Liverpool banter 3

12 May 2024 10:41:27
Hello ed1 hope u keeping well. What u make of young danns? I impressed what I seen of him, although that hasn't been an awful lot, looks like a goalscorer. I v surprised he wasn't used last month r so as he looked to me that he exactly type of player we needed at the time, somebody to stick ball in net. our forwards at the time looked like they had the wait of the world on them, somebody like danns, fresh and young with no baggage would've been well worth a go imo.
I know he suffered concussion against forest which ruled him out for a while.

{Ed001's Note - I am also surprised he was not given more opportunities, he looks a genuine goalsniffer with a decent link up play too. I really like the look of him, even though on first glance he seems a bit awkward and gangly. It does look like he is still growing into his body, so I wouldn't want him to be starting every week, but he looks ready for more time than he is getting. Especially with Jota out, we really lack someone who can actually be relied upon to score.}

12 May 2024 10:57:35
Was crying out for him to come on vs United in that final 10 minutes.

12 May 2024 11:02:19
Danns is a very good, young propect with the extremely little i've seen of him. The goals he has scored for the senior and U21 games are quite tasty in terms of his composure in front of goal. See his goals vs Southhmpton and his goal vs Utd with the U21's with an audacious back heel. He is definitely one to watch out for next season.

12 May 2024 11:36:26
Thanks for response. Reminds me a bit of Harry kane when he 1st broke into spurs team as a youngster.

12 May 2024 11:56:52
This is one thing I hope the new manager picks up on - the youngsters, id be prioritizing them from the off especially him, Bradley and quansah. Give them their chances or we'll lose them because all three are that good, they could go pretty much anywhere in this league right now so I hope they keep here and get their chances.

12 May 2024 13:06:06
Bradley and Quansah have been starting. They and Danns wouldn't be going to City and Arsenal and starting.
I'm pretty sure about that.

12 May 2024 13:11:44
Salah the youngsters have really stepped up this season.

Was said the other day that the two seasons Klopp has used the kids the most are the 2 seasons we have been in the Europa.

Next season in the CL we will likely have to go full strength every game. That leaves the Fa and League cup but that’s all based on the draws.

Over recent seasons we seem to get drawn against Premier league opposition quite a bit whilst City get drawn at home to the dog and duck local pub team.

12 May 2024 13:54:51
Out of interest, does anyone know if slot uses youngsters? or is he more of a veteran type coach?
I'm surprised now that we've got nothing to play for we haven't seen some of the youngsters more, especially with some of the dips in form.

12 May 2024 15:10:01
Slot has a very good record in working with young players. Infact, he has never signed anyone over the age of 24 while at Feyenoord if I remember correctly. However, that is something you expect with managers in the Dutch league, so it would be interesting to see if he tweaks the approach now given that he has considerably more money and pull now. At the same time, I believe his use of youth must have been an important factor while hiring him.

12 May 2024 16:16:48
Koumas looks like a player too, more of a Beardsley type player but can certainly score. Needs more first team play.

12 May 2024 17:13:39
Beardsley was a top player. Him, Barnes and Aldridge were brilliant for us. What a summer that was for us signing those three after selling Ian Rush.
I'd be thrilled if Koumas turns out half as good as Beardsley.

12 May 2024 17:52:18
Edd001 i think klopp now has regrets on team selection. His comment of regret on not playing elliot more was very surprising because we've all been wondering WHY. He never gave a reason why but i think ultimately loyalty to other players plus the way we were playing cost us. Even young bradley getting injured, the comment klopp made comparing him to trent i thought was wrong. I don't think he's got it right with the younger players who were actually getting us through the tough period. He disregarded them once the "stars" returned and those same stars let us down.

12 May 2024 19:03:43
If we'd played Elliott more I reckon we finish third and having won the Carabao Cup.
It wouldn't change our League position or have kept us in the Europa.
This is not a slight against because I like him but he's not a player that would have changed the course of our season.
Not yet anyway.

