Other Games 2024-25

[Craig 7845]

[Howmanheyman 38491]

1 minute ago, Craig said:

 

It all adds up, yellow cards not given which would've produced a second yellow and a red etc and is a another small reason why certain clubs have done so well over the years, now you've also got ridiculous differing payments from UEFA for finishing in the same positions based on old seasons past, where is the meritocracy or fairness in that? I genuinely don't know how it's not called out more but broadcaster and the media in general are complicit.

[Gemmill 53566]

Just now, Howmanheyman said:

 

It all adds up, yellow cards not given which would've produced a second yellow and a red etc and is a another small reason why certain clubs have done so well over the years, now you've also got ridiculous differing payments from UEFA for finishing in the same positions based on old seasons past, where is the meritocracy or fairness in that? I genuinely don't know how it's not called out more but broadcaster and the media in general are complicit.

 

Saw Dyche being interviewed by Neville and his gang and they asked him "VAR yes or no?" and he said for him it's a yes. He said it's not a yes for the fans, cos he understands that it's not a great experience, but he said pre VAR no one can tell him that the big teams didn't get all the decisions. 

 

He was saying he saw it at Burnley but he'd also watch games and think there's no way we are getting that decision at Burnley. 

 

There's still bias in VAR, but I think it's definitely helped a bit in that regard. Anyway refreshing to hear someone in the game say it instead of just toe the line. 

[Dr Gloom 24537]

42 minutes ago, Craig said:

The reality is they've won the league, and that's it. 

But they haven't won the league, others have lost it this season. Arsenal are nearest challengers and drawn 14 matches. We're currently next and lost 11. Liverpool can win a maximum of 26 matches. The last time they won the league in 19/20 they won 32 matches. 

Let them have their moment, but they're not a team that is a million miles ahead of us, neither are Arsenal. 

And yes, I've stuck a bet on us to win the PL next season - 12/1 odds

 

 

agree with that. they're the least impressive league winners in a long time. winning a lot of games without playing massively impressive football and benefitting from a late-career golden season from salah.  i wouldn't be surprised if they drop off next season as the teams in the pack below improve and age catches up with some of their senior players who are now sitting on massive new contracts. 

[Gemmill 53566]

Let's hope everyone's off the boil again next season and we can have a season like Liverpool then. I'd definitely take a league win like theirs. 

[LondonBlue 1085]

15 minutes ago, Dr Gloom said:

 

agree with that. they're the least impressive league winners in a long time. winning a lot of games without playing massively impressive football and benefitting from a late-career golden season from salah.  i wouldn't be surprised if they drop off next season as the teams in the pack below improve and age catches up with some of their senior players who are now sitting on massive new contracts. 

 

 

i think man united in 2011 were pretty poor champions too. they would play awful but still sneak a result.  

they finished on 80 pts, 9 pts ahead of chelsea on 71.

at least this liverpool team are a decent unit, if unchallenged.

i remember having these chats with a red in the office and he agreed.

Darren Fletcher played a lot of games that season. Taking off my blue specs a moment, that man should be nowhere near a man united squad.

 

 

[Dr Gloom 24537]

19 minutes ago, Gemmill said:

Let's hope everyone's off the boil again next season and we can have a season like Liverpool then. I'd definitely take a league win like theirs. 

 

[LondonBlue 1085]

17 minutes ago, Gemmill said:

Let's hope everyone's off the boil again next season and we can have a season like Liverpool then. I'd definitely take a league win like theirs. 

 

i think next season City will be in transition so possibly not a threat.

 

this season wasn't transition. this was the realisation that the squad is too old. that coupled with an injury nightmare and the squad needs a refresh, possibly a complete overhaul.

 

we're also getting closer to new manager territory as next season maybe peps last.

 

[Gemmill 53566]

1 minute ago, LondonBlue said:

 

i think next season City will be in transition so possibly not a threat.

 

this season wasn't transition. this was the realisation that the squad is too old. that coupled with an injury nightmare and the squad needs a refresh, possibly a complete overhaul.

 

we're also getting closer to new manager territory as next season maybe peps last.

 

 

I'm amazed he's stayed on given the level of rebuilding needed. I know it's his club and he doesn't want to leave anyone in the lurch, but starting a rebuild and trying to hand it off to someone who might not want some of what's been built seems an odd decision. 

 

Pride and ego is probably playing a part too tbf... 

[LondonBlue 1085]

3 minutes ago, Gemmill said:

 

I'm amazed he's stayed on given the level of rebuilding needed. I know it's his club and he doesn't want to leave anyone in the lurch, but starting a rebuild and trying to hand it off to someone who might not want some of what's been built seems an odd decision. 

