Premier League Season 2016-17 Stuff it in here.

[Tielemans63]

30 minutes ago, Ted Maul said:

From the highlights, it didn't look as though he was too bad- the majority of Man City's goals were down to midfielders not picking up their runners on the edge of the box.

Have to say, I think at times Guardiola has flattered to deceive but tactically he was absolutely bang-on on Saturday. I watched the game and he used Fernandinho as like a false right back and as he was everywhere Wilfred Zaha had no idea what to do as he was completely nullified and kept following Fernandinho infield which left De Bruyne with the time and space to absolutely demolish them down the flank. Clever stuff.

[The Doctor]

21 minutes ago, Paddy. said:

Have to say, I think at times Guardiola has flattered to deceive but tactically he was absolutely bang-on on Saturday. I watched the game and he used Fernandinho as like a false right back and as he was everywhere Wilfred Zaha had no idea what to do as he was completely nullified and kept following Fernandinho infield which left De Bruyne with the time and space to absolutely demolish them down the flank. Clever stuff.

He tried that with zabaleta earlier in the season tbf, as I remember it didn't go well for him

[Tielemans63]

15 minutes ago, The Doctor said:

He tried that with zabaleta earlier in the season tbf, as I remember it didn't go well for him

I think you're right there Doc. Fernandinho is a much better bet though because he is naturally a CM and has the legs for the job. Strange move to have Zabaleta in that role, most definitely. Not one of Pep's better moments. 

[st albans fox]

Jeff suffered from 'Liam Moore syndrome' at the etihaad. He and his partner kept dropping too deep to allow them to see what was in front of them. that stretched the play and allowed too big a space between the lines for citeh players to drift into. Also did this when they were defending their box so palace ended up on the six yard line too often. Fairly common for players not used to being centre halves to do this. 

[st albans fox]

NG adds the football writers award (following vards) to his PFA 

[FireFox]

20 hours ago, Dan LCFC said:

This league is honestly full of absolute garbage isn't it.

The fact that we might finish 8th says it all. Every club below Everton have been sad.

 

Southampton, maybe they can blame injuries and having a good League Cup run.

[Finnegan]

I find it odd listening to Neville justify Mourinho playing a back six by saying he doesn't have the quality of players.

 

We played fairly defensive football without having to resort to a flat back six and that's with a Championship journeyman, a Stoke reject and Danny ****ing Simpson at the back. 

 

Surely if you're well enough organised, well enough coached and well enough motivated then you should be able to keep a side out without having a back SIX ffs.

 

Tony Pulis has never needed more than a back four to be stubborn and organised.

[ithuriel]

Peeps calling this league sad should remember that Leicester, without Kante and having a mediocre season reached the quarter finals of the Champions league.

I would say this league is very competitive, maybe more so than Guardiola and Klopp thought and that we have had a better team than many peeps give Leicester credit for.

 

[Danizen]

25 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

I find it odd listening to Neville justify Mourinho playing a back six by saying he doesn't have the quality of players.

 

We played fairly defensive football without having to resort to a flat back six and that's with a Championship journeyman, a Stoke reject and Danny ****ing Simpson at the back. 

 

Surely if you're well enough organised, well enough coached and well enough motivated then you should be able to keep a side out without having a back SIX ffs.

 

Tony Pulis has never needed more than a back four to be stubborn and organised.

So about £600m spent on the squad since Fergie retiree and the squad still 'lacks quality'. Injuries or not, that is shocking!

[AKCJ]

Shove your imaginary yellow card up your arse mate.

[Tuna]

That's that then. 

[Vacamion]

 

If you are a Boro fan your only hope now is that Costa starts a fight with two teammates and all three get sent off...

[Cadno'r Cymoedd]

Middlesbrough are so shit. Lacking any ambition. 

[Ozwin]

If you're a Boro fan you'd have to be worried. How did they manage to score enough goals to get out of the Championship? No ambition going forward whatsoever.

[Cadno'r Cymoedd]

They are worse than Blunderland. Boring and straightforward bollocks.

[AKCJ]

They haven't dealt with that pass all night. Chelsea must have tried it 10 times and it's worried Boro on each occasion.

[Guest Col city fan]

21 hours ago, Dan LCFC said:

This league is honestly full of absolute garbage isn't it.

The level between all the teams isn't massive.. it's not like Spain for instance, where sides like Granada are awful.

But yes, the best we have here is miles off the best on the continent. As indicated by the fact that the only British side to make the last 8 of the Champs League was us.

The general standard of football at the moment in the Prem is pretty dire in comparison.

[AKCJ]

Would still like us to sign Gibson.

[The Floyd]

Marcos Alonso is a lovely footballer, surely one of the best signings made this season.

[Footballwipe]

100% Spurs fans are writing conspiracies now that Boro are laying down for Chelsea and letting them win cause they hate Tottenham, when in fact Boro are garbage

[AlloverthefloorYesNdidi]

Would you sign Traore? 

Maybe a bit of a Schlupp on steroids

[CockneyFox]

To think we got just 2 points off Boro this season... 

[Stevosevic]

4 minutes ago, AlloverthefloorYesNdidi said:

Would you sign Traore? 

2 assists and 1 goal in 2 seasons.

 

No thanks

[foxes_rule1978]

1 minute ago, CockneyFox said:

To think we got just 2 points off Boro this season... 

Just shows how poor we were under Ranieri this season

[Cadno'r Cymoedd]

If I was a Boro fan, I'd be pissed off with the total lack of desire to even win a game. There's going down with fight and there's going down by an overdose of Mogadon.