2017/2018 THE Premier League Thread

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Well that's one important title gone for Spurs. But there's always FA Cup I suppose.

Yeah it's over. A 1-0 defeat in November surely can't be recovered from.

[Kipper is King]

Well, Ayew scored a really nice goal for West Ham to make it 2-0 against Crystal Palace.

Palace got one back, but in the dying moments of injury time, Antonio had the ball down the wing. He simply had to hold the ball in the corner for 10ish seconds to end the game. Instead, he crossed the ball right to a Crystal Palace player. Palace moved the ball down the field and scored with the last kick of the game.

Shambolic.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

Well, Ayew scored a really nice goal for West Ham to make it 2-0 against Crystal Palace.

Palace got one back, but in the dying moments of injury time, Antonio had the ball down the wing. He simply had to hold the ball in the corner for 10ish seconds to end the game. Instead, he crossed the ball right to a Crystal Palace player. Palace moved the ball down the field and scored with the last kick of the game.

Shambolic.

They gave Zaha way too much space there, I understand fatigue but come on

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Slava

Yeah it's over. A 1-0 defeat in November surely can't be recovered from.

It is November, but 8 points back is a deep hole to dig out of when the team at the top is as good and as deep as City are. Unless someone goes on a big run of 10-12 wins in a row, it's down to the Manchester teams.

[Anduril]

It's kind of puzzling on how inflexible Klopp has been. Being up 2-0 against Huddersfield and Solanke gets all of 9+ minutes of game time. Also with Lovren having to back out right before the game, really makes you wonder if he's even capable of playing still given his physical condition.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

It is November, but 8 points back is a deep hole to dig out of when the team at the top is as good and as deep as City are. Unless someone goes on a big run of 10-12 wins in a row, it's down to the Manchester teams.

Based on a lot of the off-season spending I think maybe with the exception of Chelsea the title being down to the Manchester teams was more or less a foregone conclusion.

Originally Posted by Anduril

It's kind of puzzling on how inflexible Klopp has been. Being up 2-0 against Huddersfield and Solanke gets all of 9+ minutes of game time. Also with Lovren having to back out right before the game, really makes you wonder if he's even capable of playing still given his physical condition.

Lately I've been wondering about Liverpool. There feels like theres something amiss. This isnt usually how Klopp operates, hes been kind of out of character in his tactics and selections lately and, while I know hes not 100% responsible for transfers, the business done during the window was pretty questionable.

You can ask pretty much any pundit or supporter about what Liverpool's greatest needs were and yet nothing was done to remedy any of them. Theres no indication that lack of funds was an issue, but then why were those areas of need not addressed?

Its certainly going to be an interesting season, but I dont know that I was really convinced that Liverpool were going to contend for the title.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

It is November, but 8 points back is a deep hole to dig out of when the team at the top is as good and as deep as City are. Unless someone goes on a big run of 10-12 wins in a row, it's down to the Manchester teams.

I know this might sound crazy because I feel like I end up arguing with United fans on here quite often, but I would much rather United wins as opposed to City. I just feel like they've bought it entirely. I know United spends, and as much as I dislike Mourinho, I still think they're a big club just because they're a big club (if that makes sense). It's not a case where someone has plucked them from obscurity and poured money in to turn them into a competitive side.

Anyway, on this topic, there are a lot of games to go. City will be tough to catch, but Spurs will eventually get some core players back and that will be a huge help. You guys aren't out of reach for us (by any stretch of the imagination), and from there it's 5pts for City. That lead isn't safe at New Year's, let alone November.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slava

I know this might sound crazy because I feel like I end up arguing with United fans on here quite often, but I would much rather United wins as opposed to City. I just feel like they've bought it entirely. I know United spends, and as much as I dislike Mourinho, I still think they're a big club just because they're a big club (if that makes sense). It's not a case where someone has plucked them from obscurity and poured money in to turn them into a competitive side.

Anyway, on this topic, there are a lot of games to go. City will be tough to catch, but Spurs will eventually get some core players back and that will be a huge help. You guys aren't out of reach for us (by any stretch of the imagination), and from there it's 5pts for City. That lead isn't safe at New Year's, let alone November.

