Premier League 2015-2016

[redzonerocker]

Sadly I think Danny Welbecks winner in the 5th minute of injury time could be the beginning of the end for Leicesters title dream but we shall see.
I reckon its between the Spuds and Arsenal now......nothing between them.....a fight to the finish.

Don't rule Leicester out yet, I've just looked at their upcoming fixtures.

I agree.
How they react in the next game is important, and a home game with Norwich is a nice one to have.
They do have an easier run in and also no European or domestic cup games to play, so again a slight advantage.

What they don't have is a big squad.
A few injuries to key players could be costly at the business end of the season.

I certainly wouldn't rule out Man City just yet either.

All will be revealed over the coming weeks and months when the pressure kicks in and every game is like a cup final.
The season has been quite unpredictable so far and I expect it to continue like that until the end.

[PeteC]

.....They do have an easier run in and also no European or domestic cup games to play, so again a slight advantage.......

It would really be interesting if some organization did a study on that aspect. What real impact in terms of stamina, overall physical and mental condition, simple weariness associated with not enough time between matches etc.

I would say it's a huge advantage to a team towards the end of the season not to have any extra matches/distractions at all outside of their primary league. Pete

[Dannie Boy]

Some of the toughest games are against those teams fighting relegation, especially now that the money for staying up is so much. Also, as Leicester proved last week and yesterday Spurs and Arsenal, winning against one of the top teams is akin to a 6 pointer and makes a big difference.

[PET]

Some of the toughest games are against those teams fighting relegation, especially now that the money for staying up is so much. Also, as Leicester proved last week and yesterday Spurs and Arsenal, winning against one of the top teams is akin to a 6 pointer and makes a big difference.

Danny - you are speaking the obvious and common sense -what is your point?

[Dannie Boy]

Some of the toughest games are against those teams fighting relegation, especially now that the money for staying up is so much. Also, as Leicester proved last week and yesterday Spurs and Arsenal, winning against one of the top teams is akin to a 6 pointer and makes a big difference.

Danny - you are speaking the obvious and common sense -what is your point?

Somebody above was saying that (on paper at least) that Leicester had an easier run in than Arsenal and Spurs, so my comment was in relation to that. My first point was that playing teams near the bottom was as hard as against those at the top but only worth 3 points, whereas against a top team its effectively 6 points as in the Leicester/Arsenal result.

[caller]

I thought Leicester were doing fine against Arsenal until they went down to 10 men. Arsenal were stronger at the start but as the game went on I thought Leicester were well in the mix. Any Arsenal keeper other than Cech would not have saved Vardy's header.

So I don't think Leicester will drop their heads based on this defeat, as even after losing a man, they defended superbly, aided by poor finishing, it should be said.

It could justifiably be implied and I'm sure this is what Leicester will believe, that Arsenal only got a result as a result of Leicester going a man down!

As for the Spuds, I'm afraid my eyes just couldn't keep me there for the 2nd half, which was a shame in view of what happened, but I was very impressed with what I saw in the 1st. I look forward to seeing more of our new manager of next season with interest!

[arcadianagain]

Do you not think a more experienced team than Leicester would have been able to hold onto a lead with 9 men behind the ball? And was Ranieri right to substitute Mahrez thus effectively making it a defence against attack game?

[bsdk1960]

Some of the toughest games are against those teams fighting relegation, especially now that the money for staying up is so much. Also, as Leicester proved last week and yesterday Spurs and Arsenal, winning against one of the top teams is akin to a 6 pointer and makes a big difference.

I agree and disagree.

Most footballer today dont give a sh.t about their club,look at United,who I have supported since 1968,no one fighting for the club,to many primadonnas who gets a huge salary and dont care, because they know,another club willl buy them and maybe raise their salary.
Football is big buisnes and most player dont give a damm,as long they can keep their lifestyle.

BTW what happen with the rule, when you made a freekick you leave the ball and move away, and dont stay 10cm.from the ball,and even kick the ball away.

I really hope that FIFA one day will return to fair play and respect to the game,because in imo we are far away from that now

[caller]

Do you not think a more experienced team than Leicester would have been able to hold onto a lead with 9 men behind the ball? And was Ranieri right to substitute Mahrez thus effectively making it a defence against attack game?

I'm not sure what your point is? My point is about how well Leicester were doing with 11 men on the pitch. The sending off was dumb, conceding the free kick that led to the last minute goal was even dumber. Managers can't legislate for stupidity. Would Arsenal have scored without that dumb free kick? Would Wenger be claiming they passed a 'mental test' without it? Would some be seemingly writing off Leicester if the game had ended in a draw? Was Wenger right when he withdrew Giroud the other week, attracting mocking humour from the crowd as a consequence?

[Zidane]

I'm not writing Leicester off but if they had escaped with a draw then it would have been a big pschycological boost to them.
Likewise for Arsenal,if it had remained a draw they would still be 5 points behind but the gap is now down to 2 which puts Leicester within striking range for them.
Simpson was stupid to commit that 2nd bookable offence....he let his team mates down....and giving away that free kick in that position in the 5th minute of injury time was extremely naive.

As for Man Utd.....if we win our last 12 matches we might just grab that 4th Champions League spot

[arcadianagain]

Do you not think a more experienced team than Leicester would have been able to hold onto a lead with 9 men behind the ball? And was Ranieri right to substitute Mahrez thus effectively making it a defence against attack game?

I'm not sure what your point is? My point is about how well Leicester were doing with 11 men on the pitch. The sending off was dumb, conceding the free kick that led to the last minute goal was even dumber. Managers can't legislate for stupidity. Would Arsenal have scored without that dumb free kick? Would Wenger be claiming they passed a 'mental test' without it? Would some be seemingly writing off Leicester if the game had ended in a draw? Was Wenger right when he withdrew Giroud the other week, attracting mocking humour from the crowd as a consequence?

You made my point for me Caller when you described the last free kick being given away in that position was dumb, or naïve or indeed, inexperience.

[Terry]

Noticed that the Ar5e supporters are a bit quiet tonight

[arcadianagain]

[quote="Terry"]Noticed that the Ar5e supporters are a bit quiet tonight

Oh look, a Spurs Supporter, they must have won today.
Fair do`s though, Arsenal were rubbish, they used to be known for quick, accurate passing, but not now. Hurry back Cazorla before it`s really too late.

[caller]

Wenger got something right by sorting out the keeper situation and got the best in the league, but the defence is still work in progress. But that's each seasons deja-vu for everyone.

[dtaai-maai]

Noticed that the Ar5e supporters are a bit quiet tonight

Oh look, a Spurs Supporter, they must have won again today.
.

Just corrected your post, arcadian...