PL 2018-2019 Thread

[theforceuk]

I think so a bit. To be fair he was never going to keep that up, best start ever for a Man Utd manager. As always it will be interesting next season, give him a transfer window and see who he will move on. Rumour has it that he is seeing Fergie a lot for advice, why wouldn't you? Yes David Moyes, Van Gaal and JM I'm looking at you. I would have given him the job as soon as he sold Fellaini, something 3 previous managers failed to do! :lol:

I think it's also a case of to many players in that squad just aren't good enough. You look at the sqaud and on paper it should be challenging for the two big trophies. You look at Martial, Rashford, Lingard and Mctominay, they are 4 players who you can build a team around for the next 5 years plus. Easier said than done though I guess.

I'm still on the fence with Solskjaer, but who else is their? Anyone is a gamble for Man Utd now, horrible job from a certain point of view.

 

[edd_jedi]

There's nothing wrong with the job, just the expectation. The same problem Chelsea and Arsenal have, it's very hard to please fans who expect trophies based on nothing more than they won some x years/decades ago. I think United are doing pretty well, they simply don't have the squad to compete with City or Liverpool at the moment. Spurs are winging it with no superstars in the team.

 

[spoons]

There's nothing wrong with the job, just the expectation. The same problem Chelsea and Arsenal have, it's very hard to please fans who expect trophies based on nothing more than they won some x years/decades ago. I think United are doing pretty well, they simply don't have the squad to compete with City or Liverpool at the moment. Spurs are winging it with no superstars in the team.

I find that an interesting take Edd. Do Spurs fans really not expect trophies? The team Spurs have, the wages they pay and now the new stadium I'd be expecting trophies, not the title but one of the domestic cups for sure. Same goes for any of the top six, and if a season goes by without a trophy that should be a disappointment. I'm disappointed every time that Arsenal are knocked out of the FA cup because I expect them to make the semis every year, and I'm equally disappointed when they go out of the League cup as they never win it. I want to see my team win and I'm used to seeing my team win. A trophy once every 10 years still creates expectation but realism says the league isnt going to come along that often.

You are right that on paper no-one should be competing with Man city, but the way Klopp has turned Liverpool into title contenders should inspire any of the top rich teams that with shrewd investment and good tactics the league is feasible.

I think if Spurs had a serious go for one of the doemstic cups the fans would start feeling the same as the rest of the top six fans. Saying that, the way Barca are playing the CL should be achievable if you can keep City at bay.

This table isn't meant as a dig at Spurs, just their aspirations. But since 1991 in almost every year one or two of Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal has featured in the FA cup final. And this is a competion that apprently no-one takes seriously any more. Its criminal that Spurs haven't been there since 1991, and having been at Wembley watching Spurs beat Arsenal in the semi final that year it pains me to write that.

This table alone says why the other top six teams expect trophies however minor.

 

[theforceuk]

There's nothing wrong with the job, just the expectation. The same problem Chelsea and Arsenal have, it's very hard to please fans who expect trophies based on nothing more than they won some x years/decades ago. I think United are doing pretty well, they simply don't have the squad to compete with City or Liverpool at the moment. Spurs are winging it with no superstars in the team.

Most succesfull club in English football history that has spent 100 millions over the past decade, it's not just the fans that expect trophies, the sponsors and the board expect trophies. Don't get me wrong it's not Man Utd's god given right to win trophies season in season out, infact that would be bad for football in general. But the club with the biggest turn over in world football should have had a better return since 2013.

That's why it's becoming a horrible job, the winning mentality from the players is disappearing over the horizon.

 

[weasel]

I think so a bit. To be fair he was never going to keep that up, best start ever for a Man Utd manager. As always it will be interesting next season, give him a transfer window and see who he will move on. Rumour has it that he is seeing Fergie a lot for advice, why wouldn't you? Yes David Moyes, Van Gaal and JM I'm looking at you. I would have given him the job as soon as he sold Fellaini, something 3 previous managers failed to do! :lol:

I think it's also a case of to many players in that squad just aren't good enough. You look at the sqaud and on paper it should be challenging for the two big trophies. You look at Martial, Rashford, Lingard and Mctominay, they are 4 players who you can build a team around for the next 5 years plus. Easier said than done though I guess.

I'm still on the fence with Solskjaer, but who else is their? Anyone is a gamble for Man Utd now, horrible job from a certain point of view.

