Match Day Thread Premier League, Cups & Euro Watch

[The IncREDibles]

We played the same in the semi that year against Barca, somewhat out of necessity when we went down to ten men after John Terry decided to do a WWE flying knee drop on Alexis Sanchez.
We absorbed all their pressure and Fernando Torres hit them on the counter....the best contribution he made for us during his tenure in blue!

You also won the CL under Tuchel with similar tactics, against Man City.

 

[InBiscanWeTrust]

I didn't see the whole game, but from what I did see I'd say they were outplayed. Surely no team of their stature plays for penalties? They would have wanted to win that game in normal time, but they weren't allowed to. Ultimately their play won them the game, but penalties are a lottery and not a viable game plan.

I guess because Madrid scored after 12 mins and were ahead they had no need to open up and make the game end to end. Sit back in and defend and if it works then brilliant.

City only scored in 75th min so I can understand madrid then sitting back and being outplayed for that 15 mins and not wanting to lose the game there and end up taking it to ET and pens.

before that they were prob fine with city dominating the ball etc.

 

[InBiscanWeTrust]

We played the same in the semi that year against Barca, somewhat out of necessity when we went down to ten men after John Terry decided to do a WWE flying knee drop on Alexis Sanchez.
We absorbed all their pressure and Fernando Torres hit them on the counter....the best contribution he made for us during his tenure in blue!

Still makes me laugh the amount of hype that Torres goal got, you were going through without it anyway. Not like it was the winner or anything.

 

[Bodinki]

Still makes me laugh the amount of hype that Torres goal got, you were going through without it anyway. Not like it was the winner or anything.

Aye we would have gone through on away goals, but that goal killed the tie.
It was squeaky bum up until that point, that goal settled it. Going two up with little time left meant we could start breathing again

 

[johnsonsbaby]

What are we predicting for the CL final, an oil derby?

Well that worked

 

[saintanton]

Aye we would have gone through on away goals, but that goal killed the tie.
It was squeaky bum up until that point, that goal settled it. Going two up with little time left meant we could start breathing again

What's your opinion on the Chelsea penalty fiasco, Bod?

 

[Bodinki]

What's your opinion on the Chelsea penalty fiasco, Bod?

That Manueke and Jackson were looking to pad their stats because they know they have been playing mediocre all season and that Palmer has been stealing all the headlines, and because they are immature bell ends, they wanted to get into the spotlight and in doing so embarrassed themselves, the club and the manager.
Pretty much no other explanation for it really

 

[saintanton]

That Manueke and Jackson were looking to pad their stats because they know they have been playing mediocre all season and that Palmer has been stealing all the headlines, and because they are immature bell ends, they wanted to get into the spotlight and in doing so embarrassed themselves, the club and the manager.
Pretty much no other explanation for it really

I think that because we see really talented players from say 18 onwards it's easy to forget that they're little more than big kids, and even young men in their early twenties are often very immature. It then comes as a shock to see them act like children in such a situation. Adulation and wealth at such a young age can easily go to their heads.
I wonder whether they'd have been fighting to take it if it was at the last minute in a game that hung in the balance?
It's bad for the club because it shows a lack of team spirit and togetherness, something management has to instil into them to keep their feet on the ground.

 

[Zanjinho]

That Manueke and Jackson were looking to pad their stats because they know they have been playing mediocre all season and that Palmer has been stealing all the headlines, and because they are immature bell ends, they wanted to get into the spotlight and in doing so embarrassed themselves, the club and the manager.
Pretty much no other explanation for it really

Great innit...

 

[Zanjinho]

I think that because we see really talented players from say 18 onwards it's easy to forget that they're little more than big kids, and even young men in their early twenties are often very immature. It then comes as a shock to see them act like children in such a situation. Adulation and wealth at such a young age can easily go to their heads.
I wonder whether they'd have been fighting to take it if it was at the last minute in a game that hung in the balance?
It's bad for the club because it shows a lack of team spirit and togetherness, something management has to instil into them to keep their feet on the ground.

It also adds a lot more pressure on the penalty taker if they've had to argue for the privilege.

It's a respect thing too (obviously)

 

[johnsonsbaby]

I think that because we see really talented players from say 18 onwards it's easy to forget that they're little more than big kids, and even young men in their early twenties are often very immature. It then comes as a shock to see them act like children in such a situation. Adulation and wealth at such a young age can easily go to their heads.
I wonder whether they'd have been fighting to take it if it was at the last minute in a game that hung in the balance?
It's bad for the club because it shows a lack of team spirit and togetherness, something management has to instil into them to keep their feet on the ground.

Like in the 95th minute vs city when Chelsea were down 4-3

 

[Zanjinho]

TBF, I think they both initially tried to step up because Palmer (the regular taker) was down injured. Ended up embarrassing though

 

[moreinjuredthanowen]

I didn't see the whole game, but from what I did see I'd say they were outplayed. Surely no team of their stature plays for penalties? They would have wanted to win that game in normal time, but they weren't allowed to. Ultimately their play won them the game, but penalties are a lottery and not a viable game plan.

5-5-0 formation away from home.

They were 0-1, 1-1 ,2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3 at home. They were never going to allow that again.

