- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
- Messages
- 9,034
That's Everton relegated, 12 point deduction incoming. I can't see them recovering from that.
Just need Man City to be treated the same.
Just need Man City to be treated the same.
Premier League 23/24 Thread
- Thread starter lejackal
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
- Messages
- 9,034
Yeap!
Agreed.
If Everton get 12pts for one breech and City have 115 charges against them (granted some are probably small and Everton's may have been bigger and or more blatant) there's no chance City can be allowed to stay in the profession leagues. They'll be relegated to Sunday league games against the Dog and Duck, second eleven. Assuming they are found guilty, and we all know the FA/PL will chicken out of that. Much easier to go after a smaller fish who was probably going to go down soon anyway.
If Everton get 12pts for one breech and City have 115 charges against them (granted some are probably small and Everton's may have been bigger and or more blatant) there's no chance City can be allowed to stay in the profession leagues. They'll be relegated to Sunday league games against the Dog and Duck, second eleven. Assuming they are found guilty, and we all know the FA/PL will chicken out of that. Much easier to go after a smaller fish who was probably going to go down soon anyway.
Utd spanked yesterday. The second half was men against boys, but that penalty was ****ing harsh. Yeah, it was a foul by the letter of the law but you see **** like that a dozen times in every game and thy are never guven. Why VAR felt that was a "clear and obvious error" I will never know. ****ing harsh on Utd and yet another example of VAR being shite and City getting the rub of the green. It goes with the offside that apparently wasn't interfering with play despite being stood in front of Fulham's keeper, the handball against Rodri that wasn't hand ball despite ehhh hitting his hand, and the pen against Wolves were it hit yer man in the armpit.
Still, small skint clubs like City need all the help they can get.
In truth, I doubt the penalty affected the outcome of the game, I think City would have beaten them anyway, but I am struggling to think of a time City have been done over by VAR.
Still, small skint clubs like City need all the help they can get.
In truth, I doubt the penalty affected the outcome of the game, I think City would have beaten them anyway, but I am struggling to think of a time City have been done over by VAR.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
- Messages
- 9,034
Also Kovavic should have had a straight red against Arsenal. But yeah Man City are light years ahead of Utd. Worrying thing I can see Liverpool, Newcastle, Spurs, Villa and probably even Chelsea coming to Old Trafford and doing the same. Brighton and City already have.
Hojlund could/should have gone down for a similar incident in the second half and that would have been a straight red. Then Maquire pulled Harland worse in the second half and nothing was given.
I'm not sure how anyone can be surprised at the result, playing the best team in the world with Evans and Maquire as your centre back pairing, I don't think Luton would be happy with that! Harlands second goal was ridiculous, the best number 9 in the world left unmarked, unbelievable.
I love Ten Hag and he should be given time, at least another 18 months, but if he keeps picking the same players he will end up sacking himself. That said we do have our entire first choice back 4 and the DM out injured.
Hojlund could/should have gone down for a similar incident in the second half and that would have been a straight red. Then Maquire pulled Harland worse in the second half and nothing was given.
I'm not sure how anyone can be surprised at the result, playing the best team in the world with Evans and Maquire as your centre back pairing, I don't think Luton would be happy with that! Harlands second goal was ridiculous, the best number 9 in the world left unmarked, unbelievable.
I love Ten Hag and he should be given time, at least another 18 months, but if he keeps picking the same players he will end up sacking himself. That said we do have our entire first choice back 4 and the DM out injured.
Speaking of centre backs, it's no coincidence that Spurs are top of the league having dropped Dier and Sanchez. People keep saying we're playing better without Harry Kane - I don't think that's true, he would have scored a dozen of the chances Richarlison has squandered so far this season. It's all to do with our new defence and goalkeeper IMO.
I'd forgotten about the Kovacic foul, chalk another one up for City.
I actually said the same thing when Hojlund was struggling to stay up. Dive and he gets a pen, or was the foul just outside? But when I saw the replay I'm not sure there was enough contact for a foul. They come together rather than yer man fouling him. Seen them given, but I probably wouldn't have given it.
I'm not sure the "leave Haaland unmarked, twice, in the six yard box" tactic that Utd tried will catch on. The one save Onana made was more cos Haaland fluffed it than Onana pulling off a worldie.
