The Footie Thread

[pokerjoke]

One thing we can all see quite clearly is that football changes quite quickly when it really looks like it can take years.
Utd,Newcastle,Arsenal all looked light years away from City and Liverpool,however the tables have clearly changed.
City not looking so dominant and Liverpool struggling for any sort of consistency.
I’m sure many more twist and turns to come.
Quite impressed with Southampton last night.
Walker clearly isn’t a CB
Foden clearly not a left sided player
Grealish just baffles me,so much talent but just so predictable.

 

[Bdill93]

One thing we can all see quite clearly is that football changes quite quickly when it really looks like it can take years.
Utd,Newcastle,Arsenal all looked light years away from City and Liverpool,however the tables have clearly changed.
City not looking so dominant and Liverpool struggling for any sort of consistency.
I’m sure many more twist and turns to come.
Quite impressed with Southampton last night.
Walker clearly isn’t a CB
Foden clearly not a left sided player
Grealish just baffles me,so much talent but just so predictable.

I really don't get what's happening at City this year, more beatable than they've been for years - despite the best goal scorer in the prem now being there!

 

[road2ruin]

I really don't get what's happening at City this year, more beatable than they've been for years - despite the best goal scorer in the prem now being there!

I'm not doubting Haaland as an individual player and any fan who says that they'd not stick him in their team immediately would be lying I would suggest. That said it doesn't seem to be working for City at the moment as his inclusion seems to be adversly affecting the goal scoring of others in the team. Even back to the days of Aguero the big thing about City was the fact that they scored so many goals from all over the park.

In 18/19 Aguero got 21 however they had Sterling only a few behind and then another 6 players around the 10 mark (give or take).
In 19/20 It was Sterling out in front with 20 goals however Aguero (16), Jesus (14), KDB (13), Mahrez (11) and then another 3 players around the 6/7 goal mark.
In 20/21 Gundogan (13), Sterling (10) and then 5 others between the 6-10 goal mark.
In 21/22 KDB (15), Sterling (13), Mahrez (11) and then 5 others between the 7-10 goal mark.

This season you have Haaland well out on front with 21 goals but the big difference for me is that you have Foden on 7 and then Alvarez, KDB on 3 so if Haaland fails to fire the system doesn't seem to allow the rest of the players to fill in. Obviously he's not failed that many times however with CL coming up his minutes will have to be managed and there is always the prospect of injury and I wonder whether they'll be able to just switch it back to the old style which seemed to work so well across the team as a whole.

As I said, I totally understand why they went for him as any team would have done however whether it'll work long term or whether this is just initial teething problems of accommodating him in the side remains to be seen.

 

[fundy]

I think a big thing from Citys perspective thats being overlooked is the defense, the 4 that are starting currently (most of the time) are a long way from being the 4 that played most of the time last year. Walker Diaz Laporte and Cancelo compared to Lewis Stones Akanji and Ake? What has happened to Cancelo since the world cup, looks a complete shadow of the player he was before? And surely Pep must be able to source a left back after all this time? Watching Nathan Ake have plenty of ball there and keep turning backwards last night cant be optimal! Theyve definitely made plenty of games harder this year by conceding goals they just didnt concede in the league in previous years. That said get a couple back fit and I expect them to come on strong for the rest of the season

 

[Billysboots]

There is always going to be the danger, if you sign a player with Haaland’s goal scoring record, that you become rather one dimensional. It happened to a degree with Zlatan at United, and certainly with Ronaldo. Everything becomes built around one player at a potential cost elsewhere.

United are being widely ridiculed for the loan move for Weghorst. I can see why - he’s very unlikely to bang in 20 goals a season, doesn’t come with a huge reputation or price tag, and is hardly a signing for the future. But I trust the manager now, and if you look at what else the player brings to a side he may well turn out to be a decent short term signing. His pressing stats are mighty impressive and his hold up play is reputed to be first class. I’m not sure he’s being recruited to score goals but if he brings the runners behind and alongside him into the game then the goals are very likely to come from elsewhere. We actually need a player like him more than one like Felix.

I’ll judge once I’ve seen him.

