›

"Back of the net!": The Football Thread

1…229230232234235…523

Comments

  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,109
    I don't think Van Dijk is the issue at all, his stats are good as a defender, Klopp could get a few more top class Defenders in. The issue is how Klopp sets his team up to defend.
  • jobojobo
    Posts: 7,507
    TheWizardOfIce wrote: »
    TripAces wrote: »
    Make PLAYERS EARN it.
    TheWizardOfIce wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    Defence and attack are not completely seperated entities. When your game is about pressing high and dominating the game, it won't help organizing the back four by someone who wants to sit deep and absorb pressure. The defensive line has to react in cohesion with what the rest of the team does. The reason it works for Pulis is that his entire team sits low and compact. A reactive back four coupled with an agressive, high pressing midfield, is a recipe for complete disaster!

    Klopp needs to sort out his defence. But bringing in Pulis is certainly not the answer.

    This is very true. But at least bring someone in who understands the meaning of the word as at the moment we are gegen nowhere.

    A point the least Spurs deserved in the second half. No wonder Jurgen ran down the touchline like a lunatic as he thought he'd got away with murder by nicking the 3 points.

    The guy clearly hasn't paid much attention over the years as with 2 mins on the clock and the laughable pretence of a defence he puts out there was more than enough time for a Spurs equaliser and possibly a winner.

    I swear, this is the only sport in which fans think in terms of what is deserved as opposed to what is earned. It's madness.

    ???

    I didn't see any players standing around not earning their money yesterday.

    The Liverpool players worked like dogs so you could say they earned it. They were let down by their manager's infantile lack of understanding of basic physiology by asking them to sprint the whole match. Jurgen is like an F1 driver who comes into the pits for his last set of tyres then goes off at the absolute limit building up a massive lead. Then he's all confused when people start cruising past him on the final lap because he's worn the tyres down to canvas and can barely get around the track, while other more pragmatic drivers have conserved their tyres.

    The Spurs players worked their way back into it and showed bottle and spirit not to give up so they earned it as well.

    So I guess a draw the far result over the whole piece.

    But there's a myriad of factors as to why football matches are won and lost. If it's who ran the furthest and thus 'earned' it that is your criteria then I suggest you watch the marathon instead as the fact that a 30 yard screamer or an OG can in an instant rob you of what your hard work deserved is what makes football interesting.

    One of the greatest quotes - 'Football, bloody hell!' - was in a match where Utd were entirely outplayed apart for the last 2 mins of stoppage time. Surely Bayern earned that victory? But sadly for them the history book begs to differ. The fact that in football you can nick what you don't deserve is a wonderful thing that most sports don't have.
    jobo wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    TheWizardOfIce wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    Defence and attack are not completely seperated entities. When your game is about pressing high and dominating the game, it won't help organizing the back four by someone who wants to sit deep and absorb pressure. The defensive line has to react in cohesion with what the rest of the team does. The reason it works for Pulis is that his entire team sits low and compact. A reactive back four coupled with an agressive, high pressing midfield, is a recipe for complete disaster!

    Klopp needs to sort out his defence. But bringing in Pulis is certainly not the answer.

    This is very true. But at least bring someone in who understands the meaning of the word as at the moment we are gegen nowhere.

    A point the least Spurs deserved in the second half. No wonder Jurgen ran down the touchline like a lunatic as he thought he'd got away with murder by nicking the 3 points.

    The guy clearly hasn't paid much attention over the years as with 2 mins on the clock and the laughable pretence of a defence he puts out there was more than enough time for a Spurs equaliser and possibly a winner.


    It is strange, as the defence was reasonsbly solid during his Dortmund days. It consisted of better players, sure, but still...

    Who were his defensive players at Dortmund?


    I cannot spell their names properly... :P I'll try... The usual back four was Pisczek, Subotic, Hummels and Schmelzer... or something like that... ;)

    Do we know if he inherited these players or assembled that defence himself? Because if so he was either lucky first time round or he has lost the ability to marshal a competent defence.

    Also the lack of winter break and the fact that premier league matches are already played at an intense pace might also be limiting the efficacy of gegenpressing this time round. It's worrying though that three seasons in he shows no sign of tailoring his approach. Last season we dropped off a cliff post New Year and the signs are starting to show again as yesterday from 65 mins every player looked like they were carrying a fridge on their backs. Except Karius of course who is just shite.


