Yes, a bit of daylight there, agreed.
This is possibly the best season for West Ham since the Premier League started.
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The 2021-2022 Football Thread
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Yes, a bit of daylight there, agreed.
This is possibly the best season for West Ham since the Premier League started.
Well last season was pretty good. But we do seem to be having another good one. Hopefully we can maintain it.
My sense is that you are better, more confident, more experienced, more focussed, and less likely to be derailed through over-reliance on one or two key players, or by a few injuries.
…and Liverpool fail to fully capitalize on Chelsea’s loss with a grinding 0-0 against …
…wait! As I type Origi steals all three points with a goal at the death!
Once again, Origi fills his niche as a man who is not consistent enough to start but occasionally comes up with the goods just when Liverpool are desperate for a crucial goal.
Not to be outdone, Maupay scores an equalizer for Brighton against Southampton in the 98th minute to one-up on today’s late goals tally.
…wait! As I type Origi steals all three points with a goal at the death!
Once again, Origi fills his niche as a man who is not consistent enough to start but occasionally comes up with the goods just when Liverpool are desperate for a crucial goal.
Not to be outdone, Maupay scores an equalizer for Brighton against Southampton in the 98th minute to one-up on today’s late goals tally.
I remember one season seeing a league table if no injury time goals had happened. It was very different to the actual one.
Now all eyes on the City game.
Mendy watched the foot, not the ball
he needs a break, Thom!
great win for WHB!
he needs a break, Thom!
great win for WHB!
Looks like First place in the league will be have been held by three different teams by the end of today. I may be biased but I genuinely think Liverpool have the best first XI in the league. Chelsea and Man City are close in quality but have deeper squads. It remains a very tight race.
I would say you are better at attacking. Chelsea better at defending. Man City have the best midfield (when they are full fit). But yes a tight race indeed. What we all want.
We'll see how tight it stays after the crowded holiday season, the AFCON (Omicron permitting), and the CL knockout matches begin. If one of the three gets knocked out of Europe early, they might be able to push ahead in the league.
Perhaps. But a good CL run also improves confidence, so it can go either way.
I didn't have access to the Man Utd match so I watched Spurs-Norwich. A remarkably dull affair between two strugglers...the scoreline flatters Spurs, who looked OK in flashes but also plenty vulnerable against a weak opponent. Norwich's toothlessness, and their flagging energy late in the match, were the deciding factors.
Norwich had a lot of possession in the first half and maybe three good chances to score and didn't take any of them. Pukki missed a sitter early on at 0-0, that might have changed things.
I skipped the very end and switched to Leeds-Brentford just in time to see Bamford's last-minute equalizer for Leeds, so that was something.
Norwich had a lot of possession in the first half and maybe three good chances to score and didn't take any of them. Pukki missed a sitter early on at 0-0, that might have changed things.
I skipped the very end and switched to Leeds-Brentford just in time to see Bamford's last-minute equalizer for Leeds, so that was something.
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Fred is an unlikely scorer for Utd, but I’m sure @JamesMike will be happy with it. Norwich are heading for the Championship for sure. Pukki just isn’t converting his chances.
Crystal Palace are not an easy opponent, at least we didn't have to see any photos of Ronaldo celebrations today. Let the much-maligned Fred have his moment.
Pukki has not been as sharp this season - but if Norwich winning depends solely on him scoring the goals that's more a reflection on the club than on Pukki. He needs more support.
I've said before that Fred is the type of player who should thrive under Rangnick, giving him some clear direction and support to augment his natural ability to pressure the ball. Carrick moved him higher up the pitch in previous games, which also seemed to help — duh, he's not a holding midfielder! Play him more like he plays for Brazil, or for Shaktar previously, and you'll get more out of him.
It was awfully nice seeing United play with purpose, and something that resembles an identity out there. Rangnick does have a long road ahead of him to fully impart his philosophy, and certainly the entire squad won't fit into his vision, but there's enough to work with to still have a successful season.
True, Palace are a pretty decent team and not easy to break down. Vieira has done a very good job with them. He's a guy I am really rooting for to make it as a manager. Historic rivalry notwithstanding, I've always respected him.
It was awfully nice seeing United play with purpose, and something that resembles an identity out there. Rangnick does have a long road ahead of him to fully impart his philosophy, and certainly the entire squad won't fit into his vision, but there's enough to work with to still have a successful season.
True, Palace are a pretty decent team and not easy to break down. Vieira has done a very good job with them. He's a guy I am really rooting for to make it as a manager. Historic rivalry notwithstanding, I've always respected him.
Roy Keane should go work with Vieira. The players would be too scared to put in a half hearted performance!
Yes I hope Vieira makes it as a manager. Looking good so far given the limited resources he has there.
When he showed up at New York City FC I feared it was just an MLS/City Football Group publicity stunt - I had not followed his post-playing career so I had no idea what to expect. But he quickly established himself as someone who knew what he was doing. I too hope he continues to build his reputation.
Speaking of MLS, it's another 'who cares?' MLS Cup Final for me, as Portland host NYCFC. NYCFC made the final after squeaking by a Philadelphia team who had lost eleven players to COVID, including several of their best players and 3/4 of the back four. So, yeah, what a competition.
I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the Timbers.When he showed up at New York City FC I feared it was just an MLS/City Football Group publicity stunt - I had not followed his post-playing career so I had no idea what to expect. But he quickly established himself as someone who knew what he was doing. I too hope he continues to build his reputation.
Speaking of MLS, it's another 'who cares?' MLS Cup Final for me, as Portland host NYCFC. NYCFC made the final after squeaking by a Philadelphia team who had lost eleven players to COVID, including several of their best players and 3/4 of the back four. So, yeah, what a competition.
Jake Gleeson (NZ Goalkeeper) used to play for them and Bill Tuiloma (NZ International) currently plays for them; and I love the log cutting guy when they score. It's bonkers and doesn't belong in football. I love it.
I'm hoping Portland take it out this year.
When he showed up at New York City FC I feared it was just an MLS/City Football Group publicity stunt - I had not followed his post-playing career so I had no idea what to expect. But he quickly established himself as someone who knew what he was doing. I too hope he continues to build his reputation.
Speaking of MLS, it's another 'who cares?' MLS Cup Final for me, as Portland host NYCFC. NYCFC made the final after squeaking by a Philadelphia team who had lost eleven players to COVID, including several of their best players and 3/4 of the back four. So, yeah, what a competition.
Well maybe a little "meh" for me too but Portland keeps ending up in, or near, the finals so they are a quality side imho.
I'll be rooting, but probably not watching, for them.
Arsenal lead Everton by a goal to nil at half time.
Earlier, Everton had a goal disallowed for off-side, and, earlier still, were extremely lucky to avoid a red card when Ben Godfrey planted his studs on the face of the falling Tomiyashu.
Earlier, Everton had a goal disallowed for off-side, and, earlier still, were extremely lucky to avoid a red card when Ben Godfrey planted his studs on the face of the falling Tomiyashu.