12 May 2024 19:18:59
He looks like a member of Bone thugz and harmony as well as a good footballer. Fingers crossed he will get a chance to impress in pre season along with others. Hoping Bajcetic can stay injury free he needs minutes on the pitch that’s for sure. Exciting times ahead out with the old in with the new.

13 May 2024 01:08:53
Mizer, I wouldn't read too much into what Klopp said, about not playing Elliott more. If I recall correctly, said the same thing about Minamino as well the season we won the Carling Cup.

{Ed001's Note - and he was right about Minamino - he should have played him more.}

13 May 2024 04:12:31
And I agree with that Ed, Minamino should have played more. Just pointing out that there is precedence to Klopp saying that he should have played xxx player more often, so it is not all that surprising that he is saying so again. It is more surprising that he has not learnt from it though, choosing instead to be "loyal" to players who are under-performing.

13 May 2024 11:44:29
Dracred, took the words right out of my mouth cos Klopp did openly say that about Mino and at the time, I was screaming for Klopp to play him more. Mino got a raw deal from Klopp and had he played him more, he could have done more. That's on Klopp. Loyalty will ALWAYS be one of his blind spots, IMO.

12 May 2024 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Evaluating Potential Manchester United Managers

12 May 2024 08:58:27
Best United squad in years shappy leave everything as is please mate.

12 May 2024 09:54:30
Amorim has said he’s staying, and Iriola is completely unproven. One good season with a below average Prem team is exactly how we ended up with Rodgers. O’Neill has at least had a couple of seasons getting teams to over perform and he also did it both times without having a pre-season or any of his own players, so he isn’t a bad shout at all, but still a risk given he has no proven winning pedigree.

United should go after someone like Marco Rose in my opinion. Great job at Salzburg winning several trophies, got Monchengladbach playing very well, then came 2nd with Dortmund, before getting a move to Leipzig where he’s won the German Cup and Super Cup.

Key factor is that he is used to working in the structure United are trying to build with several directors above him, thanks to his extensive experience in the Red Bull Group. I hope they go after someone like Southgate personally but Rose would be perfect for them.

12 May 2024 10:12:05
If we’re being honest and without taking the ps.
They should go for Unai Emery. He’d leave for another crack at a big club and probably take a few players from villa too and they’d instantly better im surprised it’s not been mentioned more

But I love ten haag the guy is clueless I hope he stays.

12 May 2024 10:59:46
I don’t think Emery would suit them Liverpool FC8. He has far too much control at Villa. He’d want something similar at United and that just isn’t compatible with how they’re trying to build the club under Radcliffe. Emery is very good at what he does, but I think the reason he fails at bigger clubs is because he doesn’t delegate or work within a structure as effectively as others. The games moved on since the good old days where 3 or 4 blokes could run a successful elite level club from plastic chairs in a boot room. All the major clubs still winning nowadays operate within the structure that United are striving for and Emery doesn’t fit that ethos. I think he’s perfect if you want to get a mid table team into Europe and maybe win the odd cup. But United are ambitious (rightly or wrongly) and want to be back at the very top.

I’m personally glad we’re moving towards a more modern structure with Slot, Ward, Marques, Hughes, Edwards etc. Only time will tell if they’re the right men for the jobs, but the structure is bang on in my opinion. City are so far ahead because of successfully implementing this multi-club structure and having several strategic, technical and sporting directors. It’s left Guardiola to just focus on the team. The money’s a big help mind you, but one of the ways they help with FFP is by developing players through their multi-club model which allows them to take full advantage of the loan system and then sell those players at a profit.

12 May 2024 11:09:37
Apparently Jim Ratcliffe is really taken with the idea of Southgate, I’ll give him his dues, Ratcliffe really is committed to Brexit, as that’ll keep United out of Europe for a long time to come.

12 May 2024 14:51:40
If they decide to press the ejector seat button on Seven then I think Southgate would be an excellent replacement - imagine all those sub-standard RB’s joining Shaw, Varanne and, best of all Harry. Of course, if he were available, Ole would also be worth another look for a year or two contract 😉.

