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The Footie Thread

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Classy from West Ham.


He was stood a foot away from the keeper directly in front of him, in a position that prevent he keeper an opportunity to block the cross. And had to jump out of the way of the ball. How is that not interfering with play?
Yes your right ,but the keeper dived the other way to the near post.
But can’t see how a player two yds off the goal line in the middle of the goal isn’t interfering.
 
It's a good job Harry Maguire didn't get stuck in the Suez canal or they'd still be trying to get him out. Shocking display and the only defender who can get done twice by two different players for the same goal.
Yeah, I thought he might get through the game with a fairly solid display. But, he was absolutely done for the goal, and his mobility is just about the worst I've seen when he needs to change direction quickly. I'm always surprised to see how slow McTomminay is, which has been highlighted to me in the last few games. When teams counter us, and players (United players and opposition players) run towards our goal, everyone just seems to be running 10-20% faster than McTomminay, even the guy on the ball.

I can see why Varane's goal was ruled out, but a little disappointed with the og after. Pogba and the defender just ran into each other going for the ball. Pogba's arms, at that point, were either side of defender, but that is just where they were. He was not grabbing or pulling the defender. However, it is still no excuse for not being able to beat an awful Burnley side.

I though Sancho had some good moments, so I'm hopeful his confidence will grow.
 
Surely though, when you see that then you adapt. We kept doing the same thing over and over and it was easy for Newcastle, we were predictable. Agree about Howe, he is doing a good job. Newcastle are becoming harder to beat, Trippier is a strong signing and in Saint Maximim they have a match winner. Funnily enough, the Toon fans around me spent half their time slagging him for getting caught in possesion and the other half praising for going past players. Fans :rolleyes:

The one thing I didn't mention, seen it at both games I have been at recently, the atmosphere at St James is entirely different than it has been for 5yrs+. So much more bouyant, noisier, behind the team. Significantly different to how it has been for some time, a positive, not a negative. (apart from the entirely sexist and 70's throwback chant at a female Everton fan in the second half which was shameful and by a fair chunk of supporters o_O)
That comes back to player confidence and other options becoming available, ie players moving out of position etc.

I genuinely don’t get the love in for Maximim, far too inconsistent and wasteful, yes he does some great runs, but the end product isn’t there, great when they are winning, but like you saw, they’re not happy when they’re not. Almost Traore like at Wolves.

Lampard has mentioned the atmosphere at Goodison and it being important for home games.
 
Why would he say that? It happened, he got away with it. Now he needs to get charged for bringing the game into disrepute in the same way Keane did. I bet Derby are chuffed to bits he included that in his book :rolleyes:
Yeah, seems silly. Or, he doesn't mind because he knows the gain he gets from the publicity will be better than what he loses in terms of a fine?

We all know players try and hurt their opponents. Denying that is naive. Hopefully none go out to break a players leg, but they go in to cause pain frequently. It is part of the game. It unsettles opponents, can make them nervous and edgy. As a footballer, who would you rather play against? A team of players that don't want to put in hard challenges, or a team that will go in for hard aggressive challenges as soon as the ball arrives at your feet (or sometimes before)?
 
I genuinely don’t get the love in for Maximim, far too inconsistent and wasteful, yes he does some great runs, but the end product isn’t there, great when they are winning, but like you saw, they’re not happy when they’re not. Almost Traore like at Wolves.
In a team with no attacking flair he is the game changer. Newcastle are woeful in creating chances but give him the ball in the top third and let him run and things happen. Yes, much is wasted and he wouldn't get away with that in a better team but he is not in a better team. Don't also forget, when he gets the ball teams surround him with 2-3 players, leaving others with more space. His next step is to know when to release the ball to make use of that space he has created. That is Howe's job now.

I'd agree with your Traore comparison and I'd have him like a shot. You can't have a team full of those players but one can be a load of fun.
 
Yeah, seems silly. Or, he doesn't mind because he knows the gain he gets from the publicity will be better than what he loses in terms of a fine?

