The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

I like Ian Darke way more than the other two, but they are really good. Darke/McManaman on those old ESPN Monday night football broadcasts were great.

Arlo has such a great voice, he's definitely been one of my favorites since he started doing Prem games.

Tbh McManamanamanamanamanamanaman has really soured on me in the past couple years. As an analyst he is super bitter all the time, spouts a disappointing amount of nonsense and generally is pretty unlikeable. That has also drifted into his commentary recently as well. He definitely used to be a favorite as well, Ian Darke and Macca.

The clincher for me was his attitude during the 2016 Euros, and his reaction to Portugal winning it. To be fair of course, pretty much the entirety of the English media was disgracefully bitter and insulting towards Portugal. Since then, everything I've heard him say has just made me more and more disappointed.

[KG]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

I’m probably in the minority here but eff it. My favorite by far is Jon Champion. When I listen to him it’s like a history lesson unfolding. Some people hate his muted lapses where he seems to go silent for 2-3 minutes but I like how he just lets the game flow and run its course. Plus I tend to do that in FIFA/PES where I turn off commentary and just listen to the crowd sounds.


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[ImTellinTim]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Darke is fun for big moments, but he forces things too much throughout the game and loves the sound of his own voice.

[Krebstar]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Heard something I found very interesting the other day and wasn't sure how to inject it in here, but here goes.

Raphael Honigstein was discussing how Mourinho's style of play, results-based managing, only works if you're getting results. Which is obvious, but his point was that if Mourinho continues to have United play in this manner and they end the season sitting in second behind City—what was the point?

If you're going to park the bus and play to not lose, but you don't win the league with the talent on that team, was it the right approach?

It's very interesting how the way City are playing draws more attention to how United are playing. Without City flying high and sitting top, Mourinho's tactics at United might be more applauded and appreciated more. However, with City being a stark contrast, it naturally reflects negatively on how Mourinho is setting up a team of United's stature and talent level.

Anyway, just thought it was a great point made in a discussion that has been ongoing for many years. The whole "results-based tactics only work if you get results (win something)", and if you don't, the negativity will only grow when looking back at how you got to second, or third.

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Heard something I found very interesting the other day and wasn't sure how to inject it in here, but here goes.

Raphael Honigstein was discussing how Mourinho's style of play, results-based managing, only works if you're getting results. Which is obvious, but his point was that if Mourinho continues to have United play in this manner and they end the season sitting in second behind City—what was the point?

If you're going to park the bus and play to not lose, but you don't win the league with the talent on that team, was it the right approach?

It's very interesting how the way City are playing draws more attention to how United are playing. Without City flying high and sitting top, Mourinho's tactics at United might be more applauded and appreciated more. However, with City being a stark contrast, it naturally reflects negatively on how Mourinho is setting up a team of United's stature and talent level.

Anyway, just thought it was a great point made in a discussion that has been ongoing for many years. The whole "results-based tactics only work if you get results (win something)", and if you don't, the negativity will only grow when looking back at how you got to second, or third.

I mean, this is basically the reason Jose only stays at clubs for so long. It’s incredibly difficult in the modern game to win consecutive trophies, so when the trophies stop coming things get negative pretty fast.

I do think Jose will be at United longer than 3 seasons, but all this is definitely amplified by the fact that he’s managing United. Similar to RM, there is just too much money and talent available to excuse not winning major trophies. Even at Chelsea, we simply don’t spend the kind of money we used to, we aren’t like those other two teams ( or City). At RM and United Jose gets every player he asks for, so scrutiny will be at an all-time high.

It’s still pretty early in he season, City could still collapse who knows.

In the end, fans won’t care as long as there are trophies. This will definitely be interesting though, because Pep brings out the worst in Jose, and their clashing play styles does play a big role in that.

[Krebstar]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Similar to RM, there is just too much money and talent available to excuse not winning major trophies.

Especially not winning trophies while having them play the way he has. As you said, if they continue to play this way (they will) and they win, the supporters won't care. However, if they play that way and don't win, it's almost a double issue. Not only are they not winning major trophies, they're not even playing entertaining football.

