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The Footie Thread

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Swango1980 said:
Liverpool are certainly getting enough praise, and I'm not saying their league form is a poor performance, clearly not. However, I don't think they are quite as good as people make out, I'm just giving the reason I think that. I don't think they are anywhere near as good as the Man City side have been up until this season, and I think there have been plenty of better sides in the history before that.

Just because UEFA have put more teams and games in the Champions League doesn't, to mean, a team has gone "deeper" just by playing the minimum required fixtures in the league. Liverpool were very good in the league format, but it becomes a bit pointless when the players get tired when it really matters, and simply don't turn up. Not turning up against PSG, not turning up against Newcastle, not turning up against Plymouth. That points to some big weaknesses in the Liverpool side. In comparison to other top sides in any era of course, they are still the best in England at this time.
Click to expand...

We have lost once all season in the league

Currently 12 points clear on 70 points with the chance to get close to 100 points

Yes we have been that good in the league

I don’t really care what other teams were like in history , it doesn’t show in the records what other teams were like

Cup games - one offs where anything can happen and has done

I’ll take Liverpool having a big weakness whilst they hopefully win the league

Guess any team that doesn’t win all four trophies must have a big weakness
 
Read something this morning that made me chuckle.

Ant and Dec spent more time on the telly yesterday than Mo Salah did.
 
Arthur Wedge said:
We have lost once all season in the league

Currently 12 points clear on 70 points with the chance to get close to 100 points

Yes we have been that good in the league

I don’t really care what other teams were like in history , it doesn’t show in the records what other teams were like

Cup games - one offs where anything can happen and has done

I’ll take Liverpool having a big weakness whilst they hopefully win the league

Guess any team that doesn’t win all four trophies must have a big weakness
Click to expand...
Why did you just post a lengthy post agreeing with me? I agree, they've been very good in the league.

What's this about winning 4 trophies? Try winning 2 first, before you start thinking of all 4.

As a Utd fan, of course I would love to win one trophy, especially if that was the league. But, we're not good enough. But, when you've listened to the likes of Carragher, Murphy, etc purr about how great Liverpool are, it does make me chuckle when Liverpool are not as good as it appears they thought they were. But don't worry about it, I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to celebrate the league title without feeling any pressure in the run in, the party has already started
 
Swango1980 said:
Why did you just post a lengthy post agreeing with me? I agree, they've been very good in the league.

What's this about winning 4 trophies? Try winning 2 first, before you start thinking of all 4.

As a Utd fan, of course I would love to win one trophy, especially if that was the league. But, we're not good enough. But, when you've listened to the likes of Carragher, Murphy, etc purr about how great Liverpool are, it does make me chuckle when Liverpool are not as good as it appears they thought they were. But don't worry about it, I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to celebrate the league title without feeling any pressure in the run in, the party has already started
Click to expand...

We are as good in the league

Maybe you missed that point 🙄

And apologies looks like the sarcasm about big weakness didn’t come across very well

I’ll try better next time 👍
 
Starter said:
Had far more to do with the playing squad not being good enough.

They did little to strengthen the Championship players from the previous season.

Not surprising that they looked lost.
Click to expand...

That certainly didn’t help.

Those I know who go to games, as I have family in that part of the world, do say that Van Nistelrooy does actually have them playing to some sort of system now. Trouble is, as you rightly say, the players are Championship at best.

But those same match goers said that, under Cooper, there was absolutely no evidence of any plan or cohesion whatsoever.
 
Billysboots said:
That certainly didn’t help.

Those I know who go to games, as I have family in that part of the world, do say that Van Nistelrooy does actually have them playing to some sort of system now. Trouble is, as you rightly say, the players are Championship at best.

But those same match goers said that, under Cooper, there was absolutely no evidence of any plan or cohesion whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately van Nistelrooy's so called system does not include the basics of defending. Complete and utter shambles and still no idea of his best line up.

Not much difference in the attacking approach, still reliant upon Vardy who has been great for them but time has finally caught up with him.
 
Starter said:
Unfortunately van Nistelrooy's so called system does not include the basics of defending. Complete and utter shambles and still no idea of his best line up.

