PL 2018-2019 Thread

[edd_jedi]

Well the goalkeeper fiasco and penalty shoot out in the league cup final almost made up for having to watch 210 minutes of goalless football today :lol: what on earth was that keeper playing at? I think it's a bit harsh of people saying Sarri looked weak, what else could he do other than physically drag the keeper off the pitch? It's going to be very interesting to see what happens following that. I really can't figure out why he did it, why would any player let alone keeper WANT to participate in a shoot out?

The Utd-Pool game was a bit of a disappointment, but the result was pretty good from a Spurs point of view (apart from it meant Arsenal went 4th!) Not looking forward to the next two PL games, they are really make or break for Spurs' top 4 hopes.

 

[theforceuk]

The goalkeeper thing was funny, although I do think to much may have been made from it. He was being taken off because he was injured and then he was fine to play on? Then Sari just lost it because he's on the edge so much. I don't no! :?

 

[weasel]

The Utd-Pool game was a bit of a disappointment.

A BIT of a disappointment? It was SHITE!
I wasn't expecting the classic the media was, but I did think one of two sides might actually have tried to play football. TBF I suspect the injuries in the first half killed the game. Neither team was able to get any momentum going and the whole thing was just a massive damp squib. Those four/five injuries could end up costing Utd a lot more than the 1pt they got. Ditto Liverpool if Firminio is out for a decent period of time and their front three continue to look as flat as they did yesterday.
Saying that City lost Fernandinho and laporte and the first is the only player there is no obvious replacement for in their squad.

A draw at OT is never a "bad" result but when you are going for the title and Utd lose four players to injury in the first half, you really need to be taking advantage of it. Especially when it leaves you 1 pt ahead of the best side the PL has seen with 11 games to go.

 

[edd_jedi]

Looks like Rodgers is going to Leicester, I think he's going to be in for a bit of a shock coming from the gimme league. Although saying that now that Rangers have almost recovered from many seasons of penalties, maybe now is the right time to leave Celtic as he might have some competition in a season or two.

 

[weasel]

I think he's just tired of the lack of funds the Board give him. They make Levy look like a spendthrift. That side has been crying out for major investment for a few years but he has had to work on a (relative) shoestring.
He has won all he can win there, albeit they are all trophies that mean nothing outside of Scotland. Personally, I think he would be better going to the continent but sure.

Strange move though as Leicester play on the counter and don't have the players to play the passing game he likes. It could all end in tears.

 

[edd_jedi]

I can see the boards POV, why would you invest in the team when you've won 10 consecutive titles :lol: here's a stat for you, the last time a team that wasn't Celtic or Rangers won the Scottish top league was 1984!

On a serious note, I think moving on is sensible as if guaranteed domestic trophies aren't doing it for him, I don't think Celtic have any chance of success in Europe. Even if they spent £100 million on players, they might win the national league by an even more ridiculous margin but without decent and regular domestic competition they will never be good enough to compete with Europe's best.

 

[theforceuk]

I see Ramos has been done for getting a yellow card on purpose. I would make an example of him and give him at least a three match ban. I bet he gets a fine and a further 1 match ban though. :roll:

 

[weasel]

On a serious note, I think moving on is sensible as if guaranteed domestic trophies aren't doing it for him, I don't think Celtic have any chance of success in Europe. Even if they spent £100 million on players, they might win the national league by an even more ridiculous margin but without decent and regular domestic competition they will never be good enough to compete with Europe's best.

I agree. That's also why I don't see PSG winning the CL any time soon. You can't play in second gear and win 4-0 every week and then suddenly switch the fifth gear and stay there for 180 mins against a top side.

As for Celtic they are kind of in limbo, the Scottish league is a joke, but they can't compete in Europe. Even EL is too tough for them. Not really sure what the solution for them is. No one is interested in the so called 'Atlantic league' any more.

I see Ramos has been done for getting a yellow card on purpose. I would make an example of him and give him at least a three match ban. I bet he gets a fine and a further 1 match ban though. :roll:

I will be amazed if UEFA make an example of him.

 

[edd_jedi]

Another genius performance from Spurs tonight. Possibly THE most ridiculous own goal I've ever seen. I'm not sure how many times I can watch Spurs make the same mistakes season after season, it's getting pretty ****ing boring. Honestly, I would have quite happily watched Spurs lose to Chelsea and even Arsenal this week if they had put in a shift and beaten Burnley. Instead, Poch the arrogant twat has done it again. Like I said, 1 point away from 5th by Saturday afternoon :roll:

 

[weasel]

Only seen the OG, jesus it was bad, but I heard Spurs didnt even have a shot on target. I will be amazed if they don't finish 3rd but stranger things have happened.
Spurs have Arsenal and Pool (a) soon and then City before the end of the season. Those games always looked crucial, more so now.

