The TT Football Club

[Gizo]

I knew Spurs-Chelsea would be a thriller, and I’m happy that it didn’t disappoint and that Chelsea won to put some pressure on Liverpool. Like many other fans I like to mock Tottenham (their major trophy haul in the 21st century is the same as Blackburn’s), but as someone with no vested interest in their results, I find them to be one of the most fun teams to watch.

When Chelsea appointed Maresca during the summer, I basically had zero idea how it would work out. His one season at Leicester, getting a club with a mid-table Premier League standard squad and stacked bench promoted from the Championship, wasn’t really much to go off. It situations like that, whether a manager is a success or not can even come down to whether he makes a good first impression when he meets his players.

He knows how he wants to play, know his first choice starting XI, and has used the Thursday European games to make sure that the other players have been getting sufficient match action. Plus putting Caicedo at right-back and allowing Enzo Fernández more license to roam forward looks to be working well.

 

[Gizo]

The Manchester derby next weekend could be fun as a ‘neutral’ - well I’m not really a neutral as I’ll want Utd to beat the evil City and pile on more misery for them.

With the state the 2 clubs are in, I’m expecting them both to forget to bring their kits with them to the stadium, score own goals apiece and then get in trouble for fielding ineligible players.

 

[optic yellow]

The most missed man in tt history, the great Kral, at least he got something out of his Palmer triple captain. Bonus points still to come.

Imagine setting Salah as captain and then having vice captain be your goalkeeper rather than Palmer because you assumed that setting a new captain would automatically demote the previous to vice.

 

[Feña14]

I knew Spurs-Chelsea would be a thriller, and I’m happy that it didn’t disappoint and that Chelsea won to put some pressure on Liverpool. Like many other fans I like to mock Tottenham (their major trophy haul in the 21st century is the same as Blackburn’s), but as someone with no vested interest in their results, I find them to be one of the most fun teams to watch.

When Chelsea appointed Maresca during the summer, I basically had zero idea how it would work out. His one season at Leicester, getting a club with a mid-table Premier League standard squad and stacked bench promoted from the Championship, wasn’t really much to go off. It situations like that, whether a manager is a success or not can even come down to whether he makes a good first impression when he meets his players.

He knows how he wants to play, know his first choice starting XI, and has used the Thursday European games to make sure that the other players have been getting sufficient match action. Plus putting Caicedo at right-back and allowing Enzo Fernández more license to roam forward looks to be working well.

Best players on the pitch were Enzo and Sancho, for me. I know Enzo played all of last season with a hernia, had injections multiple times a day just to be able to walk without pain. I think that lead to a bit of weight gain too, but he looks lean and out of this world right now. Sancho was brilliant again, has been all season. He’s the classy, composed, technical baller then you have the rapid and direct Noni or Neto on the other side. I do like that balance.

I’m sure you saw quite a bit of Maresca at Leicester last year, but I was told his football was very predictable, slow and tactically inflexible. A kind of Sarri 2.0. So much for that!

I knew he would be good in the summer, his press conferences were box office. Brutal honesty, no nonsense, knows exactly what he wants and a bit of charm and charisma thrown in for good measure.

When you think last year we had Pochettino playing the exact same game over and over again. It took him until April to try something different. He also lacked the ruthlessness and clarity that Maresca brings. How many times were we a laughing stock with players fighting over penalties, just because Pochettino refused to name Palmer as the taker?

But yes, I’m absolutely delighted with him. We seem to be in an era where you have to have an elite of the elite manager to stand any chance. There’s probably only a handful of them in the game, and it does feel like we have one of those.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Sancho lighting it up for Chelsea is another stain on the Man Utd legacy. Not to turn everything into Man Utd, it did sound like a hell of a game. Unfortunately, more problems here. My Tivo box can't get a signal no matter what I try, I know the TV is fine because PlayStation still connects. To be fair, I'm still using the Tivo Box, technology that is older than Man Utd infrastructure. Oos, mentioned them again.

Imagine setting Salah as captain and then having vice captain be your goalkeeper rather than Palmer because you assumed that setting a new captain would automatically demote the previous to vice.

