OneMoSalah

Best performance by him this season? I would say so. He was very good v Liverpool too I felt.

Think certain people want Radcliffe to buy the club because they think hed come in drop about 400m for the manager to spend which is nativity at its finest 😂 no chance at all

He looks wasted deeper for United. I think hes got the skillset to play in a box to box role. Hes not amazing at one thing but he can tackle, pass, dribble and he showed at Shakhtar before he was well above that level. I think he could be a lot better next season. Another one Pep wanted before Jorginho, still surprised anybody would choose United and Jose over Pep and City these days.

Fred is harldy an appalling football in my eyes. Im not sure what his best position is but he could probably do a good job as a box to box midfielder. Hes played in a 2 with Pogba, who gets license to go on ahead of him or as the deepest MF player in a midfield diamond for United in games. Think next season Fred and Jorginho will both be better.

If he bounces back next season and plays well their opinions aill change again. Seen it with Drogba before poor first season before rapidly improving in the following seasons. Think hes a very good player and I doubt a coach like Guardiola gushing about him after Napoli played them in the CL last season and desperately wanting to sign him in the summer can justify him being a very bad player. Considering the fact Peps worked with players like Busquets, Xavi Alonso, Fernandinho who play in that role. But until Jorginho plays consistently well here there will always be scrutiny, although adapting to a faster paced league for a player with physical limitations wasnt gonna be straight forward. I think next season he will be a lot better.

In my eyes a manager who wouldnt change tactics, formations, drop Jorginho or Alonso at virtually any costs in the first 6 months is hardly gonna let fan unrest and fear of the sack force his hand with 2 young players and if this is the case he shouldnt be managing at the top level. Simple as that. Even if he gets sacked he woulf surely rather go out trying his way? He was brought in to change the style, not promote youth which has never been successfully done in the last 20 years here. Managers have got to do their thing, make their own decisions, if they are going to be heavily influenced by media or fans or whatever whats the point in them being the manager if they cant make their own judgement calls? Or arent confident in their ideas? Callum, Ruben, Emersons playing time being more frequent in these times were merely a coincidence with the whole sack rumours and the protests stemmed from bad results first and foremost, as well as take into consideration how poor Alonso, Kovacic/Barkley and Pedro/Willian were playing as well. Basically, playing Ruben and Callum didnt "save his job" which I think would be ridiculous to even claim, maybe it made the fans happier (fans should support the team regardless and if nobody seen an average transitional season coming then I would be speechless) but his goal is to get the team to win games, winning games makes fans happier and makes players more confident. Winning games 100% saved his job. Even then if he doesnt get CL this season chances are he will be sacked and it wont even matter. If he bowed to fan pressure regarding 2 players why hasnt or didnt he bow to disrest from fans and media about Kantes position, Jorginho, Alonso this season? Makes absolutely zero sense. Theres a reason why managers are paid huge sums of money to take the responsibility, create teams and do whatever else. If Sarri is going to bow to fan pressure regarding selections he might as well resign because that for me is ridiculous, managers have years of courses and experiencez to get to where they are if they cannot make their own judgements calls they arent fit for the job. Even if we dont finish top 4 or get the CL, is Callum and Ruben playing more frequently gonna help his case when the club, where the ambition and pressure has always been huge, review the season or consider replacing him? It will not make any difference at all. Which is why I dont think the fan unrest about not using those two earlier will not have been a factor in him selecting them or retaining his job. Honestly think fan protests were a bit stupid, yes weve been shite but it was enivitable and has been on the cards for years. If it was Conte or Mourinho and not Sarri would those 2 lack of playing time for them be an issue? Youd honestly think we were Ajax when people complain about not using RLC or CHO earlier in the season every week. We arent. The last player before Christensen (who has been the most regular academy player here in recent seasons) to have been fully integrated was John Terry. I find it ridiculous that fans who were obviously frustrated as we all were with results are going to use that excuse to mention 2 young players who in all reality havent improved our season much in the bigger scheme of things. If they had been influential in securing us top 4 yes people would have a point but theyve played in games where nothing has really changed. For instance, Ruben was great v Liverpool but we still lost 2-0.... another matter if people think those 2 playing earlier on in the season would have made a big difference in terms of how the seasons panned out they are deluded because weve not had a good goal scoring CF all season and weve struggled to keep clean sheets... also if CHO not playing was an issue what about Ampadu? Nobody has said a word. It was just a by product of frustration based on results.

