TFF chit chat 4th, 5th and 6th December

Post by **morganb** » 03 Dec 2021, 11:26

SATURDAY 4TH DECEMBER

West Ham United 12:30 Chelsea

A London derby kicks off this batch off fixtures. It's Saturday, it's 12:30pm, it's West Ham United v Chelsea. The Hammers have hit a sticky patch of late and Antonio has lost that scoring touch that he had at the start of the season. Will Cresswell be fit? Chelsea have started to concede goals in recent games but are still winning. Chillwell out and James may be missing. Could Lukaku actually start?

Newcastle United 15:00 Burnley

Three 3pm games, the first of which is a bottom of the table clash between Newcastle United and Burnley. The Magpies still haven't recorded a win in the league yet this season though did pick up a point in mid-week against fellow strugglers Norwich. Ciaran Clark suspended for this one. Burnley also got a draw on Wednesday, a nil-nil between them and Wolves. Bardsley has picked up a niggle.

Southampton 15:00 Brighton & Hove Albion

A South Coast derby is the next of the 3 o'clocks - Southampton v Brighton & Hove Albion. The Saints played out a 2-2 draw with Leicester on Wednesday - goals from Adams and Bednarek (who then came off with a calf injury). Brighton got a last gasp equaliser against West Ham in mid-week. Trossard has gone off the boil for the Seagulls.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00 Liverpool

The final 3pm match takes place between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at Molineux. Wolves have only lost one of their last 5 games and are sat in the European places. Podence may be back after Covid. Liverpool are fine form but are still only in 3rd. They've scored 4 goals in each of their last three league games with Salah in good form.

Watford 17:30 Manchester City

At 5:30pm, Watford against Manchester City. The Hornets, even though they are sat in 17th, have been putting in good performances and Dennis has scored in the last three league games. Watford will be without Sarr and Foster for the Festive period. Manchester City are sat in second having won their last four league games. Bernie O'Silva has be racking up the points recently.

SUNDAY 5TH DECEMBER

Leeds United 14:00 Brentford

Three 2pm games this Sunday, the first of which sees Brentford visiting Elland Road to take on Leeds United. The Bees are in 11th at the moment and their form has taken an up turn recently. Toney is scoring again and the few injured players all returned against Spurs. Leeds scored a late, late penalty to beat Palace last time out. Bamford and Ayling are likely to make the bench.

Manchester United 14:00 Crystal Palace

Next up, Manchester United against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford. United played Arsenal on Thursday with Ragnarok in the crowd - he should be in the dugout today as Carrick has stepped down. The Red Devils will be without Pogba, Varane and Cavani. Matic, Shaw and Wan-Bissaka should be back. Crystal Palace lost to Leeds on Tuesday and have lost their last two matches. Ward suspended for this one.

Tottenham Hotspur 14:00 Norwich City

The last of the 2 o'clock games features Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City. Spurs played Brentford on Thursday, a convincing win with Kane not on the scoresheet again - Mr Consistent. No Romero or Lo Celso. Norwich played Newcastle on Tuesday and have Pukki to thank for rescuing a 1-1 draw, they are still in the bottom three though. Cantwell miss this match as he was isolating.

Aston Villa 16:30 Leicester City

At 4:30pm, Aston Villa versus Leicester City at Villa Park. Stevie G suffered his first defeat against Man City in midweek. Watkins was on the scoresheet. Bailey out, Targett should be fit. Leicester drew 2-2 against Southampton last time out. Maddison has hit a purple patch of form recently. No Tielemans or Pereira for the Foxes.

MONDAY 6TH DECEMBER

Everton 20:00 Arsenal

And finally, the Monday night fixture is Everton v Arsenal at Goodison Park. The Toffees are going through a sticky run of results and Rafa is under serious threat of receiving his P45. Rondon came off with an injury against Liverpool and still no DCL. The Gunners played Man Utd on Thursday evening and lost in a thrilling 3-2 game. Saka was fit enough to come on as a sub.

Post by **Spinynorman** » 03 Dec 2021, 20:22

Many thanks once again Morgan.

Any news on how bad Chalobah's hamstring injury is? I foolishly brought him in for Kilman who not only remains fit but has outscored Chalobah of late.

Post by **Johnners** » 03 Dec 2021, 21:39

Spinynorman wrote: ↑03 Dec 2021, 20:22 Any news on how bad Chalobah's hamstring injury is?

Tuchel: 'We need more examinations to see how bad the injury is.'

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/ ... e-west-ham

Post by **Spinynorman** » 03 Dec 2021, 21:48

Cheers.

Post by **wahine** » 03 Dec 2021, 22:02

"Manchester United 14:00 Crystal Palace

Next up, Manchester United against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford. United played Arsenal on Thursday with Ragnarok in the crowd - he should be in the dugout today as Carrick has stepped down. The Red Devils will be without Pogba, Varane and Cavani. Matic, Shaw and Wan-Bissaka should be back. Crystal Palace lost to Leeds on Tuesday and have lost their last two matches. Ward suspended for this one."

Although I don't have any at the moment, once the team sheet is out 2am in the morning I might bring in Man Utd players, most certainly the watch game of that timeslot.

Post by **happyhoppy** » 04 Dec 2021, 08:19

Johnners wrote:
Spinynorman wrote: ↑03 Dec 2021, 20:22 Any news on how bad Chalobah's hamstring injury is?
Tuchel: 'We need more examinations to see how bad the injury is.'

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/ ... e-west-ham

Which means Christensen who I just sold will now play.

Post by **Darbyand** » 04 Dec 2021, 10:56

Top 100 - 31.76 transfers used
Top 1,000 - 24.46
Top 10,000 - 18.39

My average is about 14 used.

