2018/19 Soccer Thread

There were a number of points this season where Liverpool didn’t win matches they should have - the games against Manchester United, West Ham and Leicester City being the main ones. I do think now with the Benefit of hindsight Liverpool probably should have gone harder for a win - even one would have done - than they did. The games against City - the first was so early in the season nobody (then) felt like it mattered. The second were two very good team going at each other not wanting to lose, and City getting the win. I still think Kompany not getting sent off in that game to be a much bigger factor than the ball not quite crossing the line. I think Liverpool would have won otherwise.

In the end though it’s all little slivers. Such is the way it goes. The rest of the league has a hell of a lot of catching up to do.

Brighton and Hove Albion have sacked Chris Hughton as manager.

It feels a little harsh but 3 wins in 23 tells its own tale.

Double Post for emphasis.

This was our first year really following the Premier League. We're a soccer family – kids play, we played growing up, we like to watch a game here and there. Had given up on American Football and were watching more and more of the PL on the weekends, so... We chose to support Tottenham, based on various unimportant and borderline random reasons, and had a blast learning more the PL and the teams, rivalries, etc. Looking forward to the UEFA final and following the off-season moves. #COYS

Sorbicol wrote:

Brighton and Hove Albion have sacked Chris Hughton as manager.

It feels a little harsh but 3 wins in 23 tells its own tale.

I really like Chris Hughton but the man just does not coach decent attacking play. If he had that part of the game in his repertoire he'd be a fantastic manager, but unfortunately he doesn't.

lostlobster wrote:

This was our first year really following the Premier League. We're a soccer family – kids play, we played growing up, we like to watch a game here and there. Had given up on American Football and were watching more and more of the PL on the weekends, so... We chose to support Tottenham, based on various unimportant and borderline random reasons, and had a blast learning more the PL and the teams, rivalries, etc. Looking forward to the UEFA final and following the off-season moves. #COYS

Borderline random reasons are the best reasons! I follow Newcastle because Scott Parker got battered in the face by Jens Lehmann and played on with gauze in his mouth.

lostlobster wrote:

This was our first year really following the Premier League. We're a soccer family – kids play, we played growing up, we like to watch a game here and there. Had given up on American Football and were watching more and more of the PL on the weekends, so... We chose to support Tottenham, based on various unimportant and borderline random reasons, and had a blast learning more the PL and the teams, rivalries, etc. Looking forward to the UEFA final and following the off-season moves. #COYS

You chose... wisely.

COYMFS! June 1st!

Ordered a 2016/17 Tottenham home kit to wear for the occasion. That was the year I started watching EPL. Loved those jerseys then, but wasn't yet a fan of a particular team.

Final standings from this season's GWJ Fantasy League are in - my title defense went rather less well than Man City's, with a late surge by Asterith pushing me out of the (equivalent) Champions League places.

Congrats to SecretAsianMan on his victory!

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/vjUl4p2.png)

Final results from last season, for the curious.

Yes, back on the bottom again. I don't know what went wrong last year.

Thanks for letting me participate this year! It was fun and the beginner's luck definitely helped. We'll see how things fare next time.

Not bad considering I joined a week late and missed out on some points (Egyptian Kings).

Roke wrote:

Borderline random reasons are the best reasons! I follow Newcastle because Scott Parker got battered in the face by Jens Lehmann and played on with gauze in his mouth.

Same. I'm a Fulham fan because Brian McBride played for them after the 2002 World Cup.

Meanwhile, I think it's a little unfair for The Guardian to list the entirety of Manchester United as one of its flops of the season but only mention a single Fulham player.

Meanwhile, anyone think Dortmund can manage to steal the Bundesliga from Bayern at the last second? Frankfurt could spring a surprise.

Prederick wrote:

Meanwhile, I think it's a little unfair for The Guardian to list the entirety of Manchester United as one of its flops of the season but only mention a single Fulham player.
.

As much as I don't really like taking the piss out of other team's misfortune, I do think that it's entirely fair of the Guardian to post most of the Man U squad there - considering some of the players they have playing for them, a place in the top 4 and at least a decent shot at one trophy should be the minimum they should be aiming for. Alexis Sanchez could at least try. Anders Herrera must be counting his blessings.

Prederick wrote:
Roke wrote:

Borderline random reasons are the best reasons! I follow Newcastle because Scott Parker got battered in the face by Jens Lehmann and played on with gauze in his mouth.

Same. I'm a Fulham fan because Brian McBride played for them after the 2002 World Cup.

I think this is as good as any. Sadly, we must all get ready for a new legion of US Chelsea fans when Pulisic arrives. To be fair, if I didn't already have a favorite EPL team and distaste for Chelsea, I could have been one of them.

The thing about coming to the game from this outside perspective is that I haven't necessarily engaged with the rivalries the way natives might. for instance, as a NY Giants fan, I hate the entire NFC East a thousand times more than I'm supposed to hate Chelsea and QPR, as a Fulham fan.

Prederick wrote:

The thing about coming to the game from this outside perspective is that I haven't necessarily engaged with the rivalries the way natives might. for instance, as a NY Giants fan, I hate the entire NFC East a thousand times more than I'm supposed to hate Chelsea and QPR, as a Fulham fan.

