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

[icopress]

God, the Wolves are great this season ... 

Especially considering that they have conceded the same number of goals as Manchester City.

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[Welsh]

It's nice to see our rivals struggling a little bit, but I don't get the backlash for their new manager. Almost like they expected this team that doesn't work for each other to start instantly getting results. The players are one of the major factors to why Man Utd aren't getting any results, and it was painfully obvious going into this match, that they had little chance to come away with anything. In fact, Wolves have been brilliant all season, and I expected Man Utd to put up less of a fight against them. So, to see the backlash is kind of sad.

Obviously, I don't want Man Utd to find themselves again, because they're our rivals. Its just sad to see a manager who has manged only a couple of games get berated when he hasn't even had a chance to make modifications to the squad.

[tomahawk9]

guess who's playing as a CB? Phil Jones 

I had no idea who he was, and had to go look him up.  Why has he been out of the line-up for so long?

long-term injury which kept him on the sidelines until september last year when he started training again

The more I think about Phil Jones the more I like the idea actually. He has never been anything special but he is one of those guys that will put their head in situations were most players would not stick their foot.

ngl, based on his performance last night, i'd totally put him in as a starter over Maguire. He's been out of the pitch for so long yet he looked pretty decent,

some people want to blame him for the goal but tbf that was a normal clearance inside the box, real problem was that United played without a midfield and Moutinho dominated it throughout the whole game

It's nice to see our rivals struggling a little bit, but I don't get the backlash for their new manager.

the board and the players are to blame for this debacle, but the manager deserves some backlash as well. He's like Ole 2.0, playing the same players over and over again without giving others a chance to show what they're capable of in this situation like Lingard or Donny Van de Bench,, 442 formation has not worked since he arrived and he can't seem to adapt his tactics or style to change things up when they're down in the scoreboard...he's been there for 5 minutes, sure, but a team like United can't wait 5 or 10 more minutes, he's gotta change something asap

[Trofo]

The more I think about Phil Jones the more I like the idea actually. He has never been anything special but he is one of those guys that will put their head in situations were most players would not stick their foot.

ngl, based on his performance last night, i'd totally put him in as a starter over Maguire. He's been out of the pitch for so long yet he looked pretty decent,

some people want to blame him for the goal but tbf that was a normal clearance inside the box, real problem was that United played without a midfield and Moutinho dominated it throughout the whole game

That goal is not his fault, what was he supposed to do? Clear the header across center line, like that is possible. As you say, his job was to clear it and he did a solid job of it, had bad luck it went right to Moutinho feet but some other United player had to block that attampt.

He was great yesterday and had some really nice sliding clearances. I am sure Maguire would have made at least one penalty from those

It's nice to see our rivals struggling a little bit, but I don't get the backlash for their new manager.

Manager has a big part of responsibility, granted he is not there long and maybe we don't have all the info but nobody can convince me that Greenwood should have been first player substituted out. He was by far the best united player going forward, actually scratch that, he was only dangerous United player and only one capable of making space. I guess it was logical to take him out since he was clearly not in sync with rest of United players which decided to try and get a point of De Gea saves
He did not look happy with the decision so I am quite sure there is no injury in picture.

[Betwrong]

This might be the best day i had this season in predicting results and am really happy with how everything ended today. Got 3 points on City  and 1.5 on both West Ham and Tottenham. I hope that i get tommorow even better results,but tommorow is really hard as far as i see and i think we will see a lot of movement tommorow on the leaderboard.

Great start of the year. Congrats on getting 10 points in Round 21 before it has ended even. We still have 3 games ahead and I wish you to get even more points with them!

I just compared our results for this round, and it's amazing how similar our predictions were:



You beat me on that Chelsea-Liverpool match, but if only I would have given 1 less goal to my fav team, I'd have the exact result!  

Anyway, it wasn't a bad round for me either.



Finishing in the top 10 is an honor for me.

