EPL Week 3 Game Thread: City-Stoke and Some Other Games

[soxfan121]

Sat., Aug. 30 7:45 a.m. Burnley Man United NBCSN
Sat., Aug. 30 10 a.m. Man City Stoke City TBD, mun2
Sat., Aug. 30 10 a.m. West Ham Southampton TBD
Sat., Aug. 30 10 a.m. Aston Villa Hull City TBD
Sat., Aug. 30 10 a.m. Newcastle Crystal Palace TBD
Sat., Aug. 30 10 a.m. Swansea City West Brom TBD
Sat., Aug. 30 10 a.m. Queens Park Rangers Sunderland TBD
Sat., Aug. 30 12:30 p.m. Everton Chelsea NBC, mun2
Sun., Aug 31 8:30 a.m. Tottenham Liverpool NBCSN, mun2
Sun., Aug 31 11 a.m. Leicester City Arsenal NBCSN, Telemundo
 

 
No Monday game...bank holiday? 
 
Also, last game before the window closes. Will Arsenal buy or will we have six more months of whiny Gooners mad at Arsene's penny pinching ways? Will LVG and ManU keep spending megabucks on players who don't quite fit the system? Will City decide that fiscal responsibility is overrated and buy an expensive new toy? Will Newcastle sell Fat Midfielder?
 
As for the match-ups, the 12:30 NBC game between Everton and Chelsea should be a tactical barnburner. One wants to possess the ball, the other wants to counter - both coaches are excellent and I would expect a serious chess match. 
 
Tomorrow's morning game is arguably the best game of the weekend (except City-Stoke - that shit's gonna be awesome!) with Liverpool taking on Tottenham at WHL. Does Super Mario make his debut? Are Spurs going to keep buying defenders until they have forty-five on the roster?
 
We are just days away from Harry Redknapp's Annual Transfer Day Car Interview...are you feeling the excitement yet?

 

[Luis Taint]

Up at 7:30am on my day off, on the small chance ManU embarrass themselves.

 

[Luis Taint]

Soxfan, do you have a list of matches for next weekends international matches, or could point me to where I could find them.

 

[soxfan121]

Soxfan, do you have a list of matches for next weekends international matches, or could point me to where I could find them.

 
I do not but I'd bet Titans Bastard does.

 

[soxfan121]

Di Maria has already created two wonderful chances; one saved (good job by the keeper on RVP) and one was scuffed (Mata tripped on his own feet in the box). 

 

[soxfan121]

De Gea with a fine save on a shot from distance. He really has developed into a top-notch keeper and is clearly the best bit of business Sir Alex consummated in his twilight. 

 

[soxfan121]

Di Maria is playing VERY deep and centrally, almost as a deep-lying playmaker (Xabi Alonso-esque). Lots of good long passes to unlock the Burnley defense so far. 

 

[Luis Taint]

Burnley having no problems attacking.

 

[mascho]

Here's an International Friendly Scoreboard from ESPNFC
 
http://www.espnfc.com/international-friendly/53/scores

 

[Luis Taint]

Here's an International Friendly Scoreboard from ESPNFC
 
http://www.espnfc.com/international-friendly/53/scores

Thank you

 

[soxfan121]

Yeah, Burnley has had some chances. Ashley Young is not a wingback. Blackett is a good passer for a defender but I don't think he's a good defender. Evans looks unfit. And Phil Jones is having an ugly game as the center of the back three. 
 
How ugly?

 

[Bailey10]

Di Maria is playing the role I expect Herrera to when healthy.

When both are healthy I expect a change in formation. A Herrera/Di Maria midfield without an enforcer like Fletcher would invite too much pressure on the backline.

 

[soxfan121]

Ashley Young makes Greg Louganis look like piker.

 

[DLew On Roids]

That was the type of play where a known diver doesn't get the call another player might.

 

[Bailey10]

I can't remember the last quality performance by RVP in a United shirt. It's all poor passing and running into the same position as his teammates.

 

[soxfan121]

That was the type of play where a known diver doesn't get the call another player might.

 
Any of the other 21 players on the pitch earn the penalty there. Young doesn't because he's a degenerate flopper. 

 

[Bailey10]

Didn't see this before kickoff but United have reportedly agreed on a fee for Daley Blind.

http://www.espnfc.us/story/2011349/manchester-united-and-ajax-agree-fee-for-daley-blind


LVGs new plan is apparently to field an entire side of left footed defenders.

Edit- Daley Blind, not his father Danny.

 

[soxfan121]

Didn't see this before kickoff but United have reportedly agreed on a fee for Daley Blind.

http://www.espnfc.us/story/2011349/manchester-united-and-ajax-agree-fee-for-daley-blind


LVGs new plan is apparently to field an entire side of left footed defenders.

Edit- Daley Blind, not his father Danny.

 
I recall reading during the WC that Blind preferred to play in central midfield but he shined as the left wing back for LVG's Netherlands side. I presume he will displace Ashley Young, which will certainly help. 
 
Valencia has been anonymous and terrible as well today. What RWB will they buy?

 

[DLew On Roids]

Bailey, you aren't even the second person I've seen make that mistake this week. And unlike the others, you aren't getting paid to write about him...

