Weekend Football

[6ft Kerplunk]

Something in that

It’s about making that balance. Sure, having Trent on the pitch increase our chance of scoring but to what extent does it increase our chances of conceding? In games of “fine margins”, is it worth that risk? Given our manager is safety first, there’s your answer

It doesn’t make Southgate “right” or “wrong”, he sticks to his approach (an approach which has got us a semi final and final) because football is all about different people having different takes on the game. It’d be rather dull if everyone was unanimous

It does shine a light on how systems make players. Guardiola commented at the weekend that for all his brilliance, Haaland needs 'his mates' to get him the ball in the right places. TAA's excellence in recent seasons at Liverpool has been supported by a) the pace and positioning of their centre-backs in Van Dijk, Matip and Gomez and b) the willing cover provided by Henderson and Fabinho when he is in an attacking position. For England, Maguire just isn't as mobile a defender, and our defensive midfielders are more of a traditional roaming band of two through the middle than flexible pressers of the football and alternative full-backs.

So yeah, Southgate will stick to his way, but it feels increasingly like a waste. As great as Bellingham was against Italy recently, he is a different player altogether for Dortmund. Likewise Foden has more ineffective games for England than he does City.

That's been the case for as long as I can remember. Massively agree on Foden, Bellingham and TAA. Mount too always looks much better for Chelsea. Conversely, there's always some players who somehow look better for England. Maguire, Shaw and Pickford spring to mind. Going back, always thought Platt excelled more in an England shirt.

Foden, Mount and TAA all play with better players are their club. Maguire, Shaw and Pickford less so.

[Winston Biscuit]

Arsenal 1up early on

[Royal Rother]

TAA - oh dear.

[Ascotexgunner]

TAA - oh dear.

His defensive ability isn't even League one. he has absolutely no spacial awareness. If I saw one of our fullbacks running over aimlessly like he did for the second I'd seriously wonder whether he is out of his depth.....

[Winston Biscuit]

3-2. great game this

[Ascotexgunner]

3-2. great game this

Huge test for Arsenal now. Have they got the mentality to hang on or are they Reading 21/22 in disguise.

[Winston Biscuit]

Liverpool 1 point above 15th place and they have Man City next

[URZZZZ]

Not sure who I would like to win the title less. Arteta’s team of cheats (Jesus, Saka and Martinelli - pathetic the trio of them) or City who are spend spend spend

I like Potter so would want Chelsea to win but think it’ll be one season too soon for them

[Loafer]

TAA - oh dear.

His defensive ability isn't even League one. he has absolutely no spacial awareness. If I saw one of our fullbacks running over aimlessly like he did for the second I'd seriously wonder whether he is out of his depth.....

I've been saying it for years

No wonder he doesn't get in the ebgkwb squad

[Loafer]

Not sure who I would like to win the title less. Arteta’s team of cheats (Jesus, Saka and Martinelli - pathetic the trio of them) or City who are spend spend spend

I like Potter so would want Chelsea to win but think it’ll be one season too soon for them

Trio of cheats

[Royal Rother]

Not sure who I would like to win the title less. Arteta’s team of cheats (Jesus, Saka and Martinelli - pathetic the trio of them) or City who are spend spend spend

I like Potter so would want Chelsea to win but think it’ll be one season too soon for them

You should give up watching football.

[URZZZZ]

Not sure who I would like to win the title less. Arteta’s team of cheats (Jesus, Saka and Martinelli - pathetic the trio of them) or City who are spend spend spend

I like Potter so would want Chelsea to win but think it’ll be one season too soon for them

You should give up watching football.

It is tempting to give up on the Prem - full of prima donnas - cheats, with the continued misuse of VAR (how they can justify disallowing Rashford’s but allowing Antonio’s - where’s the consistency) is beyond me.

Championship on the other hand is as bonkers as ever, just 3 points seperate 1st and 7th. Same gap in the other leagues is 10 in the Prem, 12 in League One and 10 in League Two

[Sanguine]

Haaland's 15 goals (in nine games, lol) is as many as City's top scorer last season, De Bruyne.

