Sportsbet.io's English Premier League Football Pool Discussion Thread

[jeremypwr]

Congrats to goodpunt for winning the Round 20 Yellow Cap
Back-to-back Yellow Caps 

[igebotz]

He's one of the best fullbacks around, in my opinion he deserves the 300k salary. Gakpo and Diaz will probably never be in that range, and Nunez won't be here next season.
I wonder how you came to the conclusion that he'll be asking for a raise. He's losing game time rapidly and has more yellow cards than goals and assists combined this season.

Regarding the big salaries - Chelsea's weekly salary spend is 30+% higher than Liverpool's. Arsenal is close to Chelsea, with United and City further in front.

If Liverpool renewes with all 3 key players, we'll be close to Chelsea and Arsenal - which we should be doing.

I'm not sure what source you're using, but  this shows that Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal are all ahead of Chelsea, while Liverpool is only a few pounds behind Chelsea, and if they can extend VVD, Salah, and Trent on Saudi-like wages, they'll easily climb to the top five.

The good thing concerning Chelsea wages is that none of our player's contract will be extended in the next 6-8 years (Liverpool will be in another heavy contract situation in the next 2-3 years). We still have our highest earners Chilwell and Sterling to cut out this summer.

[goodpunt]

Congrats to goodpunt for winning the Round 20 Yellow Cap
Back-to-back Yellow Caps 

I wouldn't mind a three-peat
Looks like I used all my luck for the first 6 games.
Really thought that I could compete for the 20K prize after the first 6 games -_-

[slaman29]

Regarding the big salaries - Chelsea's weekly salary spend is 30+% higher than Liverpool's. Arsenal is close to Chelsea, with United and City further in front.

I'm not sure what source you're using, but  this shows that Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal are all ahead of Chelsea, while Liverpool is only a few pounds behind Chelsea, and if they can extend VVD, Salah, and Trent on Saudi-like wages, they'll easily climb to the top five.

Again, I don't like to discuss salaries without seeing what those salaries are doing. Forget about xG and what not. You can predict that but you can't guarantee it. That's what bonus payments is for in contracts. If you score goals and win promotion and play 20 games you get bonuses etc.

But we are talking about salary, you give us work, we give you money.

If you have a company, you should be looking to get what you are paying for. If I have 10 staff and spend the most on my salaries compared to my competitors BUT all 10 staff are working 40 hours a week. I will happily raise all their salaries even more.

If I have 15 staff and spend 70% of my rivals but 2 staff don't report for duty and 4 staff only give me 10 hours per week. Then I am throwing money away. I should be firing the underworking staff, and give the salaries to those giving me 40 hours.

I don't know the stats but just by rough look at wages at Transfermarkt Chelsea and Manchester United are paying the most money to players not playing. If you look at this list for any club the first 5 or first 10 should all be 100% starters minus injury. Not Chelsea and not Manchester United. That is inflating the market unnecessarily. Chelsea at least are using a lot of those players in Conference League but that just means their main players are playing even less games than their rivals.

https://www.capology.com/club/manchester-united/salaries/
https://www.capology.com/club/chelsea/salaries/
https://www.capology.com/club/manchester-city/salaries/

[LFC_Bitcoin]

Arsenal were really poor last night, they lack ideas and end product without Saka. I know it’s only the Carabao Cup with Newcastle have one foot in the final after a 2-0 first leg win.

It would be great for Liverpool to win it again so I hope we go strong tonight. We can always rest players in the FA Cup at the weekend.

[un_rank]

Arsenal were really poor last night, they lack ideas and end product without Saka. I know it’s only the Carabao Cup with Newcastle have one foot in the final after a 2-0 first leg win.

We struggle to much as St James' Park for me to have any hope pf making the final. The way I see it, Newcastle have more then a foot in the final already.

It is not just about Saka, we have had maybe 5 or 6 really good matches this season where the team really clicked, created chances from open play and were able to hold out games. In others we were not so good, only able to create chances from set pieces and counter attacks, same as in the Newcastle game.

We look exhausted from the past 2 seasons. Many of our players are not at their top level, Rice, Ødegaard, Gabriel and others too. Might have to focus on top 4 now and going as far as possible in the UCL.

- Jay -

[LFC_Bitcoin]

Arsenal were really poor last night, they lack ideas and end product without Saka. I know it’s only the Carabao Cup with Newcastle have one foot in the final after a 2-0 first leg win.

We struggle to much as St James' Park for me to have any hope pf making the final. The way I see it, Newcastle have more then a foot in the final already.

It is not just about Saka, we have had maybe 5 or 6 really good matches this season where the team really clicked, created chances and were able to hold out games. In others we were not so good, only able to create chances from set pieces and counter attacks, same as in the Newcastle game.

