EPL 2022 / 2023

@dogmeat said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

@MajorRage

Rodgers would have gone earlier if Leicester could afford it wouldn't he?

Some sympathy for Potter. Chelsea are a mess. Absolute scattergun approach to recruitment. Bloated squad roster, full of ego's and expensive journeymen. How do you keep them all happy or impose a style or system.

Wrong coach for that club. They're like Spurs. What Manager in their right mind would go near them - except for the money of course.

Boehly will want a 'name' to placate the fans but is more likely to get an ambitious younger Manager with something to prove.

Leicester are suffering a bit from mean reversion.

They've had a great run, but reality is that at some point, it's going to run out. Rogers had done a decent enough job, but they simply didn't have the cattle required to maintain the top half of the table. They aren't doing that bad, it's just that the relegation battle is unbelievably tight this year.

As for Potter, well it was inevitable unfortunately.

I watched the full Chelsea match yesterday and scoreboard aside, they completely dominated. they just lacked the tooth in front of goal & made some terrible defensive errors. But they lost 2-0. And it's just too many times.

We've spunked stupid money on players with no return. It can't go on.

No idea why anybody will take it on now. A mismatched expensive squad down on the confidence it takes to win games. Perhaps Pochettino, who I'd like to see, but I suspect he'll be back at Spurs. I think Boehly will go after somebody stupid like Zidane, who I think would be a terrible appointment

And as an outside chance, Rogers.

@MajorRage said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

I think Boehly will go after somebody stupid like Zidane

or Nagelsmann

I don't think Zidane would go near it, but agree it would be a catastrophe - although very amusing for a Fulham fan.

de Zerbi?

@dogmeat said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

@MajorRage said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

I think Boehly will go after somebody stupid like Zidane

or Nagelsmann

I don't think Zidane would go near it, but agree it would be a catastrophe - although very amusing for a Fulham fan.

de Zerbi?

Nagelsmann is hotly tipped, but I know too little of him to garner an opinion.

Zidane won't be interested if Chelsea aren't in the CL. That would apply to other big name managers too.

Not EPL, but Bayern München go back to the top in the Bundesliga. This means Kingsley Coman has a chance to continue his incredible streak. Every season of his career as a senior pro, he's won the league title.

Now that's not that remarkable given Bayern's dominance in Germany and other examples in other leagues (must be a fair few guys who debuted for Celtic during their recent streak and who won up to 9 in a row to start their career for example). What makes his record kind of crazy is that he's done it in three different leagues - Ligue 1 (PSG), Serie a (Juventus) and the Bundesliga.

I thought that was a fun piece of trivia.

As if Zidane would go near the Chelsea job haha.

Maybe Conte could return or as was mentioned, Pochettino?

No doubt clubs near the bottom will be lining up for Potter now. He's a decent manager, but Chelsea as a whole are an absolute mess from top to bottom right now.

@bayimports said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

@dogmeat said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

@KiwiPie
Seen it now. All three reds to Fulham were warranted

Silva would be an even better Manager if he reined in the histrionics

Yes Fulham has a history with this ref. He had a shocker when we lost at West Ham and I reckon we should have had a pen in the first half at Old Trafford but those are no excuses for what happened

Instead of calming things down Silva ignited everything. A 10 man Fulham at 1-1 could still have gone through. Instead Silva basically egged on Mitros sense of injustice

How long might we lose him for? Months?

Good job we are clear of relegation dogfight as our season has been screwed by 90 seconds of madness

Well Bournemouth need all the luck they can get, so having some players missing for that match due to suspension suits me

Yes and you're well clear

and looks like we took our luck. Fulham started stronger for sure, but we kicked into action when our subs came on. Nice to have Tav back from injury and immediate impact. Not sure if we win that if Fulham were full strength, but any points right now crucial.

