Football 2015/16

[eFestivals]

35 minutes ago, The Nal said:

Yep. Utd, City and Chelsea will all look like mugs. 

and arsenal, and Liverpool, and even Spurs (even if they win it) with their big spunge a few years ago.

 

[mrtourette]

As usual the answer sits somewhere in the middle. Each club will have examples of expensive flops and great value bargains, even without being compared to someone like Leicester. I'm sure they have their own (relative) high-price failures. One season of success for Leicester isn't going to suddenly stop other teams splashing out, especially as there are other more obvious reasons for their shortcomings.

What makes Man Utd and Chelsea look like chumps is not necessarily the money they've paid for comparatively little success but that they've been unable (or in Chelsea's case not quick enough) to identify and arrest slumps or turn around negative situations. You don't need the success of Leicester to identify how badly they have failed this season, how they've been reactive rather then proactive, indecisive and weak. In Man Utd's case, if they're going to employ Mourinho what is the point in waiting until the end of the season? Chelsea waited to long to change and Man City have de-stabilised their squad at a crucial time. It's like they've all sort of shrugged and accepted the underwhelming status quo is good enough for the rest of the season, and this lets more focused teams like Leicester and Spurs take advantage. Arsenal remain contenders simply by not fucking up as much as the others mentioned have. Same situation for them, just different teams above them to throw the title away to.

 

[The Nal]

40 minutes ago, mrtourette said:

In Man Utd's case, if they're going to employ Mourinho what is the point in waiting until the end of the season? 

They waited until they couldn't mathematically qualify for the Champions League to sack Moyes. Clause in the contract meaning if they sacked him before they would have to cough up another £4.5m. I suspect LVG has similar clauses. But with Utd only 3 points off the Champo places at the moment nothing will be decided until the end of the season.

He won't be there next season though. Barring an absolute miraculous last few months. Winning the Europa and getting top 4 might save him.

Back to the title, Leicester have a fairly easy run on paper coming up - West Brom, Watford, Newcastle, Palace, Saints, Sunderland. While Spurs have West Ham, Arsenal, Dortmund x 2, Liverpool and Utd.

Despite yesterday I still wouldnt be surprised to see Arsenal win it.

Edited February 29, 2016 by The Nal

[mrtourette]

Which is fine, but have they put something else (avoiding an additional payment) ahead of the best possible results on the pitch? Ultimately that is what has shown up the big teams this season and the learnings they can take, that it may not be possible to compromise results for other gains and still assume that a top 4 finish is easily-attainable, not that spending half a million in the French second division is better than stupid money on a Real Madrid reject. 

Edited February 29, 2016 by mrtourette

[thetime]

5 minutes ago, The Nal said:

They waited until they couldn't mathematically qualify for the Champions League to sack Moyes. Clause in the contract meaning if they sacked him before they would have to cough up another £4.5m. I suspect LVG has similar clauses. But with Utd only 3 points off the Champo places at the moment nothing will be decided until the end of the season.

He won't be there next season though. Barring an absolute miraculous last few months. Winning the Europa and getting top 4 might save him.

Unfortunately it would seem his fate has already been decided.

[The Nal]

9 minutes ago, mrtourette said:

Which is fine, but have they put something else (avoiding an additional payment) ahead of the best possible results on the pitch? 

They absolutely have done that yeah. Any of the clubs winning the leagues have a team mentality. Which is why the current Madrid team have only won 1 league in the Ronaldo era. See his comments after they lost at the weekend? Out of the running already and Villareal on their heels now. 

I don’t want to disrespect any team-mates but when the best players are not there. I like to play with Karim, with Bale with Marcelo.

“I don’t want to say that Jese, Lucas Vazquez or Kovacic are not good. They are very good but to win a competition you need your best players.”

 

Edited February 29, 2016 by The Nal

[mrtourette]

He did try and row back by claiming that when he said 'my level' he meant fitness rather than talent, but yeah that's pretty damaging. Ultimately he's right, of course he and the fans want the best players to be playing, but as frustrating as it must be to carry the team and be held so accountable for doing so he shouldn't make it so clear to the press.

[mrtourette]

16 minutes ago, thetime said:

Unfortunately it would seem his fate has already been decided.

Does that mean you'd want him to stay?

[thetime]

21 minutes ago, mrtourette said:

Does that mean you'd want him to stay?

That would mean I don't want the guy replacing him in the summer.

[mrtourette]

43 minutes ago, thetime said:

That would mean I don't want the guy replacing him in the summer.

I think the worry about Mourinho is that he doesn't understand The United Way.

[thetime]

10 minutes ago, mrtourette said:

I think the worry about Mourinho is that he doesn't understand The United Way.

Nice try

[mrtourette]

I couldn't resist it. After all we all know Man Utd fans would rather lost than win ugly.

[thetime]

13 minutes ago, mrtourette said:

I couldn't resist it. After all we all know Man Utd fans would rather lost than win ugly.

Well that will happen once giggsy is in the hot seat.

[The Nal]

24 minutes ago, thetime said:

Well that will happen once giggsy is in the hot seat.

Indeed. The post Fergie Utd way of being shit.

[eastynh]

9 hours ago, The Nal said:

Villa? The worst Premier League team ever? That was a rare occasion when they did. They don't have any big gamer players really. Yesterday was a big game. Its a consistent theme with Arsenal.

True. He had chances to run in behind though. Didn't do it. Or wasn't given the ball. He can't really hold the ball up either. 

