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EPL 2021 / 2022

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Sports Talk
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  • bayimportsB bayimports

    @KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

    @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

    City are definitely resented for becoming successful due to money injected having not been a traditional powerhouse - same with Chelsea. Liverpool have bought a lot of players in the last few years but don't get the same resentment. Liverpool's transfer business has been great, especially for their forwards Mane, Salah, Jota and Diaz - moderate prices for modern times and they have also moved on Solanke, Brewster etc for decent money.

    Solanke was a great buy for Bournemouth, if it wasn't for Mr cheat code from Fulham he would have topped the championship goal scoring list 🙂 Buying players from Liverpool have proven value for others too

    dogmeatD Offline
    dogmeatD Offline
    dogmeat
    wrote on last edited by
    #472

    @bayimports

    Solanke would probably have done even better under a different Manager with a more attacking philosophy, rather than playing keep ball in your own half

    bayimportsB 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • dogmeatD dogmeat

      @bayimports

      Solanke would probably have done even better under a different Manager with a more attacking philosophy, rather than playing keep ball in your own half

      bayimportsB Offline
      bayimportsB Offline
      bayimports
      wrote on last edited by
      #473

      @dogmeat lol your parker hate runs deep..29 goals was a good return. I think controlling of possession worked for us mostly as we have bit of speed on the break and with Brooks back that should help too. Will be interesting to see if it works at all next year though

      dogmeatD 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • MajorPomM Offline
        MajorPomM Offline
        MajorPom
        wrote on last edited by
        #474

        There is a short video doing the rounds up here (on whatsapp) of a radio show talking about Asthma in the UK. The below webpage summarises it:

        Reminds me of the TdF thing where something like 80% of TdF cyclists have asthma. Yeah right.

        Not sure how prevalent this is in UK football, or even if the whole thing is bullshit. But I will say, and this is as one of the tiny minority who don't like Liverpool, I'd be looking at the statistics across all PL clubs before pointing the finger.

        https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3416872/theres-a-conspiracy-theory-going-viral-on-the-internet-that-liverpool-has-been-cheating-with-doctors-notes-for-drugs-for-years

        MiketheSnowM 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • bayimportsB bayimports

          @KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

          @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

          City are definitely resented for becoming successful due to money injected having not been a traditional powerhouse - same with Chelsea. Liverpool have bought a lot of players in the last few years but don't get the same resentment. Liverpool's transfer business has been great, especially for their forwards Mane, Salah, Jota and Diaz - moderate prices for modern times and they have also moved on Solanke, Brewster etc for decent money.

          Solanke was a great buy for Bournemouth, if it wasn't for Mr cheat code from Fulham he would have topped the championship goal scoring list 🙂 Buying players from Liverpool have proven value for others too

          KiwiPieK Offline
          KiwiPieK Offline
          KiwiPie
          wrote on last edited by
          #475

          @bayimports said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

          @KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

          @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

          City are definitely resented for becoming successful due to money injected having not been a traditional powerhouse - same with Chelsea. Liverpool have bought a lot of players in the last few years but don't get the same resentment. Liverpool's transfer business has been great, especially for their forwards Mane, Salah, Jota and Diaz - moderate prices for modern times and they have also moved on Solanke, Brewster etc for decent money.

          Solanke was a great buy for Bournemouth, if it wasn't for Mr cheat code from Fulham he would have topped the championship goal scoring list 🙂 Buying players from Liverpool have proven value for others too

          Solanke is going well now but it took a while and not sure if he will make it at the top level and Liverpool got 20 million for him. Brewster went for over 20m quid to Sheff U and has hardly played so far.

          Meanwhile in 6 years or so, Klopp has bought

          Mane 30 million
          Matip Free
          Wijnaldum 25m (sold for more)
          Salah 34m
          Solanke 6m
          Robertson 8m
          Oxlade-Chamberlain 35m
          van Dijk 75m
          Fabinho 39m
          Keita 52m
          Shaqiri 13m
          Alisson 56m
          Elliott 4m
          Minamino 7m
          Tsimikas 12m
          Thiago 20m
          Jota 41m
          Konate 36m
          DIaz 35m

          That's a lot of signings and a clear indication of why they now have so much depth.

          MajorPomM 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • KiwiPieK KiwiPie

            @bayimports said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

            @KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

            @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

            City are definitely resented for becoming successful due to money injected having not been a traditional powerhouse - same with Chelsea. Liverpool have bought a lot of players in the last few years but don't get the same resentment. Liverpool's transfer business has been great, especially for their forwards Mane, Salah, Jota and Diaz - moderate prices for modern times and they have also moved on Solanke, Brewster etc for decent money.

