The 2017-2018 Football Thread

[Scepticalscribe]

What can I say, very disappointed in another draw by my Man U team.

While I deplore the horrible habit of sacking managers - sort of like a sacrificial offering - at the drop of the proverbial hat, and blaming them for anything and everything that goes wrong, - in this case, I'll make an exception. Mr Mourinho's whinges (sneering at what Mr Klopp had said earlier about the cost of - or price paid for - Pogba - (conveniently forgetting that if United hadn't sold him in the first place they wouldn't have had to pay silly money to buy him back) whining in a self-pitying manner about the resources available to Manchester City, picking fights with his footballers about "childish decisions") already have the wearying sound of a man who has been at the club for over two seasons, and is about to implode, self-destructively, rather than the one and a half that is actually the case.

Actually, I'll go so far as to argue that if Pep was managing United, they'd possibly - perhaps probably - currently be lying at the top of the table.

 

[Strelok]

Mourinho always seems to blame everyone else. Not enough money - laughable. Personally I'm not impressed by him and don't see why clubs keep trying to hire him. He did well in the past, but now he's just a manager that goes to teams with great players already, spends millions and does well for one or so season and then fails miserably.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

In a way, Mourinho had a point about needing more money - but only because Man Utd have been rudderless in the Post-Ferg era, squandering their huge resources and ending up with a squad that is a poorly-integrated grab-bag of different kinds of players purchased by different managers.

The problem is, Mou will never hang around long enough to rebuild a squad.

You could argue that most of the bet players at the club are still players developed or acquired during the Ferguson era.

I'm not going to say this would stop that issue, but didn't those legends play with a ball at least twice the weight?

Some have made the argument that, while it is true that in the past the ball was heavier, it was also moving slower, so that the modern, lighter and faster ball is just as damaging as the slower, heavier ball. The argument has also been made that the lighter ball makes players more willing to head it. I am not a physicist or doctor, but it all sounds at least plausible.

 

[Apple fanboy]

What can I say, very disappointed in another draw by my Man U team.

If only poor old Mourino had some more money to spend! Perhaps he could knock his wages on the head to help.
I think there are a good number of managed that wouldn't mind his budget!
Kind of glad Southampton didn't capitulate. They have sold yet another star player, but still managed to shut out a top team.

 

[Strelok]

If only poor old Mourino had some more money to spend! Perhaps he could knock his wages on the head to help.
I think there are a good number of managed that wouldn't mind his budget!
Kind of glad Southampton didn't capitulate. They have sold yet another star player, but still managed to shut out a top team.

What I don't get is, that he bitches about money but then ends up spending 1/3 of his budget on a single player. Mind blowing.

 

[Apple fanboy]

What I don't get is, that he bitches about money but then ends up spending 1/3 of his budget on a single player. Mind blowing.

As you said above, he's always got an excuse.
Either way he'll be off by the end of the season I'm sure.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

As you said above, he's always got an excuse.
Either way he'll be off by the end of the season I'm sure.

It is not just that he always has an excuse, it is that the excuse is never him. He never owns his part in any of this cycle (largely self-generated) of implosion and self-destruction.

I suspect that Mr Mourinho longs for the days when he was the clever protégé of Bobby Robson, the dashing, handsome, foreign, articulate, stylish new kid on the bloc, and the Alex Fergusons and Arsene Wengers (for Wenger always seems middle-aged, even when young) were old fogies against whom he was able to contrast himself, a time when the media hung on his every word, and he was able to bring something new to the game.

Now, he is no longer the 'new guy' - he is a known quantity; he is not even the 'new stylish strategically clever foreigner' - that label has gone to Conte and Guardiola, and maybe to Pochettino and Klopp.

The negatives in his character - the gracelessness, the nastiness, the petulance, the lack of generosity, the blame game (directed at anyone and everyone except himself) now dominate and define him at the expense of the wit and style of his persona of former years.

Much more telling is the fact that he has "lost the dressing room" on a number of occasions in his career, and clearly appears to be unable to get the best out of his players - or to get them to be a better version of themselves (which - all of the money of the disposal of Manchester City notwithstanding - is one of Pep Guardiola's most effective traits) or to want to be a better version of themselves. This means that Pep can take a player and make him want to be better, much better and help him to so that; under Mourinho, that player will sometimes stagnate, confidence a bit bruised.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And now I read that he has been complaining about the referee against Southampton.

For God's sake, man. Pathetic.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I'm sure he'll blame the loss of points on Lukaku's injury. But all teams suffer injuries. And let's be honest Manchester teams have plenty of resources ££££.

 

[Alphazoid]

So close yet so far for palace. Was genuinely annoyed when Milli-whatshisname missed the pen.

Jesus is out for 1-2months which makes almost certain that City will move for Alexis Sanchez this window.

 

[Apple fanboy]

So close yet so far for palace. Was genuinely annoyed when Milli-whatshisname missed the pen.

Jesus is out for 1-2months which makes almost certain that City will move for Alexis Sanchez this window.

I'm sure that point will do Palaces confidence the world of good. Shame they are about to lose Zaha in the transfer window.

 

[Alphazoid]

Zaha confirmed that he is going nowhere this window

 

[Apple fanboy]

Zaha confirmed that he is going nowhere this window

Has he? Pity. It would help our relegation battle with them if he moved on!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Interesting result and well done to Palace.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Palace didn't exactly deserve to win that match, but they had a golden opportunity to do so with that penalty. And they were more than good enough for the draw.

