OT We call it football over here

Eoin

Almost seems cruel to carry on hating Man U.

CPFC1905

Seems Fergie-time just isn't enough anymore.  
Hard to let go of the rancour built up over lifetime, although some of my spite departed with the liver-faced one. 

Eoin

CPFC1905 said:

Seems Fergie-time just isn't enough anymore.  
Hard to let go of the rancour built up over lifetime, although some of my spite departed with the liver-faced one. 

6 minutes added did smack of the good old days.

CPFC1905

Seconds out, round 7….

West Ham start events on Saturday - sharing the pitch with the PL’s very own Kardarshians.  Literally anything could happen in the one.  Some of the Utd squad & staff may not even turn up.  Jose & Pogba’s ‘for the cameras’ falling out rolls on.. Who’s to blame?  Bit like picking you favourite kerb stone, really.  It’s all just stuff and nonsense.   West Ham are in astounding form, beating Macclesfield Town 8-0.  You might think, who are Macclesfield Town?  They are the lowest ranked team in all four divisions of senior football in England. Say out loud the smallest, quietest ‘wow!’ you can muster.    

Its a lunchtime kick off, so probably going to be dull.  Moan U could in theory ease past West Ham, more likely they’ll park the bus and score the winner in the 5th minute for a 0-1. 

Arsenal’s shackles are lifting and while likely to concede, especially to Watford, they ought to have enough flair and energy to see them off, either 3-1 or 3-2.

Everton are in the doldrums.  The visit of Fulham would have been a nailed on 3 points in their minds at the start of the season,  but its just not working out that way.   I can see Fulham getting something here, especially after rescuing a point against Watford last week.   i have dropped Pickford from my FF team, so you can expect him to save three penalties and keep it to nil.

Hapless Huddersfield host the resurgent (possibly) Spurs.  Its good timing for Spurs who should see this game out for the three points and can then reflect on a good return over the preceding week.  I think its too much for Huddersfield to keep them out and score more goals than Spurs.   Another home defeat will start to weigh heavy up in that traditionally unsympathetic Yorkshire.   (Big Sam’s available….)

Man City will hopefully, finally, achieve the 100 goal in a game landmark against Brighton.  I want nature to take it's course with this one, with Fernandinio and Jesus netting a few times each and no goals conceded.  My FF team really needs that and as no one cares about Brighton - so that seems OK by me. 

Those furious Geordie funsters welcome hit & miss Leicester.   I suspect that Newcastle will try to attack but I don’t feel they have enough power to get in front and stay in front.  It is impossible to imagine how much more angry they can get, up there - but it’ll be fun finding out.   Leicester are at best inconsistent.  They could win this by simply having a bit more nouse than Newcastle.  I wonder if the players decide what result to achieve on the basis of how much pain to inflict on Puel?  I think they only win from time to time to keep him in the job, so they can carry on bullying him.  I’m saying 1-2, with the Foxes coming back from one down.

Wolves should beat Southampton and I doubt anyone will be surprised.  The have shown pep, vim, vigour and pizzazz.  Southampton have very much not.  Could be 2-0,  might be more - but unlikely.  Although Southampton have the ability to score.  Maybe 2-1, then.

Chelsea v Liverpool - well it seems like only yesterday……    This is the Bobby-Dazzler fixture of the day.  After both trying to score nine goals each last night, you wonder if this one will be more tactical and compact.   Meh - not a chance.  Liverpool love running towards the opposition goal very fast.  Chelsea love kicking the ball about and giving Hazard increasingly unlikely positions to score wonder gaols from.  A 9 goal thriller is more than possible.  If Chelsea can shackle Liverpool and score twice - their odds for the league will plummet.  My head says 2-2 - but my heart says ‘I don’t care - lets watch a bunch of grown men run around like 5 year olds filled with Sunny D’.

In the EFL,  Stoke go to Rotherham and will lose 3-2.  No, thats not fair - Stoke have marginally better form and will be desperate to arrest their terminal mediocrity.  Both teams will fancy the win. Honours even at 0-0 I reckon. 

