LIVE! Match discussion 2014/15

[ROVERT47]

Lallana should be off!

 

[ROVERT47]

Fairly routine defensive exercise for Villa.

 

[arklowolf]

Excellent performance from Villa. Well organised, good side. The signs were there last season. I expect them to finish top eight as a minimum. I also expect Leicester to finish top half and Newcastle to get relegated (unless they get rid of arrogant Al. Usual excuses today, ' the international break didn't help us' or words to that effect. Nothing to do with the bunch of tossers you've signed then Al?

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Aston Villa defended very well. With Suarez gone, Sturridge injured and Sterling rested, I thought that Liverpool lacked any penetration. Losing Suarez may hit them as much as Spurs losing Bale.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Atletico win the Madrid derby, and despite losing several players, it looks like they could again be a thorn in the side for the big two in Spain.

 

[The Bear]

I'm a happy bunny tonight as my 6 team acca came in for a £170 return. First one I've won this season.

 

[Nando]

Atletico win the Madrid derby, and despite losing several players, it looks like they could again be a thorn in the side for the big two in Spain.

They've got a much better squad this season. It would be folly to write them off.

 

[Carrotdude]

Atletico win the Madrid derby, and despite losing several players, it looks like they could again be a thorn in the side for the big two in Spain.

I turned it on just in time to see Atletico's winner - great finish but absolute schoolboy defending.

 

[NorwayFB]

Real Madrid actually looks worse,so unbalanced.Don't think Chicharito touched the ball at all.Atletico are such bullies tho.

 

[Nando]

No surprise. Di Maria made that system work. Perez is just the ultimate transfer muppet.

 

[Alan]

Di Maria and Alonso were the keys to Madrid.

 

[Nando]

Xabi wanted to go it seems and was definitely on the wane but was still a maestro on his day. Kroos is a completely different player who just can't offer the defensive side of the game that Xabi gave.

Di Maria was just ridiculous for them last season. Absurdly effective in pressing, driving forward and moving wide when Ronny moved inside.

Perez won't be told though and Real will always be like this under him.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Di Maria was easily their best player last season and that in a year where all of Bale, Ronaldo and Ramos were exceptional throughout. Real have tried to spin the story that he wanted near parity with Ronaldo on salary, even if that is true (and I doubt it) then pay the man, he was absolutely perfect for you and completely irreplaceable. Isco and James - fantastic players but nothing like similar to Di Maria. Same with Kroos - genuinely one of the best midfielders in world football and a bargain on the fee too - but he isn't going to give you what Xabi did (and nor will Illarramendi for that matter).

Like you say, Perez never learns. Also the cult of Iker is increasingly a very bad thing for that club.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

ION, Good God did Newcastle look poor today.

 

[vicarious wolf]

What was that exchange between Lineker and Shearer about? Were they implying that Pardew has no say in transfers?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I suppose they must have been. But Pardew has to be rubberstamping major purchases like Cabella (show pony), surely? I don't doubt that the remit from above is for mid-range purchases from abroad who cost far less in fee and wages than domestic players or those who are already mainstays of Champions League clubs elsewhere, and that he can't diverge too much from that. Their policy is to buy low and sell high, we've seen that a lot over the last few years. I seriously doubt though that he is handed a bunch of random players that he's never seen, never passed comment on and told to make the best of them that he can.

 

[The Bear]

When was the last time they brought a British player (before Colback)?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Summer 2010 I think, James Perch/Dan Gosling.

 

[NorwayFB]

Forest v Derby 0-0 at HT,not alot happening so far.

 

[Kenny]

Awful steward work at Forest. Fans on the pitch and they take an age to get on the pitch to remove them