            Solanke was a great buy for Bournemouth, if it wasn't for Mr cheat code from Fulham he would have topped the championship goal scoring list 🙂 Buying players from Liverpool have proven value for others too

            Solanke is going well now but it took a while and not sure if he will make it at the top level and Liverpool got 20 million for him. Brewster went for over 20m quid to Sheff U and has hardly played so far.

            Meanwhile in 6 years or so, Klopp has bought

            Mane 30 million
            Matip Free
            Wijnaldum 25m (sold for more)
            Salah 34m
            Solanke 6m
            Robertson 8m
            Oxlade-Chamberlain 35m
            van Dijk 75m
            Fabinho 39m
            Keita 52m
            Shaqiri 13m
            Alisson 56m
            Elliott 4m
            Minamino 7m
            Tsimikas 12m
            Thiago 20m
            Jota 41m
            Konate 36m
            DIaz 35m

            That's a lot of signings and a clear indication of why they now have so much depth.

            MajorPomM Offline
            MajorPomM Offline
            MajorPom
            wrote on last edited by
            #476

            @KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

            @bayimports said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

            @KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

            @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

            City are definitely resented for becoming successful due to money injected having not been a traditional powerhouse - same with Chelsea. Liverpool have bought a lot of players in the last few years but don't get the same resentment. Liverpool's transfer business has been great, especially for their forwards Mane, Salah, Jota and Diaz - moderate prices for modern times and they have also moved on Solanke, Brewster etc for decent money.

            Solanke was a great buy for Bournemouth, if it wasn't for Mr cheat code from Fulham he would have topped the championship goal scoring list 🙂 Buying players from Liverpool have proven value for others too

            Solanke is going well now but it took a while and not sure if he will make it at the top level and Liverpool got 20 million for him. Brewster went for over 20m quid to Sheff U and has hardly played so far.

            Meanwhile in 6 years or so, Klopp has bought

            Mane 30 million
            Matip Free
            Wijnaldum 25m (sold for more)
            Salah 34m
            Solanke 6m
            Robertson 8m
            Oxlade-Chamberlain 35m
            van Dijk 75m
            Fabinho 39m
            Keita 52m
            Shaqiri 13m
            Alisson 56m
            Elliott 4m
            Minamino 7m
            Tsimikas 12m
            Thiago 20m
            Jota 41m
            Konate 36m
            DIaz 35m

            That's a lot of signings and a clear indication of why they now have so much depth.

            Relative wise, Salah was an absolute bargain.

            I remember being rather surprised at the time at the cost of van Dijk, but I'd argue that's been the best signing. It's certainly been the one that in my opinion has brought the most success.

            If pundit's weren't so obsessed with giving the award to Messi, he'd have a Ballon D'Or as well to show for it.

            1 Reply Last reply
            1
            • MajorPomM MajorPom

              There is a short video doing the rounds up here (on whatsapp) of a radio show talking about Asthma in the UK. The below webpage summarises it:

              Reminds me of the TdF thing where something like 80% of TdF cyclists have asthma. Yeah right.

              Not sure how prevalent this is in UK football, or even if the whole thing is bullshit. But I will say, and this is as one of the tiny minority who don't like Liverpool, I'd be looking at the statistics across all PL clubs before pointing the finger.

              https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3416872/theres-a-conspiracy-theory-going-viral-on-the-internet-that-liverpool-has-been-cheating-with-doctors-notes-for-drugs-for-years

              MiketheSnowM Offline
              MiketheSnowM Offline
              MiketheSnow
              wrote on last edited by
              #477

              @MajorRage said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

              There is a short video doing the rounds up here (on whatsapp) of a radio show talking about Asthma in the UK. The below webpage summarises it:

              Reminds me of the TdF thing where something like 80% of TdF cyclists have asthma. Yeah right.

              Not sure how prevalent this is in UK football, or even if the whole thing is bullshit. But I will say, and this is as one of the tiny minority who don't like Liverpool, I'd be looking at the statistics across all PL clubs before pointing the finger.

              https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3416872/theres-a-conspiracy-theory-going-viral-on-the-internet-that-liverpool-has-been-cheating-with-doctors-notes-for-drugs-for-years

              Was rife in British rugby about 20 years ago

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • bayimportsB bayimports

                @dogmeat lol your parker hate runs deep..29 goals was a good return. I think controlling of possession worked for us mostly as we have bit of speed on the break and with Brooks back that should help too. Will be interesting to see if it works at all next year though

                dogmeatD Offline
                dogmeatD Offline
                dogmeat
                wrote on last edited by
                #478

                @bayimports Nah I don't hate Parker. I just think he's been very lucky to get the two managerial positions that he has despite having zero track record.