I don't think I've seen this scenario before, I probably have. hmmm. Surely your captain should still go to somebody who played.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

The Manchester derby next weekend could be fun as a ‘neutral’ - well I’m not really a neutral as I’ll want Utd to beat the evil City and pile on more misery for them.

With the state the 2 clubs are in, I’m expecting them both to forget to bring their kits with them to the stadium, score own goals apiece and then get in trouble for fielding ineligible players.

If United rock out with this shirt on I'll go easier on them.

It sucked because yesterday I was wearing the Ruben jumper with pride, my Mum supports Man Utd, just not a diehard or anything, doesn't understand why Bruno is coming off. etc. Good laugh though, things like '' Ruben is giving presents to Forest.''

 

[Feña14]

Sancho lighting it up for Chelsea is another stain on the Man Utd legacy. Not to turn everything into Man Utd, it did sound like a hell of a game. Unfortunately, more problems here. My Tivo box can't get a signal no matter what I try, I know the TV is fine because PlayStation still connects. To be fair, I'm still using the Tivo Box, technology that is older than Man Utd infrastructure. Oos, mentioned them again.


I don't think I've seen this scenario before, I probably have. hmmm. Surely your captain should still go to somebody who played.

Sorry to hear you’re having problems. I’m in the same boat. My Sky has been out since yesterday afternoon. Sky Go works, as does Sky Sports Ultra HD for some reason. I’d have thought that would be the first to go, but nope. Getting to see is destroy Spurs in UHD was magnificent

Yeah Sancho has been incredible. He’s got the ball on a string, wriggles out of every challenge with it glued to his feet and his weight of pass is exceptional. He’s also started to take more shots, so there should be even more to come. I think it’s probably a case of him being back in London, boyhood club, the system suits him, he’s valued, Maresca is a coach who improves players etc..

It might feel bad watching him at the moment, but I don’t think it could’ve worked at United. Just means you have £25m to go and find your own version who does fit. That’s what the rebuild is all about! Get those scouts to work

 

[optic yellow]

Sancho lighting it up for Chelsea is another stain on the Man Utd legacy. Not to turn everything into Man Utd, it did sound like a hell of a game. Unfortunately, more problems here. My Tivo box can't get a signal no matter what I try, I know the TV is fine because PlayStation still connects. To be fair, I'm still using the Tivo Box, technology that is older than Man Utd infrastructure. Oos, mentioned them again.


I don't think I've seen this scenario before, I probably have. hmmm. Surely your captain should still go to somebody who played.

Yeah I cross fingers that is what they will do. I could use a little bit of fair fortune after this week.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Sorry to hear you’re having problems. I’m in the same boat. My Sky has been out since yesterday afternoon. Sky Go works, as does Sky Sports Ultra HD for some reason. I’d have thought that would be the first to go, but nope. Getting to see is destroy Spurs in UHD was magnificent

Yeah Sancho has been incredible. He’s got the ball on a string, wriggles out of every challenge with it glued to his feet and his weight of pass is exceptional. He’s also started to take more shots, so there should be even more to come. I think it’s probably a case of him being back in London, boyhood club, the system suits him, he’s valued, Maresca is a coach who improves players etc..

It might feel bad watching him at the moment, but I don’t think it could’ve worked at United. Just means you have £25m to go and find your own version who does fit. That’s what the rebuild is all about! Get those scouts to work

I have one thing left to try before it's time to get somebody out to have a look. No doubt, they will press a button and everything works again, making me look like Man Utd - utterly incompetent. But I do think it's time to get the updated box. The one thing left to try is the trusty ol scart to HD converter. Searching some drawers at the minute, it's around here somewhere.

As much as it sucks, I do agree with everybody happy Chelsea won because they are the only team to take advantage of the match being postponed yesterday. Good win again, even if it is Spurs doing their thing. Away from home. 0-2, rivals etc. I doff my cap to Chelsea. Booooo.

Yes, I do agree, break eggs, break some heads. Getting rid of Dan Ashworth might seem like more embarrassment, but I'd rather that than keeping somebody around if they're not in with what's going on.. It's even more satisfying when Gary Neville is getting all upset about it, ''I worked with him at the FA'' Oh, give over, Gary. Again though, we need that kind of ruthless behavior with players, I guess it's harder to do with players, like they say, you can't sack 11 players, even though you really can if you're good enough. Chelsea showing how it's done right now.

