Premier League 2024/25: Hamstrung Race

[Red London]

The schedule this season is an absolute disgrace and a massive cash grab by FIFA and UEFA at the expense of the players, clubs, and fans. The product isn’t as good IMO. Quantity doesn’t mean quality.

These games come thick and fast. If we fully go back to blowing teams away we need be clever with our players’ minutes, taking people off after 70-75 if we are comfortable. This is with key players but also players like Timber at RB where there is literally no one else there if he gets injured.

You can’t start every key player for every single one of these games, play them for 80+ minutes, and expect them to stay fit. Need to basically win all these games.

The 2 cup games are imperative too. We need to win some silverware, and also need to get automatic qualification for the knockouts which can be invaluable in such a congested season. Monaco is somewhat of a 6 pointer due to their position in the table.

 

[db10_therza]

 

[Sammy1887]

Kudus is suspended for our game right?

 

[freeglennhelder2]

You can close the thread if Gabriel came off for a prolonged injury yesterday. Let us pray its minor.

 

[Hleb's Sirush]

Kudus is suspended for our game right?

Seeing West Ham played 4 games since his red card I was going to say he must have served his suspension but just saw it was extended to 5 games! So yes, he is still suspended for our clash.

 

[Gooner Zig]

Surely we want City to beat Liverpool this weekend? What's AM saying?

 

[Riou]

Surely we want City to beat Liverpool this weekend? What's AM saying?

As long as we beat West Ham, then the best result is a City win.

Though a draw is probably what I want most, as no matter what happens I don't want City winning the title again.

 

[grange]

Surely we want City to beat Liverpool this weekend? What's AM saying?

I want Pep to go away but I don't want him to die so wanting City to lose seems like I would be brought up on accessory/conspiracy to commit murder charges.

 

[Riou]

I want Pep to go away but I don't want him to die so wanting City to lose seems like I would be brought up on accessory/conspiracy to commit murder charges.

 

[blaze_of_glory]

Surely we want City to beat Liverpool this weekend? What's AM saying?

I think City win is best for sure at this point. They now seem like they are likely to keep dropping points throughout the season even if they get back on a better track than they're on now (almost certainly will). Liverpool could use a big loss

 

[Ash10]

Surely we want City to beat Liverpool this weekend? What's AM saying?

Draw it is for me. Just because 115 charges fc seem like they are in free fall & Liverpool won easy games doesn’t change that 115 charges fc overall is still the better team of the two

 

[goonerfamily]

I think Liverpool will fall away in the second half. TAA, Salah and VVD all with 6 months left in January - some will move away on a Bosman and their motivation will diminish. If we're 5 points off them on New Year's Day, I think we'll finish above them. Bit of a shame we played them at the Emirates when we were mid injury crisis, but still.

City are hard to predict and always impossible to write off. They're kind of inevitable in the second half of the season at this stage. Having said that, with Rodri out for the season, anything could happen.

 

[dka1]

I want Pep to go away but I don't want him to die so wanting City to lose seems like I would be brought up on accessory/conspiracy to commit murder charges.

I mean...

Take one for the team innit

 

[dka1]

I think Liverpool will fall away in the second half. TAA, Salah and VVD all with 6 months left in January - some will move away on a Bosman and their motivation will diminish. If we're 5 points off them on New Year's Day, I think we'll finish above them. Bit of a shame we played them at the Emirates when we were mid injury crisis, but still.

City are hard to predict and always impossible to write off. They're kind of inevitable in the second half of the season at this stage. Having said that, with Rodri out for the season, anything could happen.

Yeah it's why I'd prefer a draw.

If Liverpool win, then whilst I think they could still fall off, the longer they keep the 9 point gap, the more daunting it seems for us psychologically (which I don't think can be understated).

But I also want to stall City's momentum as much as possible because they are very well capable of snapping back into form and going on an insane run in 2nd half of the season.

 

[fute]

This weekend is just a game. Won't mean much.

We are in a new era. So many games to play, it is going to be how many healthy players of quality are there remaining to field a competitive squad come Februrary,March, April to remain in contention.

Here it is still November.

Rotation from here on out is crucial.

 

[Red London]

Surely we want City to beat Liverpool this weekend? What's AM saying?

Mathematically you usually want a draw if you’re competing with both as it means only 2 points rather than 3 are earned and you can claw 2 points on both teams.

However, Liverpool need to be ****ing stopped and derailed. I want a city win just as much for the confidence hit than the 1 point difference it would make for Liverpool compared to a draw.

 

[Tir Na Nog]

Could the argument not be made that a City win sees them turn a corner and crucially they'll still be ahead of us.

That said I definitely agree Liverpool need to lose soon to stop their momentum

 

[Ljonin]

I think Liverpool will fall away in the second half. TAA, Salah and VVD all with 6 months left in January - some will move away on a Bosman and their motivation will diminish. If we're 5 points off them on New Year's Day, I think we'll finish above them. Bit of a shame we played them at the Emirates when we were mid injury crisis, but still.

City are hard to predict and always impossible to write off. They're kind of inevitable in the second half of the season at this stage. Having said that, with Rodri out for the season, anything could happen.

I’m sorry but why would their motivation go away? Everything isn’t about contracts, you know. If they have a clear chance of grabbing another PL-title before moving on, be assured they’ll be motivated

 

[KarenSprayGooners]

I'm not sure a City win is the best result. We want to be ahead of them but also don't want them getting any confidence back.

A draw is best imo.

 

[Dennis_Bergkamp_10]

Both teams still need to drop points for us to capitalize. A draw therefore would be the best possible outcome.

Don't want a Liverpool win, that's the worst scenario. They'd be on +2 with respect to the same fixtures last year then.