The Footie Thread

[Orikoru]

Sweet god man, an asterix for Utd. Mind you wouldn’t be the first cockney to want Utd to win something ??

That aside, what’s happened to Spurs, I thought Jose had found a winning formula. Although his fascination in believing Alli can do a good job on the bench even has me perplexed.

Usually we sit back on a 1-0 lead, thinking we can keep a clean sheet before remembering our defence isn't good enough for that and concede late on. But last night I must admit it didn't seem that way for once, we did still go at them while leading, but apparently we hit the woodwork 9 times! And we're still not good enough at the back to keep a clean sheet - especially when Toby is being rested as he's the only top class defender we have! So it's damned if you do, damned if you don't.

For all the plaudits Kane and Son get, we're not scoring enough goals when we're on the front foot in games. If we're going to sit back on a lead it needs to be 2-0, not 1-0, because as I mentioned, we're probably going to concede once in most games. 30 may look like a decent total of goals, but when you remember we put 6 past United and 5 past Southampton - both decent sides near the top of the league - it shows you that in the other games we've not punished the bottom half teams enough. 1-1s with Newcastle, Palace, and now Fulham, and even scraped 1-0 victories over Burnley and West Brom should have brought more goals.

 

[Orikoru]

In the day and age of fans taking great pleasure in winding one another up. A Sheff Utd fan posted on fb the other day that Sheff Utd have won more games than Liverpool this year. Just about sums this year up.
Ave a feeling this years title race could be one of the best ever.last game of the season and three or four teams could win it ?

You say best, I say worst. I prefer the ones where there's two or maybe three excellent sides winning games to outdo each other (like the year when City pipped Liverpool and they had like 99, 98 points). Not the years when everyone is poor and falling over themselves to give the title to each other.

 

[clubchamp98]

In the day and age of fans taking great pleasure in winding one another up. A Sheff Utd fan posted on fb the other day that Sheff Utd have won more games than Liverpool this year. Just about sums this year up.
Ave a feeling this years title race could be one of the best ever.last game of the season and three or four teams could win it ?

Most teams losing players to COVID and injuries kills consistently.
The biggest consistent thing is how bad the reffing has been and VAR backing up shocking decisions.

Hope your right but only one team needs a good run and they will probably win it as it’s very lacklustre atm.
City looking very good if you can stop them going to parties, score more goals and stop Sterling taking the penalties.
Foden looking the player he could be in the future.

 

[Tashyboy]

Usually we sit back on a 1-0 lead, thinking we can keep a clean sheet before remembering our defence isn't good enough for that and concede late on. But last night I must admit it didn't seem that way for once, we did still go at them while leading, but apparently we hit the woodwork 9 times! And we're still not good enough at the back to keep a clean sheet - especially when Toby is being rested as he's the only top class defender we have! So it's damned if you do, damned if you don't.

For all the plaudits Kane and Son get, we're not scoring enough goals when we're on the front foot in games. If we're going to sit back on a lead it needs to be 2-0, not 1-0, because as I mentioned, we're probably going to concede once in most games. 30 may look like a decent total of goals, but when you remember we put 6 past United and 5 past Southampton - both decent sides near the top of the league - it shows you that in the other games we've not punished the bottom half teams enough. 1-1s with Newcastle, Palace, and now Fulham, and even scraped 1-0 victories over Burnley and West Brom should have brought more goals.

Amen to that from a City point of view. City’s defence is excellent.The best in the league. When has that ever been said about one of Peps teams. But look at how many goals have been scored. From a team of Peps flowing football, creating numerous chances. Goals scored is shocking. City’s highest goal scorer this year. Phil Foden ?

 

[Tashyboy]

Most teams losing players to COVID and injuries kills consistently.
The biggest consistent thing is how bad the reffing has been and VAR backing up shocking decisions.

Hope your right but only one team needs a good run and they will probably win it as it’s very lacklustre atm.
City looking very good if you can stop them going to parties, score more goals and stop Sterling taking the penalties.
Foden looking the player he could be in the future.

City could well be top by the end of January with the “ easy” games, and I use that term very loosely. But Feb and April are stinkers when it comes to City’s fixtures.
That said I look forward to when Foden and Ferran Torres get to play in the same team.

 

[Orikoru]

Amen to that from a City point of view. City’s defence is excellent.The best in the league. When has that ever been said about one of Peps teams. But look at how many goals have been scored. From a team of Peps flowing football, creating numerous chances. Goals scored is shocking. City’s highest goal scorer this year. Phil Foden ?

We've mentioned it before but Jesus is about 50% of the player Aguero is, if that. If Aguero hasn't got it in him anymore then you desperately need to sign a new forward. Aguero is a huge miss, he'd probably have at least 10 goals by now the way you've been playing lately.

As you mentioned Foden, that lad is absolutely top class. I'd have him starting for England now - along with Grealish - we have to find room for both of them to play.

 

[clubchamp98]

City could well be top by the end of January with the “ easy” games, and I use that term very loosely. But Feb and April are stinkers when it comes to City’s fixtures.
That said I look forward to when Foden and Torres get to play in the same team.

No easy games in the PL.
All the top teams seem to be struggling putting their chances away.
Very strange.

