The Footie Thread

[Bazz]

I don’t think Dyche is the problem, we need a half decent CF.

This is from Sky yesterday.

View attachment 56096
This was after half an hour, 7 minutes later were are deservedly 2-0 down and never recovered, we’ve done this time and time again.

Early on in the Season we through away a few 2-0 leads, last season our defence was in the top 5 in the PL in terms of goals conceded, same players are useless this season and need to start standing up!

That screenshot is the same sized font my dad uses on his phone.

We're in for a 4-4 on Wednesday then. Give me a boring 0-1 to head back down the M6 with.

 

[PaulMdj]

That screenshot is the same sized font my dad uses on his phone.

We're in for a 4-4 on Wednesday then. Give me a boring 0-1 to head back down the M6 with.

I’ll take the 1-0 home win as well.

 

[BrianM]

The team is flat, that is not on one player missing. Too many players are not quite sharp enough, they are not flowing as they should. Whether that is a build up of mental fatigue, loss of form of too many players at once, pass . They don't look right, no question, but I doubt that is purely down to Rodri, as good as he is.

Mental fatigue is a massive contribution in my opinion, these players have been playing at an unprecedented level for years now, there was going to come a time when it just takes its toll and everything is a bit of a struggle.
Don't think they will win the league now, but they will definitely be in the top 4.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Mental fatigue is a massive contribution in my opinion, these players have been playing at an unprecedented level for years now, there was going to come a time when it just takes its toll and everything is a bit of a struggle.
Don't think they will win the league now, but they will definitely be in the top 4.

The mental fatigue side is why Klopp left imo - as much as City have thrown everything into winning year after year there is also a toil on the teams trying to keep up and think Klopp left before it got too much

Maybe Pep has stayed that little bit too long and is suffering as well - he certainly hasn’t been himself this season

I think the days of managers staying for 20 years ala Ferguson etc are gone now , the pressure and mental strain will be too much

 

[BrianM]

The mental fatigue side is why Klopp left imo - as much as City have thrown everything into winning year after year there is also a toil on the teams trying to keep up and think Klopp left before it got too much

Maybe Pep has stayed that little bit too long and is suffering as well - he certainly hasn’t been himself this season

I think the days of managers staying for 20 years ala Ferguson etc are gone now , the pressure and mental strain will be too much

I'd agree, completely different era now, the scrutiny and social media side must take their toll, for players, managers and their families.

 

[Crazyface]

Has anyone else noticed that City aren't even playing like City? All this rubbish about x player being out! Good lord. City have a system. The entire club is built to play this system. For some reason they are playing hoofball! Why? All the players kmow the system and will be able to fit in and adapt. But they aren't. Why? Also, why is Real Madrid struggling in the Champs League, League? Only just in the play off bit. Same as City. The two powerhouses have collapsed? Don't make me laugh! There is something afoot!

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I'd agree, completely different era now, the scrutiny and social media side must take their toll, for players, managers and their families.

It can’t be easy and it can’t all be ignored by big wages etc

Yeah they will love the sport but they also need to realise that there will come a point when they need a break - I expect Pep will leave at the end of the season tbh

 

[Swango1980]

Is that after the club lost its 3rd starting CB to a season ending injury recovering using two academy players to get back into the top 4 ?

Think in total it was 23 players through the season missing games and 52 seperate game absences

Believe it was the worse set of injuries that a club has had and still not been matched since

But of course you knew that when you went looking for something to counter the point

Hmmmm

I don't remember you offering much leniency to Man Utd last season, despite Dalot pretty much being the only fit defender throughout the season, and everyone else just being rushed in as and when they showed any signs of being able to stand on two feet. Injuries, then, were not seen as an excuse.

But, if Liverpool have a few injuries, then it's a whole different ball game.

And in regards to Man City, not only do they have the best player on the planet out injured, have they not also had a recent run of bad injuries? I seem to remember Pep saying Man City had a load of injuries not that long ago?

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Hmmmm

I don't remember you offering much leniency to Man Utd last season, despite Dalot pretty much being the only fit defender throughout the season, and everyone else just being rushed in as and when they showed any signs of being able to stand on two feet. Injuries, then, were not seen as an excuse.

Sorry I didn’t realise Man Utd last season was part of the discussion and I’m sure the injuries were brought up last season

But I’m sure like Klopp - ETH managed to used his resources to get results

But, if Liverpool have a few injuries, then it's a whole different ball game.