12 May 2024 20:41:39
I think that Southgate would be exceptional for United, he has the ability to turn a load of individuals into a team, which is what United need. They probably wouldn't win anything with Southgate, but once he got them playing as a team they could then get a winning manager. Hope United don't go for him persaonally.

13 May 2024 10:13:15
I think Ratcliffe made a lot of money via hedge funds.

Hedge funds make money from economic instability.

Might explain why JR was “keen” on Brexit yet he still does a lot of business in Europe.

{Ed002's Note - And he lives in Monaco, and is a Chelsea season ticket holder.}

11 May 2024 17:53:25
With the title race officially over, second place almost impossible and 3rd place assured, I hope Klopp takes the opportunity to play the youngsters.
The odd premier league game in their legs can prove crucial.
Baj needs games
Danns needs games
Koumas, Clark.
Get them playing.

11 May 2024 18:14:21
Ron get what you’re saying mate but I don’t think it’ll happen.

I think it’ll be more sentimental to him to manage some of the players that have been on his LFC journey throughout.

And he’s going to want to go out with wins. Even though he might say results aren’t important the guy is a winner.

And you can’t just switch that mentality off.

12 May 2024 00:47:58
@Ron, agree with Baj and to a lesser extent the others should come on off the be h.

@JK, love the idea of his ‘favourite’ team over the 9 years - I reckon it might be

Ali,

TAA, Joel M, VVD, Robbo

Hendo, Fabs, Millie

Mo, Bobby, Sadio

Only other one I think might get in is Gini, perhaps for Fabs or Millie.

Perhaps as it’s his last match we could use the new 4 - 2 - 3 - 2 set up and sneak Gini on anyway 😉.

12 May 2024 02:20:10
“be h” started out life as the word “bench” in my head 😁.

12 May 2024 02:51:52
Can't argue with that WDW. I do think Wiji would come into the side in place of Millie because Klopp seems to favour Millie coming off the bench to see out games.

12 May 2024 05:37:19
Prove crucial for what lol.

12 May 2024 08:49:01
Faith, I am asking the same question as you are.

12 May 2024 08:53:12
Wdw 😂.

Or he might think f##k it and play

Karius

Ben Davies Sakho Kobak Klavan

Arthur Kieta Grujic

Carvalho. Caulker Ballotelli.

12 May 2024 09:22:17
For their development @Faith and Oli

Young players need games against better opponents not coasting in the youth teams all the time.

12 May 2024 09:39:02
Some crackers there JK 👍😂.

12 May 2024 11:05:17
Ron, I get what you're saying. I just think them playing in 2 final games of the season is not "crucial" at all for their development.

Now going into preseason, that is where I would watch to see how much time they get in friendlies as that would be crucial to thheir development in real time as that will judge how involved they will be going into the actual start of a season, not the end of it. just my opinion.

12 May 2024 11:19:32
I though you said preseason games mean nothing Oli?

12 May 2024 14:55:53
I think the idea is that the scores in preseason friendlies are unimportant @Red-Will. The important thing to take away from them is that youngsters can perform at a higher level and are ready for consideration / inclusion in the squad for the coming season. Like Baj last season and Bradley this season - that sort of thing.

12 May 2024 17:39:05
Disagree Oli,

Playing competitive games against premier league opponents is more important than non-competitive friendlies.
Friendlies are about fitness and tactics. They don’t replicate the pressure of a competitive game.

I said “can be crucial” not “is crucial” because playing in competitive games can help players make the step up or it can show them as being “not ready”.

Not trying to change your perspective, just different view of matches.

13 May 2024 02:22:48
hardly going to get any meaningful development playing in games we're giving up on.

11 May 2024 13:16:46
My end of season awards are. best young player Quansah, best player Macallister or Allison, best goal is Mac's v Fulham at Anfield, best breakthrough player is Quansah again, best team performance v Chelsea at Wembley, highlight of season was winning league Cup and low point was announcement of Klopp leaving obviously.

11 May 2024 14:09:53
Cmon let’s get the proper awards going.
Superfan of the season on here would be very tight 😂.

11 May 2024 14:20:38
Young POTY: Elliott
Breakthrough: Quansah
POTY: Virgil
Best game: Carabao Cup Final
Best goal: Macca vs Fulham.

