Sibierski

Tier 1: Pep / Klopp Tier 2: Emery / Arteta Tier 3: Howe / Ange / De Zerbi / Iraola Tier 4: ETH / Moyes / Pochettino / Frank / Silva Tier 5: Nuno / Dyche / O’Neil / Edwards / Kompany Tier 6: Wilder Glasner - Unknown. That’s what I would rank things currently based on what I’ve seen so far in English football, and having seen some of them elsewhere. Tier 1 = Elite. Coaches that vastly improve players because of the system they coach, with top end results to back. Tier 2 = Strong. Clear showings they are innovative, with recognition that can push the top guys. Tier 3 = Very good. Good coaches, have their identity that can be seen, and got room to move upwards. Tier 4 = Steady. What you’ve seen is what you get. Never going to get to Tier 2, only possibly considered higher due to managing in inferior leagues with superior squads to mask their fundamental errors. Tier 5 = Bounce between 4 and 5. Not a great deal of appeal. Tier 6 = Out of depth. Someone like Jose I would put in 4. The European success with Roma should mean a 2, but they were regular par at best in league, and should’ve been doing better. I’d shudder if he came to us.

The thing with the counter which has frustrated me loads this season, we just don’t do the dark arts anymore. Last season, we would be fouling as soon as ball is lost, bringing down players at first sign, slowing play right down against counter attacking sides. Just not done hardly any of that this season. Even against Forest when we had Trippier playing, he failed to cynically take someone out on the counter. As much as we’re weak when actually exposed, would also like us to see get back to the antics that pissed many teams and managers off last season.

It’s also worth remembering with Man City, they had some spending with the Thai (was it?) prior so had some positive movements before the Arab money, whilst we were the opposite.

3 domestic cup finals out of last 4 for Man Utd. What a cunting club.

Absolutely target press Phillips all game. Make all their play go through him.

Don’t win 2nd balls because no-one has a fucking clue where his headers are going. Most shocked thing about yesterday’s game, was his knock down for Isak. First time ever

Helps with continuously home draws and inferior opposition for vast majority.

Can’t wait for Chelsea to get Coventry in SF. Proper lucky cup season.

I just don’t think we would’ve in fairness. Got 9 minutes when was 8-0 up against Sheff Utd, didn’t come on against Palace even at 4-0 (had more options on bench), then it was 6 mins against 10 men Fulham at 3-0. Hard to impress in limited minutes like that when rest of the team is in energy saving mode and opposition are just sat off with a slow tempo. 296 mins in an injury ravaged season is mad. Been handled like a proper development player, but he’s a £30m development player

Looking at the fixtures that weekend, it’s a fair chance if we win, come end of the weekend we sit 7th. Outlook is totally different and we’re ready for a charge, with another home game straight away. Lose, and it could be 12th Where the following Everton home game is a totally different atmosphere. Pivotal weekend even if nothing is actually decided.

How do we ease him in like this? Basically only play him when we’re 2+ behind in league games? Can’t see him coming on if we’re one ahead. Unless we’re 3+ ahead in a game, I’d be surprised if we see him feature meaningfully in the league. For some reason or another, it’s been set his minutes and it’s a case of wait till next season to see what happens.

Maybe not, but if we lost, it’s 6 points behind 7th. And not just a straight battle to get that back, but 3 other sides, possibly 4, who would be looking at it too. In that context, it’s a must win. Got to be beating our main challengers, and just in general winning home games now till end of season if we’re to save this season.

Long break then West Ham at home. That’ll be the acid test for final season kick on.

Limp dick performance. Didn’t go out in an embarrassing way, didn’t go out in a battle. Meh.

First time this season where his looked really anguish on side line I’ve felt.

Howes anguish all game has been unlike him. First time this season where he looks proper desperate at the result. Does he know he needs to qualify for Europe and that’s why?

Murphy has his squad place for next few years, especially considering we won’t get a fee for him, he’s low wages, plays a few positions and loves Newcastle. Literally the last player we need to consider moving on.

Hopefully post warm weather camp, we see more of likes of Hall etc. starting. Players need dropping now we have more back, they’re out of form and need that kick up the back side.

Lascelles trying his best to kill this off.

That’s a finally, “Fuck it, go for it” change.

Hope Lewis Hall is learning.

The state of that

Not sure what parts we’ve done good? We’re literally not pressing the ball when we’re deep Just because Dubravka isn’t making loads of saves, isn’t a reflection of us doing well. Man City often move it around and not shoot first half. We’ve been good down the right on the quick movements, that’s a positive. But considering it’s like 2nd gear for City, it’s a shame it’s 2-0 and we’ve not made them need to up their levels.

We’re just not a good team on the ball. Bruno and Gordon only players that can take ball in tight spaces and move it. Everyone else is statues when receiving and passing, which makes it easy to make us turn it over. When there’s space, we can move it quick as we did it earlier, but overall, we’re just not a good team at controlling ball/tempo of a game.

Lascelles and Schar getting tight like that is a dangerous game.