Will ETH get 18months? He has had a few injuries but as people are starting to point out, not many of his signings have improved at Utd, or improved Utd since they signed. Casemiro, Varane and maybe Martinez. But the first two have 927 CL winners medals between them. We knew they were class acts. Albeit class acts who are past their best, still very good, but age will start to get them soon.
You can hear the media circus starting to hype up about Ten Hag/Utd in crisis. He doesn't have the ex pro friends that OGS does. AND Fat Sam is available
I will never know WHAT THE **** possessed Spurs to buy Richarlison, especially for 60m. Move that decimal place one spot to the left and you are about right.
I suspect we find out how good Spurs really are when they get a few injuries and or when they get a few bad results/VAR shockers. Still, no arguments they have been the surprise package of the season so far.
I actually said the same thing when Hojlund was struggling to stay up. Dive and he gets a pen, or was the foul just outside? But when I saw the replay I'm not sure there was enough contact for a foul. They come together rather than yer man fouling him. Seen them given, but I probably wouldn't have given it.
I'm not sure the "leave Haaland unmarked, twice, in the six yard box" tactic that Utd tried will catch on. The one save Onana made was more cos Haaland fluffed it than Onana pulling off a worldie.
Will ETH get 18months? He has had a few injuries but as people are starting to point out, not many of his signings have improved at Utd, or improved Utd since they signed. Casemiro, Varane and maybe Martinez. But the first two have 927 CL winners medals between them. We knew they were class acts. Albeit class acts who are past their best, still very good, but age will start to get them soon.
You can hear the media circus starting to hype up about Ten Hag/Utd in crisis. He doesn't have the ex pro friends that OGS does. AND Fat Sam is available
I will never know WHAT THE **** possessed Spurs to buy Richarlison, especially for 60m. Move that decimal place one spot to the left and you are about right.
I suspect we find out how good Spurs really are when they get a few injuries and or when they get a few bad results/VAR shockers. Still, no arguments they have been the surprise package of the season so far.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
- Messages
- 9,034
I would say all of his permanent signings apart from Mount walk straight into the team when everyone is fit. Malacia being the exception but he's a young left back. All the signings he's made are consistent with all the signings over the last decade that Utd have made. Which for me points towards the lack of sporting director at the club. Main stream media will come out with statements like he's had 16 players. When in fact he's had 8 permanent signings one being a free transfer. Hojland is a brilliant signing, but he's in the graveyard shift as the number 9. Antony had a descent first season 10 goals. Never a £90 million player, but Ten Hag doesn't negotiate the price of a player.
Then you've got the nonsense that he's playing like Ole and Jose, not true, we're number 1 for winning the ball in the final third. He's also going to be the fastest Man Utd coach ever to win 50 games. He's baffling me with his persistence with Rashford, Bruno and McSauce. But again 2 of those he tried to sell and they clearly aren't good enough. Some how they keep ending up back in the first team. You can't dismiss the fact his entire defence has been decimated all season, Klopp and Pep would see a dip in performance and indeed have in the past.
Also I would love someone to explain to me what the plan is if you sack Ten Hag, I'm pretty sure I could dismantle any argument for bringing another coach in now. Let's face it if he did get sacked the Glazers would probably get Darren Fletcher as interim coach until the end of the season. £800 million of debt, rotting stadium, no money to spend in January, players that aren't good enough but can't be sold, yeah good luck new manager.
Then you've got the nonsense that he's playing like Ole and Jose, not true, we're number 1 for winning the ball in the final third. He's also going to be the fastest Man Utd coach ever to win 50 games. He's baffling me with his persistence with Rashford, Bruno and McSauce. But again 2 of those he tried to sell and they clearly aren't good enough. Some how they keep ending up back in the first team. You can't dismiss the fact his entire defence has been decimated all season, Klopp and Pep would see a dip in performance and indeed have in the past.
Also I would love someone to explain to me what the plan is if you sack Ten Hag, I'm pretty sure I could dismantle any argument for bringing another coach in now. Let's face it if he did get sacked the Glazers would probably get Darren Fletcher as interim coach until the end of the season. £800 million of debt, rotting stadium, no money to spend in January, players that aren't good enough but can't be sold, yeah good luck new manager.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
- Messages
- 9,034
Spurs are doing unbelievably well and they may well have finally hit the jackpot with the coach. But Jesus they've been buying a raffle ticket every 2 seasons for decades, it had to happen eventually. Just like Liverpool, took them 30 years to get the right man. You can't count Banitez for fluking the CL!
