“City in crisis”

[inchy14]

I was talking about this today and my opinion is Pep is preparing the team to peak a little later than normal as he’ll want to win the CWC at the end of the season.
That’s why any minor niggle means players are left out of the squad entirely until they’re 100%. It’s why he’s using more youth in the squad as he wants the top senior players ready from end of Jan onwards.

Basically treating the start of the season as pre-season.











Either that or he’s just given up.

 

[supercity88]

Don't you get the feeling that the ratio of goals to shots is very high with us though? Just because he saves some doesn't mean that he's an exceptional keeper.

When he's exposed I always feel that we're conceding.

I have in previous seasons, but I can't think of many goals this season where I've felt he could have done better - noting my memory doesn't extend that far back!

Looking at expected goals conceded is only one element because against Arsenal it was 0.65 but he couldn't have done anything with the two they scored - one being a screamer and the other where he was being grappled and couldn't move. So it's hard to factor in specifically what he should save and what he shouldn't. I always feel like Liverpool concede a shit load of chances but get away with it through a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing by the opposition.

I feel like the chances we concede tend to offer quite easy chances that don't leave him much chance. A tap in from a ball across the box or a one on one.

 

[OntarioBlue]

Won treble with Akanji at right back.

I didn’t say he’s not a great player.i said playing centre backs, rather than specialist full backs at right back isn’t perfect.

 

[blueparrot]

I didn’t say he’s not a great player.i said playing centre backs, rather than specialist full backs at right back isn’t perfect.

Except we won the treble playing 4 centre backs no fullbacks so it can be perfect. That’s why arteta copied it.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

We're not in crisis but equally, with most of the injured players back to full fitness we're still nowhere near as strong as in previous seasons.

If anything, we seem to be drifting with our weaknesses further exposed by Rodri's injury and the club seemingly more intent on making a huge profit from the transfer window than signing 2-3 replacements who will immediately improve the team with pace and energy


Where that leaves us in relation to the other clubs is up for debate especially as none of our rivals seem stronger this season


Not that this Forum really encourages healthy debate when it's far easier to belittle somebody with the opposite opinion

 

[OntarioBlue]

Except we won the treble playing 4 centre backs no fullbacks so it can be perfect. That’s why arteta copied it.

When you say we played with no fullbacks were you forgetting Walker who made 27 Premier league and 5 Champions League appearances that season ?

 

[Blue Bogey]

I was talking about this today and my opinion is Pep is preparing the team to peak a little later than normal as he’ll want to win the CWC at the end of the season.
That’s why any minor niggle means players are left out of the squad entirely until they’re 100%. It’s why he’s using more youth in the squad as he wants the top senior players ready from end of Jan onwards.

Basically treating the start of the season as pre-season.





Either that or he’s just given up.

CWC I can’t even think that far ahead. I previously was hoping we would go far in that competition but right now I don’t mind if we f*** it off.

Uncomfortable for us at the moment yes; Crisis no.

 

[Cumbie Blue]

Crisis? Can one of the 100,000 who was at York away add some perspective please :-)

Really looking forward to see how the squad, management and club respond myself. This bump could be the making of some of the younger lads (and even supporters) who have not experienced a downturn in form like this yet across the club.

Time for the captains to step up, as Pepe loves to say "where are my warriors"? Response needed and I hope we get it.

 

[blueparrot]

When you say we played with no fullbacks were you forgetting Walker who made 27 Premier league and 5 Champions League appearances that season ?

So under half the games and missed most of the back end of the season.As I said playing 4 centre backs can a did have success. Not sure how it’s possible to argue otherwise. Quite a few think for this season it’s something we should be doing more of, maybe if we can get all our centre backs fit we will.

 

[mexico1970]

I was talking about this today and my opinion is Pep is preparing the team to peak a little later than normal as he’ll want to win the CWC at the end of the season.
That’s why any minor niggle means players are left out of the squad entirely until they’re 100%. It’s why he’s using more youth in the squad as he wants the top senior players ready from end of Jan onwards.

Basically treating the start of the season as pre-season.











Either that or he’s just given up.

Imagine having the very first WCC in a country that couldn't give a fuck about it?

You might have a point with your theory mate, only those who work and live in the football bubble will really know though. I wonder how many top class players would want this Frankenstein's monster of a competition rather than the league?