Well we missed 14 chances
___________
yeah...of course we did.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Chelsea's to lose. They're the only ones who've shown any real consistency.
Realistically I don't think we (liverpool) are quite ready to actually win it this year. Same with United. Arguably spurs too.
Arsenal for me are still to solve the issues that they've had season after season. Throw into the mix the rumblings of sanchez being unsettled and it could all unravel in the usual fashion.
I still think it's going to be city or Chelsea. There's still too much individual talent in that city squad to count them out.
I also think it's unfair to call the rest of the league easy prey. West ham (an absolute shambles this year) and leicester aside, the rest of the league is as good as last year. The top 6 have just taken a massive step forward that the others are simply unable to keep up with.
Simeone, ancelotti and lowe aside, all of the greatest managers in the world are in this league at the same time. That's not something that can be said often.
comment by Greatteamswinit4times- a terrible enemy (U6008)
posted 24 minutes ago
comment by HRH King Ledley (U20095)
posted 3 minutes ago
Liverpool, much fancied and pretty consistent, could well go in to their game at United in 5th place, knowing a defeat leaves them just 2pts ahead of United in 6th.
Or they could go in to it knowing a win would take them within 2pts of Chelsea
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That's why it's such a huge game. However, points can be made up against other teams around us in head to heads. Three out of the four remaining games are at Anfield, which helps slightly.
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Of course. It just shows what a state of flux the top places are. Drawing an away game is seen as a terrible result at present, such is the collective form
I still think it's going to be city or Chelsea. There's still too much individual talent in that city squad to count them out.
..................
True, but you guys are getting better results than them with less talent.
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 1 minute ago.
I also think it's unfair to call the rest of the league easy prey. West ham (an absolute shambles this year) and leicester aside, the rest of the league is as good as last year. The top 6 have just taken a massive step forward that the others are simply unable to keep up with.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The team from 7 down collectively have about 5 wins v the top 6.
Awful
comment by White Wall (U1078)
posted 24 seconds ago
comment by Ace (U18814)
posted 46 seconds ago
If we (Spurs) didn't have Europe to worry about I think we could win the title this season. Our first 14-15 players are as good as any in this league; quality keeper backed up by a granite defence and quality DM's, some good attacking midfielders and an excellent striker. Few weaknesses in the squad for sure but we are close. But I think when Europe kicks back in we wil struggle to maintain our charge, similarly to last season, and Chelsea will probably win a closely fought battle with Liverpool. Utd to get top 4, Spurs and Arsenal to battle it out for 4th, think city will fade away and focus on the CL.
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Ace, do you think you ran of steam a bit last year?
Is it likely to happpen again, or is Poch trying to rotate his players more this year?
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Yeah I do, we were flying from December to April, but we had a blip where we had to play home & away in the Europa last 16 plus West Ham and Arsenal in 9 days. We took one point in the two league games and that hurt us. From there we never looked like catching up, plus the squad had an average age of 23 and probably mentally capitulated somewhat. Hopefully that experience will have helped them grow.
We have a better squad this season. Even though Janssen isn't scoring his presence means Kane came come off at 70mins instead of playing 90+ of every game like last year. Plus Wanyama's presence means Dembele can be rotated more and Dier is freed up to give CB relief. We have improved on last year, being 6 points better off after the same amount of games, but the league is stronger at the top and the more dramatic improvements of Chelsea & Liverpool shades our own progress a bit.
Hard to say whether it'll happen again, if we make serious progress in the EL we may elect to focus on that. We have better options and the experience gained from last year, so I hope we can utilise them and push at the top of the table again.
____________________________________
The big difference between us this season and our drop off last season is simple.
We do not press as much as we did last season, thus allowing us to finish games stronger.
The change to a 3 man defence has allowed us to be just as attacking but without it being too intense.
Our midfield is as good, if not better, than all the other top teams. Once people like Son, Sissoko & Eriksen start hitting more goals to support Kane & Dele, we will see much better results.
Excellent article. Started all serious, and pretty damn accurate. Right the way through 4 paragraphs you've pretty much nailed exactly what I think.
The last paragraph I laughed at - the worst keeper to grace the Premiership bit. He's certainly a contender so far ha. I am still very wary of City, I've got a feeling we'll be next to them come the end of the season whether it be for 1st, 4th or 6th.