Sunday - its my fun day, as the Bangles memorably sang.  If that is the case, they have very low fun thresholds as the only match is Burnley travelling to Cardiff.   Perfect match for Dyhce’s Gallacticos (seems that last weekend Burnley v Bournemouth was El Classico!!).  Winning this is distinctly probable and two out of two wins makes the table very different for them.  Cardiff have done next to nothing and don’t have the players to achieve a lot more. Two nil to Burnley and even the pre-match TV hype will have to work hard to make this a better proposition than visiting the in-law's,  or de-worming your neighbour's cat.

Things conclude around 2200 Monday with mighty Palace probably limping off the pitch at Bournemouth.  Ignore Wednesday’s 3-0 cup win - we still have trouble scoring.  Bournemouth are a physical team and there will be a few ‘early straighteners’ put on Zaha and anyone else in a Palace shirt that shows composure or enterprise.   Can’t see us getting much out of this to be honest.  We should, on paper - but that's not were they play.  A dull, eye-watering tedious nil all would be lovely, though. 

Foghorn

Love your assessment of Chelsea-Liverpool.  Would love to see a goalfest.  Ultimately, I have no idea what to expect.  And good luck against Bournemouth.  

I'll go out on a limb and predict that Crouch leads Stoke to victory.

Foghorn

Is this the day that Mourinho gets canned?

CPFC1905

Foghorn said:

Is this the day that Mourinho gets canned?

That was a terrible result and will certainly not have helped his cause.  However, Man Utd - the company, are only partially concerned about results.  I heard some broad stats this week that the Glazer family receive about 50 pence for each pound earned by the 'club'.   Naturally missing out on CL next season will dent that - but otherwise league position is irrelevant until such tome as 4th or better looks out of reach.  

Pogba's a massive brand and anything to sustain that profile is good for business. There must have been millions of media impressions from that video last week.  And to be honest Jose could have said, "Got me a 4lb 60 day dry aged wing rib going on the MiniMax for lunch!'  That would make me stop in my tracks at work and stare in disbelief.

2nd last year was enough to guarantee lots of televised matches this season.  4th is not out of the question after 38 matches - and that's all the Glazers want.  That path was trod by Arsenal, but for reason of financing the stadium & debt avoidance - not expressly revenue for the owners.  

But - if he goes, who comes in?  How much will he need to be promised as a transfer kitty for January?  What do you do with Pogba?  Frankly, with that squad though - you only need a 10% improvement and they are tough to beat and have goals aplenty.  

This morning betting odds for the replacement are;
Zidane at 2/1 (+200)
Conte 6/1
Pochettino 10/1
Blanc 12/1
Allegri 14/1
Jardim & Simeone 16/1

Can't see him going any time soon myself - after all they are home to Newcastle next Saturday. Valencia on Tuesday will be a sterner test - but winning both will kill the conversation for a while. 

CPFC1905

CPFC1905 said:

Seconds out, round 7….

West Ham start events on Saturday - sharing the pitch with the PL’s very own Kardarshians.  Literally anything could happen in the one.  Some of the Utd squad & staff may not even turn up.  Jose & Pogba’s ‘for the cameras’ falling out rolls on.. Who’s to blame?  Bit like picking you favourite kerb stone, really.  It’s all just stuff and nonsense.   West Ham are in astounding form, beating Macclesfield Town 8-0.  You might think, who are Macclesfield Town?  They are the lowest ranked team in all four divisions of senior football in England. Say out loud the smallest, quietest ‘wow!’ you can muster.    

Its a lunchtime kick off, so probably going to be dull.  Moan U could in theory ease past West Ham, more likely they’ll park the bus and score the winner in the 5th minute for a 0-1. 

Arsenal’s shackles are lifting and while likely to concede, especially to Watford, they ought to have enough flair and energy to see them off, either 3-1 or 3-2.

Everton are in the doldrums.  The visit of Fulham would have been a nailed on 3 points in their minds at the start of the season,  but its just not working out that way.   I can see Fulham getting something here, especially after rescuing a point against Watford last week.   i have dropped Pickford from my FF team, so you can expect him to save three penalties and keep it to nil.

Hapless Huddersfield host the resurgent (possibly) Spurs.  Its good timing for Spurs who should see this game out for the three points and can then reflect on a good return over the preceding week.  I think its too much for Huddersfield to keep them out and score more goals than Spurs.   Another home defeat will start to weigh heavy up in that traditionally unsympathetic Yorkshire.   (Big Sam’s available….)

