OneMoSalah

Even playing averagely we surely must beat United. Cannot fuck this up.

And Rom criticized AVB for wanting him to play RW to improve his technical attributes and now look at him, as we say in Scotland, has a first touch like a rapist. I think Reece will be in the squad next year, possibly as an Azpi and Kante back up. Has huge potential in both roles.

Courtois is still an excellent GK in all fairness. Few bad performances here and at Madrid but on his day not many are better. If he could show the consistency he did in his first full season here hed be one of the best. His attitude is rank though.

Perhaps but even then when hes called upon he is brilliant. If Atletico ever sell him they could get upto 100m for him no doubt.

Probably but still will annoy a majority of the forum haha. Unfortunately his good start never continued because there is a player in there but no idea why he couldnt do it for us consistently.

6 months of Morata next season and people will probably be wanting him out again 🤣

I think its clear to see what hes trying to implenent, no? Whether or not, Sarri is for some people or not but for anybody to say they cant see what hes trying to do here is a bit naive in all honesty. The way of playing is totally the opposite of what it was last year. Playing out at every opportunity, taking the game to the opposition, having more possession, more pressure higher up the pitch to recover the ball. Its clesd to see, although attack is not effective. Lets not forget Klopp and Pep again (although they are better coaches) were stubborn in their first seasons, Pep suffered some heavy loses in his first season and people said his style "would not work", fast forward to his 3rd season, hes potentially gonna be the first manager to win the PL 2 years in a row since Sir Alex Ferguson. Yes hes signed players, changed things but his first season probably mirrors Sarris in a lot of ways, City struggled for consistency, remember they got turned over 4-2 by Leicester, beat 4-0 by Everton, lost to us, United, Spurs, Arsenal... also drew with Boro and Southampton and people were unconvinced that his style was sustainable. I think Sarri deserves every chance to have another season, the change in style is massive, its towards the style of football fans and even the owner has wanted to see associated with this club since Pep burst onto the scene at Barca as a manager. Or look at it this way, for instance put any coach here, even another guy doing the reverse of what Sarri is doing changing the philosophy with a squad of players that arent suited or arent his players. Do you bin him after a year? Yes weve not put any trees up this season but neither did we under Jose in our first year of his 2nd spell although we still got top 4 but the work he'd got in to the team along with a few top additions helped us win the league. 2nd half of the season we ground a lot of results out playing like we did under Jose in some of those games against the bigger and better sides the previous season. Your saying what has Sarri shown this year, yes not a massive deal but again you can see whats tryna be implemented. I dont know if Pep or even Klopp would do a lot lot better with this squad, with Morata for half a season and Higuain for the next half of it. With average back line and no creativity in midfield. They are elite coaches but hardly miracle workers, still feel Conte was very lucky he inherited a squad that had the brilliance of Hazard, 20 goals a season striker in Costa, Cesc who could turn a game in a pass and Matic whos steady performances along side Kante gave us a massive chance. Doesnt take away all the changes he made but still if we had a 20 goal a season striker and a creative midfielder wed be top 4.

