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The 2021-2022 Football Thread
- Thread starter Scepticalscribe
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Highlights are on Quest right now. We’ve had loads of nearly chances. Antonio would have buried them.
Well, my mother never meant that proverb nastily, or in a nasty way, (even if she was usually laughing when she said it) but rather, as an expression of the power of optimism.
Anyway, fourth place in the PL is not impossible for West Ham.
Great result for Liverpool but the match was a tale of rotation and injury. Liverpool sent out a B squad and Leicester, starting a much stronger side, looked dominant in the opening third of the match.
However, Klopp was able to bring in two very strong players, Konate and Jota, who made decisive contributions at opposite ends of the pitch. Conversely Leicester suffered injuries to important defenders during the match, and Vardy was unavailable for the shootout with a twangy hamstring.
Konate looked strong, a definite upgrade on Gomez. Kelleher continues to put in strong performances whenever he is called upon.
Liverpool do not have the best depth In the league but they have more than most teams, and it told here. If Klopp puts out a rotated side against Arsenal in the next round it will be another very tough match. However, it could also be a chance for this same B team to build on this performance.
However, Klopp was able to bring in two very strong players, Konate and Jota, who made decisive contributions at opposite ends of the pitch. Conversely Leicester suffered injuries to important defenders during the match, and Vardy was unavailable for the shootout with a twangy hamstring.
Konate looked strong, a definite upgrade on Gomez. Kelleher continues to put in strong performances whenever he is called upon.
Liverpool do not have the best depth In the league but they have more than most teams, and it told here. If Klopp puts out a rotated side against Arsenal in the next round it will be another very tough match. However, it could also be a chance for this same B team to build on this performance.
Spurs within a shout of playing for some hardware? That's the first sing of the apocalypse!
Well, after disease, and war, famine, pestilence, etc etc
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No need to run it in! But yes I was quite surprised by the result. I’ll catch the highlights later.
Elsewhere it was a bit of a goal fest for the greedy 6 (well those playing). There are a number of fixtures pilling up for some teams though.
Was a great game to watch. Mainly because I’m a Saints fan.
I have to gloat while I can. That’s the first time we’ve held onto a lead in over three centuries of playing top flight football (mild exaggeration, but I feel it’s warranted).
I had to laugh when I heard the commentary team constantly telling the audience that Hammers had scored more and won more against Saints than any other top flight team.
Also on mention was the fact that Saints have lost more points from a winning position than any other PL team in history.
It was an entertaining game. We looked tired. The break Southampton had before certainly helped, as did some of our injuries. But a good win for the Saints for sure.
Felt sorry for Palace. With so many players out, the last thing they needed was their star player being sent off.
Chelsea manager yet again moaning about 5 substitutes. Funny how the managers that can call on international substitutes always think they should be able to call on another.
With the cancelled games there are lots of instances where one club will have played 2-3 games in a short period where the opposition have had a rest. Going to throw up some interesting results this season. I wonder how long until the stadium’s are empty again?
The postponements are going to introduce chaos into the league table...and there is just so much absenteeism right now. The usual toll of an ever-more-crowded schedule with the added element of COVID dropouts.
Clubs are finally starting to realize that having an unvaccinated player is the same as buying one with a dodgy hamstring - they are going to miss a lot of matches. Which makes them poor value for money.
I think 5 subs probably makes sense right now, but as Apple fanboy points out it really only helps the rich teams...smaller clubs may have extra players on the books but the talent isn't there after you go past the first XI. So what that means is the top 6 will put our B teams and still slice through smaller teams with ease, the latter of which are relying on failed prospects, youth players and lower-league veterans to fill out their squads.
Man City are winning games without even trying right now. I fear they could run away with this title unless Liverpool can keep pace (and AFCON looms on the horizon still, that could kill us)...and even then it might just be a two-horse race.
Clubs are finally starting to realize that having an unvaccinated player is the same as buying one with a dodgy hamstring - they are going to miss a lot of matches. Which makes them poor value for money.
I think 5 subs probably makes sense right now, but as Apple fanboy points out it really only helps the rich teams...smaller clubs may have extra players on the books but the talent isn't there after you go past the first XI. So what that means is the top 6 will put our B teams and still slice through smaller teams with ease, the latter of which are relying on failed prospects, youth players and lower-league veterans to fill out their squads.
Man City are winning games without even trying right now. I fear they could run away with this title unless Liverpool can keep pace (and AFCON looms on the horizon still, that could kill us)...and even then it might just be a two-horse race.
It’s only a three horse race right now. Arsenal, Spurs and Man Utd likely making up the next three places. I’ll be disappointed if that’s how it ends.
No one wants to see the greedy six top out the top six places like that.
