Allan Saint-Maximin (now playing for Fenerbahce, on loan from Al-Ahli)

[Theregulars]

8 minutes ago, mighty__mag said:

 

We weren't we were always missing something, and Manchester Utd were serial winners, we always came close but never managed it. Were you around for the KK times yourself? We only truly came close once, but like I said something was missing, even Keegan knew he'd taken us as far as he could.

 

And on now, I do believe it will take a while, we all thought at the start of the season 7th or a Europa spot would be a success of the back of surviving relegation, that's still a realistic target, we're over achieving slightly and nobody would have had us in this position and a cup semi, but other things have played a part, yes we've lost one game and that's amazing, but Liverpools dip, Spurs, Chelsea etc, these things have all come into play along with our excellent form and made this season unpredictable. I'll stand by what I said, we wont be champions for a good while, and that's another debate.

 

The bit in bold, I do believe you're getting carried away, but dont think it's a patronising or arrogant reply, I wish I had that confidence, I guess we'll see as it unfolds, so much can still change as it did in 95, we were sat top of the league at this stage with 18 games played.

 

 

 

Yes, I was around. We very nearly won the title in 1995/6, it’s objectively untrue to state otherwise. We finished second the following season! We also “got near” under Robson 2001/02 (insofar as we were in the conversation for a few months). And we’re currently third, 1 point off second. Granted we’re 9 points off arsenal, but clearly as things stand we’re not far away from challenging for the title in the near future.

[The College Dropout]

Played well. Grafted hard.

[WilliamPS]

Bloke has barely played since September yet in the view of some in here he’s gone from the second best player in the squad to a no hoper in that time. When exactly did he become lazy?
 

The attack is very flat with Almiron, Joelinton, Willock and Longstaff. with Bruno out the team will need a bit of creativity. Joelinton and Almiron are industrious triers but they are not creative

 

And if ASM goes, he will need to be replaced in the squad with someone with similar attributes - dribbling, pace, ability to beat a man, as nobody else has that.

 

And all this track back stuff - have you considered for a second if he is asked to play a different role to Joelinton or Willock as he has different skills? I.E. stay high up the pitch as an outlet 

 

I’m quite happy with the team as-is, but can’t stand the desperate need to hound players out of the club for imaginary wrongdoings 

 

 

[madras]

2 minutes ago, WilliamPS said:

Bloke has barely played since September yet in the view of some in here he’s gone from the second best player in the squad to a no hoper in that time. When exactly did he become lazy?
 

The attack is very flat with Almiron, Joelinton, Willock and Longstaff. with Bruno out the team will need a bit of creativity. Joelinton and Almiron are industrious triers but they are not creative

 

And if ASM goes, he will need to be replaced in the squad with someone with similar attributes - dribbling, pace, ability to beat a man, as nobody else has that.

 

And all this track back stuff - have you considered for a second if he is asked to play a different role to Joelinton or Willock as he has different skills? I.E. stay high up the pitch as an outlet 

 

I’m quite happy with the team as-is, but can’t stand the desperate need to hound players out of the club for imaginary wrongdoings 

 

 

How is he getting hounded out ? Because a few people on here, myself included, point out a weakness in his game and not just him and its a weakness that quite possibly our management team sees aswell.

[mighty__mag]

Just now, Theregulars said:

Yes, I was around. We very nearly won the title in 1995/6, it’s objectively untrue to state otherwise. We finished second the following season! We also “got near” under Robson 2001/02 (insofar as we were in the conversation for a few months). And we’re currently third, 1 point off second. Granted we’re 9 points off arsenal, but clearly as things stand we’re not far away from challenging for the title in the near future.

 

We were a top side in the 90s no doubt, and statistically you're right, mentally we were never going to be champions, the game vs Blackburn proved this for me. But the long and short of it is we never were, and we never won anything with one of our best sides, like I said, I felt something was missing. Nearly! we threw away the chance, and it still haunts me a tad.

 

Listen, I'm not getting insulting over this one, the 9pts off Arsenal now thing means absolutely fuck all, you can't gauge that of the back of last season and predict we'll be challenging for the title in the near future. It's going to be a slow process, anyone thinking otherwise is mad. 

 

 

[Theregulars]

15 minutes ago, mighty__mag said:

 

We were a top side in the 90s no doubt, and statistically you're right, mentally we were never going to be champions, the game vs Blackburn proved this for me. But the long and short of it is we never were, and we never won anything with one of our best sides, like I said, I felt something was missing. Nearly! we threw away the chance, and it still haunts me a tad.

 

Listen, I'm not getting insulting over this one, the 9pts off Arsenal now thing means absolutely fuck all, you can't gauge that of the back of last season and predict we'll be challenging for the title in the near future. It's going to be a slow process, anyone thinking otherwise is mad. 

 

 

I don't think I'm mad. I just don't think "mentally we were never going to be champions" is a persuasive argument, dripping as it is in revisionism and hindsight. But each to their own!

