Gameweek 1: New Season's Buzzing

Joe D Reid

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Didn’t hear this on the broadcast, but Liverpool fans sang a homophobic tune towards Billy Gilmour. Disgusting.

"Chelsea rent boy" has been an unfortunately standard chant against Chelsea and its players for years (from fans of many other clubs). Much like the Mexican MNT chant, it's going to take league/administrative penalties to change. We'll see if the PL does anything about it.
 

67YAZ

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Saint-Maxim to Wilson in the 5th minute! A flying start for Newcastle.

I know if was mentioned before, but all these Newcastle jerseys have the number 4 on the front. So weird.

but if they qualify for Europe, maybe they’ll call them the fantastic 4s?
 
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67YAZ

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A close one, but the Hammers tie it up on what looked offside to me. I guess one of the effects of less VAR is not watching endless frame by frame break downs while the ref does same. We got one replay in TV Land and the ball was back in play within 60 seconds. game on.
 

Blundatola

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Plenty of action in that first half! Both teams look equally dangerous in the attacking third, but a composed header from Murphy is the difference for now.
 

Joe D Reid

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Saint-Maximin plays like he's controlled by a 15 year-old who is just excellent at FIFA.
 

Kliq

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Saint-Maximin is one of the most exciting players in the world.
 

The Gray Eagle

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Saint-Maxim to Wilson in the 5th minute! A flying start for Newcastle.

I know if was mentioned before, but all these Newcastle jerseys have the number 4 on the front. So weird.

but if they qualify for Europe, maybe they’ll call them the fantastic 4s?
I noticed that too. They should have made up some fake explanation, like "it represents the 4 guiding ideals of Newcastle Football Club, blahblahblah."

It reminds me of when Aston Villa used to have the word COWS on their shirts:
 

Mighty Joe Young

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Rather uninspired effort by City so far. Outside of the Mahrez missed sitter they’ve really produced nothing. Spurs have looked really lively on the break and, with a little less tentativeness could easily be in the lead.
 

coremiller

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City dominated the first 10-15 minutes but couldn't convert their advantage into goals. Since then it's been pretty even, with Spurs' counter threat balancing City's possession, and both teams mostly failing to turn their attacks into good chances.

Both of these sides seem like they could really use a talented center forward to get shots in the box ...
 

teddykgb

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Spurs look better for the points since the first 15 or so I agree. City trying but Spurs seem comfortable enough soaking up pressure and taking advantage of Mendy in particular. Seems they’ll open one up eventually

Edit: and as I type they do lol
 

coremiller

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Even if Spurs don’t get something today, the difference between this performance and the League Cup Final a few months ago, with basically the same squad, is night and day.
 

teddykgb

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Even if Spurs don’t get something today, the difference between this performance and the League Cup Final a few months ago, with basically the same squad, is night and day.
Playing really deep but very committed. City are really weak with Mendy, Ake, Fernandinho at this point but it’s a really strong and physical performance
 

coremiller

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Playing really deep but very committed. City are really weak with Mendy, Ake, Fernandinho at this point but it’s a really strong and physical performance
Lol, City are "weak" being "forced" to start three players whose transfer fees cost a combined 120m GBP.
 

teddykgb

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Lol, City are "weak" being "forced" to start three players whose transfer fees cost a combined 120m GBP.
Maybe vulnerable is a better word? Mendy did his knee and isn’t a Prem quality player. He’s generated almost all of Spurs threat. Fernandinho has been superb for City but doesn’t have 90 minutes as a lone CDM in him when the team turns the ball over this much. Ake was signed to be a backup and just isn’t superb. I’m not claiming City are paupers just noting how much playing these players have weakened the structure and left the team really vulnerable. I mean are we really going to bring up Fernandinhos transfer fee a decade later?
 

