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

[rdbase]

It is looking like another goal less draw heading into the first matchup for today with Newcastle United against Wolverhampton.
Too many draws from matches yesterday with the top 7 teams already and now another one.
These are horrid to bet with any of these matches from the Premier League this matchweek.
Also don't think I made any points worth a mention in the pool from them including this one either.

[BABY SHOES]

Surely Liverpool can beat Burnley at Anfield on Saturday,

We are still not happy in the last 4 matches.

Damn it, this must be one of my worst results in Premier League pool this season.
All wrong answers and sea of red is all I can see in my Superbru Premier League today  

Until now I was still given 1.5 points from the Sunderland match... the last few weeks of Premier League matches are still unpredictable, meaning we have to go against the direction of the favorite team.

Yeah, one bright game followed by some sluggish ball movement against an underdog—we've seen that pattern many times before. Even with Amorim, if United hadn't dropped points in just a few games against clear underdogs, they'd be in 3rd or 4th place. LOL. I hope that this time everything will be different. It's a shame Arsenal didn't cement their huge lead yesterday, but even with the favourites' draw, their pursuers are even worse. Looking forward to the next round and the Arsenal vs United game, it will be interesting if United can prove themselves here too.

Has something changed with Carrick? I hope he brings some color to the team after a confident win over Manchester City that left the team in the dust.

The other top 4 teams compactly did not get a full point.

As for Arsenal vs Man United... looking forward to seeing how Carrick can continue his winning ways.

[igebotz]

Arsenal, meanwhile, are taking the safe approach, I hope they don't discover this safety is only illusory. When you don't play to win, bad things happen to you.

I am aware of the irony that Liverpool played to beat all three relegation spot occupiers and failed to beat any of them...

Arteta Arsenal has been playing like that for sometime now, he put more emphasis on "don't lose" -  I told one of my colleagues who is an Arsenal fan that the best way to win the league is to aim to beat every one and not settling for less.

If they drop more points this weekend, City would be back into it.

Glasner has been ranting at Crystal Palace's owners for selling Eze and Guehi in the same season and leaving the club dry; honestly, if I were in his place, I would do the same. It makes no sense to sell all of the squad's best players and expect positive outcomes. The next one to get sacked.

[xLays]

Anything can really happen. Imagine being in top 10, then suddenly ending up scoreless this matchday. Like 0/10 man! At this point, predicting all 0-0 would have been better since that should gives me 7 points. lol
I think everyone is struggling to score 10+ this matchday and it looks like I’m not only one who might end up with zero points. haha. I guess this matchday will have lowest total score among all participants in pool.

[cryptofrka]

Hahah, what a round. I've got 1,5 Superbru points - and the most in the pool is 7.

Literally not a single game went the way I expected it to, one of the weirdest PL rounds in recent memory.
To be honest, the whole season is kinda weird to me - not a single team giving me the 'champions' vibes.

What to say about Liverpool? 4 points lost at home against promoted teams in January, 4 draws in a row. Terrible.

[igebotz]

Anything can really happen. Imagine being in top 10, then suddenly ending up scoreless this matchday. Like 0/10 man! At this point, predicting all 0-0 would have been better since that should gives me 7 points. lol
I think everyone is struggling to score 10+ this matchday and it looks like I’m not only one who might end up with zero points. haha. I guess this matchday will have lowest total score among all participants in pool.

I considered it multiple times since last month, but after looking at the fixtures for weeks, I talked myself out of it because those games didn't appear like 0-0, 1-1, or "draw" to me, and as someone who dislikes predicting draws, it's more difficult.

 Who would have predicted that Newcastle, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Manchester City would finish the weekend without scoring a single goal? Nobody.

I got 5 points from last GW, already 4.5 this week with a game left

What to say about Liverpool? 4 points lost at home against promoted teams in January, 4 draws in a row. Terrible.

Xabi Alonso is right there waiting for a phone call and ya are about to lose a champions league position for trusting that bald fraud too much. Sharing points at like against Burnley at home after scoring first is a sackable offence.

[un_rank]

...Haaland doesn't benefit from nonstop ball possession at all. He has high speed and such a strong physique that he needs to get into game scenarios that play in his favor and very high ball possession is not really the perfect condition for him.

That has been his most attacking version of possession football. It was always with the intent to create chances and it helps when you have a player of Messi's quality at the prime of his career.

Haaland has benefited from possession football at City with DeBruyne able to play those line breaking passes and he also thrives with quick wingers who deliver the ball into the box.

That's of course right, as long as they score the first goal, the game will inevitably become interesting again. One goal against them and I think it would be over. Scoring three times against Manchester City at home would be a miracle.

It will be a miracle if they can even get 2 back to force extra time and maybe penalties too. City have not be scoring consistently in matches so it is possible to shut them out, will need a much better performance than what Newcastle have been showing of recent.

- Jay -

[slaman29]

Praying that Pep doesn't even qualify for Champions League.

