Premier League 24/25

[Temptation]

Could just be other leagues caught up or surpassed.

They haven't. Otherwise there wouldn't be the immense desperation for a Super League.

People think that because the Manchester clubs have been terrible this season. City are the most well run oil club in the world and will be fine. United are probably the biggest club in the world commercially(according to most highly reputed sports and finance websites anyways) so they'll probably be back in the top 6 next season.

 

[Horatio]

They haven't. Otherwise there wouldn't be the immense desperation for a Super League.

People think that because the Manchester clubs have been terrible this season. City are the most well run oil club in the world and will be fine. United are probably the biggest club in the world commercially(according to most highly reputed sports and finance websites anyways) so they'll probably be back in the top 6 next season.

ngl, I think France league has risen in recent years and relatively caught up to others

I could be wrong.

 

[Maradona37]

I dont think it has declined. If you speak in terms of amusement? Then yes.

But I just think the landscape is flattening. So it’s harder to see dominating sides.
Then add do that the more scientific approach has made things more mechanical what fabregas also addresses.

So in amusement sure, but strength not sure.

Yes, maybe that is a better way of putting it, rather than declined.

Not always, but sometimes the 'lesser' clubs are constantly closing the gap (not financially, but in scouting and being smarter). This is leading to more competition and the stronger mid-table in some leagues I refer to. Hence, as I said before, this gives the idea the top isn't as strong as before, as it is harder for them to dominate.

In some leagues though the bottom teams are poorer than they were before. There was a discussion about this on Redcafe, as it looks like for the second seasons in a row the three promoted teams will go straight back down.

 

[Horatio]

Not always, but sometimes the 'lesser' clubs are constantly closing the gap (not financially, but in scouting and being smarter). This is leading to more competition and the stronger mid-table in some leagues I refer to. Hence, as I said before, this gives the idea the top isn't as strong as before, as it is harder for them to dominate.

Yes. I share absolutely share this view.

 

[Temptation]

Well yeah it variates from season to season. Usually at least 2 of the "big 6" are having a very underwhelming season and some smaller clubs take their place. But this season it's more, only Liverpool generally played great football and achieved something others fucked it up. Arsenal might maybe beat Madrid and go deep in CL but that's not much of an achievement.

Aston Villa have more chances of doing something special in the CL than Arsenal imo.

I might be biased here because I have a soft spot for Villa but don't underestimate Unai Emery in a cup competition. I like nearly every Villa player except PRashford(although he's a great addition to Villa's bench).

 

[Maradona37]

This is exactly my point. Yes. I share that sentiment.

Yeah that is the point I have constantly made for months now, stronger mid-table gives the idea the top is worse. Or could it be the other way around? A worsening top and weaker bottom makes the mid-table look better?

I think the overall thing to take away is that - in a 20 team league - there are so many ways to interpret trends and data and people can spin anything to suit the narrative they wish to espouse.

 

[Horatio]

Yeah that is the point I have constantly made for months now, stronger mid-table gives the idea the top is worse. Or could it be the other way around? A worsening top and weaker bottom makes the mid-table look better?

I think the overall thing to take away is that - in a 20 team league - there are so many ways to interpret trends and data and people can spin anything to suit the narrative they wish to espouse.

When I wrote science data I kind of meant that to include scouting as well. But shouldve specifically mentioned scouting. It’s quite important.

Scouting across the board is for me as well something that really improved. Almost every team has more than handful of quality players now.

 

[Maradona37]

Looks like a shockingly old team Pep has picked.

I did predict 1-3 but considering altering it now. But there are subs, and there might be method in Pep's madness. But playing Bernardo, Gungo and De Bruyne all in the front 6 at United away is very slow-paced to me. Maybe two of them,

Why no Savinho or Nico Gonzalez?

 

[Maradona37]

When I wrote science data I kind of meant that to include scouting as well. But shouldve specifically mentioned scouting. It’s quite important.

Scouting across the board is for me as well something that really improved. Almost every team has more than handful of quality players now.

Agree, there's so many resources now for even smaller clubs to scout players.

Football is generally good these days. Perhaps me thinking it has declined is more because I find it more boring in my old age. If I was a zoomer/gen alpha 14-year-old and knew nothing about past players, and the likes of Bellingham and Mbappe were my idols, I'd probably be enthralled.

 

[Horatio]

Luchoooooo

 

[Temptation]

When I wrote science data I kind of meant that to include scouting as well. But shouldve specifically mentioned scouting. It’s quite important.

Scouting across the board is for me as well something that really improved. Almost every team has more than handful of quality players now.

Yes excellent system players everywhere. But very few mavericks as a result.

The Totti/Del Piero role has pretty much disappeared.

Those technically gifted wizards who played as the second striker don't exist anymore. Griezmann at ATM is the closest but he isn't nearly as fun to watch. Dybala would be a much bigger star 20 years back.

Grealish at Villa was a total maverick who got converted into a boring system player by Pep.

 

[Horatio]

Liver seems to have woken up

 

[Maradona37]

Liver seems to have woken up

Probably drinking less mate.

 

[Maradona37]

Predicted 2-0 Spurs. It has been that way for a long time so hopefully it stays like that til full time.

 

[Temptation]

How is Ange still in the job?