Manchester United banter 2

14 Apr 2024 11:11:16
Moving away from what is happening on the pitch I want to ask the question would our squad be better now if we hadn't kept players who weren't good enough for so long.

Moved them on and keep the squad size down and enable us to give some of the academy players more game time for them to develop.

This season we can look around the EPL and see several of our former academy players thriving and playing well for other clubs. All of them playing consistently at a better level than many of the players we have been playing each week.

James Garner has become a regular at Everton and is developing nicely. I wonder whether he'd be even better now than he is if he had more game time over the past couple of years.

Looking at how Casemiro has declined this year and the fact we have no one bar Mainoo who can play as a deeper midfielder, would Garner not have been a better option than Casemiro this season? He's certainly playing better than the Brazilian.

You then have Teden Mengi looking very good in a battling Luton side. He's arguably been one of their best players alongside the likes of Doughty and Barkley this season. Still only 21 and certainly his qualities would have seen our defence be able to play a higher line and maybe concede fewer shots. Did we keep the likes of Jones, Bailly and Lindelof around for too long blocking his pathway?

Finally there is Anthony Elanga, 5 goals and 8 assists for a struggling Forest side. Only Bruno Fernandes (14) in our squad, has more goals and assists than Elanga's 13 in the EPL this season.

Would he have not been a better option to Antony or Rashford at times this season?

We have seemingly allowed him to leave, while we have hoarded the likes of Sancho, Antony, Pellistri and Amad over him. Possibly because we spent big fees on those players. Yet he has easily outshone all of them with regular game time this season, mostly playing on the right hand side as well.

Now I'm not saying any of these three players are or will ultimately be good enough for where we want to be. Just that with game time they are showing themselves to be better than many of the players we currently have in the side.

Seeing them flourish with regular games at rival EPL clubs just goes to further highlight the flaws in having a bloated squad and the lack of foresight in keeping players on the books for financial reasons over footballing ones.

Would our squad be perfect with Garner, Mengi and Elanga in it over the likes of Casemiro, Lindelof and Sancho? No it wouldn't, but it would be better than what it is now.

We have 36 players on the books in the first team squad, that needs to be trimmed down to below 25 this summer so that the next batch of talented academy players don't see their development stagnate, forcing them to leave to reach their potential like Garner, Mengi and Elanga have had to.

14 Apr 2024 11:55:41
Kambwala, Shappy, Kambwala.

14 Apr 2024 12:52:16
Ork, I agree he needs game time. The question is where that will be most beneficial for him.

Players like Garner and Mengi stagnated because we kept them for a season and they hardly got a kick.

Both players needed to go out on loan as we had too bloated a squad to be able to give them the number of minutes they need.

I'm all for keeping Kambwala here next season as long as it's either as a first choice or at most a 3rd choice option at CB.

That means he has to play at least 1000-1400 minutes of football next season. If he doesn't play that many at a bare minimum then we will be restricting his ability to develop and reach his potential.

I want him to be a success, to do that he needs to play.

If we keep him in the squad as 4th/ 5th choice and he only plays 300 minutes of football then we will be ruining his chances of maximising his potential.

He's at a key age, physically he looks ready to play men's football. He clearly has the talent and skills to be successful at the highest level. Now he needs to play to show he has the mentality to cope with the demands and have the opportunity to make the mistakes he needs to make to learn how to play his position to an elite level.

Without that game time the mistakes he made yesterday will stay in his game and he won't be able to iron them out.

Keeping him and playing him regularly next season means accepting he will make mistakes. Mistakes that will cost us points and ultimately might be the difference between finishing in a UCL or a Europa league place next season.

That's all part of the parcel of developing young players. They cost you points at times during a season, or they make the mistake that gets you knocked out of a cup. Hopefully they learn from it and become better players because of it.

Garnacho for example has just as much potential this season as he had last season. Yet it's the consistency of minutes that have seen him rapidly develop from a impact sub last season to a player who can consistently perform across the whole 90 minutes this season. Although I also feel a change in position from left to right has forced him to play with his head up more, adding greater variety to his game. He certainly has a better impact on the team when he plays on the right compared to the left.

If we want to see Kambwala have a similar development trajectory to Garnacho and Mainoo then he needs to play a similar number of minutes. It's that simple.

A pathway into the first team isn't always about just throwing out those players who aren't good enough and chucking a youngster into the squad in their place.

It's about carefully planning the best route for a player to develop to the point where they can regularly play in the first 11 to the standard required.

For Kambwala that might mean a loan next season to a carefully selected club where he'll play most weeks and ideally in a similar style to what our first team will play. Helping him develop the skills and understanding needed to play the way the first team will need him to play. While he's on loan that probably means keeping one or even both of Lindelof and Maguire to be that 4th/ 5th choice option next season.

They can be the ones to play 300-500 minutes for United across the season, while Kambwala plays 2000-2500 minutes elsewhere. Giving him the game time he needs to develop and be ready to hopefully come back to the club and be the replacement for Lindelof/ Maguire for the 2025/ 26 season and push to be the first sub/ rotation option at CB or even push to be first choice.

I think the game yesterday highlighted that he needs more game time a development to be ready to play regularly for the first team to the level and consistency required.

If he's going to struggle and make simple mistakes against a midfield table side like Bournemouth, then he will likely cost us too many goals to be a regular starter next season.

We need to be realistic about how and when he will be ready for us, we then need to plan a pathway for him that means he will get his chances when he's ready to be step up and be a regular starter.

He also has it a little against him compared to the likes of Garnacho and Mainoo in that they can make mistakes without it likely leading to us conceding a goal. Kambwala doesn't have that luxury, which is why I think he needs a loan next season. Let him play somewhere where he can make these mistakes and learn from them, so that when he comes back those are mostly ironed out of his game and he's ready to compete for a regular first team spot.