Not much difference in the attacking approach, still reliant upon Vardy who has been great for them but time has finally caught up with him.
Click to expand...

He can only work with what’s available to him, as you yourself have already alluded to. Absolutely everyone knew that Vardy was some way past his best. And there are others who are nowhere near good enough.

Wout Faes seems to fancy himself as a latter day David Luiz but is an absolute walking disaster. A Belgian international he may be, but a Premier League defender he absolutely isn’t. He’s got a mistake in him every time he takes to the pitch.

Too many like that at Leicester who, I think we can all agree, will get at the end of the season precisely what they deserve. Regardless of who is in the managerial hot seat.
 
Swango1980 said:
I'll take your world that PSG are one of the best teams in the world. I don't watch the French league, nor all their games in the Champions League

That being said, PSG have been one of the laughing stocks in Europe for quite a while, and many in here have mocked them in the past. They finished 15th in the Champions League table this season, and thus had to qualify via the play offs.

I mean, they are one of the best teams in the world, if you were to name the Top 50 Clubs in Europe, they'd be in it. Probably Top 20. However, I'm wondering if their ability is being inflated simply because the beat Liverpool? After all, it is much more comforting to fans of a beaten side when they believe the team that beat them are a great side
Click to expand...
You obviously didn’t see the games then.
 
clubchamp98 said:
You obviously didn’t see the games then.
Click to expand...
Which ones. PSG v Liverpool?

I saw the first half of the match in Paris, where PSG destroyed Liverpool but were both wasteful, and Allison was terrific. Watched most of the second game. Liverpool started well, but PSG also had some great opportunities early doors after Liverpool gave away possession (and again had Allison to thank).

But, that still didn't confirm to me that PSG are one of the greatest teams we have seen, or that they are possibly the best team in the world right now. It could just have been that Liverpool were much inferior in the tie. I think most have already pointed out that many Liverpool players just didn't turn up (I think you also were quite critical of the Liverpool attack?).

From the brief amount of time I've seen them play, they did look decent in the build up tplay, although I was quite frustrated with them at times when they had a chance to play the final ball, and often seemed to make a bad choice. PSG may well be the best team in Europe right now, I'll look forward to see how they get on (albeit I'll be rooting for Villa). But I just find it surprising that they've become the Spurs of Europe to the Real Madrid of Europe inside a few weeks.
 
Swango1980 said:
Which ones. PSG v Liverpool?

I saw the first half of the match in Paris, where PSG destroyed Liverpool but were both wasteful, and Allison was terrific. Watched most of the second game. Liverpool started well, but PSG also had some great opportunities early doors after Liverpool gave away possession (and again had Allison to thank).

But, that still didn't confirm to me that PSG are one of the greatest teams we have seen, or that they are possibly the best team in the world right now. It could just have been that Liverpool were much inferior in the tie. I think most have already pointed out that many Liverpool players just didn't turn up (I think you also were quite critical of the Liverpool attack?).

From the brief amount of time I've seen them play, they did look decent in the build up tplay, although I was quite frustrated with them at times when they had a chance to play the final ball, and often seemed to make a bad choice. PSG may well be the best team in Europe right now, I'll look forward to see how they get on (albeit I'll be rooting for Villa). But I just find it surprising that they've become the Spurs of Europe to the Real Madrid of Europe inside a few weeks.
Click to expand...
I can only go on what I have seen.
PSG have got rid of all the big names and are a better team for it.

Maybe the rest of the PL make PSG look like world beaters.😉
 
clubchamp98 said:
I can only go on what I have seen.
PSG have got rid of all the big names and are a better team for it.

Maybe the rest of the PL make PSG look like world beaters.😉
Click to expand...
Potentially. The Premier League, today, may be significantly weaker than it has been in recent years, relative to the big teams in Europe

If true, is it because European sides are now much better than they used to be, or English clubs have declined, or a bit of both? Or, is it genuinely just PSG, that have become the European powerhouse and surpassed everyone?

