Football 16-17

[eFestivals]

14 minutes ago, mjsell said:

Not a bad little summary. Hull and Swansea are toast for me. Then the last could be any club from Sunderland up to Southampton for me (obviously some more likely than others). Any club that puts together a Watford style drop in results over the next couple of months will get dragged into it. For example Southampton have lost their last 3 and are suddenly not a million miles away from being involved.

Swansea might be alright, as they at least have keen-ish new owners who might spend some money - which is more than Hull and S'land have.

 

[big__phil]

2 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

Swansea might be alright, as they at least have keen-ish new owners who might spend some money - which is more than Hull and S'land have.

 

Possibly. They failed to spend money on replacing Ashley Williams though, although surely they will before the end of January.

[eFestivals]

7 minutes ago, big__phil said:

Possibly. They failed to spend money on replacing Ashley Williams though, although surely they will before the end of January.

I'm guessing the latest manager came in with a promise of money for him to spend.

Thinking about it, Hull might perk up now they've sacked matey, tho the new guy will be trying to mostly polish a turd.

[big__phil]

1 minute ago, eFestivals said:

Thinking about it, Hull might perk up now they've sacked matey, tho the new guy will be trying to mostly polish a turd.

No chance. Dreadful squad, dreadful owners.

[eFestivals]

1 minute ago, big__phil said:

No chance. Dreadful squad, dreadful owners.

you're prolly right, tho they started the season pretty well and they're not all bad players. On paper it's probably a better squad than the teams around them.

A new manager might get them ticking well enough to survive. It wouldn't be the first time that's happened with a poorly performing team.

[TheGayTent]

52 minutes ago, big__phil said:

I don't buy in to the 'Sunderland are fucked' malarkey...just yet. 

They're fucked financially without new investment, that was the point I was making. 

They have a half decent chance of staying up, as there's plenty of other shit teams but that also depends on them pulling off a superb transfer window. 

[big__phil]

4 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

On paper it's probably a better squad than the teams around them.

Not convinced. This is the squad from the other day:

• 23Marshall
• 5Maguire
• 21Dawson
• 6DaviesSubstituted forHenriksenat 84'minutes
• 27Elmohamady
• 14Livermore
• 8Huddlestone
• 11Clucas
• 10Snodgrass
• 18MbokaniSubstituted forMasonat 65'minutes
• 20Diomande

Substitutes

• 3Robertson
• 7Meyler
• 15Maloney
• 16Jakupovic
• 17Weir
• 22Henriksen
• 25Mason

Perhaps I'm being harsh, but I don't see loads of quality there. Obviously Snodgrass is in good form, but beyond that (and perhaps Elmohamady) I see a load of Championship players.

[TheGayTent]

I wonder what reward the Premier League have lined up for another abysmal performance from Mike Read. 

Red card rescinded. 

Edited January 4, 2017 by TheGayTent
Spelling

[DareToDibble]

I agree completely that's a team of Championship players. Funny really as only 3 or 4 years ago there were loads of people on the "Huddlestone for England" bandwagon after he had 1 good game in about 10.

I do think this will be the season that Sunderland finally go down. I predict the bottom 3 come May to be the same as it currently is, with Sunderland being relegated on the final day. I think Swansea and (especially) Hull will have their relegation confirmed a few games before the end of the season. 

[eFestivals]

9 minutes ago, DareToDibble said:

I agree completely that's a team of Championship players.

that might be the case, but it's also the case with the teams around them too.

For example, Sunderland without Defoe are at least as bad a squad as Hull without Snodgrass, and both are better on a good day than Swansea on almost any day.

I'm not trying to make any great claims for Hull, I'm pointing out they have as much chance of perking up as others at the bottom.

[pink_triangle]

I think hull have the worse squad in the premiership. I think they have been overperforming to reach the points total they have at present.

[Hugh Jass]

7 hours ago, eFestivals said:

Player of the week?

Peter Crouch, 2 goals and an assist, aged 35.

Matt Phillips, one goal, three assists, two MOTM awards.

[Hugh Jass]

Hull are terrible, having watched them up close on Monday they don't deserve to survive defending the way they do. If it wasnt for Snodgrass they would already be gone.

Read somewhere that they've taken 6 points from their last 15 matches. That's not bad luck or not being that bad, that's utter shite.

[TheGayTent]

6 hours ago, eFestivals said:

And secondly I'd blame the moron who thought that Moyes was a good idea for a team that needs to defend.

He's a darn sight better at it than Bobby Brown shoes was...