There are few fans on here who are a bigger supporter of youth at our club than me. Ideally my dream would be to have the capability to field a first 11 of academy players, all of which are good enough to be first choice in a title winning team.

However, I appreciate that for them to succeed that they all need a personalised pathway to progress into the first team. That there needs to be a balance between creating space for the youth to get chances, but also have a squad capable of challenging on all fronts so that when the youth players get a chance, they have quality players around them to learn from and to support and carry them at times through a game so they can develop.

It's a balancing act underpinned by a desire to develop young players along with an understanding of how to give them the space and opportunities to grow.

14 Apr 2024 22:08:19
For reference and simplicity 😂

500 mins = 5-6 games
1000 mins = 11 games
2500 mins = 28 games.

15 Apr 2024 11:21:50
James Garner do me a favour Shappy.

14 Apr 2024 09:31:30
One win in seven EPL games, sixth position, 10 points off Spurs and now West Ham are closing in, Chelsea too. Our worst finish was under Moyes, seventh.

It was put to ETH after yesterday that below seventh would be the worst EPL finish, and did he think we would finish above that. ETH stormed out.

Time is up.

14 Apr 2024 10:41:06
7th place, potentially 8th by this afternoon.

14 Apr 2024 10:48:55
I think the writing is on the wall unfortunately. This is starting to have the same feelings as it did in the final weeks of Moyes, LvG, Jose and Ole.

I think EtH knows he will not be manager next season, I think the players know he won't be manager here next season, and I think the press know he won't be manager next season, meaning we have this awkward dead man walking situation.

It won't get better this season, and nothing will happen any time soon. We just have to ride it out for the next month or two until the situation is sorted.

14 Apr 2024 10:55:21
Shappy, every one of those names had different characteristics. The common theme is the players remain whilst the boss gets sacked. Funny old rinse and repeat procedure.

14 Apr 2024 11:28:27
Feasibly, if we play as poorly as we did yesterday, even Bournemouth themselves could catch up with us.


On paper, our next two PL games are winnable, but even Sheffield United and Burnley will fancy something from OT.
Then what?
Away at Palace and Brighton, home to Arsenal and Newcastle - with our current form, I'd be surprised if we got a solitary point from the final 4 games.

14 Apr 2024 12:07:38
Fizz, I think EtH is potentially the best manager we have had post SAF. Or at least the best potential fit for our club.

Yet the way the club has been run top to bottom has made managing our club an impossible task.

Competing at the highest level is hard enough when you have a well run club, it's simply not possible with a badly run club. Certainly not in the competitive environment that is the EPL. Too much money and too many other clubs ready to pounce if you drop your level even by a few percent.

The players are a problem, but I don't entirely blame them. I'm sure they aren't playing badly or lacking motivation because they want the club or the manager at least to fail. They are professional sportsmen, they are super competitive by nature. It's not possible to become a professional footballer without that competitive desire.

I do however believe it's not impossible to lose that drive in the wrong environment. To become too comfortable, unchallenged, and devoid of that fire in your belly.

Do we give the players too much, too soon? Yeah, almost certainly. Big contracts handed out like candy in the playground.

While the clubs decision to hoard players, to not let those who aren't good enough leave (or push them out), means the managers have had to deal with having too many players and not enough time to focus on developing them or a team identity.

Anyone whose tried teaching will tell you, explaining an idea or theory to 10 people and getting them to have a clear understanding of it is far easier than trying to do so with 30 people.

The bloated squad will therefore make it harder for the manager to get his ideas across clearly, and limit his time with each player individually to help them gain a greater understanding of their role within the team. What they need to improve on and how they can do it.

It is also much harder to create a strong team mentality in a bloated squad. Too many players who are on the periphery of the team, knowing they will get limited chances and become demotivated. That sees a drop in the level they train at, which means the first team players are not being pushed as much in training. Which limits their ability to be pushed into peak form.

You then have your little cliques forming, maybe by nationality or common spoken language or culture, or maybe their role in the squad, or due to personality and shared interests. It's impossible to create a strong team dynamic when there are groups within your group. It brings into question where your loyalties lie. Who do you back when you have to choose between the good of the team and one of your mates from your clique?

Has Rashford for example been adversely impacted by the Sancho debacle? Who does he support in that situation? The manager and the team, or his friend?

All the best (certainly the most successful managers) tend to want to work with a smaller group. Jose said he wanted 20 outfield players and 3 goalkeepers. Pep and Klopp have strong squads, but not massive ones. Arteta reduced the size of the Arsenal squad during his time at the club, making it smaller but with higher quality.

You then also have the issue that we have a disjointed squad. I refer to it as the Frankenstein squad, made up of different parts from different managers. There is no clear coherent theme or style of player, making is particularly difficult to choose a style of play that will get the best out of the players we have.

There is no manager in existence who could make this group of players successful under the circumstances that they would find at our club.

There are too many problems, no support from above, and no plan or vision to work towards.

In my opinion EtH has done the best job of keeping the plates spinning under the circumstances he has faced. Is he a perfect manager? Absolutely not, he has his flaws just like any manager.

SAF was probably our best ever manager, yet he still had flaws. He was tactically limited, and would rely heavily on his revolting door of assistant managers to bring in new ideas and help evolve the team to suit the changing game. He could be too outspoken at times, and picked fights he shouldn't have. Such as the one that opened the door to the Glazers buying the club. He also made mistakes by allowing personal opinions to dictate decisions too much. Like giving chances to academy players who signed up to his son's agency, or falling out with certain agents, meaning we couldn't get deals done for their clients, or throwing out members of the media from press conferences leading to an increase in negative media stories around the club.