You didn't mention European participation though. It's probably been mentioned in the 50 plus comments, but I think it's pretty massive. Can either knock stamina or build confidence. Can go either way; but other than that, 5s from me.
comment by Zlatan The King Ibrahimovic (U10026)
posted 27 minutes ago
Arsenals best chance is to stay within touching distance until the final months
-----
Then sack Wenger and replace him with a manager that wouldn't fack it up.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sadly I cant argue against that comment.
comment by HRH King Ledley (U20095)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 1 minute ago.
I also think it's unfair to call the rest of the league easy prey. West ham (an absolute shambles this year) and leicester aside, the rest of the league is as good as last year. The top 6 have just taken a massive step forward that the others are simply unable to keep up with.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The team from 7 down collectively have about 5 wins v the top 6.
Awful
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pretty sure I covered that in the next sentence.
They haven't gotten worse since last season. We've all just gotten a lot better.
The amount of times this year I've said to my old man "wed have lost that game last year"
Like I say West ham and leicester are the only teams who are worse.
The form that any of the top 6 are in currently would've had them comfortably clear last year.
Great article
I was talking to a colleague about this early this afternoon.
Man United would have been in the title race if it was just Chelsea we're catching, 1 team is difficult to chase, but then you put in another 4 teams and you've got a mountain to climb.
However, a win against Liverpool and I honestly can't see why we can't secure ourselves a place in the top 2 by the end of the season.
We are a draw / loss away from a meltdown on here like the other populated boards.
Next five or six games are crucial for shaping how things will continue for rest of season.
Fortunately arsenal have some easier fixtures so expect them to start a run.
Spurs will go on a run with Ali and kane scoring.
Pool will fade and suffer badly without mane imo
United will continue their run
Chelsea will stutter a little
City are out of it, can't get a run together and Pep is trying too much at once
My top 4 in no particular order will be united Chelsea arsenal spurs.
Also, to everyone saying we will fall apart without mane. Coutinho is likely to be on the bench tonight, and will almost definitely be involved to some degree against United.
He can more than fill the void
Igor, while that is true I think Mane is difficult to replace due to the pace and width he provides on the right hand side. Coutinho is a better player than Mane, but he's not a like for like replacement so it'll be interesting to see the impact losing Mane does have for the reasons I've mentioned.
I don't think you'll fall apart without him, though.
Would not be shocked at all of arsenal won it this year. Actually think on form they are the best team with heaps of depth and players like Perez welbeck and ox supplementing the good work alexis theo giroud and ozil have done already
The wenger situation will have a galvanising effect on the players too. The ozil quotes prove what we already know about what the players think of the manager
Mane has been the signing of the season in terms of impact. Unplayable when in flow and he has lifted the games of everyone else like suarez used to
Manes pace isn't irreplaceable though. Sturridge and origi both have that.
I just don't think his absence will be as big a problem as some.
If sturridge and origi both get injured tonight, which isn't beyond the realms of imagination then sure.
I think him being away hits us more depth wise than harms our starting 11. We're one injury away from sheyi ojo or Ben Woodburn starting
I don't think missing players will dictate how the Liverpool United match pans out tbh. As the cliche goes, form goes out the window and we could see an unlikely hero on the day.
In the past, we've seen plenty of unlikely match winners...
In the past, we've seen plenty of unlikely match winners
...................
JOS
Halfway through the season and top six that everyone predicted is still the top six. The order is not as certain.
I don't think either of those have the pace, movement or dribbling ability to stretch the play the way Mane does.
I'm not saying it's going to be a massive problem. But you just don't have anyone in the squad that can provide what Mane does.
You can adapt to that, of course. You won games when he was not even at the club last season, but I think he'll be a miss given how well he's playing and what he offers that others in the squad don't.
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Just over half way, so how does it look?
Page 3 of 5
posted on 11/1/17
Well we missed 14 chances
___________
yeah...of course we did.
posted on 11/1/17
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 11/1/17
Chelsea's to lose. They're the only ones who've shown any real consistency.
posted on 11/1/17
Realistically I don't think we (liverpool) are quite ready to actually win it this year. Same with United. Arguably spurs too.