Also big result for the Hammers last night, you would probably think Southampton first buried now although still cant be 100% sure. Picking the other two still too difficult. Even Palace holding 12th must still be nervous

Palace Currently 12th - 30 points Safe
Leeds (A), Southampton (A), Everton (H), Wolves (A), West Ham (H), Spurs (A), Bournemouth (H), Fulham (A), Forest (H)

Wolves 13th - 28 Squeaky Bum
Chelsea (H), Brentford (H), Leicester (A), Palace (H), Brighton (A), Villa (H), Man Utd (A), Everton (H), Arsenal (A)

West Ham 14th - 27 Should just scrape through
Newcastle (H), Fulham (A), Arsenal (H), Bournemouth (A), Liverpool (H), Palace (A), Man Utd (H), Brentford (A), Leeds (A), Leicester (A)

Forest 15th - 27 Minor Miracle Required
Leeds (A), Aston Villa (A), Man Utd (H), Liverpool (A), Brighton (H), Brentford (A), Southampton (H), Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H), Crystal Palace (A)

Bournemouth 16th - 27 Easier run should mean safety
Brighton & Hove Albion (H), Leicester (A), Tottenham (A), West Ham (H), Southampton (A), Leeds (H),
Chelsea (H), Crystal Palace (A), Man Utd (H), Everton (A)

Leeds 17th - 26 Others should be worse but...
Nottingham Forest (H), Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (H), Fulham (A), Leicester (H), Bournemouth (A), Man City (A), Newcastle (H), West Ham (A), Tottenham (H)

Everton 18th - 26 Can Dyche do it - probably not, but he's given them a chance
Chelsea (A), Tottenham (H), Man Utd (A), Fulham (H), Crystal Palace (A), Newcastle (H), Leicester (A), Brighton & Hove Albion (A), Man City (H), Wolves (A), Bournemouth (H)

Leicester 19th - 25 Serious New Manager Bounce Required
Brentford (A), Crystal Palace (A), Aston Villa (H), Bournemouth (H), Man City (A), Wolves (H), Leeds (A),
Everton (H), Fulham (A), Liverpool (H), Newcastle (A), West Ham (H)

Southampton 20th -23 Doomed
Brentford (H), Tottenham (H), West Ham (A), Manchester City (H), Crystal Palace (H), Arsenal (A), Bournemouth (H), Newcastle (A), Nottingham Forest (A), Fulham (H), Brighton (A), Liverpool (H),

Are there now more sacked managers than not this season?

@antipodean 12 I think in EPL but only 10 clubs - plus Brighton who replaced Potter.

Moyesand Cooper are, I think, the only Manager's of a bottom 10 team that were there when the season kicked off.

Still a good chance West Ham will pull the trigger...

@dogmeat said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

@antipodean 12 I think in EPL but only 10 clubs - plus Brighton who replaced Potter.

Moyesand Cooper are, I think, the only Manager's of a bottom 10 team that were there when the season kicked off.

Still a good chance West Ham will pull the trigger...

Surprised Moyes is still holding on

@dogmeat I think you are pretty close with those predictions, I think Palace are also in the squeaky bum category though, as although draw looks good, they don't have any real form and like Southampton have the least games in hand

Going to come down to the last day for sure!

@Winger He's been brilliant for them, and despite their poor league position, there's a strong possibility that they could still win. The Europa Conference League, so despite their poor league position, his last few seasons have given him a chance to turn things around and rightly so.

Crucial win for them this morning too over Southampton which will help his cause.

Bournemouth Leicester and Forest all lose.

Leeds with the win against Forest to jump out of the relegation spots

Chelsea are better than a much changed Liverpool but still can't score so it finishes in a dire scoreless draw. Liverpool now looking like a ECL place at best

Meanwhile Mitrovic gets an 8 week ban from the independent tribunal which seems about right but FA are going to appeal.

Some of the media frenzy around Fulham's FA Cup sending's off has been ridiculous. Comparing it to Cantona. Chris Sutton saying 12 matches minimum.

@dogmeat I wasnt expecting a win against Brighton who are in the race for Europe and on the road havent lost since October (or something like that), was hoping for a point at best, but not one I was targeting. I suspect even Leicester may have felt similar playing Villa. Both teams will be eyeing each other this weekend as a crucial match for points

Big loss for Forest though given the head to head with a team in a similar scenario

What will also make the end of season interesting as some years teams clock off because they are safe and cant get into Europe, so not much to play for. It currently appears that all teams above Palace still have a chance of making Europe, while everyone below needs as many points as they can get. For me this means most teams wont mentally clock off until very late in the season.

@bayimports Forest have arguably the hardest run in which is why I suggested a minor miracle is required.

Fulham may have gone to the beach already although they should still be targeting a European place.

Rather than lack of will, I think it's lack of legs that is our issue. Our teensie weensie squadie waddy is being exposed.

Drop more points and I expect we will see some youngsters being blooded.

