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Premier League 2019/20 | Discussion Thread

Aston Villa tried hard but Liverpool whilst not at their best win 2 0.
 
HALF-TIME
Southampton 1-0 Manchester City
 
Very average performance from Man City.

1 0 loss against Southampton.
 
Hasan123 said:
https://youtu.be/IH8GFSrUXbo
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] and [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]. Not just about players . Pep is a brilliant tactician.
Click to expand...

Yes, it took two days for Southampton to demystify the tactics.

If anything, this just exposes the chequebook side of tactics - brilliant against a side celebrating title with 7 games in hand.... not so brilliant against a side that’s desperately fighting to avoid relegation.
 
Hasan123 said:
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION], if Klopp won yesterday's game it would have been genius tactics. But when Pep does it, it's because of the players.
Click to expand...

The irony - Guardiola has been out performed by both managers that immediately took over from him at Barca & at Bayern. It’ll be the case at MCity as well if Mansoor is ready to blow another half a billion In fee and half billion in wage (but this time it will be difficult - their accounting method got exposed).

He is a brilliant, brilliant chef - but him best ingredients, he indeed can cook the most delicious food.
 
Saj said:
Very average performance from Man City.

1 0 loss against Southampton.
Click to expand...

I feel the problem with City is that they rotate the team far too much. I understand due to the quick turnaround of games post lock-down this is necessary, but I think Pep over does it.

For example, in the last game against Liverpool, the standout performers were KDB and Foden but both were benched in this game while Mahrez was benched in the Liverpool game but started here. This doesn't lend to team consistency and I think all this chopping and changing upsets City's momentum.

If you look at Liverpool, they nearly always play the same team accounting for any injuries. They do give some rest to their top players if there are some games in quick succession but Klopp always tries to put his best eleven on the pitch.

With Pep's overzealous rotation policy, City have lost 9 games this season in the PL which is actually more than Man United, Wolves and Arsenal. I personally was perplexed at him underplaying Aguero when he was fit and giving starts to Jesus who is nowhere near the quality of Aguero.
 
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=133972]shaykh[/MENTION] Villa and Watford seem neck and neck in the battle to avoid relegation, can Villa survive? some very tough fixtures and questions ahead
 
MMHS said:
The irony - Guardiola has been out performed by both managers that immediately took over from him at Barca & at Bayern. It’ll be the case at MCity as well if Mansoor is ready to blow another half a billion In fee and half billion in wage (but this time it will be difficult - their accounting method got exposed).

He is a brilliant, brilliant chef - but him best ingredients, he indeed can cook the most delicious food.
Click to expand...

You always talk about Pep spending yet you complain about FSG not spending. I have seen you make transfer posts asking for 200/250 million to spend.

All managers need money. What you refuse to accept is how players like KDB, Sterling,Sane, and Bernado have improved under Pep.
 
shaz619 said:
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=133972]shaykh[/MENTION] Villa and Watford seem neck and neck in the battle to avoid relegation, can Villa survive? some very tough fixtures and questions ahead
Click to expand...

Aston Villa are not staying up.
 
MMHS said:
Yes, it took two days for Southampton to demystify the tactics.

If anything, this just exposes the chequebook side of tactics - brilliant against a side celebrating title with 7 games in hand.... not so brilliant against a side that’s desperately fighting to avoid relegation.
Click to expand...

City had 26 shots . I think it's more to do with poor finishing than tactics.
 
Tottenham vs Everton lineups:
<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/r5TLDN7/cabd0bfa-41f6-48e1-9374-0e8d4259bd14.jpg" alt="cabd0bfa-41f6-48e1-9374-0e8d4259bd14" border="0"></a><br /><a target='_blank' href='https://imgbb.com/'
<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/SwphbwD/56911a7f-5c5b-4194-a1e7-a24ff220d228.jpg" alt="56911a7f-5c5b-4194-a1e7-a24ff220d228" border="0"></a><br /><a target='_blank' href='https://imgbb.com/'
 
A needed win for Jose and Spurs. 1-0 over Everton.
 
shaz619 said:
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=133972]shaykh[/MENTION] Villa and Watford seem neck and neck in the battle to avoid relegation, can Villa survive? some very tough fixtures and questions ahead
Click to expand...