We look exhausted this season from the past 2 seasons. Many of our players are not at their top level, Rice, Ødegaard, Gabriel and others too. Might have to focus on top 4 now and going as far as possible in the UCL.

- Jay -

You are still in the title race but you need a top striker, a proper goalscorer, not Kai Havertz who is a good player but far from a clinical striker.

I’m starting to think Arteta might have taken Arsenal as tar as he can. Maybe it’s time to change manager in the summer. He has spent £700,000,000 and only won one FA Cup.

[un_rank]

You are still in the title race but you need a top striker, a proper goalscorer, not Kai Havertz who is a good player but far from a clinical striker.

That will need to be in the summer. We needed to sign a striker and LWF during the last transfer window rather than more defenders

I’m starting to think Arteta might have taken Arsenal as tar as he can. Maybe it’s time to change manager in the summer. He has spent £700,000,000 and only won one FA Cup.

I still think he is the man for the job. He fell short by only a few points in the last 2 seasons. If he can get us into the semi-final of the UCL it will be a good enough season.

- Jay -

[igebotz]

I don't know the stats but just by rough look at wages at Transfermarkt Chelsea and Manchester United are paying the most money to players not playing. If you look at this list for any club the first 5 or first 10 should all be 100% starters minus injury. Not Chelsea and not Manchester United. That is inflating the market unnecessarily. Chelsea at least are using a lot of those players in Conference League but that just means their main players are playing even less games than their rivals.

True, we have certain deadwoods who continue to receive hefty salaries despite doing nothing, and some who play for other teams (Sterling and others) while still receiving payments from us. Our previous recruitment team, Marina and Cech, left us with some liabilities.

In reality, most Liverpool players deserve to earn more than most of our players, without a doubt, but Liverpool are making 300k/week looks like average salary now which is not really good for the future.

Edit:

I still think he is the man for the job. He fell short by only a few points in the last 2 seasons. If he can get us into the semi-final of the UCL it will be a good enough season.

I'm not sure whether I'm the only one, but Arsenal no longer play exciting football compared to the previous two seasons.

[un_rank]

I'm not sure whether I'm the only one, but Arsenal no longer play exciting football compared to the previous two seasons.

It has been a labored season. We struggle to move the ball into the final third and have not been solid defensively. Sure injuries have played a part, Saka and Ødegaard have not played lots of matches together and they are the source of most of our attacking play.

What hurts most are matches we could have won without being brilliant, but we were not able to hold on to victories, dropping too many points from winning positions while not recovering we when going behind.

- Jay -

[igebotz]

I'm not sure whether I'm the only one, but Arsenal no longer play exciting football compared to the previous two seasons.

It has been a labored season. We struggle to move the ball into the final third and have not been solid defensively. Sure injuries have played a part, Saka and Ødegaard have not played lots of matches together and they are the source of most of our attacking play.

What hurts most are matches we could have won without being brilliant, but we were not able to hold on to victories, dropping too many points from winning positions while not recovering we when going behind.

I believe it has more to do with the corner tactics that the team has relied solely on this season, as well as the 4 CBs and 2 DMs Arteta has consistently played. You cannot expect to play exciting football with 6 defensive players in the lineup.

The corner tactics thing requires more defensive players inside the opponent's box to work, so I guess he'll keep playing that. The only problem is the corner thing does not work without Saka.

[buwaytress]

^ I only say this with truly biased and unmeasured opinion, as I don't watch every Arsenal game, and certainly not so much this season, but Lacazette/Auba were very exciting in sporadic bursts. Saka is lovely and Martinelli as well, but yeah, seems like lopsided without the requisite central flow to polish things off.

Liverpool have become less speedy, and I was sure it would translate to less exciting -- but Klopp has generally been slowing the team down since 2019 anyway but we're creating so much more now while giving away more possession so I feel like that's also contributed to "excitement".

I still think Arsenal and Spurs have consistently delivered the most exciting football over the past decade. Or at least, attempted to. Heh heh.

P.S. I mentioned before but this season Chelsea are to me the ones showing most improvement in the excitement factor. Also very unbalanced opinion.

[un_rank]

I believe it has more to do with the corner tactics that the team has relied solely on this season, as well as the 4 CBs and 2 DMs Arteta has consistently played. You cannot expect to play exciting football with 6 defensive players in the lineup.

I actually dislike this narrative. Every team now has a set-piece coach and try to utilize the set pieces they have, this is the exact thing we do just with more success than most. Arsenal does not play for corners, in-fact we only get corners when we are on the front foot in a match and try to score from every set piece as all clubs do. Another team who are very inventive with their set pieces is Villa, I like watching them come up with creative ways to score.

