Yup.
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Hm.
Two all at the moment.
Tense times.
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The 2019-2020 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
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Hm.
Two all at the moment.
Tense times.
The match ended with a Liverpool victory, Liverpool defeat West Ham by three goals to two.
However, West Ham played exceptionally well, took the game to Liverpool, defended pretty well and attacked wth confidence, and, while - at one stage - they could well have won, (and were battling until the very end), they certainly would have merited a point from the game.
However, West Ham played exceptionally well, took the game to Liverpool, defended pretty well and attacked wth confidence, and, while - at one stage - they could well have won, (and were battling until the very end), they certainly would have merited a point from the game.
Which won't count for anything if we get relegated. Still it was a good performance against the champions elect.
It was possibly West Ham's best performance of the season, and certainly rattled Liverpool.
Poor finishing (and the essentially conservative character of Moyes) cost West Ham (at least) a point.
They could have scored one or two more.
A heck of a game, I have to say that when West Ham scored to take the lead, I had a sinking feeling.
Did Moyes attempt to yank a page from Atleti's playbook towards the end and just grind it out defensively? Few teams can succeed at that the way Atletico Madrid do, and in this case it was too big an ask for West Ham.
This match underscores the size of the target Liverpool carry on their back. Every team knows that there is a chance they can be the one to end the invincible run and write themselves into the history books. That makes everyone who face Liverpool extra motivated - look at how much Norwich threw into their recent match against Liverpool, and today West Ham came out swinging. They may have lost the match but they did score twice at Anfield. Liverpool's defense looked ragged at certain times today, not at their best. On the other hand, the wingbacks were once again crucial in the win.
Did Moyes attempt to yank a page from Atleti's playbook towards the end and just grind it out defensively? Few teams can succeed at that the way Atletico Madrid do, and in this case it was too big an ask for West Ham.
This match underscores the size of the target Liverpool carry on their back. Every team knows that there is a chance they can be the one to end the invincible run and write themselves into the history books. That makes everyone who face Liverpool extra motivated - look at how much Norwich threw into their recent match against Liverpool, and today West Ham came out swinging. They may have lost the match but they did score twice at Anfield. Liverpool's defense looked ragged at certain times today, not at their best. On the other hand, the wingbacks were once again crucial in the win.
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Of course Liverpool have an impressively sized target on their back: Let's refresh their recent stats: They lost one game over the course of the entire season during last season, (and lost the title to Manchester City by one point), and, thus far, not only have they not lost a game this season so far, but they have drawn only once, having won everything else.
Last year, they won the Champion's League, and were defeated finalists they year before that.
At the moment, they are somewhat reminiscent of Manchester City two years ago.
But, as Manchester City's current form reminds us, and, as Jurgen Klopp himself said - in the lovely letter he wrote by way of reply to a ten year old schoolboy - Liverpool will lose matches n the future, and that is football.
For now, though, the Premiership is theirs to lose; remember, they are twenty four points ahead of the next placed team, Manchester City - that is a gap equivalent to eight wins of a distance between where they lie in the table, and where the team ranked second is to be found.
There are 11 matches left to play. If Liverpool win any four of them - even if they lose the other seven - they will take the title even if Manchester City win every remaining match they play (quite possible too, this is still Pep's Man City we are talking abut here). in my opinion eleven matches is too many to expect Liverpool to go undefeated to the end, but it is hard to imagine Liverpool failing to win four out of the next eleven league matches.
The leagues been done for weeks. The relegation battle is the one where (sadly) my focus is. And the push for Europe for a good number of teams.
The important thing is to win and secure the title, and Liverpool are well on the way to achieving this; even in their season of stunning success, when they claimed 100 points, broke several records, and were a superlative team, Manchester City were defeated twice.
I think it possible that Liverpool may lose a game, (bear in mind that they lost only one during all of last season), and - more likely - probably draw one or two.
Actually, I expect Liverpool to carry on as they have been doing until they win the title, or rather, until it is mathematically impossible for anyone else to win it.
That is when it may prove something of a challenge to retain your focus and motivation; you will have won the title - (although not yet been presented with the title), and there are still several games to be played, which may be broadly irrelevant, except in terms of pride.
This is also why I hope that Liverpool remain in a number of other competitions (CL, FA Cup) for quite some time, yet.
Speaking as a 'Pool fan, I can't relax till it's mathematically over.
The battles for Europe and for relegation are pretty interesting this season, pretty close and a lot can change between now and the end of the season.
The different attitudes of the clubs are also interesting. For example, Norwich seem to be prepared to accept a move back to the Championship, with the manager and most of the squad continuing on after relegation. West Ham, on the other hand (and correct me if I am wrong) seem to be focused on premier league survival first and foremost - with perhaps more players on contracts with a relegation clause. Newcastle look just about safe given their current form; but everyone below them is very much in the mix.
I think our issue is we can’t financially survive in the Championship. I think Norwich cut their cloth accordingly knowing that was where they might end up.Speaking as a 'Pool fan, I can't relax till it's mathematically over.
The battles for Europe and for relegation are pretty interesting this season, pretty close and a lot can change between now and the end of the season.
