1964white wrote: ↑Fri Feb 27, 2026 1:11 pm
Difference is James, we now have a efficient physio team.
It seems that way Leon, I remember when Bielsa was here we usually had around 5 players unavailable every week.
So, something's changed for the better.
During the Revie era we had 12 players continually available, barring broken legs, and that always seemed to be sufficient, even considering the amount of extra fixtures we had.
This is arguably our toughest game of the run in but with our home form and the way we came back against them at the Shityhad we should go for it from the start, we have plenty of games left to get the points needed and this is basically a free hit. Under the lights at ER can level the playing field against any team, get at them early and see what happens.
Would love to see Pep scratching holes in his head on the touchline.
“ If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise don’t even start “ Charles Bukowski.
White Riot wrote: ↑Fri Feb 27, 2026 12:59 pm
Brighton and Spurs have both taken 4 points from Citeh this season and I wouldn't say either of those is exactly setting the world on fire.
City can be beaten like any other team, and this is not the City who were dominating the EPL, as is the case with Liverpool.
I don't understand this defeatist attitude many of our fans assume when we play City, Liverpool, Arsenal.
If we roll over and watch in admiration, like we did twice against Arsenal, them I'm sure we'll get walloped. But if we go out and get stuck into them then anything is possible.
We showed this in the second half at City.
If you remember in the past Arsene Wenger was usually complaining about the rough house tactics we employed at Elland Road, cos it knocked them out of their stride.
The players will be nicely rested. No reason not to play at a high tempo, press high and make sure our lines aren't sitting too deep like we tend to do when we are in front, or playing away. They will be apprehensive about playing at ER under the lights.
And if we do get ahead, DO NOT sit back and invite pressure.....!
CHAPELALLMAN wrote: ↑Sat Feb 28, 2026 8:53 am
9 goals conceded, no goals scored. Yet teams such as Wolves did ok against them.
Brentford, Forest, Sunderland and Wolves have all taken points off them.
Most of their victories in the EPL this season have been by a single goal.
So, the majority of Arsenal's EPL matches this season have been competitive. Only Leeds have been beaten by them by at least 4 goals, without reply, twice.
White Riot wrote: ↑Sat Feb 28, 2026 9:17 am
Brentford, Forest, Sunderland and Wolves have all taken points off them.
Most of their victories in the EPL this season have been by a single goal.
So, the majority of Arsenal's EPL matches this season have been competitive. Only Leeds have been beaten by them by at least 4 goals, without reply, twice.
Ampadu has talked about the change of mentality at half time in the City away game, in addition to the formation change, which is the only thing that tends to get talked about.
To have made such a difference, it just shows how important the mindset is when up against the top sides. Against Arsenal in both games we seemed to be beaten before the match even started.
5 wins (and 2 draws) in 7 home games with post-5pm kick-offs (i.e. under the floodlights) at Elland Road this 2025-26 Premier League season.
The victories were against:
Everton
West Ham
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest
Lets make it 6 against City. Is there something magical about floodlights?
Never confuse intellect with imagination.
Never let good taste stand in the way of style ~ big nosed Pseudo intellectual, sarky super hero, weirdly obsessed idiot stalker, boring smarmy w*nker, worst pollster, far right dimwit, and resident perspicacious comedian...OR IS HE
Cjay wrote: ↑Fri Feb 27, 2026 1:14 pm
Man City aren't the team they were.
If we play with the same purpose and direct intensity we did 2nd half we can trouble them.
If we play like we did first half, slow, sit back ploddyball it will be another training session for them.
At the time it was statistically the easiest half they'd had all season.
We didn't sit back against them in the first half last time. They we all over us after scoring in the first minute.
As for your confused slur "ploddyball" it's funny when Peps team do it it's hailed as brilliant.
Oh and they are the most inform team in the league currently .
But carry on setting up your little imaginary ducks so you can shoot them down one by one and make yourself feel good later.
' "Football is about the people and the players,” he said. “Then there are those who will mingle in the middle: the coaches, executives and journalists. That last group represents the worst part about football" Marcelo Bielsa
Irish Ian wrote: ↑Sat Feb 28, 2026 3:13 pm
We didn't sit back against them in the first half last time. They we all over us after scoring in the first minute.
As for your confused slur "ploddyball" it's funny when Peps team do it it's hailed as brilliant.
Oh and they are the most inform team in the league currently .
But carry on setting up your little imaginary ducks so you can shoot them down one by one and make yourself feel good later.
1st half
2nd half
And if you can't see the difference between Farke and Pep ploddyball then not much can be said.
Completely different setup and style between the 1st and 2nd half as I said.
But nice try.
They may be in decent form, they have also drew with struggling Tottenham and Brighon and Bodo/Glimt beat them.
They aren't a top side by their standards and clearly can be got at if you setup right.
Never confuse intellect with imagination.
Never let good taste stand in the way of style ~ big nosed Pseudo intellectual, sarky super hero, weirdly obsessed idiot stalker, boring smarmy w*nker, worst pollster, far right dimwit, and resident perspicacious comedian...OR IS HE
Never confuse intellect with imagination.
Never let good taste stand in the way of style ~ big nosed Pseudo intellectual, sarky super hero, weirdly obsessed idiot stalker, boring smarmy w*nker, worst pollster, far right dimwit, and resident perspicacious comedian...OR IS HE
