I’ve also felt that Liverpool have just got better and better as the season progressed. We started off stuffing teams by five goals and racing into a lead, ended up crawling over the line a bit, needed a bit of a fluke to get past Leicester, just about edged Burnley, falling behind to Brighton.
A repeat of the Liverpool fixture in the last handful of games would have produced a different result, I think.
Winning 14 straight, under massive pressure that a single slip will cost you the league, is crawling over the line? Don't think so - it was a crushing display of psychological dominance. But then it is easy for you to be magnanimous in victory.
You've got nothing to worry about next year, either - despite all the pats on the back for LFC, it'll be your year next time lads, currently doing the rounds.
it was a crushing display of psychological dominance.
It was impressive, for sure, but I think Liverpool finished stronger under similar pressure, and produced two excellent performances against Barca. If we had faced someone from the top six in that final run of games I'm not convinced we would have reached the necessary level. The CL games against Spurs hinted at that.
I genuinely think the finish to the season makes Liverpool slight favourites for next season.
However it really goes to show that at the moment if you want to win you have to reach a level that it almost impossible.
huh? Man Cities run in was tougher and included games away to tottenham and Man Utd. They kept their nerve. I dont see that liverpool were stronger.
Ssssshhhhhhh. Don't spoil it. They're gearing up for 'their year'
If you do you'll be cursed to be forever haunted by the restless spirits of Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson 😀
It’s a toss up between the two for me. I think City’s finish was amazing. To hold their nerve and put 14 wins together back to back would be nigh on impossible at any stage of a season, let alone their last 14 games. Fair dues - in a way it came down to the performance in their matches together - Liverpool couldn’t beat City at home. But City did the job on them at the Etihad. If the only team to finish above you is the only one that beat you, it’s hard to complain.
Ironically, I kind of wonder if the owners of both sides (NOT necessarily the fans - although certainly most of Liverpool’s) would swap positions at the moment...
They’re gearing up for ‘their year’
Still ?
Find another donkey to beat, you've killed that one.
Its the hope that kills you
Just replace the two n’s in his name with t’s and you’re pretty much there
I guess, binners, that, at least, they still have hope ... 🙂
Just looked at the final Premier League table.
Champions - 98 points,
Man Utd - 66 points,
Safety - 36 points.
Man Utd in 6th place, were closer to being relegated this season than they were to being champions.
That seems incredible to me & shows how far in front Liverpool & City are just now.
Its a combination of how good City and Liverpool are, but also just how bloody awful we are. Spurs, Chelski and Arsenal have been moderately better, but not much. Of the supposed other 'big clubs' everyone has been absolutely bloody woeful for the last third of the season. Nobody apparently wanting the last two Champions Leagues spots
I can't see it changing either. Well... not for the better. If anything I think that clubs like Wolves, Everton and Leicester are going to be in the mix for those 3rd and 4th spots
I guess, binners, that, at least, they still have hope …
And a CL final to look forward to. 🙂
I have huge respect and admiration for the work Hughton has done at Brighton but I think if you’ve watched Brighton at all this calendar year then it probably wouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
We stayed up because Fulham, Huddersfield and Cardiff were were worse than we were.
I think Tony Bloom has decided that something needed to change if we are to have any chance of staying up next season.
There is a bit of a mythology, especially I think in the English game, that long term managers is the key to success. This is based on the exceptions.
The reality is, after 3/4/5 seasons if it is starting to go stale, then it makes sense to refresh the leadership, especially if you can do it straight after the season ends. Hopefully they already have someone new lined up who will contribute to the summers recruitment and take them in the direction they want.
Muggomagic .. I can only agree ... and they were woeful to watch... other than against citeh in the FA cup ....
both Cardiff and Bournmouth were awful performances ....
But was that Highton's issue ?
The players bought in last summer would struggle in teh championship, Jahankabsh is hopeless, Iqueirzo ... he's never seen and Locadio is hit and miss ...
If they were bought of Hughton's request then the die was cast ... but is that the case?
The reality is, after 3/4/5 seasons if it is starting to go stale, then it makes sense to refresh the leadership, especially if you can do it straight after the season ends.
I think it's the right time for both Brighton and Hughton. He leaves having on the whole done an excellent job with his reputation intact. If he stayed and we carried on like we had done then he'd have been sacked by the first international break.
I wish him all the best, now the pressure is on Tony Bloom and Dan Ashworth to get the right man in. Worried about rumours of Frank Lampard being on the shortlist as we could end up in the same situation as we were when Hyypia took over.
The players bought in last summer would struggle in teh championship, Jahankabsh is hopeless, Iqueirzo … he’s never seen and Locadio is hit and miss …
If they were bought of Hughton’s request then the die was cast … but is that the case?
I don't know, but I assume Hughton would've had some say in whether he thought a player was worth signing or not.
My biggest issue was not so much the lack of quality it was the lack of spirit. We rolled over against Bournemouth and looked terrible against Cardiff. The first half performance against Newcastle was an absolute shocker too. A game that we needed to get something out of and we just sat back and let them pass it for 45 mins.
City's run was awesome and they were not given easy rides by the likes of Leicester etc. It was great and slightly worrying that Kompany was such a pivotal figure in the last few games. A real leader who will be difficult to replace.
