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09 Dec 2020 11:46:56
Phil Jones links to Newcastle surface again. Something went so badly wrong with this guy. A major lesson to be learnt by the club as oozed potential. Now, the more pressing question is how much better than Jones is Maguire? No joke. The gap is not as big as we'd like or hope.
1.) 09 Dec 2020 13:03:02
The gap is huge, one is on the pitch training and playing, the other is on the treatment table. His injuries ruined any chance he had, just never got a good full season.
2.) 09 Dec 2020 13:03:20
I've always called Maguire the fully fit version of Phil Jones. Maguire is just as calamitous as Jones.
The question is, does OGS have the balls to drop his underperformers.
3.) 09 Dec 2020 13:04:06
If I remember correctly we tried to sign Jones that same season you did and when that didn't work we went with Henderson. Seemed a huge mistake @ the time.
4.) 09 Dec 2020 13:24:57
Mad Hatter, doesn’t seem so. It mystifies me how Tuanzebe has not featured more after his performance away to PSG. He made Mbappe look ordinary and Lindelof better. Price tags matter at United. Only conclusion that can be drawn.
5.) 09 Dec 2020 17:21:55
Why is Jones anything to do with Henderson? Both different positions.
6.) 10 Dec 2020 08:28:42
Not sure Maguire is an £80m upgrade on Smalling though for example.
7.) 10 Dec 2020 15:04:40
BRD,
I agree with you. i'd quite like to see how a Bailly and Tuanzebe partnership would work. The problem is players come back from injuries and don't get game time for ages. Then they get thrown in at the deep end and get slated for notnpkaying well, when they haven't played enough games to be match sharp. I remember when OGS put Bailly at RB against Barcelona. He hadn't played any football prior to then as he had been injured.
BadRedDevil's banter posts with other poster's replies to BadRedDevil's banter posts
19 Apr 2024 12:52:51
Decision to end FA Cup replays is a travesty for the football pyramid.
I might be a life-long United fan, but for the last 10-years since moving I've also become a Peterborough United fan. My son and I now have a season ticket even though we don't go to all of the games. I feel like I'm helping a local club that has to fight tooth and nail to survive. I would be lost without it now.
Cup replays are such a vital form of revenue and match day motivation. There's no guarantee obviously. Clubs can't budget for replay revenue, but when they come along they're like gold-dust. The EFL clubs already lost cup revenue when the top PL clubs withdrew from the early rounds of the League Cup. Now this.
Replays are a part of British football heritage and culture. It's another poor PL decision that rips at the very fabric of our game. The greed shown by the PL is astounding. It would not be what it is now without the pyramid. It's not just players. There is a wealth of talent that is developed in the lower leagues that the PL relies upon. Even referees and linesman depend upon it for their career progression.
It's short-sighted greed that alienates supporters and communities up and down the country. Even as a United supporter I'm at the point where I'm starting to resent these clubs. Their arrogance will one day be their downfall.
Our game needs a proper regulator that protects the game, not just the elite.
1.) 19 Apr 2024 13:37:51
Couldn't agree more.
It's actually a disgrace and one that further drives the stake into the heart of football - the heart put in by all the working class folk who sought to bring this wonderful sport to the world, now being insulted by the continual disregard shown towards football communities beyond the big cities who better reflect the founders and early participants.
Complete and utter disgrace.
2.) 19 Apr 2024 14:33:10
It was an FA Cup replay that Bryan Robson scored my favourite goal ever v Liverpool at Maine Road. An FA Cup replay we witnessed one of the greatest goals ever scored by Ryan Giggs v Arsenal.
Everything that made the FA Cup magic they are slowly changing. Semi finals moving to Wembley from grounds like Villa Park. Saturday kick off to 5pm from 3pm. And now this. Replays add to the excitement of the matches and makes the FA Cup, or made the FA Cup the best cup competition in the world outside of international football. Once again a decision has been made that make me question my enthusiasm for the game. I’m all for change and agree things have to move on but it has to be for the benefit of the fans primarily and the game. Sad times.
3.) 19 Apr 2024 16:19:25
The underlying problem is that there are too many games for some players. Agree this isn't the answer. There are lots of alternatives e. g. trimming premier league to 18 teams, reducing the number of international football friendlies, putting load management limits for players .
