Who and what’s to blame?

[nellyonthewing]

Sure it's been mentioned but big games, we've gone from being amazing against our rivals, to dismal this season. It's been the area we've won the league the last couple of seasons, and the area we've dropped the majority of our points this season.

3 points from 6 against Chelsea.
1 point from 6 against Spurs (!).
0 points from 6 against United (!!).
0 points from 6 against Wolves.
0 points from 3 against Liverpool.

23 points out of 27 dropped against those teams. 23 points behind Liverpool.

That really is a frightening stat. It emphasises the need to get a top quality striker to replace the ageing Kun and a top quality defender alongside Laporte. A bit embarrassing for Pep really.

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

If Pep had decided to play youngsters last 3 seasons we would not have reached 100 points and quite sure Liverpool would have won the PL last season.

Agreed, I’m sure we are ready to do a Chelsea & blood the youngsters should the CAS decision go against us, but it’s fanciful to think a club operating at the higher echelons of football could risk it all by throwing a handful of teenagers into the team just to say our academy is a success etc etc. There is a clear pathway to the first team & it’s being well trodden by Phil and 1or2 others, people will point to Sancho leaving but I’m sure the club had a well thought out plan for him to succeed, he chose his own path & good luck to him, we are trying to produce future world class players to improve the first team and a high percentage won’t be good enough

 

[SapperBlue]

Recruitment cost us again, for a team that many consider one of the wealthiest in football the penny pinching when it comes to our top targets is shooting us in the foot. If we’d replaced Vinny with De Ligt for 75 million euros we’d have solved our cb problem for the next 10 years.

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

Recruitment cost us again, for a team that many consider one of the wealthiest in football the penny pinching when it comes to our top targets is shooting us in the foot. If we’d replaced Vinny with De Ligt for 75 million euros we’d have solved our cb problem for the next 10 years.

Not sure he’d of chosen us over Juve or Barca but agree with the sentiments, I was watching Sergio’s 100 club goals on sly today, after scoring his first goal for the club the first thing the commentator said was “£35 million pounds is a lot of money & he’s just repaid a small part of it” chicken feed after all the goals & loyal service even if we hadn’t of won a single trophy,

 

[Sir Joe Aguero]

On paper it’s been a bit of a nightmare season, but despite their ridiculous points total, Liverpool don’t look half as good as they did last season (look at theirs and our xG, xGA, xPoints).

Another thing is the top 6 have been piss-poor against Liverpool. With Chelsea & United strengthening, Wolves looking consistent, and Everton getting Ancelotti (and maybe Newcastle getting £££), more teams will hopefully take points off the dippers.

VAR, poor recruitment and poor results mean we’re way off the boil, but if we sign the right players and get off to a good start, I’m confident we can have a solid campaign.

2nd and 2 cups and a decent run in the CL is ok for a ‘bad season’.

 

[Sky Blue Thinking]

Not sure he’d of chosen us over Juve or Barca but agree with the sentiments, I was watching Sergio’s 100 club goals on sly today, after scoring his first goal for the club the first thing the commentator said was “£35 million pounds is a lot of money & he’s just repaid a small part of it” chicken feed after all the goals & loyal service even if we hadn’t of won a single trophy,

Sergio also signed for us about 6mths after Liverpool had spent a similar amount on Andy Carroll. Wonder how often that transfer is referenced.

 

[Rochdale Blue]

Sergio also signed for us about 6mths after Liverpool had spent a similar amount on Andy Carroll. Wonder how often that transfer is referenced.

Not often when the media is agog with the greatest fairy tale romance in history ending thirty years of hurt.

 

[peoffrey]

Marque signings needed to replace Kompany and add an extra striker. Jesus is hardly going to terrify mean defences.

We’ll suffer the same problem with Silva too.

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

Sergio also signed for us about 6mths after Liverpool had spent a similar amount on Andy Carroll. Wonder how often that transfer is referenced.

Whitewashed because they signed that Toothy racist at the same time who they sold for four hundred squillion

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

Back to back titles is a tough ask , but we did it , to expect us to keep up this standard is very difficult because when the Rags did win their three titles on the trot , i do not remember their competitors being able to spend on the most expensive centre back and keeper. Our recruitment in the next couple of months will be the most important issue , and that will be at a standstill until we recieve the CAS decision.

Big players want to play in the Champs league , the alternative would be buying young hungry players and developing the likes of Foden,Garcia,Bellis,Doyle,Adebairyo over the next couple of seasons whilst keeping competitve in the Premier league , Pep and the club is at a crossroads and the CAS appeal will unfortunately dictate the next couple of seasons ,hopefully Pep will extend his contract to see the job through.