                I'd have been in favour of him getting the chance to bring Fulham back up from the Championship this season. What most Fulham fans hold against him is the way he left.

                It was very clear that he wanted to sign with Bournemouth but he wouldn't resign dragging it out and then tried to get Fulham to pay out his contract.

                Mate you want out - we're prepared to let you go and part amicably, best for all concerned tec. Don't try and screw us.

                then the fact that Silva took basically the same players and transformed them while the Cherries looked increasingly shite....

                I don't think he's got what it takes and reckon Bournemouth are doomed with him in charge. Mind you I'm not that hopeful of Fulham staying up either.

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • KiwiPieK KiwiPie

                  @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                  @KiwiPie plus the Blue half of Liverpool.

                  Man City are arrivistes and are unpopular because (like Chelsea before them) they are a traditionally second tier - as in just below the elite not second Division - who many believe undeservedly bought their success.

                  So fans of the 'elite' clubs resent them gatecrashing their cozy little club and other clubs with ambitions deride them as Citeh / Chelski while secretly wishing they had a sugar daddy to'buy' them success. The most recent expression of this is the Newcastle fans circumlocutions to avoid having to confront how unsavoury their new owners are. If they are honest all these other little character clubs would do a deal with the devil if it guaranteed then top six security ad infinitum.

                  then as @Kiwipie points out the majority of the English football pyramid loathes them all.

                  City are definitely resented for becoming successful due to money injected having not been a traditional powerhouse - same with Chelsea. Liverpool have bought a lot of players in the last few years but don't get the same resentment. Liverpool's transfer business has been great, especially for their forwards Mane, Salah, Jota and Diaz - moderate prices for modern times and they have also moved on Solanke, Brewster etc for decent money. City seem to target particular players and then spend whatever it takes to get them, Liverpool look for value except for the absolute key players like VvD.

                  Klopp can pretty much rest all his key players for the final 2 EPL games if City win on Sunday given Liverpool have the FA Cup this weekend. If City lose or even draw with West Ham then it is all on for the final day.

                  mariner4lifeM Offline
                  mariner4lifeM Offline
                  mariner4life
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #479

                  @KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                  @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                  @KiwiPie plus the Blue half of Liverpool.

                  Man City are arrivistes and are unpopular because (like Chelsea before them) they are a traditionally second tier - as in just below the elite not second Division - who many believe undeservedly bought their success.

                  So fans of the 'elite' clubs resent them gatecrashing their cozy little club and other clubs with ambitions deride them as Citeh / Chelski while secretly wishing they had a sugar daddy to'buy' them success. The most recent expression of this is the Newcastle fans circumlocutions to avoid having to confront how unsavoury their new owners are. If they are honest all these other little character clubs would do a deal with the devil if it guaranteed then top six security ad infinitum.

                  then as @Kiwipie points out the majority of the English football pyramid loathes them all.

                  City are definitely resented for becoming successful due to money injected having not been a traditional powerhouse - same with Chelsea. Liverpool have bought a lot of players in the last few years but don't get the same resentment. Liverpool's transfer business has been great, especially for their forwards Mane, Salah, Jota and Diaz - moderate prices for modern times and they have also moved on Solanke, Brewster etc for decent money. City seem to target particular players and then spend whatever it takes to get them, Liverpool look for value except for the absolute key players like VvD.

                  Klopp can pretty much rest all his key players for the final 2 EPL games if City win on Sunday given Liverpool have the FA Cup this weekend. If City lose or even draw with West Ham then it is all on for the final day.

                  now that City are all but confirmed, i have seen a lot of chat around City and how no one will remember them blah blah,

                  mainly from bitter Liverpool and Man U fans

                  Yes, they are loaded and spend heaps. But guess what? So the fuck does everyone else at the top (especially England with a league full of Europe's biggest spenders).

                  It's really hard to find just outlay information, as everything is net spend. But you know who has the biggest net spend over the past decade? Man U. And they are shit. Money isn't everything
                  (as an aside, Liverpool always come in low on these things, something Liverpool supporters love to throw around, but that is only because somehow Barcelona were tricked in to spending $135M on Coutinho, and also the sale of Suarez for $82M).
                  Effectively, some fans think City are shit simply for the crime of not being huge in the 90s when the money in football exploded. Fact is they are an incredible team with a great manager, and people are wildly jealous. Their football is also fucking brilliant, but some people hate that too (see the reactions to Barcelona and the way they played). They score more than 2.5 goals a game in the league FFS

                  The fact is football is a money game. having money is not a difference maker. Fans of any big side whinging because City can just go buy who they like are having a laugh surely,.

