Match Day Thread 2016/17 Premier League, Cups & Euro Watch

You could argue that the top sides not performing also saw Leicester gather more points as a result. Had the top sides been performing, would they have got to 82pts?

 

maybe so. You have to say that they did take 5/6 points off city and 4/6 v chelsea and two draws v utd. you might say those are the three seriously underperforming "big sides" last year. Arsenal beat them twice and they also took 4/6 off a perofmaing spurs teams.

So yeah theres 11 point there you could argue form city and chelsea that they ought not to be getting.

But they did get them.

 

Hose-a might play Rashford or Martial in their right position then. he might stumble on a formation that works!

 

No Europe used to not make a difference because the gap between the top 4 and rest was so big. It's no coincidence that the league got more competitive at the same time English teams struggled in Europe. There are now 6 teams who have a realistic chance at the title each year but only 4 CL places. Teams have to prioritise but when there were only 4 teams, you could afford to rest players before or after Europe and priories that.

Look at leicester this year. Show that if you prioritise the a CL you can easily get results however they don't have strength in depth, and league is much stronger that you can't play reserves after or before and pick up a certain 3 point

 

That is fair to say but at the same time we could say its been artificial injection of unlimited fund that has broken that status quo.

Lets face it City were never were's and never will best until the cash came in. Spurs in fairness were just trying so so hard to get there over years and failing but have been building consistently up over time.

The top 4 prior to ctiy emerging was LFC arsenal Chelsea and Utd. Before that you could actually say LFc displaced newcastle who were in there under robson briefly. It was actually lucky that a top 4 place was got as cheslea in 2004 also broke the money mould even though they has success under bates (who bankrupted them)

I don't really think there are 6 teams with a realistic shot at the title. I think there are 2/3 max with the others really focused on 4th

There has always been european competition and there has always been ups and downs but i do agree with you that in general you cannot afford to pull a fast one i nthe league like you used to be able to and how many teams in europe can still do. and yes this is one big reason why english clubs are struggling in europe.

Barca, real and atletico know full well they can focus o nthose later rounds. Bayern expect to have thier league won. PSG have had it won every year for 5 years... so yes they can all focus on CL.

the reality is though... spurs just don't have enough players to play in europe and the league yet. they can play in europa cos a jansson could play europa and rest kane but in CL they need the best players playing... in many ways as of today LFC actually have more options than spurs in our frotn 3 and maybe in midfield too. we've two decent striker son the bench and wijnaldum offering flexible cover. IF spurs lose erikson or kane they are done.

City are similar with aguero and silva still. Debryune now. the players coming in just don't cut it in prem.

The thing about utd is they really should be doing better.

 

Based on MOTD Arsenal were crap today

Offside goal, #nailedon penalty, only hung on to a point thanks to Cech and some luck

 

Have to agree with Shearer that the oggie should never have stood. Still, I'm happy with the result.

 

Both dropped points and both #bottledit perfect day really

 

Yes, but after their selective analysis of the incidents in our game against palace last week I wouldn't stake anything on BBC Salford's twist on things.

 

Whew.

 

Is that your Roy impression

 

this is a shockingly desperate article

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37891533

why?

2016

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1996

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guess what guys... yes a certain manc team won the title in 1996.

have you ever seen a more desperate attempt at drumming up hope.

I mean ok.. they were realistic that they needed to sack mourinho immediately but still.

Since the start of 2015-16...
Manager Club Premier League points per game
* - Managers who have taken charge of 10 or more games
Francesco Guidolin Swansea 1.26
Sam Allardyce Sunderland 1.20
Roberto Martinez Everton 1.19
Quique Sanchez Flores Watford 1.18
Jose Mourinho Chelsea/ Man United 1.15

only one still in work... mind you one was rewarded with england job.

 

Yeah, I read it this morning on the Quays website, they won't give up hope on their adopted team no matter what.
Its sad to see the supposedly impartial beeb shoeing in the undeserving local club at every opportunity.

 

So on Sky ray Wilkins has rated the performance of teams over this weekends performance. Given both Arsenal and Spurs an A. Must have been watching a different game because he described it as the best game of the season, absolutely fantastic.

Also giving spurs a A as they played some wonderful football.

I watched her the game and it was a bore fest. Spurs came for a draw wth their 5 at the back offering no threat going forward and both goals were an OG from set piece and a penalty. Both teams were meh and was a drab draw.

 

Liverpool ace Sadio Mane makes startling Premier League prediction
SADIO MANE believes Liverpool can win every match between now and the end of the season in the Premier League.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/fo...tent=sport&utm_campaign=2016&utm_term=5449284

 

Every team theoretically can. that's just a sad journos twist on things.

If he had said no chance it would have been twisted to say he doesn't fancy Liverpool's chances of anything and it's all doom and gloom. confidence should be a good thing but obviously not lol.

Can't win either way now days with the way the media are with managers and players.

 

May be he should have said we can avoid defeat for the rest of the season.

 

Maybe we should just win all our games.

 

The ‘real’ Premier League table: Liverpool top, Burnley fourth, West Ham bottom
Some teams have had harder starts, some spent more money, some sneaked results they never should have. We crunch the key numbers to produce the Premier League table of justice

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...r-league-table-liverpool-top-burnley-west-ham

 

I already #calledit that Man Utd and City had played no one and dropped a million points, good to see it agrees