Premier League 24/25 Thread

[lejackal]

Instant reaction, yep, two amazing strikes from a guy that has never scored a direct free kick as a pro, but honestly it could have been four or five. Yes, Madrid were not what you would fear in this competition, but Arsenal bossed the match. Obviously we'll draw the tie and lose on pens but I'm over the ******* moon right now.

 

[weasel]

I only half watched it, I missed chunks of the first half so no idea if it was deserved or not. The commentators did say Arsenal would be disappointed not to be ahead at HT, so I assume it wasnt undeserved. Not that any victory over that lot is to be sniffed at, however it comes. If anything an undeserved victory would be even sweater, given how many times they have robbed sides in Europe. 2 goals in stoppage time to beat City, a keeper who makes more saves in a final than anyone previously to beat Pool, a CB who dislocates Salah's shoulder and then concusses Karius, multiple multiple dodgy offside goals and questionable penalties that ALWAYS go for them (or against their opposition). Great to see them duffed.

But…..it's Arsenal. They don't do winning CL knock out ties. I can totally see them losing 4-0 in Madrid. I hope they don't, but they have it in them.
First goal out there is huge, Arsenal get it, it's game over. The Madridistas, or whatever their overly spoilt glory hunter fans are called, will turn on that team in seconds. Carlo is getting sacked if they lose. Then does Alonso take over? Will that make Leverkusen more likely to sell a few, Frimpong and Wirtz?
Alternatively, Real score early and it's a real test of Arsenal's mettle.
Now just rest your whole first team this weekend please, probably best rest the second team and the kids too. Play the tea lady, on her own.

Fair ***** to Arsenal though, some result.

Rice will never hit two sweeter feee kicks in his life!

 

[weasel]

Come on Villa!

If PSG play like they did against Pool (they are the best side Pool have played this year by quite some way) then Villa are in trouble.
But in Emery they have one of the best cup managers around (and that is not an insult, quite the opposite).
A one, or even two goal defeat out there is not the end of the world, albeit we saw what they did at Anfield.

 

[theforceuk]

Unbelievable strikes from Rice! Arsenal could go all the way. At least it's looking like Real Madrid won't get anywhere near winning it.

Anyone talking about how bad City are? I watched the derby and although it was poor Utd were by far the better team. After the game all the talk was about how Man Utd are struggling but no mention of City spending £150 million in January and still looking ****! Genuinely think City will miss out on a top 5 spot.

 

[weasel]

Ehhh, I think we saw the two finalists last night.
That PSG side look proper special, and Barca have a cake walk to the final.

 

[weasel]

If ever there was a way to show Nemanja Matic that you aren't the worst keeper in Utd's PL history, dropping two absolute howlers is definitely it.

Utd paid, what, 50m for someone who barely looks non-league level.

#Legend

 

[theforceuk]

In one transfer window we bought Onana, Hojland and Mount for £170 million……..

Drop Onana and we would have a chance of Europa League success, but Amorim wants to flog a dead horse apparently.

 

[edd_jedi]

@weasel I bet you're happy Salah is staying! He seemed determined to leave a few months ago, I wonder what's changed.

 

[lejackal]

@weasel I bet you're happy Salah is staying! He seemed determined to leave a few months ago, I wonder what's changed.

His salary

 

[weasel]

I don't think he was ever for leaving. Ditto VVD (that'll be that jinxed).
Salah knows what he has at Liverpool, there are only a handful of sides, maybe a dozen at most, that he could go to and have the same chances of a title/CL. He knows signing to another PL side would destroy his rapport with the Liverpool fans. Real don't need him, Barca cant afford him, that leaves Bayern and PSG. There were rumours of him and PSG but I'm not sure how he fits their new 'no galacticos' policy, or how keen he really was. Saudi is his ultimate destination, but he is too competitive and driven to go to a retirement league now. Give him two years and he'll probably end up there.
As for what changed, TAA leaving freed up some wages I suspect. I doubt there was much between the sides all along. My understanding is both he and VVD were more concerned about contract duration than salary.

