clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Yes this exactly.
If we had a more attacking manager and only won one of those games we would still have more points now.
But I think we all know what to expect !
Another good squad with poor tactical nouse in charge.
If we had a more attacking manager and only won one of those games we would still have more points now.
But I think we all know what to expect !
Another good squad with poor tactical nouse in charge.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Looks like a competiton (or two) too far for most players and sides what Ive seen of it, not sure Id be overly judging any sides on performances. Be nice to see managers trying some new players, pairing or formations which in fairness southgate has done
Swango1980
Well-known member
We expect it from England though. They seem to play so conservative to simply stop the opposition from playing good offensive football.
It is a tactic that can save you getting outdone offensively, and it will make the opposition less potent. But, it is still dull and unadventurous. The opposition probably feel they just need to score 1 or 2 goals to win, and not worry too much about England putting them under pressure.
I could forgive England a little on this occasion, as the season it pretty much done for the players. But, rarely to England give fans anything to really get excited by. They just hope to slug their way through a tournament. Inevitably, it worsens their chances compared to other big nations. The other nations often just play with more of a swagger or arrogance.
Out of interest, how good are the players in the German and Italian sides at the moment? I'm unsure they have their strongest ever line-ups, and maybe weaker than average?
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Looks like it’s done
Will see Mane , Ox , Phillips and Taki leaving to help pay for it
Tashyboy
Please don’t ask to see my tatts 👍
Italy are in a massive transitional stage having not qualified for the World Cup. Under Mancini they are rebuilding from scratch. I think these games would suit Italy to a tee where they can make a start. Where as under GS. I honestly don’t think he knows what his best 11 is, what his style of play is.
I would of hoped by now he would have a solid foundation of a starting 7, 8 or 9 and players slotting in around that, but it just seems every game new players are tried and new formations. There seems to be no consistency aside from consistent rammel.
Swango1980
Well-known member
He is the international equivalent of Solskjaer
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Swango1980
Well-known member
Sorry, I wasn't clear who I meant. I was comparing to Southgate, not ManciniThat’s strange comparison
The same Mancini who won the Euros with Italy ?
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
Good business.
I know Liverpool fans will hate to see Mane go but actually from the outsider perspective, I think hes the one I'd move on this year while he still holds some value and hes not in the first two names on the team sheet anymore.
Hope he comes in firing, do not want to see City just running away with the league next year with no contest.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Scary for every other side, the gap was massive this season, City have already signed Alvarez and Haaland, Liverpool now signed Nunez
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Its pretty insane and frankly, just not fair
Yup not good for the rest is it
It does make me chuckle when some of our disillusioned fan base think were only a couple of signings away from challenging for the title lol
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
Yup not good for the rest is it
It does make me chuckle when some of our disillusioned fan base think were only a couple of signings away from challenging for the title lol
Nope! It makes me wonder who someone like United are going to have to go in for now? Huge gaps to plug!
I think Chelsea probably are only 2 signings away from challenging but the rest...............Yup not good for the rest is it
It does make me chuckle when some of our disillusioned fan base think were only a couple of signings away from challenging for the title lol
It is not unusual though. Football goes in cycles and these are the current two in the cycle. Always hard to know when it will end but thankfully, in England anyway, it usually does at some point.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Not so sure Chelsea are even that close having lost Rudiger and may lose one or two more at the back. Gonna need a couple of centre halves and a striker as a bare minimum youd think, probably some full back cover too, and ideally a top class midfielder
I'd go CH and a striker. The rest they have plenty of cover for, imo. Blimey, they could always recall the odd loanee from the 21 currently out at other clubs.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
thats not what loanees are for
expect that Gallagaher at least gets reintegrated, wonder whether they consider Broja worth a go too
Swango1980
Well-known member
The danger would be if Utd just splash money on players to try and plug the gap. If they were to go all out for a player, it would really have to be a player who is not only quality, but is less risky in terms of what sort of character and professionalism to the team. We have just been burned too many times by splashing money on big time charlies. Just as an example, Mbappe is clearly an immense player, but if Utd had signed him I'd be anxious as to the sort of guy he'd be like in the dressing room, and what his motivations were. Whereas, if they brought in someone like Kane or Son then I feel that, probability wise, they'd be better personalities to have. Clearly, only based on what I see, and I only used these players as an example rather than the sort of players I could see Utd going for (with Mbappe obviously committing himself to PSG after they kindly offered him a "small" pay rise).
I'd imagine few Utd fans don't expect us to fully close the gap to City or Liverpool. We just want to see a positive improvement to where we have found ourselves. We are like a 10 handicapper in the Club Championships who shoots two awful rounds of 90+, whilst a couple of scratch golfers compete for lowest gross. We are not silly enough to think we'll compete for lowest gross next year. Instead, we'd be happy to sort out our game, get our handicap to about 7 or 8 through hard work, and then hope to maybe close the gap on the leaders for the event next year.
As for Liverpool and City, it'll be interesting. They have already been competing at an extremely high standard. And, big name players will, on paper, make them better. Especially for City, as Haaland fills a position City clearly were lacking. However, even when big players are brought in, given the level they were before, any potential gains become more marginal (if the new players play as expected). It is like a decade ago when Barcelona were a truly brilliant team. They could go and buy another immense player, but if they were already playing close to the top level a team could play, how much better could the team perform? For Liverpool, I think Liverpool fans would agree that they are delighted with all their attacking players and what they have contributed. So, will another brilliant forward automatically make them even better? And, if that player replaces Mane, will they be better for Liverpool than Mane was, given how much Mane is praised by Liverpool fans (and more widely).
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Ha ha. I know, not at Chelsea anyway.thats not what loanees are for
expect that Gallagaher at least gets reintegrated, wonder whether they consider Broja worth a go too
I think holding on to both of those make sense. They can always send them out again at Christmas if they are sat warming the bench.
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
I agree, its certainly been you plan of the past 10 years and it clearly isnt successful in the long term.
You do need to regain top 4 though! There have to be some additions to even do that!