Bournemouth seemed unlucky against Brighton - reports suggested they had plenty of chances but couldn't convert. Fantastic finish by Ferguson who looks fantastic for 18 years old. Same story for Chelsea again, who did remarkably well not to score given how many times they seemed to be one on one with Allison. Liverpool v Arsenal at the weekend will be interesting - surely Liverpool will be full throttle as they were against United or they could actually be humiliated the way Arsenal are playing.

Lots of rumours that Cooper will be sacked by Forest but not sure that will do them much good with such a haphazardly built squad.

I've watched Chelseas last 180 minutes for no goals. And ironically, I think they are playing the best I've seen them play in a very long time.

They hold the ball well, they create chances, they have some bad defensive lapses, but on the whole aren't too bad.

But they literally cannot (legally) score.

Mudryk is the real deal, reminds me of Arjen Robben (who I will still argue is the best player I've seen live) but is currently low on confidence and will take a bit of time to get going. Not all young players are Haaland.

The comedy show that isChelsea FC keeps on getting ever more bizarre.

Reports that Lampard is taking over as interim Manager until the end of the season.

So
Sack Lampard to bring in Tuchel
Sack Tuchel to bring in Potter
Sack Potter to bring in Lampard

Unbelievable

Tuchel, Potter, Lampard

Who is the weakest link?

@MajorRage said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

I've watched Chelseas last 180 minutes for no goals. And ironically, I think they are playing the best I've seen them play in a very long time.

They hold the ball well, they create chances, they have some bad defensive lapses, but on the whole aren't too bad.

But they literally cannot (legally) score.

Mudryk is the real deal, reminds me of Arjen Robben (who I will still argue is the best player I've seen live) but is currently low on confidence and will take a bit of time to get going. Not all young players are Haaland.

Not really sure about Mudryk. He really hasn't played much top-level football and his attempted finish v Villa (straight at the keeper) showed it and I can see him disappearing at Chelsea.

Meanwhile West Ham are thrashed at home v Newcastle which must mean Moyes is close to being dismissed. United beat Brentford to stay level on points with Newcastle. Liverpool need to win every game from here to reach 73 points and even that not be enough to finish in the top 4. Realistically the top 4 is between NUFC, MUFC, THFC and BAHFC.

@KiwiPie said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

Meanwhile West Ham are thrashed at home v Newcastle which must mean Moyes is close to being dismissed. United beat Brentford to stay level on points with Newcastle. Liverpool need to win every game from here to reach 73 points and even that not be enough to finish in the top 4. Realistically the top 4 is between NUFC, MUFC, THFC and BAHAFC.

@dogmeat Actually it is BHAFC!

Surely not Lampard to Chelsea. To bridge the gap until they appoint a proper manager in June?

@KiwiPie When I used to go to the Goldstone Ground the signs definitely said Welcome to Brighton & Hove Albion.

I had to check the date on the by-line as it makes more sense if the story is 6 days old.

Big weekend of games coming up..but congratulations Burnley who have already secured promotion back to the Prem. Could still break 100 points and still go undefeated at home

WIth Wrexham getting tonked 3 - 1 away at lower midtable Halifax it now sees @kiwipie and Notts County sneak into the lead on goal difference after they pummelled Weadstone 3 - 0 at home. It is noted, however, that Wrexham still have a game in hand and they host County on Monday in a match that is likely to decide who wins the Vanarama National League!

@Higgins said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

WIth Wrexham getting tonked 3 - 1 away at lower midtable Halifax it now sees @kiwipie and Notts County sneak into the lead on goal difference after they pummelled Weadstone 3 - 0 at home. It is noted, however, that Wrexham still have a game in hand and they host County on Monday in a match that is likely to decide who wins the Vanarama National League!

Yeah forget Arsenal v Liverpool, Wrexham v Notts County is the big game of the holiday weekend. Goal difference is so close and with both teams scoring bags of goals, it could still be decisive. Suddenly a draw isn't the disaster it would have been for us against Wrexham and a win puts in charge again.

Macaulay Langstaff has 41 for the season after 41 games without a penalty taken and it will be interesting to see if he gets snapped up by a League 1 or Championship team.

@bayimports said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

Big weekend of games coming up..but congratulations Burnley who have already secured promotion back to the Prem. Could still break 100 points and still go undefeated at home

Astounding season for Kompany, everyone thought it would be hard for him to take Burnley after all those Dyche years but they have romped it. Sheff U looking likely to return as well with what looks like many of their squad from when they went down. Would be a great achievement for Luton to make it up but they are tiny and I don't see how they could compete in the Prem.