4.) 19 Apr 2024 17:46:10
There are too many teams that are unsustainable for professional football.
The clubs are often living beyond theft their means the football pyramid needs to be reduced imo by bringing probably about 15 or 20 clubs back to part time.
5.) 19 Apr 2024 18:06:00
There are too many games yet teams are going abroad at seasons end thousands of miles away to play an exhibition match!
6.) 19 Apr 2024 19:27:37
Harrison Burrows has played more games this season (Posh captain) than any Liverpool player.
7.) 19 Apr 2024 19:33:24
Teams should be encouraged to play more players from U23’s and academy. I’ve never liked the 5 sub rule but if it’s in place, 2 of the 5 should be academy products. Agree with Salford about pre season and I really believe something like the charity shield will be in America or somewhere soon and that’ll be the start. Also, sack of international friendlies 3 weeks into a season!
8.) 19 Apr 2024 20:27:38
terrible decision -also not all players are household names on 300k a week of course - why should a long serving player from e.g woking, tranmere or peterborough be denied the chance to play at Old Trafford/ Anfield Arsenal etc once in their career?
9.) 20 Apr 2024 01:15:00
Too many vested interests trying to milk the top players for all they're worth.
FIFA is now trying to increase their share. World club cup incoming. Extended world cup. All increases the money for FIFA - and give greater distribution of earnings from world football to those outside of UEFA.
UEFA has been increasing games and including more and more teams. Not to speak of the euro break away league which is lurking.
EPL and domestic cups want to see star players playing every game. Long runs in Europe and english cups can lead to situations where teams have to play 4 games in 8 days due to fixture congestion.
The we get to the end of the season and the big clubs take to players away on these money making tours with games every few days and thousands of miles of flying in between.
It is not sustainable for the players. Fergy used to manage minutes of players pretty well. He would rest players from the match day squad. Bring them back from summer later after international duty, and rotate between the bench and starting team. This kept everyone on their toes, completing for their place, and kept them fresher. Not sure why managers these days think these players are robots and can play every minute of every game.
10.) 20 Apr 2024 07:59:06
Cut the international friendlies down or out altogether, that would give time for cup replays. The international breaks are so dull, especially with Southgate as England manager.
International breaks where there are two friendlies, it’s a waste of time.
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.
1.) 14 Apr 2024 08:17:49
Eth has to be sacked.
Getting worse day by day.
2.) 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.
3.) 14 Apr 2024 10:17:41
Get rid now. Let the tea lady plan the tactics against Coventry. Must be an improvement!
4.) 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.
5.) 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.
6.) 14 Apr 2024 11:09:14
And who’s fault is that?
7.) 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.
8.) 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.
9.) 14 Apr 2024 15:21:02
Shappy it is of course down to the manager.
07 Apr 2024 09:02:57
I keep reading this line of defence for ETH “What’s he supposed to do? ” given the injuries. Well:
1. Drop Rashford. We have cover. Why is he sticking with the most out of form seemingly couldn’t care less player in the entire league (not just the club. )
2. Stop playing McT as a holding midfielder. He’s just not capable. He wanted Amrabat. Guy’s never had a real chance. Play him. At least he understands the role.
3. Give Bruno clear guidelines on his role. The diving, whinging headless chicken act that continually gives the ball away is pointless.
4. Tell Casemiro or Amrabat whoever is DM to stay in his own half. Give Mainoo a bit of licence to roam.
5. Stop with the bloody inverted wingers and focus on getting service to Hojlund. May help Antony too.
6. Stop playing Lindelof at LB. If need be drop down to academy to get a proper LB. Either that or swap Dalot there and play AWB at RB where he should be.
7. Now Mount is fit, rotate him with Bruno at 10. Freshen things up. Rotate more. Trust the squad.
8. If the only available defenders are incapable of playing out from back (Lindelof at home to Man City made my eyes bleed) DON’T play out from the back.
9. Coach players (assuming ETH has the ability) on training ground some game management principles. Points lost at end of games has cost us top four.
10. Get the fans back inside. Season one we had a manager who was relatively open and honest. This year he’s treating us like idiots.
