PL Opposition tidbits
- Thread starter Frogfish
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Even "set-piece goal" needs qualifying.
A set piece goal like Dom smashing one in from 25-30 yards is something I and any neutral likes to see.
A goal involving 3 or 4 "not quite" fouls on the opposition defenders before some big lump manages to nod the ball over the line at the back post is something that the game absolutely doesn't need. Pulis and Allardyce were rightly ridiculed for decades for playing like that. It's the absolute debasement of "marginal gains". There isn't skill involved, it's all about how much foul play you can get away with.
Everyone I speak to agrees, LFC fans or not, the league has been shite this year.
A set piece goal like Dom smashing one in from 25-30 yards is something I and any neutral likes to see.
A goal involving 3 or 4 "not quite" fouls on the opposition defenders before some big lump manages to nod the ball over the line at the back post is something that the game absolutely doesn't need. Pulis and Allardyce were rightly ridiculed for decades for playing like that. It's the absolute debasement of "marginal gains". There isn't skill involved, it's all about how much foul play you can get away with.
Everyone I speak to agrees, LFC fans or not, the league has been shite this year.
The Arse's much lauded scoring record from set pieces relies on those "not quite fouls" at least as much as the two troglodytes you rightly mention.
It's not this league, it's football in general.
I think Arsenal may suffer from the 'fight fire with fire' mentality of other physical teams as the season progresses.
Watching the Arsenal vs Palace game at the weekend I was struck by how quiet their forwards were. Arsenal only really threatened from corners and free kicks. Currently this is working well for them but I doubt it will continue right through the season.
My bias will be construed as sour grapes but I don't see them as other than hard working. Admirable but not special.
Watching the Arsenal vs Palace game at the weekend I was struck by how quiet their forwards were. Arsenal only really threatened from corners and free kicks. Currently this is working well for them but I doubt it will continue right through the season.
My bias will be construed as sour grapes but I don't see them as other than hard working. Admirable but not special.
Arsenal started last season doing the same, just not at this level of importance. As time went on, teams got wise to it and defended more effectively. The same could happen again this season. Especially when Arsenal don’t have any time to work on new things as the games come thick and fast whilst their opponents have one game a week.
We just need to get our act together and do a reverse of last year and have a slow start and strong finish.
We just need to get our act together and do a reverse of last year and have a slow start and strong finish.
Arsenal have scored 9 from set pieces to our 1 in the league.
Arsenal have scored 5 from open play to our 12 in the league.
Stats from here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c781zwgx419o
Arsenal have scored 5 from open play to our 12 in the league.
Stats from here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c781zwgx419o
I could be misremembering, but all of their open play goals have come after scoring from a set piece. Like against Leeds and Forest.
That article from Pulis is just him boasting.
To make it slightly interesting he could either have shared some tactical set ups or principles from set pieces of success, and talked about that, or, if he discussed the tipping points of pragmatism to win, versus aesthetics in football as entertainment.
To make it slightly interesting he could either have shared some tactical set ups or principles from set pieces of success, and talked about that, or, if he discussed the tipping points of pragmatism to win, versus aesthetics in football as entertainment.
Hi, I'm tony pulis, and id like to claim credit for this steaming pile of shit. I was heavily involved in its conceptualization.
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