11 May 2024 14:27:51
Best Player: Van Dijk
Runner up: Mac Allaister

Best Young Player: Quansah
Runner Up: Conor Bradley

Best Goal: Mac vs Fulham
Runner up: Nunez vs Newcastle

Best Team Performance: home game vs Aston Villa

Highlight: League cup win

Breakthrough player: Connor Bradley
Runner Up: Quansah

Things I'm excited about for next year:

Harvey Elliott is taking serious steps these last few months. I'm extremely excited about him and didn't include him in my young players as I now consider him graduated.

Quansah and Bradley will save us millions. Superb additions that hopefully will only improve next season.

NicolGlory, put on some earmuffs for this next bit. I think this season got away from Szobozlai a little bit but I think he is a world class talent that we only scratched the surface on. With a break, small change of tactics, I'm very hopeful we see the best of him next season.

Bajcetic. What a talent. Just want to see him fit. Once he gets his fitness, we could have something really special.

I want to see Macca and Trent take ownership of this team on the pitch. I want them orchestrating everything. Creating chances left right and centre. It's rare to have two incredible playmaking talents at once. That should be far more noticeable than it was this season and hopefully we see it next season.

I admit I'm a glass half full guy most of the time but I genuinely see the building blocks of a really exciting new generation. With the right additions, I think we could have something very exciting on our hands.

11 May 2024 15:43:21
Wel put davey we have a quality young squad that are growing together with a few additions defensively and a tweak we could be unreal no doubt about it .y

11 May 2024 15:49:43
"Superfan of the Year" should be scientifically awarded to the person who complained about 'superfans' the most. Just for trolling.

11 May 2024 17:21:25
Close call between Quansah, Elliot and Bradley for young player of the year.

I like the idea of a breakthrough player as that allows the nomination of two of them for an award.

I think Elliot as young player due to playing more games and minutes and then Quansah as breakout player.

Endo underdog story of the year

Mac player of the year

Kelleher recognition award of the year.

{Ed077's Note - Quansah assist for the Bruno goal seals it for me 😜

11 May 2024 20:25:58
There should be an award for the best new award.
Underdog? Breakthrough? Give me strength. That's not an award, btw.
It's a team game and there should only be one individual award. Bald manager of the year.

11 May 2024 21:51:43
There will be strong competition for the 'I have the right to be upset about not being as good as City and we're that bad that we'll get relegated so we should have sold our top scorer two seasons ago' supporter award.
We could shorten it to The most Veruca Salt like supporter award.

12 May 2024 00:49:53
It was a lot easier when it was just Player of the Year, wasn’t it. Everyone knew where they stood.

11 May 2024 17:35:14
Ed077 😂😂 he’s probably in the running for Liverpool’s young player of the season and Utds player of the season.

{Ed077's Note - give him the awards I say :-D

11 May 2024 12:58:55
Seems very strange that LFC reappointed The two people that walked out on the club and put one in a top position within the club and we lose Klopp does not feel right to me and i know i will miss Jurgen Klopp more than i missed Edwards and Ward.

11 May 2024 15:08:16
@iwillbered. You can praise Klopp without bizarrely taking a swipe at Edwards and Ward. I mean, whether you like it or not Edwards alongside Klopp of course was heavily involved in our successful period. Also, not sure what’s strange about Edwards fixing our structure, which I may add was not there prior to his appointment. Each to their own I guess.

11 May 2024 15:37:38
Klopp wants a break. Let him have one. He's a person as well as a manager.

12 May 2024 00:16:02
All of them were successful with us, of they fell out fine, Klopp stayed and they left. Now Klopp is leaving they are coming back. All good.

12 May 2024 00:52:08
Totally agree that Klopp has had enough, which is fair enough

However, the interesting question is, if Jurgen had decided to stay on until the end of his contract does anybody think it’s likely that Edwards and Ward would be back?