We all know players try and hurt their opponents. Denying that is naive. Hopefully none go out to break a players leg, but they go in to cause pain frequently. It is part of the game. It unsettles opponents, can make them nervous and edgy. As a footballer, who would you rather play against? A team of players that don't want to put in hard challenges, or a team that will go in for hard aggressive challenges as soon as the ball arrives at your feet (or sometimes before)?
I get all of that but to put it out there is brainless imo. It's almost a macho thing whereas in reality it is a thug thing.

The fine wont bother him but hopefully the ban that comes his way will, as well as the damage to his reputation.
 
In a team with no attacking flair he is the game changer. Newcastle are woeful in creating chances but give him the ball in the top third and let him run and things happen. Yes, much is wasted and he wouldn't get away with that in a better team but he is not in a better team. Don't also forget, when he gets the ball teams surround him with 2-3 players, leaving others with more space. His next step is to know when to release the ball to make use of that space he has created. That is Howe's job now.

I'd agree with your Traore comparison and I'd have him like a shot. You can't have a team full of those players but one can be a load of fun.
Mate, he’s missed 1 game all season in which last night was only their 3rd win, I’m not sure I’d call him a game changer, maybe a luxury player, who will have his moments.

Villa at St James’s park on sunday will be a lot stiffer test.
 
Mate, he’s missed 1 game all season in which last night was only their 3rd win, I’m not sure I’d call him a game changer, maybe a luxury player, who will have his moments.

Villa at St James’s park on sunday will be a lot stiffer test.
Villa wont be worse than us, that's for sure.

What other attacking threats do they have without him? Not just goals that he scores, maybe not many, but direct assists and also assists following the mayhem he causes. They offer very little else, they really don't.

I like a luxury player, I'd still have James at the club. Teams need a player, imo, that offers something different to the rest of the team.
 
That comes back to player confidence and other options becoming available, ie players moving out of position etc.

I genuinely don’t get the love in for Maximim, far too inconsistent and wasteful, yes he does some great runs, but the end product isn’t there, great when they are winning, but like you saw, they’re not happy when they’re not. Almost Traore like at Wolves.

Lampard has mentioned the atmosphere at Goodison and it being important for home games.

But if a goal was scored every time Maximim or Traore went on a mazy run their teams would score a half a dozen goals a game. So the opposition get the ball off them in their own half, so what, they’re not going to score from 70yds.

Every team you watch gets into the opposition half quite often but rarely score, even the very best teams. Watching some of the match yesterday I asked myself several times, where are the players that should be up there with Maximim to receive the ball off him?
 
Villa wont be worse than us, that's for sure.

What other attacking threats do they have without him? Not just goals that he scores, maybe not many, but direct assists and also assists following the mayhem he causes. They offer very little else, they really don't.

I like a luxury player, I'd still have James at the club. Teams need a player, imo, that offers something different to the rest of the team.

I hope not :ROFLMAO: We need some points on the board - champions league is still on the cards.... :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
Watching some of the match yesterday I asked myself several times, where are the players that should be up there with Maximim to receive the ball off him?
Newcastle don't attack as a unit. It gets pumped up to Wood, no one is near him, it gets pinged out to SM, it's the same. Better teams attack in groups so that players have more space to work in, spreads the defence out. If SM started to get more help, more players around him, a full back that could overlap, then maybe he wouldn't have to run up blind alleys so often.
 
But if a goal was scored every time Maximim or Traore went on a mazy run their teams would score a half a dozen goals a game. So the opposition get the ball off them in their own half, so what, they’re not going to score from 70yds.

Every team you watch gets into the opposition half quite often but rarely score, even the very best teams. Watching some of the match yesterday I asked myself several times, where are the players that should be up there with Maximim to receive the ball off him?
Newcastle don't attack as a unit. It gets pumped up to Wood, no one is near him, it gets pinged out to SM, it's the same. Better teams attack in groups so that players have more space to work in, spreads the defence out. If SM started to get more help, more players around him, a full back that could overlap, then maybe he wouldn't have to run up blind alleys so often.
Wilson is injured, they’ve bought Woods, I’d be surprised if he’s in their starting XI when the full squad is available.

Bring him off the bench and hope he is the game changer.