Arsenal for me are still to solve the issues that they've had season after season. Throw into the mix the rumblings of sanchez being unsettled and it could all unravel in the usual fashion.
I still think it's going to be city or Chelsea. There's still too much individual talent in that city squad to count them out.
I also think it's unfair to call the rest of the league easy prey. West ham (an absolute shambles this year) and leicester aside, the rest of the league is as good as last year. The top 6 have just taken a massive step forward that the others are simply unable to keep up with.
Simeone, ancelotti and lowe aside, all of the greatest managers in the world are in this league at the same time. That's not something that can be said often.
posted on 11/1/17
comment by Greatteamswinit4times- a terrible enemy (U6008)
posted 24 minutes ago
comment by HRH King Ledley (U20095)
posted 3 minutes ago
Liverpool, much fancied and pretty consistent, could well go in to their game at United in 5th place, knowing a defeat leaves them just 2pts ahead of United in 6th.
Or they could go in to it knowing a win would take them within 2pts of Chelsea
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That's why it's such a huge game. However, points can be made up against other teams around us in head to heads. Three out of the four remaining games are at Anfield, which helps slightly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course. It just shows what a state of flux the top places are. Drawing an away game is seen as a terrible result at present, such is the collective form
posted on 11/1/17
I still think it's going to be city or Chelsea. There's still too much individual talent in that city squad to count them out.
..................
True, but you guys are getting better results than them with less talent.
posted on 11/1/17
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 1 minute ago.
I also think it's unfair to call the rest of the league easy prey. West ham (an absolute shambles this year) and leicester aside, the rest of the league is as good as last year. The top 6 have just taken a massive step forward that the others are simply unable to keep up with.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The team from 7 down collectively have about 5 wins v the top 6.
Awful
posted on 11/1/17
comment by White Wall (U1078)
posted 24 seconds ago
comment by Ace (U18814)
posted 46 seconds ago
If we (Spurs) didn't have Europe to worry about I think we could win the title this season. Our first 14-15 players are as good as any in this league; quality keeper backed up by a granite defence and quality DM's, some good attacking midfielders and an excellent striker. Few weaknesses in the squad for sure but we are close. But I think when Europe kicks back in we wil struggle to maintain our charge, similarly to last season, and Chelsea will probably win a closely fought battle with Liverpool. Utd to get top 4, Spurs and Arsenal to battle it out for 4th, think city will fade away and focus on the CL.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ace, do you think you ran of steam a bit last year?
Is it likely to happpen again, or is Poch trying to rotate his players more this year?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah I do, we were flying from December to April, but we had a blip where we had to play home & away in the Europa last 16 plus West Ham and Arsenal in 9 days. We took one point in the two league games and that hurt us. From there we never looked like catching up, plus the squad had an average age of 23 and probably mentally capitulated somewhat. Hopefully that experience will have helped them grow.
We have a better squad this season. Even though Janssen isn't scoring his presence means Kane came come off at 70mins instead of playing 90+ of every game like last year. Plus Wanyama's presence means Dembele can be rotated more and Dier is freed up to give CB relief. We have improved on last year, being 6 points better off after the same amount of games, but the league is stronger at the top and the more dramatic improvements of Chelsea & Liverpool shades our own progress a bit.
Hard to say whether it'll happen again, if we make serious progress in the EL we may elect to focus on that. We have better options and the experience gained from last year, so I hope we can utilise them and push at the top of the table again.
____________________________________
The big difference between us this season and our drop off last season is simple.
We do not press as much as we did last season, thus allowing us to finish games stronger.
The change to a 3 man defence has allowed us to be just as attacking but without it being too intense.
Our midfield is as good, if not better, than all the other top teams. Once people like Son, Sissoko & Eriksen start hitting more goals to support Kane & Dele, we will see much better results.
posted on 11/1/17
Excellent article. Started all serious, and pretty damn accurate. Right the way through 4 paragraphs you've pretty much nailed exactly what I think.
The last paragraph I laughed at - the worst keeper to grace the Premiership bit. He's certainly a contender so far ha. I am still very wary of City, I've got a feeling we'll be next to them come the end of the season whether it be for 1st, 4th or 6th.