Nuno and Hasenhuttle. I think they would be an ever bigger risk than Sarri was. Decent up and coming managers in terms of building their reputations in England but I think with the incredible demand and pressures here theyd be out of their league. I do have high hopes for Hasenhuttle though, even at Leipzig he showed promise but in my eyes, he needs to do another full season in the PL and take Southampton to the sort of level Pochettino did, with a very exciting team, bringing so many players on to a better level. Poch led them to 8th , highest PL finish theyve ever had and had managed to get I dont know how many players in the England set up (Shaw, Lallana, Clyne, Jay Rodriguez, Lambert) and even now theirs a stat that he has worked with 15 of the last 30 players to make their England debut in the last however long. Hassenhuttl has got a bit to prove over here still, hes doing well but I still think Marco Silva should be the reminder that a decent half a season doesnt mean anything or thst you can cut it at a higher level. Regarding Sarri I hope has discovered this season that managing Napoli and Chelsea are two completely different things too so I would expect next season to be better, for him to be more demanding and get a better, consistent season than what we had this one. Lampard isnt anywhere near ready for us yet, he still needs time to build his reputation and Derby are one of those clubs youve no idea what they will do regarding their managers, I mean they sacked Paul Clement who had them 2nd a couple of seasons ago and have had a lot of different managers in recent times. Ex players dont always make hugely successful coaches, even regarding Zola as an assistant here, before he was an assistant his coaching career is hardly that good. So Frank definitely still needs time to build his coaching reputation and gain experience. He has the right personality from being a top player but I would say he still has to forge himself a reputation from doing it at the likes of a Derby and then kick on from there and go to the PL in some capacity. Did you think this season would have gone smoothly when he was appointed in the summer? I think it was always going to be a huge ask for him to come in, make an instant change and get everything working so well. Regardless of how superior Klopp and Pep are to Sarri, they did not have instant success in England like Conte or Pellegrini did in their first seasons because it is very rare that managers come in first season and win trophies in the PL these days because the money and calibre of top teams around is huge. No doubt, Klopp is a fantastic coach, was a big fan of watching his Dortmund teams but it has taken him huge amounts of time to get that team that good. They finished 8th the year he came in, 4th the next year and 4th last year. How many trophies? Have Liverpool really been that successful under him in the same way we were successful in the period of 10-15 years ago? Not even gonna speak about Pep his career speaks for itself despite whst people think of him he is up there. We will finish 5th this year more than likely, have already been in a cup final and have the chance to be in another. As bad as our season seems, in terms of a reference point its probably decent enough for Sarri, someone who has never won anything, had to change formations, a way of playing, deal with a squad that lacks in areas compared to City, United, Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool. With this pending transfer ban, it makes next season difficult but I think another season, proper full pre season this time (maybe not a huge problem but there was a lot of uncertainty this summer with the whole Conte situation) I have plenty of optimism that next sesson will be different. Also I think we will see more of Ruben, Callum, hopefully Reece James will also get a chance. Its not much to go off but who knows next season could be very different, I think Klopp and Pep even adjusted their ways slightly after their first year in the PL. Sarri as stubborn as he is maybe he will too a bit, because as you and many have said before it can be infuriating but I think he has to stick to his guns and go with his gut to implement his identity on the team before making any tweaks. I wouldn't even say we are playing anything like his Napoli side did in his second or third season, so theres still massive potential if we can get to that level. Anyway. Signings are needed regardless of whoever the manager is. Ban or no ban, 4 or 5 good players would make a huge difference.

I get your not keen on Sarri but who is gonna replace him? And realistically speaking because we arent going to appoint Joachim Low, Didier Deschamps or whatever other fantasy international coach some people think we could going off this forum at times and we have no chance for the likes of a Pochettino, Max Allegri or even a guy like Julian Naglesmann who is going Leipzig. Laurent Blanc? Roberto Martinez? David Moyes? Eddie Howe? Javi Gracia? Nuno? Id rather Sarri got a second season that any of those. Lets be honest, changing manager is a bad idea, we changed Conte for Sarri, which was probably a very bad move looking at the level of coaches they are in comparison but still poor recruitment, bad results and whatever fuckd his 2nd year here. People couldnt stand Mourinhos last season, couldnt stand Contes last and now cant stand Sarri in his first....

Zola tainted because of Sarri? Lmfao who writes this shite? His coaching/managerial career has been fucking terrible bar one season at Watford 😂 If anything being assistant coach at Chelsea is probably the highlight of his coaching career so far. Yes he was a top top player here and considered one of the very best but hes here as a assistant manager/coach, his career as a first team coach/manager was already bad enough, based on his actual coaching career he isnt someone who stands out as exceptional in a coaching regard. For me, Basing any coachs capacity or reputation on their playing career is ridiculously stupid as weve seen with Neville, Henry, whoever else it doesnt necessarily mean they will be a success at both. Zola is probably here more because of his presence around the club than what he actually can offer as a coach. This is a typically lazy way to try and discredit Sarri as per fucking usual, which is becoming a common thing from so called fans, hes here to the end of the season now definitely (potentially longer which I think he will get), get behind him and the team. Sarri tainting Zola. Get real. Zola probably wouldnt be here in a coaching capacity if it werent for us appointing Sarri.

Think Zenit would be a good move for him. Hes got the make up of a good player but a lack of goals, key passes and assists at a top club for a more attacking midfielder is shocking.

Its ok haha, it was tosh in fairness.