I think I now see the genius of 3-5-2. It's that when you try to teach tactically oblivious English players a new system, you have three CBs available to shut down the attacks that have waltzed through your midfield.

 

[mgoblue2]

What's the word on Costa, didn't he strain his hamstring this week? Either way there are reports from NBC that Remy has agreed to a deal with Chelsea.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

That tackle might have been a bit more robust than Di Maria is used to.

 

[soxfan121]

What's the word on Costa, didn't he strain his hamstring this week? Either way there are reports from NBC that Remy has agreed to a deal with Chelsea.

 
No idea on Costa but I'll bet Remy is replacing Torres who is headed to AC Milan on a two-year loan. 
 
That effectively closes the book on one of the worst transfers in history. A two-year loan is definitely a "it's you, not me" dumping.
 
EDIT: This picture is worth a thousand words. Ancellotti looks like he's about to puke on himself.

 

[DLew On Roids]

RVP has more gray hair on his head than Eric Van has poking out of the top of his shirt.

 

[DLew On Roids]

 
No idea on Costa but I'll bet Remy is replacing Torres who is headed to AC Milan on a two-year loan. 
 
That effectively closes the book on one of the worst transfers in history. A two-year loan is definitely a "it's you, not me" dumping.

The Guardian article points out that the structure effectively makes it a free transfer.

Between wages and the fee, Chelsea spent about £78.7M on 3.5 years of Torres.

 

[soxfan121]

The Guardian article points out that the structure effectively makes it a free transfer.

 
The only way to make it clearer would be hanging a sign saying "free" around his neck and leaving him on the curb overnight.

 

[Bailey10]

I haven't seen Blind play much central midfield but I was impressed with his phenomenal work rate at the WC.

Id be interested to see him as the deepest sitting midfielder when Shaw is healthy. A midfield diamond of Blind-Herrera-Di Maria-Mata is something that might be worth getting excited for.

 

[soxfan121]

Welbeck warming up to replace the 60-minute man.

 

[DLew On Roids]

"This might have something to do with the pace of the Barclays Premier League." 
 
Oh, shut up.

 

[mascho]

@thatsonpoint  35s
Something that would be funny (and original) is Angel Dí Maria's face photoshopped on Job Bluth saying, "I think I've made a big mistake."

 

[soxfan121]

Fucking Anderson is still alive? I had no idea.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Anderson for Di Maria.  The tactical genius of LVG strikes again.

 

[Luis Taint]

I get the defense sucks, but the front 4 should be able to score against a team like Burnley.

 

[soxfan121]

I get the defense sucks, but the front 4 should be able to score against a team like Burnley.

 
Why? Burnley's back four has played together consistently for a few seasons and while they aren't the most talented, they know how to cover for each other and work as unit. Plus, Burnley's midfield is working their asses off defensively to support the back four. 

 

[SoxFanInCali]

 
Why? Burnley's back four has played together consistently for a few seasons and while they aren't the most talented, they know how to cover for each other and work as unit. Plus, Burnley's midfield is working their asses off defensively to support the back four. 

And with perfect timing, the announcers just said that Burnley haven't kept a clean sheet in 29 games.

 

[soxfan121]

Mata has had a couple opportunities and he's mucked them up fabulously.

 

[Luis Taint]

And with perfect timing, the announcers just said that Burnley haven't kept a clean sheet in 29 games.

another notch in ManU belt.

 

[soxfan121]

And with perfect timing, the announcers just said that Burnley haven't kept a clean sheet in 29 games.

 
Premier League games. Since they've played two this season...and a bunch years ago before they were demoted, it is a bit misleading, no?
 
They allowed the fewest goals in the Championship last season (37).

 

[Luis Taint]

Van Gaal looks like a guy, at a bus stop, waiting to go to the unemployment office.

 

[soxfan121]

Sir Bacon Nose looks displeased. Or hungover. Or both.

 

[DLew On Roids]

Hey, remember when Man U folks were talking about how Jonny Evans was a solid CB?
 
That was awesome.
 

 

[Luis Taint]

5 mins of extra time?

 

[soxfan121]

Mata hurt himself, somehow, and is being subbed off for Januzaj.

 

[DLew On Roids]

Sir Bacon Nose looks displeased. Or hungover. Or both.

 
The blue lanyard draped over the red tie made it look for a second like he was supporting Burnley.

 

[Luis Taint]

Ashley Young blows

 

[soxfan121]

Fuck Ashley Young. That hit the defender's chest and bounced off his arm - it was in no way deliberate. And to rush the ref instead of playing the ball...? Ugh. Hate that guy so, so much,

 

[DLew On Roids]

How Young avoided a yellow card for dissent is beyond me.

 

[Bailey10]

Ashley Young blows

So does Chris Foy.

 

[URI]

Oh ManU...two years ago, they would have gotten 3 PK's for that "handball."

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Fuck Ashley Young. That hit the defender's chest and bounced off his arm - it was in no way deliberate. And to rush the ref instead of playing the ball...? Ugh. Hate that guy so, so much,

It wasn't deliberate, but the arms were away from the body.  I've seen ones less blatant than that given.
 
That said, screw Ashley Young.

 

[soxfan121]

Really rooting for Burnley to steal one here. DAMN!