The 2019-2020 Football Thread

[Scepticalscribe]

Manchester City - having courteously (and correctly) greeted the Champions with the traditional guard of honour awarded by the outgoing champions to those who have succeeded them to the title (if the title has been decided before the end of the season), before the match started, are now destroying Liverpool.

Liverpool started exceptionally brightly, with several excellent but ultimately fruitless attacks, but fell behind to a penalty, and two further swiftly scored goals.

So, Liverpool behind by three goals to nil, as half time approaches.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Oh, well. City are exceptional team. Liverpool battered them at the beginning of the match but Man City have been clinical. De Bruyne is almost infuriatingly good. Sterling flopped for the penalty but I can't complain about the call, Gomez was using his arms too much. Pep will have really whipped his players up for this, and despite all Hendo has said lately I am sure it's very hard not to relax a little after clinching the title.

There's still plenty of match to go but I can't see Man City choking now.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Oh, well. City are exceptional team. Liverpool battered them at the beginning of the match but Man City have been clinical. De Bruyne is almost infuriatingly good. Sterling flopped for the penalty but I can't complain about the call, Gomez was using his arms too much. Pep will have really whipped his players up for this, and despite all Hendo has said lately I am sure it's very hard not to relax a little after clinching the title.

There's still plenty of match to go but I can't see Man City choking now.

That is the very issue; Liverpool have won the title, and to remain hungry and focussed and motivated in that position is going to be difficult, even though records remain to be broken.

 

[Apple fanboy]

That is the very issue; Liverpool have done the title, and to remain hungry and focussed and motivated in that position is going to be difficult, even though records remain to be broken.

A record breaking points tally isn’t really that interesting for them. I think the press talk it up a bit to make out there is still something to play for. But in reality I think Liverpool are already in holiday mode.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

A record breaking points tally isn’t really that interesting for them. I think the press talk it up a bit to make out there is still something to play for. But in reality I think Liverpool are already in holiday mode.

I'm in new territory here, never having experienced a successful title campaign.The first lesson I've learned in this new world I am inhabiting is that title or no I still hate to watch my team get clobbered.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A record breaking points tally isn’t really that interesting for them. I think the press talk it up a bit to make out there is still something to play for. But in reality I think Liverpool are already in holiday mode.

I'm in new territory here, never having experienced a successful title campaign.The first lesson I've learned in this new world I am inhabiting is that title or no I still hate to watch my team get clobbered.

I agree with @Apple fanboy that Liverpool are currently in holiday mode; Klopp - who does care about records - will understand this, but will also try to impress upon them that the season has not yet ended, that losing can become a silly habit, and will do his level best to make them snap out of this momentary malaise and focus on reminding the other teams why Liverpool are still the best team in the Premiership.

And perhaps challenge for a record, or two, as well.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

As a Saints fan, playing Man City next, I am a little worried.
I know they're good, but they look ruthless, even after there's nothing to play for.
We're technically safe on 40 points, but that might only make our lads fall asleep.
I just hope we keep up the hard work displayed in the last game and Ings goes on to score a hat trick and claim the Golden Boot

 

[michael9891]

A record breaking points tally isn’t really that interesting for them. I think the press talk it up a bit to make out there is still something to play for. But in reality I think Liverpool are already in holiday mode.

It's not going to be too often a team will get close to the record points tally, so they will want to break it. Players often say they're not interested in records, not thinking about the title etc. But they want to win every game they can and be a part of history.

 

[pachyderm]

It's not going to be too often a team will get close to the record points tally, so they will want to break it. Players often say they're not interested in records, not thinking about the title etc. But they want to win every game they can and be a part of history.

Yeah, I'd want to set that record.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It's not going to be too often a team will get close to the record points tally, so they will want to break it. Players often say they're not interested in records, not thinking about the title etc. But they want to win every game they can and be a part of history.

Yeah, I'd want to set that record.

I'd imagine that Klopp would want to seize whatever records he can claim; the challenge will lie in persuading his title-winning team that this matters, and matters for their future (and historic) reputation.

Nevertheless, to persuade a team (and city) starved of Premiership title success for almost thirty years, to hold off the celebrations and retain their focus for another few weeks as they amass further points to lay siege to, (and smash) Manchester City's points record may present a challenge.

However, if I were in Klopp's shoes, I'd use yesterday's match as a means of motivating the team to want to seize and smash that points record..