Will be a really tough game. They are a very very capable side, sitting 4th in Bundesliga right now and we all know they have decent options in Jovic, Rebic, Haller and Kostic who can cause us problems. Nvm Haller injured apparently. Still good team need to be up for it.

So you are saying Sarri, stubborn in everything many have said he is, thought playing 2 x u23 year old Englishmen was the only way to appease the fans and save his job???? And if we lost all those games they played in would us fans of been happy because they still played? A good run of results were the only thing that saved his job. Yes certain players (CHO, RLC and Emerson) minutes increased and other players played less but I think your making more of it than what it is. Callums transfer request probably put more pressure on Sarri to use him than the fans or the media. He could and should of played more earlier in the season (Ruben too) but theres no doubt hes more disciplined and Ruben looks more fitter (probably fittest hes been in his career) and offering more than he ever has in terms of goals/asists. Even Ross Barkley arguably fitter than hes ever been although irrelevant. Fans can love or hate a manager for selections but if he is getting results would a club be as worried? Everyone has an opinion thats football but for a manager at any club its a result based business. If Sarri was getting results regardless of team selection it wouldnt of mattered. The sack rumours came after a spell of poor form, we won 4 on the bounce or whatever and they went away. Regardless of his starting 11. The whole CHO situation for me was a huge byproduct of the media and fans being frustrated about bad results more than anything as well as England starting him in the international break. If we hadnt had that dip nobody would of been fussed if he had played 23 minutes or 8 games in that period. Or if Ruben had played. Even with the playing style if we had won convincingly playing shite, people would be praising the team for being able to grind out results. This is Chelsea, the manager getting sacked is always a rumour at some point in the season. Contes future was heavily speculated upon after that Arsenal and Liverpool losses in his first season, which were like 4 games into the season. Sarri was "getting sacked" in month X or Y and after the cup final v City if we lost. Doesnt matter for whatever reason or that, it always comes around when the clubs in poor form, he didnt save his job by playing 2 youngsters, he saved his job because the team won games.

Guardiola, Zidane, Mourinho are literally the bench mark and only ones I can really think of in terms of "inexperience" - which is debatable with Mou as he had veen a coach for 4 years before we got him - and instant success. Throw in Simeone and Conte too (although both were coaches for 5 years before going to Atletico and Juventus). Joachim Low at international level although his club career coaching wise is mediocre and he had 12 years experience of coaching at different levels before being Germany boss so basically he was hardly inexperienced. Apart from Pep and Zizou, not a huge huge amount. But even a huge bit below that calibre of coaches Andre Villas-Boas won how many trophies at Porto? 4 in a season? Was the 'next big coach' and he got spat out for trying to do something like what Sarri is. Unai Emery decent spells in Spain with Seville, flopped at PSG and is doing mediocre at Arsenal (but he will get the time to grow into it and develop the team). Julian Nagelsmann is potentially going to break the mould but hes hardly won anything. Inexperienced managers that will actually either 1) be given time to do well or 2) can get instant success at big clubs are few and far between. Regarding Zizou: Next season we will see more of what Zidane is like now as a manager without Ronaldo and with a huge rebuild needed. I don't think he will be nearly as successful.

