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Football Discussion
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Jonathan
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That is indeed the case - the winner of the Champions League automatically gets into the group stages of the competition the following season. So we could be in the bizarre situation of Leicester City winning the Champions League and getting relegated to the Championship! 
smudge
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I cant see them getting relegated anymore and i cant see them winning the CL, however... Stranger things have happened. Look no further than last season.
On another note, why on earth wasn't Pogba substituted on Monday? His head went down as soon as Herreara was sent off yet when he had the ball he still thought he was the best player in the world. Mouriniho shouldn't be under pressure to play him every game. That where its all wrong but there's two sides of the argument - some people expect to see the big names playing, united want to show their new £90m signing, but frankly, he doesn't deserve to be in the 1st team right now. He should earn his place with performance.
On another note, why on earth wasn't Pogba substituted on Monday? His head went down as soon as Herreara was sent off yet when he had the ball he still thought he was the best player in the world. Mouriniho shouldn't be under pressure to play him every game. That where its all wrong but there's two sides of the argument - some people expect to see the big names playing, united want to show their new £90m signing, but frankly, he doesn't deserve to be in the 1st team right now. He should earn his place with performance.
Danza91
TS Member
Fair play to Leicester. I didn't give them a chance against Sevilla who have been class in La Liga this season. Can't see Leicester getting through to the semis regardless of who they are drawn against. That said, stranger things have happened.
Regarding Pogba. I'm a fan of him and I think a lot of what he does goes unnoticed because he cost £90m and isn't scoring goals week in week out. When he does contribute and influence games, and he has on more occasions than people like to remember, no one mentions it because it's expected of him. However, he is of course not perfect and had a mixed season.
Let's forget the £90m price tag. Yes, it was a stupid fee and he, and no other player, is worth that kind of money but football these days is stupid. I personally don't care what we paid for him as it's not coming out of my pocket and if you work out what percentage of United's revenue that £90m is, it's not a lot.
From after the 4-0 Chelsea loss and up until roughly the end of January time he was performing well consistently. He controlled the midfield in games and scored some goals, a couple important (winner in stoppage time against Boro, the away goal against Hull which saw us qualify).
The main issue I have with him is big games. He simply hasn't turned up. I think he let's his ego get in the way as he convinces himself he has to try and prove he's this world-class midfielder and always goes for the extraordinary. That for me is where the problem is. He turned 24 today and has already won more trophies than most will win in their entire career so give him a bit more time and I'm confident we'll see the best of him. Mourinho has also played him in virtually every game so far (40 apps) so I think he could be managed better. He doesn't need to feature in every game.
I won't compare Kante to Pogba though as I believe their roles are different. Kante has for me been the best player in the league this season however Hazard will probably win that award as he's a flair player.
Regarding Pogba. I'm a fan of him and I think a lot of what he does goes unnoticed because he cost £90m and isn't scoring goals week in week out. When he does contribute and influence games, and he has on more occasions than people like to remember, no one mentions it because it's expected of him. However, he is of course not perfect and had a mixed season.
Let's forget the £90m price tag. Yes, it was a stupid fee and he, and no other player, is worth that kind of money but football these days is stupid. I personally don't care what we paid for him as it's not coming out of my pocket and if you work out what percentage of United's revenue that £90m is, it's not a lot.
From after the 4-0 Chelsea loss and up until roughly the end of January time he was performing well consistently. He controlled the midfield in games and scored some goals, a couple important (winner in stoppage time against Boro, the away goal against Hull which saw us qualify).
The main issue I have with him is big games. He simply hasn't turned up. I think he let's his ego get in the way as he convinces himself he has to try and prove he's this world-class midfielder and always goes for the extraordinary. That for me is where the problem is. He turned 24 today and has already won more trophies than most will win in their entire career so give him a bit more time and I'm confident we'll see the best of him. Mourinho has also played him in virtually every game so far (40 apps) so I think he could be managed better. He doesn't need to feature in every game.
I won't compare Kante to Pogba though as I believe their roles are different. Kante has for me been the best player in the league this season however Hazard will probably win that award as he's a flair player.
Danza91
TS Member
Bump.
So we're into the last couple of months of the season now, the business-end as people like to say.
For me the title race was done and dusted a while ago, Spurs will drop points, Chelsea probably will too but with a 7-point gap they can afford to drop a few. Fair play to Spurs for probably sealing top 4 and finishing above Arsenal, they've got a decent squad however, what exactly have they achieved? I can't praise this team a lot until they win something. Real chance of winning the FA Cup though.
As for Liverpool, City, United and Arsenal. All have been disappointing really. Klopp will argue his squad is thin but I don't think he can use that as an excuse, he's had time to bring in players. City as I've said before I can excuse a bit more as it's an ageing squad and you're less likely to be able to mould players in the latter stages of their career. Pep's a weird bloke though. United, just inconsistent. We can moan about teams setting up for a draw at OT but this happened all the time with Fergie but he managed to find a formula to break them down. 11 draws (is it?) at home is not acceptable. And Arsenal, well I'm just so bored with Arsenal and rumours have it Wenger will go on for another TWO YEARS. Feel for their fans. Still an exciting battle left for the 3rd-6th positions.