[boltz]

Man...I do hate Wolves and I was so wrong about them but still I don't get it how a team like this can perform so good for the last 4 seasons. Last night  against United they really deserved to win and I'm telling this as a United fan but United this year deserves nothing and Redneck is not a coach who can help United.

[buwaytress]

I thought I was being REAL smart putting 3-1 on United but something is seriously wrong with Rashford, although I have to say, Adama Traore coming on in 2nd half looked like he doesn't even belong in Championship. Shocking ball control, shocking passing, he was never a clinical finisher and poor Jimenez looks like he's afraid of the shadows, but Adama has to be one of the most regressed players I've ever seen coming up from Championship.

@Welsh, yeah, this squad has long needed a cleanup, they cannot fit into the mould he has and their DNA simply doesn't allow it for now. Spare a thought for Rangnick, spiritual adviser of our godhead. But long may United suffer, my best wish for them is the ignominy of Conference League and not making it past group stage.

Nice going on the round guys, this is not a City pulling away with impossible lead in this pool. Just saw that Superbru updated the Round to add 3 more games, last night the Wolves game was supposed to be the last one but now we'll get 11 games in this round, so it'll end on Jan 12. I guess most of us should get 1 slam point this matchday unless those games screw us up with draws

[DireWolfM14]

guess who's playing as a CB? Phil Jones 

I had no idea who he was, and had to go look him up.  Why has he been out of the line-up for so long?

long-term injury which kept him on the sidelines until september last year when he started training again

That explains it.  Looked like he played well, it made me wonder why he hadn't played for so long.

@Welsh, yeah, this squad has long needed a cleanup, they cannot fit into the mould he has and their DNA simply doesn't allow it for now. Spare a thought for Rangnick, spiritual adviser of our godhead. But long may United suffer, my best wish for them is the ignominy of Conference League and not making it past group stage.

Stop mincing words, tell us how you really feel. 

Nice going on the round guys, this is not a City pulling away with impossible lead in this pool. Just saw that Superbru updated the Round to add 3 more games, last night the Wolves game was supposed to be the last one but now we'll get 11 games in this round, so it'll end on Jan 12. I guess most of us should get 1 slam point this matchday unless those games screw us up with draws

Thanks for the heads up, I just went and put in the rest of my predictions.  It looks like all the additional fixtures are from week 18.

[Welsh]

Adama Traore coming on in 2nd half looked like he doesn't even belong in Championship. Shocking ball control, shocking passing, he was never a clinical finisher and poor Jimenez looks like he's afraid of the shadows, but Adama has to be one of the most regressed players I've ever seen coming up from Championship.

One of the most perplexing players in the league. Some days he genuinely looks like no one can stop him. I know we've had problems against in on multiple occasions. I think its his pace, and his athleticism which sort of puts a lot of fear into people. He does usually have decent dribbling ability, but he most definitely lacks any sort of end product to his game. I think that's why he hasn't been snapped up by a bigger club, and probably is destined to remain a lower league player.

@Welsh, yeah, this squad has long needed a cleanup, they cannot fit into the mould he has and their DNA simply doesn't allow it for now. Spare a thought for Rangnick, spiritual adviser of our godhead. But long may United suffer, my best wish for them is the ignominy of Conference League and not making it past group stage.

I mean I don't mind them winning a cup now, and again. Keeps their hope while they remain mediocre . Nah, I don't want to be too smug, we had a rough few years, especially in the Premier League.

[Trofo]

Adama Traore coming on in 2nd half looked like he doesn't even belong in Championship. Shocking ball control, shocking passing, he was never a clinical finisher and poor Jimenez looks like he's afraid of the shadows, but Adama has to be one of the most regressed players I've ever seen coming up from Championship.

One of the most perplexing players in the league. Some days he genuinely looks like no one can stop him. I know we've had problems against in on multiple occasions. I think its his pace, and his athleticism which sort of puts a lot of fear into people. He does usually have decent dribbling ability, but he most definitely lacks any sort of end product to his game. I think that's why he hasn't been snapped up by a bigger club, and probably is destined to remain a lower league player.

