2023/24 Premier League Football Season

[bencat]

Well watched UTD against Bayern last night and I have to say as a team performance they were much improved . In fact before the first goal they were the better team . Sadly the mistake of the first goal badly changed the team as a whole and then things just got worse . Penalty decision was in my view very soft but UEFA games seem to give these much more than PL games . Decent sort of fight back but without any real conviction that they could get parity .

Liverpools turn tonight against the might LASK ? Yes I know never heard of them either . Not sure what team Klopp will line up tonight but it should be good enough to dominate the game provided we do not play like the Wolves game first half . If we can get early points on the board and a quick qualification to the next round then we can use some additional squad players later on to give them game time .

 

[bencat]

Well that was not according to plan for Liverpool , but then again another positive result if not performance . LASK played well and there goal was a beauty . Liverpool slow start again and wasteful . Then with addition of the starting midfield things started to look better and we controlled play . I should be happy with the win but I had hoped the squad players would be able to bed more of team than they were .

 

[greybeard]

Always feel nervous before a NLD, and this time it proved I had good reason. Spurs are a much improved team so far this season, under new management. Arsenal have lacked consistency so far this season, as brilliant as they were on Wednesday, they were poor overall yesterday. Started well and dominated the first 30 minutes and deservedly, albiet fortunately went in front. But this just kicked Spurs into gear and 5 minutes later they were level. Arsenal never regained the poise of those first 30 minutes and the game became bitty, suiting Spurs more than us. We got a penalty after a long VAR decision went our way (I personally thought it was a Pen, his arm was well away from his body) Saka scored, and as is Arsenals way these days they celebrated like the game was won. Spurs KO, Jorginho loses the ball, Spurs score. We pushed on for a winner in the last 15 minutes, but to no avail, and we seem to have a mounting injury list to match Man City.
Onwards and upwards COYG!

 

[bencat]

Well another home game and another slow start . Penalty taken as right then there goal was coming and deserved . Then second half Liverpool just upped the control and played well no real threat from West Ham . Nunez goal was just the business . Yet another match filled with a excitement at both ends but Liverpool attack proving the difference yet again .

 

[Non-Smoking Man]

An injury due to a car accident has meant Rashford wont play tonight against Palace in the Caribou Cup, but the injury situation is slightly better overall with Varane back and Amrabat fit and Hojland seemingly getting up to speed after a delayed entry into the first eleven.

Johnny Evans is surprising a few people, I dare say, and his long pass to Ferdinand that resulted in a winning goal against Burnley was a peach.

He might keep his place whilst the McGuire is out injured.

The contenders for the minor podium spots behind City - Arsenal, Liverpool, Brighton, Spurs, Newcastle - are much of a muchness in my opinion and i would be quietly confident we can give any of them a game when we are at full strength again.

I wouldn't underestimate Mejbri (Hannibal) as a player - he was an exciting and stand out presence when in the youth squad (I watched a few videos back then) and has been brought along quietly in the background, following a previous single 'headless chicken' performance .
(I can see why ETH is persevering with him as he is fast and can press.)
I'd love to see him score - he and Hojland are going to be hungry for goals.
They may be rotated in the game.

Next game is a home tie against Brentford, and I will be there cheering the Reds on (ticket arrived through the post this a.m.)

Jack NSM

 

[wizmax]

An injury due to a car accident has meant Rashford wont play tonight against Palace in the Caribou Cup, but the injury situation is slightly better overall with Varane back and Amrabat fit and Hojland seemingly getting up to speed after a delayed entry into the first eleven.

Johnny Evans is surprising a few people, I dare say, and his long pass to Ferdinand that resulted in a winning goal against Burnley was a peach.

He might keep his place whilst the McGuire is out injured.

The contenders for the minor podium spots behind City - Arsenal, Liverpool, Brighton, Spurs, Newcastle - are much of a muchness in my opinion and i would be quietly confident we can give any of them a game when we are at full strength again.

I wouldn't underestimate Mejbri (Hannibal) as a player - he was an exciting and stand out presence when in the youth squad (I watched a few videos back then) and has been brought along quietly in the background, following a previous single 'headless chicken' performance .
(I can see why ETH is persevering with him as he is fast and can press.)
I'd love to see him score - he and Hojland are going to be hungry for goals.
They may be rotated in the game.

Next game is a home tie against Brentford, and I will be there cheering the Reds on (ticket arrived through the post this a.m.)

Jack NSM

I know that Evans has a long history with Utd but I am surprised he is still passing to Ferdinand this season.

 

[bencat]

Liverpool playing tonight but not being televised so will have to watch highlights . Expecting a complete change of team including the goalkeeper . Given the attacking talent we have I still think this will be strong enough to get a result but could be another slow start and then fight back . Already getting the feeling we will draw one of the Manchester clubs in the next round and an away tie some times you can just see it .

 

[Non-Smoking Man]

I know that Evans has a long history with Utd but I am surprised he is still passing to Ferdinand this season.

Oops..haha... Fernandes..

