Rival watch

[Billy The Spur]

Watching the Pool match again, I agree that the "pen" may not have been clear cut - although I happen to think it was. Nevertheless it occurs to me that what Pool have really been benefiting from is not straight "wrong" decisions, but those where there is any element of doubt - in other words where the ref has a subjective decision to make. This is far more subtle than straight right or wrong, but it's probably where the refs have the most influence. Sure that penalty we should have had against them was pretty clear cut, but since then there's been quite a number of less clear incidents.

They don't get criticism because the pundits just say stuff like "well you can see why the ref gave it / ref didn't give it". The trouble is that their opinion changes according to which team is getting the decision. So if the decision could go ether way, then half the time (or at least some of it), the decisions would go against Liverpool. The difficulty is that so far this season the decision never seems to go against Liverpool. And I'm left with the feeling that we've earned our 3rd place, but Liverpool have been given 2nd.

Around 80% of referees will always give Pool the benefit of doubt on the key 50/50 decisions, which makes a massive difference in any game We all know that had it been a Liverpool player fouled on Saturday, then a penalty would have been given.

Then you have the dodgy German officials in the CL looking after their countryman also.

 

[littleDinosaurLuke]

Burnley are looking particularly sh*te this season

 

[BrunelGooner]

Genuine question(s) - I've just realised you're playing Inter Milan on Wednesday and the outcome of that game will have huge ramifications on whether you progress to the KO stages or whether you drop down to join your wonderful north London neighbours in the Europa . How strong a team will Poch field on Wednesday? And do you think (potential) fatigue from this game would affect you in the NLD on Sunday? Baring in mind that we will (if Emery has any common sense whatsoever) rest all our first team players and field the youngsters/fringe players in Ukraine on Thursday.

I'm just thinking, depending on how much the game on Wednesday takes out of you, stamina could be a decisive factor in the NLD. Especially in the last 20 minutes or so. Inter don't play with a high intensity of course, but they've won 8 of their last 9 league matches, and got a solid result at home to Barcelona in their last CL outing. So they're obviously no mugs.

Would be interesting to see how Pochettino manages your players in midweek.

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

Genuine question(s) - I've just realised you're playing Inter Milan on Wednesday and the outcome of that game will have huge ramifications on whether you progress to the KO stages or whether you drop down to join your wonderful north London neighbours in the Europa . How strong a team will Poch field on Wednesday? And do you think (potential) fatigue from this game would affect you in the NLD on Sunday? Baring in mind that we will (if Emery has any common sense whatsoever) rest all our first team players and field the youngsters/fringe players in Ukraine on Thursday.

I'm just thinking, depending on how much the game on Wednesday takes out of you, stamina could be a decisive factor in the NLD. Especially in the last 20 minutes or so. Inter don't play with a high intensity of course, but they've won 8 of their last 9 league matches, and got a solid result at home to Barcelona in their last CL outing. So they're obviously no mugs.

Would be interesting to see how Pochettino manages your players in midweek.

On Wednesday, I think we'll play Jan Vertonghen, Winksy, Moura and maybe Lamela and rest Sonny, Dier, and maybe, Christian Eriksen, depending upon his recovery levels. Foyth can't play as he's not in our CL squad.

The advantage of injuries to Eriksen, Dele, Aurier, etc, our heavy rotation (we've used more players than any other PL team) and Sonny's recent rest in the international week, is that we're pretty fresh right now and entering the period where MP's team starts to pick up the pace.

It would be great to have Rose and Trippier fit and be able to rest Harry Kane but he's looking better week by week. A win on Wednesday will set us up very nicely. As you're supplying us with an additional day's rest, I see us coming into the game in fine fettle.

I'm looking forward to seeing Sokratis and Holding deal with our front line, how about you?

 

[deedub93]

Genuine question(s) - I've just realised you're playing Inter Milan on Wednesday and the outcome of that game will have huge ramifications on whether you progress to the KO stages or whether you drop down to join your wonderful north London neighbours in the Europa . How strong a team will Poch field on Wednesday? And do you think (potential) fatigue from this game would affect you in the NLD on Sunday? Baring in mind that we will (if Emery has any common sense whatsoever) rest all our first team players and field the youngsters/fringe players in Ukraine on Thursday.

