We Go Again! The Premier League thread

by **Crimey** Wed Mar 02, 2016 9:54 pm

First topic message reminder :

This would be a huge day for Leicester if it stays like it is.

by **Crimey** Sun Mar 20, 2016 4:29 pm

Mane has been poor all season really, this was a return to form but I'd be surprised if there's a huge amount of interest, certainly not for the price Southampton will want.

I can't remember another time of blowing a two goal lead any time recently?

Klopp definitely got it wrong, the midfield was overrun and Benteke offered nothing. Think he wanted to kill the game but the moment Benteke was on, the side struggled to get the ball. Sturridge is constantly asking for the ball, dropping deep or going wide to stretch the defences and give an option. Benteke just stands near a defender and hopes the ball will fall to him I think.

by westisbest Sun Mar 20, 2016 4:34 pm

Remi Garde to be sacked in the next couple of days

Good decision and timing i feel.

We're down, so with 7 games to go, manager has time to work with the players and see who he wants to keep in the summer.

Dare i say we may even pick up some points Whistle

Two weeks till the Chelsea game.

Garde isnt/wasnt cut out for it.
Some of his selections and his lack of passin has come into question which i agree with.
Not getting on with players and training methods being questioned.

Pearson is one of the top choices.
I think a british manager has to take over, especially one with championship experience.

Bruce was another name I read, although if Hull go up may wan to saty.

Tottally the wrong decison in Garde, but that was the board for you.

I still would'nt have sacked Sherwood when we did.
Least the guy showed some passion.

by Hammersmith harrier Sun Mar 20, 2016 4:36 pm

The Sunderland game only happened last month.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun Mar 20, 2016 4:39 pm

Feel that Garde has been mistreated by Villa anyway and is probably a manager of a higher standard than Villa can get. It'll kill his name over here, but i imagine the rest of Europe will see it as Villa's fault and not his.

Mane will still probably end up at United. They wanted him, and their scouting is likely gonna stay the same regardless of Mourinho

by Guest Sun Mar 20, 2016 4:43 pm

Only a guess but I reckon Garde would've been promised funds in January. I mean why else would you leave a top French club playing in the Champions League for that gig?

Something is amiss there.

by **hampo17** Sun Mar 20, 2016 4:52 pm

Tim Howard is joining Colorado Rapids at the end of the season.

by westisbest Sun Mar 20, 2016 4:54 pm

Alright freek.

Yes Garde was promised funds in january and wasnt given them.

The players we signed from France were not Sherwoods choices, vertainly not the top ones.

The board had more of a say with that.

As a manager im sure its tough if the board are not being honest with you.

I would like to see Garde manage again in England to see how he does.

Despite our downfall its certainly a good challange for someone to manage Villa.

Am sure there will be a few names wanting to take charge.
Yes Garde has not been treated well.

Fox and co have gone which is great news.

by Guest Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:03 pm

Harry Kane's not messing around today. 1-0.

by Hammersmith harrier Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:10 pm

That's what his 54th goal in the past two seasons with 41 in the league alone, that's some going for a player I genuinely don't rate that highly.

by westisbest Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:11 pm

Nick will be on here drooling in a minute

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:12 pm

John wrote:The only winners were Norwich today. We have to win at Carrow road, otherwise it's six points behind. We were awful today, beyond awful

Been the perfect weekend for us. I've got hope again!

by Guest Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:16 pm

That was class.

by Hammersmith harrier Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:49 pm

Using the logic of last week and the week before that's a penalty for a foul on Rashford but like the two previous occasions would have been soft so ref made the right call.

by nadeem2099 Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:53 pm

Rashford is tearing Demichellis a new one so far.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:53 pm

I think it's a pen. Rashford doesn't have a choice, he is taken down, he's made no decision there at all. That's a foul anywhere else

by **hampo17** Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:56 pm

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:I think it's a pen. Rashford doesn't have a choice, he is taken down, he's made no decision there at all. That's a foul anywhere else

Yup, clear penalty. Not sure what HH has seen to make him think it's soft.

by nadeem2099 Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:27 pm

The injuries to Sterling and Hart haven't helped City, only Aguero looking lively up front.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:37 pm

Should be off

by Guest Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:38 pm

Deffo second yellow, Aguero turning & heading towards box

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:53 pm

Carrick been excellent today

by Hammersmith harrier Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:55 pm

That's a massive win, just a point behind 4th now.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:56 pm

Not a bad result for us. Should be sitting 4th now. Gotta hope City continue to combust

by **Hero** Sun Mar 20, 2016 7:59 pm

The fact that Utd are 1 point off a Champions League spot shows how guff the teams in the Premier League have been this season.

by Stella Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:06 pm

Hero wrote:The fact that Utd are 1 point off a Champions League spot shows how guff the teams in the Premier League have been this season.

I prefer it this way. The quality has gone down but on the flip side, the league has become unpredictable. Long may it continue.

by Lowlandbrit Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:07 pm

Hero wrote:The fact that Utd are 1 point off a Champions League spot shows how guff the teams in the Premier League have been this season.

