Peter Anderson ⚽ So, what did we learn from the first round of fixtures in the EPL? 

Well for one, Haaland is the real deal. And all for £50m! Here's one happy citizen! As Gary "woke" Neville said on his podcast, this is the template he sees for many City matches this season: a tight first half where he will need to be slid in through the channels when the defence is sitting deep, and a second half when the opposition is chasing the game and City can play him in behind. He has the speed and power to get on the end of the passes and the skill to finish it. I expect to see Pep signing a new deal soon.

We also learnt that Liverpool need a new midfielder pronto. Henderson, Milner and Tiago are no spring chickens and Wijnaldum was never replaced (or give a proper chance IMO). Keita isn't up to the required standard and the youngsters are . . . well . . . still youngsters. City on Sunday played with KdB, Rodri (who gave a masterclass) and Gundogan, and had Bernardo and Kalvin Philips on the bench. If the Scousers want the title this season you could argue they need to spend big this month. Their lack of control and creativity in the middle of the park cost them 2 points at Fulham.

Another thing that we learnt was that United are still crap. New manager, same shit. They were outclassed by a neat and tidy Brighton side. They need to spend a fortune to refurbish that awful squad, yet without European football no-one wants to go there, and teams know that they can ask for whatever they want in monetary terms. Frenkie de Jong has publicly announced his desire to stay at Barça so seem to be going for Rabiot (who?) instead, and it is reported that they are trying to get "has-been" Arnautovic from Italy. A sorry United still in a sorry state. Another thing we learnt from the Man U/Brighton game was that VAR is still not perfect. In a bid to have fewer interruptions VAR will be used less often, this resulted in a stonewall penalty for the Seagulls not being given. Would it have been given if it had been for United? Whatever, what is the point in having it if it is not used correctly? New season, same shit. Maybe one day they will get the balance right.

We also learnt that Everton are in for a long and difficult season. They decided to stick with Fat Frank and I doubt he will see the end of the season from the Goodison dugout. Richarlison was not replaced and Calvert-Lewin has glass ankles. They are away to Villa next Saturday in an early crunch fixture, neither side will want a loss-loss start to the season.

Chelsea face Spurs in an intriguing tie as those two and Arsenal look set to battle it out for third spot. All three won on the opening week.

Oh, it's so good to have the footy back.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

Real Deal

Peter Anderson ⚽ So, what did we learn from the first round of fixtures in the EPL? 

Well for one, Haaland is the real deal. And all for £50m! Here's one happy citizen! As Gary "woke" Neville said on his podcast, this is the template he sees for many City matches this season: a tight first half where he will need to be slid in through the channels when the defence is sitting deep, and a second half when the opposition is chasing the game and City can play him in behind. He has the speed and power to get on the end of the passes and the skill to finish it. I expect to see Pep signing a new deal soon.

We also learnt that Liverpool need a new midfielder pronto. Henderson, Milner and Tiago are no spring chickens and Wijnaldum was never replaced (or give a proper chance IMO). Keita isn't up to the required standard and the youngsters are . . . well . . . still youngsters. City on Sunday played with KdB, Rodri (who gave a masterclass) and Gundogan, and had Bernardo and Kalvin Philips on the bench. If the Scousers want the title this season you could argue they need to spend big this month. Their lack of control and creativity in the middle of the park cost them 2 points at Fulham.

Another thing that we learnt was that United are still crap. New manager, same shit. They were outclassed by a neat and tidy Brighton side. They need to spend a fortune to refurbish that awful squad, yet without European football no-one wants to go there, and teams know that they can ask for whatever they want in monetary terms. Frenkie de Jong has publicly announced his desire to stay at Barça so seem to be going for Rabiot (who?) instead, and it is reported that they are trying to get "has-been" Arnautovic from Italy. A sorry United still in a sorry state. Another thing we learnt from the Man U/Brighton game was that VAR is still not perfect. In a bid to have fewer interruptions VAR will be used less often, this resulted in a stonewall penalty for the Seagulls not being given. Would it have been given if it had been for United? Whatever, what is the point in having it if it is not used correctly? New season, same shit. Maybe one day they will get the balance right.

We also learnt that Everton are in for a long and difficult season. They decided to stick with Fat Frank and I doubt he will see the end of the season from the Goodison dugout. Richarlison was not replaced and Calvert-Lewin has glass ankles. They are away to Villa next Saturday in an early crunch fixture, neither side will want a loss-loss start to the season.

Chelsea face Spurs in an intriguing tie as those two and Arsenal look set to battle it out for third spot. All three won on the opening week.

Oh, it's so good to have the footy back.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

9 comments:

  1. My lot winning felt like the end of the season rather than the beginning! Have to say I was really impressed by the Gunners at Palace on Friday evening; Jesus will have a transformative impacts on them this season. His foot control is Messi like.

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    1. I was pleased to see Leeds get the points. Defensively, they still look suspect.

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  2. City will be out of everyones sight by the time the World Cup starts . Fenway are obsessed with balancing the scousers current income & expenditure .Apologies for hitting the send button in the earlier post #Premature

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    1. Dave - do you want to resubmit your earlier comment about the midfield? I think it is right. I don't see how Liverpool can keep up with City if they do not change the midfield.

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  3. Peter - I thought he was the real deal from the get go. From a standing start he will not be caught. And with the precision passing from the City midfield, they look good for a third title. I know we should never judge on the first day but Liverpool were disappointing - the type of performance that they must avoid if they are to be in the race. It has cost them dearly in the past.

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  4. 3rd? I'd settle for top half of the table.

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  5. Liverpool midfield is composed of the always injured Thiago , unreliable Keita , a tired 32 year old Henderson , 36 yr old Milner , 19 yr old Elliott , hospital inpatient Oxlade Chamberlain & workhorse Fabinho . Gini still hasn't been replaced . The Reds need 3 midfield additions to keep up with City ; Reds net spend in this window is again one of the lowest in the Prem . Waiting for Bellingham ( next summer ) #Sigh

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    Replies
    1. I liked Gini but was never quite sure he brought as much to the team as many seem to feel he did. Fabinho is so important but the rest despite their commitment will not survive at that level of competition. It will take Elliot a while to find his form. This Liverpool side is not good enough to win the title.

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  6. Peter Anderson Comments

    Barry
    Jesus and Zinny looked good for the Gunners. Two good signings!

    Steve R
    It seems I'm more confident than you. They'll get more in before the window shuts I'm sure.

    Dave and AM
    Liverpool have been right on it when signing forwards but woefully lacking in midfield. Winjaldum is brilliant for the Netherlands where they play him in a more attacking role. He never got the chance to play the same position for the Reds. For the Netherlands he has scored 26 goals in 86 games, for the Reds 22 in 247. Why did Klopp never give him the chance to play in his preferred position? I find that decision very odd.

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