Our last game against Burnley saw Gareth Bale and James Wilson both injured. Both are expected to miss up to two months of action, probably more likely six weeks, but I couldn't take the risk of not having enough legs so I've decided to bring in another player. Thankfully I did find someone who can offer something more in Carlos Vela who was very keen to get away from Real Madrid after only making 17 La Liga appearances in nearly three seasons.

The Mexican international can play up front or on both wings so he offers perfect cover really. He's made an instant impact as well as he came off the bench to net the only goal of the game against Birmingham City in the FA Cup.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Carlos%20Vela_zpswi92meox.png

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Vela%20Impact_zpsplyxu2pt.png

#252349 La Roja

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 22:37:33

Over halfway through the 2017-2018 season and it's looking much better for us at this stage.

We're without doubt in with a shout of winning the Premier League title this year and a return to Champions League football next season looks really possible. We should have beaten Newcastle United, Southampton and Chelsea at home, the latter especially frustrating after leading 2-0. We should have beaten Arsenal and City away, but again we conceded late goals and we came from 2-0 down to almost rescue a point at White Hart Lane.

Honestly we've been so much better this season in defence and it's made a huge difference in winning games that perhaps in seasons gone by we'd only pick up a point from. We again went out in the Capital One Cup in our first game, an unfortunate defeat at the hands of Sky Bet Championship side Cardiff City in a game that saw three penalties awarded and converted, two for them, one for us. We'll start our FA Cup campaign away to Birmingham City, a team we've played twice under my reign, once in the Capital One Cup fourth round and once in the FA Cup fourth round. We've won both times and haven't conceded against them so far so I'm confident of a win.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/2017FIXEPL_zpszq8nzlds.png

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/EPL20TABLE_zps2zpynxls.png

Our Europa League campaign has been good and after just three fixtures in Group F we had booked our place in the knockout rounds. I couldn't have asked for much better to be fair. We've been handed a very tough fixture in the next round against Borussia Dortmund. It'll be tricky, but a good result away in the first leg should set us up well. If we can overcome the Bundesliga side we'll face either Genk or Tottenham Hotspur in the second knockout round.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/EUROPALEAGUEGROUPF_zpsfk7kcrru.png

#252342 Champions League 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 22:28:01

By bmg033 | On 11 March 2015 - 08:12 AM

I'm sure he'd want to be playing European football though

By Shedender | On 11 March 2015 - 08:23 AM

And I'm pretty sure Manchester City will qualify for Europe again.

Bale hasn't won the Europa League yet and he'll want to.

We can offer that opportunity of prestige so he'd pick us over them scumbags

#252341 La Roja

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 22:24:47

By KEZ_7 | On 10 March 2015 - 19:37 PM

Wow. That's an incredible change!

Still really young as well at only 24.

Some very good years ahead of him at Old Trafford I hope.

#252330 Champions League 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 22:04:47

By bmg033 | On 11 March 2015 - 07:46 AM

Messi, Suarez and Neymar must be licking their lips at the prospect of playing against that defence.

Also Bale looked totally miserable and uninterested all game. I wonder if he is considering an exit maybe?

Yeah they'll tear Pepe and Varane apart.

He did didn't he? Looks half the player he was at Spurs now.

Be better off in Manchester

#252329 BetThread

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 22:02:45

By Shedender | On 11 March 2015 - 07:43 AM

Just proves you cant' rely on Rangers.

Or one of the biggest teams in the world.

That's why it's called gambling

#252323 Champions League 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 21:40:33

Had Schalke just been that little better at the back they'd be through.

Ancelotti won't last the season.

He'll probably last until the Barcelona game but lose that and he's gone.

#252322 BetThread

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 21:39:20

By Shedender | On 11 March 2015 - 07:33 AM

QotS level. Fuck off.

Seen that just there.

Gateshead also conceded, but had Real been ahead when Rangers scored all six would have been winning and I'd have cashed out.

#252314 Champions League 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 21:31:15

By Sam | On 11 March 2015 - 07:26 AM

What a finish.

This.

#252308 BetThread

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 21:25:58

Schalke have scored again and lead 4-3.

Hope Madrid go out for costing me here the cunts.

#252307 BetThread

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 21:24:34

By Shedender | On 11 March 2015 - 07:15 AM

Won't make a difference because Rangers won't score, they're utterly shite.

