***Official*** English Football Season 2018-19

[dontcloseyoureyes]

The biggest sign that it's over is the fact that Sarri himself seems to be resigned to it imo. Bloke's talking in pressers about how nobody is motivated etc. Writing on the wall right there.

Sarri has always been like that. Dude is a massive downer and always says what's on his mind regardless of whether he should or not.

 

[sledger]

Maybe, not a good look though. It's definitely not the done thing over here, and it's only helping to pile the pressure on.

 

[Niall]

If Luke Shaw was not so hopeless going forward, he'd be one of the best full backs in the world.

 

[Furball]

Chelsea's problem seems to me to be a complete over-reliance on Eden Hazard.

He's had 2 great seasons in the last 5 where Chelsea have won the title, and that's 3 seasons where it looks like they'll struggle to finish top 4.

 

[Uppercut]

Chelsea's problem seems to me to be a complete over-reliance on Eden Hazard.

He's had 2 great seasons in the last 5 where Chelsea have won the title, and that's 3 seasons where it looks like they'll struggle to finish top 4.

Yeah you might be right. I think it's deliberate, the midfield is packed with players that are great at shuttling the ball to the feet of better players. Hazard isn't getting the job done at the moment, but he did when Giroud was in the team. It all loops back to Sarri's weird selections.

 

[sledger]

I've not watched them that much this year, but in the moments of the Man City match before they totally went to pot, the tactic clearly appeared to be "give the ball to Hazard".

Wouldn't be especially surprised if that is fairly reflective of how they have operated in other games also.

 

[andmark]

I've not watched them that much this year, but in the moments of the Man City match before they totally went to pot, the tactic clearly appeared to be "give the ball to Hazard".

Wouldn't be especially surprised if that is fairly reflective of how they have operated in other games also.

This might be optimistic, but when Liverpool sold Coutinho and improved, James Milner (I think) said it was because they had to actively think through situations- in doing so, finding good ideas- rather than try to give the ball to Coutinho. Could that happen if/when Chelsea sell Hazard?

 

[sledger]

Well they won't have much choice if he doesn't play for them anymore haha

 

[cpr]

I've not watched them that much this year, but in the moments of the Man City match before they totally went to pot, the tactic clearly appeared to be "give the ball to Hazard".

Wouldn't be especially surprised if that is fairly reflective of how they have operated in other games also.

Our game plan last night was essentially crowd Hazard out and not worry too much about the rest. They were so one dimensional, and trust me, I've spent most of this season watching one-dimensional football..

 

[Uppercut]

In my head Liverpool were solid favourites for this tie, but I saw that Bayern lineup before the game and realised I totally forgot about all the really, really good players they have.

 

[Furball]

In my head Liverpool were solid favourites for this tie, but I saw that Bayern lineup before the game and realised I totally forgot about all the really, really good players they have.

I'm impressed they've managed to last 75 minutes without conceding as their defence recently in the Bundesliga has been ****ing dog ****.

 

[Uppercut]

Such a strange game. Almost as if the tempo was too high for anyone to do anything good enough to get a goal.

 

[andmark]

I wish teams still mixed pressing with aggressive off side traps. Such a magnificent sight.

 

[Uppercut]

Amazing video. Wouldn’t work with today’s offside laws though.

 

[sledger]

Offside trap is a bit dodgy to use with the standard/athleticism/pace of modern players as well. Margin for error is extremely thin.

 

[andmark]

Yeah, I can understand why it's not done now, but still, it was incredibly aesthetic.

 

[wpdavid]

Yeah, I can understand why it's not done now, but still, it was incredibly aesthetic.

As was almost everything about the 1974 Dutch team. I think they were incapable of being anything other than aesthetic.

 

[andmark]

As was almost everything about the 1974 Dutch team. I think they were incapable of being anything other than aesthetic.

I love them along with the Ajax team of the same period and have a bit of an obsession with Cruyff. It's almost extreme how much they cared for the thing to be a great spectacle- that's how it should be!

 

[Uppercut]

that Otamendi pen is a load of absolute bollocks

 

[Burner]

Haha. What a miss by Costa. Reminds me of my own Thursday night adventures.