The different attitudes of the clubs are also interesting. For example, Norwich seem to be prepared to accept a move back to the Championship, with the manager and most of the squad continuing on after relegation. West Ham, on the other hand (and correct me if I am wrong) seem to be focused on premier league survival first and foremost - with perhaps more players on contracts with a relegation clause. Newcastle look just about safe given their current form; but everyone below them is very much in the mix.
Watching the Chelsea/ Bayern Münich match with a visiting friend and enjoying a Guinness.
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Plenty of goals in Europe today. Wolves are through with on somewhat wild 6-3 aggregate score. Man Utd hammered a hapless Brugge. Celtic, the all-conquering juggernaut of Scotland, were knocked out by continental giants Copenhagen (Rangers progress).
The Arteta revolution hits a speed bump in Europe, with Arsenal going out to a late winner from Olympiacos.
The Arteta revolution hits a speed bump in Europe, with Arsenal going out to a late winner from Olympiacos.
Actually, perversely, and paradoxically, I'm delighted to see Arsenal out of Europe. They were struggling to defeat Olympiacos, and would have struggled even more had they managed to go through to the next round.
Last year, they reached the Europa Cup Final, (under Mr Emery, a Europa Cup specialist), and lost, setting off a very poor sequence of results, and collapse of confidence, which culminated in the dismissal of Mr Emery.
For now, Europe serves as a distraction, consuming time, players, resources, and Arsenal had issues (not least, that horribly porous defence, where they are still prone to switch off and fall asleep) that really need addressing and attention before they will be serious competitors in any competition.
Under Mr Arteta, they had gone ten games without defeat, and that is the sort of incremental improvement - securing and building competence and confidence by mastering the basics - I would like to see instead of expending energy in Europe. Actually, instead, a decent Cup run - and even some domestic silver - would more than satisfy me for this season.
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They have had some significant injuries, are (still) adjusting to a (yet another) new manager, suffered a transfer ban, and have sold the player widely considered to have been their best player; all this considered, they have played better than I would have expected.
Chelsea have been quite inconsistent under Lampard. There is a even a chance that he would have been fired by now if his name wasn't Frank Lampard. With that being said, they've done better than many expected under him. But is he capable of delivering silverware? because that is what Chelsea fans have come to expect during the Abramovich era.
As for Arsenal, if I were an Arsenal fan I would be disappointed to go out of Europe - but I would also sense that the result gives the Gunners a better shot at finishing in one of the CL qualifying spots - especially if Man City's ban sticks.
As for Arsenal, if I were an Arsenal fan I would be disappointed to go out of Europe - but I would also sense that the result gives the Gunners a better shot at finishing in one of the CL qualifying spots - especially if Man City's ban sticks.
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Despite reaching the final of the Europa Cup last year, (and barely missing out on fourth place, and CL qualification, by a point), Arsenal were not anywhere near likely to win it this year, and - given the remedial action that needs to be taking place on - and with - the team, and the slow, steady, patient mastering of the basics until they have become second nature, - candidly, at this stage, I see Europe as a time and resource consuming distraction, and, elimination from Europe, while disappointing, also a chance to clear the decks and focus on mastering the basis without distractions.
Ten consecutive games without defeat (until last night) is not a bad record, and I would prefer to see Arsenal build on that, and seriously challenge for a CL place from a position of confidence and strength next year, (and perhaps, this year, if Manchester City's ban is upheld, which I expect to see happen, but I would prefer to see what remains of this season dedicated to serious mastery of the basics of defence, focus, and midfield play).
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This - from now until season's end - is the time of greatest peril - or danger - for teams deemed "safe" to meet those threatened by relegation, because those threatened by relegation are less inhibited and more motivated than at any other time during the season.
Besides, Norwich are actually a stylish team, who have refused to compromise on their principles.
@Lord Blackadder - Today is the day!
Nashville SC joins the MLS for real! Get this, they've sold 50,000 + tickets!
Also @JamesMike Ya boy Wayne Rooney ventures to Hillsborough for, I believe, the first time.
Nashville SC joins the MLS for real! Get this, they've sold 50,000 + tickets!
Also @JamesMike Ya boy Wayne Rooney ventures to Hillsborough for, I believe, the first time.
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A much needed win. Very pleased with the 3 goals, 3 points and moving out of the bottom three!
Well, Liveroool have lost two matches this season before today...and sometimes I really hate being right about the invincible season being a virtual impossibility. Liverpool looked worse than they did against West Ham in terms of energy levels, and Watford played to their strengths. Liverpool looked very tired, Lovren was mistake prone and they just couldn't get going collectively.
Oh well, hopefully this was just the worst day of Liverpool's best-ever season.
MLS action begins just in time...Columbus face New York FC tomorrow...will they lift my spirits or be the second team to break my heart this weekend?
That's a huge win. Sorry Liverprool couldn't do you a favor!
Oh well, hopefully this was just the worst day of Liverpool's best-ever season.
MLS action begins just in time...Columbus face New York FC tomorrow...will they lift my spirits or be the second team to break my heart this weekend?
That's a huge win. Sorry Liverprool couldn't do you a favor!
Tell me about it! Still very tight at the bottom. I think we showed Watford Liverpool weren’t invincible! But you’ll still be champions in a few weeks.