Premier League 2020/2021 Thread

[Cazza]

Well, we gave them a really good run for their money! If only that header had gone in at the death! First team to score there since beginning of November and Antonio becomes the first player to score against them home and away in the same season since 1995!

 

[lejackal]

Isn't that stat because they weren't in the PL consistently though?

 

[Cazza]

Just checked- they were out of the premier for 5 years out of the last 25, so the stat stands for their last 20 premier seasons. Still a great stat!

 

[Robstyley]

Well, we gave them a really good run for their money! If only that header had gone in at the death! First team to score there since beginning of November and Antonio becomes the first player to score against them home and away in the same season since 1995!

Mate we definitely held our own. They didn't get many chances, they just converted more of the ones they did get. We very nearly scored a couple more. Was a good game, enjoyed it. Leicester dropped the ball. We just need Chelsea and Liverpool to lose now!

 

[edd_jedi]

That's more like it from Spurs, who would have thought that starting the world's most expensive player would result in two goals and an assist :roll: still looked a bit shakey at the back IMO so even with all that fire power and a rare clean sheet, there's plenty of work to do back there to save the season. As I've been saying I think he just needs to pick any four and stick with them. And I can't argue with him leaving Dier out today.

Typical of Arsenal to beat Leicester, I was so sure they would I put a bet on it :mrgreen: looks like Leicester could see a repeat of last season with their injury list stacking up.

Watching the Chelsea v United game now, how the hell did VAR not give that penalty? If that is not an unnatural position for a hand, what on earth is? That's one of the craziest decisions I've seen all season, stonewall penalty IMO.

 

[Robstyley]

Watching the Chelsea v United game now, how the hell did VAR not give that penalty? If that is not an unnatural position for a hand, what on earth is? That's one of the craziest decisions I've seen all season, stonewall penalty IMO.

I watched that. Defo looked like a penalty to me. In the end a draw's prob the best result for us

 

[theforceuk]

That hand ball decision in the Chelsea/Man Utd game was a joke but their is little Man Utd can complain about getting a draw, two sides played poor and are miles off competing with City. That's 0-0 against Chelsea twice, Arsenal once, Liverpool twice and Man City once. Other two top 6 games this season lost 1-6 to Spurs and 0-1 to Arsenal. OGS parks the bus against the top sides and try's to counter attack, it worked last season partly but this season everyone has got wise to it. I don't really blame OGS as he knows these teams could take Utd apart with those two centre half's and no decent DCM.

 

[edd_jedi]

The way I would look at it is taking four points and concending few goals from those games is a good thing. You don't need to win every game to win the league, and you certainly don't to make top four, what United have been good at (and Spurs and Arsenal have been terrible at) is picking up points in the 'must win' games. There are no easy games in the PL, but Spurs 4-0 win over Burnley yesterday should not be the exception for a team with that quality. As I've said before, I'd much rather watch a comfortable draw or 1-0 win than watch 'courage' and lose, I would happily trade that 6-1 win over United for a draw and 3 points against Brighton, that extra point could make all the difference.

 

[weasel]

Watching the Chelsea v United game now, how the hell did VAR not give that penalty? If that is not an unnatural position for a hand, what on earth is? That's one of the craziest decisions I've seen all season, stonewall penalty IMO.

I watched that. Defo looked like a penalty to me. In the end a draw's prob the best result for us

Really, I didn't think it was. It hits his hand, but his hand/are half held up by Greenwood's arm underneath his and it would be a really soft penalty to give. Obviously those sort of pens, and worse, were given at the start if the year, but do people really want to see **** like that given as a pen?
I would add I have only seen a fee angles, from behind and side on, the best angle would be facing the players but I haven't seen that.

Also, after the sheer number of soft pens Utd have had in the last year, Fernandes stamping on the villa boy and then squealing like a bitch so he gets a pen instead of a yellow card, or the Martial dive against Saints, mean any sympathy for Utd is in very short supply.