And Firmino has more goals in seven games this season (six) than he got in the whole of last campaign.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

I would like to see Arsenal throw a genuine title challenge together and get CL football. Never disliked them, think the ground is a really good ground and it's good to see a lot of top performers in their side now.

Just goes to show what you can do when you have faith in your manager, when there is a clear process in place and when you can trust your players and just add the extra couple of players that are necessary. Jesus and Zinchenko have been excellent additions, Saliba coming back in has added steal to their defence and they finally look as if they've got some quality depth at the back now and Xhaka improving is a big stepping stone.

They are still going to be significantly off I think, but certainly getting there. Could use a better defender than Gabriel in that position and if the Partey situation (if it is confirmed to be him) gets resolved one way or another then they might have a very real chance.

[paultheroyal]

Not sure who I would like to win the title less. Arteta’s team of cheats (Jesus, Saka and Martinelli - pathetic the trio of them) or City who are spend spend spend

I like Potter so would want Chelsea to win but think it’ll be one season too soon for them

Lets break this ridiculous comment down - and look forward to your reasoning.

You name 3 players as "cheats" - please explain to me why each are cheats and why they are pathetic.

Man City - spend spend spend - is this not every team pretty much in premier league. Is their spend any worse than other clubs. Would you argue their spend transfers are very successful? Has it brought about rewards?

You like Potter. Why is that?

[URZZZZ]

Not sure who I would like to win the title less. Arteta’s team of cheats (Jesus, Saka and Martinelli - pathetic the trio of them) or City who are spend spend spend

I like Potter so would want Chelsea to win but think it’ll be one season too soon for them

Lets break this ridiculous comment down - and look forward to your reasoning.

You name 3 players as "cheats" - please explain to me why each are cheats and why they are pathetic.

Man City - spend spend spend - is this not every team pretty much in premier league. Is their spend any worse than other clubs. Would you argue their spend transfers are very successful? Has it brought about rewards?

You like Potter. Why is that?

You’re rather an unpleasant individual aren’t you? Have seen it with Ian on the TB regularly. One of those who think they’re superior to everyone else because they’ve been involved with the game at a higher level. Guess what, it doesn’t work like that! But to humour you:

Those three players (yes, including our very own English talent), throw themselves to the floor at every given opportunity available. Look at Jesus yesterday, a tap on the boot for the penalty and he’s rolling around on the floor like he’s been shot. He’s a fully grown man, let that sink in. And it’s cheating, what sort of message are you sending to the millions of people watching the game? That cheating is rewarding, the right thing to do? Saka and Martinelli both have history of it too. It’s a shame because they’re talented footballers

No, not to the same extent as City. I can’t imagine what their weekly wage comes out to. Again, it teaches all the wrong messages in life, that spending money is the only way to success. Of course it’s brought about rewards, but even after all their spending, they still haven’t won what they’re really aiming for

I like Potter because unlike most PL managers, he doesn’t whinge about fixture congestion, or refereeing decisions, he just gets on with it. Plays an attractive style of play and gives the youngsters a chance. Started well at Chelsea but they’re not exactly the most patient of clubs

[paultheroyal]

Not sure who I would like to win the title less. Arteta’s team of cheats (Jesus, Saka and Martinelli - pathetic the trio of them) or City who are spend spend spend

I like Potter so would want Chelsea to win but think it’ll be one season too soon for them

Lets break this ridiculous comment down - and look forward to your reasoning.

You name 3 players as "cheats" - please explain to me why each are cheats and why they are pathetic.

Man City - spend spend spend - is this not every team pretty much in premier league. Is their spend any worse than other clubs. Would you argue their spend transfers are very successful? Has it brought about rewards?

You like Potter. Why is that?