Exactly. Do people really think a stubborn manager bowed to fan pressure with CHO or RLC even? I really dont think so. I look at our 2-0 v City with Willian and Pedro and at the time I doubt CHO would of been as effective in the defensive phase as he was v Liverpool for instance. And as you said Kante would be DM (although hes never played as a sitter in a 3 man MF in the PL except first 4 games under Conte) as well if it was down to fan pressure. Also if Sarri really did bow to fan pressure 'to save his job' Jorginho, Kovacic and Alonso would have also been dropped months and months ago. He also probably would have swapped from 433 to 4231 if this was the case. RLC wasnt regular due to fitness and back problems. CHO probably needed to learn and improve off the ball in the other phase which the difference is night and day because weve all seen how cruical full backs are at the top level these days and nulifying them helps, as weve found out on many occasions like when Atletico dumped us out the CL seasons ago with Filipe Luis (I think) getting a massive assist after Hazard didnt track him and even Luke Shaw yesterday providing that assist through being unmarked. Dont think the whole fan and media going on about it made a huge difference, I doubt he even took huge notice of it. Someone as stubborn as Sarri or even in the past Conte and Mourinho, is/were hardly gonna give in to the media or the fans, regarding Callum or any other player in the past. Maybe Callums transfer request put pressure on Sarri to show him he wanted him to stay by playing him but I cant see the fans and media (who are tossers with agendas) having as huge an influence as some may believe in terms of coaching and picking teams or squads. I doubt many football clubs and managers are bothered about what the press has to say in footballing terms. If we were winning chances are nobody would of gave a shit anyway. Just like at the start of the season. Fans have opinions but I doubt a manager is going to be hugely bothered whether or not they are angry that he isnt playing player X or Y, even with the style has he changed despite the fuck Sarriball chanting shit? No, not one bit. Fans are fans and managers are managers. For instance do you think Pep gives into City fans or English media wanting to see Foden play more? Probably not. Think despite the poor season he will be here next season. If its another shite season then its fair to say sacking Conte was a big mistake but again this time last year the Conte thread was effectively the same, 'why does he not play Emerson?', 'wheres Luiz?', 'hes gonna drive players out of the club', 'the football is boring and shite to watch...', 'why did he sell Chalobah to sign Bakayoko?' etc etc. I think its clear regardless of manager, regardless of philosophy that the squad is a bigger concern. Realisitically 3 "bad" seasons in 4 or 5 years. Same core bulk of players minus Courtois, Terry, Cesc, Costa and Matic and a few others. Some of them have declined, some of them have lost their hunger, some probably arent good enough and some probably dont/didnt want to be here at the start of the season.

I was going to say other than his final ball didnt think he was all that bad today. There was no urgency from any players today but didnt think Azpi was horrendous, he had a bad start (whole team did) and Lukaku absolutely smashed him but other than that did okay or so I though?? Hes played better yes but him and Alonso for all the flack they get played okay today. Even Jorginho played okay defensively today. Be interesting what happens in the summer if we have no transfer ban, Sarri wanted Hysaj and he wanted to move. Reece James also is a question Sarri will have to answer if hes still here.

True but they offer purpose or penetration with their passing, which if Kovacic could add would make him a threat because he can carry the ball, beat people and retain it in tight areas. Rakitic is actually a very rounded player probably more than what hes given credit for. Modric is Modric we all know how good he is. Kovacic has the potential to become an excellent player but until he starts doing more with the ball be it goals, assists, being more penetrative/purposeful with his passing... he will never be an elite player. Still think for another season on loan with an option to buy next summer for 25m we should take a gamble. Its been a very up and down season for us and him.

Still genuinely think most strikers would struggle in this side regardless of age, quality or whatever. The ball goes into the final third centrally or wide on either wing and instead of looking for a quick release to the CF or whatever, it is far too slow, far too laboured, theres far too many touches, too many people coming towards the ball rather than make runs away from the ball even if they dont recieve it. So regardless, if its Jovic, Morata, Higuain, Suarez, Benzema, Kane or whoever, if our play in the final 3rd is the same next season our striker will struggle. I think Eden leaving could be a blessing (yes I have said that), one of his greatest attributes is dribbling but theres times I want to see him pop it off and run in behind a defence to get into more scoring positions rather than try beat peoole. Willian is another who dribbles more than what you'd normally have seen at Napoli under Sarri with Insigne and Callejon in the wide roles. The speed of our play all over the pitch is a massive issue, regardless of personnel.

The whole team struggled in the first 20 minutes. After we got into the match Alonso wasnt any worse than anyone else, he actually did alright all things considering. I was glad Emerson was dropped in all fairness as he has been shocking in recent games. Its a tough call to say who is actually better but I think Alonso is the better of the two, we need an upgrade though if we persist with a flat back 4.

A short corner in the 97th or 98th minute, thats fucking embarrassing. Hazard and Pedro should both be fined for that shit just get it in the fucking box you idiots. Just sums up our afternoon nobody gave a shit, not one player, embarrasing they were there for the taking today.

Do any of the players give a fuck that top 4 is at stake? Not seen anything yet to see otherwise.