Bloody Burnley are a strange side. Play City and lose 5-0 four times in a row. Play Pool and defend like a team of Paulo Maldini's and Franco Baresi's. They took the City form into the Spurs game. How they can swing to such extremes is beyond me. There can't be many more jackal and Hyde sides when it comes to defending than them. Not among the also rans anyway.

 

[edd_jedi]

Spurs were lucky not to draw last night, the performance summed up our season, loads of decent attacking chances, most of which wasted, and more comical defending leading to a goal that luckily for us was disallowed (and going by the rules I think was the right decision, although harsh for Fulham.) But it seems no matter what combination Jose tries, our defence just cannot cope with any kind of attack. Do any other teams do that weird arms behind the body 'defending' that Spurs do? I haven't seen any other teams doing it. How about a good old fashioned tackle!?

I think this could be the most interesting top four battle in years, any of the current top 10 teams are in for a shout. I wouldn't write off Liverpool yet but they are right in the mix with everyone else.

 

[weasel]

I wouldn't write off Liverpool yet but they are right in the mix with everyone else.

I would.
I will.

Pool will not make the top four this season. No chance.
They have less confidence than a spotty, nerdy 14 year old trying to chat up a playboy bunny.
To make the top four they will probably need to win 8 of their last 12 games (and pick up a few draws as well). Given they have won 3 of their last 12 and don't look like remembering how to shoot (1 shot on target last night and that was in the 80th minute) any time soon, that's not gonna happen. They haven't scored a goal from open play in TEN HOURS at Anfield. Ten ****ing hours! To go from not losing at home for 2 or 3 years to losing five home games on the spin is one of the biggest turn arounds I can remember. Two of those games are Chslea and City, no shame in losing them, BUT to also lose to Brighton, Burnley and Everton AND all in consecutive games is shockingly bad.

They have a run of games against the lesser lights of the PL coming up, but those are the sides who will sit in deny them space, hit them on the counter, and will be happy with a point. Albeit they should be viewing Pool as 3pts for the taking.
Pool are still playing their high defensive line, I see the logic as it lets them press higher up the pitch, but when your best DCM is playing CB and your midfield organiser is injured, it's asking for trouble. Just look at how many goals they have shipped as a result of long balls hit over or through the back four for the striker to run on to.
The PL lesser lights will be quite happy to sit in and play on the counter.

Sadly Jurgen looks fried. Between the clusterfuck that has been this season (whatever team you support, you can't deny Pool have been royally shafted by injuries), COVID and Jurgen's mum's passing, the guy just needs a break. For his own mental well being rather than anything else.
I would not be surprised to see him go this summer. I'll be gutted, but he looks exhausted and almost broken.
Remember when **** went south at Dortmund it went south VERY quickly and they never looked like turning it around. There are too many similarities at Pool at the minute for my liking.

Ohh and for the record, I still think disallowing goals for arm/armpit/pube offside is a joke. That disallowed Chelsea one should have stood. Just in case anyone thinks I only dislike those things when they go against Pool.

 

[edd_jedi]

Two of those games are Chslea and City, no shame in losing them, BUT to also lose to Brighton, Burnley and Everton AND all in consecutive games is shockingly bad.

I can think of a near-identical run I've been moaning about :lol: can either turn it round?

 

[weasel]

Spurs haven't been quite as bad as Pool in the last twelve games.

Assuming Brendan does ehh do a Brendan, I would say Utd and Leicester are looking good for a CL spot. The final one will probably go to Chelsea. As for EL spots.....I think I'd rather not be in Europe and have mid week off than have to trapse off the Kazakhstan to play Spartak vladikavkaz, evn if it's "just" the kids and squad players who go.

 

[theforceuk]

Top 3 for me at the moment is going to be,

Chelsea
Man Utd
Liverpool

That other team doesn't count! lol

Wouldn't be surprised if Man Utd miss out we have 4 out of 5 players in the top 5 most minutes played for the entire PL, burn out!