Man City will hopefully, finally, achieve the 100 goal in a game landmark against Brighton.  I want nature to take it's course with this one, with Fernandinio and Jesus netting a few times each and no goals conceded.  My FF team really needs that and as no one cares about Brighton - so that seems OK by me. 

Those furious Geordie funsters welcome hit & miss Leicester.   I suspect that Newcastle will try to attack but I don’t feel they have enough power to get in front and stay in front.  It is impossible to imagine how much more angry they can get, up there - but it’ll be fun finding out.   Leicester are at best inconsistent.  They could win this by simply having a bit more nouse than Newcastle.  I wonder if the players decide what result to achieve on the basis of how much pain to inflict on Puel?  I think they only win from time to time to keep him in the job, so they can carry on bullying him.  I’m saying 1-2, with the Foxes coming back from one down.

Wolves should beat Southampton and I doubt anyone will be surprised.  The have shown pep, vim, vigour and pizzazz.  Southampton have very much not.  Could be 2-0,  might be more - but unlikely.  Although Southampton have the ability to score.  Maybe 2-1, then.

Chelsea v Liverpool - well it seems like only yesterday……    This is the Bobby-Dazzler fixture of the day.  After both trying to score nine goals each last night, you wonder if this one will be more tactical and compact.   Meh - not a chance.  Liverpool love running towards the opposition goal very fast.  Chelsea love kicking the ball about and giving Hazard increasingly unlikely positions to score wonder gaols from.  A 9 goal thriller is more than possible.  If Chelsea can shackle Liverpool and score twice - their odds for the league will plummet.  My head says 2-2 - but my heart says ‘I don’t care - lets watch a bunch of grown men run around like 5 year olds filled with Sunny D’.

In the EFL,  Stoke go to Rotherham and will lose 3-2.  No, thats not fair - Stoke have marginally better form and will be desperate to arrest their terminal mediocrity.  Both teams will fancy the win. Honours even at 0-0 I reckon. 

Sunday - its my fun day, as the Bangles memorably sang.  If that is the case, they have very low fun thresholds as the only match is Burnley travelling to Cardiff.   Perfect match for Dyhce’s Gallacticos (seems that last weekend Burnley v Bournemouth was El Classico!!).  Winning this is distinctly probable and two out of two wins makes the table very different for them.  Cardiff have done next to nothing and don’t have the players to achieve a lot more. Two nil to Burnley and even the pre-match TV hype will have to work hard to make this a better proposition than visiting the in-law's,  or de-worming your neighbour's cat.

Things conclude around 2200 Monday with mighty Palace probably limping off the pitch at Bournemouth.  Ignore Wednesday’s 3-0 cup win - we still have trouble scoring.  Bournemouth are a physical team and there will be a few ‘early straighteners’ put on Zaha and anyone else in a Palace shirt that shows composure or enterprise.   Can’t see us getting much out of this to be honest.  We should, on paper - but that's not were they play.  A dull, eye-watering tedious nil all would be lovely, though. 

Man Utd reverting to their petulant teenage alter-ego's and Everton suddenly  remembering how to play football.  Damn that Pickford and his clean-sheet!  Never mind I put Ederson between the sticks and doubled up by making him captain. 

Encouraging for @Eoin with Stoke fighting back for the point, and by all accounts being the better team all match.  Bolton coming to the potteries mid-week should not scare them and bringing a point back from the flatlands of East Anglia is distinctly possible on Saturday. 

Eoin

CPFC1905 said:

CPFC1905 said:

Seconds out, round 7….

West Ham start events on Saturday - sharing the pitch with the PL’s very own Kardarshians.  Literally anything could happen in the one.  Some of the Utd squad & staff may not even turn up.  Jose & Pogba’s ‘for the cameras’ falling out rolls on.. Who’s to blame?  Bit like picking you favourite kerb stone, really.  It’s all just stuff and nonsense.   West Ham are in astounding form, beating Macclesfield Town 8-0.  You might think, who are Macclesfield Town?  They are the lowest ranked team in all four divisions of senior football in England. Say out loud the smallest, quietest ‘wow!’ you can muster.    

