Premier League Gameweek 17+18

Guy Incognito

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I genuinely think we’ve turned a corner here. We looked crap through the winning run earlier in the season. For three games now we’ve looked dominant and have consistently created chances, something I’m not sure we’ve ever been capable of under Arteta.
Arteta's still crap and won't take you to the next level.

What did Henry say, Arsenal just play once a week so no wonder expectations are low.

Can't believe Xhaka is still in that first XI.
 

CloneMC16

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Leeds are trying to get destroyed. Giving the ball away in their own third. No idea how Arsenal didn't score.
 

Zoo

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The United scout watching this will be impressed by Meslier.
 

Deery

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Why have loads of players cut holes in the back of their socks? What’s that all about?
Started a while back, think it was Walker did it because his calf’s are so big or something, less cramp and so on..
 

GoonerBear

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Not if we put enough of a run together. To be honest, Ralf will have failed massively if we finish below Arsenal. We were ahead of them before our games started getting cancelled so there’s no excuse. We have a better squad.
You should be fine as long as you can put a run together.

However, that's the unknown...can you put a run together?
 

ThierryHenry

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I think you have the makings of a good side and you've been lucky like today to come up against a depleted side but aye.. Still think you need a better manager than Arteta but he's doing well to build the foundations despite the comical moments.
Yeah, I’m saying this in spite of the opposition, which is clearly a factor.

For most of Arteta’s reign we’ve been dreadful at creating chances against, well, anyone. The movement and passing has stepped up a level since Aubameyang was dropped and Martinelli came in, and it looks like we finally have a proper attacking structure in place.
 

awop

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Why have loads of players cut holes in the back of their socks? What’s that all about?
Modern football socks are tight – at times, too tight – and some players' calf muscles are simply too muscular and large to fit comfortably within the fabric tube.
And so some footballers take it upon themselves to cut their socks up to relieve tension in the lower half of the legs, to prevent pain in the latter periods of a match.
 

Offside

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You should be fine as long as you can put a run together.

However, that's the unknown...can you put a run together?
I mean not losing every week like we were under Ole. We are ahead of Arsenal if we win our games in hand. So that much of a run.
 

Cascarino

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Lots out and no Kalvin Phillips. Sticking to “a philosophy “ is all well and good but Bielsa has to look at squad he has and find a way to get a draw. … then move in to wins.

Positive attacking football and a list of losses don’t last long
People keep using this argument, and it doesn’t really make any sense. Should they play like Burnley who are struggling just as much? Or Norwich under Farke?

Suddenly playing defensive football isn’t a wonder cure, you get far more points for a win. The only reason they did as well as they did last season is because of what you call a philosophy
 

Champ

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Lots out and no Kalvin Phillips. Sticking to “a philosophy “ is all well and good but Bielsa has to look at squad he has and find a way to get a draw. … then move in to wins.

Positive attacking football and a list of losses don’t last long
Bielsa is the biggest myth in world football.
 

Zoo

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Nah this is shambolic defending. All on Bielsa.
 

Sied

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Not sure I've ever seen a ref tell players not to celebrate in the corner before because of the crowd. Classic Leeds scum.
 

Champ

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People keep using this argument, and it doesn’t really make any sense. Should they play like Burnley who are struggling just as much? Or Norwich under Farke?

Suddenly playing defensive football isn’t a wonder cure, you get far more points for a win. The only reason they did as well as they did last season is because of what you call a philosophy
They are three nil down before half time, a few days after losing 7-0.

There's a time and place to play attacking football, sometimes you have to bite the bullet and stay compact.
Just play percentages and hit the channels, rather than build it up all the time.
 

Dec9003

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Bielsa is the biggest myth in world football.
He’s done really well at Leeds though, they still have a lot of the lads that were average in the Championship starting for them today. They’ve struggled to replenish the squad and have loads of injuries but to get promoted and have a season as good as last should warrant a lot of credit. To call him a myth is a bit silly.
 

RedDevilMachine

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Leeds making every opponent look like world-beaters. Bielsa needs to let go of his principle and be flexible or else his team is definitely going to get relegated.
 

awop

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Not sure I've ever seen a ref tell players not to celebrate in the corner before because of the crowd. Classic Leeds scum.
That's shocking, celebrate all you want as long as you don't do anything stupid like jumping in the crowd or taunting the fans.
 

Deery

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The centre backs might as well not even be on the pitch there is so much room in the middle? :houllier:
 

Champ

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This is embarrassing for Leeds. :lol:
 

Utd heap

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That's shocking, celebrate all you want as long as you don't do anything stupid like jumping in the crowd or taunting the fans.
It was for their own safety. Sensible from the ref tbh.
 

Classical Mechanic

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Bielsa is the biggest myth in world football.
It depends how you look at it. He's certainly influenced a lot of top coaches but his own management record is unremarkable. He's brought some tactical innovations but his overall skillset is lacking at the elite level. The danger is that we've signed the German version of him :nervous:
 

Champ

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He’s done really well at Leeds though, they still have a lot of the lads that were average in the Championship starting for them today. They’ve struggled to replenish the squad and have loads of injuries but to get promoted and have a season as good as last should warrant a lot of credit. To call him a myth is a bit silly.
Let me explain.

He has an aura about him that his team's play attacking attractive football.

His team are on the verge of losing by a Rugby score for the second game in a row, not the first time this season either.

Injuries, Covid aside, I've never seen a team perform so poor in the premiership.

Bielsa as a tactical master should be able to do better than this.