Is it ? Says who

And in regards to Man City, not only do they have the best player on the planet out injured, have they not also had a recent run of bad injuries? I seem to remember Pep saying Man City had a load of injuries not that long ago?

Yes City have had some injuries this season , so have Arsenal , so have Liverpool

I’m sure there is a point you are trying to make

 

[Swango1980]

Sorry I didn’t realise Man Utd last season was part of the discussion and I’m sure the injuries were brought up last season

But I’m sure like Klopp - ETH managed to used his resources to get results


Is it ? Says who


Yes City have had some injuries this season , so have Arsenal , so have Liverpool

I’m sure there is a point you are trying to make

Your first point was clearly relevant when using the "injury excuse" given it was a topic of much discussion last season, I'm sorry you fail to get that point. Surprised though, as it is your favourite club to talk about.

You seem to have some very jumbled up logic at times, it is almost you will use either side of the argument depending on the side of the debate you are for?

You start by saying Ferguson, Klopp and Mourinho have found a way around losing big players in the past. I then simply point out a spell in Liverpool's recent history where Klopp seems to have struggled to do that over a period of a few weeks (and I'm sure Ferguson and Mourinho had such spells as well). Then you use the injury excuse as to why Sir Klopp struggled then.

So, on one hand you are using the injury excuse as to why Liverpool struggled for a period in 2021, and yet you are now saying "yes City have had some injuries this season, so have Arsenal, so have Liverpool", which suggests injuries are not an excuse?

So, I'm definitely struggling to see the point you are trying to make today?

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Your first point was clearly relevant when using the "injury excuse" given it was a topic of much discussion last season, I'm sorry you fail to get that point. Surprised though, as it is your favourite club to talk about.

You seem to have some very jumbled up logic at times, it is almost you will use either side of the argument depending on the side of the debate you are for?

You start by saying Ferguson, Klopp and Mourinho have found a way around losing big players in the past. I then simply point out a spell in Liverpool's recent history where Klopp seems to have struggled to do that over a period of a few weeks (and I'm sure Ferguson and Mourinho had such spells as well). Then you use the injury excuse as to why Sir Klopp struggled then.

So, on one hand you are using the injury excuse as to why Liverpool struggled for a period in 2021, and yet you are now saying "yes City have had some injuries this season, so have Arsenal, so have Liverpool", which suggests injuries are not an excuse?

So, I'm definitely struggling to see the point you are trying to make today?

Yes managers have got round losing a big player in the past

You do understand that I was talking in the singular as opposed to the multiple

The seasons you “researched and pointed out” VVD had his season ending injury in October , 2 months later the team after not losing for that period moved to the top of the table - the manager was able to work past losing the best defender in world football

The post you picked up was about City struggling missing Rodri

Yes we struggled for a period during 2021 - when we lost all the clubs seniors CBs , plus two of the clubs main CM’s whilst - but even then the team recovered to finish 3rd - ( think it was an 11 match unbeaten run ) an example we played Man City with two CM’s as the Two CBs

And Pep still has a lot of the season to recover and find a solution to get past missing Rodri but at the moment he is struggling and it could be for various reasons

But if you going to compare poor runs at least make it a bit more comparable

 

[Swango1980]

Yes managers have got round losing a big player in the past

You do understand that I was talking in the singular as opposed to the multiple

The seasons you “researched and pointed out” VVD had his season ending injury in October , 2 months later the team after not losing for that period moved to the top of the table - the manager was able to work past losing the best defender in world football

The post you picked up was about City struggling missing Rodri

Yes we struggled for a period during 2021 - when we lost all the clubs seniors CBs , plus two of the clubs main CM’s whilst - but even then the team recovered to finish 3rd - ( think it was an 11 match unbeaten run ) an example we played Man City with two CM’s as the Two CBs

And Pep still has a lot of the season to recover and find a solution to get past missing Rodri but at the moment he is struggling and it could be for various reasons

But if you going to compare poor runs at least make it a bit more comparable

Did you miss the question I asked about Man City having other injuries as well?

Perhaps I'll ask a Man City fan instead, as they are less likely going to deflect away from a question if it doesn't suit their argument

Any Man City fans, have you had other injury problems over the last month or so besides Rodri? I only ask because I seem to remember Pep making a big thing of it.

The way I see it, Man City were not too bad before they went on this poor run. They then played a weakened side against Spurs in League Cup (maybe due to injuries, rather than just rotation?) and lost. At the time, Pep and a few of the benched players (Haaland) seemed to find it amusing. They then lose away to Bournemouth at the weekend after that, then despite the fact they could have been 4/5 nil up versus Sporting in 1st half, get battered in 2nd half. They then continue a poor run, where their defence looks very fragile and lacks a lot of confidence. Playing at Anfield told us very little else, it was probably the worst place for them to go when they are that low in confidence.

