100% he should. But this is the first time in his managerial career where he hasn’t got a decent spine in the starting 11. And throwing in the barging basement signing aren’t going to work. Looking at him on the side line on Sunday he looked lost a rabbit in head lights moment. And that was before the Penalty. As soon as they made the four subs at once he hadn’t a clue what to doYes our recruitment has been absolute shit. But shouldn't the arguably goat manager be able to get a better tune out of this squad?
It sucks. The space in behind on both flanks is criminal. Yet we get hurt by long balls played wide week in and week out. Mind numbing. The high line with the lack of pace of our central defenders is also absurd. Someone please tell me where the rewards are outweighing the risks. We continue to do dumb shit that does nothing but hurt us. Playing from the back is fine but what the fuck do we actually gain from making a million short, intricate, risky passes in and around our own box where one bad touch can lead to a cheap goal against? Tell me how this is a good thing. Go back and watch Pep's Barca or Bayern or our earlier squads under Pep. They played out of the back but not at a snail's pace and not with endless passing to their keeper. I sit here anymore and think what am I watching? Part of the manager's job is to assess his players' strengths and weaknesses and set them up in a system/s that suits these strengths. Pep hasn't been doing that for some time now. He'd rather shoehorn players into a system or role they aren't suited for. Recent examples of this are how he's utilized Alvarez. Foden, Doku, Savinho, Rico Lewis, Nunes, Bernardo, both Nicos, Marmoush, and Gvardiol. So when people want to say the players aren't good enough that's a lazy way of covering for the current Pep. Maybe some are and maybe some aren't, but as a collective it's obvious to see they definitely aren't compatible with whatever Pep is now trying to do. He is now a short timer. The club, mainly Viana and those involved in squad building, need to do a thorough assessment of the squad and look for someone of quality whose playing principles are in line with these players' strengths and move in that direction. You can make some changes but you can't blow up this entire squad for a manager with less than 2 years to run on his contract and no desire to make serious changes to how we play.This inverted full back is a completely busted flush now but he wont give up on it. Leaves us open time and time again.
We got smashed away at Arsenal, turned over easily at home to the dippers, lost away at forest, limped out the CL against Madrid, weren’t able to beat one of the worst teams in premier league history before losing the FA cup final to an average palace side and scraped 3rd on the last day. So no, we were absolutely not the ‘best team’ in the second half of last season.We were the best team in 2H of last season and beat Chelsea, Villa and Newcastle without which we wouldn't have got CL football. There is a lot of work to do but to say we have made no progress based on 1 game and 30 mins after virtually no pre-season is a wild over reaction.
Yes but would he really rather fail with his principles or try something totally different100% he should. But this is the first time in his managerial career where he hasn’t got a decent spine in the starting 11. And throwing in the barging basement signing aren’t going to work. Looking at him on the side line on Sunday he looked lost a rabbit in head lights moment. And that was before the Penalty. As soon as they made the for subs at once he hadn’t a clue what to do
The thing that concerns me most is over the last 12 months opposing managers who aren’t even close to his level are doing a number on him. I always trust Pep to find a way but it’s a worrying trend
We got smashed away at Arsenal, turned over easily at home to the dippers, lost away at forest, limped out the CL against Madrid, weren’t able to beat one of the worst teams in premier league history before losing the FA cup final to an average palace side and scraped 3rd on the last day. So no, we were absolutely not the ‘best team’ in the second half of last season.
Since then we weve been humiliated by Al hilal as mentioned, beaten a woeful wolves side, been outplayed by Tottenham and seen yet another capitulation against a very average Brighton. I’m struggling to see what progress has been made? Please enlighten me.
You mention having no pre season.. whose fault is that? It’s not anyones but our own.
Don’t try to gloss over what we are seeing by telling me we’ve made progress when we’re sat with 3 points from 3 games with no idea where the next win will come from.
Seems like you’re just another happy clapper intent on finding excuses rather than facing up to where we actually are right now.
Shit creek, I presumeRight up where?
I think the horrendous injury list had a significant impact last season.Simple answer, no. How shambolic we were in far too many games was diabolical.
The new tactic of the centre back playing a goal kick short to allow the goalie to smash it up field was a fun one on Saturday. If we're going long then just do it first timeIt sucks. The space in behind on both flanks is criminal. Yet we get hurt by long balls played wide week in and week out. Mind numbing. The high line with the lack of pace of our central defenders is also absurd. Someone please tell me where the rewards are outweighing the risks. We continue to do dumb shit that does nothing but hurt us. Playing from the back is fine but what the fuck do we actually gain from making a million short, intricate, risky passes in and around our own box where one bad touch can lead to a cheap goal against? Tell me how this is a good thing. Go back and watch Pep's Barca or Bayern or our earlier squads under Pep. They played out of the back but not at a snail's pace and not with endless passing to their keeper. I sit here anymore and think what am I watching? Part of the manager's job is to assess his players' strengths and weaknesses and set them up in a system/s that suits these strengths. Pep hasn't been doing that for some time now. He'd rather shoehorn players into a system or role they aren't suited for. Recent examples of this are how he's utilized Alvarez. Foden, Doku, Savinho, Rico Lewis, Nunes, Bernardo, both Nicos, Marmoush, and Gvardiol. So when people want to say the players aren't good enough that's a lazy way of covering for the current Pep. Maybe some are and maybe some aren't, but as a collective it's obvious to see they definitely aren't compatible with whatever Pep is now trying to do. He is now a short timer. The club, mainly Viana and those involved in squad building, need to do a thorough assessment of the squad and look for someone of quality whose playing principles are in line with these players' strengths and move in that direction. You can make some changes but you can't blow up this entire squad for a manager with less than 2 years to run on his contract and no desire to make serious changes to how we play.
