Manchester United Banter Archive February 04 2015

04 Feb 2015 22:34:35
We should make sure we tie PNE so we can have a replay. I much prefer there being 2 games a week.

04 Feb 2015 17:59:52
Arturo Vidal

IMHO the best midfield player over the last few years. Not nearly so good this year, injuries, but still only 27 soon to be 28. With Ed002 and some journalists saying he will be sold in the summer should we go for him? I'd say yes but certainly not for the amounts being mentioned last year or the £40 mill we apparently offered.

04 Feb 2015 18:20:10
No. He's had knee injuries and after last year saying not for sale he's suddenly available. i'd be worried of another Hargreaves situation.

I maybe wouldn't totally rule it out, but I would be very cautious after his injury. The price would have to be right, certainly under 35m and I would want the most extensive medical known to man. Then the first sight of trouble I would walk away.

On form Vidal is by far the best midfielder in the world, but like Falcao it remains to be seen if he'll ever get back to that form.

04 Feb 2015 20:30:01
It'd be worth keeping an eye on him for sure, see which other clubs have a firm interest and then if bids are being excepted in the region of £20-30m I'd say go for it. Even at that price it's a bit risky.

04 Feb 2015 22:21:00
I think his relationship with the club after his club incident has a lot to do with it to. He hasn't had much knee trouble after his big one, but it has been very quiet around him after that. A change of scenary may even be what he needs.

I have watched him this year and his knee is no issue. He is still a great midfielder and would get into any top side. Pogba is better and his age makes him an unbelievable target. You can build a team around Pogba for the next 10 years.

'On form Vidal is the best Midfielder in the world'.

I think a few folk may disagree with you there Shappy!

In-form Vidal is the best MF in the world, i agree. Better than in-form pogba & Kroos and maybe Yaya will be at par?

Juan then they would simply be wrong.

Vidal is a beast when on form, a player who on average made 8 defensive actions per game while also scoring over 15 goals and bringing in 10 assists a game. How many midfielders can be the best defensive midfielder in the world while also being one of the best attacking midfielders?

On form Vidal has all the best qualities of both Keane and Scholes rolled into one player.

For me the most complete midfielder anywhere in the world. It's just a matter of whether he can regain that old form after his injury. So far this season either his injury is holding him back or his head isn't in the right place.

But on form he is by far the best midfielder in the world.

04 Feb 2015 13:37:50
Interesting piece from Owen Hargreaves in the Daily Mail:

He claim Hummels would not be the man for us as he is too slow for the Premier League. which to be fair is a relevant point. he also goes on to say how, yes, Hummels is a captain, but the team he captains is last.

Before i get abused on here i think Hummels is our man and we should pay £30m or lower for him.

I was convinced we needed Hummels, but the more I read and see, the more I think others may be right about him and maybe he is not the answer.

Maybe Garay is the way forward with the Argie/Spanish connection as well and his passing capabilities.

Pace as a CB isn't everything 2 yards in your head is just as good look at John Terry's career even Vidic was never quick.
I always think Hargreaves has an axe to grind with United

Garay would be great Beast.

But Hargreaves is being unfair, you can't blame the Captain for the teams position - that is ludicrous. So much more goes into a teams position than who the Captain is.

Hummels strength is his positioning and reading of the game. He and Rojo would work well together as Rojo has pace and Hummels would help him positionally.

It is also rumoured that Pepe will be choosing between ourselves and City at the end of the season - he too would be a great signing if he behaves.

I think pace is quite important for a CB, obviously not the biggest factor but look at the best CB's in the Premier League. Kompany, Cahill, Alderweireld, Rojo even. all have a yard of pace about them, then look at the best CB's in the world. Ramos, Thiago Silva, Boateng. They all have that extra yard as well.

I think pace is quite important for a CB, obviously not the biggest factor but look at the best CB's in the Premier League. Kompany, Cahill, Alderweireld, Rojo even. all have a yard of pace about them, then look at the best CB's in the world. Ramos, Thiago Silva, Boateng. They all have that extra yard as well.

