*Official* English Football Season 2010-11

[social]

Dawned on me today, that none of the teams in the premiership at the moment are really all that much good. Sure, Chelsea are probably the best, and by a reasonable enough stretch, but I wouldn't say there are any real stand out teams who you would say "yes, they are a really fantastic side", as one perhaps would have when referencing one of the Chelsea title winning sides under Mourinho, or the Man Utd Champions League winning side of a few years back, or the Unbeatable Arsenal side or the Arsenal side of 2002. The league is probably closer and more competitive now, but it seems to me that it's come at the cost of a decline in the overall quality of the talent on display on the whole. Was musing to myself a week or two ago that if you take one (or more, obviously) of Cech, Drogba or Essien out of Chelsea's side, and they are just not the same team and are totally different in terms of the threat they possess. It's probably not a million miles away to say that if you give any one of these players to Man Utd or Arsenal (maybe not Cech in Man Utd's case) and they would probably win the league. Obviously it's not particularly profound to state that taking a key player out of a team will make them less effective, as so much is indeed obvious, it just seems to me that at the moment it's more true than it has been in as long as I can remember.

Were Chelsea of last year any better than the year before?

Doubt it

Opposition simply wasnt as good IMO

 

[Uppercut]

What you say about Chelsea is true, they still did manage to win the league, but to some extent that was only possible because Arsenal and Man Utd repeatedly fouled up and capitalise on a load of points that Chelsea dropped. In years gone by that sort of thing would not have gone unpunished. It kind of ties in with my point about the quality of the league in its entireity not being as strong as it perhaps once was.

No, it's true, but the point is their performances were no less mediocre when they had everyone fit. It's much fairer to say Chelsea simply aren't that good (especially away from home) than it is to say they're over-reliant on one or two players, imo.

 

[Jarquis]

Come on Fulham.

Fabianski had a blinder apparently.

 

[Woodster]

Well the derby was a massive anti-climax, was disappointed as a blue, but not surprised by the way the game panned out. Pretty negative stuff, look solid enough, but not much in the way of attacking free-flowing attacking football. The Mancini way perhaps.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Another top rant from Holloway.

 

[Uppercut]

Pretty happy with that result, solid enough performance. Good to get the game out of the way early in the season.

 

[sledger]

I think the bottom half sides have got really strong and well-organized in England recently. And it's getting to the stage where a draw away to a top-half side is also considered a decent result for title challengers. Doesn't seem to be the case in Spain, for example.

I really don't think that is the case the majority of the time tbh.

 

[sledger]

Also, that has to be the end of Almunia (barring some awful Fabianski decline), there is no way anyone can justify him getting his place in the team back after that.

 

[cpr]

Thats until Fabianski makes another flap at the weekend...

 

[TT Boy]

Yaya Toure 200k a week. Needs to lose at least 2 stone.

 

[TT Boy]

I think the bottom half sides have got really strong and well-organized in England recently. And it's getting to the stage where a draw away to a top-half side is also considered a decent result for title challengers. Doesn't seem to be the case in Spain, for example.

Newcastle are 5th and the side which just beat them are pure ****.

 

[vcs]

Well, football doesn't always work that way, does it? There seem to be a lot of teams that match up differently against each other.. the A beats B beats C beats A type situations. Plenty of variations in style of play in the English league.

 

[roseboy64]

TBH the bottom half teams in Spain more often than not just let Barca and Madrid steamroll them.

 

[grecian]

TBH the bottom half teams in Spain more often than not just let Barca and Madrid steamroll them.

Yeah agree, normally like a bit of La Liga at the weekend, but this year, so far, has been depressing, just waiting for the Real-Barca matches, which should be epic.

Anyway here's some real football for you, and the view from the slimy end

 

[Prince EWS]

Scott Parker should be playing for England. He is miles better than Carrick and as good at least as Barry.

 

[grecian]

Scott Parker should be playing for England. He is miles better than Carrick and as good at least as Barry.

Has Aussie come back as a mod

I actually rate Parker, but he's not the same type of player as Barry or Carrick, their job is to sit in and keep the ball and cover defensively. Parker is more challenging Stevie and Arbuckle, and he's not in their league I'm afraid.

 

[Uppercut]

Carrick actually had a pretty good game yesterday. For the first time in forever.

 

[Uppercut]

Also, that has to be the end of Almunia (barring some awful Fabianski decline), there is no way anyone can justify him getting his place in the team back after that.

Thats until Fabianski makes another flap at the weekend...

From F365:

At worst, he makes as many mistakes as Manuel Alumina. What makes him better is that he makes far more saves.

Hence, Flappyhandski>"Alumina".

 

[BoyBrumby]

TBH it's rather like: cholera or dysentery; which is the least painful way to die?

Both poo.

 

[sledger]

Scott Parker should be playing for England. He is miles better than Carrick and as good at least as Barry.

Stick to cricket chat hey PEWS?