Of the 3 relegated teams, Ipswich seem to have something about them, Leicester have a bit of talent and Southampton already look doomed. I can't see Leicester getting enough wins so that means Ipswich will be battling the likes of Everton, Palace and Wolves for the final spot - of these Wolves look on the biggest slide although they've had a tough run of fixtures.
Back-to-back promotions and then survival would be an unprecedented achievement for Ipswich.
it wouldn't be good to see all three promoted sides slide straight back down for a second consecutive season. Despite all three promoted surviving two years ago and currently sitting 6th, 10th and 11th.
Ipswich have taken a point in their last four I think, definitely have fighting quality about them, as do Leicester. Saints just not aggressive enough. Palace should be doing a lot better with that line up. Everton should have had a few wins, but choked when in front. Wolves though seem to be in a bit of trouble. Losing Pedro Neto to just sit on Chelseas bench doesn't help. Still too early though to write them off, but they do need a change in luck
@sparky said in EPL 2024/2025:
Inject it straight into my veins!!!!
Playing half arsed against Ipswich and saving themselves for Bayern certainly paid off in the end!
What is up with Tottenham’s away strips? Last year was black caps 80s brown now it’s sniper camouflage green.
That Brighton v Spurs game was a lot of fun - although maybe not so much for Spurs fans.
Fulham v unlucky against City and showed the reasons why Adama Traore never made it to a top club. He never really looked like scoring in his one on ones (skinned Kyle Walker though - impressive) - once you get that close to the keeper you have to lift or take it round him. And ballooned one over. If you haven't seen the Jimenez assist for Fulham's first, you have to check it out - fantastic.
At the 2nd international break, it looks like the 3 title favourites are already breaking clear, there will be a massive battle for 4th, 5th, 6th and relegation might already be 3 from 5.
@KiwiPie said in EPL 2024/2025:
That Brighton v Spurs game was a lot of fun - although maybe not so much for Spurs fans.
Fulham v unlucky against City and showed the reasons why Adama Traore never made it to a top club. He never really looked like scoring in his one on ones (skinned Kyle Walker though - impressive) - once you get that close to the keeper you have to lift or take it round him. And ballooned one over. If you haven't seen the Jimenez assist for Fulham's first, you have to check it out - fantastic.
At the 2nd international break, it looks like the 3 title favourites are already breaking clear, there will be a massive battle for 4th, 5th, 6th and relegation might already be 3 from 5.
Yup, fantastic watch the Brighton Tottenham game, made up for the absolute dross served up by Aston Villa and Man U in the early kickoff.
@KiwiPie Traore is so frustrating, however he creates chances no one else could and also opens up space elsewhere because teams even City can't cope.
As lots of commentators have said if he could finish he wouldn't be playing for Fulham.
But a curates egg of a game from a Fulham perspective. We competed, restricted City to unleashing shots from outside the area and had the better opportunities. However, we still dropped three points, they scored with three of those long-range efforts but probably our best performance of the season.
That Marco Silva's a shit coach though aye. Totally over-rated. No decent club would give him a second glance.
Joao who?
Dogmeat I have argued with mates repeatedly that Fulham should have gone hard for a top notch striker last year or earlier this. That is all ( and perhaps more consistency) that we are missing to be a real top 6 contender. I have always liked Traore but he really can’t hit a cow in the arse with a banjo. Keep him for beating people and then feeding in a decent cross
Not long ago on the Fulham forum ,which I am banned from
for some reason , there were many calling for Silva to go. He’s a very good manager with enough mongrel to take this ream a long way. Was so pleased to see them have a real go at 115 and counting. Much better to go down trying to win it rather than just damage limitation..
@dogmeat It was pretty much the perfect game plan for Fulham. Block up the channels, pounce upon any mistake and hurtle up field using the pace of Traore. There is always a risk with allowing teams to have possession around your box though and both the Kovacic goals were after crosses into the box - it can happen. Palhinha hasn't been starting for Bayern ....
@middleman FFP issues I guess We spent a fair bit last summer Decent strikers don't come cheap I mean Spurs spent 64 mill on Solanke
we got Anderson and ESR for that
Nah Silva's rubbish. No other team in their right mind would want to poach him 
@dogmeat said in EPL 2024/2025:
we got Anderson and ESR for that
I would argue that is better value, but you're right strikers dont come cheap
@bayimports said in EPL 2024/2025:
I would argue that is better value
That was sorta my point
I know the current Burnley Manager said Solanke was better than Mitrovic but he is (to date) the very definition of a one season wonder.
9 goals in 75 games across 4 seasons then 19 in 38 last year. You guys must have been laughing all the way to the bank.
I'd rather stick with Muniz/Raul and invest the money elsewhere in the team.
In Marco we trust
@dogmeat said in EPL 2024/2025:
You guys must have been laughing all the way to the bank.
we invested 40 of it into a guy who has scored 1 goal, so Solanke still ahead of that this year, so not sure that was good although happy for the massive sale. As long as the big guys stay away from Semenyo Im fine
@dogmeat Are you having a laugh about Silva. I thought you were being sarcastic about him. I hope so. We did buy well and i certainly would not have paid that much for Solanke. What we need is to discover another Vardy.
Would be interested in your opinion of Castagne. Thought he looked good last year but obviously not in favour this year.
