Men's Soccer (Football) Thread [ARCHIVED] Soccer • Page 563

Put your money on a two horse title race between you and them where you eventually finish third.

 

If you weren’t yet convinced that this season is mad, the teams with the best defences are Aston Villa and Arsenal, and we’ve already played City and Liverpool away.

 

Genuinely struggling to decide on a top four this year. I think Liverpool, City, Everton, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and United will all be up there.

 

Obviously it's quite normal for the early season to be a bit all over the place, but we're 5 games in now and it doesn't seem to be calming down. Is it going to just be weird all year?

 

With Van Dijk out, Liverpool's stock has plummeted massively but I still *kinda* see them as the favourites? I guess it depends on if they persist on playing their backline higher up than most midfields.

 

I think so. Mentioned it before the international break, I think this season is going to be crazy. I know we're shit but this season is probably our best chance to win the league for a good few years. Same for Spurs and Arsenal.

 

If Spurs sort their defence out, I think it's theirs to take. Same for us if we can get ANY creativity. If we bought Aouar I think we'd have made a real challenge.

 

ask me two weeks ago before the villa game and I would have said Liverpool will win it at a canter. it's mad how I think so much of their success rides on Van Dijk.

 

That last West Ham goal was insane.

 

The West Ham goal was so perfectly placed in the one spot Lloris couldn't get to. It was maddening.

I'm still deflated from yesterday, but at least every other team has major issues as well. I still think top 4 is doable, not ready to say we're championship favorites yet, because, well, it's Tottenham.

Sanchez has to do better. Winks is not very good at all and him coming on near the end was a massive mistake. Lo Celso needs to be and stay healthy.

Reguilon is as good as advertised though. He was incredible yesterday.

Bale missing on that open chance is still heartbreaking and would've put the game away :(

 

I can just imagine what was going through #8's head during that goal "i got it, i tipped it away, i won the ga... oh no OH NOOO!"

 

Considering how much people used to compare them despite them being vastly different players, Winks is in what I'll call the Wilshere spot.

He came up, looked talented in a position England lacked both quality and depth and therefor was massively hyped. Wilshere looked to be England's answer in the 10 role, whilst Winks came along as people realised "hey, maybe Carrick was hugely over looked because he wasn't flash."

Now he's never going to live up to that ridiculous hype and even though he's a good squad player people will shit on him. Obviously the difference is that Jack's issue was injuries, but when he gets a run of games he's still a good player.

 

It will be interesting to see how we cope without Richarlison for the next three games (it's the United home game I'm worried about the most). The first choice replacement for us is Iwobi. He can be hit or miss at the best of times yet he did get an assist v Brighton when he came on for an injured Richarlison. Some fans are calling for Gordon to be given a go. He has the talent but I wouldn't want to rely on someone so young to fill the gap of what Richarlison brings to the team. Either way, our play style will change somewhat as neither are a natural replacement.

Also, I've just realised I'm back to first in the fantasy league. It turns out swapping Werner for Kane was a crab move lol.

 

I miss Carrick so much.

 

That Richarlison tackle was such a mess as well. What a muppet.

I have no idea what to predict for the league this year. I think Liverpool and City are still the teams to beat, but it looks like it will be tough for anyone to create a big gap and the rest of the top 6 is really tricky to pick out.

The only thing I'd maybe commit to is that Fulham are going straight back down, with Sheffield United and West Brom likely going with them.

 

Yeah those are my 3 picks for relegation. Shame for Sheffield United as they were great last season - at least they'll make some good £££ selling Sander Berge to a top 6 team when they do go down!

 

Fulham looked good going forward against Sheffield United, I thought. Lookman, Lemina and Mitrovic is a good front three and I can see them damaging teams. The problem is I expect them to leak goals at the other end at an alarming rate when they face teams with an actual striker.

 

Depending on their results in games like tonight, I can see Burnley going down. Especially if they have no points going into their game v Spurs next Monday.

 

So what you're actually saying is that next Monday is when they pick up points and turn things around?

 

Haha.

 

Well, we’re back into full lockdown

 

Where are you based?

 

Ireland. Whole country has gone into lockdown tonight.

 

Despite the fact we have 6 (yes SIX!!!) centre backs on our books, we only have 1 fit for this evening. This is going to be a blood bath.

 

Damn. Hope you’re doing okay.