One of the key things last weekend was how little change ASM got out of anyone. You could see him moving around trying to find match ups he might get more change out of but no where he went did he find it any easier. I know I’ve been banging on about it to a degree most wont agree with, but this is where I think the absence of Walker could really hurt them. Walker is really their only top class stand up 1-1 defender. Without him they’re left with a pair of fullbacks who are far more comfortable with the ball at their feet than defending, and for as highly rated as their CBs are neither are anywhere near as comfortable stepping out towards the wings to help out as Virgil or Matip is. If ASM has a good game that could be the difference, the way Zaha has given them fits over the years.
Yes. And Newcastle in an attempt to look appealing next season need a big scalp to finish this season with. How appropriate it would be for City to be fucked over by oil money.
Interesting ball in play/ out of play stats here:
Stats show ball is in play less this season, which seems to match the football dished up by time wasters and some of the clubs playing pretty direct eg Brentford:
This season’s ball in play average is the lowest the Premier League has seen since 2010-11.
It’s down one minute and 19 seconds from last season, and a minute 40 seconds on the 2013-14 campaign’s average.
No surprise that Pulis features a lot in historical matches with a low duration of ball in play:
The game with the lowest time in play this season - West Ham v Brentford with 41 minutes, 33 seconds - is someway short of Stoke v Blackburn from February 2010, though.
That game - which Stoke won 3-0 in Tony Pulis’ 300th game in charge - saw the ball in play for just 39 minutes and one second, 58 seconds fewer than the next game on the list.
The ball being out of play was a common theme in games featuring Stoke. The table below has four of their home matches.
I’m unsure about this as a game could go on for bloody ages. Maybe the game should stop for injuries and the like but nothing more.
180 years why now…I just don’t like changing the game for things like this when a simple yellow card might actually be more effective.
Let’s face it if Prickford goes over the allotted time he gets a warning, second time he is booked he is bound to be on a yellow by about the 11th minute.
Those gaming the concussion rule make me far more angry, I find it a bit of a disgrace.
Watford will officially be relegated if they don’t win at Selhurst today.
Just realized that Burnley have 4 games left but they are playing Villa twice. 
Villa heavily involved at both ends of the table.
Stevie G will have to motivate his players to;
1, beat us and shatter the quad dream 
2, beat Burnley and offer Everton a lifeline
3, beat Man City to make LFC history
Yeah, noticed that a week ago, very weird outcome - especially considering how pivotal those matches are.
Hopefully they go on that relegation run some teams do when they go down which results in an upturn in results.
As they play Everton in midweek. They really should have kept Raneri, two poor appointments mine wouldn’t surprise me if they get a third before the season is out to bed them up.
Stay down this time.
God Burnley are garbage.
Everton ain’t going down.
Burnley and Leeds need to pile the pressure on as Everton through their shithousery have gained some results.
Villa are the example up to now of a team on the beach and yet that.
It’s kinda funny how the tables have turned. After the City 2-2, it was felt that Liverpool had the MUCH tougher run-in, but after Spurs, we face 2 teams on the beach, then a home match against Wolves on the last day, whereas City face a Newcastle side looking to impress their new owners, and then back-to-back away games against two teams fighting for the last available Euro spot. a few weeks ago, City were looking a good bet to do the treble, and now there’s a high probability they end the season with fuck all. Football’s a bit mad, isn’t it?
To be the three tough games on paper are almost done, with this one tonight probably the last.
I’m always more worried with away visits against teams in form so that Newcastle one concerned me.
3 offside checks for Chelsea goal, love it.
Wolves are missing too many good chances.
Still think that ours is harder. We have to play one decent team (tonight).
The rest of the opposition for both of us is cannon fodder.
Spurs are fucking shit. A West Ham and Wolves away both fighting for a European slot is not cannon fodder. Wolves especially can shithouse to a 0-0 with relative ease, especially against an embarrassed and mentally weak City team.
Have faith, my man. Fuck.
I do, but if Spurs are shit, what does that make Wolves and West Ham? They’re 11 and 9 points behind Spurs having played a game more. They’re contesting the very dubious honour of taking part in that Euroconference thingy, a prize that maybe better conceded.
I still have faith that we can do our part and that’s all we can do 
Anyway, fucking hell Burnley you dicks! Stevie, send on the reserves.
It feels Burnley is getting looks, and shots on target, just have to make these count. They are operating with zero margin for error.