Jamesmcc222

Excellent post. Another laboured and poor performance where ultimately we got what it deserved. But laboured is key, no lack of effort, just lack of quality. Whether that’s coaching, tiredness or recruitment I’m not sure. Let’s hope we can pick ourselves up again. Still a chance to end this season with some big moments. It’s a tough league.

He’s a legend and deserves respect. Today was really poor but he will be more aware of that than anyone else. He’s earned our support, trust and credit. Maybe some stage in the future there has to be a difficult conversation but it’s a long way from now. He’s made some poor decisions transfer and tactics wise this season but I back him to turn it around and I think we owe it to him as a fan base to give him time to do so. He’s the man.

I think this as well. When he switched to right back at the end he seemed very decent coming inside. We unfortunately are crying out for quality in the final 3rd and he’s one of the only two players we have who can do something that unlocks a defence. It’s a moot point as we don’t have any other full backs. But would be interesting if we could try it.

Maybe this thread can be a little haven for the sane. Those who appreciate how shit it was and how less shit it is now. Those who back the players and mangers (most of the time) and try to have some perspective. You can’t always win but at least most of the time now I think we might. Football should be an escape from the realities of life, not a drain on it. Look how soulless the City stadium was tonight, be happy you support a team that isn’t like that. Champions league knockouts to come. Personally I can’t wait.

He’s made about 5 mistakes in 15+ games. Bramble comparisons seem very much extreme. Defenders occasionally make mistakes, all of them, it’s part of the position. He’s been class and needs a break. Least of our issues is Thiaw.

I’m just thankful they stunk out the joint for 2 years with Reuben. Can never take those memories from us.

New manager. Behave.

Don’t disagree that Euro spots could still be on the cards but you’ve (annoyingly) shown that Europe doesn’t impact you attracting players or not. Don’t think it makes or breaks you if you are in Europe next year. Simply that regardless of what happens this season you have to start all again in the summer, then need months to get used to a new style etc. Just seems like best case scenario is treading water for another 9 months. Seems such a waste of time and money.

Either this goes really well and then they have to dump him and start again in the summer. Or it goes really badly and they plummet the rest of the season. They are hoping it hits the sweet spot of pretty well, shake hands and say goodbye. Another long term interim is such a strange choice. Regardless it’s another whole season completely wasted for them and effectively done by first week of Jan. Long may it continue.

Yep based on his and Howes records since coming to their respective clubs strong argument to be made they have been the two best managers of the last few seasons. Iroala and Glasner up there too. Both consistently outperformed vs their respective wage bills and squads. Wouldn’t swap Howe for him but would be close.

Respectfully I think that’s a bit over the top. It’s frustrating but we just drew in Germany. That’s crazy based on 5 years ago

Exactly my thoughts. One of genuinely a handful of central midfielders in the world who has all facets to his game. Add that he’s clearly a mental cunt and loves us and he’s an all timer. Legend, in every sense of the word.

Dixon yet again being odd. 2 mins talking about the pass before ‘Eze does the rest’.

Henry Lampard Gerrard Giggs Nobby Malbranque

Honestly it’s Eddie Howe and the environment in our club. I think Sesko here would also be doing great things. Wolt is class and wonderful to watch but it’s no coincidence him and Isak have looked so good.

He’s played an insane amount of minutes for a new player in the premium league + champions league. Obviously this wasn’t the plan but has been needed. On top of that he’s clearly being asked to link the play and start getting into the 6 yard box more. With this context I’ve been even more impressed. What a man.

Arteta. What European pedigree does he have, other than perhaps being Spanish. Pep has done magnificently with the resources he has. Honestly no one knows if he can develop average players. Next tier is Howe, Emery, Glasner and Iraola. All shown they can actually improve teams. Slot is too bald to consider for any tiers at this stage.

We are streaky because we have an upper mid table wage budget and net spend. The fact we’ve been finishing as high as we have and winning stuff is because of Howe not in spite of him. We wouldn’t be streaky without him, we’d just be losing. Honestly.

Not sure about this talk of turn it around. Turn what around exactly!! Cup winners and champions league team who had their best player sold in the summer. We’ve lost a couple of last min games and struggled a bit away. This happens. We’ve played fairly well in patches. Can’t believe what I’m reading. The man should have a statue, not just “credit in the bank”. Champions League on Tuesday. Try and enjoy it for gods sake.

Stooped about low enough for his fingers to get into his corn hole.

Agreed. This is the bit I remained pissed off with. How hard is it to be magnanimous when you win? Bald cunt indeed. Starting to think perhaps there was nothing wrong with Klopp pre Liverpool. It’s just what their toxic club of wrong’uns does to people.

The more I think about it, the more this all comes down to wages. Not just Isak but for all our struggles. This is where lack of CEO/Sporting director has really hurt us I think. We’ve prioritised any money in to maximise transfer fees rather than getting our wage structure up. We will always remain a tier below if we can’t offer our best players the money they can get elsewhere or new players the money offered elsewhere. Essentially we needed to put like 600k a week additional away for wage rises and not aim for a ‘Šeško’ at 80m but shop at 30m for now. Plug squad depth with loans or frees, whilst short term to keep salary money aside. Obviously we would still underpay vs the elite but the difference at the moment means Isak won’t be the last big player who has his head turned. They are all humans, moving somewhere new is a risk. Offer more acceptable wages for a English champs league club and suddenly we have a lot going for us again and can sell the softer project stuff. We seem to be caught in a no man’s land of bidding high fees for players we can’t then offer big salaries too and at the same time alienating current high performers.

Think the transfer stress is causing some slightly unusual reactions. Our transfer strategy to this point has been excellent. We’ve signed pretty much exclusively hits. Mostly from abroad despite this slightly strange new narrative. FFP is the enemy here, certainly not Howe. Loyalty is part of who he is. As is single mindedness. That’s why he’s built such a tight and successful team. we’ve been outbid and outspent by a select elite aided by a corrupt system. There are a select set of players that would be available and improve us, and moving ‘quickly’ makes no difference. They are on other big clubs radars too. It’s been a sobering and disappointing window but hopefully it pushes us to players who can still improve us and perhaps care more about just money.

Goes without saying that I hope he fails at that hideous, rapist defending club. But think he’s got a higher ceiling than most of their attacking options.

When he’s played for England he’s looked pretty good. Better, more varied player than Martinelli I think.