 

[Diamond76]

Effort
The work rate of Manchester City is incredible. I think their attitude is to out run and out press the opposition, win that arm wrestle first.
You need to compete with them and put the effort in which with no fans means you need to be self motivated and have an excellent diet and overall state of fitness. I haven't seen that from many teams but Brighton ran them close and it showed in the overall performance. Once teams decide to sit back and defend they run more and also have that negative mind set. Neither help in promoting a positive mental attitude in a year when everyone's mental state is already fragile.


Squad
With a £180 million wage bill Manchester United do have a very good squad but the money has not been spent very wisely.
Liverpool spend £60 million less than Manchester United and £20 million less than Manchester City and Tottenham and this is why their squad is so weak, there is no depth. You can understand why they have been so happy with going out of the League Cup and FA Cup every year as it allows them to rest up between games.

Mr Guardiola
Probably the best manager in the world right now with the benefit of having the best run club backing him. With the 4th highest wage bill in the Premier League he is the best paid manager and you can tell why.
The last 4 years where Guardiola has forced his team to play a game every 3 days by wanting to win all 4 competitions has been the blue print for their consistency this season where all teams have had to play every 3 days.

Mr Klopp
An outstanding manager who has proved that he is one of the all time Liverpool greats. No one expects the club to spend £180 million on wages like Manchester United but £120 Million is 6th on the Premier League list and £20 Million less than Tottenham. It shows in the quality in the bench.

Mr Ole
With time he will become a good manager but you wouldn't allow a teenager to learn to drive in a luxury sports car. Average at best his £180 Million squad may yet help him to a Premier League title but without a fit and willing Paul Pogba it is a stretch and the gap to the blue half is widening.

Mr Jose
A top class manager who has nothing to prove. On the face of it Tottenham have been ok but when you look at their squad it is arguably in the top 3 in the league. I would wait till June until condemning their season as they are a defensive display away from winning the league cup and they can surely climb up the league when you look at the talent in their bench.

Mr Tuchel
He seems to know his onions, can he win the Champions League?

Mr Arteta
A brave appointment on a young and up and coming manager. With a top 4 wage bill fans and pundits expect better from the gunners and we have seen glimpses of what they are capable of. Time will tell.

Mr Moyes
If one team has benefited from no fans it has been West Ham. At times the atmosphere has been toxic at the new stadium but they have been allowed to crack on and boy have they. Something tells me Mr Moyes is a stepping stone to something and somebody greater but that would be harsh on both the manager and the current crop of players.

Mr Rodgers
So far so good for Buck but the way they downed tools in the Europa League shows that they need to invest more in squad depth. As one of the top 30 richest clubs in the world the club need to back the manager or, as he has shown before, he is more than happy to walk.

 

[theforceuk]

Diamond76 Man Utd's wage bill is a joke, 2 first team goal keepers on a combined wage of £500K a week, Phil Jones on £80k a week to name a couple. Man Utd don't have a good sqaud at all that's why OGS is hammering Bruno, Rashford, Maguire and Wan Bissaka. They are all in the top 5 for most minutes played in the PL. Players in my opinion that are good enough to be part of a PL winning sqaud,

Bruno, Pogba

Rashford, if he sorts his shoulder problem out and stops playing with an injury.

Henderson/De Gea, both good keepers Henderson probably has better distribution not a lot between them, why Man Utd have got into this situation with them both in long term contracts I will never no!

Wan Bissaka, need another right back that is better or as good to compete for the place.

Luke Shaw, best left back in the PL at the moment IMO.

Cavani, should be a back up striker but he is class, shame he will miss at least 40% of games and this is only going to get worse.

Eric Bailly, best centre half at the club but is always injured so again should not be seen as a first choice.

Then you have Telez, Greenwood, Van De Beek, (why he hasn't been given more game time I will never no) Tuanzebe, (second best centre half at the club) Mc Tominay and Diallo who all deserve time to improve and perhaps be good sqaud players. There's a phew more youngsters that may make it as well. Thats about 7 or 8 players that are good enough IMO, that leaves a lot of trash that needs to go. Martial I've had enough of 25 goals last season but he's to temperamental.

