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The 2018-2019 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
- Start date
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The Guardian remarked today that it will probably take Sarri at least two more transfer windows to get Chelsea to where he would like them to be, or to being a team moulded in the image he would prefer.
In truth, I think he has done exceptionally well so far, and, sooner or later, was bound to come up against a team that would expose his team's limitations.
Much the same considerations apply to Emery and Arsenal; I would expect that it will take two to three more transfer windows before we are where we really would like to be.
In truth, I think he has done exceptionally well so far, and, sooner or later, was bound to come up against a team that would expose his team's limitations.
Much the same considerations apply to Emery and Arsenal; I would expect that it will take two to three more transfer windows before we are where we really would like to be.
Sarri previously did really well against Liverpool (aided of course by the awful fixture schedule Liverpool faced at the time), so I am a little surprised that Spurs won so convincingly. But it is true that the more respectable pundits have for some time been saying that Chelsea have been over performing and it couldn't last. As the season grinds on the thinness of the squad will take its toll.
Today's results fell nicely for Spurs and Liverpool. Man City don't care either way because they just keep winning. If Arsenal can keep up their momentum a fourth place finish starts to look a lot more realistic.
Today's results fell nicely for Spurs and Liverpool. Man City don't care either way because they just keep winning. If Arsenal can keep up their momentum a fourth place finish starts to look a lot more realistic.
I think Sarri has done exceptionally well (surprisingly so, unexpectedly so) thus far. I had expected an improvement, just not one that was so pronounced.
Inevitably, he was going to meet a team that was stronger, better and better equipped, and that came about today.
Spurs were always going to find their rhythm; by their standards, they have underperformed since the season started, but that is understandable given the cluster of players they had on World Cup duty.
Re Arsenal, I think fourth place a reasonable ambition; it is within the bounds of ambition and ability, but Emery, like Sarri, will be doing well to achieve it, and may need more than a further transfer window or two to craft and mould the team to his liking.
I think the coming transfer window will be instructive for both Sarri and Emery; by then, they both will have a far better sense of what they need by way of positions and players, and who within their respective teams can adapt to their respective systems, (and who can be discarded).
Sarri's problem, as you have pointed out, is a thinly stretched squad, and, for that matter, I am not sure that Hazard will remain much longer. Having said that, Chelsea are still a very good team. It is just that they are no longer consistently best, or second best, in the table.
My money is still - as it has been form the beginning of the season - for Liverpool to offer a serious challenge.
Yes, they can't slip up - but, they haven't, to date; they are still in Manchester City's rear view mirror, and haven't been shaken off or cut loose.
Yes, as matters stand, it is Manchester City's to lose, but Liverpool have been pretty steady, and it is a rare pleasure to see Klopp's vision rewarded.
Speaking as a Liverpool fan, my biggest fear is that the team's organization has finally gotten itself together, put together an excellent squad through shrewd transfer business, hired an elite manager who drills the squadd into an exciting, effective system - only for the project to mature just as Man City begin dominating the league for years and years....
...and today its pretty much become a 2-horse race. The issue with Liverpool in my view is they lack of depth. If any of their first 11 gets injured there will be a considerable impact. As evidence by the loss of Keita a few weeks ago. City meanwhile have 2 or 3 for every position. De Bruyne has barely featured and they still mow teams down. Hence its City's title to lose by a margin.
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Won't happen, not least because football develops. Manchester City may well dominate for a few years, but teams will learn to cope with them, and, eventually, to beat them.
Pep Guardiola - whom I have a lot of time for - took a year to think through - and work out - what he could do, and needed to do, in the Premiership with the resources (players, monies context) at his disposal.
Actually, I remember some of the ill-informed jeers and sneers at that time, expressed or couched - in the usual short term framework. "He won't "get" England" etc. Nonsense.
Look: Liverpool managed to get to the final of the Champion's League last year - something Manchester City are nowhere near - and seriously, that is no mean achievement, so, don't sell yourselves short, psychologically or in terms of professional possibility. This is a superb team, and the only team in the Premiership, to my mind, - and I have been saying this all summer and ever since - that will give Manchester City a run for their money. This year, the premiership is a contest, not a coronation. And that is no bad thing.
Yes, Manchester City currently set the bench-mark in terms of premiership football; they set the standard, and are the team to beat. Moreover, they have the resources (financial, political, and perhaps otherwise,) to meet their ambitions, and - as some of your own posts have reminded others (perhaps uncomfortably) there is a political agenda of 'soft power' on the part of a political entity that is less than wholly admirable (I'd love to see a game between PSG and Manchester City for a variety of reasons, not least, political).
So, as far as I am concerned, good luck to Liverpool.
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Arsenal defeat Bournemouth by two goals to one, leaving them in fifth, one point behind Chelsea.
Arsenal were the better team, but Bournemouth had a slice or two of bad luck, and might have drawn it. Important win for Arsenal with a Europa League match coming up followed by matches against Spurs and Man Utd. three days apart (what kind of moronic scheduling is that?).
Mourinho has to be licking his chops - Arsenal will expend a lot of energy against Spurs and if they happen to lose that match they will roll into Old Trafford exhausted and dispirited. Here's hoping Emery can guide them through.
