What's your opinion of Brendan Rodgers?

[bouncebrigade]

The league table doesn't lie, so anyone who argues United are a better side this year is technically correct (albeit only just).  However, a closer look at the facts reveals a different picture.

 

De Gea is nailed on player of the year for United, will be in the PFA Team of the year etc etc.  I would hazard a guess that if we had De Gea and they had Mignolet / Jones then we would be second and potentially in a title race and they would be 7th or 8th.  Of course I can't prove this, but it is my opinion.  Of course, they are entitled to have a world class keeper, but you need a bit more than that to build a strong side.

 

LVG has bought woefully.  Di Maria was never a £60m player.  Luke Shaw - WTF?  His tactics and formations are equally puzzling - Rooney in midfield, Fellanin first name on the teamsheet.  He may well get fourth, although I don't think so myself.  Either way, I hope they keep LVG in the job.

[Major Tom]

Who cares who their player of the season is? He's part of their team, isn't he? Hollow argument, that.

 

It's points on the board that count. They may still be shit but they are less shit than last season.

[Jairzinho]

So you're not interested in context?

 

One player having a phenomenal season is proof that they're a better team?

[deiseach]

QPR's wage bill was higher than Atletico Madrid's last season, for example. Having more money should translate to a more competitive league, but it doesn't. No other league even comes close to wasting money like ours.

 

QPR seem to be the poster child for everything that is screwed up about the Premier League. Okay, Chelsea are, but they are, uh, a special case. QPR are spending money generated by the entire division - in terms of the bums on seats that drive Sky/BT subs and advertising, the contribution of Liverpool fans comes somewhere in the top two - and being ridiculed by Russian oligarchs for their profligacy. 

[Jairzinho]

Ha, I remember that at the time. 

[bouncebrigade]

Who cares who their player of the season is? He's part of their team, isn't he? Hollow argument, that.

 

It's points on the board that count. They may still be shit but they are less shit than last season.

 

Also a bit hollow to compare to last season, probably the worst in living memory for them.

 

Of course it's points on the board that count.  But from a medium- to long-term perspective, I'd prefer if my team wasn't relying on the heroics of a young Spanish goalkeeper who could well fuck off to his homeland in the summer.

[Section_31]

BBC reporter talks football with Major Tom.

 

: https://youtu.be/hxqR5NPhtLI

[Major Tom]

So you're not interested in context?

 

One player having a phenomenal season is proof that they're a better team?

Points on the board are proof they're better than last year.

[Major Tom]

BBC reporter talks football with Major Tom.

 

: https://youtu.be/hxqR5NPhtLI

I just argue using a modicum of logic and common sense. It's usually good enough for most debates on this, or any, football forum, Section.

[bouncebrigade]

With respect Tom, you could show a tramp on the street the table from this year and last and he may conclude that they are "better" this year.

 

I think as football fans it is wortwhile to take it a step further and ask whether they really are better than last year, if so then why, how does the future look etc.

 

But if you want to bang your first on the table and say they are better this year without any further qualifications, then please be my guest.

[Dr Nowt]

I wonder what Jaime Kanwar makes of all this.

[Jairzinho]

Points on the board are proof they're better than last year.

 

No.

[stringvest]

You should ask him.  But you need to address him using his new forum name. 

[Major Tom]

With respect Tom, you could show a tramp on the street the table from this year and last and he may conclude that they are "better" this year.

 

I think as football fans it is wortwhile to take it a step further and ask whether they really are better than last year, if so then why, how does the future look etc.

Well, your tramp would be right in this instance.

 

But - for the sake of this argument - I don't care why or how Utd are better or if they'll be better or worse next season. They are better and so are Chelsea. Us and City are worse. While I think Arsenal are also better. Though the league table may well prove me wrong there come May.

 

Saying all that I honestly can't even remember the original argument or why I said this in the first place.

[Major Tom]

No.

I personally find arguing with league tables a bit futile.

 

But knock yourself out.

[SlugTrail]

So you're not interested in context?

 

One player having a phenomenal season is proof that they're a better team?

*Cough* Luis Suarez *Cough*

[mattyq]

If a team finishes with a lower points total than last year but in a higher position are they a better or worse team?

[bouncebrigade]

*Cough* Luis Suarez *Cough*

 

We had a phenomenal record in 2013/'14 when he was suspended.  In fact, a better win ratio without him than with him (over the course of many matches).  Of course, I'd rather we still had him.  But the two are not comparable.  Take De Gea out of that team and their win ratio would plummet.

[bouncebrigade]

If a team finishes with a lower points total than last year but in a higher position are they a better or worse team?

 

Maybe then look at how far they are behind the champions in each year.

[Tony Moanero]

Listen, let's just twat United, eh?

[SlugTrail]

We had a phenomenal record in 2013/'14 when he was suspended.  In fact, a better win ratio without him than with him (over the course of many matches).  Of course, I'd rather we still had him.  But the two are not comparable.  Take De Gea out of that team and their win ratio would plummet.

thats kind of the point i was making, last season i dont think there was a payer on hte planet that played better than him, it made everyone else around him up their games. if we had to take that out of our team it would have had a major impact, absolutley no way we could have challenged for top spot, more likely a battle for champs league spot.

[bouncebrigade]

thats kind of the point i was making, last season i dont think there was a payer on hte planet that played better than him, it made everyone else around him up their games. if we had to take that out of our team it would have had a major impact, absolutley no way we could have challenged for top spot, more likely a battle for champs league spot.

 

That's not the point I just made.

[bouncebrigade]

Listen, let's just twat United, eh?

 

Well said, Tony.

[mattyq]

Maybe then look at how far they are behind the champions in each year.

No, doesn't work as it could just reflect on the quality of the champions

The table doesn't lie but it's only valid for the one year

We were the 2nd best team in 2014 but if we can finish 3rd in 2015 i think we'll have improved on last year. We'll be a better team but not according to Tom or the record books

[SlugTrail]

We had a phenomenal record in 2013/'14 when he was suspended.  In fact, a better win ratio without him than with him (over the course of many matches).  Of course, I'd rather we still had him.  But the two are not comparable.  Take De Gea out of that team and their win ratio would plummet.

 

 

thats kind of the point i was making, last season i dont think there was a payer on hte planet that played better than him, it made everyone else around him up their games. if we had to take that out of our team it would have had a major impact, absolutley no way we could have challenged for top spot, more likely a battle for champs league spot.

This was the point you were making was it not. to which i replies in a very long winded term, take Luis out of our team last year and we would have plummeted.