So for next season for the starting 11 we need at least 1 world class centre half, a DM, a striker and a right winger. Thats without any back up apart from left back, goalkeeper, right wing and striker. I think OGS will be lucky if he gets 1 of them and Pogba will probably go. Oh and Man City will improve their squad, have owners that want Man City to be the best club in the world and they have a better manager!! lol

 

[Diamond76]

I would agree with everything you have said @theforceuk.

 

[weasel]

Top 3 for me at the moment is going to be,

Chelsea
Man Utd
Liverpool

That other team doesn't count! lol

Wouldn't be surprised if Man Utd miss out we have 4 out of 5 players in the top 5 most minutes played for the entire PL, burn out!

Genuinely amazed ANYONE thinks Pool will make the CL. I would put money on them not making Europe next season. You don't get out of a slump like theirs in a week.

So for next season for the starting 11 we need at least 1 world class centre half, a DM, a striker and a right winger. Thats without any back up apart from left back, goalkeeper, right wing and striker. I think OGS will be lucky if he gets 1 of them and Pogba will probably go. Oh and Man City will improve their squad, have owners that want Man City to be the best club in the world and they have a better manager!! lol

I agree, but that has been the case for 3 or 4 windows now and Ed doesn't seem to care or want to do anything about it.

I also agree on Martial. He is very.....French. On his day, unreal. On another day he just shrugs his shoulders in the Gallic way and looks at you as if to say "you want me to run/shoot/pass/score meh"

Diamond76

I am biased, but if everyone is fit, Liverpool have a better squad than Utd. By quite a way. I would say it is arguable that they have a better squad (when everyone is fit) than city, or at least a better starting 14/15 (given most clubs don't have a settled "starting 11"). City's full backs are still their weak link.

As it currently stands Liverpool have such a weak bench because they have half a team injured. You may have heard mention of their injury crisis. You can't compare their bench ATM (albeit the bench against Chelsea was stronger than it has been for months) to any other club as no one else has been buggered by injuries to same extent.

OGS, is ONLY in a job cos he "knew the club" and won't rock the boat. He wouldn't have got the job at any other top 8 PL club. In fact I'm not sure any other PL club would swap him for their manager. He MAY go on to become a good manager, but I doubt it. So far he has looked no more than average.

Jose, has EVERYTHING to prove. He is trying the same **** he pulled in his first stint at Chelsea. The game as moved on. I don't think he has. I am no Utd fan, as you may have noticed, but credit where it's due Fergy was brilliant at developing his team and keeping them and their style current. Jose STILL plays safety first EVERY SINGLE TIME.
I also don't know if he would consider winning the worthless cup as a "successful season". He is "The special one" after all. Surely a "special" manager should be doing more than winning a mediocre second rate cup? Tho I guess the "Special one" did bleat on about his treble at Utd. Worthless cup, EL and Charity Shield. Even Utd fans were ashamed to call that a treble. It's the very definition of a plastic treble. So perhaps Jose has lowered his standards when it comes to what counts as "special".

Tuchel, "can he win the CL".....No. Not until this Bayern side break up. Them and City are streets ahead of Chelsea. As were Pool before their implosion.

Brendan, specialises in choking. Watch Leicester fall away. They have also played a lot of the same players over and over. Like Utd they have been fairly lucky that they haven't had more injuries. Unlike Utd they do not have a squad to cope with 3 or 4 first teamers out for a decent length of time. I heard Evans and someone else limped off with serious looking injuries in their last game and Justin (?) was ruled out for the season a few weeks ago.

 

[weasel]

Anyone still think Pool will make top four now!?

 

[edd_jedi]

Anyone still think Pool will make top four now!?

They might if Spurs keep having 90% possession but conceding any time the ball comes in our half!