Reasons Liverpool will not receive recognition
Fascinating email about Liverpool receiving recognition for their accomplishments this season (thankfully Stewie's crazy emails are packed with punctuation and smileys, allowing me to breeze past them now…).
I believe that to earn the recognition you seek for winning a league title, it must appear challenging. I haven't seen many Liverpool matches this season, but from the few I did catch and what I viewed on Match of the Day, things have generally been quite easy for the majority of the season.
Whether it's because Arne Slot is an exceptional manager, Salah enjoying his finest season, fortunate circumstances with injuries, or other factors, it appeared effortless. You check the standings, and they are set to win the league with a double-digit lead over second place Arsenal/Forest. For a team at the top to receive recognition now, one of City, Liverpool, or Arsenal must truly contend for it until the finish. Liverpool faced the same issue during the Covid season. They scored 99 points, while City lagged 19 behind. Thus, they were not “contested” for the title.
I believe Liverpool deserves the recognition for this title since they have made it appear effortless, but the mainstream media won’t acknowledge it. The media is frantically attempting to maintain the illusion of a title race as it boosts clicks, views, and engagement. No one is concerned about a league championship that has already been determined.
The other two major fanbases in the Premier League, United won’t face relegation and Arsenal will secure a top 4 spot. Therefore, the season is over and no one desires to discuss or write about it. It honestly became a “tedious” season for the top teams in the Premier League. It also doesn’t aid your cause that you are a large team and can’t use the underdog angle. And individuals prefer smaller teams.
I believe that many teams in the upper half merit some recognition as the Premier League is crazy. Liverpool for their smooth path to the title, Arsenal have performed admirably despite their injury woes, Forest for exceeding expectations significantly, Chelsea for maintaining a stable mindset, Newcastle for staying competitive without major spending, while Brighton, Bournemouth, Fulham, and Brentford are all achieving remarkable feats with limited resources. Villa gets more credit in Europe, while City, well, it doesn’t matter much.
So don’t lose hope. At heart, most people likely wish to acknowledge Liverpool's achievements, but it's not a compelling story, so you won't hear it.
Rob A (If Arsenal secures the Champions League, haha, we won’t receive recognition either, don’t worry) AFC
Regarding Salah and Ramadan
I've noticed it brought up a few times, though not in the mailbox, regarding the possible effects of Ramadan and fasting on Mo Salah. To prevent this from being speculation, I considered examining the figures.
In the 10 matches leading up to Ramadan (late February), Salah netted 9 goals and provided 5 assists. His average rating on whoscored.com throughout that time was 7.89. Since Ramadan started, in the 4 games he has participated in, he netted 2 penalties (without any goals from open play), has zero assists, and his average rating stands at 6.70.
It’s not a big leap to suggest that fasting might have affected his performances. My Muslim coworkers and friends in Dubai frequently express feelings of fatigue, low energy, and a desire to take a break and rest during the afternoon. Work and school hours have been reduced to support those who are fasting. Students who are fasting are prohibited from participating in PE at school, for clear reasons.
This might just be a coincidence, but it's definitely worth pondering for those criticizing his performances. Be it due to fasting or simply weariness from the season, here’s hoping the upcoming break provides him the opportunity to rejuvenate for the final stretch.
Mike, Liverpool FC, Dubai
Award or runner-up?
It seems as though I’ve sent this same email for the past 2-3 years, and I’ve encountered the same absurd justifications from Arsenal and Arteta supporters about why finishing in 2nd place is more significant than securing a single trophy.
Here I am once more, posing the same question—would Newcastle sacrifice their “humble” EFL Cup for a second-place finish? Would there be fans weeping with joy, a city bursting with celebration, history revealing itself before them, just for coming in second? Certainly not.
Placing second has no significance. Not even anything. Placing second or even among the top four ensures nothing for the upcoming season’s prospects. In the bigger picture, it truly doesn’t make a difference. For a team that has often finished 2nd or lower in the Premier League, Arsenal fans should understand better than others that 2nd place holds little value. Wouldn’t you prefer to earn an actual trophy?
