The College Dropout

Gordon isn't currently anymore effective than ASM... with less talent

Yes there is if there’s an agreement to suppress the wages of employees to ensure maximal profits for owners.

Think the idea of a wage cap is shit personally.

We can definitely do nothing like.

Barcelona players have written off money the club owes them. The club is very lucky that has happened.

Realistically that's now how it works. That's not how it works for City, Liverpool or Spurs. It would lack a je ne sais quoi. Largely down to most of these already being close to their peaks. Throw in Lavia and we'll be warming.

Pep is pumping the ball long to Haaland and having his midfielders win second-balls. Tiki-taka is dead. Joking aside. What I've learnt about Howe is... his plan B is doing plan A better. I expect his preference is to sign players that can slot in and play the way we do now.. just at a higher level. A lot of pressing and hard running. Conversely though.. the best signings this year were opportunistic (Pope) and a slightly more technical profile with physical potential to play in the Howe way (Isak, Botman).

MacAllister often plays in a deep CM role for Brighton. He’s someone that can play play at the base of a 3 or as an 8 or 10. A more athletic Cabaye. Not the same profile as Maddison.

Raw in what way?

That's fair enough. But my point is not a wild one.

Havertz is a super-talented footballer. But he flatters to deceive. He'll sometimes show pace, strength, touch, accuracy, everything you want from a player. But mainly doesn't perform. As an RM follower, I don't want him for that price. But it would be a good deal for £50m as he's about to turn 24. £30m more probably lands you Harry Kane.... but who wants to negotiate all summer with Levy? Pick him up on a free next season.

Re: Benzema. Ancelotti all but confirmed Real had exercised a 1-year contract extension on Benzema due to him winning the Ballon D'or (odd clause but ok). It seems like Big Flo himself has taken the decision to let Benzema leave now.

Aye. Honestly, Rodgers is so unlucky not to have had another "big" job. If he was Bernado Rogisimo he would....

And saying that 99% of players show something in men's football by age 22 is also not contentious. What about that is hard to understand? Well I've told you twice now I'm not overly worried about the lad - I don't know him, I don't care for him - so you can stop replying now. However, we need a genuine backup for Trippier—someone who could start 12-20 games next season for us if needed. So if I'm talking about that, you don't need to reply to me going forward.

Where did I say it would be the end of the world? Now we are in the CL, we need genuine squad depth. People have suggested Ashby is a credible back-up for Trippier. I think that is overly optimistic based on the reasons I've outlined. Hence being happy to sign another RB. You've come swanning in talking about "Ah but there's an example from 1985 of a player being amazing to counter your argument". Like??? Yes the Ashby signing is low-risk. But we do actually need a genuine RB option to Trippier. Interesting to see how Krafth does in pre-season. He's played 1 premier league game. Yes to Liveramento please.

This is a football forum. It's to discuss football. We will wait and see. But we are here to talk football. We've got a 22 year-old RB deputising for arguably our best player... and he's barely kicked a pro football. That's worth discussing on this football forum. So yeh.. he's a year older than Livramento, who has had a significant injury but has shown actual ability and potential in senior football. I'd rather take the risk on him as first-team cover and get Ashby some experience elsewhere.

These are 3 examples over a 40-year period btw. You can add Drogba too. Most of these were actually doing bits for non-league sides which earned them league moves. But again we are talking about less than 1%. By 22 Trippier had played almost 100 games for Championship clubs. Harrison has 7 senior appearances at any level. The point is the vast majority of players will have shown something, at some senior level by 22. And not doing anything at that level is a genuine concern.

Levy's done a fantastic job. It's just that his mistakes have cost them silverware. He cheaped out at the wrong time under Poch—unimaginative manager appointments.

The squad / infrastructure Roman left had lots of players 25 and under worth A LOT of money. Youth "products" alone will be worth £250m.

Name them. I think like 99% of players that have good careers, show something, at some senior level by 22.

Reminds me that Modric is only a couple of years younger than Iniesta. They feel like players from different generations.

There was a time people in England thought he was overrated because we didn't see him do it in the latter stages of the CL. Being slow, there were question marks about doing it in the PL. Then he slapped four against England. Then he came to England in his mid 30's and bossed the league. Top lad. Great player. Great career.

Ashby signing always looked dodgy as owt. Nowhere near the first team at WHU or us. He's the same age as Saka. Saka has played 5x the amount of games for England as Ashby has in Senior football.

He touched the ball with his right foot a few times which is an improvement on Miggy already.

Fulham are a good example. Great club to develop talent. Just the right level. Great academy. Lads move from there too early and can barely get a meaningful kick. Moving to Spurs has harmed Sessegnon's career so much. Hope Carvalho has better outcomes.