Hasan123 said:
Aston Villa are not staying up.
Click to expand...

They've still got hope with 5 games left to play. Norwich are all but doomed so it's 2 spots 4 teams West Ham, Watford, Aston Villa and Bournemouth will be trying to avoid.

All these teams are dire but West ham have the slight advantage as they're the better placed team and seem to have the better goal threat.

Looks as though Bournemouth are the other team going down so it may come down to a straight shootout with Watford if Villa are to survive. Grealish needs to pull up his socks and drive them to safety.
 
Kroll said:
They've still got hope with 5 games left to play. Norwich are all but doomed so it's 2 spots 4 teams West Ham, Watford, Aston Villa and Bournemouth will be trying to avoid.

All these teams are dire but West ham have the slight advantage as they're the better placed team and seem to have the better goal threat.

Looks as though Bournemouth are the other team going down so it may come down to a straight shootout with Watford if Villa are to survive. Grealish needs to pull up his socks and drive them to safety.
Click to expand...


Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and Norwich are the teams who will go down in my opinion.
 
Crystal Palace 0-2 Chelsea

Watford 1-1 Norwich
 
Kroll said:
They've still got hope with 5 games left to play. Norwich are all but doomed so it's 2 spots 4 teams West Ham, Watford, Aston Villa and Bournemouth will be trying to avoid.

All these teams are dire but West ham have the slight advantage as they're the better placed team and seem to have the better goal threat.

Looks as though Bournemouth are the other team going down so it may come down to a straight shootout with Watford if Villa are to survive. Grealish needs to pull up his socks and drive them to safety.
Click to expand...

West Ham are safe for sure and their remaining fixtures are not so gruelling, it does seem like it will come down to Watford and Villa who simply are a one man team without a striker who can provide the impetus / make best use of the openings which become available, story of their season. Big win for Watford today as well who are probably the favourite at this point.
 
Hasan123 said:
You always talk about Pep spending yet you complain about FSG not spending. I have seen you make transfer posts asking for 200/250 million to spend.

All managers need money. What you refuse to accept is how players like KDB, Sterling,Sane, and Bernado have improved under Pep.
Click to expand...

I never refused to accept that all Manager's need money - I am the first one to write that money doesn't ensure success, but without spending, you have not even a shot at it. In fact, I am the one constantly writing here that FSG needs to support JNK - he is a fantastic manager of developing a team from developing young players into his system and guy is brilliant at that; yet he needed to break transfer records twice!!!! This EPL title will guy him fair share of respect, otherwise with that sort of budget what he did at Dortmund actually was more remarkable than Liverpool.

What you are trying to do is covering for Guardiaola, who is probably the most over-rated Coach around. Brilliant indeed, no doubt but if I waste few hours, I can extract several posts here in PP which explained how he is the best manager ever (definitely in contemporary soccer), how he built a dynasty Barca and why people like Jo Mou, Wenger, Klopp ... even Sir Alex doesn't held a candle in front of him. Every Manager needs money - BUT AT WHAT MAGNITUDE? Spending 350mn for back line and then after 3 years try still at shambles in defense? Keeping half a dozen midfielders in stale at premium pay - they cry for Fernandinho's injury? He is buying two/three world class forwards for every position at premium wage, then adding another one almost every window ....

MCity knew they had a problem in their Financial reporting, hence this transfer year (last two windows), Pep was sober; otherwise he would have have blown another quarter billion into a squad that had higher value than current in transfer market (still it's over 1bn BP) - he'll spend that amount if MCity is banned and Mansoor can buy his time for couple more years, just wait and see!!! I do talk about Pep spending, because he does spend like a drunk on gambling table - not only in transfer fee, but check at the wage report, you'll be astonished to see what MCity is paying world class players to warm Pep's bench, that's luxury.
 