I know I said I had no real consarn with ticket prices and everything, but people can really tug at the ol heartstrings. Those kids prices, no shame, United. Disgusting.

 

[Feña14]

Yeah I cross fingers that is what they will do. I could use a little bit of fair fortune after this week.

I’ve just googled it. If the captain and vice don’t start, then no player scores double points that week.

What might’ve been! Penny for Kralingen’s thoughts right now.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Damn, excuse the pun, but that's cold. Bad look, FPL, you absolutely suck.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Actually, to go even more over the top with my ancient references. Don't blame it on yourself, blame it on the weather, man. Dancing in the..... Yeah, I'll stop now.

That does absolutely suck though. I can't even complain, I had Evanilson as captain today.

 

[optic yellow]

I’ve just googled it. If the captain and vice don’t start, then no player scores double points that week.

What might’ve been! Penny for Kralingen’s thoughts right now.

God I'm so mad.

 

[Fabresque]

Great win. Kralingen is probably somewhere blowing a fit. Wish I could see it. RIP

 

[optic yellow]

Honestly though I want to say I think in general I think the captain is a little bit too overpowered, I would rather see it as 1,5x rather than 2x. I think it takes away a bit from having depth in the rest of the squad because of how gaudy the numbers get.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I've looked at the updated football manager database. The keeper coach Jorge Vidal is 18 shot stopping and 17 handling so at least it is a start.

 

[Feña14]

Great win. Kralingen is probably somewhere blowing a fit. Wish I could see it. RIP

Conte and Mourinho couldn’t get it done..

But Ange Lostalotou

 

[optic yellow]

Conte and Mourinho couldn’t get it done..

But Ange Lostalotou

Note again that Spurs wanted Slot so mocking Postecoglou selection is a touch gauche.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

The scart cable didn't work, just as expected. Get your ass out here, technician.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Meanwhile. Dan Ashworth was Ten Hag in, even though that would be illegal, since Desperate Dan was on gardening leave when it happened. Another day, another juicy Man Utd in turmoil story. I love it.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Note again that Spurs wanted Slot so mocking Postecoglou selection is a touch gauche.

Spurs would have overwhelmed Slot. Some things are just written in the stars and there is no escape. I'm glad I got glory years out of United before we turned into rubbish for the rest of my life. Like Tony Soprano said, always cherish the moments.

 

[optic yellow]

Spurs would have overwhelmed Slot. Some things are just written in the stars and there is no escape. I'm glad I got glory years out of United before we turned into rubbish for the rest of my life. Like Tony Soprano said, always cherish the moments.

I highly doubt this.

 

[Feña14]

I have one thing left to try before it's time to get somebody out to have a look. No doubt, they will press a button and everything works again, making me look like Man Utd - utterly incompetent. But I do think it's time to get the updated box. The one thing left to try is the trusty ol scart to HD converter. Searching some drawers at the minute, it's around here somewhere.

As much as it sucks, I do agree with everybody happy Chelsea won because they are the only team to take advantage of the match being postponed yesterday. Good win again, even if it is Spurs doing their thing. Away from home. 0-2, rivals etc. I doff my cap to Chelsea. Booooo.

Yes, I do agree, break eggs, break some heads. Getting rid of Dan Ashworth might seem like more embarrassment, but I'd rather that than keeping somebody around if they're not in with what's going on.. It's even more satisfying when Gary Neville is getting all upset about it, ''I worked with him at the FA'' Oh, give over, Gary. Again though, we need that kind of ruthless behavior with players, I guess it's harder to do with players, like they say, you can't sack 11 players, even though you really can if you're good enough. Chelsea showing how it's done right now.

I know I said I had no real consarn with ticket prices and everything, but people can really tug at the ol heartstrings. Those kids prices, no shame, United. Disgusting.

My plan is to climb on the roof tomorrow and wiggle the dish around your rummaging in the drawer method sounds a lot safer.