No one is perfect, even the best. It's about finding the right fit and having the foresight and drive to put into place plans to mitigate those weaknesses or potential flaws.

Like hiring tactically intelligent coaches to support a manager who isn't as tactically knowledgeable.

Or having a clear hiring structure that doesn't give the manager too much power.

Or having someone acting as the bridge between the academy and the first team, someone who can help the club create pathways for the young players to get into the first team.

All of these things are what the new owners are trying to put into place at the club. Highlighting how lacking the club has been in being able to support a manager and create an environment where they can succeed.

EtH has been given too much sway in our signings, possibly because he was aware of the club's poor recruitment and he didn't want to be saddled with players who he didn't want. He isn't an expert in terms of recruitment, it's not a strength of his, yet it's something he has had to do because the structure at the club doesn't support the manager with a good and consistent recruitment plan.

Personally I'd like to see EtH be given a chance with a well set up club. A club that supports him and gives him the chance to succeed.

However, that can only happen if both the manager and the club are willing to work together with a new structure in place.

While there is also a tipping point, a moment where too much water has passed under the bridge and the club and the manager will need a clean break.

A point where too much has happened and it is no longer recoverable for a manager. Maybe too many bridges have been burned, or he is perceived as being undermined and not in control by the players. At that point it becomes too big a task, probably an impossible task to get things turned around and going in the right direction.

Maybe that point has been reached with EtH, if it hasn't yet it feels like it is coming soon.

While I don't want him to fail, and I am certainly not enthusiastic about the potential replacements mooted, if he has or does reach that point then it is best we part ways sooner rather than later.

I think with the right set up and support around him EtH will be a very successful manager. That maybe here, but is looking more likely that it will have to be somewhere else. His style of play and his personality to me suggests that Germany and the Bundesliga might be the best fit for him. Somewhere where a high pressing, transitional game is commonly used and understood by the players. While players due to the culture tend to need less mollycoddling.

I'm still supporting the manager and not calling for his head. But I'm starting to see signs that this might well be the end of the road.

14 Apr 2024 13:11:10
On what metrics do you compare to come to a conclusion that ETH is the best manager we have had since Sir Alex?

It's surely not on how the teams play, the results, the team cohesiveness, the recruitment or even the past record before joining Man Utd. Really curious.

14 Apr 2024 15:19:10
Fizz what players are you talking about.
Only Shaw and rashford stretch back to all managers?
Who are theses players.
Mike, sanzhez darmian Di Maria blind lukaku all won titles since they left.
Moyes no title
Lvg no job
Jose no title no job
Ole no title no job
Ralph no title gone to intl
Who are the players your talking about throwing several managers under the bus
Casimero only played under eth
Anthony only played under eth
Rasmus only player under eth
Mount only players under eth
Malacia only under eth
Onana only under eth
Amrabat regullion like wise.
Garnach mainoo only under eth
Maguire varane awb only under eth and ole
Dalot and lindelof mctom only back to jose is it these 3 your refer to?
Bad managers won nothing of note since they left but you still blame the players and not them
Now we have new players and they are at fault not the manager.
You have taken a stance to blame players for throwing several managers under the bus but it's simply not the case.

14 Apr 2024 16:42:45
Jog on fella. Weed you know what I meant but you just have to be obtuse, don't you? You appear to enjoy stalking people. Must be time to try the "Because he will be eating out of a lunchbox on his own. " gag again. Been a few hours now. It might get funny eventually. Jog on fella.

14 Apr 2024 17:50:33
But which players are you referring to? They are not the same players.
I honestly don't think the players are throwing eth under any bus.

14 Apr 2024 18:38:20
Weed I’m becoming past caring what you think. I’m done playing chess with a pigeon.

14 Apr 2024 21:07:36
Another top top post. Great craic. 🤣.

14 Apr 2024 22:04:15
Tumbleweed, a group of players can have new members come into their clique, as others leave for instance.
It only needs to be 'the cool group's or whatever to lure in another unsuspecting culprit.
I have zero idea who it might be. It could start with a group of underachievers from the England setup, with a sprinkling of others brought in and out as they are bought/ sold. The mission remains the same. stay on inflated wages for as long as possible, whatever the outcome of the club/ manager.

Don't try to pinpoint posters, it does nothing for you or the forum.

14 Apr 2024 23:04:15
Jimbo I didn't pinpoint anybody. if you happen to disagree with the same person repeatedly it's OK to do so. I've no issue when fizz pokes his type of humour.
I don't think the players have downed tools for eth I think they may be confused and disillusioned and unhappy in their game.

15 Apr 2024 16:03:20
Copy that Tumbleweed, that last statement was more some general advice to all posters 👌😁.

14 Apr 2024 07:02:04
“It's been one of our concerns, maybe [we need to] try to be more compact as a team - don't try to make the gap between defenders and midfield too big. Sometimes it is, and they counter on the counter-attack. It's something we have to improve because it's been nowhere near good enough for the level of this club. ”
- Dalot

Is the penny finally dropping? One of our best players this season finally calling out the managers tactics. Maybe it’s not over for Eric yet, but I think the supporters are on the pitch. I seriously hope so as that was yet another 90-mins of rudderless suicidal football that - yet again, we somehow scraped a draw from.

One more game to pass 600 shots against for the season. Second worst average shots against in the entire league before start of game. Marginally (0.2) better than Sheffield United! Worse than Burnley. God help us.

Wake up INEOS.

14 Apr 2024 08:17:49
Eth has to be sacked.
Getting worse day by day.

14 Apr 2024 09:44:12
What's the point as sacking him now? Who finishes the season? There's still an FA cup semi to play there should be a final there's no chance it's done before that is decided, lose to Coventry and we may get a decision but I imagine it'll be ten hag for the rest of this season either way.