 

[michael9891]

If there were any title winning hangovers (not literally), last night was a wake up call. The players certainly won't want such a below par performance again. They'll want to show why they're champions and make it clear they're not just going to fade away next season.

Take nothing away from City though, the were brilliant.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

If there were any title winning hangovers (not literally), last night was a wake up call. The players certainly won't want such a below par performance again. They'll want to show why they're champions and make it clear they're not just going to fade away next season.

Take nothing away from City though, the were brilliant.

Agreed: I got the distinct impression that Manchester City decided to administer a proper pasting to Liverpool, - and thereby prove a point - having granted them an entirely proper guard of honour.

Now, it is up to Liverpool to deliver a riposte on the field for the remainder of the season.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Man City have been very strong since the restart. I think yesterday’s result has as much to do with how well they played as much as how poor Liverpool were.
Either way the top two is decided. It’s the rest of the CL and relegation spots that’s of interest now.

 

[michael9891]

I'm hoping Wolves get into the CL places, it's a very real possibility. Even more so if City's Euro ban remains.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I'm hoping Wolves get into the CL places, it's a very real possibility. Even more so if City's Euro ban remains.

Indeed. I’d not even rule out Sheffield Utd.

 

[pachyderm]

Indeed. I’d not even rule out Sheffield Utd.

I want the pigs in before anyone else.


I cannot explain why. They are a good side though. One of the best managers in the game, IMHO.
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I'm hoping Wolves get into the CL places, it's a very real possibility. Even more so if City's Euro ban remains.

That'd be ok with me. Pigs before them though.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I always like to see new faces qualifying for Europe or winning competitions. Wolves have proven by their performances so far in Europe that they do deserve to be there.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Personally, I love to see underdogs rewarded.

When Leicester won the PL in 2016, I was absolutely delighted, and this year, I would love to see both Wolves and Sheffield United qualify for Europe (yes, if necessary, even at the expense of Arsenal and indeed, for that matter, Chelsea or Spurs, or other teams with that sort of history, resources or tradition to call upon).

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Personally, I love to see underdogs rewarded.

When Leicester won the PL in 2016, I was absolutely delighted...

I think that will go down as the most extraordinary PL season of all time. Sure, all the big teams underperformed to some degree, but the odds are so stacked in their favor that one of them always still wins the title. But not that season. And we will never see it happen again.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I think that will go down as the most extraordinary PL season of all time. Sure, all the big teams underperformed to some degree, but the odds are so stacked in their favor that one of them always still wins the title. But not that season. And we will never see it happen again.

Never say never.

Instead, I will rest content with "highly unlikely".

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Never say never.

Instead, I will rest content with "highly unlikely".

The odds were 5000-1 against it happening the first time, so the odds of something similar happening again are "highly unlikely" to say the least!

With the Bundeliga, Serie A and La Liga so boringly uncompetitive right now at the top (unless you find the interminable Barca/Real duopoly entertaining), stories like Leicester's are even more amazing.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The odds were 5000-1 against it happening the first time, so the odds of something similar happening again are "highly unlikely" to say the least!

With the Bundeliga, Serie A and La Liga so boringly uncompetitive right now at the top (unless you find the interminable Barca/Real duopoly entertaining), stories like Leicester's are even more amazing.

It was simply wonderful, and an absolute joy for the romantics (and, deep down, that is where a great many supporters still dwell, in their most private and personal space) who follow football, and who contrive to ensure that hope can still sometimes triumph over the more usual bitter (and horribly compromised) experience of reality.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Had a bit of fun with the guy who works for me in the warehouse. He’s a Liverpool fan. I didn’t take the pee quite as much as last year when he booked the day off to go see the open top bus celebration when Liverpool one the PL. That was funny!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Had a bit of fun with the guy who works for me in the warehouse. He’s a Liverpool fan. I didn’t take the pee quite as much as last year when he booked the day off to go see the open top bus celebration when Liverpool one the PL. That was funny!

Oh, dear.

Well, they are still Premiership Champions, - and have won it - handsomely and convincingly - from the front - and nobody can take that away from them.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Oh, dear.

Well, they are still Premiership Champions, - and have won it - handsomely and convincingly - from the front - and nobody can take that away from them.

It was all good natured stuff. But yes they are a good team. I’d quite happily find a spot for one or two of their stars at West Ham. Who knows in a few years when they are old and injury prone looking for a last big pay check, perhaps they will grace the London Stadium!