Yep, people are talking about the title more than ever after todays game, but I’m just delighted because Spurs away is our biggest game of the season, from a rival point of view. Fulham and Brentford are also a stones throw away, West Ham and Palace hate our guts, there’s Arsenal etc.. they say it’s a lot harder for teams in London to win the title as there are so many grudge games. City only have to play United. Liverpool have Everton. London clubs have 6+ teams playing their FA Cup final against you each season.

But yes, 11 points clear of Spurs, Newcastle and Brighton dropping points, Villa looking very unconvincing at home to Southampton. It’s looking good for top 4, which is still my focus.

I remember when Arsenal fans were giving it large about winning the league the first time they challenged City. In the end, they didn’t come close. We laughed, they said we were jealous. Which wasn’t the case, they just didn’t stand a chance and didn’t realise. City destroyed them at the Etihad, Haaland broke his hair bobble and was running around like Fabio in the 80’s adding another couple to the score line.

Reality is, they hadn’t challenged for a title since the early 2000’s. They’ve still not won one. We had Spurs fans in the build up saying Chelsea can win it.. what do they know about what it takes to win?

We’ve won 5 in the recent past, finished runners up as many times and been top 3/contending into the final weeks many more. Chelsea fans know what it takes. They’re not “playing it down”, “going under the radar”, “taking the pressure off” when they say this year is too soon. They’ve just known what it takes to win, and this team doesn’t have it yet. Might not make great headlines or titles for clickbait videos on YouTube, but this is just how it is… for now.

 

[optic yellow]

My plan is to climb on the roof tomorrow and wiggle the dish around your rummaging in the drawer method sounds a lot safer.

Yep, people are talking about the title more than ever after todays game, but I’m just delighted because Spurs away is our biggest game of the season, from a rival point of view. Fulham and Brentford are also a stones throw away, West Ham and Palace hate our guts, there’s Arsenal etc.. they say it’s a lot harder for teams in London to win the title as there are so many grudge games. City only have to play United. Liverpool have Everton. London clubs have 6+ teams playing their FA Cup final against you each season.

But yes, 11 points clear of Spurs, Newcastle and Brighton dropping points, Villa looking very unconvincing at home to Southampton. It’s looking good for top 4, which is still my focus.

I remember when Arsenal fans were giving it large about winning the league the first time they challenged City. In the end, they didn’t come close. We laughed, they said we were jealous. Which wasn’t the case, they just didn’t stand a chance and didn’t realise. City destroyed them at the Etihad, Haaland broke his hair bobble and was running around like Fabio in the 80’s adding another couple to the score line.

Reality is, they hadn’t challenged for a title since the early 2000’s. They’ve still not won one. We had Spurs fans in the build up saying Chelsea can win it.. what do they know about what it takes to win?

We’ve won 5 in the recent past, finished runners up as many times and been top 3/contending into the final weeks many more. Chelsea fans know what it takes. They’re not “playing it down”, “going under the radar”, “taking the pressure off” when they say this year is too soon. They’ve just known what it takes to win, and this team doesn’t have it yet. Might not make great headlines or titles for clickbait videos on YouTube, but this is just how it is… for now.

What exactly is the team missing, aside from the keeper?

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I highly doubt this.

I highly disagree.

 

[optic yellow]

I highly disagree.

Okay so explain how there is real thought there rather than lazy low effort memeing.

 

[Feña14]

What exactly is the team missing, aside from the keeper?

Definitely keeper, but that could be papered over temporarily with Jorgensen. He’s in a different league to Sanchez with his feet, and at least equal when it comes to shot stopping.

Centre back is a big weakness. Colwill and Fofana are very young and inexperienced (the latter has had 3 catastrophic injuries). Badiashile and Disasi aren’t good enough.

I think they could buy a centre back in January, but they like Araujo of Benfica. He’s basically Joao Felix. Beautiful to watch, no look passes, pirouettes in his own penalty area, looks to dribble through the opposition etc.. which isn’t what we need right now. They also like Khusanov (Lens) and Ordonez (Club Brugge). Both are big, rapid and the right profile. Very young and inexperienced though, highly unlikely they come in and be VVD.

Not having a full back who can invert into the 10 hurts the balance. Opponents basically ignore that position and double team Palmer. Which means Felix or Enzo has to play there and you lose a defender. It’s a role for a Dorgu, Hakimi, Ait-Nouri type of full back.

