25 Mar 2026 21:32:47
ED 001, what are your thoughts on Mo leaving? I know he is nearing the end but I feel like it would have been best to stay another year with so much change at the club.
{Ed001's Note - he wants to play every minute of every game, I think it is best he left to find somewhere he can get that.}
25 Mar 2026 22:24:37
I haven't said anything about Salah yet cos I'm kind of p'd off about it to be honest.
I've been pretty consistent in my view that if you can criticise the form of nearly every individual player in the team, then maybe the players aren't the problem. That goes for basically all of them with the possible exception of Konate, who doesn't seem to know what a football is (yes, even Mac Allister. I get he gets knocked over by a stiff breeze, but we previously mitigated that by not playing him as the 6).
For Salah specifically, if you have a player's output in terms of goals and assists gets cut by more than half from the previous season, I'm inclined to look at the tactics, and not assume the player has catastrophically declined in ability and physicality.
I get he had to go some time, but considering how well he looks after himself, I think if Slot hadn't lost his marbles tactically this season, he'd still be putting up good enough numbers. And I definitely think he still has the ability to play, and play regularly, at this level. As it is, he's our third highest scorer behind Szoboszlai and Ekitike, and I believe has the most assists? Not exactly horrifying stats for someone who's apparently been awful.
It's not as extreme as Gerrard and Rodgers, but I think he's been handled badly by Slot, and things really could've been different.
25 Mar 2026 22:35:15
That. ?
25 Mar 2026 22:37:55
Something Red, spot on.
25 Mar 2026 22:48:56
Bit of a conspiracy theory here from me, but I wonder if the negotiations with a new manager have included this?
I wonder if they want to start afresh, maybe a different formation, maybe Salah wouldn't fit into that plan, and keeping him as a sub would cause too much dressing room drama?
It seems a bit of a coincidence that Werner is over, the new manager rumours have ramped up and this has happened.
I've no doubt Werner's agreement was required to progress a decision of this cost/magnitude.
25 Mar 2026 23:08:34
SomethingRed, the third highest goalscorer is admirable at Salah's age, but the stats miss the fact that he has been one of our worst performers this season. You can argue that the tactics haven't suited him, but that doesn't explain his inability to make simple passes or come close to beating his man. He has been largely anonymous and spooned goalscoring chances when, in the past, he's buried them.
Salah's own high standards have highlighted how badly he has dropped off this season and the time is right for him to move on.
It reminds me of Gerrard's final season when the ability was still there but the sharpness had dulled a little, and, in the Premier League, even half a second of uncertainty gets punished.
Mo Salah, thanks for your service. Forever a legend.
26 Mar 2026 02:39:57
ED 001, I know you have answered part of the question but I wanted to get your thoughts on whether or not Salah should have at least waited to see the managerial change before making a decision, yes I get that he wants to play every game but surely that can't be the only factor.
Hypothetically could he not have played a role under say Alonso next year in a style that gets the best out of him
{Ed001's Note - I very much doubt the option to walk away would be available to him in the summer.}
26 Mar 2026 06:57:08
Agree, Something Red.
26 Mar 2026 07:33:30
3rd highest goal scorer, and most assists - and yet some say that he is one of the worst performers because he can't dribble past a player????
What am I missing?
26 Mar 2026 09:17:16
Fully agree, SR esp. that second to last paragraph.
26 Mar 2026 09:46:47
Spot on, SR! And Ron too!
26 Mar 2026 09:48:12
JLC, you are missing that he has performed as bad as the much-maligned Gakpo, who everyone wants sold. Stats mean whatever you want them to mean, but anyone with half a clue can see that Salah has either been anonymous or borderline atrocious this season.
It says a lot about him as a player that he still bags a few goals whilst having a poor season.
26 Mar 2026 13:39:39
And, I would again point out that Gakpo wasn't a bad player last year. And, he's still in his 20s, so you can't say it's age catching up with him.
Are we absolutely sure it's Salah and Gakpo being bad and not the management of them lads?
26 Mar 2026 15:32:06
Whatever it is, SR, it's damn contagious because they've all been s*** mate.
I reckon it's a new strain of Hepa-Tactics A....