    I am not sure about specific players exactly, but he did assemble most of the Dortmund team himself.

    It is curious actually, as he did in fact adapt his approach with Dortmund for the Champions League. The year they seriously challenge for the title in the 12/13 season, they pressed deeper than in his first seasons in charge.
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent
    Posts: 12,526
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Really chuffed that we beat Middlesbrough yesterday. Another important win, just a shame we remain 8 points off the play offs. Slowly but surely though we are heading in the right direction.

    The Tettey effect continues! :-bd

    Sure is helping, up next we got Derby away so big, tough game there.
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    edited February 2018 Posts: 17,756
    jobo wrote: »
    I cannot spell their names properly... :P I'll try... The usual back four was Pisczek, Subotic, Hummels and Schmelzer... or something like that... ;)

    Maybe Klopp should sign one of them? :-P
    My knowledge of German club football is so poor that I can only remember Hummels and Schmelzer. The latter is still at Dortmund, I see.

    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Really chuffed that we beat Middlesbrough yesterday. Another important win, just a shame we remain 8 points off the play offs. Slowly but surely though we are heading in the right direction.

    The Tettey effect continues! :-bd

    Sure is helping, up next we got Derby away so big, tough game there.

    Tettey is due a hat-trick now, don't you think? :-D
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,756
    Watching quite a Watford-Chelsea match. At half time, Bakayoko has got a red card (the second yellow shouldn't had been given), and on a separate situation Watford has gone up 1-0 from a soft penalty. Mike Dean center of attention yet again!
  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    Genuine penalty...light,but he did catch his back leg..
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    edited February 2018 Posts: 17,756
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Genuine penalty...light,but he did catch his back leg..

    Just saw the replay from the camera angle behind him. Looked fair then. That second yellow to Bakayoko, though…

    In writing this, I'm also fully aware that this isn't bad for Arsenal!
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Genuine penalty...light,but he did catch his back leg..

    Just saw the replay from the camera angle behind him. Looked fair then. That second yellow to Bakayoko, though…

    In writing this, I'm also fully aware that this isn't bad for Arsenal!

    Things are looking shit for Chelsea at the moment and Conte probably gone in the morning but things not so bad that they're in danger of being caught by Arsenal surely?
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,756
    TheWizardOfIce wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Genuine penalty...light,but he did catch his back leg..

    Just saw the replay from the camera angle behind him. Looked fair then. That second yellow to Bakayoko, though…

    In writing this, I'm also fully aware that this isn't bad for Arsenal!

    Things are looking shit for Chelsea at the moment and Conte probably gone in the morning but things not so bad that they're in danger of being caught by Arsenal surely?

    It's what… five point between them with this result standing? Don't expect Arsenal to catch up with Chelsea, but you never know, etc. Giroud will probably score some important goals for Chelsea until the end of the season, too.
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    edited February 2018 Posts: 17,756
    Speaking of getting sent of…:
    http://metro.co.uk/2018/02/05/adam-lallana-given-red-card-putting-spurs-teenager-chokehold-u23s-clash-7289734/

    _______
    Hazard makes it 1-1 with quite a strike!
    2-1 Watford! This is a good Monday game, really.
    3-1! Deulofeu!
    4-1! Pereyra!
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    TheWizardOfIce wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Genuine penalty...light,but he did catch his back leg..

    Just saw the replay from the camera angle behind him. Looked fair then. That second yellow to Bakayoko, though…

    In writing this, I'm also fully aware that this isn't bad for Arsenal!

    Things are looking shit for Chelsea at the moment and Conte probably gone in the morning but things not so bad that they're in danger of being caught by Arsenal surely?

    I take that back - Chelsea are getting Fritzled!!
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    edited February 2018 Posts: 17,756
    TheWizardOfIce wrote: »
    TheWizardOfIce wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Genuine penalty...light,but he did catch his back leg..

    Just saw the replay from the camera angle behind him. Looked fair then. That second yellow to Bakayoko, though…

    In writing this, I'm also fully aware that this isn't bad for Arsenal!