                  It must be infuriating for them that they keep fucking up the Champs League though

                  juniorJ 1 Reply Last reply
                  1
                  • mariner4lifeM mariner4life

                    @KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                    @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                    @KiwiPie plus the Blue half of Liverpool.

                    Man City are arrivistes and are unpopular because (like Chelsea before them) they are a traditionally second tier - as in just below the elite not second Division - who many believe undeservedly bought their success.

                    So fans of the 'elite' clubs resent them gatecrashing their cozy little club and other clubs with ambitions deride them as Citeh / Chelski while secretly wishing they had a sugar daddy to'buy' them success. The most recent expression of this is the Newcastle fans circumlocutions to avoid having to confront how unsavoury their new owners are. If they are honest all these other little character clubs would do a deal with the devil if it guaranteed then top six security ad infinitum.

                    then as @Kiwipie points out the majority of the English football pyramid loathes them all.

                    City are definitely resented for becoming successful due to money injected having not been a traditional powerhouse - same with Chelsea. Liverpool have bought a lot of players in the last few years but don't get the same resentment. Liverpool's transfer business has been great, especially for their forwards Mane, Salah, Jota and Diaz - moderate prices for modern times and they have also moved on Solanke, Brewster etc for decent money. City seem to target particular players and then spend whatever it takes to get them, Liverpool look for value except for the absolute key players like VvD.

                    Klopp can pretty much rest all his key players for the final 2 EPL games if City win on Sunday given Liverpool have the FA Cup this weekend. If City lose or even draw with West Ham then it is all on for the final day.

                    now that City are all but confirmed, i have seen a lot of chat around City and how no one will remember them blah blah,

                    mainly from bitter Liverpool and Man U fans

                    Yes, they are loaded and spend heaps. But guess what? So the fuck does everyone else at the top (especially England with a league full of Europe's biggest spenders).

                    It's really hard to find just outlay information, as everything is net spend. But you know who has the biggest net spend over the past decade? Man U. And they are shit. Money isn't everything
                    (as an aside, Liverpool always come in low on these things, something Liverpool supporters love to throw around, but that is only because somehow Barcelona were tricked in to spending $135M on Coutinho, and also the sale of Suarez for $82M).
                    Effectively, some fans think City are shit simply for the crime of not being huge in the 90s when the money in football exploded. Fact is they are an incredible team with a great manager, and people are wildly jealous. Their football is also fucking brilliant, but some people hate that too (see the reactions to Barcelona and the way they played). They score more than 2.5 goals a game in the league FFS

                    The fact is football is a money game. having money is not a difference maker. Fans of any big side whinging because City can just go buy who they like are having a laugh surely,.

                    It must be infuriating for them that they keep fucking up the Champs League though

                    juniorJ Offline
                    juniorJ Offline
                    junior
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #480

                    @mariner4life said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                    @KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                    @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                    @KiwiPie plus the Blue half of Liverpool.

                    Man City are arrivistes and are unpopular because (like Chelsea before them) they are a traditionally second tier - as in just below the elite not second Division - who many believe undeservedly bought their success.

                    So fans of the 'elite' clubs resent them gatecrashing their cozy little club and other clubs with ambitions deride them as Citeh / Chelski while secretly wishing they had a sugar daddy to'buy' them success. The most recent expression of this is the Newcastle fans circumlocutions to avoid having to confront how unsavoury their new owners are. If they are honest all these other little character clubs would do a deal with the devil if it guaranteed then top six security ad infinitum.

                    then as @Kiwipie points out the majority of the English football pyramid loathes them all.

                    City are definitely resented for becoming successful due to money injected having not been a traditional powerhouse - same with Chelsea. Liverpool have bought a lot of players in the last few years but don't get the same resentment. Liverpool's transfer business has been great, especially for their forwards Mane, Salah, Jota and Diaz - moderate prices for modern times and they have also moved on Solanke, Brewster etc for decent money. City seem to target particular players and then spend whatever it takes to get them, Liverpool look for value except for the absolute key players like VvD.

                    Klopp can pretty much rest all his key players for the final 2 EPL games if City win on Sunday given Liverpool have the FA Cup this weekend. If City lose or even draw with West Ham then it is all on for the final day.

                    now that City are all but confirmed, i have seen a lot of chat around City and how no one will remember them blah blah,

                    mainly from bitter Liverpool and Man U fans

                    Yes, they are loaded and spend heaps. But guess what? So the fuck does everyone else at the top (especially England with a league full of Europe's biggest spenders).