Newcastle were unlucky not to collect all three points against Man Utd. But that’s how it goes when you are at the wrong end of the table.
They probably did deserve the three points — United were absolutely awful. Whether they can't understand Rangnick's instructions or half the squad was recovering from Covid as Harry Maguire intimated, that was one of the worst United performances I've ever seen.
I'm probably conditioned (traumatized?) by the Ferguson years, but my assumption is that you just never beat Man Utd 1-0. They always score late...whether that is through good football, some individual moment of brilliance, a howler by their opponents, sheer luck, or baffling refereeing calls in their favor.... So despite Man Utd's poor performance, the longer the game continued at 1-0 I felt increasingly certain it would be a draw.
And, of course, Newcastle are still not a very good football team.
Between fatigue, AFCON, COVID, and the chaos of rescheduled games, the league table will start becoming increasingly meaningless except at the very bottom. We'll have teams missing lots of players and with three four, even five or more games in hand...so much will come down to depth and the ability of bench/squad/youth players to step in and perform when starters are missing.
I'm impressed in the changes that Howe has brought to this club. The boys look energized and ready to fight. Which, in all honesty, is what we've wanted all along. They've put in some good shifts, and Joelinton looks like a man reborn.
Now we just have to bring in reinforcements. Wilson will be out for a lengthy spell and ASM also picked up an injury that will see him missing time. I can't help but feeling that the front office must hit the ground running when the transfer window opens or there will be very little left in the tank to battle relegation.
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I read they might be looking at Abamuang. But I think that’s a poisoned chalice. Arsenal look stronger without him.
I'd agree with you. He is a player I wouldn't want to bring into the squad.
The only counterpoint I can muster is that we desperately need bodies and we have room in FFP to make a splash this window. It will be up to the club if they are willing to throw money at people who we'd normally not want just to be able to field a team.
Due to his age, wage demands and general dressing room presence, I’d leave him at Arsenal. They do seem to attract players like that.
Glad to see the Hammers bounced back today. With Rice missing I had feared the worst. Norwich are doomed though. Glad to see Southampton taking points of Spurs @HandsomeDanNZ! Looks like you are on a roll.
You'll be hoping that the cash will be splashed on a partner/injury cover for ASM - he's been by far the Toon's best player this season. Shelvey also looks to have upped his game. You could see that Howe has got them all on notice and they are playing for their careers.
Shame they didn't win. They deserved to.
Watched 10-man Saints draw against Spurs.
Annoyed me watching the Spurs players constantly asking for cards when they'd fallen over near a Saints player. I also saw the refereeing as poor in this match - everything seemed to go Spurs way. And the red card was a travesty.
Anyway - we managed to get the point, which I wasn't expecting, so that's 4 from a possible 6, of which I was expecting 0 and a massive goal deficit, so happy days!
Hammers are back to winning ways, which is good to see - they very much deserved their win. Good game to watch, from my perspective. I'd like to see them continue onward and upward now and really challenge the establishment. Watford were battered into submission in that match. It looked like a cup match, with the gulf in class.
Palace got back on the horse and thrashed Norwich (who looked pretty ordinary, I have to say). Dean Smith must be wondering how long he'll be in the Championship for after this season, as there's no escaping relegation for the Canaries, in my opinion.
Looking forward to tomorrow's games - Brentford could be on the end of a horrible score if they don't come out of the blocks quickly. Letting that classy Man City squad settle into their work can be disastrous.
Meanwhile, Chelsea vs Brighton could either be an absolute barnstormer, or a horrible fizzer...I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Annoyed me watching the Spurs players constantly asking for cards when they'd fallen over near a Saints player. I also saw the refereeing as poor in this match - everything seemed to go Spurs way. And the red card was a travesty.
Anyway - we managed to get the point, which I wasn't expecting, so that's 4 from a possible 6, of which I was expecting 0 and a massive goal deficit, so happy days!
Hammers are back to winning ways, which is good to see - they very much deserved their win. Good game to watch, from my perspective. I'd like to see them continue onward and upward now and really challenge the establishment. Watford were battered into submission in that match. It looked like a cup match, with the gulf in class.
Palace got back on the horse and thrashed Norwich (who looked pretty ordinary, I have to say). Dean Smith must be wondering how long he'll be in the Championship for after this season, as there's no escaping relegation for the Canaries, in my opinion.
Looking forward to tomorrow's games - Brentford could be on the end of a horrible score if they don't come out of the blocks quickly. Letting that classy Man City squad settle into their work can be disastrous.
Meanwhile, Chelsea vs Brighton could either be an absolute barnstormer, or a horrible fizzer...I guess we'll have to wait and see.