News: Leaking Goals? Plug the Dijk - the OTT [R]

Brilliant title.

 

I find it offensive.

 

You would.

 

BREAKING: Manchester City have confirmed that Gabriel Jesus suffered a medial collateral ligament injury in Sunday’s draw with Crystal Palace pic.twitter.com/1l2Z96vit4

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 1, 2018

 

Wonder what will happen..

West Brom make official complaint to Premier League over fixture schedule

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...hedule?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

 

Their schedule in the Championship next season may suit them better...

 

Nice one But jokes aside too much control is being given to TV companies to decide on schedule and players end up paying the price.It's high time clubs come together on this.

 

The fixtures list congestion in the Prem is a disaster for players - Guardiola

www.bbc.com/sport/football/42537120

 

12 - Between December 30th 2017 & January 10th 2018, there are 12 consecutive days in which Premier League clubs are playing competitive games. This is the longest streak of days involving top-flight clubs in English football history, beating a 10-day run in March 2016. Manic.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 2, 2018

 

It's no surprise that English players (and most foreign players from the Prem) are usually fried by the time major tournaments roll around in the summer.
Not sure how it could be done with the season already starting pretty early, but a winter break (even a short one), would go a long way in keeping players fresher. And probably less susceptible to get injured as well.

 

Reports are that apparently Puncheon is out for the season with ACL damage. I hate to see when any player gets hurt no matter who it is.....

Nah, just kidding. Glad this piece of shit got hit by the karma train.

 

Do other european leagues play same number of matches? 38 i mean. If so how are they able to do it with a winter break?

 

Buli is the only major Euro league that hasn't got 20 teams (18). Not sure of La Liga or Serie A start dates, but they both have some kind of break.
It stands to reason that starting a week earlier in the Prem, might help in that purpose. I get that the tradition of Boxing Day footy for instance, would be hard to break, but trying to setup a break in Jan, after the busy festive period would make total sense. Pushing entry to the FA Cup one round further for Prem clubs would be a way also to do this.

 

Yeah, ******** him.

 

Arsène Wenger faces second touchline ban in 12 months after Mike Dean row

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...er-penalty-call-against-arsenal-the-hawthorns

 

they can have the boxing day and New Years game then a week off and Definitely give them a 3rd round bye of the FA Cup and that would go a big part of the way. Or a break before the holiday season

 

Coutinho is said to be determined to leave for Barca this month.

www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/01/02/liverpool-demand-130m-philippe-coutinho-considering-barcelona/

While I don't doubt that Coutinho will eventually become a Barca player, I would be surprised if Pool sanctioned his sale this month. Apparently, Coutinho's mind hasn't changed and he wants to leave, but to his credit, he's been a model of professionalism, not whining or sulking (in public at least) and he's playing his heart out, showing great form so far.
Even if they accept that he'll be gone soon, surely Pool would think he's a big part of the team securing their goals this season, before ultimately letting him go in the summer. Not to mention that financially as well, there is no upside for them either (unless he injures himself).
Curious to see how that will turn out (and certainly will not complain if he goes, from a United perspective either).

 

@feyenoordsoccerfan Thoughts on Terence Kongolo? Huddersfield just got him on loan from Monaco where it doesn't look like he played much.

 

Kane fraudulently rolls and holds off a defender to play a one-season wonder of a crossfield pass for Ali to score.

 

Superb pass for Alli. Kane is really becoming ridiculously good.

 

Another 2 goals for the Sessegnon kid. Seems he can play, may be worth looking into.

 

He's a very good defender. At Feyenoord he played mostly as a LB, because the center was occupied by very good performing experienced couple. Kongolo is essentially a CD, but as said he's more than capable to play on the lb position and add to the attack.
I honestly wondered why on earth Monaco did buy him if you're not intending to play him. On the other hand in the fast moving environment of football waiting to buy a good defender can make you pay more later. So it could be their thought was "let's get him now, although we donot need him right now and loan him out".
I would be disappointed if you and the fans at the end of the season werenot happy with him.
cheerrs

 

Dembele is ready to return for Barca.

www.bbc.com/sport/football/42548256