I for one hope we never see Pepe in one of our shirts he is an awful defender a terrible playactor and cheat and above all a prize watermelon far better defenders out there without the baggage that person brings

04 Feb 2015 15:52:11
The best cb in the league is all subjective Harry,me personally I don't rate Kompany that high or Cahill.

Chris the REDman,

Who would you say are the best CB's then? I personally don't see how you cannot rate Kompany, the mans a leader and an awesome defender.

04 Feb 2015 16:50:00
Personally I think the standard of all centre halfs around the world is pretty average.None of today's centre halfs can hold a candle to Baresi rio desailly stam & the likes.

04 Feb 2015 16:56:02
In the Prem? I'd go Terry as the best. In Europe I'd plump for either Godin or Silva.

It's not that I think Kompany is a bad defender at all I just think in a team that has a sense of mercenary about them he plays the 'I care' card well. I find he dives in over committing himself a lot and gives away silly fouls.

But like I said it's all subjective. It's opinions and imo there are better defenders out there. Just because someone shouts a lot and talks to the press at any given opportunity does not make them a good defender in my book.

I'd even put Reid of westham above him. If u want to watch a proper defender lead and defend well watch Godin.

Kompany pacey? I've heard it all now.

Hummels is certainly no slower than the names you mentioned Harry. Rojo is the only one there with pace.

Vidic was slow and he didn't turn out too bad did he? And Hummels is much quicker than Vidic.

04 Feb 2015 17:15:14
He point pizza steve.

Dortmund are bottom, although they've only conceded a few more goals than us. Why would we want to sign a captain and key defender of a team that's struggling so badly, especially at a premium price.

We have had a very inconsistent defense because of injuries, and we are lacking both experience and leadership, but we might yet be surprised. Having a great goalie can infuse a back 4 (we wish) with incredible confidence.

Watching Hummels at the WC and injured I may add, he was an absolute beast. I kept thinking that if he was in our team we would improve tenfold. Very imposing and excellent on the ball. That is what we are missing, I think alongside Rojo he would slot in very nicely indeed. Clyne and Shaw either side and DDG nailed down to a long contract and we would have a cracking defence for years to come. All ifs and buts, but Hummels would be a very good signing and I couldn't care less what Hargreaves has to say on the matter.

Silva isn't a good defender anymore or at least not this year the best a the current moment is Godin followed by Cheielleni with Terry a close third

04 Feb 2015 18:26:35
I thought boateng was better than hummels at the world cup.

Not a fan of hummels at all. But then I've never rated terry either.

Good call further up on baresi though.

If de gea stays then hummels with rojo could me the making of a great new cb pairing. if de gea goes then i would request varane coming the other way and try for laporte. i think those 2 together would form a formidable pairing.

Syd mate Hummels is very slow, at times it looks like he is running in treacle. He's also slow on the turn. Dortmund and the German national team have had to adapt the way they play to fit him in with them not playing as high a line as they would like as Hummels lacks pace. Vidic would beat him by a country mile in a foot race now let alone a few years ago.

Hummels does cover his lack of pace with good positioning, but in the Premier league when teams break on you so quickly you have little time to set yourself before the attack. He would be caught out time and time again.

Thats not to say he isn't better than what we have, just that if we signed him for in excess of 40m there will be many disappointed supporters come the end of his first season with us.

He isn't suited to the EPL, but that has happened to better players than him before.

There are 4/5 players i'd sign before him.

04 Feb 2015 21:34:37
Verane would be my first choice all day long

The germans play a very high line infact its on the half way line at times

04 Feb 2015 22:32:05
Mata's Beard, surely Ramos should be on that least. Adds about 5/10 goals a season don't forget!

I've never rated hummels. Garay otimendi laporte verane and if we're really lucky, ramos. All these are better players than hummels.

