2020/21 football season

[Sparta Prada]

Thread for the 2020/21 season.

In England the first round of league games have been played. The most noteworthy performance in the Premier League was surely by a team that lost: Leeds United going toe to toe with Liverpool?

Worst performance in the first week of the Premier League must surely be Spurs? Or West Ham?

[mr.bluesky]

Thread for the 2020/21 season.

In England the first round of league games have been played. The most noteworthy performance in the Premier League was surely by a team that lost: Leeds United going toe to toe with Liverpool?

Worst performance in the first week of the Premier League must surely be Spurs? Or West Ham?

I think of the three promoted teams Leeds utd will fare the best. West Bromwich Albion will struggle and likely go straight back down. Fulham and West Ham also likely to be in a relagation battle. More results like Spurs had against Everton could mean the "special one" day's are numbered.

[Sheraton]

Leeds look like a decent Team.  High press, decent formation and each player doing his job properly.  They've brought into their manager's philosphy.
 Not sure how big their squad is but they should easily stay up and could even get top 8 imo.

[Digby232]

Norwich started well last year so too early to say on Leeds etc. Hope they do well though. Needs teams like that with history and passionate fans. Rather see them than teams like Brighton just taking the place of decent teams😂 Liverpool v Leeds was interesting. Liverpool v Brighton. Who cares except the two teams involved fans.

[Gordon Bennett]

There's too much football - it's effing ridiculous how leagues, cups, European ties, international friendlies are steaming ahead. I notice they've long since given up trumpeting their testing and biosecure credentials.... maybe they're feeling sheepish that Joe Public is struggling to access testing whilst football is hoovering up 1000s of tests per week?

[ratedj]

There's too much football - it's effing ridiculous how leagues, cups, European ties, international friendlies are steaming ahead. I notice they've long since given up trumpeting their testing and biosecure credentials.... maybe they're feeling sheepish that Joe Public is struggling to access testing whilst football is hoovering up 1000s of tests per week?

Is this not the same for every other sport? F1, tennis, MLB, NFL, NBA and golf are all steaming ahead with their respective schedules, so it is not as though football is an outlier. As for testing, there were four new positive tests from the 2,131 Premier League players and staff tested from 7-13 September. 

[willie loman]

There's too much football - it's effing ridiculous how leagues, cups, European ties, international friendlies are steaming ahead. I notice they've long since given up trumpeting their testing and biosecure credentials.... maybe they're feeling sheepish that Joe Public is struggling to access testing whilst football is hoovering up 1000s of tests per week?

The fact that footballers are being tested, doesnt impact on the public being tested, lets end this ridiculous hostility to footballers, whose wages are paid by their fans.

[ratedj]

The fact that footballers are being tested, doesnt impact on the public being tested, lets end this ridiculous hostility to footballers, whose wages are paid by their fans.

Well, their wages are partly paid for by supporters, but yes, in general your comments are spot on. No need for an agenda here.

[Blackpool Rock]

The fact that footballers are being tested, doesnt impact on the public being tested, lets end this ridiculous hostility to footballers, whose wages are paid by their fans.

Yeah I believe it was cited when they started again last season that the extensive testing had been obtained from independent sources

[willie loman]

Well, their wages are partly paid for by supporters, but yes, in general your comments are spot on. No need for an agenda here.

What part of their wages is not paid by their supporters?

[ratedj]

What part of their wages is not paid by their supporters?

TV money and commercial/sponsorship deals also play a role.

[mr.bluesky]

What part of their wages is not paid by their supporters?

If their wages were paid fully by supporters they would be in the shit With them playing in empty stadiums. Football clubs (especially premier league) get their money from tv. ie sky BT and overseas tv companies.  It's the lower leagues that are going to continue to struggle financially unless they have very rich backers. Same goes for Rugby union and Rugby league teams most of whom those players agreed to take 25% wage cuts to help out their clubs. I wonder how many premier league players agreed to do this.

[willie loman]

TV money and commercial/sponsorship deals also play a role.

But its the fans who pay for this, they dont take taxpayers money, unlike the absurd olympians, who waste their lives flying round the world for 10 years, hopping around on one leg, hoping to hop slightly faster than some other clown.

[ratedj]

But its the fans who pay for this, they dont take taxpayers money, unlike the absurd olympians, who waste their lives flying round the world for 10 years, hopping around on one leg, hoping to hop slightly faster than some other clown.

Not necessarily. For instance, I'm a Man United fan and I won't be hopping out to purchase a Chevrolet anytime soon. With regards to TV, yes, in most instances it will be fans who will be purchasing the sports packages, though I doubt that all commercial partners expect to recoup their investment soley from fans. If only it was that simple.

[houseboot]

More results like Spurs had against Everton could mean the "special one" day's are numbered.

