2013-14 EPL Season

[Gatehawk]

God you're annoying Gate

Apparently anything I do annoys you, I could say I was getting married(which I'm not) and you'd say that's annoying you. I wasn't even trying to mock Liverpool or anything, I was just asking a simple yes or no question.

showing a gif of or centerback pounding the ground in frustration after a 3-1 loss and you dont see how thats annoying...

i dont see marriage in your future anytime soon.

anyways, big games today. be interested to see how Everton-United fare and Arsenal at Hull. I see Arsenals midfield doing exactly what Liverpools didnt, and hopefully setting a marker for Rodgers to follow in the Jan market

Two words Si: BENDTNER SCORED!

Is that not a jawdropper or what?

 

[Uncle Si]

Really more amazing than Suarez' 40 yard chip... Bendtner? I'm in shock, as is Hull

 

[Gatehawk]

Really more amazing than Suarez' 40 yard chip... Bendtner? I'm in shock, as is Hull

No just the words Bendtner and scored alone together in the same sentence is the shock. That was a great goal by Suarez though.

 

[Uncle Si]

Really more amazing than Suarez' 40 yard chip... Bendtner? I'm in shock, as is Hull

No just the words Bendtner and scored alone together in the same sentence is the shock. That was a great goal by Suarez though.

His 3rd may have been better.

I have to admit, i was delighted to see Bendtner on the team sheet... but what do I know, i'm not French

 

[Hawkspur]

That Suarez bloke's alright, eh.

I've been watching the Fulham Spurs game which was a cracker. I wish one or two of those incredibly dull same fixtures I went to in years past were a bit more like this one.

 

[InSuarezWeTrust]

It's Suarez's world and we are all just living in it.

 

[Gatehawk]

Apart from a few nervy moments, that was as comfortable as it could've been for Arsenal today. Hull barely threatened and when they did, it wasn't that dangerous. I know I probably wasn't the only one who stopped celebrating for a few seconds after the first goal when I realized who it was that scored it, I mean who even remembers the last time Bendtner started a Premier League match for Arsenal, let alone score in one unless they look it up. I can't even believe it that I was impressed with Bendtner's performance. Oh and Ozil, almost forgot about that "overrated" player who's got 3 assists and 1 goal in his last 3 appearances, what a great goal by Ozil finishing off a perfect through ball by Ramsey. The game was so good that, I swear to God, I thought I was hearing "In Arsene We Trust" chants at one point.

 

[Gatehawk]

I'm just grateful we have Suarez now that Sturridge is out for a bit. The two of them together are deadly, but one or the other is enough to win some games. Funny how Moyes leaving Everton made them better....and United much worse.

Don't you mean Moyes and Fellaini?

 

[Uncle Si]

I'm just grateful we have Suarez now that Sturridge is out for a bit. The two of them together are deadly, but one or the other is enough to win some games. Funny how Moyes leaving Everton made them better....and United much worse.

What a day for Suarez... 3 world class goals (first and third are instant candidates for goal of the year. 1st was the better) and 4 on the day.

Would have liked to have seen Aspas. Seems its time to work him into the fold.

Everton look the part. Shitty....

 

[Uncle Si]

I'm just grateful we have Suarez now that Sturridge is out for a bit. The two of them together are deadly, but one or the other is enough to win some games. Funny how Moyes leaving Everton made them better....and United much worse.

Don't you mean Moyes and Fellaini?

To be honest, in watchting the game (I watched it later that night), United deserved far better. they didnt play great, but hit the bar like 3 (maybe 4 times) and missed some golden chances. Everton were never really dangerous outside a quick break and the goal came late off of one of those really poorly hit shots that turn into the perfect cross.

I dont see Everton as better (they were good last year) because of Moyes/Martinez... they've got three great players on loan who inject quality in the side and the remarkable emergency of Ross Barkley (a Liverpool resident who our academy inexplicably missed ala Rooney)

They are certainly a solid group though, and a real threat at top 4 (for now, i feel like depth will be their undoing)

United's problems do much deeper. They lack pace and quality through the midfield (sounds familiar) and if their strikers cant bail them out they get stuck (again... sounds familair). this is a new issue for United, and I dont think necessarily one of Moyes creation. It was obvious in his transfer dealings in the summer he desperately wanted an attacking midfielder, and we can see why. Wile Kagawa probably deserved more time early in the season, he's getting it now and not doing the most with it.

