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The 2018-2019 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
- Start date
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Very tough, and very rough for poor Bellerin (he had just returned from injury, and can now expect to be out for a further six months) when you consider that this comes on top of the serious injuries already sustained by both Danny Welbeck (ankle) and Rob Holidng (cruciate knee ligament).
It may be time to revise that policy of "loan acquisitions only during the January transfer window" and prise open a wallet or cheque book with a view to offering some strength in depth in defence.
Newly signed Cardiff striker Emiliano Sala was a passenger on a light aircraft that went missing yesterday over the English Channel. SAR efforts are ongoing but it does not look good. He was to begin training with the team this morning. Tragic.
Some have argued that Sarri's tactics are effective but too predictable. There is no question of the quality of players at his disposal, so I think the issue is one of how they are being used, and possibly confidence issue creeping in as the results go against them. It's incredible that Arsenal, Chelsea, and Spurs are all suffering major funks at exactly the same moment, allowing Man Utd to waltz straight up the table as if those teams weren't even there.
Some have argued that Sarri's tactics are effective but too predictable. There is no question of the quality of players at his disposal, so I think the issue is one of how they are being used, and possibly confidence issue creeping in as the results go against them. It's incredible that Arsenal, Chelsea, and Spurs are all suffering major funks at exactly the same moment, allowing Man Utd to waltz straight up the table as if those teams weren't even there.
I saw this story about Emiliano Sala earlier today, and have to agree that it doesn't look good.
He had returned to France to bid his team mates farewell, and was en route back to the UK when his small plane disappeared off the coast of the Channel islands; tragic.
Re Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea all stumbling at the same time, yes, this will benefit Liverpool and Manchester City, and, for now, Manchester United look set to profit from this as well.
However, it also makes clear the importance of having strength in depth; it is no longer sufficient to have an extremely good first team; injuries and the pace and intensity of the modern game mean that you need several good players in reserve so that you can rotate your squad as needed.
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Right now the two Manchester clubs are arguably in the best shape in terms of depth in the top 6, though the quality of Man Utd's squad players is patchy. Liverpool are in trouble in defense at the moment, though Big Virgil is still healthy and it sounds as though Trent will only miss a match or two, while Milner will miss one for the red card. The timing of the Clyne loan move could not have been worse, but I don't think it's a disaster.
Terrible news about Sala. The sort of thing that makes football talk seem trivial.
Absolutely terrible news for the poor player (and pilot); very unfortunate for Cardiff, too.
[doublepost=1548288968][/doublepost]I'm really enjoying 'Pool's success this season.
I love Klopp!
[doublepost=1548289073][/doublepost]Is this the first time I've posted in this thread this season?
[doublepost=1548288968][/doublepost]I'm really enjoying 'Pool's success this season.
I love Klopp!
[doublepost=1548289073][/doublepost]Is this the first time I've posted in this thread this season?
Yes, I like Klopp, too and wish Liverpool well.
You used to post fairly frequently in the football thread: Are you suggesting that you haven't posted there (here) this season yet until now?
Welcome back! Don't worry, plenty of football left to play.
And I feel a need to clarify, I've been tweaking my fantasy team all season(still horrible) and I've been following Wednesday. I just haven't been in here much. 
And I feel a need to clarify, I've been tweaking my fantasy team all season(still horrible) and I've been following Wednesday. I just haven't been in here much.
No, I know that I've chatted with you elsewhere (the books thread, for one) and so am surprised at the belated realisation that you hadn't paid a visit to the football thread this season.
Looks like we are pushing on with signing Maxi Gomez regardless of what Arnie does. We said he can leave for £50 million.
He says he’s staying until the summer.
Either way he’s not in the squad to face AFC Wimbledon this weekend.
He says he’s staying until the summer.
Either way he’s not in the squad to face AFC Wimbledon this weekend.
Even in today's market that is a lot of money for an excellent, if not world-class, player. It looks like the Chinese clubs are still pretty far from West Ham on meeting that valuation.
In the mean time, Arnautovic just rides the pine or rots in the reserves, which does nobody any good. Shame.
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Agreed. Hopefully he shrugs it off and gets back to playing for us at his best.
And another youngster in the squad is good for us. If Gomez works out we could get 7th! But more likely 8-9th.
[doublepost=1548448678][/doublepost]Arsenal’s defensive frailties exposed by United. Not surprised the form Man U are in! I’m sure there’s another goal or two yet.
(Just as Arsenal score!)
Aside from a collective defensive switch-off on the conceded goal, United made it look pretty easy tonight. Lukaku showing some of that devastating creativity that has mostly gone missing since the World Cup ended, and the composure the attackers are showing in front of goal now versus a few months back under Mourinho is like night and day.
In other news, Thierry Henry's short run at Monaco is over and Leonardo Jardim is back in charge with a new contract. What a shambles.
In other news, Thierry Henry's short run at Monaco is over and Leonardo Jardim is back in charge with a new contract. What a shambles.
Well our season is officially done. Not enough consistency to get into a Europa spot, too many points to get drawn into the relegation fight, out of both cups.
Yep, same thing with Everton, that went from a meh! season to a frustrating one over the last ten or so matches...
Oh, well. There's always next year.
And, from a Norwegian's standpoint, I'm still a bit curious of how far OGS can take Man Utd this season...