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The 2018-2019 Football Thread

United looked a lot better in the second half, aside from the fell-asleep-at-the-switch goal they conceded in added time.

Alexis still looks like he's on another planet from the rest of his teammates, which is pretty concerning. Fred looks like he belongs, and Pereira did an excellent job in a more holding role than he's accustomed to. He played on the right wing last season on loan, would love to see him get a chance there with United when Matic is fit again.

Bailly, Lindelof, and Shaw all did great work. Perhaps Woodward and the board were right to make Mourinho play who he has already, but the lack of quality cover is still a concern.
 
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Silencio said:
United looked a lot better in the second half, aside from the fell-asleep-at-the-switch goal they conceded in added time.

Alexis still looks like he's on another planet from the rest of his teammates, which is pretty concerning. Fred looks like he belongs, and Pereira did an excellent job in a more holding role than he's accustomed to. He played on the right wing last season on loan, would love to see him get a chance there with United when Matic is fit again.

Bailly, Lindelof, and Shaw all did great work. Perhaps Woodward and the board were right to make Mourinho play who he has already, but the lack of quality cover is still a concern.
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ivanwi11iams said:
Honestly, the goals and assists Alexis could be doing at Arsenal. Come May 2019, it will be interesting to see his statistics at Manchester United.
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Mr Mourinho, Mr Mourinho, Mr Mourinho.

Come on: This man has a long history of diminishing, traducing and reducing players, shrivelling their self confidence, and turning them into a paler version of themselves: Alexis, disruptive and polarising influence though he was in the dressing room at Arsenal, always played his heart out on the field, furious at colleagues who were less motivated and committed, whether through pride or ambition, one cannot say.

But the Alexis who has appeared at Old Trafford since last January is a pallid shadow of his former driven self.

It is not just Alexis: Pogba, Felliani, Lukaku all showed the same unsettling pattern: When liberated while playing with their national teams during the World Cup, they flourished, whereas, at Old Trafford, they shrivel into themselves, diminished, reduced, shrunken, confidence undermined.

Not only am I sorry that Manchester United won - when Leicester deserved a point (although they failed to convert their possession and chances into scores on the scoreboard), but I am sorry that they won in such a manner, lacking skill, style, élan, or passion, let alone artistry.
 
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Apple fanboy said:
So how long do you give Mourinho? Christmas at best I reckon.
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There are two different matters to place bets on, or open a book on, re managers.

The first is the usual - slightly morbid - thrill of the guillotine watch: Namely: Which manager will be the first to get the chop?

And the second is how long will it take Mr Mourinho to go, or be pushed, or lose the dressing room?

Certainly, Sanchez is a shadow of the brilliant, driven but disruptive influence he was at Arsenal, and - to my mind - that is down to Mourinho and his role as manager, or, as he remarked (I assume sarcastically) last night "head coach".
 
ivanwi11iams said:
Here’s hoping for entertaining games tomorrow.
Alas, I am a little perturbed that Chelsea, Spurs and Man Utd won...
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Perturbed, not quite, but, most certainly, it offers some food for thought.

For weak teams, or newly promoted teams, August - traditionally - has often offered the easiest possible pickings for the accumulation of points. Very often, the easiest ten points they will accrue over the entire season will occur in August.

Teams are unsettled, there are new managers, new players, a new playing system, recovering from a period off, and this is when you usually see the giant killing stuff.

Not this year, I suspect. Familiar patterns are reasserting themselves all too soon.

Spurs had a fight on their hands, and that match could have been a draw (and will give more ammunition to those who think that Newcastle should have been given the necessary funds to strengthen the squad), but Chelsea won easily, while Manchester United, notwithstanding Mourinho's monstrous moaning, were lucky to go ahead so early, because Leicester were well capable of claiming a draw from that match, too.

Nevertheless, I agree, it is a little unsettling to see familiar patterns re-asserting themselves so early.
 
Well I see the big spender (fans who complain about teams that do just what they did) have taken the 1-0 lead. What was is over £200 million is signings over the summer?
 
Apple fanboy said:
Not looking good for the Irons today. But I suspect Liverpool will be one of the teams that prove hard to beat this season.
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Look: Remember, Liverpool made it to the Champions' League Final least year, - that is no mean achievement, Arsenal only managed that once during the years they were extremely good - and their team has been improved considerably (goalkeeping concerns, among other areas have been addressed) over the summer.

They will offer Manchester City a serious challenge, or rather, Manchester City may have to prove and exert themselves a bit this year, I doubt it will be quite the canter to victory that it was last year - although - on paper - I still expect them to win the Premiership.

What is striking is that even though a number of teams have improved their squads, some considerably, the teams at the top are improving still further, and will be even harder to catch, let alone defeat, as the gap in quality between themselves and others widens ever further.
 
bmac4 said:
That is true. I just find it funny people act like these big spenders are so bad, but now that Liverpool has done it. Their fans have no issue with it.
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No, economists and observers of society find this insane, whereas football supporters will countenance anything in tiers of cost to bring the players they would like to see in the team colours to play for them.
 
Scepticalscribe said:
Look: Remember, Liverpool made it to the Champions' League Final least year, - that is no mean achievement, Arsenal only managed that once during the years they were extremely good - and their team has been improved considerably (goalkeeping concerns, among other areas have been addressed) over the summer.

They will offer Manchester City a serious challenge, or rather, Manchester City may have to prove and exert themselves a bit this year, I doubt it will be quite the canter to victory that it was last year - although - on paper - I still expect them to win the Premiership.

What is striking is that even though a number of teams have improved their squads, some considerably, the teams at the top are improving still further, and will be even harder to catch, let alone defeat, as the gap in quality between themselves and others widens ever further.
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Which is why Spurs may struggle. But being an Arsenal fan, that might bring a small smile!
(Actually I appreciate you are not the typical Arsenal supporter who loves to see Spurs struggle).

But I'm more opptermistic for this coming season than I have been for a while!
 
Scepticalscribe said:
No, economists and observers of society find this insane, whereas football supporters will countenance anything in tiers of cost to bring the players they would like to see in the team colours to play for them.
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Oh I agree, but one certain someone from this thread was so mad last season with Madrid. Talking how they won the champions league by buying it. Well Liverpool have spent more money them Madrid by a lot. They have become the same team expect Madrid know how to build a team not just buy it.
 
bmac4 said:
£100 million is how much one player cost these days. That is like pocket change in this market. You guys are building a team, Liverpool is trying to buy one.
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No, in fairness, Klopp is both building and buying.

Last year, his team were excellent but not good enough to challenge for the very top positions.

They had to acquire a world class keeper - Karius's errors and lapses (and doubtless slump in confidence afterwards) at the CL final could not be allowed to cost them in the future.
 
bmac4 said:
£100 million is how much one player cost these days. That is like pocket change in this market. You guys are building a team, Liverpool is trying to buy one.
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Not sure I see the difference. The academy days at West Ham are done. Lampard, Ferdinand, Cole and the like didn't bring us success. Players move on too easily these days.
[doublepost=1534079835][/doublepost]Insert expletive! Under the old offside rule that sort of thing wasn't allowed!
 
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