Premier League

[Vinjay]

They need someone to blame. How long until Whorecox takes the fall. Lancashire Telegraph hiring?

[RevidgeBlue]

What an abysmal game the Europa League final was, 90 mins of play acting, feigning serious injury, and trying to get opponents in trouble on both sides.

Pleased the Red Scum lost though. Hopefully it magnifies any financial issues they may or may not have.

How did Bruno Fernandes get away with remonstrating with the referee like he did after one of his team mates was booked? Ludicrous.

Edited yesterday at 21:14 by RevidgeBlue

[jim mk2]

Rubbish game, rubbish goal, rubbish result. Two clubs it’s difficult to like but I’d rather a dislikeable northern club beat a dislikeable southern one.  The football season drags on and on, it’s far too long. Time for cricket. 

[rigger]

7 minutes ago, jim mk2 said:

Rubbish game, rubbish goal, rubbish result. Two clubs it’s difficult to like but I’d rather a dislikeable northern club beat a dislikeable southern one.  The football season drags on and on, it’s far too long. Time for cricket. 

There is the World club cup to come.

[simongarnerisgod]

4 minutes ago, rigger said:

There is the World club cup to come.

football winding down for me,watching and betting wise,bring on the cricket,im`e not interested in that money making ****,which,after a long season for european players,will be like walking football

[jim mk2]

4 minutes ago, rigger said:

There is the World club cup to come.

No interest whatsoever. I watched tonight’s game out of curiosity with 2 English clubs involved but it was even worse than I expected. That’s it for with football for me. Our local cricket club needs help and that’s where I’ll be for the next few months until Rovers kick off another season of dashed hopes and ultimate disappointment 

[joey_big_nose]

Its incredible that two clubs who have spent between them the best part of half a billion quid can be so extravagantly awful. But so delicious! The only thing that has kept my interest in the prem has been seeing them both plummet down the table.

Terrible game but enjoyable nonetheless. I hope we can look forward to more of it next season. 

Not sure notts forest or crystal palace would take a player off either side except maybe Fernandes or Van der ven. Strange times indeed.

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, jim mk2 said:

Rubbish game, rubbish goal, rubbish result. Two clubs it’s difficult to like but I’d rather a dislikeable northern club beat a dislikeable southern one.  The football season drags on and on, it’s far too long. Time for cricket. 

Sadly Lancashire are shit this year, as they were last year.

[ageoftherover]

They can't get rid of Ange now surely.

[arbitro]

I was pleased to see Postecoglou sacrifice his principles and methods to win the game by proper defending and not over playing in the wrong areas.

It adds weight to my theory that 'Pepball' is on its way out and that there is more than one way to win a game.

 

[Upside Down]

31 minutes ago, arbitro said:

I was pleased to see Postecoglou sacrifice his principles and methods to win the game by proper defending and not over playing in the wrong areas.

It adds weight to my theory that 'Pepball' is on its way out and that there is more than one way to win a game.

 

Pepball works when you have the best players in the world at your disposal.

If you don't have that then it doesn't work.

[KentExile]

13 minutes ago, Upside Down said:

Pepball works when you have the best players in the world at your disposal.

If you don't have that then it doesn't work.

I would argue that it works when you have far better players than your competitors (which doesn't necessarily equate to the best of the world).   Like the Dingles under Kompany, or Southampton under Martin at Championship level, but hopelessly exposed in a higher division.

Kompany has gone on to be fine at Bayern, at least in Domestic games (I would argue due to the gulf in class between Bayern & everyone else), but their Champions League performances have not been stand out

Would imagine Russell Martin would also look like the genius that he thinks he is if he were in charge of Rangers or Celtic. (maybe with the exception of Old Firm games).. but would again be hopelessly exposed in European games

Edited 14 hours ago by KentExile

[arbitro]

3 minutes ago, KentExile said:

I would argue that it works when you have far better players than your competitors (which doesn't necessarily equate to the best of the world).   Like the Dingles under Kompany, or Southampton under Martin at Championship level, but hopelessly exposed in a higher division

And too many wannabes try to out football those types.

 

[oneandycrawford]

11 hours ago, jim mk2 said:

Rubbish game, rubbish goal, rubbish result. Two clubs it’s difficult to like but I’d rather a dislikeable northern club beat a dislikeable southern one.  The football season drags on and on, it’s far too long. Time for cricket. 

