**Official** English Football Season 2024/25

[Skipper Pup]

Really? The others are so poor that Forest are challenging for 2nd. I reckon I could've managed Liverpool to top spot, especially since Salah only has to be within 30 yards of a goal to either score or set one up, whilst the squad has basically had no serious injuries. They can even afford Nunez to be worse than Heskey.

Klopp had Salah available too.

The key thing people seem to miss is that Klopp wasn't coaching that side for the last season at the club, it was Pep Ljinders. Klopp was the one who signed Nunez, he was also the one who misprofiled Gakpo as a striker, and played Szobo/Grav as 8's.

Anyone who says Klopp would have won it completely ignores the significant tactical changes in our side.

Also the narrative that we haven't had serious injuries is a nonsense. We've had long periods without Konate, Jota, Trent and Alisson - not to mention Gomez and Bradley.

It's a credit to Slot he's kept our squad firing but his rotations and style of play are huge reasons we're in this position

 

[Skipper Pup]

I probably wouldn't disagree with you, but there's one fella turning draws into victories week in week out with momentary pieces of brilliance, and that's Salah.

He deserves the Balon D'Or.

Virgil has been more consistent in the prem though.

Same thing happened with Foden and Rodri last season.

 

[Skipper Pup]

He had his worst year since joining Liverpool tbf - though probably should still have been in the top 30.

Not sure where the idea Salah doesn't get enough respect is coming from - will leave as one of the top 3 Prem players of all time along with KDB and Henry.

Ha ha... I see what you did there

 

[govinda indian fan]

He deserves the Balon D'Or.

Virgil has been more consistent in the prem though.

Same thing happened with Foden and Rodri last season.

Salah and virgil are two main pillers of our success this season

 

[Skipper Pup]

Salah and virgil are two main pillers of our success this season

 

[govinda indian fan]

View attachment 45666

Hurry mo and virgil staying sad to see trent go but hopefully we replace him

 

[Furball]

If you're not sure having looked at where Salah finishes in Balon D'Or every year then I can't help you.

Repeat after me: individual awards are meaningless in a team game.

 

[Silver Silva]

Repeat after me: individual awards are meaningless in a team game.

Repeat after me : We are all entitled to our opinions.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Gareth Barry imo.

Loved his career path from talented attacking younger player to defensive blocker who rarely gave the ball away.

 

[govinda indian fan]

Wanna say Newcastle are unpredictable team imo usually bring their best vs top 6. Could see us droping points this game but if we dont then we are assured of trophy

 

[Skipper Pup]

Repeat after me: individual awards are meaningless in a team game.

I wouldn't say meaningless. The logic would follow that individual stats are therefore meaningless too.

Throwing it out entirely turns the whole debate of "who's a great player" into a very subjective discussion (i.e. eye test) rather than something you can statistically quantify.

For example, Maradona is arguably the greatest ever despite only winning 11 trophies in his career. You take away his individual accolades and he's not even close to elite tier.

 

[Chin Music]

I wouldn't say meaningless. The logic would follow that individual stats are therefore meaningless too.

Throwing it out entirely turns the whole debate of "who's a great player" into a very subjective discussion (i.e. eye test) rather than something you can statistically quantify.

For example, Maradona is arguably the greatest ever despite only winning 11 trophies in his career. You take away his individual accolades and he's not even close to elite tier.

Surely it's more about his impact when he was at his best. Napoli somehow won 2 league titles despite not even being close in terms of wealth to the biggest clubs in Italy, i.e. Milan/Inter/Juve and then there was winning that world cup and dragging a pretty dreadful Argentina side to the final four years after that victory when he was clearly impacted by his knee injuries. That was more about big moments in matches rather than big performances but even so.

 

[Molehill]

Surely it's more about his impact when he was at his best. Napoli somehow won 2 league titles despite not even being close in terms of wealth to the biggest clubs in Italy, i.e. Milan/Inter/Juve and then there was winning that world cup and dragging a pretty dreadful Argentina side to the final four years after that victory when he was clearly impacted by his knee injuries. That was more about big moments in matches rather than big performances but even so.

Don't be silly, that's just an eye test. We need to see his stats and individual awards to check out whether he's elite tier or not!!

Seriously, that is one weird post by Skipper, I'm not sure where to even start with it. But he really doesn't seem to get that the vast majority of football fans (apart from seemingly those in major Spanish Cities, and that largely stemmed from the Messi/Ronaldo rivalry which no longer exists) do not give a **** about individual awards.

 

[sledger]

Heaven forbid anyone makes decisions re: whether a footballer is good or not by actually watching them play football.

 

[Skipper Pup]

Don't be silly, that's just an eye test. We need to see his stats and individual awards to check out whether he's elite tier or not!!

Seriously, that is one weird post by Skipper, I'm not sure where to even start with it. But he really doesn't seem to get that the vast majority of football fans (apart from seemingly those in major Spanish Cities, and that largely stemmed from the Messi/Ronaldo rivalry which no longer exists) do not give a **** about individual awards.

If that's true, why did the match-going Man City fans roll out a banner referencing Rodri's Balon D'Or win just a few weeks ago?

Maybe it was banter or just petty.. or maybe they actually care..

 

[Molehill]

Heaven forbid anyone makes decisions re: whether a footballer is good or not by actually watching them play football.

To be fair, some of the recruitment at Old Trafford would suggest otherwise!!

 

[Skipper Pup]

Heaven forbid anyone makes decisions re: whether a footballer is good or not by actually watching them play football.

Reminds me of a debate I got into with an LFC fan a few years ago as to whether Joe Allan was a good footballer.

Unfortunately you can't legislate for people having poor eyesight and/or judgement.

 

[Molehill]

If that's true, why did the match-going Man City fans roll out a banner referencing Rodri's Balon D'Or win just a few weeks ago?

Maybe it was banter or just petty.. or maybe they actually care..

Had a feeling you'd reference this. No, they didn't care, but they knew that the Madrid fans and Vinny J did. It backfired on them, or maybe they knew they were going to get beat anyway so thought they'd at least get themselves one little victory out of it.

 

[Skipper Pup]

Had a feeling you'd reference this. No, they didn't care, but they knew that the Madrid fans and Vinny J did. It backfired on them, or maybe they knew they were going to get beat anyway so thought they'd at least get themselves one little victory out of it.

I guess City fans won't bring it up then when it comes time to talk about Rodri's legacy in a decades time

 

[Molehill]

I guess City fans won't bring it up then when it comes time to talk about Rodri's legacy in a decades time

I think the evidence of how the team performs without him in it is rather more testament to his ability.