Tell that to the owners , fans aren’t entitled the standards have just been raised and especially been raised by our owners. Khaldoon saying 5 in a row , Soriano saying he expects a trophy each season and for us to be the biggest brand /club in football. Expects us to challenge for the league each season
You can’t say we can not become entitled when the standards have been raised interviews are coming out from the people on the board. Expecting trophies. Those interviews which are seen by fans of the club. The fans are going to expect those standards if the top people are expecting those standards.
I don’t mind having a transitional season. I’ve seen worse seasons than this supporting city, But there will be a group of people not just fans but board members that feel entitled to win the league / trophy each season as those are their standards
From Soriano himself when he first came in
“I would say I want to win five trophies in the next five years," said Soriano.
"That may mean we win no trophies one year and two in another, but on average I want one trophy or title a year."
The downs are not spending the profit and having the station we’re in now thoughYes that was the Up. After some seasons of downs. Can't look at things that short term, that's exactly his point.
Lol. I hear you. No, I am not joking, mate. He looks burnt out. I want him to stay, absolutely, despite the wretched performances and iffy tactics, etc. He's the greatest manager in football history, IMHO, it is just that he has maybe had enough. Getting pumped by those reptiles on Sunday, on our own turf, could be too much for him. His legacy cannot be spoiled, absolutely not, he has won so much, so spectacularly. But, he is human.Are you joking? It’s hard to tell on here now lol
I agree in the main, but not with Gvardiol. Watching him in that defence in the 7-0, for Leipzig, was concerning at the time when we were linked with him. One man does not make a defence, sure, but he looked lost. A bit like he does now. Dire again last night, absolutely atrocious.Getting top 4 and winning the court case would be a good season. With the CWC prize money it’s probably the ideal season to drop out of the CL if the rot continues.
Personally I think we need four key players in January and the summer. The spine of this team moving into next season should be Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo, Foden and Haaland. I think we need a proper right back, creative midfielder, holding/box to box midfielder and a wide player. Without sounding spoilt I’m talking players with the ability to replace Gundogan, KDB and Walker long term.
Potentially also a new goalkeeper as well and let Ederson go to Saudi
We always pick up serious injuries :-(I agree in the main, but not with Gvardiol. Watching him in that defence in the 7-0, for Leipzig, was concerning at the time when we were linked with him. One man dies not make a defence, sure, but he looked lost. A bit like he does now. Dire again last night, absolutely atrocious.
Fixed.We always pick up serious injuries :-(
I sort of agree with this, however not necessarily with all the people you've pencilled in. The position we're in now has been coming for the past 12 months, the reason(s) have been discussed many times on here (poor transfer windows, other teams learning how to play our system blah blah blah) but the truth is we have an aging team playing aging tactics beset by a ridiculous number of injuries.We cannot rely on the 2 permacrocks at the back.
And while the return of Kovacic is welcome it was clear last year that our midfield was in decline. Rodri was shouldering so much if the burden.
Leaving Rodri aside for a moment, and any side reliant so heavily on one player obviously has issues, the other midfielders do not make it into a current top four side.
Going forward the only players that should be pencilled in are
Dias, Gvardiol, Akanji
Rodri Foden
Bobb Haaland Doku
Grealish has flattered to deceive and will continue to do so. Bernardo needs a change of scenery for his own good. Gundo should perhaps join the coaching staff. Kevin with our blessing can do whatever he wants, and that includes playing cameos from the bench.
So Pep has been dealt a bad hand but he needs to work around what he has.
The downs are not spending the profit and having the station we’re in now though
I agree, he doesn’t look well at all, we need to thank him, shake his hand, build him a statue and let him retire in the Barcelona suuuunnnnsssshhhiiiineeeLol. I hear you. No, I am not joking, mate. He looks burnt out. I want him to stay, absolutely, despite the wretched performances and iffy tactics, etc. He's the greatest manager in football history, IMHO, it is just that he has maybe had enough. Getting pumped by those reptiles on Sunday, on our own turf, could be too much for him. His legacy cannot be spoiled, absolutely not, he has won so much, so spectacularly. But, he is human.
Agree with a lot of that.I sort of agree with this, however not necessarily with all the people you've pencilled in. The position we're in now has been coming for the past 12 months, the reason(s) have been discussed many times on here (poor transfer windows, other teams learning how to play our system blah blah blah) but the truth is we have an aging team playing aging tactics beset by a ridiculous number of injuries.
We do need a rebuild, it happens to every club, and now it's our turn. Success going forward depends on getting this done right. So what needs to change?
Pep - I think he's done ok all things considered, so we should give him a bit longer. (This is tongue in cheek for those sarcasm impaired, of course we fucking keep him)
Goalkeepers. Neither are good enough. Ederson has flattered to deceive behind what has been (up to the last 12 months or so) a rock solid defence, but can anyone honestly claim he makes good decisions or is a good shot stopper? He's been instrumental in our success because of his footballing ability not his goalkeeping ability. Ortega is decent until it comes to corners where frankly he's hopeless.
Defence. On paper we have the best defence in the premier league, however, Walker, legs have gone, he can no longer rescue his brain farts with speed and is therefore a liability. Stones, glass everything, Ake, best out and out defender in the premier league, hamstrings are made of cheese strings which is a big issue. All those need replacing (except perhaps Nathan who needs protecting) leaving us with Dias, Akanji and Josko. Overall a good foundation, need a couple of full backs and at least one centre half.
Midfield. I'll start with Rico because he could have been included as a defender, except he isn't. Good squad player and thats about it at the moment. Gundog, pace of the game passes him by now. Bernado, love him to bits but he's a shadow of his former self. There has been talk for years that he wants away (or perhaps his missus does), maybe its time for that to happen for his sake as well as ours. Jack, great player in the wrong system, he simply doesn't suit our style of play. Whether we keep or need to replace depends largely on what our next tactical innovation is. Nunes, shown glimpses of ability, doesn't appear to have the heart for the fight though and finally in this group, Kevin DeBruyne. Whatever he wants he should get, another season, statue, director of football, trip to Saudi or the MLS, don't care, give the man what he wants. Rodders, Foden, Kovacic all good. So we're looking at 5 or 6 new players for this group including a Rodri clone and someone of the likes of prime box to box Yaya without the love of cake, plus a KDB replacement, though that won't be easy or cheap.
Attack. Savinho has so far shown zero end product, Doku is dangerous coming off the bench, but again has zero end product when starting a game. Compare those two with Sane, Stirling and Mahrez. Nowhere near the level we need. Oscar Bobb, definitely has potential and is a keeper, but not yet proven as a first choice player. Which leaves us with Alfies' lad. Se we need two new (fast and direct) wingers, Doku and Bobb as back ups, and an understudy for Haaland.
So boys and girls, we need about 10-12 new players. Obviously that's not going to happen in January, reality is we're looking at 2-3 years of good recruitment coupled with bringing a couple of academy lads through.
Having said all that (and thank you to the one reader who has made it this far) it could be a lot worse. It will really be time to panic when Pep replaces Kevin Keegan wannabe with my little pony.
Why would he walk after signing a two year deal and the club is planning to start the rebuild in the summer?Lol. I hear you. No, I am not joking, mate. He looks burnt out. I want him to stay, absolutely, despite the wretched performances and iffy tactics, etc. He's the greatest manager in football history, IMHO, it is just that he has maybe had enough. Getting pumped by those reptiles on Sunday, on our own turf, could be too much for him. His legacy cannot be spoiled, absolutely not, he has won so much, so spectacularly. But, he is human.