Agree on the fact it should be all about cricket by late May. If only Lancashire weren't so crap!

Supporting Rovers, LCC and Hornets in my three favourite sports doesn't feel like great choices ATM!

But I'm lucky enough to have the great memories from all 3 teams over the last 50+ years. You have to be in it for the long game I guess to get the perspective.

[Upside Down]

1 hour ago, KentExile said:

I would argue that it works when you have far better players than your competitors (which doesn't necessarily equate to the best of the world).   Like the Dingles under Kompany, or Southampton under Martin at Championship level, but hopelessly exposed in a higher division.

Kompany has gone on to be fine at Bayern, at least in Domestic games (I would argue due to the gulf in class between Bayern & everyone else), but their Champions League performances have not been stand out

Would imagine Russell Martin would also look like the genius that he thinks he is if he were in charge of Rangers or Celtic. (maybe with the exception of Old Firm games).. but would again be hopelessly exposed in European games

I agree with this re-evaluation.

[USABlue]

13 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

What an abysmal game the Europa League final was, 90 mins of play acting, feigning serious injury, and trying to get opponents in trouble on both sides.

Pleased the Red Scum lost though. Hopefully it magnifies any financial issues they may or may not have.

How did Bruno Fernandes get away with remonstrating with the referee like he did after one of his team mates was booked? Ludicrous.

I was ashamed to be a football fan.  How embarrassing flooping and fakin rolling around it's disgusting.  How much donthese assholes make?

  Few.mins from the end #17 goes down, rolling around slapping the ground in pain, pauses to check out what the ref is doing then goes back to acting kike he is hurt.  Replay showed no contact.  This stuff needs reviewed and serious penalties handed out.  I for i e have had enough it needs fixed.  How much did those fans pay tonwatch that disgraceful show.  Very very poor reflection on the Premier League. 

[DE.]

I'd be curious to know how Spurs fans are feeling about this season. Very weird situation they've found themselves in. 

An abominable PL campaign which may well see them finish as the 4th worst team in the division over 38 games - although theoretically they could still finish as "high" as 14th, owing to actually having remarkably solid GD for a club in 17th position. When you factor in that the three relegated clubs are just Championship level sides LARPing as PL teams for a season, though, it's still an embarrassing position to be in. They've also lost the most games in the division as it stands outside of the bottom three (Spurs 21 lost, Ipswich 23, Leicester 24, Soton 29). 

Yet, the league campaign effectively means nothing and was arguably pointless, as they've qualified for the "Champions" League regardless, thanks to the Europa League 'Get Out of Jail Free Card'. 

So, if you're a Spurs fan who basically wasted a ton of money to mostly watch your team lose week in and week out, does winning the Europa League and therefore qualifying for the CL make up for it? Or is there still some resentment there? Particularly as far from all Spurs fans who attended the league games will have been able to attend many or any of the Europa League games. 

As for Man Utd fans, well... they get to look forward to moving into a gigantic circus tent in the not-too-distant future. 

[speeeeeeedie]

1 hour ago, DE. said:

I'd be curious to know how Spurs fans are feeling about this season. Very weird situation they've found themselves in. 

An abominable PL campaign which may well see them finish as the 4th worst team in the division over 38 games - although theoretically they could still finish as "high" as 14th, owing to actually having remarkably solid GD for a club in 17th position. When you factor in that the three relegated clubs are just Championship level sides LARPing as PL teams for a season, though, it's still an embarrassing position to be in. They've also lost the most games in the division as it stands outside of the bottom three (Spurs 21 lost, Ipswich 23, Leicester 24, Soton 29). 

Yet, the league campaign effectively means nothing and was arguably pointless, as they've qualified for the "Champions" League regardless, thanks to the Europa League 'Get Out of Jail Free Card'. 

So, if you're a Spurs fan who basically wasted a ton of money to mostly watch your team lose week in and week out, does winning the Europa League and therefore qualifying for the CL make up for it? Or is there still some resentment there? Particularly as far from all Spurs fans who attended the league games will have been able to attend many or any of the Europa League games. 

As for Man Utd fans, well... they get to look forward to moving into a gigantic circus tent in the not-too-distant future. 