Its a lunchtime kick off, so probably going to be dull.  Moan U could in theory ease past West Ham, more likely they’ll park the bus and score the winner in the 5th minute for a 0-1. 

Arsenal’s shackles are lifting and while likely to concede, especially to Watford, they ought to have enough flair and energy to see them off, either 3-1 or 3-2.

Everton are in the doldrums.  The visit of Fulham would have been a nailed on 3 points in their minds at the start of the season,  but its just not working out that way.   I can see Fulham getting something here, especially after rescuing a point against Watford last week.   i have dropped Pickford from my FF team, so you can expect him to save three penalties and keep it to nil.

Hapless Huddersfield host the resurgent (possibly) Spurs.  Its good timing for Spurs who should see this game out for the three points and can then reflect on a good return over the preceding week.  I think its too much for Huddersfield to keep them out and score more goals than Spurs.   Another home defeat will start to weigh heavy up in that traditionally unsympathetic Yorkshire.   (Big Sam’s available….)

Man City will hopefully, finally, achieve the 100 goal in a game landmark against Brighton.  I want nature to take it's course with this one, with Fernandinio and Jesus netting a few times each and no goals conceded.  My FF team really needs that and as no one cares about Brighton - so that seems OK by me. 

Those furious Geordie funsters welcome hit & miss Leicester.   I suspect that Newcastle will try to attack but I don’t feel they have enough power to get in front and stay in front.  It is impossible to imagine how much more angry they can get, up there - but it’ll be fun finding out.   Leicester are at best inconsistent.  They could win this by simply having a bit more nouse than Newcastle.  I wonder if the players decide what result to achieve on the basis of how much pain to inflict on Puel?  I think they only win from time to time to keep him in the job, so they can carry on bullying him.  I’m saying 1-2, with the Foxes coming back from one down.

Wolves should beat Southampton and I doubt anyone will be surprised.  The have shown pep, vim, vigour and pizzazz.  Southampton have very much not.  Could be 2-0,  might be more - but unlikely.  Although Southampton have the ability to score.  Maybe 2-1, then.

Chelsea v Liverpool - well it seems like only yesterday……    This is the Bobby-Dazzler fixture of the day.  After both trying to score nine goals each last night, you wonder if this one will be more tactical and compact.   Meh - not a chance.  Liverpool love running towards the opposition goal very fast.  Chelsea love kicking the ball about and giving Hazard increasingly unlikely positions to score wonder gaols from.  A 9 goal thriller is more than possible.  If Chelsea can shackle Liverpool and score twice - their odds for the league will plummet.  My head says 2-2 - but my heart says ‘I don’t care - lets watch a bunch of grown men run around like 5 year olds filled with Sunny D’.

In the EFL,  Stoke go to Rotherham and will lose 3-2.  No, thats not fair - Stoke have marginally better form and will be desperate to arrest their terminal mediocrity.  Both teams will fancy the win. Honours even at 0-0 I reckon. 

Sunday - its my fun day, as the Bangles memorably sang.  If that is the case, they have very low fun thresholds as the only match is Burnley travelling to Cardiff.   Perfect match for Dyhce’s Gallacticos (seems that last weekend Burnley v Bournemouth was El Classico!!).  Winning this is distinctly probable and two out of two wins makes the table very different for them.  Cardiff have done next to nothing and don’t have the players to achieve a lot more. Two nil to Burnley and even the pre-match TV hype will have to work hard to make this a better proposition than visiting the in-law's,  or de-worming your neighbour's cat.

Things conclude around 2200 Monday with mighty Palace probably limping off the pitch at Bournemouth.  Ignore Wednesday’s 3-0 cup win - we still have trouble scoring.  Bournemouth are a physical team and there will be a few ‘early straighteners’ put on Zaha and anyone else in a Palace shirt that shows composure or enterprise.   Can’t see us getting much out of this to be honest.  We should, on paper - but that's not were they play.  A dull, eye-watering tedious nil all would be lovely, though. 

Man Utd reverting to their petulant teenage alter-ego's and Everton suddenly  remembering how to play football.  Damn that Pickford and his clean-sheet!  Never mind I put Ederson between the sticks and doubled up by making him captain. 

