2022-23 English Premier League Discussion Thread

[Sedale Threatt]

Leeds are a very entertaining side, but defensively about as suspect as it gets.

You were saying?

They shipped four goals against a Spurs team on a dreadful run of form that's dead on its feet. That's pretty suspect.

They should consider signing Eric Dier, he'd fit right in to their matador defensive style.

Don't get me wrong though, I do enjoy watching Leeds. Their commitment to attack and entertaining their fans is honestly admirable.

Thought it was funny you wrote that and Leeds promptly followed suit, so I was giving you credit. It was almost funny; as soon as they went to a back five near the end they gave up two goals.

[Baphomet]

You were saying?

They shipped four goals against a Spurs team on a dreadful run of form that's dead on its feet. That's pretty suspect.

They should consider signing Eric Dier, he'd fit right in to their matador defensive style.

Don't get me wrong though, I do enjoy watching Leeds. Their commitment to attack and entertaining their fans is honestly admirable.

Thought it was funny you wrote that and Leeds promptly followed suit, so I was giving you credit. It was almost funny; as soon as they went to a back five near the end they gave up two goals.

Ah, my mistake. Typically I think of "you were saying" as kind of like a gotcha type rebuttal, so I missed the gist.

Leeds definitely played their role as they typically do. Like you said, when they switched to the back five their defensive positioning became uncertain, and Kulusevski and Bentancur started finding gaps. They usually play an aggressive pressing 4231 and they looked really uncomfortable switching to a different defensive scheme that involves positional discipline, rather than closing space in groups.

To be fair, in this match Spurs didn't cover themselves with any kind of defensive glory either. In fact I think we were every bit as open and easy to play through as they were. I'm glad at least that the game was entertaining and something a little more positive to go into the World Cup break with, from my perspective.

[Sedale Threatt]

They shipped four goals against a Spurs team on a dreadful run of form that's dead on its feet. That's pretty suspect.

They should consider signing Eric Dier, he'd fit right in to their matador defensive style.

Don't get me wrong though, I do enjoy watching Leeds. Their commitment to attack and entertaining their fans is honestly admirable.

Thought it was funny you wrote that and Leeds promptly followed suit, so I was giving you credit. It was almost funny; as soon as they went to a back five near the end they gave up two goals.

Ah, my mistake. Typically I think of "you were saying" as kind of like a gotcha type rebuttal, so I missed the gist.

Leeds definitely played their role as they typically do. Like you said, when they switched to the back five their defensive positioning became uncertain, and Kulusevski and Bentancur started finding gaps. They usually play an aggressive pressing 4231 and they looked really uncomfortable switching to a different defensive scheme that involves positional discipline, rather than closing space in groups.

To be fair, in this match Spurs didn't cover themselves with any kind of defensive glory either. In fact I think we were every bit as open and easy to play through as they were. I'm glad at least that the game was entertaining and something a little more positive to go into the World Cup break with, from my perspective.

No worries dude. I have a deeply sardonic sense of humor and that doesn't always translate online. It was a fun match but for obvious reasons I was hoping Leeds could hold on. Spurs came through when necessary however so hats off.

[HIF]

Watched Man city/Brentford. KDB was poor and when that happens Man city struggle. I don't think Haaland had more than 1 or 2 chances. Foden was very good though so I'd like to see him in the england team this WC. Toney showed why he should be the attacker leading England. I know Spurs fans won't agree but Kane isn't good against decent teams and is really a second striker in which position he excels rather than as the front man.

[HIF]

Watched the end of Newcastle/Chelsea. Trippier is outstanding and should be the first name on the England team sheet, Nexcastle CBs are great too, amazing that Botman is not going to the WC. Chelsea are poor and why we have Mount and Gallagher going to the WC confounds me. Hopefully neither will play.

Watched the first half of Arsenal/Wolves and tbh Wolves outplayed Arsenal, I guess that changed in the second half but so many people are congratulating Arsenal on the title, I still don't see. They'll blow up and Man city will win at a canter. Gabriel and Saliba were both exposed in 1 on 1 situations this week.

Obviously I watched the West Ham/ Leicester game too. Maddison is class and needs to start in the WC, Rice is class too and I'd like to see Rice&Foden&Maddison as the England midfield. Barnes was electrifying again and would be a better LW for england than all the big 6 players touted as stars. His pace and control simply terrify defenders - he is better than Saka on the right.

[Baphomet]

No worries dude. I have a deeply sardonic sense of humor and that doesn't always translate online. It was a fun match but for obvious reasons I was hoping Leeds could hold on. Spurs came through when necessary however so hats off.