                    It's really hard to find just outlay information, as everything is net spend. But you know who has the biggest net spend over the past decade? Man U. And they are shit. Money isn't everything
                    (as an aside, Liverpool always come in low on these things, something Liverpool supporters love to throw around, but that is only because somehow Barcelona were tricked in to spending $135M on Coutinho, and also the sale of Suarez for $82M).
                    Effectively, some fans think City are shit simply for the crime of not being huge in the 90s when the money in football exploded. Fact is they are an incredible team with a great manager, and people are wildly jealous. Their football is also fucking brilliant, but some people hate that too (see the reactions to Barcelona and the way they played). They score more than 2.5 goals a game in the league FFS

                    The fact is football is a money game. having money is not a difference maker. Fans of any big side whinging because City can just go buy who they like are having a laugh surely,.

                    It must be infuriating for them that they keep fucking up the Champs League though

                    There's no doubt a lot of jealousy there, and also some upset from the bigger, more established clubs that their stranglehold on English footy has been rendered moribund. They still have massive fanbases, though, which is why Liverpool's relative success gets massive headlines and now and why, even when they're now absolutely shite, Man U still get loads of media attention. It's also part of the reason why everyone's a bit blasé about Man City's success. Add in the resources at their disposal, and the amount spent, and people expect City to walk the league practically every year now. While what they have done is impressive, it's at risk of becoming only Bayern Munich levels of impressive (and thank God for Liverpool actually creating a couple of good title races in recent years). And that's where the UCL becomes important (not just to add to their impressive trophy collection but also to elevate them globally).

                    The other thing is that the Man City "story" has lost a bit of romance. No one will forget 2012 and "Agueroooooo", but basically since Pep has come in they've gone from rags to riches underdog to financial and footballing soulless juggernaut. Even the "story" of the rich foreigner coming in and taking over and creating this monster that changes the face of English football isn't that compelling because Chelsea did it first.

                    juniorJ 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • juniorJ junior

                      @mariner4life said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                      @KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                      @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                      @KiwiPie plus the Blue half of Liverpool.

                      Man City are arrivistes and are unpopular because (like Chelsea before them) they are a traditionally second tier - as in just below the elite not second Division - who many believe undeservedly bought their success.

                      So fans of the 'elite' clubs resent them gatecrashing their cozy little club and other clubs with ambitions deride them as Citeh / Chelski while secretly wishing they had a sugar daddy to'buy' them success. The most recent expression of this is the Newcastle fans circumlocutions to avoid having to confront how unsavoury their new owners are. If they are honest all these other little character clubs would do a deal with the devil if it guaranteed then top six security ad infinitum.

                      then as @Kiwipie points out the majority of the English football pyramid loathes them all.

                      City are definitely resented for becoming successful due to money injected having not been a traditional powerhouse - same with Chelsea. Liverpool have bought a lot of players in the last few years but don't get the same resentment. Liverpool's transfer business has been great, especially for their forwards Mane, Salah, Jota and Diaz - moderate prices for modern times and they have also moved on Solanke, Brewster etc for decent money. City seem to target particular players and then spend whatever it takes to get them, Liverpool look for value except for the absolute key players like VvD.

                      Klopp can pretty much rest all his key players for the final 2 EPL games if City win on Sunday given Liverpool have the FA Cup this weekend. If City lose or even draw with West Ham then it is all on for the final day.

                      now that City are all but confirmed, i have seen a lot of chat around City and how no one will remember them blah blah,

                      mainly from bitter Liverpool and Man U fans

                      Yes, they are loaded and spend heaps. But guess what? So the fuck does everyone else at the top (especially England with a league full of Europe's biggest spenders).

                      It's really hard to find just outlay information, as everything is net spend. But you know who has the biggest net spend over the past decade? Man U. And they are shit. Money isn't everything
                      (as an aside, Liverpool always come in low on these things, something Liverpool supporters love to throw around, but that is only because somehow Barcelona were tricked in to spending $135M on Coutinho, and also the sale of Suarez for $82M).
                      Effectively, some fans think City are shit simply for the crime of not being huge in the 90s when the money in football exploded. Fact is they are an incredible team with a great manager, and people are wildly jealous. Their football is also fucking brilliant, but some people hate that too (see the reactions to Barcelona and the way they played). They score more than 2.5 goals a game in the league FFS

                      The fact is football is a money game. having money is not a difference maker. Fans of any big side whinging because City can just go buy who they like are having a laugh surely,.

                      It must be infuriating for them that they keep fucking up the Champs League though

                      There's no doubt a lot of jealousy there, and also some upset from the bigger, more established clubs that their stranglehold on English footy has been rendered moribund. They still have massive fanbases, though, which is why Liverpool's relative success gets massive headlines and now and why, even when they're now absolutely shite, Man U still get loads of media attention. It's also part of the reason why everyone's a bit blasé about Man City's success. Add in the resources at their disposal, and the amount spent, and people expect City to walk the league practically every year now. While what they have done is impressive, it's at risk of becoming only Bayern Munich levels of impressive (and thank God for Liverpool actually creating a couple of good title races in recent years). And that's where the UCL becomes important (not just to add to their impressive trophy collection but also to elevate them globally).