We have always played exciting football with the exact line up. Rice is very good as a central midfielder and ventures forward every time he gets, again, almost every team plays a double pivot, not sure what you mean by 6 defensive players.

The corner tactics thing requires more defensive players inside the opponent's box to work, so I guess he'll keep playing that. The only problem is the corner thing does not work without Saka.

Are you referring to Rice and Partey in the midfield as the defensive players? They are not exactly corner targets, any player can replace them in the box. Gabriel, Saliba and White are most times the key factors in our corners. If you are saying Arteta picks out his squad with corner kick in mind, I will say that is quite the reach if I have ever seen one.

- Jay -

[slaman29]

True, we have certain deadwoods who continue to receive hefty salaries despite doing nothing, and some who play for other teams (Sterling and others) while still receiving payments from us. Our previous recruitment team, Marina and Cech, left us with some liabilities.

In reality, most Liverpool players deserve to earn more than most of our players, without a doubt, but Liverpool are making 300k/week looks like average salary now which is not really good for the future.

Yeah I remember Klopp used to say Liverpool don't have the money, and then boom they splashed on Nunez. They used to be one of the more effective salary payers but I have a feeling if a club is owned by Americans eventually they follow the market, and then themselves set the market.

I can't talk much tho, we paid crazy money for Coutinho to kinda start the whole thing lol

I actually dislike this narrative. Every team now has a set-piece coach and try to utilize the set pieces they have, this is the exact thing we do just with more success than most. Arsenal does not play for corners, in-fact we only get corners when we are on the front foot in a match and try to score from every set piece as all clubs do. Another team who are very inventive with their set pieces is Villa, I like watching them come up with creative ways to score.

I agree. Setpieces are a part of football and the most overlooked way. Modern football must take corners and freekicks more seriously. Used to be just put it in and hope it gets somewhere but I personally find it exciting to make something out of it.

Honestly even Brentford is more exciting just because they did something special with kickoffs!!

[igebotz]

^ I only say this with truly biased and unmeasured opinion, as I don't watch every Arsenal game, and certainly not so much this season, but Lacazette/Auba were very exciting in sporadic bursts. Saka is lovely and Martinelli as well, but yeah, seems like lopsided without the requisite central flow to polish things off.

Lacazette/Aubu and Ozil combo under Emery were exciting to watch and better than any version of Arteta era. The current squad only Saka and Odegaard are exciting to watch.

I actually dislike this narrative. Every team now has a set-piece coach and try to utilize the set pieces they have, this is the exact thing we do just with more success than most. Arsenal does not play for corners, in-fact we only get corners when we are on the front foot in a match and try to score from every set piece as all clubs do.

Yes, but no other team's set piece coach run to the touchline to instruct players on every corner, like the Arsenal set-piece coach does. Stoke City framework.

I like Saka, but his game this season has been all about getting a corner since the entire team depends on it. Every time he gets the ball, he dashes towards the corner line, hoping to beat the player or get a corner. Saka was known for cutting and shooting from the edge of the box last season, but that is no longer the case. Timber, White, Saliba, Rice, and Partey are all natural defensive players.

Yeah I remember Klopp used to say Liverpool don't have the money, and then boom they splashed on Nunez. They used to be one of the more effective salary payers but I have a feeling if a club is owned by Americans eventually they follow the market, and then themselves set the market.

Klopp was the most dishonest manager of his era; he complained about other clubs' expenses while spending more and signing every top player on the market.

[un_rank]

Yes, but no other team's set piece coach run to the touchline to instruct players on every corner, like the Arsenal set-piece coach does. Stoke City framework.

No he does not, but even if he did, how is that an issue? A set piece coach being passionate about his job is something to appreciate, it is 100% of why he is at the club
That Stoke narrative is just ridiculous, I am surprised I am seeing it on a thread like this.

I like Saka, but his game this season has been all about getting a corner since the entire team depends on it.

Try watching actual games.

Timber, White, Saliba, Rice, and Partey are all natural defensive players.

Timber, Saliba and White are defenders, Partey is our CDM, Rice is our CMF when Partey is on the pitch but can play as a CDM if the need requires. What are you on about?

I can also say Chelsea starts with 4 defenders and 2 defensive players (like you call it) in Caicedo and Enzo, but I do not know why I should need to, that is what almost every club does.
Except you have a Rodri in your team, you use a double pivot with 2 midfielders that have defensive abilities. Newcastle used to play just Bruno, but they now pair him with Tonali.

