Manchester United in "not as good as the pundits think they are" shock. Despite being often outplayed by Southampton and Crystal Palace in their last two games, the pundits yet again go with the scoreline rather than any meaningful analysis (like looking at the contribution of VAR/refs, and ignoring the fact they weren't very good).
What's the Utd take on De Gea? In a slump in form, or just in total decline. Lucky for him he's got a big contract with you guys until 2023, cause no one else (sane) is giving him that until he stops throwing them in. Any clue why Romero wasn't playing yesterday - not aware of him making any big errors in the FA Cup, so preferring an inconsistent De Gea seems a strange move to me. Not that I'm not grateful for De Gea's performance against us a little while back.
De Gea's always been prone to wobbles even in his earlier seasons, it's just the pundits didn't highlight them like they did with Gomes, David James etc
It seems very strange mentioning this team in "Rival Watch", however there seems to be a lot of talk of a team I vaguely recall called Leeds United. The point I wanted to make is how all the pundits I've heard seem unanimous that "everyone thinks" that the Premier League will be better for having Leeds in it. It is one of those examples where all the pundits say the same thing and nobody dare voice a contrary opinion. Well I was just wondering who all the "everyone" is? I certainly don't think the PL will be better for having Leeds in it. Moreover it seems to me just another example of "entitlement" - you know where certain teams are entitled to finish in the top four regardless of how good they are. Now we have a team that is apparently entitled to be in the PL, which I disagree with, but I also think the football public don't agree with the pundits on this one.
Not referring to Leeds specifically, but I hate the idea that some teams "should" be in the Premier League and I include us in that. Clubs need to earn it (barring the Woolwich). Thinking otherwise is the football equivalent of "Do you know who I am?". I don't give a **** who you are, mate. I care what you've done to get here. Brighton may have spent the vast majority of their history in the lower leagues, but they've earned their place at the table. Blackburn, Forest, Wednesday and Sunderland may have double figures in silverware, but they got relegated on merit, as it should be. There's no monarchy in sport.
I've said on here that I'm glad to see them in the Prem, but that is only for the novelty value. I'd think the same if Huddersfield or Sheffield Wednesday gained promotion. However I don't think they are entitled at all, although they have the resources (potential) to have an impact that the likes of Brighton or Bournemouth are unlikely to have, it is just about what they bring to the pitch. A meritocracy always I hope. I was concerned by OS's post earlier - not something I have personally witnessed. Like Chelsea, no place for racist fans and if they bring that with them, then the sooner they are relegated the better.
I get what you mean but some clubs bring more to the competition than others. Having the traditional big clubs in the top league adds to the spectacle and makes it more exciting for me.
I always remember a story from when Nottingham Forest were in the third tier a few years ago playing against Tranmere, where at one point in the game one of their fans piped up how they were the only team in that division to win a European Cup...only to be told he was at a football match, not playing a game of Top Trumps
He's been very dodgy for two years now, i suspect it has something to do with a change of goalkeeping coach. His agility and reactions are still there but his positioning and handling have gone ****. You are right to ask about Romero, he has played every cup game for us and never made a single mistake, if i were him i would be royally pissed with last night.
I like the variation. Seeing Huddersfield, Brighton and the like getting promoted offers something different for us and hope to other teams. It's good that the top flight over here doesn't just see a few clubs switch places every year.