Arsenal and Villa still in Champions League, so may still do the Premier League proud. But, most of us have had a laugh about Arsenal most of the season, and Villa are pretty fresh to Champions League, so will probably be a tall order.
 
Billysboots said:
He can only work with what’s available to him, as you yourself have already alluded to. Absolutely everyone knew that Vardy was some way past his best. And there are others who are nowhere near good enough.

Wout Faes seems to fancy himself as a latter day David Luiz but is an absolute walking disaster. A Belgian international he may be, but a Premier League defender he absolutely isn’t. He’s got a mistake in him every time he takes to the pitch.

Too many like that at Leicester who, I think we can all agree, will get at the end of the season precisely what they deserve. Regardless of who is in the managerial hot seat.
Click to expand...

But the original point was about sacking Cooper and if they might have had a better chance of avoiding relegation had they not done so.

The comparative records of the two managers suggest that they may have done as they have conceded more goals and accrued fewer points per game under van Nistelrooy.
 
Billysboots said:
He can only work with what’s available to him, as you yourself have already alluded to. Absolutely everyone knew that Vardy was some way past his best. And there are others who are nowhere near good enough.

Wout Faes seems to fancy himself as a latter day David Luiz but is an absolute walking disaster. A Belgian international he may be, but a Premier League defender he absolutely isn’t. He’s got a mistake in him every time he takes to the pitch.

Too many like that at Leicester who, I think we can all agree, will get at the end of the season precisely what they deserve. Regardless of who is in the managerial hot seat.
Click to expand...

It was a brave call to go for RVN - especially when you had people like Moyes available to step in maybe help out

Or maybe they made a call looking beyond the season and looking to rebuild with him next season in the championship
 
Swango1980 said:
Which ones. PSG v Liverpool?

I saw the first half of the match in Paris, where PSG destroyed Liverpool but were both wasteful, and Allison was terrific. Watched most of the second game. Liverpool started well, but PSG also had some great opportunities early doors after Liverpool gave away possession (and again had Allison to thank).

But, that still didn't confirm to me that PSG are one of the greatest teams we have seen, or that they are possibly the best team in the world right now. It could just have been that Liverpool were much inferior in the tie. I think most have already pointed out that many Liverpool players just didn't turn up (I think you also were quite critical of the Liverpool attack?).

From the brief amount of time I've seen them play, they did look decent in the build up tplay, although I was quite frustrated with them at times when they had a chance to play the final ball, and often seemed to make a bad choice. PSG may well be the best team in Europe right now, I'll look forward to see how they get on (albeit I'll be rooting for Villa). But I just find it surprising that they've become the Spurs of Europe to the Real Madrid of Europe inside a few weeks.
Click to expand...
Before they played Liverpool

www.independent.co.uk

How PSG discarded ‘bling-bling’ to become a serious Champions League force

The Ligue 1 giants have drastically changed their approach under Luis Enrique on and off the pitch and, as Miguel Delaney explains, now pose a serious threat to Arne Slot’s Liverpool in the Champions League last 16
www.independent.co.uk www.independent.co.uk

playingfor90.com

PSG’s game-changing shift as they focus on youth to secure a brighter future

Paris Saint-Germain has been exerting effort to bring the world's top soccer superstars into the club by strengthening the squad, letting go of its best assets,
playingfor90.com playingfor90.com


www.latimes.com

By ditching its superstars, Paris Saint-Germain aims to achieve something greater

For the first time since 2017, Paris Saint-Germain is playing without Neymar, Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappe, but their goals remain as ambitious as ever.
www.latimes.com www.latimes.com

PSG have complied a very very good young team with a lot of bright talent

People were talking about them before they played Liverpool

Their front line is full of pace and skill

Then they added Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who had been tearing defences apart for a few years now

Their midfield is rock solid with the flair of Vitinha

They have prob the two best full backs in the game at the moment and are very solid in the middle

There is no doubt that they are gelling into a very very good team away from the superstars they tried to build with


They are unbeaten in France and after some early poor results in CL have improved since Jan

There is no doubt they are amongst the favourites for the CL and that’s not just because they beat Liverpool
 
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