9 | Erling Haaland - 2024/25

[WesthoughtonJohn]

There's currently a large Haaland shaped elephant in the room - before anyone starts a pile on I'm not saying he's shit, or that he's not a very good goal scorer, but I'll give you the below.

Since his injury, in my opinion, we'd stumbled across a system that kinda worked with what we have currently (not that it was pretty). I don't know why, whether other players were more willing to take responsibility or teams weren't sure where our main threat was. We won 6 and drew 1, scoring 2 or more in 5 of those.

Now he's back - scored none and lost a cup final where he turned down a penalty.
In his defence the service has been none existant, trouble is with no service we're back to playing with 10 men.
Just a view

 

[Keeper!]

Who could and would?
Saudi is the best bet

Barca, Madrid and probably Bayern to replace Kane next season, the guy is an icon and as said he will always be on the gravy train.

I may get battered for this but give me a player than leads the line with passion and endeavour every week rather than this present version of Haaland, he irritates me so much.

I get he must be pissed off with never seeing the ball or little or no chances created but his lack of movement and weakness against CB's is shockingly poor this season.

 

[mexico1970]

Barca, Madrid and probably Bayern to replace Kane next season, the guy is an icon and as said he will always be on the gravy train.

I may get battered for this but give me a players than leads the line with passion and endevour every weeks rather than this present version of Haaland, he irritates me so much.

I get he must be pissed off with never seeing the ball or little or no chances created but his lack of movement and weakness against CB's is shockingly poor this season.

Look how much PSG improved when they removed the seat sellers for grafters.

 

[Keeper!]

Look how much PSG improved when they removed the seat sellers for grafters.

Very much, if we could get 1st season Haaland back brilliant but I have my doubts and with the real possibility of no CL football those 500k plus wages maybe even too much for us.

 

[doobyedoobye]

He's the best number 9 in the world

 

[Keeper!]

He's the best number 9 in the world

When in form without doubt the best goalscorer but not as a team player of leader of the line.

 

[Txiki Txiki Bang Bang]

Guardiola treated Sergio like shit, mist likely because Sergio was far more popular than he was.

The big shithouse supposedly 'playing' up front yesterday doesn't deserve to be at City next season.

Let's be honest, Pep tried to get rid of Hart, Kompany and Aguero as soon as he walked in. The first guy was easy to take down, the other two? not so easy, as soon as he realized he was fighting a loosing battle, he decided to cosy up to them. I love Pep but like every other leader out there, he has a thing for total control, could be the reason why he is obsessed with possession. Fucking male dominatrix :)

 

[Lavinda Past]

The problem we are having is hat there is a huge disconnect between the players and the fans and the club only appear to be interested in themselves.

Maybe Haaland doesn't feel part of a cohesive club maybe none of the players do? Turn up play and get paid and if they attend any extra curricular activities it's not with the fans it's just a photo shot for corporate?

No wonder the players have no feeling for the club or passion for the game.

I honestly can't imagine that any of the players have genuine feelings for the club or fans. I certainly can't envisage any of our current players turning up for a supporters club meeting in a local pub in the future.

But that's just modern football. They're all multi millionaires with little or no experience of the real world outside the club bubble.

 

[ScottSinclair]

There's currently a large Haaland shaped elephant in the room - before anyone starts a pile on I'm not saying he's shit, or that he's not a very good goal scorer, but I'll give you the below.

Since his injury, in my opinion, we'd stumbled across a system that kinda worked with what we have currently (not that it was pretty). I don't know why, whether other players were more willing to take responsibility or teams weren't sure where our main threat was. We won 6 and drew 1, scoring 2 or more in 5 of those.

Now he's back - scored none and lost a cup final where he turned down a penalty.
In his defence the service has been none existant, trouble is with no service we're back to playing with 10 men.
Just a view

He has hardly been put into the same system that were working though. I was genuinly looking forward to him being the focal point in a system that encouraged oberlapping full-backs. Nunes and O'Reilly's crossing have been exceptional at times, especially the low-driven crosses Nico had against Villa would suit Haaland to a tee.

But the overthinker just had to change didn't he. Because he just has to show the world in the clearest terms possible that a striker like Haaland can't be used without sacrifising directness elsewhere. You certainly can't beat Palace and Southampton by just playing football, you need to over-complicate it.

Any other brave and progressive manager this season would have played to Haalands strenghts and it would most likely be enough for a title.

This is on Pep

 

[mexico1970]

I honestly can't imagine that any of the players have genuine feelings for the club or fans. I certainly can't envisage any of our current players turning up for a supporters club meeting in a local pub in the future.

But that's just modern football. They're all multi millionaires with little or no experience of the real world outside the club bubble.

Zabba, Vinnie etc all had feelings for football and were very passionate.

IMHO the corporate feel of our club has rubbed off on the playing staff, when we get beat the players don't seem to show it a lot (OK maybe Diaz) but in general it's just a job.

You're right though it's the losing touch part that is irksome.

 

[argyle]

Hardly a ridiculous take tbf.

It is absolutely ridiculous.

Probably not on bluemoon these days as people on here have become hysterical over this season.

