Also re: Liverpool it's not like this has come out of nowhere, people have been talking about their ageing sqaud for a couple of seasons. Plus of course a couple of signings that haven't worked out, for every Halaand there is a Soldado...
Premier League 22/23 Thread
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Only half way through the season…..
lejackal
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Not even close to squeaky bum time
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Yeah and squeaky bum starts in April this year.
The Pool thing kinda has come from nowhere. Most people were predicting another City Pool title fight, myself included. Yes there are weaknesses in the Pool squad that were there in the summer (the midfield) but no one envisaged them dropping off a cliff like they have. The impression I got was Klopp/Pool thought they had enough to get through this season and then would revamp the midfield in the summer. They tried for Touchemi (spelling) and he followed most footballers in creaming himself as soon as Real said they were interested. Klopp's not mad keen on signing someone for the sake of it. He waited for VVD, and he prefers to get players that suit his system rather than just signing a random body. Plus Pool run a tight ship, they spend what they generate, and very little more. They don't have Chelsea's bottomless pit of money and ability to be immune to FFP, no one has City's and Newcastle's bank balance.
Even allowing for all of that to go from being 1pt and 1 goalkeeper having the game of his life, away from a quadruple. To being out of both cups and NINTH in the PL is one hell of a drop off.
I know most clubs would kill for a last few years like Pool have had, and I know no club is entitled to success. I'm not saying 'Pool deserve to be higher or even should be higher' I'm just struggling to get my head round how you can go from so good, for so many years, to literal mid-table obscurity over one summer.
No CL nxt yr makes the midfield rebuild even harder this summer. I bet Jude Bellingham will really fancy a campaign in the EL or the 'Europa Fizzy Conference Challenge whatever it's called cup'. But the bigger loss is the loss of money from the CL, especially with FSG being as generous as Daniel Levy and no one seemingly wanting to buy them out.
Ohh and Utd are looking half competent as well, so my phone just goes constantly with the 101 glory hunter Utd fans I know all suddenly rediscovering their love of football, having all lost interest for the last few years.
lejackal
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The glory hunter mentality gets on my tits. Getting Arsenal tickets has been easy for years, never had a problem, not even for the NLD. Now all of a sudden I can't get a ticket for anything. Where were these ***** when we were losing to every ******.
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That's a ninth home draw in the FA Cup in a row for Man Utd. Apparently the odds of that happening are 511 to 1. Also we've drawn Reading or West Ham 14 times in the last 16 years.
Pool have had Wolves (three times) and Everton (twice) in the 3rd round of the FAC five times in the last six years. And had something daft like 18 PL opponents out of a possible 25 (ish) in domestic cups since Klopp took over.
I see City got the obligitory easy draw too. Even when they get tough draws in domestic cups, Chlesea twice, Pool (worthless cup) and Arsenal (FAC) they are ALL at home. They are a fantastic side and their dominance speaks for itself. But if you keep getting cushy draws or home draws, it definitely helps.
No doubt the Utd game will be televised as well. For 926th time out of 925 FAC games. Although that's a pretty boring round of fixtures so I can understand the TV Exec just plumping for the most popular team. Albeit they would probably do it even if we had more exciting games to choose from.
I see City got the obligitory easy draw too. Even when they get tough draws in domestic cups, Chlesea twice, Pool (worthless cup) and Arsenal (FAC) they are ALL at home. They are a fantastic side and their dominance speaks for itself. But if you keep getting cushy draws or home draws, it definitely helps.
No doubt the Utd game will be televised as well. For 926th time out of 925 FAC games. Although that's a pretty boring round of fixtures so I can understand the TV Exec just plumping for the most popular team. Albeit they would probably do it even if we had more exciting games to choose from.
Cancelo to Bayern. Strange one. Sounds like he had a bust up with Pep and Pep has ****** him out. Very strange though.
City will prob just go and spunk 50m on another LB.
