2023/2024 English Premier League Thread

[The Big Chill]

Liverpool squeak another one out. VAR continues to do everything it possibly can to suck the life out of the game.

[Barnet Flame]

What happened?

[The Big Chill]

Liverpool fouled CP in the box, the ref didn’t call it, and the game played on for at least two minutes before they stopped the game and went back to look at it.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Liverpool fouled CP in the box, the ref didn’t call it, and the game played on for at least two minutes before they stopped the game and went back to look at it.

One of these days this scenario will play out, but with Liverpool (or whoever) scoring in the interim between the foul and the review. Then what? The worst part about VAR is it absolutely has a place, but it has been so bastardized at this point that without fundamental changes it should be scrapped.

[The Big Chill]

Agreed, VAR also chalked off a CP penalty earlier in the game due to a foul in the buildup, so it evened out in the end, but in both instances the ref had a full view of the play. I’d say VAR got the calls right in the end, but I don’t see either being a clear and obvious error.

VAR has gone way beyond its original intention of catching obvious errors and it is just acting as an additional referee at all times. It’s terrible for the enjoyment of watching a live game.

[Slava]

Was it only two minutes? It felt like it was much more. But it’s weird. Like does the time after the “incident” still count? Or is that added to extra time? It’s just fraught with difficulties as far as I can see.

I’m honestly surprised they haven’t made an attempt to rework it at this point. It seems like a mess across the board, and it’s just plain ridiculous for fans of all clubs who just want to enjoy a game.

[Senator Clay Davis]

We all know social media is mostly a disease and ideally would be eradicated, but it does have its moments. Like today as United are being humiliated I learned that ten Hag's slander name on Twitter is "Erect Then Shag", which is ####ing brilliant lol.

[Matty81]

Felt palace were hard done by with that result today.. two brilliant saves by Allison, lose 3 starters to injury with a tiny squad and have to throw on the reserve team keeper in injury time who is close to an emergency goalie in the nhl and a borderline sending off, the first yellow where vvd kicked the ball off him was ridiculous and never gets called, the second yellow on ayew I don't even know if there was contact, liverpool player countering felt a hand and was straight over although appreciate he was countering.

So sick and tired of the amount of ####ing whining klopp and arteta do that they get those calls, as if their huge financial advantage isn't enough of a skewed playing field when you have clubs like palace with 14 or 15 players being expected to play 2 games a week against clubs with 4x the payroll and a full second side.

Hoping the premier league really starts cracking down hard on those two jawing at the 4th official and whining in the pressers and also does move forward with the proposed salary cap talks soon, not a ridiculous one like the nhl but a luxury tax /mlb type approach would at least give the competition some illusion of actually being a league not a 6 or 7 team club where weeks like this it feels like you're just waiting for liverpool to be given a path to win. that was like David fighting Goliath with a broken slingshot and arm taped behind his bacn

[Senator Clay Davis]

I'm sure Arteta will be very measured and composed in the aftermath of this one. Nowhere near as impressive as their win against City, but Villa continue to impress.

[Barnet Flame]

That was chore to sit through.

It has been a while since Arsenal managed a solid 90 minute performance this season. Flashes of brilliance in some games, but nowhere near the composure or intensity needed over the full 90.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Arsenal still had plenty of opportunities to score and lacking a true striker hurt again. Very poor finishing attempts today & no plan B.
Badly need a striker in January if they want to seriously challenge for anything.

[Locke]

Its hard to hear you from all the way up here...

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Arsenal still had plenty of opportunities to score and lacking a true striker hurt again. Very poor finishing attempts today & no plan B.
Badly need a striker in January if they want to seriously challenge for anything.

Should've splurged on Harry Kane, he'd only have had to cross town...

Could you imagine? London would burn.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Locke

Its hard to hear you from all the way up here...

Just wait to you play away at Villa, the new fortress of the Premier League

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Matty81

So sick and tired of the amount of ####ing whining klopp and arteta do that they get those calls...

There is undoubtedly a significant lack of respect towards officials in this country. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that there is also an issue with the quality and, likely, integrity of officiating. We can't allow the former to be used as a screen for the latter.

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Arsenal still had plenty of opportunities to score and lacking a true striker hurt again.

Is the fact that our attackers combined to squander enough opportunities to win a sign that we may not 100% need a typical striker? The fact that we did squander our chances makes this defeat easier to take than Newcastle.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Addick

Is the fact that our attackers combined to squander enough opportunities to win a sign that we may not 100% need a typical striker? The fact that we did squander our chances makes this defeat easier to take than Newcastle.

I think there's matches like today where a quality finisher will come in and get a goal or 2. Arsenal controlled enough of this match to win it, probably by 2 or 3.

The team can create chances for days but you'll see Odegaard miss 2 quality chances and Saka having an off day and suddenly there's nothing working. Jesus played hard but never came close to a goal threat.

The amount of goals Arsenal score from open play is very low and that's indicative of a striker absence IMO. The need for late heroics as well, instead of just putting teams away.

I don't think Villa were even that good today. Disciplined perhaps but not on the front foot like they were vs City.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Just wait to you play away at Villa, the new fortress of the Premier League

Lol! No kidding.

But hey! At least we're seeing teams like West Ham and Villa in with a shout!

I like that.

[Slava]

How long does ETH have at United? Does he last the weekend? Bayern followed by Liverpool, which could be pretty rough.

[Winsor_Pilates]

United are a weird conundrum this season. Their place in the table isn't actually that bad but it feels so negative around them & when they do lose, it feels like they lose badly or to poor opponents.
I don't rate ETH at all; but I hope they keep him.around for that reason. They'll probably pull out a victory vs Liverpool and he'll save his job.

Side rant on this league. Why can't they give reporters microphones in the post match interviews?
It's so annoying hearing managers answer questions but not hearing the question.
It's almost 2024; surely they can deliver better technology so fans can actually hear the questions.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slava

How long does ETH have at United? Does he last the weekend? Bayern followed by Liverpool, which could be pretty rough.

I feel like this is it. This is the litmus test.

If they crash out of the CL against Bayern that may do it. But Liverpool (despite being top of the table) are not in great form at the moment, they're eking out wins, but if the United team that turned up against Bournemouth today shows up against Liverpool that could be epically ugly.

Or...Liverpool could faceplant and re-energize United's season.

Regardless, Ten Hags shouldnt last the season, its just a matter of 'when.'

The other major problem United face is...with the squad that they have, and lets remember they have the best Premier League Player of November in Maguire, best in the League, and the Managers available who are out there? Who are they going to replace him with.

Furthermore, United have a new minority partner whom they want to control more of the football elements of the club while the Glazers focus more on the Financial end of siphoning money out of the club.

They might want their own man regardless of United's form.

Thus far I cant say that Ten Hag has produced anything impressive. Are they still paying Rangnick as a 'Special Consultant?' Whats that guy doing?