PL 2021/22 Season

[Mark79]

I'm not suggesting he will be playing continuously from now until the next tournament; I'm suggesting he'll play the remainder of the post World Cup Premier League campaign, then head off on international duty until the AFCON tournament concludes (if they get that far) 23 July 2023. Hence going into the season after next (23/24), he could be coming back shattered physically and mentally again, and not get a proper pre-season under his belt which might be a major hindrance (and opportunity for excuse-making antics) for the season (23/24) ahead, while draining massive resources from the club (presuming the contract impasse has been resolved by then). Avoiding this potential problem can be added to the "pro column" of cashing in now and reinvesting, IMHO.

He’ll be playing the remainder of that PL campaign off the back of a mid season month off. Then, Summer International tournament followed by domestic campaign is the routine he’s used to and been doing most of his career. He’ll still get a short break post AFCON before beginning the next season, rather than going straight back into the middle of the campaign like this year. It’ll be a breeze compared to what he’s just done.

That said, if he could sack off the international football, that’d be ideal.

[banditos]

League looking a very long shot now. If hammers do manage to beat city on the weekend, then I guess we try and thump saints for GD. That would at least give us a fighting chance on the last day.

[RedReet]

I'm not suggesting he will be playing continuously from now until the next tournament; I'm suggesting he'll play the remainder of the post World Cup Premier League campaign, then head off on international duty until the AFCON tournament concludes (if they get that far) 23 July 2023. Hence going into the season after next (23/24), he could be coming back shattered physically and mentally again, and not get a proper pre-season under his belt which might be a major hindrance (and opportunity for excuse-making antics) for the season (23/24) ahead, while draining massive resources from the club (presuming the contract impasse has been resolved by then). Avoiding this potential problem can be added to the "pro column" of cashing in now and reinvesting, IMHO.

What's that mean?

[kingfunk]

League looking a very long shot now. If hammers do manage to beat city on the weekend, then I guess we try and thump saints for GD. That would at least give us a fighting chance on the last day.

Need both hammers and villa to take points, not impossible but highly unlikely. No guarantee we win ours. The league is over

[Fosterbloke]

The league is done - but we have to remember how remarkably well the team have done to challenge to within two games of the season whilst getting to the European Cup final and both domestic finals, and winning one of them already!

AND there's more...

Losing our two top scorers half way through the season to the AFCON
Nursing our best defender back to full match fitness throughout the season
Integrating an 18 year old (perhaps prematurely) then seeing him badly injured
Dealing with the deaths of two parents (Klopp's and Alisson's)

I know all teams will have issues that I don't know about because I don't follow them but the above are pretty big deals even just by themselves!

[Doc_Piptorious]

Need both hammers and villa to take points, not impossible but highly unlikely. No guarantee we win ours. The league is over

You are forgotting the Jaco P guarantee

Saints ship eight and West Ham get three.


Then a final day with Wolves and Villa getting thumped and us winning the league by a single goal.

[Kenneth]

I think pretty much all of the significant league spots are settled imo. Those in the relegation zone will be relegated, the top three are done. Fourth is the only one in play and I think spurs will get it.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I think pretty much all of the significant league spots are settled imo. Those in the relegation zone will be relegated, the top three are done. Fourth is the only one in play and I think spurs will get it.

They may be, but until they actually are I am going to keep on enjoying the what ifs and improbables.


Relegation I could not really give a toss about other than I know that at least one club I dislike will go down one way of the other, and the rest of the top four outside of us I could care less about either.

Fouth place, third place etc only interest me if we were chasing one of those slots.

[Fosterbloke]

I think pretty much all of the significant league spots are settled imo. Those in the relegation zone will be relegated, the top three are done. Fourth is the only one in play and I think spurs will get it.

I think Arsenal can hold on and will celebrate St.Totteringham Day in style

[Kenneth]

Looking promising for spurs at the moment at 2-0 up and a man up. Plenty of time for them to spurs it though.

[Saveloy]

The league is done - but we have to remember how remarkably well the team have done to challenge to within two games of the season whilst getting to the European Cup final and both domestic finals, and winning one of them already!

AND there's more...

Losing our two top scorers half way through the season to the AFCON
Nursing our best defender back to full match fitness throughout the season
Integrating an 18 year old (perhaps prematurely) then seeing him badly injured
Dealing with the deaths of two parents (Klopp's and Alisson's)

I know all teams will have issues that I don't know about because I don't follow them but the above are pretty big deals even just by themselves!

Great post.

[Buzzo]

West Ham have a more than solid chance of getting back into the Europa League… BUT. They have to beat City at home.

It’s our only hope.

[Doc_Piptorious]

West Ham have a more than solid chance of getting back into the Europa League… BUT. They have to beat City at home.

It’s our only hope.

A hope I am happy to hang my hat on for now

[Shaggy]

West Ham have a more than solid chance of getting back into the Europa League… BUT. They have to beat City at home.

It’s our only hope.

Even then we'll need Villa to go to City and get a result. No ****ing chance.

[Tribute]

Even then we'll need Villa to go to City and get a result. No ****ing chance.

and if Villa miraculously win by a single goal margin, by the last game of the season we might well need to score something stupid like 10 without reply to win it on GD...

Sadly, we're no Bristol Rovers