Rival watch

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Getting fed up with the current round of lauding the great manager Arteta. I say "current" because haven't we heard this all before? If I'm misremembering please let me know but I'm sure that several times since his appointment, I've heard similar stuff about how the team is the best Arsenal team since X, they are really getting Arteta's methods and how much better they now are and quite likely to get top four. And this is the same message from many different pundits because as we know, pundits don't really like to say things that are much different from each other. Now one day I guess they might be right, but one thing for sure is they've been wrong up to now (and forgot to mention that they've said all this before).

There's also the stuff they've gotten away with. Like playing the rapey one, which might (I hope) give some other teams a moral dilemma I would hope. They actually didn't get away with their pretend covid game suspension, but the point is they shouldn't have been put in a position where they might have.
 
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vimhawk said:
It wasn't much before the arrival of Conte that some on here were holding up the excellent example of how Leicester did things. Anyone like to admit they were one of them?
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Leicester have done a lot of things well, but I've always been critical of their overspending.
Leaving aside their owners' links to a dictatorship, their wages were higher than their revenue.
That was always going to catch up with them at some point, either via financial difficulties or FFP.

Adding Rodgers to the mix probably hasn't helped.
He's not a bad manager, but he's utterly full of himself and doesn't improve.
They've also taken some risks with injury-prone players that haven't worked out.
 
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For a long while I was happy to take the pee out of Rodgers, particularly when recalling that documentary of his early days at Liverpool. I used to say that every time his face appeared on my screen then I just knew I would hear a load of ****e being spoken. The only slack I would ever cut him was that a very good friend of mine used to work with him when he was driving lorries for Waitrose, and she has always said he is one of the nicest guys she has ever met.

In recent times, my feelings towards him have softened. I happen to think he has done a superb job at Leicester, although I do feel his days there are coming to an end. Then last season, I met him and spent some time in his company (long story)and saw a side of him completely different from how I and others had perceived him. He was very likeable, very sociable and down to earth, completely different from his football image and it was clear he is very popular with the Leicester squad.

He obviously has the gift of proclaiming himself, but as I say, I’ve definitely warmed to him recently. However, it does seem as if he has taken Leicester as far as he can. I have to say I don’t think he has helped his cause by relocating to the north west as he did about 6 months ago. If I was chairman or owner of a struggling club, then the last thing I would want to see is my manager quitting living in the town and moving to 100 miles away. Not sure Brendan is helping his cause by doing this.
 
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vimhawk said:
Getting fed up with the current round of lauding the great manager Arteta. I say "current" because haven't we heard this all before?
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1. After match week 3, I refuse to believe there can be
anywhere near mass fawning content over Arteta.

2. Stop consuming such content.
 
vimhawk said:
Getting fed up with the current round of lauding the great manager Arteta. I say "current" because haven't we heard this all before? If I'm misremembering please let me know but I'm sure that several times since his appointment, I've heard similar stuff about how the team is the best Arsenal team since X, they are really getting Arteta's methods and how much better they now are and quite likely to get top four. And this is the same message from many different pundits because as we know, pundits don't really like to say things that are much different from each other. Now one day I guess they might be right, but one thing for sure is they've been wrong up to now (and forgot to mention that they've said all this before).

There's also the stuff they've gotten away with. Like playing the rapey one, which might (I hope) give some other teams a moral dilemma I would hope. They actually didn't get away with their pretend covid game suspension, but the point is they shouldn't have been put in a position where they might have.
Click to expand...
It's almost as if the pundits are making sure that the shoe is in place now, just so they can make a big deal about when it drops later...
 
Utd need the points far more than Pool. It feels inevitable that Pool will hit form eventually and so this shaky start is just mere cobwebs from the summer.

Utd fans were already unhappy going into the season and ten Hag really doesn't want to lose his first three games as manager. Not only is it embarrassing but also leaves them with a small hill to immediately climb in their chase for a CL spot and based on last season, they're not very good climbers.

The latter is why I'd prefer a Pool win as it'll provide more laughs for neutrals, and on paper they should win in my opinion but football's a funny ol' game for a reason.
 
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Dier Hard said:
Utd need the points far more than Pool. It feels inevitable that Pool will hit form eventually and so this shaky start is just mere cobwebs from the summer.

Utd fans were already unhappy going into the season and ten Hag really doesn't want to lose his first three games as manager. Not only is it embarrassing but also leaves them with a small hill to immediately climb in their chase for a CL spot and based on last season, they're not very good climbers.

The latter is why I'd prefer a Pool win as it'll provide more laughs for neutrals, and on paper they should win in my opinion but football's a funny ol' game for a reason.
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The ease with which Brighton and Brentford controlled midfield, the space and time both found in Utd’s penalty area and the lack of threat Utd carry in front of goal means there will only be one winner.
If ten Hag eliminates one of those weaknesses for this game, it will be a major achievement. Improving midfield may be the key to the other two, but it’s been a dysfunctional unit for a long time. Casemiro is unlikely to be the answer, but he definitely won’t be tonight.
Salah is a thorn in Utd’s side and should get the better of Shaw (if he plays)
Luke’s bet builder for tonight - 25p stake recommended:
Liverpool -1 handicap match odds (ie to win by 2 goals)
3.5 + goals
Salah to score or assist
Utd 2+ cards
Liverpool 7+ shots on target
 
vimhawk said:
Is it just me or does that Liverpool bench not look that strong?
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Adrian, Fabinho, Tsimikas, Carvalho and five players that I don't think I've ever heard of.
Injuries and injury-prone players catching up to them.
Man Utd's bench is a lot stronger, though you'd have to wonder about their mentality.
 
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