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Football Discussion
Benzin
TS Member
I'd say these days its more that the traditional midtable teams are all around the same level these days. It's why say Bournemouth can go on a 6/7 winless run but still be in a shout with Europe. Also helps when most teams get 4-6 points off the bottom 3, Spurs and Man Utd this season.
Liverpool have been the most consistent team. Arsenal have drawn too many (5 more than Liverpool) to make a decent challenge of it, especially when they've only lost 3 games in total.
It's a genuine shame that all the important stuff will be sorted a month before the season actually ends. But that's mostly because now Sky will blather on about the "Race for
John_P
TS Member
Don't think the league has ever been stronger away from the bottom 3.
You've got Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford, and Fulham managed by progressive managers all with good players.
Look at the ability of some of those Palace players last night.
Wolves regularly have 2 Brazilian internationals playing for them.
West Ham have guys like Bowen, Paqueta, and Kudus.
You've had Villa getting to the champions league quarter finals. Arsenal in the semis, united and Spurs in the europa league semis, and Chelsea in the conference league semis.
You've got Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford, and Fulham managed by progressive managers all with good players.
Look at the ability of some of those Palace players last night.
Wolves regularly have 2 Brazilian internationals playing for them.
West Ham have guys like Bowen, Paqueta, and Kudus.
You've had Villa getting to the champions league quarter finals. Arsenal in the semis, united and Spurs in the europa league semis, and Chelsea in the conference league semis.
QTXAdsy
TS Member
I could say the exact same thing about Celtic honestly. Are they really that good or is everyone else just that bad?
Slugjc
TS Member
I don't get the narrative of "well it's been a poor league." I would say the poorest year, was the year Leicester won it. Like JP said above, the mid table is stronger than it's ever been. Tye strength can be shown by 6 sides going straight back down in 2 years. I can only see that being 9 this time next year.
Spurs and United have dropped off cliffs. Spurs because Ange has a plan A. And nothing else. United made a mistake in not having a caretaker till the end of season. Allowing Amorin to have a pre season to change the club tacticaly.
City let too many players grow old on their watch. And have, apart from Haaland. Had 3 years of poor transfer activity. Are we seeing the chink in Peps coaching style. Rebuilding a successful side?
Arsenal have drawn too much. Been unlucky with fixtures. But Arteta seems have a motivation issue. Some games they look lack luster and he can't get them going.
As for slot. (Which is why I think you get the "poor season" narrative from.) After Klopp, that was it. Fighting United over 13 place. Every player would put a transfer request in. The stadium would empty. He has proved every single pundit wrong.
Spurs and United have dropped off cliffs. Spurs because Ange has a plan A. And nothing else. United made a mistake in not having a caretaker till the end of season. Allowing Amorin to have a pre season to change the club tacticaly.
City let too many players grow old on their watch. And have, apart from Haaland. Had 3 years of poor transfer activity. Are we seeing the chink in Peps coaching style. Rebuilding a successful side?
Arsenal have drawn too much. Been unlucky with fixtures. But Arteta seems have a motivation issue. Some games they look lack luster and he can't get them going.
As for slot. (Which is why I think you get the "poor season" narrative from.) After Klopp, that was it. Fighting United over 13 place. Every player would put a transfer request in. The stadium would empty. He has proved every single pundit wrong.
Benzin
TS Member
That pundits are SHOCKED that the team that finished 3rd last year has romped to a title where the challengers last year have been poor/sloppy/suffered injuries (Rodri for Citeh and everyone at Arsenal) just confuses me. Like, 3rd to 1st isn’t a massive leap, even with a new manager who inherited one of the strongest squads in the league. Think it also helped the Slot plays in a similar fashion to Klopp, rather than say the difference between Ten Hag or Amorim. That said some clubs can just get on with a new "philosophy" better.
Guess the hope was having both Liverpool and Man Utd struggling would fill countless hours of clickbait and YouTuber podcasts.
It's a new manager bounce.
Slugjc
TS Member
Slugjc
TS Member
I'm still out celebrating, but this is the greatest day ever!
Was mint. Voice is wrecked.
Attachments
RicketyCricket
TS Member
The league being weak this year is absolute nonsense. Pushed by dinosaur ex players on talksport and exiled whopper Richard Keys.
Every team outside the bottom three has borderline world class players these days due to the resources available.
Im far from a Liverpool fan but they completely deserve it. The celebrations in the ground looked class, especially after the missed COVID season. Think I'll stay in the concourse for the guard of honour next week though
Every team outside the bottom three has borderline world class players these days due to the resources available.
Im far from a Liverpool fan but they completely deserve it. The celebrations in the ground looked class, especially after the missed COVID season. Think I'll stay in the concourse for the guard of honour next week though
Liverpool’s consistency was very surprising this year, especially considering they had a new manager at the start of the season.
I think the argument the PL has been weak this season is wide of the mark - especially if English sides end up winning all 3 European cups.
Will be interesting to see if City can bounce back next season, and cope with the Club World Cup.
Could be tough for Chelsea next year - they’ve been abysmal second half of this season and have the Club World Cup, and will likely have a new manager and a bit of a rebuild.
Hard to see Spurs and Utd being any cop, either.
I think the argument the PL has been weak this season is wide of the mark - especially if English sides end up winning all 3 European cups.
Will be interesting to see if City can bounce back next season, and cope with the Club World Cup.
Could be tough for Chelsea next year - they’ve been abysmal second half of this season and have the Club World Cup, and will likely have a new manager and a bit of a rebuild.
Hard to see Spurs and Utd being any cop, either.
Slugjc
TS Member
I think it's mad that spurs and united. Could end up in the champions league.
Praise needs to go Liverpool for the recruitment of Slot. Alonso and Amron very heavily linked. Neither would have done what Slot has done
Alonso have been a fit. Amorin was certainly not. They went with someone who similar tactics and to Klopp.
Praise needs to go on Slot. He did his homework. Studying what Klopp had done. Both tacticaly and in training and changed his style to seamlessly blend into it, enabling him to put his own mark on the side, without changing to much of what they already know
He knew the players well and knew who to deal with them. Slowing the side down. Allowing the side to rest in game by killing sides with possession. Having greater control in games, which Klopp wouldn't allow. The less injuries that season show that.
Reminds me of Benitez and Klopp. A student of the game like Rafa. With the slightly toned down passion of a Klopp
Praise needs to go Liverpool for the recruitment of Slot. Alonso and Amron very heavily linked. Neither would have done what Slot has done
Alonso have been a fit. Amorin was certainly not. They went with someone who similar tactics and to Klopp.
Praise needs to go on Slot. He did his homework. Studying what Klopp had done. Both tacticaly and in training and changed his style to seamlessly blend into it, enabling him to put his own mark on the side, without changing to much of what they already know
He knew the players well and knew who to deal with them. Slowing the side down. Allowing the side to rest in game by killing sides with possession. Having greater control in games, which Klopp wouldn't allow. The less injuries that season show that.
Reminds me of Benitez and Klopp. A student of the game like Rafa. With the slightly toned down passion of a Klopp