My guess is that Spurs fans won't care. They won a European trophy and have Wednesday night Champs League games to look forward to next year. 

As to the game, like most I wanted both teams to lose but I'll take Man U losing over Spurs. It wasn't a classic by any means but Spurs decided to park the bus which was a rare day for them. 

Man U needed 1 goal so took of 1 abysmal striker in Hojlund and replaced with with one just as ineffective in Zirkzee. Next up was a change at wing back.

Man U have some massive problems. If their aim is the top 4 they need to replace the whole squad which will cost an utter fortune, which apparently they don't have. 

[roversfan99]

It was a strange build up because both managers have performed so consistently badly that I dont think that a European trophy would make either warrant another season in charge. Its not as if they have had a disappointing season where they have finished 8th/9th/10th where a trophy can sort of excuse it, they have been shambolic. The Europa League has also been of a much poorer standard without the Champions League drop outs. Even with a trophy, I dont see how those clubs can finish where they are and convince the higher ups that they are building something.

Amorim doesnt seem to be under any pressure, obviously hes different in that he hasnt had the full season but they were 4 points off the Champions League places when he joined. I dont know if these are 100% true but he has apparently won 9 points in 5 months and has a points per game record of 0.02 per game more than Steve Kean! Hes stubbornly stuck to a system that clearly isnt working and there have been no signs of any improvement whatsoever.

[speeeeeeedie]

3 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Amorim doesnt seem to be under any pressure, obviously hes different in that he hasnt had the full season but they were 4 points off the Champions League places when he joined. I dont know if these are 100% true but he has apparently won 9 points in 5 months and has a points per game record of 0.02 per game more than Steve Kean! Hes stubbornly stuck to a system that clearly isnt working and there have been no signs of any improvement whatsoever.

Amorim has been awful, so I hope Ratcliffe and his cronies do what they did with ten Hag and give him an extension. Not only are the players at his disposal not up to it he won't shift from playing an unworkable 3-4-3. Look what Moyes has done at Everton, or Pereira at Wolves. Adaptation is one key to being a good coach. 

His overall record is; P-40, W-15, D-10, L-15, giving him a 37.5% win rate. However, that is skewed by the Europa League. His Prem record is P-26, W-6, D-6, L-14, 23.08% win rate.

Steve Kean's Rovers Premier League record; 

Overall;   P-67, W-17, D-14, L-36, win rate 25.37%.

2010-11; P-29, W-9, D-7, L-13, win rate 31.03%.

2011-12;  P-38, W-8, D-7, L-23, win rate 21.05%.

I'd be worried if I was a Man U fan, but I'm not so I'll watch and laugh.

Edited 4 hours ago by speeeeeeedie
too many draws.

[chaddyrovers]

I watched last night game and it's wasn't the best game for neutral but I am pleased Spurs won it and pleased for Ange who I think some of the media criticism cos he said he wins things in his second season cos he set a target to actually win something over finishing top 4. 

11 hours ago, arbitro said:

I was pleased to see Postecoglou sacrifice his principles and methods to win the game by proper defending and not over playing in the wrong areas.

It adds weight to my theory that 'Pepball' is on its way out and that there is more than one way to win a game.

 

Ange has played different in knock out games like the League Cup semi final against Liverpool or in the Europa League game against Frankfurt. 

I think we have seen it already that teams are playing very different currently like Liverpool or Newcastle getting good results

4 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

It was a strange build up because both managers have performed so consistently badly that I dont think that a European trophy would make either warrant another season in charge. Its not as if they have had a disappointing season where they have finished 8th/9th/10th where a trophy can sort of excuse it, they have been shambolic. The Europa League has also been of a much poorer standard without the Champions League drop outs. Even with a trophy, I dont see how those clubs can finish where they are and convince the higher ups that they are building something.

Amorim doesnt seem to be under any pressure, obviously hes different in that he hasnt had the full season but they were 4 points off the Champions League places when he joined. I dont know if these are 100% true but he has apparently won 9 points in 5 months and has a points per game record of 0.02 per game more than Steve Kean! Hes stubbornly stuck to a system that clearly isnt working and there have been no signs of any improvement whatsoever.

