PL 2018-2019 Thread

[theforceuk]

I don't agree with the Wayne Rooney thing either, but it's all about money, money and more money. Like you say England just happened to choose to play USA for the his send off. :roll:

Oh and the Richard Scudamore bonus is even worse! He has done a good job though. :lol:

 

[edd_jedi]

Watching England is literally identical to watching Spurs. You can have all the possession, all the chances, but you just know that one half-chance the opposition get is going in the back of the net. Ironic that it deflected off Dier too :lol:

 

[theforceuk]

It's coming home, it's coming home................. :lol:

 

[Snaketibe]

Watching England is literally identical to watching Spurs. You can have all the possession, all the chances, but you just know that one half-chance the opposition get is going in the back of the net. Ironic that it deflected off Dier too :lol:

I completely agree. Watching the two teams is uncanny, they're so similar in their style of play. Personally, I find it a very frustrating watch, as it's far too negative, with more emphasis placed on retaining possession than in creating chances. And yet on those few occasions when someone actually does run at the opposition and we get the ball forward quickly, we look as dangerous as hell, so why don't we do it more often?

 

[theforceuk]

Anythings better than the past with England, actually think they are at least heading in the right direction. Still a very young team.

 

[edd_jedi]

I completely agree. Watching the two teams is uncanny, they're so similar in their style of play. Personally, I find it a very frustrating watch, as it's far too negative, with more emphasis placed on retaining possession than in creating chances. And yet on those few occasions when someone actually does run at the opposition and we get the ball forward quickly, we look as dangerous as hell, so why don't we do it more often?

Yeah I just can't understand why both teams always make such a meal of defending. It's a mad panic any time the opposition get the ball. As you say it's just not enjoyable to watch, far too stressful as all the emphasis is on possession so every time they lose the ball it's like a load of headless chickens running around. I know he gets a lot of stick for being boring, but both managers could take a leaf out of Jose's book occasionally, there's nothing wrong with having the game under control from time to time at the expense of gung-ho attack.

 

[weasel]

Ohhh geee poor England fans. :roll: :roll:
Your lot have failed to make what, two or three (if you count the Euros in '84) tournaments during our football supporting lives? USA '94, and the WC in '08.
Try supporting a country that has made two tournaments in that time Mexico '86 and Euro 2016 and been cannon fodder the rest of the time. You'll pretty soon have a very different opinion of the snoozefest that is international football.

 

[edd_jedi]

Yes I get that, a bit like supporting a PL team that 'only' make the top four every season. It must make it way more exciting when you do make it though!

 

[weasel]

Eehh. It's swings and roundabouts I guess. Does 1 year of CL or 1 major tournament make up for so many years of dross in between. I guess the answer depends on the person. And probably when you ask them, if it's during their 1 year of top 4 or the tournament then it may well be a "yes", if it's during a long run of dross....

I still don't know what to make of this nations league thing. I'm still not sure it was needed.
Why have it AND Euro qualifying?
Okay, the answer is money, but the whole thing could be streamlined by just saying top two in Group A qualify, top one plus 2 runners up in Group B, winner of group C, and top 2 of four groups in D. That's 20 teams. Give the other four spots to a massed play off between last placed sides in group A, losing runners up in Group B, runners up in Group C, and losing group winners in Group D (that's 10 sides). Have that silly play off tournament in the free summer and hey presto. We don't have bloody international breaks every 3 or 4 weeks through out the season, the European club season could probably end a few weeks earlier (or start later) as a result, UEFA/FIFA get competitive international games as well as a nicely rigged draw that ensures that a minimum of 8 (realistically probably 10) of the "top" 12 teams make the tournament as well as a little token crumb for the smaller nations, clubs get a reduction in the number of internationals, and we escape watching Wayne Rooney get a free cap for being the best granny shagger. Everyone wins!?

It would be a lot simpler than the current system where no one without a maths degree or 6 months of spare time is quite sure exactly what finishing second in any group really means, even what winning your group (outside of Group A) means in terms of Euro Qualification.
Though let's face it UEFA will announce it has been a massive success after asking ehhh the managers of the sides who played in it, and then give themselves a big pat on the back and a nice bonus of a few million. :roll:

Cynical (but watch it happen).

