Premiership 2015/2016

[yuppie]

Well that Liverpool revival has not lasted to long.

[Alviro Patterson]

I think Watford are owed a huge amount of praise so far this season...but aren't really getting any.

Overshadowed by the performances of Leicester City, otherwise Watford would be the talking point this season. Nice to see Alan Pardew doing well with Crystal Palace, especially when he was not rated by many Newcastle fans.

Great to see a more open Premier League this season, all three promoted teams outside the relegation and a good chance it will finish like that.

[st_brendy]

Well that Liverpool revival has not lasted to long.

I'm not really sure it was a revival in the first place. All it really amounts to is one very good win away to City (the away win against Chelsea can be ignored, because pretty much anyone can beat Chelsea this season). They've failed to beat us, WBA, Palace, Newcastle, and no Watford under Klopp (plus Spurs). That is pretty darn appalling.

I've been sceptical about Klopp since they first appointed him, and I still am now. His use of Benteke in particular I have generally found very strange.

[sussexpob]

I think Watford are owed a huge amount of praise so far this season...but aren't really getting any.

Hard to praise a team that basically cheated their way to the Premiership using a complex international feeder club system that should have long been outlawed before they got there.

Its a clever business model. Buy unsuccessful team favourites to go down to Div 1 for nothing. Loan them 15 players from a current Champions League squad and watch them fly up the table. Keep on loaning them players until they get promoted, while simultaneously using them as a base for giving younger players game time. If the loan laws change, sign said players for no fee, as you own both clubs anyway. If project fails, player comes back for free. Chip in a few players from a third club in Spain that was bought before it went bankrupt just as a base to exploit lax work permit laws for the scouting system that covers all three sides, and you have a good launchpad for success.

In fact, this is a great business model to make money. I am surprised more owners of decent Champions League teams dont buy random Div 2 teams and loan them world class players until they hit the 100 million pay day of the Premier League. There is basically little risk. If it doesnt work you havent put money into the team because your other money generating side is paying the wages, you dont have to pay transfer fees, and you can have these players back for free if the project goes wrong. You can also use the lower team to generate cash for the players who turn good by increasing the game time you can give to your scouting network, which is known as one of the best in the world because three top tier clubs help fund it.

So yes..... we should be praising Watford for their great job, but shouldnt forget Udinese or Granada, who have been brilliant for them in the last few years too.

[yuppie]

Theo

In a big game as well. Had 0-0 written all over it till then.

Would love Walcott to do that more often.

[yuppie]

I guess Arsenal are serious title contenders now.

And Pep will be going to City......

[The Professor]

Delph really strong today....but still,subbed.

[ntini77]

Dominated much of the game and still lost. Pellegrini out.

[yuppie]

Arsenal were the better team, more clinical. Played counter attack and fully deserved the win. Were City playing to many injured players?

Only bought a goal keeper in the summer. Not sure Arsenal have got better, or the other teams have not reached their potentials....

[ntini77]

Arsenal were the better team, more clinical. Played counter attack and fully deserved the win. Were City playing to many injured players?

Only bought a goal keeper in the summer. Not sure Arsenal have got better, or the other teams have not reached their potentials....

The statistics would imply otherwise, but we were wasteful in front of goal and careless in our own half.

I am surprised at the lack of quality in the Premier League this season. It's not incomprehensible to envisage Leicester winning the title now.

[yuppie]

Stats are so misleading.

Arsenal were happy for City to have the ball. Very un-Arsenal like. They were patient, and City did not know what to do.

Maybe Wenger is starting to learn. It seemed to me at the start that Arsenal were happy with a draw at home.

[ddb]

City have 17 points from 9 games since the derby.

United have 19.

Neither Pep or Jose are gonna walk into success.

[Gingerfinch]

Leicester top at Christmas, but Arsenal favourites for the title. Can Leicester maintain and get a top four place? I ruddy well hope so.

[budgetmeansbudget]

If Man C had nicked a second goal at the end Leicester would have been 4 points clear going into Xmas. Unreal.

I still can't believe Toure's goal last night was the first City away goal in 3 months in the Premier League. You don't win titles with too many stats like that.

[budgetmeansbudget]

We've got pretty easy Xmas fixtures.

Home to Palace whose away form is better than their home.
Away to the 2nd placed team.
Away to the leaders.

Nine points guaranteed!