Otemandi, Varrane, Schar would be very good in my opinion. I think we will only go for CD in the summer, a right winger and a midfielder.

I can also see us make a move for dyabala and potentially move a striker.

04 Feb 2015 06:17:10
In all seriousness when you put this season into context come May and if Van Gaal doesn't reach the CL this season should he suffer the same fate as Moyes?

04 Feb 2015 08:02:47
Yes, but we already have more points than moyes had after an extra 3 games, we will hopefully have a good cup run and I feel we are in line for a top 4 finish. Why the negativity?

No negativity GDS. I am just interested to see if folk think he should suffer the same fate as Moyes if he misses out on the CL or if he should be given another season to have a go. Personally I would never advocate the sacking of a manager but it would be hypocritical and a major insult to Moyes if LVG didn't go should that be the case.

IMO, I think if we can sustain form up until the end of March we will get top 4. Arsenal worry me but I think the Saints will fall away.

Can we just get behind the manager and team and see where we are at the end of season.
We can always bring moyes back if you didn't get enough last year!! Then at least we can have a fight for relegation on our hands!!

04 Feb 2015 09:14:12
I think he probably would be let go if we didn't make the Champions League, but not sure it would be a major insult to Moyes, LVG has done quite a lot of good behind the scenes even if the performances on the pitch are not quite matching up to that at the moment.

Most people last season were frustrated by the players who were not good enough for United who were playing regularly or given contracts, Cleverley, Anderson, Fletcher, Evra, Ferdinand, Kagawa, Welbeck, Hernandez. Some of these players people rated I am sure, but they were players that were underperforming and not good enough. LVG has trusted in youth when injuries have occurred and some of the younger players appear to be settling in well, with McNair and Wilson both playing well when given chance.

I think the whole Moyes v LVG debate is pointless, Moyes was a disaster and a manager totally out of his depth, LVG is a different prospect entirely, his negative points are totally different to that of Moyes, and I think most people can see we are heading somewhere much more positive than where we were heading under Moyes.

I agree with you that Arsenal are the team we need to worry about, I think Spurs as well if they get a result this weekend could really challenge. I have said all season that I feel Southampton have a great first 11, but that will only get them so far and I feel they will drop to 6th or 7th by April, a fantastic achievement for a team expected to be battling relegation.

Nomidfield - Chill dude I'm just asking a question!

GDS - I agree with you on some points but I think it's a debate worth having. You mentioned a list of players who underperformed last season but you could say players such as Valencia, Rooney, Falcao, Van Persie, Mata and the £57millon maverick Di Maria have failed so far to perform this season.

You mention that youth has been given a chance which I agree is great but Moyes introduced our greatest prospect Januzaj last season who set the theatre alight yet he has been a shadow of himself under LVG. He has even today criticised the gaffers tactics claiming the forward players can't play their game because they are asked to be both full backs and wingers.

Also you say good things are happening behind the scenes but from both the media and even mentioned by ED001 on here that is not the case. The hierarchy are apparently unconvinced by LVG and some have already supposedly highlighted possible successors.

I have to say there are some key similarities.

Why talk about May in February? don't we have enough on our plates already?

Mbd - Do you think the decision to let Moyes go was ultimately made in May? Do you think no one plans ahead in this multi-billion pound industry?

Are we heading in the right direction due to lvg or dispite him.
Is the improvement down to lvg or the 150mil + we have spent on players.

I think we have a far better squad this year than last .
I agree we should judge lvg at the end of the season but i don't agree with the " if we finish top 4 lvg has done well"
We could play awful football from now on but as long as the teams around us play crap to we could get top 4.
On the other hand we could play great football finish 5 and lose out to arsenal and spurs who have played even better.
But if we get 5th playing good football showing improvement and starting to get the best out of the squad, i would take that over 4th and the average performances i have seen so far

Nomid, as you well know you were openly critical of Moyes, as was I, for the whole of last season. So the idea that we just get behind the manager regardless of his performance rings a bit hollow.

