Premier League 22/23 Thread

[weasel]

I saw the last twenty mins of Spuds Utd and Spuds could have had four or five. But the Comms made it sound like Utd should have been out of sight by HT. Was a great game from what I saw.


Good to see Spurs returning to form just in time for Liverpool at the weekend.

 

[edd_jedi]

Well I suspect at least one of us will be right on Sunday evening although I'd take a hard fought draw right now!

 

[theforceuk]

Bellingham to Real Madrid for £150 million, some still say Man City have got him.

 

[weasel]

I have heard Real have more pressing needs, a striker to replace Benzema for example, than signing another midfielder. They bought Touchemi (spelling) for 90m last summer, and they have Camavinga and Valverde. But it's Real, logic doesn't apply. "Ohhhh shiny thing, must have."


If he goes to City, or Real, they will take some stopping. Him at City will make the PL a race for second place…..and that's always exciting.

 

[theforceuk]

The thing that pisses me off is he clearly wants to join Liverpool but money is the overwhelming factor. How much money does one person need? Like you said before, anywhere else for Bellingham is pretty soulless.

On another note, I hadn't realised that in 3 years Bruno has never missed a game for Man Utd through injury. That's some going.

 

[lejackal]

On another note, I hadn't realised that in 3 years Bruno has never missed a game for Man Utd through injury. That's some going.

Needs kicking harder then

 

[theforceuk]

Because he throws his arms in the air all the time and complains, never seen a footballer do that before.

 

[weasel]

The thing that pisses me off is he clearly wants to join Liverpool but money is the overwhelming factor. How much money does one person need? Like you said before, anywhere else for Bellingham is pretty soulless.

On another note, I hadn't realised that in 3 years Bruno has never missed a game for Man Utd through injury. That's some going.

The "money" issue isn't what he wants so much as what Dortmund want. Apparently Pool, offered 80-85m plus add ons and Dortmund countered with 130m …..plus add ons. That's the problem.
I suspect most contracts are agreed before fees are agreed. Clubs speak to players and agents have the bones of a contract agreed before they make an offer. No idea what Pool had offered to pay him, prob 200-250kpw plus bonuses etc. He could/will get more elsewhere but it sounded like he was keen on the move, albeit he would probably only have stayed for 2/3/4yrs.

It's frustrating to miss out on someone that good just cos of money (I know, "big club problem"). Especially as, had that been Utd, City, Chelsea or Real/PSG, the money would be there no problems. Pool are trying to compete with those teams whilst spending significantly less. That's NOT an easy thing to do.
But, at the same time, Pool need 2-3 new midfielders and possibly a CB/RB. The Bellingham fee (130m) would be the majority if their transfer budget and there's no way they can fudge and make do for another year.

In an ideal world some other foreign investor comes and buys a chunk of Pool and FSG give Klopp the money to spend and he does it on Bellingham (or Dortmund drop the asking price). Realistically, I expect him to stay at Dortmund. I dread him joining City or Real.

As for Utd's Freddy Mercury lookalike, fair ***** that is a superb injury record. But I do remember him having a big old dip in form at the end of his first full season at Utd, probably cos he was bucked from so much football.

Because he throws his arms in the air all the time and complains, never seen a footballer do that before.

And the above is also very very true. He a sulky wee bitch who gurns worse than any one I have seen before.

 

[weasel]

Sounds like WH got done again today. Eze diving and the ref and VAR giving it despite, apparently, zero contact.

 

[edd_jedi]

Yeah it was a truly bizarre decision!

 

[Cazza]

Yep, absolute rubbish. Don't really know what to say.

How come you're allowed to grapple away like you're a top wrestler at a WWE match when a corner is taken, but touch someone's arm lightly and it's a penalty ?

The guy on VAR yesterday, was the same guy who disallowed our goal against Chelsea early in the season- remember that one?!

 

[edd_jedi]

Well that game pretty much summed up Spurs' season. We played badly for 15 minutes, and conceded 3 goals. We are then the better team for the next 75 minutes, but only score two, hit the post 3 times, had a strong penalty shout ignored, and no red card for Jota's flying head kick. Then we nick a draw in injury time... Until Lucas Moura comes on

Don't get me wrong we don't deserve top 4 this season, but it does feel like luck isn't on our side, deserved a draw from that at the very least.

 

[Cazza]

Wow, what a game! Kinda sums up why Spurs and Liverpool don't deserve top 4. Can't believe how close they both actually are, considering how poor they've both been. Jota is a scumbag. One of the snidest, dirtiest players around. Horrible *********. Never has any qualms about deliberately injuring opponents.

