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

[Trofo]

Breaking news - Pochetino has been sacked! I've never been big fan of him, so I think it's right time to do it, despite some positive signs in Spurs matches in Champions league.
Main questions now who will replace him and where Poch will go?

Really? I always thought that he is one of most underestimated coaches and that he did absolutely brilliant job with the Spurs. I also thought that although he is somewhat overlooked when most of the people are talking about top coaches he is actually very liked and I don't remember hearing anybody having something bad to say about him.

So please share, I always like to hear different opinions, especially if they make me change my way of looking at the things.

Yeah, my opinion about Pochetino goes against the majority. I can't deny fact that Spurs had great achievements in these years. But they haven't won any trophies in all these seasons. Anything. And I lost count how many times they choked in key matches in EPL, Champions/Europa league or FA Cup. Probably only last Champions league campaign and matches against City and Ajax is the only exception.
On the other hand, Poch didn't as much opportunities as other top clubs, because he simply didn't got money to buy players.
I can't say that I'm hating him, it's more like mixed feelings. It will be interesting to see him in other club with bigger transfer budget. And ofcourse, it will be interesting to see in what direction Spurs will go.

Fair point, especially about chocking in the important matches. But I still feel that he has done immense job to just get Spurs to play those important matches. With the amount of the money he had at his disposition and the squad available he got absolute maximum. From this moment on, I see Spurs only going down towards the middle of Premier League, something like Everton last few seasons.

[cryptofrka]

Well, they gave Mourinho a 4-year contract. They played it safe and in my opinion made a mistake, Mourinho is probably a great choice for the remainder of the season but also a really bad choice going forward.
It will be a first time in his carreer where players will want to go instead of come and I'm curious to see him working on a budget with an ageing and small squad.

[hilariousetc]

It's getting embarrassing clubs sacking managers after a few bad games now. What's the point of sacking one manager just to almost certainly now go through a load of others when they don't achieve what their owners want like Man United did. I actually think the PL should start handing out fines and maybe even point deductions if clubs feel the need to sack a manager during the season. That would stop them. You can't buy players whenever you want and the same should be of managers. Spurs have finished 4th, 3rd and 2nd the last three seasons and Poch got them to a Champions League final last year but sack him now? I know they're currently 14th in the table and it looks worrisome but they're technically only 3 points away from 5th place. Is Mourinho going to do any better than Poch? I doubt it. It'll be the same story as United. The way things are going Pep will probably get sacked this year if he doesn't win the PL or CL (which probably isn't going to happen). What do owners actually expect from managers these days? Win every possible game and at least one title? When the competition with City, Liverpool and Chelsea is so strong it's a huge achievement getting a Champion's League place these days. They really need to change this culture of disposable mangers. Also, get rid of VAR  .

[tokeweed]

^  Yup.  I think football (esp at the EPL) is the sport most prone to change managers at the moment of crisis.  I guess we're at that era...  I hope that changes in a few years.

But having Mou back should be fun.  Lolol.  

Real and United should be looking to start talking to Poch soon (I hope he goes to United).

Edit:  Hah!  Yes!  VAR OUT!!!

[DeathAngel]

Well, they gave Mourinho a 4-year contract. They played it safe and in my opinion made a mistake, Mourinho is probably a great choice for the remainder of the season but also a really bad choice going forward.
It will be a first time in his carreer where players will want to go instead of come and I'm curious to see him working on a budget with an ageing and small squad.

I think his style of football is outdated & can’t win the PL or CL in this era. Attacking teams win the big trophies now, not defensively minded, tactical set ups. Spurs are in a big mess atm though so their objective is probably just to get back into the top 4 soon & Mourinho is probably capable of that.

[Trofo]

But having Mou back should be fun.  Lolol.  

Edit:  Hah!  Yes!  VAR OUT!!!

I can't wait to hear his after match antics. He was often a bit condescending and judgemental towards his colleagues in top clubs when they complained against VAR and other stuff. Now he will change the record first time some decision goes even remotely against his new club. Interesting time awaits us for sure.