Anyway, are Leicester actually going to do it!?

Nope City will win it.

[eFestivals]

1 minute ago, eastynh said:

Nope City will win it.

I'm having that sarcasm-on-the-internet dilemma again. Is it or isn't it?

They'd have to pick up maximum points from their remaining games. I just can't see it.

Arsenal have a slim chance being that bit closer.

But remember what I said at the turn of the year, that the goals have it? Looking at the table and thinking about current form, perhaps it's going to WHL.

[eastynh]

24 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

I'm having that sarcasm-on-the-internet dilemma again. Is it or isn't it?

They'd have to pick up maximum points from their remaining games. I just can't see it.

Arsenal have a slim chance being that bit closer.

But remember what I said at the turn of the year, that the goals have it? Looking at the table and thinking about current form, perhaps it's going to WHL.

If City (we) manage to beat Liverpool @Anfield on Wednesday (which we never do) then I think we will win it.

We have dug ourselves out of bigger holes than the one we find ourselves currently. I have also seen far better teams than the ones we are chasing buckle under the pressure.

The players are all on the way to being fit after us being decimated throughout the season.

Fair play to Leicester if they hang on but if City come through Wednesday unscathed then I think we will go on to win it.

[thetime]

15 minutes ago, eastynh said:

If City (we) manage to beat Liverpool @Anfield on Wednesday (which we never do) then I think we will win it.

We have dug ourselves out of bigger holes than the one we find ourselves currently. I have also seen far better teams than the ones we are chasing buckle under the pressure.

The players are all on the way to being fit after us being decimated throughout the season.

Fair play to Leicester if they hang on but if City come through Wednesday unscathed then I think we will go on to win it.

City have a tough run in don't they? Got to play Liverpool, Arsenal, United and Chelsea.

City will be going strong for the champions league this year, great chance going far if they avoid barca until the final.

City need to worry about finishing top 4 more than anything. If Liverpool beat city and United beat Watford they go level on points.

I would say city will finish 3rd with arsenal 4th. Spurs for the title for me, with Leicester second.

[eastynh]

31 minutes ago, thetime said:

City have a tough run in don't they? Got to play Liverpool, Arsenal, United and Chelsea.

City will be going strong for the champions league this year, great chance going far if they avoid barca until the final.

City need to worry about finishing top 4 more than anything. If Liverpool beat city and United beat Watford they go level on points.

I would say city will finish 3rd with arsenal 4th. Spurs for the title for me, with Leicester second.

Its Leicesters to lose. They have the points in the bag and the easiest run in. 

Spurs and Arsenal have tougher matches than us in the run in. Wednesday will be tough but if we can come through that when it is game on. Chelsea away will be tough but everyone will be fit by then so I fancy our chances.

United and Arsenal at home with a full strength squad? I think we will be far too strong for both.

At the start of the season with everyone fit then we looked head and shoulders the best team. How we have managed to hang on it there just about is a bit strange. 

Like I say, Wednesday will be key. We never win at Anfield but we may have blown their bubble yesterday and hopefully we will have too much for them.

Liverpool spanked us at the Etihad but we played right into their hands. Yesterday was the template to follow (even though we did not win in normal time)

[TheGayTent]

1 hour ago, eFestivals said:

They'd have to pick up maximum points from their remaining games. I just can't see it. 

I don't think the title winner this season will break the 80 point barrier. 

[Celery]

Same old Arsenal. Can always rely on them to bottle it when it matters.

Spurs are gonna win this aren't they - far and away the most well-rounded team.  Not particularly easy on the eye and able to grind out results when opponents sit back. Jose would no doubt approve. Would be top now if it wasn't for that late Leicester goal. A Kane injury would be a big problem though, can't think who else would put in the work up top. 

[mjsell]

The solidity, togetherness and general calmness surrounding WHL currently is (as an arsenal fan) extremely concerning and I would make them favourites currently.

 However I am no way thinking this season is anywhere near a done deal in any sense. Any of the top 4 are still in it - and I guarantee there will still be loads of twists and turns to come. Two weeks ago momentum was with us after welbecks late winner, that has managed to swing the complete opposite in the space of 1 PL game. 11 games is a long time and with every game in this league being loseable that swingometer is going to be busy. 

 

I for one am excited by the prospect of a cracking spring. Just not looking forward to the Derby on Saturday too much. 

[eastynh]

17 minutes ago, mjsell said:

The solidity, togetherness and general calmness surrounding WHL currently is (as an arsenal fan) extremely concerning and I would make them favourites currently.

 However I am no way thinking this season is anywhere near a done deal in any sense. Any of the top 4 are still in it - and I guarantee there will still be loads of twists and turns to come. Two weeks ago momentum was with us after welbecks late winner, that has managed to swing the complete opposite in the space of 1 PL game. 11 games is a long time and with every game in this league being loseable that swingometer is going to be busy. 

 

I for one am excited by the prospect of a cracking spring. Just not looking forward to the Derby on Saturday too much. 

I have never enjoyed Derbies. Hate them with a passion.

[pink_triangle]

9 hours ago, The Nal said:

They absolutely have done that yeah. Any of the clubs winning the leagues have a team mentality. Which is why the current Madrid team have only won 1 league in the Ronaldo era. See his comments after they lost at the weekend? Out of the running already and Villareal on their heels now. 

I think theres a bigger reason that they have only won the league once and that is the existence of a pretty decent team in the same country.

[DomDom1984]

Beating Liverpool isn't an indicator to anything.