I cannot see next season being anything other than a battle between City and Liverpool. Of the two I think City have more to do to get their squad ready as many of their key players are either getting on (Fernandinho, Kompany, Silva) or could be leaving (Gundogan). They need a reliable specialist left back as well as Mendy seems to be a permanent crock. The recuitment also seems a bit questionable as Mahrez has not done much and they dodged bullets with Sanchez and Jorginho.
Liverpool do not seem to have any players (except maybe Milner) who are reaching their sell by date but they do need to improve their midfield as I cannot see Oxlaide-Chamberlain being able to make the difference (not in the same bracket as KDB or Bernado Silva).
What will be interesting is the introduction of VAR. There is a perception that Liverpool have been very lucky with decisions this season so it will be interesting to see whether VAR proves/disproves that.
If Pep and co have a good transfer window and KdB has an injury free season my money is on City. Will also put a side bet on United finishing out of the top six (replaced by Leicester) and OGS being gone by the turn of the year.
I think OGS being gone by Christmas is a pretty safe bet, although I doubt the odds make it a worthwhile bet, I wouldn't be surprised to see him replaced before the start of next season, if the united board actually have the balls to admit they have made a mistake and rectify it quickly.
I am interested to see what happens with Wolves and Leicester next season, they look to be moving in a good direction and playing good football, but it is hard for teams in their positions to keep building, when the probability is their best players will be picked off. They need to convince their star players, another year with them will be best to build for their big move, rather than going too soon and benchwarming at a champions league club. But it is a hard sell to make.
I'd be surprised if OGS leave next season unless he is backed massively in summer and the team is terrible.
Woodward is on thin ice with crowds and so early a change after 3 previous horrendous managerial appointments would surely end in a backlash for him? Both from the crowds and glazers.
Rumours are that the same time OGS was appointed, a lot of contract negotiations were also stopped which pissed off the Spanish contingent and the French.
Injuries piled up as the players couldn't cope with high pressing game after 2 years of being the team covering the least ground on the pitch. Lukaku looks massive and blows out of his arse after 25 mins and he's the most obvious.
They'll claim a rebuilding year but it'll take loads more to fix utd.
I think city will do it again next year, greater strength in depth all over. Don't Liverpool's front three have a ridiculous appearance record for the last two years plus it's an ACON year. Be surprised if they don't burn out/get more injuries this coming season.
Man Utd suck and it will take a few seasons before they are force to be feared. Confidence issue? What for £250k a week?! Die hard fans are going to turn their backs on them if they don’t get rid of some of their players.
City were still good but still relying on one player to turn it around. Showing weaknesses unless they make improvements.
Liverpool showed how strong they’re getting and have the strike force and defence to match. Faves to win.
Don’t write off Tottenham or Chelsea.
Arse.
Yeah. Arse indeed.
How many times have Leeds done this now?
Great game for the neutral last night ..I never thought I would say this but I'm starting to feel a little bit of sympathy for Leeds ( traditionally we Mags can't stand them )..are they destined never to return ?
Besides which it would be the closest thing to a " Derby" match we will get for a good few years ...😁
Speaking of Derby ..great fight back they have some good young players ..
Any predictions for today then? Should be a belter! I think Watford will really give City a game, though I can’t quite see them doing a Wigan.
I’m a big fan of Troy Deeney. Just seen him interviewed and he was saying how much he liked and respected Kompany. I imagine those two are going to have a right old ding dong this afternoon
It is strange the admiration and respect that Kompany has garnered, as a person not just as a player, from so many within the game. I can't recall anyone else ever being spoken about like that before.
Sane left out of the starting line up again today, unfortunately I think that's him gone in this transfer window now. He has suffered this season from De Bruyne's absence, I don't think the other city midfielders understand the runs he makes as well, and he hasn't done quite enough without De Bruyne to justify his current contract demands. I hope I am wrong, because he can be a magical player, and a potential balon d'or winner IMO.
Kompany is a very intelligent and eloquent man. Hardly qualities over-represented in modern football. He’s been very outspoken about issues such as the homeless problem in Manchester. And has put considerable amounts of his own money where his mouth is.
He’s also a bloody brilliant player and has been an amazing captain for City. He’s a Cantona style talisman for them
Apparently you can get Watford at 12/1 for this.
Not bad for a 2 horse race........
I put a couple of quid on them this morning at 14/1. Thought it was worth a punt. They’re a good squad
Mrs Binners has a fiver on Wigan beating city 6 years ago. The odds were massive. You should have seen her the last few minutes of the game when city had them under siege 😂
Edit: just asked her and she won £165 off a fiver bet
I would put a £5 on but I'm at work offshore at the moment and the betting site won't work outside of UK.
I think we got lucky on the handball decision, that would definitely have been handball in the champions league interpretation of the rule.
So far so good...🤞
Great goalkeeping by Ederson.
And I do think that would have been a penalty in Europe. It was about the same as was given to us against PSG (which I thought was never a penalty)
Nice to see the Wembley tradition of loads of empty corporate seats being continued 🙄
Watford playing pretty well.
EDIT: Forget I said anything. 🙂
Oh well. I had an outside punt on Watford but had another one on City winning it 3 or 4 nil which was only 5/1.
So I hope they only get another then stop
A harsh scoreline on Watford
Looks like I missed losing a fiver then!
Never mind, Binners 🙂
Arse! That’s my bets gone then
Wolves in Europa league, happy days 🙂
That's equalled the record then and the 2nd ever hat trick in a Final.
Raheem scores a hat-trick in an FA Cup Final and a sub gets MoTM!