12 May 2024 08:53:44
What's strange about it? We all know Edwards left as there was some power struggle going on btw them. Ward left the same way by saying that it was becoming too difficult to do his job effectively, which means he had some beef with Klopp as well. Now whether they were competent and qualified enuff to be the DOF is another issue we can debate.

Now as clearly there is a restructuring not just at the club BUT at FSG on the footballing side, the owners have brought in guys who were very successful working on the footie side with Klopp to start a new era under as Klopp is now leaving. This is how big businesses work when restructuring happens periodically, man. Nothing else to see here, IMO.

12 May 2024 15:00:30
I get the impression that for some of the new appointees or re-appointees the carrot is the seeming emergence of FSG’s plan to purchase one (or more) teams and follow, amongst others, the Citeh model. A ‘today Liverpool, tomorrow the world’ type of thing.

12 May 2024 15:58:27
“Least likely to see at anfield” would be a cracker!

11 May 2024 12:32:26
I had a very interesting chat with a Feynoord supporter I ended up in a debate with through social media this morning.

Naturally we got onto the way Slot plays with a 4-2-3-1. They clarified that only one full back inverts for Feynoord (normally Geertruida from either RB or LB depending what side he's playing) . So I'd guess not too dissimilar to how Trent does for us from RB. The main difference is that Slot then asks the other full back to sit in to create a back 3 whereas we still have Robbo bombing forward. Sounds like it will suit Trent and Bradley who have the ability to invert, but doesn't sound as good for Robbo or Tsimikas as neither are solid enough defensively for that in my opinion. Looks like we'd need a player at LB who can defend as a priority and will be disciplined in staying back. I thought Slot's arrival might be the end of Gomez, but arguably tucking in from LB to being a 3rd CB could be perfect for him (on paper) to reignite his career.

When Geertruida inverts, one of the double pivot players then pushes on next to the no.10 (sounds ideal for Mac Allister) which creates a dual attacking midfielder set up with the fast wingers then going wider to maintain the width. This creates an attacking 4 behind the striker which stretches right across the pitch. Sounds a lot like how Man City play in possession. Think this will suit Diaz and Gakpo quite well on the left but really highlights the need to sign a fast wide man to replace Salah on the right. Also highlights the need to have a clinical striker. Jota would probably be ideal if he wasn't so injury prone but Nunez is going to have to scrub up in front of goal big time.

Out of possession is where it sounded more similar to a Klopp side. It's an aggressive press but where it differs to how we press more in wide areas, Feynoord press more through the centre. The no.10 pushed up to press with the striker but the 2 wingers drop in to create two defensive banks of 4. So it sounds more pragmatic defensively but perhaps not quite as effective at winning the ball high up the pitch; would like to see it in action though as pressing in 1's and 2's is very hard. Two players in our team who are both relentless in their pressing are Elliott and Szoboszlai so where I previously thought they might do well on the right wing under Slot, I'm now thinking they might be better suited to the 10 role where their work rate from the front will be better utilised out of possession.

I found it really interesting having never watched a full 90 of Feynoord so thought I'd pass on my understanding. Football has become so complicated nowadays. I had a totally different vision in my head when I heard Slot plays 4-2-3-1 with inverted full backs; I was thinking more like Spurs with Porro and Udogie inverting. Slot's 4-2-3-1 seems like it virtually disappears at kick off becoming a 3-2-4-1 in possession and a 4-4-2 out of possession. He's obviously a very regimented manager tactically.

11 May 2024 16:57:27
Given the changes to the offside rule from next season, it could see a lot more chances for Nunez, a lot of the offside calls against him would be onside next season. And once he’s away not many are catching him. He just needs to work on that last bit.

11 May 2024 17:09:22
The number of chances Nunez is getting is not his main problem.
Which offside decisions against him this season wouldn't be given next season, Vik?

11 May 2024 17:25:38
Nunez composure and decision making is what sometimes let's him down but that might just improve with more experience and exposure.

Realistically all the players still have something to play for the next two games as Slot will 100% be assessing them.

They can’t wait until pre season to set their marker that comes now.

Let’s send a legend in Klopp out with a high and give the incoming manager some good headaches to have before pre season even gets underway.