 

Pride and ego is probably playing a part too tbf... 

 

He's said as much. He basically said that it would feel wrong to leave City at a low point and wants to leave on a high. Not an unreasonable point of view. But the next manager best want the same players or its pointless.

 

The new sporting director Hugo Viana has a huge task ahead of him. He could cover himself in glory, or, well i don't want to think about that.

 

 

[Craig 7845]

6 minutes ago, LondonBlue said:

 

He's said as much. He basically said that it would feel wrong to leave City at a low point and wants to leave on a high. Not an unreasonable point of view. But the next manager best want the same players or its pointless.

 

The new sporting director Hugo Viana has a huge task ahead of him. He could cover himself in glory, or, well i don't want to think about that.

 

 

Scored a fucking cracker against Feyenoord 

[Dr Gloom 24537]

also a great option at DM

[ewerk 34745]

53 minutes ago, Dr Gloom said:

 

agree with that. they're the least impressive league winners in a long time. winning a lot of games without playing massively impressive football and benefitting from a late-career golden season from salah.  i wouldn't be surprised if they drop off next season as the teams in the pack below improve and age catches up with some of their senior players who are now sitting on massive new contracts. 

 

At the stage they'd won the league they were 15 points clear in April and had lost two games all season. Not having a challenger may have taken the excitement out of it but they were very worthy winners.

[Howmanheyman 38491]

They were worthy winners but the bar wasn't as high nor the jeopardy. Think Ferguson's last title they were very average for a title winning side compared to recent years to that win. 

[Dr Gloom 24537]

5 minutes ago, ewerk said:

 

At the stage they'd won the league they were 15 points clear in April and had lost two games all season. Not having a challenger may have taken the excitement out of it but they were very worthy winners.

 

the team that wins the title is the best team, i agree that the table doesn't lie. 

 

just saying i've watched them a few times this season and was never blown away by the football they played. it will be interesting to see how they fare if salah drops off, or picks up a serious injury. 

 

their squad is clearly a lot better than ours but i think our first choice midfield is better than theirs. we're not a million miles behind them. there have been other title-winners in the past where you just turn up against trying to keep the scoreline respectable. we competed well in the home draw against these and thoroughly outplayed them in the cup final. it was only the away game where we failed to turn up. that's one of the final monkeys howe needs to get off our back - winning away at anfield. 

[LondonBlue 1085]

5 minutes ago, ewerk said:

 

At the stage they'd won the league they were 15 points clear in April and had lost two games all season. Not having a challenger may have taken the excitement out of it but they were very worthy winners.

 

i keep making that mistake. thinking that they might not be the best liverpool team ever. But you're right, they did what they needed to do. not there fault there were no challengers.

[Craig 7845]

The fact they breathed a collected sigh of relief at retain Salah at 32 and van Dijk at 33 tells you all you need to know about how fragile they are as a squad. 

They were the best team this season, but they weren't challenged enough. The teams between 2nd and 7th simply haven't won enough games. We and Man City can get to 21. Everyone else can get to 20. The last time it was this low was 2020/21 when Man Utd were runners up with 21 wins. Before than it was 2016 when Leicester won and Arsenal were runners up with 20 wins. 

[ewerk 34745]

On 17/05/2025 at 17:08, wykikitoon said:

Listening to the radio and 5live have Sean dyche on. Who the fucking hell decided that was wise? 

 

Don't disrespect the Dyche.

 

https://x.com/The_Forty_Four/status/1924565109646467455

[PaddockLad 19991]

We’re going to finish 15-20 points behind Liverpool.

 

How do we make that difference up?

[ewerk 34745]

17 minutes ago, PaddockLad said:

We’re going to finish 15-20 points behind Liverpool.

 

How do we make that difference up?

We need to double our order of brown envelopes for next season.

[Craig 7845]

Kieran Maguire reckons that financially, tomorrow is the most important match in Manchester United's history. 

 

Spurs recorded an annual loss of £26m last year, while Man Utd's deficit was £113m over the same period. That took their total losses to £300m over the past three years.

Edited 3 hours ago by Craig

[Craig 7845]

When you consider they generated total revenue of £651m last year, the fourth highest by any club in world football it really puts into perspective how fucked they are.

[ewerk 34745]

Well someone has certainly been studying the BBC Sports page  

[Craig 7845]

5 minutes ago, ewerk said:

Well someone has certainly been studying the BBC Sports page  

Indeed

Should have just linked the article. It's a good read though, they're as on the precipice as we were back in 1992. 

[ewerk 34745]

Aye, that's exactly why I really want Spurs to win.