[Albion] Premier League 26-27/12/24

[Bodian]

A loss or draw would be counter to where I think we are on the overall trajectory - we are still just about going in the right direction but a loss or draw tomorrow at home will look definitely like Europe will be beyond us this season and we will end up with a mid-table finish . Not that that would be bad for a young manager’s first season in the PL nor something the Club epwould worry about. I just think some of the more social media engaged fans will start howling if we end up 11th or 12th.

Now can someone tell me how much GD we need to win by to go to 7th tommorrow please my brain’s stopped commputing.

Three.

 

[Bry Nylon]

As soon as the Premier League have the ball’s (pun intended) to get shot off Nike, and make adidas the ball supplier the technology is ready to go.

This is Nike’s last season as EPL ball supplier.

Next season, balls will be supplied by Puma.

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

Forgive me if this has already been mentioned but before the goal kick that Liverpool equalised from the ball boy had thrown the ball to the keeper who then took the kick quickly. Doesn't the rule state that this is wrong and that the player must get a ball from a cone?

For this season the rule that a player must collect the ball from a cone only applies to throw ins and corners. For goal kicks the ball boys can throw the ball back to the keepers.

What’s new in 2024/25: Rule changes

See how substitutes warming up, multiball system and added time will be different in the new Premier League season

www.premierleague.com

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

From the angle behind the ref it does look like Duran brings his right foot in towards the centre of Schaar's back. Can see why it was given on field, don't think there's enough for VAR to call it a clear error

Match of the Day got it spot on when they saw his left ankle twisted when he landed, meaning he was totally off kilter and couldn't really control where his right foot went. It will surely be overturned

 

[rogersix]

Take him and Salah out of that side and they are bang average. They did get him on the cheap.

Vvd?

 

[Hamilton]

To be honest, to be 13 points above the drop and 6 points away from Champions' League at Christmas is very nice.
After 7 years in the top flight, these are now a very good club.

I agree.

But why do I feel so ‘meh’ about it all?

 

[Hamilton]

Nope but I think we have more chance of slipping into the bottom half than climbing back into Euro contention. Relegation is NOT happening.

If there’s any flirtation with the bottom half of the bottom half of the table then Fab will be gone. We haven’t spent the money we have to be a bottom half team. Not that money entitles us to anything.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Yes, excellent player, Liverpool did brilliantly to discover him out of nowhere.

Can't bear to watch him in that kit. Am amazed so many on here can happily watch Liverpool for that reason alone: personally I can't stomach it, don't even watch brief highlights of their games.

 

[Han Solo]

If there’s any flirtation with the bottom half of the bottom half of the table then Fab will be gone. We haven’t spent the money we have to be a bottom half team. Not that money entitles us to anything.

I don't think much immediate return is expected from the investments but sure, "bottom half of the bottom half" means bottom 5/6 and that wouldn't be good enough.

Struggling to see that happen though. Might end up 12th-13th but I think the six teams that currently haven't gathered 20 points will remain behind us.

 

[BN41Albion]

Can't bear to watch him in that kit. Am amazed so many on here can happily watch Liverpool for that reason alone: personally I can't stomach it, don't even watch brief highlights of their games.

Maybe some of us don't take it all quite so seriously, and understand that he moved to a much bigger club without throwing his toys out the pram about wanting a big move for megamoney?

 

[Bry Nylon]

Cole Palmer is alright at football. Probably wasn't picked last in the playground.

I like the way he looks like a medieval serf that’s been Quantum Leaped into a 2024 Premier League football match.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Maybe some of us don't take it all quite so seriously, and understand that he moved to a much bigger club without throwing his toys out the pram about wanting a big move for megamoney?

It's not about taking it seriously exactly, I don't particularly, I'll happily watch Caicedo, Sanchez, Cucurella or Biss, but Ali Mac was/is one special guy, both player and human. It's probably more about him playing for Liverpool tbh, loved by the media and plastics the world over (as I may have mentioned before on here )

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I agree.