14 Apr 2024 10:17:41
Get rid now. Let the tea lady plan the tactics against Coventry. Must be an improvement!

14 Apr 2024 10:43:37
It’s not as if we’re conceding amazing goals, they’re all of our own doing and a lack of basic fundamentals like running and even reasonable effort.

14 Apr 2024 10:50:37
The reason there is such a big gap in front of the defence is they are slow and reluctant to move up field when we attack/ have possession.

That's not down to the manager, that's down to the players not having the ability or being unprepared to follow the tactics due to the fear of their own limitations.

14 Apr 2024 11:09:14
And who’s fault is that?

14 Apr 2024 13:05:10
Seen an article last week about Gullit pulling his tactics to bits when he was Ajax manager, saying its ok when things are going well but as soon as you lose the ball the other team can just run straight through you, Gullit goes on to say about just having a defensive midfielder sit in there would stop that.

Now look at what's happening in our games we attack, our defensive midfielder is one of the highest up the pitch and then we lose possession and teams are running right through against two defenders because everyone else has just pushed up field.

Ten hag goes on to defend his tactics like he is now and Gullit says to him you're giving the opponents so many opportunities. It takes just one extra player [defensive midfielder] to secure the midfield.

So if he was playing this way at Ajax and getting criticised for it why was it not a red flag.

14 Apr 2024 13:12:57
It is absolutely down to the manager to choose the tactics to have the best outcome from the team and options they have.

14 Apr 2024 15:21:02
Shappy it is of course down to the manager.

13 Apr 2024 20:55:48
Thats where we are at. Like a mistake bore game where U get mistakes from players and coaches and end up with a point,
Eth lucky I'd say that penalty wasn't given or he would be on his way Monday morning. With no help on the pitch from a bunch of average players, same thing as the last few managers we had.
All and all a disgrace to football and the badge.

13 Apr 2024 21:57:58
As with all recent games, it was poor, but even within a dreadful team performance Casemiro stood out for one of the worst, lowest effort, lackadaisical, inept performances by a supposedly top class player that I've ever seen. Shameful. He's either injured, in which case he shouldn't be selected, or he's not trying. We would be better playing anyone other than him. What must Eriksen and Mount be thinking sat on the bench? Why not give Dan Gore a go? I don't know what's gone on with Casemiro this year, but he's a disgrace to the club and the shirt at the moment.

13 Apr 2024 21:58:34
No leahy are you blind?
Don't panic it's all part of the process.
Eth performing Jeff mind tricks telling us what we are seeing is bit really happening.
Throwing one of our better young kids under the bus today in his post match interview after 6 months of watching rashford not defend at all.
There arevtraits in him that are simply bot likeable . I would never trust him as a player. He is only around the corner from his next row with a player.
He is gone he knows he's gone and the players know he is gone.
I can not think of one compelling reason to keep him after the financial year ends on June 30th.

13 Apr 2024 22:00:30
I’ve nearly given up caring! I’m just so numb to this group of players. Other than the odd one or two they aren’t a very likeable bunch and as for eth…I think it’s best we move on.

13 Apr 2024 22:06:19
One statistic about United giving 3X the number of minutes to teenagers compared to the rest of the top 6 combined tells its own story. We simply do not have enough mature quality players available to us. Since ETH must be as aware as anyone of our midfield porosity one can conclude one of two things: either, he does not know how to fix it, or, its not fixable with the current squad available to him. I'm leaning towards the latter. Can anyone see Pep or Klopp getting consistently good results with this team, which has 3 of the back 4 starters out, a slow and rapidly declining midfielder in Casemiro accompanied, by an 18 y. o in midfield, 2 young forwards + 1 sulky senior player, and a captain who as talented as he might be, tends to give the ball away too easily and quickly (despite playing well today)?

That said, today was dire, although there was some improvement in the 2nd half. The only bright spots were Onana and Bruno. Onana is no doubt benefitting from the extra practice he gets every game behind a midfield and a defense that seems to think giving the opponents shooting practice is what the game is all about.

13 Apr 2024 23:18:42
I’ve never hated a united team before

But these players are a joke

The worst bunch of professionals

Yet again throwing another manager under the bus

Sure ten hag has made some mistakes but you know what when you put that shirt on you fight for your life

I just hope ineos have the bottle to throw these players under the bus like they have to so many managers.

13 Apr 2024 23:20:20
What are the players and management doing week in week out in training? We are so easy to play against its mental. Robertson had a field day on the left wing last weekend and again today down our right side. I was all for sticking with Ten Hag but I think the writing is on the wall now but its like deja vu with this squad and what they done to previous managers. I would literally keep 3 or 4 of this current squad.

13 Apr 2024 23:34:14
Sick of watching the same old tripe now, how he can say it is obvious the way we play well I think its about time he let the players in on it because not one of them has a clue.

ETH every week trying to tell us we played well and was unlucky, i think he is watching his coaches play FM24 because he can't be watching the same match as all of us.

Again Rashford not arsed, gets the ball and gives it away, Casemiro supposed to be the holding midfielder and is the highest up the pitch every time we lose possession, he is past it and needs to be let go.

One thing I keep thinking about is are the managers hands tied with who he has to play because any other manager would not be playing Rashford and Casemiro on there performances of late, is he being told the big earners have to play, nothing would surprise me at our club.

14 Apr 2024 02:18:02
Agree with that tumble. Disgusting what he did to Garnacho today. He did play poorly first half, and they did cause problems down that side. I do agree with teaching garnacho accountability.

But how can he treat Garnacho like that when rashford and cassemiro are stinking up the pitch as they have all season. Rashford and cassemiro off at half time and I'm pretty sure we win that game.