I always considered him overrated. He has unbelievable speed and generally all athletic markers but that is not enough to be top footballer. He has very poor football intelligence and rarely chooses optimal move for his team. He has unbelievably bad first touch for professional footballer and quite poor cross. Basically push the ball past the opponent and run for it. Can work a couple of times but then the teams realize his limitations and just let him run and take a cross and defend it from there.

[buwaytress]

But long may United suffer, my best wish for them is the ignominy of Conference League and not making it past group stage.

Stop mincing words, tell us how you really feel. 

Fine, fine, I really feel all the bad things in the world for them. It's so sweet to see them spend so much and stumble like clowns. But in all seriousness, I do feel really bad for players that waste there. I was, for example, an admirer of Pogba, and more recently Sancho. I keep thinking "look how they massacred my boy"...

One of the most perplexing players in the league. Some days he genuinely looks like no one can stop him. I know we've had problems against in on multiple occasions. I think its his pace, and his athleticism which sort of puts a lot of fear into people. He does usually have decent dribbling ability, but he most definitely lacks any sort of end product to his game. I think that's why he hasn't been snapped up by a bigger club, and probably is destined to remain a lower league player.

I always considered him overrated. He has unbelievable speed and generally all athletic markers but that is not enough to be top footballer. He has very poor football intelligence and rarely chooses optimal move for his team. He has unbelievably bad first touch for professional footballer and quite poor cross. Basically push the ball past the opponent and run for it. Can work a couple of times but then the teams realize his limitations and just let him run and take a cross and defend it from there.

I saw him playing for Boro when I was trying to follow Leeds from 3+ seasons ago and he was hands down the fastest person in Championship ON the ball (probably fastest in England by rough estimation of just watching him). So yeah, his driblling's NOT bad, just terrible eye for vision, but he at least used to power right down the middle and that was effective for the sheer terror of seeing him rampaging away defences.

But it's really gone down in two seasons IMO. And that last game? Absolutely horrific, couldn't even take a throw-in properly, and every time he had the opportunity to swing in a cross or play a short pass he made me look good heh. As Trofo says, he doesn't have a good brain, but that's okay, you can at least train technique d he doesn't even look like he knows basic short passing on the wing.

I keep having faith he'll improve, because you usually can train a player in these things but he seems to have found a way to get worse. Sorry, didn't mean to take it out on him but he has pretty good players around him and Wolves need to take a European spot away from United =D

[Trofo]

Fine, fine, I really feel all the bad things in the world for them. It's so sweet to see them spend so much and stumble like clowns. But in all seriousness, I do feel really bad for players that waste there. I was, for example, an admirer of Pogba, and more recently Sancho. I keep thinking "look how they massacred my boy"...

The biggest problem here is that they bought Sancho. Why would you do that if you have Rashford and Greenwood on wide positions? Give home boys minutes and make stars from them. That goes for Greenwood especially since Rashford already established himself. Even Solskjaer said that he has never seen a guy with better eye for goal than Greenwood (or something like that) and coming from Solskjaer that kind of praise means a lot. Than you also have Martial who plays on same position, granted he is out of form but he can sub for mentioned 2 without problems.

If he was cheap, take him by all means and up the competition and qoulity in the squad but United paid 100$ for him. Total waste of money if you ask me. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against Sancho but this United squad is maybe worst club in the world for him apart from City.

[arallmuus]

The biggest problem here is that they bought Sancho. Why would you do that if you have Rashford and Greenwood on wide positions? Give home boys minutes and make stars from them. That goes for Greenwood especially since Rashford already established himself. Even Solskjaer said that he has never seen a guy with better eye for goal than Greenwood (or something like that) and coming from Solskjaer that kind of praise means a lot. Than you also have Martial who plays on same position, granted he is out of form but he can sub for mentioned 2 without problems.

