Look at Leicester 52 weeks ago.
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Look at Leicester 52 weeks ago.
Yes, but throughout last season, Leicester were playing well, never lost their crowd, manager had the support of the natives and were in most games despite being edged most weeks till near the end. This is not the case down the road at Villa Park, that, as a rule unhappy place at the best of times, has never been unhappier :) which in itself is some kind of unwanted horrific achievement considering they have the most restless natives in the country for most of my life. Past glories make big ghosts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
That manager Leicester got rid of, gave me the creeps.
Nigel Pearson ? Great guy. The sort of man you'd like to be in the trenches with. Great centre-half for Wednesday and would put his head where few would risk their feet. Why did he give you the creeps or was that a wind up?Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
No, not a wind up and if he was in the trenches with me, i'd shoot him first. An ugly thuggish personality.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
The Thai owners of Leicester were quite correct to give him the boot.
I'd have to know a bit more about the fan before condemning that. :)
Leicester and Spurs both delivering when it counts, Arsenal total and utter wimps. Wenger leaves Mertesacker on the bench when playing Andy Carroll. That's beyond strange.
Chelsea might be kingmakers yet. Both Spurs and Leicester play them at Stamford Bridge. Leicester's last 3 games are United (a), Everton (h) and Chelsea (a). West Ham at home won't be easy. If they don't win their next two (WHU at home, Swansea at home) then it get could all go badly wrong.
I can see Spurs winning at least 4 of their next 5. Stoke (a), WBA (h), Chelsea (a), Southampton (h) and Newcastle (a).
Very interesting.
Lots of people pointing to the last three games Leicester have to play. Not like any of the three are on fire never mind Leicester have proved they can beat all three.
I'd say, considering their consistent form and run in, Leicester @ 1/5 for the title is about right.
If they have slipped up before then, I can think of several easier teams to be playing. If it's still alive on the final day it's a no brainer who has the easier fixture.Quote:
Originally Posted by KK77
Stutts, i'd say though, much of your concern about Leicester slipping up, has more to do with anxiety around the chance that Spurs might win the title.
I could see Leicester slipping up enough times to allow Spurs a chance, I can't really see Spurs not slipping up at all themselves though, especially with Stamford Bridge to come. In theory that should be a tougher fixture for Spurs than Leicester.
I don't have the benefit of the use of a crystal ball but there is no current football form evidence saying that Leicester will slip up, not even a sliver.
It might happen but so can a lot of things 'might happen'. 8 tides a day could happen but not based on current habits.
Define current? This season they've 'slipped up' twelve times, over a third of their matches. You'd hardly need a crystal ball to suggest they might slip up a couple of more times, especially when you consider the fact that their fixtures look fairly tough. And to be fair their recent games could have went either way, Newcastle, Southampton and even Sunderland could have easily nicked something, it's not like they've been coasting.
Yes, far from over because once the media says it is, then it is not and we'll then hear "who could have believed this turnaround?". The 3-0 for Spurs was very important because Man U over the years have had the Indian sign over them - that's one of their banana skins gone. As Stutts says, Spurs should get a minimum 12 points from their last 5 games so Leicester need 2 wins (Everton (h) and Swansea (h) would be the best hopes). The fat lady may only start rehearsing but the opera is a bit off yet.
No they have not been coasting. Current refers to the recent run in the pressure games where they have show to be a strong title winning unit even when just a solitary goal ahead.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Under other circumstances, a point against a well drilled team like Sunderland, fighting for their survival, playing home with that support, would be considered a good point, but they got all 3 in that pressure cauldron. They are not getting enough credit for winning a game like that.
Yes, that and the memory of Arsenal's title run-in in 1989 when they couldn't buy a win in the last few games. Lost 0-1 at home to Derby and then ex-Bohs Paul McGee (Magee?) scored twice for Wimbledon in a 2-2 draw. I was absolutely planking it when Ireland went to Malta in 1989 too, and also Cyprus at home in 2001. Even at home to Bosnia I didn't relax until about 92 minutes (and after Bosnia had hit the bar with about 2 mins left). It's the way I am.
"there is no current football form evidence saying that Leicester will slip up, not even a sliver."Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
To me this reads like something that would have been said about Barcelona (pre-Villarreal) when they were winning games consistently by four or five goal margins. The very fact that they've been winning games narrowly is evidence enough for me that they're more likely to slip up than if they've been coasting through games and winning comfortably. The fact is that they were a referee's interpretation of a couple of handballs away from drawing with Southampton and at the mercy of Jack Rodwell late in the game on Sunday. This isn't a criticism, they may even have deserved to win the games despite the let-offs, but it shows that the margins have been pretty fine, which I think gives at least a "sliver" of hope that they might slip up, from Tottenham's point of view.
Fair enough, but I wasn't even talking about current form really, despite my comments above. I'm just looking at each game they have remaining on an individual basis. Man Utd and Chelsea will probably start the games favourites against them, rightly or wrongly, and Everton have been pretty good away from home this season and we know they're a lot better than they've looked at times. West Ham have proved to be a very dangerous team as well and have won at some big venues themselves. Of course Leicester won't fear anybody and rightly so, and have beaten some big teams this season but these games look far tougher than the ones during their recent run of clean sheets. I think there's a better chance of a slip up against Chelsea or Man Utd than against Newcastle or Sunderland, that's all.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Who isn't giving them enough credit? They've been phenomenal and I don't think it's possible to rate their achievements so far highly enough. Jamie Carragher was saying it could be the biggest story in football history, I'd agree that it would have to be in the conversation anyway and possibly the biggest that I know of alright. If you're just talking about not getting enough credit for winning the Sunderland game itself, okay, I'm not sure how much credit they haven't got. It was a very professional performance which belied their lack of experience in a PL title chasing run-in situation.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
I wasn't even totally relaxed after the play off win in Estonia. I am sure Milan were relaxed when they were 3-0 up against Liverpool in 2005. Anything can happen in football that's why I NEVER join in on "you're not signing any more".Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Agreed, taunting deaf fans isn't acceptable in this day and age.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
If Manchester United win the FA Cup, would that save LVG's job? Surely not right? Even just on a financial basis, it wouldn't outweigh a failure to get back into the Champions League.