It'll be tough for them to get a bit of form back, but all it needs is for something to just go their way, get a win, and then you could easily see them win loads of games in quick succession. I'm enjoying seeing their struggles at the moment, but can't really read too much into things until the end of the season. If they finish 10th, then big questions can be asked about their future. But, they could still quite easily finish 2nd, only 2 points behind Arsenal at moment

 

[clubchamp98]

The pace of the PL has taken its toll on City imo.
Their relentless press seems to have dropped a lot lately.
Throw in the CL revised format and players are knackered.

But mentally this must affect managers and staff as well.

But I have always said if you attack City you can get at them.
That’s what teams are doing now and City can’t cope at the back,,
Plus the strikers are misfiring a bit.

They will be back soon so enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[AmandaJR]

Did you miss the question I asked about Man City having other injuries as well?

Perhaps I'll ask a Man City fan instead, as they are less likely going to deflect away from a question if it doesn't suit their argument

Any Man City fans, have you had other injury problems over the last month or so besides Rodri? I only ask because I seem to remember Pep making a big thing of it.

The way I see it, Man City were not too bad before they went on this poor run. They then played a weakened side against Spurs in League Cup (maybe due to injuries, rather than just rotation?) and lost. At the time, Pep and a few of the benched players (Haaland) seemed to find it amusing. They then lose away to Bournemouth at the weekend after that, then despite the fact they could have been 4/5 nil up versus Sporting in 1st half, get battered in 2nd half. They then continue a poor run, where their defence looks very fragile and lacks a lot of confidence. Playing at Anfield told us very little else, it was probably the worst place for them to go when they are that low in confidence.

It'll be tough for them to get a bit of form back, but all it needs is for something to just go their way, get a win, and then you could easily see them win loads of games in quick succession. I'm enjoying seeing their struggles at the moment, but can't really read too much into things until the end of the season. If they finish 10th, then big questions can be asked about their future. But, they could still quite easily finish 2nd, only 2 points behind Arsenal at moment

Yes. That's all I'll say as it's the usual "debate" that is only going one way. Life really is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too short

 

[Arthur Wedge]

The pace of the PL has taken its toll on City imo.
Their relentless press seems to have dropped a lot lately.
Throw in the CL revised format and players are knackered.

But mentally this must affect managers and staff as well.

But I have always said if you attack City you can get at them.
That’s what teams are doing now and City can’t cope at the back,,
Plus the strikers are misfiring a bit.

They will be back soon so enjoy it while it lasts.

It’s very much a lot of energy both mentally and physical these days within the Prem and it is amazing how some players can just keep on going - but most of the pressure is on one person - the manager , and it’s going to take a hell of a lot out of that manager -

Pep has been going for 9 years now and the intensity must be immense for him - he seems a high intense person anyway - for his own sake I just hope his mental health is watched.

 

[Hogieefc]

A combination of that, not surprising to be fair, and also the new guys will want to name the new manager, again unsurprising. Also, sack him, what manager will come in when new owners are due but the deal is not cleared? They will want clarity before signing.

According to reports, they estimate the takeover should get approval during December. Unless he goes on a heck of a run I can't see him surviving long after the new people come in. He hasn't shown anything this year that suggests his deal, ends in the summer, is worth renewing.

I am pretty sure the Friedkin group will bring a new manager in as they appear pretty ruthless at Roma, i seen somewhere on the internet that it would cost them 3 million to pay Dyche and backroom staff off if thats right and they start a go fund me page off they will get that within 24 hours.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1863302377085837513

 

[clubchamp98]

It’s very much a lot of energy both mentally and physical these days within the Prem and it is amazing how some players can just keep on going - but most of the pressure is on one person - the manager , and it’s going to take a hell of a lot out of that manager -

Pep has been going for 9 years now and the intensity must be immense for him - he seems a high intense person anyway - for his own sake I just hope his mental health is watched.

Sure it said on the news he’s just signed a two year extension!

So he can’t be feeling it that much.

 

[Norrin Radd]

All this talk of injuries to certain teams makes me laugh .just check the stats for which team lost most game hours due to injuries last season and for that matter this season so far .
You would be surprised that two teams had a mare last year .and not who you would think .

 

[Hobbit]

How times have changed. Chelsea team & bus, 1972.