Ohh and I heard on shout sport, if Chelsea sell Connor Gallagher for decent money this transfer window they will actually report a profit despite signing 97 players for a combined 500 billion. The signings' fees are written off over the duration of their 8yr contracts, so a 70m signing on a 7yr contract is only 10m in this window. Whereas if they sell Gallagher the fee is ALL reported in this window (even if it is paid in instalments). So flog him for 40m, say, and they can claim an accounting profit of 30m. 10m out the door on the 70m signing 40m in from Gallagher leaving a profit of 30m.
Which is ridiculous.
Even more so when they may have paid 70m up front for the signing and accepted 10m and 30m in instalments for Gallagher. So their real spend is a 60m loss.
UEFA's and football's accountancy rules are ******* daft.
City will prob just go and spunk 50m on another LB.
Ohh and I heard on shout sport, if Chelsea sell Connor Gallagher for decent money this transfer window they will actually report a profit despite signing 97 players for a combined 500 billion. The signings' fees are written off over the duration of their 8yr contracts, so a 70m signing on a 7yr contract is only 10m in this window. Whereas if they sell Gallagher the fee is ALL reported in this window (even if it is paid in instalments). So flog him for 40m, say, and they can claim an accounting profit of 30m. 10m out the door on the 70m signing 40m in from Gallagher leaving a profit of 30m.
Which is ridiculous.
Even more so when they may have paid 70m up front for the signing and accepted 10m and 30m in instalments for Gallagher. So their real spend is a 60m loss.
UEFA's and football's accountancy rules are ******* daft.
He went from being amazing to **** in Fantasy Football over the last month, probably related!
lejackal
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Aren't you in for the guy from Sporting? Or was that Chelsea?Well there's 8 hours until the transfer window closes, and Spurs have... loaned out one player
EDIT: apparently Doherty is being loaned out too!
Liverpool have announced Konate has torn his hamstring.Well there's 8 hours until the transfer window closes, and Spurs have... loaned out one player
EDIT: apparently Doherty is being loaned out too!
Swap?
lejackal
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lejackal
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Rather unapologetically here's an article that interested me from an Arsenal perspective (Balogun is on loan at Reims, and also top of the tree for goals in Ligue Un), however I thought a few of you might be interested in the fact the manager is only 30, and doesn't even have his pro licence apparently.
https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/will-still-interview-reims-west-ham/
https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/will-still-interview-reims-west-ham/
Yeah, I mean how many 20 year old millionaires are going to be nice guys? Funnily enough one of the few who actually seems to be quite grounded and down to earth, Harry Kane, gets nothing but stick, so 
lejackal
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I mean there's not nice and then there's what he was accused of.Yeah, I mean how many 20 year old millionaires are going to be nice guys? Funnily enough one of the few who actually seems to be quite grounded and down to earth, Harry Kane, gets nothing but stick, so
Kane does seem to keep his head down etc, can't argue with that. Don't go expecting me to be nicer than that about him though
Utd have a tough call to make on Greenwood. He wasn't found not guilty or innocent. The charges were dropped. Those are not the same thing. The audio clip is fairly damming. Morally Utd should wash their hands of him. If it was another business, say Hollywood/TV, he wouldn't work again. But this is football.
Harry Kane may be a nice guy off the pitch, but on it he is one of my least favourite PL players by a LONG LONG way. Dirty **** who gets away with murder cos he is Engerlund captain.
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Yes it really is a tough one, charges dropped and we all know why. Sad that only 1 in 60 rape cases end in conviction in the UK. Largely due to lack of evidence or the main witness refusing to give evidence.
All that said does everyone deserve a second chance? I'm not sure? Does Greenwood want to play for Man Utd again? His contract runs until 2025 with the option of a 1 year extension. Personally think maybe a loan would be an idea if he wants to continue playing football. He's 21 and not played for 13 months.
I believe he's a generational talent, but that doesn't mean much to the public court of opinion which he will have to deal with if he continues in football.