Sounds like his salary stayed the same, they just rolled the contract over for two years.


Still going to be an interesting summer at Pool, assuming VVD stays,
I expect a LB, CB and probably a CM and CF. That'll be…..cheap.

 

[lejackal]

1st half summary:
A soft penalty awarded
A **** penalty taken
A ridiculous corner awarded
A soft penalty overturned

2nd half to come and I don't think I could feel more worried about a 3-0 lead if I tried

 

[lejackal]

Hey Siri, what's the Italian for "you're getting sacked in the morning"

 

[weasel]

Hey Siri, what's the Italian for "you're getting sacked in the morning"

I said that to my brother last night, the way Real work if you don't at least make the CL semi's you're gone.

Not like they can have any complaints either, Arsenal were very comfortable. Real had one chance when Saliba switched off and that was it. Their subs made FA difference as well.

Not sure TAA solves any of the issues I saw last night, but that's Real's problem.

Great to see them get duffed, slap it right up them.

Good luck Arsenal against PSG. That's a whole different level of opponent. PSG have forwards who run AND track back!

 

[lejackal]

They want Saliba, but even he won't solve every issue. Arsenal works because everyone works. Hopefully after that **** show Saliba will sign a new deal

 

[weasel]

Amazing the difference selling lazy assed forwards has made to PSG.

Two years ago they had three lazy fuckers who hardly ran, and 8 poor bastards who had to do a marathon every 90mins. Now they have 11 boys all pulling in the same direction and suddenly they look like a team. Must be a coincidence.


Hopefully Real continue to regress, if ever a club deserved a few years (decades hopefully) out if the limelight…….

 

[lejackal]

I thought this was worth a share:

Most competitive league in the world?

 

[lejackal]

Big Sam in until the end of the season

 

[lejackal]

With Leeds and Burnley promoted who would you want to see back (or for the first time) from the remaining contenders?

I think as I live there I'd have to plump for Coventry, although Bristol or Millwall making their debut would be fantastic (acknowledging football didn't exist pre 1992)

 

[edd_jedi]

Would be great to see Coventry or Bristol City in the PL

 

[lejackal]

Would be great to see Coventry or Bristol City in the PL

Less keen on Millwall then lol

 

[theforceuk]

Sheffield Utd for me.

 

[weasel]

Bristol City for me. Someone new and not one of the usual yoyo clubs.
Coventry also fit that bill given how long it has been since they went down.

Millwall ehhh…..yeah. Let's just leave them and their utterly lovely fans where they are!

 

[lejackal]

I'm sure they're just misunderstood

 

[Cazza]

It's a fantastic league. Such a shame that the step-up looks nigh on impossible these days. Would like to see Bristol City. I live fairly near and know lots of fans. They're actually quite an arrogant bunch and Ashton Gate has quite an unpleasant atmosphere, but would be really good for the area.

 

[weasel]

Been to Ashton Gate, once.
Way back in my uni days to watch BC against Cambridge Utd in the LDV vans, Southern Section, Semi final, second leg. Try saying that when you're drunk!
Cambridge hadn't won away all season, and I think they went down that year, but they beat BC 1-0.

The locals ehhh took it well! So, I could well believe that @Cazza

 

[Cazza]

They're a pretty toxic bunch!

 

[weasel]

Aye, we had police on horseback escort us out. The hatred was genuinely quite bizarre. No one likes losing a cup semi especially when you are the better side, but you try to be magnanimous…ish. You don't act like the fans of the other side just murdered your sainted granny. Unless you support BC

 

[Cazza]

Yep, it's weird. Went to a game vs WHU when we were last in the Championship and it was so toxic, both inside and out of the ground. It was almost as bad as going to Millwall!

 

[weasel]

I never had the chance to (decline) go(ing) to Millwall. Happy for that not to change.

I wonder will any of the promoted sides stay up next year? Utd fans have to be hoping they don't or Utd could be bang in trouble

 

[theforceuk]

Congratulations Liverpool, well deserved title, clearly been the best team and it's a bloody hard league to win.