The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

[ZeroTheHero]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Flopper as in someone who dives..

Then just use the term "diver"...?

[KG]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Fabregas is definitely prone to rash tackles but he’s also just a generally terrible defensive player who also happens to be a subpar athlete (for that level). You combine these things and anyone who watches him often wouldn’t really be surprised.

Like Brahv said, the two have history. Just like Aguero and Luiz.


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[KG]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

You think he might be let go even though they have a chance to win the FA cup? I was thinking that might be the only thing keeping him around this season.

The FA Cup would be a nice consolation prize but it’s definitely not enough to reconcile this disastrous season.

Not to sound elitist but our aspirations are a little higher than FA Cups.


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[Krebstar]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

The FA Cup would be a nice consolation prize but it’s definitely not enough to reconcile this disastrous season.

Not to sound elitist but our aspirations are a little higher than FA Cups.

I think this has to go for United, also. Even if they finish second behind an incredible City team and win an FA Cup, they're still underperforming and going out to Sevilla in the way they did was inexcusable.

Back to Chelsea, I'd agree that following a league title with an FA Cup and failure to secure a Champions League place would not be what was expected.

We all know that only at Arsenal an FA Cup equals a contract extension.

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

The FA Cup would be a nice consolation prize but it’s definitely not enough to reconcile this disastrous season.

Not to sound elitist but our aspirations are a little higher than FA Cups.


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FA cup win and top 4 finish would be decent enough in the sense that the season wouldn’t be a total loss and it’s been a while since we won the FA cup.

We really shouldn’t be this far out of top 4 though, and if we don’t make top 4 (especially in a season where Hazard and Courtois are stalling on contract renewals), then we are pretty close to panic mode.

[stlducks]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

I think this has to go for United, also. Even if they finish second behind an incredible City team and win an FA Cup, they're still underperforming and going out to Sevilla in the way they did was inexcusable.

Back to Chelsea, I'd agree that following a league title with an FA Cup and failure to secure a Champions League place would not be what was expected.

We all know that only at Arsenal an FA Cup equals a contract extension.

I think United is the one team that should really be disappointed with their season, even if they win the FA cup. Other teams don't compare to the money City or United have spent or have the recent history/manager profiles they have.

I expected City and United to be competing for the league this season, I didn't expect City to be this good but I thought United would be better.

Chelsea have obviously been down compared to their standards. Morata taking time to adjust to the league, injuries to players expected to step up and Conte not seeming happy. They will change their manager and probably win the league next season with most of the same squad.

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

I think United is the one team that should really be disappointed with their season, even if they win the FA cup. Other teams don't compare to the money City or United have spent or have the recent history/manager profiles they have.

I expected City and United to be competing for the league this season, I didn't expect City to be this good but I thought United would be better.

Chelsea have obviously been down compared to their standards. Morata taking time to adjust to the league, injuries to players expected to step up and Conte not seeming happy. They will change their manager and probably win the league next season with most of the same squad.

One of my least favorite excuses I see getting trotted out for United is that they are only being considered to be doing poorly because of how good City is.

Currently, they are on track for a similar point total to Spurs last season, who were mercilessly ridiculed for not putting up a bigger fight to our title challenge. 87 points is their max total if they lose to City, and that is only if they win out their remaining games. 87 points would put them well outside a title challenge in nearly every recent season with the exception of the freak Leicester season.

Even if City weren't doing this well, United would still be a few steps behind, which isn't very good for a club with that kind of resources.

[stlducks]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

One of my least favorite excuses I see getting trotted out for United is that they are only being considered to be doing poorly because of how good City is.

Currently, they are on track for a similar point total to Spurs last season, who were mercilessly ridiculed for not putting up a bigger fight to our title challenge. 87 points is their max total if they lose to City, and that is only if they win out their remaining games. 87 points would put them well outside a title challenge in nearly every recent season with the exception of the freak Leicester season.

Even if City weren't doing this well, United would still be a few steps behind, which isn't very good for a club with that kind of resources.

I completely agree with that. United do not have an excuse to be this far behind City.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Plus City has the chance to win the title at home against United. That is going to stick in their craw really nicely if it happens.

I think the announcers were being very harsh on Willy for Eriksens goal. He was playing too deep but sometimes there are shots you can't really do anything about.

I thought so too. They barely talked about how the shot was perfectly placed. I hate when commentators do this.

EDIT: I just realized you're talking about the Eriksen goal, but I was actually thinking about Dele's first goal. They did the same thing.

[ZeroTheHero]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

87 points would put them well outside a title challenge in nearly every recent season with the exception of the freak Leicester season.

Facts over feelings, bro.

Winning points per season;
2010/11 - 80
2011/12 - 89
2012/13 - 89
2013/14 - 86
2014/15 - 87
2015/16 - 81
2016/17 - 93

So in fact, 87 points would have given 3 league titles, possibly 4, in 7 seasons and would've been likely in the title race for all of them.

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Facts over feelings, bro.

Winning points per season;
2010/11 - 80
2011/12 - 89
2012/13 - 89
2013/14 - 86
2014/15 - 87
2015/16 - 81
2016/17 - 93

So in fact, 87 points would have given 3 league titles, possibly 4, in 7 seasons and would've been likely in the title race for all of them.

Yeah I had a feeling I was overshooting the "well outside a title challenge" comment.

Anyway, original point still stands; City doing well shouldn't be an excuse for a club like United to be so far behind, especially playing the way they do.

Jose is a victim of his own success. He guarantees results, but if he isn't getting results then the style of football gets a big light put on it. His own standards are very high, and when you combine them with a team that has unlimited resources then he has to deliver. It's probably not fair to Jose, but there's not much he can do about it.

[Krebstar]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

...especially playing the way they do.

Jose is a victim of his own success. He guarantees results, but if he isn't getting results then the style of football gets a big light put on it.

That's what it comes down to with United—if pragmatism is your philosophy at a club like Manchester United, then winning competitions is the only thing that can justify it. His tactics and approach can only be accepted and tolerated if they win, and they're not winning the things they need to be.

He'll complain about the treatment he and the team receive even though they finish second and stayed in that place for so long, but it doesn't matter. You played the way you did to finish second? With that squad? You'll off course you'll be ridiculed endlessly.

[KG]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Well he did just get young people 18-25 discounted tickets so I guess that’s a positive.


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[Suntan Superman]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Lamela is so dirty, according to some people, that it called for an investigation. He's got the impressive amount of 0.17 yellow cards per match in all competitions since he joined Spurs. No red cards at all.
https://www.statbunker.com/players/g...layer_id=38479


As a comparison, Fabregas has 0.21 yellow cards per match during his time with Chelsea in addition to two red cards. Is he dirty too?
https://www.statbunker.com/players/g...layer_id=18214


Base your opinions on facts rather than feelings. Feelings are biased, facts aren't.

100% on the facts not feelings train

However, this example in particular implies that if an offense is not carded, that it is not dirty, which is certainly a strange, and most likely not very accurate measure of a players supposed 'dirtiness'

on that note, I don't think either player is what I would consider a 'dirty' player.

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

100% on the facts not feelings train

However, this example in particular implies that if an offense is not carded, that it is not dirty, which is certainly a strange, and most likely not very accurate measure of a players supposed 'dirtiness'

on that note, I don't think either player is what I would consider a 'dirty' player.

Lamela is dirty specifically towards Fabregas, something which even Spurs fans regularly recognize and agree on.

He's a super physical player, but not necessarily dirty in general.

Similar to Aguero actually. Most people wouldn't say Aguero is overly dirty, but for some reason he seems to absolutely hate David Luiz.