Then after the game he calls out Garnacho in his interview. Well done eric, mainoo, dallot and garnacho are our players of the season this year. Maybe sub off the older players and see what these guys can do. They might just suprise you.

After the finish at the Liverpool game I thought he might try to get Garnacho and Amad on the pitch at the same time. All we want is a glimmer of a silver lining around this big black cloud. Thoroughly depressing.

14 Apr 2024 02:20:05
Jim Reaper

If he is scared to bring them off, is he the right guy? I agree it is baffling. I really want to change the players, but ten hag is losing the fans now by not at least subbing players off for this nonsense.

2 subs today I think? Has he given up?

14 Apr 2024 07:25:47
I don't see how he can publicly blame Garnacho when he had Dalot trying to help midfield and leaving massive holes at the back.

14 Apr 2024 07:39:32
"It was too easy on the right side. There was a big gap. It was clear and obvious.
"We had to repair the right side. We didn’t play well. We had to bring a sub there.
"Garnacho was ill in the week and wasn’t training. We thought to bring some energy and quality, and the sense of cooperation on the right side. "

The last sentence is the key. Where in that is ETH "Throwing one of our better young kids under the bus"? Or where is what he said. "Disgusting what he did to Garnacho today. "?

I think a bit of a reality check might be in order.

14 Apr 2024 07:54:00
I see Garnacho liked a tweet from Goldbridge criticising TenHag for throwing him under the bus. There are rumours he dropped Antony altogether for arguing with him about not playing in front of Rashford. Throwing a 19 year old under the bus, who has given everything in what is Ten Hags tactical dogs dinner, is frankly disgusting. No wonder the players are not playing for him.

ETH, has to go, now, tomorrow, we cannot let this man destroy more players just because it will cost us money now and not on 1st July.

His decisions on Rashford, throwing one of the only bright lights under the bus is now too much. He is damaging the team, the club with this nonsense now. Trying to justify his tactical rubbish with what amounts to an emperor's new clothes argument is insulting. Whilst many of the players don’t seem to be playing for him or believing what he is telling them, players like Garnacho have run their socks off, watching Rashford sloth around. Mount sat on the bench and must be wondering what’s going on.

It now looks like the manager has alienated another player. There is a saying, if you meet an arsehole you have met an arsehole, if everybody you meet is an arsehole then maybe you are the arsehole. Ten Hag is there now and I am more than done with him.

14 Apr 2024 08:38:16
Fizz you are the one that needs areality check.

14 Apr 2024 08:52:40
Fizz

So why did Garnacho like a tweet criticising Ten Hag for throwing him under the bus?

Then look at the words “ We thought to bring some energy and quality, and the sense of cooperation” .

Some quality, what does that say about Garnacho? Cooperation, that is a clear criticism of Garnacho.

It’s broken, the trust between players and manager is broken, add to what Dalot said and it’s clear the players are not playing for him. Garnacho has run his socks off yet the idiot leaves Rashford on to mope around.

It’s a mess, get ETH out today, tomorrow, don’t wait.

14 Apr 2024 09:44:49
Red Man.
Then look at the words “ We thought to bring some energy and quality, and the sense of cooperation” .

Some quality, what does that say about Garnacho? Cooperation, that is a clear criticism of Garnacho.

There is a language issue there in terms of how he might put his point across and I doubt he meant to 'criticise. I think he was simply saying it as he saw it and used the word quality in the wrong context. It was clear to all that there was a problem and Garnacho was not on his game.

Weed I don't like what I see any more than other supporters do but a hysterical witch hunt is not the way forward in my view. I do not believe this is the right time to sack a manager given all the upheaval the club is currently undergoing. Nobody better is available so all that would achieve is utter mayhem.
I get you don't like ETH.

14 Apr 2024 09:45:55
Red Man, why did Garnacho reconsider and unlike said tweet?

14 Apr 2024 10:20:09
Fizz

Likely Garnacho didn’t want to be drummed out of the club by a vengeful spiteful manager, because like I said, it’s happening again. However by liking it in the first place he showed what he was thinking.

The problem was ETH and tactics, why was Cas further forward and not covering, why was Dalot not able to deal with anything, why did no one tell Kambwala to step across to help his fullback, why did ETH not swap full backs, why did he leave the utterly useless Rashford on the pitch, where was Antony.

Garnacho having to run back was because the managers tactics empty central midfield, there is no cover coming across and behind. Garnacho and Rashford are expected to run forward then hurtle back, Garnacho tries, Rashford doesn’t, but who gets taken off? Why is Mount sat on the bench? I watched Mainoo and Cas challenge one player together in their half, next thing the ball is with their player running at our defence with no central midfield.

It is a disorganised mess from the manager. It looks to me like he makes scapegoats to excuse his own mistakes. Garnacho the latest, however, he does not do it to the sacred cow Rashford. He does not do it to Bruno when he runs aimlessly out of position or structure.

Yes, there is a problem with the manager. The spotlight is on him, he isn’t used to it, the job is too big and he is like a rabbit in the headlights, says what he thinks even if it belittles players in public. Just the wrong players, he never does it to Rashford does he, nor Bruno.

He stormed out when asked a question he didn’t like, that’s pathetic, like the rabbit the headlight is too bright.

It’s at a point where the players will probably turn up for the cup because they want to win it, but won’t the rest of the time. It’s toxic, get ETH out today or tomorrow.

Nobody better? Get an interim to end of season, hell Jose or Conte, they would give us a chance of winning the cup. Then reevaluate.