I feel like it's been somewhat lost in all the talk about the PL title race that Leicester and Spurs are going to be playing Champions League football next season (and West Ham might be too).

by **Hero** Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:32 pm

It's great for those clubs most certainly, I can only though see long term that it has a negative impact though on our UEFA coefficient rating.

by Stella Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:36 pm

Hero wrote:It's great for those clubs most certainly, I can only though see long term that it has a negative impact though on our UEFA coefficient rating.

We're still doing better than the Italian clubs in Europe.

by Guest Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:43 pm

Seeing Leicester, as potential champions & as champions league top seeds next year, still gets me.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:49 pm

Stella wrote:
Hero wrote:It's great for those clubs most certainly, I can only though see long term that it has a negative impact though on our UEFA coefficient rating.

We're still doing better than the Italian clubs in Europe.

And have in fact increased our gap over them this season

by Stella Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:51 pm

Villa not being in the EPL as well. I wonder if any other country will have two former European champions in the 2nd tier of their leagues?

by **Hero** Sun Mar 20, 2016 9:08 pm

Olly wrote:
Stella wrote:
Hero wrote:It's great for those clubs most certainly, I can only though see long term that it has a negative impact though on our UEFA coefficient rating.

We're still doing better than the Italian clubs in Europe.

And have in fact increased our gap over them this season

Incorrect.

We're currently better than the Italian clubs this year by 1.25 points (12.75 v 11.5), this though replaces the 10/11 rankings in which England had a score of 18.35 and Italy had 11.57, a difference then of 6.78 points.

So the gap has actually shrunk by 5.53 this year as it stands.
Next year will see the 11/12 year disappear from the rankings and again that was a 3.9 difference in our favour that we have to at least match as currently the gap is 4.3, and therefore it'll be down to 0.4 at the end of next season if next season is a stalemate. The following year again we lose another 2 points advantage...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Mar 20, 2016 9:20 pm

Hero wrote:
Olly wrote:
Stella wrote:
Hero wrote:It's great for those clubs most certainly, I can only though see long term that it has a negative impact though on our UEFA coefficient rating.

We're still doing better than the Italian clubs in Europe.

And have in fact increased our gap over them this season

Incorrect.

We're currently better than the Italian clubs this year by 1.25 points (12.75 v 11.5), this though replaces the 10/11 rankings in which England had a score of 18.35 and Italy had 11.57, a difference then of 6.78 points.

So the gap has actually shrunk by 5.53 this year as it stands.
Next year will see the 11/12 year disappear from the rankings and again that was a 3.9 difference in our favour that we have to at least match as currently the gap is 4.3, and therefore it'll be down to 0.4 at the end of next season if next season is a stalemate. The following year again we lose another 2 points advantage...

Once the 11/12 score is removed we're essentially in direct competition with the Italian league for the 4 places, but this season we've gained more points on them. Nothing to say it won't happen again next season etc

by **Hero** Sun Mar 20, 2016 9:45 pm

We're gaining them at a rate though that isn't big enough compared to the loss from earlier years. Last year's score saw a 6.5 net gain for Italy as they got 19 points and England 13.5, that's 4 years in which that score will be affecting the overall ranking.
That 1 year puts Italy in front on the past three years scores:

England 43.106
Italy 44.666

Unless English clubs get 3 or 4 points more for the next two seasons then we'll drop behind Italy and therefore lose the 4th qualifying spot.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:20 pm

We'll do better for this season. Spurs and Leicester won't be arrogant and jaded. Effort and skill will be there. Gonna force others to improve too

by **Hero** Sun Mar 20, 2016 11:26 pm

Can you see a quartet of Leicester, Spurs, Arsenal and West Ham setting Europe alight? I know the 'established' top four have failed to get to the latter stages in the past couple of years but I just can't see the big clubs of Europe holding any fear for our offering next season.

by Hammersmith harrier Sun Mar 20, 2016 11:38 pm

I don't think the 4th best team in England deserve a champions league so if we do lose it so what, we just end up with an also ran from a different country instead.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Mar 20, 2016 11:58 pm

Hero wrote:Can you see a quartet of Leicester, Spurs, Arsenal and West Ham setting Europe alight? I know the 'established' top four have failed to get to the latter stages in the past couple of years but I just can't see the big clubs of Europe holding any fear for our offering next season.

They can't do any worse than what utd/Liverpool offered in the CL this season tbf

by NickisBHAFC Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:02 am

What an amazing Southampton come back!

Tottenham are a real joy to watch, them and Leciester are just fantastic for English football, really don't care which one of them win the league.

One season wonder Harry Kane with another 2. People still wanting him to fail?

by Hammersmith harrier Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:11 am

Nobody wants him to fail but a few myself included are baffled by his continued success, he keeps scoring though which is the only thing that matters.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:15 am

Hero wrote:Can you see a quartet of Leicester, Spurs, Arsenal and West Ham setting Europe alight? I know the 'established' top four have failed to get to the latter stages in the past couple of years but I just can't see the big clubs of Europe holding any fear for our offering next season.