Encouraging for @Eoin with Stoke fighting back for the point, and by all accounts being the better team all match.  Bolton coming to the potteries mid-week should not scare them and bringing a point back from the flatlands of East Anglia is distinctly possible on Saturday. 

The first Rotherham goal was fair enough, clumsy defending rather than malice, but he went over in the box (even if his feet were outside when he started to fall!). The hand assist for goal 2 was pretty blatant, no idea how everyone missed that one.

Foghorn

CPFC1905 said:

Foghorn said:

Is this the day that Mourinho gets canned?

That was a terrible result and will certainly not have helped his cause.  However, Man Utd - the company, are only partially concerned about results.  I heard some broad stats this week that the Glazer family receive about 50 pence for each pound earned by the 'club'.   Naturally missing out on CL next season will dent that - but otherwise league position is irrelevant until such tome as 4th or better looks out of reach.  

Pogba's a massive brand and anything to sustain that profile is good for business. There must have been millions of media impressions from that video last week.  And to be honest Jose could have said, "Got me a 4lb 60 day dry aged wing rib going on the MiniMax for lunch!'  That would make me stop in my tracks at work and stare in disbelief.

2nd last year was enough to guarantee lots of televised matches this season.  4th is not out of the question after 38 matches - and that's all the Glazers want.  That path was trod by Arsenal, but for reason of financing the stadium & debt avoidance - not expressly revenue for the owners.  

But - if he goes, who comes in?  How much will he need to be promised as a transfer kitty for January?  What do you do with Pogba?  Frankly, with that squad though - you only need a 10% improvement and they are tough to beat and have goals aplenty.  

This morning betting odds for the replacement are;
Zidane at 2/1 (+200)
Conte 6/1
Pochettino 10/1
Blanc 12/1
Allegri 14/1
Jardim & Simeone 16/1

Can't see him going any time soon myself - after all they are home to Newcastle next Saturday. Valencia on Tuesday will be a sterner test - but winning both will kill the conversation for a while. 

As I manage a number of people myself I don't remember ever thinking that a coach/manager needs to be fired mid-season because most of the time they are benignly ineffective.  However, I am concerned that Mourinho is a petulant child that has a frankly malignant effect on the culture of the club.  I worry that the longer he stays the further he will set them back.   

CPFC1905

What to do with a problem like Jose at Utd?  

Sacking him now means,
1) compensation (not necessarily a tremendous burden - but they had him on a retainer after leaving Chelsea to ensure he joined, so he is a pricey fish!) plus the costs of the backroom staff going,
2) who to bring in (see above) and none of them light my fire,
3) cost of bringing the new lad on board & his friends,
4) lead time for impact seen in results.   This is either immediate & then flatlines or very gradual.
5) Elevated transfer kitty - new man will want to bring certain players (see Sarri at Chelsea) 

If they are going to sack him, it needs to be in October to give the new chap time to get in and start the ball rolling for the Jan transfer window. This year, for the first time ever, players are not 'cup-tied' in CL & Europa League so can now play for another CL team in this season's comp. 

Running through to the end of the season - selling Pogba in January is another option.  The capital return will probably only offset the purchase price - but hit revenue more significantly. 

Do nothing - which I feel is most likely.  Early signs are that Arsenal and Spurs will make series bids for 4th spot, Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea sharing the top 3 places.  I think Utd have the quality to do that.  Perhaps an FA Cup win and/or 5th to achieve Europa League will be sufficient?  

I think its worth noting that few people over here have sympathy for Man Utd - outside of their own fans and 'golden generation' ex-players who still influence the media.   Generally people are either laughing at the situation or revelling in the fall from grace.   Were this a mid-table team, no-one would bat an eyelid.  Hoisted by their own petard comes to mind. 

CPFC1905

Well that was a disappointing end.    I, of course, blame myself.  I naively checked for a final score before the match had finished,  next thing Bournemouth get the winner.   It is an indisputable fact of science and in law that if I check for the score in-game, Palace lose.   Never mind, I suppose.  I got  that-full of FF points with Zaha assisting PVA for the goal. 

But anyway, apparently the whole football universe is only interested in Jose and Pogba (according to the Man Utd obsessed British press).  No one actually gives a monkeys.   Lets see what Valencia make of the turmoil, tonight. 

