GWT: PL Matchday 2

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Michael Owen with the useful point that Chelsea played 120 minutes a few days ago. Accounts for a lot of the tired legs in the second half. We're definitely lucky to get away with a point, but Leicester has been a bogey side for us for years.

 

[Live in the Now]

The issue with Chelsea is that they don't have a talent advantage over a team like Leicester. They have greater strength in depth, which has an impact over the course of the season, but the starting lineups they're fielding aren't much different.

 

[Cassano]

Azpilcueta is finished IMO starting for big clubs. He doesn't provide that expansive offensive side to his game that is required by today's fullbacks.

Why hasn't Reece James hasn't gotten a look?

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Azpilcueta is finished IMO starting for big clubs. He doesn't provide that expansive offensive side to his game that is required by today's fullbacks.

Why hasn't Reece James hasn't gotten a look?

Reece James is hurt, he'll get good minutes when he's back. Critcizing Azpilicueta offensively after this game is weird though, because his crossing and overlap was good today.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

I disagree, he's not shown to be anything better than a mid-tier Premier League keeper so far, he's certainly not world class or deserving of starting for a best of the best club.

well he just saved your blushes

 

[East Coast Bias]

Some of the Chelsea takes have been over the top here, but there’s one thing that I would definitely worry about if I were a fan. 3 straight games where they started well, but opponents made halftime adjustments and they had no answers. Opposing managers are clearly adjusting and in the 2nd half, Chelsea get ran.

 

[Cassano]

I disagree, he's not shown to be anything better than a mid-tier Premier League keeper so far, he's certainly not world class or deserving of starting for a best of the best club.

wasn't the option him or one of the overrated English keepers (Butland, Pickford)?

 

[hatterson]

Still irked by Soyuncu's handball that went unchecked by VAR.

Not a VAR situation because it was outside the box

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Not a VAR situation because it was outside the box

Is that how that works? That's silly to me then, a handball blocking a shot on target should be reviewable. Either way, ref should've called it and it's a pain in the ass.

 

[hatterson]

Is that how that works? That's silly to me then, a handball blocking a shot on target should be reviewable. Either way, ref should've called it and it's a pain in the ass.

VAR is only used for goals, penalties, and red cards. That would have only been a yellow and a free kick if called.

 

[Blender]

wasn't the option him or one of the overrated English keepers (Butland, Pickford)?

I wasn't criticizing the buy, he's a fine keeper and has done an adequate job. We paid too much, but what are you going to do in today's market? I was refuting the opinion that he is somehow too good for the club despite never showing that ability on a consistent basis.

 

[OhCaptainMyCaptain]

Michael Owen with the useful point that Chelsea played 120 minutes a few days ago. Accounts for a lot of the tired legs in the second half. We're definitely lucky to get away with a point, but Leicester has been a bogey side for us for years.

That’s true, but the second half issue wasn’t just this game. Happened in the previous two games as well.

 

[Cassano]

I wasn't criticizing the buy, he's a fine keeper and has done an adequate job. We paid too much, but what are you going to do in today's market? I was refuting the opinion that he is somehow too good for the club despite never showing that ability on a consistent basis.

Yeah not sure how Kepa is better than a club that finished 3rd and won the Europa League. That's probably his level at his peak.

 

[Gecklund]

It’s really sad that I watch games to figure out who I want at United next season. So far I’ve determined Maddison, Rice, and Sancho would be a great summer considering needs and English.

 

[Chimaera]

?

I thought he played well today.

I just enjoyed the blast to the 20th row

 

[S E P H]

Leicester definitely dropped points there, besides 20 minutes of action and one disaster of a play by Ndidi who dropped the soap, they were the better team. I thought Pedro looked good everywhere except where it matters...putting the ball in the back of the net.

 

[YNWA14]

Chelsea, Wolves and Leicester will be interesting to follow throughout the season.

 

[Chimaera]

Some of the Chelsea takes have been over the top here, but there’s one thing that I would definitely worry about if I were a fan. 3 straight games where they started well, but opponents made halftime adjustments and they had no answers. Opposing managers are clearly adjusting and in the 2nd half, Chelsea get ran.

I mean, Lampard is learning on the job. He has minimal experience and were he not a legend, he would not have Chelsea’s job. He’s objectively one of the least proven managers with probably the hardest task. No one knows expectations, but if they want top 6 it might be too much

 

[Cassano]

The issue with Chelsea is that they don't have a talent advantage over a team like Leicester. They have greater strength in depth, which has an impact over the course of the season, but the starting lineups they're fielding aren't much different.

Spot on, I don't think it would be controversial to take Leicester's starting XI over Chelsea's.

 

[Chimaera]

I mean, I would take Kante and whomever over Leicester’s.

He’s the one truly world class player on that pitch. I think some of Chelsea’s young players have talent, I’m just concerned they don’t have the patience to let them develop

 

[hatterson]

I mean, I would take Kante and whomever over Leicester’s.

He’s the one truly world class player on that pitch. I think some of Chelsea’s young players have talent, I’m just concerned they don’t have the patience to let them develop

The trap they could fall into is finishing a distant 6th (or lower) this year and deciding they need to splash the cash to get back into the top 4. In doing so they’d replace a bunch of their youngsters with players who are better now, but don’t have remotely close to the ceiling.

Then the youngsters get pissed off and leave because they’re not seeing first team football.

Similar spot United are in, although their youngsters are a couple years further away so there’s less chance of it happening.

 

[Aladyyn]

The trap they could fall into is finishing a distant 6th (or lower) this year and deciding they need to splash the cash to get back into the top 4. In doing so they’d replace a bunch of their youngsters with players who are better now, but don’t have remotely close to the ceiling.

Then the youngsters get pissed off and leave because they’re not seeing first team football.

Similar spot United are in, although their youngsters are a couple years further away so there’s less chance of it happening.

I seriously doubt United will splash cash on big names at the expense of the youngsters. Ole knows what the club is about.

 

[S E P H]

I mean, I would take Kante and whomever over Leicester’s.

He’s the one truly world class player on that pitch.

Sure, but how many world class CDM's honestly win games for clubs? Sure they impact the play greatly which cannot be justified by analytics or numbers, but I suggest that CDM is also a position where you truly don't need an amazing player in it to win championships either. I think the most important world class positions on the pitch is a combination between #9, #10, #4, #11, or #7 and perhaps a #8.

 

[hatterson]

I seriously doubt United will splash cash on big names at the expense of the youngsters. Ole knows what the club is about.

Sure, if Ole is there. But if they finish poorly, how long does he have?

If you decide to commit to youth you either have to time it perfectly or be willing to sit on a couple rough years. I’d be surprised if ownership at either club is willing to do that.

 

[Chimaera]

I seriously doubt United will splash cash on big names at the expense of the youngsters. Ole knows what the club is about.

You must not know much about the last 5-7 years of Woodward