End game is an excellent film, seen it Friday, was speechless, probably be better than watching the match even if we win haha. Marcos Alonso first goal scorer 100% 🤣

In all fairness, 25m is worth a punt. Hes not been great, hes actually been disappointing in terms of when hes played in that more advanced role but 25m for a potentially very dependable squad player who can cover all 3 MF roles and hopefully would be used more at the base of midfield. Why not? I think if he could be more penetrative with his passing hed be a good player. Not outstanding but very rounded in terms of passing, dribbling, tackling... 25m for him wouldnt be the worst signing weve ever made. We spent 40m on Bakayoko and the cunt couldnt even run, yet alone dribble or tackle, so if its him or Bakayoko next season Id take Kovacic 100%.

Erik Ten Hag would be an absolutely massive risk. Riskier than Sarri, AVB and Di Matteo appointments. Cant believe people think he would actually get time. Hes done extraordinary well with Ajax but lets see how he does next year with no de Ligt, De Jong, Tagliafico, as well as potentially Neres and Ziyech who have had good seasons. Even then Frank de Bor and Petr Bosz are prime examples that winning at Ajax, where each coach adapts to the clubs philosophy which is ingrained doesnt mean that it can be easily done elsewhere. In hindsight, Sarri is a very similar example without trophies, his style was clear at Napoli for 3 years but hes struggled to implement it here to its fullest yet people want his head and want to go for someone of the same ilk arguably which could have the exact same problems. I would get it if people wanted a Diego Simeone or Max Allegri because they are different in styles and adaptable but the coach of Ajax, who was the ex coach of Utretch and Go Ahead Eagles is undoubtedly gonna try and implement a very similar possession based style because thats how most teams try to play in Holland. If the club were to appoint him he would probably need even more time than what Sarri needs. Which say a year in people will be fed up of him and want another manager to come in. Basically rinse and repeat. Whoever is in charge next season, if they are sticking with this possession orientated style, needs time because theres a lot of work to do.

Not really. Hes great at dribbling and finding a final pass also. His time at Barca hasnt been a huge success and his stats are poor but the player he was at Liverpool was more than basically just a long range shooter merchant. He was hugely overrated based on the fee he went for but theres so much more to his game than just shooting. In 152 PL games for Liverpool he had 41 goals and 35 assists which means he was involved in a goal (scoring or assisting) every 2nd match, which for a attacking midfielder or wide 10 is pretty good, obviously some goals were shots from outside the area but he got a decent amount of assists too. Would basically be like calling Lampard nothing but a long range shooting merchant or Hazard nothing but a dribbler. Theres much more to his make up than just long shots. I am surprised hes struggled at Barca though, really quite am and that has put me off the idea of going for him in any capacity, particularly even more as the most advanced midfielder in our 3 which a lot of people seem to think he has excelled in during his career although he struggled at Barca in that role where he was specifically picked out to be the long term replacement for Iniesta. His best football has been from the left side be it in a 433 or 4231 or 3421 or 442.

Hes been shite recently but I think hes trying to be too aggressive in the air and in the tackle. I think he knows hes 3rd choice and trying to impress which as a younger player maybe makes him want to compete for everything when perhaps he should just stand or get tight but dont try and tackle (Rudiger and Luiz also still have these tendencies but AC doing it is interesting because he didnt do it as often the previous season, he was quite clean in taking the ball and won headers without conceding fouls). He still has a future here, he had a great 5 months under Conte last season before his wobble and despite inconsistencies this season and recently very poor performances I still think hes better than Zouma and Ake.

Think we should beat them. They are on a shocking run. Even then despite our mixed performances, we should be able to get a good performance against them. We will have a lot of the ball and if Pogba and Matic play as bad as they did the last few games we should be able to get at their back 4.

If true... Romagnoli, Suso, Piatek (has shown for Milan he could do it at a bigger, more competitive club), Andre Silva or Samu Castillejo too possibly could be worth looking at in some capacity. Honestly dont think we will get any with the transfer ban but they would 5 Id say we should look towards if Milan were to have an exodus. Even Pepe Reina as a number 2 (like at Bayern) but his history at Liverpool, doubt hed move even if Sarri is here.

Doesnt look that bad to be honest. Not the greatest but not the worst.

Same old. When its confirmed by Chelsea or someone trying to buy the club then I will believe it. Been a weird year, lots of rumours with no real substance other than shelved stadium plans and Abramovichs Visa issues.