I agree, and under him, Spurs did far better than they probably expected to deserved to.
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The 2020-2021 Football Thread
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I agree, and under him, Spurs did far better than they probably expected to deserved to.
A lot of United's performance can be put down to the short preseason, where they simultaneously didn't get enough rest and didn't get enough time to train together. Maguire and Greenwood's European misadventures, Paul Pogba contracting COVID-19, and Ed Woodward's fecklessness in the transfer market also did not help matters. The squad still does not have enough depth to cope.
Still, Ole made some poor decisions with his lineup. Clearly, Pogba wasn't back to full fitness and should not have started — Van de Beek was far more lively and precise. I can see why Greenwood didn't start, but Daniel James is not an effective attacker against a defense that packs it in. I have no idea why Wan Bissaka didn't start, but I though Timothy Fosu-Mensah had a decent game in his place.
Victor Lindelöf should never start another match. He is just... so bad in every way. Really need to see Eric Bailly starting, and hopefully he can stay fit, for once. Would honestly rather see Smalling come back than another minute of Lindelöf on the pitch.
United's schedule in the league gets tough, fast. Next up is Brighton, a team that always gives United trouble and looks much improved this season. Then Tottenham, Newcastle, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Everton. Things could get ugly in a hurry.
In the broader picture, Arsenal and Spurs are both showing signs of improvement (even if the latter are still being skippered by Mourinho, who always has a finger on the self-destruct button). If we assume the Man City and Liverpool will both be in the top four this season, it could be a real fight for Chelsea and Man Utd to finish above Arsenal and Spurs this time around.
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Spurs and Arsenal are both showing signs of improvement, agreed, and I expect Arsenal to look a lot better again by the time Arteta departs (possibly to succeed Pep at Manchester City) whenever that happens.
However, Chelsea - with the sort of bloated wallet reminiscent of the early Mourinho years once again made available to them - who have made a slew of ambitious signings, and could also prove to be something of a dark horse.
Chelsea have always had the tools to be a contender. But the question has always been fashioning some kind of coherent team and tactical plan, and growing esprit de corps, out of the expensive pieces. Chelsea are one of the more mercenary clubs around, and you know that many of the players are there primarily because of the money. Also, and perhaps more critically, the managerial position is a revolving door - and players know it.
While Liverpool and City remain the clear top two in the league, it's going to be wide open for third through, say, tenth. After many false dawns, Everton looks like they've finally found that next gear; Leicester City is still a dangerous side; Wolves are still a very well-coached team with plenty of talent. There will inevitably be a surprise package like Sheffield United was last season — could be Brighton, could be Leeds.
That interview with Alex Runarsson, signing for us, Arsenal, seemed a little off.
Well, more to the point, maybe Alex Runarsson, was merely a little nervous, or not as confident as some others when performing an interview.
Well, from a player perspective, time will tell...
Well, more to the point, maybe Alex Runarsson, was merely a little nervous, or not as confident as some others when performing an interview.
Well, from a player perspective, time will tell...
Oh, agree completely, re Chelsea; I merely remarked upon them, as they have the makings of - potentially - a very fine team, but may yet remain merely a collection of talented and financially well rewarded individuals.
20 games in to a new season and still no draws. Been lots of high scoring games. Its like the defenders have forgotten how to play.
Good win for City against Wolves who did very well against the top teams last season. Villa also picked up a 1-0 win against Sheffield Utd who had to play for 80 minutes with 10 men. Hardly an emphatic win.
Good win for City against Wolves who did very well against the top teams last season. Villa also picked up a 1-0 win against Sheffield Utd who had to play for 80 minutes with 10 men. Hardly an emphatic win.
I think there could have been many more goals in these 20 games, had a few strikers understood how to get the ball in the net, too.
Based on shots on target, I think we should have had an average of 12 goals a game up until the Villa game...
Re-watched watched the highlights from the Liverpool-Chelsea match...watching Kepa gave me flashbacks from the Mignolet/Karius era...Kepa might actually be good, but his tenure at Chelsea has been a disaster that has left his confidence shattered so we will never know what his potential was.
Chelsea look set for another season of defensive calamity.
Chelsea look set for another season of defensive calamity.
Chelsea is closing in on signing Edouard Mendy, the well-regarded keeper from Rennes. Anyone is an improvement on Kepa on current form, but Chelsea's options in central defense are still not very inspiring, though I assume Thiago Silva will be at least a marginal improvement.
David Moyes, Issa Diop and Josh Cullen have all tested positive for Covid and been sent home 45 minutes prior to kick off against Hull. 2-0 up though!
A broom with a face drawn on it stuck into the ground between the sticks would currently be an improvement on Kepa, poor fellow. Keepers always get a raw deal - fans might grumble a bit when strikers miss a series of big chances but when keepers foul up the knives are out instantly...and once their confidence is shot there is often nothing for it but a change of scene.
Chelsea clearly have a bigger systemic issue with defending that won't be cured by simply buying a few players (though they need to do that, too). This is probably Lampard's biggest challenge yet as a manager. There is an obvious problem that needs solved, and soon.
But you don't go from being a goal-keeper(goal-keeper!) worth - or deemed, or thought to be worth - €71m, to a shattered disaster overnight, or, even over the course of a season.
Yes, agreed that Kepa's confidence is probably gone, but his poor defence - and Chelsea's style of playing - both left him far more exposed than should have been the case with a top class keeper.
Agreed - a keeper can only be as good as his defence.
The poor bugger from Southampton took a hammering online, but he was one-on-one with Son several times and only let 4 of those in - he also saved the initial shot that was then scored on the rebound by Kane.
Strikers and midfielders get bagged briefly for the foibles, but sometimes keepers just get bagged for being there...
I don't think we'll ever know how good Kepa could have been - probably better than the vitriol-throwers claim, but perhaps not as good as Chelsea's suits hoped.
And of course, the price was not his fault - for that we need to look t his club. In fact it is partly Chelsea we have to thank for the whole insane world of football finances we see today.
No Ozil, not even on the bench.
And, clearly, we're trying to offload Matteo Guendouzi and Torreira...
And, clearly, we're trying to offload Matteo Guendouzi and Torreira...
Don’t know why you’d want to get rid of Guendouzi. He has his faults but he’s often the hardest working man in red...
He behaved like a........an outrageously entitled individual in an exceptionally arrogant and offensive and insulting manner to the Brighton team - and grabbed Neal Maupay (of Brighton) by the throat at the end of the game, earlier this summer during a game (which Arsenal lost).
As far as I know, Arteta - who has deplored his attitude and lack of professionalism in his conduct - hasn't played him since.
OK - I can understand why you wouldn't want that kind of influence in the squad...
What would be interesting to know, is if Matteo Guendouzi apologized to his teammates and even to Neal Maupay, of Brighton.
To me, if Matteo did so, openly, then maybe the relationships could be repaired, and he could continue to manage our midfield...
To me, if Matteo did so, openly, then maybe the relationships could be repaired, and he could continue to manage our midfield...