I think van Gaal, like Moyes, should be given a season to demonstrate his aptitude for the job. At the moment I have major concerns about the direction van Gaal is taking the club. Performances have improved, somewhat, over last season. But we have also spent a huge amount of money in the summer, and performances have yet to reflect this investment.

The main issue I have is that van Gaal seems to be making poor decisions on a regular basis: sticking Rooney in midfield, Di Maria up front, playing 5 at the back against weak teams and, most criminally, dropping our most dynamic midfielder because of a personal gripe. If Moyes had played Fellaini up front and Rooney in midfield against a decent team, let alone a team from a low division, he would have been laughed off this board. Van Gaal does it and he's technically astute. The team should not have to adjust its tactics to break down a league two side. The manager should be confident enough in his attacking players' abilities that he doesn't need to lump it into the big lad.

Philosophy seems to be shorthand for whatever van Gaal feels like doing on any given day. I have seen very limited consistency in style or approach over the course the season, and I am starting to wonder if van Gaal has any master plan other than picking the players who follow his rules to the letter. Questions have to be asked about why our best players are not being used in their best positions, and we have to ask if van Gaal is allowing petty personal issues with specific players to stand in the way of putting our best team on the pitch.

I won't repeat all my previous criticisms, (they still stand).

I did think we moved the ball a lot better yesterday and with confidence, there was one fantastic passage of intricate passing which is what we should be seeing a lot more of. I didn't mind the Fellaini tactical decision either, very clever from the gaffer.

It was Cambridge, but we need to continue this confidence and build on the fluidity which was good. If LVG has us playing better I have no problem with him and agree with Jred. We shouldn't look at other teams performances to judge our own managers performance - 3rd place is not a fair reflection of how we have played in a typical PL season.

So far LVG has been awful in my eyes. Until Rooney is moved upfront or to the bench we will not see a much better Man Utd, because too much goes through him and he isn't effective enough in that midfield role - he either gets in peoples way or slows the game down too much.

The manager needs to realise this and be brave. I think he doesn't deserve to keep his job on account of what he has done since July, but I hope the next 3 months he repairs the situation and throws a bit more caution to the wind.

I am sure somebody has told him this as I have noticed a change in mannerism and approach to games since Leicester.

So we should guess what their (mulit billion pound industry's) future plans are in case this happens. It's all conjecture but i don't see it happening. We will qualify for the CL. Don't forget Moyes failed to qualify for Europa even.

Agree with Danny pughnited! After the summer we had with signings etc, fourth place should be a certainty. But the formations, team sheets etc are making me worried that we will not even get fourth place. I agree that if it was moyes doing the same things as LVG more people would be on his back, but because he is a bigger name, we are expected to give him more time. Really can't understand why a top manager would play our (nearly) all time top goal scorer in CM and our best midfielder as ST, when he has probably never played there before. Does not fill me with confidence!

04 Feb 2015 12:38:14
Wiganred,

If you were at work and a 18 year old straight out of college was given the job as your boss and made a few questionable decisions you would lose faith in him. If a guy got the job with 20 years experience who had done the same job successfully at other companies and made similar questionable decisions you would be more willing to accept it (for a little longer at least)

Sorry for that analogy but it is my best way of explaining why people are willing to give LVG more slack than Moyes, it is only natural and what would happen in any walk of life.

What I was getting at in my previous post was similar to what jred said, the quality of player we have now is above what we had last year, we have replaced average with supposedly world class and it is about time them players stepped up. We can get away with playing similarly to last year as the quality of player is better and that will ultimately shine through, but there are still major improvements to make.

The players at the club are improving and we are getting rid of so called 'dead wood' (although I hate that phrase being used for current players) but whether that is down to LVG or despite LVG is a matter of opinion and we may never know that answer.