11 May 2024 17:40:00
Interesting MK, it does sound distinctly different from our mess of system. I can see how having proper wingers, rather than wide forwards, would make a big difference in maintaining width. Additionally, having a third centre back to play on the left hand side would make a big difference. Not sure it would be enough to convert me but there’s no doubt about it, we are implementing these tactics in the worst way possible.

Good point about the press. You’d imagine that in the premier league you wouldn’t be able to get away with pressing in 1’s and 2’s. Furthermore, if we’re moving away from having goalscoring wide players that cut inside, it raises a lot of questions. It should suit Diaz and Gakpo perfectly, providing we can keep both of them moving forward. Jota would be perfect but he is always injured.

Biggest concerns are Salah and Nunez. Salah would have to be moved centrally for me, I can’t see it working any other way, he doesn’t have the pace to beat a man and get to the byline anymore. Nunez wouldn’t fit in on either wing and isn’t clinical enough to lead the line if more emphasis is placed on the centre forward. Our midfield players should shine and score more goals as well.

Salah I can see being moved on if push comes to shove, I have no idea what the plan is for Nunez though. That does concern me. Convincing Diaz to stay is a must if this is the way we want to play.

11 May 2024 20:30:38
Our mess of a system? What does that say about the seventeen teams below us?

12 May 2024 09:08:11
Very interesting read, MKS. What I would say is that I don't think Slot will play his system from the off as he will have to evaluate the plyers he will be working with and prolly do it via baby steps as Klopp did when he arrived BUT I get your points overall.


"Jota would probably be ideal if he wasn't so injury prone but Nunez is going to have to scrub up in front of goal big time. "


On this point, both players have to step up and improve big time, do better and play better. In regards to Darwin, Slot signed a certain Santiago Gimenez from Cruz Azul (I think) from the Mexican League, someone nobody had ever heard of. Slot is known for improving players way using very interesting methods so one of the ways Slot improved him was to completely change his running style on a fundamental level (don't ask me why/ how) .

Clearly, this had helped Gimenez a lot and he was vital to them winning the title last season with his goals. Now, I believe with the qualities that Darwin possesses, he is ripe for Slot to develop in the areas he thrives BUT also in those he is lacking if he could turn Gimenez into the player he is now. Just my opinion.

12 May 2024 10:08:16
All this latest Slot talk reminds me of the early days of COVID.
Early 2020 no one knew anything about the virus but by April everyone was an expert on it 😂.
God bless the interweb!

12 May 2024 11:20:34
@Rigsby, no one is saying they are "experts" about Slot, as far as I know. All we are doing is gathering information from those who know him well (Feyenoord fans) or from podcasts containing guests who also know him well and using said info to give opinions and spark meaningful discussions. That's all we are doing.

12 May 2024 12:02:31
Rigsby what a time to be alive that was. Who knew that having a meal with your pint and following arrows in a supermarket would save your life.

12 May 2024 13:19:44
I was only joking, Oli. I didn't mean to cast nasturtiums upon the meaningful discussions. Just because I'm no good at it doesn't mean that I should make fun of it. I apologise, mate.

Nice one, JK 😂. It was certainly made more memorable by our incompetent government. Encouraging people to go out for their tea on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays was so ridiculous that I believed people wouldn't do it. I was wrong, once again.

12 May 2024 15:06:37
@Rigsby, ‘many a truth spoken in jest’, methinks. I’ve been taken to task a number of times on here by people who watch lots and lots and lots and lots of games both around the world or in particular countries. Of course I don’t mean they travel around the world or visit specific countries every week - the furthest they tend to go is to the living room to switch their device on to access the interweb thing but I think you’d be surprised at just how many experts we are fortunate to have on this forum.

11 May 2024 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - CTR has posted a new article entitled, My Current Opinions On Manchester United

11 May 2024 08:06:53
😁😁😁 Cracking good read 😁😁😁.

11 May 2024 09:14:54
Ten more year for ten Hag.,

11 May 2024 09:27:45
Good article and pleasant read. But I disagree with a lot of it. Ten Hag deserves 10 more years and the likes of Maguire, Onana, Antony, Martial and Casemiro are grossly under appreciated. Even Erickson is still young and could easily play 10 more years. They all need more game time and longer contracts to calm their nerves and produce on the field. Nothing wrong with their tactics and strategy. And might as well sell Rashford. 😂🤣😂.