I agree with chunks of what you say. Not sure I would call Anthony's first season "decent". 'Underwhelming' would be my choice of word. He hasn't looked worth even half of what Utd paid. I do agree that isn't necessarily Ten Hag's fault, he doesn't negotiate the fee. And, yeah, sacking him just moves you back to square one. Club loyalty aside, I wouldn't sack him. He's a decent manager, I'm not sure you get a better one if you fire him, and Utd are a shambles. I am not sure he is the man to sort it out and return Utd to their glory days (I dont think anyone could do that) but I think he is as good as you will get and he should sort out SOME of the mess.
As for his defence being injured, yeap, look how well Pool did the season they had no CB's. You can argue it is poor squad manage, a few Utd fans told me that when Pool struggled. But I think that's harsh. Injuries happen but in an average season you don't expect to have all 3 of your CB's out for the season by Jan in Pool's case, or a procession of 1-2 months injuries for two thirds of your defenders in Utd's case. Freak situations and ETH deserves to cut some slack for it.
Saying that he is making a few strange calls. Was Varane injured at the weekend and not fit to start? Otherwise he should be in. I might have been tempted to risk a half fit Varane but I dont know the scale of the injury/fitness. Even at that, Lindeloft at LB? Why not play him at CB, is he not better than fat maguire and Johnny Evans? Casemiro benched? Same as Varane.
But all managers make weird calls, and I dont know fitness levels etc. Those ones just seemed very strange to me.
It does have the feel of media vultures starting to circle though. A few wins will sort that, but this has been a poor season so far for Utd. They have regressed from last year, even allowing for injuries. 28 games to go though!
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
- Messages
- 9,034
The team selection is baffling, Casemiro was still injured from the international break. The rest I really don't know what he's thinking. One thought I had is he could be thinking about the Newcastle game on Wednesday??? I mean Man City were always going to beat us and perhaps he thinks the league cup could save him??
One thing I do know is when Ten Hag leaves Man Utd there will be plenty of clubs in Europe offering him a job and given the right conditions I believe he's a top coach. You don't get Ajax to within 3 minutes of a CL final without having some skill level.
28 games to go, on present form that's another 14 defeats. That would mean we finish with 57 points. Abismal.
One thing I do know is when Ten Hag leaves Man Utd there will be plenty of clubs in Europe offering him a job and given the right conditions I believe he's a top coach. You don't get Ajax to within 3 minutes of a CL final without having some skill level.
28 games to go, on present form that's another 14 defeats. That would mean we finish with 57 points. Abismal.
I definitely can't argue that things have gone our way this season so far, will see how long it lasts! IMO you can't win anything without a bit of luck. Somebody pointed this out to me yesterday though, Spurs (and a few other teams) haven't been awarded any penalties yet, look who's miles out in front again...
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
- Messages
- 9,034
Yeah I saw a stat the other day it showed since Klopp moaned about Man Utd getting to many pens Man City have had 18, Liverpool 14 and Man Utd 4. I pointed out it just shows how little Man Utd spend in the opponents penalty box compared to the top teams. 
I watched Spurs against Palace, Maddison was the player for me, everything went through him. Table doesn't lie.
I watched Spurs against Palace, Maddison was the player for me, everything went through him. Table doesn't lie.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
- Messages
- 9,034
Oh yeah I agree and I don't think Spurs will do it. That said Spurs have been closer to winning one of the big trophies than Arsenal in the last 10 years. Arsenals title challenge literally came from know where. Spurs has kind of but they have a group of players that have pushed for top 4 consistently recently.
We all know Man City will end up winning it.
We all know Man City will end up winning it.
I think that's called "mean reversion". There was a season, maybe the yr Utd did well under Ole, were Utd got something daft like 17 penalties. I think the next highest was 8-10. That was just a weird statistical quirk. I think they got more penalties than any side in PL history. Now they are getting slightly fewer than you would expect. Not to do with Ref's thinking "ohh it's Utd they get loads of pens, I better not give it." More just the other side of the coin from the time when they got tonnes.
I haven't explained that well at all. But it's like City getting cushy home draw after cushy home draw in the domestic cups, you know eventually they will hit a patch of tricky away ties….and probably still ****ing cruise them.
Comfortable win in the end 
Typical we get Liverpool away in the next round
Typical we get Liverpool away in the next round 