As the point has been made: compared to what? Spurs and Leicester would be set up to deal with European (unless Leicester are a one season wonder), their energy and solidity would suit well. And as far as I can see West Ham have as good a chance as Man United of doing something in Europe. We'd have qualified from that group...

by Ent Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:22 am

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:
Hero wrote:Can you see a quartet of Leicester, Spurs, Arsenal and West Ham setting Europe alight? I know the 'established' top four have failed to get to the latter stages in the past couple of years but I just can't see the big clubs of Europe holding any fear for our offering next season.

As the point has been made: compared to what? Spurs and Leicester would be set up to deal with European (unless Leicester are a one season wonder), their energy and solidity would suit well. And as far as I can see West Ham have as good a chance as Man United of doing something in Europe. We'd have qualified from that group...

Spurs couldn't balance a Europa league campaign.

Managing cl, cups and leagues ain't as easy as it looks.

by **Hero** Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:50 am

Leicester are winning the title having used only 23 in their squad, helped somewhat by early cup exits and minimal injuries throughout the season. I can't see that luck continuing combined with midweek games in Eastern Europe etc.
West Ham went out to the mighty Astra Giurgiu this season in Europe, so a group of the 2nd best Germans, Dutch Champions and Russian Champions is probably a bit beyond them.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Mon Mar 21, 2016 8:33 am

That is to suggest that Leicester, who have money, won't buy. And West Ham sent a youth team to the Europa qualifier, as well as not having some of our better players signed yet at that point.

Both teams will strengthen in the summer, depending on position id imagine they could be strengthening a lot more than expected. Pep's Man City aside, do you honestly see Manchestet United outperforming either of those teams? There are so many more glaring holes in that squad, so many more problems with the club.

Spurs only just went out of the Europa League whilst maintaining a title push, Ent. What's your point? They lost in the FA cup to the only team above them in the league.

by Born Slippy Mon Mar 21, 2016 9:07 am

Spurs beat Leicester in the cup. They went out to Palace - at home.

by **Crimey** Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:24 am

Olly wrote:
Hero wrote:Can you see a quartet of Leicester, Spurs, Arsenal and West Ham setting Europe alight? I know the 'established' top four have failed to get to the latter stages in the past couple of years but I just can't see the big clubs of Europe holding any fear for our offering next season.

They can't do any worse than what utd/Liverpool offered in the CL this season tbf

Liverpool really struggled in the Champions League this season, didn't even manage to play a game in it!

by sirfredperry Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:40 am

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Nobody wants him (Kane) to fail but a few myself included are baffled by his continued success, he keeps scoring though which is the only thing that matters.

One of Kane's qualities is his willingness to shoot at every opportunity, with either feet. Too many forwards waste precious seconds in front of goal trying to manoeuvre the ball on to their stronger foot.
While we're on the subject of stronger feet/hands, why do right-handed goalkeepers go for high shots to their left with their RIGHT hand ? There is only so far you can reach with that hand when trying to stop a shot high to your left. Watch the next time a screamer goes in high to a keeper's left and wonder if he might have got a finger tip to it if he'd used his left hand.

by nadeem2099 Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:56 am

sirfredperry wrote:
Hammersmith harrier wrote:Nobody wants him (Kane) to fail but a few myself included are baffled by his continued success, he keeps scoring though which is the only thing that matters.

One of Kane's qualities is his willingness to shoot at every opportunity, with either feet. Too many forwards waste precious seconds in front of goal trying to manoeuvre the ball on to their stronger foot.
While we're on the subject of stronger feet/hands, why do right-handed goalkeepers go for high shots to their left with their RIGHT hand ? There is only so far you can reach with that hand when trying to stop a shot high to your left. Watch the next time a screamer goes in high to a keeper's left and wonder if he might have got a finger tip to it if he'd used his left hand.

Wouldn't you have more reach if you used your right hand if you dived towards your left? The only reason a keeper would use the other hand would be if the shot was a low one and he would have had to dive on the ground to save it. Like this for example. If that shot was low, Lloris would use his left hand instead.

by Ent Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:26 pm

You take away the width of your shoulders going with your "long" hand.

Balancing Europe is hard, it's not ridiculous to suggest teams with little experience of doing so, or those that can't balance the secondary competition may not do so well when they start trying to.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Mon Mar 21, 2016 1:22 pm

But it's ridiculous to suggest they'd do any worse than the current incumbents.

by **Hero** Mon Mar 21, 2016 1:44 pm

Why is it?
It's speculation certainly, but to suggest that clubs with little to no European experience and with much smaller budgets compared to those that went before them may struggle to get out of the group stage and as a result continue to worsen England co-efficiency rating is hardly a punt in the dark.

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