 

[Swango1980]

I'm not doubting Haaland as an individual player and any fan who says that they'd not stick him in their team immediately would be lying I would suggest. That said it doesn't seem to be working for City at the moment as his inclusion seems to be adversly affecting the goal scoring of others in the team. Even back to the days of Aguero the big thing about City was the fact that they scored so many goals from all over the park.

In 18/19 Aguero got 21 however they had Sterling only a few behind and then another 6 players around the 10 mark (give or take).
In 19/20 It was Sterling out in front with 20 goals however Aguero (16), Jesus (14), KDB (13), Mahrez (11) and then another 3 players around the 6/7 goal mark.
In 20/21 Gundogan (13), Sterling (10) and then 5 others between the 6-10 goal mark.
In 21/22 KDB (15), Sterling (13), Mahrez (11) and then 5 others between the 7-10 goal mark.

This season you have Haaland well out on front with 21 goals but the big difference for me is that you have Foden on 7 and then Alvarez, KDB on 3 so if Haaland fails to fire the system doesn't seem to allow the rest of the players to fill in. Obviously he's not failed that many times however with CL coming up his minutes will have to be managed and there is always the prospect of injury and I wonder whether they'll be able to just switch it back to the old style which seemed to work so well across the team as a whole.

As I said, I totally understand why they went for him as any team would have done however whether it'll work long term or whether this is just initial teething problems of accommodating him in the side remains to be seen.

I'm not sure if scoring goals is the problem. We are not even half way through the season. so the low numbers you quoted for the other players other than Haaland are likely to more than double. And, if Haaland is scoring a ton more goals, he is simply the one getting on the end of chances (i.e. if he wasn't playing, then others would score in his place. Definitely not as many, but the players on the pitch would have to take more responsibility on being the one to score a goal, simply as Haaland is not there)

If you look at the goals for and against for the same seasons, and scale up this seasons to be the equivalent to 38 games, you have:

Goals For (starting in 2018/19): 95, 102, 83, 99, 101
Goals Against: 23, 35, 32, 26, 38

So, City are still scoring a lot of goals as a team, with only 2019/20 scoring at a marginally higher rate. But, they do seem to be conceding more. They cannot be expected to score 3,4,5 goals every game, and so if they concede a goal or 2 in a game, suddenly they are under pressure. Because they are conceding goals more often, perhaps we are not seeing them play as much in 2nd gear, comfortable playing their way to a win, as much as we used to?

Mind you, they've lost twice in 17 games in the league, and won 12. Scored more than any other of the 19 sides, and conceded a lot fewer than most. Perhaps not close to their expectation of winning 17 out of 17, but I suspect there would be less concern about them (about not playing so well) if it wasn't for the fact Arsenal have had 14 wins and only lost once in 17 games. In reality, I think the table says more about how well Arsenal have played rather than how poorly City have played.

 

[Swango1980]

There is always going to be the danger, if you sign a player with Haaland’s goal scoring record, that you become rather one dimensional. It happened to a degree with Zlatan at United, and certainly with Ronaldo. Everything becomes built around one player at a potential cost elsewhere.

United are being widely ridiculed for the loan move for Weghorst. I can see why - he’s very unlikely to bang in 20 goals a season, doesn’t come with a huge reputation or price tag, and is hardly a signing for the future. But I trust the manager now, and if you look at what else the player brings to a side he may well turn out to be a decent short term signing. His pressing stats are mighty impressive and his hold up play is reputed to be first class. I’m not sure he’s being recruited to score goals but if he brings the runners behind and alongside him into the game then the goals are very likely to come from elsewhere. We actually need a player like him more than one like Felix.

I’ll judge once I’ve seen him.

And now I'm wondering do I replace Martial with him in my Draft Fantasy Football league

 

[Billysboots]

And now I'm wondering do I replace Martial with him in my Draft Fantasy Football league

I’ve sneaked Rashford in - never would have expected myself to be doing that 12 months ago! And the bonus is that he’s classed as a midfielder so I can sneak him in behind Haaland, Kane and Mitrovic.

 

[Swango1980]

I’ve sneaked Rashford in - never would have expected myself to be doing that 12 months ago! And the bonus is that he’s classed as a midfielder so I can sneak him in behind Haaland, Kane and Mitrovic.

Ohh, I've certainly got him in my normal side. Think it would be silly not to, especially, as you say, he is classed as a midfielder. And, a pretty cheap one.