coremiller

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Maybe vulnerable is a better word? Mendy did his knee and isn’t a Prem quality player. He’s generated almost all of Spurs threat. Fernandinho has been superb for City but doesn’t have 90 minutes as a lone CDM in him when the team turns the ball over this much. Ake was signed to be a backup and just isn’t superb. I’m not claiming City are paupers just noting how much playing these players have weakened the structure and left the team really vulnerable. I mean are we really going to bring up Fernandinhos transfer fee a decade later?
I just mean it's hardly like City had to fill in with random youth players from the academy. These are all experienced professionals they spent a lot of money on.
 

teddykgb

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I just mean it's hardly like City had to fill in with random youth players from the academy. These are all experienced professionals they spent a lot of money on.
And for various reasons they stink. I’m trying to talk about what happened on the pitch not analyze the balance sheet. Yes, I fully agree City have spent a lot of money on some pieces who have not worked out. I’ve been fairly transparent on wishing City hadn’t spent the summer on Grealish and especially Kane as there are some real holes in the side in spite of all the money spent. Regardless of what he cost Mendy is the worst player in the pitch today by some margin. City gave everyone a ton of time off and have played like a team with no preseason. It shows. I’m not belittling Spurs performance at all, they’ve been extremely good at ruthlessly picking on the holes in the City squad
 

Mighty Joe Young

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And for various reasons they stink. I’m trying to talk about what happened on the pitch not analyze the balance sheet. Yes, I fully agree City have spent a lot of money on some pieces who have not worked out. I’ve been fairly transparent on wishing City hadn’t spent the summer on Grealish and especially Kane as there are some real holes in the side in spite of all the money spent. Regardless of what he cost Mendy is the worst player in the pitch today by some margin. City gave everyone a ton of time off and have played like a team with no preseason. It shows. I’m not belittling Spurs performance at all, they’ve been extremely good at ruthlessly picking on the holes in the City squad
Wasn’t Cancello supposed to be the new LB ? Regardless, I don’t think you can judge a teams quality when half of it is sitting on the bench or still languishing on the beach. That goes for Spurs as well. City are still the team to beat.

But I still take issue with the idea that the backups to your backups have to be world class players.

There was a report this week that UEFA wants to institute a Luxury Tax … based on a team’s (real) revenue. Kind of a combination of MLB and La Liga. Exceeding the threshold would result in ever increasing financial penalties (to be determined). Obviously determining the “real” revenue will be the most contentious feature.
 

teddykgb

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Wasn’t Cancello supposed to be the new LB ? Regardless, I don’t think you can judge a teams quality when half of it is sitting on the bench or still languishing on the beach. That goes for Spurs as well. City are still the team to beat.

But I still take issue with the idea that the backups to your backups have to be world class players.

There was a report this week that UEFA wants to institute a Luxury Tax … based on a team’s (real) revenue. Kind of a combination of MLB and La Liga. Exceeding the threshold would result in ever increasing financial penalties (to be determined). Obviously determining the “real” revenue will be the most contentious feature.
No, Cancelo is a rotational option with Walker offering an attacking threat when City want to be more front foot.

Backups need not be world class but Mendy is so far off that standard. He was actively sabotaging and Ake isn’t good enough to lock down the entire left side because he’s a fine backup option for a few matches here and there but isn’t good enough to make up for how terrible Mendy is. City continues to have serious depth issues at LB and CDM in spite of all the attempts and failed attempts at filling that position
 

Mighty Joe Young

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No, Cancelo is a rotational option with Walker offering an attacking threat when City want to be more front foot.

Backups need not be world class but Mendy is so far off that standard. He was actively sabotaging and Ake isn’t good enough to lock down the entire left side because he’s a fine backup option for a few matches here and there but isn’t good enough to make up for how terrible Mendy is. City continues to have serious depth issues at LB and CDM in spite of all the attempts and failed attempts at filling that position
Agree on Mendy as he was terrible. I remember being absolutely terrified of him when he first came into the league. That game against Pool when Mane got sent off … he looked to be an absolute beast.