Triffic Premier League Thread (still sponsored by Eddie Yates)

[Fitzcarraldo]

I've always struggled with the notion that Man City, and Barca before them, are boring to watch. When I watch/watched either when at their mechanical best I liken the experience to something approaching zen - it's mesmeric.

For periods during yesterday's game, City moved as one organism where all the random parts were indistinguishable from the whole. Particularly, in the second half, the 'full-backs(?)' (Cancelo and Walker) spent most of their time hovering in central-mid, De Bruyne was slotting in as sweeper and Rodri (currently the best pound-for-pound player in the EPL in my opinion) was wherever the mood suited him. However, when asked to do and be what the primary position dictated there they were.

Of course, 'total' football isn't new and Pep is of the Cruyff (before him Michels, Hogan and Meisl) school so no surprises here but to do it in an era where tactics, physicality and general standards are so much higher is outstanding.

 

[Project Zeus]

I'll never understand how Liverpool and Chelsea allowed Haaland to move to City unchallenged.

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[Haych]

Haaland will be breaking records galore this season, I do think City will need to tweak how they play a bit but I’m sure Pep will work it out, he knows a little bit about the game.

 

[Ashley]

I think much of whether or not City retain the title this season depends on how Haaland settles in. Looking at the West Ham game, it looks like he'll have no problem adjusting to the Premier League.

 

[Rzar]

I'll never understand how Liverpool and Chelsea allowed Haaland to move to City unchallenged.

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They probably did try, but Haaland picked his next club - I don't think a club picked Haaland.

 

[Any Time Now]

No idea how you even begin to set up against City, you can't commit too much man power in neutralizing individuals like Haaland/KDB because then you're giving them exactly what they want and opening up space for the rest of them to exploit. Grealish gets a lot of stick for being 'useless' but even his presence on the pitch occupies players and results in more space opening up elsewhere, he's essentially a £100m decoy at times

There's just so much quality in that side and the scariest part isn't even the talent, it's how well coached and organized they are. I think the only times they look slightly vulnerable is when other top tier powerhouses decide to drop their structure take the gloves off spit out the gumshield and go blow for blow with them

 

[adam09]

I'll never understand how Liverpool and Chelsea allowed Haaland to move to City unchallenged.

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It was mental he went to Dortmund first.

 

[Rzar]

No idea how you even begin to set up against City, you can't commit too much man power in neutralizing individuals like Haaland/KDB because then you're giving them exactly what they want and opening up space for the rest of them to exploit. Grealish gets a lot of stick for being 'useless' but even his presence on the pitch occupies players and results in more space opening up elsewhere, he's essentially a £100m decoy at times

There's just so much quality in that side and the scariest part isn't even the talent, it's how well coached and organized they are. I think the only times they look slightly vulnerable is when other top tier powerhouses decide to drop their structure take the gloves off spit out the gumshield and go blow for blow with them

Exactly, I was suprised how much more dangerous Haaland seemed to make them.

They pass you to death like they normally do if you sit off them, if you leave your half then Haaland + KDB will eat you alive.

I agree about Grealish as well, I don't get the demand for him to score and assist more - he spends most of his time on the far touchline so others can score.

 

[Fitzcarraldo]

Klopp blaming the wind for Saturday's result. Says 'we were set up for a north westerly and it was a sow-sow-west'

 

[Berkshire Red]

It was mental he went to Dortmund first.

His people decided that Dortmund would be better for his development. I don't think you can argue with them either, looks like they were spot on.

 

[Project Zeus]

It was mental he went to Dortmund first.

I think it was a really wise decision, personally.

He's playing at the top level in the Champions League, with a big fanbase, but he's not at an elite club with the added competition and pressure that brings.

Now he's ready to take those further challenges on. He's such an exciting player to watch develop.

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[Strummer]

It was mental he went to Dortmund first.

No, it really wasn’t. Dortmund have a fantastic reputation for enhancing the careers of young players because they give them playing time - Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham for two other examples (and Bellingham is going to be the next superstar they sell on for a hefty profit).

When Erling joined Dortmund he had massive potential, but he really made his name and enhanced his personal reputation while playing for Die Schwarzgelb.

 

[adam09]

I meant it was mental as in none of Man City, Man Utd, Barca, Bayern, Real, Liverpool or PSG took him or managed to tempt him.

Of course Dortmund turned out to be a great move.

 

[DapperDan]

Why would Wolves loan out their captain for a season? It seems crazy.

 

[Morpeth]

Why would Wolves loan out their captain for a season? It seems crazy.

You would think it’s because they are skint but in that case why are they supposedly rejecting huge money for MGW. Coady has played for England recently. It’s just weird.

 

[Redemption]

Friday: The Wolves head coach added: “He is one of the best people I know in football. I had a great season with him, and I think he had a great season with me. He is a guy that you will keep in your friendship group because he is a lovely guy - he is my captain, he is still my captain.
Monday: see ya!

 

[Morpeth]

Friday: The Wolves head coach added: “He is one of the best people I know in football. I had a great season with him, and I think he had a great season with me. He is a guy that you will keep in your friendship group because he is a lovely guy - he is my captain, he is still my captain.
Monday: see ya!

He’s a massive Liverpool fan so it would make sense he goes to Merseyside.

Except he went to Everton!

I wonder whether the Wolves manager is a bit dim actually.

 

[adam09]

That is a really odd transfer.

 

[Morpeth]

According to Wolves fans, they are moving to a back four and Coady doesn’t think he can play in that system! Maybe they don’t realise they are as skint as Everton because that has to be complete rubbish surely?!

 

[Strummer]

According to Wolves fans, they are moving to a back four and Coady doesn’t think he can play in that system! Maybe they don’t realise they are as skint as Everton because that has to be complete rubbish surely?!

They will apparently indeed shift to a back four, but the Manager prefers his other two CBs there, and Coady has ambitions to get into the World Cup squad, hence the move to Everton, who are apparently going to play with a Back Three.

So, there is sense in it, from that perspective anyway. Probably if there were no World Cup in November, he would maybe not have moved, or gone somewhere other than struggling Everton.

 

[youreds1986]

500/1 on Manchester United getting relegated.

Gonna stick 20 quid on it.

They look in an utter, utter mess to me. Signing the likes of Rabiot and Arnautovic isn't going to help, either.

 

[youreds1986]

Haaland will be breaking records galore this season, I do think City will need to tweak how they play a bit but I’m sure Pep will work it out, he knows a little bit about the game.

100%. Haaland is a machine. He's going to score for fun. I think he easily breaks 30 league goals this year and quite possibly 35.

 

[valspoodle]

I seem to remember Cloughie saying give the ball to Robbo and he'll do the rest; probably not in those terms, but that's the gist of it.

Man City and Haaland are in the same bracket. de Bruyne and Haarland were chatting during the game on Sunday and obviously de B was saying, I'll give you the ball, you do the rest. So simple. You don't really need tactics in that situation.

After all, that was the main strategy of Leicester in their League winning season, long punt up to Vardy.

 

[Strummer]

City have lacked a proper effective target man since Aguero left.

Haaland can do that, but he’s got so much more in his locker too.

 

[adam09]

He’s actually quite unselfish as well. I saw him do it loads of times for Dortmund where, if a team mate had an easier chance to score, he would square it to them to tap in.