I will gleefully watch United struggle. I feel it can go two ways... continue to be a horror show of inconsistency to the point where the pressure unravels them, or they simply get better through the midfield and make a concerted charge at the top 4 in February-April.

 

[Gatehawk]

I dont see Everton as better (they were good last year) because of Moyes/Martinez... they've got three great players on loan who inject quality in the side and the remarkable emergency of Ross Barkley (a Liverpool resident who our academy inexplicably missed ala Rooney).

Definitely when we're talking about that, Lukaku comes to mind right away, Mourinho is stupid to think Chelsea is fine without him. Also gotta think Tim Howard also has played a key role in Everton's performance this season.

 

[Gatehawk]

Daily Mail put up an interesting article about where the teams would be without the contributions of their loan signings, and as you'd probably expect, Lukaku is a key difference maker for Everton.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... ukaku.html

 

[Uncle Si]

Aye, that'll do, aye.

Indeed.... Now the tricky part. Spurs Chelsea and City away with Cardiff at home sprinkled in. Can we get 5 points from those 4? Would give us 35 after 19 and all our major fixtures home the second time through..

I think 70-74 takes 4th

 

[Gatehawk]

Can't say much about the game as I was at work at the time, but I suppose it's a fair result, Everton aren't exactly that easy to break down, and they're gonna take points from a lot of top sides. The players definitely had their focus split today, with the crucial CL match in Naples on Wednesday, from what I did see. In the end Arsenal at least extended their lead to 5 points and I'll take, would've preferred it to be 7.

 

[Gatehawk]

Interesting draw today as the 3rd round matches of the FA cup were decided and easily the highlight of the draw is the North London Derby. Looking into it, it's the first time in almost 6 years that Arsenal and Spurs will meet outside of the EPL. I think it'll be a good game, though Spurs are gonna have the tougher go as they've lost each of their last 3 trips to the Emirates by a combined 11-2 score. Still hope it's a good game(and it ends with the Red side of North London on top again).

The other intriguing match ups include: Liverpool vs Oldham or Mansfield(the Reds played both teams in last years FA Cup, if you recall, with Oldham eliminating them), and Man United vs Swansea.

 

[Uncle Si]

Arsenal extremely lucky today. Everton should feel hard done-by to not pick up all three.

I dont know, I didnt see it that way. Thought Everton did a masterful job with their high press in the first half, but cant say they created much (aside from disruption) from it. the last 10 minutes of the first half and the first nearly 35 of the second really belonged to Arsenal. Both goals came in, and then Giroud crashed the bar the last second.

Everton look the part of a disruptive group. I love their philosophy (they high press, attack with the dribble and will rattle bodies until cards are flashed). However, they lack final ball distribution and once youve beaten their press they are very susceptible in the back. if not for Tim Howard they should have been down a goal entering the break.

Arsenal in the meanwhile finally took that stomach punch. They were outplayed physically and tactically for the better part of 35 minutes... they found their nerve but still lost 2 points. Everton may have found that blue print on taking away their strength (midfield).. they really offer very little from the striker position alone (Giroud works wonderfully with advancing mids, but not in isolation as a Suarez, Rooney, RvP, Torres in his prime would)

 

[Gatehawk]

Looking at the results of this weekend, you can easily say Arsenal didn't have the best, but they didn't have the worst. City dropping points(on the road again) is worse than Arsenal dropping points to a very well organised Everton side, who's extremely difficult to take max points from this year, and then there's Chelsea losing to Stoke, don't really need to explain that.

Yeah it's probably gonna be seen as 2 points dropped for the Gunners, but it could end up being a crucial point gained in the end, remember each of the last 2 seasons Arsenal qualified for the Champions League by a single point both times. And a 5 point cushion can be huge for them cause, worse case scenario for them, they would be only 1 behind anyone who leapfrogs them after the next two league games against City and Chelsea(both of which seem to be having Jekyll and Hyde type seasons).

 

[Uncle Si]

Looking at the results of this weekend, you can easily say Arsenal didn't have the best, but they didn't have the worst. City dropping points(on the road again) is worse than Arsenal dropping points to a very well organised Everton side, who's extremely difficult to take max points from this year, and then there's Chelsea losing to Stoke, don't really need to explain that.