Why is the odds for Manchester United to win so low? Less than 3x from what I can see. Is something going on I'm not aware about? I mean, come on. This is a shit team with no manager versus Haaland and new Semenyo. Sportsbooks have much confidence in a team that should just get relegated... lol

A shit team with "no manager" just trashed Pep in the face and give Arsenal a good chance for the trophy run 

It will be 9 points lead for Arsenal if they could win against NFO tonight

Now I understand the odds lol. Guess all the casinos are not as dumb as I thought, they knew Carrick would play a team to their strengths. Arsenal tho, kinda lol for me. If they win, which they will, it will be 50% down to other teams like Liverpool and Manchester City being even dumber. And Aston Villa come on man.

[Dump3er]

...Haaland doesn't benefit from nonstop ball possession at all. He has high speed and such a strong physique that he needs to get into game scenarios that play in his favor and very high ball possession is not really the perfect condition for him.

That has been his most attacking version of possession football. It was always with the intent to create chances and it helps when you have a player of Messi's quality at the prime of his career.

Haaland has benefited from possession football at City with DeBruyne able to play those line breaking passes and he also thrives with quick wingers who deliver the ball into the box.

That's of course right, as long as they score the first goal, the game will inevitably become interesting again. One goal against them and I think it would be over. Scoring three times against Manchester City at home would be a miracle.

It will be a miracle if they can even get 2 back to force extra time and maybe penalties too. City have not be scoring consistently in matches so it is possible to shut them out, will need a much better performance than what Newcastle have been showing of recent.

- Jay -

It is so weird because Haaland was this guarantee they bought, but he is dependent on the team as a whole and really, this is so real for all teams. You can be the best striker, but when the team doesn't work, you don't work.

Arsenal has a chance because teams like Liverpool and Manchester City are in trouble. If not this year, when.

[Ryu_Ar1]

~
I had my doubts from the start even though City's previous 3 draws didn't put me on Manchester United in this match.
It's a breath of fresh air I suppose but it's only one game (despite what Carrick has done in the past) still the spotlight should be on him and it will be more noticeable when they face clubs below them in terms of level because Manchester United have always had problems with that.

Yeah, one bright game followed by some sluggish ball movement against an underdog—we've seen that pattern many times before. Even with Amorim, if United hadn't dropped points in just a few games against clear underdogs, they'd be in 3rd or 4th place. LOL. I hope that this time everything will be different. It's a shame Arsenal didn't cement their huge lead yesterday, but even with the favourites' draw, their pursuers are even worse. Looking forward to the next round and the Arsenal vs United game, it will be interesting if United can prove themselves here too.

That has always been the case and not just Amorim but previous coaches have looked the same (except Ruud who was interim I don't count because of a few games).

Maybe now the progress is a little different especially seeing Carrick's scheme and seeing some movement from players who even against Manchester City were brave enough to do Rondo makes a little chance visible.

After the Manchester Derby they will still face a big match against Arsenal and this could also be a good momentum especially when Carrick can prevent Arsenal from getting full points in this match.

[buwaytress]

Glasner has been ranting at Crystal Palace's owners for selling Eze and Guehi in the same season and leaving the club dry; honestly, if I were in his place, I would do the same. It makes no sense to sell all of the squad's best players and expect positive outcomes. The next one to get sacked.

Clubs still don't get it, it seems. Even with so many other clubs making mistakes and littering the past two decades with lessons to learn, owners follow the same cycle.

P.S. I wonder now if some bigger clubs are just giving up on upgrading their scouting, and just allowing Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton (whose scouting seem much better) to find the talent and then pay them transfer fees for proven worth? If so, Liverpool's doing the dumb thing by paying fees to clubs with shitty scouting (Newcastle, for example).

[cryptofrka]

P.S. I wonder now if some bigger clubs are just giving up on upgrading their scouting, and just allowing Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton (whose scouting seem much better) to find the talent and then pay them transfer fees for proven worth? If so, Liverpool's doing the dumb thing by paying fees to clubs with shitty scouting (Newcastle, for example).

This is normal, I think big clubs actually support it.
If they track player X, if they think he's not ready they will keep following him at a lower club and make their move when they are sure.

Almost all of these players would not have made it if they were a part of a huge rotation in a big club, or if they are sent on 5 loans to different leagues/playstyles.
This way a player can naturally grow - and then he moves up when he's really good enough.

[BABY SHOES]

I think everyone is struggling to score 10+ this matchday and it looks like I’m not only one who might end up with zero points. haha. I guess this matchday will have lowest total score among all participants in pool.

This round had a lot of difficulties... luckily I only got 1.5 points from 10 matches Lol and this week was strange because I missed a lot so I got 0 points.

Xabi Alonso is right there waiting for a phone call and ya are about to lose a champions league position for trusting that bald fraud too much. Sharing points at like against Burnley at home after scoring first is a sackable offence.

Liverpool did not act quickly in making decisions after bad results, is Slot still a priority now? The news is that Xabi has approached... then Liverpool must move quickly to get his services.

[igebotz]

Clubs still don't get it, it seems. Even with so many other clubs making mistakes and littering the past two decades with lessons to learn, owners follow the same cycle.