 

[bencat]

Well 3-1 it seems is score of choice for Liverpool . Stupid goal early on as per the current match norm . Then a complete new team get things going and the first half then becomes a how many times can we fail to score zone with very brief counter attacks . Second half and Liverpool seem to get stronger and more intense as the opposition fade and tire . Once the first goal for Liverpool goes in you know the second is just a matter of time . Third one wraps it up . More excitement and thrills it is starting to become a theme and each time we find a way with different players to get the job done . If we start like we have against really good opposition I think we may find ourselves more than one nil down and failing to claw things back but up to now they have been good enough . What this team / squad will be like when they really click is a bit daunting as even this early in to their journey they look at times unplayable .

 

[AnilS]

Just listened to the post match interviews with the Villa and Brighton managers.

I like the way they speak. Fantastic, both of them.

Villa and Brighton are still dark horses.

 

[bencat]

Things are proving a little different this season . Brighton started like they did last year with impressive results but have now shown that just being a little of in your game and Brighton can crumble . Aston Villa after a nightmare start have shown the good side they were last season . I now view the result Liverpool had against them in far better light than I did at the time . Utd currently behind as well as City but presume they will both turn that around .

 

[oldius]

As predicted, we will, and now have dropped points. Against the better teams, the injuries in midfield and especially the suspension of Rodri will cost us. It is just a fact that the loss of DeBruyne, Silva, Rodri, and Stones is a major issue for the team, especially given that both Grealish and Kovacic are also not fully fit.
Today, we once again saw a physically impressive team knock us off our stride, just as Newcastle did. I thought Wolves were an embarrassment of play-acting, but I do not blame them. It is the referee's job to sort it out and, once again, we saw inept officiating that permitted players rolling on the floor to disrupt the game. Wolves' game plan was excellent - 5 at the back, pack centrally, and hit the wings on the break. Neto had Ake on a plate, to be honest. in what was probably his worst game for the club. Pep was consigned to the stands for 3 yellow cards but he would undoubtedly have had one today because he would have lost his cool with Pawson, certainly. Well done to Wolves, but there is more opportunity for our opponents over the next month, 100%.

 

[bencat]

Okay I am going to write this now when I should wait but that's just the way it is . Firstly well done Spurs you gained a win and it must have been good tonight leaving the ground . Now the hard bit, I do not want to think that the powers that be have it in for Liverpool but it is hard . First Red Card was not a red card it was a foul and a yellow but never intentional or out of control a slip on the ball . Second what is rotten in the VAR system . I could see that Diaz was on side , all those commentating including Gary Neville knew it was inside , VAR knew it was onside so would not draw the lines and show the error . Then a player trips himself up rolls around on the ground and gets a player booked . This means that a second card reduced Liverpool to nine men and still they fought on . I love Joel Matip he does not deserve to think of be sad for one moment . This possible easily cost Liverpool but we will carry on . VAR and all it stands for need to be stopped and disbanded they are a shambles who are not even capable of following there own protocols .b

 

[AnilS]

Okay I am going to write this now when I should wait but that's just the way it is . Firstly well done Spurs you gained a win and it must have been good tonight leaving the ground . Now the hard bit, I do not want to think that the powers that be have it in for Liverpool but it is hard . First Red Card was not a red card it was a foul and a yellow but never intentional or out of control a slip on the ball . Second what is rotten in the VAR system . I could see that Diaz was on side , all those commentating including Gary Neville knew it was inside , VAR knew it was onside so would not draw the lines and show the error . Then a player trips himself up rolls around on the ground and gets a player booked . This means that a second card reduced Liverpool to nine men and still they fought on . I love Joel Matip he does not deserve to think of be sad for one moment . This possible easily cost Liverpool but we will carry on . VAR and all it stands for need to be stopped and disbanded they are a shambles who are not even capable of following there own protocols .b

200%

 

[Devil]

Agreed with Liverpool those decisions were woeful..

Nice of Arsenal to give Havertz a goal, but his stats are still awful!
Well played by the team but Bournemouth looking poor this season..

 

[bencat]

Mark Halsey has come out today with a statement of true throws all the things I believed about match officials in to doubt . It also does offer some explanation over certain really poor decisions being made . This will now either be bought off and buried or may end up in the courts . Shocking and truly depressing .

 

[garn63]

I can only think that we must have been 'resting' against Everton midweek. We can play a bit sometimes & occasionally blow teams away. Brighton caught us on song.
Emery seems to have been a much needed gift for all those associated with Aston Villa.
UTV.

 

[greybeard]

Arsenals away form this season, has been impressive. No goals conceded, have controled the games and never looked like losing, so far. Saturday against Bournemouth, we never got out of second gear, and won comfortably 4-0. Havertz at long last has a competitive goal to his name, albeit a penalty, I hope this gives him the confidence to become the player we all hoped he would be for us.
Champions League next, Lens, away. COYG!

 

[bencat]

Well not a great night for PL teams last night both losing to sides that they really should be beating . Worse for Arsenal is the possible loss of Saka for a few games . UTD have just carried on as they started this season and the only plus I could find was the form shown by there new striker . Hopefully both PL sides will do better tonight and keep things going forward . Liverpool play on Thursday and hoping they will perform well and keep all eleven players on the pitch this time . Saturday,s mistake still seems to be all anyone wants to talk about but I really liked Pep,s response saying Ref,s and VAR Ned to step back they are not the stars the footballers are but you would not know it . More comments after the game .

 

[lower bullens]

Went to Austin FC v DC United last night, championship standard at best.