[TheGayTent]

Sounds like Defoe and Hogan. Can't help wondering what 1st teamer(s) are being sold to finance the new signings...hmm

[The Nal]

Huge result last night for the top of the league. Utd vs Liverpool next week the biggest game in a while now. City vs Spurs the following week too. 

Business end!

[Hugh Jass]

Spurs were very impressive last night.

Came to the shocking conclusion that Danny Rose is actually the best left back in the league.

[thetime]

13 minutes ago, The Nal said:

Huge result last night for the top of the league. Utd vs Liverpool next week the biggest game in a while now. City vs Spurs the following week too. 

Business end!

I hope you're not suggesting Utd are in a title race nal.

[big__phil]

15 minutes ago, Hugh Jass said:

Came to the shocking conclusion that Danny Rose is actually the best left back in the league.

As much as it pains me to say it, he's certainly up there. Could be more to do with the lack of quality full backs though. Who would have thought that James Milner would also be the other outstanding left back in the league?

[mjsell]

15 minutes ago, Hugh Jass said:

Spurs were very impressive last night.

Came to the shocking conclusion that Danny Rose is actually the best left back in the league.

hahaha, I figured this out a little while ago and was equally shocked and slightly upset by the revelation. Left back is a barron wasteland of top class talent at the moment. But Rose has improved considerably I'll give him that. Still goes down like an absolutely ragdoll everytime he is clipped though.

 

15 minutes ago, thetime said:

I hope you're not suggesting Utd are in a title race nal.

Now Chelsea have lost United have the best form in the league... Sort of.

[The Nal]

29 minutes ago, thetime said:

I hope you're not suggesting Utd are in a title race nal.

I'm not. 10 points is too much. Just meant for the top of the league ie the top 6. If Utd beat Liverpool next week its entirely possible that Utd could be 3 points off 2nd and Liverpool could be 5th. Or Arsenal/City could be out of the title race completely. So tight. Interesting couple of weeks ahead. 

 

[Wooderson]

I was chasing after a 3 year old loon last night so couldnt see the full game.

Anyone care to tell me how Spurs won? Off night from Chavski? Costa negated?

As for Utd, that theyve strung a few decent results together should surprise no one. Theyve spent an absolute fucking fortune.

[mjsell]

14 minutes ago, Wooderson said:

I was chasing after a 3 year old loon last night so couldnt see the full game.

Anyone care to tell me how Spurs won? Off night from Chavski? Costa negated?

As for Utd, that theyve strung a few decent results together should surprise no one. Theyve spent an absolute fucking fortune.

Spurs were the better team, Chelsea were a little lerthargic at times and a few of their players had a bit of an off day (Pedro, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Kante) but I would give Spurs the credit for tactically matching up to Chelsea and winning more of their battles. I thought Dembele and Wanyama were absoultely phenomenal at controlling the midfield.

Alli is getting all the attention and his finishes were taken very nicely, but I think it was the tactical and phsyical battle that won it for Spurs - Potch put a lot of trust in his players to go 1v1 a lot of the time, and it was the first time really that Moses and Alonso were kept completely under wraps so big credit to Rose and Walker, as well as the 3 centre backs for controlling Costa and Hazard.

All in all was a good game to watch, spurs looked strong but it was not the end of the world for Chelsea.

Edited January 5, 2017 by mjsell

[Wooderson]

14 minutes ago, mjsell said:

Spurs were the better team, Chelsea were a little lerthargic at times and a few of their players had a bit of an off day (Pedro, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Kante) but I would give Spurs the credit for tactically matching up to Chelsea and winning more of their battles. I thought Dembele and Wanyama were absoultely phenomenal at controlling the midfield.

Alli is getting all the attention and his finishes were taken very nicely, but I think it was the tactical and phsyical battle that won it for Spurs - Potch put a lot of trust in his players to go 1v1 a lot of the time, and it was the first time really that Moses and Alonso were kept completely under wraps so big credit to Rose and Walker, as well as the 3 centre backs for controlling Costa and Hazard.

All in all was a good game to watch, spurs looked strong but it was not the end of the world for Chelsea.

Nice one. Chuffed for Spurs fans.

[mjsell]

Fonte has handed in a transfer request at Southampton - sounds like any sort of relationship between him and the club is gone. Both sides accusing the other in regards to his contract situation.
The problem Southampton have now is that its looking likely they will need a whole new first team centre back pairing in the not too distant future - although they should have a fair wad of cash to get it with. The carousel continues to spin there, who needs a stable squad?