11 May 2024 09:52:05
To be fair CTR, that’s the most honest and self aware piece I’ve seen a United fan write in a long time. Too many of your mates just flat out refuse to acknowledge that EtH created this mess with bad decisions. I get that he inherited a bit of a dog, and the club is rudderless at board level, but basic decisions he simply can’t get right. The persistence with inadequate tactics and team selections is incredible.

Mainoo and Eriksen this season are being wasted as a DM’s. Mainoo’s got magic in his feet, but he’s no sitting midfielder. Neither of them track back or close players down on the edge of the area. Put Mainoo in the final 3rd though and he glides through challenges and has that same arching technique on his shots that we used to see from Coutinho. Put Eriksen on a set piece or in front of a low block and he’ll find the strikers with pinpoint accuracy. EtH playing them in deeper roles reminds me of Rodgers playing Coutinho and Gerrard deeper in 13/ 14 and persisting with it even when we had to score 5 or 6 to make up for conceding 3 or 4. It just points towards a lack of basic knowledge of English football. Maybe you get away with it in other countries, but not here. Never here. Rodgers almost did to be fair because he had Suarez and Sturridge up front who could outscore most opposition but it still eventually caught up with him. There is nowhere to hide for EtH though because his star forwards are Antony and Rashford. Injuries are no excuse. We had injuries in DM the last few seasons so Klopp dipped into the academy and we saw Morton, Bajcetic and McConnell get chances. The injuries hurt us but we never dropped out of the top 5 into mid table mediocrity because we still had round pegs in round holes.

It beggars belief that someone who has made their way to the top of the game in management can’t see when a player just has no capacity to protect the defence so ask them to do it anyway. It’s a clear indicator they’re not cut out for the elite level management in my opinion. It’s why Rodgers is back in Scotland and it’s why EtH won’t last long here either.

12 May 2024 00:03:36
I mean MK maybe they don’t have any youth DM’s at the club who could have been thrown in the deep end? i've heard of Dan Gore but think he’s on loan somewhere? Is it any good for either the player or the team to chuck some 16/ 17 year old into a terrible side if they don’t even think the player is at a decent enough level? Maybe the only youth DM’s they have will ever be top championship players at their peak? Don’t rate Ten hag at all but he’s promoted Mainoo and Kwambala when they had injuries. So he doesn’t seem to have an issue using youth team players.

12 May 2024 09:19:54
MKS, Utd are who and what they are in the boardroom and all that and one of the many mistakes they made was to give Ten Hag full control over transfers cos we now see he cannot ign a player he does NOT know, for the most part.

Also, ETH is responsible for coaching the team and the tactics and on that level, the guy is absolutely and relentlessly incompetent. The guy is absolutely terrible at coaching. Now you know what's worse? They are more than likely to keep him around cos IMO, there aren't any manager's out there really.

Now some people will mention the availability of The Waist Coat a. k. a Gareth Southgate and to that I will repeat one more time for those in the back, "There aren't any manager's out there really". Just my opinion.

12 May 2024 15:16:02
The problem with United are the Glazers - they’ve had the same problem for years. They aren’t interested in football, they had no real knowledge of the game when they bought in and their record of seeking advice over the years and the appointments they have made have varied from mediocre to abysmal at all levels within the club. The ground is outdated, their scouting system is farcical and their choice of managers has been inept, although the managers can be partly exonerated by the poor choices the club have made in player purchases - as an example God would struggle trying to improve Maguire.

I can’t wait for Ratcliffe to start arguing with the Glazers, The American’s interest is in the P&L and Ratcliffe has already ducked out of the cost to buy them out of the club outright. To misquote Joy Division ‘In-fighting will tear them apart again’

Bring on Southgate, pull up a chair and pass me a beer and the popcorn. 😁😁.