Yes, Arsenal will expend a lot of energy against Spurs (something that will cut both ways), but Arsenal are playing as a proper team, more or less with a common vision, which is more than can be said about Manchester United.
Re the Europa League game, I'd imagine that some of the players that have been eclipsed in recent times (such as Cech) might get a call up in the first team for that night.
Under Emery, Arsenal have developed a good habit of not folding when they go behind, or concede - indeed, of scoring winners or snatching draws - in the second half; and, as of now, they are unbeaten in 17 games.
The Spurs match will be a serious challenge for both sides.
Manchester United can be taken if Arsenal keep their heads, and stay injury free.
EDIT:
The second leg of the Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate has been suspended for the second time in 24 hours after fears of continued fan violence, after River fans attacked the Boca team bus yesterday and injured several Boca players.
There are hints that the second leg may never be played, though how this will all play out is still completely in the air.
This is possibly the biggest club football match in the history of the sport in South America, and for the competition to find itself in this situation is deeply embarrassing for all involved - especically for anyone connected with Argentinian football. My gut instinct would be to disqualify River Plate and hand the title to Boca (there is precedent for that), or perhaps simply cancel the competition for this year. Both of those alternatives are likely to be intolerable to the officials, so I imagine it is more likely that the match will be played at some future date under an intense security blanket, or in an empty stadium, or at a neutral venue (or all three).
South America has a different football culture, but this is far beyond the pale.
Emery will need to play a fill strength side against Spurs for both pragmatic and emotional reasons. Arsenal will be at home but Spurs are confident at the moment and Kane is warming up.
That means the Man Utd match will require some squad players to step up and perform for Emery. I suspect Mourinho will see Arsenal as vulnerable to long aerial assaults directed to Lukaku and Fellaini and will try to bully the Arsenal defense. This is a genuine danger for Arsenal, and I think their best defense is to outscore Man Utd, who are not exactly a goal machine. Man Utd are usually a bit listless in the first half of matches, so a fast start from Arsenal could be key.
The second leg of the Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate has been suspended for the second time in 24 hours after fears of continued fan violence, after River fans attacked the Boca team bus yesterday and injured several Boca players.
There are hints that the second leg may never be played, though how this will all play out is still completely in the air.
This is possibly the biggest club football match in the history of the sport in South America, and for the competition to find itself in this situation is deeply embarrassing for all involved - especically for anyone connected with Argentinian football. My gut instinct would be to disqualify River Plate and hand the title to Boca (there is precedent for that), or perhaps simply cancel the competition for this year. Both of those alternatives are likely to be intolerable to the officials, so I imagine it is more likely that the match will be played at some future date under an intense security blanket, or in an empty stadium, or at a neutral venue (or all three).
South America has a different football culture, but this is far beyond the pale.
Emery will need to play a fill strength side against Spurs for both pragmatic and emotional reasons. Arsenal will be at home but Spurs are confident at the moment and Kane is warming up.
That means the Man Utd match will require some squad players to step up and perform for Emery. I suspect Mourinho will see Arsenal as vulnerable to long aerial assaults directed to Lukaku and Fellaini and will try to bully the Arsenal defense. This is a genuine danger for Arsenal, and I think their best defense is to outscore Man Utd, who are not exactly a goal machine. Man Utd are usually a bit listless in the first half of matches, so a fast start from Arsenal could be key.
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I think Neymar is rapidly becoming the world's second most ann
The authorities are taking the match as far away from the streets of Buenos Aires as they can...and, one suspects, making an extra buck or two by having it in Madrid?
The authorities are taking the match as far away from the streets of Buenos Aires as they can...and, one suspects, making an extra buck or two by having it in Madrid?
I think it would be more than one or two extra bucks. And there are 350000 Argentinians living in Spain alone.
Exactly. More than enough for a pretty large-scale riot....Madrid might not be far enough away from Buenos Aires to prevent trouble...
It does not mean there are a lot of rioters living outside Argentina.
And it will fit European prime time. Argentina can watch in the afternoon. It was already like this.
150000 people (71000 Argentinians) asked about tickets in 24 hours. The Madrid stadium can fit 81000. They would cost 80 to 300 euro.
But the Barcelona stadium is the biggest in Europe. It fits 99000. Only Australia and North Korea have a bigger one.
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Good luck with you health issues and try to enjoy whatever football matches you are able to watch.
I agree - was being facetious - I would be surprised if this match did not pass off quietly.
Thank you. I had a slip of judgement last night and consumed several handfuls of toasted nuts. Something that would aggravate a scratchy, dry throat. And it has in the past. No effect so far. I must be getting better or my body simply hates me.
Just for a change we aren't starting from behind! To be fair Newcastle should be a winnable game for us, but I'm sure Wolves said the same against Cardiff last night!
Newcastle had built a little momentum and I expected a bit more from them today. Bournemouth have given Man City a bit of a fight - we all should be hoping Man City drop points every week it's the only way we'll have anything resembling a title race - shame they look set to leak the regulation 3-4 goals Man City seem to score every time they take the pitch.