General Premier League Thread 2022-23 - mod note in OP 12/03/23

Fecking Arsenal, win today and definitely would have heaped extra pressure on City especially after everything that went on during the week.

Don't be stupid.

It's a magic 8 ball.

(Probably showing my age there)

Willian has been a class signing for Fulham.

Just looking at a comparison at some of the clubs that are in better form this season and having better seasons overall, and comparing them that are underperforming by a lot.

I think it's fair to say that Arsenal, Newcastle and Man Utd are (were) all flying. In the top positions in the league and 2 are in a cup final. All are overachieving in terms of league position, even if all 3 have spent vast amounts of money on their first team over the last 12-24 months.

Liverpool, Chelsea, West Ham and to a degree Man City are all underperforming. Liverpool, Chelsea & West Ham have all been hit by periods of fatigue, multiple injuries and general lack of legs throughout the season.

For the whole season, Newcastle & Arsenal have had the luxury of being able to select largely the same 11 every game. No need to rotate because of tiredness, injuries etc. Pick the same 11 and take off some players if winning. Man Utd have basically been doing the same across all competitions, rarely rotating. But have had roughly the same 3-14 players used more than 11.

We are starting to see a break in form now with Newcastle & Arsenal. Playing the same players over and over has had an affect and they are not starting to tire. Bodies start to creak, you can't make the sprint in the 85th minute as easily. Will the same happen to Man Utd?

Why the comparison? The number of games played last season.

Liverpool 63 

Chelsea 63 

West Ham 56 

Man City 59

Man Utd 50

Arsenal 43

Newcastle 40

There is over half a season's worth of games between top and bottom there in the list. That's not even including international games like the AFCON, Nations League, World Cup etc. A few seasons worth of condensed seasons has definitely taken its toll with these players over the last while and the clubs that had players who were playing less are taking advantage of it now. Even just to mention some players - Mane & Salah played 4 finals that went to extra time and penalties. Extra minutes.

I know myself that Henderson & Fabinho look completely shot since last season. Can't run anymore. Left it all behind them last season. There's a few Chelsea lads that say the same about Kovacic. Kovacic & Fabinho are only 29. Kante looks like he is finished completely now. KDB's form has fallen off a cliff since the World Cup and he doesn't seem to have the same energy as months ago, or other seasons.

A lot to be said for having fresh bodies this season, coming off the back of a few condensed seasons with multiples competitions on the go at the same time. Looks like going for more than 2 screws you over in the long term.

Could you argue many teams would have players rested over the WC period though. Sure there are players in pl teams that played big parts in the wc but I'd have figured there were more teams that had the chance to rest the other rest of the players.

Fabinho didn't play kn the WC, Henderson didn't play the first game and was subbed the other 2. (Not to pick at Liverpool just the two players you mentioned)

I agree with this. One player it really applies to is Mason mount. I heard a podcast comparing his mins over the last year or 18 months with odegaard and it was a crazy difference.

Refereeing standards have slipped to the lowest of the low recently, right? I’d happily see VAR go, because it spoils the enjoyment of the game for me, but eh how bad are these guys gonna be when they don’t have the benefit of being able to watch incidents back on video?

That Barnes first goal offside was mad when its mm,

Yet the ref sending of Lamina because he was the 3rd man approaching him when a foul was called is fkin mental. (Neves' mouth on motd)

Refs were shocking today and continue to get worse since var

Absolutely. People need to stop calling it VAR and call it the name of the moron in the box who happens to be cutting his toenails instead of watching the match. 'Today's box idiot is Lee Mason'