The College Dropout

I agree. They should make the lines thicker still. I would love to get rid of the lines but they've opened pandora's box. At 1-0 we conceded to Villa. It was such a tight call but I was glad for the lines in that moment. Can we go back to a world where the lines are gone? The Villa player actually being slightly offside could cost us our safety. Fundamentally the rule needs changing. I remember we lost to City 1-0 under the McLaren relegation with Rafa. Aguero was offside for a whole minute, didn't come back onside at all. VAR is excellent for that and it's great those no longer happen.

I'd be fuming at Dubs in that situation. Sa didn't even pull out of the challenge. Smart play by Wood. Recognised the possible situation and did what was needed. It wasn't an overt fall for a penalty. I think Jota did a bad one recently and won the penalty.

What probable flaws?

Leicester going to ET or winning on Thursday (both is ideal) would be great for us. If they win I expect 4-6 changes against us. They've got a lot of games in hand, are fully safe - they just need to avoid injuries for the Conference League. If they lose Rodgers will look to avoid the sack and see who they should keep and who should move on.

4 points at a minimum

He wouldn't like. Not the top 3. Need to see more for the rest of the top 8 or so. He would've been a great replacement for Moutinho for Wolves.

Shelvey's unathletic. Cabaye for us wasn't poor athletically but a game could hit a tempo that was too fast and physical for him and he'd be chasing shadows.

Time wasting shithousery is an art in my book. So was the back pass at some point though. objectively, it’s not good for the entertainment of the sport. But I feel it makes the game more predictable.

That Mahrez miss felt pivotal.

I reckon Burnley end up at 34-36.

Out of Spurs Arsenal and Man U, it’s the one with the elite coach that is likely to finish 4th. what a shock. tbf I thought Arsenal would have enough to get over the line.

Together they are VERY slow. I thought Burn might have some pace as he’s played fullback a lot. He doesn’t.

They are responsible but the buck ends at Ralf and the senior management. He’s as suitable a manager of an elite football club as Bruce was suitable for us. Maybe even worse.

That is fair tbh. but there’s a big gap between Conte and Ralf

They are only a team because of Conte. Last 2 seasons they’ve finished 6,7. Conte would do what he’s done everywhere. Come in. Win a lot. Sign some dross. And leave.

Why didn’t they want him? the Neville rhetoric is killing them. They are like any other massive club. Cycle your way through the best managers and they will compete. If they can get a Klopp or Guardiola you go and keep them.

Had they hired Conte and Spurs hired Ralf - what do people think would have happened to both clubs? Manchester United challenge for top 4 and Spurs tank. That’s the bottom line.

It’s literally Ralf’s job to motivate and organise the team. He’s doing worse than the last guy, who was evidently in over his head. Ralf hasn’t been a football manger in over a decade and has never managed or played at this level or this league. Perhaps he also - is severely under qualified to be Manchester United manager and it’s showing on the pitch.

To add their last 2 managers have come from Molde and Spartak Moscow’s DOF. If I was a Manchester United player I would be aggravated by the ineptitude.

Can’t speak on their mentality and attitude. Perhwps chronic mismanagement is bringing out the worst in the players. everyone goes to Manchester United and their reputation diminishes eventually. They don’t suddenly become bad players or poor professionals.

Manchester United players aren’t bad. It’s the manager and general management.

I was telling Froggy this. He should never have been Man Utd manager. Even as a caretaker. He doesn’t have the credentials or the personality. Ole did a C+ job for the majority of his time at Manchester United and people acted as if he was always totally useless. Ralf is doing an D- job and he’s dangerously close to an E / F.

Don’t think he gets a game (as-is). btw I think the Cabaye comparisons are good. Similar strengths, similar limitations.

Physically I’d compare him to Cabaye. Good engine. Gets about the pitch. But he’s not the prototypical Klopp midfielder. More Thiago in style than the others that are all A1 physically.

Yes. His direct opponent is 35 years old and the old man hung on in there physically. I loved Bruno’s pass and surge into midfield that lead to the ASM cross I think. I love that he wanted to break lines and penetrate. He’s not Granit Xhaka but he’s not exactly athletic either. I think a 25 year old Moutinho easily tracks the run and nullifies the attack. But he looks up for the fight off the ball. And showed quality on the ball. I’m not suggesting he’s Shelvey physicaly. But I do think we need greater athleticism in each department on the pitch. He also needs more ballers around him. You can tell he wants to pass and move but Almiron, Krafth, Shelvey aren’t those types of players. There’s not enough ‘football’ around him.