robsblubot

Well that was my concern earlier when we are selling everybody. One can assume it's just the way they are, but I think what I talked about earlier is exactly what happened to them. They felt frustrated at the club and left. It's hard to say it's more about them vs us, but the club sale and the newbie football club owners kinda suggest the "us" part has played a part. We know it's hard to find and attract leaders who can really make a difference on the pitch, but that's why they make the big bucks. I look at City and for every Foden, there is a Gundogan. That's the right balance. Yeah me neither; I'm usually the one saying that you cannot attract a star because the star player is already done for playing for a big club. On the other hand there is a case of too much of a good thing. Good point on Arsenal too; that's exactly what I'm afraid of.

I disagree the players you listed is the reason they have a competitive advantage. I also think it's VERY wrong to assume young players can develop without support of more senior players. They have to be competitive from the get go. The last thing you want in 3-4 years is a bunch of players who are used to lose. If they don't jump ship much earlier than that. The better one, the competitive types won't be sitting around waiting for competitive teammates to arrive.

Oh great let's watch City, United, and Arsenal collect all the silverware for years and then hope they are also not a powerhouse by then. man... 🙄

Feels like most of our signings come with a disclaimer: "For his age and experience in pro football,..."

Home game against a big club... Some players will be nervy anyway, given this is going to be the biggest game they ever played, so little can be done here. We will find out the level of competition we can expect from the players. Really big game for a number of reasons, but even more important for the new signings. Crap way too soon to be thinking about that--still a week+ away.

I'd say that the CL team was loaded with will and determination. Timo "ran like a dog" and Mount was relentless applying pressure. It was nice to see. Kai was the one a bit more on a free role, but still wasn't the lazy player he's been in the last couple of seasons. We had Kante too! Rudiger had tons of energy esp making runs. Tactical knowledge is quality too... do these player have it already? Honestly, I even expect some of these players to drop form at some point during the season... it's normal. We will see very soon, but I sincerely do not see enough quality in the squad to warrant such optimism. Won't be complaining one bit for being wrong here, but that's what I see.

Yes, they really wanted to be here as they signed their best contracts yet. For some, this will be their first and only stint at an elite club. "that's halfway to success." No, it really isn't. It's far easier to find will and determination than quality in football. The PL itself should be evidence enough. A lot of the smaller teams show the biggest heart and dedication you see in the league, and yet that does not help them into top6. What allows you to win when competing against the best there is, is to have players of comparable quality. This season, we simply don't know the level of the newly acquired players; they may not even know themselves. It will be the first big challenge in their careers. I totally understand that the unknown, having a young squad hungry players can be exciting, but I reckon the odds are that not all players will come good. Some will be found out this season, and we will have to quickly replace them. There are many possible scenarios, some pretty bad, but it seems folks are optimistic. So let's see if they can at least hold their own.

Quite on the contrary. I think the main point is that it's not my money, so I don't care. Tbf, the club is owned by billionaires, so not sure we should really be worrying a whole lot about money. Yup are are now funding Brighton club. That ship has sailed though: lukaku, Enzo, Mudryk... they are all watching what we do.

that looks about right--as to the most likely starting XI, but I think perhaps Mudryk as CAM? I don't like Mudryk as I've said before, but his passing (esp thruballs) is good. Perhaps that's the place for him. Not sure about the pecking order in CB. Either way, it's not that strong a team I'm afraid. 😕

As someone who does not share the conviction that Caicedo is that much of, or is about to become, that key player we need, I too think that at this point just go for it. I mean, evidently my opinion does not matter (nor should it), so it's really about whether the people at the club have that conviction or not. If they do, then they should make it happen and not wait until there is an auction around him. Now, if the conviction isn't absolute, then maybe it's time to be creative, and at the same point make a point which could affect future deals. I think he makes a very young squad even younger. That makes me nervous for the season, but if he's good enough then he's good enough.

not sure if that's what you referred to, but pressing is not only required when defending with a high line and keeping possession. Regardless where you defend, it's a numbers game. If you don't have enough players involved in defending, the opposition will eventually overwhelm certain areas of your team. That's the part we don't get to test in friendlies, unfortunately.

I partially agree. We don't even know yet how the attacking players press (or not). We don't know how overwhelmed the CMs would be with the current players. I know Sterling once did a good job pressing, and tbh I thought his energy was good yesterday against Dortmund, but we need to see the same when it matters, and from all attacking players; especially when the opposition is body checking in competitive matches. We will find out very soon tho.

He will. That's why he started with that lineup. You don't train what you are not going to do.

It's not sterling (he's doing well)... lol it's the movement or the lack thereof. Players aren't yet moving into position to receive the pass, which makes it harder for someone to find that pass. It's normal and even more so with the number of changes in the squad, which will make the first few matches in the PL all the more challenging. It's a friendly tho--don't read too much into it.

Which means that if he's (re?) elected president, he could a) pardon himself (iffy) or b) get his DOJ to dismiss the case. Latter might be a lot easier. US presidents have way too much power. Trump found that out soon after elected. Some suggest that a deal could be made, like he goes away from politics as a settlement. I think Georgia would be a problem for such a deal, but we can only hope. Personally, I don't give a fuck whether he goes to prison or not. He will make sure to bring politics any time he can, and so will Fox News and friends. Trump has been breaking the laws for decades, which only shows how some people are untouchable. The most important part is for the US, as well as the world, to get rid of him.

Feel dirty getting any money and/or player for Lukaku. 😅 Like you know the car your are selling has a dodgy motor, but you take the money anyway.

There is no loss in football; the whole point is to make the club bigger by winning and collecting silverware. Timo, as limited as he was, was important in acquiring the biggest silverware in club football. Honestly, I think sometimes we make things more complicated than they need to be.

To this day, I don't understand what happened with Mendy. I suspect some serious off-pitch issue, but don't really know.

That's the natural reaction to someone like Donald Trump. Someone who is so unapologetically ignorant about most things; it is known that the most ignorant is the one who does not know how much he does not know. We are talking about a guy who literally ignored his own medical advisers during a pandemic and recommended people to drink bleach. You just can't make that shit up. That was funny until he managed to get elected president tho, to @Vespers point. Now he's just one of the most dangerous individuals in the world. He has the potential to disrupt in ways not yet seen, even considering the amount of disruption he was able to accomplish during first and only term as president. I personally think Biden has a good chance to beat him again. All Trump's legal issues matter very little, but images from jan 6, and Trump himself on ads will be tough on independent, and moderate republicans. Of course now we are at the mercy of a 80yo guy, his health, and specially his "marbles."

here in the US I always trust what https://livesoccertv.com tells me. 😆

Unfortunately, the answer to that question is self-evident: one half would say "yes" while the other half would go for "no." The answer, "yes, but as long as I win" would naturally fall into the "no" category. I wonder if the people who act towards the "no" actually realize what they are and what they want in politics. Especially when there are media outlets, such as Fox News, which create "enemies" out of political adversaries.

That's a good team to make things really easy for Liverpool. Only way Sterling does not start that game, as one of the few senior players left in the squad, is if he breaks his leg.

Yeah and reckon signing Mount had that angle in the mix. Same when we signed Pulisic... football is a lot more complex these days.

Agreed on the n10. However, I think it's very difficult to avoid playing with dedicated wingers (regardless of characteristics) these days, esp in the PL. Been hearing opinions from managers and analysts on the subject, and the the consensus is that it's because of the fitness levels these days. Lack of depth can really make it easier for the opposition to neutralize your attack.

that's the acceleration muscle. 😕