I'm not sure the English game is faster than La Liga or the Bundesliga. Have seen plenty of 'end to end' matches in these leagues. It's a bit like the EPL being the 'Best League In The World' imo, basically a myth.
I think the best league in the world is more about the quality of all the teams from1 -20 not the football. For example Wolves would probably break into the top 4 in Spain far easier than they will in the EPL. From 5th downwards the quality in Spain is far less than in the EPL. If you stuck the Stoke under Tony Pulis in La Liga I would be fairly confident they would do better than say Espanyol or Getafe if they were dropped into the EPL.
Just as we start to look half decent this happens. Hornetboy1 is right. Everyone hates us, and that includes God.
I expect him to play but he came off against Aston Villa and the rumour is he is carrying a knock but is playing on currently as much as he can. This is another reason why Wilmot may be recalled and obviously why, with other injuries, there is likely to be incoming in that position. If he breaks down completely and we haven't had anyone come in then the lad who played at CB in the cup quite well, may get time on the pitch or at least the bench.
I would suggest that EPL teams are less/at least on a par technically to many in Spain etc, throughout the League. I agree that there are different ways of measuring this, however.
Be interesting to see if Hughes is fit enough for this one. Chalobah played well against Wolves but if Hughes is fit then he should slot back into the defensive midfield role alongside Caps. 3-1 Away win. Sarr, Deulofeu & Deeney with the goals. Man City then to win at Villa and we'll be outside the relegation zone going into next weekend. The great escape continues...
So who is getting sent off in this one? We need some odds. Pudil 1/14 Holebas Evens Pereyra 2/1 Deeney 4/1 Britos 5/1
I could be the Biscuit Tsar (Ina) perhaps? However reading the last page we may need the Garibaldis in defence?
Easy solution, if we only have 3 defenders then we just have to play 3 defenders. I would go for: -----Dawson-----Mariappa----Masina----- Deeney-------------------------------------Pereyra With deeney as an inverted complete playmaking raconteur box to box wing fly half
I've long felt that Deeney has the makings of an excellent libero, and I think now is the time to test this out.
It's true that he was originally thought of as one in the Chelsea youth ranks, and once described as being a 'future England captain' in that role, but he also hasn't played it at all since he was 17 (8 years ago). I'm really not sure that's a great recipe for not conceding cards and penos to the devious Muffintops.
If Cathcart were out we might have to do it. Options would become a choice of: Masina-Mapps-Chalo-Dawson or Holebas-Mapps-Masina-Dawson I hope Cathcart’s injury is a baseless Sky rumour.........
I reckon our defensive options give Callum Wilson a chance to dive himself back into form. Real shame we are going to have a patched up defence for such a vital game.
Definitely. But with our reduced defensive options I’d probably take a point now whereas before they looked prime for a Hornet win. Without Kaba or Kiko the back line looks so slow and I can see Wilson and Fraser causing a lot of problems. Drawing some sly fouls, maybe another red card or penalty.
Oh!! thanks for putting me straight on that 1!! if I could go back in time and delete that post I would!!
Theres a few days yet, but it's so frustrating our players are made of glass this season. If it really is all down to poor pre season and fitness then I hope to god Pearson and Shakey get us much more up to speed next season. Hopefully we may have extra players in to help cover but this is worse than the Wally season.
I'm not sure he'd even need to dive this time. He'll probably realise he has even better prospects if he stays on his feet.
