Nope, I'm with Klopper here. We can score three goals with or without Matip on the pitch, but our defence clearly really, really needs him. You can't always outscore the opposition, and you don't win titles by aiming for that.
2016/2017 Title race
- Thread starter Adisa
- Start date
If we beat Everton and City away then who knows.
You still win that game with Mane on the pitch. His presence alone freezes up opposing defenders thanks to his pace. Obviously it's a result of a collective team effort, but within Klopp's system, and with your personnel, he's the most important player you have. He's the one that makes everything work so well
Don't know if that's the best place for this stats-crowded chart but thought it might be okay here.
The most interesting columns are 4-7, displaying expected goals (xG), expected goals against (xGA), expected goal difference (xGD) and difference between actual goal difference and xGD:
Chelsea, Arsenal, Burnley massively and WBA to a lesser extent overperforming; Liverpool, Spurs, Everton etc pretty much what can be expected; City, United, Southampton, Leicester massively and to a lesser degree West Ham underperforming.
I'm not sure if penalty shots are included because City missed two of them yet which would at least explain some of the underperformance (this would also apply to other teams, of course).
http://www.101greatgoals.com/top-st...premier-league-table-chelsea-arsenal-impress/
The most interesting columns are 4-7, displaying expected goals (xG), expected goals against (xGA), expected goal difference (xGD) and difference between actual goal difference and xGD:
Chelsea, Arsenal, Burnley massively and WBA to a lesser extent overperforming; Liverpool, Spurs, Everton etc pretty much what can be expected; City, United, Southampton, Leicester massively and to a lesser degree West Ham underperforming.
I'm not sure if penalty shots are included because City missed two of them yet which would at least explain some of the underperformance (this would also apply to other teams, of course).
http://www.101greatgoals.com/top-st...premier-league-table-chelsea-arsenal-impress/
Interesting, it's been obvious Arsenal have been very lucky to be where they are. Also show that we're still no better than the 6th best team by this method, even with the significant chances we've missed.Don't know if that's the best place for this stats-crowded chart but thought it might be okay here.
The most interesting columns are 4-7, displaying expected goals (xG), expected goals against (xGA), expected goal difference (xGD) and difference between actual goal difference and xGD:
Chelsea, Arsenal, Burnley massively and WBA to a lesser extent overperforming; Liverpool, Spurs, Everton etc pretty much what can be expected; City, United, Southampton, Leicester massively and to a lesser degree West Ham underperforming.
I'm not sure if penalty shots are included because City missed two of them yet which would at least explain some of the underperformance (this would also apply to other teams, of course).
http://www.101greatgoals.com/top-st...premier-league-table-chelsea-arsenal-impress/
It was about a month ago, so may have changed. He put like the overall team ratings completely ignoring points picked up, and had us 4th, slightly ahead of spurs and arsenal, and then liverpool, chelsea and city around the same at the top.Don't know if that's the best place for this stats-crowded chart but thought it might be okay here.
The most interesting columns are 4-7, displaying expected goals (xG), expected goals against (xGA), expected goal difference (xGD) and difference between actual goal difference and xGD:
Chelsea, Arsenal, Burnley massively and WBA to a lesser extent overperforming; Liverpool, Spurs, Everton etc pretty much what can be expected; City, United, Southampton, Leicester massively and to a lesser degree West Ham underperforming.
I'm not sure if penalty shots are included because City missed two of them yet which would at least explain some of the underperformance (this would also apply to other teams, of course).
http://www.101greatgoals.com/top-st...premier-league-table-chelsea-arsenal-impress/
Doesn't seem to be going according to plan.
How insightful and observant of you.Doesn't seem to be going according to plan.
I just think you're massively underrating Coutinho's impact on your team. He creates a shitload of space for others just by simply being on the pitch.
You beginning to worry about recent results or do you think it's a fluke?
Mane does the same. I don't think it's Coutinho we miss so much as Firmino is not suited to playing wide left and drifts in a lot, it weakens us having Milner as the main focus on that side. Even the 17 yr old Woodburn is as good on the left. We need another LW in January.
Last week was a worry. We looked lifeless and complacent in the 2nd half after a decent first half. No idea where that came from.
Today though we should have won comfortably, we really didn't take our chances or get that bit of luck that goes your way sometimes. The Bar and an absolutely superb save from a wonderful shot going into the very top corner, kept us from the winner. Can't blame the defence too much for the goals, you get days like that. A forward gave away the FK and you simply can't give the best FK taker in the PL a position like that, and then a freak deflection over Matip's head left a 1-on-1. We still had around 20 shots and scored two goals.
I think we should beat Boro and an out of form Everton to put us back on track, ditto Stoke at Anfield and Sunderland away though neither of those will be easy since both are picking up. I'm not so confident vs. City since they will be back to full strength and we won't. Who knows with any of those matches though - it's a bit of a crazy season.