From a personal perspective as a United fan, I'm certain I'd prefer to place 17th and secure the Europa League rather than finishing in the top 4-5 without winning it. I felt just as joyful that we secured 2 trophies in 2 seasons instead of merely flirting with the top 4 and going several years without any victories.
Once more, I inquire: would Arsenal supporters exchange their last four years without a trophy for one FA Cup and one Carling Cup? Not trolling, genuinely inquiring if any perspectives have shifted? Or are we continuing to have faith in the process?
Aman
Arsenal does not utilize Pep's style.
Respectfully, Keith Miller may not follow Arsenal closely if he believes Arteta’s teams resemble those of Maresca.
Arteta didn’t request Arsenal to invest nearly 130 million on Raya, Havertz & Merino just to perform a tribute to Pep. Arsenal frequently and systematically utilizes long balls along with passing development. The man is a blend of Wenger, Pep, Moyes, and McLeish.
The 4-1 defeat at the Etihad during the 22/23 season concluded any lasting commitment Arteta may have had to peak Pep strategies, especially since Pep himself didn't hesitate to set aside his principles to play directly to KDB & Haaland that day.
Conversely, Maresca appears to exhibit greater loyalty to Pep's traditional methods. On the other hand, managing Chelsea is just his second role as a manager, and he has only been in management for two seasons, so I’m confident he’ll develop over time... similar to Arteta.
To be fair, Keith was completely correct about the game last weekend, but I would place the blame on Maresca and Chelsea as Arsenal genuinely attempted to attack. Additionally, the managers needed to convert a midfielder and a winger into forwards, making direct play or a glimpse into the future of football tactics improbable.
Deen (Arsenal, Houston… let's skip the others for now)
Stewie has someone who admires him...
I’ve just completed reading the latest insightful, helpful, and 100% fact-verified email from a Mr. Stewie Griffin. I wanted to express how grateful I am for his efforts and the lengths he goes to in conveying his points clearly and without using absurd jargon. I recommend putting him on the payroll because his writing quality could further improve this outstanding website. Nonetheless, if he happens to be free, could you share his information with me? I have one or two roles that I believe he might be suited for (Elon is starting to feel a bit too full of himself).
Yours faithfully,
Donald J. Trump
We believe we aren't unique.
Can we put an end to this absurdity that Newcastle supporters consider themselves to be ‘extremely special’? It’s a story produced by and sustained by the media.
I appreciated the Simpsons reference in the mood ranking, however.
Chris, Newcastle United Football Club
Annoyances area
I've nearly written this several times lately, but Adidasmufc has removed the brakes with his good message.
Grasping. Or more precisely, stopping an opposing player by either holding them with hands or wrapping arms around them to limit their movement. I simply cannot comprehend why a player tugging on another player’s shirt/shorts/hair/arm/leg/any other part is considered acceptable. And I don't imply that free kicks are not awarded because they are, but in what way is this approach just? No effort to engage with the ball, merely obstruct the offensive player. Surely this ought to be an automatic yellow card? Interestingly, if you perform this action in the 18-yard box, then 99 out of 100 times it doesn't even merit a card! I simply can’t understand it, no matter how much I attempt.
2. Offsides that are evident to everyone as offside but are not called until a "phase of play" has concluded. Absolute and total nonsense, this one. What benefit does it provide for anyone to permit the game to carry on if it will merely be removed from the record regardless? "That was an excellent goal, but you were definitely two feet in front of the last defender, so it doesn’t count, sorry!" And who will take responsibility when a player inevitably gets hurt in a "phase of play" that should have been stopped because an offside call wasn't made promptly? Certainly, it will not be the fools who instituted this regulation, that's certain. Should be discarded right away.
3. Following Adidasmufc’s second point, I’ve never grasped why a player removing their shirt in front of their own supporters is seen as “incitement” and penalized, while an opposing player provoking the fans is not? To clarify, I’m not suggesting that opposing players deserve punishment – I strongly believe in “if you dish it out, you must also be able to handle it” – but if so, then eliminate the penalty for taking off shirts. It’s very improbable that spectators will storm the field simply because a player has taken off his shirt – in the Giggs instance, it's more likely that fans would dash for the exits yelling.