[buwaytress]

It's getting embarrassing clubs sacking managers after a few bad games now. What's the point of sacking one manager just to almost certainly now go through a load of others when they don't achieve what their owners want like Man United did. I actually think the PL should start handing out fines and maybe even point deductions if clubs feel the need to sack a manager during the season. That would stop them. You can't buy players whenever you want and the same should be of managers. Spurs have finished 4th, 3rd and 2nd the last three seasons and Poch got them to a Champions League final last year but sack him now? I know they're currently 14th in the table and it looks worrisome but they're technically only 3 points away from 5th place. Is Mourinho going to do any better than Poch? I doubt it. It'll be the same story as United. The way things are going Pep will probably get sacked this year if he doesn't win the PL or CL (which probably isn't going to happen). What do owners actually expect from managers these days? Win every possible game and at least one title? When the competition with City, Liverpool and Chelsea is so strong it's a huge achievement getting a Champion's League place these days. They really need to change this culture of disposable mangers. Also, get rid of VAR  .

I've stopped wondering if EPL chairpersons are rational people. For me, when Leicester sacked Ranieri, that was probably the last bit of doubt dispelled. If a guy beats 50,000 to 1 odds and brings you champions league football, and somehow survives relegation after getting your best stars picked off, and that's not good enough, then yeah, I don't understand anything anymore.

How is anyone going to get anyone better than Poch? Does anyone think Mourinho can do anything if his purse strings are tied?

Fun for the league, I do miss the Whiny One, but people have lost their heads in the league. You're right, it's absolutely stupid to talk about Pep losing his job if he ends up empty handed in EPL and CL this season and yet in the EPL, it's something you've to discuss seriously.

[Harkorede]

^  Yup.  I think football (esp at the EPL) is the sport most prone to change managers at the moment of crisis.  I guess we're at that era...  I hope that changes in a few years.

But having Mou back should be fun.  Lolol.  

Real and United should be looking to start talking to Poch soon (I hope he goes to United).

Edit:  Hah!  Yes!  VAR OUT!!!

Pochetino has singlehandedly turned Tottenham in to the Atletico Madrid of EPL, not having won a title doesn't mean Poch has underperformed by any means. Pre Pochetino's era has finishing 2nd in the EPL or reaching the CL final ever been the club's seasonal target ? AFAICT, Tottenham were no any better than Newcastle (which had reject Mourimho earlier) prior to Pochetino's arrival.

[tomahawk9]

To those who already submitted their picks in the pool for this week:

Based on the recent turn of events regarding Tottenham, are you going to change your prediction for the West Ham vs Tottenham? Maybe you expected Spurs to maintain that horrendous away record in the EPL^[1]...But now that Poch is gone, and Mou is in charge, do you feel like changing your pick?

Me? i'm going to predict a Tottenham win  

1. https://twitter.com/LastWordOnSpurs/status/1191068264576798721

It's getting embarrassing clubs sacking managers after a few bad games now.

Apparently, it wasn't just because of the bad results. Found this: https://twitter.com/theathleticuk/status/1197032009241124864 Looks like he lost the dressing room, I think that was the last straw for Levy & Co.

Does anyone think Mourinho can do anything if his purse strings are tied?

Do you think Mou would take the job without Daniel Levy giving the green light to a few signings in the future?  

[hilariousetc]

I've stopped wondering if EPL chairpersons are rational people. For me, when Leicester sacked Ranieri, that was probably the last bit of doubt dispelled. If a guy beats 50,000 to 1 odds and brings you champions league football, and somehow survives relegation after getting your best stars picked off, and that's not good enough, then yeah, I don't understand anything anymore.

