The English Football Thread

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

True. How did we lose our 8-point lead so quickly? Ugh.

Just shows gaps mean nothing.

They have to be favorites because they have the exact same squad who did it last year.

[dee25 1,044]

A draw away to United and City doesn't look so good now. We were always more likely to win those games than Sunderland/Newcastle away.

I don't think a draw away to those teams is a bad result. City also drew against Arsenal at the Emirates, but dropping 2 points when you're like 2 seconds away from claiming a win doesn't look good at all.

[The Chels 2,502]

I don't think a draw away to those teams is a bad result. City also drew against Arsenal at the Emirates, but dropping 2 points when you're like 2 seconds away from claiming a win doesn't look good at all.

They're not bad results when you look at them on their own but if you consider how much stronger we tend to be away to the bigger sides than the smaller sides, then the results are disappointing especially given the circumstances as you say.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

I don't think a draw away to those teams is a bad result. City also drew against Arsenal at the Emirates, but dropping 2 points when you're like 2 seconds away from claiming a win doesn't look good at all.

That City draw was pretty awful when you look at the way they dominated when down to 10 men the way they did. It looked like we were playing with 8 men instead of having the advantage over them.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

I just cant see Man City dropping points any time soon, we really need to win all our Christmas games if we are to keep up with them

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

I just cant see Man City dropping points any time soon, we really need to win all our Christmas games if we are to keep up with them

They'll drop points. Remember they don't have their strikers right now.

The most important thing is that we do not drop points monday, which will be very difficult.

[The Chels 2,502]

That City draw was pretty awful when you look at the way they dominated when down to 10 men the way they did. It looked like we were playing with 8 men instead of having the advantage over them.

We played for a draw in that game and got it in the end. I don't think that's a good idea though. City are much better flat track bullies than us and they will pick up more points from the smaller sides so we have to pick up more against the big sides (à la Atletico vs Real/Barca) and beating them away should have been our target as we are more than capable of it.

The worst thing about our dropped points is the repetition of mistakes. Against City we drew after trying to hang on to a 1 goal lead and then we did the exact same thing against United. Against Sunderland we had no width and played too narrow and then did the exact same thing against Newcastle.

[Fernando 6,500]

They'll drop points. Remember they don't have their strikers right now.

The most important thing is that we do not drop points monday, which will be very difficult.

I think that Monday fixture should be easier then the fixture we have against West ham.

They are doing good and the timing is not the greatest.

Then after that going to the lane might be tough. Even though we beat them already but from past few years, white Hart lane can be hard and as well the date makes it tricky.

Anytime you have a game after a holiday I find it tricky especially against such opponents.

[dee25 1,044]

That City draw was pretty awful when you look at the way they dominated when down to 10 men the way they did. It looked like we were playing with 8 men instead of having the advantage over them.

But the thing with City is that they're surprising good playing with 10 men, don't know if anyone else has noticed. I think it's probably due to the fact that they tend to get a lot of red cards, so they know how to adjust when a man down. But still though, that game at the Etihad was a pretty poor performance by us, the worst we've played against them under Jose, in my opinion.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

We played for a draw in that game and got it in the end. I don't think that's a good idea though. City are much better flat track bullies than us and they will pick up more points from the smaller sides so we have to pick up more against the big sides (à la Atletico vs Real/Barca) and beating them away should have been our target as we are more than capable of it.

The worst thing about our dropped points is the repetition of mistakes. Against City we drew after trying to hang on to a 1 goal lead and then we did the exact same thing against United. Against Sunderland we had no width and played too narrow and then did the exact same thing against Newcastle.

Playing safe when we didnt need to. I definitely agree with that.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

But the thing with City is that they're surprising good playing with 10 men, don't know if anyone else has noticed. I think it's probably due to the fact that they tend to get a lot of red cards, so they know how to adjust when a man down. But still though, that game at the Etihad was a pretty poor performance by us, the worst we've played against them under Jose, in my opinion.

I think its their attacking style of play. Down a man their attacking kids just sit back more, without really changing their shape too much. Even looking at them today, their holding mid fernandinho was practically living in Palace's box every time he got the chance.

I think that Monday fixture should be easier then the fixture we have against West ham.

They are doing good and the timing is not the greatest.

Then after that going to the lane might be tough. Even though we beat them already but from past few years, white Hart lane can be hard and as well the date makes it tricky.

Anytime you have a game after a holiday I find it tricky especially against such opponents.

I expect West Ham to rollover to us at home. Stoke is the danger game to me, especially consider the siege mentality they have at home.

[Laylabelle 9,406]

City got better with 10.Made us look like had less.Man U was daft.Seemed like given their form we forgot it'd be a tough game and that 1-0 lead be enough.Been easier to take if hadnt happened last minute however...

Its the points against the other that can be costly.Last year we had stupid results and hopefully Newcastle n Sunderland wont be a trend

[LAB 1,030]

What's done is done. The important think now is for the players and manager to understand that we must not do the same mistakes again on Monday and lose points again. Stoke are not a team we are supposed to lose points from. Forget how City are doing, It's completely up to us not to bottle it.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Looking at the table, we actually play 8 of the current top 10 at home in the 2nd half of the season. (City, United, Everton, Spurs, West Ham, Southampton, Newcastle, West Ham) with Liverpool at home as well who are currently 11th. That's a big advantage for us.

[The Chels 2,502]

But the thing with City is that they're surprising good playing with 10 men, don't know if anyone else has noticed. I think it's probably due to the fact that they tend to get a lot of red cards, so they know how to adjust when a man down. But still though, that game at the Etihad was a pretty poor performance by us, the worst we've played against them under Jose, in my opinion.

We've only dominated them and deserved to win once in 4 attempts under Jose - the 1-0 away win last year when they had to play Demichelis in the midfield. I really don't understand Jose's cautiousness against City. They are not that good and they're certainly there to be got at. Compare our away performance to them this year with Atletico's against Real Madrid (a much more formidable opponent) and our tactics look amateurish.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

BENTEKE YOU BEAUTY!!!!!!

[Madmax 9,219]

Looking at the fixtures till Aguero comes back (mid Jan):

Chelsea

Stoke (a), West Ham (h), So'ton (a), Spurs (a), Newcastle (h)

Man City

Palace (h), WBA (a), Burnley (h), Sunderland (h), Everton (a)

Theirs are a shade easier.

[Pizy 18,520]

Looking at the fixtures till Aguero comes back (mid Jan):

Chelsea

Stoke (a), West Ham (h), So'ton (a), Spurs (a), Newcastle (h)

Man City

Palace (h), WBA (a), Burnley (h), Sunderland (h), Everton (a)

Theirs are a shade easier.

Annoying as hell.