Mid Week Matches 29/30 Jan

fletcherpost

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Burnley are leading at Old Trafford and as i type Newcastle lead Man City

Brighton have blown a 2 goal lead.

Man U just leveled.

Some great games.
 

fletcherpost

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City have lost to Newcastle. You cannae take anything for granted in this league.

Fulham scored four without reply to beat Brighton 4-2

The noise at Old Trafford was unreal.
 

Kliq

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Pretty crazy slate of games; too bad they took place in the middle of the workday in the US. Newcastle won despite conceding a goal in the opening minute; only having 23 percent possession and getting out-passed 768-238.
 

Joe D Reid

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Does anyone have a spare few hundred million they could give Rafa so he can buy the club off Ashley? Newcastle would be starring in that Sunderland documentary on Netflix without him.
 

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Jonathan Moss should be relegated from refereeing. Gives the game 5 minutes of stoppage time, United score, and Heaton wastes a minute on a goal kick, and he blows the whistle at 94:57.
 

teddykgb

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I don’t get the non Liverpool fan Rafa love. There’s nothing special about setting a team up with no ambition week in and week out.

City had a goal ruled out ridiculously but another awful loss after leading against lesser opposition. Title winning teams don’t drop points to Palace, Leicester and Newcastle especially from winning positions. There’s been some really hard luck this year but there was plenty of good luck last and you have to find a way in games like this. For whatever reason this year they just can’t summon it. Even though I was informed that this was over before Xmas period, it looks over in the other direction now.

Kyle Walker must have had a lobotomy this off season because it’s infuriating watching him right now
 

Blundatola

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I don’t get the non Liverpool fan Rafa love. There’s nothing special about setting a team up with no ambition week in and week out.
I'm sorry, but this makes you sound really dumb. What ambition is a team like Newcastle supposed to have? Still playing basically the same squad from our Championship season, haven't broken or transfer record in 15 years despite huge spending by every other Premier League club, and Rafa will probably keep them up again against all odds, primarily because he understands what he's working with and what tactics give his team the best chance at a result. What Rafa brings to the club goes well beyond results on the pitch, too. He's a pillar of the community.

Meanwhile, Guardiola gets praise heaped on him for leading the richest clubs in the world to trophies while also having the audacity to complain that he can't compete in the transfer market. Today he whined that his team couldn't handle a £1.5M midfield. Preposterous. He's so overrated it makes me want to scream.
 

teddykgb

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I'm sorry, but this makes you sound really dumb. What ambition is a team like Newcastle supposed to have? Still playing basically the same squad from our Championship season, haven't broken or transfer record in 15 years despite huge spending by every other Premier League club, and Rafa will probably keep them up again against all odds, primarily because he understands what he's working with and what tactics give his team the best chance at a result. What Rafa brings to the club goes well beyond results on the pitch, too. He's a pillar of the community.

Meanwhile, Guardiola gets praise heaped on him for leading the richest clubs in the world to trophies while also having the audacity to complain that he can't compete in the transfer market. Today he whined that his team couldn't handle a £1.5M midfield. Preposterous. He's so overrated it makes me want to scream.
So your response is that Rafa knows how to park a bus and Pep is overrated? I’m not saying he’s doing a bad job he is doing exactly what he needs to do. It just isn’t a standout performance for me, any of the usual suspects would do the same thing and probably achieve about the same results. There’s nothing inventive or creative about it, just a fairly typical pack it in and hope to nick enough matches to avoid relegation run. Again, a totally valid and appropriate way to try to avoid the drop but the way they speak about him like he’s doing something special is really strange to me.

And I’m fine with being accused of being stupid, I’ve been accused of far worse. You have my sympathy anyway for having to put up with watching that crap football every week. It’s all swings and roundabouts and it’ll be my turn to watch City play this way at some point again.
 

Blundatola

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I mean you have ignored the bulk of my reply to reiterate the tired "parking the bus" canard, but whatever, I'm sure you're sore right now so I'll leave you to it.
 

SoxFanInCali

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Why Liverpool fans love him is obvious, but is it surprising that Newcastle fans would as well? This is a guy that had managed some of the biggest clubs in the world, but stayed after they were relegated to the Championship and brought them back up. Tactics aside, that's how you create a bond with a rabid fanbase.
 

teddykgb

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Why Liverpool fans love him is obvious, but is it surprising that Newcastle fans would as well? This is a guy that had managed some of the biggest clubs in the world, but stayed after they were relegated to the Championship and brought them back up. Tactics aside, that's how you create a bond with a rabid fanbase.
Maybe I come across angry when I’m certainly not but I don’t begrudge a toon fan being happy for the reasons you describe. In my original comment I was mostly referring to the weekly camera shot we get where the announcers pontificate on what a great job he’s doing. To be fair, they do the same nonsense with warnock and Fat Sam and the rest of that ilk too. It really never makes sense to me. In my head it contrasts with what Wagner did last year or Howe when he brought the Cherries up. They were a bit more brave, tried to offer tactical variety week to week, etc even with pretty limited squads. It’s risky and we have already seen how it can go wrong with Huddersfield but that’s where my comment comes from.

