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The 2025-2026 Football Thread
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Well a win against this Chelsea team at Stamford Bridge is a statement. They may not win the league but I think that the competition for Champions League places this year will be fierce.
No love lost between me and Palace, so I’m content to have them lose to Spurs. Though that seems an odd result….famously tough Palace going down at home against famously Spursy spurs.
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the 3-3 back formation changed the match.
and Ollie seems to be over his hidden injury.
the internets are head strong on Villa's recent let down history this and past century, as "history is for fools".
this club has the depth even when Cash and Kamara are out Tuesday i'm sure Unai will find a replacement.
Pau or dinge who are central backs can move someone over,
ummm not getting paid to have to orchestrate this defensive move.
Arsenal will want revenge which is nice,
tho lately they have not been hitting the 'ol onion bag as much as last several months, but still a solid defense club!
anyways If they lose, 6 points down, as a victory levels them
only is they win by 12 goals.
Ollie is not that recovered.......
Amorim does get the subs wrong quite often, though he doesn't have a deep squad to draw from — and it's even more depleted now by injuries and AFCON absences. On top of that, there are more fixtures during the festive season, so Amorim had to take a risk and sub off Casemiro — and couldn't risk exacerbating Mount's issue, either. Thankfully it paid off in this case.
He's also now officially admitted that he's changing his formation, moving away from the 3-4-3 to a 4-man backline.
On the one hand, it's ludicrous to expect any elite-level manager in the modern era to stick with a single tactical formation in all circumstances. Even the most stereotypical 'systems' managers (Guardiola, Klopp, Pochettino, even Postecoglou...) have all adapted, evolved, and/or used multiple formations in a season.
On the other hand, Amorim did arrive with that level of rigid adherence to the 3-4-3 in mind, and he persisted with it up till now, in the face of some seriously scathing criticism. But, while I think a more flexible approach is necessary, I am not sure admitting it now is any better than admitting it last season. At the same time, many fans are fickle and results-oriented. If Man Utd start winning, that changes things.
I’ve been watching a few summaries of Africa Cup matches, it’s quite interesting. It’s like watching European matches from many years ago, there’s a lot of space on the pitch and the finishing is very wayward.
Sounds the same as watching West Ham.
Not expecting anything against Brighton tonight. Looking forward to getting a couple of players back from the Africa cup and hopefully some reinforcements in January.
Even worse news for Arsenal, no Rice.
Currently 1-0 up though
That is more or less how any international knockout tournament goes, even the World Cup. Play is slower and more disjointed than in club football. More basic / defensive systems are common. Not losing is more important than winning when it comes to advancing in a knockout format. Stick to that and at worst you go to penalties.
Speaking of penalties, the Hammers have coughed up two in a the space of a couple minutes, but Danny Wellbeck missed the second for Brighton....could be a match-saving piece of luck for West Ham, but they need to get to half time without any more damage first.
Not a chance. We fade to nothing at the end of matches. Expect to lose 3-1 now at least.
It'll have to be a 3-2 loss, because you've just scored a second. 🤣
3 penalties in the first half. Chaos...
Not a chance. We fade to nothing at the end of matches. Expect to lose 3-1 now at least.
This has been enjoyable. Villa had a good 30 mins and then we took over. I'm glad we corrected the away result.
Gabriel's return has been vital. Odegaard, Zubimendi, and Trossard have played a blinder. We got lucky Merino wasn't sent off.
Icing on top is our bench is starting to look a lot better.
Gabriel's return has been vital. Odegaard, Zubimendi, and Trossard have played a blinder. We got lucky Merino wasn't sent off.
Icing on top is our bench is starting to look a lot better.
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The Hammers come away with a point - a good result slightly against the run of play, but points are points...the Hammers are now just four points from safety after Forest lost today. That missed PK really cost Brighton in the end.
They proved to be no obstacle today. Arsenal have unceremoniously brushed them aside. Liverpool could end the week just four points behind Villa with what should be a winnable match against Leeds on Thursday.
They proved to be no obstacle today. Arsenal have unceremoniously brushed them aside. Liverpool could end the week just four points behind Villa with what should be a winnable match against Leeds on Thursday.
Great win for Arsenal today, they looked perfect!
hopefully most here are relieved and exited!
Villa will rebound as 12 is a tough one.
there is a lot of football left to play tho.
hopefully most here are relieved and exited!
Villa will rebound as 12 is a tough one.
there is a lot of football left to play tho.
Didn’t watch the game but proper chuffed for Big Gabi and Jesus.
Both are back baby and in style.
Both are back baby and in style.
That is more like it; a wonderful win, and, of greater importance, a comfortable, confident win, not to mention fitting payback for our previous result against Villa.
Thrilled to see Gabi Magalhaes and Gabriel Jesus back, fit and playing exceptionally well; Odegaard and Zubimendi also excelled as did Trossard, and - fortunately - the regrettable absence of the invariably excellent Declan Rice did not hurt us as much as it might have otherwise done, although, it was clear that we missed him in the first half.
Excellent.
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I thought Arsenal looked very strong, with good players coming off the bench. If they continue in this form they are going to be hard to beat in the league and in the champions league.
Yes, it was a very welcome change from much recent form.
I devoutly hope so.