11. Fall out with some press. Ban Dickhurst or somebody. Create some siege-mentality. Us against the world. Unify the squad, drop players that aren’t trying, engage the supporters and demonstrate some sense of tactical nous.
We’re awful to watch and so predictably bad that even that is boring now. Do something different man.
If he can’t do any of those things - or preferably something better with the managerial and coaching skills he’s supposed to have then what’s the point.
Everybody should remember some of the teams SAF put out that won big games. On paper they looked weak. Smalling, Jones, Cleverley, Evans, Anderson and Wellbeck. All started in the 8-2 victory of Arsenal. None of them elite players. But they knew they had to put a shift in every time they put the shirt on. If they didn’t. Dropped.
Try that Eric. Don’t need to be a tactical genius. You just need to stop being a coward and exert yourself.
{Ed025's Note - some really good points there BRD, good honest post mate..
1.) 07 Apr 2024 09:48:12
I'd like to see mount as a 10 with mainoo and casemiro ( no one else ) as the 2 holding midfielders.
Completely agree about the wingers getting a yard and putting it in the box and also the whole lindelof, wan bisaka at lb back is just mind blowing. Dalot has been the surprise of the season with his good performances he is more than capable at playing left back.
Bruno is a strange situation. At times he's our best player but others he doesn't contribute and if anything weakens the team. His passing in atrocious, gives the ball away so many times. I do wonder if he's told to play so high up the pitch and to play the way he does. If not why hasn't the management done anything to stop it.
I think your point at 9 is my biggest concern of ten hag. 2 seasons in the players haven't improved, no patterns of play. He says he hasn't the players to play how he wants to. Yet his signings have been abysmal. The spurs manager did an interview around the same time ten hag came out and said he can't play how he did at ajax. Ange said one thing that winds him up is when coaches say they haven't got the player to implement their style. His words were just coach them. I don't think ten hag can.
2.) 07 Apr 2024 11:06:51
Thanks Ed025. I’ll retire while I’m ahead ?.
{Ed025's Note - dont you dare.. :)
3.) 07 Apr 2024 11:19:07
Bad Red Devil, brilliant post. I think that sums it up perfectly. Take a bow.
4.) 07 Apr 2024 11:25:29
Good post BRD, I agree with a lot of points and your closing summary, but just to play devils advocate here and encourage some healthy debate:
1. He dropped Rashford against Chelsea. So I don't understand this point. I would like to see consistency and drop him against Liverpool.
2. Same as above, he was dropped against Chelsea with Casemiro favoured. Again would like to see him dropped against Liverpool. Although I agree about Amrabat, he hasn't really performed when played.
3. Agreed with Bruno points.
4. I don't think the issue is the DM staying in their own half, we just aren't compact enough between the DM and Defence. Teams find it easy to play through us for this reason as there is so much space. Is this potentially Maguire naturally sitting deeper due to lack of pace? If so needs addressing.
5. I agree about service to Hojlund, but Antony arguably had his best game against Chelsea, and Garnacho was POTM until the 96th minute. We need to find balance with service and cutting in. Naturally this is easier with overlapping fullbacks. But with Shaw out we have no left footed LB.
6. I agree, but I don't think we know enough about the academy to know whether players are ready for the step up. i'm sure the academy coaches will be feeding in to ETH and recommending players that are ready.
7. Agreed with Mount, needs more minutes and has looked good. Maybe Bruno needs a rest. Appreciate he hasn't missed a game but might do him good.
8. I think we can play out from the back still. But don't play out through Lindelof and use Varane, Dalot. But yes, if the option isn't there, if in doubt, get it out.
9. Having played football for 20+ years I think its easier said than done in this scenario. There are so many external factors that contribute towards your mindset and game that things can be forgotten in the heat of the moment.
10. Agreed, his biggest ally in retaining his role will be fans perception.
11. Can't really comment as I don't have an opinion, but it seems the press has been bad for all teams. The quality of sport journalism from mainstream media outlets has been really poor.
5.) 07 Apr 2024 12:36:23
Spot on BRD.
Personally, I would add that he needs to take the armband away from Bruno.
On the pitch, the captain is expected to be the leader - leading by example and displaying the earnest application of someone who actually gives a hoot.