@bayimports said in EPL 2024/2025:
welcome back Ole Gunner Solskjaer, well that is the rumour as interim ha ha
Surely not .... love the ongoing circus at Old Trafford
@KiwiPie said in EPL 2024/2025:
@bayimports said in EPL 2024/2025:
welcome back Ole Gunner Solskjaer, well that is the rumour as interim ha ha
Surely not .... love the ongoing circus at Old Trafford
im guessing its a joke doing the rounds but would be kind of funny
Thomas Tuchel (ex-Dormund, PSG, Chelsea and Bayern Munich) will be the new England football manager.
Well at least that will put a stop to the over the top of every word Carsley mutters.
Interesting choice. Can't see it ending well.
@sparky said in EPL 2024/2025:
a "good bloke" Englishman like Scott Parker as his assistant.
Given Tuchel's history of pissing players off teaming him up with a loose cannon like Parker would be a disaster and quite FA-like.
I get Tuchel's strengths - just can't see him prospering in an environment where he gets the players for a week at a time a few times a year. As the Carsley interregnum has reminded us that a vital part of an England manager's role is managing the messaging. Another area I think will be a challenge for Tuchel.
Honestly, I'm increasingly convinced that international managers are pretty irrelevant. Well, a bad manager can blow up a squad and kill a tournament but a great manager still has a limited influence. Tuchel seems like he could be o good bet; tactically astutely and short doses of his intensity when England goes into comp could be quite effective.
Is this the first time a German has managed England?
@sparky said in EPL 2024/2025:
@dogmeat He's an excellent tactician and coach.
But I do worry a bit about him and man-management with the England job. He could be another Fabio Capello.
If the FA are sensible they will team him with a "good bloke" Englishman like Scott Parker as his assistant.
Good comparison with Capello.
I sense it is likely to end badly with Tuchel - he's a cantakerous sod and I'm not sure how his tactical style will work when he doesn't have the players day to day. Seems like the best thing England can do is fix on a formation and stick to it even when the personnel changes. If the wide left player is a right footer then pick the best available left-footed left back, don't try to shoe-horn in the players you deem most talented.
Relegation in the Nations League was pretty disastrous for England - qualifying for tournaments is only getting easier as the tournaments get bigger so the top division of nations league would at least have them playing against quality teams. And England's recent tournament record will be Tuchel's worst enemy - it would have been better for him if they had been knocked out by Slovakia in the round of 16 as that would have reflected how poor they were.
Really good win from Aston Villa against Fulham on Saturday. Awesome to have no injuries and the full squad available for the first time in 18 months. Great to be in the top 4 again and putting pressure on Arsenal for 3rd place. I'm looking forward to Bologna on Wednesday in the UCL.
Fulham look a quality side this season and will easily finishing in the top 9 this season.
@sparky said in EPL 2024/2025:
Really good win from Aston Villa against Fulham on Saturday. Awesome to have no injuries and the full squad available for the first time in 18 months. Great to be in the top 4 again and putting pressure on Arsenal for 3rd place. I'm looking forward to Bologna on Wednesday in the UCL.
Fulham look a quality side this season and will easily finishing in the top 9 this season.
The only let down right now is Bailey. I'd assume that Philogene will start against Bologna or McGinn depending on what formation Emery wants to play.
Cash also worries me at times but is our only experienced RB right now, so he gets in automatically.
Story is crap but get a load of the photoshop pic! What a melon on Jose!
Chris Wood has as many goals this season as Man United. 7. He just keeps getting better with age.
@KiwiMurph said in EPL 2024/2025:
Chris Wood has as many goals this season as Man United. 7. He just keeps getting better with age.
Seems to suit middle of the table clubs, didn't get much of a run when he went to Newcastle
Seems to be a season for journeymen strikers who have been written off. Wood, Welbeck, Jimenez. It's good to see
How does he compare to Rufer now? On the one hand, Rufer won titles and was one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga when he played, but I current standard of the EPL is probably much higher than the 90s Bundesliga.
On balance I'd still go Rufer, but whereas a couple of years ago that was a no brainer, I think it's now a genuine decision.
@Cyclops said in EPL 2024/2025:
How does he compare to Rufer now? On the one hand, Rufer won titles and was one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga when he played, but I current standard of the EPL is probably much higher than the 90s Bundesliga.
On balance I'd still go Rufer, but whereas a couple of years ago that was a no brainer, I think it's now a genuine decision.
Rufer's still better.
Wood's decent, but as @canefan said, at a mid/lower table side.
@canefan said in EPL 2024/2025:
@KiwiMurph said in EPL 2024/2025:
Chris Wood has as many goals this season as Man United. 7. He just keeps getting better with age.
Seems to suit middle of the table clubs, didn't get much of a run when he went to Newcastle
Define middle of the table. Forrest are 5th!
@Billy-Tell said in EPL 2024/2025:
@canefan said in EPL 2024/2025:
@KiwiMurph said in EPL 2024/2025:
Chris Wood has as many goals this season as Man United. 7. He just keeps getting better with age.
Seems to suit middle of the table clubs, didn't get much of a run when he went to Newcastle
Define middle of the table. Forrest are 5th!
It's early mate 
Bournemouth snatch one at the death. I wish we'd find someone better than Matty Cash. He's the only reason why Bournemouth had a chance at coming back. He's fucken hopeless.
To be fair to Bournemouth, they fought hard all day and can't begrudge them for getting something out of the game. Travers did well between the sticks.