As for the English biased, it's embarrassing some times. Antony is taking all the **** at Man Utd now 11 PL appearances and 3 goals no assists. Jack Grealish last season 26 PL appearances 3 goals 3 assists last season. No coincidence Jadon Sancho is fighting Antony for a start. Imagine if Harry Maquire was as good as Veran, Maquire would be lorded as the best centre back in the world.
I suppose it's not as bad as the 90's when Sherringham, Shearer and Owen always got picked for England and Wright, Cole, Les Ferdinand and Stan Collymore were lucky to get the odd cameo.
All that said does everyone deserve a second chance? I'm not sure? Does Greenwood want to play for Man Utd again? His contract runs until 2025 with the option of a 1 year extension. Personally think maybe a loan would be an idea if he wants to continue playing football. He's 21 and not played for 13 months.
I believe he's a generational talent, but that doesn't mean much to the public court of opinion which he will have to deal with if he continues in football.
As for the English biased, it's embarrassing some times. Antony is taking all the **** at Man Utd now 11 PL appearances and 3 goals no assists. Jack Grealish last season 26 PL appearances 3 goals 3 assists last season. No coincidence Jadon Sancho is fighting Antony for a start. Imagine if Harry Maquire was as good as Veran, Maquire would be lorded as the best centre back in the world.
I suppose it's not as bad as the 90's when Sherringham, Shearer and Owen always got picked for England and Wright, Cole, Les Ferdinand and Stan Collymore were lucky to get the odd cameo.
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I suspect Utd will find a way not to pick him until the summer, TBF it will take him a while to get match fit again. I don't think he has been training with the club so fitness, match sharpness and touch will be ropey as hell. That alone will take a few months to get back. That is a handy excuse. Then flog him or loan him out with an option/compulsion to buy. Problem solved.
Utd know how good he is, maybe that should be "was" as a year odd is a long old time to be out, but they also know the damage him playing will do to their reputation and to their standing with sponsors etc.
Yes, Greenwood had the charges dropped, but everyone has heard that tape and everyone knows what it is. Them playing him will be taken as condoning what he did, even though that is not what it would be.
Utd must surely know the court of public opinion will crucify them if they play him again. Sponsorship deals are what keep Utd going and they will not be helped by people associating Utd with someone who has no issues with forcing himself on women whenever he fancies.
I know it's easy for me as a non Utd fan, but if he was a Liverpool player, I wouldn't want him anywhere near the club. Regardless of how good he was. Sell him you can, but don't play him.
Utd know how good he is, maybe that should be "was" as a year odd is a long old time to be out, but they also know the damage him playing will do to their reputation and to their standing with sponsors etc.
Yes, Greenwood had the charges dropped, but everyone has heard that tape and everyone knows what it is. Them playing him will be taken as condoning what he did, even though that is not what it would be.
Utd must surely know the court of public opinion will crucify them if they play him again. Sponsorship deals are what keep Utd going and they will not be helped by people associating Utd with someone who has no issues with forcing himself on women whenever he fancies.
I know it's easy for me as a non Utd fan, but if he was a Liverpool player, I wouldn't want him anywhere near the club. Regardless of how good he was. Sell him you can, but don't play him.
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No after digesting it over the last day, I don't want him at the club again. Sponsors have an embarrassment claws in the contract, which you would think is enough to put Utd off bringing him back.
I do believe in second chances for everyone. 21 is no age, just think Man Utd is to bigger profile club for him.
I'll never forget Man City won the league with a sex offender on the wing.
I do believe in second chances for everyone. 21 is no age, just think Man Utd is to bigger profile club for him.
I'll never forget Man City won the league with a sex offender on the wing.
Genuine question here, how do you go from being 1pt (cough soft penalty for City at Wolves) and Courtious having the game of his life, from the first ever quadruple. To being two down away to the lowest scorers in the PL inside TWELVE minutes. And then losing 3-0 (I heard it could have been more by HT)?
