2019-20 English Premier League Discussion Thread

Post #281 » by **Cactus Jack** » Wed Dec 11, 2019 1:28 am

Ancelotti was sacked by Napoli. Does he end up at Arsenal?

HIF · Post #282 » by **HIF** » Wed Dec 11, 2019 1:41 pm

Cactus Jack wrote:Ancelotti was sacked by Napoli. Does he end up at Arsenal?

Lost 8 in a row. Sounds like the right man for the job. :wink:

HIF · Post #283 » by **HIF** » Sat Dec 14, 2019 5:05 pm

10 point lead at the top and Leicester play away at Manchester City next. Is the title race finished? I think so and a shame because an exciting title race is good for football.

Post #284 » by **Cactus Jack** » Sat Dec 14, 2019 7:25 pm

HIF wrote:10 point lead at the top and Leicester play away at Manchester City next. Is the title race finished? I think so and a shame because an exciting title race is good for football.

I would normally agree with you. But not this year. :wink:

Given our history, you shouldn't give up hope.

HIF · Post #285 » by **HIF** » Sun Dec 15, 2019 9:51 am

Okay, I'm over that minor depression.

Norwich are a team that on their day can compete with anyone in the league, their problem is depth and consistency, but their game is nice to watch.

There are more than 3 worse teams in the league so I'm surprised that they are as low in the table as they are. Every time I watch them I think they're a good side.

If they get relegated I'd love to get hold of Cantwell and Pukki (so Vardy like).

HIF · Post #286 » by **HIF** » Sun Dec 15, 2019 9:58 am

This board does tend to be based only on a few teams - CL teams (and Leicester) but I'd also like to put in a good word for another struggling team. Watford. Pearson and Shakey could pull them through to survival. They've performed above expectations for several years and only collapsed in the second half of last year's league campaign where they looked really bad and that has continued this season. When I watch them play I'm always really impressed with Deulofeu - again if they are relegated I'd love Leicester to get hold of him - Deeney though getting old is a warrior upfront who wins so much in the air and the midfield isn't bad - Doucouré can be great but can make mistakes, Sarr could end up being very good but needs confidence, Hughes is a necessary midfield battler and Peyrera and Capoué are decent on their day. Watford's major problem is their defensive backs, injuries have them playing a couple of players who shouldn't be on the pitch and that can be their downfall in any game.

Still I think Pearson could save them.

HIF · Post #287 » by **HIF** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 11:06 am

So no comments on Spurs "liverpooling" a win or Manure dropping 2 more points at home or Man city outclassing Arsenal then?

KG Leonard · Post #288 » by **KG Leonard** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 11:29 am

HIF wrote:So no comments on Spurs "liverpooling" a win or Manure dropping 2 more points at home or Man city outclassing Arsenal then?

Spurs is just temporarily feeding on the new coach energy, I don't think Mourinho is the right coach, he inherited a good team from Poch. The top 4-5 teams under Liverpool, Leicester, City are losing points all the time. United is a mess with Ole who can't do what Poch did when he was new in Spurs raised the good young players.

City I expected to win bigger with horrible Xhaka midfield, the defense of Arsenal.

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Post #289 » by **Cactus Jack** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 9:50 pm

Arsenal To Hire Mikel Arteta

https://soccer.realgm.com/wiretap/8456/Arsenal-To-Hire-Mikel-Arteta-As-Manager

Post #290 » by **Baphomet** » Tue Dec 17, 2019 12:52 am

HIF wrote:So no comments on Spurs "liverpooling" a win or Manure dropping 2 more points at home or Man city outclassing Arsenal then?

I've been busier in the festive season, but I was able to watch the Wolves game. It was good for us to win a game under the kosh rather than the opposite, where we'd cough up leads in games we're dominating. Frankly, I'd take some more Liverpooly wins if it meant getting back into the top four! I'm pleased with how this team is starting to progress under Mourinho.