Of course, I read and enjoy your posts on the NBA side a lot and I'm glad that you've decided to post here as well.

[Baphomet]

Watched the end of Newcastle/Chelsea. Trippier is outstanding and should be the first name on the England team sheet

Can't believe we sold him. He's so much better than anything we've had at RB/RWB since.

[Baphomet]

Garnacho looks like a special talent. Really impressed with him tonight and in the EL game last week.

The way he attacks box from that left wing reminds me of young Brian Laudrup. Speed, dribbling, fearless plus he has vision too. Really impressive.

He's done it again. My goodness what a sprint and finish.

[HIF]

Garnacho looks like a special talent. Really impressed with him tonight and in the EL game last week.

The way he attacks box from that left wing reminds me of young Brian Laudrup. Speed, dribbling, fearless plus he has vision too. Really impressive.

He's done it again. My goodness what a sprint and finish.

A couple of years ago playing FM I first loaned him and then signed him outright from Manu's U21 team for my team (Notts county from non-league). He was great the first season but became a back up when I won the division that year.

Guess that's all I know about him, but he has looked great hasn't he?

[LDNMagic90]

2 league wins in a row for us, players look rejuvenated and they trust Emery. 90% of our squad are not travelling for the World Cup which benefits us a lot, Emery can work on the negatives for the team.

Emery seems like he gets the fans which is what was missing from Gerrard, he praises the supporters a lot which is going down well with us (Dean Smith used to do this a lot). This also doesn’t feel like a managers bounce too, Emery’s tactical knowledge is so impressive. We change our shape in game a lot which I’ve not seen us do since Smith.

We got Liverpool and Tottenham after the break, I’m fairly confident in getting a result against Tottenham. Then we have the Jan transfer window to look forward to, hopefully we can sell a couple players as well as bring in a winger or two.

Feels good going into a break off the back of 2 wins, especially when you wasn’t fancied to win against both the teams.

[Baphomet]

2 league wins in a row for us, players look rejuvenated and they trust Emery. 90% of our squad are not travelling for the World Cup which benefits us a lot, Emery can work on the negatives for the team.

Emery seems like he gets the fans which is what was missing from Gerrard, he praises the supporters a lot which is going down well with us (Dean Smith used to do this a lot). This also doesn’t feel like a managers bounce too, Emery’s tactical knowledge is so impressive. We change our shape in game a lot which I’ve not seen us do since Smith.

We got Liverpool and Tottenham after the break, I’m fairly confident in getting a result against Tottenham. Then we have the Jan transfer window to look forward to, hopefully we can sell a couple players as well as bring in a winger or two.

Feels good going into a break off the back of 2 wins, especially when you wasn’t fancied to win against both the teams.

Happy for Villa fans but if you could bring back Gerrard ball just for the Spurs game after the break, that would be great.

[LDNMagic90]

2 league wins in a row for us, players look rejuvenated and they trust Emery. 90% of our squad are not travelling for the World Cup which benefits us a lot, Emery can work on the negatives for the team.

Emery seems like he gets the fans which is what was missing from Gerrard, he praises the supporters a lot which is going down well with us (Dean Smith used to do this a lot). This also doesn’t feel like a managers bounce too, Emery’s tactical knowledge is so impressive. We change our shape in game a lot which I’ve not seen us do since Smith.

We got Liverpool and Tottenham after the break, I’m fairly confident in getting a result against Tottenham. Then we have the Jan transfer window to look forward to, hopefully we can sell a couple players as well as bring in a winger or two.

Feels good going into a break off the back of 2 wins, especially when you wasn’t fancied to win against both the teams.

Happy for Villa fans but if you could bring back Gerrard ball just for the Spurs game after the break, that would be great.

We’ve suffered enough this year

[LDNMagic90]

Whole lot of drama coming out of Man Utd with Ronaldo. Tbh what he is saying about the club he’s not entirely wrong, however he didn’t need to mention Rooneys appearance(if that’s what he meant), what he said about Ralf and ETH. It doesn’t help your case when you storm off the pitch before the end of the match etc.

For all the talk about how Pogba was toxic and Lukaku etc, they sure as hell didn’t do anything wrong when you compare it to how Ronaldo has handled everything. It’s funny that he mentions a lot of the issues of Man Utd and their poor decision making in the last few years, but hasn’t realised that he himself is a poor decision by the club.

