**OFFICIAL Association Football 2012/2013 Season thread**

[pieceofme]

So season is almost upon us.

Man utd signed Van Persie for 24 million. Great player and looking forward to seeing what he can do. Although I am slightly concerned as he is injury prone and he is 29. Still if a season like last then I'll be happy.

[Hellsinkey]

Van Persie is a similar case to what Van Der Sar was. Both should have been signed years ago. He's great but there's enough strikers already. I hoped the midfield situation would be sorted out. Let's see what Kagawa can do.

[MickeyG]

Well, Berbaflop will be on his way and Owen has gone so there's room for RVP. A nice mix of strikers there now, hopefully everyone can keep fit, including defenders and midfielders. I'd like to see a dominating central midfielder brought in, but I'll be surprised if they do sign anyone else. Left fullback is a bit light too, with Fabio out on loan.

[Hellsinkey]

Well, Berbaflop will be on his way

Let's see. I don't think he was a flop last season, Fergie just didn't let him play enough. He did well considering how little he played. Could have used his goals in the end.

[Tenacious_Dio]

I'm going to follow the EPL this year, though I won't have much to contribute to this thread. I found this online, though.

[Hellsinkey]

According to that, I should be supporting Newcastle.

[MickeyG]

Well, Berbaflop will be on his way

Let's see. I don't think he was a flop last season, Fergie just didn't let him play enough. He did well considering how little he played. Could have used his goals in the end.

Fair enough, he wasn't given much chance last season, and he was top scorer the season before. But overall, he won't be remembered by United fans for being a success. His languid style just doesn't sit well with United fans. We like triers, like Welbeck.

[Hellsinkey]

Now that RVP arrived, Welbeck and Chicarito have the most to lose.

[MickeyG]

at the dippers. And it could have been many more, West Brom have owned them. Stevie Me looked miserable.

[Hellsinkey]

I missed today's games because I was watching my son's football tournament. They won two games out of three. He got two assists. Another three games tomorrow.

[MickeyG]

He'll be playing for the National team in no time.

[Hellsinkey]

He's just seven. Today they lost twice and got one draw. He's under a one bigger team, which have smaller "famous" teams. One is "ManU", he's at "Tottenham".

Our national team has always been shite, good players here and there like Litmanen and Hyypiä. Best players leave abroad to play.

[MickeyG]

My lad's just turned 9. He likes a kick about, but isn't that keen on joining a team or anything. Golf is more his game. My dad takes him for a round once a week through Spring/summer/fall at a local course, and he just finished summer lessons at another local course. He actually made a 4 on a par 4 off the ladies tee after sinking an 8 footer.

[pieceofme]

Well, Berbaflop will be on his way

Let's see. I don't think he was a flop last season, Fergie just didn't let him play enough. He did well considering how little he played. Could have used his goals in the end.

Fair enough, he wasn't given much chance last season, and he was top scorer the season before. But overall, he won't be remembered by United fans for being a success. His languid style just doesn't sit well with United fans. We like triers, like Welbeck.

Urgh i don't. He's like Bambi on ice.

[MickeyG]

I agree about him being a Bambi on ice, but his work ethic gets him a lot of fans. I think he'll be decent for United in the long run.

Rio's out tonight. That's a blow. Carrick might be playing center half.

[Hellsinkey]

I don't think Welbeck does that much. Many times last season I thought he hasn't done anything in the game so far, then he gets a goal. Which is good I guess, but Chicarito does that too. He's young, he won't spend another year on the bench. Chelsea already inquired about him.

[MickeyG]

Another trophyless season beckons!

[Hellsinkey]

What a shite start. It would have been more for Everton if De Gea hadn't been so good. He can do only so much with Carrick in front of him. Another year with so little depth in defenders, Valencia having to defend is a bit of a waste. Few chances created. I don't know what Fergie is trying to prove by letting Welbeck start and RVP play for only 20 minutes. Oh well.

[MickeyG]

I only saw the second half, Welbeck was on the left wing? To be fair to the defence, we have injuries but have a lack of cover at fullback. I hope this Buttner we've signed puts pressure on Evra. Kagawa looked good, Rooney and Nani awful. Those who think Rooney is world class are a joke. He's not fit to lace Messi's and Ronny's boots. Or Tevez for that matter. No ideas in the final third, never looked like scoring. Nothing Van Persie could do. Need a better message from the management coz this one stinks.

[pieceofme]

What i'm concerned about is the balance of the team. We really lack a defensive midfielder to break the play up. Someone like Roy Keane, Vierra, Toure etc.

When is Darren Fletcher going to be back, if at all?

I wouldn't mind someone like Nigel De Jong.

Our current midfield:
Scholes: has never been able to tackle, still good, but getting old.
Cleverley: is young and an attacking midfielder.
Kagawa: again an attacking midfielder.
I'm still not too sure what Carrick does. He's an okay utility player.
Young, Valencia, Nani, and Giggs on the wings. I really like Valencia. Nani is frustrating. And Young is decent, but nothing special. Giggs can't go on for much longer.

Up front I think we are good. I don't rate Welbeck but thats it.

Defence is a little concerning, but once everyone is back from injury then I'll feel better.

Goalie situation seems better. De Gea starting to looking more comfortable, and Lindegaard is solid back up.

Man City seem like a more solid, oiled unit. They have a good balance to their team imo.

[Hellsinkey]

I never knew what Fergie sees in Carrick. Hard to say about Cleverley yet, if he's good enough for United. Valencia is the best winger. Nani is very uneven, either great or disappears totally. I hope they still sign one top midfielder. This team can hold the ball like they should. Rooney should drop to midfield.

[Hellsinkey]

Fergie says no more signings. How the fuck does he think midfield is complete.

[Hellsinkey]

New guys make the difference. Great RVP goal. Not a great performance, though a win. Rooney will be out for weeks. He wasn't really missed or Nani either. Rafael played a great game.

[MickeyG]

Dembele would be a good signing in the middle of the park for United

[shocked_the_monkey]

Does anyone in this thread not support Man Utd?

Super Matej Vydra

[Hellsinkey]

Dembele would be a good signing in the middle of the park for United

There has been talk of signing him.

Yeah, most here at the moment are United fans. Cliff Byford is a QPR fan, he should be here. There's ShearMagic, a Newcastle fan. There has even been Citeh and Liverpool fans long ago.

[Hellsinkey]

RVP is great, he can even miss a penalty. That was a big escape. That said, Evra is a hazard, there should be other options.

[MickeyG]

Poor all round today but escaped with a win. Not sure what formation United started with, as nobody was on the left, and Welbeck was playing in no mans land. Midfield was really bad until Scholes came on. I thought Chica did ok too when he came on. I hope he gets some time instead of Welbeck who has lost form, but isn't helped by Fergie playing him out of position.

[ShearMagic]

Does anyone in this thread not support Man Utd?

Well I don't but there's hardly anything for me to say about things here.

[Hellsinkey]

Great start for Buttner and Powell. Watch out Evra! Nani was rubbish though. Where was Valencia?