Sadly, someone already has him in my draft league. I was lucky enough to get Haaland, but was unfortunate enough to also pick Bamford and Vardy. I was excited about that front 3 at start of season, but that turned to desperation as season progressed, and Vardy and Bamford were utterly useless, but I hoped and hoped they'd find a return to form. Finally gave up on them before Xmas, and I was able to get Martial and Ings in, who nobody else had.

 

[road2ruin]

United are being widely ridiculed for the loan move for Weghorst. I can see why - he’s very unlikely to bang in 20 goals a season, doesn’t come with a huge reputation or price tag, and is hardly a signing for the future. But I trust the manager now, and if you look at what else the player brings to a side he may well turn out to be a decent short term signing. His pressing stats are mighty impressive and his hold up play is reputed to be first class. I’m not sure he’s being recruited to score goals but if he brings the runners behind and alongside him into the game then the goals are very likely to come from elsewhere. We actually need a player like him more than one like Felix.

I’ll judge once I’ve seen him.

Deal done with Besiktas but on the proviso that they can sign a replacement. Personally think he's a good signing for a short period of time although never going to be one that excites. United don't need a Felix type player (not convinced that Chelsea do either) and he offers something different to what is there already. ETH's signings have been pretty good so far and if he thinks that Weghorst can do a job for the second half of the season then that should be enough.

 

[clubchamp98]

There is always going to be the danger, if you sign a player with Haaland’s goal scoring record, that you become rather one dimensional. It happened to a degree with Zlatan at United, and certainly with Ronaldo. Everything becomes built around one player at a potential cost elsewhere.

United are being widely ridiculed for the loan move for Weghorst. I can see why - he’s very unlikely to bang in 20 goals a season, doesn’t come with a huge reputation or price tag, and is hardly a signing for the future. But I trust the manager now, and if you look at what else the player brings to a side he may well turn out to be a decent short term signing. His pressing stats are mighty impressive and his hold up play is reputed to be first class. I’m not sure he’s being recruited to score goals but if he brings the runners behind and alongside him into the game then the goals are very likely to come from elsewhere. We actually need a player like him more than one like Felix.

I’ll judge once I’ve seen him.

He gives you a plan B .
Its good to have options.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

No mention yet of the new FFP rules coming into place?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

No mention yet of the new FFP rules coming into place?

What are they?

I know I could Google it but hey, it's a forum ?

 

[Newtonuti]

My club Scunthorpe United were issued a winding up order by HMRC yesterday. We were taken over by Peter Swann back in 2013, when he promised us everything from massive player investment, all the way to a new stadium. All he managed to do was get planning permission for flats on the car park, blow loads on player wages, and get us relegated to the National League (we were a championship side at the time). He then proceeded to transfer the ground and land into his own Ltd's name, took out an EFL loan during covid, and left the club with no assets and in huge debt.

End of last season, he announced, to much joy from us fans, that he was finally selling the club. He's since, rejected multiple offers, including at least 4 offers from a local consortium of businessmen who are lifelong Iron fans. This has ended up with us having to get the consortium to pay the wages for december, then us selling a player just to pay january's wages! Finally, we were issued the winding up order yesterday, so this could be the end of a club formed back in 1899.

To top it off, it was recently discovered that during Swann's tenure as chairman and owner, he gambled up to £20 million with a bookmakers called Apollo, although according to him, it never affected the clubs finances (Absolute rubbish).

 

[Lord Tyrion]

@Newtonuti wow. What an appalling story. Splitting the assets of a club, transferring ground and often training ground ownership, is sneaky and crippling for a club. Hopefully there is some way back.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

What are they?

I know I could Google it but hey, it's a forum ?

https://www.consultancy.uk/news/31697/uefa-introduces-new-financial-and-sustainability-regulations

 

[HomecountiesJohn]

Just watching the Fulham v Chelsea game, it seems whenever a team or manager is under pressure they always concede scrappy goals/decisions.

Leno has been player of the match in the 1st half.

 

[nickjdavis]

9.7m for 58 mins of football and a three match ban.....expensive loan!!!

 

[Swango1980]

Good debut by Felix

 

[HomecountiesJohn]

9.7m for 58 mins of football and a three match ban.....expensive loan!!!

Crazy. He has been Chelsea's best player too.