The 2026-2027 Football Thread

[Scepticalscribe]

Tzolis looks like a gd acquisition for Arsenal.

Glad to get the points on the board. Wish we scored more. It’s nice that the attackers look hungry so far. Tzolis has slotted in perfectly so far.

Agree about Tzolis; seems as though he is an excellent buy.

Overall I’m enjoying the more fluid football, granted Coventry gave us space which won’t always the case.

A comfortable, confident, win and an excellentb start to the season.

An of course its typical that Guimaraes is already injured and out for a few weeks *sigh*

Well, yes.

Actually, I have long been concerned by our injuries, the rate of injuries, the amount of injuries we sustain, the seriousness of many of these injuries, plus the fact that they don't just happen to fringe players, but to key members of the squad, core members of the team.

Last season, if the stats I have read are correct, we were in the top three (measured clubs) for injuries, and, in this context, "injuries" were classed as something which cost the injured player at least one game in the first team.

However, I do draw some solace from the fact that the medical team at Arsenal - or rather, the individuals then in charge of it - were relieved of their duties (and not simply permitted to resign) towards the end of last season, which suggests recognition of the fact that whatever they were doing wasn't working.

Please stay fit Tzolis,

Amen to that.

do not want to rely on Madueke or Martinelli

Especially the former.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I’m not going to smile too broadly at Man Utd’s loss, as I’m not expecting better from Liverpool. So much is up in the air in all areas of the pitch, and depends on players coming back strongly from injuries or slumps (such as Isak, MacAllister), and I doubt the new look formation has had time to fully gel. We’re going into the season without a traditional number 6, and I worry that the midfield will still feel bit soft - especially if the front line remains less productive than it has been in our more successful recent past.

Newcastle at home are a very hard team to break down, even with the players they’ve sold, so I’ll be surprised if Liverpool manage more than a goal.

As for transfers, the biggest name we’ve brought on board is….Jeff Bezos. 🙄

 

[Apple fanboy]

Agree about Tzolis; seems as though he is an excellent buy.

A comfortable, confident, win and an excellentb start to the season.



Well, yes.

Actually, I have long been concerned by our injuries, the rate of injuries, the amount of injuries we sustain, the seriousness of many of these injuries, plus the fact that they don't just happen to fringe players, but to key members of the squad, core members of the team.

Last season, if the stats I have read are correct, we were in the top three (measured clubs) for injuries, and, in this context, "injuries" were classed as something which cost the injured player at least one game in the first team.

However, I do draw some solace from the fact that the medical team at Arsenal - or rather, the individuals then in charge of it - were relieved of their duties (and not simply permitted to resign) towards the end of last season, which suggests recognition of the fact that whatever they were doing wasn't working.

Amen to that.

Especially the former.

Top 6 as I see it.

But as I said you’ll breeze through the league this season. Easy win is what I said before kick off and I see nothing to change my mind.

Pretty disappointing second defeat of the season for us against Charlton.

Hope we can turn it around soon.

 

[daneoni]

The EPL is well and truly back. Utd and Spurs showing money can only get you so far.

Jaffa prob pleased with that Hull result.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Jaffa prob pleased with that Hull result.

Ah, Jaffa, those were fun times within this thread’s ancestors…the Phil Brown years.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Villa are being absolutely smashed to pieces by Brighton. Is it just me or does everyone continue to underestimate Brighton?

Utterly comedic own goal for Brighton’s first, after Villa had actually started somewhat aggressively. But after ten minutes Villa had lost their heads.

Meanwhile Columbus lose away to Nashville as they stumble through a fairly dreadful season.

 

[daneoni]

Brighton and Brentford know who they are, and how to navigate the EPL. Bournemouth too even with a different manager.

Unsurprising from Villa who's team has been dismantled. If the hierarchy don't refresh the squad with the money they've made, i won't be surprised if Emery walks

I suspect the same will happen to Newcastle

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Villa’s Joao Gomes had a nightmare debut (don’t we all love a debutant getting sent off though?). Straight red for violent conduct - a pretty obvious kick out - which means a three game ban.

Villa look like a much humbler promoted team expecting to go straight back down, rather than a ‘big’ club returning to their usual level.

 

[daneoni]

City scrape through by the skin of their teeth.

Cherki came on and changed the game...probably should've started ahead of Foden who continues to be a mix bag.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

City scrape through by the skin of their teeth.

Cherki came on and changed the game...probably should've started ahead of Foden who continues to be a mix bag.

Proof, unfortunately, that money actually WILL get you so far.

I won’t repeat it all season but let’s remember, now that the season is running again, that Man City have only won anything because they (financially) cheated more than any club in history. And won’t ever get punished for it. They aren’t the first but they ARE the worst. Rant over.