Post by **murf** » 04 Dec 2021, 11:07

LAST WEEK:

murf wrote: ↑26 Nov 2021, 12:08 TFF e-mail's transfer update:

Top 100 - 31.37 transfers used (was 31.61 - DOWN 0.24!!)
Top 1,000 - 23.72 (was 23.35 - up just 0.37)
Top 10,000 - 17.56 (was 16.31 - up 1.25)

I'm guessing those weird changes are due to sensibly managed top defender (inc Chelsea) heavy teams overtaking the bigger transfer splurging hares in the top 100-1000.

THSI WEEK:

Darbyand wrote: ↑04 Dec 2021, 10:56 Top 100 - 31.76 transfers used
Top 1,000 - 24.46
Top 10,000 - 18.39

My average is about 14 used.

2 sets of games between those stats and it appears that people are definitely slowing down but I think it is very likely, at least in part, the effect of sensible tortoises overtaking mad hares.

Post by **Darbyand** » 04 Dec 2021, 11:33

Chelsea:
Mendy, Silva, Rudiger, Christensen, James, Alonso,

And these 5 others

Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Ziyech, Havertz

Post by **murf** » 04 Dec 2021, 11:37

Good to see James fit and Havertz desperate to cling onto his undeserved place in my team. Lukaku giving Kane another week!

Post by **murf** » 04 Dec 2021, 11:43

This stat surprised me:

Prior to this game, Chelsea had made 50 changes to their starting XI in the Premier League this season, the most by a side after 14 matches of a season since Manchester United in 2009. Make that 54 now......

Thomas Tinker Tuchel

-----------------

West Ham boss David Moyes makes two changes to the team that drew 1-1 at home to Brighton on Wednesday. Issa Diop and Manuel Lanzini return to the starting line-up, with Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma dropping to the bench. Aaron Cresswell remains sidelined with a back injury.

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Diop, Johnson, Soucek, Rice, Bowen, Lanzini, Antonio
Subs: Areola, Yarmolenko, Fornals, Vlasic, Noble, Benrahma, Masuaku, Kral, Ashby

Chelsea Subs: Kepa, Lukaku, Pulisic, Werner, Saul, Barkley, Hudson, Odoi, Azpilicueta, Sarr (not fit enough to play for Watford but fit enough for Chelsea's bench??)

Post by **Darbyand** » 04 Dec 2021, 13:01

Silva (Mount)

Post by **Spinynorman** » 04 Dec 2021, 13:10

Post by **murf** » 04 Dec 2021, 13:28

Spinynorman wrote:Poo.

All over our once clean Chelsea sheets.... and they are still winning. Double poo.

Post by **happyhoppy** » 04 Dec 2021, 13:34

Apologies. Mind you I didn’t curse Silva. Welcome holders.

Post by **happyhoppy** » 04 Dec 2021, 13:35

Havertz or Antonio to Mount looking an easy switch.

Post by **Darbyand** » 04 Dec 2021, 14:02

Wolves: Sa, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, Semedo, Neves, Dendoncker, Ait Nouri, Adama, Jimenez, Hwang

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Salah, Jota, Mane

Post by **murf** » 04 Dec 2021, 14:14

All this talk about December tinkering and Klopp has made just 1 change in 2 games.

Post by **murf** » 04 Dec 2021, 16:34

Watford make just the one change from the side that began the 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Wednesday as Danny Rose comes in for Adam Masina at left-back.

Watford XI: Bachmann, Femenia, Troost-Ekong, Cathcart, Rose, Louza, Dennis, Cleverley, Sissoko, Pedro, King.
Subs: Elliot, Ngakia, Morris, Gosling, Fletcher, Tufan, Kabasele, Hernandez, Kucka.

Pep Guardiola changes five of the 11 that began Manchester City's 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Wednesday. Jack Grealish makes his first City start since 3 November after picking up an injury when on international duty with England. Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden also start, with Nathan Ake, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus dropping out of the side.

Manchester City: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Walker, Gundogan, Rodri, Grealish, Silva, Sterling, Foden.
Subs: Steffen, Carson, Stones, Ake, Jesus, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Mahrez.

Post by **LenH** » 04 Dec 2021, 17:06

Please make me happy Foden.

Post by **Spinynorman** » 04 Dec 2021, 19:06

Post by **Spinynorman** » 04 Dec 2021, 21:02

High: 61

Low: 48

Best team: 48

Post by **murf** » 04 Dec 2021, 21:17

High: 82

Low: 55

Best team: 58 (now equalled by team with 82)

Post by **Spinynorman** » 04 Dec 2021, 21:26

Post by **murf** » 04 Dec 2021, 22:34

Spinynorman wrote:82!

Liverpool block. 5 CSs is a good start. Salah and Jota too.

The 4 non Liverpool players are all on just 2 each

Post by **LenH** » 04 Dec 2021, 23:02

LenH wrote: ↑04 Dec 2021, 17:06 Please make me happy Foden.

Not quite what I was looking for but it's a start. Trying to resist the urge to swap him for Silva.

64 so far for me.

Post by **Darbyand** » 05 Dec 2021, 15:50

5 goals for Spurs this week. 4 points for Kane. Strange season for him.

Post by **murf** » 05 Dec 2021, 16:07

Darbyand wrote: ↑05 Dec 2021, 15:50 5 goals for Spurs this week. 4 points for Kane. Strange season for him.

Didn't even have the decency to play before the Man U game so I could have got another 2 points from Bruno or Ronaldo.....

Post by **Darbyand** » 05 Dec 2021, 18:07

Kane's getting outscored by Fred, never mind those 2.

Post by **Canaryfan** » 05 Dec 2021, 18:29

Under normal circumstances a poor weekend might not seem so bad with two to play, when they are Kane and Ronaldo. My under has never been so whelmed.

FISO