So weve been linked with Javi Gracia a day or two after I said in another post if we sacked Sarri would it be him, Nuno or Eddie Howe from the PL we would probably need to look at due to the high level coaches you'd normally associate with a big club are in jobs and this board, I just have no idea what to expect at times anymore. It is being reported by the sun, metro, 90min, 101greatgoal and many other unreliable outlets regarding Javi Gracia but honestly after being linked with David Wagner and the former Fulham manager Jokanovic last year I wouldnt be surprised. If this is true then what on earth is going on, no disrespect to the guy but if Sarri is out of his depth or binned for whatever other reasons then a guy who hasnt ever managed a squad of big players at a huge club has a very slim chance from the offset, considering weve also binned the likes of Jose, Conte and Carlo with 0 hesitation. I think hes done very good for Watford and they are overachieving this season yess, as well as Nuno and Howe having done good jobs with Wolves and Bournemouth respectively over their spells there but this job is a step too high for them at present. The pressure here would be huge for any manager despite the mixed seasons and I generally think that while Watfords season has gone well theres no huge expectation, nobody expecting them to do so well. We always expect to get top 4 and compete for trophies or a trophy. Lets not forget we are looking at losing Hazard, sold Cesc, the likes of Luiz (talk of a new deal but until its signed it means nothing) and Cahill (all 4 were hugely experienced players who have been there and done it with the club) among other uncertain scenarios with the likes of CHO, Christensen perhaps who had offers in January from Schalke Im sure as well as public complaints about playing time and if Higuain, Giroud and Kovacic are staying or going. If Sarri is replaced in the summer, which would be a bit daft, the next guy is gonna definitely need time (argubaly more than 1 full season) to steady the ship a bit and refresh the squad as theres gonna be players going and also an impending transfer ban. Fair enough weve been off the pace hugely but if we go and appoint a guy whos had a good 15 months in the PL at Watford... Id be questioning the clubs ambition, they went tooth and nail to get Sarri (mediocre first season or not although I didnt expect it to be plain sailing, which I think some people did....), people also forget the club had been hellbent on sacking Conte to replace him with Sarri for months.... it just seems all very stupid.

Forgive me I was reading wrong stats obviously well thats debunked that theory haha.

Paredes has barely played. Based on YouTube videos I will admit, he looked decent technically but again thats always the risk with judging players soley on youtube, he obviously isnt half the player many believed. I mean PSG wanted a 6 in the summer, didnt get one meaning they played a CB there for a while, Paredes has rarely gotten a game and considering PSG have effectively frozen out Adrien Rabiot ages ago after crying out for MF reinforcements in the summer.. says a lot regarding the fact hes barely started any games for them. Hes a box to box player, he would he incredibly wasted as a 6 in my opinion. From what I have seen, he is very tenacious, very good at recovering the ball, carrying it and the games I have seen with Italy and Cagliari, he doesnt play as a sitter, he has actually played as an attacking midfielder for Cagliari this season.

He has not only improved Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum but probably used them a lot more than any of our past managers would (even if CHO hasnt played as much as wed have hoped but lets be realisitc start of the season he was undoubtedly 4th choice on the wings regardless considering pre season). And going from the circulating rumours regarding us considering using Reece James in the squad next, another I think after a while will prove to Sarri he can be depended on. Even including Emerson, who is by no means a great player or even a young player, using him and both RLC and CHO in a game against Liverpool is extremely encouraging. Rubens development under Sarri is never brought up but hes no doubt 10 times more effective as he ever was here beforehand and even at Palace. Hes added end product and goals to his game. That comes through maturing as a player through playing and coaching. Considering Edens goal and assist return is considerably the best be has had here as well you cant say he hasnt improved any other players or got them to try and maiximize their output. Hazard, Luiz for a while, Barkley for a while, Callum, Ruben, there has been improvements. In fits and bursts. The whole play CHO situation and England playing him first before he made a PL start was just odd but I cant help but feel because we werent doing well, those guys uptop were not playing well that it again stemmed slightly from frustration. Could be argued throwing a young guy in a struggling team wouldnt help either. I did agree he could have played more but its almost as if some people were pinning saving our season on him at times lol. Its not been plain sailing and I get why people are frustrated but theres more a foot than just Sarri being stubborn and playing this brand of football that when not played quick enough isnt effective but thats what going through this process was gonna be like at some point. A manager who wants to implement his own ideas, which were completely against the grain of what the last 4 managers before him, will obviously be stubborn to get things in his image. You mentioned Benitez not being the right man in the long run yeard ago but Jose Mourinho was leaving Real and Rafa already confirmed he wouldnt be staying so yes in that regard it was the right move. Sarri isn't an exceptional manager by any means but its hardly like Mourinho is lined up to come back is it? Or A Klopp/Pep level coach who could come in and get an instance improvenent as well as managing to sign the likes of Ederson, Alisson, van Dijk, Laporte, Sane, Bernardo Silva, top quality level players because we need a few in areas. Or will we change and then wait and see how the likes of a Nuno (yes doing well at Wolves but shown at Valencia, Porto, two bigger clubs in their leagues where he achieved nothing), Eddie Howe, Javi Gracia, or the other managers to have a good season in the PL at a recently promoted team do when they will just be as out of their depth as the likes of what many on here probably percieve Sarri is. Realistically all the other top managers are in jobs. Sarri is basically the Quique Setién (although hes an older guy and Betis actually play some fantastic football) or whatever up and coming "in demand" manager of a few years ago. Before he got here everyone, particularly Italian journalists and pundits heavily highlighted his "issues", lack of rotation even in cup games, preference to use and burn out many out of only say 13 or 14 players in the same system over the course of a season and a lack of integration of young players (not that we did that anyway). Even the bloody Napoli president, be it through spite or a warning... It baffles me how some people are reacting as if no other manager done any of this in the past either. Conte for instance flogging Alonso after signing Emerson in January and also not deviating from 343 in the same season after a brief experiment using 352. Jose flogging Matic and Azpi, using that same low block even against smaller teams. I think we needed to change and go for someone like Sarri with a more offensive idea of football. If Sarri is to be sacked a manager in a similar mould has to be appointed. The whole sucking fun out of football thing with his style... lets be honest almost every season regardless of manager, the players... the style at this club is always brought up and could always be like some other clubs.... its a reoccuring theme here, get the idea some people will never be happy regardless.