I certainly hate my native team's rivals more, but have I told you about the old geezer in the Arsenal jersey who taunted a bunch of us Houston Spurs last fall when we shat the bed versus Watford? He was close enough to kick in the face from my seated position. I didn't, of course, but what a dick.

Well, I also haven't had any personal experience with the rivalry, because that would require an American sports fan to care about Fulham.

Prederick wrote:

Well, I also haven't had any personal experience with the rivalry, because that would require an American sports fan to care about Fulham.

I assume there are Fulham watch parties in NYC, surely? Our old pub was also the gathering place for Fulham fans, btw.

I would think Fulham would have a decent American following because of McBride and Clint Dempsey.

Griezmann leaving Atleti! But where to?

Barca?
PSG?
England?
The MLS? (While he'll probably end up in the MLS sometime after Inter Miami starts, I cannot imagine him making the jump at 28 when he could play for pretty much any Champions League team.)

and while Chelsea's probably screwed with the transfer ban, what about Manchester City?

Manchester City say they have provided “comprehensive proof” of their innocence to the Uefa body investigating allegations of financial fair play (FFP) irregularities, which could be on the verge of recommending a Champions League ban for the club.

Members of Uefa’s club financial control body (CFCB) investigatory chamber (IC) are thought to have expressed a strong view that City should be referred to the adjudicatory chamber (AC) for a final judgment, and to have recommended a Champions League ban if the allegations of misleading Uefa over FFP are proved.

The IC chairman and chief investigator, Yves Leterme, a senior Belgian politician and former prime minister, is considering whether he agrees with that view, and will refer the club to the AC, which applies sanctions.

IC members are thought to have formed the view, following a formal investigation launched in March, that if the AC concludes that City have misstated their income to Uefa, as alleged, the offence is so serious as to warrant a Champions League ban. Any such sanction would have to be imposed by the AC, because the IC’s disciplinary powers are limited to a warning, a reprimand or a fine up to a maximum of €100,000 (£87,000).

City, who have strongly denied any wrongdoing, can be expected to oppose fiercely even the referral of the case by the IC and to appeal against any sanction all the way to the court of arbitration for sport if they consider it necessary, arguing they have proven the allegations are false.

Heh. Interesting article.

"...the IC’s disciplinary powers are limited to a warning, a reprimand or a fine up to a maximum of €100,000 (£87,000)."

A €100,000 fine? Hahahahaha. That'll stop 'em!

I am imagining City's ownership literally finding that in their couch cushions.

I was reading a while ago that Griezmann was linked to Barca, FWIW. Obviously that could have changed by now.

Most of the rumors I've seen have Barca as the primary landing spot, yes, but you never know. That said, I feel like they'd quite like to get rid of Coutinho and replace him with Griezmann, who could also deputize for Suarez.

Roke wrote:

Borderline random reasons are the best reasons! I follow Newcastle because Scott Parker got battered in the face by Jens Lehmann and played on with gauze in his mouth.

I follow Liverpool because when I started following PL, my four mates were each a Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal and Spurs fan. I picked Liverpool to round out the "Big 4" grouping at the time. I also loved how Gerrard was a hometown kid who only ever wanted to play for his hometown team.

Sources have told ESPN FC that Atletico were not informed by Griezmann where he will move, but he did tell them he will deposit his release clause with the league at the start of July. His current clause is €200 million, but it will drop to €120 million on July 1.

In respect to the Griezmann stuff.

Which pretty much makes it official he will go to Barca. Sounds crazy but 120 is pretty fair for him in this silly transfer climate.

I find it more interesting is that it will start transfer roulette arms race. So Atletico will have 120 which probably means they keep Morata. Chelsea are on a transfer ban btw so they can just sit on that cash.

You figure Real are going to drop some season money after their season.

jowner wrote:

Which pretty much makes it official he will go to Barca. Sounds crazy but 120 is pretty fair for him in this silly transfer climate.

I find it more interesting is that it will start transfer roulette arms race. So Atletico will have 120 which probably means they keep Morata. Chelsea are on a transfer ban btw so they can just sit on that cash.

You figure Real are going to drop some season money after their season.

Not that crazy. Coutinho was €120 too, and that was just last year.

Meanwhile, I swear to God, if Villa goes up while Fulham goes down.... please God, Leeds or Derby, please beat them.

Prederick wrote:

Meanwhile, I swear to God, if Villa goes up while Fulham goes down.... please God, Leeds or Derby, please beat them.

Is something evil with Villa? Or is this just a personal anti-preference?

I support pretty much anything which deprives John Terry of joy.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

Ordered a 2016/17 Tottenham home kit to wear for the occasion. That was the year I started watching EPL. Loved those jerseys then, but wasn't yet a fan of a particular team.

My jersey already arrived! Ordered it May 8, and it was delivered May 14! From the UK! My goodness, modern transport!

Godzilla Blitz wrote:
Prederick wrote:

Meanwhile, I swear to God, if Villa goes up while Fulham goes down.... please God, Leeds or Derby, please beat them.

Is something evil with Villa? Or is this just a personal anti-preference?

Just about the symmetry of it. For Fulham to squeak past Villa in the Playoff Final, then completely poop the bed and go down while Villa goes up the next season would be... disappointing. Great for Villa though!

Meanwhile, Leeds. That's a heckuva implosion.