I'm not even sure top four and the FA Cup would save his job. I wouldn't rule them out of the former yet either, they've Aston Villa at home on Saturday with Man City travelling to Stamford Bridge. If they can reduce the gap there you wouldn't know what'll happen and City are bound to get a bit distracted by the dizzy heights of the Champions League semi finals. City appear to have the tougher run-in also, with 4/6 of their matches away whereas United have 4/6 at home.
It's nothing to do with the mores of the action: it's the tempting of fates.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
CL and FA Cup would probably save VG's job. Can't really see Mourinho at OT but then again I thought Ranieri would be a failure at Leicester. Was talking to a Leicester supporter over the weekend (Irish friend living in Leicester for the past 25 years). He doesn't think this is a flash in the pan and that they can build on this.
If Mourinho does end up at Old Trafford, it will signify that Alex Ferguson's influence there is over. Which might not be the worst thing for the club.
Handy win for City there. Won pulling up.
I see Klopp has banned his players from touching the 'This is Anfield' sign until such time as they've won a trophy. I think this fits in well with what you've said above, the whole 'Klopp really gets it' kind of thing. He really has them eating out of his hand with this sort of stuff, the fans that is. I suppose it could be seen as extra motivation for the players too, or maybe added pressure. It'd be kind of funny if they're still not allowed to touch it in three or four years though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Didn't see the Leics vs WH game but saw the highlights and ref seemed to get all the major decisions correct, except perhaps the first booking for Vardy. To me Carroll deliberately knocked the Leics player off the ball for the peno. Who'd want to be a referee?
You're right about all that. Can't remember anything that was too contentious at all. I thought the ref had a decent game. So much so I haven't even had him in mind at all at any point.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
I thought his handling of West Ham's penalty was great refereeing. He repeatedly warned Huth and Morgan about wrapping their arms and pulling shirts and indicated that if it happens again it will be a penalty.
My take-
-The first yellow for Vardy was never a booking.
-The 'dive' was a yellow card offence and Vardy can only blame himself, it's not like he didn't know he was already on a yellow, even if he shouldn't have been.
-I don't see the point in warning players about pulling, maybe give a heads up before the game that it won't be tolerated, but it's a bit of a cop out to catch them doing it, and then warn them not to do it 'again'.
-He ended up giving a penalty for the softest incident of the lot, minimal contact and a massive exaggeration from Reid. Not for me, warning or no warning.
-He denies Leicester a more obvious penalty moments later for the pull back on Huth. The fact that he hadn't warned the West Ham defenders previously is irrelevant I think, it's either a foul or it's not. And it was.
-Carroll is a bit rash and silly, it was a strong enough shoulder. I'd imagine he'd have got away with it nine times out of ten though and the referee was swayed by what went before.
-Overall I think the referee made life difficult for himself.
agree with pretty much all of this. vardy took a dive but did the west ham player not have his hand on vardys shoulder from behind? how much shoulder touching is allowed before its a foul??Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
I haven't seen anything to suggest they can't get a minimum of 4 points from those games.
Man United away won't be easy especially with United chasing 4th. I can easily see them losing, but wouldn't bet on it.
Swansea is a must win. Chelsea will be up for Spurs, but Spurs are looking super-strong right now. Suspiciously strong. #canofworms
I thought Chelsea would be up for Man City too although I know it's a different kind of rivalry.
Arsenal show their lack of teeth again.
Emphatic by Leicester. United next up is a huge game for them. United chasing 4th and have every chance. Hiddink says Chelsea fans are desperate to prevent Spurs winning it. I still think it's closer than the 8 points currently indicates.
Definitely. I can see Spurs winning all four - that means Leicester need five points. Six (two wins) may be easier than five (one win and two draws)Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
United have one of the best home records in the league - only 7 goals conceded all season. And as you say, chasing fourth.
Everton have actually only lost three away games, but they look to be in freefall and would expect a straightforward win there.
Then away to a mundane enough Chelsea side, but still, it's away to Chelsea.
Spurs v WBA should be a gimme. They've Chelsea away as well of course, and Newcastle away on the last day is looking to be more and more interesting. Any slip up now and you'd imagine it's over.
Interesting that in the past five weeks, Leicester have played before Spurs four times. I don't know if that gives either side a bit of an advantage, like in a shoot-out?
Interesting to note the points dropped by Leicester through missed penalties (four v Bournemouth and Villa) and red cards (arguably five v Arsenal and West Ham)
They've only used 23 players in the league all season; 8 of those have 5 league starts between them. Amazing stuff.
Spurs have Southampton at home as well. While you would expect them to win that game it could be tricky all the same.
True, though the form they're on at the moment, it'd be a big surprise if they dropped anything there.
This weekend will tell a lot. If Leicester can match Spurs' result, they're there. If they lose and Spurs win, it'll be brick-****ting time. Anything else, and it'll be very, very tight.
Had to laugh at Sky when they said that Leicester ONLY needed 5 points from their last 3 games to secure the Premiership and then up come the fixtures of Man U, Chelsea and Everton.
So much for a gimme at the Lane. West Brom equalise and spurs seem to be bottling it after a great start. Would surely be all over if it stays this way.
1-1 result.
One win all that's needed now.
Gary Lineker cursing on Twitter he's so excited.
Incredible stuff