The Footie Thread

[Pin-seeker]

Another thread bites the dust for a while. As soon as I saw there were 4 pages I hadn't read since about 9pm last night I knew who would be prolific in the "discussion"...

Note to self - skip to the last page in future

??

 

[GreiginFife]

Are we putting Arsenal as serious title contenders now?
I keep expecting them to drop off,but they’re playing some cracking football.
Saka just keeps getting better.

I think any Arsenal fan's only fear should be if such a young team does still have improvement in them or that they have peaked already.

You'd hope its the former with the trajectories of Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli.

 

[PJ87]

Are we putting Arsenal as serious title contenders now?
I keep expecting them to drop off,but they’re playing some cracking football.
Saka just keeps getting better.

Providing their central defenders stay fit, they have been let down by them in the past

They look solid and play great football.
Don't see why not

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Whether they last the course remains to be seen but, regardless of where they finish, even the most fierce critic would have to agree Arteta has done a fabulous job.

Arteta has done well but I think the overall squad isn’t strong enough to go toe to toe with City through the rest of the season - they have a good first 11 but depth will be tested through Feb/March

City will imo win by a good 8 points , Arsenal should stay the race for a top 4 - the other two spots certainly up for grabs and again keeping players fit and bringing in new players will be key

If we bring in a CM it’s going to help us out

Utd look like they are looking for more players

Arsenal also

If I was a betting man I would go

City

Then any combination of Arsenal , Liverpool and Utd

 

[fundy]

I think any Arsenal fan's only fear should be if such a young team does still have improvement in them or that they have peaked already.

You'd hope its the former with the trajectories of Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli.

No fear there is room for improvement, the fear is lack of depth outside 13 or 14 players who fit the arteta style and methods, keeping hold of the majority of the squad (saka, martinelli and saliba all need new contracts currently as do several of the younger players coming through) and adding a few more bodies that fit over the next year or so along with hopefully bringing a few more through from Hale End

Will we win the league this year, almost certainly not but were having some fun for now We should qualify for the CL which at least brings a platform to continue building going forward. A large amount of the deadwood has gone and the wage bill has been cut accordingly, theyre now going to have to start increasing it again to keep the youngsters and attract a few more. the intent is clearly there with the Mudryk approach but think we are going to have to overpay to get that deal (and potentially others) done

 

[Rlburnside]

Football is no longer a working man’s game , stopped being that a long time ago , the days of Alf Garnett no longer valid in a modern society , the days of working Mon to Friday and then letting the frustrations out on the terraces and saying whatever they want no longer exist

Fans can’t just chant whatever they want because they thinks it’s funny or banter - that’s not how it works anymore, we aren’t in the 70’s or 80’s or 90’s or even 00’s - what some think was acceptable back then isn’t acceptable now and it can’t be brushed off with comments like “faux outrage” or snowflake etc

Football fans can go to a game and enjoy the sport without the need to chant offensive chants - that doesn’t mean it’s sanitised or no swearing or no rivalry etc they just don’t cross the line

Chants about Racism , bigotry, poverty , deaths , serious illness , homophobic etc are not acceptable in the modern day and many many fans and clubs can watch their team without the need to chant about them. It’s not “passion” to chant these sort of things

There is a reason why not one single player has come out as gay whilst still playing top flight football - because they know those low IQ fans won’t be able to not chant derogatory comments

Football is not different to any other sport - it doesn’t have this protected status where fans can act how they like

A lot of good work has been done over the years by the sport to rid itself of the cancerous element that put a stain on the sport.

Instead of looking to find ways to justify it because it happened in the olden days how about condone it and that also includes using phrases like “victims”. Or maybe some just find it hard to call out their own fans when they cross the line

Phil you come across to me as someone who doesn’t/hasn’t attended many games.

I attended a Spurs v Arsenal game earlier this season first game I’ve been to in probably 25 years, I was in a pub garden crowded with Spurs fans and the songs they chanted were much the same as when I used to attend games

Songs about rival clubs that some might be offended by but it took me back to good times attending matches.

Take that away and you might as well give the whole game to FIFA who are already degrading the game.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Phil you come across to me as someone who doesn’t/hasn’t attended many games.

