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The 2019-2020 Football Thread

I really wanted to see Leicester in the Champions League. And it isn't just because I'm a Liverpool fan and thus (admittedly) a little biased against Man Utd. We don't get many chances to see a club that isn't one of the usual suspects competing in Europe, and it's always interesting when it happens.

However, on current form Leicester have exactly zero chance of beating Man Utd on Sunday, so that's that.

ScrumpyDaniel said:
Seeing Norwich rooted to the bottom is an absolute joy to see. They've been atrocious since the restart.

Bournemouth are pretty much gonners, then it's a fight between Watford & Aston Villa. Still think Watford have enough to survive in the final week, but the managerial change really could have unsettled the squad. Madness a week before the end of the season.
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I'd turn it around - Watford don't really have what it takes to compete in the Premier League, but, luckily for them, there are three teams who are even worse than they are.

Presumably the club made the change now because the previous manager can be blamed for whatever happens next, giving the new man a free hit in the next couple matches and then a summer of bedding in. But it was a weird choice all the same.
 
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Watford are a strange club. The ownership and leadership the past few years has been shambolic there to say the least, yet they still have been able to be relatively successful and stay up comfortably since promotion in 2015. Earlier in the season I thought them and Brighton were dead certs to go down.

As for my club (Ipswich), we're returning to training tomorrow but with still no re-start date arranged by the EFL. It's looking like September 12th will be the start date but there's talk of the smaller clubs in League 1 (And 2 for that matter) going on strike because they will struggle to finance the coronavirus testing required and to play games without ticket revenue coming in, so that will potentially delay it even further. I'm just missing going to football on a Saturday!
 
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ScrumpyDaniel said:
Seeing Norwich rooted to the bottom is an absolute joy to see. They've been atrocious since the restart.

Bournemouth are pretty much gonners, then it's a fight between Watford & Aston Villa. Still think Watford have enough to survive in the final week, but the managerial change really could have unsettled the squad. Madness a week before the end of the season.
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Ipswich fan?
 
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Four nil (to Manchester City against Watford) is a thrashing, & not just a bog standard beating.

It also shreds Watford's goal difference advantage, leaving it down to the number of points accumulated.
 
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JamesMike said:
The luck of the Gods is with AVL! A near miss by Arsenal! @Scepticalscribe breath!
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No, they are fighting like the proverbial lions, as the cost of defeat was almost certain relegation, whereas they have now given themselves a chance, or lifeline.

However, given that Arsenal play Watford next, I can foresee a bizarre situation whereby Arsenal succeed in defeating the two top teams, Liverpool and Manchester City, and are defeated by two of the bottom teams, Aston Villa & Watford.
 
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Who are Bournemouth playing in their last game? A good win and they could leap frog Villa and Watford still. Unlikely but possible. I just hope we get a win (or even a draw) tomorrow against Man Utd. Then we are safe even if Villa put 12 past us on the last day!
 
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Our boys were either mentally exhausted, or already on the 'beach'.
Just a weird performance from us this evening.

PS: Will we ever see Ozil in an Arsenal shirt again?
 
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Apple fanboy said:
Who are Bournemouth playing in their last game? A good win and they could leap frog Villa and Watford still. Unlikely but possible. I just hope we get a win (or even a draw) tomorrow against Man Utd. Then we are safe even if Villa put 12 past us on the last day!
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Everton. It'll be interesting as Everton literally have one place to play for (which does equal extra cash).
Bournemouth have everything to play for.
Villa have West Ham and Watford are against Arsenal.
Two of those three go down...but which one?
Hammers are playing relatively well...
Arsenal can finish 8th at best if other games go their way.
It's anyone's call at this stage...
 
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HandsomeDanNZ said:
Everton. It'll be interesting as Everton literally have one place to play for (which does equal extra cash).
Bournemouth have everything to play for.
Villa have West Ham and Watford are against Arsenal.
Two of those three go down...but which one?
Hammers are playing relatively well...
Arsenal can finish 8th at best if other games go their way.
It's anyone's call at this stage...
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A Skysports dream! With the title being done so early. Gives them some interest to talk about.
 
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tee_cup said:
Our boys were either mentally exhausted, or already on the 'beach'.
Just a weird performance from us this evening.

PS: Will we ever see Ozil in an Arsenal shirt again?
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No, not weird, almost inevitable or predictable, in fact, and somewhat more akin to the usual lapse in concentration in defence, plus the compelling fact that Villa had a lot more riding on the result (than had Arsenal), and therefore defended with an implacable & improbable ferocity and focus once they had gone ahead.

The key remaining fixture for Arsenal this season remains the FA Cup.

Re Ozil, I am not sure that he will either fit into Arteta's vision, or, for that matter, find a potential buyer, who would be willing to fund his astronomical wages.
 
So last games of the season coming and its pretty exciting. Leicester City in free fall, Bournemouth could mathematically still survive (I would like that to be honest). Watford look like they are gone though but it could all come down to goal difference. 34 points could keep you up? crazy.
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steve1960 said:
String a few together and we all see. The next game could be a tragedy.
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Wasn't quite the next game but it was coming..................
 
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