2018/19 Premier League

[Slava]

Maybe it should have been a penalty, but Giroud being elbowed in the face didn’t break my heart!

[Matty81]

It's time for VAR in the premier league. I hate the delays but you've gotta get a second opinion and get it right at this level. I'm being put off the premier league by the officiating this year, every game I've watched there's been a missed call or an error that has changed the course of the game dramatically... Zaha had his Achilles stomped on today well away from the ball and the call was blown. I get that they're human but bring in the second set of eyes.

[d_phaneuf]

Michael owen segment on bt sport really interesting, talking about his injuries and how it changed how he thought and played later in his career

https://mobile.twitter.com/btsportfo...163520/video/1

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Matty81

It's time for VAR in the premier league. I hate the delays but you've gotta get a second opinion and get it right at this level. I'm being put off the premier league by the officiating this year, every game I've watched there's been a missed call or an error that has changed the course of the game dramatically... Zaha had his Achilles stomped on today well away from the ball and the call was blown. I get that they're human but bring in the second set of eyes.

Honestly, the VAR in the World Cup worked out better than I expected. But at the same time in the FA Cup last year it was beyond ridiculous. It doesn’t seem like it should be that hard, but there’s something to the implementation.

[VladtheImpaler]

A side comment... I watched the FULHAM V BURNLEY replay, and I think getting Schurrle was a brilliant move for Fulham - will probably keep them up. I know he has always underachieved at club level, but that world-class ability to strike the ball gives them something no other team out of the top 5-6 has. He could have had 5 today.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by d_phaneuf

Michael owen segment on bt sport really interesting, talking about his injuries and how it changed how he thought and played later in his career

https://mobile.twitter.com/btsportfo...163520/video/1

Also interesting that the "ambassador" now says that his injuries were just genetic as opposed to when he was saying they were due to mismanagement of games played when he was a youngster.

And that his career was basically ruined due to medical mismanagement at Liverpool of his hamstring injury.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by d_phaneuf

Michael owen segment on bt sport really interesting, talking about his injuries and how it changed how he thought and played later in his career

https://mobile.twitter.com/btsportfo...163520/video/1

As someone who has experienced many injuries including a succession of Hamstring injuries I know exactly how he feels and I did exactly what he said he couldnt do which was to just gradually start going into lower divisions where I could have fun and be successful without having to give 100%.

Your instincts are still there but theres always that little voice in the back of your head constantly warning you that one burst of acceleration, one bad stick and turn, one quick change of direction and you're done for a few months again.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Not sure who tonight's game is bigger for, but I lean to Spurs. Even if United win tonight I think they have zero chance of winning the league. If Spurs wanna show they're worth taking seriously this year, they gotta win tonight for me. Maybe a touch ridiculous to say their title hopes are over if they lose tonight, but they're never gonna get a better look at winning at Old Trafford given what a mess United are at the moment. A loss just makes it tough to take Spurs seriously.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Not sure who tonight's game is bigger for, but I lean to Spurs. Even if United win tonight I think they have zero chance of winning the league. If Spurs wanna show they're worth taking seriously this year, they gotta win tonight for me. Maybe a touch ridiculous to say their title hopes are over if they lose tonight, but they're never gonna get a better look at winning at Old Trafford given what a mess United are at the moment. A loss just makes it tough to take Spurs seriously.

I have a hard time assigning that much importance to a game this early in the season, theres so many more twists and turns to come.

I would say that I think today's game is more important for United, but thats solely because of Mourinho's bitching.

If United lose today he cant claim that Spurs spent more money or bought more players than United, so whats his narrative going to be then?

Further, Spurs have succeeded at flying under the 'Pressure Radar.' No one is tipping them to be Champions and really, I dont think they care.

Thats the nature when there is one so clearly dominant team. Liverpool might give them a run for their money, maybe, and I think Spurs could certainly challenge them head to head, but not on depth over the course of the season and I dont think they even want to, and United could go toe-to-toe with them if they got their #### together.

United have constant pressure to win, to be Champions and its made all the more urgent because their cross-town rivals are the ones setting the standard and flipping the 'Big Brother/Little Brother' script.

If it was anyone other than City or Liverpool I wouldnt think the pressure on United would be so high, they did still finish 2nd and while the world is falling down around their ears, they've only lost 1 game. Its okay.

But because its their two most hated rivals that pressure gets ramped up a few notches.

[Slava]

I think there is less pressure on Spurs for a few reasons. First of all, it’s a home game for Inited and we haven’t won there for about 5 years now. Right away, people are looking toward a draw being a good result. An away loss isn’t a huge deal over the season, but for United it wouldn’t be a good outcome given they lost to Brighton a week ago. The other thing is it’s game three. You could lose tonight and still be completely fine.

I think Spurs win 2-1 today though. They have been looking decent and while today is a step up, I think they can handle it.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Locke

As someone who has experienced many injuries including a succession of Hamstring injuries I know exactly how he feels and I did exactly what he said he couldnt do which was to just gradually start going into lower divisions where I could have fun and be successful without having to give 100%.

Your instincts are still there but theres always that little voice in the back of your head constantly warning you that one burst of acceleration, one bad stick and turn, one quick change of direction and you're done for a few months again.

that must suck, especially when you used to be on the kind of level that Owen was. Knowing that you can either make the run and be on the sidelines for weeks as a result, or don't make the run and be a shadow of your former self ... that must suck. Surely frustrating on your level too, Locke. I luckily never had to deal with that, I don't think I've ever even had the slightest muscle problems in my life. Not in younger years with three trainings and a game per week, and not in my later beer league years either.

-----

tonight's game is obviously a lot bigger for United, there can't be a question about it. With all the tension behind the scenes, last week's result and Mourinho being close to meltdown, a loss would be horrific on a number of levels. A loss at OT would not derail Tottenhams season in the slightest, but it'd mean chaos for United.

[devo22]

Mourinho starts Matic at CB lol

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

Mourinho starts Matic at CB lol

Hmmm....thats not a vote of confidence for the normal CBs.

[devo22]

meanwhile, Lloris captains the Spurs. Poor.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Matic at CB is Mourinho giving Woodward a big #### you. Now watch it turn into a Mourinho masterclass as a kicker.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

meanwhile, Lloris captains the Spurs. Poor.

That....was probably unwise.

Maybe they thought if they handed the armband to Kane or Alli they'd get grass stains all over it.


Because of all of the diving.

[devo22]

looks like it's actually Herrera in the back 3.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by devo22

meanwhile, Lloris captains the Spurs. Poor.

Maybe they are waiting for actual charges?

Thats my hope at least, otherwise handing vertonghen the armband, if not permanently, than for a few months, was an easy call

[Senator Clay Davis]

It's a nice start for United, Spurs look poor in possession.

[nik-]

lol