Coffee_Johnny

Opinion basically means the same thing as thought. Neither are necessarily knowledge or fact based. Makes more sense to contrast both with overly firm beliefs being espoused as facts. Fuck me, what am I typing this for. Just get the lad signed already.

? really tickled me ?

Great article. High praise from two accomplished coaches who know him well.

You know, I really could!

We’re getting to the point of the window where it becomes difficult for clubs, we are seeking to buy from, to replace players who they presumably weren’t planning to sell. This requirement of potential sellers being willing to weaken their squads, along with many supposed targets already gone, does not create an environment in which we are likely to pick up bargains or even value for money (VfM) signings. That leaves players who selling clubs don’t need or want, as they have already strengthened, or teams who want to reduce numbers, get rid of malcontents, or lessen the wage bill (the three Chelsea possibilities). Or are made an offer they can’t refuse. So it may come to the point of acknowledging we gave the VfM strategy a good go but we have to overpay/meet inflated expectations. (… there’s always horse’s heads in beds!). Guessing/hoping the real issue here is the extent the new decision makers really want to push on this season. I think we are really close to a squad capable to challenge for European football and give ‘anyone’ a one-off beating in a cup game. Obviously our ambition and level of patience as fans— with no reputational risk of bad decisions, or balancing books, keeping existing squad happy, committing to future problems by stretching a wage structure—isn’t as tempered as the collective leadership structure at SJP. If they are genuinely content to consolidate, have a safe season, build again next year, then they won’t stretch. Simple as that. The benefits don’t outweigh the costs involved. I’d like to say I am easy either way; we should all be easy either way. Just trust them. It would be the right thing to feel and to say. Thing is though, I think we are so thirsty after such a long quality-drought and so keen to keep momentum, and new stars happy and involved, that we want further improvement now. We are close; teams are there for the overtaking. Next 16 days determines what we can realistically hope for this season. Let’s hope we stretch ourselves; literally reach for the stars.

So many of the selection outside the box. Touch, turn, shoot. Must have been a nightmare to try and defend.

Well, it’ll give the hardy few a better trip home.

Head won, eh? Oh, well… ?

Asprilla’s palying for Watford. Can we not have him? Even if just for the craic?

His head’s gone; avoiding injury ?

Typical City ‘sweaty’ goal. Seen at all age levels.

Thank you, Tache man (… felt kinda tickly!) ?

1-0 at half-time; joyous scenes and exceptional Madri sales ensue. 1-1 at 47 minutes (…palpitations en masse). 1-2 on the hour (… woe is us). 2-2 at 76 minutes . Last fifteen minutes of match causes more people to shit themselves to death than seen during the Sunderland cholera epidemic. Elation (and SIGNIFICANT re-hydration) at full time. You heard it here first

Aye, Howay Super Goalie. Not an expletive in sight: ‘Fucking knacka’ surely ?‍♂️

Is that a heart vs head prediction for us ?

Where’s it available?

All gone a bit quiet since Dan the Man/Ash-no-worth (…nickname to be determined ?) slid into the hot seat.

Promising. Possibly. (Please).

What’s so difficult to understand about a preference to bring in younger players who already have experience at the top level, in this or other countries, and according to those who know the game, the kind of skill set and attitude we are looking for as well as significant potential to develop further? Pretty clear from the outset we are going to splurge, nor are capable of attracting, a whole array of finished article type players.

However efficient they are now, and I don’t think it is safe to assume we are slow to act, we will no doubt be slicker come January and beyond. Lots of new roles and systems take time to bed in.

Has Maxi previously played well against Man City/better sides? Genuinely can’t recall, other than one really poor performance where nothing seemed to come off for him.

Spurs v Wolves 3-0 Crystal Palace v Aston Villa 2-0 Everton v Nottingham Forest 1-0 Fulham v Brentford 1-2 Leicester v Southampton 2-1 Bournemouth v Arsenal 1-3 Leeds v Chelsea 1-2 West Ham v Brighton 1-1 Newcastle v Man City 2-2 Man Utd v Liverpool 1-3

Well, personally speaking, I’m well out of ‘dust’ range! ?

Well boo to that. Except it keeps us two points above Liverpool!