Yeah, that was pathetic and I couldn't believe they did that. They should have built a statue of him there. He should have been given time to turn the team around which I'm sure he would have done. Did Leicester's owners really expect them to win the league again or something and anything else was unacceptable? Was Ranieri doing anything different there that was crazy or unacceptable? No. And then to get rid of him just to have the assistant manager take over. What's the point? Even if Leicester would have ended up relegated - which I really doubt would have happened under him - they should have given him time to get them back up. After all, they were relegation favourites that year they won.

How is anyone going to get anyone better than Poch? Does anyone think Mourinho can do anything if his purse strings are tied?

It's honestly stupid. What do the owners expect? what will be a successful season with Spurs? A Champions league spot? Avoid relegation? I'm not sure what they're after but Poch was as good as they can get and they should have stuck with him. Mourinho will be there two seasons max.

Fun for the league, I do miss the Whiny One, but people have lost their heads in the league. You're right, it's absolutely stupid to talk about Pep losing his job if he ends up empty handed in EPL and CL this season and yet in the EPL, it's something you've to discuss seriously.

If they don't win this season and don't go far in the CL I reckon he'll go. He'll likely walk away though rather than be sacked, but who else are they going to get? Wenger?

[DeathAngel]

Submitted my predictions this morning even though I’m currently in a miserable place in the pool. I guess there are the consolation prizes to aim for but hey, I have been so poor at predicting.

Onwards & upwards - predictions submitted.

[tokeweed]

I've stopped wondering if EPL chairpersons are rational people. For me, when Leicester sacked Ranieri, that was probably the last bit of doubt dispelled. If a guy beats 50,000 to 1 odds and brings you champions league football, and somehow survives relegation after getting your best stars picked off, and that's not good enough, then yeah, I don't understand anything anymore.

Yeah, that was pathetic and I couldn't believe they did that. They should have built a statue of him there. He should have been given time to turn the team around which I'm sure he would have done. Did Leicester's owners really expect them to win the league again or something and anything else was unacceptable? Was Ranieri doing anything different there that was crazy or unacceptable? No. And then to get rid of him just to have the assistant manager take over. What's the point? Even if Leicester would have ended up relegated - which I really doubt would have happened under him - they should have given him time to get them back up. After all, they were relegation favourites that year they won.

How is anyone going to get anyone better than Poch? Does anyone think Mourinho can do anything if his purse strings are tied?

It's honestly stupid. What do the owners expect? what will be a successful season with Spurs? A Champions league spot? Avoid relegation? I'm not sure what they're after but Poch was as good as they can get and they should have stuck with him. Mourinho will be there two seasons max.

Fun for the league, I do miss the Whiny One, but people have lost their heads in the league. You're right, it's absolutely stupid to talk about Pep losing his job if he ends up empty handed in EPL and CL this season and yet in the EPL, it's something you've to discuss seriously.

If they don't win this season and don't go far in the CL I reckon he'll go. He'll likely walk away though rather than be sacked, but who else are they going to get? Wenger?

Levy's mistake was not giving Poch the budget to freshen the squad up with new players.  Most of the key players at Tottenham have been with Poch for 5 years or so...  They have given everything for manager and club but what did they get in return?  Lower wages, no trophies.

They have nothing more to give.

[DeathAngel]

Tokeweed, sometimes certain players, club staff etc finish their cycle & pass their peak. The Poch, Spurs cycle has run & he did well on a limited budget but sadly for Spurs fans they still won nothing. It seems cruel but that’s football.

[Harkorede]

To those who already submitted their picks in the pool for this week:

Based on the recent turn of events regarding Tottenham, are you going to change your prediction for the West Ham vs Tottenham? Maybe you expected Spurs to maintain that horrendous away record in the EPL^[1]...But now that Poch is gone, and Mou is in charge, do you feel like changing your pick?

Me? i'm going to predict a Tottenham win  

I didn't make my predictions before the announcement, but I would have gone with Tottenham to win regardless, probably a 0 - 1 or 1 - 2 prediction would have been my pick.