The cavalry is on the way ......

....................................... here comes GARETH

[willie loman]

If their wages were paid fully by supporters they would be in the shit With them playing in empty stadiums. Football clubs (especially premier league) get their money from tv. ie sky BT and overseas tv companies.  It's the lower leagues that are going to continue to struggle financially unless they have very rich backers. Same goes for Rugby union and Rugby league teams most of whom those players agreed to take 25% wage cuts to help out their clubs. I wonder how many premier league players agreed to do this.

Its supporters who watch on tv, the average football supporter hasnt been to a stadium in years, its obvious to me, that apart from a few top clubs, supporters should be allowed in for nothing, the lack of crowds at the moment, show how much football depends on fans not for money, but for atmosphere, its possible in the future, that fans will receive some financial incentive to attend games, i personally think the small clubs should be left to die out.

[donnybob]

The cavalry is on the way ......

....................................... here comes GARETH

this comes up every transfer window, I hope it is going to happen, but Spurs won't pay those kind of wages

[WARSZAWA16]

this comes up every transfer window, I hope it is going to happen, but Spurs won't pay those kind of wages

They would be mad to pay him silly wages. Especially as he is likely to be out injured for at least half a season.

[mr.bluesky]

Its supporters who watch on tv, the average football supporter hasnt been to a stadium in years, its obvious to me, that apart from a few top clubs, supporters should be allowed in for nothing, the lack of crowds at the moment, show how much football depends on fans not for money, but for atmosphere, its possible in the future, that fans will receive some financial incentive to attend games, i personally think the small clubs should be left to die out.

Don't know wether you follow scottish football willie but if you let the small clubs die out scottish football would basically consist of Celtic , Rangers and about 3 other clubs.  in England the Premier league isn't the be all and end all although they like to think it is. The football league and lower leagues existed long before the Premier league and give fans a lot of enjoyment.

[ratedj]

They would be mad to pay him silly wages. Especially as he is likely to be out injured for at least half a season.

It's very unlikely that they would need to. Firstly, Levy never pays silly wages. Secondly, I imagine that a loan move is a distinct possibility, whereby it's almost certain that Real Madrid would need to subsidise Bale's wages. Thirdly, if Madrid do decide to sell him it's not beyond the realm of possibility that they allow Bale to leave on a free in order to relieve itself of his gigantic wages, thus allowing Spurs to negotiate a deal with Bale more in line with its current wage structure. 

[ratedj]

Don't know wether you follow scottish football willie but if you let the small clubs die out scottish football would basically consist of Celtic , Rangers and about 3 other clubs.  in England the Premier league isn't the be all and end all although they like to think it is. The football league and lower leagues existed long before the Premier league and give fans a lot of enjoyment.

Not only that, but the big PL clubs actually need the football league. How so? Well, where do they generally tend to send thier academy players in need of first team experience? Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James, Jesse Lingard, Harry Wilson, Harry Kane and Kyle Walker (I could go on) have all benefitted from first team exposure at football league clubs that just cannot be replicated via reserve team football.

[mr.bluesky]

Not only that, but the big PL clubs actually need the football league. How so? Well, where do they generally tend to send thier academy players in need of first team experience? Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James, Jesse Lingard, Harry Wilson, Harry Kane and Kyle Walker (I could go on) have all benefitted from first team exposure at football league clubs that just cannot be replicated via reserve team football.

Exactly  even David Beckham went out on loan to Preston North End  early in his career.  Coventry city had Jordan Henderson  on loan from Sunderland early in his career before he moved to Liverpool

[Blackpool Rock]

I read this yesterday when I was about to fall asleep and thought  Just re-read it and it's still 

This probably reconfirms that footballers aren't necessarily the most intelligent bunch especially the Manager, can't believe this hasn't featured on the sports update in the breakfast news.
It appears that this small Welsh side Connah's Quay Nomads have 4 players who tested positive for CV19 and they are in isolation along with a 5th player who is yet to test positive.
However a further 3 players turned up for yesterdays game feeling unwell and told the manager before the game but he decided to "Turn a blind eye" 
There's then reference to 3 players testing positive before the game but it's not clear whether it's these 3 players, logically it is as the previous reference was to 4 players testing positive however those are in isolation.

I can see a shitstorm ensuing about this if it turns out to be true once the full facts are established 

External Link/Members Only

[Gordon Bennett]

I noticed there was no "taking a knee" before the Coventry v QPR match on Sky earlier. First time I've seen that on a telly match but I believe QPR and a few other EFL clubs didn't do it at weekend either.
Fuck knows what will happen in Prem games..... they're so desperate to paint a veneer of caring and sharing over their grubby venal money-grabbing operations I presume they'll be kneeling for a quite a while yet.
Oh, Coventry won 3-2. Good open free-flowing game.