Great win for the cherries, not expecting a win next week and could be back in drop zone due to goal difference, but taking wins against fellow strugglers is important. Will celebrate the week anyway

Missed the game but Arsenal will have to win out to win the league. Man City is just better.

@broughie said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

Missed the game but Arsenal will have to win out to win the league. Man City is just better.

I've just watched the replay. Arsenal will be disappointed to let a 2-0 lead slip but a draw was probably a fair result. A frantic 6 mins of added time, and Ramsdale made some fantastic saves. Arsenal had some chances too.

Man City certainly has the softer remaining fixtures but I expect some more twists yet.

@Bovidae Arsenal might luck out. I can't see them beating city so that's going to be a three point swing. Then they have to win everything else because at the moment city looks unbeatable.

Really disappointed that the sticking with Zinchenko to. Too many sloppy passes, and he's not the best defender. Tierney does not have his skills but would be more reliable in the back. It would take pressure off Gabriel etc who have to cover for him.

I still think they need more depth and starch in general.

@bayimports said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

Great win for the cherries, not expecting a win next week and could be back in drop zone due to goal difference, but taking wins against fellow strugglers is important. Will celebrate the week anyway

That's a big win and given that Southampton, Leicester and Forest don't look like winning a game soon, 2 wins out of the last 8 games might be enough to stay up.

@KiwiPie yeah should have been at least 3 till but struggling to convert chances. We are away to Spurs next week and not expecting points, but home to West Ham the following weekend, which if we pick up a win there, we must be close to safety.

Shame for Notts County though..that penalty miss in extra time will be replayed over and over

@KiwiPie said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

@Higgins said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

WIth Wrexham getting tonked 3 - 1 away at lower midtable Halifax it now sees @kiwipie and Notts County sneak into the lead on goal difference after they pummelled Weadstone 3 - 0 at home. It is noted, however, that Wrexham still have a game in hand and they host County on Monday in a match that is likely to decide who wins the Vanarama National League!

Yeah forget Arsenal v Liverpool, Wrexham v Notts County is the big game of the holiday weekend. Goal difference is so close and with both teams scoring bags of goals, it could still be decisive. Suddenly a draw isn't the disaster it would have been for us against Wrexham and a win puts in charge again.

Macaulay Langstaff has 41 for the season after 41 games without a penalty taken and it will be interesting to see if he gets snapped up by a League 1 or Championship team.

Maybe he should have taken that very late penalty? I can imagine the language forthcoming after that miss. A draw would have been priceless to you guys.

It’s not EPL but watching MC vs BM. De bruyne and haaling it’s like Jordan and pippen. Constantly look dangerous.

@Higgins said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

@KiwiPie said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

@Higgins said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

WIth Wrexham getting tonked 3 - 1 away at lower midtable Halifax it now sees @kiwipie and Notts County sneak into the lead on goal difference after they pummelled Weadstone 3 - 0 at home. It is noted, however, that Wrexham still have a game in hand and they host County on Monday in a match that is likely to decide who wins the Vanarama National League!

Yeah forget Arsenal v Liverpool, Wrexham v Notts County is the big game of the holiday weekend. Goal difference is so close and with both teams scoring bags of goals, it could still be decisive. Suddenly a draw isn't the disaster it would have been for us against Wrexham and a win puts in charge again.

Macaulay Langstaff has 41 for the season after 41 games without a penalty taken and it will be interesting to see if he gets snapped up by a League 1 or Championship team.

Maybe he should have taken that very late penalty? I can imagine the language forthcoming after that miss. A draw would have been priceless to you guys.

Yep a draw and it could go to the last game, us losing that game means we are relying on Wrexham to cock it up and I can't see that happening. Everyone will expect us to romp through the play-offs but it won't be that simple.

Wrexham able to bring in Ben Foster, a top level keeper (and apparently pay him 4.5K per week) when they had a goalkeeping crisis.

Haaling is so good. Not goal greedy happy to pass when needed.

Erling Haaland is a goal-scoring monster.

@sparky said in EPL 2022 / 2023:

Erling Haaland is a goal-scoring monster.

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Next one to beat is Clive Allen at 49 for the season in all comps (I think) and then the English record of Dixie Dean (63). Then Messi for 73(?)