[Baphomet]

Whole lot of drama coming out of Man Utd with Ronaldo. Tbh what he is saying about the club he’s not entirely wrong, however he didn’t need to mention Rooneys appearance(if that’s what he meant), what he said about Ralf and ETH. It doesn’t help your case when you storm off the pitch before the end of the match etc.

For all the talk about how Pogba was toxic and Lukaku etc, they sure as hell didn’t do anything wrong when you compare it to how Ronaldo has handled everything. It’s funny that he mentions a lot of the issues of Man Utd and their poor decision making in the last few years, but hasn’t realised that he himself is a poor decision by the club.

The fact that some United fans are still defending Ronaldo after this is ridiculous. His ego is so fragile that he can't handle any kind of criticism, and what he said about Rooney went over the line. Even if aspects of what he said about the club are true, which they are, the levels of narcissism and unprofessionalism are off the charts.

This has to be one of the most disappointing meltdowns I've seen. I love Ronaldo as a player, he's provided some of the all time great Champions League moments and in his prime was the most electrifying goal scorer I've ever seen along with Luis Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Messi, etc. Running to a disgraceful rag like the Sun of all places, and that odious goblin Piers Morgan, just to air out your grievances with the club and staff, it's absolutely pathetic. He's tarnished his legacy not only with United fans, but just in general.

[Shaazzam]

Heh, I'm glad he lit the match. Makes it even simpler to say cya!

That said, a lot of criticisms are valid. Spending like a billion on players and nothing on facilities is laughable. And hilarious that he went to Morgan. Odious is the correct word. And all the United ex-players that empowered him in the press by saying he was being disrespected, lol. Idjits!

Come on Ten Hag! Thrust out your lower jaw some more and ignore these fools.

All Hail Lisandro Martinez! Little **** demon that he is.

[Baphomet]

Come on Ten Hag! Thrust out your lower jaw some more and ignore these fools.

He does have a permanently pensive countenance.

[baldur]

finally a outspoken, blunt athlete who is daring to talk about the facts, truths with no fear and hesitation.

who the hell are burno fernandes, erik ten hag or ralf ragnick to undermine arguably a goat athlete?

if you have ronaldo, you build up and develop strategies, tactics around ronaldo, simple as that.

[Baphomet]

finally a outspoken, blunt athlete who is daring to talk about the facts, truths with no fear and hesitation.

who the hell are burno fernandes, erik ten hag or ralf ragnick to undermine arguably a goat athlete?

if you have ronaldo, you build up and develop strategies, tactics around ronaldo, simple as that.

Mate, come on.

The only person undermining anyone is Ronaldo, who has made Ten Hag's job much harder because his ego can't take not being the main man anymore. I am sympathetic in that sense, because when you've been at the very apex of the game, it has to be hard to accept a lessening role. However, building around a player who is quickly declining is the kind of short termist thinking that's kept United from moving forwards as a club.

[HIF]

finally a outspoken, blunt athlete who is daring to talk about the facts, truths with no fear and hesitation.

who the hell are burno fernandes, erik ten hag or ralf ragnick to undermine arguably a goat athlete?

if you have ronaldo, you build up and develop strategies, tactics around ronaldo, simple as that.

Mate, come on.

The only person undermining anyone is Ronaldo, who has made Ten Hag's job much harder because his ego can't take not being the main man anymore. I am sympathetic in that sense, because when you've been at the very apex of the game, it has to be hard to accept a lessening role. However, building around a player who is quickly declining is the kind of short termist thinking that's kept United from moving forwards as a club.

So you're not on the side of the whistleblowers Baph. I'm surprised.

[Baphomet]

So you're not on the side of the whistleblowers Baph. I'm surprised.

Well, I'm of the opinion that the Glazers are dicks, but also that Ronaldo has conducted himself like a dick.

I think the issue is that he's confirmed what most people already knew about how United is run. Zlatan, Van Gaal, Di Maria, and many other players and coaches have said the same thing about the facilities and small-minded way they operate. Granted, this is a much higher profile player and interview, and I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing to put the Glazers on blast. They put none of their money into the club and the stadium is falling apart. No arguments there.

But it's the side swipes at Rooney's appearance, the fact that a disgusting opportunist like Piers Morgan is involved, and the brazen disrespect of Erik Ten Hag, a manager that's doing his best despite difficult circumstances at the club, that makes me think this is about ego stroking and "getting back" at his critics rather than exposing the truth. Including some kernels of truth in an otherwise delusional piece of self-promotion is something you see frequently in political propaganda, and it's clearly effective.

When all's said and done, Ronaldo was willing to join Manchester City, that's how little he actually cares about Man United. This isn't an altruistic act.