I attended a Spurs v Arsenal game earlier this season first game I’ve been to in probably 25 years, I was in a pub garden crowded with Spurs fans and the songs they chanted were much the same as when I used to attend games

Songs about rival clubs that some might be offended by but it took me back to good times attending matches.

Take that away and you might as well give the whole game to FIFA who are already degrading the game.

I have attended plenty of games up and down the divisions.

I think people are clearly taking what I’m saying about the chants a little beyond what I have stated

Where any of the chants you heard - racist , homophobic, degrading , bringing up disasters where people have died - these are the chants that I’m referring too, there has been a rise of “rival fans” using Hillsborough chants towards Liverpool fans

https://www.thetottenhamindependent...-rise-abhorrent-chants-hillsborough-disaster/

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/kids-in-tears-after-vile-25492858.amp

That’s the sort of “chants” that I’m referring to

As you say “it took you back to good times” - but not everything back then was “good” - the world has moved on , I have been to Liverpool matches where there has been no derogatory chants from either side

Let’s be clear here im talking about “songs” that cross a line , songs that you are know are no longer acceptable.

 

[Aztecs27]

The one thing that stood out for me is how little seemed to have changed for most of the aforementioned clubs despite having a lot of their players at home for all or some of the WC. Yes they had some players away and have some injuries. For some clubs you'd have hoped they would have a mini pre-season and come out with some new plans/structure/options but very little change was discernible in the games I saw. It does feel like a lot of clubs main hopes is that there are so many bad sides down there we should be able to stay up.

Will any clubs spend in January to try and survive? Wolves are likely to bring a few in for Lopetagui (sp?) but doesnt seem to be much news from many others down there.

Gun to head it would be Southampton Forest and Bournemouth on current evidence but everyone as far up as Leicester are definitely still in a dog fight and theres a chance a side above that could get dragged down too. No doubt in a couple of weeks my "3" will have changed again (Everton be back in there )

Saints, Bournemouth and Wolves have changed managers recently, be a couple more at least before spring is upon us you'd think (Moyes, Lampard, Rogers?)

If you watched Forest week in, week out, like I’ve had to all season ???, we most certainly have improved, but granted there’s still a long way to go.

Yes, we bought a small country in the summer, but as previously highlighted, it was out of necessity, not just because we were Willy waving about how much money we had at our disposal.

Aside from the 3 goals yesterday, since letting in 4 and 5 against leicester and arsenal, the defensive play has been addressed and we’ve been much better at the back overall. So I’m confident that Yesterday’s two gifted goals will be addressed and won’t be allowed to happen again.

What gives me hope is the continued improvement (albeit in baby steps), with a brand new team (essentially). We’re still not fully gelled and are still on a level with at least 3 other teams with ‘established’ squads

We’ve already bought in Scarpa who might end up being our Casemiro. Most assists in the Brazilian top division last season and he’s already played two friendlies and assisted two goals.

I think we’ll ship out a few that haven’t worked out since the summer as well as bring in an out-and-out striker as well as a CB, given Niakhate’s still not back training.

By no means a done deal but I’m still optimistic we can stay up.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Are we putting Arsenal as serious title contenders now?
I keep expecting them to drop off,but they’re playing some cracking football.
Saka just keeps getting better.

Arsenal and Newcastle. Be dangerous to discount either.

Would be great for the game if either won and both stay top 4.

 

[Aztecs27]

Arsenal and Newcastle. Be dangerous to discount either.

Would be great for the game if either won and both stay top 4.

Couldn’t agree more.

As Fundy said, Arsenal’s depth (or lack thereof) is concerning.

Eddie Howe seems to be building a very solid squad.

 

[Tashyboy]

I think three of the top four will be Arsenal, City and Newcastle. At the moment I think it will be in that order as well. Jesus being injured is massive, But he could well return when the squad needs him the most.
If those three do finish in the top four. One of Chelsea, Utd, Liverpool, spurs, etc will be happy. The rest will be gutted.

 

[fundy]

If you watched Forest week in, week out, like I’ve had to all season ???, we most certainly have improved, but granted there’s still a long way to go.