Jeff G, West Brom Fan
In response to Adidasmufc and pet peeves, and as a continuation of the “rolling around in pain” nonsense he mentioned, I have a question. Has anyone else noticed the irony in this?
Scenario 1 – The player experiences minimal contact from the opposing player and promptly falls to the ground in pain, displaying an over-the-top performance as if they have been shot by Mark Wahlberg wielding his large firearm from the movie Shooter.
Scenario 2 – Later in the same game (after an immediate and frankly miraculous recovery), the same player transforms into "ten men" and is ready to take on everyone when the slightest conflict arises that has nothing to do with him at all.
However, while I’m here, perhaps my greatest annoyance is the enormous sum of money currently tied to the game. For even a second, I don’t fault any of the players (I mean, if your employer suddenly offered you £100k/week, you wouldn’t refuse, would you?), but the enormous amounts of money now at stake (and mentioned in the media without hesitation) truly make me feel more detached from the sport I cherish than ever before. It feels as if I no longer fit in.
I consider myself lucky (and thankful) to make enough money for a quite comfortable lifestyle, but I have dear friends and even family members who find it hard to get by from one month to the next, despite holding full-time jobs. Contrast this with Jhon Duran's exit from Aston Villa (you know, Premier League, Champions League, and one of the top 5 or 6 coaches in global football) to play in the desert and in front of no spectators because the (roughly) £50k or £60k weekly “pittance” Villa offered him at the young age of 21 didn’t satisfy him. I always strive to remain impartial, but however you view this, it's greed of an utterly outrageous degree and is only feasible due to the excessive sums of money currently being injected into the sport.
As a proud member of the Grumpy Old B*stards Club, I have a list of gripes that could stretch the length of the M6, but I figured these would suffice for now.
Andy FTM (seems like the playoffs are finally happening, but at least it’s not Donald & Methven, Parky, and pink seats anymore)
...One of the best ever, Chris Waddle, would wear his socks around his ankles. He was once the neighbor of my vet when he was playing for Marseilles (completely unrelated!). It’s not a recent occurrence; lethargic athletes have often been portrayed as metaphorically or literally having their socks at their ankles.
It’s an offense that can be booked due to money. The close-up of the goal scorer brings the shirt and consequently the sponsor into sharp focus; without the shirt, there’s no visibility for the sponsor. The FA is likely to mention being adequately prepared to participate in the match or something similar. It's more probable that sponsors will complain about lacking exposure.
The idea about cut socks is ridiculous.
Without any specific sequence: athletes protesting for all instances even when they are fully aware they're mistaken. Tumbling on the ground, compelling the physio to participate in the injury act and then an unexpected healing. Stand up, Lazarus! Move 40 metres up the field for a throw-in; take it from the spot where it went out.
Dan, sunny countryside France
…To Ryan, Whitehead from the morning postbox.
Happy to know I'm not the only one disturbed by the way Bruno Fernanshhhh is pronounced. Derek Rae does it constantly, and it truly frustrates me.
To be fair to him, he does say Scott McTominay with a Scottish accent, so perhaps he's aiming to incorporate their local dialect over time…
Andy, Washington D.C.
...Regarding Ryan's point on Whitehaven, I genuinely concur that using a foreign accent while pronouncing foreign words in English can indeed be somewhat tricky.
However, he is mistaken regarding Fernandes. From what I gather, it's not a term meant to be pronounced phonetically… you can still pronounce it as “Fernanch” in your own accent instead of “Fer-nan-des,” and you likely should since that's his name.
It's similar to the last name "Menzies". I gaze at it and observe "Men-zees." However, if a Scottish guy asks me to refer to him as “Mingis”, I won’t insist he’s mistaken and hold my ground. He understands more than I do, since it is his name and everything...
Andy (Manchester United Football Club)
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