Basically where the teams should be if they'd performed to expected points levels which will factor is xg, chances etc...
Thoughts on the start to the season? | October thoughts (p12)
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Basically where the teams should be if they'd performed to expected points levels which will factor is xg, chances etc...
I know a few on here hate the expected stats, but as a follower of them over the last few years, give or take the odd exception such as Forest last season as an example, they usually show correct foresight over the course of the season.
Liverpool will average out as the season goes on, I am 100% confident about that, it's whether or not they continue to get given such a head start that it won't matter that much.
In the words of Benjamin Disraeli, FO with your stats. They mean bugger all when you take in the qualitative elements of football, stop making it boring. 'Soccer' is not the borefest that is NFL, othe dull Amerivan sports are available. We all know the only stat that counts and it's the one in the top corner of your TV screen!
Johnny Mars Bar
Well-Known Member
We’re gonna win the fucking lot*
*not a guarantee
*not a guarantee
1/5 down. Agree with most that 13-15 points was required from this run of games.
Away games always looked the more difficult on paper.
NQCitizen
Well-Known Member
Said all summer that as soon as Salah and VVD begin their decline we're back in pole position, whether thats this season or next.
The Brighton turnaround was pretty irritating but all in all we're very much in the race.
A fully clicked Reijnders, Cherki, Marmoush and Nico in those final weeks could be key.
The Brighton turnaround was pretty irritating but all in all we're very much in the race.
A fully clicked Reijnders, Cherki, Marmoush and Nico in those final weeks could be key.
Will be interesting to see what Salah we see after AFCON.
I don't remember him ever having a decent second half of the season whenever AFCON has been on.
NQCitizen
Well-Known Member
Something tells me he's not as likely to put in a superhuman effort and contribute 47 goals and assists on his own with a brand new 3 year contract in his back pocket.
People underestimate how we've only ever been beaten to the league by ludicrous seasons from Salah, Alisson and VVD.
Just don't fear Isak, Wirtz or whoever the same way at all. Would rather have Haaland and Foden.
OldhamBlue94
Well-Known Member
13 points out of our next 5 games in the prem minimum to put pressure on the dippers before we play them
Any updated thoughts since Arsenal?
- Beat Huddersfield (A) 2-0.
- Smashed Burnley (H) 5-1.
- Drew 2-2 with Monaco (A) but played well.
- Beat Brentford (A) 1-0.
13/21 points. 6 points better than last season with comparative fixtures. 3 points off of top.
4/6 points in the CL having played Napoli and Monaco.
4th round of the league cup against Swansea.
It's not vintage Pep yet but a definite improvement.
- Beat Huddersfield (A) 2-0.
- Smashed Burnley (H) 5-1.
- Drew 2-2 with Monaco (A) but played well.
- Beat Brentford (A) 1-0.
13/21 points. 6 points better than last season with comparative fixtures. 3 points off of top.
4/6 points in the CL having played Napoli and Monaco.
4th round of the league cup against Swansea.
It's not vintage Pep yet but a definite improvement.
its a Barm
Well-Known Member
Defo going in the right direction
Stephen230
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A bit more chirpy going into this international break than the first one, but I don't feel like I'm watching a team capable of a serious title challenge.
Having said that, if it turns into a season where low 80s or even high 70s is competitive, we probably won't be too far away. Can't really see that though.
Having said that, if it turns into a season where low 80s or even high 70s is competitive, we probably won't be too far away. Can't really see that though.
OldhamBlue94
Well-Known Member
2 injury time equalisers off 7 wins in a row. Massive improvement! Just need to kill games off more often
Marvin.
Well-Known Member
I don't know why we would have to win the next 5 to be considered title challengers.
I prefer Pep's target of being in touch in the Spring. Individual and team performances are almost as important now as points because they indicate our potential. We look to me to be one of the 3 best sides in the PL at the moment.
Cobwebcat
Well-Known Member
A few? Haha it’s like talking to the flat earth society ;-)
People believe what they want to believe.
The underlying stats pointed to Forest finishing much higher in the table than their performances deserved and this season we can see they were correct.
Liverpool aren’t playing well but it would not surprise me if they improved, so I’d be very surprised if they weren’t fighting for the title during the final few weeks.
Overall it’s a positive start, in the sense that despite tons of injuries we remain “in the mix”. The most annoying one for me is Spurs at Home. You can always count on dropping some points away from home (Brighton, Arsenal) but home games need to be bread & butter and we were toothless on that particular day. That said we are still getting Rodri back to full fitness and have injuries to Cherki, Ait Nouri, Khusanov & Marmoush - all top quality players.
Do I think we’ll win it? Probably not. But I see a squad capable of winning it, and one that is suddenly on two or three signings away from challenging on all fronts again (IMO an CB, CM & Winger). My positives so far - Haaland, Donnarumma, Khusanov & Doku.
The opposition? Liverpool look disjointed to me, and I think they’ll drop enough points this season for us to finish above them, if we find some rhythm. Arsenal are my ones to watch, they have only conceded 3 goals in 7 games which is impressive. They are balanced and solid. The big hurdle they will have is whether they can handle the pressure when the run-in hits after Xmas. That stadium is worse than most with the nerves from the fans and the manager spilling into the pitch.
United are still rubbish.
Game on.
Do I think we’ll win it? Probably not. But I see a squad capable of winning it, and one that is suddenly on two or three signings away from challenging on all fronts again (IMO an CB, CM & Winger). My positives so far - Haaland, Donnarumma, Khusanov & Doku.
The opposition? Liverpool look disjointed to me, and I think they’ll drop enough points this season for us to finish above them, if we find some rhythm. Arsenal are my ones to watch, they have only conceded 3 goals in 7 games which is impressive. They are balanced and solid. The big hurdle they will have is whether they can handle the pressure when the run-in hits after Xmas. That stadium is worse than most with the nerves from the fans and the manager spilling into the pitch.
United are still rubbish.
Game on.
blue b4 the moon
Well-Known Member
I posted in some other thread yesterday, we've just gone though preseason training and towards mid April/May when other teams are blowing out of their arses we'll still be 'in March'. The important thing was to still be in the running come this international break and we certainly are although not up to our top standard.
Some old pisshead who used to manage a local club once said you win nothing until the last part of the season, the one thing he was correct about apart from the League Cup.
City are still alive here.
Some old pisshead who used to manage a local club once said you win nothing until the last part of the season, the one thing he was correct about apart from the League Cup.
City are still alive here.
Still waiting for a full, great 90 minute performance in the league, but I do like how we've built some defensive grit after the b2b losses. If we can cut out the mistakes, the new players continue to improve and somebody else decides to start scoring, we'll do fine.