The English Football Thread

[Spike 12,049]

It hurts me to my soul when people call Yaya a defensive midfielder.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

How the fuck has he got 15 assists before Christmas? He'd literally have to stop playing( a la Fabregas) not to break it now. Insane numbers.

[Magic Lamps 11,668]

How the fuck has he got 15 assists before Christmas? He'd literally have to stop playing( a la Fabregas) not to break it now. Insane numbers.

If there is one guy in the world who is as much of a choker as Fabregas, it is Özil.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

If there is one guy in the world who is as much of a choker as Fabregas, it is Özil.

We can only hope.

Stat going around tonight saying he has as many premier league assists as Hazard now, and that is with 50-60 less matches in this league. I didnt know he was playing so well for them. I remember him being slated pretty hard by the media for not delivering when he went there.

[Reddish-Blue 2,354]

We can only hope.

Stat going around tonight saying he has as many premier league assists as Hazard now, and that is with 50-60 less matches in this league. I didnt know he was playing so well for them. I remember him being slated pretty hard by the media for not delivering when he went there.

I just think Walcott & Giroud's improvement combined with Alexis Sanchez workrate off the ball has given Ozil the time and space to 'thread the needle' and produce some quality assists this season.

If you put Ozil into Chelsea, he wouldn't have so many assists because we don't have players willing to run off the ball

[DYC. 7,542]

erm because of his powerful driving runs through midfield, bulldozing players out of the way? Being a powerhouse doesn't mean you are not technically gifted.

NOt sure what to make of it. City vs Arsenal for the title is like pest vs cholera. I would hate for Arsenal to break their duck, cos this is what they are all about. eternal chokers. HOwever City would mean 3 titles in 5 years, most dominant english side despite having won every of those title by default and sheer luck/incompetence of rivals.

If only Leicester could go the distance. But my bet for them is still 6th, 5th if they bring in some decent players. But they could only win the title if they would somehow manage to sign an international class goalkeeper like Sirigu, Keylor Navas, Zieler or Leno, 2 proven defenders and a playmaker and incorporate them all seamlessly into their team.

Ahh his powerful runs. He barely does those. Most of the time he's just strolling about the pitch like an 80s playmaker.

He's a big lazy bum. A liability when the ball is lost. A poor man marker, positionally he's all over the place and he can't be arsed to track back. He's even lost his desire to stick a foot out and tackle. A big version of Fabregas. Yaya's better though. Perception and reputation are powerful things. Essien is/was a powerhouse, not this guy.

My point was he's always revered for his power. Never for his technique. Even though his technique is far more impressive. Whether it's a lovely pinpoint long pass, a clever defence splitting through ball, crisp interchanges, a beautiful curling effort from range, a powerful clean struck drive flying into the top corner or a sublime finish, he does it all and he does it frequently. This latest beauty of a goal is just one more added to a stunning collection. But it's always about the few times he produces one of those power runs. Something he obviously only does when he feels there's no other way. He'd rather let the ball do the work than use his body.

It's almost like big + black = powerhouse. Pogba is also always refered to as powerful rather than skilled, even though he's more about skill than power.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I just think Walcott & Giroud's improvement combined with Alexis Sanchez workrate off the ball has given Ozil the time and space to 'thread the needle' and produce some quality assists this season.

If you put Ozil into Chelsea, he wouldn't have so many assists because we don't have players willing to run off the ball

Ozil won't have as much assists as in arsenal, but he'll have far more than hazard. Fabregas proved last season to beat hazard in assists from deep in midfield too. Hazard just creates problems for defences with his dribbles, but he doesn't actually have huge number of assists with creative passing.

[DYC. 7,542]

We can only hope.

Stat going around tonight saying he has as many premier league assists as Hazard now, and that is with 50-60 less matches in this league. I didnt know he was playing so well for them. I remember him being slated pretty hard by the media for not delivering when he went there.

The criticism was exaggerated. A very poor 2014 for his standards but it's not like he was playing like WBA player. He was very good in the first half of 13/14, his debut season and great in the second half of 14/15.

Not that assists say so much though. It's his specialty. He has that eye for the final ball, it's incredible. And like he said himself, he's always been producing those balls but the off the ball runs are increased and the finishing has improved a lot.

[DYC. 7,542]

Ozil won't have as much assists as in arsenal, but he'll have far more than hazard. Fabregas proved last season to beat hazard in assists from deep in midfield too. Hazard just creates problems for defences with his dribbles, but he doesn't actually have huge number of assists with creative passing.

True. But on the other hand, he creates a lot of chances. Even in his terrible form, he's up there with the best creators in the league.

Hazard needs to add more vertical passes and through balls to his game though.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

True. But on the other hand, he creates a lot of chances. Even in his terrible form, he's up there with the best creators in the league.

Hazard needs to add more vertical passes and through balls to his game though.

Hazard is how we start our attacks. But the final pass is where ozil and many others beat him. Those vertical passes are crucial to this play.

I remember sometime on Hazard thread where I showed a lot of clips of how messi combined his dribbling with vertical passes to Neymar and hoped hazard does it, and people told me only messi can do it, but we can see mahrez this season doing exactly what I said. Supplying vardy with goals with Messi style of passing has made mahrez the best player in the league currently.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

How the fuck has he got 15 assists before Christmas? He'd literally have to stop playing( a la Fabregas) not to break it now. Insane numbers.

Never say never. I think Fabregas was on the same number before crimbo 2014!

It hurts me to my soul when people call Yaya a defensive midfielder.

