Grant, I’m glad you caught the name mispronunciation as well. For those of us who work in a context with a significant number of Latinos, saying someone’s name correctly is a sign of respect.
How is City not leading the league? They scored the most goals and conceded the least, typically a sign of champions. City drew twice, while Arsenal lost once. They didn't play each other yet, and the first match-up at the Emirates was postponed for after the World Cup because Arsenal has to make up the match with PSV.
I am not sure who would win if the teams played each other. The teams that were able to beat Pep's City multiple times - Chelsea, Real, and Tottenham - ceded possession, had a steely defense, an explosive counter, and some luck. That is not Arsenal's style of play, but Arsenal was very close (and unlucky) to beating City last year at the Emirates, when the gap was even larger. On paper City looks unbeatable (yet never Invincible), but that's the reason they play the games.
Teams, including City, will continue to lose points. The season is long. But City is a clear favorite to win the league. 20 points from 8 matches is at a pace of 95 points, which is typically enough to win the league (only once - in 2018-19 - 95 points wouldn't have sufficed). How did they lose points at all? The draw at Newcastle was a very fair result, City was second best for stretches, but used their superior quality to equalize going 1-3 down. At Aston Villa, they didn't kill the game, were stung, and couldn't score at the little time left. It's a very competitive league. Every win is hard-earned - in that context, Pep's City is even more impressive.
Ten Hag was too arrogant today to change his approach, playing "his" way, and not recognizing City's superiority. Probably, starting Casemiro for Eriksen would have been more tactically-aware, although Eriksen's passing was one of the brighter spots in what otherwise was an abysmal first half. Dalot and Malacia were exposed early and often (Erling and Foden?), and I'm not sure that United's squad is talented enough to play at City's level with any formation or lineup.
As for the mispronunciation of Martinez's name - I know that it's nails on a chalkboard for you, as a Spanish speaker and an American, but generally, we can be a little forgiving. We all mispronounce almost all Portuguese names (the terminal S should be pronounced as /sh/). We are not expected to say /PAH-ree/ when talking about Paris. Crystal Palace did a wonderful thing in posting a video of their players saying their own name, probably all teams should follow.
Didnt see the game but agree that Haaland is the next Cristiano Ronaldo thankfully. I was worried that the football world had seen its last wunderkind.
I agree with you on the name butchering. I mean, it is these guys' job to get this right. Maybe they can't get past their recognition of the name "Martin". Who knows?
On another of your points, maybe Ronaldo sells too many jerseys to let him go?
Keep up the good work, Grant! Looking forward to your coverage of the WC. You are going to be a busy man!
I think Haaland should comfortably break the PL goal scoring if he can stay healthy, even mostly healthy, but that was not the case with BVB last year. As a City fan goals like the second make me cringe a little given his massive frame and injury history. The De Bruyne to Haaland connection is honestly almost unfair at times though, like on that goal.
Also, the only thing worse than an English announcer saying "HIM-uh-nez" is an English announcer saying "HIM-uh-neth". Thank you for taking issue with this Grant.
Grant, I’m glad you caught the name mispronunciation as well. For those of us who work in a context with a significant number of Latinos, saying someone’s name correctly is a sign of respect.
I watch it in Spanish with Andres Cantor much better then English commentators
How is City not leading the league? They scored the most goals and conceded the least, typically a sign of champions. City drew twice, while Arsenal lost once. They didn't play each other yet, and the first match-up at the Emirates was postponed for after the World Cup because Arsenal has to make up the match with PSV.
I am not sure who would win if the teams played each other. The teams that were able to beat Pep's City multiple times - Chelsea, Real, and Tottenham - ceded possession, had a steely defense, an explosive counter, and some luck. That is not Arsenal's style of play, but Arsenal was very close (and unlucky) to beating City last year at the Emirates, when the gap was even larger. On paper City looks unbeatable (yet never Invincible), but that's the reason they play the games.
Teams, including City, will continue to lose points. The season is long. But City is a clear favorite to win the league. 20 points from 8 matches is at a pace of 95 points, which is typically enough to win the league (only once - in 2018-19 - 95 points wouldn't have sufficed). How did they lose points at all? The draw at Newcastle was a very fair result, City was second best for stretches, but used their superior quality to equalize going 1-3 down. At Aston Villa, they didn't kill the game, were stung, and couldn't score at the little time left. It's a very competitive league. Every win is hard-earned - in that context, Pep's City is even more impressive.
Ten Hag was too arrogant today to change his approach, playing "his" way, and not recognizing City's superiority. Probably, starting Casemiro for Eriksen would have been more tactically-aware, although Eriksen's passing was one of the brighter spots in what otherwise was an abysmal first half. Dalot and Malacia were exposed early and often (Erling and Foden?), and I'm not sure that United's squad is talented enough to play at City's level with any formation or lineup.
As for the mispronunciation of Martinez's name - I know that it's nails on a chalkboard for you, as a Spanish speaker and an American, but generally, we can be a little forgiving. We all mispronounce almost all Portuguese names (the terminal S should be pronounced as /sh/). We are not expected to say /PAH-ree/ when talking about Paris. Crystal Palace did a wonderful thing in posting a video of their players saying their own name, probably all teams should follow.
Didnt see the game but agree that Haaland is the next Cristiano Ronaldo thankfully. I was worried that the football world had seen its last wunderkind.
I agree with you on the name butchering. I mean, it is these guys' job to get this right. Maybe they can't get past their recognition of the name "Martin". Who knows?
On another of your points, maybe Ronaldo sells too many jerseys to let him go?
Keep up the good work, Grant! Looking forward to your coverage of the WC. You are going to be a busy man!
I think Haaland should comfortably break the PL goal scoring if he can stay healthy, even mostly healthy, but that was not the case with BVB last year. As a City fan goals like the second make me cringe a little given his massive frame and injury history. The De Bruyne to Haaland connection is honestly almost unfair at times though, like on that goal.
Also, the only thing worse than an English announcer saying "HIM-uh-nez" is an English announcer saying "HIM-uh-neth". Thank you for taking issue with this Grant.