                      The other thing is that the Man City "story" has lost a bit of romance. No one will forget 2012 and "Agueroooooo", but basically since Pep has come in they've gone from rags to riches underdog to financial and footballing soulless juggernaut. Even the "story" of the rich foreigner coming in and taking over and creating this monster that changes the face of English football isn't that compelling because Chelsea did it first.

                      juniorJ Offline
                      juniorJ Offline
                      junior
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #481

                      @junior said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                      @mariner4life said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                      @KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                      @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                      @KiwiPie plus the Blue half of Liverpool.

                      Man City are arrivistes and are unpopular because (like Chelsea before them) they are a traditionally second tier - as in just below the elite not second Division - who many believe undeservedly bought their success.

                      So fans of the 'elite' clubs resent them gatecrashing their cozy little club and other clubs with ambitions deride them as Citeh / Chelski while secretly wishing they had a sugar daddy to'buy' them success. The most recent expression of this is the Newcastle fans circumlocutions to avoid having to confront how unsavoury their new owners are. If they are honest all these other little character clubs would do a deal with the devil if it guaranteed then top six security ad infinitum.

                      then as @Kiwipie points out the majority of the English football pyramid loathes them all.

                      City are definitely resented for becoming successful due to money injected having not been a traditional powerhouse - same with Chelsea. Liverpool have bought a lot of players in the last few years but don't get the same resentment. Liverpool's transfer business has been great, especially for their forwards Mane, Salah, Jota and Diaz - moderate prices for modern times and they have also moved on Solanke, Brewster etc for decent money. City seem to target particular players and then spend whatever it takes to get them, Liverpool look for value except for the absolute key players like VvD.

                      Klopp can pretty much rest all his key players for the final 2 EPL games if City win on Sunday given Liverpool have the FA Cup this weekend. If City lose or even draw with West Ham then it is all on for the final day.

                      now that City are all but confirmed, i have seen a lot of chat around City and how no one will remember them blah blah,

                      mainly from bitter Liverpool and Man U fans

                      Yes, they are loaded and spend heaps. But guess what? So the fuck does everyone else at the top (especially England with a league full of Europe's biggest spenders).

                      It's really hard to find just outlay information, as everything is net spend. But you know who has the biggest net spend over the past decade? Man U. And they are shit. Money isn't everything
                      (as an aside, Liverpool always come in low on these things, something Liverpool supporters love to throw around, but that is only because somehow Barcelona were tricked in to spending $135M on Coutinho, and also the sale of Suarez for $82M).
                      Effectively, some fans think City are shit simply for the crime of not being huge in the 90s when the money in football exploded. Fact is they are an incredible team with a great manager, and people are wildly jealous. Their football is also fucking brilliant, but some people hate that too (see the reactions to Barcelona and the way they played). They score more than 2.5 goals a game in the league FFS

                      The fact is football is a money game. having money is not a difference maker. Fans of any big side whinging because City can just go buy who they like are having a laugh surely,.

                      It must be infuriating for them that they keep fucking up the Champs League though

                      There's no doubt a lot of jealousy there, and also some upset from the bigger, more established clubs that their stranglehold on English footy has been rendered moribund. They still have massive fanbases, though, which is why Liverpool's relative success gets massive headlines and now and why, even when they're now absolutely shite, Man U still get loads of media attention. It's also part of the reason why everyone's a bit blasé about Man City's success. Add in the resources at their disposal, and the amount spent, and people expect City to walk the league practically every year now. While what they have done is impressive, it's at risk of becoming only Bayern Munich levels of impressive (and thank God for Liverpool actually creating a couple of good title races in recent years). And that's where the UCL becomes important (not just to add to their impressive trophy collection but also to elevate them globally).

                      The other thing is that the Man City "story" has lost a bit of romance. No one will forget 2012 and "Agueroooooo", but basically since Pep has come in they've gone from rags to riches underdog to financial and footballing soulless juggernaut. Even the "story" of the rich foreigner coming in and taking over and creating this monster that changes the face of English football isn't that compelling because Chelsea did it first.

