Premier League 17/18

And of course Swansea beats Liverpool...
I mean, they get a total lucky goal without having actually created a chance the whole match, while we have numerous clear chances. Super frustrating, not unexpected. When I saw it was a Monday match at a place with no atmosphere, I expected as much.

It's annoying, but it happens. The weird thing about this season isn't that it's happened to Liverpool. It's that City hasn't had these types of losses and draws that are part and parcel to every season.

Swansea defended well and literally made no attempt to attack with more than 3 even on the break. They got a fortunate
bounce, even though Liverpool defended extremely well. (sidenote: so annoying when announcers try to make it something about defending when sometimes, there's literally nothing you can do of the ball falls the wrong way. Color guy tried to do it on this because he criticised 4 LFC defenders following the ball. And guess who scored the goal? One of the 2 players those 4 Liverpool players had swallowed up. Shit happens. Just admit it, even if you're on TV.)

How the last chance(s) at the end don't fall is beyond me. Ridiculous. I am actually a bit pleased though. If we come out and put up 4, we were more likely not to overpay for another player. And I think we just need to strengthen, period, even if it's just a 30M stopgap player before Pulisic and Lemar. There's still a shot at 2 cups. Don't just toss it by only having 3 proven goalscorers.
 
And of course Swansea beats Liverpool...

I quite enjoyed Carvalhal's comments after the match:

"I talked with my players and said this Liverpool is a really strong team," said Carvalhal, who has secured seven points in his first four league games.

"They are like a Formula 1 car. But at 4pm in London it will be difficult to speed, they would be a car like any other.
 
I quite enjoyed Carvalhal's comments after the match:

"I talked with my players and said this Liverpool is a really strong team," said Carvalhal, who has secured seven points in his first four league games.

"They are like a Formula 1 car. But at 4pm in London it will be difficult to speed, they would be a car like any other.
It was pretty ridiculous how compact they were. Even their striker was 20 yards deep in their half most of the match. It was a pretty terrible match to watch. Credit them, though. They obviously defended well. Then they had some luck - all of it, really. The unluckiest involved were those of us watching.
 
It was pretty ridiculous how compact they were. Even their striker was 20 yards deep in their half most of the match. It was a pretty terrible match to watch. Credit them, though. They obviously defended well. Then they had some luck - all of it, really. The unluckiest involved were those of us watching.
I’d be more than happy to play the same way as Swansea for a match if that particular match got us past the opening round of the playoffs.
 
I’d be more than happy to play the same way as Swansea for a match if that particular match got us past the opening round of the playoffs.
I guess? Maybe? I’m not sure. At an away match, maybe I could take it.
 
I guess? Maybe? I’m not sure. At an away match, maybe I could take it.
It’s not pretty but the sheer amount of discipline involved is impressive in and of itself. Think of it as winning the Battle of the Buldge - seemingly a loosing effort the entire way but a tactical plan to outlast set up the opportunity for a little luck which ultimately led to better days. Bunkering sucks until it doesn’t suck.

And in a game like that, the immediate winner in the beer guy, so after 90, everybody is happy.
 
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I mean, they get a total lucky goal without having actually created a chance the whole match, while we have numerous clear chances. Super frustrating, not unexpected. When I saw it was a Monday match at a place with no atmosphere, I expected as much.

It's annoying, but it happens. The weird thing about this season isn't that it's happened to Liverpool. It's that City hasn't had these types of losses and draws that are part and parcel to every season.

Swansea defended well and literally made no attempt to attack with more than 3 even on the break. They got a fortunate
bounce, even though Liverpool defended extremely well. (sidenote: so annoying when announcers try to make it something about defending when sometimes, there's literally nothing you can do of the ball falls the wrong way. Color guy tried to do it on this because he criticised 4 LFC defenders following the ball. And guess who scored the goal? One of the 2 players those 4 Liverpool players had swallowed up. Shit happens. Just admit it, even if you're on TV.)

How the last chance(s) at the end don't fall is beyond me. Ridiculous. I am actually a bit pleased though. If we come out and put up 4, we were more likely not to overpay for another player. And I think we just need to strengthen, period, even if it's just a 30M stopgap player before Pulisic and Lemar. There's still a shot at 2 cups. Don't just toss it by only having 3 proven goalscorers.

To summarize, luck plays a part in every sport, and it plays a bigger role in soccer than in most. It is frustrating to hear announcers pretend that isn't true - to act as if the outcome of every play and every contest derives only from the quality of the actions of the participants without chance playing a role. Luck matters, and when you are outclassed, a strategy that counts on luck going your way can be the right option.
 
To summarize, luck plays a part in every sport, and it plays a bigger role in soccer than in most. It is frustrating to hear announcers pretend that isn't true - to act as if the outcome of every play and every contest derives only from the quality of the actions of the participants without chance playing a role. Luck matters, and when you are outclassed, a strategy that counts on luck going your way can be the right option.
The other BS narrative that announcers love to use instead of saying luck is that "the other team wanted it more" or something along those lines or the one team "showed heart" or "a lot of character/resolve".

Its just pure laziness.
 
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The other BS narrative that announcers love to use instead of saying luck is that "the other team wanted it more" or something along those lines or the one team "showed heart" or "a lot of character/resolve".

Its just pure laziness.
It was pretty true regarding the USNational team - they played with zero heart when crashing out.
 
To summarize, luck plays a part in every sport, and it plays a bigger role in soccer than in most. It is frustrating to hear announcers pretend that isn't true - to act as if the outcome of every play and every contest derives only from the quality of the actions of the participants without chance playing a role. Luck matters, and when you are outclassed, a strategy that counts on luck going your way can be the right option.
All true.

To highlight that, have a look at the xG numbers. That 0.4 from Swansea was tied for 2nd worst xG in the PL this week.

 
Swans beating Arsenal. Sound, tha.
(Yes, I’ll ironically use scouse slang in this thread because it makes me smile)

Btw, you guys see that goal from Bobby Firmino?
(Stolen from reddit)

w7ome7otdbd01.jpg
 
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I rarely watch EPL but I’m BEDRIDDEN hungover today so I’ve watched quite a bit......

If you still have PERFECT hair late in the 2H of a match, you’re not playing hard enough.
 
Not sure what I'm doing wrong, so I added a link.
In order to post an image it must be a direct link or you have to upload it. Direct links end in .jpg .gif so on.
Our upload system is very easy to use.
I don’t believe google photos allows direct linking.