If you and others think Haaland should be sold, would you be happy with him going to Liverpool or Arsenal? You know, since you all don't think he's that good or fits us.

 

[TShed]

Would u really rather sell him than find a better way to play to his strengths?

Then we need to get rid of Pep

 

[argyle]

Then we need to get rid of Pep

Yes, lets get rid of the most successful manager of the last decade because of one down season....

 

[TShed]

Yes, lets get rid of the most successful manager of the last decade because of one down season....

I didn’t say that

I’d get rid of Haaland tho mainly because the most success manager of the last decade can’t get a tune out of him when it counts

 

[Lavinda Past]

It is absolutely ridiculous.

Probably not on bluemoon these days as people on here have become hysterical over this season.

If you and others think Haaland should be sold, would you be happy with him going to Liverpool or Arsenal? You know, since you all don't think he's that good or fits us.

Looking at football purely as worldwide entertainment (which it is), I think that Haaland would be an absolute megastar at Liverpool or Real Madrid, where both clubs have a reasonably 'fixed' style of open, attacking play.

Pep’s risk averse system clearly isn't suited to Haaland or vice versa, and neither seem flexible enough to adapt to a radically different style of play.

As a City fan, I simply don't see Pep/Haaland as a good fit. It's one or the other for me, but on the basis of this season in isolation, it's currently neither. We're not good to watch, and Haaland looks no better than a lower division donkey in most games.

There's no spark in Haaland's game. There's no spark in City’s game. The magic has faded as the squad has aged, and Pep & Txiki's signings over the last fewvwindows just aren't good enough.

For his sake, and that of the wider football world, I think Haaland needs to move to another club to work with a coach who is more appreciative of his particular style of play, and who could bring the best out of him.

City should cash in now, pocket £150m and get his ridiculously obscene wage bill off the books.

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Big man, you aren't on half a million a week to pass the buck to someone else in a Cup Final. Take the fucking penalty, score the fucking penalty.

 

[shemnel]

Rooney was right about that chance following the Doku shot and save; Haaland should have got up and over the defender, just piled in, and nodded the ball in. Likely a foul but you've got to roll the dice and sometimes you get them. All he did was a cursory jump with no motion toward the ball, where Marmoush was being outjumped.

A bad day out for Erling, all in all.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Not taking that pen yesterday is inexplicable. Total bottle job. Hope Pep has ripped him a new one. No other top striker says no to that penalty yday. Can’t get my head round it

LOL just relax..

There's a long list of penalty takers that didn't feel good enough and trusted their teammate to do it.

Mattaeus -> Brehme in WC Final
Lewandowski -> Gundogan in CL Final
Kane -> Palmer (last year?)

And it was a good pen.. was hit with power in a good position.. he just saved it.

I don't blame him or Omar. Just not our day!

 

[robbieh]

Looking at football purely as worldwide entertainment (which it is), I think that Haaland would be an absolute megastar at Liverpool or Real Madrid, where both clubs have a reasonably 'fixed' style of open, attacking play.

Pep’s risk averse system clearly isn't suited to Haaland or vice versa, and neither seem flexible enough to adapt to a radically different style of play.

As a City fan, I simply don't see Pep/Haaland as a good fit. It's one or the other for me, but on the basis of this season in isolation, it's currently neither. We're not good to watch, and Haaland looks no better than a lower division donkey in most games.

There's no spark in Haaland's game. There's no spark in City’s game. The magic has faded as the squad has aged, and Pep & Txiki's signings over the last fewvwindows just aren't good enough.

For his sake, and that of the wider football world, I think Haaland needs to move to another club to work with a coach who is more appreciative of his particular style of play, and who could bring the best out of him.

City should cash in now, pocket £150m and get his ridiculously obscene wage bill off the books.

I suspect if Inzaghi took over he'd get a tune out of him.

 

[mexico1970]

Looking at football purely as worldwide entertainment (which it is), I think that Haaland would be an absolute megastar at Liverpool or Real Madrid, where both clubs have a reasonably 'fixed' style of open, attacking play.

Pep’s risk averse system clearly isn't suited to Haaland or vice versa, and neither seem flexible enough to adapt to a radically different style of play.

As a City fan, I simply don't see Pep/Haaland as a good fit. It's one or the other for me, but on the basis of this season in isolation, it's currently neither. We're not good to watch, and Haaland looks no better than a lower division donkey in most games.

There's no spark in Haaland's game. There's no spark in City’s game. The magic has faded as the squad has aged, and Pep & Txiki's signings over the last fewvwindows just aren't good enough.

For his sake, and that of the wider football world, I think Haaland needs to move to another club to work with a coach who is more appreciative of his particular style of play, and who could bring the best out of him.

City should cash in now, pocket £150m and get his ridiculously obscene wage bill off the books.

What puzzles me about this risk averse football is that it wont be changed even if that risk is mitigated by us being dry bummed by every shit team on the planet.

It's a weird one.

Haaland is good for the clubs profile, if I am honest I would rather get rid of Pep than have to replace most of the squad, controversial I know but there it is.