He’s not a player for chasing back and against the top teams he gets found out.
 
Wilson is injured, they’ve bought Woods, I’d be surprised if he’s in their starting XI when the full squad is available.

Bring him off the bench and hope he is the game changer.

He’s not a player for chasing back and against the top teams he gets found out.

The only reason I can think of buying Woods is to deprive Burnley of a player who might help them avoid relegation

Smart move by Newcastle but I hope the Arabs still get relegated

Sorry to any Toon fans but that’s the way I feel. .
 
The only reason I can think of buying Woods is to deprive Burnley of a player who might help them avoid relegation

Smart move by Newcastle but I hope the Arabs still get relegated

Sorry to any Toon fans but that’s the way I feel. .

Weghorst looked like a real player last night. I think they've done great business there personally!
 
Villa wont be worse than us, that's for sure.

What other attacking threats do they have without him? Not just goals that he scores, maybe not many, but direct assists and also assists following the mayhem he causes. They offer very little else, they really don't.

I like a luxury player, I'd still have James at the club. Teams need a player, imo, that offers something different to the rest of the team.
I agree. I'd rather face Newcastle without Maxim that with him. I hated playing Wolves if Traore was playing. I'm sure many defenders would prefer not to face him than to face him. Unless it is clear that Newcastle are a much better attacking unit without him? I suspect not, I reckon Newcastle would lack a lot of threat without a player like Maxim. Unless there are a large amount of stats that can show that they are better without him? Having a quick google in 20/21 for 32 games (19 with, 13 without), they won 37% of goals with him, only 15% without. They averaged 1.3 games with, 0.8 without (coincidentally, the same numbers for points won).

So, to a neutral, he seems like a huge asset for Newcastle. Newcastle fans would be best placed to determine his influence. I only know one, and he absolutely loves the guy. Undoubtedly, he'll get tackled often, as he is often their only threat so the opposition can focus on stopping him. But, he doesn't hide away and always keeps them on their toes.
 
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I agree. I'd rather face Newcastle without Maxim that with him. I hated playing Wolves if Traore was playing. I'm sure many defenders would prefer not to face him than to face him. Unless it is clear that Newcastle are a much better attacking unit without him? I suspect not, I reckon Newcastle would lack a lot of threat without a player like Maxim. Unless there are a large amount of stats that can show that they are better without him? Having a quick google in 20/21 for 32 games (19 with, 13 without), they won 37% of games with him, only 15% without. They averaged 1.3 games with, 0.8 without (coincidentally, the same numbers for points won).

So, to a neutral, he seems like a huge asset for Newcastle. Newcastle fans would be best placed to determine his influence. I only know one, and he absolutely loves the guy. Undoubtedly, he'll get tackled often, as he is often their only threat so the opposition can focus on stopping him. But, he doesn't hide away and always keeps them on their toes.

Totally agree. Love players who just make you feel like they can change a game at any moment.

The noise of chairs rattling back up as the fans stand is one of the greatest in football. St. Maxim delivers this in abundance.
 
The only reason I can think of buying Woods is to deprive Burnley of a player who might help them avoid relegation

Smart move by Newcastle but I hope the Arabs still get relegated

Sorry to any Toon fans but that’s the way I feel. .

When you're at the bottom scrapping it out, you need the option to hit it long and have someone hold it up and relieve the pressure.

He's not going to score loads of goals, but he will hold it up, and he'll bring their other players, like ASM into play. They could even play two up top with him and Wilson if they wanted.

Just gives them options that they didn't have before, I think it will work. They're not going to turn into Brazil, last night was a good result but Everton are currently awful. Everton should be ok though as they have got the squad to go on a run of results at some point.

The thing that does change though with the teams at the bottom picking up points is sides that were seemingly well out of it, are not necessarily well out of it anymore. Brentford, Leeds and Palace have a decent buffer that could be eroded if they have a poor run over the next few games. I think Leeds and Palace should also both be fine, particularly Palace (their next two games could basically mean they're home and hosed), Brentford need to end their bad run as soon as possible and get some points from Palace, Newcastle, Norwich and Burnley (4 of their next 6 games).
 
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