14 Apr 2024 10:23:08
Because he will be eating out of a lunchbox on his own.

14 Apr 2024 10:29:36
Casemiro and Rashford should never play again after yesterday. They genuinely do not care.

The team for the rest of the season should be something like:

Onana
Dalot
Kambwala
Maguire (Evans if fit)
Amass
Mainoo
Mount
Fernandes
Amad
Garnacho
Hojlund.

13 Apr 2024 16:32:26
Just looking at the MEN'S write-up of who got off the bus - it seems Casemiro got off twice.

Are there two and we're getting the lesser one this season?

13 Apr 2024 11:36:03
Our final 3 fixtures are tough although 2 are at home.
The next 4 games are very winnable against Bournemouth Burnley Palace and Sheffield utd. We need to win all 4 of those imo to get a European place.
A win this evening would see us up nicely for the semi final too.
Will be interesting to see who he picks.
Hoping big willy will play in the last 7 league games and that he keeps his spot for a probable fa cup final.
9 games to endure 🤞 let's hope we can get a little bit of momentum going before the cup semi final.

13 Apr 2024 12:13:18
Hope so Tumble. Let’s try and get a bit of momentum although as we’ve seen this season even the easy games on paper can go the other way.
Big Willy has gone up a notch already in my book, above Lindelof/ Evans and I have no problem with him starting any game. Maybe Mount is close to a start too.

13 Apr 2024 12:50:44
Big willy has gone up a notch?! 🤣.

13 Apr 2024 12:53:01
I'd like to see Kambwala get a run of games, and given our injuries in defence, he probably will get a few.

He looks to have all the qualities needed to be a top CB, now we just need to see if he has the mentality. Lots of young players do well on their debut or in their first few appearances. They are riding on adrenaline which can carry them through. It's when they make their 10th - 20th appearances and the adrenaline has eased and you see how they handle the pressure and the game in that situation do you see if they have the mentality to realise their potential.

13 Apr 2024 13:41:16
Shappy. where do you get this crud from :D.

13 Apr 2024 14:55:50
We need to be talking to him about a new contract, his expires in 2025.

Think he may well play quite a few of the games left this season. One really good quality is his terrific pace, need to be careful with him though as he has had frequent fitness issues in the past.

Seemingly he frequently turns up for training about 2.5 hours before due time to do extensive injury prevention work. As a result this season he has been fit most of the the time.

Word is he is relentlessly positive and is one of the most enthusiastic players at Utd, he is buzzing to be around the training ground every day. This is very much what you want to see in a player as it is most certainly not just talent that will get you to the top.

Go Willy, go.

13 Apr 2024 15:22:33
Its time for players like Rashford, Casemiro and Anthony to hit some form, all 3 have been below average all season, Kambwala should get another start today.

Need a good away performance today but you just don't know which United will turn up.

13 Apr 2024 07:39:07
{Ed's Note - Anonymous Woolback has posted a new article entitled, Is Jurgen Klopp Burnt Out At Liverpool FC?

13 Apr 2024 13:25:56
Hardly surprising if he is. His style and personality is full throttle, he holds nothing back. That can be draining, especially under the glare of the media.

He burnt out at Dortmund and he is showing signs of it again now. He knows he needs a break and I would expect him to take at least a year off. I also wouldn't be surprised to see him return to Liverpool at some point down the line (although I doubt a second spell will be as successful as the first, they rarely are) .

I think the issue is Liverpool's squad isn't as good as it previously was, meaning there is a drop off in ability when changes are made. While some of the key performers of the previous side either haven't been replaced to the same standard or have declined a little.

Mane and Firmino where phenomenal and while players like Diaz, Nunez and Jota have potential and some great traits, they do not offer the same level or consistency as the former players. While Salah looks like he's starting to drop a level (still a great player, but not at his unplayable best) . This has lead to Liverpool not taking their chances and leaving themselves open to dropping points due to not being out of sight when they concede.

which brings us to the other problem. The defence. VvD looks pretty close to his best form again this season. But then he's had to be as he's constantly covering for his teammates. Robertson looks to have declined a little and has suffered injuries, while TAA has been out injured a lot, as has Konate. Bradley and Quansah have done brilliantly as stand ins, but they cannot match the same standards or consistency of those they are covering for. Nothing against them, they are just young, inexperienced and are making the mistakes they need to make to grow and develop. When half of your regular back four are that inexperienced you will concede goals to silly mistakes. Gomez has done a good job covering at LB, but again this isn't his best position and he cannot be expected to play that position perfectly. He does make the occasional positional error, as should be expected when playing out of his natural position.

When you have forwards who are wasteful and a defence that will likely concede then you will drop points and find it hard to play at the consistently high level needed to compete on all fronts.

I actually think Liverpool's downfall this season may be that they didn't go out of a couple of the cups sooner. The extra games for an injury hit squad that are relying on young players meant the squad was always liable to run out of steam.

Klopp rotated the team for the Atalanta game, but it was probably too much disruption against a very well drilled Italian outfit. Unfortunately he will have to rotate the squad and rest players where he can, as they simply don't have the legs to play at the intensity his style demands for the number of games they have left to play.

Finally we shouldn't discount the mental and emotional strain on this group of players. The media have created a Klopp farewell tour narrative since he said he was stepping aside at the end of the season. The media have made this "win it for Klopp" story, which puts huge pressure on the players, added with the idea of a quadruple for Klopp's final season.

They've now seen their lead at the top of the table disappear, while the quadruple dream was derailed by the clubs biggest rival, all in the space of a couple of weeks. That pressure and disappointment will be weighing heavily on the minds and tired legs of the squad. A squad that doesn't have the same kind of "mentality monsters" that they could previously lean on to drag them over the line. This team looks like they could do with their best EPL captain (Jordan Henderson) to keep them going and get them across the line this season.