Ah yes, but I think what they mean is deep lying. Pundits about this time last year were wondering why Mourinho didn't play Fabregas in an advanced position, as it would seemingly magnify his presence. As we found out, it's because he's fucking shit there because he's not mobile and he can't deal with being pressured like Oscar can (on his day). Obviously Yaya is not the same player but it's not as it sounds.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Looks like Wenger is probably gonna get his first title in what, 15 years or so? Leicester will eventually break, and City will need an almost perfect run to get past them. The rest is not even close.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

It won't get me a lot of fans on this page, but if it happens, it would actually be good for English football - with nice attacking play being rewarded.

[Rmpr 8,977]

They've lost Sanchez and their first-choice midfield pairing though and they're getting results. They also lost other players at some points. I'm not saying they'll win the league but I think you're painting them as a more fragile side than they are.

This is the first time the 'everyone can beat everyone' phrase has actually been true. You can't predict the title winner this year. You can't even predict the top 4, top 6 and teams going down.

Sanchez plays as a winger and they are loaded at that position. That and CMs. They have many options in those two areas, so even if Wilshere, Ramsey, Sanchez, Walcott, etc, get injured/suspended they can recover.

But their options end there. Sorry. If they lose key players on any other position they are done...

[LDN Blue 7,903]

It won't get me a lot of fans on this page, but if it happens, it would actually be good for English football - with nice attacking play being rewarded.

No way, it'll be terrible. The arrogance of Arsenal Football Club is already unbearable when they're so self-righteous and pretentious. I hope they long continue to go without winning the league and as per usual, they'll bottle it in January.

It'll be even better this year, the implosion, because this is arguably their best chance to win it and they won't

[DYC. 7,542]

Sanchez plays as a winger and they are loaded at that position. That and CMs. They have many options in those two areas, so even if Wilshere, Ramsey, Sanchez, Walcott, etc, get injured/suspended they can recover.

But their options end there. Sorry. If they lose key players on any other position they are done...

Lets say Arsenal loses Giroud, Ozil, Metesaker/Koscielny or Cech

So those positions are loaded but striker (Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck, Sanchez), #10 (Ozil, Cazorla, Rosicky, Wilshere, Ramsey, Sanchez), CB (Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Chambers, Debuchy, Monreal, yes Debuchy and Monreal have played there) are not loaded. Hmm...

Pointing out Cech is silly. Everyone misses their first choice GK in case of injury. Ospina, last year's first choice, is his back up either way.

Giroud actually lost his spot in the first XI earlier this season and I think both Koscielny and Mertesacker have been injured this season, not sure how long though.

Unless you're going to talk about the quality of the cover. But Ox, Walcott, Campbell aren't nearly as good as Sanchez. Same goes for Ramsey/Wilshere vs Cazorla or Flamini/Arteta vs Coquelin. Last year they struggled when Alexis was in poor form and it wasn't until Wenger played Cazorla-Coquelin that they started to win a lot of games.

They have a big squad and it's an advantage. Their injury record remains ridiculous though. I agree with you that they need more quality for an ideal squad but that goes for every team basically.

[DYC. 7,542]

No way, it'll be terrible. The arrogance of Arsenal Football Club is already unbearable when they're so self-righteous and pretentious. I hope they long continue to go without winning the league and as per usual, they'll bottle it in January.

It'll be even better this year, the implosion, because this is arguably their best chance to win it and they won't

It's not that bad really if they win. It's a case of 'it's about time' imo. Nothing exceptional about winning the title after 12 years.

Of course failing to win again would be awesome. City winning it isn't good either though.

The PL is due a miracle. Big/rich teams always win it. I hope Leicester can manage it.

[Rmpr 8,977]

So those positions are loaded but striker (Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck, Sanchez), #10 (Ozil, Cazorla, Rosicky, Wilshere, Ramsey, Sanchez), CB (Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Chambers, Debuchy, Monreal, yes Debuchy and Monreal have played there) are not loaded. Hmm...

Pointing out Cech is silly. Everyone misses their first choice GK in case of injury. Ospina, last year's first choice, is his back up either way.

Giroud actually lost his spot in the first XI earlier this season and I think both Koscielny and Mertesacker have been injured this season, not sure how long though.

Unless you're going to talk about the quality of the cover. But Ox, Walcott, Campbell aren't nearly as good as Sanchez. Same goes for Ramsey/Wilshere vs Cazorla or Flamini/Arteta vs Coquelin. Last year they struggled when Alexis was in poor form and it wasn't until Wenger played Cazorla-Coquelin that they started to win a lot of games.

They have a big squad and it's an advantage. Their injury record remains ridiculous though. I agree with you that they need more quality for an ideal squad but that goes for every team basically.

Yeah keep up with that mentality. You are almost ready to become a proper Arsenal fan with it. Keep dreaming their squad has depth. #ArsenalChampionsOfEngland LMAAAAO!

So, jokes apart...

1) You honestly belive Walcot and Sanchez are STs, REALLY? In that case we dont need a striker as we have Costa, Remy, Hazard and Pedro right? Oh come on please, give me a break. Giroud int even that good, if they lose him they are screwed. Welbeck is shit and then there is no other option besides playing pkayers out of position.

2) Also, now Wilshere and Ramsey are #10s. Oh God, so much BS on TC nowadays. Holly shit. #FabregasForNumber10

3) None of the defenders you posted I would trust to be anywhere near a starting position. So...

4) We lost Courtois and Begovic can take care of business. Same with Barcelona, ManCity, ManUtd, Real when Casillas was there, etc. People undervalue a lot the importance of a backup keeper.

So, this was all to prove that if Arsenal dont improve their squads they will be the new version of the 13-14 Loserpool!