[paper7]

There's too much football - it's effing ridiculous how leagues, cups, European ties, international friendlies are steaming ahead. I notice they've long since given up trumpeting their testing and biosecure credentials.... maybe they're feeling sheepish that Joe Public is struggling to access testing whilst football is hoovering up 1000s of tests per week?

That, sir, is because there is money in it, full-stop, end-of.

[paper7]

Don't know wether you follow scottish football willie but if you let the small clubs die out scottish football would basically consist of Celtic , Rangers and about 3 other clubs.  in England the Premier league isn't the be all and end all although they like to think it is. The football league and lower leagues existed long before the Premier league and give fans a lot of enjoyment.

Agreed. You 'kill off' the lower leagues then you 'kill off' football - full-stop. Take the current England team and you'll see that most of them, if not all, started playing at the very low end of the scale.

For instance, tell me which English goal-keeper played for the national team started his football career at St Blazey in Cornwall?

[mr.bluesky]

For instance, tell me which English goal-keeper played for the national team started his football career at St Blazey in Cornwall?

Nigel Martyn 

[mr.bluesky]

I noticed there was no "taking a knee" before the Coventry v QPR match on Sky earlier. First time I've seen that on a telly match but I believe QPR and a few other EFL clubs didn't do it at weekend either.
Fuck knows what will happen in Prem games..... they're so desperate to paint a veneer of caring and sharing over their grubby venal money-grabbing operations I presume they'll be kneeling for a quite a while yet.
Oh, Coventry won 3-2. Good open free-flowing game.

I think this "gesture" has run it's course now. How long do they do it for  for the rest of the season, into next season. I think you have to draw a line under it now. The point has been made.

[mr.bluesky]

Agreed. You 'kill off' the lower leagues then you 'kill off' football - full-stop. Take the current England team and you'll see that most of them, if not all, started playing at the very low end of the scale.

If you kill off the lower leagues you would not have teams like Burton Albion, Forest Green Rovers , Salford City, Harrogate Town, Barrow  etc making it into the football league. It was not that long ago that Wycombe Wanderers were a non league side now they are in the championship. A lot of football followers seem to think the English Premier league is the be all and end all

[chrishornx]

What part of their wages is not paid by their supporters?

which part is? revenue from supporters is a fraction of what clubs get from tv rights, sponsorship, ground naming rights, shirt sales

[daviemac]

which part is? revenue from supporters is a fraction of what clubs get from tv rights, sponsorship, ground naming rights, shirt sales

Exactly, unless Bournemouth players are on minimum wage, there ground capacity is only 11,364. Where as players in league 1 sides such as Sunderland, Ipswich and MK Dons who all have ground capacities of 30,000 + must be rolling in it.   

[ratedj]

I think this "gesture" has run it's course now. How long do they do it for  for the rest of the season, into next season. I think you have to draw a line under it now. The point has been made.

Or perhaps you just leave it to each team/player to decide what action/gesture they want to take/make, if any.

[paper7]

Nigel Martyn 

Yep, that's the one! Also

[Yankee21]

Bale is back.....

[mr.bluesky]

Bale is back.....

He can improve his golf handicap on English courses now 

[paper7]

Or perhaps you just leave it to each team/player to decide what action/gesture they want to take/make, if any.

+1

[Blackpool Rock]

Or perhaps you just leave it to each team/player to decide what action/gesture they want to take/make, if any.

It's not necessarily that easy though, if all the players are kneeling (whether they actively want to or feel peer pressure) then whose the 1st to remain standing and face the wrath of certain team mates 

[Blackpool Rock]

He can improve his golf handicap on English courses now 

Apparently he may not be available to play as his knee's fucked again but he can still probably manage to walk a few miles 

[RadioKid]

TV money and commercial/sponsorship deals also play a role.

Which is paid for by Football fans?

There is a ridiculous amount of money made on football for sponsors and TV Channels through TV Subscriptions and annual Merchandise sales. You could make the case that Advertising is eventually paid by the public in the long run.

A chunk of that is offloaded to footballers who are considered brand ambassadors of their football squads.

Klopp himself has said how absurd it is in the UK for fans to pay so much money to different channels just to watch a game of football.

[ratedj]

Which is paid for by Football fans?

There is a ridiculous amount of money made on football for sponsors and TV Channels through TV Subscriptions and annual Merchandise sales. You could make the case that Advertising is eventually paid by the public in the long run.

A chunk of that is offloaded to footballers who are considered brand ambassadors of their football squads.

Klopp himself has said how absurd it is in the UK for fans to pay so much money to different channels just to watch a game of football.

