Football 2013-2014

[strummer77]

Didn't say that in the same fixture last season.

Edited December 29, 2013 by strummer77

[pink_triangle]

Think you mean the one at Anfield not the Stamford Bridge fixture. Regardless, 2 wrongs don't make a right.

[strummer77]

Yep January is massive. Could decide a lot. Exciting season but I think the top 4 will be the same at the end of this season as normal (if not in the same order). United shouldn't be missing out despite their performances so far - 1st to 5th is a massive drop and I think with RVP back they should make it.

[Bobs]

I think in terms of Christmas it's been a total disaster for any of the 'chasing' pack, and Liverpool, understandably, Liverpool had the hardest games, and i'm sure if you offered them 2pts, they'd have taken it. My reason for it being a disaster is that it feels like everyone is starting to gain form, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man. City, United and Spurs all took a minimum of 4pts.

As the post above says January is massive. I think Everton and Liverpool really need some depth, we've started getting some injuries and any more would leave us in real trouble. As for Liverpool, hadn't even heard of the two young lads on the bench today, and Alberto and Aspas clearly aren't in favour.

But, again as i've said i'd enjoy the ride whatever the outcome, Southampton came to Goodison today, and they're a really good side, they played excellently today, Pocchetino's done a terrific job. January will be huge. For me, i still doubt the levels of commitment RVP has for United and Moyes, if he doesn't try and orchestrate a move i'd be surprised, cause he doesn't look happy, but United need to sign someone, and i wouldn't be surprised to see them go back in for Baines!

[pink_triangle]

I found the following stats online for the top 7 teams from last season and this. First number is average points per game from last season, second average from this season

Man utd 2.3, 1.8

Man City 2.1 , 2.2

Chelsea 2.0, 2.1

Arsenal 1.9, 2.2

Spurs 1.9, 1.8

Everton 1.7, 1.9

Liverpool 1.6 , 1.9

Amazing all are doing better apart from Spurs (marginally worse) and Man Utd (significantly worse). Also frustrating for teams to see that while they are improving, most of the opposition has got better as well.

[eFestivals]

I dont understand the idea of points not mattering. They matter as much as everton, Liverpool and chelsea who have accumulated them in similar amounts.

As things stand Utd's points matter as much as Sunderland's in regard to CL footie next season.

That's what I was meaning when saying their points don't matter.

[eFestivals]

No room for Liverpool either haha.

It's the end of the season that matters.

Out of the three 'tough' games - all away - in December, Liverpool got 3 points.... which is three more points than those (you know, people like you) who've been constantly saying that Liverpool won't make top 4 had said they would.

Of the top 8, Liverpool play just one of them away in the 2nd half of the season.

Let's see where it all finishes, eh? You've been much more wrong about stuff so far this season than I have been.

[eFestivals]

I found the following stats online for the top 7 teams from last season and this. First number is average points per game from last season, second average from this season

Man utd 2.3, 1.8

Man City 2.1 , 2.2

Chelsea 2.0, 2.1

Arsenal 1.9, 2.2

Spurs 1.9, 1.8

Everton 1.7, 1.9

Liverpool 1.6 , 1.9

Amazing all are doing better apart from Spurs (marginally worse) and Man Utd (significantly worse). Also frustrating for teams to see that while they are improving, most of the opposition has got better as well.

what's also interesting to note is that all of the top teams are so-far performing a fair bit worse (on a points per game basis) than happened last season (and other recent seasons).

So expect the teams at the top to push on to a better points total in the 2nd half ... while those just below the top drop away*.

(* if the 1st part of that turns out to be true, the 2nd part will have to be true too).

This fact of points-per-game compared to previous seasons is a part of the reason why I'm making the predictions that I am.

What i'm not doing is what others are, and simply saying that cos Utd have done well in the past they can't fail to do well this season too. It's the most ridiculous reasoning possible, especially when put against the performances on the pitch.

[thetime]

It's the end of the season that matters.

Out of the three 'tough' games - all away - in December, Liverpool got 3 points.... which is three more points than those (you know, people like you) who've been constantly saying that Liverpool won't make top 4 had said they would.

Of the top 8, Liverpool play just one of them away in the 2nd half of the season.

Let's see where it all finishes, eh? You've been much more wrong about stuff so far this season than I have been.

Edited December 30, 2013 by thetime

[pink_triangle]

It's the end of the season that matters.

Out of the three 'tough' games - all away - in December, Liverpool got 3 points.... which is three more points than those (you know, people like you) who've been constantly saying that Liverpool won't make top 4 had said they would.

Of the top 8, Liverpool play just one of them away in the 2nd half of the season.

Let's see where it all finishes, eh? You've been much more wrong about stuff so far this season than I have been.

[pink_triangle]

what's also interesting to note is that all of the top teams are so-far performing a fair bit worse (on a points per game basis) than happened last season (and other recent seasons).

So expect the teams at the top to push on to a better points total in the 2nd half ... while those just below the top drop away*.

