Tiresias

big joe is fine

These are definitely the best team we have played so far, including man city who were soft as fuck at the back

Just need to keep trying to be patient and take sting out of game rather than rushing forward too quickly. No need to give them too much space, no rush

Arsenal are pretty good like

Saka did Burn there

Can't really fault it but I hope Longstaff and Willock have blinders like they can do

I see that, there are more clubs who ought to be able to give better games and yet in the last 5 seasons 4 teams (Man City and Liverpool) have won the league with over 90 points 5 seasons before that only 1 did, (Chelsea) 5 seasons before that only 1 did again (Man U) 5 seasons before that 3 did (Chelsea and Arsenal) And in the first 10 years of the premier league only 2 teams (both Man U) got over 90 points. That to me says that by and large Man City are winning games easier than previous champions won games in general. over 90 points is more common does not suggest that more of the games are tougher...

There is something to that, and definitely clubs like Brentford and Brighton are able to compete better because of smart signings and being more on a level playing field sports science wise, but, and I am going to get flack for suggesting that, Klopp was kinda right there are ceilings for these clubs because they will always lose players to the rich clubs. (Still the fucking gall of Klopp pleading poverty so much, still fucking annoys me, but he's not wrong imo. I think the quality of the midtable probably is higher than ever. and I can see the odd title upset (which arsenal winning would arguably be, but also more extreme ways like Lecesiter, but, I can't see Man City, or a club similarly funded like us soon, not dominating 4 seasons out of 5 still for the foreseeable.

I was thinking back to that Stoke side recently with him, Bojan, Shaquiri and Afellay what the hell was going on in the league haha. Remember finding them kinda obnoxious at the time but now think in another 10 years time noone will believe Stoke ever had them and if I were a stoke fan doomed to probably another 30 years watching cloggers in the lower leagues will be a golden age haha

As long as we give a good account of ourselves will swallow being beaten by them, they are really excellent at the moment, Oedegaard and Saka are both insanely good this season and will be difficult to keep them quiet. Hope we can get at least a draw would be amazing to win. If we win, Arsenal still have to play Man City twice and you'd think would need at least 4 points from those games to keep title favourites

There will always be serious competition from well run clubs, why Liverpool were able to compete with Man City for a while before seem to have started getting silly again. There will be the Arsenals of this season, but there will also plenty of clubs spending a lot and failing miserably. I do not buy that clubs are all getting better, Chelsea continue to stumble badly in search of being any good (still have good champions league runs in them mind), Spurs will continue to hire totally inappropriate managers and Kane may well be gone or over the hill fairly soon. I was always a bit less concerned about ffp than others have been because being well run does give you a lot of head starts over clubs with more money. There is low hanging fruit and players that are bargains. But it's just a big wheel, one season Spurs are overperforming but arsenal are clowns, next season chelsea are challenging. All that remains is Man City will be there or thereabouts and man u will be dogshit and still near the champions league places some how. I don't buy that all these new coaches will all be great, half will, half will get it wrong

Yeah definitely a year of difficult transition, Haaland covering up some issues but still would bet on them to be back to their best next season. They definitely miss Sterling, Grealish is not as good as him he just looks trickier. I also think Foden and other pretty attacking players will suffer a bit from the why would you pass it to them just get it in the box and Haaland will score it. They are a bit inconsistent at the back, seem to concede too many goals and have usually just shrugged and scored a few more but as with Everton will bite them. Think tbh though Pep is just having fun trying out having a ludicrously talented old school centre forward as it's a twist on his usual style he hasn't done yet and he got bored with the false 9 shenanigans.

He went there and won the league with them with what is generally considered one of the all time great defensive back lines didn't he? I get it's a dick move completely but also kinda got it right didn't he. Weird bloke though...

I do see that, and certainly the big clubs seem unable to spend sensibly, but still think the gap to where Man City are now is pretty huge. Yes they can have an off season but looking at the winners since Leicester's miracle - Chelsea Man City Man City Liverpool Man City Man City I don't believe in the top 6 - below a great liverpool team and man city there were rich other clubs but none run especially well and that has shown in domestic leagues. Smart spending by Villa could get into the top 6 but to get close to Man City is waaaay beyond them. I have previously argued Liverpool and Man City were basically the big 2 but wonder if Liverpool was more a great team that was built rather than anything sustained. We have the resources of course to get there, but will take a while as good as this season has gone, but it shouldn't cost so much, it's silly. the 'Big Six' is a narrative driven by sky who want the league to remain the best to distract from how it isnt actually any more competitative than any other league. We're in a similar situation as La Liga where Barca and Real dominate and occaisionally another challenges but never for too long.

Honestly this is a problem with ludicrous sums being thrown around for players. These vastly inflated fees ballooned by agents caring little for their players actual careers means a good player who could be crafted into something special moves for such a high fee not getting an immediate return of a load of goals becomes a disaster. These huge sums makes these players huge investments and I just think this will keep happening and some common sense needs to kick in. Financial fair play was supposed to stop this crap and instead all it does it make it more difficult to compete for other clubs. He may just need time, he's clearly doing a lot well.

What is it with Merseyside clubs and getting a free pass for spending. I know they ultimately have to generate their income and have with big sales of players but saw an article praising Liverpool for apparently doing so well over the last few years with apparently little spending...hmmmmmmm. I am happy to give them really clever spending, Salah cost ultimately a fraction of what Man City throw around for overrated players like Grealish but they did spend £75m on a defender. The point is they have spent a load of money but generally until recently spent it very well, and no they don't have unlimited funds but they aren't some fairytale poor club. Equally just heard on podcast about Everton drawing at Man City, and then mentioned alongside Brentford also getting good results (won't have included last night) and Everton were mentioned as the one with meagre resources??? THey do now cos they spent like total loons, that's why their squad is so bad! If I were a Brentford fan I'd be fuming to be compared as if they are the richer!

HOWE OUT lolol. Oh well, onwards

I agree a bit but on the other Leeds whole game is manic pressing to induce defensive mistakes, they haven't good enough players to create chances themselves so ASM may be a bit unnecessary risk? He will certainly do damage on counter if needed from bench.

Not unfair! Howe will know best just thought this may be opportunity to have a bit of a tweak.

Wouldn't be enough

Should be better looking at the players too. Lopetegui may be a success but they have naff all too them right now

I mean this is where it kinda gets stupid in that it was down by his body (but did deflect definitely off his hand), equally he was jumping so arm down the side isnt actually arguably a 'natural' position for it to be there. I can sort of agree that a ball ricocheting off a hand into the goal should just be disallowed, it's when it's a penalty the punishment is wildly ott at other end of the pitch sometimes

Disallowed for handball

Can't argue, but one day, when we are in Europe, Howe is going to have to learn how to rotate a winning squad. very minor criticism but with arsenal in a few days feel this was a slight opportunity

It just boggles me how Man U have spent so much money and yet have some really glaring problems in several positions on the pitch still, even a stopped clock you would have thought would have made a few more sensible signings...