    Things are looking shit for Chelsea at the moment and Conte probably gone in the morning but things not so bad that they're in danger of being caught by Arsenal surely?

    I take that back - Chelsea are getting Fritzled!!

    10 men, though, but Conte loosing by three goals is unbelievable anyway!

    ______
    Giroud close!

    Finished! My oh my! I'll easily take that Ogbonna 1 point off bench for Alonso in FPL!

    Also, Deeney going to get suspended for showing his middle finger at the Chelsea fans after scoring that penalty?
  • 001001
    Posts: 1,575
    Fire_and_Ice_Returns wrote: »
    I don't think Van Dijk is the issue at all, his stats are good as a defender, Klopp could get a few more top class Defenders in. The issue is how Klopp sets his team up to defend.


    A stupid penalty to give away by Van Dijk .
    Is he worth 75 million ?

    They could have bought 3 better defenders for that money.
    Robertson was a great buy.


  • RogueAgentRogueAgent
    Posts: 12,526
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    I cannot spell their names properly... :P I'll try... The usual back four was Pisczek, Subotic, Hummels and Schmelzer... or something like that... ;)

    Maybe Klopp should sign one of them? :-P
    My knowledge of German club football is so poor that I can only remember Hummels and Schmelzer. The latter is still at Dortmund, I see.

    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Really chuffed that we beat Middlesbrough yesterday. Another important win, just a shame we remain 8 points off the play offs. Slowly but surely though we are heading in the right direction.

    The Tettey effect continues! :-bd

    Sure is helping, up next we got Derby away so big, tough game there.

    Tettey is due a hat-trick now, don't you think? :-D

    Lol! A Tettey hatrick would be awesome! But as long as we can grind out a few more wins over the next few weeks I will be more than happy.
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    edited February 2018 Posts: 17,756
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    I cannot spell their names properly... :P I'll try... The usual back four was Pisczek, Subotic, Hummels and Schmelzer... or something like that... ;)

    Maybe Klopp should sign one of them? :-P
    My knowledge of German club football is so poor that I can only remember Hummels and Schmelzer. The latter is still at Dortmund, I see.

    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Really chuffed that we beat Middlesbrough yesterday. Another important win, just a shame we remain 8 points off the play offs. Slowly but surely though we are heading in the right direction.

    The Tettey effect continues! :-bd

    Sure is helping, up next we got Derby away so big, tough game there.

    Tettey is due a hat-trick now, don't you think? :-D

    Lol! A Tettey hatrick would be awesome! But as long as we can grind out a few more wins over the next few weeks I will be more than happy.

    Would be fantastic to see Norwich City reach a play off. It's close between Norwich on 13th and Bristol City on 6th!

    TV2 had an article up this morning about Norwich, and points taken with and without Tettey. Incredible to see that with Tettey (11 matches), Norwich have a point average of 2.55 pr. match. Without Tettey (19 matches), they've had a point average of 0.79!
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent
    Posts: 12,526
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    I cannot spell their names properly... :P I'll try... The usual back four was Pisczek, Subotic, Hummels and Schmelzer... or something like that... ;)

    Maybe Klopp should sign one of them? :-P
    My knowledge of German club football is so poor that I can only remember Hummels and Schmelzer. The latter is still at Dortmund, I see.

    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Really chuffed that we beat Middlesbrough yesterday. Another important win, just a shame we remain 8 points off the play offs. Slowly but surely though we are heading in the right direction.

    The Tettey effect continues! :-bd

    Sure is helping, up next we got Derby away so big, tough game there.

    Tettey is due a hat-trick now, don't you think? :-D

    Lol! A Tettey hatrick would be awesome! But as long as we can grind out a few more wins over the next few weeks I will be more than happy.

    Would be fantastic to see Norwich City reach a play off. It's close between Norwich on 13th and Bristol City on 6th!

    TV2 had an article up this morning about Norwich, and points taken with and without Tettey. Incredible to see that with Tettey (11 matches), Norwich have a point average of 2.55 pr. match. Without Tettey (19 matches), they've had a point average of 0.79!