It was just a way I had never thought about it before. The whole "the style only works if you win something, not just win games" thing.

As for Pep bringing out the worst in him, it was also noted that usually if Jose is playing this way it would be fine as it's not ideal, but they're winning. But as you said with the styles, Pep has his side playing even better in terms of results and playing even better in terms of entertainment and philosophy.

Jose doesn't seem accustomed to defending himself if he's winning with ugly football—because he's winning. They're winning, but they're not top, and it seems that City could pull away from them, which puts him in the position of explaining why he's doing what he's doing even though to him it's working.

I'm most likely just repeating myself and what you said now—it's just fascinating to really think about and dissect.

[stlducks]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

The main issue I have with Jose teams is that he always acts like he is managing at West Brom on a limited budget and underdog players. He could go out and dominate games with his United team this year but instead, he likes to act like they have to play a certain style in order to win and that style is boring and defensive.

If he was managing a smaller club, he would be a genius with his tactics. But at United, it's just boring.

[Leon]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

I'll save all that talk for when Pogba gets back. When he was playing, we were playing good football. Ever since he went out, we've been disjointed and Jose has decided to play rather conservatively, to put it nicely.

[KG]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

What’s funny is that United is 2nd in the league in goals scored and if it wasn’t for City pouring it on then United would be getting more credit.

Just typical English media overreaction IMO. They love to hand the title out in October. United is 5 pts back without their best middie, a new ST, and a tougher opening batch of fixtures. I wouldn’t be panicking at all if I was United.

Now my Blues, that’s a different story.


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[bhurst99]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

I don't get the United criticism, either. They've outscored opponents 15-0 at home.

It's all about winning in this league. It doesn't matter if they're ugly 1-0 wins. No one is going to forgive him if they start losing 4-3 matches because the football was "exciting".

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

What’s funny is that United is 2nd in the league in goals scored and if it wasn’t for City pouring it on then United would be getting more credit.

Just typical English media overreaction IMO. They love to hand the title out in October. United is 5 pts back without their best middie, a new ST, and a tougher opening batch of fixtures. I wouldn’t be panicking at all if I was United.

Now my Blues, that’s a different story.


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Second part of your post, with the right spin you can make anything sound better or worse. United for sure haven't had the tougher opening schedule, City had already trounced Liverpool and beaten Chelsea at the Bridge before United played anybody even remotely good, now that United have played Pool and Spurs it's basically even.

Also, you could say something similar for City: they are 5 points clear with the best-ever premier league start without their best CB, their best fullback (playing Fabian Delph as a LB), and a 20 year old Brazilian kid who's lived in England for like 15 minutes as a starting ST.

Like I said, end of the season will be the whole story. The media will always jump at the chance to criticize Jose.

[Leon]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

If the media handed out the title, Arsenal and Liverpool would have won the Prem by December for the past 5 years.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Don't drag us into that. Every time we concede a goal, our season is apparently over.

[dubcity]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

City are more than capable of reverting to a meandering and impotent (Arsenal ) possession style, but Man U really aren't built for that chase. Give Mourinho a 5 point lead with 2 games in hand and it's a lock, but he's not passing up anyone grinding out 0-0 draws against top 5 teams.

[KG]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Second part of your post, with the right spin you can make anything sound better or worse. United for sure haven't had the tougher opening schedule, City had already trounced Liverpool and beaten Chelsea at the Bridge before United played anybody even remotely good, now that United have played Pool and Spurs it's basically even.



Also, you could say something similar for City: they are 5 points clear with the best-ever premier league start without their best CB, their best fullback (playing Fabian Delph as a LB), and a 20 year old Brazilian kid who's lived in England for like 15 minutes as a starting ST.



Like I said, end of the season will be the whole story. The media will always jump at the chance to criticize Jose.

City started with Brighton, Everton, Bournemouth, Watford, and Palace apart from the 2 tough fixtures you mentioned Brahv. I mean those 5 are a who’s who of catastrophes.

Or you could say Citeh has had one of the best ever starts and their only 5 pts clear.


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