The 2020-2021 Football Thread

[Scepticalscribe]

When Mr Wenger retired (or was persuaded to retire), I had hoped that he woud be replaced by Thomas Tuchel; but now, I am not so sure.

And, while I would have loved to see Mauricio Pochettino appointed to Arsenal, given that he had managed Spurs, this was always an extremely unlikely outcome.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Leicester put a stop to Man Utd's away winning streak...a direct contest for league position so naturally Leicester were up for it and Vardy again made a crucial intervention, albeit off a deflection.

I greatly fear for the Gunners today. It's hardly a vintage Chelsea side they are facing but Arsenal are in free fall right now.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Leicester put a stop to Man Utd's away winning streak...a direct contest for league position so naturally Leicester were up for it and Vardy again made a crucial intervention, albeit off a deflection.

I greatly fear for the Gunners today. It's hardly a vintage Chelsea side they are facing but Arsenal are in free fall right now.

To be quite candid, you are not the only person who greatly fears for the Gunners today.

Free-fall, unfortunately, yes, that is too depressingly true.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Actually, in current circumstances, "greatly fear" might be a bit of an understatement, or euphemism; instead, I'd argue that "catatonic with terror" sounds about right.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Actually, in current circumstances, "greatly fear" might be a bit of an understatement, or euphemism; instead, I'd argue that "catatonic with terror" sounds about right.

Well a win or a draw could benefit morale. But I’d not put any money on it.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Leicester put a stop to Man Utd's away winning streak...a direct contest for league position so naturally Leicester were up for it and Vardy again made a crucial intervention, albeit off a deflection.

I greatly fear for the Gunners today. It's hardly a vintage Chelsea side they are facing but Arsenal are in free fall right now.

I’d have been happier if Vardy had been credited with the goal. I’d have got more points!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well a win or a draw could benefit morale. But I’d not put any money on it.

Neither would I. Not even piggy bank money.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Neither would I. Not even piggy bank money.

Well how wrong were we? Looking good so far!

 

[Silencio]

Feels like an opportunity wasted for United. Played very well overall but let down by poor finishing and a couple of slack defensive moments. Feels odd to say that about an away match at a club above us in the table, but I guess that’s not a bad sign.

Looks like it’s Arsenal’s day today.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well how wrong were we? Looking good so far!

Surprisingy good, in fact.

Three nil ahead, and it could even have been four nil.....

Of course, I will not - and cannot - relax until the 95th minute......

But will admit.....profound relief, and surprised delight at the way the game has been taken to Chelsea and at how Arsenal have played so far..

 

[Scepticalscribe]

While Chelsea claw a goal back, they also - quite wonderfully - miss a penalty at the close.

Final score, 3-1 to Arsenal, an excellent result.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Stepping back a minute - should we really be surprised that the teams managed by OGS, Mikel Arteta and Frank Lampard are so inconsistent? Or rather shouldn't we expect such inexperienced managers to struggle to get the best out of their team week in and week out?

Today's result does nothing to address Arsenal's fundamental issues (many of which are with the board and ownership and not Arteta, I hasten to add). But it's a major morale booster and momentum is always important, so it's a welcome change for Gunners fans and worthy of celebration.

Man City sail past Newcastle and are now right behind Man Utd in the table.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Stepping back a minute - should we really be surprised that the teams managed by OGS, Mikel Arteta and Frank Lampard are so inconsistent? Or rather shouldn't we expect such inexperienced managers to struggle to get the best out of their team week in and week out?

Today's result does nothing to address Arsenal's fundamental issues (many of which are with the board and ownership and not Arteta, I hasten to add). But it's a major morale booster and momentum is always important, so it's a welcome change for Gunners fans and worthy of celebration.

Agree with your argument that many of these problems lie with the board and owners of Arsenal, rather than with Mikel Arteta.

However, one small positive to be taken from today's game is the fact that he (Arteta) gave some of the youngsters their first outing (whereas many of the senior players were named on the subs bench) and they delivered.

 

[JamesMike]

I’d have been happier if Vardy had been credited with the goal. I’d have got more points!

Don't be greedy AFB! Not happy with the draw, but it is better than a loss.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Don't be greedy AFB! Not happy with the draw, but it is better than a loss.

Indeed. But Rashford scored so there’s that.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And West Ham manage to snatch a draw (2-2) almost at the death - against Brighton.

 

[Apple fanboy]

And West Ham manage to snatch a draw (2-2) almost at the death - against Brighton.

Yes not a good showing. We were very poor in the second half.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Yes not a good showing. We were very poor in the second half.

You got a point though.

Which is the same for the game at Anfield, where a Sam Allardici masterclass resulted in a glittering 1-1 draw against Liverpool.

 

[Apple fanboy]

You got a point though.

Which is the same for the game at Anfield, where a Sam Allardici masterclass resulted in a glittering 1-1 draw against Liverpool.

Yes that was a typical big Sam display. But a point is probably better than they had hoped for. Two points dropped for you though.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Yes that was a typical big Sam display. But a point is probably better than they had hoped for. Two points dropped for you though.

Meh, WBA needed that point way more than Liverpool needed three. Which isn't to say Klopp won't be frustrated with the result - he will be, and so am I, dangit - but Liverpool did more than enough to win the match in most aspects but couldn't get the goals. Even "bad" teams in the Premier League can be very difficult to beat, and Allardyce is a specialist in this line of work.

Let's put it this way...it's not going to take 100 points to win the league this season, and teams might not need anything like 40 points to stay up either.

The worst thing about Big Sam at West Brom is that Liverpool have to go play them again in May. Hopefully by then it's a dead rubber for Liverpool.

EDIT: So, a quick resume of the weekend - only three of the top ten won, and four of the top five drew. None of the bottom five won.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Leicester draw 1-1 with Palace [and Chelsea also draw this afternoon, another 1-1], continuing the theme. The whole league is a bit of a scrap - a Pulis / Allardyce / Bruce utopia.

EDIT: Remember how I recently described Neymar as slowly becoming a grownup?. Well...I take that back.

 

[pachyderm]

ugh


Wednesday have fired Pulis. Effective immediately.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

ugh


Wednesday have fired Pulis. Effective immediately.

When a team fires a manager mid-season it might be necessary. When a team go through three managers (or more) in one season, it's the board's/owners' fault things are going badly.

 

[pachyderm]

When a team fires a manager mid-season it might be necessary. When a team go through three managers (or more) in one season, it's the board's/owners' fault things are going badly.

yup.

Chansiri is out of his depth.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

......

EDIT: Remember how I recently described Neymar as slowly becoming a grownup?. Well...I take that back.

Yes.

Outrageously entitled, selfish and self-indulgent behaviour.

When a team fires a manager mid-season it might be necessary. When a team go through three managers (or more) in one season, it's the board's/owners' fault things are going badly.

Completely agree.