Solksjaer probably needed him as part of his strategy this season but the unneeded piece was probably Ronaldo. He had a decent season last year and made it to the 2nd position, he had all his players that he needed then signed another player which was Sancho but then Ronaldo was signed as well. He didnt need Ronaldo as part of his strategy this season but there is no way that you could bench Ronaldo

So probably everything doesnt seems to work out in the end and it was started even before the league begin

[Trofo]

The biggest problem here is that they bought Sancho. Why would you do that if you have Rashford and Greenwood on wide positions? Give home boys minutes and make stars from them. That goes for Greenwood especially since Rashford already established himself. Even Solskjaer said that he has never seen a guy with better eye for goal than Greenwood (or something like that) and coming from Solskjaer that kind of praise means a lot. Than you also have Martial who plays on same position, granted he is out of form but he can sub for mentioned 2 without problems.

Solksjaer probably needed him as part of his strategy this season but the unneeded piece was probably Ronaldo. He had a decent season last year and made it to the 2nd position, he had all his players that he needed then signed another player which was Sancho but then Ronaldo was signed as well. He didnt need Ronaldo as part of his strategy this season but there is no way that you could bench Ronaldo

So probably everything doesnt seems to work out in the end and it was started even before the league begin

I agree Ronaldo was maybe not needed from playing perspective, but they could have played with him as a central striker and Rashford as left wing with Greenwood as right. Especially since Cavani was out at the beginning of the season due to Copa America involvement and then holidays. But that does not even matter that much since he was brought more as marketing boost. He costed just 15M plus maybe another 5M in bonuses and probably earned them more than that in one week of jersey selling. So lets say 1/4 of Sancho price (pounds for Ronaldo, $ for Sancho). If you look at him from money making/promotional perspective he did more than enough and nobody can say that he is not useful to have on pitch in some situations. Would be much better if his ego could live trough starting the games on bench though

[Welsh]

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/12509703/some-manchester-united-players-in-doubt-over-ralf-rangnicks-suitability-to-be-old-trafford-boss

If this is to be believed, which I'll be honest Sky Sports isn't exactly the best source in terms of rumours, and unconfirmed happenings in the Premier League or otherwise. Especially, when in the article they state "another source" rather than actually naming the source. So, it could well be from one of the crappy media sites like the Sun or Daily Mail. It would be absolutely disgusting if this was true, players turning on a new manager who's only been in charge for maybe five games maximum, and isn't even their permanent manager, but a manager who is very likely going to become the DOF of the club.

Doesn't really paint a good picture for the players at the club, and I fear he might have already lost the dressing room, probably before he even set foot in Old Trafford. I don't want to be too biased, but it seems this could potentially backup some of the claims about the players actually being the problems.

Although, who can blame them. I know there's a saying of "No player is bigger than the club", but when players literally sell for more than clubs these days...

[arallmuus]

-snip

I agree Ronaldo was maybe not needed from playing perspective, but they could have played with him as a central striker and Rashford as left wing with Greenwood as right. Especially since Cavani was out at the beginning of the season due to Copa America involvement and then holidays. But that does not even matter that much since he was brought more as marketing boost. He costed just 15M plus maybe another 5M in bonuses and probably earned them more than that in one week of jersey selling. So lets say 1/4 of Sancho price (pounds for Ronaldo, $ for Sancho). If you look at him from money making/promotional perspective he did more than enough and nobody can say that he is not useful to have on pitch in some situations

Well yeah from marketing perspective, he probably have brought in alot of profit already but yeah that was just my thought and everything doesnt seems to work for Manchester United and it wasnt anyone's fault to be honest

Would be much better if his ego could live trough starting the games on bench though

He probably cant live through that lol, he wants to keep on playing as many games as possible ( to score more goals for his personal record )

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/12509703/some-manchester-united-players-in-doubt-over-ralf-rangnicks-suitability-to-be-old-trafford-boss

If this is to be believed, which I'll be honest Sky Sports isn't exactly the best source in terms of rumours, and unconfirmed happenings in the Premier League or otherwise.