Ange accepted that the PL performances haven't been good but they just lifted a trophy and got a champions league place which I'm sure every Spurs would have accepted. Why would you sack him, surely its the time to add 3 or 4 quality signings and build on it not rip it up again

I can't comment on the overall quality of the competition as this is the first game I have watched of this competition cos of 2 English teams but I would say that Champions League drop outs shouldn't be entering this competition, They are in the champions League and when they are knock out, they are knock out for the season. 

You are right that Amorin isn't under pressure at United as Ratcliffe has said previously, they knew this managerial change wasn't a short term appointment and don't forget Amorin didn't want to take charge until this summer cos he knew his tactics and this squad isn't suited to his formation and he said this is formation and he ain't changing it. The board are backing him with some signings and overhaul of the squad, they have already lined up Delap(who has been for talks there) deal from Ipswich and Cunha deal from Wolves, but they need much more than those 2. 

[roversfan99]

8 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

I watched last night game and it's wasn't the best game for neutral but I am pleased Spurs won it and pleased for Ange who I think some of the media criticism cos he said he wins things in his second season cos he set a target to actually win something over finishing top 4. 

Ange has played different in knock out games like the League Cup semi final against Liverpool or in the Europa League game against Frankfurt. 

I think we have seen it already that teams are playing very different currently like Liverpool or Newcastle getting good results

Ange accepted that the PL performances haven't been good but they just lifted a trophy and got a champions league place which I'm sure every Spurs would have accepted. Why would you sack him, surely its the time to add 3 or 4 quality signings and build on it not rip it up again

I can't comment on the overall quality of the competition as this is the first game I have watched of this competition cos of 2 English teams but I would say that Champions League drop outs shouldn't be entering this competition, They are in the champions League and when they are knock out, they are knock out for the season. 

You are right that Amorin isn't under pressure at United as Ratcliffe has said previously, they knew this managerial change wasn't a short term appointment and don't forget Amorin didn't want to take charge until this summer cos he knew his tactics and this squad isn't suited to his formation and he said this is formation and he ain't changing it. The board are backing him with some signings and overhaul of the squad, they have already lined up Delap(who has been for talks there) deal from Ipswich and Cunha deal from Wolves, but they need much more than those 2. 

I agree that Champions League teams shouldnt drop into the Europa League. But the quality of the Europa League is undoubtedly weaker as a result.

You are fixated with the idea of just backing any manager ever, aside from Ismael. 

A manager only warrants backing if he shows enough to justify that time and those resources. There have been absolutely no signs whatsoever that anything is building under Amorim. His record is worse that Steve Kean, they are 16th in the league. He is stubbornly sticking to a style and formation that doesnt suit the majority of his squad, why that is a positive trait im none the wiser. Im glad they are keeping him because its funny, but he certainly hasnt done enough to warrant millions to spend and another season. 

Its not like either Spurs or United have slightly underachieved. Its hard to even fathom quite how dreadful they have both been, 16th and 17th in the table, both on less than 40 points with a game to go. On what planet that warrants more time and a big transfer kitty, I do not know.

Lets hope they both keep their managers and their woeful form continues into next season because it is certainly very funny.

[chaddyrovers]

18 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I agree that Champions League teams shouldnt drop into the Europa League. But the quality of the Europa League is undoubtedly weaker as a result.

Its weaker cos other leagues aren't a strong as our league is and your better teams are in champions league, that's what the clubs and UEFA wanted

18 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

You are fixated with the idea of just backing any manager ever, aside from Ismael. 

No, I want to give them time to build a team and I think some clubs are far too impatient 

On Ismael, Yes I did but so did plenty of others. I did cos their performances were poor and I could see our playoff place slippery away. Yourself did plenty of comments on Ismael's early games and you were unhappy about the results. 

18 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

A manager only warrants backing if he shows enough to justify that time and those resources. There have been absolutely no signs whatsoever that anything is building under Amorim. His record is worse that Steve Kean, they are 16th in the league. He is stubbornly sticking to a style and formation that doesnt suit the majority of his squad, why that is a positive trait im none the wiser. Im glad they are keeping him because its funny, but he certainly hasnt done enough to warrant millions to spend and another season. 

Its not like either Spurs or United have slightly underachieved. Its hard to even fathom quite how dreadful they have both been, 16th and 17th in the table, both on less than 40 points with a game to go. On what planet that warrants more time and a big transfer kitty, I do not know.

Lets hope they both keep their managers and their woeful form continues into next season because it is certainly very funny.

