OneMoSalah

Tbf Tuchel went for height in the back 3 and it was a wise move. I do think maybe resting him would of been better than playing him at wingback.

Still he‘s probably been our best player this season and again showed how key he is to the team again today I felt. He was the only one who really looked likely of getting our second goal due to Werner’s Torres impression. Goals and assists can improve as we always say before but his energy, drive and other aspects of his play bring so much to the team. Next season with Tuchel I think he can potentially get double figure for goals and improve on assists a lot.

Playing in a 3 man MF as a more advanced player/box to box player who has responsibilities of creating/scoring goals is different than playing in a double pivot in a 2 man midfield though. If you’d watched Lazio v Napoli you’d have seen specifically that SMS looks anything but capable of playing as a more disciplined CM role also. Everytime they lost the ball he was miles off it. Good with the ball but poor off it. Need someone who can do both. Even then watch how we play under Tuchel or how many of his sides have played, these deeper midfielders are very key to getting the ball out and building the play. They aren’t exactly given a huge license to bomb into the box. They screen the area in front of the defence and help the wider CBs/wingbacks cover. Then with the ball again they aren’t extremely advanced a lot. And even then, taking all of that out of consideration, why sign a more attacking midfielder when we need more a deeper option? Its square pegs for round holes. Yes Kante Jorginho and Kovacic have their limitations but getting someone whos closer to a number 10 than a number 8 or a 6 would be daft. Particularly for the money he would cost. This isnt FIFA or FM and have people not forgotten we already tried the 3 man MF with Mount and Havertz earlier this season also with Kante sitting and it didnt really bear fruit so I hope we stick to players in their more traditional positions instead of spending big money to gamble on a player that might not do the job in that role. It is clear we need a player who is a bit more physical and also technically good enough to play between the lines but effectively signing a number 10 to play as a 6/8 for the cash he will cost, would be a bit unwise unless we went 433 considering his lack of defensive nous, which 2 other MFs would compensate for but again we need someone to compete/rest/back up Kante if we persist with 343.

Abraham. Wow. Fucking hell we need 2 CFs.

Havertz and CHO on please.

For the love of fuck. Is that Torres upfront

Tbf at Monaco in the CL run and their Ligue 1 win he obviously made an impression against some teams but I think some people still got carried away with the comparisons/praises when we were linked because of the Monaco games against City particularly. I remember thinking he wasn’t an upgrade on Nemanja Matic from the previous season based on what I had seen. Matic’s role in that team will always be under appreciated due to Kante’s impact that season we won the title, like many felt and many also though selling him would be fine because of his age, United wanted him and the fact Bakayoko was supposed to be our new “midfield general” or the new Yaya Toure (😂) which were both extremely hopeful based on a handful of games. Speaks volumes about Bakayoko’s level that Conte wanted to keep Matic still despite the club having signed Bakayoko. Maybe would of grew into a good player with a bit of work but hasn’t done so. And was a utter disaster after the game v United really. Was like a championship/league 1 player was playing in midfield for us. First touch like a rapist. Seen blind men who could pass the ball better. Should have kept Matic and Chalobah and used the 40m somewhere else.

Never mind that then. 🤣 Get in. Not another false dawn hopefully.

Also against a back 3, why is Werner leading the line? Very questionable choice as physically he isn’t going to compete with their CBs. West Ham will sit in and grind us down, be little space for him in behind, off the left I could see why but centrally not so much.

Its tough because they are playing same formation so we are effectively cancelling each other out. Hard to stretch a team playing a back 3 as their wingbacks just mark ours, theres no spare man. Need Mount and Pulisic to come up with something, Mount has started brightly though and again looking like out key cog. Their wingbacks doing the dirty side of the game well, Chilwell not so well for us.

God no. Get rid.

People keep saying we need a Fabregas but they need to move on from it. There is unfortunately only one Fabregas. I mean seriously, pick me out a player of that style that is playing today? There isn’t a like for like out there and there probably wont ever be either because midfielders are now too safe as they don’t want to lose the ball or don’t possess the same quality in the final third, in and around the box as well as being a threat from deeper.

Be interesting to see where he ends up this summer. Sure as shit wont be here though.

Another attacking midfield player more or lees. Not happening.

No surprise there. Nobody will buy him for the wages hes on and more so for the fact he’s not anywhere near good enough.

I wouldn’t be surprised if thats it. Looks good enough. Not bad not great. But will change after a season or two and be another meh top sold for £50/£60..

Tried saying that before we got him but many argued because they were desperate to see Sarri out without fully understanding the comprehension of appointing another novice particularly after how Villas-Boas did here, who again like Frank had prior ties to the club albeit different roles and different levels. The club inevitably didn’t intend in committing to Sarri towards the end despite the fact we were unbeaten in like 17 of the last 20 games and were starting to look a bit better as a team. Lets not pretend their was any chance the board were going to fight to keep him so the club gambled with Frank which resulted in losing another season and a half to make real progress really (although the youngsters are the only positive out of this as well as the signings we made this summer despite their mixed returns). Heres hoping TT is here for the long haul. And by long hall, I mean over 18 months. Thats the magic number in management now in terms of spells in charge so lets hope he can get a new deal and keeps building on what he’s already done in a short space od time. I think he’s the right man and the club should give him a new deal at the end of the season, particularly if he gets a trophy win.