 

[theforceuk]

I agree, Liverpool certainly given 3 points today. Like an apron Liverpool, good up front but nothing at the back. Draw would have been a fare result. Can't believe Spurs fans going home after 15 minutes.

 

[edd_jedi]

I agree, Liverpool certainly given 3 points today. Like an apron Liverpool, good up front but nothing at the back. Draw would have been a fare result. Can't believe Spurs fans going home after 15 minutes.

Expecting a re-run of the Newcastle game I imagine!

 

[theforceuk]

That's what I thought @edd_jedi but you've traveled all that way, football anything can happen, at least wait till half time.

 

[weasel]

I agree that Jota high foot was a red, although, I have no idea what the rule is there. But it's similar to what Mane got a red for against City a few years ago (followed by three similar incidents a few weeks after none of which where red cards). But if I was blowing that game, I would probably have sent him off.

BUT…….Skipp shouldn't have been on the pitch. That "tackle" on Diaz was a leg breaker, how the **** he got away without even a booking I will never know. Two wrongs don't make a right, and the game would obviously have been totally different had one or both been given.

I didn't see the game, but from what I have heard Pool should have put it to be in the first 20mins then Spurs woke up, hit the post three times and the world's biggest donkey scores a stoppage time equaliser (was the free kick soft? I heard Klopp say it was, but pinch of salt and all that) Only for Jota to snatch it with Pool's first shot on target since the 3rd goal.

@Cazza summed it up well, if either side plays like that they don't deserve CL football. And neither will get it.
If you go 3 up at home you should NOT be hanging on with 20mins to go and relying on a stoppage time winner. That's what the dross in the drop zone do. Likewise, if you ship 3 in 20 mins, a week after shipping 5 in 20 mins, there's a not a ******* chance in hell you should be near European football. Relegation more like.

Sounds like a great game for the neutral.

If Ryan Mason can wake Spurs up before the K/O he will have a decent team on his hands.

 

[edd_jedi]

Yep, likewise Spurs have just had to play 3 tough games in succession, and scored 6 goals which is pretty good going, but it's criminal to have conceded 12!

 

[theforceuk]

Can't see either Spurs or Liverpool getting top 4. Liverpool could win all their games and will only finish on 71 points. That means Newcastle need 7 points from 5 games and Man Utd need 9 points from 6 games. Top 4 is pretty much done and dusted. Famous last words.

 

[weasel]

It's been done and dusted for a few weeks now

 

[theforceuk]

I would have started worrying if Villa had won yesterday. Brighton next for Man Utd which we could easily lose, I'm still a bit nervous. Liverpool look like they could win all remaining games.

Liverpool will probably win the Europa League next season. Personally I'm fed up of Man Utd being in it, such a draining competition and we always stumble deep into it.

I agree Spurs could have been down to 10 easily, it was similar to Casemiro against Southampton.

 

[weasel]

Only fair I admit I have just seen the Skipp tackle from the other angle and he does make contact with the ball. Albeit it is Diaz flicking it past him and it hits his leg, rather than his tackle being well timed enough to get the ball. I don't know if that is why the ref VAR did nothing, but it's still a red for me. Even if he did make contact with the ball, that follow through is a leg breaker.


Also, one of Spurs 3 shots that hit the woodwork, Regulion or whatever his name is, looked offside. They still could very easily have got something from that game though, no arguments.

 

[edd_jedi]

Good game between Leicester and Everton last night, although the result didnt do either of them any good. I would like to see one of them go down personally, just to mix it up a bit (and they've both been utter **** recently.) Leeds look to be in trouble playing City and Newcastle next, although I fully expect them to beat Spurs 6-0!

 

[theforceuk]

Yes disaster for Everton if they go down. They have a new stadium next season.

 

[weasel]

Leeds looking to appoint Fat Sam. Nice progressive forward looking appointment that!

 

[edd_jedi]

Yeah especially as he lost his "never been relegated" hat last time. And WTF is he supposed to do with 4 games left, 3 of which are against teams in Europe!?

 

[lejackal]

Now I can relax as we've basically blown the league (barring a miracle) I can just sit back and laugh at some of the absolute **** shows of managerial comings and goings, not to mention transfer "strategies"

 

[weasel]

@edd_jedi you mean you don't think Leeds will beat City? Or Newcastle?

 

[edd_jedi]

@edd_jedi you mean you don't think Leeds will beat City? Or Newcastle?

Knowing my luck they probably will beat City!

 

[weasel]

Get money on it. That'll guarantee it doesnt happen.