League Cup 2 Leg Semi’s

So the premiership have got FA Cup replays scrapped to save them extra games but are quite happy playing 2 games semifinals in the 3rd least important domestic competition they play in, and as 99 times out of 100 it will be 4 Premiership clubs competing it just doesn’t sit correctly. Must be more money involved somewhere!

At least tonight's game is on normal telly (ITV)

Isak scores yet again for Newcastle.

Latest .. Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle

Game on.

Quoted from Gaffer58

So the premiership have got FA Cup replays scrapped to save them extra games but are quite happy playing 2 games semifinals in the 3rd least important domestic competition they play in, and as 99 times out of 100 it will be 4 Premiership clubs competing it just doesn’t sit correctly. Must be more money involved somewhere!

Ooh, you cynic. Not that you're wrong.

I half-watched the bottom game. An aerial assault into the box with about 500 crosses slung in there. It was like the 1980s all over again.

I watched it with it being on"normal" telly and did enjoy it. The skill levels of the top teams is something to behold.

It did make me wonder if the Arteta and Guardiola Barcelona style of play of endless passing is past its zenith.

Newcastle were very exciting to watch during the majority of the game and I did think if we ever see our black and white stripes playing that version in the lower leagues we would all be very happy.

It's the attacking at pace which is fantastic along with enormous amounts of  individual skill which is enviable. I only watch the Premier league via Match of the day but I imagine Liverpool also play in this forceful attacking exciting style which beats the short passing style for excitement if not trophies.

There has been some very entertaining box to box games this season in the prem.

Some teams are still passing back and sideways but more are starting to play more adventurous football.

Notts Forest are climbing up the table playing some really good football.

Southampton on the other hand are sticking to playing from the back and giving goals away like confetti no wonder they are bottom.

Quoted from Gaffer58

So the premiership have got FA Cup replays scrapped to save them extra games but are quite happy playing 2 games semifinals in the 3rd least important domestic competition they play in, and as 99 times out of 100 it will be 4 Premiership clubs competing it just doesn’t sit correctly. Must be more money involved somewhere!

They're not happy though are they? They want it to be a one off match. But the EFL are refusing to do that unless it's part of a new financial agreement between the PL & EFL.

BBC Sport: EFL confirms two-legged semi-finals will stay in EFL Cup

Quoted from grimsby pete

There has been some very entertaining box to box games this season in the prem.

Some teams are still passing back and sideways but more are starting to play more adventurous football.

Notts Forest are climbing up the table playing some really good football.

Southampton on the other hand are sticking to playing from the back and giving goals away like confetti no wonder they are bottom.

NF are playing unusual football, very open and on a huge amount of the pitch. (Like the old Newcastle)I expect them to get tonked at some point

But Forest's defence is extremely well-organised. Not something you could ever accuse Keegan's teams of being.

Quoted from supertown

NF are playing unusual football, very open and on a huge amount of the pitch. (Like the old Newcastle)I expect them to get tonked at some point

Forest play the exact opposite of "very open" football. They are extremely well organised across the entire pitch. Forest are 13th on goals scored and 2nd only to Arsenal on goals conceded.

Tottenham play Keegan type football.

Some interesting stats about Tottenham...

They have scored the same amount of goals in their first 20 PL games this season as they did last season (42)

They have conceded 1 more goal in their first 20 PL games this season compared to last season (30 this season & 29 last season).

However they have 15 less points from their first 20 PL games this season compared to last season (24 this season & 39 last season).

Tottenham are the exact opposite of us. We're doing well despite having poor goal difference. They are doing terribly despite having good goal difference.

Forest remind me so much of 2016 Leicester.

Do the basics well. Hit teams with pace and on the counter. No-one managing to figure them out and everyone expecting for the wheels to come off.  

Unfortunately for them, this season has an outstanding team at the top of the pack, whereas 2015/16 was one of those rare years were everyone was a lot weaker than usual.