But why do I feel so ‘meh’ about it all?

Perhaps it takes only a 3 seasons untroubling the lower reaches of the table for complacency and dare I say it a bit of entitlement to set in?

 

[Bodian]

It's not about taking it seriously exactly, I don't particularly, I'll happily watch Caicedo, Sanchez, Cucurella or Biss, but Ali Mac was/is one special guy, both player and human. It's probably more about him playing for Liverpool tbh, loved by the media and plastics the world over (as I may have mentioned before on here )

The complete opposite for me. It's because he was such a special player, that I'm glad he went to Liverpool rather than Chelsea / Man Utd / Man City, etc. I can't stand those teams.

 

[boik]

I’d be highly surprised if we made Europe. And ecstatic.

Forest, Bmuff and Fulham are in far better form, all have a tried n trusted way of playing. Yet imho two out of the three won’t make Europe. Simply through weight of spending power giving squad depth and game-changers, the huge spenders generally ascend the table in the closing months. Chelsea and Manure were shit last season, yet made 6th and 8th.

If you check the injuries league table you will see that they are right at the bottom. If they have injuries they will drop away. If they are lucky and avoid them then they will have a great season. Bit like Leicester who won the league playing a settled side with very few injuries. Makes a huge difference .

 

[Han Solo]

It's not about taking it seriously exactly, I don't particularly, I'll happily watch Caicedo, Sanchez, Cucurella or Biss, but Ali Mac was/is one special guy, both player and human. It's probably more about him playing for Liverpool tbh, loved by the media and plastics the world over (as I may have mentioned before on here )

Its natural they're loved across the world though. They're like... cats. You just want to pet them on the head and say "of course you're going to slaughter everyone, you're such a bad little boy, oh yes you are." Its the only big club in the world where one (forgettable) league title in nine years makes you a legend. The fans don't even pretend that winning is something their club does. And that kind of makes them more charming than fans of teams that actually win league titles (a.k.a. City & Chelsea in the recent twentyish years) or think they should win league titles (like Arsenal, United & for unknown reasons Spurs).

 

[Hamilton]

Perhaps it takes only a 3 seasons untroubling the lower reaches of the table for complacency and dare I say it a bit of entitlement to set in?

I don’t think that’s it. I certainly don’t feel entitled to anything. If anything I’m more aware of the privilege as I watch clubs in lower reaches struggle to survive.

It’s something else. Something in what PB would call ‘the product.’

That or it’s too much Christmas pudding.

As for complacency, we’re only a couple more defeats aware from scrapping for places with Palace and Everton so not that. I’m not worried about relegation at all, but as RDZ suggested, it’s okay to raise our expectations and demand more.

 

[Professor Plum]

Can't bear to watch him in that kit. Am amazed so many on here can happily watch Liverpool for that reason alone: personally I can't stomach it, don't even watch brief highlights of their games.

I’m quite different. You have to start by accepting that many of our favourite players have always moved on and will continue to do so. Given that, an important thing for me is HOW they move on. Mac was dignified and respectful. Contrast with Trossard, Caicedo, Cucurella et al. I loved Caicedo in particular at Albion so his tantrum and departure for, of all places, Chelsea, left me distraught. I hate seeing him in that kit. Ali Mac I feel a sort of pride in, like a beaming parent watching their son go up to collect the big prize.

 

[Hometownglory]

Can't bear to watch him in that kit. Am amazed so many on here can happily watch Liverpool for that reason alone: personally I can't stomach it, don't even watch brief highlights of their games.

I feel the sentiment. Out of all the big boys Liverpool were the least offensive. However, Liverpool fans are becoming a little unbearable and I know a few armchair ones.

 

[maltaseagull]

But offside is black and white. You're either off or on. Doing things like leaving it to the on field decision leads to lawsuits and clubs holding up the season ending as the cases roll on as it could lead to clubs being relegated due to these decisions.

How many times has that happened pre VAR?