 

[daneoni]

Proof, unfortunately, that money actually WILL get you so far.

I won’t repeat it all season but let’s remember, now that the season is running again, that Man City have only won anything because they (financially) cheated more than any club in history. And won’t ever get punished for it. They aren’t the first but they ARE the worst. Rant over.

It might not be enough this season. They got away with one today. But they still have quality to go far. And they're still spending with Bouaddi and Allan on the way.

Meanwhile Spurs continue their splurge with Marmoush coming on loan initially then £50m mandatory buy at the end of the season. £364 spent and counting...

LFC already a goal down. At the risk of being captain obvious, they really haven't replaced Fabinho or Wijnaldum. Gravenberch isn't the answer. Was a fluke in the title winning season.

EDIT: And LFC manage to grab a point at the death.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Proof, unfortunately, that money actually WILL get you so far.

I won’t repeat it all season but let’s remember, now that the season is running again, that Man City have only won anything because they (financially) cheated more than any club in history. And won’t ever get punished for it. They aren’t the first but they ARE the worst. Rant over.

I was watching the Arsenal highlights this morning and they made some comment about them bringing on £250 million worth of subs.

You could buy all of the Coventry squad and club for that (probably).

Sad to see City come from behind to win.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I expected Liverpool to lose today, so a lucky draw is a bonus. I have very low expectations for this season. I expect the defense to be leaky. We've not rebuilt our previous trophy-winning back four...VvD is a year older, and none of the rest of the defensive unit has fully replaced their predecessors. Too much is being expected of Bradley. Jacquet has a heavy burden on his shoulders, Liverpool need him to make an immediate impact. Araujo is a wildcard IMO. Further up the pitch, major players such as Wirtz and Isak have yet to fully prove themselves in a Liverpool shirt. Much is being made of Iraola being a slow starter, winning one of his first ten at Bournemouth etc. etc. His system will take time to bed in and the squad is in a major transition which will hinder that process.

I don't expect Liverpool to really compete this year. As I said before, qualifying for the Champions League would be a successful season IMO. But that means no silverware this season and probably some frustrating upsets by minnows, derby humiliations, European losses. All of which will cause ructions amongst the less patient fans.

On the positive side, the squad still has a lot of unproven potential and the new manager has demonstrated ability - probably a step up from the level Slot was at when he came in. If Iraola can get things organized and new players live up to their billing, we could see some genuine achievement in the short term and build a real platform for the following season. But I'm not expecting that. I can easily see Liverpool struggling to finish 6th or 7th. But a lot depends on how other clubs perform. If Chelsea and the Manchester clubs also struggle, and Iraola does better than expected, it could be a more open dogfight for best of the rest and a top 3 finish would be possible in that case.

It might not be enough this season. They got away with one today. But they still have quality to go far. And they're still spending with Bouaddi and Allan on the way.

They've got too good a squad to completely collapse like Spurs, but I do agree that this might be a bumpy ride comparatively speaking. They've been spoiled for many years under Pep and that is now over. But I still expect them to finish top three. Given the money spent anything less would be an embarrassment - an embarrassment that we (apart from Man City Fans) would surely celebrate. 🤣

 

[MBAir2010]

Villa are being absolutely smashed to pieces by Brighton. Is it just me or does everyone continue to underestimate Brighton?

Utterly comedic own goal for Brighton’s first, after Villa had actually started somewhat aggressively. But after ten minutes Villa had lost their heads.

Unai Emery pleaded with the player on the touch line throw to toss the ball up north,
towards their goal. NOPE he tossed that south toward THEIR goal, why? the boss was standing there
anyways , the ball went to a sleeping back who got screwed up while getting the ball and just passed blindly to a blue kit who deked Bizot and aimed for the post, which he hit as the ball fell on Lindelof's lap then in the ol' onion bag.
I knew I hear "Yakkity sax" benny hill music being played somewhere.

not like Villa is readying primed to play arsenal next Monday,
then again is the wacky wide world of sports, Villa could win, draw or get regulated already to today's debacle!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Unai Emery pleaded with the player on the touch line throw to toss the ball up north,
towards their goal. NOPE he tossed that south toward THEIR goal, why? the boss was standing there

I remember watching that point of the match, when the player faked throwing towards his winger and then turned back towards his goal, and I thought 'he should have thrown it up-field there' and then, well, that happened immediately after. The actual goal was an unlucky deflection, but it was still ultimately caused by a series of big errors.

The stats people tell us that ball retention from throw-ins is often little better than a coin toss, so why fling it towards your own goal? Or, if you do, don't throw it to someone with nobody behind them.