Hasan123 said:
City had 26 shots . I think it's more to do with poor finishing than tactics.
Click to expand...

Then imagine how ridiculous your post was in that regard for a manager winning probably 200 points in two seasons, making two CL finals (winning one) and losing so far 3 games out of last like 50 EPL games - two of those at Ettihad ... and the second one in very next game after winning EPL first time in 30 years!!!!!! 26 shots doesn't mean much if you can't break one of the worst back line in this year's EPL for 80+ minutes - it's not that Southampton parked bus and hit MCity though counter attack in last quarter.
Had Mo scored early at the game, it would have been a different ball game - the Champions just didn't have the hunger to chase the MCity players, must be battered by fans & Manager after the Chelsea game.

Tactics or whatever you say - think about taking on FC Barcelona with 0-3 down in an elimination game and start with the best two (read only two) forwards injured, then lose your left-back by half ... and end up truing it 4-0; there is a little difference in that 4-0 and this 4-0 - it didn't deserve your post in that regard.
 
shaz619 said:
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=133972]shaykh[/MENTION] Villa and Watford seem neck and neck in the battle to avoid relegation, can Villa survive? some very tough fixtures and questions ahead
Click to expand...

I think Watford will survive - that 3-0 against Liverpool wasn't only 3 points, it deserves something more. But yes, Watford has MCity & NCastle at home; Arsenal & WHU away - might not get more than 4 points out of 12; BUT they are 4 points ahead with one more game played.

Since Reina joined, Villa defense looks more compact, and it really took some effort from the shamed Liverpool team to break them at Anfield. Their remaining schedules are Arsenal, CPalace & MU at home, Everton & WHU away. I think Villa's schedule is relatively tougher - Arsenal & MU are going to give everything for those three points, CPalace game is like 6 pointer while leaving out WHU (both playing away) - Villa might not get more than 3-4 points from remaining 15. Watford standing with 4 goals better and 4 points ahead, might just draw one game and avoid landslide defeats can drop Villa down.

I would like to see Aston Villa to survive though - it's the biggest Club in midlands and an English elite, and European Cup winners as well. Won't mind BH&A dropping instead of Villa (Bournemouth & Norwich are all but down)
 
<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/w680Rv2/2020-07-08-4.jpg" alt="2020-07-08-4" border="0"></a>
 
The LFC machine marches on. 3 1 win away at Brighton.
 
FULL-TIME
Aston Villa 0-3 Manchester United
 
Premier League clubs have delayed a decision about the dates for this summer's transfer window.

Uefa want the window to close on 5 October, before the start of next season's Champions League.

It is understood clubs are considering whether to extend the window for a couple of weeks purely for deals involving Football League clubs, who have been badly affected by Covid-19.

A final decision is likely to be made at a Premier League meeting on 24 July.

It is also anticipated a start date for the 2020-21 season will be confirmed at the next meeting.

Launching the new season on 12 September remains the most likely option but that comes immediately after the September international break.

The Football Association and EFL are concerned the reduced number of match dates will have an impact on their respective cup competitions.

European top-flight to lose over £3bn
Europe's top-flight clubs will lose 3.6bn euros (£3.2bn) up to the summer of 2021 because of the impact of coronavirus.

It is also projected the wage-to-revenue ratio for 2020-21 will be 70.1%, significantly above the 62.9% it was estimated to be before football shut down in March.

The projected figure rises to 76% if the clubs in Europe's top five leagues - England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France - are removed.

The figures have emerged from extensive research carried out by the European Clubs' Association (ECA) across 10 of Europe's most significant leagues - including the Premier League and Scottish Premiership - seven of which restarted their seasons after an extended break.

"The upcoming transfer market will give us the next indication of the state of football's health," said ECA chief executive Charlie Marshall.

"The financial impact does not stop when the game resumes. It will continue into the next season and we must take measures to create a more sustainable football industry in the long run."