Not having a big number 9 for the physical teams who park the bus will probably lead to dropped points. The sporting directors know that, hence why they wanted Samu, Osimhen and Duran in the summer. Delap has since been linked. Not much you can do about it before the summer though.

Then you’ve got the lack of experience, know how, win ugly, handle things going against them. The build up to big games is intense and can crush you. I remember before the CL final you only had to look at City and Pep to know they weren’t winning it. With all their experience, that team didn’t have any in CL finals and it showed. We have no experience of any kind, bar a Carabao Cup final. This is the season to acquire that experience, learn what it takes, learn about themselves etc..

 

[optic yellow]

Definitely keeper, but that could be papered over temporarily with Jorgensen. He’s in a different league to Sanchez with his feet, and at least equal when it comes to shot stopping.

Centre back is a big weakness. Colwill and Fofana are very young and inexperienced (the latter has had 3 catastrophic injuries). Badiashile and Disasi aren’t good enough.

I think they could buy a centre back in January, but they like Araujo of Benfica. He’s basically Joao Felix. Beautiful to watch, no look passes, pirouettes in his own penalty area, looks to dribble through the opposition etc.. which isn’t what we need right now. They also like Khusanov (Lens) and Ordonez (Club Brugge). Both are big, rapid and the right profile. Very young and inexperienced though, highly unlikely they come in and be VVD.

Not having a full back who can invert into the 10 hurts the balance. Opponents basically ignore that position and double team Palmer. Which means Felix or Enzo has to play there and you lose a defender. It’s a role for a Dorgu, Hakimi, Ait-Nouri type of full back.

Not having a big number 9 for the physical teams who park the bus will probably lead to dropped points. The sporting directors know that, hence why they wanted Samu, Osimhen and Duran in the summer. Delap has since been linked. Not much you can do about it before the summer though.

Then you’ve got the lack of experience, know how, win ugly, handle things going against them. The build up to big games is intense and can crush you. I remember before the CL final you only had to look at City and Pep to know they weren’t winning it. With all their experience, that team didn’t have any in CL finals and it showed. We have no experience of any kind, bar a Carabao Cup final. This is the season to acquire that experience, learn what it takes, learn about themselves etc..

The last one I could have guessed, it is very true, you saw it so strongly in reverse with the recent Real CL wins, the comfort and self-belief made the results feel inevitable. That is something you expect this Chelsea squad to cultivate given the talent of their best players but I agree with the assessment that it is not there yet. Assuming the recruitment is at least moderately successful at targeting the weak points you identify and the bulk of the key stars stay healthy I have to think they're gonna be a pretty strong menace for 2025/26 and beyond.

 

[Feña14]

The last one I could have guessed, it is very true, you saw it so strongly in reverse with the recent Real CL wins, the comfort and self-belief made the results feel inevitable. That is something you expect this Chelsea squad to cultivate given the talent of their best players but I agree with the assessment that it is not there yet. Assuming the recruitment is at least moderately successful at targeting the weak points you identify and the bulk of the key stars stay healthy I have to think they're gonna be a pretty strong menace for 2025/26 and beyond.

I think that’s exactly right. This is the year where they need to learn and grow, lay the foundations. Which is also why top 4 is my goal. The players will know they’re nearly there, but not quite.

It’s also beneficial off the field as we finally get a shirt sponsor, the Jordan deal with Nike, means we can attract top level talent who are ceiling raisers (who also bring experience). Instead of signing 12 kids, we can sign 2-3 elite players who have seen the proof of concept and want to be a part of it.

People have made fun of Chelsea signing young, no name players.. but when you’ve been midtable for 2-3 years, top players laugh in your face if you try to sign them. We had that with Kvaratskhelia last summer, also inquired about Isak.. why would he move? Newcastle to Chelsea was a lateral move. CL football and being the player that can push a very good team to one that dominates is enticing to top players. 3pm kickoffs in Kazakhstan on a Thursday in December (like we have this week?). Not so much.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Okay so explain how there is real thought there rather than lazy low effort memeing.

I don't appreciate your tone.

 

[optic yellow]

I don't appreciate your tone.

Come on you gotta know how tired I am of seeing unsubstantial "lol Spurs" comments.