(* if the 1st part of that turns out to be true, the 2nd part will have to be true too).

This fact of points-per-game compared to previous seasons is a part of the reason why I'm making the predictions that I am.

What i'm not doing is what others are, and simply saying that cos Utd have done well in the past they can't fail to do well this season too. It's the most ridiculous reasoning possible, especially when put against the performances on the pitch.

[The Nal]

Have they found Suarez yet? Don't worry he will be back for the hull's of the world.

Mrefests is starting to worry..

[eFestivals]

Have they found Suarez yet? Don't worry he will be back for the hull's of the world.

what, you mean the Suarez who Kompany couldn't fit in his pocket, and the Suarez that Ivanovic couldn't fit in his pocket - as proven by his assists in both games?

If you want to see missing, just look at the whole of the Utd squad bar Rooney for all of the season to date.

Liverpool had one of their less good days against Chelsea - poor touches all around the pitch by players who have been far better than that in recent matches, and yet still ran Chelsea close (who knows what the result would have been with a fair ref?).

Liverpool's problem is just how weak their backups are and that might cost them over the season, but Suarez going missing isn't something they're suffering from (at least, not to the the extent that other 'top' teams are suffering the same from their 'star' players - all except City).

Chelsea were good yesterday, and far stronger physically than Liverpool and deserved to win ... if you ignore the bad calls by the ref, and Chelsea doing their best to kick the whole Liverpool team off the pitch (wft was that about? So unnecessary).

Edited December 30, 2013 by eFestivals

[eFestivals]

Suarez not scoring against the big teams has to be a worry. Cracking player obviously but the true greats do it against the Citys and Chelskis.

Oh c'mon .... assists in both games? That's missing, is it?

With decent reffing in both of those games the results could have been different, with no question about Suarez's input.

Still, it saves you having to talk about your own teams FAR worse problems.

Edited December 30, 2013 by eFestivals

[The Nal]

Oh c'mon .... assists in both games? That's missing, is it?

[zahidf]

I think Suarez's rep for being a diver and his general theatrics is working against him.

Liverpool are def in the mix for top 4, but the man utd game is a must win.

[eFestivals]

Not saying hes gone missing. Just that hes not scoring. One of the best players in the world apparently Neil.

The world's best strikers manage around one goal every two games.

In the city game he was the best player on the pitch.

He had a bit of an off day yesterday, as did the whole of the Liverpool team. And yet he'd have scored if Skrtel hadn't tapped it in.

Back to not scoring and diving about yesterday. Thought Chelski did well to keep him quiet.

Ahh, so you now go with a version of the world according to the lying bore.

I refer you to the comments made by everyone else about yesterday's game. Two clear penalties (plus one for Chelsea), no doubts about it.

Oh, and a red card for Eto, meaning that Chelsea are short of a winning goal scorer, plus 87 minutes with 10 men.

Chelsea were at their best all season yesterday, while Liverpool had a comparative off-day. It's ridiculous to define Liverpool's strength or not by just that one match.

[eFestivals]

I think Suarez's rep for being a diver and his general theatrics is working against him.

I wonder why the much worse diving - indisputable not-touched dives - from Utd players this season doesn't get treated the same?

Liverpool are def in the mix for top 4, but the man utd game is a must win.

It's really really not. All that comment proves is how little you're paying attention.

That's the game against the top teams (do Utd still count as a top team? ) that they can afford to write off right now as pointless.

Utd are the only top 8 side that Liverpool play away in the 2nd half of the season. It's the home games against those top teams they need to get some points in.

Edited December 30, 2013 by eFestivals

[eFestivals]

United quietly moving up the table... Seems to be going largely unnoticed.... Certainly bringing themselves into contention now...

not until they win just one game with any conviction - something they've not done all season.

Utd won't make top 4.

[Essex_George]

Not saying hes gone missing. Just that hes not scoring. One of the best players in the world apparently Neil. Back to not scoring and diving about yesterday. Thought Chelski did well to keep him quiet.

[zahidf]

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25545739

Oh Jose...

[The Nal]

It has only been thought that he dived after Jose mentioned it, he didn't dive and it was a blatant pen. Even ask your mate Gary Neville. Suarez was pretty much off on his touch yesterday but it would of been a very different game if the ref hadn't bottled it and sent Eto'o off in the first few minutes.

Can't believe some of the stick the lad Smith has been getting on twitter for his performance after he came on. Poor substitution by Rodgers IMO, should never of bought him on in a game like that.

Edited December 30, 2013 by The Nal

[pink_triangle]

Not saying hes gone missing. Just that hes not scoring. One of the best players in the world apparently Neil. Back to not scoring and diving about yesterday. Thought Chelski did well to keep him quiet.

[pink_triangle]

I think Suarez's rep for being a diver and his general theatrics is working against him.

Liverpool are def in the mix for top 4, but the man utd game is a must win.

[pink_triangle]

not until they win just one game with any conviction - something they've not done all season.

Utd won't make top 4.