You didn't mention European participation though. It's probably been mentioned in the 50 plus comments, but I think it's pretty massive. Can either knock stamina or build confidence. Can go either way; but other than that, 5s from me.
posted on 11/1/17
5 paragraphs ***^
posted on 11/1/17
comment by Zlatan The King Ibrahimovic (U10026)
posted 27 minutes ago
Arsenals best chance is to stay within touching distance until the final months
-----
Then sack Wenger and replace him with a manager that wouldn't fack it up.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sadly I cant argue against that comment.
posted on 11/1/17
comment by HRH King Ledley (U20095)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 1 minute ago.
I also think it's unfair to call the rest of the league easy prey. West ham (an absolute shambles this year) and leicester aside, the rest of the league is as good as last year. The top 6 have just taken a massive step forward that the others are simply unable to keep up with.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The team from 7 down collectively have about 5 wins v the top 6.
Awful
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pretty sure I covered that in the next sentence.
They haven't gotten worse since last season. We've all just gotten a lot better.
The amount of times this year I've said to my old man "wed have lost that game last year"
Like I say West ham and leicester are the only teams who are worse.
The form that any of the top 6 are in currently would've had them comfortably clear last year.
posted on 11/1/17
Great article
I was talking to a colleague about this early this afternoon.
Man United would have been in the title race if it was just Chelsea we're catching, 1 team is difficult to chase, but then you put in another 4 teams and you've got a mountain to climb.
However, a win against Liverpool and I honestly can't see why we can't secure ourselves a place in the top 2 by the end of the season.
We are a draw / loss away from a meltdown on here like the other populated boards.
posted on 11/1/17
Next five or six games are crucial for shaping how things will continue for rest of season.
Fortunately arsenal have some easier fixtures so expect them to start a run.
Spurs will go on a run with Ali and kane scoring.
Pool will fade and suffer badly without mane imo
United will continue their run
Chelsea will stutter a little
City are out of it, can't get a run together and Pep is trying too much at once
My top 4 in no particular order will be united Chelsea arsenal spurs.
posted on 11/1/17
Good article Biggish
posted on 11/1/17
Also, to everyone saying we will fall apart without mane. Coutinho is likely to be on the bench tonight, and will almost definitely be involved to some degree against United.
He can more than fill the void
posted on 11/1/17
Igor, while that is true I think Mane is difficult to replace due to the pace and width he provides on the right hand side. Coutinho is a better player than Mane, but he's not a like for like replacement so it'll be interesting to see the impact losing Mane does have for the reasons I've mentioned.
I don't think you'll fall apart without him, though.
posted on 11/1/17
Would not be shocked at all of arsenal won it this year. Actually think on form they are the best team with heaps of depth and players like Perez welbeck and ox supplementing the good work alexis theo giroud and ozil have done already
The wenger situation will have a galvanising effect on the players too. The ozil quotes prove what we already know about what the players think of the manager
posted on 11/1/17
Mane has been the signing of the season in terms of impact. Unplayable when in flow and he has lifted the games of everyone else like suarez used to
posted on 11/1/17
Manes pace isn't irreplaceable though. Sturridge and origi both have that.
I just don't think his absence will be as big a problem as some.
If sturridge and origi both get injured tonight, which isn't beyond the realms of imagination then sure.
I think him being away hits us more depth wise than harms our starting 11. We're one injury away from sheyi ojo or Ben Woodburn starting
posted on 11/1/17
Mane or Wanyama for me.
posted on 11/1/17
I don't think missing players will dictate how the Liverpool United match pans out tbh. As the cliche goes, form goes out the window and we could see an unlikely hero on the day.
In the past, we've seen plenty of unlikely match winners...
posted on 11/1/17
In the past, we've seen plenty of unlikely match winners
...................
JOS
posted on 11/1/17
Halfway through the season and top six that everyone predicted is still the top six. The order is not as certain.
posted on 11/1/17
I don't think either of those have the pace, movement or dribbling ability to stretch the play the way Mane does.
I'm not saying it's going to be a massive problem. But you just don't have anyone in the squad that can provide what Mane does.
You can adapt to that, of course. You won games when he was not even at the club last season, but I think he'll be a miss given how well he's playing and what he offers that others in the squad don't.
Page 3 of 5