Instead, we have a petulant halfwit throwing limbs about in fits of histrionics when he should be grafting and chasing the fight.
Don't get me wrong - he's an incredibly gifted player, but he's nothing remotely like captain material because of the vibe he impresses upon a game that's not going our way.
6.) 07 Apr 2024 13:10:32
Good post BRD.
7.) 07 Apr 2024 13:41:42
Agree whole heartedly BRD. There’s a lot that Eth isn’t guilty of but there’s a lot that he is… you don’t fancy the role yourself mate? Seems like u have a handle on what we need? ?.
8.) 07 Apr 2024 14:03:55
Ork, he's a gifted player but not a very good one. Bit like Pogba.
9.) 07 Apr 2024 14:39:13
@Kurtis so Rashford back today!
10.) 07 Apr 2024 17:30:39
Yep, fully rescind my above point.
01 Apr 2024 22:54:28
Outrageous theory: The squad and the manager aren’t good enough.
This constant debate about who to blame - the players or manager - overlooks the obvious. They both are.
There are better managerial options than ETH. Anybody that thinks he’s the third (or 4th, 5th, 5th, 6th or 7th) best manager in the world needs to give their head a wobble. Not going to list his deficiencies again, but to think he’s going to improve simply because he has a better structure above him is ludicrous.
I keep hearing about the managerial cycle (rinse repeat etc. ), but the reality is we haven’t had a truly great manager (or even an up and coming progressive manager) since SAF left. The appointments have been a strange bag of who’s available rather than who do we need. We could have stuck with any of them and we would not have won any more. The cycle is therefore a result of poor appointments. You don’t back a bad manager because of the false hope he will become good. Crazy thinking.
As a result of the poor structure and managerial cycle we have an unbalanced, overpaid dysfunctional squad constructed by owners only interested in dividend payments. Managed now by a manager that makes the same mistakes week after week.
Prior to ETH the managerial appointments where tasked with top four. This developed a squad culture that overlooked winning trophies. Left the players to focus on contracts, haircuts, cars and social media. There are players that are exceptions to this. But the on-pitch evidence suggests this to be the dominating culture.
INEOS have to bring the necessary changes. Ripping a bloated squad. Results based on the team - not individual player achievements. A coherent football strategy at all age levels. Replacing the manager with a footballing structure including a dedicated coach. Nurturing a winning and progressive mentality across the club.
Regardless of your viewpoint of ETH or the managerial cycle, the reality is the last 12-months have been nothing short of awful. A raft of unwanted records. Sometimes a person needs to be replaced in any type of business simply because the baggage they carry is too great. ETH is at that point now. INEOS need to draw a line in the sand and bring in a replacement that supports this future.
1.) 01 Apr 2024 23:23:20
Great Post BRD.
Nobody can put the blame at the door if eth alone.
In some aspects he has done a good job.
But it's a simple question of is he the best man for the next 3 / 5 years?
Based on everything I've seen it's a definite no.
Buy as we keep saying this with the best knowledge and information will decide his fate.
Sjr and team will know if he suits their ideal.
2.) 01 Apr 2024 23:44:43
Players are terrible. don't try. can't be bothered for half the games. Just shoot instead of creating for a team mate. Try Hollywood passes rather than the simple percentage play. Every. Flipping. Time. The club probably tells EtH who he has to pick (this is my guess) .
We have been ravaged by injuries like liverpool were last year. (Liverpool have a better squad to start with btw)
Club was up for sale. Sancho. Anthony. The club has run out of cash and been begging for loans.
But let's sack a manger who has had to deal with all this after being given just 18 months.
The only reason EtH should be sacked is if the new CEO and director football have had chance to assess him and decide they want a different path forward. I don't see how they have done that yet. So why not stick with him until they can make that assessment and meanwhile bring in some decent players and move some others on.
3.) 02 Apr 2024 07:56:47
Agreed DB, how can they properly assess him without being in the job.
4.) 02 Apr 2024 09:07:57
I don't know why we are looking at Ashworth for DOF. Ineos should just look on this site, they will find plenty of people qualified to judge a managers capability.
5.) 02 Apr 2024 09:22:32
He will be assessed continuously and a decision will be made.
This happens in every business in every walk of life.