Yeah it's probably gonna be seen as 2 points dropped for the Gunners, but it could end up being a crucial point gained in the end, remember each of the last 2 seasons Arsenal qualified for the Champions League by a single point both times. And a 5 point cushion can be huge for them cause, worse case scenario for them, they would be only 1 behind anyone who leapfrogs them after the next two league games against City and Chelsea(both of which seem to be having Jekyll and Hyde type seasons).

two things...

Again, its not a "cushion". Where you sit in the table is irrelevant until March (maybe February, when you are getting through the second time through).

Arsenal is now -3 in similar fixtures from last year (a total that got them 73 points). Everyone has dropped as well (outside Liverpool, who are now +8). Keep an eye on those comparisons in looking at the point total from last year to this. Heck, 80 points might win the league this year.

Also, "dropping" points to a top 6 team is fine as long as you gain one as well. No shame in drawing any from Arsenal, Liverpool, United, City, Chelsea, Spurs, Everton either on the road or home.

Ferguson won his titles by playing those games close to the vest, never dropping three, always taking one and three when possible. But those strong United squads always took three from the lesser opponents. Arsenal (and Liverpool outside the Hull result) have done that. City and chelsea have not.

 

[Gatehawk]

two things...

Again, its not a "cushion". Where you sit in the table is irrelevant until March (maybe February, when you are getting through the second time through).

Arsenal is now -3 in similar fixtures from last year (a total that got them 73 points). Everyone has dropped as well (outside Liverpool, who are now +8). Keep an eye on those comparisons in looking at the point total from last year to this. Heck, 80 points might win the league this year.

Also, "dropping" points to a top 6 team is fine as long as you gain one as well. No shame in drawing any from Arsenal, Liverpool, United, City, Chelsea, Spurs, Everton either on the road or home.

Ferguson won his titles by playing those games close to the vest, never dropping three, always taking one and three when possible. But those strong United squads always took three from the lesser opponents. Arsenal (and Liverpool outside the Hull result) have done that. City and chelsea have not.

Would you just drop that stupid +/- similar fixtures crap. It's irrellevent to here and now. Of course Liverpool has a +8, they were 11th after 15 games last year! Arsenal are -3 you say? But last season at this point last year, they were 10th. Do you see how pointless your stats are? Arsenal are -3 now but 1st, and Liverpool are +8 and 2nd. How's about you worry about right now and not the past like the majority of Liverpool fans enjoy doing.

You really wanna get technical, Arsenal drew with Everton, who beat Chelsea and United, and had a scoreless draw with Spurs. How's that for pointless debate.

 

[Uncle Si]

Its cool that you don't get it Gate... But an epic bitch ass rant from you just the same. Don't forget to dry your crack once you rinse her.
Why don't you do this ...explain how the here and now is somehow more relevant mathematically than comparing fixtures.

I won't explain it to you again because honestly you're not able to grasp its relevance and too defensive to see any point.

I also won't point back to the numerous other posts on it and how the +/- is in relation to last years results (Liverpool's +8 is in relation to its 61 points earned last year... but hey, if you cant see how needed to go from 50+ to 70+ to grab a top 4 is relevant, well dont let me try and help point it out to you... or how City won the league with 86 and usually it takes roughly 80+ points to win the league, and right now Arsenal is on pace for 70-73.... and it changes with each result) and nothing more because pointing out these things wouldn't get through your thickheaded irrationality and ignorance. No that's just a Liverpool fan living in the past. Ridiculous but expected response given you've shown no faculty to comprehend any basic understanding of the game outside your pseudo Arsenal crush. These are the things the managers look at it. where can they grab points, what is their average points per game, not just simply looking at the table. what will it take to get top 6, top 4, win the title. Obviously it can change, but history is fairly predictable in terms of points needed. Again, dont bother reading into it. just keep pointing to the current table.

Lets take an example. Liverpool are +8 on the season and standing 2nd. However, most knowledgable supporters see a three game away stretch with Spurs, City and Chelsea coming up. they see this as determining the season. Last year we pulled 2 points from those fixtures and finished with 61 points. If we go through the stretch again the same way (which would suck) we would most lilley drop to 5th-8th. however, we would still be on pace for 70+ points. This is where being 1st, 2nd, 8th doesnt mean much. The league table will be far more important in March and April than December. I find this obvious. It doesnt surprise me you dont.

To be truthful though I will post whatever the hell I want Gate, and continue to suffer through your nonsensical illogical ramblings because as a board member I have to.

But really I just wish your mom would cut your internet off and send you back to your room to study.

Fair? Or you can f--- off. Your call kid