Zappacosta has to go if it means this guy gets his chance next season. I was of the opinion he needed a PL loan but Ive seen him a few times now since then and he really looks like he could make a smoother transition than I first expected. Physically hes at a decent level. Technically too. Hopefully Sarri sees him in pre season and includes him in the squad next season.

Personally think starting CHO and no striker was a mistake. Would of rather seen CHO come on as a sub when there where more spaces in that period in the second half than the first when we played deeper. Harsh or not, Hazard fuckd 2 really big chances that you would expect the likes of Sterling, Mane, Salah, to score - one hit the post and one Alisson saved but personally I expected him to score both - and Willian also had a half chance in the first half that he totally made wrong choice and should have shot earlier on his left side. As someone mentioned above they only played really really well for 15 minutes and we didnt play too badly. But 'Sarri out" will be floating about twitter along with the "we dont deserve Eden this team is so shit" garbage that in my eyes, just shows the make up some so called fans. Realisitcally we lost because we failed to score 2 big chances and they scored 2 goals in their wee period. End of story. We built up well enough until we got to the final third again, where it was ponderous.

If we going to lose Hazard and not get a transfer ban, Lorenzo Insigne has recently just stated he could leave Napoli apparently, tough to get him with the connection and after the Sarri saga but he would be an unbelievably good signing for us I think. Fits Sarri ball, in his peak years, wont be on an astronomical wage but fee will be high though unfortunately. Toby Alderwereild also avaliable for 25m in the summer, bit older or not, proven player and definitely worth 25m for what say 2 or 3 good seasons compared to what we have. Rudiger, Christensen and Luiz yes are all good but Alderweireld is an excellent player and even for 25m aged 29 or however old he is, would be a very good move. But the ban won't get overturned so probably not even worth attempting it haha

We were sloppy but in the first half they pressed us quite well. Anyway, bad performance but clean sheet and a away goal. Performance not always most valuable thing in these tough obscure double headers, it was always gonna be a tough game because they showed beforehand they know how to make life tough for good teams so least the away leg is done.

These are the sort of games you never know what could happen tbf. Sarri has picked a relatively strong team which helps but still, need to show up and perform.

Miroslav Stoch goal anybody?

If either Barca or Madrid want him, he's off to Spain. That is true I suppose not many would say no.

Barca under Valverde are really good at being solid. Taken a bit from what Enrique gave them in terms of sitting a bit deeper and playing more cohesively without the ball and adding even more to it. I suppose in an away match, clean sheet, getting a away goal, it worked. Theyve got a lot of experience too, bringing on the likes of Arturo Vidal and Sergi Roberto for Coutinho and Artur Melo is a luxury a lot of teams dont have. I dont know if we would of managed much better than we did the last year against Barca tbf but because as we seen they can turn it on when they need to or when theres a mistake. Id like to see us go toe to toe with a Barca, Real, Juve or whatever under Sarri, it would be really intriguing to see we would cope playing as we do now.

Kepa Zappa Andreas Luiz Alonso Kante Kovacic Barkley Willian Giroud/Higuain Pedro