If it was one freak result, then 'fair enough' they happen. Lampard's Everton got a pt at City FFS. But Pool are getting worse as the season progresses. Injuries haven't helped, but they do not excuse consistently dreadful performances like this.
I've lost track of how often Pool have shipped the first goal too. It's something ridiculous like 22 times in 30 games.
Real in a few weeks and the world's most dislikable club will knock Pool out of the CL for the 4th time in 5yrs. One final where Karius puts in the worst goal keeping display in CL (final) history and Ramos snaps Salah, 1 knock out game where Pool had Nat Phillips and Kabak at CB, a final where Courtious has the game of his life and now a game where an Under 9's blind girl's side would thump Pool. I HATE Real, but the luck they have had against Pool in the CL is really starting to piss me off.
Football truly is a **** sport lol
If it was one freak result, then 'fair enough' they happen. Lampard's Everton got a pt at City FFS. But Pool are getting worse as the season progresses. Injuries haven't helped, but they do not excuse consistently dreadful performances like this.
I've lost track of how often Pool have shipped the first goal too. It's something ridiculous like 22 times in 30 games.
Real in a few weeks and the world's most dislikable club will knock Pool out of the CL for the 4th time in 5yrs. One final where Karius puts in the worst goal keeping display in CL (final) history and Ramos snaps Salah, 1 knock out game where Pool had Nat Phillips and Kabak at CB, a final where Courtious has the game of his life and now a game where an Under 9's blind girl's side would thump Pool. I HATE Real, but the luck they have had against Pool in the CL is really starting to piss me off.
Football truly is a **** sport lol
Yep it certainly can seem unfair at times (just look at the top of the table!) but I think a massive part of it is belief and confidence. It doesn't matter how talented your players are as individuals, or how good your manager is, if you're playing with doubt and fear in your head. And that's also why sometimes teams that look bang average on paper (again look at the top of the table) can do really well if they are full of spirit.
I said the same to an Arsenal supporting mate today. Fair ***** they are top of the league and you don't fluke it after 20 ish games, but looking at that Arsenal team, there are maybe two I would have taken at Pool (pre season before Pool imploded, right now I'd take Arsenal's tea lady and play her in midfield, she would be an improvement) but they play well as a team and they have confidence. That's why they are top of the league. Newcastle are similar, not many I would take, but they are confident and play well as a team.
Then you look at Pool and they have less confidence than a 15 year old virgin trying to chat up Megan Fox. On paper Pool's team and squad is head and shoulders above Arsenal's. In practice, Arsenal are so far ahead of Pool it's not even close. Confidence breeds momentum and that gets you places in football.
Then you look at Pool and they have less confidence than a 15 year old virgin trying to chat up Megan Fox. On paper Pool's team and squad is head and shoulders above Arsenal's. In practice, Arsenal are so far ahead of Pool it's not even close. Confidence breeds momentum and that gets you places in football.
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I agree it's a large percentage down to confidence and psychology (in the head). Look at Everton a new coach walks through the door and before he's even said anything I bet the Everton players mind set changed positively. Yeah of course tactics come into it.
I'm not saying this is 100% why Liverpool have dropped off a cliff but last season has screwed with some of those players mentality.
The Arsenal game today with 15 minutes to go I said if Arsenal win this game they win the league….we will see what happens but I fancy City a lot more now than I did 12 hours ago.
I do think Klopp 100% deserves next season and perhaps another to build a new team, but as football is I wouldn't be surprised if he walks. He's pretty much immune to being sacked surely. I mean if you sack him how do you upgrade?
I'm not saying this is 100% why Liverpool have dropped off a cliff but last season has screwed with some of those players mentality.
The Arsenal game today with 15 minutes to go I said if Arsenal win this game they win the league….we will see what happens but I fancy City a lot more now than I did 12 hours ago.
I do think Klopp 100% deserves next season and perhaps another to build a new team, but as football is I wouldn't be surprised if he walks. He's pretty much immune to being sacked surely. I mean if you sack him how do you upgrade?