Arsenal are a bit rubbish at the moment, but City smashing them in their backyard would have been the expected result even if Arsenal were at full strength and in form. The gulf in quality is absolutely massive, and when De Bruyne is playing like that he's unstoppable.

danfantastk32 · Post #291 » by **danfantastk32** » Tue Dec 17, 2019 2:15 am

Cactus Jack wrote:
HIF wrote:10 point lead at the top and Leicester play away at Manchester City next. Is the title race finished? I think so and a shame because an exciting title race is good for football.

I would normally agree with you. But not this year.

Given our history, you shouldn't give up hope.

Amen to that. If it was Man-C or a couple of the other usual suspects....you'd call this season a wrap. But until they actually win the prem, Liverpool seem to be able to choke their season at the end. I want to be happy...but right now I'm just nervous about it.

JohnPferdelack · Post #292 » by **JohnPferdelack** » Tue Dec 17, 2019 4:15 am

Cactus Jack wrote:Arsenal To Hire Mikel Arteta

https://soccer.realgm.com/wiretap/8456/Arsenal-To-Hire-Mikel-Arteta-As-Manager

Is this a good choice for Arsenal or did they choose him?

HIF · Post #293 » by **HIF** » Tue Dec 17, 2019 9:37 am

I never really understand "big" clubs choosing managers with little or no experience. Normally ends in tears.

Post #294 » by **Cactus Jack** » Tue Dec 17, 2019 6:01 pm

HIF wrote:I never really understand "big" clubs choosing managers with little or no experience. Normally ends in tears.

Why are we calling Arsenal a "big" club, when they no longer operate like one? :wink:

HIF · Post #295 » by **HIF** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 1:23 pm

That Everton v Arsenal first half was one of the most boring this year.

They should just leave Ferguson to get them going, Ancelotti isn't going to be a success anyway and that lineup by Arteta has removed the only decent part of Arsenal football - it's attack. What a borefest.

HIF · Post #296 » by **HIF** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 3:51 pm

Norwich v Wolves just the opposite to the earlier game. skillful, flowing, exciting.

Cantwell scored, reaffirming my previous thoughts that he's a guy who'd fit in well on the wing at Leicester. Buy him in January Brendan, record fee if you want.

Pukki could have had two, plays a lot like Vards.

Post #297 » by **Baphomet** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 5:11 pm

HIF wrote:That Everton v Arsenal first half was one of the most boring this year.

They should just leave Ferguson to get them going, Ancelotti isn't going to be a success anyway and that lineup by Arteta has removed the only decent part of Arsenal football - it's attack. What a borefest.

It's going to be a difficult spell for Arsenal. They have a deeply flawed team. Remember when some Arsenal fans were saying that clown David Luiz was going to help with their defensive issues? "But he leads all CBs in assists"

But they do have some quality, enough to at least make a push for top 4/6. If Arteta's planning on implementing a tiki-taka style at Arsenal he's got his work cut out, though.

HIF · Post #298 » by **HIF** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 6:28 pm

Man city outplaying us at the moment. Not sure what Brendan's idea is having only chilwell covering De Bruyne and Mahrez, who by hugging the touchline has to be wide open. Tielemans is just too slow for this type of game, Harvey barnes isn't defensive minded at all. Should have started Hamza/Praet and Albrighton in their places.

Still away to Man City I didn't expect to win, but probably expected to touch the ball a bit more :-)

.

Good job we're a second half team. ;-)

HIF · Post #299 » by **HIF** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 6:29 pm

Baphomet wrote:
HIF wrote:That Everton v Arsenal first half was one of the most boring this year.

They should just leave Ferguson to get them going, Ancelotti isn't going to be a success anyway and that lineup by Arteta has removed the only decent part of Arsenal football - it's attack. What a borefest.

It's going to be a difficult spell for Arsenal. They have a deeply flawed team. Remember when some Arsenal fans were saying that clown David Luiz was going to help with their defensive issues? "But he leads all CBs in assists"

But they do have some quality, enough to at least make a push for top 4/6. If Arteta's planning on implementing a tiki-taka style at Arsenal he's got his work cut out, though.

Don't think they are good enough to push for top 4.

Post #300 » by **Baphomet** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 6:51 pm

Clear penalty for Barnes, imo. Ederson took him out.