Consultants will be hired if not already I assume to access all parts of the business. You need to understand how these things work.
If you think the decision rests on one head or opinion you'll be if they did he would be fine already I suspect.
The team will be furnished with all the reports when in place or possibly beforehand.
Dear oh dear there is some amount of naivety.
I can't be sure and definitely don't know the exact methods they will use for his appraisal but it will be done and I'm sure is being done in a timely fashion it's I. Quite sure ongoing.
6.) 02 Apr 2024 10:40:41
I see less improvement, tactics and style in 2 seasons under ten Hag than most of the clutch of strays we've had in the post-Fergie era. But the off-field stuff is at least getting addressed.
7.) 02 Apr 2024 13:33:22
A Celtic fan (we're honkin ATM) who enjoys the contributions made by you guys. I get the Eth debate, but if you get rid, on the assumption utd don't get 4th spot for CL, who managerially speaking is a realistic option? My gut tells me Ratcliffe knows what he's doing and as an outsider looking in, I think you should trust what he decides.
8.) 02 Apr 2024 13:58:47
Couldn't agree more CiP.
9.) 02 Apr 2024 16:21:15
BDR I agree they are both to blame. We play a big team (Liverpool) and yes we get a little rub of the green/ luck but the effort deserved the win and don't forget the 1st 35 mins we should have been out of sight.
Then we roll up at Brentford and they up their game, as they are playing a big team and yes they should have won the game hands down for the effort they applied. We did not apply ourselves, as we did against Liverpool and so paid the price of being played off the field.
All too often this season (and last) we do not turn up for the so called lesser teams.
We need maximum effort every game and that is down to the manager, to make sure the players totally understand what is required and also the players, they have to take responsibility for their own part.
30 Mar 2024 22:03:05
ETH and McClaren celebrating Mount’s goal when Klopp and Pep would have been organising from the touchline. Pathetic in game management. Stop cracking out the champagne and do your job Eric.
1.) 30 Mar 2024 22:06:15
Incoming…………….
2.) 31 Mar 2024 00:25:10
How dare they celebrate what should have been the winner in the final minuites of the game
How dare they have passion to celebrate
Maybe if the players had the same passion they wouldn’t have concede yet another shocking defensive goal
Would have been robbery coming away with 3 points anyway
Another boring football performance and in the end the manager and the coaching staff need to take a look at themselves
But that’s what will get them sacked the dross were having to watch
It is starting to resemble lvg football
Boring.
3.) 31 Mar 2024 08:17:36
Last night was very poor. I’m not one for knee jerk reactions, and there is a style of play, but it’s just very negative football which I don’t understand. Erik’s teams at Ajax were awesome with far lesser players than we have. Something is still very rotten in this club and needs sorting.
4.) 31 Mar 2024 08:22:44
@Bolger. Their job is to manage the team. The performance. The tactics. The situation. They can celebrate in the changing room. On the pitch after the game. On social media. They thought it was all over. I look forward to when it is.
5.) 31 Mar 2024 08:33:36
@Eric79 ETH’s success was based on the stellar youth development system at Ajax. He didn’t build a team. He didn’t have to develop a philosophy, club culture or style of play. He was fortunate enough to be given some great players at the right time who knew the blueprint for Ajax football. He also had a great CEO and DoF (off field behaviour aside) who invested well. None of that exists at United. He’s out of his depth with no clue on a philosophy or style of play and apparent inability to motivate. His success last season appears to be based on Rashford’s (outlier) form and goals. Take that away and this is what we are left with. I saw nothing to suggest it would have been any different last season without Rashford’s form.
6.) 31 Mar 2024 11:10:37
BRD what about having the best defensive record last season as well?
This season has been an utter shambles from top to bottom.
You’re looking for someone to blame. You were probably also lamenting McFred two years ago. We still have 50% of that midfield. We still have to rely on non-technical players such as AWB and Maguire. Ole signings who are never going to have a team challenging for titles.
7.) 31 Mar 2024 13:50:35
Wazza what about losing a third of our league games and finishing bottom if cl group for 1st time?
8.) 31 Mar 2024 15:03:12
@wazza then he shouldn’t have blown £80on Antony. Maybe he should have consulted Rangnick more instead of discarding him so quickly. I don’t look for people to blame. I look for those responsible and accountable.