Sadly for Klopp, and less so for the Liverpool fans, I think the EFL cup will be the only silverware Liverpool win this season. I don't expect Liverpool will travel to Italy and over turn a 3-0 deficit. Which would leave just the league left. Yet Arsenal seem to have picked up steam since the turn of the year and are in incredible form. They are swatting aside potentially tricky games at a canter, seemingly in second gear. Much like the 3-0 win against Brighton. I wouldn't be surprised if they went the rest of the season unbeaten.
While City are City. They aren't at their best and a combination of a few key players either leaving last summer, being injured or just having a little drop off in form from last season. Yet they are a machine and will still grind out results right up until the final whistle on the last day.

All this as Liverpool seem to be running out of steam, and cracking under the pressure and expectation. Unfortunately for Klopp it seems his tenure at Liverpool will fizzle out rather than ending with a bang. For all the talk of this title race going to the wire, I don't think Liverpool will be in contention to win it on the final day of the season.

13 Apr 2024 00:18:05
ETH saying he definitely needs another striker next season, not new news I know but who do you think we will go for, Ivan toney would me guess.

13 Apr 2024 01:15:46
Does not matter a hoot if we are not providing service to them. First thing we need is someone who can and will cross the ball. Not someone who gets there and then turns and plays it back because he is on the wrong flank!

I don’t disagree we need a striker but there has to be a plan to utilise them properly.

13 Apr 2024 06:19:22
I think it’s a great idea. When he gets to his new club whenever that may be.

13 Apr 2024 08:46:11
KeefyT143

I agree we need someone who will cross the ball, too predictable with the inverted wingers.

13 Apr 2024 09:18:43
We do need another striker and people talking about service, Hoiland is very raw and some the runs he makes are poor so its not just about service and finding him, its also about clever runs into space where wingers can find you with a cross or a pass. He is work in progress imo and we need another striker to provide competition and something different as an option.

13 Apr 2024 10:02:26
Hojland is very raw, needs to be coached on his runs, finishing and controlling hold up play. He looked quick when he came but hasn’t looked it more recently.

We have people who can cross the ball, we have got rid of people who could cross a ball. It is tactics that are at fault. I saw against Chelsea, for probably the first time, Antony running the full back and not stopping turning inside passing back. We just don’t cross and it looks an instruction. We don’t move the ball through the lines back to front, we don’t cross, so it will be tough for any forward until the tactics change.

13 Apr 2024 10:39:58
Højlund will be our starting CF long term, but he is still very raw in some parts of his game. He can't be expected to start every game as he will need rest both physically and mentally. Sometimes with a young player you just need to take them out of the spotlight every now and again.

I think we aren't set up to create enough goal scoring chances, which is why Højlund hasn't scored as many as his talent and ability suggest he should. He just isn't getting a the ball enough. He actually makes some great runs, but most of our forwards play with their head down looking to shoot themselves. Only when that option is ruled out do they look to pass to a teammate. By which time Højlund is marked and not an option. Personally I'd scrap bonuses for goals scored and increase the bonus for assists. It might make a few of the financially motivated players play with their head up a bit more.

That said next season if we can solve the issues with our defence and midfield then we should have greater control in games and hopefully that will lead to creating more chances, and hopefully better chances. Currently it's very much a case of win the ball and attack, lose it, then try and win it back again. Rinse and repeat.

Ideally he needs someone with experience to come in and rotate round with him, take the heat off of him and guide and help him improve in those key areas.

The problem is finding someone who ticks all or at least as many of the boxes as possible without costing a fortune.

In the last few days I've mentioned on here that there is a lack of quality forwards available, and that even fairly average strikers are costing a kings ransom due to the lack of options on the market. Leading me to suggest looking for a flexible forward capable of playing across the front line so as to make sure we are getting better value for money. Maybe someone who has some experience and proven ability, but still with potential to be better and improve.

However, yesterday rumours surfaced that Ivan Toney might be available this summer for around 40m. If true then we absolutely have to be front and centre for that deal. Toney for 50m or less would absolutely be as near to a perfect signing as we could make. EPL proven, perfect age (just turned 28 and in his prime, would be looking to be replaced in 2-3 years time when Højlund would be 23 and ready to be first choice), stylistically a great fit, and would count towards our homegrown quota.

The real challenge is can we get him for less than 50m, as we really can't afford to be spending more than that. Not when we need a couple of CB's, at least one midfielder, and probably a LB as well.

13 Apr 2024 11:11:31
Won't be a concern for eth he won't be our manager hopefully.

13 Apr 2024 11:27:18
Ahmad.

It wouldn’t matter if Hoijlund was making good runs. Our wingers would not get the ball to him.

We would make a lot of top strikers look rubbish with current tactics.

The only way Hoijlund will improve is with service. Until he starts to get it can he improve his timing.

Yes he is raw but we ain’t helping him at all.

13 Apr 2024 15:39:39
Tumbleweed

If ETH is there or isn't next season we still need a striker, would also like to see Mitoma on our left wing and cash in on Rashford.

For me Toney and Mitoma are the types of player we need to be getting in both will run for ever and close down.

14 Apr 2024 00:17:08
No value in the market, reinstate Mason 👌.

12 Apr 2024 07:39:11
{Ed's Note - BarnetNige81 has posted a new article entitled, Current thoughts on Chelsea FC

12 Apr 2024 20:55:15
Enjoyable read. Cheers.

13 Apr 2024 13:48:50
Chelsea feel like they are on the edge of dropping away from the top of the table for a while.

The turmoil and change since Abramovich left leaves a club that seemingly doesn't know who it is or have a clear identity.

This hasn't been helped by the massive squad turnover, highlighting the potential pitfalls of revolution over evolution of a football team.

The team lacks leaders, identity or style. Pochettino hasn't been able to create a clear team identity, and I'm not sure he even knows his best 11.