 

[optic yellow]

I think that’s exactly right. This is the year where they need to learn and grow, lay the foundations. Which is also why top 4 is my goal. The players will know they’re nearly there, but not quite.

It’s also beneficial off the field as we finally get a shirt sponsor, the Jordan deal with Nike, means we can attract top level talent who are ceiling raisers (who also bring experience). Instead of signing 12 kids, we can sign 2-3 elite players who have seen the proof of concept and want to be a part of it.

People have made fun of Chelsea signing young, no name players.. but when you’ve been midtable for 2-3 years, top players laugh in your face if you try to sign them. We had that with Kvaratskhelia last summer, also inquired about Isak.. why would he move? Newcastle to Chelsea was a lateral move. CL football and being the player that can push a very good team to one that dominates is enticing to top players. 3pm kickoffs in Kazakhstan on a Thursday in December (like we have this week?). Not so much.

See I never made fun of it because I knew for sure some of the "no name" players would develop into top stars. Was an obvious volume approach, Boehly knew exactly what he was doing and was not misguided for doing so. I can't say Iove Chelsea but I'm definitely enjoying seeing all the dumb memeing about their procurement strategy getting proven wrong.

 

[Feather]

My plan is to climb on the roof tomorrow and wiggle the dish around your rummaging in the drawer method sounds a lot safer.

Yep, people are talking about the title more than ever after todays game, but I’m just delighted because Spurs away is our biggest game of the season, from a rival point of view. Fulham and Brentford are also a stones throw away, West Ham and Palace hate our guts, there’s Arsenal etc.. they say it’s a lot harder for teams in London to win the title as there are so many grudge games. City only have to play United. Liverpool have Everton. London clubs have 6+ teams playing their FA Cup final against you each season.

But yes, 11 points clear of Spurs, Newcastle and Brighton dropping points, Villa looking very unconvincing at home to Southampton. It’s looking good for top 4, which is still my focus.

I remember when Arsenal fans were giving it large about winning the league the first time they challenged City. In the end, they didn’t come close. We laughed, they said we were jealous. Which wasn’t the case, they just didn’t stand a chance and didn’t realise. City destroyed them at the Etihad, Haaland broke his hair bobble and was running around like Fabio in the 80’s adding another couple to the score line.

Reality is, they hadn’t challenged for a title since the early 2000’s. They’ve still not won one. We had Spurs fans in the build up saying Chelsea can win it.. what do they know about what it takes to win?

We’ve won 5 in the recent past, finished runners up as many times and been top 3/contending into the final weeks many more. Chelsea fans know what it takes. They’re not “playing it down”, “going under the radar”, “taking the pressure off” when they say this year is too soon. They’ve just known what it takes to win, and this team doesn’t have it yet. Might not make great headlines or titles for clickbait videos on YouTube, but this is just how it is… for now.

If you were to put a bet, who will you back up ?

I don't think Man City can challenge Liverpool. They really miss Rodri. It is not easy to replace a generational DM like Rodri. Already they are 8 points behind with Liverpool having a match in hand.

I also don't think Liverpool can sustain this run. They will slip and whether Chelsea or Arsenal can take advantage remains to be seen. Honestly I don't trust Arsenal to put a serious challenge

I think it is going to be a Liverpool v Chelsea title race with Liverpool edging it this time..

 

[Feña14]

See I never made fun of it because I knew for sure some of the "no name" players would develop into top stars. Was an obvious volume approach, Boehly knew exactly what he was doing and was not misguided for doing so. I can't say Iove Chelsea but I'm definitely enjoying seeing all the dumb memeing about their procurement strategy getting proven wrong.

I don’t know if you follow basketball (I don’t, bar a bit of the playoffs). But I heard someone say it’s a bit like what OKC are doing.

No clue if that’s accurate.

 

[Feña14]

If you were to put a bet, who will you back up ?

I don't think Man City can challenge Liverpool. They really miss Rodri. It is not easy to replace a generational DM like Rodri. Already they are 8 points behind with Liverpool having a match in hand.