Fifa takes over VAR management
The Premier League will have to follow Fifa guidelines regarding the use of the video assistant referee after the world governing body confirmed it was taking over management of its implementation.

The pre-planned move comes at the end of a four-year process during which Fifa worked with the International Football Association Board around VAR, which is now used in more than 100 countries.

Although Fifa has declared VAR to be "a universal success", there has been confusion in the Premier League around such issues as use of the pitchside monitors. Mike Riley - general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the referees' body - limited the use of monitors to avoid slowing the game down.

This went against the general guidance and the anticipation is Fifa will expect this to be used more extensively.

In addition, rules around handball, offside and goalkeepers standing on their lines for penalties will all be dealt with through Fifa.
 
Kroll said:
Another devastating display by Greenwood, Fernandes and Martial.
Click to expand...

Credit to United but you have to say it has been the story of Villa's season, they just are unable to take the chances which do come their way, difficult chance for Grealish on the volley but most good players would have put that away, he isn't a finisher though they don't have a reliable goal scorer and was playing at 10 that day, there was the missed chance off the post as well and the penalty was unfortunate. Fernandez is outstanding though and has made a massive difference for United, based on current form they can win the Europa Legaue as well
 
Norwich relegated as Antonio scores four for West Ham

Norwich City became the first club to be relegated from the Premier League this season as Michail Antonio scored all four goals to ease West Ham's troubles near the bottom of the table.

A seventh successive league defeat left Daniel Farke's side anchored at the foot of the table, 13 points from safety with only three games to play.

Having struggled to adapt since winning the Championship last season, Norwich's third relegation in seven seasons was sealed by Antonio's superb performance in front of goal.

The forward volleyed the first from inside the six-yard area after Issa Diop's flick from a corner before using his head to guide Mark Noble's free-kick beyond Tim Krul.

Hammers skipper Noble also provided the ball over the top for Antonio's hat-trick. Krul saved his initial shot but it fell invitingly for the West Ham player to head over the line. His fourth was a tap-in from Ryan Fredericks' pass.

West Ham's first Premier League away win under David Moyes lifts them six points above the relegation zone, with two of their remaining three matches at home to fellow strugglers Watford and Aston Villa.

Norwich's dreadful form since the Premier League resumed after being suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic meant it was a matter of when - not if - they would be relegated

Their 24th league defeat came after an abject performance, the Canaries failing to score for a league-high 17th game this season.

Argentine midfielder Emiliano Buendia tested Lukasz Fabianski while Teemu Pukki, who has not scored since netting his 11th league goal of the season on 22 January, headed a good chance wide.

What went wrong for the Canaries?

There were emotional scenes at Carrow Road when referee Kevin Friend signalled the end of the match.

A number of Norwich players dropped to the ground while boss Farke consoled his team.

Having spent the majority of this prolonged campaign in the bottom three, the end of the season cannot come soon enough.

The Canaries depart England's top flight having caused one of the biggest shocks of the season, a 3-2 win over defending champions Manchester City, while Farke's side also held Arsenal and Tottenham at home, and won at Everton.

When Jamal Lewis hit the winner against Champions League hopefuls Leicester on 28 February, shortly before the season was suspended, Norwich were just four points from safety with 10 games remaining.

But they have been woeful since the restart, losing all six league games by an aggregate score of 15-1.

Farke opted to keep the core of last season's team that finished with five more points than Sheffield United on the way to winning the Championship in impressive style.

Nine of the 11 players that started against West Ham also started the final Championship game of last season against Villa.

While Villa spent more than £100m after winning promotion via the play-offs, Norwich spent a fraction of that sum, with £750,000 for West Ham right-back Sam Byram one of their biggest outlays.

And they have paid the price for naive defending and a toothless attack.

They have managed just five clean sheets and scored only seven times away from Carrow Road.

With two of their three remaining games at third-placed Chelsea and second-placed Manchester City, they are on course to finish the season with the fewest away goals in the Premier League era.
Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53283313
 
An unnamed Premier League footballer has revealed he is gay in an open letter, but isn't prepared to come out publicly.

