The Official Premier League 2024/25 Thread

[Philby]

This is so well-written and spot on..

Euston, you have a problem: train travel to football and the basic futility of hope | Barney Ronay

A journey to a game can lead you into the dark underbelly of rail travel, especially from London’s most unloved station

www.theguardian.com

 

[TheRebelRoar]

Didn't see anything wrong with the goal, but it looked like a push before the break that led to the corner.

Hard to see anything but 5 in a row.

 

[Orchard thief]

Hard to see anything but 5 in a row.

I’m sure ye’re gutted.

 

[TheRebelRoar]

I’m sure ye’re gutted.

I don't think Arsenal or Liverpool will live with City after Christmas. Nothing to get upset about dude.

Even with Rodri out they have by far the strongest squad. That's reflected in the odds.

 

[Philby]

I don't think Arsenal or Liverpool will live with City after Christmas. Nothing to get upset about dude.

Even with Rodri out they have by far the strongest squad. That's reflected in the odds.

View attachment 37435

TBF, only 3 days ago Arsenal were favourites for the title.

It's to City's credit that even without Rodri and (for the most part) KDB they are still findings ways to get over the line in games, although they are spending a much higher % of time level or behind in games than I can recall in their recent history.

Maybe succeeding through adversity will stand to them as the season progresses, or maybe they'll find it hard to keep going to the well late on in games.

For a host of reasons I thought City might be a little bit more vulnerable than normal going into this season. And with Rodri out I still hold that view.

What's clear to me though is that for either Arsenal or Liverpool to succeed they collectively need to do some damage to City in the four head-to-head games.

 

[Nollaig O Muracu]

I don't think Arsenal or Liverpool will live with City after Christmas. Nothing to get upset about dude.

Even with Rodri out they have by far the strongest squad. That's reflected in the odds.

View attachment 37435

Their midfield is ageing though, and without Rodri they might not have the legs.

If only Bumnal weren't such colossal bed destroyers. The other crowd winning it doesn't bare thinking about.

 

[Orchard thief]

The other crowd winning it doesn't bare thinking about.

So maybe stop thinking about it constantly.

 

[TheRebelRoar]

Their midfield is ageing though, and without Rodri they might not have the legs.

If only Bumnal weren't such colossal bed destroyers. The other crowd winning it doesn't bare thinking about.

I'd be shocked if they don't retain their title.

I wouldn't be surprised if they win the Champions league too. Madrid were haunted to beat them last season.

 

[Orchard thief]

Their midfield is ageing though, and without Rodri they might not have the legs.

If only Bumnal weren't such colossal bed destroyers. The other crowd winning it doesn't bare thinking about.

True but Pep will adapt. However boring City have been previously I reckon this season will be worse.

They had the luxury of Rodri to nullify opposing teams from breaking quickly. Walker was the other key to them playing such a high line.

With Rodri gone and Walker finally slowing down I think City will strangle teams to death this season more than ever.

They were exposed badly on the break v Fulham and Wolves. Pep won’t want to make a habit of that.

 

[Philby]

With Rodri gone and Walker finally slowing down I think City will strangle teams to death this season more than ever.

They were exposed badly on the break v Fulham and Wolves. Pep won’t want to make a habit of that.

They might well have to - certainly against the better sides. They probably have enough quality across the team to compensate for this against the vast majority of PL sides.

Without Rodri there's a definite deficit of physicality in the middle of the park. It comes through visually and in the stats.

Teams with powerful runners will do serious damage against them. If they meet Real Madrid in the knock-out stages again this year I'd fancy the Spaniards.