Manchester United banter 4

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.

11 Apr 2024 22:01:48
Decided to watch Atalanta tonight, thought would take a look at some of the players we have been linked with.

11 Apr 2024 22:13:10
Whats your verdict? The suspense is killing me.

11 Apr 2024 22:21:25
Didn't see it. I've heard a fair amount about Ederson, how'd he look?

11 Apr 2024 16:49:34
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new player profile about, Alexander Isak

12 Apr 2024 12:17:47
Good article Ed001, I like Isak but he does seem to pick up a lot of niggling injuries. Nothing that will keep him out for months, but he seems to play a few games, get back into form then picks up a muscle tear or he pulls something and misses the next 2-4 games.

I said this last summer but there really does seem to be a real lack of elite strikers around right now. At the time we were looking for a top striker and beyond Kane there were few others available, Osimhen was mentioned, but I'm not convinced by him. I don't think he'd make it in the EPL, he seems to pick up a fair few injuries in Series A. Not sure he'd handle the rough and tumble of the EPL. In the end we signed Højlund, a very talented youngster, but then there wasn't anyone else with the same potential who was more proven available last summer.

A few years ago you had scores of top strikers all plying their trade at the same time. But now there are only a few that you'd bank on scoring 20 league goals a season. Maybe the rise of goalscoring wide players has dampened or hindered the progression of strikers. Seeing Rashford, Antony and Garnacho playing with Højlund and constantly looking to cut in and shoot rather than create a better chance for the young Dane almost certainly isn't doing his development any good. Although Garnacho looks much better on the right, plays with his head up more and is less predictable as a result.

What's your take on the current striker market? Do you see many good options, and if not why do you think that is? Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - I agree with you, there is a real lack of top quality players. Even those at the top end, the Kanes and Haalands, have real problems with their way of playing. None of them seem to enhance the teams they play for, despite scoring huge amounts. I think it is because of the huge obsession with keeping possession at youth academy level, that is why the few standouts mostly come from outside European academies. Barca, for example, has never produced a top class striker through La Masia because of the way they train their entire group.

The only one I see that looks to have real potential is Boniface. I am sure there are others, but he is the only one I have seen play.}

12 Apr 2024 20:38:07
Is boniface that good?

12 Apr 2024 20:46:49
I really like Isak, he scores nice goals, good with his feet, and a finisher. What’s going on at Newcastle is interesting and I wonder what will happen with some of their players. I think Isak would score goals anywhere, but as mentioned he needs to be available for selection more than he has been.

Agree with the comments above that there are no complete strikers these days. Haaland is a goal machine and that is his job, but as an all round footballer he’s quite poor - of course I’d take him in a heart beat, but that’s not what this is about. I’ve always thought I’d rather have Kane than Haaland. I think Kane scores just as many goals in that City side, but offers them more in footballing terms.

13 Apr 2024 09:22:46
Isaak is a brilliant striker and very clever with his runs and bringing other players into theri attack. Newcastle have done really well with that transfer when you consider the numbers being quoted for the likes of toney.

11 Apr 2024 06:47:52
Apologies if this has already been done, but could I request one of the Eds for an article on Graham Potter as a manager/ coach. Thanks in advance.

{Ed001's Note - there is this from when he was in charge of Swansea: Graham Potter profile. Bit old now I know, but still might be useful until I get a chance to produce an update.}

11 Apr 2024 11:39:14
much appreciated Ed.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}

11 Apr 2024 15:01:02
Does it count as a trophy if rashford wins strictly come dancing?.

11 Apr 2024 16:13:41
???.

11 Apr 2024 18:44:46
No chance of that Ken, it requires a bit of effort.