                      I should also say that I am seeing more and more people mentioning the sports washing thing when talking about Man City's success. I guess more people have now clocked onto this as a concept in light of the recent Abramovich / Chelsea stuff, as well as Newcastle's new ownership. I'd bet about 90% of that is pure cope and the overwhelming majority of football fans would not give a shit if their club was owned by the same people (provided of course that the club was well run and the team had on field success)

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                      • canefanC Online
                        canefanC Online
                        canefan
                        wrote on last edited by canefan
                        #482

                        What a great NLD for Spurs fans. I can’t recall us looking that dominant for some time. Arsenal just seemed lacking in composure, typified by Holding who played like a man who didn’t seem to think he could defend Son straight up so he had to resort to illegal tactics. Some might argue about the penalty, I was impressed it was given because often the attacker is interfered with in the air and it's ignored. So many players gave good accounts of themselves, Conte basked in the love and it seems he intends to stay. We need strengthening at the back, and some added creativity. But what a night, that’s the kind of game the new stadium was built for.

                        The run in is going to be huge. Spurs have the easier run on paper. But we often have problems with lower teams that pack the defence and play physical. Arsenal will have a tricky game against Everton who may still be battling relegation by game time, and an improved Newcastle side who will want to finish the season on a high in front of their home fans

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                        • MajorPomM MajorPom

                          @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                          @MajorRage Couldn't agree less. Real for me epitomise everything wrong with football. The whole Galacticos bullshit, the ongoing pursuit of the ESL concept, the fact that they are effectively bankrupt several times over but still seem to be able to restructure loans at will in order to buy the latest shiny thing.

                          Liverpool are no saints but Real as a club stinks.

                          Good for you. I actually agree with you for the most part so I think you must only be disagreeing with me on supporting Real in the final.

                          My reasons for not liking Liverpool are well document and I got bored of that fishing trip a while ago. Did dine out on it for a number of years though.

                          @mariner4life said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                          Just to ram home what Klopp has done at Liverpool, this was the lineup for his first game

                          Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Coutinho, Lallana, Origi, Milner. On the bench: Bogdan, Toure, Allen, Sinclair, Texiera and Randall.

                          That, right there, is why Liverpool were a "UEFA Cup spots" team for a fair while.

                          It also underpins exactly what Klopp has done. He's changed almost the entire team.

                          M Offline
                          M Offline
                          Mackerzzzz
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #483

                          @MajorRage said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                          @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                          @MajorRage Couldn't agree less. Real for me epitomise everything wrong with football. The whole Galacticos bullshit, the ongoing pursuit of the ESL concept, the fact that they are effectively bankrupt several times over but still seem to be able to restructure loans at will in order to buy the latest shiny thing.

                          Liverpool are no saints but Real as a club stinks.

                          Good for you. I actually agree with you for the most part so I think you must only be disagreeing with me on supporting Real in the final.

                          My reasons for not liking Liverpool are well document and I got bored of that fishing trip a while ago. Did dine out on it for a number of years though.

                          @mariner4life said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                          Just to ram home what Klopp has done at Liverpool, this was the lineup for his first game

                          Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Coutinho, Lallana, Origi, Milner. On the bench: Bogdan, Toure, Allen, Sinclair, Texiera and Randall.

                          That, right there, is why Liverpool were a "UEFA Cup spots" team for a fair while.

                          It also underpins exactly what Klopp has done. He's changed almost the entire team.

                          And all without spending 3 gazillion bucks like most other big clubs do

                          MajorPomM 1 Reply Last reply
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                          • M Mackerzzzz

                            @MajorRage said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                            @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                            @MajorRage Couldn't agree less. Real for me epitomise everything wrong with football. The whole Galacticos bullshit, the ongoing pursuit of the ESL concept, the fact that they are effectively bankrupt several times over but still seem to be able to restructure loans at will in order to buy the latest shiny thing.

                            Liverpool are no saints but Real as a club stinks.

                            Good for you. I actually agree with you for the most part so I think you must only be disagreeing with me on supporting Real in the final.

                            My reasons for not liking Liverpool are well document and I got bored of that fishing trip a while ago. Did dine out on it for a number of years though.

                            @mariner4life said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                            Just to ram home what Klopp has done at Liverpool, this was the lineup for his first game

                            Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Coutinho, Lallana, Origi, Milner. On the bench: Bogdan, Toure, Allen, Sinclair, Texiera and Randall.

                            That, right there, is why Liverpool were a "UEFA Cup spots" team for a fair while.

                            It also underpins exactly what Klopp has done. He's changed almost the entire team.

                            And all without spending 3 gazillion bucks like most other big clubs do

                            MajorPomM Offline
                            MajorPomM Offline
                            MajorPom
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #484

                            @Mackerzzzz said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                            @MajorRage said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                            @dogmeat said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                            @MajorRage Couldn't agree less. Real for me epitomise everything wrong with football. The whole Galacticos bullshit, the ongoing pursuit of the ESL concept, the fact that they are effectively bankrupt several times over but still seem to be able to restructure loans at will in order to buy the latest shiny thing.