Levy's mistake was not giving Poch the budget to freshen the squad up with new players.  Most of the key players at Tottenham have been with Poch for 5 years or so...  They have given everything for manager and club but what did they get in return?  Lower wages, no trophies.

They have nothing more to give.

While some of those key players were underperforming the manager was solidly behind them, but I feel sorry for players which Mourinho would find surplus to requirements already.

If there is anything I'm actually looking forward to in Mourinho's return that'd be the war of words with the FA and Coaches...

[BitcoinGirl.Club]

Have you guys done with your picks? After having a good round in the last one I am really enthusiastic with picks this round as well. Hopefully it will go well 🤪
By the way, do not forget FJM? You never know your luck. 1 BTC is a lot of money 🙂

[Indymoney]

Have you guys done with your picks? After having a good round in the last one I am really enthusiastic with picks this round as well. Hopefully it will go well 🤪
By the way, do not forget FJM? You never know your luck. 1 BTC is a lot of money 🙂

Just check this post and now going to do both picks for next week as I am already down and working hard for some good place before end of year lets see what happen this week 

[BitcoinGirl.Club]

<snip>
Just check this post and now going to do both picks for next week as I am already down and working hard for some good place before end of year lets see what happen this week 

I gone for two draws this week and one of them is Sheff vs Man Utd.
Utd is disappointing in this season and I have lost so many picks just because I was picking them as winners.

The other one is Bournemouth vs Wolves. I was tempted to pick Wolves as a winner but I think this will be very tight match and Bournemouth will be able to steal a point from this match.

[hilariousetc]

Levy's mistake was not giving Poch the budget to freshen the squad up with new players.  Most of the key players at Tottenham have been with Poch for 5 years or so...  They have given everything for manager and club but what did they get in return?  Lower wages, no trophies.

They have nothing more to give.

I doubt Mou is going to change this and I doubt he'll be given much to spend either, but if he is, why couldn't they have given the money to Poch? I guess I'll watch the opening Spurs game this week to see how they fair. It's at West Ham so they won't have an easy game but a first game loss for Mou won't look good.

<snip>
Just check this post and now going to do both picks for next week as I am already down and working hard for some good place before end of year lets see what happen this week 

I gone for two draws this week and one of them is Sheff vs Man Utd.
Utd is disappointing in this season and I have lost so many picks just because I was picking them as winners.

The other one is Bournemouth vs Wolves. I was tempted to pick Wolves as a winner but I think this will be very tight match and Bournemouth will be able to steal a point from this match.

I think the Sheff U vs Man U game will be close and one I'll be watching. Probs going for a draw as well but hoping for the home win. I also think Bournemouth vs Wolves will be close and a draw the most likely outcome.

Anyone think City or Liverpool could drop points this week? I'm not sure I'd predict them to, but I don't think either game will be easy for them and Chelsea are on a bit of a run recently.

[BitcoinGirl.Club]

<snip>

Anyone think City or Liverpool could drop points this week? I'm not sure I'd predict them to, but I don't think either game will be easy for them and Chelsea are on a bit of a run recently.

I do not think Liverpool has any chance to drop point but City might have a chance. Chelsea is a very good team in this session and they can even win the match against City. City will really need to play good football if they wants to earn the full three points in this match. The City we saw against the Liverpool match is not going to harm the inform Chelsea.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

So anyone willing to risk it with me by picking Chelsea as the winners in regards to their match against Manchester city. Supposedly it was last season, i won't have had the courage to do this but this season, Manchester city are under performing (already lost three games in just 12 games played) meanwhile Lampard is performing above expectation. Currently Chelsea are the only team in the league with 5 straight wins in the last 5 games.

The odds are against Chelsea but it isn't an impossible task to achieve. We aren't going to Etihad to defend but to attack. Defending hasn't been our straight this season so the best chance we have is by scoring as much goals as possible them to try to defend the goals. In my opinion, this match would be full of goals atleast 5 goals. Prediction: Chelsea 3:2 Manchester city.