Fair comment that. It will be interesting to see what he does over the summer. There is a lot of dead wood that needs mived out of that Utd squad. Solskjaer needs to work out how he wants to play and who fits that system. If it's fast counter attacking footy, as would seem most appropriate given who Utd's younger and better players are,mthen Juan Mata doesn't fit that system. Time to be ruthless. Valencia and Herrera are already going. You could add over half a dozen names to that list, DDG, Pogba, Darmian, Rojo, Young, Lukaku, Sanchez.
The question is more who do Utd get in to replace them.

Moreno is available :wink:

 

[edd_jedi]

I find that an interesting take Edd. Do Spurs fans really not expect trophies? The team Spurs have, the wages they pay and now the new stadium I'd be expecting trophies, not the title but one of the domestic cups for sure.

The league and cups are very different beasts. I don't expect Spurs to win the league because they don't have the best team, it's as simple as that. You can't fluke a league title, OK arguably Leicester managed it but it hardly ever happens.

It does frustrate me that Spurs haven't won a cup trophy since 2008, but knock out tournaments rely hugely on luck as your table shows with Portsmouth and Wigan both being recent winners, not to mention two of Arsenal's most recent gimmes against Hull and Aston Villa (although credit to Arsenal for beating Chelsea a couple of years ago.)

Spurs may not have won a trophy for 11 years but they've been in a fair few semi finals since then so I don't agree they have no ambition in cup tournaments, a win is probably overdue though.

 

[theforceuk]

I think so a bit. To be fair he was never going to keep that up, best start ever for a Man Utd manager. As always it will be interesting next season, give him a transfer window and see who he will move on. Rumour has it that he is seeing Fergie a lot for advice, why wouldn't you? Yes David Moyes, Van Gaal and JM I'm looking at you. I would have given him the job as soon as he sold Fellaini, something 3 previous managers failed to do! :lol:

I think it's also a case of to many players in that squad just aren't good enough. You look at the sqaud and on paper it should be challenging for the two big trophies. You look at Martial, Rashford, Lingard and Mctominay, they are 4 players who you can build a team around for the next 5 years plus. Easier said than done though I guess.

I'm still on the fence with Solskjaer, but who else is their? Anyone is a gamble for Man Utd now, horrible job from a certain point of view.

Fair comment that. It will be interesting to see what he does over the summer. There is a lot of dead wood that needs mived out of that Utd squad. Solskjaer needs to work out how he wants to play and who fits that system. If it's fast counter attacking footy, as would seem most appropriate given who Utd's younger and better players are,mthen Juan Mata doesn't fit that system. Time to be ruthless. Valencia and Herrera are already going. You could add over half a dozen names to that list, DDG, Pogba, Darmian, Rojo, Young, Lukaku, Sanchez.
The question is more who do Utd get in to replace them.

Moreno is available :wink:

Papers are saying he's got £200 million to spend. :shock: Yeah I agree their is a lot of players in that squad that don't fit his style of football, probably about £200 million worth. :lol: £200 million doesn't get you much these days though. I hope he is ruthless, club needs it.

 

[edd_jedi]

Troy Deeney's red card seemed a bit harsh last night, I've seen it from several angles now and it doesn't look that bad. The ref might as well just abandon the game rather than give a straight red after 10 minutes, it's a shame as despite running out of steam from being a man down Watford looked like the better team for much of the game. Not to mention the comedy goal Aubameyang 'scored.' Lady luck strikes twice in 2 minutes for Arsenal, they'll win the league at this rate!

 

[weasel]

Only seen one angle of the red and it looked softer than soft. Coming two mins after Foster gifted Arsenal a goal it was basically game over.

Papers are saying he's got £200 million to spend. :shock: Yeah I agree their is a lot of players in that squad that don't fit his style of football, probably about £200 million worth. :lol: £200 million doesn't get you much these days though. I hope he is ruthless, club needs it.

Not sure £200m solves all Utd's issues. Oogba going for £100m+ adds to transfer kitty but also means you will need a new CM as Herrera is away too. Realistically it will take Solskjaer two or three windows to sort that squad, and I just dont see him being there that long. So that puts Utd back to square one as his replacement has to overhaul again.

 

[spoons]

Troy Deeney's red card seemed a bit harsh last night, I've seen it from several angles now and it doesn't look that bad. The ref might as well just abandon the game rather than give a straight red after 10 minutes, it's a shame as despite running out of steam from being a man down Watford looked like the better team for much of the game. Not to mention the comedy goal Aubameyang 'scored.' Lady luck strikes twice in 2 minutes for Arsenal, they'll win the league at this rate!