                            Liverpool are no saints but Real as a club stinks.

                            Good for you. I actually agree with you for the most part so I think you must only be disagreeing with me on supporting Real in the final.

                            My reasons for not liking Liverpool are well document and I got bored of that fishing trip a while ago. Did dine out on it for a number of years though.

                            @mariner4life said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

                            Just to ram home what Klopp has done at Liverpool, this was the lineup for his first game

                            Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Coutinho, Lallana, Origi, Milner. On the bench: Bogdan, Toure, Allen, Sinclair, Texiera and Randall.

                            That, right there, is why Liverpool were a "UEFA Cup spots" team for a fair while.

                            It also underpins exactly what Klopp has done. He's changed almost the entire team.

                            And all without spending 3 gazillion bucks like most other big clubs do

                            😂😂😂😂

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                            • sparkyS Offline
                              sparkyS Offline
                              sparky
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #485

                              First half of FA Cup final very poor. Before kick off the Liverpool fans booed Abide With Me, they booed when the PA announced the Chelsea players (every single one), they booed Prince William, they even booed God Save The Queen. 45 minutes after that surprisingly low energy for a Cup Final. This one has 0-0 for 120 minutes then penalties written all over it.

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                              • sparkyS Offline
                                sparkyS Offline
                                sparky
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #486

                                0-0 after 87 minutes. Both sides looking very, very tired.

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                                • sparkyS Offline
                                  sparkyS Offline
                                  sparky
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #487

                                  Yep, it went to penalties.

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                                  • sparkyS Offline
                                    sparkyS Offline
                                    sparky
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #488

                                    Liverpool won it on penalties. They win the FA Cup, their second competition of the year.

                                    Real Madrid will be glad it went 120 monjtesninmthe sunshine. Some very heavy Liverpool legs by the end. They managed no shots at all in Extra Time. Real Madrid will fancy their chances in Paris in two weeks time.

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                                    • MajorPomM Offline
                                      MajorPomM Offline
                                      MajorPom
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #489

                                      Well, my gut feeling was wrong and my head was right on the FA cup final. As soon as it was going to penalties I knew we were toast. Like England, it feels like Chelsea just lose shootouts. I actually can't tell you the last time a team I was supporting won one.

                                      Oh well, fair play to Liverpool, the quad remains on.

                                      Awesome last week coming up with none of the league, champs league spots & relegation sorted.

                                      League - City still hot favourites, however looked vulnerable yesterday against West Ham, coming back from 2-0 down at half time to draw 2-2. 4 points ahead of Liverpool with 7 goal difference. Basically Liverpool need to win next 2 and City lose on Sunday. Liverpool have a tricky away match to Southampton tomorrow. SH will be more relaxed with safety assured and may well make things difficult. Can't see it myself though, expect a dogged 1-0 to setup a final day showdown which I think City will take

                                      Champs League - Chelsea, Spurs & Arsenal vying for 2 spots. Chelsea sitting at "all but" really needing two points from two games and Arsenal needing to win 2 to be assured. Chelsea will be fine if they don't have an FA cup hangover, and I think Spurs for the other. Not sure why

                                      Relgation - Norwich & Watford are toast with Leeds, Burnley & Everton(!) fighting it out. Everton should have been clear yesterday but they blew it against Brentford with players losing their heads and showing the frailty they've shown all season. They are still in pole position though requiring 2 points from their last two games. Leeds looking most likely as they are on an horrific run of form although they are head of Burnly right now (who have a game in hand) but points on the board really matter at this point!

                                      So yeah, thats my predictions. Thus, you can be sure Liverpool will wing the league, Arsenal & spurs for CL & Everton to go down.

                                      mariner4lifeM MajorPomM 2 Replies Last reply
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                                      • dogmeatD Offline
                                        dogmeatD Offline
                                        dogmeat
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #490

                                        Huddersfield beat Luton 1-0 at home to take the play-off semi 2-1 on aggregate and end Lton's dream run from non league football (for now). Luton had the better of the game although Huddersfield were denied what sounds like a stonewall pen appeal.

                                        I was hoping Luton would go up.

                                        Meanwhile Gunners are behind 1-0 at Newcastle with less than 10 to play

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                                        • canefanC Online
                                          canefanC Online
                                          canefan
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #491

                                          Arsenal fall to Newcastle 2-0. Spurs need a point on the final day to claim 4th against a Norwich side already relegated while Arsenal play Everton who are fighting to stay up

                                          KiwiPieK 1 Reply Last reply
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