Are you serious? Take your head out of your arse.... if a team finishes in a CL spot they deserve to play CL. Thats how competition works. If you don’t like it maybe find another sport. Its like saying whats the point in us winning the title with Jose and then with Conte as the seasons after each of those we finished miles off the pace. And that would also spit in the face of Leicester’s amazing achievement back when they won the league, which was an absolutely huge, historical moment. Bully tactics? The Super League could have potentially derailed 3 of the major domestic leagues, the CL and all the divisions underneath each domestic leagues. By the way these clubs not giving into the PL and the demands of the fans who undoubtedly want change also at board level after they basically tried to strong arm the leagues and UEFA into giving them want they wanted by saying they had the intentions of joining a super league, would be an absolute joke. Its a good job fans cannot get into the stadiums because there will still be huge fall out to the end of the season and probably for a period during the summer to the new season starts because of this.

Bruce Buck is one name. He didnt solely decide the Super League was a good idea, a collection of people did at board level. They should all go. Also most of that statement is a joke. An absolute joke. “Due to time constraints” fuck off you spineless cunts you’ve been meeting with the other clubs regarding this for years, there has been plenty opportunities to get the fans opinions on it, as a hypothetical idea, same as the players and managers opinions. Embarrassing. Changes must be made.

Well thats if he makes it through the game v Betis unscathed. Wouldn’t be surprised, everytime hes gotten fit at Madrid hes got injured not long after 😂

Only blackmark people may hold against her now, is the ESL initial decision, seeing as she would of been involved in that decision you’d think as the director of the club. But that’s understandable.

Ceferin has called Agnelli everything under the sun in the last 2/3 days, I think that bridge is burned. Rumours are he is also considering resigning from Juventus heavily after this. Tbf if Juventus come out of the super league, if they want their say to be heard now they may need to remove that gobshite from his position and appoint someone else. Same with all these clubs. These guys are effectively tainted now. Woodward is the first to go, Agnelli could be next, dont rule out changes in the 6 PL clubs board rooms yet either. Fans are definitely not happy in other leagues, don’t know where you heard that they are quiet from. Particularly Spain where they have always been fed up of Perez and his constant scheming and plotting. It is disappointing that its money orientated again but not breaking off and keeping the CL and domestic leagues is a step in the right direction. I do not like the reform though again it gives more assurances and opportunities to bigger clubs, the fact that the likes of clubs like Celtic, Rangers, Ajax, PSV etc. will undoubtedly get shafted for money is not ideal. Its again based on reputation and UEFA coefficient. I don’t believe anyone who doesnt finish in the top slots to qualify for the CL in all the corresponding leagues should have to risk missing out because Arsenal and Spurs had bad seasons. Or Roma or whoever: Or clubs like Celtic in the past had to play 3/4 rounds of qualification despite winning the league trophy. It will come into play in 2024 and I would think there will be more changes proppsed prior to that. I mean I get the bigger leagues having more slots maybe but why should 4th place in a PL warrant an automatic qualification spot ahead of actual league champions in some countries!? Why not make 4th place teams play off against other teams who are in qualification places in other leagues prior? Your still going to have the spectacle of big games but your also going to manage to fairly include some of these clubs who are winners and get fucked over so 4/5th place teams can get in for nothing.

Lot of rumours of a god knows pages long document. Graeme Souness mentioned it on sky also IIRC. And also the process to get this off the ground and in motion would have required more than a letter of intent you’d think? Who knows, anyway if we get out unscathed and it buries this super league shit once and for all its all that matters. Now just to reform the CL in a way that also does the clubs who win leagues in Scotland, Holland, Austria etc a favour should be the next step. Hopefully this can be the kick start of UEFA trying to make amends and reintroduce these clubs to the fold in these roles, big clubs like Ajax, Celtic, Rangers historically speaking, have had to go through 3/4 rounds of qualification to get into the CL despite winning their domestic trophies. All it would take is for them to give the top leagues champions and maybe 2 other places CL spots. This guarantees for big clubs who finish 4th in England, Spain, Germany, Italy or whatever is a bit of a joke also whilst we are being completely honest and transparent about making football fair for others.

Still has to be repercussions for the clubs. Be it heavy fines or whatever. And also internally the clubs need to sort their shit out. Cant kick us out of competitions now this season which is good but I wouldn’t be surprised if they still pushed to try ban all 12 teams in next seasons CL. Or do something to send a message. Plus there will inevitably be money exchanged to get out this super league. Theres no way a 23 year commitment agreement that is “legally binding” can just be walked out of After a change of heart.

Yes win midfield battles more he would of helped. I certainly don’t underestimate Kante’s role as he is a world class player on his day still but we didn’t win tonight because he didn’t play. Its all good winning the back and getting to the final third but that’s when your players need to make the difference. I imagine you seen how many folk were slagging how many times Kante gave the ball away v City too at the weekend/how many attacks he messed up in the match thread when it was on going 😂 or even participated... And again, you were talking about counter pressing as if its the only means of creating transitions or chances.... Tuchel just said our counter pressing wasn’t good in the post match, talking about us as a team, not Mount or Jorginho or whoever you think Kante would of played ahead of. I mean do you think one guy would of compensated for the other 10 not being up to the intensity or the team not counter pressing effective? It only works when everyone pulls their weight and go together when the press is triggered. We weren’t at it tonight and pretty much created 0 chances with over 120m worth of attacking players in our front three. Kante or no Kante we would of drew that game. I do agree Mount deeper in a 2 wasn’t a good move, you want him higher up in the half spaces looking to take the ball on the half turn and link the attack. Maybe just to deflect. He’s not happy with the performance though and I would expect a response the next game. We seen it after Wolves, after Leeds and after West Brom. We need to as we cant afford to drop any more points now when teams around drop them.