SPURS WON A TROPHY. End of story and that is what Football is about, winning things. 

On Spurs, their league performances weren't good enough as Ange has said but having a number of key defenders out and attacking players didn't help them plus they win a trophy and got champions League football, Ange set winning a trophy as the aim, and he and the players delivered that. I would take poor league position if we won a trophy, cos you will never forget winning it or being at Stadium celebrating that win with the fans, players and staff.. From your comments you clearly wouldn't. sad really

United only made a change during this season and they knew this squad didn't ft how Amorim's style of play and tactics but they accepted that and appoint him. Now its need signings to make his tactics work. Also Amorim warned that this would happened when appointed there and he was right. All what you seem to forget again. The problem started here 12 months when they were indecisive over Ten Hag going or staying, even speaking to a number of different managers about the role including Amorim supposedly.  

[roversfan99]

18 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Its weaker cos other leagues aren't a strong as our league is and your better teams are in champions league, that's what the clubs and UEFA wanted

No, I want to give them time to build a team and I think some clubs are far too impatient 

On Ismael, Yes I did but so did plenty of others. I did cos their performances were poor and I could see our playoff place slippery away. Yourself did plenty of comments on Ismael's early games and you were unhappy about the results. 

SPURS WON A TROPHY. End of story and that is what Football is about, winning things. 

On Spurs, their league performances weren't good enough as Ange has said but having a number of key defenders out and attacking players didn't help them plus they win a trophy and got champions League football, Ange set winning a trophy as the aim, and he and the players delivered that. I would take poor league position if we won a trophy, cos you will never forget winning it or being at Stadium celebrating that win with the fans, players and staff.. From your comments you clearly wouldn't. sad really

United only made a change during this season and they knew this squad didn't ft how Amorim's style of play and tactics but they accepted that and appoint him. Now its need signings to make his tactics work. Also Amorim warned that this would happened when appointed there and he was right. All what you seem to forget again. The problem started here 12 months when they were indecisive over Ten Hag going or staying, even speaking to a number of different managers about the role including Amorim supposedly.  

I definitely didn't say that about winning a trophy. I just think that for a team so expensively assembled, to have had such a bad league season (like I said, its hard to fathom quite how bad it is, 17th is ridiculous) and having consistently been so poor, I don't get how the powers that be would see Ange as the man to take them forward.

I would love to know aside from all the generic spiel, what you have seen from United under Amorim in terms of green shoots to make you think that he is the man to potentially push them on? Have you seen anything at all that his tactics will eventually work?

I hope they fail badly and from what I have seen, he is the man to do that so hopefully they keep him.

And yes, I did criticise Ismael and would have welcomed a change. You clearly don't understand my point about hypocrisy if that's a counter argument. It is you that is disgusted when a head coach is sacked 6 months, a year or even 2 years in, so it is then a bit rich when at your own club you welcomed a change after 8 games.

Edited 2 hours ago by roversfan99

[chaddyrovers]

29 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I definitely didn't say that about winning a trophy. I just think that for a team so expensively assembled, to have had such a bad league season (like I said, its hard to fathom quite how bad it is, 17th is ridiculous) and having consistently been so poor, I don't get how the powers that be would see Ange as the man to take them forward.

He has just won their first trophy for years. They are reasons why their league position is awful which Ange accepted wasn't good enough but he delivered on his target on winning a trophy, yes a trophy, something they are celebrate. 

29 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I would love to know aside from all the generic spiel, what you have seen from United under Amorim in terms of green shoots to make you think that he is the man to potentially push them on? Have you seen anything at all that his tactics will eventually work?

clearly didn't read a thing I replied about United situation and what Amorim said at the start of the reign there. His prediction was right and it was say at Sporting when he took over mid season. 

29 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

And yes, I did criticise Ismael and would have welcomed a change. You clearly don't understand my point about hypocrisy if that's a counter argument. It is you that is disgusted when a head coach is sacked 6 months, a year or even 2 years in, so it is then a bit rich when at your own club you welcomed a change after 8 games.

Ismael proved my wrong with 4 back to back win and something happened at half time during Sheffield Wednesday which turned things around for our season. We were chasing a playoff place 

I think Watford and Hull were wrong to sack their head coaches as they did and I stand by everything I said every word of it.