The College Dropout

True.

‘Watched in real time’ makes a massive difference. Haaland joined a dynasty, while they won a CL, the dynasty ended in Haaland’s peak. Haaland has reduced the sleekness of City’s attack. City won the big one but it wasn’t because of Haaland directly.

I love Saka but he’s guilty of it too. I don’t watch much Bayern but I assume Diaz and Olise whole inverted are the types to look for Kane

Think Toure had a season like that but I can’t remember if it was before after. Like Bale it was game after game of - give him the ball and he’ll win it for them. Drop a shoulder and slap it top bins. It felt unfair. Think Salah did if last season too tbf. But Bale made it look sexier. Week after week of worldies.

Don’t know if I’m supporting Morocco at the World Cup or not. I prefer having teams I’m rooting for and against. Neutral I want to avoid. im neutral on Norway. I want to be pro Morocco but I might be neutral.

I agree with this. Unless he finds something - he looks to be done. Saying that Dubravka found something. He was awful in that period Pope was out in Popes second season. But when Pope was out in the league cup winning year Dubravka was a lot better. Shot stopping was better. Tried to sweep more. He was good. Maybe Pope can find an extra gear and stop the clangers. But I don’t want to take that risk - save the legacy and join Ipswich.

I’m just comparing skill set. Pope’s strengths in shot stopping, penalty saving and commanding his area translate well in any era. At peak his sweeper keeper was great for this era but would have mattered less in Given. Given didn’t command his box in an era where that was huge. Given was a good shot stopper and made few clangers. Thats it. Pope was a massive reason we had that great defence. His sweeper keeper meant we could maintain a high line with a defence compromising a 33 year old Trippier, Schar, Borman and Burn. Anything in behind had to be perfect otherwise Pope would get there first. Balls in the box - if it wasn’t perfect Pope is punching it. Likewise Given contributed to our weakness. Weak at crosses, no presence. We’ve seen what that’s like with Ramsdale’s - mayhem in the box. I give Given credit for his consistency and longevity. Both better than Pope. But If I had to have Given or Pope at peak swap for league cup finals, FA cup finals (and semis) - I’m taking Pope in an instant.

Bale much stronger. Carried it longer distances. Bale was great in the air. Was acrobatic. Better balance. All of the technical and physical advantages helped him become a much more composed player. Bale was super lazy. Didn’t press or track back. The only similarity is a kick and run approach to beating players.

For me - Pope is just better. If Pope was born in 1976 he has 50+ England caps and is considered a level above Given. Peak shot stopping I stil prefer Pope. Command of box and presence easily Pope. Penalty saving Pope. Distribution equally as bad.

Casemiro is still a better player. Great goal from Bruno. Hope Brazil can win it.

I don’t think it’s a fail comp. It’s just what he did in the match in an attacking sense. Most of it just happened to be lacklustre. Comparisons to Gareth Bale just don’t sound right. In the very specific example of beating fullbacks it’s kick and run aye. But Bale was a much more 3 dimensional attacker with a lot more quality. Bale leaned heavily on his quality and so always had that threat. Where a lot of Gordon’s game is exactly what’s In that clip. Failed dribbles, sideways passing, no quality on the ball. I do think this in particular is down to rustiness and the heat.

Winning cups has apparently lost its lustre. But qualifying for a competition that 25-30% of the league qualify for with 0 chance of winning it hasn’t.

Bruno just missed a dozen games.

Trippier was at his best. Burn was solid and acted like a 3rd CB. Joe’s Locked down the left, Almiron defended well. Pope was imperious etc. I agree we’ve never looked solid with Thiaw (and that worries me) but it’s a wider problem

Not playing for 2 months and heat in the main but this happened a lot last season. Welcome to scrutiny Anthony.

Reminding me why I don’t rate him like that

Because he wasn’t trying fully. Barnes is even decent at RW just because he tries. Barnes game is more limited and impacted by worse shooting angles. But actually trying has a huge impact. Gordon is much less reliant on shooting angles.

Think it’s a shit club for forwards to join. The slow style suits deeper players. Joao Pedro aside they rarely move on attackers for big bucks.

Gordon decided he wouldn’t play RW for Newcastle. That was it. If asked to do so for England or Barca and he’ll do it with gumption.

Played there mostly for Everton.

This is not true. If we didn’t get him it’s because we didn’t pursue him with the same intent or just didn’t make a full offer.

I don’t think we would’ve handled Europa significantly better with the league.

While spurs have had poor management, lots of injuries, maybe poor signings and deep European runs. While most of them haven’t had any Europe. Pretty much every established PL side is 1 good transfer window away and a good manager from finishing in the top 8. Let alone Spurs.

Their squad will be top 8 in terms of squad cost and wages. It will not be a miraculous turnaround to finish 6th with no European football, a good manager and a good transfer window and better luck with injury.

Love Pope. Legend to me. Best I’ve seen for us at his best. But my boy is finished.