They scored early away form home and then immediately went to this set up. of 5-5-0.

IMO othey knew if they were open they would concede. they had the lead and held it until 15mins before the end then hung on. imo they know theres no time to get another so stayed 5-5-0.

they took no risks pushing on but created a few breaks in extra time.

City just couldn't make a real chance. they created a few but knocked it about constantly and ended with half chances.

I must say grealish was a waste of time and doku swung the game and applied real pressure. Grealish was alright like, but he doesn't deliver an end product most of the time. he got carvahal booked but then never really threatend him hugely (valverdre helped there) he made a few little runs and got a half shot off once but he just cut in most of the time or if he did rarely go out eh didn't corss it well at all.

Imo city for the team wrong from the off. BUT KDB missed a massive chance to win that tie so city really only have themsevles to blame. They took off genuine pen takers and put on stones and kovacic.

 

[Bodinki]

It's bad for the club because it shows a lack of team spirit and togetherness, something management has to instil into them to keep their feet on the ground.

I couldnt agree more.
Clearlake didnt spend their £1bn in the wisest way, and I wouldn't have signed half the players they did, but we did get some decent players in the last window, certainly enough talent so that we should be challenging for the European spots in the league and not sitting in midtable!
Poch has to work with what he has got tho. He is by far not the cause of all our problems, but do I think he has done the best job of bringing this team together and giving us an identity.....No.
Our results look to be on the up lately, we havent lost in 90 minutes in all comps since the 4th Feb when Wolves beat us at home, which was 12 games ago, which I think is our longest undefeated streak since Clearlake took over. But there are still too many points being dropped to midtable and relegation teams like Sheff United, Burnley and Brentford.
Poch isnt being hard nosed enough with these players and insists on always playing someone out of position in every game when we ample cover.

 

[moreinjuredthanowen]

I never missed a penalty with this approach, not even in training. Hit the side netting, score every time.

Most of the time yeah. Theres very very very few keepers tall enough to get down to those if they go the right way. I think i've seen 2? ever. one was in AFCON.

I don't like players hitting the ball against the direction of their foot swing. (right footer trying to hit it right) just side foot aimed into side net at pace.

 

[johnsonsbaby]

TBF, I think they both initially tried to step up because Palmer (the regular taker) was down injured. Ended up embarrassing though

Shouldn't ever happen. Everyone knows who the penalty taker on the pitch is. Unless he gives the ball to the next in line penalty taker, for whatever reason, there should be no squabbling.

 

[Bodinki]

Shouldn't ever happen. Everyone knows who the penalty taker on the pitch is. Unless he gives the ball to the next in line penalty taker, for whatever reason, there should be no squabbling.

This.
Palmer takes the penalties, unless he offers it to someone else or isnt on the pitch

 

[johnsonsbaby]

This.
Palmer takes the penalties, unless he offers it to someone else or isnt on the pitch

We had it once with Balotelli. Remember that?

 

[Bodinki]

We had it once with Balotelli. Remember that?

Another immature helmet who fancied himself as a giga chad!
Shame really because he was a talented kid, but he was too full of himself.

 

[moreinjuredthanowen]

I couldnt agree more.
Clearlake didnt spend their £1bn in the wisest way, and I wouldn't have signed half the players they did, but we did get some decent players in the last window, certainly enough talent so that we should be challenging for the European spots in the league and not sitting in midtable!
Poch has to work with what he has got tho. He is by far not the cause of all our problems, but do I think he has done the best job of bringing this team together and giving us an identity.....No.
Our results look to be on the up lately, we havent lost in 90 minutes in all comps since the 4th Feb when Wolves beat us at home, which was 12 games ago, which I think is our longest undefeated streak since Clearlake took over. But there are still too many points being dropped to midtable and relegation teams like Sheff United, Burnley and Brentford.
Poch isnt being hard nosed enough with these players and insists on always playing someone out of position in every game when we ample cover.

I'd say that

a) right now your side hasn't met the level pochettino should have delivered. Fernandez looks "unfit"

b) You'd traded too much experience for callow youth. Theres no leaders left but the back line really needs it. Silva has let that down big time. diasi gusto etc really show that rawness

c) you've no focal point (jackson isn't good enough to be that)

d) you'd injuries to players who would improve you to get up the tbale a bit (james etc)

e) your record suggests you actually perfer to break away on sides and have scored plenty of goals agaisnt the "better sides" but you struggle if someone keeps it tight.

f) some of the buys in attacking poistions are absolutely stinking (mudryk, sterling)

So I'd say fine tuning is required. a properly exprienced reliable CB, a proper focal point striker and just get the right players around and stop selling he players who will run through a wall for the club.

Just IMO.

Petrovic has done well enough since coming in. a step up on sanchez but seeling mendy was poor
James- injured all the time but best option at RB
Chilwell/cucurella - not brilliant but if fit then they are better than some.
CBS: pick the best kid and get a partner in. Saliba improved arsenal no end.
Caicedo/fernandez axis - need to sort it out.
Palmer - free as 10 or rw? who knows
Nkunku - get him fit at 10 imo
LW - sell the lot.
CF: need better than jackson.

(assumes 4231 is what you get with poch)

its not that far off but they need to be fit and stay fit and want to do the job.