The star has opened up about the torment of keeping his sexuality a secret and has aimed the letter at authorities and fans, describing how he is taking a "huge step" in revealing his sexuality.

In a letter which has been shared with Sky News by the Justin Fashanu Foundation, the player writes: "I am gay. Even writing that down in this letter is a big step for me.

"But only my family members and a select group of friends are aware of my sexuality. I don't feel ready to share it with my team or manager."

The player also talks about how his sport isn't yet "ready for a player to come out" and how "the game would need to make radical changes" in order for him to feel able to reveal his identity.

He goes on to say: "How does it feel having to live like this? Day-to-day, it can be an absolute nightmare. And it is affecting my mental health more and more.


"I feel trapped and my fear is that disclosing the truth about what I am will only make things worse."

https://news.sky.com/story/unnamed-...in-letter-but-says-he-cant-go-public-12026295
 
shaz619 said:
Credit to United but you have to say it has been the story of Villa's season, they just are unable to take the chances which do come their way, difficult chance for Grealish on the volley but most good players would have put that away, he isn't a finisher though they don't have a reliable goal scorer and was playing at 10 that day, there was the missed chance off the post as well and the penalty was unfortunate. Fernandez is outstanding though and has made a massive difference for United, based on current form they can win the Europa Legaue as well
Click to expand...

Villa have just came off the back of two very tough fixtures and now they can focus on the run in. Burnley provided Villa a bit of a life line in the last match day by defeating Watford but unfortunately United were too strong for Villa to take any advantage from that.

Yeah, I agree Villa have been unlucky with injuries up front but Wesley wasn't that prolific in front of goal anyway and Samatta's been pretty poor from the games he's played. Talking of Burnley, they've managed to do well this campaign with a very solid defensive unit while Villa have shipped far too many goals, the second most with 65 compared to Norwich's 67 goals.

I think Villa have tightened up at the back in recent fixtures but there is not much threat going forward with Grealish failing to score or assist in a number of games in a row. It's up to the other guys to step up now if they wish to show they are ready to fight for survival and the jersey.

Antonio decided to go on a freakish run today banging in four goals but Norwich are terrible and whipping boys for even the relegation battlers. I thought Newcastle had a chance of beating Watford, but unluckily for Villa, having not given away any penalties all season, they decided to gift not one but two penalties leading to Watford sneaking out a victory and putting a dent in Villa's survival prospects.

However, with 4 games to play and 12 points up fro grabs, there's still hope albeit a very tough assignment. Crystal Palace at home is a winnable game, one which they must go all out and get the 3 points. After that, they can get points from all games with the most difficult fixtures being Everton and Arsenal.

Villa should aim to take it to the last game against West Ham before the 3rd spot for relegation is decided as Bournemouth are all but certain to go down. The teams fighting to avoid relegation will be nervous for the final run in and anything can happen.

West Ham actually play Watford next which I don't think is ideal as a draw might not be a good result as far as Villa is concerned. Perhaps a West Ham victory might be the best result as then Watford have to play Man City and Arsenal both away which I can't see them winning.

Having already been relegated a few seasons back, it's careless from Villa not having learned lessons from that campaign that you can't have a mediocre squad and expect to stay up. They might have banked on their defence and Grealish but they are no Burnley or Sheffield Utd who have done fantastic despite not having a top notch offensive formation.
 
GOAL - Aston Villa 2-0 Crystal Palace
Trezeguet
 
GOAL - Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal
Alexandre Lacazette (16 mins)
 
Kroll said:
Villa have just came off the back of two very tough fixtures and now they can focus on the run in. Burnley provided Villa a bit of a life line in the last match day by defeating Watford but unfortunately United were too strong for Villa to take any advantage from that.

Yeah, I agree Villa have been unlucky with injuries up front but Wesley wasn't that prolific in front of goal anyway and Samatta's been pretty poor from the games he's played. Talking of Burnley, they've managed to do well this campaign with a very solid defensive unit while Villa have shipped far too many goals, the second most with 65 compared to Norwich's 67 goals.