You’re rather an unpleasant individual aren’t you? Have seen it with Ian on the TB regularly. One of those who think they’re superior to everyone else because they’ve been involved with the game at a higher level. Guess what, it doesn’t work like that! But to humour you:

Those three players (yes, including our very own English talent), throw themselves to the floor at every given opportunity available. Look at Jesus yesterday, a tap on the boot for the penalty and he’s rolling around on the floor like he’s been shot. He’s a fully grown man, let that sink in. And it’s cheating, what sort of message are you sending to the millions of people watching the game? That cheating is rewarding, the right thing to do? Saka and Martinelli both have history of it too. It’s a shame because they’re talented footballers

No, not to the same extent as City. I can’t imagine what their weekly wage comes out to. Again, it teaches all the wrong messages in life, that spending money is the only way to success. Of course it’s brought about rewards, but even after all their spending, they still haven’t won what they’re really aiming for

I like Potter because unlike most PL managers, he doesn’t whinge about fixture congestion, or refereeing decisions, he just gets on with it. Plays an attractive style of play and gives the youngsters a chance. Started well at Chelsea but they’re not exactly the most patient of clubs

How on earth am i an unplesaant individual? What a strange comment to make. I am merely asking for you to explain the comments you are making. I am superior to know one. Yes i am fortunate to have had some amazing life experiences particularly within football etc and like to share for those that are interested but to say superior, utter rubbish. As i would with any nobber, i would point out anything which i believe is wrong. Ian unfortunately posts alot that i believe is wrong. I am not rude or abusive in that, Sorry to hear that offends you.

Agree with your Potter comments, but find your other comments laughable, clearly not someone i want to engage with so i will leave it there. Have a nice day.

[Royal Rother]

Fundamentally I don’t disagree with the cheating angle, but it really is part of the game.

You don’t like it, I don’t like it, but every team does it, so when it outweighs the pleasure of watching what are otherwise great football teams, better to stop watching and save the angst.

[URZZZZ]

Lets break this ridiculous comment down - and look forward to your reasoning.

You name 3 players as "cheats" - please explain to me why each are cheats and why they are pathetic.

Man City - spend spend spend - is this not every team pretty much in premier league. Is their spend any worse than other clubs. Would you argue their spend transfers are very successful? Has it brought about rewards?

You like Potter. Why is that?

You’re rather an unpleasant individual aren’t you? Have seen it with Ian on the TB regularly. One of those who think they’re superior to everyone else because they’ve been involved with the game at a higher level. Guess what, it doesn’t work like that! But to humour you:

Those three players (yes, including our very own English talent), throw themselves to the floor at every given opportunity available. Look at Jesus yesterday, a tap on the boot for the penalty and he’s rolling around on the floor like he’s been shot. He’s a fully grown man, let that sink in. And it’s cheating, what sort of message are you sending to the millions of people watching the game? That cheating is rewarding, the right thing to do? Saka and Martinelli both have history of it too. It’s a shame because they’re talented footballers

No, not to the same extent as City. I can’t imagine what their weekly wage comes out to. Again, it teaches all the wrong messages in life, that spending money is the only way to success. Of course it’s brought about rewards, but even after all their spending, they still haven’t won what they’re really aiming for

I like Potter because unlike most PL managers, he doesn’t whinge about fixture congestion, or refereeing decisions, he just gets on with it. Plays an attractive style of play and gives the youngsters a chance. Started well at Chelsea but they’re not exactly the most patient of clubs

How on earth am i an unplesaant individual? What a strange comment to make. I am merely asking for you to explain the comments you are making. I am superior to know one. Yes i am fortunate to have had some amazing life experiences particularly within football etc and like to share for those that are interested but to say superior, utter rubbish. As i would with any nobber, i would point out anything which i believe is wrong. Ian unfortunately posts alot that i believe is wrong. I am not rude or abusive in that, Sorry to hear that offends you.

Agree with your Potter comments, but find your other comments laughable, clearly not someone i want to engage with so i will leave it there. Have a nice day.

It’s the way you go around disagreeing which is the issue. Whether you think it is or not, labelling someone else’s viewpoint as “ridiculous” is totally unnecessary and uncalled for and yes, comes across as rather rude

Anyway, will leave it there

[YorkshireRoyal99]

I agree, it's fundamentally part of the game. No matter what level of football anyone has been involved at, an unwritten rule I've learned is that if you don't go down, you don't get the foul. It's now a cliche within the game. That doesn't necessarily mean you should cheat and dive to deceive the referee's, that's wrong and there is of course a line, but it still happens.

I play at amateur level, I've done it before. I've felt contact and gone down because if I stay on my feet, I don't get the foul. Sometimes it's enough to send me down, other times less so. I might be considered a "cheat" for that, but most other players will do the same.