 

[Tashyboy]

We've mentioned it before but Jesus is about 50% of the player Aguero is, if that. If Aguero hasn't got it in him anymore then you desperately need to sign a new forward. Aguero is a huge miss, he'd probably have at least 10 goals by now the way you've been playing lately.

As you mentioned Foden, that lad is absolutely top class. I'd have him starting for England now - along with Grealish - we have to find room for both of them to play.

Jesus is a player who has City fans divided. Me I think he is fantastic but in the wrong team. But again. Pep brings a striker on last night and puts him on the wing ?. City were unbalanced so he brought on Sterling put him on the wing and Jesus up front.
That aside Peps handling of Foden has been fantastic. He was getting some serious flak for not playing him more, yet look at him flourish now. Him and KDB have a fantastic understanding.City’s recent good run is down to the defence and Foden gelling Like he has been there years.Which he has.
Odd re City and academy players.Pep was slated for allowing Sancho to go to Dortmund.Pep wanted him to stay but Sancho wanted A, more football and B, his head was turned by agents. It’s worked out well for him. So much so City believe they have a bargaining chip as 15% of his sell on fee goes to City.Strong rumour is City will waive that 15% if allowed to buy Haaland. Who is a City fan.
Finally one academy player who also left was Brahim Diaz.Again City were slated for letting him go to Real Madrid.He struggled to get a regular place at Madrid and is currently on loan at AC Milan. It don’t always work out.
One other thing, a midfield of Grealish,Sancho, Foden and Henderson would have me dribbling. Problem is I honestly don’t think the golden waistcoat would get the best out of them.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Regarding inconsistency, I'm sure playing in an empty stadium has to mess with the heads of players. Can you play with the same intenstiy every game when the noise makes it feel like a practice match? It's easy for us to sit at home and expect the same level of play, with fake crowd noise coming through to trick us, but it must impact.

 

[Tashyboy]

Regarding inconsistency, I'm sure playing in an empty stadium has to mess with the heads of players. Can you play with the same intenstiy every game when the noise makes it feel like a practice match? It's easy for us to sit at home and expect the same level of play, with fake crowd noise coming through to trick us, but it must impact.

Odd you should mention empty stadiums. It has been mentioned that Sheff Utd playing in empty stadiums has affected them massively. Apparently Bramhall lane was a cauldron when Games were played there Last year and gave the home team A Real lift.

 

[Orikoru]

Regarding inconsistency, I'm sure playing in an empty stadium has to mess with the heads of players. Can you play with the same intenstiy every game when the noise makes it feel like a practice match? It's easy for us to sit at home and expect the same level of play, with fake crowd noise coming through to trick us, but it must impact.

I manage to put 100% effort in every Sunday morning and we don't have any fans.

 

[clubchamp98]

Regarding inconsistency, I'm sure playing in an empty stadium has to mess with the heads of players. Can you play with the same intenstiy every game when the noise makes it feel like a practice match? It's easy for us to sit at home and expect the same level of play, with fake crowd noise coming through to trick us, but it must impact.

The best teams adapt.
Ancelloti actually said it’s harder to play at home now.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I manage to put 100% effort in every Sunday morning and we don't have any fans.

100% effort in, how much % out?

 

[clubchamp98]

I manage to put 100% effort in every Sunday morning and we don't have any fans.

But if 60,000 turned up for your next game do you think it would affect you?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The best teams adapt.
Ancelloti actually said it’s harder to play at home now.

They do adapt but I think it is hard to maintain the top level in the current circumstances. It's the psychology of it, no intense crowd to squeeze that last bit of effort from your legs, keep the concentration tight.

 

[clubchamp98]

They do adapt but I think it is hard to maintain the top level in the current circumstances. It's the psychology of it, no intense crowd to squeeze that last bit of effort from your legs, keep the concentration tight.

Yes I agree.
But I have played golf with a lot of the former Liverpool players and most of them said they “don’t hear the crowd once the game has started.”
I did find that strange at the time.
But not having the fans must be very strange .
They grow up with people watching them all the time ,unlike most ams.

 

[Orikoru]

But if 60,000 turned up for your next game do you think it would affect you?

Yeah - I'd be confused about what they were doing there. My wife came to watch me once, I forgot all about her as soon as we kicked off though really.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Yes I agree.
But I have played golf with a lot of the former Liverpool players and most of them said they “don’t hear the crowd once the game has started.”
I did find that strange at the time.
But not having the fans must be very strange .
They grow up with people watching them all the time ,unlike most ams.

West ham still proving we play better without the home crowd

Away crowd wasn't such an issue , but man the home crowd created such a negative environment, yes due to the anger at the board, now it's just a level playing field

 

[fundy]

Arsenal players reportedly still not aware this isnt a crowd at their home games (yep im getting it in first again lol)

 

[clubchamp98]

West ham still proving we play better without the home crowd

Away crowd wasn't such an issue , but man the home crowd created such a negative environment, yes due to the anger at the board, now it's just a level playing field

The players must be aware it’s aimed at the board.
But the fans are a big advantage at home and players must mis that buzz when they walk out to a packed stadium.
But they all need to start behaving ( COVID rules) or Boris will stop it altogether.