As for relegation. Sunderland are gone. Boro I can't see surviving but who knows, they might do a Leicester but unlikely as they're not playing well at all. Of the teams who could go down I would say Hull are more likely to. Yes their manager has this great home form but I would back Swansea and Palace to stay up over Hull.
For those who could be promoted, it'll of course be Brighton & Newcastle and then I'd actually like to see Leeds or Preston come up. Preston are probably going to just miss out on play-offs though.
So we're into the last couple of months of the season now, the business-end as people like to say.
For me the title race was done and dusted a while ago, Spurs will drop points, Chelsea probably will too but with a 7-point gap they can afford to drop a few. Fair play to Spurs for probably sealing top 4 and finishing above Arsenal, they've got a decent squad however, what exactly have they achieved? I can't praise this team a lot until they win something. Real chance of winning the FA Cup though.
As for Liverpool, City, United and Arsenal. All have been disappointing really. Klopp will argue his squad is thin but I don't think he can use that as an excuse, he's had time to bring in players. City as I've said before I can excuse a bit more as it's an ageing squad and you're less likely to be able to mould players in the latter stages of their career. Pep's a weird bloke though. United, just inconsistent. We can moan about teams setting up for a draw at OT but this happened all the time with Fergie but he managed to find a formula to break them down. 11 draws (is it?) at home is not acceptable. And Arsenal, well I'm just so bored with Arsenal and rumours have it Wenger will go on for another TWO YEARS. Feel for their fans. Still an exciting battle left for the 3rd-6th positions.
As for relegation. Sunderland are gone. Boro I can't see surviving but who knows, they might do a Leicester but unlikely as they're not playing well at all. Of the teams who could go down I would say Hull are more likely to. Yes their manager has this great home form but I would back Swansea and Palace to stay up over Hull.
For those who could be promoted, it'll of course be Brighton & Newcastle and then I'd actually like to see Leeds or Preston come up. Preston are probably going to just miss out on play-offs though.
IanB
TS Member
Chelsea last weekend, Arsenal tonight, I can see Palace getting 12 more points this season at this rate.
Liverpool away, Tottenham Home, Man City away, and Man Utd away on the last day of the season.
I think 4 more points and we are safe (We have the best goal difference in the bottom half). Just need to make sure that we do not lose to Hull. The way this season has gone, anything could happen. Would be great to be safe by the end of April though.
Liverpool away, Tottenham Home, Man City away, and Man Utd away on the last day of the season.
I think 4 more points and we are safe (We have the best goal difference in the bottom half). Just need to make sure that we do not lose to Hull. The way this season has gone, anything could happen. Would be great to be safe by the end of April though.
Ted
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What a game last night. Arsenal were terrible, but Palace were amazing. Not one bad player on the pitch in red and blue, but Zaha, Sakho, Cabaye and Townsend were all immense. Completely different side to what we had under Pardew. Big Sam has done wonders for us.
Not out of the woods yet though, but I'm feeling so much more confident now
Not out of the woods yet though, but I'm feeling so much more confident now
IanB
TS Member
Worrying thing is, I can see Hull and Swansea easily getting 6 points in there next two games. If they do, and we lose the next two, we are back in all sorts of trouble.
I cant help but feel if we do end up getting relegated, in my mind it will be the 2 defeats against Swansea that cost us the most. Sorry @Rob , but hopefully we can pick up 3 points this weekend (because your team is worn out from the win tonight), Hull and Swansea both lose, and a 9 point gap to the bottom 3 will make me feel a lot better.
I cant help but feel if we do end up getting relegated, in my mind it will be the 2 defeats against Swansea that cost us the most. Sorry @Rob , but hopefully we can pick up 3 points this weekend (because your team is worn out from the win tonight
), Hull and Swansea both lose, and a 9 point gap to the bottom 3 will make me feel a lot better.
Ted
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Best Palace goal this season so far alongside Zaha vs Hull, Townsend vs WBA and Benteke vs Chelsea. Mental how 3 of them including Yohan's has been in the past 4 or 5 weeks though!
Rob
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Well our European dream and adventure has finally come to an end. But what a journey it has been; from Bruges to Copenhagen, from Porto to Seville and ending up in Madrid. I've made memories that will last a life time.
We gave one of the best teams in Europe a real scare last night, we were just immense in that second half. You don't mind going out like that with your heads held high. And seeing how Spurs, Arsenal and Man City all flopped out of the competition shows just how good we have been.
The only problem now? I want more of it!
We gave one of the best teams in Europe a real scare last night, we were just immense in that second half. You don't mind going out like that with your heads held high. And seeing how Spurs, Arsenal and Man City all flopped out of the competition shows just how good we have been.
The only problem now? I want more of it!
Skyscraper
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Sheffield Wednesday are in the play-offs!!
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