-3 in their favour. LVG had to rebuild Bayern, so your cat probably couldn't do that from where LVG started. He, once again, laid the foundations for the Bayern of today. Just about every Bayern fan knows they owe a lot of their current success to LVG. And the only reason he hasn't had personal honours is because he took the Netherlands job after his stint with Bayern.

The problem here Leon, is that you are bringing logic and reasoning into a conversation with a person requiring neither.

I understand the logic and reasoning behind what LVG is doing, I just don't care. The sheer amount of crap United fans have given Chelsea fans over the last decade, specifically because of the way we often played, and now you guys are playing exactly that way.

[Leon]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brahvocado

The problem here Leon, is that you are bringing logic and reasoning into a conversation with a person requiring neither. I understand the logic and reasoning behind what LVG is doing, I just don't care. The sheer amount of crap United fans have given Chelsea fans over the last decade, specifically because of the way we often played, and now you guys are playing exactly that way.

Get back to me once we start parking the team golf cart, bus and plane.

[Krebstar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Leon

Get back to me once we start parking the team golf cart, bus and plane.

Perhaps you're just parking them in a different spot on the field?

I don't know. No games this weekend, so you two keep having at it.

[sportsfreak96]

Anyone remember the classic Lee Bowyer and Kieran Dyer fight when Newcastle faced Villa in 2005?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk