David Squires on … Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s reaction to defeat at Newcastle
[The Athletic] What do Premier League managers think about the Liverpool VAR controversy?
https://theathletic.com/4937106/2023/10/06/premier-league-var-liverpool/
Some interesting comments from managers here.
Yes, I completely agree you can't draw statistically significant conclusions from them.
What it does suggest, however, is that a narrative of VAR being horribly broken with officials being in the pocket of UAE etc and punishing Liverpool doesn't seem to fit? Is VAR correcting any bias?
Anyway, I'll take a good look at that bias data - it's definitely piqued my interest.
Also, thought I'd add, what a thoroughly decent bunch we have here on fedi. So unlike Twitter.
The analysis also takes into account subjective decisions, not just goals.
I'm not sure every fanbase does think refs are out to get them. I don't get that sense in the Spurs community, for instance. But can't speak for everyone.
So no, I'm just trying to get to the bottom of why Liverpool fans seem to think they get an unfair share of bad decisions leading to talk of conspiracy theories.
Hillsborough and Thatcherism don't seem like particularly valid reasons.
According to this analysis of VAR decisions for the 22/23 season, Liverpool were the joint second beneficiaries of VAR decisions, while City were bottom.
So why do #LFC fans believe there is a conspiracy against them? Where does that belief stem from?
Yeah, it'll be interesting to see what impact this has. Ange is on record as saying he doesn't really use like for like players as backups - he likes to have a squad full of options. So he must be adaptable. He will have experienced losing a key player with a specific and directly irreplaceable skillset.
Maddison is probably the closest in terms of being able to deliver a ball. Perhaps push him wide at times and get Gio or Deki working 10.
Shit, and now we get this news today:
> Ivan Perisic has suffered a complex Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee
😖
England's style under Southgate has moved from a direct hoof-it style, to a slower build-up, more pragmatic, intricate, possession-based style.
"England ranked second for possession (62.8 per cent) behind Spain at the World Cup"
"Under Southgate, England have gone from 12th [in 2018] to consistently top five in FIFA's rankings."
"Sixty per cent possession, no shots on target conceded, and a 3-1 away win against a side with a perfect Euro 2024 qualifying record that included a win over Spain on this ground in March. England played the game, not the occasion, showing maturity and ruthlessness, with six changes to the team that drew with Ukraine."
More Ange on TalkSPORT: Maddison, Romero, Bissouma, and what success will look like
https://youtu.be/DNjf_oY-nmk?si=VShNFhKEnLYZAfWz
> Tottenham Hotspur Manager Ange Postecoglou joined Jim White and Simon Jordan on talkSPORT this morning.
Ange on TalkSPORT: Carabao Cup & 10th Place is NOT What We're About: Ange Postecoglou's Vision for Tottenham 👀🔥
https://youtu.be/v-cOt3720sE?si=yiG9liptKDGuaAUZ
> Tottenham Hotspur Manager Ange Postecoglou joined Jim White and Simon Jordan on talkSPORT this morning.
Ali Gold on the unseen revolution taking place beneath Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham - football.london
Well worth keeping an eye on the Spurs U21s. They're more important (and exciting) than ever and are absolutely flying this season. Everything seems to be clicking into place throughout the club.
James Maddison is the signing of the summer according to WhoScored; Spurs players occupy 5 of the top 10.
-
James Maddison – 8.08
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James Ward-Prowse (West Ham) – 7.70
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Pedro Porro – 7.40
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Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 7.27
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Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) – 7.25
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Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa) – 7.20
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Dejan Kulusevski – 7.19
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Guglielmo Vicario – 7.11
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Micky van de Ven – 7.01
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Axel Disasi (Chelsea) – 6.93
Well happy to see our internationals doing so well.
Højbjerg scored again today to make 2 in 2 games.
Deki won MOTM, got a goal and assist yesterday.
Perišić was pivotal in the Croatia game.
We've all seen Bissouma being mega-baller for Mali.
Solomon was excellent against Romania.
Romero was declared best defender in the world by Messi.
Not bad at all.
Shame Madders didn't smash it, but when Bellingham is in your way, what can you do eh?
🚨 HWG: 16yo Croatian CB Luka Vuskovic.
Was not expecting this. Only 16.
@AdamDavis @[email protected] @HowSwayy
Ah, so he was being silly not serious? It came across in the article as having a bit of a dig. 😆