Its a squad that is bringing us back to no European football unless we get more consistency and develop a bit of craft and ruthlessness.Pep has his faults but the reality is that the quality isn’t there. Even the Pep of old wouldn’t coach this squad to a title. There’s too many uncertainties.
Defensively,
Our right back options are Nunes and Lewis which you can only laugh at. Stones and Ake haven’t played consistent high level football for 2 years. Dias has regressed. Jury still out on Ait-Nouri but I think he’ll be fine. Gvardiol is top class.
In midfield,
Bernardo’s legs are long gone. His cameo vs Spurs in particular was laughable. Reijnders was great against Wolves but the other 2 games show that he doesn’t look like he’s up to speed with the pace of the Prem. Suspect it’ll improve after the break but jury is still out.
Nico G another one who I think deserves time but at the minute he’s a backup at best. Kovacic is a squad player. Rodri is top class.
In attack,
Doku/Savinho are talented sure but the production isn’t where it needs to be.
Marmoush brings a spark no doubt, but to me he’s a downgrade from what Alvarez and Mahrez were in terms of being that secondary forward.
Foden needs to prove himself again and is quietly starting to become a sick note. Cherki still needs time but now out for 2 months. Haaland of course will score goals but he’s not dragging you to a title.
The likes of Bobb, Khusanov, Lewis, O’Reilly haven’t proven anything consistently yet to be relied upon heavily in a title charge.
We have far too many players who need to prove themselves again or the jury is still out on. It’s not a title winning squad.
Its a squad that is bringing us back to no European football unless we get more consistency and develop a bit of craft and ruthlessness.
Favourites to win the CL? Bloody hell. I accept I am negative but that level of optimism I fully admire considering there is no chance of that. We won't be in the comp come April.Some thought at the start of the 22/23 season that the squad back then was the worst we had under Pep... Fans are often bad judges of quality and potential.
The squad we have now isn't ideal due to lack of top options at RB, but it has enormous potential and I wouldn't be surprised if we were among the favourites for the CL come April.
Anyone writing us off is likely to be proven wrong. I also mean the media and opposition fans.
The spine of Donnarumma, Gvardiol, Rodri and Haaland is up there with the best in the world, if not the best. It is surrounded by a lot of experience (Dias, Stones, Ake, Bernardo), players entering their prime (Foden, Marmoush, Reijnders) and potential (Khusa, RAN, Gonzalez, Bobb, Savinho, Doku, Trafford...).
Anyone who is certain the quality isn't there or that Pep is finished is too pessimistic.
You keep using these past instances to make your points but they have absolutely no bearing on what's going to happen in the future. You say fans are a bad judge of quality and potential but if im not mistaken you are also a fan - that means your point can also apply to people like yourself who are downplaying the reality of what we are seeing.Some thought at the start of the 22/23 season that the squad back then was the worst we had under Pep... Fans are often bad judges of quality and potential.
The squad we have now isn't ideal due to lack of top options at RB, but it has enormous potential and I wouldn't be surprised if we were among the favourites for the CL come April.
Anyone writing us off is likely to be proven wrong. I also mean the media and opposition fans.
The spine of Donnarumma, Gvardiol, Rodri and Haaland is up there with the best in the world, if not the best. It is surrounded by a lot of experience (Dias, Stones, Ake, Bernardo), players entering their prime (Foden, Marmoush, Reijnders) and potential (Khusa, RAN, Gonzalez, Bobb, Savinho, Doku, Trafford...).
Anyone who is certain the quality isn't there or that Pep is finished is too pessimistic.
Not happening. Look at our record against Madrid, Liverpool and Arsenal over the last 2 years. We’ve declined further as a team over that time tooSome thought at the start of the 22/23 season that the squad back then was the worst we had under Pep... Fans are often bad judges of quality and potential.
The squad we have now isn't ideal due to lack of top options at RB, but it has enormous potential and I wouldn't be surprised if we were among the favourites for the CL come April.
Anyone writing us off is likely to be proven wrong. I also mean the media and opposition fans.
The spine of Donnarumma, Gvardiol, Rodri and Haaland is up there with the best in the world, if not the best. It is surrounded by a lot of experience (Dias, Stones, Ake, Bernardo), players entering their prime (Foden, Marmoush, Reijnders) and potential (Khusa, RAN, Gonzalez, Bobb, Savinho, Doku, Trafford...).
Anyone who is certain the quality isn't there or that Pep is finished is too pessimistic.
Not happening. Look at our record against Madrid, Liverpool and Arsenal over the last 2 years. We’ve declined further as a team over that time too
Are you forgetting how PSG struggled and only just qualified for the champions league knockout last season. It will take a while for us to fully click,but no reason the second half of the season can't see it happen.I don't expect us to win it this year but think we will look very good November onwards.Favourites to win the CL? Bloody hell. I accept I am negative but that level of optimism I fully admire considering there is no chance of that. We won't be in the comp come April.
I like the spine, although if we continue our slow boring football then it doesn't benefit Haaland. Especially after KDB leaving and not having a creative genius to unlock them tight defences. The experience you speak of could also be labelled slow ageing players and the defenders side of that experience are playing a massive part in our defensive frailties.
If the quality is there then you are contradicting yourself about Pep not being finished. If the quality is there why do we keep losing against lesser sides? If the quality is there why do we keep conceding goals/chances at our goal by the gallon. If the quality is there why do we look slow and passive going forwards? If the quality is there then all that is down to Pep and his tactics and instructions to our players. I appreciate your optimism blue, by god we need it and I am one of the worst for it but there needs to be a realistic outlook of what is going on as well.
You keep using these past instances to make your points but they have absolutely no bearing on what's going to happen in the future.