WHAT??

Real Madrid going to cost me

#252299 Champions League 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 21:13:17

By Sam | On 11 March 2015 - 07:09 AM

Real Madrid will definitely be going for De Gea in the summer.

1,000,000%

Worst thing about it's impossible to stop him leaving really as well with only 12 months left on his deal.

Better to take the large transfer fee we'll get.

#252297 BetThread

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 21:11:04

Yeah I've the same feeling.

#252288 Champions League 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 20:58:17

Real Madrid 3-3 Schalke

Absolute fucking goal fest.

#252286 BetThread

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 20:56:13

Real Madrid now winning 3-2.

FC Porto and Bristol City are both 2-0 up.

Gateshead and Macclesfield are both 1-0 up.

Just need a Rangers goal now.

#252266 Champions League 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 20:31:16

RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO \o/

Two very good headers tonight from him.

#252263 Champions League 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 20:25:42

Schalke back ahead now.

This Madrid side are jesus wept at the back.

#252261 The Apple Thread

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 20:14:18

I don't even wear a watch

Those prices are fucking ridiculous as per usual with Apple products.

#252260 Champions League 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 20:10:29

Just as I type that Madrid have scored from a corner

RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Some header!!!!

#252259 The Night Thread Mk. IX

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 20:09:58

By Slashman X | On 11 March 2015 - 04:12 AM

Loophole means ecstasy and loads of other drugs are now legal (but only until Thursday)

Gotta love the Irish Government

While they're fixing the law they'll all be pinging off their head on the gear.

#252258 Champions League 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 20:09:21

Real Madrid actually look like they're in danger here.

1-0 down at home to Schalke and every time Schalke come forward they look like they could score.

#252157 BetThread

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 14:49:54

Decent odds for their game considering they're at home.

#252148 BetThread

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 14:22:48

€9 on Real Madrid, FC Porto, Bristol City, Rangers, Gateshead and Macclesfield.

Returns €105.57 hopefully.

#252045 La Roja

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 02:14:58

By KEZ_7 | On 10 March 2015 - 02:05 AM

Shame to miss out on the top 4 there but that is a strong transfer window! Good business with Rafinha too. How has Lukaku done with Everton? In my games he hasn't been too outstanding and so I'm interested to see how he has grown

His first two seasons were quite average to be fair.

2014-2015
Appearances: 29 in all competitions (21 EPL)
Goals: 12 in all competitions (5 EPL)
Assists: 4 in all competitions (3 EPL)

2015-2016
Appearances: 43 in all competitions (36 EPL)
Goals: 10 in all competitions (8 EPL)
Assists: 5 in all competitions (5 EPL)

Then Everton put him on steroids or the fluoride in the water on Merseyside had an amazing effect.

2016-2017
Appearances: 41 in all competitions (36 EPL)
Goals: 26 in all competitions (22 EPL)
Assists: 18 in all competitions (15 EPL)

#252037 FA Cup 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

10 Mar 2015 00:26:26

I think the worst thing about it is the reaction of Wayne Rooney.

Drops to the floor like he's been told he's losing his hair again.

#252016 FA Cup 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

09 Mar 2015 22:37:14

By Ninja | On 10 March 2015 - 08:32 AM

Oh and this is what I mean about inconsistency. How one's a free kick and the other a dive I will never know. https://twitter.com/WayneeM/status/575054598752198656

They're both dives and yellow cards, but tonight we didn't get the decision.

Either way Di Maria should never have put a finger on the referee.

#251989 FA Cup 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

09 Mar 2015 21:52:24

By Ninja | On 10 March 2015 - 07:49 AM

If the Herrera sub was anything other than enforced then I pretty much give up.

Same as the Rojo to left back sub, Shaw struggled but moving Smalling to LCB turned him from being solid to a quivering mess who could no longer control the ball, pass, or tackle.

I'm starting to notice this worrying trend of Van Gaal subbing at half time and completely changing things.

Honestly I don't think he knows what formation we should play and who should play.

Very worrying as I don't see us having the consistency to pick up the points needed to finish in the top 4.

#251980 FA Cup 2014/15

K3V0

18 years ago

3 years ago

5,966

09 Mar 2015 21:42:33

Amazing that Fellaini, who is shit, lets not kid ourselves, plays ahead of players like Juan Mata.