This is interesting, I googled this topic and found out that some other media seems to be reporting the same stuff. It could be either they are all copying this baseless rumours or that there is actually something that happened in the dressing room. Few months to go until this season ends and either way the team needs to trust Rangnick on this atleast for now

[Welsh]

This is interesting, I googled this topic and found out that some other media seems to be reporting the same stuff. It could be either they are all copying this baseless rumours or that there is actually something that happened in the dressing room. Few months to go until this season ends and either way the team needs to trust Rangnick on this atleast for now

Which from what I've seen all of them are reporting it as they got it from another source without actually naming that source. Therefore, its likely absolute nonsense, and yet again the media gets to make baseless rumours, and worse of all actually get paid for it.

Obviously, there might be a unknown source that doesn't want to be disclosed, but I'm not sure they should be publishing it as a matter of fact then, and instead make it clear that its rumoured to be.

[arallmuus]

-snip

Which from what I've seen all of them are reporting it as they got it from another source without actually naming that source. Therefore, its likely absolute nonsense, and yet again the media gets to make baseless rumours, and worse of all actually get paid for it.

Obviously, there might be a unknown source that doesn't want to be disclosed, but I'm not sure they should be publishing it as a matter of fact then, and instead make it clear that its rumoured to be.

Yeah either way anything that has 'Manchester United' on the title sold like hot cakes nowadays. Either you love or hate the team, you will most likely read anything that has the team's name on it and even better if it has baseless rumours like this so kinda understandable that some media might start spreading this kind of rumours to spice it even more

[hilariousetc]

I have to say, Adama Traore coming on in 2nd half looked like he doesn't even belong in Championship. Shocking ball control, shocking passing, he was never a clinical finisher and poor Jimenez looks like he's afraid of the shadows, but Adama has to be one of the most regressed players I've ever seen coming up from Championship.

Seems a bit harsh. I don't think he's an excellent player, but he's impressed me more often than not when I've seen him play. He's good enough for Watford let's put it that way, and they've been doing great this season. I do agree with Welsh though, that his speed and size probably aid him and I have seen him tear through half the pitch before.

https://talksport.com/football/1010942/premier-league-transfer-news-gossip-done-deals-liverpool-man-united-chelsea-arsenal-newcastle-aston-villa-everton-tottenham/

Philippe Coutinho has signed with Villa. Never saw that coming. Kieran Trippier has also gone to Newcastle. Wonder if the Geordies will sign a big name this year. Not sure I'd put Kieran Trippier in that bracket.

[buwaytress]

Seems a bit harsh. I don't think he's an excellent player, but he's impressed me more often than not when I've seen him play. He's good enough for Watford let's put it that way, and they've been doing great this season. I do agree with Welsh though, that his speed and size probably aid him and I have seen him tear through half the pitch before.

https://talksport.com/football/1010942/premier-league-transfer-news-gossip-done-deals-liverpool-man-united-chelsea-arsenal-newcastle-aston-villa-everton-tottenham/

Philippe Coutinho has signed with Villa. Never saw that coming. Kieran Trippier has also gone to Newcastle. Wonder if the Geordies will sign a big name this year. Not sure I'd put Kieran Trippier in that bracket.

On retrospect yeah, I was probably commenting in the heat of moment. I would definitely have been kinder had he worn a red shirt. Just that guys like him, Pogba's another, I watched them when younger and they were brilliant (I've got a thing for those swashbuckling rampaging runs) and to see them sputter and flail about is... sad, I guess.

Coutinho, back in EPL, and under Gerrard. I always wished he'd stayed on. I guess he would never have suited Klopp, so it all worked out in the end, but yah never thought he'd come back actually. Thought he might even have gone to Germany, but I wager he's a good fit for Villa and if he gains his confidence back, he's more than a worthy successor to Grealish.