And just like that, the bubble bursts. Man City sustain two significant injuries and fail to keep their winning streak alive. It will be interesting to see how they react to this. They still have more money and talent than everyone else, of course, so I expect the juggernaut to keep rolling.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Palace didn't exactly deserve to win that match, but they had a golden opportunity to do so with that penalty.

And just like that,, the bubble bursts. Man City sustain two significant injuries and fail to keep their winning streak alive. It will be interesting to see how they react to this. They still have more money and talent than everyone else, of course, so I expect the juggernaut to keep rolling.

They still haven't been beaten this season, and this is only the second draw that has been secured against them.

Palace could have won - but, agreed,, didn't deserve to; however, they richly merited their point.

Of greater concern for City are the injuries they have sustained; a few days will tell just exactly how serious they are, but that was a very nasty challenge to Kevin de Bruyne - just when he is in the form of his life; irrespective of how injured he is, I would expect this to cause City to focus a bit more intensely on opportunities presented by the imminent opening of the transfer window.

There is nothing like an unexpected injury to concentrate minds on matters such as the potential for fragility of the human body - even on experienced, fit and strong men, sportsmen who are toned and trained players.

Hm. It would come as no surprise now were City to make an offer for dear Alexis Sanchez.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

It is feared that Gabriel Jesus ruptured a cruciate in his knee, which could potentially be a season-ender. de Bruyne's injury appears to not be serious, but we'll see.

At this point it makes sense to both parties for Sanchez to move to Man City - Arsenal aren't going to miss out on the title by selling him, and this could be their last chance to get some money for him. Plus he risks being a cancer in the dressing room, by the sounds of things trickling out of the club. On the other hand, selling him could hurt them in the very tight race for a top four spot.

I admit I was hoping to see Man City lose today. Because they are still unbeaten people (who are always quick to bring up Liverpool's shaky defense) seem to not notice the fact that Klopp's Liverpool has lost fewer matches than "tactical mastermind" Mourinho's Man Utd (not to mention Chelsea, Arsenal, or Spurs). Not bad for a team who allegedly don't know how to defend.

I am actually looking forward to Liverpool's next match against Man City. I think Klopp excels at these types of meetings and Liverpool could be the team to kill the "invincible" season for Man City.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It is feared that Gabriel Jesus ruptured a cruciate in his knee, which could potentially be a season-ender. de Bruyne's injury appears to not be serious, but we'll see.

At this point it makes sense to both parties for Sanchez to move to Man City - Arsenal aren't going to miss out on the title by selling him, and this could be their last chance to get some money for him. Plus he risks being a cancer in the dressing room, by the sounds of things trickling out of the club. On the other hand, selling him could hurt them in the very tight race for a top four spot.

I admit I was hoping to see Man City lose today. Because they are still unbeaten people (who are always quick to bring up Liverpool's shaky defense) seem to not notice the fact that Klopp's Liverpool has lost fewer matches than "tactical mastermind" Mourinho's Man Utd (not to mention Chelsea, Arsenal, or Spurs). Not bad for a team who allegedly don;t know how to defend.

I am actually looking forward to Liverpool's next match against Man City. I think Klopp excels at these types of meetings and Liverpool could be the team to kill the "invincible" season for Man City.

Agree about the porous defence of Manchester United, and the fact that Klopp's achievements are less recognised than they might otherwise be; I would expect the arrival of van Dijk to make a difference.

Agree, too, re Sanchez and what has been described by some as his "toxic presence" in the dressing room; I was resigned to him disappearing next summer - and leaving aside the injuries suffered by both Jesus and De Bruyne today - until I noticed the marked lack of enthusiasm among his team mates for joining in the usual gushing collective celebrations in the wake of the goals he scored last week.

From what I have read, many of his team-mates have become very fed up with him and with his attitude; if that is the case, Arsenal are better off selling him, gifted and competitive though he is.

Re City, this is only their second draw of the entire season; everything else they have won. I wouldn't write them off yet; they have a terrific manager, an excellent squad and what appear to be something close to bottomless financial resources plus an attitude born of confidence and experience.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Re City, this is only their second draw of the entire season; everything else they have won. I wouldn't write them off yet; they have a terrific manager, an excellent squad and what appear to be something close to bottomless financial resources plus an attitude born of confidence and experience.

Oh, I agree - but the air of invincibility was tarnished a little today after an incredible run of successes. I still think there is zero chance they will fail to win the league, of course, but I don't think they will finish the season unbeaten.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Oh, by the bleeding nails of Christ: Sanchez scores in the 83rd minute (registered as an own-goal) with a free kick and - this time - receives lots and lots of - lashings of - hugs.

Then, Arsenal concede a penalty, or one is awarded against them. WBA put it away......in the 89th minute.

Hell's bells: One all.

 

[Alphazoid]

Mike Dean...nuff said.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Ball to hand, never a penalty.

Though, Sanchez's goal was off a huge deflection, so both goals were down more to luck than anything.

Very frustrating day for poor old Arsene.

Now, if West Ham can do us a favor later this week and take some points off Spurs...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Ball to hand, never a penalty.

Though, Sanchez's goal was off a huge deflection, so both goals were down more to luck than anything.

Very frustrating day for poor old Arsene.

Now, if West Ham can do us a favor later this week and take some points off Spurs...

Yes, very frustrating, but at least Sanchez got his hugs this time...

 

[Apple fanboy]

Yes, very frustrating, but at least Sanchez got his hugs this time...

Hope it makes him feel all warm and fuzzy!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Hope it makes him feel all warm and fuzzy!

On his way out the door and off the team En Route Rapidly To Elsewhere....