Premiership 2017/18

[The Modernist]

The fact that both Mourinho and Conte have both struggled to defend their titles points to structural problems as well. There's obviously something amiss at the club somewhere.

Its a strange thing, it never seems a particularly happy club.

[Rayge]

I'd laugh my arse off if Chelsea failed to get in the top four

Well, I'd get some arse fixings in if were you, as I can see them struggling for sixth

[KeithPratt]

Looks like West Ham are sniffing around Marco Silva.

[Dr Markus]

Even that would be tight on Moyes.

[KeithPratt]

Well he's only there until the end of the season contractually.

I wouldn't be surprised if this sort of contract becomes more and more common in football - you'll have a strata of top coaches and then essentially upgrades on "caretakers". It's clear that there are a number of managers who cannot compete for whatever reason at the top level. Tactically they're limited, so like Pulis for example, they can take a club to a certain level but not beyond that. Or Allardyce for example, who can steer you clear of relegation etc. The bevy of managers like Pardew, Bruce, Allardyce, Pulis, Hughes etc - have all shown limits on their abilities in the Premier League operating on a merry-go-round of clubs that oscillate between the Championship and the top flight.

[Dr Markus]

Yeah I agree, I think it will become the new thing. I think the old school manager position is practically finished, in top flight football anyway. I think wenger will be the last of it's kind in terms of controlling EVERYTHING.

[Dr Markus]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42986662

Arsene Wenger: English players may be 'masters' of diving

[Diamond Dog]

PFA Wants Mahrez Dispute Settled Soon :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42982134

The PFA has offered to be a mediator, and Taylor said: "If the issue needs us to help then the offer has been made."

He also told BBC Sport that the PFA had been in touch with both the club and the Algeria midfielder. Taylor added: "Leicester are looking to be patient and understanding.

"We hope the player will appreciate the situation as it is at the moment. The sooner this is sorted out the better for everyone.

"But sometimes these things can take a short time and other times a lot longer."

I don't know but maybe the PFA & Taylor need to be telling their member to return to work and honour the contract (which included a huge pay rise) which he signed 2 years ago. I fail to see what needs to be 'mediated' here.

[Rayge]

I don't know but maybe the PFA & Taylor need to be telling their member to return to work and honour the contract (which included a huge pay rise) which he signed 2 years ago. I fail to see what needs to be 'mediated' here.

They need to decide who is going to put he toys back in the pram.

[The Modernist]

PFA Wants Mahrez Dispute Settled Soon :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42982134

The PFA has offered to be a mediator, and Taylor said: "If the issue needs us to help then the offer has been made."

He also told BBC Sport that the PFA had been in touch with both the club and the Algeria midfielder. Taylor added: "Leicester are looking to be patient and understanding.

"We hope the player will appreciate the situation as it is at the moment. The sooner this is sorted out the better for everyone.

"But sometimes these things can take a short time and other times a lot longer."

I don't know but maybe the PFA & Taylor need to be telling their member to return to work and honour the contract (which included a huge pay rise) which he signed 2 years ago. I fail to see what needs to be 'mediated' here.

I agree.
I'm very surprised that when he signed his new contract, which was after he made his huge impact in the premiership, he (or more precisely his representatives) didn't insert a release clause.

[Diamond Dog]

By the way, did anyone see the Izquierdo goal for Brighton v Stoke yesterday? If that had been Man City, we'd have had pundits salivating over it and calling it 'goal of the season' already.

[Lord Rother]

Can’t deny it, watching Mourinho’s teams getting beaten does give me way too much pleasure.

[borofan]

Can’t deny it, watching Mourinho’s teams getting beaten does give me way too much pleasure.

A normal, natural reaction.

Usually. But not when it's the bloody barcodes doing it. There are limits...

[The Modernist]

I'm surprised they're still second, it feels like they've been dropping points fairly regularly.

[Diamond Dog]

What was particularly pleasant was that the goal came from a free kick, awarded to Newcastle because Chris Smalling decided to dive - completely unnnecessarily- in a non crucial area of the pitch. He was also booked for that. Wonderful thing Karma.

[borofan]

What was particularly pleasant was that the goal came from a free kick, awarded to Newcastle because Chris Smalling decided to dive - completely unnnecessarily- in a non crucial area of the pitch. He was also booked for that. Wonderful thing Karma.

Smalling - just as good at diving as he is at defending. The fact that he is a full international gives perspective on how poor English centre backs are these days.

[Diamond Dog]

What was particularly pleasant was that the goal came from a free kick, awarded to Newcastle because Chris Smalling decided to dive - completely unnnecessarily- in a non crucial area of the pitch. He was also booked for that. Wonderful thing Karma.

Smalling - just as good at diving as he is at defending. The fact that he is a full international gives perspective on how poor English centre backs are these days.

The strange thing about Smalling is that, under Van Der Gaal, he was probably the best English centre back. Certainly for the second season. Jose turned up, criticised him publicly, dropped him and...his form has turned to shit. Yet now he gets picked every week!

[KeithPratt]

By all accounts it was a one man show from Arnautovic on Saturday. Incredible transformation from the start of the season - and given how we played when he was injured, he's probably responsible for much of our steadily improving form.

[Dr Markus]

Yeah I thought he was a lazy talent, I don't know what moyes said or done but he's playing a blinder. Sparky must be thinking, "fuck happened him?"

[KeithPratt]

He played mostly on the flank at Stoke. Moyes has him upfront playing with Lanzini and it's working well.