Ranieri sacked. They were just as bad under him, but surely whoever ****ed up appointing him should be fired as well?

 

[edd_jedi]

Wow sacked after three months, that's got to be one of the shortest PL stints I can think of. Looks like two of the bottom three are doomed already so whoever comes in next will be on damage limitation duty rather than trying to keep them up.

 

[edd_jedi]

I will be amazed if they don't finish 3rd but stranger things have happened.

What, you mean like:

- Losing to a team that have just been beaten 4-0 by Bournemouth and 6-0 by City
- Being the only team in the top 6 not to get 3 points last night (how many times does that happen to other teams, all FIVE results going against you)
- Losing to a side who got beaten by Newcastle last night
- Losing a two leg semi cup final despite the aggregate scores being 1-0 and 2-1 due to some bizarre (lack of) away goal rule - it should never have gone to penalties
- And let's not even mention currygate

All of the above statistically impossible, but Tottenham somehow always manage it. THE unluckiest team in the world, I strongly believe that.

 

[Robstyley]

Another genius performance from Spurs tonight. Possibly THE most ridiculous own goal I've ever seen. I'm not sure how many times I can watch Spurs make the same mistakes season after season, it's getting pretty ****ing boring. Honestly, I would have quite happily watched Spurs lose to Chelsea and even Arsenal this week if they had put in a shift and beaten Burnley. Instead, Poch the arrogant twat has done it again. Like I said, 1 point away from 5th by Saturday afternoon :roll:

Yeah that's hurt Tottenham last night, especially with all five teams around you winning. I fear the Arse, Man U or Chelsea catching you with ten games to go. I hope not.

 

[theforceuk]

I had the Spurs game on last night, thought they were better than Chelsea at loseing the game than Chelsea were at winning it, if that makes sense!? Ranieri sacked after 3 months is desperation from Fulham they are gone with Huddersfield and I can't see them getting a better manager in the Championship next season, but we will see. Could be wrong. Cardiff could be as good as gone soon as well, can see it being over for them by April.

At least the title race and top 4 is promising to be exciting.

 

[weasel]

I will be amazed if they don't finish 3rd but stranger things have happened.

What, you mean like:

- Losing to a team that have just been beaten 4-0 by Bournemouth and 6-0 by City
- Being the only team in the top 6 not to get 3 points last night (how many times does that happen to other teams, all FIVE results going against you)
- Losing to a side who got beaten by Newcastle last night

All of the above statistically impossible, but Tottenham somehow always manage it. THE unluckiest team in the world, I strongly believe that.

Aye, but you can play the "so and so lost to so and so and then they lost to thingy" any way you want. City drew with Wolves, who lost to Huddersfield......twice!
City also lost to Palace who drew with Cardiff.

Spuds are a great side, easily in the top four of the PL this season. It is possible that they will miss out on the CL but I can't see it. Top three are safe and next 3 are fighting it out for the last spot.

 

[Richard_H]

Two dreadful sides with mostly shocking defences. Spurs' penalty was a shocking decision - however neither side deserved to win so pretty fare overall. That Red card decision was appalling too.

 

[weasel]

Eventful game there. I only saw last half hour but i think I saw the best bit.

Spuds pen, whilst it was a foul, was offside so shouldn't have been given.
Arsenal pen nt really a foul for me. Why Sanchez even nibbles I will never know, all Aubamayang wanted was him to give him a chance to fall over.

Where was Danny Rose playing? I saw him give the ball away with a horrendous touch four or five times, but every time he was on the right hand side, effectively where the furtherest right CB wud b in a back 3. Obviously that's NOT where you play a LB.


I missed the tackle for the red, distracted by a screaming munchkin.

 

[weasel]

Just seen the red card. Twas a red card. He can't have many complaints.

 

[edd_jedi]

Wow, that was a shocking performance from Spurs. That's one of those games where a draw will feel like a loss for Arsenal and a win for Spurs. There were loads of dodgy decisions throughout the game for and against both teams, but Spurs were SO predictable like they have been in all recent games. It looks like everyone else has figured out how to beat Spurs, just sit back and wait for our comedy defence to gift you a goal (sorry but that Ramsay goal was on a gold plate, should never have happened.) Both Rose and Trippier were diabolical, the only saving grace was that for once we had a bit of good fortune with that late penalty miss (I almost turned the TV off when it was given, I thought here we go again.) Thoroughly deserved to lose today IMO, Poch needs to go back to the drawing board.

 

[Richard_H]

Looking at the run ins you couldn't have hand picked better teams for Arsenal.