The Barclays Premier League Thread 2013/14

[Lineker]

Rats off of a sinking ship, etc etc.

[stokeriño]

Just places their need to buy nearly an entire new squad into sharper relief.

[brenchill]

I assume Rio won't be around for next season either.

I know it's fun to laugh at Man Utd but in all seriousness, I think it's going to be a long time before they win anything again. Their priority now has to be finding a world-class CB, even before their crumbing CM.

[MDK]

They could rely on their kids for next season...

[brenchill]

You'll not win anything with kids.

[Baddar]

Two CB's and a CDM needed in the summer. Whether we get them is a different matter altogether.

[Blue Rosler]

This will be a true test of Moyes' skills. Every other manager knows he has an urgent need for players and quite a large budget. I have a feeling he will be held for ransom, unless his deals are done in advance, like Zouma to Chelsea.

[stokeriño]

Zouma's not really a deal done in advance, mind. He's our player already...we just gave him back for a bit.

[Nerf]

But United are also going to somehow have to attract world class players without the allure of Champions League football.

[Baddar]

But United are also going to somehow have to attract world class players without the allure of Champions League football.

We're still beating you to 4th!

[METALMAN]

They have their history and their money. I think they'll be fine for that. They got Mata, despite the unlikelihood of Champions League next season. They'll be able to get more at his level.

[Jimmy]

The same way that if Everton got 4th there wouldn't be a huge amount of world class players wanting to go to them just because they got Champions League.

[Nerf]

But United are also going to somehow have to attract world class players without the allure of Champions League football.

We're still beating you to 4th!

The only team I can see pipping us is Everton. Historical statistics suggest you're already out of the race.

[Colly]

Do they? They've won titles with more than a 7 point gap at this stage.

[Nerf]

Over the last eight seasons, it's taken just over 70 points on average to clinch top four. Liverpool are currently averaging 1.96 points per game, which puts them on pace for 74 points. Everton are earning 1.88 points per game, which would be good for 71 points. Tottenham are on 1.83 points per game, on course for 70 points. United are earning 1.64 points per game, heading for a frankly disastrous 63 points. Of course, this all assumes that those three teams will maintain or better their form so far in the campaign, but even if they don't, United would need to win ten of their last fourteen games just to reach 70 points. Even that would only put them on par with Spurs and would require Liverpool and Everton to dip in form a lot. Liverpool would have to plummet all the way to 1.62 points per game to meet the 70 point criteria, and even then would have the advantage of goal differential.

[The Lusophone]

What's that points per game differential without Suarez?

[Nerf]

Actually better than with him, unlike United without RVP

[The Lusophone]

Welp, there goes my 'all someone needs to do then is do the game a service and injure Suarez' point.

[EddieG]

Yeah, Sturridge was brilliant before Suarez came back.

[MDK]

Actually better than with him, unlike United without RVP

So sell Suarez and cash in!