    That really is an eye opening fact!
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    edited February 2018 Posts: 17,756
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    I cannot spell their names properly... :P I'll try... The usual back four was Pisczek, Subotic, Hummels and Schmelzer... or something like that... ;)

    Maybe Klopp should sign one of them? :-P
    My knowledge of German club football is so poor that I can only remember Hummels and Schmelzer. The latter is still at Dortmund, I see.

    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Really chuffed that we beat Middlesbrough yesterday. Another important win, just a shame we remain 8 points off the play offs. Slowly but surely though we are heading in the right direction.

    The Tettey effect continues! :-bd

    Sure is helping, up next we got Derby away so big, tough game there.

    Tettey is due a hat-trick now, don't you think? :-D

    Lol! A Tettey hatrick would be awesome! But as long as we can grind out a few more wins over the next few weeks I will be more than happy.

    Would be fantastic to see Norwich City reach a play off. It's close between Norwich on 13th and Bristol City on 6th!

    TV2 had an article up this morning about Norwich, and points taken with and without Tettey. Incredible to see that with Tettey (11 matches), Norwich have a point average of 2.55 pr. match. Without Tettey (19 matches), they've had a point average of 0.79!

    That really is an eye opening fact!

    Haven't seen the games myself, so there's most certainly a whole lot of other factors there too, but it's still very interesting!
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,756
    Wow!
    https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/amazon-considering-buying-premier-league-11994231
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent
    Posts: 12,526
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    Wow!
    https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/amazon-considering-buying-premier-league-11994231

    As if their wasn't enough money in football!!!
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    edited February 2018 Posts: 17,756
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    Wow!
    https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/amazon-considering-buying-premier-league-11994231

    As if their wasn't enough money in football!!!

    Indeed! Haven't heard any more about it than this article, though. Still, you wonder what that can mean for viewers in the future.

    «The Premier League appear to have dressed up those packages to appeal to an internet broadcaster like Amazon, Facebook or Netflix and a new broadcaster could change the landscape of the rights and also how armchair viewers watch football.»

    For example, what can happen to those right in other countries that also offers PL football in their channel packages? I think the most recent rights last a couple more years, but you wonder what might happen after that!
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Another 45 of that will do for me.

    Although an Eriksen hat trick and some random Arsenal player that no one would dream of having to get 3 as well would be better for fantasy and entertainment purposes.
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,756
    Good old Arsenal, or just "old" Arsenal in this case. This is horrible…
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    Good old Arsenal, or just "old" Arsenal in this case. This is horrible…

    Are you joking? This is a fantastic scoreline for Arsenal. But for Cech it would've been a fisting. The fact that with 5 mins left you've still got a faint sniff of salvaging a point is absolutely astonishing.
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,756
    TheWizardOfIce wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    Good old Arsenal, or just "old" Arsenal in this case. This is horrible…

    Are you joking? This is a fantastic scoreline for Arsenal. But for Cech it would've been a fisting. The fact that with 5 mins left you've still got a faint sniff of salvaging a point is absolutely astonishing.

    That's one way to put it…
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,756
    Well that was a horrible game by Arsenal. How many offsides did Arsenal put themselves in? Timing the runs better would have put Aubameyang alone against Lloris in one situation, for example. Man City is up next. A game I'm not looking forward too, either. After that waits a kinder run of fixtures, where wins is all that counts.
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,756
    Strong effort by Huddersfield at home against Bournemouth today. The points in the lower half of the table is so close right now!

    Watching Newcastle-United right now. Some Newcastle goals had been great, considering that my Fantasy team has no United cover…
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    edited February 2018 Posts: 17,756
    Valencia kicks Atsu straight in the face. Only yellow given! What the…!

    1-0 Newcastle in the end. Deserved win, this.
  • JohnHammond73JohnHammond73 Lancashire, UK
    Posts: 4,151
    Straight forward for Liverpool. I’ll take that no problem.
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent
    Posts: 12,526
    Didn't see that Utd result coming today! Fairplay to Newcastle. Great result for my Norwich boys yesterday away from home. Bring on the old farm derby next Sunday!!!!!OTBC!!!!!
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Remarkably assured performance for once. Even Karius looked competent.

    Signs of progress? Seen it all before though so not going to start putting up the bunting as we'll probably collapse against a shit team next week.
Sign In or Register to comment.