Yes. That does sound crazy.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Locke

Yes. That does sound crazy.

Yeah, the truth is I don't hate them though. I just know they have tons of money, but at least it's not a foreign country that decided to sponsor a team. You might hate United, but at least have to admit that City is more egregious?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slava

Yeah, the truth is I don't hate them though. I just know they have tons of money, but at least it's not a foreign country that decided to sponsor a team. You might hate United, but at least have to admit that City is more egregious?

City are just following United's old Blueprints, they just hit 'Fast-Forward' because they have a limitless source of cash and are effectively beyond reproach.

I dont know if I could pick a lesser evil between those two evils, I guess I'd have to say United is worse. Its likely just because I havent hated City for nearly as long as well as the fact that City make no pretense.

I suppose I also have the bias of having a friend and his family who are City fans. Actual City fans. From Manchester, as we all know there are no United fans in Manchester...

We used to play together as kids and he and his Dad were City fans, back when City flat out sucked. They were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked. So its kind of nice seeing that loyalty repaid somewhat, even if that repayment is effectively in blood money.

Much like most Premier League teams before them they are buying their success, unlike most Premier League teams before them they arent being subtle about it or trying to pretend that they're doing something different and the fact that they're owned by the Qatari Royal Family is once again taking that blueprint of 'cash is king' and working the hell out of their competitive advantage.

The old 'Big Clubs' are now owned by businesses and businessmen, the Qataris and Russians just took the established tactics those clubs initiated one step further. Because they can and nobody will stop them. If those old clubs could have they would have too.

Its not like I even hate either of City or United much anymore and hating Everton is like kicking a puppy. They're rivals, certainly, but I dont think I hate them like I used to.

The EPL is broken. We've got United and City and Spurs fans hammering Arsenal fans for being 'okay with Top 4' and then having those fans turn around and chastise Spurs fans for 'not winning anything' and thats all well and good, but you can replace all of the titles and trophies with cheques and the size of those cheques will determine how important that particular award or honour is worth to the club.

Whats important to the fans? We want our teams to win, of course, its not our money (largely) but sometimes they just dont even try because expending the effort and effectively 'man-games' of certain players in certain competitions isnt worth it when you need those players for more important ventures.

So one can say: "Hey! At least we won something!"

But the real truth is that its much easier for a big club to win a minor award when they're out of the running for the bigger awards.

Its like getting that trophy from the Bowling Alley on your birthday. Sure, you got something, but whats it really worth?

It all gets me a bit jaded at times, but again, right now Club Football is currently experiencing an intense polarity and lack of parity across the board which somewhat demeans the overall product.

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

Spurs will get thumped by Real (you really don't think you have a chance there do you?)

I'm eating my words right now.

[devo22]

The BBC have dug up a 1973 TV interview with Sir Matt Busby.

https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/statu...08586485551105

great stuff. Pretty interesting how much of what he talks about is still relevant today - defensive "boring" football, possible rule changes and so on. Some things just never change I guess. I really liked the "a manager should take 24 hours to reflect before talking publicly" bit ... of course that's impossible today, but still, that'd be a great idea for certain managers.

[Bagor]

Amazes me (in hindsight) that they took so long to change the backpass rule. So much easier to be a defender back in the day.

FTR ... I loved old big head.

Unfortunately also ...the clogger he refers to has gone too far the other way and is replaced by the diver.

[Kipper is King]

Well, let's see if West Ham can make Sadio Mane sad! I kind of doubt it, but COYI!

[Kipper is King]

Welp.

[Locke]

In fairness it was a good first hit by Noble and a great reaction save from Hart, so you've got that going for you, which is nice.

And dont worry, Liverpool are in control of this for now but they'll switch off for the last ~20 or so minutes and you'll get some chances.

[Kipper is King]

Lanzini's goal was quite nice. And that's the only positive.

Slaven Billic is done like dinner.

[The Big Chill]

Here comes Lovren! Game on!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Here comes Lovren! Game on!

Its only sporting.

[The Big Chill]

That was a brutal performance from West Ham. Liverpool didn't even play particularly well and still ripped them apart.