I disagree with jred in that 5th would be a good season if we play good football, champions league is a necessity this year, and I doubt with good football and finishing 5th anybody will be coming on here saying they are happy, whereas with 4th place they will be. An alternate way of looking at it is that we are 3rd now and not playing good football, so if we do play better football it is more than likely we will finish in the top 3/4 anyway.

If we play good football and finish 5th I would be much happier than playing the atrocious football I have witnessed this season and finish 3rd.

I watch Man Utd for the enjoyment - not to brag!

04 Feb 2015 13:36:40
Beast,

I assure you right now that if we play good football and finish 5th you will not be on here saying how much you enjoyed it, it is a results business, we need to be in the champions league next season, it is a necessity, whether that means you enjoy it or you don't. Quite frankly I enjoy winning, however that may be, if it's with style then so be it.

Its a results business for the owners and the sharks. Of course it is nice to win everything, but I only apply that to things I actually have control of.

I am relentless if I can dictate matters and have responsibility, I haven't met anyone more competitive in that case. However Man Utd decision making is nothing to do with us, so I prefer us to play great free flowing football and take pleasure from our performances. I haven't had too much satisfaction for 3-4 years from watching us, remarkably the pre-game excitement is still there for me though, more hope than expectation at the minute though.

I promise if we start playing well and others somehow play better then I will not be on LVG's back and will be satisfied wherever we finish. With better performances will come better results in the long run, so the two go hand in hand in any case.

I still don't understand how people compare the current manager to the last. The current manager is worlds apart. Just look at our record this season. What is it? one defeat in 15? We had lost 8 games this time last season and were the butt of all jokes. This season, we are actually a decent side who are very hard to beat. We have a manager who is doing things his way, which will always pi.s off the some of the so called purists, who fail to understand that the so called good old days, or the United way of playing football - the fergie way - are gone. We have a new manager with a different take on the game. I personally like the manager's way of playing because I believe that it will ultimately bring the club great success; and the style of play - the entertainment factor - will improve as the team become more accustomed to the managers style of play.

Sam it's about judging every manager on the merits of what they are doing and, frankly, under van Gaal we are not playing like a team that spent £150m during the summer. People aren't complaining that we aren't playing "the Fergie way". Because the Fergie way was far from exhilarating after Ronaldo was sold. What Fergie could do, however, was get the most out of the players he had at his disposal. Van Gaal simply hasn't been doing that this year.

GDS,

That goes both ways though, I feel he should be doing better with all his experience. I know we're third, but in all honesty if we continue to play like we are I think we will slide down the table. The next few weeks will tell us a lot. If we do better against the top six teams it would be a big improvement on last year.

04 Feb 2015 00:42:39
I may be in the minority here but I believe Lvg has done well in terms of player recruitment minus a top centre back. I think he has also moved on players who were past there best, failed to settle or were not going to make the grade. The rebuild should of started before lvg came in we all know that.

- Blind in and clevs out. For me Blind may not be a world beater but he does a good job in front of the back four in terms of protection. Tidy on the ball and keeps it well in the main and versatile. For me a complete upgrade on clevs. How clevs has played for england so many times astounds me!


- Rojo in and Vidic/Rio out. Yes we need another centre half but Rojo has impressed me from the world cup and has continued to at OT. I like him and think at the minute he is the first choice centre half. Vidic and rio were immense over the years but both are in decline. So for me good work again from the gaffer. Mc Nair getting game time and developing makes more sense than players past there best.


- Shaw in for Evra. Pat was a warrior on the pitch and he loved utd but was caught out of position countless times and again was in decline. Still getting in Juve team mind. Shaw though I have no doubt will be a super left back for us for years to come. The kid has so much ability and potential.


- Di maria for Nani. Easily a plus although the early season form of angel has faded. We perhaps are not playing him in the right position to get the best out of him. Nani had ample opportunities and failed to take them. Di maria is world class player. Did we pay too much for adm? Probably but we needed top players.