I also don't think Liverpool can sustain this run. They will slip and whether Chelsea or Arsenal can take advantage remains to be seen. Honestly I don't trust Arsenal to put a serious challenge

I think it is going to be a Liverpool v Chelsea title race with Liverpool edging it this time..

Right now, it seems like there isn’t really a title race. Liverpool are just too good.

I think they would have to drop off to bring anyone else into it. Do you think that’s possible? Be interested to hear what a fan thinks.

From the outside, they don’t appear to be anything special. They’re very solid, well coached, do the basics well, have decent depth, the style is effective and sustainable, they have a team full of winners with experience and know how etc.. they seem pretty well set to me!

Only potential weakness I can see is their reliance on Salah so far. He’s more than good enough to keep it going, but if he has a dip or gets injured, maybe that would play a part.

I have no clue what’s happening at City. Right now they’re on relegation form, which won’t continue all season. Can they recover enough for a title challenge? Doesn’t look likely.

Arsenal are very pragmatic and don’t have players capable of producing magic, bar Odegaard, but he doesn’t do it consistently like Salah, Palmer, KDB (when fit) and Haaland. Every game for them feels like a physical battle, trying to break teams down with a sledgehammer or set pieces. Not sure that’s how you win titles in todays game.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Idk I kinda agree with @Poisoned Slice re: Slot and Tottenham. FWIW I would say the same about Slot and United. A manager can only maximize his players so much. You can have the best tactics in the world but if you have a lot of players that are mince you’re still going to be mince. Slot inherited a great situation in Liverpool. We can put him to the actual test when he plays real games in Europe and if he loses Salah. Right now Liverpool is winning low stakes stuff while nobody else has any form.

Like would Pep have won United the league in the last decade? Not if the players stayed exactly the same everyone else had.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Idk I kinda agree with @Poisoned Slice re: Slot and Tottenham. FWIW I would say the same about Slot and United. A manager can only maximize his players so much. You can have the best tactics in the world but if you have a lot of players that are mince you’re still going to be mince. Slot inherited a great situation in Liverpool. We can put him to the actual test when he plays real games in Europe and if he loses Salah. Right now Liverpool is winning low stakes stuff while nobody else has any form.

Like would Pep have won United the league in the last decade? Not if the players stayed exactly the same everyone else had.

I appreciate the support.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I do love the Rangnick in section.

 

[Gizo]

Best players on the pitch were Enzo and Sancho, for me. I know Enzo played all of last season with a hernia, had injections multiple times a day just to be able to walk without pain. I think that lead to a bit of weight gain too, but he looks lean and out of this world right now. Sancho was brilliant again, has been all season. He’s the classy, composed, technical baller then you have the rapid and direct Noni or Neto on the other side. I do like that balance.

I’m sure you saw quite a bit of Maresca at Leicester last year, but I was told his football was very predictable, slow and tactically inflexible. A kind of Sarri 2.0. So much for that!

I knew he would be good in the summer, his press conferences were box office. Brutal honesty, no nonsense, knows exactly what he wants and a bit of charm and charisma thrown in for good measure.

When you think last year we had Pochettino playing the exact same game over and over again. It took him until April to try something different. He also lacked the ruthlessness and clarity that Maresca brings. How many times were we a laughing stock with players fighting over penalties, just because Pochettino refused to name Palmer as the taker?

But yes, I’m absolutely delighted with him. We seem to be in an era where you have to have an elite of the elite manager to stand any chance. There’s probably only a handful of them in the game, and it does feel like we have one of those.

His Leicester team did try to pass the ball out from the back, retain possession, pass into space, attack effectively through the centre and not just down the wings, although he had squad that was so much stronger compared to other team in the division including Leeds and Southampton who had been relegated alongside them. And it looked like other teams were starting to figure them out more and more near the end of the season and that he was slow to react to that. However it also seems that as a manager he has learned from that whole experience, and it has made him stronger.

Also at Leicester, while not from him personally though from several of his players, there was arrogance building up during the season that they'd cruise to the title with a record points total. I don't think it's good look when players start mentioning a pursuit of a points record midway through a season - it's an effective way to rile up everyone else.

