News: Teams With Midfielders - The Other Teams Thread [R]

Sterling scores: he and City needed that. 0-1

Almiron, who has looked good so far today with the assist for Willems and it's all square.
City look in for another scrap. Credit to Bruce also, Newcastle have looked better than most thought they would be when he first came aboard.

 

Rashford is becoming much better. He isn’t clinical enough to be a striker but he seems much better as a lf cutting inside

he’s still young

 

Watching City's defending again so far today, there's no way they won't dip in the market for a CB in January (they can't wait for Laporte to return) . Question is, who will they target and who they can get.
But until then, it will be no surprise to see them dropping points.

 

Bringing in Gayle for Joelinton was a good move from Bruce. But he's going to need to bring some fresh legs in midfield, if they're to have any real hopes in holding out: their midfield have worked their socks off today. They look like they're really fading out there.

What a strike from KdB! 1-2. Absolutely huge for City.

 

Shelvey makes it 2-2. Wow! Another great finish.

 

Harsh maybe but fact is Phil Foden ducked out the way of Shelvey shot (can see it best from view behind goal).

 

A fantastic strike by Jonjo.

 

The perfect boost for Pool in the wake of them losing Fabinho until the turn of the year. If they can't win it this season, then you have to wonder if they'll ever win it again...
Pretty much everything is going their way in relation to them breaks this season one way or another.

 

City CB issues really costing them this year, Fernandinho can do a job there but will make mistakes like he did for the free-kick that lead to the equaliser.

However also means they miss what he brings in midfield.

Sub Rodri for example leaving all that space for Shelvey to shoot.

Gundogan just not in same mould.

 

Alli has found himself under Mourinho so far. Looks a completely different player than the one we've seen in the last year and much closer to the one he used to be.

 

Spurs concede twice again after going 3-0 .. Mou has got some work to do ..

 

Pool have now an 11pt lead atop the table. Still a long way to go and Pool have some challenges to deal with this month (no Fabinho, Alisson out for 3gms and the CWC), but the title is theirs to lose now.
With the state City's defense is in at the moment and them not being able to do anything about it until Jan, you wonder if Leicester will be the team to keep up the pressure on Pool. And maybe take advantage of any possible slip ups.

 

Of the 78 clubs in the top four leagues, Leicester has allowed the fewest goals per game with 8 in 13. PSG and Reims in the fifth best league have allowed fewer goals per game.

We fell to 11th with Crystal Palace's win, but we will be 7th or higher if we win. If we win, Arsenal draws or loses at Norwich, and Wolves vs. Sheffield United is a draw, we will be 5th. Our GD is +4, so it would be at least +5, which would be above Tottenham's +3 and Wolves' +2. A win would move us 6 points behind the last CL spot after Chelsea's second consecutive loss.

 

Leicester have looked solid so far: have had them pretty much as a lock for top 4 for a few weeks now. Beyond that, who knows: we might get a better idea of what they're really about by early next year.
They do have the advantage of no European competition and a solid team that is firing on all cylinders right now. There is a legitimate question as to whether they can keep up their current output at both ends of the pitch. I think they can, at least enough to secure 3rd or possibly better.
Would be amazed to see Pool bottling an 11pt lead, but stranger things have happened. Hopefully, Leicester can keep things interesting for as long as possible.
City's margin of error is practically down to zero right now and with their attack not firing at its usual level, their defense is a major concern until they can bring in reinforcements.

 

Group F of the Euros is already clearly the Group of Death.

 

The mere thought of Rodgers leading a team to a title over Liverpool is.....just brilliant....

Unlikely of course....but just imagine