Take nothing away from Newcastle today, they played hard and didn’t wilt after an early goal.
 

fletcherpost

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Jonathan Moss should be relegated from refereeing. Gives the game 5 minutes of stoppage time, United score, and Heaton wastes a minute on a goal kick, and he blows the whistle at 94:57.
I noticed that, and I wonder if Fergie, or Jose had been the manager if he'd have been in the fourth officials face. I wasn't paying attention to the sideline to see if Ole was getting in about the fourth official. I know it's not pretty, or even ethical, but every minute counts. That being said...was five minutes stoppage time a little generous in the first instance?

I did think it was great to hear the crowd making some serious noise in the last 5-10 minutes.

Jones is not Man U quality.
 

Zomp

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I noticed that, and I wonder if Fergie, or Jose had been the manager if he'd have been in the fourth officials face. I wasn't paying attention to the sideline to see if Ole was getting in about the fourth official. I know it's not pretty, or even ethical, but every minute counts. That being said...was five minutes stoppage time a little generous in the first instance?

I did think it was great to hear the crowd making some serious noise in the last 5-10 minutes.

Jones is not Man U quality.
I've always felt the unwritten rule was a minute added for a goal, and 30 seconds added for a substitution. With 3 subs (90 seconds) and 3 goals (3 minutes), plus some time wasting, etc... I don't think 5 was egregious. Honestly, I'm just happy that I can once again complain that we were screwed out of making a comeback instead of how shit we were.

Ole's stint so far has been great. For the first time in a while, we look like a United side. Dangerous on the counter...a little leaky at the back. But its fun again. This month though we play PSG twice, City, Chelsea (FA Cup), Arsenal, and Liverpool. If we're still close to top 4 after that, I like our chances.

Jones, unfortunately, has to go. Smalling too, but he could be a serviceable back up. If Ole or the next manager thinks Bailly can partner Lindelof, then fine but if not they'll need to get someone this summer. Koulibaly seems like a good fit. Look what VVD did for Liverpool. Is United's defense in worse shape than Liverpool's was before he came in? I don't think so but I may be wrong.
 

coremiller

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I've always felt the unwritten rule was a minute added for a goal, and 30 seconds added for a substitution. With 3 subs (90 seconds) and 3 goals (3 minutes), plus some time wasting, etc... I don't think 5 was egregious. Honestly, I'm just happy that I can once again complain that we were screwed out of making a comeback instead of how shit we were.

Ole's stint so far has been great. For the first time in a while, we look like a United side. Dangerous on the counter...a little leaky at the back. But its fun again. This month though we play PSG twice, City, Chelsea (FA Cup), Arsenal, and Liverpool. If we're still close to top 4 after that, I like our chances.

Jones, unfortunately, has to go. Smalling too, but he could be a serviceable back up. If Ole or the next manager thinks Bailly can partner Lindelof, then fine but if not they'll need to get someone this summer. Koulibaly seems like a good fit. Look what VVD did for Liverpool. Is United's defense in worse shape than Liverpool's was before he came in? I don't think so but I may be wrong.
The irony of Mourinho is that he was right that the squad badly needed a defensive upgrade last summer. Mourinho's problem is that he tried to structure the team very defensively to compensate for the weak back four, which his personnel was not at all set up to do. Solskjaer is taking the right tack, acknowledging the defense sucks but realizing United have so much attacking talent that they should just try to outscore teams, especially against the weaker sides. Mourinho at this point of his career was constitutionally incapable of throwing caution to the wind, going full Keegan and committing to all-out attack, when that was exactly what the team needed.
 

fletcherpost

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I've always felt the unwritten rule was a minute added for a goal, and 30 seconds added for a substitution. With 3 subs (90 seconds) and 3 goals (3 minutes), plus some time wasting, etc... I don't think 5 was egregious. Honestly, I'm just happy that I can once again complain that we were screwed out of making a comeback instead of how shit we were.

Ole's stint so far has been great. For the first time in a while, we look like a United side. Dangerous on the counter...a little leaky at the back. But its fun again. This month though we play PSG twice, City, Chelsea (FA Cup), Arsenal, and Liverpool. If we're still close to top 4 after that, I like our chances.

Jones, unfortunately, has to go. Smalling too, but he could be a serviceable back up. If Ole or the next manager thinks Bailly can partner Lindelof, then fine but if not they'll need to get someone this summer. Koulibaly seems like a good fit. Look what VVD did for Liverpool. Is United's defense in worse shape than Liverpool's was before he came in? I don't think so but I may be wrong.
I thought Ole made too many changes from the Arsenal match. Obviously last night's central defense pairing was a downgrade with Jones in there. I felt Man U were a bit sluggish going forwards in the first half. maybe Ole is rotating with all the matches in the next few weeks in mind, but Mata seems to slow things down a bit, just cos he's not got much pace.

