Media discussion - 2024/25

[bluenova]

Yep, no decent cover at CDM or RB/LB has cost us dear and we're yet to see what happens at CF if Erl gets crocked now Alvarez has gone.

But how risky was it not to have cover at CDM? Until his current injury, Rodri was an absolute machine, who has almost never been injured. If the defence is ok, then Kovacic (and even Gundo on the odd occasion) are capable of deputising.

At RB/LB, Walker/Lewis/Stones and Akanji have all played right back without major issues. Ake and Gvardiol have played left back, and Akanki and Rico can play there in a pinch.

What's made the team successful for the last few seasons, is players being given regular minutes, and that adaptability. Going the United way, and having expensive players that you forget are even at the club just in case isn't exactly an example to follow.

 

[johnny crossan]

But how risky was it not to have cover at CDM? Until his current injury, Rodri was an absolute machine, who has almost never been injured. If the defence is ok, then Kovacic (and even Gundo on the odd occasion) are capable of deputising.

At RB/LB, Walker/Lewis/Stones and Akanji have all played right back without major issues. Ake and Gvardiol have played left back, and Akanki and Rico can play there in a pinch.

What's made the team successful for the last few seasons, is players being given regular minutes, and that adaptability. Going the United way, and having expensive players that you forget are even at the club just in case isn't exactly an example to follow.

Last season we lost all our PL games without Rodri - the writing was clearly on the wall and our summer window was woeful - even the Blind Pugh can see that now.

 

[wattle]

2 years no promotion punishment is an absolute gem.

That's a new one.

I'd love to see how that will fit in with the football pyramid.

Honestly I'm loving these mad theories from these bitter rivals of ours, proper creased up laughing.

Yeh me too. What concerns me a bit is that some of our supporters are actually believing all this click bait bollox

 

[The Future’s Blue!]

Yeh me too. What concerns me a bit is that some of our supporters are actually believing all this click bait bollox

They’ve been primed for it, is it any wonder with the way the media work.

Just seen on MOTD, BBC producing a GPC spectacular, whilst the Rags are shitting the bed.

It’s all about who controls the narrative, and the media do really control ours.

 

[Tommy_Catons_Perm]

Not if you read the charges thread tonight. Apparently not only are we getting relegated, they will be putting 2 years ‘no promotion’ punishment in there as well as transfer bans. I’d love to know what world some of our fans are on. So mass criminal fraud it is all round then lol.

Blimey. Thankfully we didn't murder 39 Italians and get all English clubs banned from the champions league for 5 years. Even more severe punishment and media hatred I'd expect.

 

[Spurs quarter 69]

Blimey. Thankfully we didn't murder 39 Italians and get all English clubs banned from the champions league for 5 years. Even more severe punishment and media hatred I'd expect.

Said before say it again , after the punishment handed out to the Bears by the SFA anything is possible. For some reason we seem to be hated by the powers that be in a way the rags and dippers never were, the nearest thing is the Leeds side of the early 70s. They got some very bad decisions but nothing like we have had to live with.

 

[cheekybids]

Are Ake and Stones not always on the Injured list and you think a 34 year old Walker is going to make any difference.

Head in the sand comes to mind.

Not at the same time as Dias, Akanji, Kovacic & Rodri that’s why it’s been unprecedented.

34 year old Walker hasn’t had any injury issues previously.

 

[cheekybids]

Those statistics must be absolute bollocks
Stones, when fit and available, is our best centre half
Look at his playing record
An example being, last season, 16 PL matches

john stones stats - Google Search

I think his workload is managed so he may play champions league & bench premier league etc still available but would not be able to maintain 50 games a season. (85%)

 

[cheekybids]

Last season we lost all our PL games without Rodri - the writing was clearly on the wall and our summer window was woeful - even the Blind Pugh can see that now.

This season we were top of the league & only undefeated team in Europe without Rodri. We’d changed the narrative to being able to play without Rodri then lost another 10 players to injury in a week & the narrative switched back.

 

[halfcenturyup]

Disagree on the "we don't have an injury list that is spectacular if you rule out Rodri". We've had most of our key players either out or playing but not 100% for much of the past 2 or 3 months. Not many teams, if any, could deal with that

And it's especially damaging in a Guardiola system. Shouldn't forget that.