Another way of looking at it is Randolph made a howler to give you a point otherwise it could have been a defeat.
But then you could say our keeper did the same and we should have won 1-0
Another way of looking at it is Randolph also made a world class save to keep out Henderson's superb strike .. or West Ham were very lucky with the deflection for their second or ... and so on and so on ..
Any one mistake or singular moment of brilliance against the run of play can change a game but when looking at it in retrospect we need to look at the game in it's entirety. United fans are saying United have been unlucky not to win some recent games, yet they don't seem to see their hypocrisy in not applying that to Liverpool's.
When is Coutinho back?
Early January. That is not in time for City !
Isn't Coutinho targeting the City game as his return date?
Well The Echo are saying he expects to be back for City. However : "The rehab is going really well. I can now walk without crutches and I am working well with the medical team." Doesn't sound too good for City considering he can't run yet and Klopp doesn't throw recently injured players back in ! Bench .. at best.
I guess it was always an optimistic return date.
What's this stuff about a possible points deduction for Chelsea? Is it actually a real possibility or a bit of noise about nothing?
It doesn't sound too much of a joke.
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...remier-league-points-deduction-an-explanation
However, Coutinho's injury looked pretty bad at first sight so i am not surprised he is taking time to recover.
Ah ok, doesn't seem like it will come to a points deduction. It's strange because they weren't really that much in the wrong in the Spurs/City games.
Where are the Arsenal lads on this forum again? After writing you lot of for weeks I'm slowly beginning to worry about you. Despite the countless shit performances & numerous deficits you're still somehow undefeated & only 3 points behind us. This seems to be the mentally toughest Arsenal team in over a decade.
If you win all 6 points against Everton & City then you're undoubtedly the real deal. Wenger has solved all his problems this season (fixed Walcott, found a striker, bought a CB & has enough midfield depth).
If you win all 6 points against Everton & City then you're undoubtedly the real deal. Wenger has solved all his problems this season (fixed Walcott, found a striker, bought a CB & has enough midfield depth).
Arsenal fan here. You have already said it all. I thought we would have struggled without Cazorla, instead we are coping very well.
The thing with Arsenal is that they've been here before. They've looked good and like they have it in them to go all the way, then at some point before May it all falls apart. I wouldn't blame Arsenal fans for being cautious with their optimism.
That being said, there's something different about them this season. They definitely look tougher mentally.
That being said, there's something different about them this season. They definitely look tougher mentally.
We have come 6 times from behind this season. That's quite a good record for a side weak mentally.
Actually, that was my point. Looking at games in their entirety, Utd deserve/should be right up there in the league, and yet we're not.
At the end of the day you get what you deserve.
i'm not convinced. 15 Goals conceded in 15 games, only 4 clean sheets. That's not the sign of a title contender
As long as you outscore your opponents that's fine. We have lacked goals in the last years.
They mentioned something on Sky yesterday that they have had a few sessions with the All blacks psychologist.
Doesnt seem to work for Liverpool.
Hasn't it so far?
Rodgers tried it and failed.
Doesnt seem to be working under Klopp either ?
I thought I was in the Top 4 thread but this is the Title thread so yes I agree with you.
No bother,it will probably work to an extent for top 4 though
Funny you say that considering Madrid have conceded 14 in 15 games & have only kept 4 clean sheets all season.
Danny to fire arsenal to the title!
I really would like to see them win it this season. They have some likeable players like cazorla and sanchez and Welbeck and chech.
The wankfest would be huge and loads of smug gunners would be out in full force but chelsea have won it so many times and I hate pep and city too much.
I really would like to see them win it this season. They have some likeable players like cazorla and sanchez and Welbeck and chech.
The wankfest would be huge and loads of smug gunners would be out in full force but chelsea have won it so many times and I hate pep and city too much.
Actually I've never believed that was true in football. Maybe with the introduction of video replays for offside goals, penalty rulings and diving will eventually lead to goals being credited where deserved and ruled out when not. It could change the whole football landscape.
Yeah fair enough. In terms of off-sides goals etc, or even awful referee decisions (Nani red card against Real Madrid in 2013 still gets me) you might not always get what you deserve in football. But in general terms, the things that are in your control like having a good keeper or finishing off your chances, you tend you get your just rewards.
our last EPL win was done by having to score about 3 goals a game to win if remember correctly. We actually never started playing until the opposition scoredNo bother,it will probably work to an extent for top 4 though
I think we look more balanced than Liverpool. Some of the goals we have conceded this season have been random goals, penalties or single mistakes.
A mantra we've heard countless times over the years, usually followed a few months later by 'Remember that time we almost won the league?'.