But yeah, this is a different United under Ole. And at least my old man is happy.
 

Zomp

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Agreed on Mata. We've been having success with 2 forwards who drift wide while Lingard occupies a false 9 position. Mata can't do that.
 

67YAZ

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Mane put Liverpool up in the 3rd minute with a nice move and finish. But the real news is Henderson at right back. The Captain was already about a foot away from giving Maddison a penalty. Going to be a wild ride on the flank today.
 

Kliq

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Spurs rolling out a 3-5-2 with Llorente and Son up top and Harry Winks as the CAM. Very strange but Poch doesn't have many options.
 

DJnVa

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Spurs rolling out a 3-5-2 with Llorente and Son up top and Harry Winks as the CAM. Very strange but Poch doesn't have many options.
Ugh. Spurs playing well, but can't put one in and then Watford pots one.
 

fletcherpost

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Jesus fuckin Christ. There was no need for that to happen. Robertson didn't have to foul the Leicester player on the flank. And you've got to be able to deal with the cross and the second ball.

What a silly time to concede.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Brutal last minute defending that half. Maguire was a couple of Mané strides from being off, smart to bring him down when he did, and of course he’s the equalizer after a poor FK is given away by Robertson.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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The fact that the halftime entertainment for this Spurs/Watford game is a Sam Allardyce puff-piece documentary is about right for the level of annoying nonsense that the game has so far been.
 

fletcherpost

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Liverpool were happily passing it across the back, without any real pressure with the clock at 45m15s or so, i thought that was a totally fine way to end the half; take the one goal lead into the dressing room.

To win titles you have to nurse leads, kill the clock when you have to, keep it tight, play it smart...the part of the game that is about maturity and intelligence; game management. I hate seeing them gift the opposition a goal like that. It leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. Even worse that it was Robertson. He's let his country down there and needs to make amends.
 

fletcherpost

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This is poor stuff from Liverpool. This game felt like a gritty 1-0, where you take the three points and move on, but Robbo and the defense decided to play silly buggers.

Edit: Oh, Firmino is on the pitch. Coulda fooled me.

Lallana, as impact sub, has as of yet made no impact.
 

teddykgb

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Sarri may get himself fired. I was really worried about that team's roster fit for his system but it all seemed OK early on. Things are looking incredibly dire now.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Brutal in the second half. Keïta’s penalty shout was borderline at best, I thought Maguire’s forearm to Salah was more legit.

In any event, can’t leave it to a margin like that against the likes of Leicester at home.
 

SoxFanInCali

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Pumping crosses in against Leicester is usually not very productive.

Didn't get the call on the Keita penalty shout, and they got it wrong on the Mane offside call. Liverpool have definitely gotten some calls this season, this was one of those games where they didn't.
 

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Sarri may get himself fired. I was really worried about that team's roster fit for his system but it all seemed OK early on. Things are looking incredibly dire now.
That result puts a nice little boost in the top 4 race. Never thought United would gain a point after drawing at home.

I think the problem is the midfield. While Jorginho and Kante are very different players, they occupy the same space. Poor Kante looks lost pushing up field. Add in Kova or Barkley and its just not working.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Very rude of the Chelsea squad to not win Sarri a title before knifing him in the back and quitting on him.

I thought that was their tradition.
 

OCST

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That result puts a nice little boost in the top 4 race. Never thought United would gain a point after drawing at home.

I think the problem is the midfield. While Jorginho and Kante are very different players, they occupy the same space. Poor Kante looks lost pushing up field. Add in Kova or Barkley and its just not working.
From what I’ve seen of Chelsea, if you can gang up on Jorginho and pressure him, the whole team throws a rod.
 

Dummy Hoy

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From what I’ve seen of Chelsea, if you can gang up on Jorginho and pressure him, the whole team throws a rod.
This sure seems it, right? How the fuck can it be so easy to identify and stop Sarri's system? And how has he been successful in the past when it appears that simply marking his playmaking 6 blows everything up?
 
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Zomp

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I just think he doesn't have the personnel. For as good as Kante is, he's not the right player for the role that Sarri has him in. At Napoli Allan was perfect. Throw in Hamsik, who is a better creative midfielder than anyone Chelsea has, and you can see the struggles. Its more surprising to me that they did nothing to fix it in January, and that they never at least *tried* Fabregas in the team.
 

teddykgb

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His Napoli team was incredibly athletic. It all starts in front to me if you want to play a pressing style. Mertens, Insigne, Callejon, Allan, Hamsik all put in a real shift, buzzing around all over the place putting pressure. They also played Zielinski a fair amount. A lot of ball players, a lot of versatility. You can see where he might think Kante and Allan are not that different but I think on the whole they've been undone because they just can't create the chaos necessary to play on the front foot. There are lots of good players at Chelsea but imo they're just all a little slow and very position specific for what he's trying to do. Then you add in the complete black hole they've had at striker, they can't rescue points just from an individual strike at all, everything has to come through the team game.