P.S. I wonder now if some bigger clubs are just giving up on upgrading their scouting, and just allowing Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton (whose scouting seem much better) to find the talent and then pay them transfer fees for proven worth? If so, Liverpool's doing the dumb thing by paying fees to clubs with shitty scouting (Newcastle, for example).

We assembled the best scouting system, took everyone from Brighton including their scouting data and still, we're still in their faces looking for the next Caicedo to buy - I think scouting system doesn't work with bigger clubs so most of them don't bother assembling one. Just go out there buy already made.

cryptofrka made a avery good point but I have one concern/ observation - Are we aware Academy is dying off gradually?

[un_rank]

Almost all of these players would not have made it if they were a part of a huge rotation in a big club, or if they are sent on 5 loans to different leagues/playstyles.

I was going to give this exact reply. It is preferable to allow the player develop naturally in that environment than bring them to a much bigger club when they are not ready. They also do not have to deal with the headache of contracts for promising young stars who want xxx amount cause they are signed to a top club and then get angsty easily if they are not getting enough playing time or what they think it enough.

The other option of developing many of your talents as a big club is still on. Barcelona do it with La masis, but they still lose a lot of their potential players among all the talent available.

- Jay -

[buwaytress]

P.S. I wonder now if some bigger clubs are just giving up on upgrading their scouting, and just allowing Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton (whose scouting seem much better) to find the talent and then pay them transfer fees for proven worth? If so, Liverpool's doing the dumb thing by paying fees to clubs with shitty scouting (Newcastle, for example).

This is normal, I think big clubs actually support it.
If they track player X, if they think he's not ready they will keep following him at a lower club and make their move when they are sure.

Almost all of these players would not have made it if they were a part of a huge rotation in a big club, or if they are sent on 5 loans to different leagues/playstyles.
This way a player can naturally grow - and then he moves up when he's really good enough.

Yeah it seems wise in a business sense. Why spend more on scouting and building up overheads when you can simply leave it to more agile clubs, and you focus on marketing and commercial gains, yeah? I don't think they even need to spend tracking -- that's Liverpool. Tracking players for 4-5 years, then making an offer, and getting beaten by Real etc. They got so sick of it they overspent on Isak haha...

We assembled the best scouting system, took everyone from Brighton including their scouting data and still, we're still in their faces looking for the next Caicedo to buy - I think scouting system doesn't work with bigger clubs so most of them don't bother assembling one. Just go out there buy already made.

cryptofrka made a avery good point but I have one concern/ observation - Are we aware Academy is dying off gradually?

Yeah, they're not agile enough and make too much noise moving about. Brighton could scout openly and not make waves, but if Chelsea or Liverpool are putting out their feelers, everyone feels it.

I'm also slightly disappointed in Academy and agree this is in danger of collapsing. Liverpool still has a pretty decent one in my opinion, but we're selling more and more talent after bleeding them in senior teams. I look at Barca's system and admire it. Why more English clubs don't, I'm not sure.

Ajax had a fine system but they also made the mistake of turning it into a cash cow and when a lean period arrived (like it did now), they're struggling.

[igebotz]

Yeah, they're not agile enough and make too much noise moving about. Brighton could scout openly and not make waves, but if Chelsea or Liverpool are putting out their feelers, everyone feels it.

Smaller clubs don't involve journalists into their deals to not attracts bigger clubs getting involved. They move quietly and smartly.

I'm also slightly disappointed in Academy and agree this is in danger of collapsing. Liverpool still has a pretty decent one in my opinion, but we're selling more and more talent after bleeding them in senior teams. I look at Barca's system and admire it. Why more English clubs don't, I'm not sure.

Ajax had a fine system but they also made the mistake of turning it into a cash cow and when a lean period arrived (like it did now), they're struggling.

Ours has finally collapsed; we're running an underage project, and no Academy players have made the starting lineup. We used to have the best academy, but now there's nothing left. These bastards arrived, and everyone fled away because they'd rather shop in Brighton than look at someone from our Academy.

Ajax has always been a selling club since the 2000s; they became a shadow of themselves after Ten Hang left; something is wrong, but i don't know what it is.

[cryptofrka]

I'm also slightly disappointed in Academy and agree this is in danger of collapsing. Liverpool still has a pretty decent one in my opinion, but we're selling more and more talent after bleeding them in senior teams. I look at Barca's system and admire it. Why more English clubs don't, I'm not sure.

For top clubs it's enough if you get some rotation options out of it - and sell some players.

You mentioned Liverpool - so for example you had Trent who was an outstanding talent which you get every 10-20 years or so.
But this season alone Quansah, Doak, Kelleher, Morton and Phillips were sold for 80+ million euros.
A year before it was van den Berg and Carvalho for 50. As long as you get an occasional Jones and Elliott who become rotation options and 30+ million euro players and you sell some Doaks, Wilsons and Solankes - you can say that the Academy is doing great.

Only Barcelona constantly gets insane value from theirs - nobody else.