CPFC1905

@Eoin have you seen this week's David Squires?  
https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/oct/02/david-squires-on-another-week-of-fun-and-games-at-manchester-united

Shaqiri, though - just brilliant.  

CPFC1905

Bonjour and guten tag, here we go again - and its a peculiar fixture list this time with a lot of equalling out going on. 

West Ham once agin start proceedings this weekend.  Tonight - in fact fairly soon, they trundle past my house to visit the plucky seasiders of Brighton.  This is splendid news as they are on something of a run of form and with a fair wind should knock lumps off the hosts.  Friday night games are always better than lunchtime kick-offs.  There will be goals.  Pundits are saying 2-1 to Brighton, i am saying 2-1 to West Ham because Arnautovic will be too much for Lewis Dunk. Plus I am horrifically biased. 

Burnley v Huddersfield - talk about the ugly ginger step-child of the family.  I have lumped on Burnley by making one their defenders my captain in fantasy football. Burnley finding form and a run of the mill 2 - 0 home win.

Palace host Wolves.  In exciting news, a petulant and juvenile portion off the home fans have agreed to come and watch this match.  They are the ones who make all the noise and banners.  Won't bore you with why they stayed away. A bouncing crowd and early Palace goal will make this a fun match.   However, both those have been absent recently.   At least someone other than Zaha scored, albeit he got the assist.   Pundits saying 2-0 to Palace - I’d love that, but won’t bet on it.  The narrowest of one goal wins will satisfy me. You pick a score.

Leicester and Everton are in their own kind of parallel universe in performance terms.  No one can decide if that are over, under or as expected performing right now.  A close game seems likely.  I have sold Pickford but kept Sigurdsson and Chilwell.  Both of them scoring would be cosmic.  Some players will score though and points probably shared. I am saying 2-2.

Spurs are hosting Cardiff.  At least the lads from the Valleys will get to see London again.  An injury and Messi hit Tottenham will reveal the sanctuary that Warnock’s misfits will offer.  An away win seem very improbable, even if Spurs are several first choicers down.   I have sold the broken Vertonghen and bought in to the Gunners back line.  I think this match will be a high point for Spurs before injuries and CL take their toll.  1, or, 2, or 3, or 4 nil to Spurs.

Watford and Bournemouth are well matched,  in the way that UFC fighter are both muscular and tattooed.  Frankly they can kick each other to bits for all I care.  I’d prefer Bournemouth to win, if only to see Watford lose.  I think, though, that Watford will score and then Bournemouth will equalise in the 85th minute.  A draw, 8 yellow cards and may be a red.  About 20,000 fans wondering what life-choices led them to Vicarage Road when they could be literally anywhere else.

In the EFL, Stoke head to Norwich having taken a good three points form Bolton.  While The Canaries let the lead slip to late on to a good Derby side.  While the two are several places apart now, a Stoke win is not inconceivable and will see them surge up the table.   Come on Saido - get your freak on (again).

Man Utd at home to Newcastle.  A collision of the catastrophies. A melange of the miserables. The Doomsday Derby etc etc.  I say "Man Utd Get off the pot or start… you know.  Newcastle - you’re not that special, no one cares that you hate Mike Ashley”   Impossible to say what will happen,  but lets agree on a draw and therefore - ultimately nothing.  Except many visits to the UK buying half and half scarfs and taking selfies.   Fun fact though, the Glazers have extracted £1bn in the time its taken Man City’s Sheikh Mansur to invest £1.3bn in to Man City.  Just saying. 

Sunday lunchtime is sacrosanct and only roast beef should be consumed - or some other farm yard animal.  This should be hotly pursued by a lovely nap in front of the TV.   But no - this time its Arsenal nipping five miles across London the Fulham.  Its very posh around there so they should feel right at home. Somehow I doubt the game will break anyones slumber.  Arsenal have hit form - unbeaten in 7 I think.  I don’t see that changing.  Fulham will huff and puff, but not overcome the elegant ones.   Plus I have Monreal in my FF team now so a tidy 2-o away win will be nice.

Southampton Chelsea - away win.  Probably Hazard to score more than once.  The Saints have very little life about them - which seems apt.  Ok 3-1 to The Chels’ because they still have that mistake in their locker.

