09 Feb 2026 07:43:38
Can I drop the question slot last season used his subs well, saw what was happening with teams and acted accordingly, now he just throws attackers on in hope?
09 Feb 2026 08:21:29
I guess, the squad seems thinner than last year, we have a number of long term injuries and he doesn't trust the youngsters. So basically, the first eleven (not remotely fit enough) try and manage their way through games and if that doesn't work he will do an odd like for like or just throw Chiesa on for 5 minutes so the crowd can chant our best song.
On the point of fitness. I know Ed01 has referred to it numerous times, but it is no surprise we concede so many late goals. We are not physically at the races but that then accelerates mental fatigue and we switch off. Both goals yesterday were completely avoidable, but either not reacting quick enough or tracking a runner and we give up two goals. Beyond that, even though we had basically a good 20 minutes, we created as many good chances as they did.
Cheers.
09 Feb 2026 08:22:10
You could see we had no legs left when city scored so why have slot left it so late to make subs yesterday.
09 Feb 2026 08:49:05
In all honesty both sides were quite poor yesterday, a distant cry from the city and Liverpool of a few seasons ago. It's like the PL is regressing and at quite a pace too. But looking at the UCL table it seems the same is happening in most other leagues too.
Are we training the skill, talent and individualism out of footballers replaced now with robotic type displays?
{Ed025's Note - in a word..yes..
09 Feb 2026 10:07:45
Mcgoveb, I am with you on this standard of play last night. I thought both teams were average esp. in that first half. We couldn't keep the ball and City despite all their possession where woeful in their decision making and choice of shots. Pretty poor.
We stepped up the tempo a bit in the second half a played a bit better BUT really, not by that much.
Also, i'm with @Longthing on the lack of legs part. We were gassed and needed a bust of energy. IMO, Jones should have come on a lot earlier as he had legs, can run, press and most importantly, keep the ball.
I don't know what we train/ work on or not BUT it has been clear all season long that the team hasn't been fully fit enuff to finish games strong and IMO, that came back to bite us yesterday, as it has done a lot of the time this season.
09 Feb 2026 09:30:04
I see it myself as I coach hurling (Irish sport) to a fairly high level. It's all systems based now, with speed, strength and athleticism the main attributes that coaches are looking at and are drilling into their teams at training.
The skillful maverick is going out of the game as he's eaten alive by these bigger stronger athletes. Unfortunately its probably gone forever as sports science and robotically playing to a system become more and more prevalent.
{Ed025's Note - i cant argue with that mate..
09 Feb 2026 09:30:43
Very True this.
City were avg at best and we were even worse. That tells on points table. One of the worst seasons combined from all teams.
Looks like time is catching up with Alisson also. His kicking after coming back has been bad and now his performace is also not as inspiring as we were used to see.
His 2nd less said the better. Not inspiring at all and no one will pay us what we paid for him to take him along.