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2023-24 Premier League Thread

Just to disprove anyone who thinks I can't admit when I'm wrong about something, I thought the people who said that Zaniolo just needs to score his first goal and then he'll relax and stop pressing so much were insane and I was clearly wrong. It's shocking what a different player he is since that goal a few months ago in the conference league. He's stopped trying to run directly at defenders every time he touches the ball no matter where he is on the field and has gone from being my most hated Villa player ever to someone I'm actually kind of happy about when he comes off the bench.

I'm glad that it's been reported that we have no plans on triggering his buy option in his loan deal since the amount of money is insane (something like 20 mil with another 10 in possible add ons) and also, I cannot forget how much I hated him the first three or four months of the season, but I definitely would never have guessed I'd have this complete 180 opinion on him.
 
Yeah ... I thought he had the tools and that the Villa staff would get him in line eventually. Not sure I thought scoring was going to settle him down because I was a little afraid he'd get more selfish rather than less, but whatever. It's a solid team structure and the kind of staff who don't have a lot of time for guys who aren't working towards the model. They needed the depth and Zaniolo has more than delivered. Next year? Meh. Go find another one or bring along a kid.

Also ... loving what I'm seeing from Rogers now that he's fully on board. Considering he's only 21, I'm liking the upside there.
 
He is one hell of a dribbler for sure, the next step he needs to take is using his dribbling to open up passing. He held the ball way too long on his dribbles yesterday causing them to not result in anything. Once he learns to get his head up and find the right pass after he's dribbled into space, he will start to realize his potential.
 
Oh same, but then they sucked me in by getting it to 1-1 for almost the entire first half before Zaniolo decided to jump out of the way of a bad free kick and gifted them a goal right before half. The thing that annoys me the most is Olsen surprisingly played amazingly and being stuck with four goals is unfair since none of them were his fault.
 
Olsen had been looking much better and more comfortable as his conference league starts were going on as well. I'm pretty sure all he's being drilled on playing with his feet only cause last year he looked like a deer in headlights every time he got passed the ball and while he doesn't look like Ederson out there, he is significantly more comfortable playing the ball now. He and Konsa have made by far the biggest improvements in their ball playing since Emery took over.
 
Everton was hit with another 2 point deduction, putting them on 27 points and dropping them behind Brentford to 16th in the table 2 points ahead of Nottingham Forest and Luton who are 18th on goal differential.

www.skysports.com

Everton deducted two points for breaching Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules for second time

Everton deducted a further two points for another Profitability and Sustainability Rules breach and drop one place to 16th; they were docked 10 points in November for breaching PSR, reduced to six after appeal; watch Evertons next five games live on Sky Sports
www.skysports.com www.skysports.com
 
andyt said:
Everton was hit with another 2 point deduction, putting them on 27 points and dropping them behind Brentford to 16th in the table 2 points ahead of Nottingham Forest and Luton who are 18th on goal differential.

www.skysports.com

Everton deducted two points for breaching Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules for second time

Everton deducted a further two points for another Profitability and Sustainability Rules breach and drop one place to 16th; they were docked 10 points in November for breaching PSR, reduced to six after appeal; watch Evertons next five games live on Sky Sports
www.skysports.com www.skysports.com
Click to expand...
They REALLY need better lawyers ... err ... solicitors.
 
Sheffield United will presumably be relegated this season, with 16 points in 31 matches, they’re at the foot of the table. They’ll return to the Championship 2 points in arrears after the EFL imposed a 2 point deduction for defaulting on payments to other clubs in the 2022-23 season. The deduction will be imposed at their next season for which the EFL has jurisdiction. An additional 2 point deduction was suspended until the end of that season, which would only be imposed if they defaulted on any payments during the season. They were also fined £310,455.
 
Looking at the lower levels as they wrap up, a couple of things could be clinched this weekend.

In the Championship, there is a 3 way race for the 2 automatic spots between Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds. Leicester aren’t doing themselves any favors, currently losing to Plymouth in the 60th minute. Southampton, West Brom and Norwich are also in the playoff spots. If Ipswich make it, it would be 2 consecutive promotions. They haven’t played in the Premier League since 2002. Southampton can clinch a playoff spot with a point against Watford. At the foot, Rotherham is already relegated, and there are 8 teams separated by 6 points.

In League One, Portsmouth can return to the Championship for the first time since 2012 with a win at Bolton. Derby is in the other promotion spot. Bolton, Peterborough, Barnsley and Oxford United are in the playoff spots. At the foot, Carlisle United is already relegated, Port Vale, Cheltenham and Fleetwood are in the other relegation spots.

In League Two, Stockport can clinch promotion with a point against Morecambe. Wrexham can clinch a 2nd straight promotion with a win over last place Forest Green Rovers and losses or draws by MK Dons and Barrow. Mansfield Town is in the other promotion spot. MK Dins, Crewe Alexandra, Barrow and Crawley are in the playoff spots. At the foot, Forest Green and Colchester are in the drop zone, Sutton United is also in danger.
 
I'd like to see Ipswich finish the job if for no other reason aside from how much I love their crest, and I'm rooting for Portsmouth to get out of League One. Traditionally the better of the seaside clubs, they fell so freaking hard when they dropped out of the Prem in 2010. I'd love to see Pompey back playing meaningful football.
 
Ever since I read “Bloody Confused” I’ve had a soft spot for Pompey. The did not clinch promotion, they tied Bolton. They have another chance to clinch on Tuesday with a point at home against Barnsley.

Stockport and Wrexham both clinched promotion, for the Red Dragons, it’s their first time in League One in 19 years.
 
Liverpool never makes it easy on themselves, 2nd loss THIS week at Anfield. Now they are in the familiar position of having to win every remaining game and HOPE Manchester City drops some points in the remaining 6 games. 🤨
 
Fred the Man said:
Liverpool never makes it easy on themselves, 2nd loss THIS week at Anfield. Now they are in the familiar position of having to win every remaining game and HOPE Manchester City drops some points in the remaining 6 games. 🤨
Click to expand...
Same with Arsenal, losing at home to Villa on Sunday, although Villa is contending for a Champions League spot and Palace is trying to hold off Brentford for 14th in the table.

Remaining matches

Man City: Chelsea, at Brighton, at Nottingham Forest, Wolves, at Fulham, at Spurs, West Ham
Arsenal: at Wolves, Chelsea, at Spurs, Bournemouth, at Man U, Everton
Liverpool: at Fulham, at Everton, at West Ham, Spurs, at Villa, Wolves

The run-in looks pretty even for all 3. They all have 3 matches left against top half teams with 2 of them away. They all play Spurs and Wolves. They all play a team that will be fighting for survival with Nottingham and Everton. But how did Liverpool get saddled with 3 straight away matches?
 
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