Literally it feels like that without Cole Palmer then Chelsea may have actually been in a relegation battle this season. He has 16 goals and 9 assists in the EPL this season, meaning he's played a big hand in 25 of Chelsea's 55 goals this season. Where would they be without him?

The thing is there is no one else who has even had a half decent season for them. Maybe at a stretch Malo Gusto, yet if Reece James was fit he wouldn't get near the team.

There are some very talented players in that squad, but I'm not sure how they can be pieced together to create a coherent team. It feels like you are still missing 5-6 key players, which after the amount of money spent and the number of players signed is utterly ridiculous.

It very much feels similar to what has happened at United, but on steroids and done in a fraction of the time.

I think the remedy is similar as well. Chelsea need footballing expertise in key roles and given the power to make real change. The internal appointment of the Director of Footballing operations, smacks of the same kind of poor thinking that led to United hiring John Murtough to be our first DoF.

They need someone to come in and work with the club to devise a clear plan and start actioning it. I'm not sure that is going to happen, at least not any time soon. Which probably means a few years in midtable at least.

While the way they spent the massive figures they have spent, hamstrings them from being able to easily spend their way out of trouble. They will need to sell players for similarly big fees to which they bought them. I expect to see Cole Palmer sold within three years, probably moving back north for a big fee to help Chelsea balance the books/ rebuild the team.

As a Manchester United supporter, I'd love to see us make a big move for Palmer in a year or two's time. He could slot in on the right-hand side while a well developed Garnacho switches back to the left with Hojlund though the middle. Those three players all between the ages of 21-23 hitting their peak together would be phenomenal.

13 Apr 2024 22:02:29
Shappy, there’s no one apart from Palmer who’s had a decent season and yet they could still finish above Utd sort of just speaks volumes as to how badly Utd are rn.

Pretty much only Garnacho and maybe Martinez gets into their team 😂 then onto Chelsea being unable to spend money to get out of trouble: they’ve indicated to Napoli they’re willing to pay Osimhen’s €130m buy out clause this summer. Have been heavily linked with paying Diomande’s €70m buy out clause too. That’s 200m at a minimum they’re apparently willing and capable of paying this summer. Also linked with Diogo Costa GK or the Valencia keeper for €50m and a host of wingers including Vini Jr or Rodyrgo etc. Pretty sure we can expect them to spend another big wedge this summer.

11 Apr 2024 22:14:24
Sorry sent too early.
As saying watched Atalanta, what a terrific team (were playing Liverpool) they went in 1 goal up, at half time, and should really have been 2 or 3 ahead, they scored again in second half for
0-3 and it could of been more.
They play very high energy and did to Lpool what they do to others, of players linked to us Ederson at defensive midfield looked very good, very skilful as well as aware defensively and Koopmeiners also looked very good.
A small town team with low budgets can do very well with right set up, their wages are about one third of Juventus. Second leg next week should be a good game.

11 Apr 2024 22:42:30
Gasperini is an excellent coach and has been working wonders with Atalanta for a few years now.

11 Apr 2024 23:44:59
He is indeed Tim and plays a pressing game with an extraordinary man marking system. It worked well tonight and they beat Liverpool convincingly.
Indeed they have won something like their last 9 or 10 away games in Europe, their last loss was at Old Trafford over 2 years ago.

12 Apr 2024 09:31:24
I watched the Westham game vs leverkusen and the score was flattering for westham. They are really good to watch and wirtz is such a good player. I would replace bruno with him in a heart beat, proper 10.

Tapsoda is also a top defender and palacios is very very good. Lots of quality in that team. They should win it.

12 Apr 2024 10:37:28
Can we poach that coach?
Eth is a fraud.

12 Apr 2024 10:37:48
Wonder if they'll remain undefeated this season? Getting close to that Arsenal invincibles record.
I wonder if another captaincy change next season might relieve Bruno of some pressure and help him do what he does best.

12 Apr 2024 11:08:28
They should have beaten us too if I recall…they should have been out of sight by HT but we rallied and got a result maybe more by luck than judgement. I just like Atalanta and their approach, they make the best of their resources and are a pleasure to watch.

12 Apr 2024 11:22:55
I'll get my coat. Was mixing up Atalanta with Leverkusen.

12 Apr 2024 12:41:19
What's that spenno? Give the ball away and whinge another ref?

12 Apr 2024 17:06:12
Wirtz was one of the players Ed002 told us Rangnick had recommended for the club to sign. As was Szoboszlai.

12 Apr 2024 19:35:18
We would be in a different place if we had appointed Ragnik as DF and had a competent coach working under him.

13 Apr 2024 07:55:49
Dodgy, yep, another one we cocked up. And not the only person we had in the building who we let slip through our hands due to incompetence.

13 Apr 2024 10:08:11
We brought RR in to be a consultant. One of the key points, vital for a consultant, is the support from the very top in wanting to bring change. Often a consultant will tell painful truths and look to make notable change to improve. The club felt they needed a consultant, but totally failed to understand what they brought in, or to support him. That tells you RR did not have support from the very top and was a shocking way to run a business. Shambolic.

Thing is RR shouldn’t have been made manager, not even interim, another awful decision. The club should have listened to him, but failed and it shows why there has been such a mess.

13 Apr 2024 12:56:20
Exactly redman, he was hung out by the club in a role with zero support and the press went for him. They have done the same with every other manager tbf. It is good for the senior teams and owners if a sacrificial lamb gets blamed every few years. The problems run much deeper.

Tony martial will leave for free this summer after Joel insisted he must stay. We have no ide how much j terfering has been going on behind the scenes.

Cant wait to have a dir football in place who is a football guy, not a banker.