The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

[ZeroTheHero]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

I didn't want to mention Kane, because Tottenham's "exception to the rule" is more coincidental and it might not even last.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

I wasn't aware that this wasn't common knowledge, so I was quite baffled and giggly when there was such resistance to it.

Whatever floats your boat, though. If you don't want to believe that having local lads on the team will bring more supporters, if your arena isn't already full, then be my guest. It's not actually important to me that you are aware of the fact.

Ah, so instead of providing any sort of reasonable evidence, you decided that one example was sufficient. Neat, your line of thinking is just impeccable, I love it.

Also, just out of curiosity, how on earth am I supposed to derive that you were only referring to attendance, when all you said is

Chelsea had a single Englishman in the match day squad against Leicester. Leicester had seven, as a comparison.

I see now though, the point was that this year Chelsea are averaging 41,509 at home this year, approximately 99.6% full each match, while the more English Leicester are averaging 97.4% full each match. By fielding those extra Englishmen that's why Leicester are filling more of their stadium than Chels.... oh wait.

So, to come full circle here, while I understand that rooting for "hometown heroes" or "local lads" can drive numbers(shirt sales, some attendance, etc) I guess I was unaware that this statement

Chelsea had a single Englishman in the match day squad against Leicester. Leicester had seven, as a comparison.

was your own, eloquent, spursy way of saying that. It must just be that weird culture difference. Sorry about that.

Also, if you're unironically posting ArsenalFanTV, you've got some issues that probably need some working out.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Oh, for the numbers I used(quickly mind you, so if someone has better sources, I'm all ears)

Attendance - http://www.worldfootball.net/attenda...e-2017-2018/1/
Stamford Bridge capacity - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamford_Bridge_(stadium)
King Power Stadium capacity - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Power_Stadium

[Leon]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

It's fun to watch when two teams don't really care about defending. High-pressing and quick counters for Liverpool worked exceptionally well with the players they had. I wonder if other teams (ahem) would realise this tactic against City (or any other heavy possession side) works well if you have the players (ahem).

Pep to Sane: Watch Messi
Sane: HMB

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/7foqx/diiwhq" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

To be fair, City had the best defense in the league before today, not sure you can accuse them of not caring about defending. I think they mostly kept attacking because they knew they could consistently get at Liverpool's defense. I mean, they nearly equalized after being down 4-1 at Anfield.

[Leon]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

To be fair, City had the best defense in the league before today, not sure you can accuse them of not caring about defending. I think they mostly kept attacking because they knew they could consistently get at Liverpool's defense. I mean, they nearly equalized after being down 4-1 at Anfield.

Statistically, yes, because they dominate possession. I don't think it's unfair to say they're not a great defensive team.

[Krebstar]

The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Statistically, yes, because they dominate possession. I don't think it's unfair to say they're not a great defensive team.

Not great doesn’t mean they don’t care, however. I think Pep has made it fairly clear that his side’s greatest defensive asset is their ability to attack, control the ball, and deny counters once they lose the ball.

How they play with the ball dictates how they defend, not that they don’t defend.

They don’t want to concede possession of the ball, and therefore you could say they do not want to need to defend. It’s just an entirely different approach to defending, one that they’re more suited to than any other team in the league.

[Leon]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Not great doesn’t mean they don’t care, however. I think Pep has made it fairly clear that his side’s greatest defensive asset is their ability to attack, control the ball, and deny counters once they lose the ball.

How they play with the ball dictates how they defend, not that they don’t defend.

They don’t want to concede possession of the ball, and therefore you could say they do not want to need to defend. It’s just an entirely different approach to defending, one that they’re more suited to than any other team in the league.

I agree with what you said, but my point is that City actually defending without the ball is prone to getting exploited because of that high-risk approach they play. Their "traditional" defending is not great.

[ZeroTheHero]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

This happens to any team that tries to press high and fail once too often in a match. City were punished for four of their misses and Liverpool were punished for three of theirs.

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Stoke handing out goals to opposition teams like they're Oprah.

[Krebstar]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Stoke handing out goals to opposition teams like they're Oprah.

I always love when the new manager "watches on" from the stands as the squad he's about to manage shows just how awful they are.

I won't miss Stoke when they're missing out on the playoffs in the Championship by a few points for the next several years.

[dubcity]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Lambert gets up and leaves after the match like, "**** this ****."

[Krebstar]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Lambert gets up and leaves after the match like, "**** this ****."

He'll feel right at home in the Championship.

[Leon]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Three matches in...

Mourinho still hasn't noticed how far forward Pogba is; threatening defences and supplying assists to his forwards...

A "hot spur" is due in two weeks time. Will Pogba be called back into his 80m pound cage? Stay tuned...

[Schrankwand]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

So, when is Shaqiri finally getting transfered to a good team?