I think if someone comes out and says

"I have to watch what I say, but it's (having) a bit of cojones, is what I'll say. Whenever I play against Arsenal, I'll go up and think 'let me whack the first one and see who wants it."

and then elbows someone in the first 10 minutes they really can't complain about being sent off. I think Deeney's brains are in his cajones :lol:
Aubameyang's goal was lucky, but its why strikers challenge the goalie and you make your own luck.

Watford were impressive and never looked like having 10 men - a credit to those players, a sweet victory nonetheless as Deeney is a twat. I've always had a soft spot for Watford and used to see them play on occasion as a kid. Deeney has put me right off them and he really let down his team as captain and someone who does scare the Arsenal defence. Arsenal would have lost against 11 men.

Winning one off games can have a lot to do with luck, but consistently getting to finals (and semi finals) is not about luck. Its why top six sides should be disappointed if its a trophyless season. I feel that Spurs lack of trophy success is more about belief than luck, its the same with Arsenal and away results. The fear sets in and the results become innevitable. Crazy that Arsenal have a home record to rival Liverpool and City but a win away is a real rarity. Same set of players but massive belief at home and none away.

 

[Richard_H]

The Arsenal goal wasn't luck - he worked hard to get there and the capitalised on the fault. Luck would be if the keeper hoofed it and it hit Aubamyang without making the effort. It was never a red though.

 

[edd_jedi]

Yesss!!!! I think I've lost about a decade from my life after watching that

 

[Snaketibe]

YES!!!!!!!!

 

[Snaketibe]

And for once, we don't go out through bad luck! Sterling's 3rd was 100% offside, so it's nice to see justice done for once in Spurs' existence!

 

[Robstyley]

What a game! Nuts. Well done to Tottenham, deserved it.

 

[weasel]

Yesss!!!! I think I've lost about a decade from my life after watching that

****. ME. WHAT. A. GAME.

We won't see a game like that again for a long long time. That is an absolute classic.

Any danger of BT showing a replay of that final non goal?

Now FFS win on Saturday as well please!

 

[Snaketibe]

Yesss!!!! I think I've lost about a decade from my life after watching that

****. ME. WHAT. A. GAME.

We won't see a game like that again for a long long time. That is an absolute classic.

Any danger of BT showing a replay of that final non goal?

Now FFS win on Saturday as well please!

Well, we didn't win tonight, but I couldn't care less! :-D

 

[theforceuk]

What a game VAR had, no wander half the City fans don't go week in week out. When they do go look what happens. City can win the league now and I'll be happy.

 

[edd_jedi]

Right now I've calmed down a bit, what a game. Both teams were brilliant and terrible, as usual Spurs' defending was absolutely shocking and I was expecting us to lose 3 or 4 nil last night, they only won by managing to score a few.

100% agree about justice being done, Spurs have been ****ed over so many times and when Sterling scored in the 187th minute I thought here we go again, but it was offside and the right decision was made. Llorente's goal may have touched his hand, but the other two goals were pure class and IMO City didn't deserve to score at least a couple of theirs, they were just **** defending being punished.

I was ready to turn the TV off when Poch replaced Sissoko with Llorente, he hadn't seemed to have learned in previous games that replacing defenders/midfielders with strikers is a recipe for disaster, but thankfully Llorente proved me wrong. Rose was abysmal as usual, he gave the ball away every time he touched it and was responsible for at least two of City's goals, I wonder if his late substitution means Poch has FINALLY realised he's useless?

Despite the elation of winning last night, I think we're in serious trouble now. Kane, Winks and Sissoko injured from the first team, Lamella injured so no firepower on the bench, Son banned from the next CL match, and Alli seemed a bit scared last night because of his broken hand. I can see us losing to Ajax and not making the top 4 with that many players out, I expect City will get their payback on Saturday which leaves us relying on other teams to lose to make the top 4.

BUT it was all worth it just to watch (and win) that game

 

[SAVORY100]

Fantastic result last night for Spurs and a blinding game too... still slightly in shock.
Loose on Saturday (which has to now be expected and in many ways I would imagine Poch will gear the team to do just that and rest key players for the other games ahead rather than risk them) and we will still make top four by winning all the other remaining games... CL semi final in the bag, new stadium and a bright, young squad. The future is bright under the White Hart lights