I see that the PL have come out and said that the Liverpool goal v Bournemouth should not have stood. Wonder what they thought of Jerome's v Palace.
Looks like Dick Advocaat coiuld be ready to walk away from Sunderland, despite his tears at the end of last season - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/sunderland-preparing-sam-allardyce-move-6296784
Oops!!! Hadn't thought of that. I still wouldn't bet against Sunderland having a new manager by the 1st of October!!
Bournemouth's stellar performance last night has pushed us back into the relegation places in the betting odds. Funny, given we're eighth (probably tenth by the time all matches are played)!
I don't know about others but I think that we look much better equipped to compete in this league than we did two seasons ago. Ok we didn't beat Stoke when we had the chances but that had as much to do with their Goalie as it did us. In most games with a balance of shots like that we would get a second. Stoke were restricted to a single effort on target and I am quite surprised that nobody is talking about their free kick. Brady quite clearly chested the ball .
At the time and afterwards I was convinced it was a clear handball, but yeah after seeing the motd highlights there is a decent possibility it was off his upper chest/shoulder
I agree we are a bit better equipped than last time round, but mostly as a team unit as opposed to superior player ability. Only time will tell if that is going to be enough this time round but I would like to think so.
For me the main thing is how much more confident we are on the ball, versus the season we came down. Dorrans has made a big difference there, Hoolahan playing and playing well too.
I would agree and I also think AN makes a difference to the players' motivation. My feeling is that it would have been a good idea to replace Jerome yesterday with about 15 minutes to go, as he was definitely feeling the effect of the heat.
Of course it is far too early to make any kind of judgment and a single win for either of the bottom teams would lift them into the top half, but I would say this. Two games stand out next Saturday. Villa v Sunderland and Stoke v West Brom.I think that if there are losers in either of these games then those teams may start to feel the pressure.
I know what you mean cruyff but it is only August and it is a bit early for armageddon type fixtures. Shall we reassess at Christmas / New Year?
I think that the trends can begin to form quite early, in terms of runs of confidence sapping runs of results. Foe example if Sunderland went to Villa and won then I think that might have a very positive effect on the trajectory of their season. It's games like those rather tan the Chelsea and Citeh games that they are expected to lose that have the potential to lift morale.
Completely agree - that's why it's so important that we maintain this early momentum and get points on the board while they are readily available. I think another performance like Saturday's against Southampton and having seen the form they are in, we have a real chance of three points, which there is no way I would have said when the fixture list came out
I look at this both ways. Yes - we are a better side etc than last time but against that every other side is better than when we faced them last time. There are reasons for some optimism but we would be kidding ourselves if we didn't accept that there are solid reasons why we are one of the favourites to go down.
I think my optimism is based on the fact that we had twenty shots on goal against Stoke. In most games where you get that number you are going to end up with more than one goal.
Might be a good time to revive this thread rather than letting it surface (like it usually does) after a bad defeat. Sunderland and Villa are looking certainties to be in the mix, and, if they play often like they did at the weekend, Bournemouth. Hard to judge Watford, who have suddenly morphed into a continental-type team that doesn't score many but doesn't concede many. At least they avoided a dreadful start as their players got to know each other, but how will they cope once the winter draws in? West Brom looking shaky, but Pulis will probably get them hoofing their way up the league soon. I can't believe that Stoke will stay down there (although we should have beaten them at least as easily as Bournemouth). Newcastle also hard to weigh up. Leicester look to have momentum now, and may avoid the scramble.
If I had to call it now, I'd say Villa, Sunderland and Bournemouth. Bournemouth have been hit hard by Gradel and Mings being out until January at the earliest. Stoke have started poorly, but they've several new players and further evolution of their style, and that's taking time to sort out. Once they sort it out they'll be OK. I really thought Watford would be like our first season up under Lambert, trying to outscore teams. Perhaps the manager change has ushered in the more defensive approach.