While some managers like Moyes, Hodgson etc. are excellent managers in general and at a certain (still very high) level but are not suited to the real top jobs, some others are far more suited to high level jobs and working with elite, world class players on a day in day out basis. It's like it how Ancelotti is a perfect fit for the biggest clubs with superstars and aspirations of winning the biggest tournaments, but isn't really your man at a club a rung or two down the latter where more rebuilding is needed (i.e. I doubt he do what Klopp did at Liverpool with that poor inheritance from Rodgers).

I also like what I've heard from him so far. He's managing his squad very well, and showing that he can tweak his tactics when required. Plus it's expected that an Italian manager at Chelsea will be successful. There's just too much football heritage there !

 

[Gizo]

I thought it was a big shame that Ipswich couldn't hold on and get a sorely needed win yesterday after they led for a so long. However Bournemouth's continued progress is very impressive.

I liked Iraola as a player - he was brilliant for Bielsa's Athletic Bilbao team that outclassed Fergie's Man Utd in the Europa League in 2012. And so far as a manager he has done very good work at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth.

I understand that Bournemouth will finally be moving to a proper training ground in early January, after for so long training on a plot of land that they haven't owned themselves outside their stadium.

I remember during their initial stint in the Premier League with Howe as a manager, they heavily prioritised the 'glamour' of first team signings, and didn't really invest much in the infrastructure behind the scenes, including a youth academy and training facilities. That was in sharp contrast to Burnley who (with Dyche's full support) diverted money away from their transfer budget on to building a new training ground and revamping their youth set-up.

Then again Newcastle for so long had terrible training facilities until they were finally revamped after their Saudi takeover (Mike Ashley had no interest in doing that), far worse than those of Middlesbrough and Sunderland for perspective, with the gym a converted squash court. And I recall that pre-Abramovich, Chelsea shared their training facilities with Imperial College (on Football Manager it said that they had 'awful facilities') - Ken Bates was far more interested in the Chelsea Village project and hotels, than mundane things like training facilities !

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

I appreciate the support.

Also worth remembering Liverpool had a similarly torrid start last year. Only differences were they weren't in the Champions League and the rest of the Premier League weren't this dire. Remains to be seen if it's the same case this year. I wouldn't expect them to fumble the league like last year, but again - when the European competition ups its level in the knockouts, we will see how good Liverpool really is. I think quite good but important to remember the "real" games are still 4,5, 6 months away if you're going deep into the league/UCL.

 

[optic yellow]

I think quite good but important to remember the "real" games are still 4,5, 6 months away if you're going deep into the league/UCL.

Then what are we following for now!

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Then what are we following for now!

Well right now it's hoping Liverpool lose or draw some games so we have actual meaningful Premier League games in 3-4 months. UCL is at least always a guarantee to have drama at the latter stages. Kind of just biding my time waiting for the knockouts.

 

[optic yellow]

Come on you gotta know how tired I am of seeing unsubstantial "lol Spurs" comments.

@Poisoned Slice note I am not saying you were doing this but that the tone it reminded me of, which is why I didn't bother trying to soften what I wrote. Maybe a bit of an emotional reaction when I was tired so I will apologize for that.

Well right now it's hoping Liverpool lose or draw some games so we have actual meaningful Premier League games in 3-4 months. UCL is at least always a guarantee to have drama at the latter stages. Kind of just biding my time waiting for the knockouts.

Always a just cause

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

With Marco Reus winning the MLS, does he supplant Harold Kane?

@Red Rick @Fabresque @TheAssassin @Feña14

 

[Fabresque]

With Marco Reus winning the MLS, does he supplant Harold Kane?

@Red Rick @Fabresque @TheAssassin @Feña14

Yep.

 

[TheAssassin]

With Marco Reus winning the MLS, does he supplant Harold Kane?

@Red Rick @Fabresque @TheAssassin @Feña14

Ridiculous.

Reus already had a few cups with Dortmund. MLS victory only increased the gap.

 

[Feña14]

With Marco Reus winning the MLS, does he supplant Harold Kane?

@Red Rick @Fabresque @TheAssassin @Feña14

Reus, easily.

I mean, the real heroes here are Charlotte FC. LA Galaxy had to pay them “discovery rights” for unearthing the 35 year old German international with 500 appearances for Dortmund, Champions League finals under his belt etc..

I don’t know how he flew under the radar for so long.