- Herrera came in and he is so much better than what we had besides carrick. It does surprise me that he has not featured much of late because when he plays he is superb. The most forward thinking and positive central midfield man we have. He is quality and should start for me every week.


Hernandez and Danny left and we brought Falcao in whilst promoting wilson into fourth choice striker. Great moves. Falcao is one of the best number strikers in world football. Injuries and settling in affected his start but if you watch his movement and play you can see he is the business. I can see him ending the season in spectacular form. Young Wilson has done well and works really hard for the team. I think in the long term we will see giving him the push and selling danny was best for the club.



Lvg has done well. He could of done better but I am convinced he knows what players we need and which calibre of players are good enough and are not.


Top 4 is the aim and lvg will have been told that. The fa cup is a real chance for silverware. I think should we achieve this we will go onto sign some quality players and let ones not good enough go.


Lvg has managed big clubs and big players and he knows what is required in terms of players. He also knows which young players are man utd standard.

Champions league football would lead to four players coming in of top quality. This in turn would no doubt push us closer to chelsea and city.

I think we should get behind lvg because I can see good things going forward under him. I know many want him sacked but I think he will prove those wrong!

04 Feb 2015 02:21:08
Only one person on here wants him sacked, mate :)

Irwin

That all looks very sensible, but you also need to re, ember that Herrerra can't get a game and Shaw is also struggling to nail down a place. Add in the endless changes to formation with players being played out of position and that half way through the season we don't seem to know what our best team or formation is, and you get a different picture. We need to give LVG time but he is failing to convince at the moment.

I don't want him sacked but I don't buy that he has done a great job. Far from it

I hope your right Irwin!

04 Feb 2015 07:31:19
Good point AJH, how can a defence get better if we don't play a consistent line up when we have the chance, we could of played shaw at left back, rojo at cb last nite where they should play.
Then players can gain confidence and can be better judged. You can say the same for playing Rooney everywhere but up front

Supposedly shaw had a injury. The injuries have meant we have not had a settled defence. With a fully fit squad I would have rafael, jones.rojo.shaw. Is that what lvg would pick?? I don't know.

Whilst I agree we should play the first choice defence when all fit I also think the injuries to our defence has been unbelievable when compared to say Chelsea. Shaw looked good in a few games then got injured and same for rojo.

Some of the defenders are not good enough and never will be. Lvg can only move so many on in two windows. I don't see evans as man utd player and most I speak to agree. Smalling for me is not good enough for the starting 11. I keep believing Jones will become the player Fergie said he would but each injury he gets makes me question this.

Lvg does not trust the central defenders and with good reason. Blind is in front of them offering protection and as we have seen in the terms of play we are cautious and at times negative. In the summer a top centre half will arrive.

In two windows lvg has dismantled the squad which was overdue. Fergie neglected in the latter years. Moyes didn't have the bottle. He wanted to try and make subtle changes. The facts were that a complete rebuild was needed and I think it takes a certain character to do this. Lvg done more in a window than Moyes did in two. Lvg still need to do more but there is only so much you can do.

Di maria and Falcao would never of signed for moyes. Lvg can get top players. With a top 4 finish I think it will be an exciting summer.

03 Feb 2015 23:22:02
Full house at a Tuesday nite game against Cambridge, I wonder if that was at the etihad would it be half full.great support

{Ed007's Note - From what I seen fans didn't have much choice, weren't the tickets 'forced' on season ticket holders?}

Mr bond, forced is a strong word, they didn't have to go but they still went on a cold Tuesday nite

{Ed007's Note - I know mate, I just thought it was an odd situation altogether when I read that, especially if it's true you need to personally vouch for anyone using your ticket. You might give it to a neighbour you've seen with a Utd top on not knowing the guy's a muppet after a pint or two.}

You shouldn't believe everything you read in the press, wouldn't it be worse if they were eating prawn sandwiches

04 Feb 2015 08:04:16
Bond,

Think you have made the mistake of believing what you have read here.