[mighty__mag]

10 minutes ago, Theregulars said:

I don't think I'm mad. I just don't think "mentally we were never going to be champions" is a persuasive argument, dripping as it is in revisionism and hindsight. But each to their own!

 

Sure,??

 

You should start a new topic with a poll, asking how long until we win a title, maybe it would prove I'm madder for not believing its anytime in the next 5 seasons?  And btw, I'd love nothing more than me being wrong.

 

Would be an interesting poll.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 16, 2023 by mighty__mag

[GWN]

Our fan base weirdly didn’t need this league position we wanted to build , lots expecting 4th now and think it will be a gimme each year. We are 3-4 years ahead of our time because of circumstances and tbh our bloody good results .

 

ASM could be our Tino or our hero , let’s get behind the daft fucker. 

[McCormick]

He played very well tbf. Worried his body isn’t built for the amount of sprints our system would ask of him (backwards and forwards). Always looks like his hamstrings’ll tear off after every time he goes full pelt. 

[Guest]

Think he'll eventually end up being someone we bring on in games like yesterday when we're needing something to win us a game, and used in the cups from the start.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

51 minutes ago, GWN said:

lots expecting 4th now and think it will be a gimme each year.

 

Really?

[Kanj]

Not sure how you watch yesterday and not think Max did well. He drove us forward, created a few chances, had a pop at goal and was running and pressing and challenging whoever he needed to. No sulking, demanding the ball so he can try and get us 3 points. Celebrated with his mate Isak after the goal too. 

[Dr Venkman]

Noticeable that he looks for a pass now. Thought he looked really good apart from lying down for a bit when we were desperately trying to score.

[Shearergol]

Just now, Kanji said:

Not sure how you watch yesterday and not think Max did well. He drove us forward, created a few chances, had a pop at goal and was running and pressing and challenging whoever he needed to. No sulking, demanding the ball so he can try and get us 3 points. Celebrated with his mate Isak after the goal too. 

 

Only one person doesn't think he did well tbf  It's hardly a debate.

[gbandit]

Just now, Dr Venkman said:

Noticeable that he looks for a pass now. Thought he looked really good apart from lying down for a bit when we were desperately trying to score.

Had a nice nap and that’s what matters 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

1 minute ago, Kanji said:

Not sure how you watch yesterday and not think Max did well. He drove us forward, created a few chances, had a pop at goal and was running and pressing and challenging whoever he needed to. No sulking, demanding the ball so he can try and get us 3 points. Celebrated with his mate Isak after the goal too. 

 

I thought he was very useful yesterday, for a few months it's been clear that he's been working on his team play and his overall effort without the ball. 

 

He way well be replaced by someone better, but you can't say he isn't trying. 

[HawK]

I noted the other week in the cup game match thread he looked visibly leaner when he came on. Hopefully it doesn't affect his explosiveness too much, but removing some of that extra bulk will help immensely with his off-the-ball pressing.

[Nine]

39 minutes ago, Optimistic Nut said:

Think he'll eventually end up being someone we bring on in games like yesterday when we're needing something to win us a game, and used in the cups from the start.

As useful as he’d be in that kind of role I don’t think he’s the type of personality to be happy with it. 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Nine said:

As useful as he’d be in that kind of role I don’t think he’s the type of personality to be happy with it. 

 

Then he'll end up at a Palace, West Ham, Leicester.

[mighty__mag]

Boys a good un, loves this club to death.

[Wolfcastle]

Main man berth going begging for a few weeks (please no more than) if he's interested

[Guest]

He could have an Eric Lamela or Lucas Moura type role to play if he's up for it. He'll still get 15-20 league starts with injuries and rotation as well as being a starter in the cups. It's about what he averages a season anyway but the pressure on his body which doesn't seem cut out for our way of playing might be less playing in Europe for example.

[HaydnNUFC]

Thought he did well yesterday. No matter how he performs he pulls out 2 defenders to him creating space for others, offering us more in attack. Especially against a side that sits deep, though he's at his best when on the break.

[LFEE]

4 hours ago, Dr Venkman said:

Noticeable that he looks for a pass now. Thought he looked really good apart from lying down for a bit when we were desperately trying to score.

Not sure if you were at the game (?) but in fairness to him it was a hell of a whack he took in that challenge.

[Scotty66]

Sounds strange but I kind of forgot how good he was. Been so long since we've seen him for longer than 15/20 minutes and how he instantly attracts 2 of the opposition defenders, yet still finds space, a pass or a shot is pretty impressive. 

 

Every team doubles up on him now and you would be mad not to tbh. I think that's why he goes to the floor a lot as he gets frustrated being doubled up on and expects its a foul every time. 

 

He'll always have that ability to beat a man and cut inside which is exciting to watch, and the most important thing is that he creates space for others due to the doubling up. I think that's the compromise with his lack of defending. Unfortunately you just can't get both.