- Jay -

[igebotz]

No he does not, but even if he did, how is that an issue? A set piece coach being passionate about his job is something to appreciate, it is 100% of why he is at the club
That Stoke narrative is just ridiculous, I am surprised I am seeing it on a thread like this.

Yes he does.... The team depends on his dark art set pieces - put him in a more active position on the sidelines.

Did you not watch the Stoke and West Brom football eras? Playing shit and taking advantage of every set-piece opportunity to win games- similar to Arsenal play this season.

Try watching actual games.

Doesn't change the fact that your team plays haram football and most Arsenal corner kicks comes from the RWF side. You may want to take a look at Saka heat map this season - bro hasn't step a foot into the middle. The haram football is killing him.

We played our biggest Haram football under Tuchel but it wasn't this bad but we won trophies to shut everyone up

Timber, Saliba and White are defenders, Partey is our CDM, Rice is our CMF when Partey is on the pitch but can play as a CDM if the need requires. What are you on about?

Rice is a natural CDM, pushing him to CMF to accommodate Partey does not change anything - go and look at his heat map this season.

Riccardo Calafiori, Saliba, White, Gabriel, Partey and Rice (7) in your average starting Eleven this season. Com'on bro... This is pure Haram. 

[buwaytress]

^^ forget setpieces. Klopp brought in a throw-in specialists (I believe we were the first several seasons ago) and it was derided, but I agree. Modern football has long ignored many aspects of the game. How you take a throw-in is so important, awareness and off the ball movements and no offside rule are big things there. Brentford hats off focused on kickoffs, the most benign aspect of the game. These have traditionally been interruptors of flow but played well, they improve football's natural flow.

Anyway, I'm saying "f it" for the next fixtures and put in 3 huge upsets. Odds-wise, anyway.

Lacazette/Aubu and Ozil combo under Emery were exciting to watch and better than any version of Arteta era. The current squad only Saka and Odegaard are exciting to watch.

Agreed. They just didn't have any spine or ruthlessness, so I guess Arteta's dark arts team is what the Goons prefer. Hope he does more to protect Saka's hammie though... that thing, if not taken care of, ruins years.

[igebotz]

^^ forget setpieces. Klopp brought in a throw-in specialists (I believe we were the first several seasons ago) and it was derided, but I agree. Modern football has long ignored many aspects of the game. How you take a throw-in is so important, awareness and off the ball movements and no offside rule are big things there. Brentford hats off focused on kickoffs, the most benign aspect of the game. These have traditionally been interruptors of flow but played well, they improve football's natural flow.

Anyway, I'm saying "f it" for the next fixtures and put in 3 huge upsets. Odds-wise, anyway.

Missed the dark art era BTW glad they're coming back to modem football.

Agreed. They just didn't have any spine or ruthlessness, so I guess Arteta's dark arts team is what the Goons prefer. Hope he does more to protect Saka's hammie though... that thing, if not taken care of, ruins years.

Saka hamstrings is reoccurring more than usual now, he's gradually becoming our James - said it more times that he needs protection and Arteta is not helping the kid. It's been more than 2 good summer and no single RWF backup to help reduce Saka's minutes.

We made the same mistake with R. James, we used all the juice in him until his legs turned to glass, same way we also ruined Kante's leg before we sold him..

[Joca97]

^^ forget setpieces. Klopp brought in a throw-in specialists (I believe we were the first several seasons ago) and it was derided, but I agree. Modern football has long ignored many aspects of the game. How you take a throw-in is so important, awareness and off the ball movements and no offside rule are big things there. Brentford hats off focused on kickoffs, the most benign aspect of the game. These have traditionally been interruptors of flow but played well, they improve football's natural flow.

Anyway, I'm saying "f it" for the next fixtures and put in 3 huge upsets. Odds-wise, anyway.

Missed the dark art era BTW glad they're coming back to modem football.

Agreed. They just didn't have any spine or ruthlessness, so I guess Arteta's dark arts team is what the Goons prefer. Hope he does more to protect Saka's hammie though... that thing, if not taken care of, ruins years.

Saka hamstrings is reoccurring more than usual now, he's gradually becoming our James - said it more times that he needs protection and Arteta is not helping the kid. It's been more than 2 good summer and no single RWF backup to help reduce Saka's minutes.

We made the same mistake with R. James, we used all the juice in him until his legs turned to glass, same way we also ruined Kante's leg before we sold him..

Arsenal needs to act now fast in the transfer window and get a replacement for Saka. He gets injured too many times and he needs to heal fully. So a good player is needed that can make a difference like Saka did. We can see the effect when Saka isnt playing. Arsenal drops points and if they continue like this they wont be able to try and get the title or even try and compete for it.