Brentford trying to play out for Liverpool’s third goal was comical to say the least.

Will we get managers now complaining about having to fit games in like Moyes did after today ?

 

100%, going to be a regular thing we hear over the next few months. Mad that Norwich played a day earlier and won, but West Ham lost. Playing Wednesday-Sunday is fine for recovery.

Hands off!

 

Could be the next England manager in 2023 :arrr:

There was also some talk this morning about the calling off of games. Are they being called off unnecessarily? Should they have called on the youngsters in the academy to ensure that games are on? Thoughts on this?

 

I think they should be giving the youngsters a chance, it might give the manager selection headaches when the squad returns to full fitness/capacity.

 

I must admit I had suspicions about Burnley. Wondered if they were stalling for time to replace Chris Wood.

100% they're being called of unnecessarily. Teams are jumping all over loopholes now. Arsenal for example only had ONE covid case and still got the NLD postponed.

I think it's ultimately the Premier League's fault with their guidelines, they've allowed them to be manipulated however there probably did need to be some clear guidance. It makes it easy for teams with small squads to postpone a game but I think Arsenal's was comfortably the most ridiculous. Leeds only had 11 fit outfielders yesterday but as none were out with Covid couldn't call it off, Arsenal had 12 but could as one Covid case. Ultimately its the risks both teams take with the decisions they've made. Bielsa likes working with a small squad so is susceptible to this and Arsenal knew the situation when signing 4 African internationals and loaning out two players with first team starts last week.

Edited January 17, 20223 yr by RabbitFurCoat

I think it's ultimately the Premier League's fault with their guidelines, they've allowed them to be manipulated however there probably did need to be some clear guidance. It makes it easy for teams with small squads to postpone a game but I think Arsenal's was comfortably the most ridiculous. Leeds only had 11 fit outfielders yesterday but as none were out with Covid couldn't call it off, Arsenal had 12 but could as one Covid case. Ultimately its the risks both teams take with the decisions they've made. Bielsa likes working with a small squad so is susceptible to this and Arsenal knew the situation when signing 4 African internationals and loaning out two players with first team starts last week.

 

Totally agree, it was a farce back in December but also understandable. Arsenal's case is by far the most ridiculous, but because the Premier League had already postponed games on the basis of injuries, they had to do this. They're loaning out players left, right and centre, no way they should be allowed to postpone games.

Arsenal knew deep down that they were going to lose away to Tottenham like they always do which is why they pushed for the postponement. It's just delaying the inevitable, they're going to have to play there at some point and they will most likely lose when they do. These constant postponements are just going to make the season feel like it's dragging on. I'm beginning to wonder if the season will actually finish in May or if it will get extended into the summer. I think teams who want matches cancelled because of injuries should lose them by forfeit and that would act as a deterrent.

Arsenal knew deep down that they were going to lose away to Tottenham like they always do which is why they pushed for the postponement. It's just delaying the inevitable, they're going to have to play there at some point and they will most likely lose when they do. These constant postponements are just going to make the season feel like it's dragging on. I'm beginning to wonder if the season will actually finish in May or if it will get extended into the summer. I think teams who want matches cancelled because of injuries should lose them by forfeit and that would act as a deterrent.

 

The season can't be extended, it's already been extended a week and next season is starting sooner. Like loads of people have already said, the problem isn't the postponements as such, it's the entire football calendar which has changed this season with the World Cup in November/December 2022. Going to be a real slog over the next few months whilst all these rearranged games are played.

And like Mack said managers will next be moaning about fixture pile-ups for the foreseeable. Can't have it both ways!

At this rate Chelsea won't even make the top 4! Tuchel gone before the season's out would not surprise me at all...

 

Bit surprised at the amount of postponements, the Premier League clubs have academies/youth set ups they could call upon surely?

 

Looking at the table currently, Chelsea have played the most amount of games on 23. Burnley have played the least with 17, one was called off because of the snow.

At this rate Chelsea won't even make the top 4! Tuchel gone before the season's out would not surprise me at all...

 

I think they will be OK, agree they don't look great at the moment. Their whole system is based around the wing backs, I guess the injuries to James & Chilwell have ruined them and are slightly unfortunate. But there's no excuse for Lukaku - he's turned in to the Man Utd Lukaku rather than the Inter/Belgium one. Think they will get Top 4 still as they are better than the other teams, and after they get back from the Club World Cup they have the fixtures to put together a nice run.

He's even worse than when he was with us! Says a lot about the standard of Serie A too.

 

I think what's happened is they've fallen out of the title race and have let their heads drop thinking they already had top 4 nailed at least.

Unbelievable end to the Leicester Vs Tottenham match with Tottenham scoring in the 95th and 97th minute to win 3-2 after they were trailing 2-1. That's not good news for us as we could have made up some ground on them tonight.

United will be fine for 4th I think when the games are all caught up! Who knows maybe a tilt at the European cup too?

United will be fine for 4th I think when the games are all caught up! Who knows maybe a tilt at the European cup too?

 

There is no way United are winning the Champions League.

 

4th is up for grabs certainly, as it looks like Chelsea will/have got pulled in to the mix now. Think the international break has come at the right time for them though.

Chelsea only play 1 Premier League match in the whole of February so everyone will have caught up by then.

Chelsea only play 1 Premier League match in the whole of February so everyone will have caught up by then.

 

They will and others have games in hand, but Spurs are in good form and are due a blip at some point. Just think Chelsea have the fixures post CWC to go on a bit of a run. Spurs look favourites to get 4th now, the game at the weekend between them both has suddenly become a whole load more important. Maybe there is some truth that Chelsea are a great cup team, but are lacking way behind in the league.

Spurs still have to play Chelsea, City, Liverpool & United all away so they probably have the hardest run-in. They've also not actually had a hugely impressive result yet under Conte other than last night which was extremely lucky.

 

Although them flopping in the tinpot European comp was a huge benefit for them.

Edited January 20, 20223 yr by Dobbo.