18 Apr 2024 14:55:46
Excuse me @Shappy, but have we really got that?
Any true disciplinarian would have dropped Rashford weeks ago. He would not have tolerated the night clubbing in Ireland. He wouldn't have let Antony waste a position in the team week after week. He would have sorted out the dressing room leaks. He would crack down on social media likes and huffs. He would sort out the rancid relationship with certain social media hacks and all told, he would have created a far different culture to the one we have now. A professional, team focused, results orientated culture.
I see things happening around the team that rarely seem to happen anywhere else. So no, those of us that wanted more discipline are still waiting. More than discipline, I want a coach that earns the respect of the players in such a manner that discipline as a verb, rather than an adjective, isn rarely necessary. A manager who walks in and respect just happens. Example. Ancelotti. The man oozes class and the right to be respected. I don't see that in ETH. In fact I haven't seen that since Sir Alex.
16 Apr 2024 12:56:31
Holy cow. One of your best ever Ed!
30 Oct 2023 13:58:59
@ Keefy post of the day.
08 Jul 2023 07:42:04
One of your favourite players of all time. Jeez.
Just don’t get this DDG love in. Above average goalkeeper who won many personal awards because he was in a below average United side. Poor at crosses and commanding area. Always had a mistake in him. Last season helped knock us out of Europa and awful in Cup Final. Tried to move on numerous occasions. Payed way above what he was worth. Nowhere near the standard of Edwin (please get better soon) or Schmikes.
Regardless of how his departure has been handled (think about NHS staff and teachers for some perspective) it’s no worse than Keane or RVN who made far greater contributions to the club.
Personally swapping him for Onana will be best bit of business this summer for me.
18 Aug 2022 02:34:55
Everything has a price!
19 Apr 2024 19:27:37
Harrison Burrows has played more games this season (Posh captain) than any Liverpool player.
13 Apr 2024 06:19:22
I think it’s a great idea. When he gets to his new club whenever that may be.
09 Apr 2024 07:47:11
Really don’t know how anybody can defend the tactics at the moment. I thought Ole’s were bad, but ETH is making him look like a tactical genius. League form now feels worse than the season Ole was sacked.
Regardless of injuries ETH is looking either stupid or naive with his formations. Players can’t mark a piece of paper at set pieces and are woefully out of shape and position during transitions. There’s just no defensive discipline - and that’s supposed to be ETH’s strength. Discipline.
Over 500 shots against us this season. Speaks volumes. That’s not a skewed or irrelevant stat. It’s cause and effect. I’m sick of his ridiculous post match analyses. If he’s being genuine then everybody should be worried.
Do I want ETH gone. Yes. Two reasons. Firstly he isn’t good enough to win PL or CL. Secondly, I want INEOS to flex their thinking and bring in a coach of their choosing. I don’t care about comparisons to other clubs or stats against Arteta or actually winning a trophy at the moment. I want a competent manager that makes competent decisions. They seem so rare now.
Final point. All of these comments about injuries. Our midfield has been our issue all season. Bruno. Never injured. McT barely injured. Amrabat. Barely injured. Mainoo obviously relatively new addition. Casemiro missed 17 matches. Dalot (who moves into midfield) never injured. Plus there are some good fringe academy players available. Point is our midfield has hardly been ravaged by injuries. I get Mount long term but he’s never had him to miss - and he’s hardly a defensive linchpin. So why despite the choices and consistent availability is the basics of our midfield still so bad? Coaching and/ or tactics. Were they Woodward’s fault. The Glazers?
08 Apr 2024 17:01:49
1. I challenge every anti-Erik on here to provide names of managers who've dealt with the same pressures in little under 2 full seasons.
What's the point? What does this prove? We only focus on our own, but off the top of my head I would say Spurs have had a bad season with injuries but are likely to get top-4.
2. I further challenge them to explain why these pressures should be considered so trivial that they must be completely ignored when the opportunity for criticism presents?
Nobody is ignoring them. There's enough evidence without them to suggest ETH is out of his depth with the decision making he is making.
I'll ask you a question back. How did ETH justify starting Rashford yesterday?
07 Apr 2024 14:39:13
@Kurtis so Rashford back today!