I'm just thinking, depending on how much the game on Wednesday takes out of you, stamina could be a decisive factor in the NLD. Especially in the last 20 minutes or so. Inter don't play with a high intensity of course, but they've won 8 of their last 9 league matches, and got a solid result at home to Barcelona in their last CL outing. So they're obviously no mugs.

Would be interesting to see how Pochettino manages your players in midweek.

That's Poch's job, I don't envy him his choices one little bit.
Sanchez is injured so I'd guess Forth will start against your lot as he is not in the CL squad. Verts will be back for the CL match. The keeper is no problem. Kane will start, then choices of lamela, deli, eriksen, Lucas, sonny so plenty of cover there. DM's are the issue. If big Vic is fit then there is cover for Dier and Sissoko. If not it could be an issue. No cover for full backs either, although Aurier is a beast.

I forgot about Winksey, so we do have a bit of cover.

 

[BrunelGooner]

On Wednesday, I think we'll play Jan Vertonghen, Winksy, Moura and maybe Lamela and rest Sonny, Dier, and maybe, Christian Eriksen, depending upon his recovery levels. Foyth can't play as he's not in our CL squad.

The advantage of injuries to Eriksen, Dele, Aurier, etc, our heavy rotation (we've used more players than any other PL team) and Sonny's recent rest in the international week, is that we're pretty fresh right now and entering the period where MP's team starts to pick up the pace.

It would be great to have Rose and Trippier fit and be able to rest Harry Kane but he's looking better week by week. A win on Wednesday will set us up very nicely. As you're supplying us with an additional day's rest, I see us coming into the game in fine fettle.

I'm looking forward to seeing Sokratis and Holding deal with our front line, how about you?

As I mentioned, the game on Thursday is a dead rubber, so our core performers will essentially get a full week's rest and recovery. Hence why I was asking about the XI that will play for you on Wednesday.

I don't know if the question you asked is genuine or not, but I'll answer it anyway.

So long as Mustafi isn't playing, I am far more confident of having Holding and Sokratis at centre-half than the German. He's the only player in our defence who can put in a 8/10 performance one week, and then follow it up with a 2/10 performance the next week. Frustrating how inconsistent he is, so I'd rather not have him slipping and sliding all over the place against Kane/Eriksen.

As we are at home and because it's a NLD, I'm naturally hoping we can win. But my head says that our performances over 90 minutes haven't been great, bar the game against Liverpool where we played well in both halves. I think this is one of those games where we will pay the price for our poor first-half starts, so my head says it will be a 2-2 draw.

 

[deedub93]

I'm looking forward to seeing Sokratis and Holding deal with our front line, how about you?

The defender's Holding the goal scorers Kane?
To paraphrase John Arlott

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

As I mentioned, the game on Thursday is a dead rubber, so our core performers will essentially get a full week's rest and recovery. Hence why I was asking about the XI that will play for you on Wednesday.

I don't know if the question you asked is genuine or not, but I'll answer it anyway.

So long as Mustafi isn't playing, I am far more confident of having Holding and Sokratis at centre-half than the German. He's the only player in our defence who can put in a 8/10 performance one week, and then follow it up with a 2/10 performance the next week. Frustrating how inconsistent he is, so I'd rather not have him slipping and sliding all over the place against Kane/Eriksen.

As we are at home and because it's a NLD, I'm naturally hoping we can win. But my head says that our performances over 90 minutes haven't been great, bar the game against Liverpool where we played well in both halves. I think this is one of those games where we will pay the price for our poor first-half starts, so my head says it will be a 2-2 draw.

Tiredness shouldn't be an issue. We've been managing the squad very well. Mauricio Pochettino has gone to the well and played Moussa Sissoko, Juan Foyth and Serge Aurier, despite the fact that he could have overplayed alternatives, who would seem to be safer options.

The game against Chelsea was us playing well for concerted periods for the first time this season and we looked good throughout 90 minutes. Entering December, 3 full days rest and no travelling shouldn't present a problem to players who will be fit and firing, especially if we beat Inter.

You've been conceding goals and living on a fair bit of luck at the back and we're just looking like we can open teams up, so it should be lively. Emery's lack ofexperience in PL derbies could be interesting. It certainly didn't help Sarri on Saturday. His team were woefully flat and should have lost by twice as many.