I'm not sure if you meant this to be a question or a statement. Yes, football fans will account for some of the TV money, by way of purchasing subscriptions from Sky, BT Sport and Amazon Prime, but they will not account for all commercial revenue. Whichever way you look at adverstiising, it is an additional strand which unlikely has football fans solely at the forefront of its agenda. Many lucrative sponsorship/commercial deals will target a completely different clientele and demographic. For the elite clubs, football has become a business as much as it is a sport for them.   

[mr.bluesky]

Not forgetting pre season luctrative tours to the USA , China, Middle East etc . These have had to be knocked on the head. Clubs make massive amounts of money from these.

[paper7]

Like it or not, but football, and professional sport in general, is a business and any business man will tell you that it's all about maximising income streams. This season it has been extremely difficult to do, and probably will be the same for the next two, or three, seasons after the last one.

[j_181]

It's going to be a long season for Man Utd fans if they don't get a centre back in the next few weeks. Lindelof at fault for all three goals against Palace, Maguire not good enough either.

If they can't even stop Zaha & co, they will get their pants pulled down in the Champions League (and not in a good way)

[Blackpool Rock]

It's going to be a long season for Man Utd fans if they don't get a centre back in the next few weeks. Lindelof at fault for all three goals against Palace, Maguire not good enough either.

If they can't even stop Zaha & co, they will get their pants pulled down in the Champions League (and not in a good way)

Hard to tell based on just 1 game of the new season as Man Utd were probably the form side after the restart last season, distractions with Maguire certainly won't have helped and Utd fans would have hoped that their form would have kicked on into this season.

Utd will be particularly unhappy that they were at home and i'm sure I read on the BBC sport page that it's the 1st time in 40 Prem games that Palace have scored more than 1 goal 

[ratedj]

Hard to tell based on just 1 game of the new season as Man Utd were probably the form side after the restart last season, distractions with Maguire certainly won't have helped and Utd fans would have hoped that their form would have kicked on into this season.

Utd will be particularly unhappy that they were at home and i'm sure I read on the BBC sport page that it's the 1st time in 40 Prem games that Palace have scored more than 1 goal 

The problem is that whilst United were the form side for the majority of the second half of last season, everyone else around them has moved forward. The performance on saturday was just one issue. Yes, it was clearly evident that Palace were far more advanced in their preparations and fitness, but that alone does not legislate for the abject performance. G Nev, was right; until United buy a mobile centre back then they have no chance. Much has been made of Lindelof but Maguire is just as culpable, if not more. Palace specifically targeted both CBs. 

Secondly, the manner in which the club conducts its business has become laughable. I was listening to a French journalist talking about United last week, and he was commenting on how the club has become a laughing stock amongst agents. I mean, why the club continues to use intermediaries to negotiate transfers is beyond me! Ed Woodward might be a good money man but whilst he continues to front the club's transfer strategy it will not win another league title. Transfers will undoubtedly be complex, but you can make them as easy as you want to. Case in point, Liverpool were first linked with Diego Jota on a Friday and had completed the deal by Saturday! That's how you do business. Conversely, United have been linked to Jadon Sancho for over a year. That in itself tells you all you need to know.

[Gordon Bennett]

It's not necessarily that easy though, if all the players are kneeling (whether they actively want to or feel peer pressure) then whose the 1st to remain standing and face the wrath of certain team mates 

QPR seem to have come out fighting on the issue. Les Ferdinand, their head of football has said BLM is now a hollow PR exercise and no more than a trendy hashtag. Given Les is black, QPR have plenty of black players, are based in a very multi-racial area and their ground, The Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium is named after a charity that tries to divert young black men from criminal activity (the club do not charge a fee for the naming rights either) their credentials on the matter seem impeccable.

[paper7]

He can improve his golf handicap on English courses now 

He can play a round or to on P.S4 while he's in quarantine, that's if his knee will let him!

[Sheraton]

I see Gove has but a stop to the October plans regarding a limited number of fans back to the grounds

[RadioKid]

I'm not sure if you meant this to be a question or a statement. Yes, football fans will account for some of the TV money, by way of purchasing subscriptions from Sky, BT Sport and Amazon Prime, but they will not account for all commercial revenue. Whichever way you look at adverstiising, it is an additional strand which unlikely has football fans solely at the forefront of its agenda. Many lucrative sponsorship/commercial deals will target a completely different clientele and demographic. For the elite clubs, football has become a business as much as it is a sport for them.

Yeah it was meant as a statement. And pretty much agree with with what you said

As I've grown older, it's hard to relate to a club when it's played by millionaires.

As much of a troll as Bale is, it's hard to think of anything the public has in common with him who is earning half a million a week just chilling.

That said. I am interested in Leeds and how they cope

[Digby232]

Got to admire Bale but Wayne Bridge was the best. England international but quite happy to sit doing virtually fuck all at Man City for the money. Good luck to them all if fuckin idiots prepared to pay them.