Liverpool Man City is your climax.  But - oddly, nobody can get their head around it.  Lat weeks Reds v Blues was a going to be fun and largely was.  This time there is a pervading sense that City just have too much guile and gumption for the plucky scousers.  The paper say Jurgen has the sign over Pep - but I think thats just to boost pay per view.     I am pleased to see Sturridge back in form though - I have always liked watching him, but not sure why.  I can see Man City easing to a 2-0 here, frankly Liverpool will be knackered from 2 x Chelsea’s and a Napoli.  City just have the deeper squad.

Eoin

Your bias failed to win the day, not a problem for me as Brighton is just meh, whereas I always like seeing the Hammers lose, especially since the hilarious joke of Arnautovic leaving Stoke for a 'bigger and more ambitious' club.

Meanwhile, Stoke on a roll .........

CPFC1905

West Ham area collection of odd-bods.  

I am forming the conclusion that this season the PL will separate out, one relegation spot to avoid and the top 5 fighting for 4 places.   I feel Man City have enough - but Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs will exclude Utd from Europe.    Cardiff just aren't good enough and Huddersfield have found a rich vein of poor form.  Palace escaped the worst ever start to a season last year,  I just don't see those two having the faculties to do the same.  

That leave 11 teams variously wining and losing against each other in the 'peloton'. 

There's word of Rafa being wanted by Villa - that would be cataclysmic up there in Geordie land.  Although I think his presence would be part of any take-over bid. 

Eoin

Surely Rafa would need a huge cast iron transfer pot to jump to Villa?

Fortunately for Palace, the competition for the bottom spots will be fierce. I'd guess that the race for 40 points will go on until late in the season for a lot of clubs.

CPFC1905

@Eoin
The dreaded vote of confidence : https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/06/jose-mourinho-manchester-united-board-back-manager  

Eoin

CPFC1905 said:

@Eoin
The dreaded vote of confidence : https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/06/jose-mourinho-manchester-united-board-back-manager  

It's a coded invite for other managers to apply for the job.

YEMTrey

https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/10/05/report-mourinho-to-be-fired-after-newcastle-match/

CPFC1905

Good result for Stoke, miserable for Palace.  I called the red card in the Watford game - otherwise all a bit meh.
As I type, the Man U team are trying their best to compound the dreaded vote of confidence by the board in Jose.    The end is near I suspect.  International break then 6 weeks until il the transfer window opens. 

Foghorn

Late stay of execution?

CPFC1905

Foghorn said:

Late stay of execution?

Got to love 'Moo' though,  here is another a classic post-match comment from him last night;
"There is too much talking. I have begun to feel that if it rains in London tomorrow it is my fault. If people don’t like Brexit it is my fault."

As an aside, Newcastle fans are incandescent. 

Eoin

Tight at the top of the table, 3 on 20 points and 2 on 18 points. 

Meanwhile, 9 teams running at a point a game or less.

If the top 5 keep this form going, the title race will be exciting, but it will be pretty miserable in the bottom half of the table.

YEMTrey

Arsenal starting to realize their potential?

CPFC1905

Suddenly the press over here has woken up to their 9 game winning run being something worthy of comment, rather than Jose's mood and Pogba's ego. 

Foghorn

Netherlands is back? Or Germany has a long way to go?  Or both?

CPFC1905

Tricky times for Joachim Low.   The Dutch are not great and seemed to have little bother dealing with them.   Historically this has been a grudge match too.
Time for a change at the top?

And over the border,  tricky questions being asked about the Belgian football 'trade' too.

Eoin

CPFC1905 said:

Tricky times for Joachim Low.   The Dutch are not great and seemed to have little bother dealing with them.   Historically this has been a grudge match too.
Time for a change at the top?

And over the border,  tricky questions being asked about the Belgian football 'trade' too.

Perennial under achievers like England. The odd good result, like our 5-1 against Germany in 2001, followed by a return to mediocrity.

CPFC1905

France, Germany and Holland have each had higher highs than us.  Belgium's successes are quite spaced apart.  
We have the most money in our national league - but probably fewest 'home' international starting every week out of all the others.  
Don't need no algorithms there,  we are just bang average - all the time.