 

[deedub93]

I'd like to see Mustafi start though, he makes staying onside a whole lot easier.

 

[BrunelGooner]

Mike Dean was under a ton of pressure and should never have been picked for that game.

Hey, PNP. Err, don't know if you've checked, but I'll give you three guesses at who's going to be refereeing the NLD...

****ing farcical decision.

 

[PleaseNotPoll]

Hey, PNP. Err, don't know if you've checked, but I'll give you three guesses at who's going to be refereeing the NLD...

****ing farcical decision.

They're just taking the piss now. Ridiculous.

 

[D.G.C.]

Genuine question(s) - I've just realised you're playing Inter Milan on Wednesday and the outcome of that game will have huge ramifications on whether you progress to the KO stages or whether you drop down to join your wonderful north London neighbours in the Europa . How strong a team will Poch field on Wednesday? And do you think (potential) fatigue from this game would affect you in the NLD on Sunday? Baring in mind that we will (if Emery has any common sense whatsoever) rest all our first team players and field the youngsters/fringe players in Ukraine on Thursday.

I'm just thinking, depending on how much the game on Wednesday takes out of you, stamina could be a decisive factor in the NLD. Especially in the last 20 minutes or so. Inter don't play with a high intensity of course, but they've won 8 of their last 9 league matches, and got a solid result at home to Barcelona in their last CL outing. So they're obviously no mugs.

Would be interesting to see how Pochettino manages your players in midweek.

I find it hard to believe that you, a gooner, has just realised that we are playing Inter on Wednesday but I think Poch will field a very strong team. The morale of a win will be better than the bitter pangs of defeat so I don't think fatigue will play a part, they'll be raring to go.

 

[D.G.C.]

Burnley are looking particularly sh*te this season

They're doing what they've always done, get promoted, stay a couple of seasons then get relegated................nothing new here.

I've just been looking the league table and our goal difference and have a feeling that when we play the lower teams that that difference will soon be prominent in its expansion.

 

[D.G.C.]

They're doing what they've always done, get promoted, stay a couple of seasons then get relegated................nothing new here.

I've just been looking the league table and our goal difference and have a feeling that when we play the lower teams that that difference will soon be prominent in its expansion.

 

[D.G.C.]

No idea why that came twice.

 

[BrunelGooner]

I find it hard to believe that you, a gooner, has just realised that we are playing Inter on Wednesday but I think Poch will field a very strong team. The morale of a win will be better than the bitter pangs of defeat so I don't think fatigue will play a part, they'll be raring to go.

Honestly, I've been so focused on our own fixtures that I haven't been paying attention to anyone else's. Then I realised that if we're playing Vorskla on Thursday, then CL must be on too. So decided to check the fixtures. There was nothing untoward about my post. Seriously.

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

I have disappointing news, Macclesfield Town are out of the FA Cup. I can't explain how much I would have wanted that draw...he won't be there next season.

 

[D.G.C.]

Honestly, I've been so focused on our own fixtures that I haven't been paying attention to anyone else's. Then I realised that if we're playing Vorskla on Thursday, then CL must be on too. So decided to check the fixtures. There was nothing untoward about my post. Seriously.

Focussed on Bournemouth? Ok, I'll believe you. Right, now where's Vorskla?

 

[BrunelGooner]

Focussed on Bournemouth? Ok, I'll believe you. Right, now where's Vorskla?

Ukraine.

I ****ing hate the Europa League so ****ing much! You're facing absolute dross up until the quarter final stages. Although I suppose we have a better chance of winning it than most, so beggars can't be choosers. And I guess it's an opportunity to blood some of the youth prospects.

Still though. Really can't wait until we're back in the CL. Everything about it is so much better than this absolute turd of a competition.

 

[PleaseNotPoll]

Ukraine.

I ****ing hate the Europa League so ****ing much! You're facing absolute dross up until the quarter final stages. Although I suppose we have a better chance of winning it than most, so beggars can't be choosers. And I guess it's an opportunity to blood some of the youth prospects.

Still though. Really can't wait until we're back in the CL. Everything about it is so much better than this absolute turd of a competition.

You're not looking forward to a meaningless fixture in sub-zero temperatures in a country that just declared martial law? Heathen.