{Ed007's Note - So season tickets weren't going to be suspended for the Sunderland match if you didn't buy CU ticket?}

No you would not be suspended from Sunderland game how can they do that when you have already paid for it

04 Feb 2015 13:41:16
The rules are quite clear at the start of the season about your season ticket, FA cup games are part of the package and everybody is aware of that when they sign up. It's an absolute none story, the Sunderland suspension came into play if people refused to give their new card details if their current card had expired.

You always have to vouch for somebody if you give them your ticket, that is how it has always worked, again a none story, people give their tickets away all the time anyway.

{Ed007's Note - So basically people were suspended if they didn't buy the CU ticket, which is all I asked. It might be a non-story but it's ridiculous, and embarrassing, that a club of Utd's size does it. If you simply can't afford it, you're being victimised for being poor. Why does a football club demand to have a registered bank account for ST holders that they can take money from when it suits them?
Is this information kept safely or are your details that the club will punish for you not supplying available to anyone who works in the ticketing service. Is it Utd employees who have access or is it a third-party Utd use for ticketing service?
Personally I don't give that information willy-nilly and Celtic, or any of their employees, have no idea how much money I have in the bank, it's none of their business. Do you supply your bank details to just anyone who asks?
Man Utd have your name, address and bank details, have you never heard of identity theft?
So basically if you don't supply a valid bank accounts details you are suspended from going to the Sunderland match, and you think that's a non-story? It would be interesting to know how many people have incurred bank charges because they don't have £ to cover the price in their account. It wouldn't be a non-story if YOU lost money or were forced to buy tickets you don't want. Sign up for our ticketing system, supply your private bank details or we'll suspend your ticket, that's real classy.}

04 Feb 2015 14:25:38
Card details not bank account, same as you would give to Amazon or whoever if you were buying off the internet, and would be covered under the chargeback system if anything happened.

I am a season ticket holder so I want to go to all the games, why would you pay for 19 games but not want to go to an fa cup game if you are a real fan anyway?

Maybe it means more to you than it does to me bond, to me it is a non story, it affects me because I got the ticket but I know the rules and they email and txt to say when the money is going to be coming out so you are fully aware it will happen.

{Ed007's Note - I'm not trying to get into an argument mate, I'm only saying/asking about the stories I read. I still don't think it's a fair system, you might not be able to make a game, especially a quickly arranged replay because you work shifts, it could be any number of reasons, guys travel over from Ireland all the time, remember not all Utd fans live on OT's doorstep, there's travel costs, maybe even accommodation costs for people who travel. There's a difference between you going online to buy a ticket and the club's automated system making you buy them. What happens if you want to pay by using a different card, a credit card rather than your bank account?
I agree with you that it's a non-story to you and can see why, but it obviously isn't for others.}

04 Feb 2015 16:29:32
Modern football. Don't you just love the slick, corporate, soulless event that's masquerading as our national game, Bond?

{Ed007's Note - Hahaha very true. I'm not trying to stir anything but I've never heard of that system before. It does just show you how modern football treats fans more like customers every day. I wonder if you get a free (puke) half n half scarf (puke) in these ultramodern schemes.}

04 Feb 2015 16:49:35
Yep. Bond, I'm thinking of setting up a little bunker, where you, me, AJH and Beast, can shake our fists and rant and rave at the modern world :)

{Ed007's Note - It's too risky, somebody somewhere would find it offensive, you're not allowed an opinion these days in case you offend somebody. Look at GDS cyber-bullying me on this thread! How dare he disagree with me! (swear) (headbang) (swear)

04 Feb 2015 17:12:46
Don't worry bond, I'll pick u up a half and half mate :) if not ed25 prob has plenty of arsenal/Everton ones u could borrow buddy.

{Ed007's Note - Oh wait till I tweet that to a player or his bird, just before I drink bleach and shoot myself in the face.}

04 Feb 2015 17:22:22
Is that a no then?