 

[edd_jedi]

I know what you mean about long runs of dross, I stopped following PL football for nearly ten years in the 2000s because Spurs consistently finished about 15th every season for a decade. It's mind-numbingly boring when not only is your team not competing for anything, they are also just too good to get relegated, so there's nothing to get either excited or anxious about. I think they must be the only team in the PL era that have neither come close to winning it or getting relegated. It was the AVB era that got me back in to it, when we were just about knocking on top four again.

I also have no idea what the Nations League is about, over the weekend I kept hearing the pundits saying the three teams per group format was brilliant and exciting, but to me it seems ridiculous that one game can decide whether you come top or bottom.

 

[theforceuk]

I think it's alright the Nations League, less friendlies is surely a good thing? Be nice to have some competitive football over the summer. Even if it's not a Euroes or world cup.

 

[weasel]

I also have no idea what the Nations League is about, over the weekend I kept hearing the pundits saying the three teams per group format was brilliant and exciting, but to me it seems ridiculous that one game can decide whether you come top or bottom.

1 game? England were 10 minutes from relegation only to end up group winners.

 

[edd_jedi]

It was the same for Croatia, it's a bizarre format.

 

[weasel]

Yeap.

I do see how 3 team groups adds excitement, but I still don't really see why we need this AND qualifying.

 

[Snaketibe]

What a performance by Spurs today! They thoroughly deserved their victory, and quite frankly the 3:1 score line flattered Chelsea, as Dele, Son and Kane all missed sitters in addition to each scoring. Son's goal was sublime and is surely a contender for goal of the season. Kane's superb long-range shot, knowing the keeper was unsighted, was as intelligent as it was accurate, and Dele's deft flick header to open the scoring was perfectly judged. All round, a wonderful team effort and result for Spurs which lifts them into a deserved 3rd place.

 

[weasel]

Saw first half and last 20 of second half. Great performance by spuds, they ripped chelsea apart. 4-0 after 20 mins wud not have been an unfair score line.
I disagree on the second goal though. If iw as the Chelsea keeper or Sarri I wud be rippng David Luiz a new one. The ball is going straight at you and you move out of the way of it. He literally bends his back so the ball misses him. You're a ****ing CB son, your job is to stop the other team scoring. MAN. THE. ****. UP. It's a football, if it hits you it won't kill you. It prob wont even hurt. Pathetic defending.
I've never rated him, tho he had a blinder the season Chelsea resigned him, but he was woeful today. He gave away the free for Spuds first as well.

Still Spuds deserved that win so fair play.

Another cruise for City. Pool win, but it sounds like Watford could have had a pen. Though I have also heard Henderson's red card was for a soft as second yellow.

Utd continue to be utter shite under Jose. He is leading a charmed life. It's no secret
I would have fired him 15 months ago. There is precious little progress being made at that club, under him. I would argue quite the opposite. Though Ed Woodward and the Board also kop a lot of the blame (but they won't sack themselves).

 

[edd_jedi]

I often moan about Tottenham's lack of luck, but things definitely went our way yesterday. Chelsea were having an off day, should have had a penalty, and as you say Kane's goal had no right to go in. But still, it was a well deserved victory and a rare comfortable game to watch as a Spurs fan. Thoroughly enjoyed it

Got to say though, Foyth is turning out to be a real liability. He seems pretty good up front but he's way too reckless for a defender. Not going to be long until he costs us another penalty.

 

[weasel]

Yeap, he looks very raw.
I think a few months on loan at a Championship club would do him the world of good. Let him learn the game.

 

[Snaketibe]

That's probably true, but fortunately Vertonghen should be back very soon, which will help alleviate the issue

 

[theforceuk]

Utd continue to be utter shite under Jose. He is leading a charmed life. It's no secret
I would have fired him 15 months ago. There is precious little progress being made at that club, under him. I would argue quite the opposite. Though Ed Woodward and the Board also kop a lot of the blame (but they won't sack themselves).

I disagree on the JM thing completely, the board should have backed him in the summer transfer window and they should all be sacked as well as the owners who don't give a toss. Sacking a manager every 2 seasons won't solve anything and we will never build a team to win the league that way.

Man City have made some bad signings they have £50 million players that can't get on the bench, but the owners just go out and buy more.

Don't forget Man Utd finished second last season and got to the Cup final. Talk of sacking JM is complete nonsense and and a completely genaric reaction to a common problem in modern football.