I think Villa have tightened up at the back in recent fixtures but there is not much threat going forward with Grealish failing to score or assist in a number of games in a row. It's up to the other guys to step up now if they wish to show they are ready to fight for survival and the jersey.

Antonio decided to go on a freakish run today banging in four goals but Norwich are terrible and whipping boys for even the relegation battlers. I thought Newcastle had a chance of beating Watford, but unluckily for Villa, having not given away any penalties all season, they decided to gift not one but two penalties leading to Watford sneaking out a victory and putting a dent in Villa's survival prospects.

However, with 4 games to play and 12 points up fro grabs, there's still hope albeit a very tough assignment. Crystal Palace at home is a winnable game, one which they must go all out and get the 3 points. After that, they can get points from all games with the most difficult fixtures being Everton and Arsenal.

Villa should aim to take it to the last game against West Ham before the 3rd spot for relegation is decided as Bournemouth are all but certain to go down. The teams fighting to avoid relegation will be nervous for the final run in and anything can happen.

West Ham actually play Watford next which I don't think is ideal as a draw might not be a good result as far as Villa is concerned. Perhaps a West Ham victory might be the best result as then Watford have to play Man City and Arsenal both away which I can't see them winning.

Having already been relegated a few seasons back, it's careless from Villa not having learned lessons from that campaign that you can't have a mediocre squad and expect to stay up. They might have banked on their defence and Grealish but they are no Burnley or Sheffield Utd who have done fantastic despite not having a top notch offensive formation.
Click to expand...

A very important win today! can't be understated, I need to catch the highlights tonight on match of the day. I had felt to stand a legit chance they need a minimum of 7 points but it has been cut to 4 today, a win and a draw might give them a bit of a sniff, still a big ask but who knows ai a win can do loads to boost a team in dire straights, I believe their first win since January!
 
DOJPzdt.png
 
shaz619 said:
Need the East Midlands to do us a favour tonight :)
Click to expand...

Bonkers result in the end! Seems like these bottom teams have realised 'oh wait, we might be going down so we better do something about it.'

With three games to go, even Brighton could be looking over their shoulders as a run of defeats could potentially place them in a precarious position. However, as things stand, its still Villa and Bournemouth despite today's result that are in the most trouble.

It would be worth examining the next three match days to see how Villa could beat the drop.

Match Day 36
Man City vs Bournemouth
Everton vs Villa
Southampton vs Brighton
West Ham vs Watford

Match Day 37
Bournemouth vs Southampton
Brighton vs Newcastle
Watford vs Man City
Villa vs Arsenal
Man Utd vs West Ham

Match Day 38
Arsenal vs Watford
Burnley vs Brighton
Everton vs Bournemouth
West Ham vs Villa

So up next are Everton who have been a bit toothless so a chance here to make some ground. Arsenal is a bit tougher but they have been hit and miss. If they can get some points from these two games then it could be all to play for in the final match against the Hammers.
 
Not at their best so far Man Utd but 2-1 up at half-time versus Southampton.
 
Really poor 2nd half by Man Utd. Looked lethargic against Southampton.

2-2
 
Saj said:
Really poor 2nd half by Man Utd. Looked lethargic against Southampton.

2-2
Click to expand...

Last gasp equaliser by the Saints, 6th minute of injury time! United failing to capitalise on the dropped points by Leicester and Chelsea.
 
That draw could be massive . I wanted it ove by the Leicester game. That is unlikely now.
Got 4 games in 10 days coming up 2.
Could end up short Leicester will be fresh for the last game anything can happen
 
Five substitutes will be allowed next season, football lawmakers have announced following a meeting of the International Football Association Board.
 
MenInG said:
Five substitutes will be allowed next season, football lawmakers have announced following a meeting of the International Football Association Board.
Click to expand...

Not a good decision. 3 substitutes have been used for ages, what's the reason for a change?
 
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