Yes, we bought a small country in the summer, but as previously highlighted, it was out of necessity, not just because we were Willy waving about how much money we had at our disposal.

Aside from the 3 goals yesterday, since letting in 4 and 5 against leicester and arsenal, the defensive play has been addressed and we’ve been much better at the back overall. So I’m confident that Yesterday’s two gifted goals will be addressed and won’t be allowed to happen again.

What gives me hope is the continued improvement (albeit in baby steps), with a brand new team (essentially). We’re still not fully gelled and are still on a level with at least 3 other teams with ‘established’ squads

We’ve already bought in Scarpa who might end up being our Casemiro. Most assists in the Brazilian top division last season and he’s already played two friendlies and assisted two goals.

I think we’ll ship out a few that haven’t worked out since the summer as well as bring in an out-and-out striker as well as a CB, given Niakhate’s still not back training.

By no means a done deal but I’m still optimistic we can stay up.

I get what youre saying and I know you were missing a few but I really fancied you'd have a go yesterday (especially against the back 4 United had out) but was massively disappointed, you were far better in your last game pre WC. I know you think their goals were gifted but they couldve got several more too

If youre going to stay up you need to find a way to get something away from home (starting with scoring some goals) and just didnt see anything last night that says you will. I hope Im wrong.........

 

[Aztecs27]

I get what youre saying and I know you were missing a few but I really fancied you'd have a go yesterday (especially against the back 4 United had out) but was massively disappointed, you were far better in your last game pre WC. I know you think their goals were gifted but they couldve got several more too

If youre going to stay up you need to find a way to get something away from home (starting with scoring some goals) and just didnt see anything last night that says you will. I hope Im wrong.........

Oh, I don’t disagree, we definitely needed to do more and go at them..strange that Taiwo was playing wide for a lot of the game.

Hoping it’s first game back rust and we’ll find our groove. I also think having the goal rules out just before half time was a real blow (although we came out with purpose after the break); But we absolutely need to find some form away from home. Away at Southampton next week will be pivotal. Put in a performance there and it might be the turnaround we need.

 

[Beezerk]

Arsenal and Newcastle. Be dangerous to discount either.

Would be great for the game if either won and both stay top 4.

I’m prepared to eat my words but I can’t really see Newcastle staying in the top 4, I think they’ll maybe struggle with top 6.
Injury free and with momentum top 6, a couple of injuries and I can’t see them keeping up.

 

[PJ87]

I’m prepared to eat my words but I can’t really see Newcastle staying in the top 4, I think they’ll maybe struggle with too 6.
Injury free and with momentum top 6, a couple of injuries and I can’t see them keeping up.

What impressed me was Wilson was out this week and they used wood. Who isn't same level and they still looked good

Got to think how often saint max is out aswell , they may not get top 4 but 6? Defo for me

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I’m prepared to eat my words but I can’t really see Newcastle staying in the top 4, I think they’ll maybe struggle with top 6.
Injury free and with momentum top 6, a couple of injuries and I can’t see them keeping up.

It's an interesting one. Newcastle just seem to be so solid right now and are getting stronger each game. They now have a little bit of depth, not huge but enough. They don't let many goals in, they can score from all over, even when Wilson is out. They also won't have the distraction of European football.

If they add a smart buy or loan in January then I can genuinely see them hanging in there.

@pauljames87 I think the impressive thing now that San Max often doesn't start now when fit. They don't need him. That's how far they have come on.

 

[fundy]

I think with Newcastle the similarity to us is the drop off in quality when covering a few of their key players. Whilst they have some cover Im thinking especially Trippier, Guimares and Almiron maybe Linton too would be harder to cover than some others

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I think with Newcastle the similarity to us is the drop off in quality when covering a few of their key players. Whilst they have some cover Im thinking especially Trippier, Guimares and Almiron maybe Linton too would be harder to cover than some others

I would say Guimares is the big one. He is a class above and really does keep them ticking over. The others have cover, although I agree Trippier would also be a big miss for everything he brings to the team.

 

[Tashyboy]

I think it is fair to say that Grealish has set my tourettes off tonight. ?

 

[ColchesterFC]

So unselfish from Grealish there. Had a couple of looks to see where Haaland was and then put it on a plate for him.